I don't own Avatar. Trust me. If I did, I'd probably have a half-million people trying to skin me alive. Especially after this.
Chapter 5: The End
The hill chosen as an escape route for the royal family was named Ossin Peak. It was named this because of an herb that grew on it, and only on it. The herb, conspicuously called ossin, could give a great gift but only at a great price. If a fire-bender ate it, it would raise his bending abilities to Avatar level and beyond, but all judgment would be lost. Such great power truly called for good judgment, so ossin was not a greatly coveted herb and was only used in dire need. Zuko had been eating it for a week.
Zuko could feel the power it offered swelling deep inside him. By ignoring the growing power, he'd been able to maintain a clear mind. But now, with the Avatar and his friends speeding away, he could let that power flood him. It was strange to feel his conscience slip away from him, leaving nothing but pure uncontrolled anger and hatred, fueled by unimaginable grief.
Standing outside the now closed door to the Great Hall, Zuko didn't stop to contemplate what he was about to do. He couldn't. Moving in a practiced stance, he whipped a huge fireball at the door. It didn't look any different than any other he'd done before, but the door, which was made of heavy oak and had been layered with anti-fire oils, disintegrated at its touch.
Screams filled the air as the fireball continued through the door and surrounding walls into the banquet itself. Fire-benders waved their hands trying to fend it off but it ignored their best efforts. Then it was gone.
Everyone looked around desperately to see where it had come from, but no one expected Prince Zuko to come walking nonchalantly through the nonexistent door. He stepped over charred bodies without a care.
Guards ran to surround him, but as soon as they did so, every single one of them burst into flame. Their screams rang out, and then silence.
A single voice cried out to Zuko. "Why can't we bend?" He smiled maniacally at the speaker.
"Ever heard of a little herb called isith? It nulls the bending abilities of you all. Well, at least all of you that drank the wine." Zuko lost count of how many goblets fell to the floor and he laughed.
"Have you lost your mind Zuko?" It was Ozai. "Why are you doing this?"
Zuko glared at him, and the banner behind Ozai burst into flame. "I don't know, Fire Lord. Why don't we ask EDIERA!"
When the last word was spoken, every source of fire, every torch, every candle, leapt into flame, huge spires of flame that touched the ceilings in many parts of the palace. Soon, the whole palace was on fire.
People ran screaming from the burning hall, seeking a place of refuge. Only Ozai remained frozen, staring into his son's accusing eyes. "It…it…it was…an accident…"
"AN ACCIDENT!" Zuko roared. "WAS MY SCAR AN ACCIDENT? WAS ANY OF IT AN ACCIDENT? IS THE ENTIRE WAR AN ACCIDENT?"
Flames spun around the two, somehow staying just far enough away. Ozai knew Zuko was protecting him so they could talk, but for how long? He found out fast.
Zuko's voice became dangerously calm.
"Remember when you were training me? Teaching me stamina? 'It's not how fast you run, Zuko, but how long you can run for.' I remember you telling me that. Well," He began to form a fireball in his hands. "We're going to find out how long you can run." Zuko looked up from the forming fireball and grinned horribly at his father. "Start running daddy."
With that he released the fireball, aiming straight at Ozai's face. Ozai ducked out of the way at the last moment, but the fireball performed a wide arc and came back at him. For the first time since Zuko had strode into the hall, Ozai felt a streak of pure fear. He yelped and began running. Outside, his soldiers did all they could to keep the fireball away from him. One tried to block it, but only succeeded in creating two. The fireballs managed to get by their defenses and only stopped when a soldier threw himself in front of the Fire Lord. The fireballs consumed him and were gone. The Fire Lord was safe, but the fire was spreading to the city, and the Prince was still inside the Hall.
On the way towards the Fire Nation borders, Aang had told Sokka and Katara of Zuko's plans for the remainder of the evening. They had been silent. That was nearly half an hour ago. Now Katara came up and put a hand on his shoulder. Aang looked up into her eyes and then back at Sokka. The vote was unanimous.
Zuko was the only one left in the burning Great Hall. He watched the flames with a sense of pride and vengeance. He lost track of time in the way the flames roiled around him; he'd long since let them go their own way. Hearing a snap above him, Zuko partially came out of his trance, just enough to realize that the huge chandelier, now on fire, was falling, and would fall directly onto him. The sight filled his golden eyes for one brief moment, and then he knew no more.
...I'm gonna die for this aren't I?...
Please Review...I've gotten to this point and kinda don't know where to go next...