Episode 17: A Duel and a Disaster

Zuko tried to ignore the beads of sweat rolling down the center of his back beneath his fancy tunic. He'd dressed in the crimson dragon outfit Azula had ordered for him a couple of nights before, the embroidered silk reflecting the sunlight streaming in from the car window.

One phone call. That was all it had taken for a sleek, black limousine to pull up in front of his apartment complex ready to take him to his father. His birthright. His home.

Uncle Iroh had greeted him on the curb.

"Going somewhere?"

"My father has invited me to his council this afternoon," Zuko responded vaguely. If Iroh knew what he was planning he might try to talk him out of it. Even so, the elderly man's eyes narrowed.

"Are you certain this is the course of action you wish to take? I would hate to see you put yourself in a situation that might hinder your growth. You've come a long way since you stumbled into my shop all those years ago."

"Of course not, you don't have to worry, Uncle. I'm more confident than ever." Zuko stood straighter.

Iroh sighed. "Pride is not the opposite of shame, but rather it's source. True humility is the only antidote to shame."

As usual, Zuko had no idea what he'd been talking about. What did he have to be ashamed of? His time as the Blue Spirit? He'd worked hard for that, surely he'd done some good in all those years. He'd protected the ancient artifacts of bending from his father and now they were prized by the entire island. People were asking questions that hadn't been posed in a thousand years.

He'd studied harder than anyone, gotten top marks in all of his classes, and was now set to graduate with honors. To top everything off, he was on a mission to protect the Painted Lady, the symbol of hope to the people. He'd even risked his relationship with Sokka and Hakoda's safety to do it! What more did Uncle want from him? What more could he possibly give of himself?

Driving up to the main entrance of the industry's headquarters, Zuko held his breath. This was it, the moment he would find out if it had all been a trick.

The guard tipped his hat towards the tinted back windows. "Welcome back, sir."

Zuko nodded back respectfully before he remembered the man couldn't see him and then they were driving on.

Red turrets with black spires rose before him. The Phoenix headquarters looked more like a palace than an office but his family had always had a flair for the dramatic. Zuko's heart sped up, his nerves beginning in his stomach but climbing as they drew nearer to the doorway. By the time the car stopped, his anxious tension was closing his throat to the point where he could breathe. One of the foot man stepped up to open his door but he remained immobile.

"Sir?" The driver turned around in his seat. "We've reached our destination."

Zuko blushed and was somehow able to speak. "Yes, of course."

One foot at a time he stepped onto the rounded driveway. The marbled stairs gleamed in the sunlight forcing Zuko to squint. A man in red was scurrying down towards him, a large folder of papers held tightly in both arms. Once he got closer, Zuko recognized him. His name was Kei, Ozai's personal assistant and verbal punching bag.

"Mr. Zuko." Kei bowed, still huffing from his haste. "I'm afraid Lord Ozai is busy at the moment, he has sent another to greet you until he is finished."

So his father was still making them call him 'Lord'? And he was unable to meet with his own son even though this was his scheduled time to arrive? Perhaps nothing had changed. Zuko sighed. "That will be fine. Who has my father sent?"

"Well, well, if it isn't the banished prince," a deep voice drawled from behind him.

Zuko grit his teeth. "Zhao."

They were sitting silently in the administrator's office, two untouched glasses of brandy between them.

Zuko tapped the side of his thigh in a steady rhythm, his eyes wandering aimlessly around the room. "So..." he drawled. "When do you think my father will be finished?"

Zhao slowly unfolded and refolded his hands. "What's your hurry? Worried he'll change his mind?"

His fists clenched. Breathe in. Breathe out. Azula had unknowingly trained him for misery all his life. He was well versed in taming his emotions.

"I'm surprised you even made it this far," Zhao continued. "In my opinion he should have cut all ties and been done with you. It was a mercy to send you to the factory."

Don't react, don't react- "Perhaps it's just proof he wanted me to return," Zuko gritted out. So much for taming his emotions.

"Do you really believe that?" Zhao smiled. "Or is it just the lie you tell yourself so you can sleep at night?"

Zuko remained still. "My agreement with my father is between us."

"Is that why your challenge was made public?"

Just like that, he was a fourteen-year-old boy staring down a conference table of administrators to where his father was glaring at him. Zuko winced. "I've acknowledged my shortcomings since then."

"Spoken like a true romantic with no understanding of how true business is run," Zhao hummed. "You would serve better use as hands on an assembly line."

"Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will rise to my rightful place."

The administrator laughed. "You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of workers under my command, and you? You're just a banished son. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you."

Zuko stood so fast his chair tipped back to hit the ground with a loud bang. "You're wrong."

Even though he was sitting, Zhao still somehow exuded power as he looked up condescendingly at the younger man. "If your father really wanted you home you would have been reinstated by now, degree or no. But in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the industry."

"That's not true."

Zhao smiled. "You have the scar to prove it."

The administrator was one of the chosen few who knew the Phoenix Industry's leading family's ancestry.

If only he knew the whole story.

"Maybe you'd like one to match?" Zuko retorted.

Zhao smirked. "Is that a challenge?"

"An initiation duel," Zuko clarified. "Unless you're scared."

The older man's eyes narrowed. "Very well. It's a shame, maybe your father will get here in time to watch me humiliate you."

There was an open courtyard about the size of a high school gym set aside for Agni Kai initiation battles. The ground was layered by a basic mat about three inches thick, but it didn't matter. The speed at which anyone would be hurled against it rendered the padding essentially useless.

In order to be accepted into the hunter's guild you had to defeat a current member in combat. Once you entered into a duel, it didn't end until one of the combatants surrendered or lost consciousness. It was rare, but not unheard of where an initiate or even member died after the battle had been completed.

The walls were painted red with the black Phoenix Industries insignia stenciled onto the main wall. Beneath it was a silk banner embroidered with the guild's mark: three spirals forming a flame. Forged in fire. That was what Zuko's father had always said about the Agni Kai. Warriors formed like the strongest blades of the harshest steel, sharply honed weapons at his disposal.

Traditionally, the combatants would fight shirtless, but Zuko chose to keep his on if only to hide the tied wrappings around his ribs and the bruising along his arms.

The injuries weighed on him. As soon as the bell was rung for the duel to begin, he found himself moving slower than usual. Zhao was as precise as he was vicious. His hits targeted pressure points on Zuko's shoulders and thighs. Zuko found himself working on instinct just to keep himself on his feet. He dodged a right hook only to be caught in the side by a well timed left jab. With a gasp, he fell to one knee and braced against the mat.

It had been so long since he'd fought a challenger one-on-one, but he wasn't the child he'd been the last time he'd performed in one of these. With a complicated twist, he cut Zhao's stance out from underneath him.

From there it was relentless attacks, never allowing the older man a moment to regroup. Zuko was relentless in his onslaught. A kick here, a punch there, an offensive step inward. Each pass has Zhao moving backwards in an attempt to escape. Zuko tried not to revel in his triumph when the manager finally tripped, falling backwards onto the floor with a loud thump.

Zuko stood over him, his fists aloft and ready. He could do it. He could send out a burst of flame and scar Zhao just as he had been scarred.

"Power is what causes people to show who they really are. Bending is a form of power, and if you allow it to, it will consume you."

Zuko bristled at the Painted Lady's words echoing in his ears.

"If you've found a connection, then your bending is a part of you. It's a gift, and you get to decide how it will be used."

I decide, he thought. What will I do with it?

"Do it!" Zhao yelled.

Gritting his teeth, Zuko slowly lowered his hands and stepped away. Zhao was still staring at him, panting and covered in sweat as he remained prone on the ground. "That's it?"

"You fought well," Zuko said, holding out a hand to him. "You can resign with honor."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhao scowled and pushed away his outstretched hand, choosing instead to roll over and push himself up. "I don't need any help from you."

"That's your decision." Zuko stepped into Zhao's personal space. "Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back."

Slow clapping to the left drew both men's attention.

"Impressive, Zuzu," Azula crooned. "And I always thought you wasted your time playing with knives."

"Azula?" Zuko glanced behind her. "Is dad with you?"

"Of course not, silly, he's waiting for us in the council chamber," she said. "But there's something I want to show you first."

Zuko grit his teeth. "Something more important than seeing dad?"

"It'll all make sense once we get there." She waved him off. "Now hurry up."

"Hold on just a moment, princess," Zhao called. "Lord Ozai has Zuko in my care this afternoon."

Azula fixed him with her golden stare. "And who are you?"

He'd forgotten Azula had also been away. Though while he'd been exiled within the city limits, she'd been sent off to a prestigious school to hone her skills in being a cutthroat business mogul.

"I am-" Zhao began.

"Never mind," Azula cut him off, "it doesn't matter."

Zhao fumed as she stepped forward, her eyes narrowing on the administrator. For once, Zuko was glad he wasn't on the other end of her terrifying scrutiny.

"I can see your whole history in your eyes," she said as assuredly as though she were telling him the color of his hair. "You were born with nothing, so, you've had to struggle and connive and claw your way to power. While you have astute business instincts your ambition has forced you to abandon certain finesses of discipline. Too bad all your hard work will be for nothing, because true power, the divine right to rule-" her eyes slid over to Zuko- "is something you're born with."

Zhao's lip curled with distaste but he didn't correct her.

"The company's not sure who's going to end up on top when all's said and done," she said, then smiled. "But I know. And you know."

Zuko's eyes passed between them. Was Azula defending him? No, never. Did she think she had a shot at the company's title? She'd never expressed interest in the position before. In fact, there had often been times when they were supposed to have been discussing business that she'd dragged him off on some stupid adventure around the island. Had it all been a ruse? A distraction?

"Come, brother." She turned to him. "We have more important things to attend to."

"So, what is it exactly that you wanted to show me?" Zuko looked at her suspiciously and she rolled her eyes.

"Don't be so worried all the time," she said. "I promise it will be worth your while." Her smile was pure evil. "I want to show you my new toy."

"Toy?" Zuko demanded. "Azula, this is serious."

"I'm looking out for you, dumb dumb," she snapped back. "There are some things you should know before you see dad."

That sobered him up. "What do I need to know?"

"Our newest prisoner," she said, leading him back into the building and pressing the down button for the elevator.

Zuko's mouth went dry. Right. The reason he was here. When had he forgotten? "The Painted Lady?"

The elevator arrived and the two entered, Azula watching him out of the corner of her eye. "So you've heard of her."

He shrugged. "Who hasn't?"

She stayed quiet for an extra moment. "Yes. That's actually the reason Father brought me back to the island."

Of course he did. She was the prodigy of the two of them. His father had always said that she was born lucky, then followed up with the statement that Zuko had been lucky to be born.

"So you're the one who caught her?"

"It was simple, really." Azula flipped one of her bangs out of her face. They exited the elevator and continued down the hallway to the stairs which would take them to the floors the elevator wouldn't reach. "I knew she would come to those peasants sooner or later. All I needed to do was lay the trap and wait. As soon as she set foot onto the canal street-" she snatched the air with her fist- "she was mine."

The door to the lowest floor was opened and Zuko was hit with a wet, dirty smell, like a barn floor after a heavy rain.

"What is that smell?" Zuko asked, using his sleeve to cover his nose.

"Weakness." Azula grinned. "Soon to be surrender."

She led him down a long hallway past large metal doors fastened with think bolts. At the fourth door they stopped and Azula motioned for him to step back. Quickly, she slid aside a panel about on level with Zuko's mouth. It was approximately ten inches wide and three inches tall, perfect for looking through to spy on prisoners. As soon as the hatch had been opened, several needle-thin projectiles flew out and shattered against the opposite wall.

Azula motioned towards the door as if signaling that he was now safe to approach.

Yeah, no way am I falling for that, Zuko thought

.

Sighing, Azula moved in front of the panel and looked into the cell first, then stepped back and motioned a second time. Zuko still refused to move.

"Just look," she ordered.

Zuko leaned over to peek through the slit in the door. His mouth went dry.

There she was.

A little worse for wear, but not too bad considering what had happened to others he'd brought in. For one thing, she was still dressed as the Painted Lady...including her veil.

"Did you find out who she is?" he asked.

Azula wrinkled her nose. "Not quite yet. When we captured her she was scooped into a metal container to avoid dealing with her bending. Since then, she sends out ice needles if anyone gets too close. We tried removing all water sources, but it won't be long now anyways. She has to sleep at some point, and we have people who are skilled at information retrieval."

Torture. Zuko fought to keep his wince internal. He had to get her out of there. His eyes scanned the door, the corridor, the cell beyond. Searching for any weaknesses, any openings he could exploit.

"Do you really think that's necessary?" he asked.

"She's caused numerous shipments to be upheld in transit, resources that should be being circulated to the people. She's a criminal, and a waterbender to boot. We are willing to do whatever is necessary to stop her disease from spreading."

The disease of truth, Zuko realized. "I want to talk to her."

Turning slowly, Azula scrutinized him. "Why?"

"When you have these experts come in," Zuko amended. "I might be able to be of service."

"We'll have everything we need by morning," she assured him.

Morning?!

"Father thought it best we utilize the quiet hours," she continued. "Something he learned from mother, I suppose."

"Of course." Zuko refused to rise to the bait. "I'll read the report once it's been published."

He couldn't stop looking at the Painted Lady, assuring himself that she was still alive. That she was relatively safe...for now.

Not that I'm not grateful, but..."Why did you bring me down here?"

Azula shrugged. "I explained to dad how you were instrumental in her capture."

Zuko's eyes shot to her. "Why would you do that?"

"Because you were." Azula picked at her nails, the filed points deadly in their own right. "At our dinner you mentioned something about the Village needing help."

He'd meant from Phoenix Industries.

"So I set some bait a couple streets away from that slum those peasants call a Village." Azula's smile was positively evil as she spared another glance into the cell. "She couldn't help swooping in to save a poor, helpless little girl being chased by one of the Agni Kai's. And that was all she wrote."

She'd exploited those people to take away their last image of hope. Then followed it up by driving them out of their homes, stealing their last semblance of safety. And it was all his fault.

"I thought you'd be happy." Her expression did not match her words. "I knew if he heard you'd helped solve this major issue for the company you'd be welcomed back with open arms."

So that's why he'd been called back. Not because of anything he'd done or accomplished.

He was Azula's scapegoat.

Zuko's fists sparked at his sides.

"What's the big deal?" Azula asked. The panel door shut with a snap.

"You're setting me up," Zuko insisted.

"What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for apprehending the Painted Lady?" She placed a light hand on his shoulder. "Unless, somehow, she was miraculously able to escape. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness."

Zuko paled.

"Well, that's all I wanted to share with you," she said, practically skipping back up the hall. "Let's go see dad!"