They weren't pulling their punches this time.

Azula was swinging the sword violently, her face contorted in a snarl as she lunged at her brother. She danced with Zuko's sword gracefully, which contradicted her brash and brutal swings. They were swings meant to kill and nothing less would be satisfactory for her. Her topknot was coming undone, loose strands falling into her face. Every time she would swing and Zuko dodge, she would have to sidestep a quick jabbing strike from Zuko.

Zuko was growing tired as he kept slapping away his sister's attacks and throwing his own quick strikes. He kept stepping back, only taking half steps forward before Azula was charging again. Their swords kept clanging against each other, the sharp edges sparking as they dragged them against each other. He kept his eyes focused, waiting for any opening to strike. Zuko roared when nothing opened, forcing himself to spin around his sister's body, elbowing her in the back.

They paused, chests heaving as both pairs of golden eyes boring into each other.

"Tired, Zu-Zu?" Azula snapped.

Zuko said nothing, only charging forward on the offensive this time. He smirked as the smirk on Azula's face vanished as Zuko swung his sword across. He felt naked without both swords, knowing that this would be when he swung downwards against anyone that he was fighting. The lack of the second sword gave his sister the chance and step back and slap his sword away with the one she took from him. Zuko was surprised by the force behind the swing, his wrist throbbing as he lost his grip as his sword fell to the floor.

What Zuko wasn't expecting was Azula also tossing her sword away, rolling her black jacket off her shoulders and exposing her arms with the red tank top over her chest.

"No more games, brother," Azula hissed. "You and me, the way it was always meant to be."

"Fine," Zuko huffed.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way, brother."

"No you're not."

Azula dove into Zuko's chest, throwing him to the floor. Zuko forced himself to roll to the side as soon as they both hit the floor. Once he was on top, he swung with his gauntlet, his sharp talons barely missing her face as she somehow slithered out from under him. He jumped up and turned on his heel, catching her hand before reeling her in. By the gasp that left her mouth, Zuko knew he surprised her. He turned, lifting her into the air and throwing her across the room. He couldn't help but flinch at the sound of her body hitting the floor.

"That's a new trick," Azula chuckled darkly, coming to her feet.

Of course that did nothing.

Azula gave Zuko no chance this time, sprinting forward and throwing quick strikes, similar to how Ty Lee fought. It was evident now that Azula simply didn't boss those two around, but observed them. That was why she was perfect with weapons. That was why she could move and attack like lightning. She was a true warrior if Zuko ever seen one. She took what made others stronger and made them make her stronger. Her jabs were precise, Zuko feeling the rush of air by his face every time he managed to find a way to slip pass them.

When Zuko felt her fist into his face, he knew that her speed would be his downfall. He staggered back, rubbing his cheek quickly before she was attacking him again. Zuko managed to slap away her fist, throwing a straight jab into her face. He heard her nose crack as she stepped backwards. When she glared up at him, blood trickled down her nostrils, her face full of rage.

"How dare you," she spoke in a low voice.

"You wanted this," Zuko roared. "You've wanted this since we were little, Azula. This is what everything was leading to."

"And is it disappointing, Zuko?" Azula asked, wiping away blood on her wrist. "Were you expecting to be victorious, older brother?"

"No," Zuko sighed. "I'm disappointed because it did come to this."

"You're weak."

"And you're afraid."

"Shut up!"

They were at it again. She was clawing at his face, scratching his face just underneath his scar. He growled, grabbing her by the face and headbutting her. They both staggered back, Zuko shaking it off first before he charged with his talons again. Azula grabbed at his wrists, pulling him closer before kicking out his legs. Zuko dropped to his knees, looking up before she lifted her knee up into his chin. Immediately, Zuko felt blood pooling in his mouth before he spat it out, staring up at his cackling sister.

"To think, I'm beating you," Azula cackled. "Imagine what father is doing to that little whore of yours."

Zuko let out an animalistic growl, swiping his talons across Azula's face. She had to stagger back, not trying to get cut. She felt her shirt rip as Zuko was kept inching closer, his arms flailing as he was simply just trying to land a blow on his crazed sister. Azula smirked as she grabbed his wrists, pulling her in. Zuko didn't falter, leading with his fist and punching her across the face. She let go of him, feeling more blood dripping down her nose again.

"I have to admit, brother," Azula said, spitting out blood. "You're stronger than I have given you credit for."

"You've always doubted me," Zuko snapped. "But it ends today."

"Confidence, I like that."

He didn't know what happened next. All he knew was that he was on his back, Azula straddling his chest. Her hands were wrapped around his neck, squeezing tightly. Zuko was thrashing around, clawing at his sister's arms and desperately trying to fight for life. Zuko could hear her laughing maniacally, his vision beginning to blur and darken around the edge of his sight.

Katara.

An image flashed of Katara being throw around by Ozai in his eyes.

"No more," Zuko croaked.

Somehow, Zuko managed to lift his legs up. He crossed them over Azula's chest, mustering all of his strength and forcing her onto her back. She gasped not expecting Zuko to quickly straddle her chest and throw punches. Zuko's face was contorted in a rage unheralded to anyone, continuing to punch his sister in the face. Blood began splashing around, staining his fist before he eventually stopped.

And through the blood, Azula could only laugh weakly as she stared up at her older brother.

"You can't do it, can you?" Azula snickered. "You can't kill me."

"Because I'm not like you," Zuko answered. "I'm not a monster. And I'll never be like you or father."

Zuko rose now, leaving his broken sister there in a pool of her own blood. He wouldn't kill her, but if she didn't move to get the blood pooling in her mouth, than he wouldn't have to save her.