Defending a Friend
Pov: Zuko
He could not believe his eyes, Ty Lee was an airbender, an enemy of the nation.
Many times in his life, Zuko had been raised under a strong influence that even the royal family could not escape, absolute control. So that the royal family wouldn't falter in its mission to conquer the world, Sozin, the Fire Lord who started the 100 Year War, made sure that Azulon and his future descendants believed that everyone was a potential enemy, influencing on a cultural level that the air nomads were natural enemies of the Fire Nation's utopia.
Zuko firmly believed that Ty Lee was an intruder, an enemy to be destroyed. Seeing Azula and Kai ignore this fact made him happy inside, because he could finally get Ozai's attention.
As he walked through the palace, Zuko observed his Uncle Iroh and the Fire Lord Ozai having a small argument that he didn't understand.
They both decided to stop their argument when they saw Zuko. Iroh immediately smiled at the sight of his nephew, letting his fatherly side flourish, while Ozai gave his heir a disgusted look.
- Oh Zuko, what a surprise, have you come to continue Pai Sho departure? - Iroh asked warmly like a father.
- No, Uncle Iroh, I came to talk to my father. - I answered without wanting to offend my uncle. - Father, I wish to inform you that Azula and Kai are committing an act of treason.
Iroh was immediately stunned by the accusation, unable to understand what was going on. Of course, he understood that Zuko didn't have a healthy relationship with his sister, while Kai was a person he envied, even if he hadn't met him personally.
Ozai, on the other hand, remained unchanged, but attentive to Zuko's warning words. He only turned his head, making it clear that he was listening to the next words that would come out of Zuko's mouth.
- Dad, I saw Ty Lee bending the air while Azula, Kai and Mai were just watching her, ignoring the fact that an air bender is in real territory. That's a clear betrayal.
When I say Mai's name, I feel my heart beat faster for a moment, a feeling similar to when my mother disappeared, a feeling of fear.
- Airbender? - Iroh said incredulously. - Do you understand what you're saying?
- I would never lie. I saw it with my own eyes. - I answer with conviction.
- I want to see for myself. - Ozai ordered, motioning with his head to some of the guards.
Within seconds, several soldiers were waiting silently for the Fire Lord's orders.
After telling him where I had seen my report, I followed my father as he led the way while several soldiers followed in line. My Uncle Iroh was at my side, scratching his beard as usual, as if puzzling over a riddle in his head.
Iroh watched his nephew with concern out of the corner of his eye, but a spark of curiosity took hold of him, and he couldn't contain his eagerness to see an airbender.
When the beautiful garden finally caught everyone's eye, they immediately saw the small group of young people having a picnic, oblivious to their surroundings, or so most of them believed.
Unaware that their presence had been revealed by Ozai and Iroh, the Fire Nation's two most powerful benders, they exuded a powerful spiritual force that was impossible for two people, Kai and Azula, to ignore.
Though the group was particularly relaxed, they were already wary of any action by the guards. When Kai saw Zuko, with his serious look but a certain smile on his face, he suspected that he had caused this unnecessary commotion.
- Fire Lord, what are you doing here? - Kai said, stepping in front of the group and bowing carefully.
It was obvious that he was afraid of the Fire Lord. That made me proud, because I could prove that someone like him doesn't deserve my father's attention.
In Zuko's ignorance, he didn't realize that Kai was completely on guard for the fight. Ozai and Iroh, with their respective combat experience, realized that Kai was taking the lead in protecting those behind him.
Iron was the one who was most impressed, temporarily confused and familiar with the feeling Kai gave him. The same feeling he had when he met the dragons that lived alongside the Warriors of the Sun.
Ozai was the one who got used to the fighting spirit that Kai usually unleashed, but he also had to understand the situation everyone was in.
- I'm here because of an accusation that an airbender is in your group. - Ozai said, raising his imposing voice, making most of them tremble with fear.
- Even if it were true, what would you do? - Kai dared to answer, since he was the only one in the group who was unharmed by Ozai's presence.
Ozai and Kai played with each other's egos, although only they could understand what the other was thinking, they weren't going to create a battle zone unnecessarily. Because the strong know the strong, and they knew the consequences of an open confrontation. For the others, the tension in the air was unnerving, as if any reckless move could light a fire in the capital.
- If what I've been told is true, I'll have to take action. - Ozai teased, sensing the fear in Azula's friend's eyes.
- You should only take action if the Airbender is an enemy. - Kai replied deftly.
- What are you saying, Ty Lee bends the air, that makes her an enemy of the nation. - I shouted, pointing my finger in Ty Lee's direction.
Zuko's words made Azula frown at him, along with Mai, who was disappointed. Ty Lee, on the other hand, as angry as she was, had no real attachment to the prince, so she just decided to stand her ground.
- Who cares? If she was an enemy, why would she reveal her air warp now? - Azula said, trying to keep her composure so as not to set her brother on fire. - Besides, I knew her long before you did.
- You're confirming that Ty Lee is an Airbender. - Ozai said, staring at the young Ty Lee, who was quickly covered by Kai.
- That doesn't make any sense! - Iroh said. - Young Ty Lee has never shown any elemental mastery in all these years.
- That's because she learned to fold less than an hour ago - Kai said, surprising everyone.
- What do you mean? - Iroh asked, stroking his beard again.
- I don't have the patience to explain all the details, but in short, I've awakened Ty Lee's element. - Kai confessed the truth.
Father, I bear witness to your words. - Azula joined Kai, inwardly concerned for the well-being of her childhood friend.
The simple words silenced everyone, including Ozai, who lost his composure for a moment. He understood that Azula was incapable of lying in his presence, so he was naturally surprised.
Iron, who was more of a spiritualist, shuddered at Kai's words. His years of experience had allowed him to read people like a book, so he realized that Kai's words were raw and true, something that defied the natural logic of the world.
When I heard those words, I couldn't understand what Kai meant, but seeing my father and uncle so surprised made me angry. I felt my blood boiling and my fists clenched aggressively. I moved closer to Ozai, making all eyes turn to me.
- You've been telling lies since you came here! - I shouted, pointing my finger at Kai. - You keep confusing things and now you're defending an enemy of the great Fire Nation, you're a traitor, Kai!
Kai watched Zuko's public accusation and let out a heavy sigh, just staring at him without showing any reaction.
- I don't care what you think I do or don't do. - Kai said calmly, but his eyes shone brightly. - But this time, if I ignore your actions, a friend could unjustly suffer serious consequences.
When all the guards saw the glowing scarlet eyes, some of them took intimidated steps backwards.
Ozai and Iroh remained unperturbed, but that didn't mean they weren't affected by the effect on their minds. Iroh, in particular, sensed that something wasn't right, almost instinctively wanting to step in to protect his reckless nephew.
Zuko, who was closer to the imposing, overwhelming power of Kai's presence, almost pissed himself in front of everyone, but still maintained his dignity as much as he could.
- All right Zuko, I accept your challenge. - Kai approached and stood ten meters away from the crown prince. - If everything is a matter of honor for this nation. I will protect and take responsibility for Ty Lee's actions, if you want to touch her, you'll have to defeat me with an Agni Kai.
Kai set the terms publicly for everyone to see, which was risky but brilliant in itself. Because culturally, in a proud nation like the Nation of Fire, the most viable way to control conflicts of interest is to use honor as a bargaining chip.
- If that's the case, I challenge you to an Agni Kai. - I have issued my challenge knowing that it cannot now be denied. - I, as crown prince, will punish you for treason.
- Prince Zuko! - shouted Iroh, running up to Zuko and grabbing his shoulder. - Young Kai, ignore the request, it's only the heat of the moment that's driving the prince's actions.
- No, Uncle, I know exactly what I'm doing. - I answer and look at my uncle.
- Leave them alone, Iroh, Prince Zuko has challenged Kai and put his honor on the line. - Ozai spoke, his voice carrying an unknown weight in the air.
- I don't have much time left, so if Zuko can challenge me, let's fight right now. - Kai commented as he approached the Fire Lord.
- That's fine with me, I'll prove I'm better than you in front of everyone! - I approach my father and wait for his permission.
- As you have all witnessed, Prince Zuko and Kai will duel for destiny in the newly discovered Air Bender. -Ozai introduced as Kai and Zuko moved away from each other, each in their own fighting position. - Let it begin, Agni Kai!