CHAPTER 32- Father
Zuko pushed open the large doors. Katara and Aang were behind him. They heard a clapping sound and looked up. The throne room was the same as Zuko had remembered. He peered through the flames that surrounded the throne. Those were always there. He saw his father stand up and slowly clap his hands. Zuko, Katara and Aang walked closer to the throne.
"Very impressive, Prince Zuko. You managed to make it to the throne room," said Fire Lord Ozai's deep voice.
"I think you know why we're here," Aang said.
"Oh, I know very well why you are here. Princess Azula informed me of that plan awhile ago. She's in the city of Ba Sing Se. Though, I'm sure you knew that."
"Of course we knew. But Azula's gone," Zuko hissed.
"She's dead," Katara said.
"Well, although she was my favorite, I suppose it's not the most terrible of losses."
"And what about sending her after me and Uncle? What do you call that, exactly?"
"Yes, and how badly she failed. You and my brother are a disgrace to this great nation. You've done nothing but embarrass me," Ozai said, his voice cold.
"I think you've got it all wrong," Zuko said. "It's exactly the opposite. You're a disgrace to this nation. You're the reason this world's still at war after a hundred years!"
"Yes, we are still at war, aren't we? And how close we are to winning. The Fire Nation will dominate this world," he told them.
"That's not gonna happen. Cause we're not going to let it," Katara said.
"Oh, I feel it will. With no Avatar to stand in my way, the Fire Nation will use Sozin's Comet to end this war."
"Oh, see, that's where you're really wrong. The Avatar's not dead. You want to know why I couldn't capture him? Because he's an amazing Bender, and was able to use his skills to evade me and everyone else who went after him."
"I highly doubt the Avatar's alive. After all, I received a full report from Azula. She killed him," Ozai said, the irritation now audible in his voice.
"You want proof?" Aang said, coming up beside Zuko. "I can give you proof." He lifted the hair on his head to reveal the blue Airbender tattoo that covered his forehead.
"So he's alive. There's still nothing you three can do to stop me."
"You wanna bet?" Zuko asked drawing his swords.
Ozai came through the flames and hopped off the platform that elevated his throne. He walked so he stood before Zuko. "I think I'd rather just get rid of you and be done with it. You, the Avatar, and some random girl from the city."
Katara Bended out her water. "I'm NOT from this evil place!" She said.
Ozai sighed as though bored. "Okay, and one random Water Tribe girl. Doesn't matter to me."
Katara studied him. "You know, for a person everyone admires so much, you think you'd be better looking," Katara said nastily, laughing. Aang laughed with her.
Ozai shoved Zuko aside and was just about to hit Katara.
Zuko moved to stand in front of her. "If you lay one hand on her, I swear I'll-"
"You'll what? You couldn't fight me three years ago, what makes you think you can this time? What will you do?"
Zuko pretended to think about it for a moment. "I think I'd do something like this," Zuko said, punching Ozai in the face.
"You're just like your ungrateful mother!" Ozai barked, getting up and getting ready to hurt Zuko. Zuko watched as his father's fists began to flame up.
"No! The eclipse is over already!" Katara said.
"Yes, and now I can be done with you, you worthless boy!" He yelled at Zuko. "Ever since you were born you've done nothing but disappoint me!"
"Enough!" Katara yelled, whipping Ozai across the face with her water.
"You little peasant!" Ozai hissed.
Just as he reached Katara, Aang sent out a gust of wind that sent Ozai across the room. The Fire Lord stood up and began running at them, fists on fire.
Zuko spun with his swords, sending bursts of fire at Ozai through the metal. Ozai put his hands together and sent a blast at Aang, who countered with one of his own.
"I don't think so," Aang said.
"Well, then let's see what I think," Ozai said, sending more fire at them.