The spirit in the iceberg6
hey hey! The long awaited (Agniki) is here! I'm not good a fight scenes so bear with me here. It plays by the episode pretty closely so I'm hoping to stop that as I move on with the story. Any questions? R&R
Rapunzel woke up panicking, not knowing where she was. She looked around the room, taking in the fire nation insignia and the metal walls. Then she remembered, and looked around for Jack. She was still in his room, he didn't return her to her cell. Hope fluttered in her chest before cold logic could push it down. 'No, he is not running away with you.' She told herself firmly. But, where was he? She wrapped herself in her hair and hummed the song her mother taught her so long ago.
Zhou confidently entered the tent, brushing the red cloth to the side. Without hesitating, he stood above the fire prince and said,"my search parody is ready, within a few hours, you will be free to go."
The Fire Prince's frown deepened and he looked at the commander with desperate confusion. "Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zhou laughed in disbelief at the foolish teenager's words. "You!? Stop me?" All humor disappeared from his face as he continued. "Impossible!"
The prince jumped from his seat and said,"don't underestimate me Zhou! I will catch the Avatar before you!"
Iroh rose as well, and said,"Prince Zuko! That's enough!" To the retired general, his nephew looked weak compared to Zhou, despite his advantage with youth. Zhou stood at least a head taller, and kept his cool in situations that the Prince would of lost it. But before he was able to say something to calm his riled nephew, the Commander spoke. "You can't compete with me! I have hundreds of war fleets in my command. Your just a banished prince with no home, no allies. Your own father doesn't even want you." Iroh winced, that one hurt Zuko.
"Your wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honor! And restore my rightful place on the throne."
Zhou's eyes narrowed and he spoke calmly, knowing that his words would only enrage the traitor further. "If your father really wanted you home he would of let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure, and an embarrassment to the fire nation."
Zuko's golden eyes gleamed and he said,"that's not true-"
"you have the scar to prove it!"
Zuko roared with anger and glared at Zhou. "Maybe you'd like one to match!"
Zhou smiled inwardly, this was going well. "Is that a challenge?" He couldn't hide his amusement at the thought of Zuko defeating him.
Zuko's voice lowered and he thought of his honor. "An Agniki! At sunset."
Zhou clenched his fists, "very well." Then he straightened and spoke with a polite tone, as though he was discussing the weather. "It's a shame that your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I suppose your uncle will do." He then turned and left, giving Iroh an opportunity to speak with his nephew.
"Prince Zuko! Have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?" Zuko, knowing what his uncle was referring to, said solemnly. "I will never forget." His voice chilled even Iroh, who was there when the past duel took place. Meanwhile, Zhou confidently walked to his quarters, thinking smugly to himself. 'Just as I planned.'
Jack stood on the deck of the ship, dodging men who were working on repairs to the ship. The speed of the men surprised him, he didn't think mortals were that diligent. Why would they want to be?
As a worker who's hair was peppered gray walked past him and Jack was reminded of the shortened lives of mortals. He was glad that he saved himself before he completely transformed. He chuckled at the thought of his hair changing color, what color would it be? He pictured himself with hair the color of the FireNation insignia and stuck out his tongue. Hair that red might even be more absurd that the golden haired girl in his room.
At the thought of her a strange warmth filled his chest and his still heart let out a pathetic pulse. Jack gasped and refroze his insides, preventing his new organs from starting up.
He knew he didn't have much time. If he didn't become a full spirit again soon, then his new mortality would take over. The clock was ticking.
An eerie silence hung in the air as the two firebenders finished preparing for the Agniki. Adorned in traditional gear, Zuko and Zhou kneeled facing away from one another.
Zuko's uncle spoke to him, "Remember your training basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapon." Zuko, despite taking the advice said,"I refuse to let him win." His determination was impressive, even if the odds were against him. With that, Zuko stood and turned around.
Zhou did the same, saying to the soldiers below him in rank,"this will be over quickly." More than honor rested in this battle, Zhou knew. The respect of his men was on the line as well. He had to win.
The gong sounded, initiating the battle to commence. Zhou and Zuko now imitated each others stance, and were eyeing each other dangerously. Zuko was the first to move, he created fire out of thin air, and shot a blast of it at Zhou. The commander stepped to the side, avoiding the hot blast with a smug smile painted on his face.
Zuko shot flaming blast after blast at Zhou, who dogged all but one. Zhou crossed his arms in front of him, pushing out at the fire causing it to dissipate. His smile was still there, growing wider with each failed attempt. If this was all the Prince had in store for him, this this would be an easy victory.
Zuko took a moment to catch his breath. When he realized that Zhou was toying with him, he spun and kicked out his leg in an eruption of flames and rage. Zhou spun his hands in front of him counter clock wise, redirecting the flames around him harmlessly.
He had to continue this, letting the Prince tire in his continued offense. He then stopped the repetitive attack by lowering to the ground and creating a dome of flames. He smiled widely when the barrage stopped.