Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air bender or Disney's The Lion King. This fanfiction is based off of the Disney movie mixed with little bits of Broadway's The Lion King. I just called this fanfiction The Fire King because all of the characters from Avatar will still be human and still have their bending abilities; they'll just follow along with the characters' story from the Lion King. They lyrics used throughout are not mine; they are from the movie and the Broadway show. If something doesn't make sense while you are reading, message me and I will do my best to explain. Also, I realize that a different author had started to write their own Avatar/Lion King crossover. However I did not know that until after I had started writing this fanfiction. I hope no one is upset with me and I never tried to take anything from the other author; there story is written how they wanted it to be.

Chapter 26: Agni Kai

Zuko continued to run as he sought out Zhao, but at the same time search for Katara. He had no doubt that if something were to happen to her that Sokka would make good on his threat and he would never be able to forgive himself.

Then he spotted Katara fighting against a rebel water bender. She easily defeated the woman in front of her, but Zuko's heart nearly burst out of his chest when he saw two more rebels just about to corner her. With a new found adrenaline he sprinted even faster towards her and shot a massive jet of fire to create a wall that startled the two rebels. Katara and Zuko each took on one of the rebels with their backs almost touching each others'. Zuko was quicker and turned in time to see Katara on the ground kicking at the rebel who was trying to hold her ankles. Wrapping his arm around her waist he punched the rebel square in the face and he tumbled backwards. "Zuko behind you!" Katara shouted as they saw another rebel racing towards them with a dagger. Meeting each others' eyes they silently agreed and, keeping a firm grip around her waist as well as the back of her tunic, Zuko spun them around so Katara landed a solid kick to the rebel's jaw. After that Zuko released Katara only to firmly wrap his hand around her wrist. Then the two ran as fast as they could.

Finally the two stopped where there was no one else in sight to catch their breath. Each of them quickly checked the other for any visible injuries and sighed in relief when they found none. "Are you alright?" Zuko asked.

"I'm fine. Where's everyone else?"

"I don't know where Toph is, but Sokka went with Aang to free your father. He asked me to find you. I haven't been able to find Zhao though! Have you seen him?"

Katara shook her head angrily. "No, I don't know where he is. He disappeared as soon as the fighting started to break out. But I'll help you look for him."

"No, I want you to head back to the palace and find my mother."

"Zuko I can help you! You don't have to fight alone!"

"I know that Katara, but you have to understand that my battle with Zhao is exactly that. My battle. I have to face Zhao on my own."

Katara knew why Zuko said this, but she also knew Zhao was a skilled fighter, even if she knew Zuko was much better than him. She was just too afraid that she would not see Zuko again if he went alone. Her anger and frustration got the better of her. "No! I'm not losing you again!"

Zuko placed his hands on either side of her face and pulled her closer. His piercing golden eyes met her ocean blue eyes. "I'm not losing you either! That's why I'm not letting you come with me! I will never forgive myself should anything happen to you!" He breathed deeply. "I love you Katara." It was the first time he said it out loud and Katara knew he meant it. She couldn't help the single tear that fell and Zuko brushed away with his thumb.

"I love you too Zuko." She kissed him with all the love she felt and he reciprocated. Pulling herself away she smiled as her eyes showed her determination. "I'll be waiting for you back at the palace with your mother while I try to help put out the fires. Now go!"

With one last kiss Katara ran with water wrapped around her arms like tentacles so she could defend herself. Zuko ran in the opposite direction, but stopped as soon as he thought he saw a figure not far off in the distance. A crash of lightning reflected the figure to be Zhao as he froze briefly. His gaze zeroed in on him and started his chase after him with a growl loud enough to be heard escaping from his throat.

Zhao ran as fast as he could, avoiding the fire spreading near him. He wasn't even sure which way he was going and was forced to stop when he realized he was at the edge of a cliff overlooking the port. He could feel that there was a wall of fire blocking the direction he had come from. I could get through there if Zuko wasn't coming from that direction, he thought furiously.

At that moment Zuko came running and divided the flames enough for him to jump through without the flames coming even close to touching him. Zhao froze and started to breathe faster than before. Zuko stalked over towards him. His glare murderous as he never broke eye contact. "Murderer" he whispered so harshly it was almost like a hiss by the end.

Fear seized Zhao as he resulted to begging. "Zuko! Please, have mercy! I beg you!"

Zuko remained unfazed. "You don't deserve mercy."

"But, Zuko, I – I am…family" he chuckled in fear. "It is the Freedom Fighters and the rebels with them that are the real enemies. It was their fault! Their idea! Ultimately everything leads back to the Freedom Fighters."

"Why should I believe you?!" Zuko scoffed. "Everything you have ever told me has been a lie." By then Zuko was towering over him as he had tried to shrink away.

"What will you do then? You wouldn't kill your own uncle now would you?" Zhao attempted a smile so as to look innocent. Zuko only continued to glare.

The silence continued until he finally spoke again. "No Zhao. I'm not like you."

Zhao sighed in relief. "Oh Zuko thank you! You are merciful and very honorable. Now how can I prove myself to you? How can I make it up to you? You tell me. Anything."

Without blinking, Zuko lowered his face to be directly in front of Zhao's face. He whispered, "Run. Run away Zhao. And NEVER return."

On the inside, Zhao was livid. On the outside, he hung his head as he began to walk away. "Yes, of course." Zuko's eyes never left him even when he turned his back to him. "As you wish…your Majesty!" Then Zhao turned back and punched out his arm to create a fire blast.

Zuko barely had enough time to register what was happening and crossed his arms in front of him to prevent the fire from burning his face. But the force sent him flying onto his back and he groaned in pain. It did go away as he struggled to sit back up. But not fast enough.

At that moment Zhao charged and wrapped his arm tightly around Zuko's neck. Zuko clawed at his arm as he coughed in attempts to get oxygen back into his lungs. Zhao tightened his grip more. What he didn't take into account was the fact that while he may be physically stronger, Zuko was much faster than him and quicker to think on his feet when he actually thinks things through.

Before Zhao realized what was happening, Zuko clamped down on his forearm with his teeth. Roaring in pain Zhao lost his grip enough for Zuko to twist away from him. But not without Zhao grabbing a hold of his shirt. All that caused was for Zuko's vest to slide off and his shirt to completely rip so the fabric of the left shoulder down to his upper torso was left in Zhao's hand. Zuko could care less at the moment. He reached behind him and grabbed his duo swords. Not even divided from each other and Zhao kicks them out of his hand so Zuko's swords landed straight into the dirt upright. In an attempt to retrieve them Zuko focused on what he had observed from Aang and sent his version of a fire slice.

Temporarily stunned Zhao went to block it and just barely had time. Then he ran after Zuko and blocked Zuko's path with a mini firewall. "Now Zuko you know the rules, no other weapons allowed in an Agni Kai" he stated smugly.

Zuko growled, but did not back down. He charged Zhao and their flames collided with each other as they sent attack after attack.

Zhao's frustration was getting the better of him as he saw Zuko had more advantages over him. Zuko had indeed learned as he trained with Toph and Aang for those ten years. He would do everything he could to meet Zhao's attacks head on like Toph did, but also be ready to make a quick change in his stance so he could dodge an attack if it was too close for comfort. His friends had taught him well.

Unfortunately Zuko could also feel the fatigue weighing down on him. Not sleeping the previous night had certainly not helped. Zhao saw this as well and grinned smugly.

In that second Zhao sent a massive jet of fire at Zuko that was powerful enough to knock him on his back once again. Standing over him Zhao smirked with his fist pointed at him before he punched at him with a fire ball; fully intending to leave him with a new scar.

Meanwhile Zuko could feel his eyes widening as he racked his brain for what he should do in this situation. C'mon think! What would Unc – Father tell you if this was like a regular training session?! Zuko had the answer in an instant as he remembered what Iroh would always say when he wasn't reiterating how fire bending coming from the breath – not muscle – or how important self control was with fire. Basics! Break his root!

With his own growl/battle cry Zuko spun his body so he was able to kick Zhao's legs out from underneath him like Katara would do to him, but at the same time regain his balance so he was back on his own feet. A smirk found its way on to Zuko's face.

His energy renewed, Zuko started attacking with the intent of continuing to break Zhao's root. Sliding his foot on the ground caused flames to sprout up. Zhao in turn continued to back away and was barely able to stay on his feet. Zuko switched to shooting out his foot with flames headed for Zhao. Then as fast as lightning Zuko laid back down on the ground as he spun his body around with the flames surrounding him following his movements and spreading out to hit their target.

Zhao fell rolling onto his back and looked up just in time to see Zuko towering over him with his fist in front of him. His glare was as fierce as the fire surrounding them. Zhao knew he was out of options. He glowered at him. "Do it!" he shouted, knowing Zuko was ready to send the final blow.

Growling Zuko punched his fist and stood up straight afterwards. Zhao was shocked the fire ball landed on the ground by his head. All that was leftover was the smoke. "That's it?! Iroh truly raised you to be a coward."

"Next time you get in my way, next time you threaten my people and those I love, I promise, I won't hold back" Zuko spoke with finality in his voice. "It's over."

Zuko was about to turn away when Zhao roared in anger and attacked again. This caused Zuko to go flying back through the wall of fire behind him to land on his back yet again; luckily without being burned. This is getting really old, Zuko thought in aggravation as he started to sit up again. Zhao came through and Zuko was able to toss him onto his back. Both of them sat up. As Zhao prepared to charge Zuko felt as if he had switched to autopilot.

Suddenly he shot out his arm with his first two fingers pointed out and he watched in shock as lightning left him, aimed straight for Zhao. In a panic Zhao stepped back, but couldn't regain his balance. Zuko watched as he fell and then he ran to the edge to just see Zhao starting to stand back up.

Zhao looked around him to see Jet, Smellerbee, and Longshot standing there with almost no expressions on their faces. He sighed in relief. "My friends."

Smellerbee scoffed. "Friends? I don't recall ever being friends. And if I recall, I thought he had said we were the enemies."

Zhao's eyes widened in horror; once he realized that they had heard him speaking to Zuko. As if to confirm it, Jet grinned smugly, "Yeah you're right. That's exactly what I heard."

Jet and Smellerbee turned to their silent friend. "Longshot?"

Then Longshot spoke out loud for the first time. "You're correct. He did say that." He drew out his bow and arrow while his friends and the rest of the rebels who were with them began to circle Zhao.

Zhao tried everything he could to get them to listen, saying, "No, let me explain! You don't understand! I didn't mean-" but it was futile. The rebels attacked Zhao.

And back at the palace everyone froze when they saw the flame Zhao provided at his coronation completely burned out. The clouds opened for the rain to pour down on them and aid the water benders in putting out the fires. All they could do now was to wait with bated breath.

So how did I do with the fight sequence? I kind of got a mix of Zuko's first Agni Kai against Zhao and other moments of Zuko fighting stuck in my head when I tried to picture what was happening at that moment. Please review and tell me what you think. And then next week will be the last chapter posted for this story; so close to the end. Until next time.