Chapter 14

Wait, was that why Zuko had been banished after his Agni Kai? Had he really acted so poorly that Ozai had decided he needed to make Azula his heir instead, and resolved to banish Zuko until he could safely pass the throne over to his daughter?

That did make an uncomfortable amount of sense. Academically speaking Azula had the qualities of a better ruler, and Ozai always prioritised his duty as The Firelord first and foremost.

...

Sensing that his words had gotten through to her, Zhao continued walking, and soon had led them back to the officer's quarters. He pushed through the doors and addressed Zuko and Iroh in the no-nonsense tone he used when addressing most of his soldiers.

"My search part is ready. Once I'm out to sea my guards will escort you back to your ship, and you'll be free to go."

Zuko had maintained such a deep frown since having the truth dragged out of him that Tanya thought he looked wrinklier than a sour plum. Yet it turned out that he could get even frownier still. His face took on a mottled red hue as he glared hatefully at Zhao. "Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?"

"Zuko! Tanya admonished, not in the mood to put up with his attitude any longer. "Commander Zhao had been kind enough to let you go despite your previous deception, and even had your ship repaired and resupplied! Don't you think you owe him at least a little gratitude?"

"Gratitude!" Zuko snapped, standing up and fixing his glare on her. "You're going to try and steal The Avatar from me, and you expect me to be grateful?!"

"He isn't yours Zuko! You had your chance, and you failed!" Tanya snapped back, losing her cool in the face of Zuko's selfishness.

"Are we supposed to sit around and do nothing as The Avatar travels the world building his power, all so that you alone can get another shot at being the one to capture him? Open your eyes Zuko! The Avatar is more than just a powerful bender, he's a symbol that all the other remaining nations can rally behind.

The longer he remains free, the greater the chances that he'll cause serious setbacks to our invasion plans!"

Zuko snarled. "Father tasked me with the duty of capturing The Avatar! Me alone! I don't need you two getting in my way!"

Zhao laughed loudly. "Ha! I think you'll find that you are one getting in our way."

"Don't underestimate me Zhao! I will capture The Avatar before you!"

"Prince Zuko! That's enough!" Iroh warned, but went ignored.

"You can't compete with me." Zhao gloated mockingly, looking down on the banished prince as if he were a particularly disgusting insect. "I have hundreds of warships under my command, and The Devil of the South Sea. And you? You're just a banished prince. No home, no allies; your own father doesn't even want you."

Okay, that was taking things a bit too far now. Tanya stepped forward, intending to start defusing the situation, but there was no stopping Zuko. "You're wrong!" He shouted. "Once I deliver The Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honour, and restore my rightful place on the throne!"

Zhao sneered at him. "If your father really wanted you home, he would have let you return by now: Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure, and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."

"That's not true!"

"You have the scar to prove it."

All of a sudden Zuko was yelling, and had closed the gap between him and Zhao. Instinctively Tanya shifted into a fighting stance, ready to move if Zuko proved foolish enough to attack a commander in the middle of his own garrison, but fortunately Zuko had enough sense to restrain himself inches away from Zhao's face. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"

"Is that a challenge?" Zhao scoffed disbelievingly.

Zuko nodded fiercely "An Agni Kai! At sunset."

What?! Was he insane?! Zhao didn't get to be a commander by lazing around on a beach! He may use the orthadox military style of firebending, but Tanya could personally attest that Zhao was no slouch when it came to fighting.

Once he got into a good rhythm Zhao hit hard and fast: more than enough to overwhelm someone as inexperienced as Zuko. She had to stop this!

"Enough of this!" She shouted, trying to physically push her way between the two men, and cursing her height since even when she did so they could still glare at one another over her head. "Commander, please forgive him. He doesn't know what he's saying."

Yet if Zhao had heard her he didn't acknowledge it. Instead he kept his stare fixed on Zuko, and a wicked smile danced at the edges of his mouth. "It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you." He said at last, turning away to leave "I guess your uncle will do. Come on Captain."

Zhao disappeared back through the doors, and Tanya sent Zuko one last irritated look. Now the idiot was going to get himself badly burned again unless she could do something about it! She quickly darted outside and caught up with Zhao before he could storm further away.

"Sir, I beg you to reconsider." She began, but paused when Zhao raised his hand in silence.

"I was not the one who issued this challenge, Captain, and will not sully my honour by backing out of it." He chuckled. "Besides, this will be a good lesson. For him to get the message to stay out of my way, and for you to see just what a coward your friend really is."

Tanya bit her lip, but had to concede that, as the one who had not issued the challenge, the onus was not on Zhao to withdraw it. "Would you at least not hurt him too badly? For me."

Zhao did not answer.

...

"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."

The orange light of sunset cast long shadows along the walls of the arena, bathing the ground in a fiery hue.

With clear skies and a glistening ocean nearby it was set to be a beautiful evening. How sad it was, Iroh reflected, that such a lovely sight was soon to be marked by senseless violence.

Agni Kai's really were a detestable custom in his opinion, even back before one robbed the happiness and birthright of his nephew. He could accept that there were times where one had to stand up and fight for what they believed in, but one did not need an Agni Kai to do that.

How was fighting supposed to prove the honour of one's actions? Surely the only way to figure out who was in the right was with discussion and debate?

Yet as ever younger men, such as Zuko and Zhao, proved too impatient to settle their differences with words. What could have been settled with a civil conversation over a nice cup of ginseng tea might now claim either one of their lives.

And people said actions spoke louder than words. Pah! If people were more willing to give words a chance, perhaps the world wouldn't be stuck in this war?

"I refuse to let him win." Zuko declared firmly, standing up from his kneeling position before Iroh and shrugging the ceremonial cape off his torso. His resolve, as ever, was strong, but Iroh feared that resolve alone might not be enough this time.

Zuko may not have possessed the raw talent his sister did, but endless nights of doggedly training and pushing himself to his limits had crafted Zuko into a much stronger firebender than he gave himself credit for. He had the strength, the skill and the determination to defeat Zhao.

The only problem was Zuko's unfortunate tendency to get lost in his own frustration so quickly that it blinded him to the wise course of action. That was how The Avatar had escaped him back at the South Pole, and how Zhao might beat him here if he didn't control himself.

Across the courtyard Zhao arose from a kneeling position in much the same way Zuko had. "This will be over quickly."

He mocked, tossing his robes down into the dusty ground and assuming a fighting stance. While he hated the thought of his nephew being in harm's way, Iroh had to concede that something had to be done about Zhao.

There wasn't a more relentless glory-seeker in the entire Fire Nation. Life would be much easier for both Zuko and The Avatar without the Commander and his apprentice chasing them down.

That train of thought brought Iroh's eyes to wander over Zhao's shoulder, where the little blonde girl stood at attention and watched the proceedings. It never got easier, seeing a child in a military uniform. Iroh cursed himself for allowing Ozai to take yet another young girl filled with promise and twist them with his honeyed words into a tool of war.

If the spirits were kind, he hoped they'd give Tanya a chance to see that the path she walked was not the one she'd led to believe it was. Sadly he feared that chance would not be coming any time soon.

The sound of a gong rang through the air, signalling that the Agni Kai had begun, and Iroh was pleased that Zuko didn't immediately rush in with flames blazing. It was a sign that he was trying his best to keep a cool head.

...

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