The Bond of Honor

Chapter 21 civil war

Authors notes I don't own Avatar just my OC's and I want to thank my beta Half Jaw for helping me with this fanfic.

2 weeks after the coup

The Dragons Lair

Fire Lord Ozai looked at the map of the Fire Nation and said to Zaa, "Why did we lose the last battle?" Zaa only answered, "They outmanoeuvred us, then they surrounded the men with tanks and they had no choice but to surrender."

Ozai then breathed fire out in anger, as this was now the third defeat his army suffered in the last 23 hours against the traitors led by Azula and Kalo. Ever since the attempt on his life Ozai Sozen had been trying to get units of the army in the Drano province and neighbouring areas to mount an offensive on the enemy and hopefully cut a path through their lines directly to the capital city itself so far it was having very little success.

Everywhere Ozai sent his loyal men they either surrendered, fell back, or were wiped out completely. General Hung then said, "Sir I know you probably don't want to hear this but I'm gonna say it. We have been fighting these traitors for two weeks and we haven't been able to break their lines. I think it's time we considered the possibility of surrendering to the enemy, maybe they'll be merciful to us."

Ozai was silent for a moment before he lit a fireball and killed Hung right then and there much to the shock and disbelief of his other officers. Ozai then said, "I want this known to all our officers fighting against the traitors, as of this moment they are forbidden from surrendering, they can fall back and retreat but only as a last resort. And if they can't retreat to safety, tell them to fight to the last soldier right where they stand. Is that clear?"

All the officers nodded and the report on the latest news on the civil war continued with barley any success on the ground but the battles on the sea were going well, cause with the Fire Navy fleets stretched thin across the world. It allowed his small naval forces to do hit and run attacks on Kalo's naval forces successfully.

Suddenly Zaa looked at Hungs dead body and as the smell started to fill the room Zaa looked at the two guards in black robes and said, "Get this body out of here now; it's stinking up the room."

When the guards didn't move Zaa was shock and yelled out, "Get the body out of here now!" Again, the guards didn't move then Ozai said, "Remove the body" and they did remove the body much to Zaa's shock.

Ozai then looked to his officers and said, "So tell me how the battles among the airship forces are going?" and the meeting continued.

Fire Nation capital city of Malhalla

High General Kalo Tzhang looked at the latest reports from the front lines on his desk and smiled as he read that the latest offensive by Ozai's forces failed. Then looked up as Katara entered the room and said "Mai told me to come get you, it's time."

Kalo immediately stood up and left the room followed by Katara and within minutes both of them were at the Fire Nation royal palace for the official swearing in of the new Fire Lord

When they got to their destination, they took their seats along side Mai, June and Iroh as the main doors opened and soldiers entered and formed two lines leading to the throne.

Then Zuko appeared in the doorway and as the soldiers saluted Zuko walked up to the throne and was given a document by a Fire Sage which contained the old oath every Fire Lord had to take before becoming Fire Lord that had been dissolved by Ozai and Azulon.

Zuko then opened the document and read aloud, "I, Zuko Sozen, as Fire Lord and leader of the Fire Nation. Swear before Agni, the nation and the people, to re-establish justice, equality, solidarity and social responsibility of all our people from now until death."

Once Zuko finished the oath, everyone applauded and at point, all the members of the Red Flame Organisation knew they had officially seized power and now were going to end the war.

Zuko waited for the applause to end before he said, "And my first official act as Fire Lord I am ordering a complete end to hostilities with the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom and the Air Nomads. The 100 year war is over."

There was silent at this declaration then slowly a clapped started and within seconds everyone in the room was on there feet and applauding Zuko.

Zuko then said, "Our fight against the traitors is nearing a close, I promise to end this little revolt by the end of month. Then we will rebuild our shattered nation. The murder of my father and the attempted takeover of power is just an example of how much our once great nation has gone downhill. We need to rebuild our nation from the ground up again, but I need the help of you the Fire Nation people to rebuild our nation, will you all help me?"

Suddenly everyone started to chant out, "Yes!" And Zuko smiled as he continued his speech.

Fire Nation city of Zion

The former head of the Ember Guards chief of security Lang walked down the street as night descended on the city and as he turned a corner to his temporary accommodations, he saw army troops appear and drag other disguised Ember Guards out of the building and line them up against a nearby wall.

Lang saw one guard try to run but the soldiers beat him to the ground with the handles of their spears. Lang then decided he had seen enough and turned away and ran to a nearby hotel and paid for 3 night stay while he plotted his next move.

Unknown to him some soldiers spotted him and went after him determined to catch the Ember Guard leader and make him pay for killing Fire Lord Ozai Sozen.

Fire Nation royal palace

After Zuko finished his speech and most of his cabinet to help him run the country was sworn in now they had to swear in Mai as the new Fire Nation Chancellor.

Zuko got a copy of the Chancellors oath and said to Mai who standing right in front of him, "Do you swear to carry out the responsibilities and obligations of the office of Chancellor of the Fire Nation? Without family interest and for the good of the nation?"

Mai only replied, "I do" Zuko then continued by saying "And do you further swear, to uphold our laws, support the Fire Lord and respect the rights of the Noble Court and the Fire Nation Council?"

Mai replied "Yes". And Zuko held out his hand and said "You're now Chancellor Mai" and everyone applauded as the new Fire Nation government was officially and fully formed.

Fire Nation hotel

Lang entered the room and locked the door securely before he opened his bag which was filled with details on where Ember Guard bases were all over the country and where they were hiding all over the world.

Lang then dumped the contents of the bag onto the floor, lit a fire in the fireplace and started to burn the papers one by one.

Suddenly in the hotel lobby the man at reception looked up in shock as Fire Nation soldiers ran into the building and headed upstairs the man could only look on as more soldiers entered the building.

Meanwhile the soldiers who ran upstairs started breaking down doors trying to find the fugitive they were after and when they broke down the third door they found him. They found Ember Guard leader Lang.

The soldiers then saw the burning paper and one said, "What was on the paper Lang?" And Lang replied, "Words, just words." The soldiers then knocked Lang to the ground and placed him under arrest for the murder of former Fire Lord Ozai Sozen and attempted takeover of the Fire Nation itself.

The Dragons Lair

Fire Lord Ozai Sozen sat in his private quarters and heard the door open and Zaa entered before he said, "My lord our forces have attacked the enemy and have broken through their lines at the city of Gau Hang, should we press on?"

Ozai nodded and Zaa left the room while Ozai smiled, as he knew this successful offensive was the first step to his restoration to power as the Fire Lord and the death of those who dared to stand up against him.

Fire Nation army command centre

Chief of security Lang was dragged through the dimly lit hallways by soldiers and blood poured from his bloodied nose he yelled out "Let me go!. I know exactly where I'm going!"

A soldier then yelled out, "Then walk!. Walk!" Lang was then let go and walked onward through the hallways with the soldiers two steps behind him.

Fire Nation royal palace

The newly crowned Fire Lord Zuko sat on his throne as the first official meeting with his cabinet began. About three hours into the meeting the topic turned to the civil war and Zuko said, "Kalo apparently the enemy broke through at lines near the city of Gau Hang is that true? And if so what do you intend to do about it?"

Kalo then replied, "It is true my lord but you should know that taking that city has cost Ozai dearly, he lost more than half of the attack force in that attack so we can retake the city in a matter of days, and cost Ozai more men he'll need a month from now to defend Drano from us."

Ursa only said, "But Kalo what are you going to do about Ozai in the long run, let him keep wasting his men effortlessly to break through your barrier?" Kalo shook his head and said, "After we took over the capital city, I sent an order for all soldiers in the 109th to be sent back here to the Fire Nation, for my final offensive against Ozai and whatever soldiers he has left at his disposal. When Ozai tries to advance his forces past the city of Gau Hang and further onward. The 17th, 6th and 8th divisions will attack him soon joined by the 6th armoured corp. Ozai and his generals will assume this is our big attack against him, and that's its our entire military force in the area, but it isn't that battle is merely a diversion. I'll use that battle to be able to the get the 109th army, the 20th army, the 17th armoured division and elements of the reserve army past Ozai's lines and right to Drano and I will have them attack Ozai directly at the Dragons Lair, with Ozai and his generals out of the way is men will have no choice but to surrender."

Kalo then looked around the room before he continued by saying, "I know it won't be an easy job, getting to Ozai, but that's the only way to end this civil war, aside from killing hundreds and thousands of our own people. And that is what we want to do! Save as many lives as possible. So Lord Zuko do I have your approval to carry out this plan?"

Everyone then looked at Zuko who nodded his head and Kalo smiled before he left to give the orders to his men to prepare for battle.

Fire Nation army command centre

Chief of Security Lang was punched again in the face again by the soldiers as a noose was put around his neck and he was strung up into the air and Kono said, "That's the trouble with the Ember Guards, hand them a piece of paper with Ozai's own official signature and they'll do anything you want, but if you ask them to talk, they wont. Do you have to do we have to find out where the other Ember Guards are hiding."

The soldier then pulled on the rope leaving Lang several feet off the ground choking and gasping for air. Suddenly Lang was dropped to the ground and soldiers started to yell at him for information when Lang didn't answer he was strung up once again.

Meanwhile Kalo looked at the army he assembled before him and said, "Alright men, the Ember Guards and the last of the criminals who killed Ozai are hiding in the Dragons Lair, we are going to lead an attack on them and hopefully end this civil war once and for all."

All his men yelled out in cheering, as they got ready to move out to end this war and get those traitors who killed their leader and make they pay for what they did.

Fire Nation Manor

The guard walked into the basement with lunch for the Avatar, since the civil war the organisations leaders decided to keep Aang imprisoned until the civil war was over.

However when the guard walked up to the cell he noticed it immediately The Avatar was gone. The guard then alerted the members of the organisation and they decided that they would wait and see what the Avatar would do before they told others of his jailbreak.

The Dragons Lair

Fire Lord Ozai entered the briefing room for the next meeting with his general and hopefully better news about their offensive against Kalo and his army.

As soon as Ozai walked into the room, Zaa said, "My lord, last night our forces in near Wa Shi Ko, had to retreat due to heavy enemy catapult fire, and as a result the city is now in ruins, the survivors though have now regrouped with our forces in the city of Gau Hang. But just an hour ago, we got reports that they are under attack from at least two maybe three armies. Should we abandon the city, or send in reinforcements?"

Ozai looked at the map of the Fire Nation spread out across the table before he replied, "Send the 50th, the 302nd army groups as well as the 7th armoured division, I don't care what it takes Zaa, drive them back is that clear?"

Zaa nodded and soon handed out the orders given to him, as he did Ozai smiled as he thought of what victory would mean, he would have defeated all the opposition Kalo had against him in the Northern provinces and then Ozai could move his men forward across the country and let everyone know the truth, that he was alive. Then this new Fire Nation government set up by Zuko would fall and Ozai would be back on his throne in the royal palace once again.

Fire Nation city of Gau Hang

The soldiers in the city all took cover as move fireballs from catapults rained down on them. Several men started to run off in fear as the enemy got closer and closer to the city gates and as tanks were, saw in the distance behind the soldiers.

However just as the enemy soldiers got within metres of the cities gates, they were attacked by reinforcements and as those soldier set up new lines of defence in and around the city, the enemy tanks arrived and soon a great battle was joined.

Unknown to the soldiers in the battle Kalo and his army moved through Ozai's lines with barley any enemies to fight as most were, near or heading to the city of Gau Hang and defend it from Kalo's men.

And in very little time at all Kalo's army was in the province of Drano and just a few short miles from the Dragons Lair and Fire Lord Ozai Sozen himself.

Fire Nation royal palace

Fire Lord Zuko and other members of his cabinet listened to the latest reports on the civil war from Colonel Kono who was temporally filling on for Kalo while he was on the front lines, then a soldier entered with a note for Ursa who read it and said, "Avatar Aang has escaped from the manor. Zuko what do you think he'll do?"

Zuko then replied, "I don't know, but keep our armed forces in the capital on alert in case he tries to attack again." Everyone nodded in agreement and the meeting continued.

Fire Nation province of Drano

Kalo's men moved into the forests surrounding the fortress taking out the guards nearby and when they saw the Dragon Lair right in their sight Kalo yelled out "Charge!". Kalos army emerged from the forest and ran to the fort firing at the soldiers on the walls as they got closer and closer to it and as the fort's catapults attacked the soldiers Kalo said to his second in command, "Move the fucking tanks up now! I want those damn towers taken down!"

The orders were given and soon the tanks emerged from the tree line and opened fire and as the towers were taken down the guards in and outside the fort started to move back to better defensive positions.

The Dragon's Lair

Fire Lord Ozai Sozen heard the distant explosions and said to Zaa, "Find out what is going on out there Zaa now!" Zaa nodded then a soldier ran into the room and said, "Lord Ozai, we are under attack, now please follow us, sir we need to get you to safety."

Ozai nodded and left the room as the sounds of fighting were getting louder and closer to him with each passing second accompanied by guards in black robes

Meanwhile outside the fortress Kalo's soldiers had just broken through the enemy's lines of defence and after tanks brought the gates of the fort down the army rushed inside and whoever was left in the courtyard or on the fort's walls quickly surrendered to the enemy.

Kalos men then entered all the building inside the fortress determined to find the remaining members of Ozai's inner circle and hopefully find and kill Fire Lord Ozai Sozen himself.

The Dragons Lair

Ozai's guards and soldiers escorted the Fire Lord through the now empty hallways hoping to get him safely to the hidden passageway, which lead him to a Fire Nation warship from which he would continue the fighting.

But just as they were, a few minutes away from the passageway Fire Nation soldiers surrounded them and a voice yelled out, "Hold your fire!"

A man then walked from around the corner in the uniform of a Fire Nation general with golden dragonheads on his shoulders and Ozai knew who it was High General Kalo Tzhang.

Kalo then looked at Ozai and continued by saying, "Fire Lord Ozai Sozen, by order of the new Fire Nation government, you are under arrest."

Suddenly the guards in black started to attack the soldiers very quickly, too quickly to be humans and Kalo then said, "I see that when you hired the Chanu vampire clan to kill me, you asked for bodyguards. Well they won't be able to save you for long,"

Kalo then attacked the two guards and as they fought more Fire Nation soldiers under Kalo's command arrived to help their general.

The soldier attacked the guards and soon the two men were killed and after that, the soldiers walked over to Ozai to arrest him but then something happened.

Ozai's entire body except for his head turned into orange fire and he killed all the soldiers around him. After the fires disappeared and Ozai was, back in his normal appearance Kalo looked at him in shock and said, "How is this possible?"

Ozai smiled and replied, "Anything can be done when you're a vampire Kalo, you should that better than anyone." Ozai then showed Kalo his neck and Kalo saw bite marks and Ozai continued by saying, "When I went to the clan and asked for their help in killing, you I made another request, that they turn me into a vampire, cause after all what's the point of ruling the world if you can't rule it for all eternity."

Kalo suddenly attacked Ozai with a green fire blast but Ozai's stomach turned into fire and the green fire didn't hurt him at all. Ozai then said to Kalo, "I bet your wondering how I can do this aren't you Kalo?. Well I'll let you on this little mystery. When Sinloa turned me into a vampire, it greatly enhanced my fire bending into what you see before you Kalo. Now die!"

Ozai fired at Kalo who went on the defensive and kept blocking Ozai's attacks trying to find an opening and then take advantage of it, but when Kalo did attack Ozai he merely turned the part of his body Kalo was attacking into orange flames and the attack didn't hurt him at all much to Kalo's growing anger and frustration.

Ozai then knocked Kalo onto the ground with a quick fire blast and just as Ozai was about to deliver the final blow Kalo fired lightening at Ozai which he barley had to time to block it but when he done Kalo fired, green flames at Ozai and knocked him across the room.

Kalo then ran to Ozai as he tried to get up but Kalo punched down to the ground and just as Kalo was about to finish Ozai off once and for a gust of wind threw Kalo back.

Kalo quickly got up to his feet and saw Aang standing between him and Ozai. Kalo then said, "What are you doing Avatar, saving the life of that monster, you know he can't be allowed to live."

Aang soon replied "I wont allow anymore bloodshed to happen Kalo, you got what you wanted, Ozai has been overthrown and the war is over, why continue to kill people?"

Kalo then looked at Ozai still on the ground watching what was gong on intently waiting to see the outcome of this argument and Kalo answered, "We kill people Aang, so that no war like this last conflict will ever happen again, now you can kindly get out of my way or will I have to fight you as well?"

Aang didn't move an inch so Kalo charged past Aang, knocking him out of his way and got into a fire-bending stance and aimed at Ozai's head as he looked at Kalo with something Kalo had never seen on Ozai Sozen's face before fear.

Kalo was then about to kill the former Fire Lord when Aang yelled out, "Kalo stop! Just listen to me, your life has been about death, destruction and killing. So I ask you when does it end, when does the killing stop for good?"

Kalo suddenly and quickly fired a green fireball at Ozai who smirked turned to fire then turned back into his whole self again and it was then he noticed it, a dagger sticking right in his chest, gone right through his heart. Kalo then said, "Tomorrow, is when the killing stops Avatar."

Kalo then walked off to check with the rest of his men to see if their mission was a success while Aang looked at Ozai's dead body in shock at what Kalo had just done he murdered a defenceless man in cold blood for no reason at all.

Authors notes well that's chapter 21 completed read and review and have a look at the fics written by these writers Appa Appa Away, Half Jaw, Kitsune Of Fate, LordRevanMandaloreofZutara, Gondshu Du and x-xMasqueradeAngelx-x as they are some of the best writers on the site in my opinion.