A/N: I had this chapter done yesterday, but I wanted to do a bit of double checking before releasing.

Again, not terribly the longest chapter, but it was the perfect spot to stop (once again). I freely admit,

the fight took on a life of its own. Only about half of it went as I planned. The rest sort of wrote itself.

Once again, no Beta... I probably wont have one for the rest of the story sadly.

The sight across the arena was one Zuko never expected to see. Since Aang had arrived, the boy had worn nothing, but various white outfits. Seeing him dressed in the rich colors of the Fire Nation was a bit disorienting. The sleeveless maroon with gold trim shirt fit snugly enough that Zuko could see Aang's chest muscles. It was also short enough that Aang's belly button hung out for a few inches on top and below. The maroon pants he wore hung loosely on his hips and only tightened around the ankles. Aang stood barefoot and in meditation. Zuko made a silent vow to himself that if things went his way, he would have to challenge Aang more often.

Seeing Aang, Zuko didn't feel so bad about his clothes anymore. He wore traditional Agni Kai clothes. Hair in a top knot with no ornament. No shirt, but maroon armbands around each bicep. Loose pants that bunched and held tight at the hips and ankles. His bare feet resting on the cold arena floor. His clothes seemed fitting for the occasion.

Iroh's words returned to him and played over in his thoughts.

"Formality is a weapon. Aang is taking this very seriously. You need to do so too. You are the master. He is the student who has lost the path. You are not the Fire Lord and he is not the Avatar. You are just Sifu and Pupil. If he goes out there and you are not ready for him, you will be letting this one chance slip through your hands. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Zuko thought to himself the answer he couldn't seem to give his uncle then.

"I have to try. I need to break that shell before it gets any thicker. I can't just sit around any longer. I have to actually do something."

Toph had already warned him that Aang had meditated the afternoon away and fasted through dinner. He had tried to come up with some sort of strategy or tried to think of what to say, but his thoughts had been too scattered. He would have to let things be spur of the moment. Which was fine for Zuko, because that was how he liked to do things.

He gave one more look at the empty arena. The only spectators would be Toph and Iroh, who both sat a safe distance away on a stone bench. They didn't want anyone else in the arena for fear that it might start a panic. They had even discussed leaving the palace, but a battle on their scale was sure to attract unwanted visitors. The palace might get damage over this, but with its empty arena, it was the best place.

Zuko caught Aang's eyes. He forced himself to keep staring at the blankness that met him. He bowed to Aang and received one in return. He went into stance and moved closer. The fight was on.

Puffs of fire and various fire balls began to fly in all directions as they circled about one another, moving closer and simply testing each other out with the basics. It was like their training had been and it sent a pang of emotion to his heart. He set his face with the new determination that filled him.

The closer they drew the more intense their motions grew. Zuko saw his chance and knew he had to make his move. Aang shot out a fire ball with his right hand, but Zuko was already two steps ahead of him. He dodged and his right hand shot from shoulder to shoulder where it left a line of fire, but instead of shooting it, Zuko took hold of the end where he visualized an invisible handle. Aang pulled back his arm just in time to avoid losing it to Zuko's fire blade. Zuko made a few quick slices at Aang, but was stopped by a flying fire disk that Aang shot at him. Zuko let go of the invisible handle in his mind and the fire sizzled out.

He could feel himself sweating. The technique was far from perfect and had been one that had taken years of practice. It required a lot of energy to hold it for long.

Aang kicked out with his left foot, taking Zuko by surprise. After the fire sword, Aang had moved to a safe enough distance away that a kick attack would do little more then send hot air at Zuko. He took a moment to get into stance as he watch the boy waiting to see what his attack would be. The ground beneath Aang shook and broke apart. Before Zuko could say anything, a large piece flew up towards him. Zuko dodged out of the way and watched as it hit empty arena seats behind him. It hit and splattered sending pieces of magma flowing out of it. Zuko closed his mouth, not realizing when it had dropped. Zuko turned back to Aang just in time to avoid another flying rock. When the third one came his direction though, he would be ready.

Intense concentration masked Aang's face. Another kick with his foot sent a rock flying toward Zuko. Zuko stood his ground. He brought his hand around in a circle forming a circle of fire. He grabbed onto it much like the sword, but instead of the swords solidness, it flipped about like a cat's tail. Zuko pulled the whip about and wrapped it firmly around the lava bomb that was flying his way. It super heated it and the magma bomb exploded mid air. Zuko let go of the whip and formed a small shield of fire to block the flying pieces that came his way.

It was only a split second, but Aang recovered faster and it was all he needed. Zuko watched as Aang twisted and kicked and twirled swinging his arms about. Zuko backed away. He wasn't quite sure what Aang was doing, but he had enough fire going that it was going to be big. The pillar began to form and Zuko's eyes widened. It moved his direction. He barely registered seeing Aang motioning and directing it. The fire tornado swirled about making its path towards Zuko. He spread his legs and brought both hands from his left foot up and then from his right foot up. A wall of fire shot up and boxed the tornado in. Zuko leaped forward and raised his fist at the box willing it to burn hotter. The flames fizzled and disappeared leaving not even a trace of smoke.

Again, Zuko faced another sight he never expected to see. Aang stood opposite the arena, his face a blank mask. His arms making circles around him. His legs spread and his arms circled again. Zuko could hear the crackle even where he stood. The air smelled of ozone. Zuko didn't want to believe his eyes, but he readied his stance any ways. He fell a step back as the lightening struck at him. He felt it flow into his body and fought back the urge to scream. He shot out his arm and released it to the empty arena seats. It struck and exploded leaving a crater. He turned to find Aang, but the boy wasn't there any more.

Zuko turned his eyes about, looking for the boy and barely caught the movement off to his side. He turned just in time to see the arena door slip closed. Zuko collapsed on the arena floor. The voice of his uncle and Toph called out to him, but the surrounding darkness called louder. Darkness swallowed him.

Footnote: Well, I hope that wasn't terribly confusing. I'm still rather new to the whole bending fight scene. Review to me your thoughts.