Force of Iron

Chapter 2

Maybe a Little Too Rash!

Katara couldn't believe what she had just heard. But it was the truth, or at least part of it.

'So he's not Zuko after all, can't say I'm surprised. His names Ozaian, and what is all this about the lost prince of the Fire Nation,' she thought.

"Who are you?" she said in almost a whisper, all the while shaking out of fear, and still confused by what he meant.

"Who am I…?" he started to say while slowly striding back too where Katara stood. He looked her right in the eye as he soon stood in front of her, knowing the fear it stirred within her. "I am the one who should have had the thrown. Why? Because I am stronger and more capable then Zuko ever was, and ever could be. I was only cast aside for merely my timing of birth. After all that I have been through I was the one who would've remained loyal till the end. And yet they gave the throne to him in the end, when I was the one who truly deserved it and would've only continued the Fire Nation on its path to glory. I am the rightful Fire Lord of the Fire Nation".

"You sound just like Ozai," said Katara finding her confidence. His cold heartless voice and deathly glare would make one think so, even if they had never met the man, but just heard the stories of the recent Fire Lord. "And Zuko is a far better Fire Lord then you or Ozai can ever be."

After hearing her last words, he slapped her forcefully across the cheek. She fell to the ground surprised. She rubbed the spot in her cheek where he had hit her, it stung more then she anticipated.

"Do you wish to join him? I only kept you because I hoped you'd be easy," he said as she regained her posture.

She was about to slap him across the face herself, but he had caught her wrist in midair. "I'll take that as a yes," he said almost menacingly.

"Guard!" he barked, still holding her wrist firmly. She struggled against his grip, but soon realized that his refusal to let go was a sign that she had sealed her fate, and he wasn't letting her running away or backing down. Seconds later guards marched into the room.

Turning his head slightly towards the guards in the doorway, in a commanding voice he said, "See to it that she is taken to the Dragon Rouges, out by the harbor, they'll know what to do with her."

She glanced at the palace guards then at Ozaian, thinking about what they were going to do with her once she was taken to these so called 'Dragon Rouges', whatever they were. Thoughts of curiosity and confusion raced through her mind. But merely the thought or even the small chance of seeing her love again was too dominating in her decision making.

She yanked her wrist free of Ozaian's grip, knowing he had purposely loosened it for her. Grabbing the cloak that sat on the foot of her bed she walked towards the guards in the doorway, while donning the cloak around her shoulders. She could only hope for the best as they frog marched her through the halls of the palace.

In the midst of the palace's maze that were known as halls or corridors. An old maid came up to Katara, ignoring the guards that had stopped dead in their tracks. She took Katara's hands in hers she said, "I wish you luck milady, and please…" Katara felt her press something small and what seemed like cold metal into her palm. "Keep safe," she continued, pressing Katara's palms together.

There was a distressed look in the maids eyes even though her voice was calm, almost soothing. But, Katara knew what she meant, that whatever she had slipped into her palm, wasn't meant to be seen by anyone but her and was too remain a secret. Katara nodded to the elder maid telling her that she understood what she was doing. She tried to smile or even say thank you but her nerves were too stricken and stressed to do anything that was somewhat cheerful.

The maid understood without any explanation, she gave a kind smile and walked away, leaving Katara with the guards.

The Guards continued their march after the maid's departure. Katara slipped her hands under her cloak, and placed whatever the maid had given her in the pocket of her dress. She figured she would look at it later when she was alone.

They led her down through the back way of the palace, through a few secret passageways, and eventually out to the harbor.

They walked down across the rows and rows of ships waiting to set sail within the next day or two. They piers were quiet and still during the night, compared to busyness they faced during the day. The only things moving were the four guards and Katara who they were escorting.

Katara clutched her cloak pulling it around her tightly. The night air and the sea winds created a crisp, cold temperature. Colder then the usual Fire Nation clothes were made to handle. She was happy she brought her cloak, she feared if she didn't she would be shivering constantly. She usually liked the cold, since she grew up in the South Pole. But after living with Zuko for a few years she had become spoiled by the Fire Nation's warm climate.

They soon came to a ship at the end of the pier. It was a regular Fire Nation ship, similar to those used for the navy during the war. As they got closer, Katara spied three men waiting lazily at the foot of the plank. She couldn't quite pick the nation they were from, she figured they were foreign mercenaries, due to the way they were dressed. They wore a mix of navy blue, black, and dark green clothes and armor.

"Is this her?" one of them said as they stood in front of the ship's plank.

"Yep," said one the guards. One of them grabbed her by the arm and shoved her toward the mercenaries. She stumbled slightly not expecting to be shoved.

As the guards left, the mercenaries shackled her hands. After that they led her up the plank of the ship. Once they were on the dock Katara spotted 50, no 60 other mercenaries all dressed similar, all hanging around the dock lazily waiting to receive orders of some sort.

Katara sighed as she let go of any hope of escape attempts, knowing that it would be almost impossible.

They led her down to the prison hold and before she knew it she was locked away in a small cell her hands shackled, alone, and no closer to finding Zuko or finding out where he was.

As she sat alone she thought about the night's events. Was she too rash or too sudden in her decisions?

"What if they already killed Zuko, and plan on doing the same to me? Did I just sentence myself to death, and before I could warn Aang or Sokka of what was going on?

She laid down on the cold metal floor, using her cloak as a sort of blanket. She soon fell asleep, all the while choking back tears. Only wishing she would see her love again.


In a dark and distant prison, on an inhabited island, a young man sat against the wall of his cell. His face clad in iron, making him unrecognizable, he too was wishing he would see his love again.


So here you go 2nd chappy. Yay!

I wanted to be able to get this up before I left for the weekend, so I didn't want to keep you guys waiting.

Also thanks for the tips, I'm obviously new to FanFiction, so I appreciate any help whatsoever.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, don't know when I'll get the next one up, if i'm taking to long just say so

-See Ya:)