Well, Downfall got deleted but like Prince Zuko, it has returned from exile. Though considering what happened to Zuko in this chapter, he might have wished that this story remained deleted. Fresh chapters are up here! Hotaru and Zuko have a nice little chat, Zuko finds out some interesting news and a visitor comes for a place little social call. Special thanks to Inkheart, my angel of the Pen, my beloved Beta-reader Sarah who patiently goes through my evil grammar and Paranoid Prefect for her help. I also need to thank all the people who comforted me when this story got deleted, Rednovember, Cala, Isaia, Booterfreak, Spleef, Airgirl, Arikesu, Mel, lbzwriter, this chapter is dedicated to you! Okay, this story is also getting much bigger then originally planned, but new possibilities keep attacking me past where I originally planned to stop. Special shout-out to Kishi, Kinterly, Whomever and Cala!
Confrontation
"Believe of me what you will
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
You know nothing of my life"
---Les Miserables
"How dare you touch my sister, you filthy peasant!" Zuko shouted, his fists clenching with flames as he took a threatening step forward. "How dare you even presume to raise your eyes to her!"
"Sir, let me explain. Please, this is not what you think," Jee said, backing away from Zuko. He had still not let go of Hotaru, but he was quite pale. Poor fool, if she was not so angry with her brother, she would let Zuko kill him.
"You have your dirty perverted hands on my sister! What in Agni's name am I supposed to think?" Zuko bellowed, throwing a flurry of fire at him.
"Sir, please hear me out!" Jee pleaded, trying to defend himself as best he could without committing treason against his lord.
"Insubordination! Treason! An Agni Kai is too good for a criminal like you!" Zuko raged. "How dare you even speak to me after your treachery?" There was that angry madness in his eyes.
"Sir, it was not my intention to do anything but comfort your lady sister, who seemed upset. I never dreamed to dare do anything that would impede on her honor!" Jee shouted, ducking another fireball from the angry young royal pup.
"My sister had the right idea of how to deal with insolence! I will have you flogged and then strung up for this!" Zuko roared, launching a stream of fire at the soldier, nearly singing Hotaru in the process.
"Be quiet! I have heard enough from you, Prince Zuko. You would be one to talk!" Hotaru snapped, finally letting go of her paramour. She hated her new clothing but did not want them burned.
"Hotaru, go back to your room. You and I need to talk, but first I need to take care of my ship!" Zuko ordered angrily, waving her away as if she owed anything resembling obedience to him.
"I am done listening to you, little brother! You are going to listen to me now!" Hotaru commanded. It was about time she started giving some orders around here.
"You are on dangerous grounds, Sister. I said get back to your room. I order you!" Zuko hissed, his fists glowing with heat. Hotaru knew for all his hot air, her brother was incapable of blood.
"Order me? That's a laugh. I take orders from no one, Prince Zuko. Least of all a spineless weakling," Hotaru sneered, folding her arms. "So leave the poor lieutenant alone. I kissed him."
"Have you taken leave of your senses?" Zuko demanded furiously, looking quite betrayed.
"I am done dealing with your pompous act of supremacy when you are nothing more then a coward. An Agni Kai? Why waste the time when you'll most likely beg for mercy again?" Hotaru jeered.
"What did you say?" Zuko hissed, his eyes burning with fury. Hotaru had hit his raw nerve perfectly.
"You heard me. I know what happened and how you got that scar. You got it out of cowardice." Hotaru inwardly ached at hurting her little brother like this. Perhaps she should stop. She wanted to, but something inside her told her to keep fighting, that giving up would show weakness. Hotaru was never weak.
"How dare you!" Zuko shouted, throwing a fireball over Hotaru's head, nearly singeing Jee, who was taking the opportunity to flee before royal tempers flared.
"You bowed to him and allowed him to do this! You didn't fight back!" Hotaru breathed, her eyes narrowing. She could not believe her own flesh and blood could be cowardly. It disgusted her to know that her brother could have groveled to that blaggard!
"He is our father and I am his loyal son," Prince Zuko hissed, his teeth clenched. His face scrunched up into that demonic face. The look of that scarred countenance disgusted Hotaru. This was not the boy she loved and remembered, this was a monster!
"You had the chance to fight him and you just lay there. By Agni, if I had the chance, I'd have my knife through his black heart. I'd make him bleed!" Hotaru said savagely.
"This is our father!" Zuko protested angrily.
"You're weak, Zuko. Ozai beat you, burned you, insulted you and yet you still are his obedient little pet. Why don't you just say it? Kick me, Father! Treat me like your property! Do as you wish, I'll still come crawling back to you like a dog," Hotaru spat, taking a step forward. "You are not worthy of the title prince!"
"I advise you to be quiet before I make you!" Zuko shouted, trying to cling to his authority. "I am your prince, I am your master!"
All doubts faded from Hotaru's mind. This was war. "Is that all you've got? I'll fight you if you wish, but somehow I doubt you'll agree. You need other people to fight your battles, little brother! You had a chance to strike down Father, to hurt him and you begged him for mercy. You would not fight him. If I had the chance, I would have given him blood for blood! You cowered in the dirt!" she shouted back, as another fireball was thrown a few feet from her.
"BE QUIET! What about Sakura? What about the person who walked out on her own flesh and blood, who told a sobbing child that she had no son! You follow her so willingly," Zuko fired back.
"She was right, she had no son. You are a pathetic weakling. I have to say Mother was actually wrong about you. He said Ozai would twist you into a form of him. You aren't even that demon's shadow. You are a spineless braggart!" Hotaru retorted, glaring at him. The more he spoke, the more pathetic she realized he was.
"You are talking your way into the grave!" Zuko shouted, assuming a combative stance.
"You talk big but you are nothing. You have no mettle for battle, you are a coward!" Hotaru jeered. Her brother was incapable of hurting anyone. She had the upper hand here.
"At least I'm not a mistake," Zuko said softly, his smile twisting maliciously as he touched on her weak point.
Now it was Hotaru's turn to pause. "Shut your mouth!" she said, knowing he spoke the truth. She had lived with that knowledge for as long as she could remember, but surely he wouldn't…
"You broke up our family, you freak of nature. Had you been able to Firebend, our family would have been able to stay together. Mother left because of you!" Zuko shouted back. "I was abused because you broke Father's heart. This scar is because I tried to hold this family together. I wouldn't have had to do that if you had been there!"
Hotaru paled and tried to slap Zuko. How dare he say that! A horrible feeling inside her knew it was true, but he still had no right to utter those words. Well, she still had the strength to fight back.
Zuko caught her hand deftly and threw it back at her. "I will not fight you. Use a carrier hawk to contact the captain. I am returning to the Fire Nation. You will get off my ship. You will get out of my life."
"My pleasure. Enjoy your life as a demon's kicked dog!" Hotaru fired over her shoulder as she stomped off. A tear trickled from her eye but she angrily brushed it away. Her mother had been right. Her brother was lost to her.
Zuko stormed back to his uncle's room, feeling like his entire world had completely shattered. Seeing the fury in his sister's face as she savagely beat that peasant disgusted him. Hotaru had turned so cold and cruel, so angry that Zuko barely recognized her. She had whipped that peasant till the boy was in danger of dying. She had accused Zuko of weakness too. He hated that cruel violent streak in his family, which he too had inherited. At least he had been ashamed of what he had nearly done to the girl. He had lost control and been in a violent rage. He had tried to repent. His sister had no shame for the cruelty she caused.
He hated his father for calling him a weakling, yet he had devoted the past two years on a suicide mission on his orders. Now he was returning to him. Would Father be happy to see him or just abuse him further?
His mother had abandoned him, completely breaking his heart and yet, Zuko only longed to fall at her feet and receive a kiss. He knew why she had left, to save Hotaru. Yet why had she cruelly tore him from her heart? Why had she changed?
Now Uncle, the only relative who had never hurt him lay dying. Why was this happening to him?
Some people were blessed with family. Some people had been blessed with happiness. Some people had been blessed with power. Some people had been blessed with friends. Zuko had all of these things stripped from him, one by one. Were the Gods trying to drive him mad? Well, one thing remained. He had duty to guide him. He would return to his people and lead them. He may not have happiness but he would lead his people into prosperity and good fortune.
He found Aiiro waiting for him as ordered. The little boy stared up at him innocently at him, as he sponged Uncle's forehead. "Is Sokka all right?" he asked softly.
Zuko did not answer; he was still seething with rage. "Back to work. Now." he commanded, sitting down in a huff. He had no stomach for idle chatter.
"What will happen when you return to the Fire Nation? Will they eat me?" Aiiro asked, ignoring his order. Zuko could hear his little servant's voice quivering.
"Fire Nation only eat their own young, not anyone else's. We just kill other people's children," Zuko muttered angrily, as he knelt before his uncle.
"Merciful Sedna!" Aiiro whimpered, beginning to sob. "Why do they want to kill me?" he asked.
Zuko rolled his eyes and turned to the little boy. Another reluctant sailor tossed on the stormy sea of fate. "Aiiro, nothing will happen to you. I will take care of you, so stop worrying."
"I just want everything to return to normal," he wept and flung himself into Zuko's arms.
Zuko reluctantly held the boy. They were so much alike, so helpless to navigate their own fortune. He had never thought of the Water tribes as humans like him, but Aiiro was such a sweet little boy. "I can't do that. But I promise I will make your life as happy as I can."
"How can you make me happy? You aren't very happy. You are so sad and angry. That makes me sad," Aiiro said softly.
"There is no point in you being sad on my account. Just concentrate on yourself and your task," Zuko informed him. "Keep cooling my uncle's head."
"Maybe if you let Katara and Sokka go home, you can come protect us. I don't have a brother anymore, but I can have you. Everyone is a lot happier at home. You could protect me.I would be a good brother to you," Aiiro whispered.
"Aiiro, you don't have to flatter me," Zuko muttered. No one wanted him; he had a duty to his people but Uncle was the only person who loved him. Why did this little boy care about him?
"I am not flattering you. I understand why you are so sad. Someone hurt you. I like you and I want to help you. My father said we have to help others," the little boy explained. He was concentrating on keeping his hands cool, just as Zuko had taught him. He was trying so hard. "Your uncle can come too."
"You can't help me, Aiiro. No one can help me. My fate is sealed. So is yours. We can only be what we are born to be," Zuko murmured, half to himself.
"I will pray to Sedna for you," Aiiro decided in a firm voice. "I have been praying for your uncle, and for my family but you need prayers too. You should not be sad. You are too nice to be sad," Aiiro whispered, removing his hands for a moment to rest them. He was shaking, poor boy. Bending was expanding too much of his energy. Yet, Zuko had to push him to his limits if he wanted to save Uncle.
"Why do you care? Aiiro, I hurt your friend. I did something terrible to her. You should not care about me," Zuko muttered, not wanting to get close to him.
"I know you are sorry because you are a good person. You saved my life. I can see you are sorry when you speak about it. I fight with my friends all the time. They forgive me after I say sorry. Whatever you did, I am sure you can apologize. Katara is really nice, I am sure she will forgive you. I'll pray really hard and everything will be all right."
"Your gods have abandoned you, Aiiro. My father will have no mercy on anyone who gets in his way. There is no hope," Zuko said mournfully as hee stared at the body of his uncle. Zuko needed his uncle to provide hope. Without Uncle, there was nothing but darkness.
"But you are good. You are the Prince, surely you can convince him to be good. You will be Lord some day and you will make peace. Won't you?" Aiiro pleaded, fixing him with those penetrating eyes.
"Enough talking. I am weary. Uncle needs our tending," Zuko could not listen to anymore of this. He already had too much on his mind. He was days away from seeing his father again. In his heart, he knew one thing.
He was terrified.
Zuko remained constantly at Uncle's side for the next five days, refusing to retreat from his Uncle's room. He had no urge to deal with the crew, especially Jee. He had no wish to see Hotaru again. Had Zuko not noticed that Uncle's fever had gone down, he might have gone insane. Luckily, Zuko was very good at remaining sane under difficult circumstances. He slept fitfully and only ate the food left by the door by the kitchen staff.
"Sir, you're brooding ... more so than usual," Ryota said, knocking on the door one time to check up on him. He had barely escaped with his life. Now the crew knew to leave them alone. Zuko liked being alone.
All right, so he was not completely alone. Aiiro had curled up in Zuko's arms. Darn that boy, Zuko was becoming far too fond of him. He had always wanted a little brother. Someone for him to protect and love, someone who he could play with. Someone small who could be a lookout while Zuko spied on harem girls bathing. Hopefully, Father would let him keep Aiiro. A captive Water bender would be so useful and Zuko could use the company. Zuko had been teaching Aiiro how to read, in order to keep the Water bender from going stir-crazy cooped up inside like that. The little boy had been allowed to wander around the deck for a few minutes every day, but he was still growing pale from lack of sunlight. As soon as they reached the Fire Nation, everything would be better.
"Who's there?" he heard a hoarse voice say. Zuko's sleep-deprived eyes lit up. His uncle was speaking again!
"It's me, Uncle. It's Pri…it's Zuko," he answered back. Uncle had finally spoken after five days. This was no time for titles.
"Zuko? Is he's all right? Ozai hurt him so badly in the Agni Kai. Is he up yet? I don't know how I shall tell him he's banished." Uncle muttered deliriously. Zuko felt his forehead. His fever had gone done considerably but he was still babbling nonsense about the past. "He did not deserve to be punished. He's worth ten of my brother."
"Uncle, I am fine. Please, rest. Don't worry about me, I am not worth it," he muttered.
"He has to know, but I am afraid it will break him. If something happens to me, give him the box on the shelf above and tell him, tell him how much I love him," Uncle pleaded deliriously.
Zuko could not help his curiosity. Removing his hand from his uncle's brow, he reached up to the shelf and felt the smooth ivory box slip beneath his fingers. "Nothing is going to happen, Uncle. I just want a peek," he whispered. "You can send me to the corner when you are up and about."
Zuko had never seen such an unusual box before and he definitely did not know how to open it. He smiled as he examined it. Carved into it was the story of General Jyou, one of Zuko's favorite stories.
Jyou had been the son of a wealthy clan-leader who had been the favorite of his father. Only he was allowed to wear a mantle, indicating his status as future clan leader. This preferential treatment had been hated by his half-brothers. One day, they kidnapped Jyou and sold him into slavery. They took his mantle and covered it with earth, saying an earth-bender killed their half brother. Each panel was exactly as Uncle had told him. Had Zuko not been so worried, he would have delighted in the story-box and woken up Aiiro to show it to him.
In slavery, Jyou was sold to the Earth Kingdom ambassador Ute and his wife. Jyou's natural intelligence won him a place of honor at his master's home and he soon forgot his sorrows. He began to grow comfortable in his exile. Zuko could not help himself but smile at the lovely illustration carvings. He almost felt like he was there. Jyou looked so noble and proud, carved to look like the hero he was.
He knew the next part of the story. Lady Ute found herself attracted to the handsome child of fire and tried to seduce him. Jyou refused to lose his honor to an Earth Kingdom whore and spurned her advances. As punishment, Lady Ute accused Jyou of trying to rape her.
Jyou was sentenced to execution. Zuko could understand the misery of Jyou's situation, sitting in a cold cell waiting to die for a crime he didn't commit. That was Uncle's favorite part of the story. "Jyou's family hated him and sold him into slavery, he had lost his freedom and soon his life, and worse, everyone thought the worst of him. He had been stripped of everything he had, every advantage he had. Why do you think he never gave up hope?" Uncle would ask each time he would retell the story.
Zuko stared down at the picture. He could sympathize with the hopelessness in Jyou's eyes, carved so elegantly. "Why didn't you give up, Jyou?" he asked.
He noticed now that there was a finely carved image of Agni in the corner of the cell. "Because he believed in himself, in the Fire nation and Agni," Uncle would always answer.
That was the key to the riddle. Zuko tapped the three images, the image of Jyou, the emblam of the Fire nation on his cloak in the first panel and the tiny image of Agni. Just as he believed, the box opened easily.
Zuko expected treasure, battle plans, something special as the last gift of his uncle. All it contained was a piece of parchment. He opened it, reading with eyes that went from curious to horrified.
My dearest and most precious Zuko,
Agni knows I should have told you this in person but you know how dangerous information is. I wanted to protect you. Each moment I denied myself telling you hurt me more than words can say.
First, I want you to know that I love you. I love you for the person you are, one of great ability, intelligence and goodness. You have a wonderful heart andthe soul of a true leader.Less importantly, I care about you because it is possible that you are my son. I know you will hate me for betraying Ozai and for keeping this from you, but I had to do this to save your mother.
We are unsure if the information is true, but either way, this does not make you any less a prince or a hero. Through hard work and honor, you have earned those titles. Someday, I hope you can forgive me. I will watch over you forever, as I have always held you in my heart
Father, no
Uncle, no
Iroh
Zuko's jaw dropped open as conflicting emotions coursed through him. Every thing he had ever believed was a lie. The man he had worshipped since the day of his birth was not even his father. He was not the prince of the Fire Nation, he was the illegitimate son of a general! The Emperor whose love he had craved was nothing more then an uncle to him.
A feeling of relief momentarily swept past him. He did not need the approval of his father. He had his real father's admiration all this time. He had often nursed the secret wish to be the son of the rotund general rather then the despot. Now it was true. He had no need to yearn for the love of someone who he owed no fealty to. He could hate Ozai and feel no shame about it.
Of course, if he really was Iroh's son, then everything in the last two years had been a lie. His whole life had been a lie. He was a bastard child of incest! He was the product of a cursed union, of adultery. He had no right to the throne. He had been conceived in sin!
Uncle was lying to him. He did not care that Uncle had never lied to him before. He did not care that he always had a feeling that there was a special bond the two of them had, something beyond the normal uncle-nephew relationship, or the way Uncle had willingly followed him into exile. He did not care that during all the important events in his life, it had been Uncle who had stood by him. It did not matter that deep down, Zuko loved his uncle with every fiber of his being.
Ozai was Zuko's father. Zuko was the legitimate son, prince and heir to the Fire Lord. This was all a plot by his family to drive him insane. By Agni, they were succeeding.
Marching out of the room, he went out to the deck. It was still night and everyone else was sleeping. Zuko had often walked alone, imagining his father was with him. He would imagine that they were talking, confiding to each other. "Father, I know you believe me. I know you adore me, you don't have to keep saying it. Oh stop it, you are embarrassing me! I love you too," he would imagine laughing as he pretended his father was talking to him. He knew he was talking to himself, but he did not care. It was worth feeling a bit silly to have a few moments of complete serenity.
Letting out a burst of flames, Zuko kicked and punched at the air. He had no idea who he was! Was he the prince of the Fire Nation or a bastard whelp? Was he the son of the man who he feared or the man who cared about him? Who was Zuko? More fireballs erupted as Zuko launched into a set of fire bending sets. He launched attack after attack, sweat pouring off him.
He imagined attacking everyone who ever hurt him. He imagined making his father respect him, making his mother adore him and making his sister into someone he could love again. He wanted to hate his uncle, but that was impossible. He hated himself, but his uncle he just could not understand.
He was not asking for much. All he wanted was everyone in the world bowing before him and asking for his leadership. He wanted to be the lawful, legitimate and worshipped prince, loved and adored by all. He wanted a family that was loving and a land that was prosperous and peaceful.
Another fire ball launched from his first. Who was he kidding? Zuko was fighting a battle that he could not win. He could win his father's respect this time, he had the Avatar. What would happen the next time they had a disagreement? Plenty of other wild goose chases to banish him on.
Perhaps he should jump overboard and end it all right now? He could not bear to live life on any of the terms laid out before him. He could not face the prospect of Uncle dying. He feared going home and living his life as his father's lackey, jumping at his every command and living life no better then a slave. He could not face his uncle, knowing that it was possible that he was filially dutiful to the wrong man!
Zuko's desperate thoughts did not last. Hedid not have the luxury of self-pity. Suicide was the coward's way out and despite all his flaws, Zuko did not accept cowardice. If he had to die, he would do it honorably in battle. The sea would have to wait longer for its sacrifice.
Footsteps flitted behind him. Zuko turned around and noticed the ghostly shadow of his sister walking to Uncle's chamber. He pretended he did not notice her as she went to check up on her uncle. He might have been angry at her, but she deserved a chance to see Uncle Iroh. He waited till her footsteps faded back to the rooms downstairs. He knew that she was most likely sharing a room with one of the soldiers. He no longer saw a reason to protect her. Let her live on her own choices, Zuko no longer cared. Who was he, a child of sin to tell her how to behave?
He went to the galley to get some food. He had a thousand problems on the ship, but he could at least deal with the grumbling in his stomach. He decided to take enough food to remain locked in his room for a week and crept back to his room. He was glad not to meet anyone and knbelt downby his uncle's bed. "I have no choice," he kept muttering as he checked his uncle's fever. He had no choice, his motto that had gotten him through every pain in his horrible life. He had no choice but to go on. The problem was, he did not know what going on meant. He leaned his head down by his uncle's hand. "I have no choice."
"Good morning, Master. How is your uncle?" a voice piped up. Zuko looked up to see Aiiro standing there, wiping sleep out of his eyes. How long had he been half-asleep here?
"A bit better." Zuko was never garrulous in his best moments and currently, he was feeling quite stoic. "His fever is breaking. He's sleeping better."
"I am happy to hear that. My prayers were answered!" Aiiro said happily, doing a little jig in place.
Zuko did not answer. He merely wiped more sweat off his uncle's face, his hands shaking. His prayers had not been answered.
"May I see Katara, Master?" Aiiro suddenly asked, his voice so hopeful as he moved closer to Zuko.
"No." Zuko was in no mood to talk. He was in no mood to even face the world.
"Please? They must be so worried about me," Aiiro pleaded, his large blue eyes boring into him. "It would be only for a moment."
"That is their problem, not mine. I said no," Zuko was not going to argue his point. He was not going to have Aiiro see that peasant's open sores and have Katara tell him what Zuko tried to do to her. He needed to have this child's comfort or he would go mad.
"I know Sokka is hurt. Please, let me see how he is doing?" Aiiro begged, his voice growing heavy with sniffles.
"Crying won't change my mind. I said no," Zuko repeated, turning his back so that he would not be tempted to give in. He himself could not face the pair of siblings he had so tormented.
"MASTER!" Aiiro suddenly shouted, his voice growing higher.
"Aiiro, in the Fire Nation, people obey their superiors! I said no!" Zuko scowled, not even looking at his little slave.
"That's ironic, coming from you!" said a voice that sent chills down Zuko's spine.
"Zhao!" Zuko whipped around, his hands clenched. That shaved monkey was leaning against the door, smirking. "How dare you trespass on my ship?"
"That's Admiral Zhao, Prince Zuko. Now how dare I come aboard your smelly little tub? Ever heard the expression, 'might makes right'?" Zhao mocked, walking inside with some of his soldiers. "It appears you've been unknowingly harboring a fugitive. My men intercepted a messenger hawk from a known pirate…the former Lady Hotaru to her mother, the former Fire Consort Sakura. Now, you know as well as I do that hosting them on your ship is a crime. So I took the liberty of protecting your reputation by having your ship boarded and searched. Perhaps you'd like to see who I found stowing away on your ship?" Zhao leered, enjoying the moment.
"Get off my ship!" Zuko shouted, motioning for Aiiro to get behind him.
"Keep your tone civil, boy. Right now I have two hundred of my men on the deck of your ship, two hundred more at the ready, eighteen cannons readily aimed at your ship. With a single order I could sink this pathetic piece of tin in a heartbeat," he drawled.
"You would not dare!" Zuko gasped. That cretin was begging to be torn limb from limb.
"Well, then don't make me. I would hate to disturb your poor uncle," Zhao smirked, waving a few sparks in the direction of the sleeping form on the bed. .
With a snort of rage, Zuko reluctantly followed the admiral to what he knew would be his doom. He would not let anyone hurt his uncle. Zhao was going to find the Avatar, Zuko just knew it. He had come so close, why was Agni doing this to him? Why was it all going to end now?
On the deck, Zuko expected to see the Avatar. Instead, he saw a sight that chilled him to the marrow of her bones. The other prisoners had been shoved on deck, the pale and wounded Water boy and his sister, but it was the center prisoner that made him pause.
Hotaru was braced between two soldiers, barely conscious. She had been beaten up, her beautiful kimono had been ripped and blood streamed from cuts on her face. All of Zuko's anger towards her melted away in a huge burst of fraternal affection. No one touched his sister and lived! "Let go of her!" he shouted.
"She's a wanted criminal. We'll be taking her off your hands, since you obviously had no knowledge of her stowing away." Zhao sneered. "Take her aboard. Prince Zuko would never go against the Fire Lord."
Hotaru shook her head slightly, as if to tell Zuko to let her go. That would not be happening. The sun would melt before Zuko allowed his sister to be executed! "You can't have her!" he commanded.
"Well, Prince Zuko, we have a choice before us. You can hand over your sister and obey the laws of your land like a good boy. You can refuse and face the penalty with her for treason against the Fire Lord. Of course, I still will have to search this ship to make sure there is no pirate loot hidden but then you can be on your merry way."
"On my ship, I will do as I please. Get off before I make you!" Zuko growled. He was cornered and everyone men knew it. Zhao had a warship and the boarding party far outnumbered his own.
"Then I will make the choice for you. You are and always were a traitor. You spoke out against the Fire Lord and defied his orders. Even after he dealt you with, treason is a practice you continue till today by harboring a criminal. Face the consequences like a man, if you have the spine to do so," Zhao gloated.
"I'll kill you myself! This time I won't hold back!" Zuko said, centering his body to begin fighting. Zuko could see his crew was behind him, but they were hopelessly outnumbered. "I defeated you before!"
"Choose your words carefully. Not only can I arrest you, Banished Prince, but I can sink this ship with your crew and uncle on it. A pity to lose such a distinguished general but I have a feeling the Fire Lord won't mourn too much. Either you come quietly or everyone dies," Admiral Zhao threatened.
Zuko paled considerably. He looked around him at the towering ship. He was aware of just how eager Zhao was to see him dead. He clenched his fists till fire emerged from his fists. "You would not dare sink the ship of the Heir to the Fire Nation and the brother of the Fire Lord. My father would kill you the moment you stepped into the nation," he challenged. He was shaking inside. He was not afraid, but his crew and his uncle could not be risked. He wondered if he could bend his way out of this. He had taken down nine Earth Warriors with Uncle, but two hundred warriors was impossible.
"The heir? There is no heir, banished prince! To your father, you don't even exist. He exiled you, remember? Scarred you for the whole world to see. Don't make this harder on yourself."
"Perhaps you require another Agni Kai to teach you your place? We can settle this honorably like warriors, if you wish," Zuko growled. How dare he bring up that subject?
"Ha! Honor won't save you here. An Agni Kai isn't an option... I can assure you, I'd lose no sleep by killing your crew, or your Uncle. Surrender the girl or yourself immediately."
Zuko did not hesitate with the safety of his uncle. "You have no honor," he spat as he lifted his hands in surrender.
"But I have you, your charming sister and the Avatar as my prisoners. I am sure that will bring me honor enough. " Zhao motioned for his soldiers to move forward. They restrained the prince's hands behind him. Zuko shuddered in spite of himself. So this is what it felt to lose all hope?
"Master, no!" Aiiro shouted, holding on to Zuko's belt. Why had Aiiro followed him? "Don't hurt him!" he shouted at Zhao.
"Slave, get back to my room and finish your chores," Zuko forced himself to yell harshly, hoping Aiiro would understand.
"Well, what do we have here? A little Water grub?" Zhao leered, stepping forward and grabbing Aiiro by the shirt.
"Don't touch him, Zhao. He's nothing to you!" Zuko commanded, trying to move forward. The guards held him back, jerking his shoulders back painfully.
"But he is something to you. I never expected you to like little boys, Prince Zuko. What else can I expect from a weakling? Can't even find a woman to satisfy your needs?" Zhao jeered.
"You filthy minded freak. Get your hands off him!" Zuko spat, continuing to struggle. Why was he trying to protect Aiiro so much! Did he really care about a peasant child? A blade was put across Zuko's chin, forcing him to remain still or get his throat slit.
"I will be giving the orders here, boy. Not you," Zhao sneered, obviously enjoying himself.
"He's a prince and you are going to be sorry!" Aiiro foolishly said, trying to get out of Zhao's grip. "You better apologize!" Zuko closed his eyes as if terrified to see what would happen next. Zhao was going to toss his poor little friend overboard. Aiiro kicked vainly, trying to get loose.
"Oh really?" Zhao asked, grinning savagely. "Well, little boy, watch what I can do to your precious little prince. I think a traitor should show some respect to an Admiral of the Fire Lord," he said, snapping his fingers.
Zuko hissed in pain as his feet were kicked out from under him. He fell to his knees hard on the deck. He seethed at this indignity. A son of Agni, the son of the Fire Lord was kneeling in front of this vile cretin. He shook with rage as the whole crew saw him humiliated. Murderous fury forced steam out of his nose. He squirmed, trying to use the heat from his wrath to melt the chains. "Master!" he heard Aiiro scream as Zhao held him over the bow.
"I'm afraid if you want your toy back, you'll have to ask nicely," Zhao taunted as he dangled that innocent child over the hungry ocean. Zuko figured the boy could swim but he would never survive the drop. Aiiro squirmed helplessly, completely at what little mercy Zhao possessed.
Every fiber of his body rebelled against submitting himself before this vile cretin. He was a prince, he was of the blood royal. Red Dragons do not beg from lower mortals. "The greatest duty and honor of a royal to give his life for his people. He rules them but only for their benefit," Uncle had told Zuko. That advice had gotten Zuko to speak up and get himself banished. Perhaps he should let Aiiro die, it would be a far easier death then what he would get at the hands of the Fire Nation.
He bowed his head slightly, his entire body shaking with humiliation, anger and pain. "Please, don't hurt him," he heard his voice utter. He could not remember wanting to say it.
"Hmmm, 'Please, don't hurt him?' To whom are you talking to you, boy?" Zhao enquired, squeezing Aiiro's neck till the boy cried out.
"Please, don't hurt him, Admiral Zhao," Zuko spat, the abasement searing at his very soul.
"Beg me," Zhao ordered carelessly, swaying Aiiro's fragile little body about like a rag.
"What?" Zuko shouted, struggling harder against his bonds. He had sacrificed some of his dignity but he had his limits.
"Beg me or I snap hisneck in front of you. Let us see if the 'son of Agni' will abase himself for a simple Water tribe spore," Zhao mocked.
Zuko felt his temper reach its breaking point. "I would rather die!" he roared, trying to shake off his guards. With a burst of flames, he found himself free of his guards. Zhao's two soldiers had landed far away, completely blown away by Zuko's display of power. "But you'll go first!"
"One more step, Banished Prince and your pet dies! Anything you throw he will bear the brunt of!" Zhao said, holding up his helpless human shield.
"You would hide behind a child?" Zuko demanded, disgusted he had been forced to kneel before such a dishonorable bastard.
"Why argue honor with one who has none!" Zhao retorted. "The question is, will there be blood on your head to match? One false move and I'll let you go to the Spirit World with the death of your sister, your crew, your uncle and your pet on your head. Frankly, it's an improvement over your soft-hearted life. I have every card in my hand, boy."
"You can take everything away from me except the right to choose my own way. I choose to fight back," Zuko said defiantly.
"Even if it costs your little boy his life? Even if it means you do it on the blood of your own family? I am almost impressed," Zhao mocked cruelly. "Then they are useless to me. Kill them all," he gestured with his free hand.
"NO!" Zuko shouted and did something that made him want to vomit. He fell to his knees on his own accord. "I…beg…you…Admiral, Zhao…spare their lives," he mumbled, the humiliation needling him like the lash. He felt hands restrain him again and slip ice-cold shackles around his wrists.
"See? That was not so hard. All right, I will allow you to keep your little pet for the moment. He serves as a good leash to keep you obedient. Now, where is the Avatar?" Zhao demanded, still holding Aiiro by the shirt. He had relaxed his grip somewhat, allowing the poor child to breathe.
"I have no idea. I only captured his companions," Zuko lied effortlessly. He could still have Uncle bring the Avatar in and redeem his honor posthumously.
"I've already determined the Avatar is on your ship. I suppose you've been enough help. I'll search the ship myself, thank you. OW!" Zhao suddenly shouted, knocking Aiiro to the floor. Zuko almost smiled as he noticed the admiral's hand was bleeding, courtesy of Aiiro's teeth. Zhao had relaxed too much. "Grab that damn Water tribe savage!"
"Master, I won't let him hurt you!" Aiiro had tried to rise to his feet but another soldier had already captured him. By his clothing, the solider was a Firebender, capable of incinerating the poor child. Zuko took a terrified breath. Aiiro could not die now, he was just defending his own life!
There was a long, terrifying silence as Zhao towered over the little boy. "That was very foolish of you. Surely, you aren't stupid enough to think that would save your precious master?" Zhao sneered, trying to staunch the blood.
"People like you killed my family. I won't let you hurt Master!" Aiiro whispered defiantly, trying not to cower.
"A little child, you think you can stop me? You have more courage then your master does, but you can't win this fight," he said softly, motioning for the soldier to stand a frightened Aiiro up.
"I'm the Admiral of the Fire Nation army, I serve the most powerful man in the world. Bravery will only get you more pain. I could kill you for what you did. I could beat you within an inch of your worthless little life. But I have an even better idea. Obviously, the banished prince needs to learn how to treat a slave." The Admiral turned around. "Truss him up as well and take them to the ship. Obviously this child requires discipline and I know just how to teach him some."
"NO!" Zuko shouted as he and his sister were dragged to their feet. Aiiro was supposed to be left behind!
"I seem to recall you also needing a lot of discipline. I suppose the fruit doesn't fall far from the tree," Zhao sneered. Zuko longed to wipe the smirk off that parvenu's face. Before he could speak again, Zuko quickly found himself surrounded by soldiers. As a prince, he should have been accorded the honor of walking before the guards, but he knew Zhao would not allow him that right. What was protocol for a captured prince? That was a question he should have pondered in etiquette lessons.
Right now, he was only pondering what Zhao meant by discipline. Aiiro had been bound, gagged and slung over a shoulder like a sack Having had numerous events of "discipline" at Zhao's hands, Zuko feared for his little friend's life. Aiiro was so small and fragile, he'd never survive a whipping.
There was a poke to the middle of his back and Zuko was marched up the ramp. He resisted the urge to look back at the people who had been his only companions these two lonely years. His soul ached with humiliation at this disrespectful treatment. What would Father think of this action, sacrificing himself for his crew? His steps sounded so hollow against the ramp, like the tattoo of a drum before execution.
He relaxed his thoughts and pushed his chin into the air. He was still a prince. He was still the superior of every man on board. He would be all right. He had survived worse then this, if they would stop poking him.
The annoying jabs to his back made him long to send a few flames back their way, but the cannons were still pointed at the ship. He could hear the snickers of the common soldiers. He wondered how they'd be snickering to have their hair set on fire. He would happily arrange that and much more.
He took deep breaths and tried to think of other subjects. A vision of his childhood appeared in his mind. He had once been asked what it felt like to be a prince. He never dreamed at that time that degradation and terror would be the answer. He did not feel royal now, he felt scared. He had truly lost everything.
At that thought, a hard shove from behind nearly knocked him off his feet. Had Zuko not had impeccable balance, he would have fallen most ignobly. As it was, he stumbled a few steps. "Welcome to the Iron Claw, banished prince..." Zhao said from behind in an unnerving voice that could freeze fire. "Take my lady to my room. I'll be in in to check on and I'm sure we'll have a lovely time together."
He would not dare assault…! "Hotaru!" Zuko shouted before a hard blow to his head made everything go black.
"Master?" a low voice said. Zuko weakly opened his eyes. Perhaps it all was a dream? Perhaps…no. He was a condemned prisoner, about to die. He could see the Avatar was unconscious and chained in the cell across the hall. Agni only knew what torture Hotaru was going through. Why had he even woken up?
Aiiro looked up at Zuko. "I thought they killed you," he whimpered, his chubby cheeks stained with tears.
"Not yet," Zuko mumbled ironically. "You should not have attacked Zhao. Things will go badly for both of us."
"I am sorry, I could not let him hurt you like that. I had to protect you. I didn't mean to get you into trouble. What is going to happen now!" Aiiro begged, his blue eyes wide. "Where is he taking us?"
Zuko sighed and allowed the boy to nestle in his arms as much as the chains would allow. "This isn't your fault. Zhao is a very bad man. He is taking me to my father.
"Then your father will help you. Everything will be all right. If your father is like your uncle, he won't let Zhao hurt us," Aiiro whispered, his eyes shining with hope.
Zuko debated giving Aiiro false hope, but understood that it would be kinder to be honest with him. "My father is going to kill me. I'll protect you though. I'll figure something out, Aiiro. I will not allow anyone to hurt you. Perhaps I can convince someone you are worth saving," he whispered back.
"Why would he kill you? He's your father, he should love you!" Aiiro protested, looking horrified.
"It is not easy to be worthy of his love," Zuko sighed. In fact, it was nearly impossible.
"What do you mean? Of course he should love you. You are a wonderful prince. I like you. Why does he think you are a traitor?" Aiiro demanded.
"My father considers me cowardly, disobedient and shameful. I am not as strong as he wants me to be in my skills in combat. He also doesn't approve of me because I disagree with him," Zuko mumbled. "In his eyes, I am not a prince, but a mistake. He calls me a weakling and a failure. I came so close to proving him wrong…"
"In the stories, people are born princes. That can't be taken away from them. Princes are noble and good, they bring happiness and justice," Aiiro said softly.
"Life is not like stories. In stories, fathers love their sons. In stories, there are happy endings. Life is an endless series of pain," Zuko retorted sternly, his voice tingeing with desperation.
"You can't save me, can you?" Aiiro asked, his voice quivering a bit. He buried his head in Zuko's shirt and began sobbing. "I'm scared."
Zuko did not have any idea how to answer. "I'm sorry you have to suffer." He was sorrier then he ever knew.
"What happens when you die? I wasn't there when my father died. The elders say you go to the Great Spirits in the sky. Is that true?" Aiiro whimpered.
"I don't know what happens. I wish I did." Zuko would like to know what would happen after the searing misery ended.
"Master…I'm so frightened," Aiiro asked, his tear stained face looking up at him woefully.
"I said I will protect you as long as I can. I swear to you, they will have to tear us apart, Aiiro. I won't let go." Zuko stared down at the little boy, who had made him feel so paternal and admitted something he had only said to two other people. "I'm scared for my uncle and my sister. I'm scared for you," he whispered.
"But we'll see them again. That I know is true. My father said that when we die, we see all the people we love who also died. My father will be waiting for me. I don't know how I'll tell him I didn't protect the village. It was my job and I didn't do it," said the terrified child.
"Your father will understand. It was not your fault. Fathers don't expect their children to be perfect," Zuko said, wincing. No father besides his own. He did not know why he was opening up to Aiiro like this. He supposed he had nothing to do but take what little comfort he could from him. "You are only a little boy. You could not do everything," he soothed.
Zuko was not much older then Aiiro. He could not do everything. At this point, he would have settled for being able to do anything.
The situation was hopeless.
AN-I can no longer can complain that the show is too mean to Zuko, I've brought past misery into the realm of torture. Next chapter, we get Katara and Aang's commentary on everything and both of them decide enough is enough. Sakura returns, what will that mean? Oh, did I mention that in two chapters, at least two people will die? Any bets on who is joining the Spirit World?