A/N: Whew! I tell you what... I have had a time finishing this arc with the crazy former fiance of the Princess of the Fire Nation. Lord Hondo was a hard bastard to kill in my humble opinion but I think I did it justice here... We finally figure out who is for and who is against our fearless princess and what finally happens with the highly anticipated grand tea and peace talks in Yu Dao. I am certain I will probably add another chapter to wrap things up before the end of the weekend. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday if you celebrate in America and to everyone else I hope you had a great week. I hope you will give feedback or leave a comment after this chapter and tell me what you think. I know some of you have been waiting with bated breath (Well, at least I have) for me to finish this chapter. Let me know how I did and Happy reading!
Disclaimer: "You know sometimes it's better not to know how someone is going to sabotage you; it's best you just have a plan to not die." -Princess Zuko, Once and Future Fire Lord of the Fire Nation
Chapter 31—Tea and Agni Kai (The Drafting of A Future-Part 6)
"I'm going to go take a shower now since I look homeless." Sokka declared. Zuko smiled and got up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
"Honestly you look fine to me..." she said as she came back down. Sokka smirked then squawked.
"No! Just, no, Zu. I get enough of the blind jokes from Toph. I can't bear it from you too." he crowed. Zuko laughed giving her boyfriend a pat on the arm. Sokka really was an easy target.
Before they could say anything else, there was a knock at the door signifying that it was time for Zuko to depart for the ceremony. She gave Sokka a firm last-minute squeeze of his hand and took a deep breath for courage.
Sokka made up his mind to keep his shower brief and get to the banquet as soon as he could. Anything was possible today. He watched as the princess made her way out the door and down the hallway towards the grand hall.
Zuko walked with the servant sent to escort her to the banquet. She felt the distance down the corridor towards the great conference hall and could tell by the smell of tea that she was already close to the event. "How close are we to the banquet?" Zuko asked.
The servant said nothing as she walked the princess to the main doors of the hall. "Thank you for your assistance today," Zuko said cordially. The young woman still didn't speak and Zuko couldn't see her to tell if she was being rude or if it was just her job to escort and not engage the princess before the ceremony.
Zuko chose to believe that the young servant was just doing her task as instructed and stood before the doorway patiently. The princess shivered a little in anticipation of what she would encounter and wondered if perhaps things would go better than she was expecting. The couple before her had just been announced and were almost seated.
The sound of trumpets and a loud declaration told her that it was her turn to enter the ballroom. The large mahogany doors swung open and Zuko entered the great hall with thunderous applause and cheers. Lu Ten sidled up beside Zuko took her arm in his and leaned down close to her ear as he escorted her to her table and whispered softly,
"Everything seems to be in order so far. Toph hasn't detected the substance in anything yet and uncle had the servants vet all the teas. So far so good..." Zuko nodded gently. Those watching her enter assumed she was accepting a compliment or receiving some instruction from her older cousin. The pair moved quite slowly allowing guests to take in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the famed Princess of the Fire Nation.
Once at her dais set with a beautiful rose and gold porcelain tea service, the princess sat elegantly on the cushions positioned below. The fine tea set was imbued with dancing dragons that seemed to come alive the longer one gazed upon them. They wrapped around the tea pot skillfully and reminded some of the stories of the two remaining fire masters: the dragons Ran and Shaw who Zuko had the pleasure of meeting once.
There was no detail left out for this banquet. Lu Ten bowed to the princess formally and sat at a table next to Zuko's with his father. Katara and Toph were both seated at separate tables near the princess representing their own countries. The tea services for their tables were just as elegant and lovely but made in colors that invoked thoughts of ice and earth.
Katara's set was a deep turquoise, white, and light blue reminiscent of the ocean and glaciers of her home.
Toph's set was actually a copper artisan teapot hammered with fine nodes all around creating the illusion of being both delicate and sturdy just like earth could be.
The General and his lieutenant both had a tea service typically Fire Nation: deep red and gold with blue accents of dragons and flames to represent the Dragon of the West and his son.
Mayor Morishita looked around the room to see if all the guests were properly seated and present and he tapped his glass for the room's attention.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Lords and Nobles of all nations! It brings me great pleasure to be here this morning as the head of this most auspicious and important ceremony," he said to thunderous and rousing applause. The Mayor held up his hands to quiet the crowd and looked to General Iroh briefly before continuing.
"As you know this journey to peace has been a long and arduous one. We've lost many and much," he said gently to the sounds of hums of agreement and understanding. Many present were aware of his loss and those who knew Sneers were saddened by their thought of him. Mayor Morishita breathed in through his nose deeply and settled himself as he lifted his head proudly.
"We are not discouraged nor were we thwarted in our efforts. It is through our blood sweat and sacrifices that we will establish a firm road to peace and prosperity for all, and we will break ground here and now. Please all of you raise your cups with me in solidarity." He smiled.
The attending groups each had cups of steaming tea poured and within moments all participants had their cups raised in the air.
"To peace and the future." Mayor Morishita said confidently.
"To peace and the future!" the crowd shouted in unison.
At that moment, attendees drank their tea quietly and placed their cups down on the saucers before them. Zuko smiled genuinely at the scene though she couldn't see it. The patrons' heat auras were all various shades of yellow, gold, and orange signifying that they were happy and at peace. The light and buoyant chatter only emphasized the mood and Mayor Morishita placed his hand on her shoulder to signal her turn to speak to the group.
Katara whispered something to the princess but Zuko strained to understand it. She assumed it was just the ambient noise of the attendees and figured she'd ask her after her speech. Kori and Toph both whispered something else but again Zuko couldn't quite make out their words which were accented with a strange humming. Just before she stood to say something to the crowd she stumbled slightly and gasped.
Oh no, the princess murmured to herself. She realized too late what her friends may have been trying to tell her. Zuko felt her head spinning and a small panic began to creep up her spine. She hadn't felt dizzy prior to the tea and knew that there was something amiss.
Zuko tried to speak to her uncle but her tongue felt heavy and thick. She prayed it wasn't poison as she felt weighted and suddenly went slack. The room echoed strangely as she hit the ground.
What felt like an eternity or just a few moments passed and the ringing in her ears grew stronger as she felt herself coming back. She was still shrouded in darkness but could tell by the smell of earth and the hollow echoes around her from the other people in the room that she was in some sort of chamber or large room.
Zuko tried to feel underneath herself though her hands were tied uncomfortably behind her back. Her breathing quickened as she realized from the stone and sand below her where she lay that she was in an arena. Before Zuko could orient herself further a sneering voice she had hoped never to hear again whispered close to her ear.
"Welcome, Princess..." Lord Hondo began. He smirked at the way the princess's sightless eyes began to widen at the sound of his voice.
"What's this? Have you been caught off guard, Princess? I guess you shouldn't have underestimated your enemies." he gloated.
His chuckle sent deep chills up and down Zuko's spine. Not because of his words but the tone that sounded frightfully familiar and malicious. Murderous. He was toying with her the way her father would when he knew he had the upper hand.
"Nothing to say this time, milady?" he smirked again fighting the urge not to kill her on the spot. He restrained himself knowing he wanted to cause her the most agony before she met her end. He sighed as if he were completely bored with the encounter and spoke softly almost tenderly.
"You were so confident just this morning, weren't you Princess?" Lord Hondo leaned in close taking her chin and cheek into his palm. Her face was practically swallowed by the enormity of his hand. Zuko swallowed the shudder she felt. She didn't want to let the wayward Lord think he could intimidate her but inwardly she was completely intimidated. Zuko jerked her head away from the Lord's hand.
She did her best to "glare" in the direction of the Lord before turning her head away. Something in the stubborn set of Zuko's jaw caused Lord Hondo to snap inside. He shook the woman as easily as a rag doll. His breaths grew heavy and he began to laugh almost hysterically.
"Deluded as ever I see! You are definitely your father's child. You just don't know when to call it quits." He sat back in frustration that the girl wouldn't cower before him, but he knew for his plan to work he had to show restraint. He needed her to agree to an Agni Kai so that he could kill her legally though he didn't really care. He calmed himself a little and smirked.
"I believe you mentioned something about having the ability to defeat me in an Agni Kai... the same way you defeated my father." His voice rose to a fevered pitch. "Is that what you think? Would you like to put your theory to the test Princess?" He practically screamed in the princess's ear leaving traces of spittle and vitriol behind.
If it weren't for the dimness in the arena, Lord Hondo would have seen the young woman pale from his anger but she had to follow through if her people were to ever be safe. Taking out Hondo would allow her to break one part of the rebellion today without involving others. She had to believe Hondo's pride wouldn't allow him to back down or cheat since it was a matter of his honor at stake. A single tear trailed down the side of her face near the ground and she steadied her voice.
"What are you suggesting Lord Hondo?" she said already aware of what the Lord wanted but trying to maintain as much dignity as could be had tied up like a cow pig on the ground. Lord Hondo chuckled at the absurdity of her question as he rubbed his eyebrow. The princess knew what it was he was suggesting, but always the diplomat she wanted him to say it out loud—to declare Agni Kai and make it legal. Fine. She was going to die anyway so he may as well humor her.
"Princess Zuko, I challenge you to an Agni Kai in this arena to the death. Yours of course. What say you?" he growled. Zuko gave the faintest of smirks and replied as if they were having a conversation about the weather.
"As you know for an Agni Kai to be legitimate there must be witnesses for both sides. I ask for at least two Fire Nation witnesses I trust. This shouldn't be a problem for you since you clearly have the advantage; wouldn't you agree Lord Hondo?" The nobleman's nose flared momentarily but he bit his words since he knew she was going to follow through.
He shook his head briefly at the fact that Princess Zuko was not cowering in fear or trying to talk him out of the fight. Either this woman is as cocky as hell and arrogant or she has a few screws loose. How she could agree to fight him was beyond Lord Hondo's understanding.
"I believe that can be arranged, Princess. Our audience should be waking up momentarily," he said. As if on cue, the attendees from the tea who had all been drugged and carried out from the banquet hall were placed in the auditorium. Many were just starting to shake off the grogginess from the "tea."
Fire Nation nobles and citizens of Yu Dao were seated closest to the action since they would verify the validity of the Agni Kai. All others were placed throughout the rest of the arena to witness the fall of a regime. All in attendance were still bound and utterly confused about what was happening. Katara ran up to Zuko still laying on the sand. She had been released by Captain Nishikawa to help Zuko prepare.
Katara pulled some water from the humid arena and began healing Zuko to help her mind clear.
"Zuko, I really hope you're right about this. How did you know Lord Hondo would take the bait?" she whispered as she loosened her friend's bonds and helped Zuko sit up to orient herself. Zuko took a deep breath and stretched out her arms.
"Ugh! Thanks, Katara. I didn't. I still don't know if he'll play along, but I have a feeling that he isn't just trying to kill me. He wants to make a statement and win the Fire Nation over to him. He could have killed me already but he was showing a lot of restraint and pushing for the Agni Kai. He'll reveal his intentions soon enough if he's anything like his father..." she said with a sense of prophecy.
Iroh and Lu Ten were given front-row seats near Zuko chained and placed like figurines in a curio cabinet. Neither man could move or fire bend but was allowed to speak to Zuko as her "witness." Iroh huffed in irritation.
"This has got to be the strangest attempt at overthrow yet. I knew Lord Hondo was insane but this...this takes the cake for me." he declared. Zuko glanced at her cousin. Lu Ten's aura was practically blood red. He was beyond angry and if his chains were loosed there would be more than a few casualties.
He knew the captain wasn't loyal to Zuko, but now Lu Ten could see with clarity why everything the captain said was the truth: it was his truth and he truly believed every word he said.
Nishikawa was convinced he was doing his country and the world a favor by betraying Zuko. Lu Ten knew if he could get out of those chains Nishikawa was his first target. If Zuko doesn't kill Hondo, Lu Ten was going to finish the task Agni Kai be damned. Enough was enough.
"Lu, if you're thinking what I think you're thinking then stop thinking it," Zuko said with as much of a glare as her blind eyes could muster. Lu Ten glared back knowing that even though Zuko couldn't see it she could feel it.
"As soon as I'm out of these chains—" he declared but Zuko cut him off.
"Don't do anything rash or hasty if things go south. I've already arranged for Katara to release you and Uncle once the fight begins because I don't trust this setup in the least." she grimaced. Zuko lifted her head and closed her eyes with a heavy exhale.
"I know that Hondo won't play fair but I don't intend to lose this fight without a fight," she said. Zuko leaned in closely, placing her hand gently under her cousin's jaw, and whispered.
"We must not let these rebels derail what we've worked so hard for. Hondo will not stop the work we have done. Lu...Promise me you will not interfere with the Agni Kai no matter what. I do not expect that man to be honorable and leave everyone else alone. Promise me you will protect the innocents. That is your mission." Lu Ten groaned under his breath. He released a shuddering sigh and closed his eyes against Zuko's hand.
"I swear to Agni, Zuko, if you even think about dying out there, I'll kill you," he said with a smirk. Zuko smiled and chuckled to herself.
"I'm glad you're on board. Keep your promise, Lu..." she admonished and with a flourish turned to Katara to go change into better fighting clothes than a ball gown.
Those in the audience began to realize quickly what was happening as they looked around the arena and discovered the tell-tale signs of an Agni Kai: the sand-filled floor to soak up blood, the high walls surrounding the stands to protect bystanders, on one side of the arena, the Fire princess now dressed in a simple tunic and pants and a cape only used for the sacred rite of Agni Kai and on the other side of the arena, the former commander of the Fire Nation armies and disgraced Lord on the other in like fashion.
Those familiar with the practice looked on in shock and wonder. It felt like a nightmare. How had the entire delegation been drugged and dragged into such an event? What would happen if the Princess could not defeat the formidable and intimidating nobleman? As if on cue, Lord Takeshi Hondo stepped to the center of the arena and raised his hands for the attention of the murmuring crowds. The people hushed suddenly and Hondo spoke.
"People of the Fire Nation and our colony of Yu Dao..." he began. A few boos and shouts echoed from those who knew of his treachery and cruelty. Lord Hondo was unfazed as he continued.
"A challenge of Agni Kai has been declared to the Princess of the Fire Nation and was accepted. There are those of us who feel that the work that is being done by the princess of our nation is undermining our identity, stability, and culture. She has shown through her actions and words that she does not value our nation nor the people who had fought and died for it." he said and waited for the crowds to react.
Murmurings once again filled the arena as many allowed his words to sink in. What has she done? Some unsure of what the man was talking about asked each other. Others assumed it was her unorthodox friendships with members of the other nations that created dissension. Still, others thought it was her desire to make peace with all nations instead of pushing for setting the Fire Nation up to be the greatest nation once again.
Many had heard of the ongoing rebellion in the Fire Nation and Earth kingdom and assumed that there was more to the story. Lord Hondo smiled. He knew that regardless of the outcome of the fight the seeds of doubt were being sown and there was nothing the princess could do about it.
Zuko knew that Hondo's fight was never about what she said that morning behind her bedroom door, but it was always about trying to dismantle her plans and create sympathy and support for the rebellion she now realized was looking more like a righteous cause with each disaster and conflict.
The princess realized that damage had already been done but now she had no choice but to fight. If she wins, there will always be doubts about the legitimacy and intentions of their mission for peace. If she loses, she will go down as judged by Agni and be found wanting in the eyes of her people which would greater still hurt her mission for peace.
Anyone who would take up the mantle after her would have a difficult time finding support to continue the fight for peace. Her father's moral turpitude would hinder his ability to garner leverage even if he wanted peace though he would more than likely side with the rebellion if it meant saving his own skin.
Hondo and Nishikawa thought this plan out well. Zuko was damned if she did and damned if she didn't, but she still had to try.
The princess held her head high and moved to her place to start the fight. She would not address the accusations or drama now. She had to stand and survive if she were to see her mission through to the end.
Lord Hondo smiled to himself like the cat that ate the canary as he made his way to his place in the arena. Captain Nishikawa then stepped up to explain the rules of the fight to those who may not have been familiar with Agni Kai. He made a great show of explaining how no one was to interfere with the fight or the victory would be given to the party maintaining the integrity of the battle.
When he mentioned the fight is to the death, gasps filled the arena for many were certain the princess was outmatched by the towering former serviceman. Either way, this battle would be decisive for the future of both the Fire Nation and the world many perceived. At the captain's signal, the fight began.
Lord Hondo feigned a kata to throw fire in a wave, and instead swung with his opposite arm to give Zuko a sucker punch to the face. The crowd gasped and someone even choked as Zuko stepped back suddenly and stumbled holding her face just under her scarred eye. She tasted the coppery tang of blood on her lips and nodded realizing she would truly have to kill the not-so-noble nobleman post haste.
Hondo snickered at the low blow and readied himself for what he thought would be a typical counterattack with the dull orange flames she was known for. Zuko, however, wasn't having it today. She skipped the fire and formed two energy whips that crackled and shimmered with fervent ardor.
She snapped the whips creating a deep ridge in the sand below her. The heat of the whips melted the sand and created glass along the sides of the ridges. Though her eyes were unseeing the deep gold irises burned a bright yellow. Her bending was alive and ready to do her bidding.
Lord Hondo's eyes blew wide once again in surprise at the princess of Fire who he now realized possessed one of the rarest bending abilities in the mortal world: Agni's Fire. For the second time in his life, the mysterious princess evoked fear in his heart.
He glanced at the ridges in the sand and swallowed hard. Those whips had the ability to do more than melt him if he got hit. In moments, Zuko spun as the whips moved with laser accuracy and snapped at his feet and around his head.
Hondo felt the vibrations as the iridescent beams of energy barely missed him though he was sure the misses were intentional and could have ended him immediately on contact. He dared not try to grab the whips or take control of her bending because it was unlike anything he ever felt or could describe. Her fire was not from the chi, it felt like the spirit itself.
Zuko's assault was relentless and she kept getting closer and closer the more he tried to dodge. Finally, in a fit of desperation and rage, Lord Hondo yelled releasing a wide stream of fire in her direction. She had to dive out of the way to dodge his attack.
As she got up Hondo released gout after gout of flame from his fist trying to disorient and drive Zuko back. He managed to keep her defending herself with an energy shield as he pushed her back away from the crowds and toward the wall.
Katara, Lu Ten, and Iroh were standing and watching the offensive with concern. If Zuko let her guard down for a moment, Hondo would use it to end her without hesitation.
Because Zuko used her special bending a victory from Hondo would set him up to not only end the peace talks but also overthrow the current regime of the Fire Nation because Agni's Fire is considered a gift directly from the deity. So, anyone defeating a person containing Agni's fire would elevate themselves higher than even a Dragon.
Hondo continued pounding Zuko with flames until she would release her shield. He would use that moment to send a flame that would ignite her and burn her alive. Zuko knew that revealing her energy-bending ability was risky. She knew that now more than ever Lord Hondo was desperate to defeat her for a variety of reasons, but she didn't want there to be a surprise to the witnesses when she used her energy bending in her final assault.
The flames rolling off of her shield caused the edges of her hair to singe and the hem of her tunic to smoke but she couldn't let up yet. Lord Hondo forgot one important thing about his firebending—he had to breathe to keep it going. He couldn't keep this deluge up for much longer and would have to take a break soon.
She felt his fire begin to sputter and knew Hondo was approaching his limit. Sooner rather than later the nobleman wheezed and coughed as he backed away from the princess out of breath and drained.
He had never run his fire that long and didn't consider that he would get tired so soon. Echoes of advice from his former master played in the back of his head. Fire comes from the breath...train your breathing first to master your fire otherwise your fire will master you... Hondo regretted ignoring Master Jeong Jeong's advice. He remembered a similar rebuke about how he was just like his father.
Now it was Zuko's turn. She formed a smaller energy shield and a sword of white fire. Hondo's eyes bugged as he now understood that the princess was nothing like his benefactor or the Fire Lord described. This was no weak or cowardly princess. This was a powerful warrior who had everything to lose. Hondo wasn't so sure that her nation truly knew anything about her and this woman turned enigma was about to kill him.
Princess Zuko practically danced around Lord Hondo striking and wounding the former soldier with each hit. She managed to strike Hondo in the shoulder causing him to cry out in deep pain as he stumbled to one knee. The crowds gasped thinking that this would be the end of the battle. Hondo breathed haggardly through his nose.
Briefly, Zuko wondered if he would surrender when suddenly Lord Hondo leaped from the ground and grabbed her hand holding the sword. He ignored the pain in his own hand as he quenched her fire sword and grabbed Zuko's wrist scalding her using concentrated heat in his palm.
Zuko screamed from the intense burning and tried to pull back. Hondo held her firmly in place and she released her shield unintentionally from the pain. Hondo grabbed the princess by her neck and lifted her easily off the ground as he released her badly burned arm. Lu Ten readied himself to protect the princess.
Zuko sensed her cousin was about to make a terrible mistake and mouthed the words,
"Remember your promise..." Lu Ten froze in place as tears of shock poured down his face. Iroh frowned deeply as he feared his niece was approaching her demise. Katara restrained herself as she uncorked the waterskin she kept just under her dress jacket.
She was prepared to impale the annoying Lord with an icicle through the heart if she sensed her friend was about to die. Lu Ten made that promise not to interfere, not her...
Zuko felt her airflow being slowly cut off. Hondo intended to kill her without using fire. He would destroy her with his bare hand and show just how weak and useless the line of Sozin truly was now.
Her death would be humiliating and demoralizing. Zuko knew she couldn't die like this—there was no way she would lose with so much at stake. The pain in her right hand was excruciating and throbbed from the new rawness and would surely scar. How would she finish this fight? Thankfully the princess wasn't right-handed...
Just before Zuko blacked out from the Lord's massive hand around her throat she blocked out the pain, lightheadedness, and fear and began to think of the glow and energy burning within her. She urged the power to build up in her left hand and increase.
The crowds began to scream and cry at the sight of their princess being killed right before their eyes. Many feared that the countries would immediately be plunged into war once again. Zuko convulsed and her eyes rolled as the lack of air made it harder for her to think. She gurgled from the lack of oxygen and her face began going pale blue.
Katara, the General, and his Lieutenant were poised to fight their way onto the arena and destroy both Lord Hondo and the captain if it came to it. Zuko allowed herself to go slack and fall back in Lord Hondo's hand.
The wily nobleman sneered as he watched the life drain out of the Princess of the Fire Nation and opened his mouth to gloat as he declared the end of a weak and foolish regime—
Zuko sprung up at the moment Lord Hondo released her to fall limply to the ground and she launched an energy dao right into his chest piercing him through the heart. Hondo stared silently his mouth gaping open in crisis and disappointment that he was tricked by the princess he assumed was dead by his hand.
He once again underestimated his enemy and it was his final mistake. Lord Hondo collapsed to his knees the energy dao still lodged firmly in his chest and cut up toward his neck as he fell down to the ground.
Zuko didn't wait to prove Lord Hondo was dead. She immediately allowed her energy dao to become fire in her hand and consume the fallen Lord to ashes. The stench of burning flesh caused the princess to gag as his body was engulfed with flames. She would not give him the opportunity to make a comeback.
The arena was silently filled with awe at the powerful princess who defeated her enemy not with brute force but with wisdom and skill. Captain Nishikawa who was so certain that Princess Zuko would be destroyed for her arrogance and pride attempted to run and escape out of a side entrance in the arena, but before he could get away, he was stopped by a dark metallic Jian at his throat and rock shackles on his feet and hands.
Sokka and Toph were just in time as the clean-up crew to prevent the captain from getting away with his crimes. He would surely be tried for treason this time and would not escape his attempt at the assassination of the former crown princess.