Didn't See That Coming

by Rebirth of the Phoenix

A dull pounding filled Zuko's head while white spots flashed beneath his closed eyelids. He could feel that he was bound to something. His arms were pulled backwards from his body; so much so that his palms faced upwards and he could feel his shoulders protesting about the position.

He sat in the darkness trying to take stock of his situation. He could remember everything; Katara, Kaen and the ordeals. The thing he didn't understand though, was why he was chained up.

Forcing his golden eyes open his surroundings slowly came into focus. He was knelt on a rough stone floor and the four walls surrounding him were also roughly hewn from textured gneiss. In the wall opposite him was a large, plain metal door.

Lifting his head upwards, Zuko saw that the ceiling vaulted so high that it's limits were indistinguishable. Around the tops of the walls were small slits in the rock. These were the only places that light penetrated through. Zuko could see that it was just after sunset; he could feel the last vestiges of the sunlight leave his body.

Taking a look at his body Zuko saw that he wasn't looking too good. His armour was gone and the tunic he wore underneath was torn and singed in several places. When he shifted on his knees, not only did his shoulders ache but a sharp throb tore across his ribs.

Closing his eyes again Zuko breathed deeply. He calmed himself and focused his mind. He needed to find out where he was; although the humid air and burning torches of his cell gave him a pretty good idea. He also needed to find Katara and work out how to break through Kaen's spell.

Zuko tried to call forth flames in his hand. The fire had barely sparked, however when he realised that he would never be ale to move his arms enough to manipulate the flame; not without breaking his wrists at any rate. Whoever had restrained him had certainly known the best way to keep a Firebender from bending.

Thinking quickly, Zuko wondered whether the flames of the torches on the walls could be of use to him. Before he could even elaborate on this plan however, a rattling sounded outside his cell and with a loud groaning the door swung inwards.

Framed in the doorway was a figure that was most unpleasantly familiar. Azula.

Zuko's sister strolled idly into the room, flanked by a guard on either side. The princess looked down upon her brother with uncaring eyes. Her delicately painted lips curled into a cruel smirk; her face twisted into an evil mask.

"Well, well, well. My dear brother finally returns home and on his knees no less! I must say brother, I never thought I would see you in a position like this, but I really think it proves just how worthless you are."

Zuko growled lowly in his throat and tried to lunge at his sister. He realised his mistake when his abrupt movement caused his shoulders the wrench painfully. He heard a sickening crack come from his right shoulder, along with a blinding shot of pain.

Azula laughed cruelly. "Now, now Zuko. You may not want to move around so much, you might hurt yourself again."

Zuko, panting from the pain spreading throughout his body, glared at his sister. He tried reminding himself that none of this was real; but the pain in his shoulder begged to differ.

Azula bent down to his level and sneered. "I always knew you were a failure and here is the proof. You didn't bring the Avatar back, in fact you turned traitor to your nation! You deserve this Zuko. You deserve to rot away in the dark like the pathetic creature you are."

Straightening up Azula cast a disdainful look over her brother and turned back towards the exit.

Though her words had stung, Zuko fought against them. He tried with all his might to block the attempt to break him.

'I am worth more than any of them. They would have seen their own people die for the sake of a worthless victory. I did not fail myself or my nation. I succeeded.'

Zuko fixed his eyes on the torches in the room. Concentrating with all his being he inhaled deeply. The torchlight flickered. Exhaling, the fire rose. He repeated this over and over until the flames were pulsing in time with his breath and he allowed his eyelids to close.

Azula paused at the door, feeling the heat in the room change. Turning back to her brother, her mouth dropped.

Zuko was knelt with his eyes closed, while every single torch in the cell grew and shrank in a steady rhythm. Azula watched with morbid fascination as Zuko's eyes snapped open and the flames rose into a towering inferno.

Keeping his eyes fixed on his sister, Zuko guided the flames with his mind, imagining himself actually pushing the flames from his hands

The fiery trail streaked through the dank dungeon towards the shocked princess. She raised her hands a little too late and the wall of fire she pulled up to deflect Zuko's blast wasn't strong enough. The force knocked her and her guards backwards in to the wall. The three slumped to the floor, unconscious.

Guiding the flame back to himself, Zuko started to melt away the shackles around his wrists. He gritted his teeth against the heat and suppressed a scream when a piece of molten metal dripped onto his skin.

Finally, after a few strenuous minutes of extreme concentration, he was free.

Heaving himself up to his feet, he swayed slightly. Looking at his right arm he saw that his shoulder was dislocated. Groaning inwardly he gripped his shoulder with his left hand in an attempt to ease the pain. He knew he wouldn't be able to reset his shoulder alone; a thing like that required an extra pair of hands.

Pushing away from the wall, Zuko headed for the cell door. He spared a look a his sister. Although he knew that this was merely one of Kaen's tricks, he couldn't help but feel saddened by the knowledge that his sister would love an opportunity like this. She would never pass up the chance to torment him. Zuko wondered briefly when things between them had changed for the worst.

Disregarding the thought he stumbled through the door and headed down the corridor. The way was dim, a guttering torch placed at regular intervals down the passage.

Just as Zuko reached a flight of stairs leading upwards, he was overcome by a most peculiar sensation. It was as though molten fire pulsed throughout his body. Gasping slightly he fell against the cold wall and shut his eyes. A roaring filled his ears and he lost control of his body; he felt his limbs jerking and twitching as his muscles fought to keep up with the new strain on his body.

He didn't know what was going on but he knew it couldn't be good.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Katara's feet pounded on the dry earth. The comet's path still blazing in the twilight sky. It was surprisingly easy to make it into the city. Many of the soldiers were still battling against the comet's effects, and some were passed out on the floor.

Those who were non-benders provided more of a challenge, and Katara was extremely grateful she had the water pouch Sokka had given her. A few well placed attacks cleared the way once again and the Waterbender continued onwards.

The closer she got to the palace, the more populated the area became. Katara noticed some women and children inside some of buildings. Some were watching the sky in fascination, while others watched the girl running past warily.

All in all the journey to the palace gates was much easier than Katara could have ever anticipated. She flew up the sweeping stone steps and paused at the palace doors. Looking up at the sky Katara saw that the comet was passing the city; finally sinking below the horizon.

The Firebenders would be recovering from the strain of the comet soon, and they would be able to unleash the comet's power. She knew that she was practically sentencing herself to death by storming into the palace. She just hoped she could find Zuko and get out of this fear soon.

Taking in a steadying breath, Katara heaved open the palace doors and plunged into the unknown.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

After several minutes of having no hold over the thriving fire coursing through his body, Zuko finally felt himself regaining control.

He was clueless as to what had just happened, but for some reason he felt… invincible.

Pushing away from the wall he raced up the steps and emerged into an opulently decorated corridor. The familiar sight washed over him and Zuko felt a strange feeling being back in his childhood home.

Refocusing his mind in the task in hand, he started off at a run down the passage. The portraits and busts flicked past him, a blur to the hurried prince. However, something caught his eye and Zuko froze at one of the windows.

He took in the sight that lay before him. On the outskirts of the city he could see a barrage of people, thriving and surging in battle. He noticed the bursts of fire that came from his kinsmen were larger than usual. At the centre of the battle Zuko noticed that there was one fire that roared more furiously than the others. He knew without a doubt that that figure was his father and the opponent was the Avatar.

Was this what he feared? His nation failing in the war?

'Perhaps at one point I did fear this, but do I want my father to win anymore?'

Taking another look at the carnage below him Zuko grasped how much everyone had lost to this war.

Everyone.

Zuko's thoughts were paused when he heard a loud crash from nearby.

Casting a final look through the window he whirled around and sprinted down the corridor.

- - - - - - - - - -

The palace was immense and very confusing. Many passageways and stairways split from one another and countless rooms flashed by as she passed.

Katara had decided to use her speed to her advantage. Many of the guards were still a little confused about their newfound power and Katara praised the heavens for this small mercy.

Wheeling around a corner Katara found herself in a small chamber that led out onto an open balcony. However, the only exit was blocked by a Fire Nation guard.

Katara opened her water pouch and extracted a stream of water; normally a single guard wouldn't faze her. The problem was that if this man could Firebend, he would be extremely strong due to the comet.

Looking at the man warily, she waited for him to make the first move.

The guard moved closer to her and drew his hands back to his chest. Thinking quickly, Katara pulled up a wall of water just as the man attacked.

The water shield was not enough however, and Katara was forced to roll to the side to avoid the wide stream of fire.

She saw how much of a difference the comet made and even the man looked surprised at his newly acquired strength.

Springing back to her feet, Katara pulled the remainder of her water from the pouch; the man's attack had vaporised her previous shield.

The Firebender flung a large ball of fire at Katara and although her water whip deflected the flame, the force of his attack still knocked her backwards.

She crashed into a large ceramic urn and her head felt as though it had just split into two. Groaning slightly she looked up at the man.

Seeing that he was about to release another attack, she had no choice but to roll sideways; her bending source had run out.

As she rolled across the shards of pottery, Katara hissed in pain as the jagged pieces embedded themselves in her arms.

She felt the burning heat lick her face as she barely avoided the blast.

'Damn! If things don't get better really soon then Kaen is going to finally get her wish to see me dead!'

Casting her eyes around quickly, Katara found the chamber was completely devoid of her element. Darting to the side to avoid the fiery snake that came her way, Katara spotted several small urns on the balcony that were full of planted crimson flowers.

Almost sighing with relief Katara raced out onto the balcony and bent the moisture from the soil. Her results were meagre to say the least but it was certainly better than dodging fiery attacks.

Her attacker followed her outside and did not cease his attacks in the slightest.

Katara realised that freezing the water to block the flames was more effective than just water because her bending supply wasn't depleted as quickly; but it soon disappeared, nonetheless

As her final bit of water hissed into nothingness, Katara winced and stepped back towards the balcony railing. Her assailant smirked in triumph and ignited a final attack in his hand.

With nowhere to go Katara braced herself for the inevitable burning.

'Oh, what I wouldn't give for a rain storm right now!'

As expected, a blazing whip lashed out; but it wasn't aimed for her.

The Fire Nation guard hollered in pain and shock as a vicious blast of his own element sent him tumbling over the balcony and plunging towards the floor below.

Looking up Katara nearly cried with relief.

"Zuko!" She flew into his arms and held onto him for dear life.

Zuko wrapped his uninjured arm around her waist and embraced her with as much force as he could with only one usable arm.

"Katara, thank Agni I've found you. Are you alright?" He held her out at arms length and looked into her eyes.

"I'm fine, really." She noticed Zuko looking at her cut arms. "Zuko, really that's nothing."

Katara's eyes widened as she noticed Zuko's right arms was hanging limply by his side. "Zuko! What happened to your arm?"

Zuko scowled. "One of Kaen's tricks. Do you think that you can help me with it?"

Katara nodded uneasily. "Sure. What do I have to do?"

"Just grab it and shove my arm back into place. Do it quickly though."

Katara bit her lip. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! Now please, just do it."

Katara gripped Zuko's arm close to the shoulder with one hand and his forearm with the other. Zuko closed his eyes tightly and waited. With an almighty shove and twist, Katara relocated his shoulder. Zuko growled lowly and swayed as a shot of pain surged through him.

"Zuko! Oh my gosh. Are you alright? I'm so sorry!"

Prising his eyes open, Zuko forced a pained smile out. "I'm fine. At least I can use my arm now."

Looking out towards the battlefield Katara sighed. "How do we get out of this one Zuko? I've admitted what I'm afraid of failing, but it didn't make any difference."

Zuko shifted and looked at her. "Perhaps it's me." Katara shot him a questioning look. "If you've admitted you're fear then that must mean it's up to me to realise my fear."

"Do you know what you're afraid will fail?"

Zuko inhaled deeply and fixed his eyes on the large blaze in the distance that was his father. "I think I have good idea."

- - - - - - - - - - - -

I did have another part to this chapter, but I wanted to put an update out now, and the following part isn't quite finished.

This story is coming to an end, I'm thinking there will be roughly about five or six more chapters. What I would like to know in your reviews, is whether you would like a sequel to follow this up?

Let me know in your reviews!

Many thanks.