Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 37 of Freedom! We are almost to the end! This is the official beginning to the final battle and it has come so far from the cave in chapter 1! I hope you guys have enjoyed going on this ride with me and can't wait to see what I have in store for the sequel. As always, I do not own avatar or its characters. Onto the story!

What could have happened if Aang and Iroh were a few minutes more?

Let's find out!

Chapter 37: The Lightning

The ride to the fire nation was silent. The two taking in what had just occurred but also becoming prepared for the battle ahead. After a while of flying, they saw the comet begin to surface. The sky turned a shade of orange and red and everything suddenly became more real. This was it. It was now or never.

"It's… beautiful…" Katara said, looking out at the comet as it slowly rose into the sky. Zuko nodded but offered no other response. He wasn't sure how. It was a beautiful sight that gave his father and his army the power to kill thousands of people and destroy their homes. Any who managed to survive would be forced into labor and support the fire nation. The thought of that was anything but beautiful. It made him sick to his stomach.

His breath hitched in his throat when he saw the outline of the palace come into view. It had been so long since he had been home. And he was finally coming back and reclaiming it.

"By decree of Phoenix King Ozai, I now crown you Fire Lord…" the fire sage paused, catching Zuko's eye as he landed. Shocked by the appearance of the other heir, he stopped from putting the crown on Azula's head.

Azula went to yell at the fire sage before seeing he was distracted by something behind her. She turned to see Zuko and Katara getting off of Appa. "Sorry but you're not becoming Fire Lord today. I am." Zuko told her, standing proudly. Azula merely laughed, "You're hilarious… You want to be Fire Lord? Fine. Let's settle this. Just you and me, brother. The showdown that was always meant to be. Agni Kai!"

Zuko's eyes narrowed, "You're on" he told her, clenching his fists. Katara looked at him, "Zuko… She's trying to separate us… Don't do this…" she reached for his hand, begging him.

Zuko turned to her, "There's something off about her… She's losing it… I can take her this time. I know it… And this way you don't have to get hurt" he smiled at her and squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her he would be okay.

Meanwhile the battle was in full scale at the shore front. The trip used Toph's earthbending to propel themselves on top of the airship. They were going one by one and trying to either pop the balloon holding the air ship up or crashing them into each other. But this had only gotten them 3 airships down and there was still so many. The first village was fast approaching, and they didn't have much time left.

Suddenly Sokka perked up, "Look! It's Aang!" And there he stood.

Aang stood on top of a pillar, looking towards the fleet, strong and proud. He didn't look scared or weary. But confident and ready to take on what was in front of him.

The two siblings stood head to head, their fighting stances at the ready. Neither knew what would come of this battle. Katara stood off to the side, watching from a safe distance but close enough she could run in if she needed to. She wouldn't break the fire nation tradition and join the battle but if Zuko was badly hurt enough, she would come to heal him and overtake Azula.

"I'm sorry it had to end this way brother" Azula smiled, her fighting stance awkward and unbalanced, very much unlike the firebending prodigy. Zuko shook his head, "No you're not" he stood strong. As he looked onto his opponent, he remembered everything his Uncle had taught him because it all lead to this moment. They had fought as kids but it was nothing like the battle for their lives.

"Remember Zuko… Keep your core strong… If your core is strong, then nobody can break you" Uncle Iroh said, showing his nephew the proper stance. "Like a earthbender Uncle?" Zuko asked, his voice still young and childlike. His Uncle smiled and nodded, "Yes Prince Zuko… Strong like an earthbender… You can learn something from all of the benders" he told the young boy. His eyes widened, surprised, "Really?" he asked. His Uncle nodded again, "Yes and I will teach it all to you"

Azula sent a sudden blast of blue fire and an evil cackle toward Zuko. He brought his hands forward avoiding the blaze. He bended a flame in each hand, sending the fire towards his opponent. She deflected them and sent fire back towards them. He spun around, being light on his feet.

"When you are in battle Prince Zuko, you must be light on your feet in order to dodge your opponents fire. You will be able to deflect yes but sometimes it is best to get out of the way" Uncle told him as he battled a solider. A slightly older Zuko replied, "Like an airbender?" he asked. Uncle Iroh nodded, proud of his nephews insight.

The two benders made a wall of fire, each only missing the other by inches. As the wall dissipated, Azula came at Zuko with a spinning kick, sending several blasts his way.

Katara watched scared as the two battled to the death. The fire was as bright as the comet soaring over top of them. The colors of red and blue collided together to make something almost beautiful, but also terrifying.

She tried to stay alert to what was happening but they both moved so fast. It was like her eyes played tricks on her. Zuko fought hard, the sweat prevalent on his forehead but he didn't seem to be slowing down or giving up.

Suddenly, the two stopped firing for a moment, facing each other in a stare down. "What? No lightening today? Afraid I'll redirect it?" Zuko quipped.

Zuko looked onto Azula. The more they fought, the less afraid he became. He knew he would win this fight. Azula smirked at his comment, "I'll show you lightening!" she yelled. Zuko prepared himself for the attack.

"Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy. A waterbender lets their defense become their offense, turning their opponents' energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning" Iroh showed him the movements as he spoke. A much older Zuko, closer to his age now, responded, "You can teach me to redirect lightening?" he asked him, surprised. Uncle nodded, continuing the motions, "If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You must create a pathway from your fingertips, up your arm to your shoulder, then down into your stomach"

Zuko remembered his Uncles words. Somehow, he knew it would prepare him for this moment. Azula began to form the lightning on her fingertips and he assumed his stance. He was ready.

But suddenly her eyes shifted from him, to something else. And before he knew it, the lightning had a different target.

Katara.

Uh oh! Azula is attacking Katara to get to Zuko! Find out what happens next chapter! Until next time!