Chapter XI: The Battle of Agna Qel'a

Part II: The Battle of Agna Qel'a

Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

Kuzon cracked his knuckles as he glanced at the fleet of Fire Navy ships in front of the waterbenders.

The waterbenders had fought with tenacity and fierceness against the invading fleet. However, they were starting to get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of ships invading the monarchic kingdom. Some of the waterbenders were lying either dead or injured on the wall. The First Fleet was quite relentless in their constant bombardment of the walls. Cracks were about to form on the walls.

Katara was busy tending to one of the wounded waterbenders. She placed a bandage on the man's stomach wound and tried to wrap it as fast as she could. The waterbender's voice trembled with a bit of worry in her tone. "There are a lot of ships approaching us. We are losing numbers fast. I don't think the remaining twenty of us can take on all of them."

Kuzon turned to her and nodded. "You are right. We need an edge to get back in the fight."

Avatar Kyoshi then appeared in front of him and spoke to him. Let me take control of your body. I can wipe out about half of their force by my own bending. I just need you to relinquish control of your body so I can take control. "

Kuzon glanced at her in confusion. "Who are you?" The tall earthbending spirit smirked at the rogue firebender. My name is Kyoshi. I am one of your past lives. I will regale you with my backstory later. Right now I need an answer from you.

Kuzon then got off one knee and then gave the former Avatar a nod.. "If it will help us defeat the Fire Nation..then I will do it."

Katara glanced at her boyfriend with a worried look. "Who are you talking to?"

Kuzon turned to her and put a hand on the waterbender's shoulder. "Someone who can help." The Avatar then ran as fast as he could and jumped off the wall.

Katara's eyes widened in horror. "Kuzon! No! What are you doing?"

Kirruk gasped. "He..just jumped off." As the Avatar fell, he entered the Avatar State and let Kyoshi take over his body. His eyes were a solid white color. A large hurricane was keeping him afloat in the air.

It was so powerful that Katara and the other waterbenders had to cover their eyes.

The Avatar then floated over and glared at Admiral Zhao from afar. The voices of his past lives then all spoke through the Avatar. "Admiral Zhao. Your invasion ends here and now. You and your allies threaten the very balance of this world with your reckless goal. It all ends now! Surrender now or you will perish along with all of them."

Azula, who was at the Admiral's side, let out a dark chuckle. "Well this just got interesting."

Kyoshi, through Kuzon's body, then raised his hands.

Admiral Zhao then growled and pointed a finger at Kuzon. "You will not stop us traitor! You and your friends have just signed your own death wish!"

Kuzon just nodded. "As you wish."

The admiral then turned to his men. "Fire all the fire catapults at the Avatar!" In an instant, the men of the First Armada quickly loaded their catapults and fired hundreds of flaming projectiles at the Avatar.

Katara covered her mouth in horror. She wanted to protect her boyfriend but the water in the ocean was too far away for her to bend. "Kuzon! No! Get out of there!"

Kyoshi, through her control of the Avatar's body, raised his arms. Water from the ocean then rose to form a giant wall between the Avatar and the Fleet. Everyone stood in awe.

Kirruk fell to his knees in awe. "How did he do that? I know he's progressed in his waterbending skills but that level of power should be..unattainable at his current skill level."

Katara slowly came to understand what Kuzon did. He tapped into the Avatar State in order to garner enough power and control to use the ocean and bend it to his will. A small smile graced the waterbender's face. "As expected of my sweet flameheart..he always has a plan."

The hundred of flaming rocks impacted with the giant water wall and just stuck to it like glue.

Admiral Zhao's eyes widened in both fear and disbelief. "No! It can't be!"

Zuko, who was at the Admiral's right, just grunted and glared at the Admiral. "You fool! You allowed the Avatar time to enter the Avatar State! This is why you are incompetent!"

Admiral Zhao just shook his head and blew a horn.

Kuzon then glared at the three of them. "This place shall be your grave!" He then launched all the rocks back at the invading fleet. He then performed some hand motions. All of the rocks turned aflame.

Zhao gasped. "Damn it all! Everyone..jump for it!" He, Azula, Iroh and Zuko then jumped off the capital ship in a desperate attempt to avoid certain death. All of the men following their commands tried to do the same. Soon most of the ships in the fleet lay obliterated and smoking by the shower of flaming rocks. Some of the men didn't jump in time and were being burnt alive by the spreading flames. The First Fleet, as a result of the Avatar's attack, lay grounded and disabled.

Katara looked on in wonderment. "He did it. He disabled the entire fleet. We still have a fight on our hands but at least the defenses still stand. Sokka and the ground armies have a fighting chance now." She turned to look up at her boyfriend with a prideful look in her eyes. "You did it my flameheart. You really did it."

Kuzon, thoroughly weakened by the strain of the massive attack, then began to drastically power down. His eyes reverted back to their original state. The small hurricane that was keeping him upright soon dissipated. The firebender then began plummeting down to the ocean. He tried to waterbend himself back up to keep himself from impacting the ocean hard. "I..can't waterbend. Someone help!"

Katara gasped in horror. "Oh no!" She then jumped off the wall and glided over the water as fast she could, trying to catch him in her arms. She managed to catch him just in time. She glanced down at him and hugged him tightly, afraid to let him go. "It's okay. I've got you. I'm not letting go."

Kuzon was trying to catch his breath. "T..Thanks. I was almost a goner there. I owe you one."

She then glared at him. "I swear. You scared the hell out of me pulling a stunt like that. You are so lucky I was able to catch you in time. What in the hell were you thinking? You could have died."

Kuzon glanced at her and sighed irritatingly. "There wasn't time to think. Only one of us had the power to ground the Admiral's fleet. If I hadn't done that..we would both be dead. You know that."

Katara pondered his words and just nodded in agreement. She didn't like that he put himself at such great risk but she knew he was right. If it hadn't been for his Avatar powers…every waterbender including her would be dead or drowning in the water as a result of the First Fleet's barrage. The waterbender then flashed him a small smile and sighed. "All right fine. I'll give you that much. You did save my life and the lives of every waterbender on that bridge." She then sighed with worry and caressed his face with a hand. "Just fill me in on your plan next time. I was really scared of losing you just then."

Kuzon sighed and nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry I just reacted without thinking."

Katara let out a chuckle. "No shit." The waterbender then caressed his face in her hands and kissed him. She then pulled away at him smiling. "You are so lucky I love you. That is the only thing keeping me from scolding you right now."

Kuzon nodded back at her grinning. "I know. You got to admit. I always keep you on your toes."

Katara snorted and burst out laughing. "You are so ridiculous sometimes." She then gilded back over near the wall and jumped on it.

Kirruk and the other benders then glanced at Kuzon. "Hey man. Are you going to be alright?"

Kuzon got to his feet and tried to stand. However the attack had left him somewhat drained.

Luckily, Katara wrapped one of her arms around her shoulder in order to prop him up.

Kuzon turned to her and then to Kurruk. "I'll be fine. I..just need a moment."

Katara glanced at him. He's drained from the attack. It must've taken more out of him than he realized. I have to guard him like my life depends on it. She then turned to Kirruk with a serious look in her eyes. "Go. Take the other benders and reinforce the ground forces. There's no point in staying here."

Kirruk gave her a nod. "You got it Katara." He then raised an eyebrow. "What are you going to do?"

Katara then answered in a matter-of-fact manner. "My place is with Kuzon. No doubt Zuko is going to be looking for him. He can't possibly defend himself alone in the state he is in. I have to protect him."

Kirruk just nodded. "If anyone can protect the Avatar..it is you." He then turned to the other benders and threw up a wolf sigh. "Alright. You heard the chief's daughter. Let's go! On the double!" He then ran off with the others to find the armies.

Kuzon was still breathing heavily and was on his knees. "I'm..sorry. I had no idea that attack would take so much out of me." He then hung his head low in embarrassment.

Katara glanced over at him and shook her head. She put her hands on his shoulders. "Hey. It's okay. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for that Avatar trick you pulled." She then held his cheek in her hand and smiled warmly at him. "We're partners remember? That means you promised to have my back and I promised to have yours. I will always be by your side." She then glanced at him worriedly. "Can you walk?"

Kuzon just nodded and got back up to his feet. "I'm a little winded but I'm okay."

Katara nodded. She then took his hand in hers. "Okay I've got you covered. Let's get back to the First Army. They will need the backup."

Kuzon nodded.

Moments later

Zuko, Admiral Zhao and Azula managed to survive the Avatar's barrage attack. A large portion of the men managed to survive with them.

Chief Hakoda and the ground forces, along with Kuzon and his team, stood across from them. The old warrior glared at them. "You ashmakers have invaded our homes for the last time. It all ends now."

Zuko then glared at Kuzon and pointed a finger at him. "You monster. Do you have any idea how many men and women were stationed on those ships? Those were our comrades. Those were your people."

Kuzon had managed to regain most of his strength back and glared back at him. Everyone could see the fury and rage in the boy's eyes."My loyalty to the Fire Nation died the day your great-grandfather and his men killed my father and grandfather at the Southern Temple. It died when I had to just sit there and watch as my mother froze to death in my arms. I lost the first love I ever had because of your family's machinations for power. Do you have any idea how guilty that makes me feel? I had to just sit there and watch as your family murdered the people I care about and forced them from their homes. There were tears in the boy's eyes. He then looked at Zuko with a look of unregulated fury in his eyes. "I lost everything I had. That is not happening ever again."

Chief Hakoda then drew his sword. "For the Water Tribes!" He and the massive army behind him charged in to battle the Fire forces.

The two armies clashed with one another.

Kuzon then leaped at the Fire Prince and began engaging him in combat much fiercer than he had in their first bout.

Katara tried to run over to him to assist him but Azula blocked her.

Azula then glared at Katara. "I've been waiting a long time to kill you snow peasant. I'm one of the best firebenders in the world and you made me look like a fool. Prepare yourself for death."

Katara glared right back at the girl. "If you insist.." She then drew water to her side and began fiercely engaging the firebender in combat.

Zhao, meanwhile, took the moment to sneak out of everyone's path and head for the spiritual oasis. I need to sneak out now before the snow peasants catch me. Time to destroy the moon.

Kuzon's POV

The rogue firebender and the prince of the Fire Nation were engaged in fierce combat.

Kuzon sent a fire kick his way.

Zuko raised his arms to defend himself. The kick sent him back a few feet. He growled at the Avatar and then fanned the flames in his hands in a circular motion and launched the flames at the boy.

Kuzon then sheathed the sword from its scabbard and got in attack mode. Going toe to toe with Zuko in firebending is getting pointless at this moment. I need to find some way to wound him so that he can no longer firebend.

Zuko narrowed his eyes on him. "What's the matter, Kuzon? Is it too much heat for you?"

Kuzon just stared at the firebender with an emotionless look in his eyes. "Far from it."

Zuko then ran at him and launched a flurry of attacks at the firebender.

Kuzon managed to dodge each one of them. He drew his sword back and slashed hard into the prince's left shoulder. He then slashed Zuko hard in his right shoulder.

Zuko cried out in pain and fell down to both knees. He then looked at Kuzon with a hateful look in his eyes. "How..did you do that? I can't move my arms."

Kuzon glared down at his opponent. "Your rage makes you sloppy.. You lack control of your inner flame. I simply just waited for my opportunity to strike."

Zuko gritted his teeth in pain. "So do it then! Finish me! You know I won't stop until I have you in chains!"

Kuzon then held the blade close to Zuko's neck and was about to finish the job when his mother's spirit came to him. Lin and Mokabi then appeared before him as well, "Kuzon! Stop!" Kuzon then looked and met his mother's eyes.

The woman glanced at him with a saddened look in her eyes. There were tears in the woman's eyes. "Please little one. Put the sword down. Enough blood has been shed."

Kuzon turned towards his mother with anger in his eyes. "This boy and his family..they took all of you away from me. I have to return the favor. Honor demands it."

Lin then chimed in. "No. There is no point in this boy's death my son. Time then passed. The man who had us killed is long dead. His death is pointless. You can change the future of our people. Choose mercy and not revenge."

Mokabi then nodded. "Your father speaks the truth kid. We were wrong to ask you to avenge us. Don't do this."

Kuzon was now in tears. He dropped the sword. It clattered to the floor. He then fell to his knees. "So..what am I supposed to do?"

Ling then hugged him and put her hands on his shoulders. "You continue to fight for freedom like you have been doing. Keep doing what you were destined to do in the first place but do it for the sake of the world not for us. Fight for what is right."

Kuzon just nodded. He was dedicated to his family and he would follow their wishes to the latter..no matter what. He couldn't dishonor their memory. He wouldn't. The boy then composed himself and got to his feet. "If that is what you wish...then I will honor it." He then sheathed his father's sword.

Zuko growled at the Avatar. He was insulted that the Avatar wouldn't go through with killing him. He had been dishonored by his loss in their duel and death was the only way he felt could redeem himself. "You..are weak Avatar. Too weak to do what must be done. You dishonor your name. You dishonor the Fire-" The prince was then silenced when Kuzon landed a non-lethal kick across his face. Zuko then fell to the ground unconscious.

Kuzon then glared at him and spoke sarcastically "You know something your highness. You talk too damn much."

Ling smiled proudly at him. "Thank you little one. I'm proud of you. I know that wasn't easy for you."

Kuzon turned to his mother and traditionally bowed. "I could never dishonor the family name like that. I trust our families' judgment. I'm Sho until the end." He then turned and saw Katara in a fierce battle with Azula. She was holding her own against the royal princess but it was clear she was on the ropes. I have to get in there and help! He then ran off to assist his girlfriend in the fight against Azula.

Mokabi grinned at him. "Go save your girl my boy."

He, Ling, and Lin then disappeared into the wind. Zuko then passed out from the pain and collapsed to the floor.

Katara's POV

Katara had managed to fight the Fire Princess to a standstill.

Azula was fearless and relentless.

The thing was Katara was as well.

The two girls were of equal ability. Water and fire did cancel each other out after all. Katara was breathing heavily and on one knee. I don't know how long I'm going to be able to keep this up. I am good at waterbending but she is good at firebending. I need some help here.

Azula was also panting heavily and also on one knee. "Damn snow peasant. You are tenacious you know that?" She then sent another wave of flame the waterbender's way.

Katara was exhausted. She barely managed to summon enough water to defend herself. She then fell to her knees.

Azula then burst out in laughter and fell on one knee. "Getting tired are we? Well I'm not tired just yet." The royal firebender then summoned electricity to her hands.

Katara's eyes widened in horror. "What..is that element? I've never seen it before."

Azula grinned at her maniacally. "This is lightning. A more..pure form of firebending." The royal princess then sighed. "You were an honorable opponent Katara. I have to begrudgingly admit that at least. I didn't think a snow peasant would actually make me bust out my lightning bending. You should be honored to die at my hand. "

Katara said nothing and just eyed the floor. "Just..get it over with." She felt the tears come to her eyes. A faint smile came to her face. Kuzon. Sokka. Dad. I'm sorry I failed you all. I tried my best. It…wasn't enough. Kuzon. My sweet flameheart. No matter what happened today..I am glad I came to love you as I did. Thank you…for everything. She then closed her eyes, readying herself for the end.

Kuzon then intervened just in time, blasting away at the royal princess with as much flame as he could muster. This managed to catch Azula totally off-guard. She desperately raised her arms trying to defend herself and crashed hard into the ice wall behind her.

Katara then raised her head and opened her eyes. I'm alive! How- She then saw that Kuzon had saved her in the nick of time. He had taken a page out of Katara's book and encapsulated the princess in a giant water ball of some kind.

Azula glared at him. She tried her damndest to firebend her way out of her water prison but the water surrounding her had essentially nullified her firebending abilities. Kuzon just stared her down with a glare. "I should kill you for trying to murder my girlfriend but I made my family a promise. No more killing. At least not if I have other options. He then blew on the water and froze it into an ice ball. Kuzon then lifted up the ice ball and threw it hard against the ice wall. It cracked into pieces and Azula collapsed to the floor unconscious. Kuzon let out the desperate sigh of relief he had been holding. "I'm glad I made it in time." He ran over to Katara and caressed her face in his hands. "Hey. Are you alright? Please tell me your alright."

Katara just said nothing and hugged him as tightly as she could. She was shaking. She then started crying on his shoulder. "T..Thank you. I was so scared. I fought as hard as I could. Then she was about to cast that lightning and I was too exhausted to fight back anymore. I owe you my life. I love you my flameheart "

Kuzon then hugged her back and tenderly stroked her hair. "Of course my queen of the waves. I'm just glad I got to you in time. I've already lost one love to this godforsaken war. I..couldn't lose you. I've got you. I will always be here."

Katara just nodded in understanding. She then grasped both sides of his face and kissed him passionately as she could muster. She then looked at him with surprise. "So..I overheard you saying you weren't going to kill Azula. Does that mean.."

Kuzon gave her a nod. "Yes. Prince Zuko still lives. Granted he's going to be out of commission for a while. I rendered his arms practically useless." Katara gasped in awe. "How did you manage that?"

Kuzon shook his head. "Our abilities in firebending were equal so I had to think of an alternate route to beating him. I realized if I cut into his shoulders with my father's blade…he would essentially be left defenseless."

Katara tapped her chin in thought. "Wow. That is not bad thinking at all. That could come in handy in case I need to learn how to defend myself without my bending." She then beamed at him and batted her eyelashes at him. "Would you teach me how to use a sword?"

Kuzon nodded nonchalantly and smirked. "Sure. We just need to make it out of this battle first."

Katara then kissed him on the cheek. "It's a deal." She took his hands in hers. "Come on. We still have a war to fight."

Kuzon just nodded with a blush on his face and let his girlfriend lead him into battle.

Sokka's POV

Sokka and the rest of the troops were having a much easier time with the Fire troops. They had sustained casualties on their side and it had been costly on both sides. Sokka knocked out of the firebenders by thwacking him on the head with the hilt of his sword. He then turned to his father and shouted. "There are still a lot of them. Can we hold them all back?"

Hakoda slashed at the midsection of a Fire soldier and kicked him to the ground. "We have to try Sokka. Remember. We fight on until the end."

Aang was watching from a distance and shaking his head. "I'm sorry Gyatso. I know you would disapprove of what I'm about to do but I need to save my friends. I hope you understand." He then activated his glider and took off. He then flew in the middle of the firebender group, summoned a huge gust of air and centered it around his staff. He then slammed his staff right into the ground in the middle of the group. This sent many of them flying away into the distance and crashing into the snow and the ocean. Sokka and Chief Hakoda then looked at the airbender in awe.

Sokka gasped. "Aang did you just…?"

Aang sighed mournfully and glanced at Sokka. "I had to do what was necessary Sokka."

Sokka nodded in understanding. "Well regardless of your reasons, we appreciate the help. They had us for a moment."

Aang just nodded mournfully and just stared at his staff. What have I done?

Katara and Kuzon finally caught up with them.

Chief Hakoda sent the Avatar a glance of acknowledgement. "I take it the Prince has been dealt with."

Kuzon nodded and bowed. "That is correct. He is unconscious at the moment. The same goes for his sister. They won't be waking up anytime soon."

Chief Hakoda then chuckled. "Well you took out both of the Fire Lord's brats. I must admit. That is impressive."

Kuzon's eyes turned to Katara and he let out a nervous chuckle. "Well Katara was the one who fought her to a standstill. She deserves more of the credit than I do honestly. I..just helped out."

Chief Hakoda's eyes then turned to his daughter and he smiled. "Is that so? I'm very proud of you Katara. You really have turned into a fine warrior."

Katara took her boyfriend's hand and chuckled shyly. "Well..thanks..Dad..That means a lot coming from you." It was at that moment that the skies around everyone went dark red.

Kuzon looked around in alarm. "What happened to the sky? Everything has suddenly gone blood red."

Katara looked around with worry on her face. "This isn't good." She then tried to waterbend but found that the water wasn't responding to her commands. "Something has happened. I can't waterbend all of a sudden."

Sokka turned to her confused. "What do you mean you can't waterbend?"

She turned to him with an irritated look in her eyes. "I mean I can't waterbend."

It was then that Princess Yue ran over to them with a panicked look on her face. "You all have to come with me to the Sacred Oasis. Something terrible has happened. One of the firebenders managed to sneak into it and kill one of the waterbending spirits."

Kuzon nodded. He then grabbed Katara's hand and beckoned for the others to follow him. "Come on! We don't have time to waste!"

The rest of them then followed the Avatar's lead.

The Redeemer, Fire Fleet

Uncle Iroh scowled as he saw the skies immediately go blood red. "Damn it all! Zhao really did it! I should have stopped him!" The man then hurried off to the Sacred Oasis.

Sacred Oasis, Southern Water Tribe

Admiral Zhao held the dead form of Tui in a brown paper bag. "Finally. My purpose in life in complete!"

Kuzon and the others managed to catch up with him. Kuzon glared at the older man. "What have you done Admiral?"

Admiral Zhao then turned to the boy with an evil smirk on his face. "Something that you should have done a long time ago boy. I have killed one of the waterbending spirits. Now the Water Tribes are totally defenseless. My army may be dead or scattered and those royal brats may or may not be dead but it was all a means to an end. No matter what happens now…my name will now go down in Fire Nation history as the man who conquered the peoples of the Water Tribes!"

Uncle Iroh then walked from behind him with an angry scowl on his face. The man was usually calm and kind, however Zhao's actions had incensed the old general. He then pointed a finger at Zhao. "Zhao! You fool! The waterbenders of the Water Tribes aren't the only ones who depend on the moon for life! You just disrupted the spiritual balance of the entire world! The tides are receding all over the world! We all depend on the moon spirits for balance! You have no idea what you've done!"

The old man then viciously attacked the admiral. Zhao tried to defend himself but he was taken off guard and eventually knocked unconscious by the relentless attacks the retired general sent his way. He dropped the bag with Tui in it.

Yue gently picked up the bag and let Tui out of it. She gasped with a horrified look on her face. The fish had a huge burn mark on its body. Everyone looked on with sadness in their eyes.

Iroh sighed sadly. "And darkness falls up on the world once again."

Kuzon then heard Suzin's voice. Her spirit then appeared in front of him in the sky. There is no need to despair Kuzon. You can save Tui.

He looked up at her. "I can save Tui. How so?"

Get the princess to hand you Tui's body and let me do the rest.

Kuzon nodded. "At once." He then put a hand on Princess Yue's shoulder. The girl was sobbing. A long time ago, Tui and La had blessed her with the gift of life. Now she was holding the dead spirit's fallen form in her hands. "There is no hope anymore."

Kuzon turned her face to meet his. "Hey. Let me see her body. I can heal her."

The Princess turned to him with an uneasy look in her eyes but she did as he asked.

Sokka glanced at the Avatar confused. "Uh no offense brother..but how are you going to heal a dead spirit."

That was when Iroh turned to the warrior and smiled. "Your friend is the Avatar. As the Avatar..he is the only being in this world that can heal the wounds of injured or dead spirits."

Sokka gasped. "No way."

Kuzon's eyes then turned white as Suzin took over. He then sat himself in a meditative position in the middle of the small pond. At once, the pond glowed white. As the spirit energy transferred from the pond itself to Kuzon. The burn mark on Tui then slowly began to become less visible until it completely disappeared. Kuzon's eyes then reverted to their original state.

Tui then started flipping around.

Yue gasped with happy tears in her eyes. "You did it Kuzon! You healed Tui!"

Kuzon turned to her and nodded. He then felt a headache come on. "Oww my head."

Katara quickly rushed to his side and wrapped an arm around his, and brought him to his feet. "Come with me. You need to rest."

Kuzon was too exhausted to argue. He then gently placed Tui back in the pond and He then walked with Katara to a spot where they could sit down.

Tui began to swim in tandem with La. As the two swam after one another, the skies began reverting to their original blue color.

Katara cradled herself around his arm and sighed in relief. I'm just glad he is okay.

Kuzon had passed out, exhausted from all his endeavors.

Sokka eyed both Katara and Kuzon with a look of suspicion in his eyes. Okay. Those two seem closer than they should be. I have questions. Lots of questions.

Iroh let out a sigh of relief. "Balance has been restored."

Chief Hakoda then glared at the old general. "So what about you? You are allied with the Prince are you not? Why did you help us?"

Iroh turned to the old man and shook his head. "You have no need to worry Chief Hakoda. My name is Iroh. I used to be a general in the Fire Army but my days of searching for glory through war are over Chief Hakoda. I merely am here to try to lead my nephew Zuko on a better path. I'm trying to get him to forget his obsession with the Avatar. If he continues like this…he will lose everything that he has left. I know my younger brother. He doesn't care for Zuko. He sees him as a useless boy who has no worth in his eyes." Iroh then sighed. "He doesn't know it but his father once tried to have him killed when he was a boy. My brother Ozai has always looked down on Zuko. He forced Zuko's mother to abandon him at a young age. Then, Zuko dared to speak against his father at a war meeting and insulted one of the generals. The general challenged him to an Agni Kai."

Katara stared at the older man confused. "What is an Agni Kai?"

Kuzon let out an anguished sigh and placed a hand on her shoulder. "An Agni Kai is basically a firebending duel to the death. The two opponents fight one another until either one of them is..dead."

Katara gasped in shock.

Kuzon sighed and looked at his hands. "I remember reading about those. They are bending matches known for their brutality.. My people take honor very seriously. For a Fire Nation General to challenge a young boy to one…his crimes must have been serious.

Iroh then gave him a nod. "In my brother's eyes, Zuko's crimes were serious. Zuko had dishonored the name and reputation of the royal family. The only crime that Ozai thought was appropriate was death."

Katara gasped in horror. "Oh my spirits!" She then scooched herself closer and squeezed his hand a bit tighter for support.

Everyone was in shock.

Iroh then sighed. "Zuko..expected to face the general. He was..surprised to find he was facing his father."

Sokka's eyes widened. "Wait, you are telling me that Zuko had to fight his own father in a duel to the death." A shudder went down the boy's spine. Sure he didn't like Zuko one bit but that didn't mean he didn't feel sympathy. It was hard enough for him to be without his own mother but he couldn't imagine how devastated he would be if he had to fight his father in a duel to the death or if Hakoda had tried to kill him in his sleep.

Katara gasped in horror. I had Zuko written all wrong. I thought he was just a tyrannical monster. I never knew he had suffered through so much pain. He lost his mother too. Add in having to fight his own father to the death and…no wonder he is so screwed up.

Iroh nodded. "Zuko refused to and begged his father for mercy." Iroh spoke with a bit of bitterness in his tone. "My brother responded to his request for mercy by burning his right eye."

Kuzon's eyes widened. "That is why he has that massive burn mark on his right eye. It all makes sense now." He then glanced at Iroh confused. "Where do I fit in?"

Iroh nodded sadly. "My brother told Zuko that the only chance he had to regain his honor and prestige in our family was if he could either capture or kill the Avatar."

Kuzon nodded and pondered his thoughts. "I see. It all makes sense now. That is why he was so dead set on capturing me. He needs me so he can return home as a hero and regain his honor."

The firebender then felt a bit of sympathy for his foe. In a way, the two of them were the same. They both privately longed for the homeland that had cast them away.

Iroh then got off his feet and gazed upon the Avatar with a pleading look in his eyes. "That is why I ask you this now Avatar Kuzon. Does my nephew still live? He deserves a chance at a better life. He doesn't deserve any of this. "

Kuzon suddenly felt a bit of relief. He was now glad he had spared Zuko's life in their fight. He then stood up and gave the older firebender a traditional bow. "You have nothing to worry about sir. Your nephew is still alive. He is just unconscious. His sister is unconscious as well"

Iroh bowed back with a smile full of relief. "Thank you Avatar Kuzon. I am grateful for your mercy towards my niece and nephew." He then smiled. "Azula and Zuko..have both been misled by their father and fooled into his goals for world domination. They used to be so happy as children before their mother left them. Her disappearance really..unsettled them."

Katara nodded with sympathy in her eyes. "Sokka and I can relate to their experiences. We lost our mother to a raid by the Southern Raiders during the war. Our father had to leave as well when we were young. We..had to take time to adjust."

Iroh then turned to her and bowed in respect. "My condolences to you both. I hate the part that my people and I have played in starting this terrible war."

Kuzon nodded. "I suppose there are gray areas everywhere." His hands started to tremble. He felt a bit of shame overcome him. He had been holding in so much anger and bitterness towards Zuko that he never realized how much the boy had suffered. The firebending rogue then made a promise to himself. I will do everything I can to get Zuko on my side. He deserves a chance. Our situations may be different but we are brothers in a weird sense. Either way..it is no stranger than considering Sokka a brother. "Maybe Azula and Zuko can be reasoned with."

Katara turned to him with a nervous look in her eyes. "I could see Zuko doing it. I'm not sure about Azula. She is kind of crazy."

Sokka gasped at Kuzon in shock. "Kuzon..don't be serious. That old man could just be telling us all this just so we can let our guard down."

Iroh turned to glance over at Sokka. "I assure you young man. I have no reason or intention to attack you. I just want my niece and nephew to be safe."

Kuzon turned his head and glanced at Sokka. "Sokka. Be serious. If Iroh was trying to double-cross us, he would have already attacked us by now." Sokka glanced at Iroh with a wary look in his eyes. "Maybe."

Iroh then cleared his throat. "So now that the battle is over and you all know the truth..I would like to take my niece and nephew somewhere safe. You may do what you wish with the admiral. I have no respect for him."

Chief Hakoda then glowered at the older man. "Oh no. You are the enemy. I'm afraid we will have to take you all in."

Iroh turned to the man and pleaded. "Please Chief Hakoda. I promise you I will do my best to keep them from my older brother's influence. You have my word on this. I just want to take them somewhere safe."

Kuzon then put a hand on the chief's shoulder. "Chief Hakoda..I urge you to reconsider. This isn't right."

The chief turned to him and sighed. "Kuzon please. This man and his family are on the opposite side of this war. I feel sympathetic towards them but we can't take any chances. He is allied with the Fire Lord."

Katara then spoke up and looked up at her father with a fierce look in his eyes. "Dad. Kuzu is right. Did you not give Kuzon a chance to prove he wasn't an enemy? Did you not give him a second chance? This is the same kind of situation. This man just wants to protect his children. Isn't that what you wanted to do?"

Hakoda bit his lip, facepalmed and sighed frustratingly. I hate it when she uses my own logic against me. She truly is her mother's daughter. He then sighed and glanced over at Iroh. The man may be Fire Nation but he is at least honorable. He could've struck us in the back before we saw him but he didn't. Not to mention I can relate to his concerns. I felt the same for my son and daughter. He then gave the white-haired man a bow. "From one father to another…I am choosing to trust you Iroh. You may go in peace with your niece and nephew. I..hope to La that I never have to fight them again."

Iroh smiled broadly at the man. "Thank you Chief Hakoda. You honor me with your trust. I must go right away. Farewell everyone. I hope we will meet again under better circumstances." Iroh then walked off.

Yue smiled after him. "Well he seems like a pleasant man."

Kuzon gave her a nod. "Indeed. It's good to see I'm not the only one of my people fighting the Fire Nation." He then turned to the others. He then let out a sigh of relief. "It's over. Finally."

Sokka turned to him and chuckled. "Yeah you really came through for us. You and Aang both. I saw your little stunt there. You saved a lot of lives today."

Kuzon chuckled and waved him off. "I'm just doing my duty."

Katara smirked at him and cuddled him close. "Well I'd say mission accomplished."

Chief Arnook then smiled at him. "Well we were lucky to have you all on our side. We couldn't have done this all alone." He then rose out of his seat and grinned at all of them. "It has been a hard battle! It's time to celebrate!"