Force of Iron

Chapter 15

The End of it All

Even Zhao noticed how close Ozaian was to insanity. The possessed look in his eyes shook the former admiral's certainty. But nevertheless, he would finally be rid of the pest that they called Fire Lord. So with an almost careless gesture he signaled his men to kill the captive Fire Lord.

Instantly one of his men grabbed Zuko by his hair and pulled his head back, exposing his neck. While the other pulled out a short blade, which seemed to shine with a vicious lust for blood. But before the soldier could place the sharp metal against the tender flesh of Zuko's throat Zhao barked, "What do you think your doing? Don't do it in here you'll get blood all over the floor. At least kill him out in the hall."

The soldiers did as they were told and dragged Zuko out into the hall. Zhao, somewhat surprised at the Fire Lord's sudden submissiveness, shut the door to the room, leaving him with Zuko's near hysterical fiancé and edge of insanity twin. They stood there in silence for several moments. The only sounds coming from Katara's sobs that she was trying to hold back. Then suddenly several discreet noises were heard from out in the hall. Most of them they were unable to decipher. But the most profound one was a body hitting the ground hard, most likely dead or unconscious.

The two men let out a small sigh of relief and satisfaction, figuring that their long term enemy was finally dead.

Ozaian, still holding Katara against the wall, felt her body go limp in his grasp. Her eyes were open yet empty and her tear stained face seemed almost lifeless except for her shallow breathing. Even though Zhao didn't care about the betrothed water maiden he could tell that she had gone into a state of shock, knowing that her fiancé was now dead and gone. He had seen it many times when he had executed people in front of their loved ones.

Ozaian carelessly placed Katara on her bed, where she lay like a lifeless doll. A devilish smirk etched the features on his face, knowing that the next time he advanced on her she wouldn't be able to say no. But he knew that it would have to wait, first he had to settle some kinks in his contract with Zhao.

Ozaian turned to Zhao and said, "So what problems do you have with our contract?"

"No problems at all, just a question concerning our bargain. But shall we discuss this out on deck; I have a ship waiting for me. It won't take that long, I see you'll want to finish what you started," he said, glancing at Katara.

Ozaian nodded and the two men proceeded out into the hallway, closing the door behind them.

Upon hearing the thudding sound of the door to Katara's room closing. Zuko hastened his efforts in shoving the second unconscious body of Zhao's guard into the small supply closet.

It wasn't easy breaking free of their grasp and knocking them out. But the fact that he was able to do so gave him a sense of security that Elsa's medicine worked. He had never been that close to death in a while. Usually he didn't fear death, but the thought of leaving his Katara in the hands of his brother sickened him. Mostly because he swore to himself that he would never let that happen to her.

Hearing the footsteps approaching his position he practically threw the guard into the cramped closet and shut the door, breaking the knob off so they couldn't get out easily. The footsteps were getting closer and he quickly turned a corner down the dark corridor, hiding amongst the shadows.

He knew it was Zhao and Ozaian; there was no mistaking their voices. They were conversing as they passed the corridor were he was hidden. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he knew it had something to do with their alliance. Ozaian was practically overthrowing him by giving Zhao power.

Once that thought came to mind he knew then that he had to destroy Ozaian himself. Not kill him, seeing for himself that it brought bad luck, but overall end his destructive reign.

Seeing that the two men were far down the hallway, he crept out of his hiding spot and followed them, staying hidden among the shadows.

The two men proceeded out onto the deck, overhead the sky was a clear blue with sparse white clouds. They both considered it a good sign for them, or so they thought.

"So to answer your question, now that my brother is disposed of we can proceed to the Fire Nation Capital, were I will wed his fiancé, whether she likes it or not. While your men, my men and other rogue leaders will be attacking the largest port city in the Fire Nation. Afterwards we will convince the people to go to war with the earth kingdom, and thus picking up where my father left off. Except this time we will force the Water Tribes to cooperate since I will have wed a member of their tribes. I will be called Fire Lord and you will be named my head general. Does that sound good to you?" he asked holding out his hand for Zhao to shake.

"It sounds excellent," he said shaking his hand. "I look forward to the future that's in store for us."

"I wouldn't say that just yet Zhao," said a voice from the doorway. Both men turned toward the source of the voice and were quite surprised to see Zuko standing there alive with hardly a scratch on him. At first they thought they were seeing a ghost, since they assumed he was dead. But then they realized that they had been tricked. When they walked out into the hallway they should have taken into notice the missing guards and the lack of blood spilled out on the floor. They cursed themselves for their insolence.

Ozaian was about to raise his voice and call for his men, since they were alone on deck, but Zuko cut him off and said, "Don't even think about it Ozaian. We are settling this here and now. I challenge you to an Agni Kai, winner takes all."

Ozaian threw his head back and let out a sarcastic laugh. Zuko couldn't help but notice how it sounded just like Azula's when she lost her sanity. But nevertheless Zuko said, "I mean it Ozaian, winner takes all, the throne and the Fire Nation."

Zuko never thought that he would never have to do something like this again: fight a sibling for the thrown. But he had no choice, the thrown was rightfully his, he was the firstborn son, not Ozaian. He knew he had the advantage over Ozaian. He was sane, Ozaian wasn't. He knew he would win, he had to win.

Ozaian let out a scoff and said, "You're on brother!"

A/N: So what did you guys think? I now its short, but when I was writing the outlines for this chapter it just turned out short. I guess its because I like to leave cliffhangers.

But anyway I would like to thank all of you guys for the wonderful, wonderful reviews you left me, as well as the favs and the alerts. And I am ashamed that I didn't update sooner. But if it makes up for my laziness the next chapter will be a lot more action packed and a special appearance by someone important, who has yet to show himself ...or herself. And if you like my stories I will soon be uploading the first chapter of a new fic I am writing.

An old reviewer told me that my stories are different. I have to admit that is what I aim for, because to be honest I get tired of overused plots. So I try to think outside the box, starting with,"What is a plot that people hardly ever use?". That and my imagination is where it usually begins. And I have gotten off track. Anyway my new fic is also a very different plot, or at least that is what I hope it will be. Its Zutara so if you like zutara there is no need to worry about checking it out.

Jeez I talk a lot. I'm going to let you all get back to your lives now. Thanks for reading. Thanks a bunch for reviewing.

-See ya!!