A/N: Ok, so I was sure I would get to the fight in this chapter but I was wrong. I didn't want a chapter 10,000 words long anymore. There is a lot of build-up to this moment apparently and I don't want to skip anything. Sokka shows a different side and Lord Hondo really is like father, like son. Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: Why are you mad, though? What's a little Agni Kai between formerly spoken-for enemies? -Princess Zuko, Future mother of Agni's Heir.
Chapter 30—The Drafting of A Future: Part 5
Lord Hondo's pacing back and forth reminded Captain Nishikawa of the caged animals at the old Ba Sing Se Zoo before the Avatar created the open enclosures outside the gates. He knew that to tell Lord Hondo his thoughts about the nervous habit would equate to instant death.
The angry nobleman was in no mood to be teased.
"I'm going to enjoy killing her." the minor lord growled as if he were thinking about what he wanted for breakfast.
He couldn't sleep after overhearing the women's conversation in the inn that early morning. Nishikawa thought to show Lord Hondo that Princess Zuko still trusted the captain and would be none the wiser about the real plan in place.
Neither man had any idea that the princess and her entourage would be so bold as to unwittingly challenge Lord Hondo and disparage the memory of his father! There was no way the Princess could know that he and the captain were outside of her door at that very moment, so everything Zuko said had to be her true thoughts.
Princess Zuko actually believed she could fight and defeat a seasoned military veteran in hand-to-hand combat! It took everything in Nishikawa's power to keep Takeshi Hondo from breaking down the door and strangling the poor woman with his bare hands at that very moment.
Captain Nishikawa didn't know what prompted the woman to say such a foolish thing but he knew that if it came down to it, the princess would never want to fight or even entertain the thought of fighting with such a cruel and brutal man even if he thought Lord Hondo's mission was righteous.
He didn't wish the princess harm but he knew that if Zuko were successful in bringing all the nations together, it would mean the end of the Fire Nation and all that was once glorious and powerful about them. They would be nothing more than a country in name only—pawns of the other nations to be used for commerce and abused at their whim as a "penance" for their supposed crimes.
How could a desire to share their Agni-given greatness be a crime? No, he didn't lie to the princess the captain thought to himself. He meant every word about making sure he was standing on the side of the right. He wasn't so sure that the princess was in the right anymore.
If she truly felt like she could challenge Lord Hondo, she would die. Despite the desire of the Fire Lord for his daughter to produce an heir for the line of Sozin, she would die and that wouldn't be a bad thing he supposed.
"Lord Hondo, perhaps... it is the will of Agni that the princess dies by your hand in honorable combat." Nishikawa began. Lord Hondo froze in place.
"What?" he asked almost incredulously. Lord Hondo assumed that Nishikawa would still be trying to protect the princess. This was a turn he didn't expect.
"Go on..." he said with intrigue.
Nishikawa cleared his throat.
"The princess has shown by her own admission that she is too proud to consider what is best for our nation. To challenge a war veteran such as yourself regardless of her own experiences tells me that she is not careful and thinks too highly of herself and her "friends." She would never have deigned to say such a thing if her grandfather or great-grandfather were still alive."
There are many things she would not have done if that were the case the captain thought to himself.
"I believe that perhaps Agni is giving you the sign you need to destroy your enemy and restore the glory of our beautiful country. The Fire Lord himself could never fault you for fighting in an honorable challenge with the princess. Agni Kai would allow you to kill her without consequence." The old captain reminded him. Lord Hondo scoffed.
"Why would I be worried about how to kill her if we are taking over the old regime? I don't have time for silly games—" he began but the captain held up his hand and spoke gently as if appeasing an agitated pet.
"Lord Hondo, sometimes it is better to defeat one enemy and win two battles. Princess Zuko has a large following," he said pausing to be sure of his next words.
"If they discover somehow that the princess doesn't respect the ways of our people and disrespected you and the memory of your father, you would win the Caldera to your side if you restore the traditions of our forefathers. They would happily accept a new leader that believes in the Fire Nation and its tried-and-true culture," he said encouraging the young man to think about it.
Hondo inhaled through his nose deeply and exhaled into a deep satisfactory grin.
"We could win the battle with a single assassination. If her friends dare to interfere, we would be justified in showing how they don't respect our nation and we could treat them accordingly. We could win the people back to our side." The captain nodded with pride.
"Yes, my Lord. Our cause would then be seen as the righteous movement; it has always been. The princess sees through subversion and deceit easily. It's an uncanny sixth sense of hers. We must now defeat her with the weapons of righteousness." he declared.
Lord Hondo nodded in agreement and knew that what he had to do next would determine the fate of the coup and the future of the Fire Nation. He had to prepare a speech. His words must move the people and stir their national pride.
Toph held Zuko's hand tightly at breakfast that morning. She only did it in moments of extreme emotional distress and worry.
"Zuko, do you really think you could beat ol' mutton chop hands in an Agni Kai? You fought him before and caught him off guard. If you fight him in a real battle, are you sure you can defeat him? I'm just worried you're going to get hurt or worse..." she said softly.
"Fight who?" Sokka asked with the voice of a father discovering his child was being unruly. Zuko and Toph froze. They hadn't mentioned the plan to Sokka or Lu Ten again. This wasn't going to end well...
"Lord Hondo," Zuko said once she collected her thoughts.
"He and the captain were listening in at our door last night so I may have suggested that he couldn't defeat me in an Agni Kai since I defeated his father. I know I played on his trauma, but I needed him to rethink his attack. He can just fight me and at least this way no one else has to get—" Zuko stopped herself when the air suddenly got heavy with tension.
Sokka didn't say anything but Zuko knew he was seething. His anger radiated from him like the blinding sunlight on white glaciers. Toph squeezed Zuko's hand even tighter to the point of pain. She sensed that Sokka's heartbeat was slow and steady like the pullback before the tsunami.
Katara gasped softly and grabbed Zuko's other hand. She hadn't seen her brother at this level, ever. For the first time, even the master water bender was concerned because the goofy and loveable brother she knew wasn't here right now. This was a warrior on the warpath.
Kori exhaled a low whistle and found a reason to get more tea. It was clear that Sokka was mad—very mad—Water Tribe Mad.
Water Tribe Mad is a different kind of anger. It's not inflammatory and infernal like the Fire Nation's emotion soon to burn out once its fuel is spent. No, this anger is cold and unforgiving like the tundra that created it. It goes right through you and surrounds you like the biting winds and frigid air freezing you in place to accept its punishment and endure the frost. Sokka was definitely Water Tribe mad...
He huffed in absolute disgust. His voice was almost silent but it sounded and felt like the rumbling of a volcano waking from a century-long slumber.
"Are you fucking kidding me, Zuko? Are you... serious right now?" he sneered. Zuko sat stunned.
She had never heard Sokka take that tone of voice with anyone but especially not her. She wasn't sure if she should fight him or listen, but Sokka was just getting started. His voice was so heavy with distress and emotion that he was just above a whisper but it felt like she was walking into the eyewall of a hurricane.
"Do you really think so lowly of yourself, so... little, that you'll just throw your life away? Like you don't matter to anyone? Like you don't matter to me?" he said. His voice was drenched with the weight of a betrayal Zuko had never understood before but would likely not forget anytime soon.
He was speaking from a place beyond anger, his heart was breaking right before her and she had no idea how it happened and how to stop it. Zuko opened her mouth to say something, anything, but Sokka wasn't having it. Before she could speak, he glared at her and growled,
"Shut it, Zuko. There's nothing you can say to me right now. Why are you being so selfish?" Zuko shrank back slightly in shock at Sokka's words and total disregard for the protocol.
She felt for a brief moment as if she were back camping with the Avatar and Water Tribe when they would debate about how to end the war. Sokka wasn't talking to Zuko the princess, he was talking to Zuko his best friend, his sparring partner, his sometimes adversary, his equal, and the woman he loves. The water prince watched Zuko pull back and shook his head. He chuckled as if he was spying on some childish and nonsensical game.
"You know, you've saved the world from self-destructing twice, twice Zuko, but you can't save yourself from yourself. For someone who is so fucking brilliant at times, you can be just as equally a complete idiot..." At that, he turned to walk out of the inn to everyone's surprise.
Iroh and Lu Ten had just come in on the tail end of Sokka's tirade. They too were stunned to silence as he said his peace without regard. Iroh wondered to himself if this conversation between the two was one long overdue based on the way his niece couldn't or wouldn't respond.
Lu Ten looked to Katara to take his cue on how to react, but she too was too stunned to say or do anything. Her mouth was agape but mute. Normally his beloved would stand up and defend anyone she thought was being treated unfairly, but a silent Katara...Lu decided that before he jumped to conclusions, he would find out who needed punching after things settled down. Sokka stopped at the door without turning around and added,
"I'm not going to stand and around and watch this shit happen. You wanna play hero so you can validate some weird bullshit fixation you have with feeling loved and being accepted by psychopaths? Go right ahead, your Highness, but count me out. I won't watch you die again..." Sokka walked out into the early morning dusk and didn't stop until he was well out of sight of the others.
Zuko didn't know what to say or do as the love of her life stormed away. She realized for the first time that she finally crossed a line with Sokka she didn't even know she had been toying with all along. Was she really an adventure junky like Muta said? Her mind whirled with the realization that Sokka wasn't wrong.
He actually knew her best and on more than one occasion Zuko put her life on the line unnecessarily for others some of whom would not return the favor if they were in the same position. Was she really trying to prove she was worth loving? That she belongs...
Zuko shuddered suddenly as if a cold breeze blew into the inn. She felt an involuntary sob break free from her throat suddenly recalling how to breathe after being out in cold icy water for so long. She gave a low and staccato wail as her one working eye welled with heavy tears that pooled on her eyelashes and spilled over drenching and streaking her face.
Sokka ignored the sharp pressure in his chest at Zuko's cries and walked a long while not caring where he went and where he ended up. The path grew sparse and the road began to incline.
He didn't notice that he was walking up a hill. He just needed to get away.
Sokka couldn't believe Zuko could be so careless and insensitive! Why would she put herself in such a position knowing that she could die?
Lord Hondo was quite frankly a sociopath who didn't care about propriety or law. His way was law. He would fight Zuko in an Agni Kai or just kill her if he could. He wasn't concerned about winning people over.
His character in battle made that abundantly clear. Soldiers in his infantry told countless stories of how he didn't hesitate to sacrifice a soldier so that he could advance or ask of his men what he himself was not willing to do.
Takeshi Hondo had no problem silencing opposition to his way and many who survived his leadership left the Caldera immediately for the colonies and home islands after the war.
Sokka learned of this while he was visiting in Yu Dao as a diplomat. None of those soldiers had hoped to ever encounter the man again and yet Zuko thought it would be prudent to challenge him to an Agni Kai. An Agni Kai!
It was such a brutal and unforgiving fight to the death that usually ended up with one or both participants dead. Zuko's decision was as good as suicide.
Sokka sucked in a deep breath and choked on his erupting emotions. He strangled as he fought the cry that willed itself to escape and make known his protest. He fell to his knees at the crest of a tall hill he inadvertently climbed overlooking the city.
The sunrise felt ironic and facetious in the light of what could be Zuko's last day. Sokka thought he would never survive Zuko's most recent fight for her life after the mortar blast and he could never fully allow himself to feel at ease no matter how much Zuko had survived, persevered, and grown as a warrior and woman.
He always felt a niggling fear that she needed protection and help, but there was no way he could help her in an Agni Kai. Any interference in such a battle could be the difference between settling a score or starting a war.
The Fire Nation's Agni Kai was a sacred rite and anything other than a fair fight was grounds for utter dishonor and conflict. Would Takeshi Hondo take such a risk? On one hand, Sokka realized that Zuko was once again being smart and trying to choose the path that would protect her people.
He couldn't blame her for that knowing that the unknown threat was worse, but why did it have to be her? Why does she have to be the hero? Why does she feel like she must do things alone when she has so many who love and care for her by her side?
At this thought, Sokka broke.
He allowed his tears to flow and his anguish to pour out. He was alone and he felt it even more on the solitary hill. He had spoken to Zuko in anger and fear and now wondered if perhaps he made a mistake in vomiting his thoughts and fears when she was probably already terrified.
Sokka didn't want anything to happen and he have regrets about Zuko. He needed to go back. They would be dressing and preparing for the ceremonial tea now.
Regardless of what happens after this point, he wouldn't let Zuko be alone though his heart was shattered. By now Zuko and the others had returned to the governor's house and activity was well underway for the day's preparations.
Zuko took a long hot bath after her deluge of tears in the inn. She would hope to live long enough to talk to Sokka and have a true heart-to-heart with him about her choice. She didn't want to end things with him on a regrettable note if this was to be her end. She hoped to speak with him before the tea.
If the Lady Morishita noticed that Zuko and her friends looked as if they were attending a funeral, she made it her absolute point to say nothing about it but rather had taken it upon herself to be in charge of preparing the Princess and her entourage for the morning's event.
She had chosen a customary Fire Nation gown design for Zuko created in the delicate fabrics of the Earth Kingdom. Smooth satins and fine textured and gossamer silks in bright reds and pinks shone like ruby gems and the finest pink quartz in the sunlight.
The governor's wife chose two other dresses in a similar fashion for Katara and Toph but created them in the colors of their respective nations. Katara's dress resembled sapphires and the white ice of the glaciers of her homeland. The silver threaded trim with designs of ocean waves and moonlight along the hems and sleeves reflected the delicate yet rugged beauty of the tundra and the deities they represented.
Toph's deep forest green tunic and tan, brown, and gold skirts gave Toph the feminine look she needed with its golden threaded embroidery of mountains and hills but allowed her to still feel strong and sturdy like the land she loved and depended upon. Lady Morishita made a concession with Toph's shoes by removing the soles so that her feet could touch the ground and so that she would wear them without protest.
Kori had chosen her own gown to reflect her mixed heritage of earth and fire. The cerise tunic and shawl that adorned her shoulders complemented the skirts of earthy green with under skirts of chartreuse. Both colors of thread interwoven throughout the fabrics created a pattern reminiscent of a volcano: a perfect mix of earth and fire.
All four ladies were lovely with their various hairstyles reflective of their nations: Zuko's maiden coif allowed delicate strands of her silky dark hair to frame her face; Katara's intricate braids in her chocolate-colored coils and beads laced with silver and white shone like starlight interspersed in a dark night sky.
Toph's standard bun was updated with hairpins of tiger's eye and a crown that reflected the greens and golds throughout her garment and Kori wore her hair in a delicate top knot adorned with one single hairpin of deep green jade. Lady Morishita stepped back and admired her work.
"You ladies are a vision! Each of you is so beautiful and I am honored that you entrusted us with such a worthy and wonderful task as world peace. Though fraught with difficulties and sorrows, this journey is one that I would dare not miss. I hope that by doing this small thing I can express my gratitude and appreciation for all of you and your mission." she said gently in Fire Tongue. Zuko smiled brilliantly.
"We are honored to be here and consider your gift the highest privilege. We are thankful for your support and hope that we can truly bring about what we have dreamed about for over 100 years." she said going into a deep bow. Lady Morishita and Kori gasped.
They were shocked that the princess would abase herself before them, but Zuko explained.
"Please do not feel alarmed. What you have sacrificed and given up for us is more than we could ever repay. A thousand bows could never replace what some of you have fought and died for here in Yu Dao. I can only hope to give a fraction of that back to you today." she said humbly.
Kori and the Lady blushed deeply and bowed back but said no more about the princess's statement or break from protocol. Kori took Zuko's hand and gave it a squeeze knowing that her words were failing her at that moment. Her thoughts filled with Sneers but she quickly pushed back the sadness knowing her makeup was only seconds away from being ruined.
Her mother was not so lucky. The Lady grasped the princess's other hand with her own and wiped heavy tears with a handkerchief in her free hand. The grief was still quite new for both women of Yu Dao but they clung to the hope that Sneers's life and death were not in vain. He had helped to protect the princess in a way that no one else could at that moment. She was safe because he was willing to fight and die for it.
Because of his sacrifice, the Princess could now bring about a change for their nation that was long overdue.
Sokka stumbled into the governor's mansion minutes before the meal was to begin. He knew that Zuko would be called and escorted just before the tea was to begin to prevent any last-minute complications. He knew he only had this one moment to speak to her before she would be occupied for the day.
He ignored the strange looks of the servants as they walked past him in the corridor and he made a direct path to Zuko's door. He knocked gently not wanting to create a scene after what occurred that early morning. Toph answered the door and huffed.
"Now you show up after your tirade? Your apology better be amazing..." she threatened. Sokka pressed his lips together knowing that he didn't want to be launched into the ceiling for telling her to mind her own damn business.
Toph moved over so that he could enter the room and rolled her eyes. Their heartbeats were all willy-nilly again. She hoped this time they would both be honest and say what they meant and needed to say.
Sokka was afraid of losing Zuko and not being able to protect her and should have said so. Zuko was afraid too but she felt trapped in her circumstances. They really needed to clear the air and confess their love for each other. Toph cleared her throat and turned to Katara,
"Hey Sugar Queen, I think I left one of my hairpins in my room, come help me find it." she declared rather than asking. Katara counted three pins in Toph's hair. Just before she could protest and complain that Toph had plenty of pins Toph grabbed Katara by the arm a little more tightly than she needed to and pulled the water princess down the hall toward her room.
Kori and Lady Morishita had already left to ensure final preparations were in place for the ceremonies. The door shut behind the two women and Zuko and Sokka were left alone. The water prince finally had a moment to take in Zuko's appearance.
"You look amazing Zuko; you've always been beautiful, but the Lady Morishita has great taste," he said simply not wanting to gush at the moment. Zuko still blushed at the compliment and sighed.
"Thanks," she said softly. There was a long, painful silence as they both struggled with who would break the ice so to speak, and be vulnerable again. As she felt Sokka's aura switch between green and orange and blue she knew he was in turmoil and needed the assurance that she truly loved him and wasn't being foolish.
"I know that I have been the worst at sending you into an emotional tailspin at times." she began. Sokka made a loud choking noise reminiscent of a scoff causing them both to smile at Zuko's attempt at an admission. She placed her hand on Sokka's and brought it to her cheek.
"I'm sorry Sokka. Truly sorry for not treating you as a partner. I've had time to think about the moments I've run off to the rescue without necessarily thinking things through or including everyone. I didn't take the time to consider you, or Uncle or Lu, and how you would feel if anything happened to us—to me. It wasn't fair. Those times worked out but what if they didn't? What if this time doesn't?" she admitted. Sokka sighed deeply.
"I'm sorry too, Zu. I should never have created doubt in you when you needed reassurance and I should have spoken up all those times before. Every time you left or made decisions like that, I was so afraid that I wouldn't see you again or you'd be so injured that you wouldn't make it back to—" Sokka sighed again and ran his free hand through his sloppy wolf's tail with loose strands of hair sticking out everywhere.
He realized then that was why he kept getting stares down the hallway. He must have looked a hot mess.
"I should not have said those things to you, Zuko. You were trying to look out for everyone. I know that and I shouldn't have called you selfish. You're the most selfless person I know, to a fault." he said with an awkward chuckle. Zuko grinned with her mouth askew.
"I believe you also said for someone so fucking brilliant I can be equally idiotic. It's true, but it still hurt," she said growing serious. Sokka grimaced in apology as she continued.
"I don't always like making those decisions, Sokka. I don't want to fight Lord Hondo at all; I know he's crazy, but how can I let him hurt everyone I love and care about? To me, that would be the worst thing to ever happen to me. I'd die for any of you and I just don't want anyone else dying for me or because of me. Hondo's issue is with me, and no one else." she sniffed. Sokka smirked.
Zuko's hand was on his cheek now and for the first time, she felt a dimple form there.
"Why am I just now realizing you have dimples? I have to survive now, just so that I can explore this more deeply, no pun intended. I have no plans on leaving you, Wolf of the Tundra." she said as easily as breathing.
Sokka inhaled sharply and huffed in surprise at his title earned from the Great War. It was the highest honor to be declared Wolf in the Water Nation and a great sign of respect when it was used. Sokka took both her hands in his.
"If you're determined to go through with this, I need you to know that Hondo won't fight fair, he may not even declare Agni Kai, but promise me, no matter what, if it comes to it—you will kill that bastard without hesitation because he won't hesitate with you. OK?" Sokka had never sounded more serious than now.
Zuko nodded firmly and knew the two of them and their relationship would be alright. She hoped with her heart that it wouldn't come to a showdown with Takeshi Hondo though deep down she knew the moment was coming and was perhaps already in motion.