THE TIME IS NIGH! ZUKO'S LAST TRIP BEFORE HE REACHESS THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.
WARNING: THERE WILL BE A REAL TRAGIC MOMENT AND A FIGHT SCENE, SO BRACE YOURSELVES.
I do not own ATLA or any of the characters.
Book 1: Road To War
Chapter 6: Loss
REALM OF IRESH
Iresh was in meeting with the Dark Spirit Koh once again. He had been surprised to see the insect keep his word on only affecting the fire nation boy. He thought that this might have turned out better than he had hoped.
"So you don't mean to hold you're end of the bargain you made with the boy?" Iresh asked not surprised Koh would break a promise to the boy.
"I know the boy will want anything to take down his father and when that happens, I will ignore his plea," Koh said with a wicked grin.
Iresh sat back in his chair, "I congratulate you Koh, this will make Agni's favor for the boy crumble and teach him not to meddle in the affairs of mortals."
"It was an honor to help bring down the dragon's scheme. Now I must return to my lair and wait for the boy to call upon me," Koh said to take his leave.
Iresh became suspicious of the Koh's intentions, "Why would you hear his plea?"
Koh smiled, "I love to hear unanswered calls. It sooths my souls." he then entered a dark portal into his lair and vanished.
Iresh had an uneasy feeling about what he said. He knew Koh's strength was based on the misery of mortals. If Agni was right in saying that peoples pleas for redemption has been going on for a century without being answered, then Koh must have gained much strength. But he was confident he didn't have strength enough to take them all down.
LAIR OF KOH
Koh entered his dark lair from his portal. His return to the darkness has never felt so sweet. The growing war between the Great Spirits never felt so sweeter. But the most greatest feeling he had was the lie that Iresh now believed. Of course Koh would come through with his plan with Zuko. The boy was his ticket out of such a low place for a Dark Spirit like him to live. Now that he has caused more of a segregation between the great Spirits, he now has more of a chance to make his goal a reality. He just needed the right moment.
He opened a window to view Zuko from. He noticed a bit of hope in him and that he was smiling with his uncle. Koh sighed, "Oh my young boy, this will surely not do. I need you to cut all ties and bonds if you are to serve me and reach your full potential," He thought for a while until an evil grin crossed his face, "And I know what it will take."
EARTH KINGDOM SHORES
The group finally reached the shore where their ship waited. Iroh noticed a figure waiting for them at the ship. It might have been one of his men awaiting their return.
But upon arriving in front of the ship, he then noticed it was Azula standing calm and strangely ashamed. This brought a whole set of uneasiness in the general's old heart.
"Welcome back uncle Iroh and Zuko," She greeted in a serious tone. This rubbed Zuko all in the wrong ways possible, "Look uncle, I've been out of line and I know I have shamed you for how I've acted… how I've always acted even as a small child," Iroh heard her tone sounded sincere, but it still kept him on edge as well as Zuko. She then dropped her head in shame and spoke in a shaking voice, "I just want to try to make it up and ask you to forgive me."
Iroh then saw her tears and held her tightly, "I never knew that all you needed was a time out. Of course I forgive you my niece," Iroh felt her arms come up for a warm hug. His heart swelled at the thought of regaining both his niece and nephew again.
They soon broke the hug and Azula turned to Zuko, "Release him and give my brother the best set of clothes! We are having a feast in his honor!"
The soldiers were shocked and confused at the sudden change in Azula's behavior.
Iroh turned to them, "Well you heard my niece, let him out and prepare the feast because I'm starving."
The soldiers gave up thinking too much on it and decided to just go with it. Azula then turned to Zen and Captain Jee, "I could guess that you two have been helping my bother during this whole trip," Zen and Jee gave each other uneasy looks on how to reply. Azula lightly giggled, "Don't worry, I won't tell. In fact I think we may have a pair of water tribe clothing. Both of you look your best for the feast because you will be honored for supporting my brother throughout his trip."
Both Jee and Zen were speechless and then bowed to give their thanks. Iroh then called for the healer to attend to Zuko's wounds as best as he could. As they came to lay Zuko onto a stretcher, Azula came to her brother and held his hand with a warm smile, "Looks like we have some catching up to do right brother?"
Zuko's face hardened and tore his hand away, "You may have everyone else fooled, but we both know better," Azula recoiled a bit, "You always lie."
Azula averted her eyes, "I know you won't forgive me for what I did to you," She lightly placed her hand on his scarred face, "I wouldn't forgive myself. I still don't forgive myself, but I just hope that I can gain that forgiveness like it seems like you forgave our uncle," Zuko turned away from her, "Just know that I love you Zuko and that I'm truly sorry."
After that the healers took Zuko away to the infirmary. Iroh came and put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry Azula, he will come to terms that you are truly trying to tell him the truth."
"I hope you're right uncle, I really want his forgiveness," was all she said before boarding the ship.
Iroh then ordered his men to prepare to set sail. In no time, the ship departed for the fire nation.
Later, after the healers did their job in fixing up Zuko as best as they could, he was left alone inside the infirmary room. He then heard his uncle come in and Zuko turned to a dark expression. When Iroh saw this he feared he did something to lose Zuko's trust again.
"Zuko, what is wrong? Have I done something?" Iroh asked imploringly.
Zuko shook his head, "No, but how could you trust Azula?"
Iroh then knew what this was about, "Zuko, I believe that your sister has changed. You didn't see the look in hear eyes when she asked for forgiveness."
"You weren't there when she tormented me my whole life with her constant lying," Zuko retorted.
Iroh felt a sting in those words. He could only guess what it must have been like if Azula acted how Zuko described her, "That was the past Zuko. Things change as they progress and now your sister is trying to make up for everything she has done," Zuko only turned away from his uncle unconvinced. Iroh sighed, "I wasn't going to say this, but your sister is waiting outside. She wanted me to try to talk to you before she came in to ask for your forgiveness," Zuko remained silent, "whatever caused you to forgive me, let that help you to forgive her too."
Iroh then turned to leave. Azula then cautiously made her way in. She waited a bit to see if Zuko would be the first to break the silence, "Hi Zuzu," She greeted meekly. She shifted a bit as Zuko remained silent, "I know you never liked that nickname I gave you so I wanted to try to say it as a playful way to form our bond again," again Zuko remained silent. Azula tried another approach, "Remember that time that we went into the kitchen and we had that fat head cook? The look on his face as I shot a blue flame at his feet and he fell butt first into the stew for our meal that night," Azula giggled as she brought up the memory, "and then we both got out of dinner by making it look like we really wanted to spar and train so dad would excuse us? We then peeked around the corner to see dad eat the stew that the cook fell in," Azula didn't hold back her laughter as she finished the memory.
Zuko wanted to laugh, but his resentment and suspicion towards her was too strong to let him do so, "It' doesn't matter now does it?" Azula's expression faltered, "those days are far gone and so is our family bond."
Azula took a seat next to Zuko looking at the floor, "I know you have every right to hate me after every repulsive thing I did to you. Hell, I deserve to be treated like a monster after what I have done," She then turned to Zuko and held his bandaged hands firmly, "but right now I'm trying to be human. Right now I'm trying to be your little sister," She placed his hand against her cheek, "Right now I am hoping and praying for a miracle that you will forgive me and love me as your little sister."
Zuko felt a pain in his heart to hear those words from her. He had always wished that they were the loving siblings that they had been when the were at the beach house all those years ago when mother was there. He was at war with himself fighting with compassion for his sister and despite for her monstrous past. He couldn't decide, "I just don't know Azula," Azula dropped her gaze in disappointment, "part of me wants to believe and forgive you, but the other wants to keep you away because somehow I fell you are lying."
"And I don't blame you for that. That is all my fault for your feelings. If anything I shouldn't deserve your trust and forgiveness, but at least give me hope that I can be redeemed by your compassion. Because it is the only thing in our family that reminds me of mom." Azula pleaded.
Hearing that made Zuko want to forgive her there and then. He had never heard anyone say that he had been a reminder of his mother and that her presence is not gone from the family. But he was still uneasy about Azula's sudden change and didn't want to be betrayed again, "If uncle is willing to trust you with anything important if something ever comes up, then you will have your redemption."
At this, Azula perked up and kissed the side of Zuko's face, "Thank you Zuzu! I knew mother wasn't dead in you," She then bounced around looking a bit lost, "I got to find uncle and ask if he's planning anything," she shot for the door, but skidded to a stop to run back and kiss Zuko on the cheek again, "Thank you brother!" she finally ran out shouting for their uncle.
Zuko let himself chuckle a bit for seeing the small loving baby sister she was when they were a family. He truly wanted to believe her after her confessing what she said. But he guessed if Iroh could trust her with an important task then she will be worth forgiving like he forgave his uncle. Somehow the world was falling back into balance once again and he couldn't feel anymore at peace.
The days went on after the feast was given on board the ship on a warm clear night under the star infested sky. Songs were sung, laughter was constant, and joy was ever flowing around the crew, Zen was even accepted among the crew like family. They even promised to release him back to his home in the North. But to everyone's surprise, he refused and wished to send a message to his family to have them live in the fire nation with his new comrades. This brought concern for his well being, but they all came up with a plan to relocate each other to live in one residence where they wouldn't be around such prejudice. Zen could then be sworn in as a newly pledge fire nation citizen and receive a good living start among his new comrades.
The three royals became closer as a family as they once were. Iroh even trusted Azula to be prepared for a unspecific plan he had in mind. Zuko on the other hand was slowly beginning to trust her and even gave her warm embraces. He began to tell them both of the people he has encountered both good and bad and the tortures he had pulled through from and even saving a princess from an arrogant bastard. Iroh and Azula teased him for rescuing a princess and possibly having interest in her. Zuko got irritated by it and blew them off refusing everything they accused him of. But after they just laughed it off and continued with the feast.
But one thing that Zuko never told either of them in any way was his contact with Agni and Koh.
Days that they waited, Zuko and Azula spared in martial arts. Nothing to physical, but just going through movements. Azula even tried to give Zuko some pointers on fire bending, but not before truly convincing him that she meant it as a way to help her brother become the best.
Iroh made sure to always be around as the two siblings spent quality time together. His heart jumped for joy to see such happiness in his family once more. Iroh even began to see Azula as a daughter as well as Zuko was like a son. If all went as planned, they could even start an instant and strong rebellion to overthrow his brother and finally end the war. And just maybe after, they could extract what information from Ozai on what really happened to Ursa and become one real happy family again.
Them the day finally came as they entered the fire nation port and prepare to bring Zuko back to the capitol. Azula began playing the part of being in charge of the Zuko and had him once again in chains and in a mobile cage to send him to the fire lord.
Azula then came close to Zuko making it look like she was speaking to one of the soldiers, "Zuko, uncle has told me the plan," Azula informed, "We will rescue you as we pose as the execution detail with all the men from the ship. Uncle will be there by father to subdue him as I watch and stand by you near the executioner. I will take care of him and then set you free. We will hold father as a hostage as we make a break for the fastest ship in the fleet and throw father overboard as we depart for open sea. The fleet will be too busy to fish out father and will give us a head start on escaping to where Uncle is planning the rebellion."
"When is my execution?" Zuko asked.
"Tomorrow, so you better rest up so we are at full strength." Azula said.
"Azula," She looked towards Zuko, "I forgive you."
Azula gave a warm loving smile and then played her serious face that she was known for, "Get him to the palace now! My father does not like to wait, but he does like to discipline those who are!" the soldiers began marching with the cage as it was pulled by an ostrich-horse.
It felt so foreign for Zuko to be back home after seeing so many places for over two years. He some how missed seeing the foreign buildings and huts of other nations, but he missed the friends he has met even more. Katara, Suki, Yue, crazy old King Bumi, Jin, and his little favorite earth bender Toph. He missed her the most with her childish nicknames and snappy comebacks and retorts. The way she looked up to him as a role model just after a few days. He would never forget the moment he let her touch his scarred face. He guessed blindness does make some wiser than others. Bumi was next on his mind. As crazy as he was, he was the one to help Zuko realize that he could forgive his uncle which lead to forgiving and bonding back with his little sister. Yue and Katara were two of the most purest souls he has met. Their innocence, compassion and lack of prejudice, helped Zuko learn that there was still purity in the human soul and it must be protected at any cost. Suki was a bit over enthusiastic about her island and it's history, but he honored her passion to want to help others that weren't just a part of her Island even if the rest of the island forbade it. Her master Jen would be proud of her. Jin was a little bit timid and he could see in her eyes that she was afraid of a lot. But he admired as she shown her true strength by overcoming those feelings and doing what she felt was right. If anything, he knew she was taking a new view of life and training herself to be more strong if the event should arise become important.
Zuko wished… no. Prayed the best for all of them. He would meet them all again one day.
After reaching the palace, Zuko was immediately sent to a holding cell within the palace grounds. Azula and Iroh met with Ozai as Azula gave the details. Iroh remained silent until spoken to with yes and no questions. Ozai then told them the details of the execution for tomorrow and that Azula will be by Zuko as he is executed. Iroh agreed to remain by Ozai's side as the execution commences.
Zuko remained in his cell receiving no visitor. He didn't mind everyone was busy with everything going around. Zuko just meditated as time went by. He felt at peace, but a cold dark feeling soon descended on him. He tried to shake it off, but it only grew more like a familiar emptiness he felt a long time ago.
Before he could remember it, a guard opened the door to his cell and a couple of soldiers released him from his chains and bindings.
"What is going on?" Zuko asked confused.
AGNI KAI CHAMBERS
The soldiers said nothing and brought him out towards the Agni Kai Chambers where all was dark. After they left the chambers and Zuko was alone or so he thought.
"Zuko," A sinister voice called out that sounded all too familiar. A flame lit up in a hand to show the face of his father Ozai, "My look at you, perhaps you are not as weak as I thought you were," he said with a bit of mockery in his tone, "You have the marks to prove it."
Zuko glared with no hint of mercy in his eyes at the man, "You are the one who sent me to earn it," Zuko growled.
"I mean what I say. Suffering as been your teacher and I wonder if you have what it takes to earn your place as the next fire lord," Zuko stood confused by what he said and meant, "Come in," Ozai called.
Out of the darkness and into the light, Zhao, Azula, and Iroh appear. All but Zhao show a face of confusion as what this is all about.
"I am giving you a chance to prove your worth as a fire lord," Iroh and Azula are surprised to hear this. Iroh feels something isn't right. Ozai tosses a long sword at Zuko's feet as it sinks into the ground before him, "Do you have the will and strength to kill your own flesh and blood?" Zuko glared at Ozai as a flood of memories of his tormentor flooded his mind, "Do you have the strength to want something so much that you are willing to do what is necessary to achieve it," the words of Ozai came all at once from the day of his birth to the day he was shipped out to the other nations. All the emotions he had felt rising back to plague his mind, "I am in the way of want you truly want," fear, "I am unarmed," anger, "I will not strike back at my son," sorrow, "I will not evade," rejection, "Just like you when we fought," despair, "In this place where it all began," hatred, "I am giving you this one chance to kill me and take your rightful place as the next true fire lord," vengeance.
Azula and Iroh were shocked at this. Iroh knew something was amiss, but could not see it. He focused on Ozai if he made to move if Zuko made the choice to kill his own father.
Ozai extended his arms out in submission. Zuko looked down at the blade and already considered the offer. His mind was too clouded to think with all these emotions boiling in his mind, heart, and soul. If he killed his father then he would end all the suffering and end the war. They could regain what they had lost and undo what has been done over the century. But Zuko wanted to make this as severe as possible.
He called to Koh in thought.
LAIR OF KOH
Koh heard the plea from Zuko and smiled, "That's my boy," he smiled in a most sinister expression. Koh opened his mouth and shot a silent dark flame towards the window he viewed Zuko in.
AGNI KAI CHAMBERS
Only Zuko saw the portal open and shoot down a blast of dark flames over him. He felt the sudden cold of the void consume him as the dark powers fused into his soul.
"Make your choice son," Ozai commanded.
Zuko already did.
He grasped his sword and instantly it took an even greater darker shape and form. The blade seemed like it gave out rays of darkness from the edge, dark fires of purple and black fumed around it, it was a single serrated blade that had hooks and jagged edges. The most terrifying sword anyone has seen.
Azula, Iroh, and Zhao stepped back a bit while Ozai marveled at his son's sudden burst of power.
Zuko held up the blade and everything blacked out except for Ozai which was all he could now see. He charge at his father without hesitation and thrust the sword hearing the sound of metal meeting flesh. Zuko had done it without mercy or regret as he began to feel the warm blood drip onto him. But something was off.
He did not feel the hardened chest of his father. It was soft and felt fragile and small. Zuko looked up and was devastated and lost the strength in his legs to stand as he fell to the floor defeated, Tears came out from his eyes that he felt too numb to hold back, his voice was lost to speak, he couldn't think, he couldn't react, he couldn't feel anything except one emotion, Sadness.
"My… son" said a calm and compassionate, but weak and dying voice.
"M-m-mother…" was all Zuko could stutter out.
Indeed right before him with the dark blade deep in her chest was his own mother being help by Zhao, Usra.
Iroh was devastated as well. He was too busy focused on Ozai that he didn't notice Zhao's involvment.
Azula was shocked at the turn of events and froze until Ozai spoke.
"You impress me Zuko," he said moving from behind this wife that protected him as a human shield by Zha, "You went so far as to make a deal with the dark demons to give me a gruesome death. How admirable."
Zuko did not speak, but looked down at his hands that were now stained with his mothers blood.
"You don't need to blame yourself son," Ozai told Zuko, "If only your dear caring uncle kept out of Azula's business to handle your torture, this would never had happened. In fact I would have brought your mother to see you one last time."
Zuko turned to his uncle who was at a loss for words to comfort Zuko. His brother had won, the family was torn and broken. Zuko would not forgive anyone let alone trust them. All Iroh saw was emptiness for everyone in his eyes except his dying mother.
The sword turned back into a ordinary sword after Zuko cut off his connection to his dark power. Zhao then pulled the sword out of his mother and she began to fall forward. Zuko caught her before she hit the floor and cradled her close as tears fell freely as he cried.
"You won't mind if I keep this as another reminder of your failure," Zhao taunted the devastated prince.
"You're uncle was too concerned with his own feelings and desires to truly think of you. He may have had a chance to go through with the plan if he stayed out of Azula's way," Ozai admitted to knowing the plan.
Iroh was confused on who would tell him of the plan, "I told him" he looked to his right and saw Azula with hatred in her eyes. She had no regret in admitting, "I told father everything. You always loved Zuko more than me and gave him everything that should have been mine."
Iroh was crushed, "How could you?"
"SHUT UP YOU OLD BASTARD!" she screamed, "you are the one who should take the blame for mom's death! You killed mom!"
Iroh tried to deny it, but in the end he saw it was true. He should have been more smarter to know this would have happened if he interfered. If only he only kept his temper from taking Azula's command that this would have been avoided. It was all his fault.
Ozai walked up to Zuko's weakened state body, "Accept this moment son, embrace it and show how strong you are. Learn from this that you shouldn't love something that can easily be taken away," Those words began to burn inside of Zuko, "become the once famed prince of the fire nation as we give our enemies the final blow to their hope and sense of security," Zuko still remained silent holding tightly to his mother, "We will just say that my wife tried to slaughter us all until you came in and saved us all."
Zuko then felt the burn of hatred again., "Go fuck yourself in hell and bring the rest of them with you," Zuko hissed in a broken but deadly voice.
Ozai only smirked, "Well so much for being strong."
Ozai, Zhao, and Azula left Zuko, Ursa, and Iroh in the chamber alone.
Zuko still clutched to his mother of dear life. Iroh tried to talk, but was severely cut off by Zuko, "Don't speak old fool. You are dead to me, everything is dead to me."
"Zuko…" Iroh begged.
"LEAVE!" the whole room suddenly burst into flames everywhere from nothing. Stone was burning like oil soaked wood and the flames heated up like a raging forest fire. An even greater flame surrounded Zuko and his mother threatening to lash out at anything that approached.
Iroh knew it was hopeless and left with a heavy heart.
The flames remained as it burned the chambers as he held his mother dying in his arms. Nothing mattered as he held the last bit of life in her.
"Zu-Zuko…" Ursa called out weakly.
Zuko quickly held her up to support her, "Mom! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry I did this to you! I should have seen this. I should have been smarter!" he cried out his failures.
"It's okay my son… I will be fine…" she continued speaking slowly as she tried to calm her son.
"No… no it's not okay," he said between sobs, "I killed you mom. I should be the one to die not you."
"Zuko…" she lifted a hand to his scarred face, "you must be strong…" Zuko held her hand close to him wishing and praying to all the Great Spirits and all of creation to take his life instead, "you have a job to do if you are still alive my son… promise me…"
"Anything mom! Just don't die and leave me here alone!" he pleaded.
"Sto… stop your father… save this world… and this war…" she said growing nearer to death.
"I will mom," Zuko said quickly.
"Do… do the right thing…. Hel…help… help those in… need…" She continued.
"Yes, yes I will mom, please I will," Zuko said.
"A… an…and… please…" Ursa coughed and blood started to ooze out her mouth, "s.. save… save…" She tried to speak.
Zuko tried to wipe the blood from her mouth with lost desperate hope that it will keep her alive, "Anything mom, anything."
"Sav… save Azula from…your… father…" This crushed Zuko to hear his mother still wanting to save his sister that also was involved in her death, "please… please my son… I want you both… to live…"
Zuko squeezed his eyes and swallowed hard at the request. It pained him to here her still want the best for Azula after all she did, but he didn't, he couldn't refuse his mothers last request, "I… I will mom…"he acknowledged.
"Tell.. Tell Azula… I will always love her…," Zuko nodded, "and Zuko…" Zuko paid attention closely, "I… I… Zu…ko…"
Nothing more came from her loving voice. No breath, no words, and no life. His mother… was dead.
Zuko was overcome with all the emotions of sadness.
From above, even everything in the spirit world but one mourned the event of her death. For one moment around the world, strange and unearthly cries of the spirits called out for the death of a soul of purity. The Great Spirits, as well, took a moment to cease all bending elements and silence the world to honor the a mother of true compassion.
Zuko felt it all. Sadness, depression, despair, hopelessness, and emptiness. But what he truly felt was all of it in one word… loss. Zuko then cried out in every emotion he felt as his mother laid still in his arms. The fires around him shot through the roof and into the night sky. All of the fire nation saw the colossal tower of flames shoot out of the dead volcano into the night sky and almost burning as bright as the sun. People felt a swift rush of fear at the sight and ran for cover.
The fires died down soon, but had lingering flames around the room.
I love you Zuko… she never said it. She was able to tell him she still love Azula and to save her. But she didn't even get to finish telling him if she loved him. Zuko didn't want to move as he held on to what kept him human. As held tightly to her lifeless cold hand, he suddenly felt it puff out. He opened to see that she was slowly becoming ash.
Zuko cried and pleaded to keep her whole as more of her started to fall and turn to as until nothing was left but a pile.
Zuko collapsed on the ground empting his mind of all thought. He gave up on everything as his mind turned blank and fell into the endless abyss of the void of his mind where he remained as a small child in the darkness crying.
But it wasn't long until the clicking and cracking sound of Koh entered his mind, "It was inevitable Zuko," he said a serious tone, "She would have prevented you from reaching your true potential."
Zuko looked up at the Dark Spirit, "You had her killed," he accused.
Koh nodded, "In a way yes, but that needed to be done if you are to reach you true power that I have blessed you with."
"Blessed? BLESSED!? That blessing only gave me the power to kill the only one who kept me human! The only one that kept me sane! This is not a blessing! THIS IS A CURSE!" Zuko shouted at Koh.
"I gave you this power boy, if I take it away your soul will be mine to harvest!" Zuko glared at Koh for the trap he placed him in, "Now what is your decision? Life or death to join your meddling mother."
Zuko felt all the rage of anger and hatred fill him up to near explosion, "You will be the one to die bug!"
Koh grinned darkly, "No Zuko. You will!" A claw plunged into Zuko's chest and began to pull the soul from his body, "Don't worry stupid boy, it won't hurt until after," Koh chuckled.
But then Koh had trouble pulling the rest of his soul out of Zuko. With a look of defiance, Zuko was retracting his soul back as well as pulling the Dark Spirit. When Zuko's soul was close enough back inside his body, Zuko leapt up and charged his knee straight into the face of Koh.
"Insolent brat!" shouted Koh. He tried using Zuko's expression to steal his face until he realized his mistake. Zuko had the power of darkness to resist.
Zuko then took the opportunity to ignite Agni's power from inside and have his scars glowing in a flames glow with his missing eye igniting in bright flames. He then brought out the Blades of Agni and charge the beast. Koh tried to impale him with his claws, but Zuko shot out a blade that sunk itself into the flesh of Koh's chest and jump to the far side. After the evade he pulled onto the chain linked sword and swung himself around Koh and place himself so the chain was wrapped around his body and began to pull. Koh tried his best to hold to the ground until Zuko gave one powerful yank that ripped a large slit wound across Koh's chest and have him tumble over his side.
Koh took this moment to swing his tail at Zuko and send him far. But as he hit Zuko, he was countered with Zuko's other blade sinking into the beast's tail and launching towards Koh and crashing right into his back while thrusting his blades into Koh's back. Zuko jumped into the air and lifted Koh up by his blades stuck to his back and swing him around to crash hard into the ground.
Zuko then landed on top of Koh's head. Koh tried to bring his tail up to strike Zuko and missed on the first try and had his tail get wrapped around by Zuko's chain linked sword. Zuko dug the other sword into Koh's head to hold him steady and support him to pull on the chain. As he felt Koh use his strength to pull back his tail, he lit up the chains with a bright blazing fire and sliced through the tail like butter.
Koh Screeched and screamed at the pain while twisting and curling up in reaction. Zuko jumped off near the severed tail and hooked his swords in the hardest part. Koh then recovered and tried to charge at Zuko, but was countered by Zuko when he used the tail to swing into Koh's face. Zuko kept up the momentum of his attack to weaken his enemy. Then Zuko grabbed the tail and charged into Koh's body with the claws pointed out on the tail to stab right through him. Zuko then made his way to reach Koh's face and began sending powerful strikes with fist and blades to crush his enemy.
Koh quickly changed his face to a animal to heal his other damaged face. Zuko knew this would be a while to defeat him and came up with a plan.
Zuko jumped off his face to slice off a claw and land right back down, with the claw in hand to completely thrust tit all the way down his face.
As Koh began to change his face, Zuko's swords the were consumed in dark flames. Koh's next face was a woman, but before he could react, Zuko's blades sunk into the sides of the face keeping it place from changing. He sunk his hands in the sides where his swords were and started to pull. The pain of it sent Koh still trying to keep his face in.
But with one final pull, Zuko ripped the face off and jumped off the dark spirit as it cried and screeched.
After a ghostly light emerged from Koh's open face and struck it's way into Zuko's scarred eye. After the last of the light entered Zuko's eye. Koh looked back in fear now that Zuko has somehow taken some of Koh's power. He no longer felt his connection to the dead souls he collected.
Zuko began to hear the voices of the dead at his command. He felt the power over lost souls.
Koh opened a portal to his lair, "We will meet again Spirit of War!" he said as he vanished.
Zuko then awoke in the chamber room where he collapsed. He stood up looking for Koh, but he was gone. He had fought him in his mind. But he then saw the face of a woman in his hand that he had torn out. She suddenly opened her eyes to look straight at Zuko.
"Thank you Spirit of War. You have freed me from Koh's hold," Zuko could think of anything to do but nod his head in accepting the thanks, "You are now in control of lost souls as Koh was," Zuko lifted his hand to see the ghostly flame rise from his hand, "I have one request Zuko."
Zuko looked back to her, "What is it?"
"Release me so that I may have peace with my lover," She pleaded.
Zuko wasn't one to hold anyone under his power like a slave. He wasn't his father. He nodded to grant her request.
"Thank you Zuko, Spirit of War. I will one day repay you for your mercy," after that she vanished into dust.
Zuko then turned to the ash pile that was once his mother. He dipped his hand into the ash remembering her last touch and balled his fist, "I promise you mother I won't fail again."
After that the ash shot up from the ground and cover Zuko in the ash giving his skin a white color. His mother's ash now fused into his skin as a reminder of his promise.
He looked up into the sky, "I am ready for my duty."
SPIRIT COUNSIL REALM
The great spirit's gathered to announce that it was close to awaken the avatar. They were talking about who would find them and his journey. The next subject was the loss of Koh's connection to the lost souls. None knew where the Dark Spirit had run off to or how he had come to lose his connection. In this meeting Agni hadn't said anything to defy the counsel's judgment.
Iresh had a feeling he knew that his precious chosen one had failed him. But he was dead wrong.
Agni knew of Koh after Zuko had awakened from his lost consciousness. Agni felt the added power and rage of Zuko after whatever happened in his mind. He saw one of the face of Koh in Zuko's hand and knew Zuko had attacked and used both his and Koh's power to fight off the Dark Spirit. He had heard Zuko's words of accepting his offer.
Tomorrow was the start of it all. And the Great Spirit's fear of the boy. They will try to stop him, but they will fail. All he could do is warn them to stay out of it. But that is for fate to decide.
WHOO! WHAT A CHAPTER! SORRY IF THIS MADE ANYONE SAD, BUT A TRUE GOOD STORY NEEDS A TRUE GOOD TRAGEDY. PLUS I THINK THE FIGHT SCENE WSAS VERY WELL DONE IN MY OPINION. NOW WHAT IS YOURS? REVIEW TO LET ME KNOW.