Chapter 11 the final battle

Zuko sighed as he watched Katara run down the stairs. He felt that she would be safe if she got out of there. He returned his direction to his father, who was trying to get out of there. He did a couple of front flips to cut Ozai off.

"Hello father." Zuko said again glowing a red color again.

"Where did you learn that an attack like that?" Ozai asked backing up.

"From my mother. And the reason I didn't use it on you in our Agi Kai is because I thought my father cared for me." Zuko answered quickly. "And you know what I found out over the two years of my banishment? You're nothing more than an incompetent bastard."

Ozai smirked. "That's exactly what your mother thought and that's exactly why I had her train your fire bending skills. Because I knew that you'd become just like her." Ozai threw a smoke bomb. When it cleared he was gone.

He turned around and came face to face with Ruko. Ruko was smirking at had a fireball in his hand. Even without his right arm Ruko was still capable of proving that he was the greatest there ever was. Zuko wasn't about to let some wannabe fire bender take his rightful place at the thrown. Even if that meant he had to blow up the whole area to do such a thing. It was a good thing this was an abandoned island. But he'd have to store his energy for a while.

Ruko was acting out on total rage. Each of his attacks that he launched was slopping and had horrible aim. Zuko could predict every one of Ruko's moves just as he launched them. Zuko looked around and saw that there was a crowd of people who came to watch his death sentence standing there. He closed his eyes he would be risking innocent lives with this attack.

"Come on kill Zuko!"

"Knock off that ugly little head of his!"

Zuko tried to stay calm. He wasn't going to allow his temper to run this fight. At least not until Katara, the Avatar, Sokka, and his uncle were out of this castle and on the boat safely.

With Katara

"Katara get up." Sokka said shaking Katara slightly.

Katara moaned and sat up. "Oh my gosh Zuko!" Katara stood up quickly and looked over at Aang. Aang sighed motioned for both of them to follow.

"Katara, we need to get out of here." Aang said pulling her arm. Iroh stood in front of them.

"Zuko's going to use a big attack. We need to get out of here." Iroh sighed pointing to the entrance. "The faster we got out of here the less likely Zuko's going to worry about us."

Katara ran out of the castle and turned her gaze up to the roof. She could see Zuko backing away from Ruko getting near the edge. The fight seemed to be going Ruko's way. Still no sign of Ember anywhere up there. Katara began to get worried.

"Look at lord Ozai." Sokka whispered as the Fire Lord ran towards the ship. "I think he's afraid of his own son's power."

"Who wouldn't be?" Iroh asked. "I mean he learned from his mother. And my brother always did fear the woman. I didn't though. She always had a way of keeping young Zuko out of the mud. Oh and she loved her tea."

Katara giggled as they made their way down to the ship. Occasionally she would look back worrying about Zuko. She turned to Iroh who just gave her a reassuring smile. She couldn't help thinking the worse about Zuko.

With Zuko

Zuko looked behind him and saw Katara and his uncle on the ship. They were safe so he wouldn't have to worry about them getting hurt when he blew up the place. He closed his eyes and allowed his brother to hit him in the chest causing him to bleed uncontrollably. He calmly sighed and accepted his fate. He sighed and looked down at Katara who was standing at the edge of the ship. He knew that she was hoping for the best.

"Katara I must do this I'm so sorry." He whispered.

Zuko ran around Ruko and launched a fireball at him. Ruko kicked it back but doubled the size of it. Zuko did his best to block the attack so he threw it off to the side. He remembered always the basics. Something that nothing his brother wouldn't expect. He stopped all movement and grabbed his chest. He was losing life quickly. He lit his hand and waved it front of Ruko's face. The boy was confused about what he was doing. Ruko lit his whole hand on fire and thrust into his chest.

"Brother I'm not one to say good byes. But I can tell you that you're not going to miss." Ruko laughed evilly.

Zuko's breathing staggered and he began to sway back and forth. Remember Zuko do whatever's best for the nation. And when you use that attack make sure you know what you're doing. His mother's words haunted him. Zuko smiled and knew what he was doing. He was killing his brother.

"No you're wrong. I'll be missed but you wont." Zuko launched out an attack of fire that covered the whole roof.

The castle began to shake as magma began to shoot up from the ground destroying the foundation of the building. Katara began to worry when she didn't see any sign of Zuko or Ruko. The castle began to crumble and fire still shot up destroy the town everything around it. When it finally subsided she looked at Iroh and they both took off running towards the destroyed castle.

"Zuko!" Katara yelled. She began to dig out of the pile of ash.

Iroh looked around. "Prince Zuko, come on lets have some tea." He yelled.

Katara fell down and began to sob. She didnt see any sign of the prince. "Zuko please don't be dead!" Katara yelled. "Zuko."

Iroh saw something that caught his eye. He walked over to it and gasped. "Katara you must see this."

Katara ran over there and tears couldn't stop flowing. They found Ruko's body and next to it was Zuko's mask. In the mask were Katara's necklace and a note.

Katara,

I'm surprised about you. Things are different now. I went up against my brother only to protect you. I'm not worried about my safety. Don't worry about me at all. I'm perfectly safe. Well at least I hope I am. I'm now wanted for treason. I swear Katara that things are all right. Just trust me. Katara just think of me and don't ever forget me.

Uncle, I know things are different now. But just keep the ship traveling around the world. I know what I'm doing. Katara just remember that I always love you. Oh and if you two are reading this I'm probably dead so don't worry about me.

Okay stay safe all two of you.

Sincerely

Prince Zuko

Katara threw the note in the fire. He seemed to know that he was going to die. It was all part of his plan after all. Things were going to be different. She was nervous what to say to uncle.

"Don't worry my young girl. Things are going to be better. You're welcome to stay with me as long as you want." Iroh smiled handing Katara the mask and her necklace. "My nephew isn't truly dead. I can feel it."

Katara nodded and sighed. "Thank you uncle." She tired smiling.

"What do you mean you're staying with the old dude!" Sokka screamed. "What about traveling the world with the Avatar and helping him defeat the fire lord?"

"I feel that it's best if Zuko really is alive that I should stay here and wait for him. Come check up on me every so often and everything will work out." Katara argued.

Sokka nodded and hugged his sister. "Don't worry. I'll be giving you a hard time even from far away." Sokka laughed. "If Zuko isn't alive in two months, or after Aang learns earth bending then you're coming back with us."

"I don't think so." Iroh said. "I'm going to train her a bit."

"Fire bending I don't think so."

"No not fire bending but I'm going to teach her some moves Zuko would want his children to learn. You know the one Katara conceived during the two days on the boat." Iroh said.

"UNCLE!" Katara and Sokka yelled.

"Um… he is kidding right?" Aang asked.

"Yes of course I am." Iroh laughed.

"Zuko would be proud of you Katara for staying strong during his death." Sokka said putting his arm around his sister.

"Yeah I know he's some where watching us right now." Katara said getting her hopes up again.

K15: Okay guys there is my first finished Avatar fic. I know you guys didn't want an ending this so I have one thing to say... read the sequel! That's it. That's all i've got to say. I'm sure that the sequel will be out some time this week along with a new fic. So yeah. Look for them. Later. K15