Force of Iron

Chapter 16

Hope Returns

The tension was thick on the deck as the two brothers stood on opposite ends. They both stood poised ready to attack. Each wore the same look of determination on their faces. To an outsider it looked like one of the brothers was looking at his own reflection. But there was no mirror, only two brothers about to fight over a country and the safety of a maiden.

Shifting his weight from one foot to another Ozaian unleashed a wave of blood red flame, which Zuko countered with his own burst of flame. It didn't take Zuko long to push back the force of heat and temporarily knock Ozaian off his feet. Ozaian soon got to his feet again and countered Zuko with a different attack, which Zuko managed to block and retaliate with an attack of his own.

The steady pattern continued for what felt like hours. Eventually both men began to tire out from the exertion on their bodies. But neither was willing to give in to defeat or settle on a tie. Despite the protest from their bodies they kept on pushing themselves to the limit. They fought and fought, knowing that the fight would end with one of them laying dead.

Ozaian was tired of fighting, he wanted to end this and return to what he was doing except with his brother out of the way. Out of the corner of his eye he spotted several of his men standing in the shadows of the doorway waiting for his command. He thought about just knocking Zuko to the ground and ordering his men to end him without hesitation.

But just when he was about to knock Zuko off his feet with a surprise attack a large and unnatural gust of wind blew the quarrel apart, knocking the two brothers off their feet.

` Zuko was more them tempted to just give in and let sleep consume him because he was so exhausted, but he couldn't, no, wouldn't give up. Too many people where depending on him. Despite his exhaustion and the exertion on his body he managed to find his feet. Slowly his eyes rose to the scene before him and was more then relieved to see his old friend Aang standing on the deck of the ship.

Aang stood between the two brothers, eyes darting back and forth between them making sure that he wasn't hallucinating and attempting to recognize the original Zuko. "What is going on here?" he demanded. His presence was much more affirmative since he had grown considerably in the past several years and his voice was much deeper and masculine. He was in fact a man now.

Through thick breaths Zuko said, "Aang thank goodness you're here, how did you know to come?"

Aang turned to him, glider clenched in his fist and orange robes flowing gently in the wind. "I received a letter of distress from one of your messenger hawks. I came as soon as I could. Now what exactly is going on here?"

Zuko reminded himself to thank Katara for sending out that letter, knowing it probably had just saved both of their lives.

Ozaian staggered to his feet and pointing an accusatory finger at Zuko said, "Him. My own brother, who has been hidden by my father for years, decides to overthrow me and take the thrown for himself while passing himself off as me, the true Fire Lord. Feel free to bring him to justice Avatar, for no punishment cruel enough will suffice for his crimes."

Aang continued to stare between the two of them confused and unsure what to do and knowing no justice could be served until the real Zuko was identified.

"Aang don't listen to him!" retorted Zuko, furious at how well his brother could lie without breaking a sweat.

"Avatar you must remember me, it was I who helped you complete your fire bending training and assisted you in bringing down the tyrant that was my father. Now don't hesitate in bringing him to justice!" said Ozaian almost shouting, while trying to hide his crazed eyes.

"He's lying Aang!" Zuko retorted once more, praying his old friend would believe him.

"Only the true liar would say that," commented Ozaian, while Zuko gritted his teeth angrily.

Aang listened intently too what they where saying wishing he had brought Toph along with him so he would be able to tell who was lying and who was telling the truth. But in her current condition she wasn't fit to travel, not too mention Appa wasn't feeling well and he wouldn't have been able to bring her along even if she was okay.

"No Aang he's my brother Ozaian, I'm Zuko. He's wanted the thrown for years and finally took action by trying to get rid of me and trying to rape Katara several times. Please believe me Aang the Fire Nation and the rest of the world are at risk," said Zuko slightly damaging his pride by begging his old friend.

Aang pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to think of a way to make the real Zuko known. Referring back to the days when they where younger he recalled a specific detail that he could only hope that the real Zuko would remember.

"The real Zuko was my fire bending teacher when I was younger, what nickname did I call him from time to time?" asked the avatar glancing back and forth between the two men.

Ozaian was dumbstruck he had absolutely no idea; this was actually the first time he had met the legendary Avatar Aang. He could feel all that he had worked and strived for begin to slip away. His only thought was how close he had come to achieving it, only to fall just before reaching the top of the mountain.

Zuko with a roll of his eyes said, "Sifu Hotman."

Aang turned to him a smile etching his face. "Glad to see your okay old buddy." Zuko just smiled back at him as a huge wave of relief washed over his shoulders.

Zuko wasted to time in calling some soldiers onto the deck to apprehend his brother. He planned to treat him as he had his sister and father, which was putting them through a fair trial and having them serve out their sentence with life in prison. He knew people would recommend just executing him for his crimes and eliminating whatever threats where left. But he would refuse too stoop to that level, he would not become a barbarian and kill his own flesh and blood.

When the guards arrived on the deck they looked slightly confused, because two men who looked like the Fire Lord stood on deck. One looked completely broken and devastated, while the other despite his rugged clothing looked very confident. Aang understood the predicament and declared Zuko the True Fire Lord who ordered them to take the imposter into custody.

The men did as they were told and moved to apprehend the imposter, while Zuko began to make his way for the upper levels to check on Katara and get back into his uniform.

Once the men grasped Ozaian by the arms, he cracked. His eyes shot wide open as his senses craved blood like never before and it was only his brother's, Zuko's blood, that he craved and longed to see spilt on the floor. Freeing himself from their grasp he grabbed a knife from one of the belts of the men and charged at his brother, screaming like a maniac.

Zuko heard his brother charging at him and turned around to find it too late and Ozaian stabbing him repeatedly in the chest. The pain he experienced in those few moments was indescribable as his flesh was pierced and his blood flowing freely out from him.

Katara shot up from her sleep screaming, "ZUKO!" as if she knew that something terrible had just happened. She felt her heart thudding rapidly in her chest and an odd pain grazing the skin of her abdomen. She had no idea what was going on.

Why would Zuko be in pain? Wouldn't he be…dead? Maybe it was just the memory of it?

Due to her current mental state she was in no condition to think of any other possible solution as to why she felt the things she was feeling. All she could do was cry and grieve for her lost love.

After several sobs escaped and more tears poured down her cheeks she suddenly felt the contents of her stomach come up into her throat. After a quick rush to the bathroom to empty the contents she crawled back into bed and sobbed into her pillow dreading the future that she assumed awaited her when Ozaian returned. Little did she know that Ozaian would not be coming back.

Aang, seeing his old friend attacked by someone that resembled a maniac, acted instinctively and blew a gust of wind at Ozaian sending him falling off the edge of the deck. Aang didn't even see what he had done since his thoughts where preoccupied by his gravely injured friend. He didn't waste anytime in ordering the guards to take him to the infirmary immediately and treat him before he lost too much blood.

Zuko lay on the deck bleeding profusely. His hands, arms, and chest where covered and continued to drip with blood, while his hands clenched his wounds as if to stop the bleeding even though he knew it was in vain. He cringed and buckled in pain as he felt guards lift him to carry him into what he assume would be the infirmary.

When he heard Aang's voice he immediately reached out and grasped his friend's wrist, not caring that his hand was covered in blood. He felt himself losing consciousness from the loss of blood, but despite his pain he managed to say, "Katara…make sure…she's alright."

Aang listened to Zuko's words knowing full well what he meant, then watched as Zuko's grip on his wrist lessened and his neck go limp as he lost consciousness. The guards carrying Zuko then rushed him into the hallways of the ship towards the infirmary while Aang rushed through the hallways searching for the room that Katara was in granting what he hoped wouldn't be his friend's final wish.

Ozaian panicked as his hand slipped a little farther down the rope he clung to. He had attempted to climb it but realized it was futile since the rope was heavily moistened by the sea water that constantly surrounded it. Every inch he did climb only led to him to slipping four to five inches down towards the dark waters that churned below him. He screamed for help or some sort of assistance but knew no help would come. It had finally come to what he feared most. Those loyal to his brother now saw him as the traitor he was and those against his brother saw him as a failure and would want nothing to do with him now. He had failed in many ways and the only satisfaction he got out of it was knowing that he at least managed to bring his brother down with him, or so he thought.

Suddenly a familiar figure appeared over the edge of the deck, dark eyes gazing down at Ozaian with hatred. Ozaian recognized this man as the man he asked to spy on Katara and report back to him her actions. He knew the man was fearful of him and knew he would do anything without question.

"You soldier, hoist me up now," Ozaian ordered.

But the man did nothing of the sort, instead he pulled a knife out of the sheath he kept on his belt and lowered the sharpened edge toward the rope, his movements slow and steady. Ozaian then knew that this man had no intention of helping him as well as that his death was close at hand, all he could say was, "Why are you doing this?"

As the man slowly cut the many small threads of the rope he said, "For the good of the Fire Nation and everyone you've hurt."

As if on cue the rope snapped falling away from the ship and Ozaian with it, only to disappear into the dark waters of the ocean never to be seen again.

A/N: Hello my dear readers long time no see. I am so sorry for the unintentional hiatus. Things just got so hectic with my life and school that whenever i sat down to write i just hit writers block after writers block. But now everything has settled down and summer has started. YAYYYY!XD. So i have already begun work on the next chapter and once when i am finished with chappie 17 i will begin work on the epilouge! After a little over a year i have finished the first fanfic i have ever posted, i can't believe it. Also to those who read my other fanfics those are in the oven too and i just want you all to know that I WILL NEVER EVER ABANDON A FIC I WILL ALWAYS FINISH WHAT I STARTED EVEN IF IT TAKES ME A LONG TIME. so everything will be updated in due time, plus some new fics. I've been saying that for awhile haven't i? But im working on all of it I swear.

I hoped you enjoyed this chappie. please let me know what you think any feedback whatsoever is appreciated.

Thanks for reading. Thanks a bunch for reviewing :)

-Till next time XD!