Alright! Are you ready for a battle scene? 'Cause I'm ready for a battle scene! Are you READY for a battle scene? 'Cause I'm READY for a battle scene! Are YOU ready for a battle scene? 'Cause I'M ready for a battle scene! Are you…..
Oh whatever. Here's the battle scene. XD
Disclaimer: I own ATLA in my own little world, where ponies and unicorns pass the time grazing and gazing at stars, and little satyrs get drunk and dance around for joy, and I fart laughs and poop rainbows….but, not in this one.
"Kill them."
Zuko was sure they would be immediately under siege as soon as these words were uttered, but there was no movement from the black clad men. Zuko blinked in confusion, then saw his father pull his kerchief from his pocket and lightly dab at his mouth, then exit the room, Azula in tow.
The young man snorted. Of course. He can't be involved…he would get that pretty white suit dirty.
Zuko knew exactly what to aim for later on.
"Zuko."
He snapped his head to the caller, the woman in front of him. "Yeah, I know." He nodded towards the backroom. "We gotta get your sword." She nodded back, though her eyes were still forward. Zuko licked his lips, then realized he had licked his own sweat.
"HEY!!"
The three jumped simultaneously in alarm. It was one of the black clad men in the front. He was standing erect, and in a cocky position, portraying that he was the "obvious" leader of the group. He sauntered closer to the group….
Katara growled.
The man immediately began to move back while reaching for his weapon. Zuko grinned. The man might be stupid, but not crazy….
But he was definitely stupid. He didn't even notice that said deadly assassin didn't even have her weapon!
The man coughed in his throat and uttered in a surprisingly high voice, "You will not escape. We have been given orders to kill you an…"
He cut off…then started to sputter and jerk. His eyes rolled in the back of his head and his curly mop bounced raggedly around his head as he convulsed. His hand dropped to the side and he uttered a last gasp of breathe…then dropped to his knees, then promptly, and ungracefully, landed face forward on the floor.
Silence.
The men looked wary, now, as they turned to the girl in front…
Her hand still frozen in that deadly jab.
Katara slowly rose from her defensive position…then twirled around, her blue eyes a pit of fiery adrenaline.
"NOW!!"
Zuko wasn't sure what "Now!" meant, but he immediately sprung into action towards the men. Katara moved out of the way as Zuko flipped forward, then pushed downward with his heels towards the nearest man's feet. The man gave a cry of surprise and took out two other men on his way down.
It was then that Zuko realized he was laying flat on the floor…with dozens of men around him.
He gulped.
The men had drawn their swords and were aiming for any open area to attack, when he rolled backwards then jumped up from his position on the ground. He crouched low and decided to try a new move he learned not too long ago. He quickly dropped to his stomach, stuck out his legs, then, with mighty force, began to twist his body around with as much force as he could muster. He rotated hands as he twirled around and clipped each man around him across their legs. They began to tumble and it was hard for Zuko to not be caught up in the jumble of legs and go sprawling with them.
He felt like he was trying out for the Olympics…instead of fighting for his life. But soon, he felt his strength begin to wane. He couldn't hold up his body for this long. He gave on last "huff!" then collapsed. The twelve men he knocked down were slowly getting back up. Zuko's eyes shot from one man to another as he tried to think of a move to get out of this. His eyes landed on a still fallen man and what lay at his feet.
Bingo
Zuko clasped the hilt of his sword and brought it upward towards the man poised above him…which, unfortunately, was between his legs.
Zuko had never killed a man before, and if he was forced to do so, as he did right then, he would have preferred to do it in another manner rather than this one. He'd rather not feel sympathy pains as the man squealed in horrendous pain or feel the spatter of blood from…God, he didn't even want to think about it…all over his face.
He pushed these thoughts aside as he hastily jerked the sword out of the man and jumped to his feet. Zuko swung almost carelessly towards the men surrounding him. Blood and screams seemed to fill the air as Zuko dodged and swung, dodged then swung, at his opponents. Red (he didn't know if it was blood or adrenaline…or both) filled his vision and soon he wasn't even sure where he was swinging.
Suddenly, he was grabbed around his middle and jerked backwards. He felt the slice of a sword against his right leg and he felt a white stab of pain course through him. He was still being pulled backwards, then flung down on the floorboard. Zuko raised his sword to fight whoever did it, but stopped when he saw blue eyes gazing down at him.
"Ka….Katara?"
She turned from him and faced his uncle. "Iroh, I need you to keep these men busy…" A man lunged at her and she spun and landed a kick to nose. There was a crunch, then he too crumpled to the floor. "For awhile," she continued. "I need Zuko. You good?"
Iroh chuckled as he sipped from his tea, then slammed the cup against an attacker's head. "Of course, young lady. You two lovebirds have fun!"
Katara gave him a shaky smile, turned and pulled Zuko to his feet. She pulled him along towards the backroom. Zuko stopped her as he turned back towards his uncle. The man had long since disposed of his other wares and had begun the daring twists and turns of educated fighting. He glanced back at Katara. "But…we have to help him! He'll get…"
"No!"
Zuko started in surprise at the bite in her voice. He blinked. "But…"
Katara turned fully towards him. "We're wasting time talking now about this. Iroh will be fine, Zuko." She briefly grabbed his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Trust him."
He sighed, then nodded. "Let's go."
Katara still pulled him the rest of the way down the hallway, flung the door open, launched Zuko into the room, then slammed it shut, and locked it. Zuko blinked from his spot on the floor. "I thought we were just gonna get your sword then…"
Katara shushed him and pressed her ear towards the door. She frowned. "I hear footsteps." She looked at him. "We don't have much time."
It was Zuko's turn to frown. "Time for what? Katara, we have to go help my uncle! He's…"
The assassin crossed the room in three steps and crouched down in front of Zuko. The depth of her blue gaze seemed to bore into the light fire of his own eyes. "Zuko….I have a plan."
X.
"You got it, Zuko?"
"Yeah, but…I don't think that…,"
"Yeah, you don't think."
Zuko blinked in surprise. "What the hell is that supposed to mean!?"
Katara chuckled then patted his cheek. "Nothing. I'm just trying to diffuse the tension."
Then she leaned forward and kissed him solidly on the mouth. Zuko felt a spike of heat go through him as he reached to grasp the back of her head, his fingers locking around her soft hair, and pulled her closer. He felt as if heaven had finally landed on earth, in his heart, in his mind, that moment. Elation swelled through him then…
The moment was gone as Katara slowly pulled away. She touched his scarred cheek and gently kissed his forehead. She met his eyes once more. "Are you ready?"
Zuko was still trying to catch his breath (as was she, he noticed smugly), and self consciously rain his hand through his hair. He shrugged. "I don't know…" He grinned mischievously. "I'm still a little tense…"
Katara chuckled and gave him a light kiss on the lips. She abruptly stood, leaving Zuko still dazed on the floor. "We have to go. You got the plan?"
Zuko licked his lips, still tasting her, and rose to his feet with a slight nod. "Yeah, but I'm still not sure about it."
Katara gave a surprisingly flirting arch of her eyebrow. "Zuko…I don't have time for any more…convincing."
Zuko returned the arch and grinned. "Hmm….maybe later?"
Katara absently pushed back a strand his wild bangs. "Definitely."
BAM!!
Both teens whirled towards the door. It had splintered and hands were thrust the hole, grasping for the knob.
Katara turned to Zuko, the assassin's gleam bright in her eyes. "Let's do this, Zuko."
He nodded. "Alright."
Katara reached for her sword that lay on the bed and unsheathed it, almost in a manner of reverence. She spun it delicately around in her hand and motioned towards Zuko's leg. "You going to be alright with that?"
Zuko frowned, then looked down. With everything going on, he had almost forgotten about his earlier cut. He looked quickly about the room, then sliced off a piece of bedding with the sword he still had. He tied it around his leg, inspected his work, then wiped the remaining blood against the side of the bed. He nodded while he tested his leg by shaking it. "Yeah…I'll be fine."
Katara let out a puff of air, then walked towards the door, her sword still spinning in her hand. The hands were still grasping, and it didn't take but a second for Zuko to figure out what she was going to do. He braced himself as Katara quickly raised her sword…
Then strike diagonally downwards, effectively cutting off the intruders' hands.
There was an almost painful symphony of screams as blood spurted from the nubs and splattered across the wall and door. Katara herself was not immune to the splatter. She frowned as she glanced at her ruined shirt, growled, then spun and had enough force to kick the door down.
Zuko took his place behind her, sword held high, but Katara seemed confident and ready for what lay outside the door. She took a step back, and surely enough, three men came lunging into the room without abandon.
SLICE!
The first man fell, missing a head.
SLICE, SLICE!
The second sputtered, then dropped, his throat and abdomen splayed open for the world to see.
Katara motioned to the third man who was racing for Zuko. "That one's yours."
Zuko gave a curt nod. "No doubt."
He heaved his sword upwards, but the man caught it with the flat of his blade. Zuko blinked in surprise. This man seemed to be the most capable of the lot so far. Zuko jumped back and brought his sword down diagonally, the man caught it yet again. This time, the man reared back, then aimed point blank for Zuko's middle. He gasped and twisted out of the way, dropped on the bed, and slid over to the other side. Zuko caught himself as he was about to rise, for the man threw his sword at him. He ducked and the sword planted itself in the bedroom wall. Zuko looked up at the man and shook his head, wide eyed.
"What did you do that for, you idiot!? Now you don't have your sword!!"
Surprisingly, the man seemed to already realize this and smirked. "Yes…but someone else will kill you."
Zuko frowned. "But you'll be dead. What's the point?"
The man laughed a callous laugh that did not fit him. It was too rough and thick, and he was a man of small stature and small proportions. "You will be dead, that is the point! The goal will have been completed!" His grin faded for a second. "In my death and yours, my family will not be harmed."
Zuko felt pity swell within him. "I'm sorry."
The man tilted his head. "Why? You and I both deserve to die! We will both be at peace now!"
Zuko stared at him in confusion. "What?"
The man growled and crouched as if he were about to spring. "You and I shall see each other in he…."
Blood shot from his mouth, he jerked, then dropped on the bed. Zuko stared silently at him and the sword that protruded from his back…then to the woman standing behind him.
Katara yanked the sword out of the man and wiped it on the bed. "He was annoying."
Zuko let his mouth gape open like a fish. "Why…why did you kill him!? He was an innocent!"
Katara snorted and shook her head, still wiping her sword. "No…he was insane."
Zuko frowned, his eyebrows creasing across his forehead. "What do you mean?'
She sighed and placed her sword precariously on her shoulder. "Zuko…this man was lying to you. Didn't you notice his eyes? They were red and yellow…he was hyped on drugs. Probably some sort of adrenaline drug."
Zuko slowly nodded. "But…his family…"
"Might or might not exist," Katara conceded. "Most likely not, but…there is a chance they do." She shrugged. "Either way, he had to die." She narrowed her eyes at him. "I can't kill them all, Zuko."
Zuko felt a chill go through him. There were no windows in the room. "Katara…I don't know if I can just…you know, kill a man."
She frowned. "You will."
Despite the situation, Zuko snorted. "Katara, I don't know if I can be as cold as you!"
The words were out before he could stop them. A jolt of regret went through him. "Wait…that's not what I meant. I mean…I killed a man earlier, but…."
"As cold…as me."
Zuko looked up when she spoke. Her eyes were no longer hidden by sunglasses, and he then understood another reason as to why she hid them. They displayed all her emotions. Tears were beginning to form in the corners and they shook with underlying pain.
Zuko reached out to her. "Katara…you know I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I just…"
"What the hell are you two doing!?"
They both turned to the now destroyed door and saw Iroh peeking around the corner. Angrily.
"Come on! There's still more waiting us outside, you know! Can't make me do all the work!"
Iroh stopped when he saw, and felt, the amount the tension present in the room. The sagacious older man nodded his head as he looked from teen to teen. "I am sorry, but whatever it is, you're going to have to solve it later. We're not done yet."
With that he scurried from the room, supposedly to fight the others still remaining. An uneasy silence settled in the room. Zuko sighed and turned back to his companion. "Katara, I…"
"He's right."
Zuko didn't blink hard this time. He had expected this. "I know, Katara."
Katara kept her eyes averted and motioned towards the doorway. "Let's go help your uncle." Zuko nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Katara marched solemnly towards the fallen door and stomped across it, earning spluttered groans from the fallen men underneath.
Hmmm…I thought they would have died from blood loss by now, Zuko thought to himself as he too marched across the fallen door.
X.
The house was an utter mess. Boards were flung carelessly about the room, the kitchen, in lack of better words, was destroyed, and the bodies…the bodies made the floor look as if it had suddenly turned black and red, for the blood oozed abound. The trio tried to watch their step as they climbed through the black and red throng. They passed a few who groaned and tried to raise themselves, but were quickly deterred by a kick of the foot or a hilt of a sword against their backs.
Zuko noticed, too, that his uncle now sported a sword. He decided not to wonder how he got it, and even more so, where he learned how to use one. He would ask later.
If there was to be a later
As they made their way out into the eerily dark night, they were greeted by the sound of applause. The group whirled…and came face to face with Azula and about twelve more men. She sauntered over to the group, still clapping, and chuckled.
"And here I thought that all of you would be struck down like animals, like you should have been."
Zuko held himself high, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. "Well, once again, Azula, you were wrong." He smirked. "Oh well, you should be used to that by now."
Azula's grin flickered, but stayed in place. "Oh? Well then, brother…let's see if those legs of yours can walk the way that mouth of yours talks…" She flicked a strand away from her face. "Get them."
The men attacked immediately this time, each flinging themselves almost desperately at the group. Katara grasped her sword in her teeth and flipped backwards towards the lake, her opponents followed. Iroh turned, winked at his nephew, then disappeared inside the house, leaving Zuko to deal with those who decided to fight him.
Azula had perched herself against a nearby tree and picked at her nails.
Zuko almost snorted. Just like Azula to not get her hands dirty
He winced as he ducked low, prepared to fight. The cut was starting to affect him. He would need to get it checked later. As he watched the men, swords high, marching towards him, he decided that it would be much…much later.
Zuko dodged as a sword as thrust towards his heart. He twisted and slapped the man on the back of his head with the flat of his blade. The man fell with an "oomph!" and lay sprawled on the ground. He would get up later, but with one heck of a headache.
Zuko could hear the battle being waged inside the house; the thud of bodies, the clash of metal, the crash of china. He internally winced. His uncle would not be happy with that.
He returned his mind to the fight at hand, slashing painful, but not fatal blows at his opponents.
Please let the others be alright
X.
Katara spun out of the way of the approaching sword and slashed at the man's back. He gave a cry of surprise then promptly greeted the ground with his face.
Another man screamed as he lunged for her, but she whirled, grabbed his outstretched arm, then flipped with enough force to throw him towards in the lake. He landed, and Katara grabbed another attacker and lunged him towards the water to make sure the other would stay down. Out of her plans, the first man still had his sword outstretched and the other was quickly impaled. Katara winced.
Oops
She turned from them. She wouldn't have to worry about the other…he would drown from the weight.
A man gave a war cry as he bounded towards her. She sighed. What was it with men and screaming?
She dropped low to the ground and timely stuck her sword between his legs. Just as the man was right upon her, sword an inch away from her face, she flung the sword upwards with all the strength she could manage.
The man, without a cry, was sliced in two.
Katara paused and blinked. Hmm…didn't know I was that strong.
She jumped back and twisted the sword the sword around in her hand, waiting, daring for someone to attack.
"Stand down!"
The four remaining quickly backed away from her at the command. Katara quickly searched for the source.
Ozai
His form was silhouetted and dark in the shadows of the night. She could see him nod towards the men. "Go for the boy…he's easier to kill."
The men nodded and ran back to the house.
Katara watched them go with slight unease. Zuko, I hope you're ready.
She turned, prepared to fight Ozai…but not prepared for what he held in his hand.
Ozai cocked the gleaming gun, a malicious smirk distorting his normally handsome face.
"The girl is mine."
X.
Zuko was caught off guard by the four men who came barreling towards him. He whirled to meet them, already haven taken down his own. He tried Katara's delicate spin of the sword…but it went flying from his hand. His sister's callous laughter pierced the night as he and his opponents' eyes went wide.
Damn
Zuko quickly dived for his sword but was blocked by a sword to the face. He gave a sharp cry as he threw himself backwards. As he crawled backwards towards the other dazed but fallen men, he touched his bleeding cheek that somehow scratched the good side of his face. Then he had an irrational thought.
I wonder if Katara has any scars
He was quickly brought back to the present world by cold steel pressing against his hand. He had reached a fallen warrior's sword. He slid his hand back towards the hilt and jumped to his feet.
Now he was ready.
The men were almost upon him.
Zuko raised his sword and charged at them, his eyes wild.
"COME ON!!"
X.
"What do you want, Ozai?"
Ozai chuckled as he came slithering out of the shadows. "Only what any father might want for his prodigy child." He motioned around with the gun as if he was thinking. "Or what any businessman would want for his company."
Katara tightened her grip around her sword. Ozai frowned and aimed the gun at her heart. "Drop it."
She hesitated, then dropped her sword and held her hands up over her head. "I meant, what is it you're aiming to achieve?"
Ozai shrugged. "What else? Money."
He kept waltzing towards her at a slow and relaxed pace. "Money makes the world go round, you see. The more you have, the more of the world you control."
Katara arched a brow. "Is that what you want? World domination?" She snorted. "How cliché."
Ozai grimaced. "Call it what you will, but I always get what I want." He stopped moving about six feet away from her. "It would help if you were more cooperative." He leaned forward, gun still pointed at her. "I could give you a cut."
Katara blinked. "Are you kidding me? What are you, insane? I don't want anything to do with you!"
Ozai sighed and erected himself. "I see…". He paused and glanced almost admiringly at his gun. "You know, this is the same gun I used to kill your mother with."
Katara stiffened. Rage coursed through her and she had to use all her strength in order to keep herself at bay.
Keep to the plan
"Really?"
Ozai nodded and hummed deep in his throat. "Like mother…," he grinned. "Like daughter… don't you think?"
Katara remained silent.
He laughed, his voice scratching across her very soul. "Oh come now! That was pretty good, I think."
Katara ground her teeth together. "You're a monster, Ozai."
He shrugged. "So I've been told."
She shook her head. "You'll die alone, you know. With all that money you so dream about. No one who loves you, no one who cares about you…"
It was Ozai's turn to snort. "Now who's the one sounding cliché?" He smirked. "I can afford anything in the world, love. Women will, and already do, come flocking towards me like wh…,"
"Family, Ozai!"
Ozai's grin seemed to falter.
Katara nodded and licked her lips. Just a few more minutes
"You will never know the love of a family when you get that big pretty mansion of yours." Katara's eyes twinkled in realization. "Of course you'll have your servants, your slaves, what have you…but you'll still be all alone, won't you? No one to give you comfort simply because they care. No one running to you, laughing because they love to be in your embrace. No one to tell your deepest fears to, because you know they won't use it against you. No one to listen to your hopes, your dreams….no one."
Ozai remained silent, but his eyes told all. They shook with rage and emotion. Katara didn't try to decipher which ones.
She heard sirens wailing in the distance.
It's almost time, you dumb bastard
She relaxed her arms against the back of her head. "But you'll be fine, right? With all those millions to comfort you? Tell me," she tilted her head. "Where will those millions be when you're dead because one of your own 'friends' stabbed you in the back? Literally? Crying over you, perhaps? Hmmm? Mourning over your dead corpse lying in your office with no one to find you because no one gives a crap? Maybe they'll still be wailing for you as they get hauled off in a duffel bag by your servants who find you the three days later, take your money, and give a rushed call to the police about a stench in one certain mansion? Oh yes, I know they'll cry as they're being spent by someone in Peru as your body is carelessly thrown in some half assed grave some decrepit guy dug. The dirt clinging to your rotting form." Katara shrugged. "Well, at least the flies and worms will like you…"
"ENOUGH!"
Katara tensed and almost jumped, but relaxed again when she saw Ozai heaving and panting, the gun wavering. She looked innocently at him. "What?" She grinned, betraying herself. "Did I hit a nerve?"
Ozai took three more steps and pointed his gun determinately at her heart.
"THIS ENDS NOW!!"
X.
Zuko panted as he stared at the fallen men around him. It had been difficult, but he had put every one of them down without killing. They would wake up, but he would be ready for that.
"Seems like Zuzu learned some stuff while rotting out here in the ghetto."
Zuko turned to see his sister coming towards him. He frowned. "What is your problem?"
Her grin flickered. "What do you mean?"
He gave an exasperated shrug. "What is with you? Why are you trying to kill me? Me! Your own brother?"
Azula flicked another strand of hair from her face. "Don't be ridiculous." She stared him straight in the eyes. "My brother died long ago."
Zuko felt a pang of anguish as his baby sister uttered these words, but he knew what had to be done. "Azula, you know I can't let you continue hurting people."
She laughed. "You say that as if you have any say in my life!"
He crouched low. "Well, tonight…I do."
Azula shook her head, though the laughter had stopped. "You can't be serious, Zuzu! You…and me!? You don't stand a chance!"
Zuko stayed silent.
Azula sighed as if this were some minor inconvenience. "Very well." She too crouched. "Shall the battle commence?"
Zuko nodded.
Azula growled low in her throat, prepared to pounce…
CLANG!!
Azula groaned, her eyes rolled up in the back of her head, then fell ungraciously to the ground.
Zuko looked surprisingly at her attacker. "Uncle! What are you doing!?"
Iroh dropped the pan (that now had a nice sized dent) and bent down to tie his niece's hands behind her back. "We don't have time for this, Zuko. The police are coming."
Zuko nodded and wiped sweat away from his forehead. "Yeah, Katara told me."
Iroh grunted as he hauled his niece over to the tree and tied her to it. "Yes…I surmised she would call them." He looked up at his nephew. "But what about her? She is just as involved as Azula. She did the killing, she would technically get more time."
"I know," Zuko murmured as he ran his hand through his hair. "That's why I was worried about her."
Iroh finished tying Azula to the tree and looked about the forest.
Zuko stared at him, puzzled. "What is it, uncle?"
Iroh turned back to him, worry etched into his features. "Where is Ozai?"
Zuko felt a shock of dread lunge through him. "Katara…," He turned and fled towards the lake. "He's after Katara!!"
"Zuko!" Iroh called after him.
But it was to no avail, and Iroh was left to greet the sirens and cars that rolled up to the cabin.
X.
Zuko barreled through the forest like a madman. Trees whipped at his face and hands, but he ran on.
Katara, Katara! Please be okay!
He could hear the rushing water of the lake and knew he was getting closer. He heard her voice, murmuring, but it spurned him on.
Just hold on! I'm coming! Just hold on!
Suddenly, a cry broke the night.
"ENOUGH!!"
It made Zuko pause in shock, and fear.
Ozai
He heard more murmuring, her, and he ran again.
He was getting closer…very close…
"THIS ENDS NOW!!"
Zuko felt fear ripping through him. His lungs seemed to explode from the pressure of exertion.
Zuko burst through the foliage, saw the scene before him: Katara, Ozai….
A gun
Just before the sharp retort of a gunshot.
X.
It happened slowly, as Zuko will forever recall.
It was as if he saw the bullet travel towards her in slow motion, destined by angle and intention, no mind, no willpower to turn away from the innocent, for if it did…a lot more people would be alive.
She will live!
Zuko found his feet moving towards her, to stop it, to move it, he didn't care….
She had to live!
Ozai's face was twisted in a sneer. Zuko thought of wiping that sneer right off his face, but that had to wait…
She had to live!
Zuko was certain, so certain, that a man could run faster than a bullet. That if he tried hard enough, it would all turn out alright. And for a second, it did. Her eyes turned to him, his eyes met hers…and for that moment, he saw hope.
I can make it! I can make it! I can…!
"Ugh!"
Her body jerked backwards, her legs stumbled…
Zuko looked on in confusion. Wait…it wasn't, supposed, to happen like…
Katara right hand clasped briefly at her chest; she kept stumbling…
No……no……no…
Their eyes met once again, but hers flickered.
Gold and blue.
The dangerous two.
Forever together….
Katara kept stumbling, blood seeped through her fingers…
And yet…
She caught his gaze, grinned, peaceful…
Yet eternally apart.
She fell into the lake.
X.
Blood stained the water….contaminated.
No air bubbles permeated the stains.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"
Zuko sprinted towards the water, he prepared to dive, then there was another click.
"Stay, my son."
Zuko froze, but shaking with rage and anguish.
His father smirked as he headed towards him. "We have much to discuss."
Zuko dropped to his knees and grasped his head in his hands. "You killed her."
Ozai shrugged. "Oh, Zuko…she and I both knew it had to happen. Let her go. She's in a better place…,"
"You killed her."
Ozai shrugged once more. "Or maybe not."
"YOU KILLED HER!!"
Ozai was temporarily stunned by the venom and pain in his son's voice. He regained composure, then nodded. "Yes…yes I did." He cocked an eyebrow. "Are you quite finished?"
Zuko slowly raised his head, his eyes connected with those of his father's. His hair was disheveled, his clothes stained with his own blood and his own from the previous fights, his nose, thick with something he'd rather not think about.
He licked his lips determinately. "I'm going to kill you."
Ozai looked upon him in shock. "You? You…mess of a boy? I think not! You can't fight me, my boy! You are worthle…."
Zuko cold cocked him.
Ozai dropped and clasped his nose in his hands, though the gun still somehow remained in the other. Blood seeped through his own fingers as he stared at the man before him in surprise and shock.
He hadn't even seen him move
"You…will regret that, Zuko," he panted as he climbed to his feet. "I think it's time…you join, your little, girlfriend."
Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Anything to get away from you."
Ozai raised his gun, still panting, cocked it…
Zuko kept his eyes open.
I want to see her face when the pain ends, when the darkness ends…
"Die, boy!"
When we can meet again…
"FREEZE, ASSHOLE!"
Zuko's eyes shot across the clearing… and saw the police had gathered around them. All gun's were trained on the maniac who had his own pointed at his son.
"DROP THE GUN!"
Surprisingly, Ozai did immediately what he was told. He dropped the gun, got down on his knees, placed his hands behind his head…and surrendered.
Zuko took a quick glance around, and saw his baby sister sitting cuffed in the back of one of the police cars. She was still unconscious.
She will NOT be happy when she comes to
Zuko's gaze landed on Iroh who came from behind the three cars.
"Zuko! I heard…!"
A policeman suddenly patted Iroh's shoulder. "Don't worry…with the evidence you gave us, your brother's going away for a looooong time."
Iroh nodded to him. "Thank you, officer."
Zuko was still in a daze as he looked from person to person, each doing their duty, such as two officers who lugged Ozai to his feet and dragging him unceremoniously to the police car.
"I have people on the outside, Iroh!"
Iroh sighed and turned away from from younger brother.
Spittle flew from his mouth as they tried to force him in the car. "You and that little bitch of a son are going to rot in hell!!"
"That's where you're wrong, Ozai."
Ozai stopped his struggling and looked at his son.
Zuko looked out across the lake with empty eyes. "This is my hell."
Ozai blinked, then laughed manically as he was pushed into the car. The door slammed shut, and they heard Ozai no more.
Iroh walked behind his nephew and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Take heed, Zuko. She would not want you to be like this. Let your heart…,"
"Please, uncle."
Iroh stopped and looked upon the defeated young man, his good eye shining with unshed tears.
"No proverbs tonight."
Iroh nodded, understanding, then made his way back towards the policeman.
Zuko turned towards the lake and watched the moon lower into it.
He chuckled dryly to himself.
The lake has captured another beautiful victim
"Have you no mercy?" He whispered to himself.
The lake's response was the silence that it could only give.
Zuko picked up a rock and launched it into the water.
"TELL ME!!"
The rock splashed harmlessly into the water, causing a ripple, but no more.
Zuko dropped down to one knee as hate, anger, anguish, pain, and a flurry of emotions racked his body.
He crossed his arms over his leg and cried to himself.
I thought everything would be alright. Everything should have been alright. It always is.
He looked up at the lake, across it.
I'm sorry, Katara…
He bowed his head once more.
I was wrong.
Okay, I know I made this kind of sad…but remember…it's not finished! Oh, and if you haven't guessed, I decided not to have Aang in this one…or Mai…XD. Anyway, I hope you liked the battle scene 'cause my parents keep telling me to get off the computer. I didn't mean to make Zuko sound emo, but…he did just loose the love of his life, you know? Oh, and the no Iroh kick butt scenes…I just didn't know how to write Iroh fighting. Also, I forgot about how Zuko was going to ruin his dad's suit…I didn't think about it towards the end. So…here's the second to last chapter! Hope you like it and I want to get the last chapter out soon! Review, pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzeeeeeee!! ;)