Disclaimer: I do not, of course, own Avatar or any of these characters.
A/N: That said, i have a few comments about the story. It was fun to write my own take on the duel scene, as well as what might have happened afterwards. Without giving too much away, i've found while reading other fanfics that concern these events that my own is somewhat unusual in how quickly things get rolling, so to speak. But i think i like being different in that respect, lol. Btw, i was a good girl and did my research about burns, so i've decided to treat that of poor Zuko as being somewhere in between a severe second degree burn and a minor third degree burn. ("Minor third degree" sounds weird, i know...) So hopefully i'll be able to keep that reasonably realistic. Speaking of which, despite the ruthlessness of the firebender that inflicted said burn, i've tried to show his complexity and how he would defend his actions. A lot of fic writers seem to portray Ozai as more of an "evil-obsessed-fanatic" (to borrow the term of words without), but i really don't see him that way. So even in this scene (mainly in the later part), I tried to make him human, and maybe even pitiable. Btw, the Fire Lord's use of the term "General" to basically put Iroh in his place was an idea i got from a different fanfic--unfortunately, i can't remember which one. But anyway, i hope you enjoy, and please review.
"Please, Father--I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!" Amber eyes wide, the lad begged for mercy.
Unmoved by the boy's plea, his powerfully built opponent still advanced, growling ominously, "You will fight for your Honor." Although the sun brightly illuminated the dueling arena where the two firebenders faced eachother, by some trick of the light the older one's face was cast into deep shadow, giving him a markedly sinister appearance and making it nearly impossible to distinguish his features. Pervaded for the most part by a hazy brightness, however, the scene possessed a strange, almost surreal quality, like a deceptively fair-seeming dream that no-one can turn back from its rapid descent into nightmarish horror. At least, that's the way it felt to one in particular among the onlookers.
"I meant you no disrespect," the lad softly insisted, sinking to the ground. "I am your loyal son."
"Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!" the Fire Lord commanded, still refusing to heed his son's words.
The prince, however, remained prostrate before his Lord, answering humbly and yet with resolve, "I won't fight you." At last, Fire Lord Ozai came to a halt a few feet in front of Zuko When he spoke, his voice was low and dangerous.
"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher." As Ozai pronounced his will, the child kneeling before him lifted an innocent, golden-amber gaze to look on his idol, letting salty tears fall freely to the dust.
Before the blow fell, the old general in the stands turned away and closed his eyes. Knowing his brother as well as he did, Iroh supposed he should have had no real reason to be surprised by the Fire Lord's refusal to show mercy to Zuko. Still, that didn't change how much it hurt to watch as the boy who'd become as dear as a second son to him was made to suffer. As the roar of the flames blended in horrific counterpoint with his nephew's anguished screams, General Iroh knew that the harrowing sound would be seared into his heart as surely as the mark of Ozai's fire would be seared into Zuko's face.
After what seemed an endless moment, the Fire Lord had apparently ceased his terrible lesson, for a new sound rent the air (as well as Iroh's heart). Bending low over the hard, sun-beaten flagstones, the prince clutched desperately at the left side of his face, sobs of agony tearing from his throat. Ignoring him, Ozai turned to address the onlookers.
"Let it be known that henceforth, in all territories under the dominion of the Crown..." As the Fire Lord's voice echoed through the stadium, Iroh made up his mind. Although it was not looked upon favorably to enter the Agni Kai arena until both participants had departed from it, he couldn't leave his nephew to suffer alone. That decided, he made his way as swiftly as he could down through the stands, determined not to let anything or anyone slow him down from reaching the one who needed him so desperately right now. In one sense, this was just another battle, and there were few who could successfully stand against the Dragon of the West. Although he had indeed been a foe to be reckoned with in the bloody conflicts in the Earth Kingdom, however, he was even more so when, as now, a child he loved was in danger. To him, this was one of the few causes he had left that were truly worth fighting for, and perhaps the only one, surpassing even the desire that had burned inside him in his youth to bring his country glory in victory.
"...for displaying shamefull weakness that ill befits a prince of the People of Flame--" As one of the prince's wails reached a particularly shrill note, the Fire Lord glanced down contemptuously at the weeping child at his feet.
"You will be silent when your Lord speaks," Ozai rebuked him with a voice quiet yet icy. Even in as much torment as he surely was, Zuko made a brave attempt to restrain himself to a low moan of pain. He had learned the hard way when it was not his place to speak. After the prince had quieted somewhat, his father returned to issuing the decree.
"...and for refusing to fight for his Honor when commanded to do so by the Fire Lord..."
Hold on, my prince--I'm almost there, thought Iroh as he neared the battle ground.
"...Prince Zuko is banished, until such time as he should return having captured the Avatar..." At last Iroh
reached the barrier separating the duelers from those watching.
"Let me through," he ordered quietly but firmly to the guard on duty there. Seeming startled, the man nonetheless obeyed. Running to Zuko, Iroh knelt down beside him. Whether the anguish in the tortured gaze the prince lifted to meet his uncle's was purely physical, the latter couldn't have said. As excruciating as the pain of the burn must be, he knew that to Zuko, the knowledge that the father he adored thought him a failure would most likely be far worse.
"...and anyone who unlawfully harbors him will face the wrath of the Fire Lord." As though the matter of his son's disgrace was now beneath his notice, Ozai turned away. As though on signal, the onlookers began to disperse--there was nothing more to see. Seemingly overcome by torment and shame, Zuko collapsed into a dead faint in his uncle's arms.
When his limp hands fell away from the injured eye, Iroh's own widened in horror as he perceived just how cruelly the Fire Lord's blast of flame had ravaged that tear-stained face. Fading into less severe burns on either side, a wide swath of shiny, blistered red stretched from the bridge of Zuko's nose to his left temple, and Iroh was certain it would leave a permanent scar in its wake. In places the skin had a somewhat charred look, especially surrounding the eyelid, which was thinner and had thus burned darker. A sizable portion of his hair on that side had been turned black and brittle, and the eyebrows and lashes had been singed completely off, probably for good. Thankfully, it seemed Zuko's wound was not so terrible that he would not live, if given proper care. However, as always in such things, there was a chance...
Don't let me lose another son! Iroh prayed in desperation, unable to bear the thought's logical conclusion. Through the haze of his shocked distress and fear for a loved one's life, it subsequently occurred to him that the firebender who had affected his nephew's well-being so much for the worse was quite near at hand, not having left the arena yet, and could thus be called upon to account for his treatment of the child in Iroh's arms. Feeling a parent's protective anger rise in him, the old Dragon looked up at Ozai.
"What have you done?" Iroh whispered slowly, finding that his voice had been partially stolen by the monstrosity of his brother's actions toward Zuko.
"I should think it would be obvious," the Fire Lord replied impassively, not bothering to look at either his brother or his son. "Therefore, because I presume you already know perfectly well what I've done, I see no point in answering that question."
"Butwhy?" Iroh demanded, words failing him in his horror and heartbreak on his nephew's behalf "Why have you branded your child?"
Turning a steely gaze on him, Ozai explained slowly, "As I told you, it should have been clear from observation. He refused to fight when I commanded him to do so. He has shown disrespect and weakness, and such faults deserve to be punished."
"But not like this!" Iroh cried, struggling against the onslaught of anger, sadness and despair at the thought of what his nephew must suffer as of today that suddenly threatened to overwhelm him. Yes, the damage to Zuko's face was irrevocable, but there was still something worth fighting for. The prince should not have to leave the only home he had ever known. "He's not yet fourteen--a child so young may make mistakes, but these are not crimes that merit exiling and burning him!"
Holding up a hand to silence his brother, the Fire Lord stated, "I am well aware of his age, and of your probable opinion of the matter. However, considering the...concern you seem to possess for my son, I assume your primary desire at present will be to have his injuries attended to. You know as well as I that a burn such as I have, as you put it, branded upon him requires immediate medical attention." Despite his almost silky tone, there was something resembling a challenge in Ozai's level stare as he spoke. Iroh, however, took no further notice, except to murmur distractedly, "Yes, of course." His brother was right--Zuko's wound needed to be seen to right away, and for the moment, that was all that mattered. Lifting the child carefully as though he were made of glass, the old general began walking as quickly as he could toward the hospital ward of the palace. Almost as soon as he'd started, he heard Ozai address him once again.
"Are you certain you wish to commit into the care of the physicians someone whom the Fire Lord has banished? If you do not act with care, that could perhaps be regarded as unlawfully harboring him." Although his tone was mild, there was something languid yet deadly in Ozai's manner that reminded Iroh of a predatory feline that knows its prey is within easy reach, and is simply waiting for the right moment to spring.
"Brother, I was under the impression that you said Prince Zuko should be tended," Iroh answered carefully, knowing from experience how crucial it was to proceed with caution when his brother was in this mood. Hopefully, the latter simply wanted to assert his power over the situation, and wasn't actually thinking of enforcing his threat.
"I did, and he should, if he is to heal and live," the Fire Lord conceded, though not with any hint of compliance in his face or voice. "However, I have not given my consent for you to take him to the healers."
"Speak plainly then, I entreat you, and tell me what you mean," Iroh requested urgently. With a burn like this, it really was critical that the victim was given immediate care. "Will you allow him to be tended by the physicians?" If not, the old general fully intended to look after Zuko himself, "Fire Lord's wrath" or no. For answer, Ozai summoned over an officer who was exiting the arena along with the rest of the crowd.
"Take the prince to the physicians' ward," the Fire Lord instructed when the man reached them. "Inform them that they will tend his injuries until the tide turns this evening. At that time, he will be given a ship and a crew, and he will leave the Fire Nation."
Before the soldier could reply, Iroh interrupted, "So soon? He's in no fit state to travel!"
"I will decide when he is fit to travel." Once again there was a dangerous glint in his brother's eye, and Iroh abruptly recalled that it was not wise to appear to challenge the Fire Lord--at least, not in front of others.
Knowing any further protest would achieve nothing at present, aside from wasting time that should be used to take care of Zuko's wounds, Iroh told the officer, "Please also ask the physicians to let Prince Zuko know I'll be there as soon as I can if he wakes up."
Bowing to each of them, the solder answered respectfully, "My Lord Ozai, General Iroh, it shall be as you will." So saying, he took the unconscious prince from Iroh, who relinquished him grudgingly despite his conclusion that considering the circumstances, it was probably best to let someone else take him to the healers. Now that the Fire Lord had established so soon a time for his son's departure, Iroh knew he might not get another chance to argue against Zuko's banishment. Once his nephew was safely on his way to the physicians' ward therefore, Iroh turned back to Ozai.
"Please, brother--let's talk some more about this," he quietly implored.
"Say what you must, Iroh--it will not alter my decision."
"Nonetheless, it must be said." Taking a deep breath, the former general inwardly readied himself for battle.
"I'm begging you, Ozai--do not carry out this decree. Think about what you are doing!"
"How many times must I tell you, brother?--I know very well what I am doing," the Fire Lord answered impatiently. "I have given you my reasons--that should suffice, even for you. It's more than many have a right to expect, and I am unconvinced that there are any who do possess that right."
"Perhaps, but I have not yet given you all of my reasons," replied Iroh. "You wanted to teach him respect, did you not? Then I ask you to consider this: What can a child learn from a father who shows him such ruthlessness, except to be ruthless to others?"
"Thatwould be a desirable effect," Ozai pointed out ironically. Becoming serious once more, he elaborated, "To win this war, we need to be strong enough to make the sacrifices that are required of us. It must be made clear that no loss is too high a price to pay--not an entire division of green recruits, not even the Fire Lord's own son--if it means we move one step closer to to victory, and to bringing glory to our great nation. Anyone who believes otherwise, as Prince Zuko appeared to when he spoke out of turn in the war council chamber, is not fit to be on the throne." Although Iroh caught the veiled insult to himself, as one who definitely "believed otherwise," he did not rise to the bait-- there were more important matters at stake.
"Concern for others is not weakness," the old Dragon insisted. "Indeed, I am convinced that nothing in the world is more powerful than love! It was compassion for those young soldiers that compelled Prince Zuko to stand up and defend the forty-first division, be it out of turn. And it was because he respects--no, he honors and adores you that he would not fight when you commanded him to. How can you say these qualities deserve to be punished?"
"Noble as these impulses might seem to you, my son acted upon them in a manner that is unacceptable," the Fire Lord returned stonily. "Be he prince or pauper, a subject of the Crown must place his allegiance to it above all, even at the cost of being obligated to perform a duty that he finds distasteful from his supposed moral standpoint. If anyone finds himself unable to do so, he is weak, and will only bring shame upon himself and those he serves. I will not tolerate weakness in my people, and especially not in my heir."
"Brother, listen to yourself!" Iroh urged. "Is winning this war truly more important than doing what is right? You would chose power over ethics?"
"I would chose loyalty to my lord above all," Ozai informed him coldly. "Considering that I am Lord, however, I have a duty to my people. I cannot let a soft-hearted weakling inherit the throne."
"Zuko is no weakling!" the former general protested. "He cared enough about the fate of those young soldiers, and about not fighting you, to hold steadfastly to what he believed was right, even when it became clear that he might face dire consequences for doing so. This is a mark of strength!"
"And in consequence, he bears a mark of disgrace," the Fire Lord replied with the merest trace of a sneer appearing on his lips. "Let us hope it will teach him not to let his heart rule his head."
"It is his heart that compels him to revere you so!" Iroh exclaimed, doing his best to keep the accusation in his voice to a minimum. "You should be proud to have a son so devoted, instead of answering with fire when he begs for mercy!"
"Firehas no mercy," Ozai shot back. "If there was no other way to instruct him not to beg for it than by demonstrating that fact, then so be it."
"This is not instruction--this is torture!" Iroh shouted, momentarily letting his emotions get the better of him. Fearing the effect a loss of temper could have on the fulfillment of his goal, he then struggled to regain outward calm.
"Our element may be merciless, it is true. However, as benders of it, we are human, and humans are able to show compassion!"
"As benders, we are human, and humans are susceptible to weakness," came the relentless answer. "I am unconvinced that the two characteristics are not one and the same."
"Surely you see that not allowing people to suffer needlessly is a good thing!" argued Iroh. "But Prince Zuko is no stranger to loyalty and duty! He reveres you above all else, and would do anything you asked him--except for fighting you today." Although the old general tried not to falter as he spoke the last words, he knew that voicing this exception in the prince's behavior would most likely lower the chance of his request being granted. Nonetheless, he could not deny the truth, especially when he fully condoned the behavior of the person in question.
"Except for fighting me today," Ozai echoed him, and Iroh knew it was as he'd feared. "When his loyalty was tested, he did not obey. It is not enough to be willing to die for one's Lord--at his bidding one must also set aside the squeamishness that some mistake for nobility and Honor."
"Even at the cost of letting an entire division be wiped out? Think of the families whose sons will never come home!" the former general entreated his brother, feeling his throat catch as he said it. How well he knew that pain.
"I am fully aware of how intimately you are acquainted with that mostregrettable misfortune, Iroh. Be that as it may, however, Lu Ten's death doesnot endow you with the right to decide what should be done with my son!" the Fire Lord hissed vehemently, golden eyes blazing.
Losing all semblance of fulfilling his attempted role as the cool voice of reason, Iroh cried, "Ozai, I would give my right hand and the light of my eyes to possess again what is yours--a living son who loves you unconditionally! But instead of treating yours like the rare and precious gift he is, you have cast him away like something worthless! How can you be so blind?"
"Enough," the Fire Lord snarled, and Iroh knew a line had been crossed for his brother as for himself. "I will hear no more of this! You would do well to remember your place, General."
All at once, Iroh knew it was over, and that nothing he could say would make Ozai yield. Shoulders slumping in defeat, he felt the fire of battle go out of him. As the Fire Lord stood glaring at him, jaw set in his anger and stubborn refusal to back down, it struck Iroh how very much his brother resembled the child whose entire world had so recently been turned upside down. With a distant, inconsequential part of him, the old Dragon reflected on the irony of the fact that the man who was responsible for much of the Zuko's physical appearance (not to mention his hot-tempered disposition) had as of this day forever altered his face.
Slowly Iroh said aloud, "If you will not heed your own son when he begs you for mercy, I cannot hope that you will listen to me. Therefore, I have but one request--if you will not undo your decree that Prince Zuko is to be banished, at least let me leave the Fire Nation with him." He would go whether his brother gave his assent or not, but he thought it would be best (not to mention easier for him to accomplish his aim of remaining always by his nephew's side) to appear to ask permission first.
"You would accompany my son on his journey?" Ozai inquired, his expression unreadable.
"Yes, I would," Iroh answered simply. "One prince must look after another, after all--especially considering that we have both angered the Fire Lord."
"In that case, tell me why the Fire Lord should grant you leave to go," Ozai challenged, appearing as though not all of his anger had yet been spent.
"For one thing, it would remove from the court--and from a position of influence--someone who believes differently from yourself," Iroh pointed out with a kind of quiet, despairing calm born of knowing that it was hopeless to continue arguing for his original cause. "Also, if Prince Zuko is ever to succeed in the mission you have given him--and you know he will die trying, determined as he is--he would have a much better chance of not only finding but also capturing the Avatar, and thus eliminating the last great threat to a Fire Nation victory, if I were there to help him." Hesitating briefly, he added, " And...we are brothers, after all. Please--Ibeg you, Ozai--if ever there was anything other than enmity between us, grant me leave to go with your son into exile."
After studying him a long moment, the Fire Lord waved a hand dismissively. "Very well. Go, then, if you must."
"Thank you," Iroh said quietly, bowing to Ozai as their respective ranks demanded. Having done all he could, the old general walked away. Soon he would have to prepare for their eminent voyage, but first he would visit the healing ward, and see if his nephew was awake. Now that Iroh had failed to convince his brother to change his mind, nothing remained except to take Zuko someplace--the exact location didn't matter in the slightest--where the prince would be safe from the pitiless heat of his father's wrath. From now on, the former general resolved, he would devote all his energy and being to the priceless treasure that had been so cruelly discarded by the one who refused to consider it worth cherishing. And yet, even amidst all his sorrow and anger that had been caused by that one, Iroh wished in vain that--somehow--there could have been a way for his brother to also be rescued from the monster he had forced himself to become.