Chapter 9

A New Song

Klow shut the door, and turned to look at his enemy. The soldier in front of him, took off the Fire Nation mask and helmet revealing the face of Prince Zuko.

"Well, Well" Klow said, "Look who it is, Prince Zuko the banished prince, the failure and now the traitor."

Without warning, Zuko let out a fury of fire blasts. The flames did nothing to Klow as he stepped aside or waved them away with his hands. Zuko's temper raged as he looked at the man who was the cause of his suffering. Klow was the old General who he insulted all those years ago. Now Zuko had his chance at revenge by dueling the man he should have fought instead of his father.

"Two years at sea and all these months on the run have taught you nothing about controlling your temper." Klow taunted, as he got into his stance.

Zuko paused as he realized what Klow was doing. It was like Uncle had taught him about Fire Bending being controlled by the breath and not completely by emotions or strength. Klow was nearly as cold as Azula, and that gave him an edge. He was trying to use Zuko's temper against him. The banished prince let out a deep breath and let his anger go.

"Your father doesn't even want you." Klow said with an evil smile as they began circling each other. "and your sister has given the order to have you killed. No one cares about you. I bet if these Earth barbarians knew who you truly were, you would be under a boulder by now."

Zuko let the insults roll off like water. Klow was singing an old song that he had heard a hundred times. Now it is time for a new song with a different tone.

"Are you going to talk all day or are we going to do this?" Zuko said calmly

After Klow realized his insults were having no effect on his adversary, the real fight began. The Fire Bending master launched fireball after fireball at the young banished prince. Each shot that missed hit the wall and the fire spread. Zuko found himself aware of the imminent danger of the blasting jelly.

The highlights of the flames that surrounded the banished prince showed in his opponents eyes as they began to circle each other. Klow launched a two handed blast at the Zuko, who was unprepared for the attack. He threw up a shield of fire at the last second which stopped the flame from touching his skin but sent him flying backwards into a post.

Despite the pain he felt near the back of his skull, he stood up. Klow started forward as Zuko found himself adopting his Fire Bending stance. The next few minutes were a blur as the two Fire Benders exchanged blow after blow. Zuko's bending had improved drastically over the past few months, but Klow was more experienced than the prince and he was a Fire Bending master.

During the fight the Fire Benders moved up the stairs in an attempt to escape the growing flames below them. Zuko was amazed that the blasting jelly had not exploded yet.

Klow leaped into the air and used his feet to create a powerful blast and launched it at the banished prince. Zuko rolled out of the way and returned with a very powerful two handed fire blast, which missed Klow and blasted a hole in the ceiling. A few boards tumbled to the floor of the burning building.

The patients and Nurses now noticed the fight and the spreading fire around them. In a panic the sick and injured did their best to get out of the building. For some reason Zuko felt better that they were now out of this mess, but he knew he was far from it.

Zuko ducked another blast. Klow was now getting angry, he had not expected the spoiled, inconsequential Fire Bender to give him such trouble. Sweat dripped down from the prince's brow. Klow attacked again, this time with such a ferocity that Zuko was flung backwards. He fell to the ground, his eyes closed.

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Zuko opened his eyes, but the sight was not what he expected. He was back at the Agni Kai arena.

'Please, father, I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart!' Zuko heard himself say 'I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!' , his fourteen year old self knelt with his face to the mat.

'You will fight me for your honor' Zuko heard his father say as he started moving towards his son. 'Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!'

'I won't fight you.' Zuko found himself saying as tears started rolling down his face, he was now in his fourteen year old body. The cold emotionless face of his father stared down at him.

'You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher.' Ozai said as he raised his fist.

And Klow was the cause of this? Zuko thought as he saw Klow in the audience, his lips twisted into an evil grin.

'Father, please!' Zuko shouted as the flames erupted from his father's fist. 'No!"

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"NO!" Zuko shouted as his mind rushed back to reality. Klow was standing above the fallen prince much as Ozai did three years ago. Zuko was up in a instant, he let out a volley of flames so powerful, that for a second he could have sworn that he saw some blue while the flames had just erupted.

The Fire Bending master was thrown backwards, hitting the floor with such force that the already weakened boards could not hold him. Klow crashed through the floor and landed hard below. Zuko stared down the hole after his fallen adversary. Klow lay, covered by a pile of boards and gave no sign of moving.

Letting out a sigh of relief Zuko forgot for a second he was standing in a bomb. The banished prince started for the stairs, but it was too late. The fire finally reacted with the jelly and the building exploded in ball of flame. Zuko covered himself in a shield of fire and the force of the blast pushed him out a nearby window.

Landing hard in the dirt outside, Zuko slid for about five feet before he stood up. The crater that he left, looked as if a small meteorite had just landed. Smoke rose from his burnt clothing and the ground around him. Dusting himself off, he started walking to where the battle took place. Zuko stopped, as a young fire soldier lunged at him with his spear aimed towards the Princes' heart.

Zuko dodged the spear and knocked it out of the soldier's hand in one smooth motion. Then with his other hand, he sent him down into the dirt with a thud. The Fire Prince stood, waiting for the man to rise. But he did not. When he saw he attacked Prince Zuko, he knelt with his face in the dirt. What was said next, Zuko thought he would never live to hear.

"Please forgive me, Prince Zuko." he said, with his voice shaking. "Have mercy."

Zuko was taken off guard by the soldier's response.

"Why did you call me Prince?" Zuko asked, "I am banished and a shame to our country."

"Maybe to some. But to others in the nation you are a beacon of hope." the soldier continued. "Rumors of what you did in that war room three years ago reached the ears of those who oppose the war in the Fire Nation. Some believe you will return and take your father's place on the throne and restore peace to the nations."

He did not know what to say, this was all news to him. What did he mean restore peace to the Nations? That was the Avatar's job wasn't it? Zuko drew his swords and narrowed them down at the soldier.

"What is your name, soldier?" Zuko asked.

"Lan, Sir" he replied.

"Well, Lan you can go back and tell Azula that General Klow has fallen by the hand of her brother, Prince Zuko heir to the throne of the Fire Nation." Zuko said, sheathing his swords. Saying those words felt good. He was a new man, ready to take on what ever life had to offer. Azula would not have his throne. No matter what it takes.

With out saying another word, Lan rushed off into the woods. As Zuko turned to go off to the other men he noticed the battle ended and what was left of Klow's company was either laying on the ground or retreating off into the woods.

Author's Note: Well it was a short chapter, but an important one. I hope you enjoyed it!

I'll update when I can. (Which will hopefully be soon)