Part Two of Zhao's Request...i think...

Before I knew that I could,
the fire that once raged inside became a small flame.

Chapter 10: The Truth Behind The Crown

Both helmsmen were skilled with many years of experience beneath their belt. The two ships glided side by side until they drifted to a stop. There was an eerie silence in the morning mists. The two greatest men of the Fire Nation were meeting.

Ozai was in his chambers, putting on armor he hadn't worn in more than sixteen years. Natalani was sitting on his bed.

"Why do you want to go with me Natalani?" His thoughts were of the plan he'd given Zhao, he didn't want her to know that it was him who sent their children to their deaths.

"Because I want to tell him exactly what I think of him, and precisely who's child I'm carrying."

"I don't think that will be the greatest idea."

"I don't care."

Zhao was waiting patiently for the Fire Lord to appear, but he didn't expect to see his wife at his side. Masking his surprise, he bowed.

"Welcome to my ship, Fire Lord. What is the occasion for this honor?"

Ozai sighed. "We have much to discuss, Admiral Zhao."

Zhao smiled, his gaze drifting from Ozai to Natalani.

"That we do, my lord."

Zhao escorted Ozai and Natalani to a private chamber where they could talk. He shut the door after them, and took a position in front of a map of their world. "It appears we both have much to say. But you first, my liege."

When Ozai looked lost for words, Natalani stepped forward. She poked her fingers into her husband's chest and growled.

"You are no longer my husband. My daughter is no longer your daughter. I denounce you and all your titles."

This formal announcement didn't affect Zhao at all.

"Now that you have that out of your system, can you please step back and let the big boys have a conversation."

Natalani's outburst gave Ozai strength.

"Zhao, your marriage is not the only thing ending today."

Zhao looked up, his eyes meeting Ozai's fierce gaze.

"The plan I outlined for you will be forsaken as of now."

Shock, horror, and frustration played airball across Zhao's face.

"What?"

"Zuko, my son, will be returning home as soon as I can relay the message. His honor and birthright will be restored. It took me a long time to realize nothing was worth more than his life."

For a moment Zhao was silent, but then he slammed his fist into the metal table before him. Natalani yelped and clutched at Ozai's sleeve.

"I should've KNOWN you were too weak to carry my master plan out! Yes my plan! And you wondered how it got there. You insignificant fool!"

Ozai and Natalani stared at the furious Admiral, and Ozai placed the lady protectively behind him.

"Your father was a great man! Strong, determined, and he sought to pass those traits down to you and your single-minded brother! But you wouldn't listen to his teachings, claiming him too harsh, claiming that he didn't understand. Fire Lord Cirzen deserved a son that would obey him and listen to him, and I gave him that! I became the son he'd always wanted. I learned and I listened. I knew I could never be Fire Lord, but I spent years undermining your plans, slipping papers and outlines into your hands, trying to shape the Fire Nation into what it should be, and now you bring down everything I've worked for!"

Zhao took three steps, grabbed Ozai by the collar, and slammed him against the wall.

"I know where Zuko is and you don't. And when I get to him, I'll kill him, excruciatingly slowly. I'll make Iroh watch and then I'll kill him. If Anzha's there I'll kill her too. I'll get the Avatar and carry out the rest of my plan. And then I'll come for you, and finally take the throne I deserve."

With this, he threw Ozai out the door onto the deck. Natalani ran to the fallen lord screaming his name. Zhao stepped out into the sunlight.

"You two get off my ship. I have things to do."

Ozai stood, and placed an arm around Natalani's shoulders. They left the ship together.

The Flames' Heart drew away from Zhao's ship, but Zhao was too smart to just let it go.

"Raise the catapult, and fire on that ship."

As his men ran to do his bidding, a soldier came up to him.

"Admiral, that's the Fire Lord's ship. It's treasonous to fire on it."

The other soldiers stopped for no one was willing to commit sedition. Zhao turned and sent a fireball at the man. At the close range, there was nothing the poor man could do. A single scream pierced the morning air and nothing but a husk was left of the brave soldier. Zhao looked around at the rest of his men.

"Unless you wish to share his fate, you had better SINK THAT SHIP!"

Zuko was standing on the prow of his ship when something in the water caught his eyes. Using a nearby rope and hook, he scooped the hunk of metal from the ocean waves. He instantly recognized it as a piece of a ship's hull. Kneeling by its place on the deck, he turned it over, and his stomach hit his feet as his heart burst into a thousand pieces. For clearly written on the metal was the name, The Flames' Heart.

Dang, my heart's still beating fast from writing this...did you think they wouldn't fire on the ship?