Four Elements

Stuff revealed, including Fire Lady Ursa, and people are probably wondering how exactly did Zhao survive his encounter with the Ocean Spirit. Many are probably also wondering the true identity of Usui. Anyone want to try, more specifically can anyone message me what Usui's name means. No hints here, just think about Avatar and go through translations and you may just be able to figure out a very serious spoiler about this story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar or any of the characters, if I did, I wouldn't be broke.

Chapter 4: The Fights

It was the day of the bout between Kuei, the King of Ba Sing Se, and Long Feng, the traitorous former secretariot of the king, and the arena that was constructed for occasions like this was full of the citizens of the Earth Kingdom Capital.

The people wanted to see the traitor receive his just desserts. Although the people would love to deliver the blows themselves, they felt that having the king represent them and everything they've had to go through would be enough. Some were skeptical that the king could hold his own against one of them let alone Long Feng, but they didn't speak out of, not so much of wanting Long Feng to win, as trusting their king's judgement.

Sitting in the King's custom view station was the Avatar's group, Iroh, Zuko, Ursa, Zhao, the Freedom Fighters, Jet included, and Usui, who carried a metal staff with him.

"Why did you bring a staff?" Katara asked curiously.

Usui just answered simply, "You never know."

"Who knew that this would be such a big event?" Toph said while trying to bear all the sound around her.

"If you look at what's happening, it's not all that surprising," Sokka replied. "We have the ruler of the Earth Kingdom and the man who was acting like the kingdom belonged to him fighting for the position of king. I'm still wondering about what he was thinking when he came up with this plan. I mean, wouldn't it be easier to just keep Long Feng locked up?"

"Although easier, Long Feng wouldn't give up if imprisoned," Usui explained. "He's the kind of man who will do anything to get what he wants. He'll just keep on trying until he finally has complete control over Ba Sing Se, or until he dies. In this situation, he finds himself at his greatest advantage," Usui started looking around. "An arena composed completely of earth, the element he bends, against a king who will use no weapons nor can bend. To be defeated in these conditions will make him give up on his tyranny, knowing that he can't beat the king and finally walk the streets as a normal citizen. Well, as normal as the people segmenting him in a crowd will be. That and the cell he was locked in will be vacant."

None could argue with this logic.

Kuei walked into the arena, in full battle attire and his glasses on, and the people cheered loudly.

Toph covered her ears.

Zuko noticed this and thought, 'I can only imagine how unbearable this is for her.'

Toph turned to where she felt someone staring, "What are you looking at Princess?"

"Princess?" Zuko asked, slightly offended. 'She gave everyone else a nickname, I guess she doesn't see me as a threat. It's a start.'

"Yeah, what of it?" Toph said rudely.

"It's better than being hated," he responded. He then muttered to himself, "Or feared."

Toph heard this and her opinion of him rose. 'He doesn't seem like the Avatar obsessed jerk Sokka made him out to be. Plus, he is Iroh's nephew.'

As Long Feng entered the arena, shackled and escorted by a Dai Li member, the people started shouting their disdain for him.

The Dai Li member unshackled Long Feng and he stood up straight, facing Kuei. "Two walk in, one a king, the other a criminal. When this is over, there will only be a king and a peasant," Long Feng paused and smiled arrogantly, "And that king will be me."

"There is no specification as to when we have to start, so you can make the first move," Kuei stated.

Long Feng wasted no time and sent a boulder straight for Kuei.

Kuei simply dodged as if it were nothing and jumped back a few feet. He then ran straight towards Long Feng.

The former secretariat was surprised at the king's speed and sent a mass of earth spikes toward him in defense.

Kuei flipped high over the defense and landed about two meters to Long Feng's left. He then rush over and double palmed him straight in the stomach as Long Feng turned toward him, knocking him back seven feet and surprising the citizens.

Needless to say, Long Feng was shocked himself, 'That blow felt like a war hammer hit at average speed.'

Kuei just readjusted his glasses and stepped back into his fighting stance.

Long Feng thought the king was mocking him and refused to believe that the king was stronger than him. He sent wave after wave of earth towards Kuei, which said person dodged with little to no difficulty. This just frustrated Long Feng as he kept up his relentless attacks.

Kuei watched calmly as each careless attack was sent towards him as he approached Long Feng while dodging.

In one last act of desperation, Long Feng sent an eight foot high wall of earth straight towards Kuei.

Kuei looked and saw many different places that could be used for physical ascension and jumped upon two of them before reaching the top and jumping and landing a foot behind Long Feng. Kuei then raised his right arm, swung his elbow behind him with great force and hit Long Feng in his left temple, effectively knocking him down.

As Long Feng was losing consciousness he heard one thing from the Kuei, "It appears that it is me stands as king and you that lies as a peasant." And Long Feng lost complete consciousness.

The crowd cheered excitedly, much to Toph's annoyance.

Everyone except Usui, Iroh and Ursa were completely taken by surprised.

Zuko expected the king to have some skill, but to best someone who, not only, could bend, but also had the advantage, in only two blow was enough to make his eyes widen slightly.

Toph herself thought that there was something about the king that was different, but she never really put thought about it much until now. The way he carried himself seemed to carry a grace that was rarely seen, or in Toph's case felt, in this world. She's seen four other people so far that could carry themselves so well. The first was Aang, not so surprising considering he's the Avatar. The second was Azula, no matter how she despised her, Toph had to admit this. The third was Iroh, as an experienced General this wasn't really a surprise either. The fourth was Zuko, the way he carried so spoke wonders to her as to how he's lived, he had to work hard to gain the skills he carried, as not just a fire bender, but as an experienced warrior. In this way she supposed they were alike, in that they both had to gain strength in their own ways, they had to work to be who they were today. 'Maybe he and I should spar sometime.'

Kuei raised his hand and the crowd quieted down, which relieved Toph.

The Earth king gestured for three Dai Li members. When they came he gave them an order indicating Long Feng.

The three members nodded, Long Feng up and brought him out of the stadium.

Kuei then looked around and started speaking a loudly as possible, "My fair citizens, I understand your fear of the Dai Li and disdain for Long Feng, but I will make one warning. I didn't particularly like his methods either, but as of now, his crimes are pardoned, with this defeat he will finally go back to living with nothing he earn through deception and trickery. The Dai Li, however will be peace keepers, under no circumstances, no matter how much hatred is held, will assaulting him will be allowed." Kuei paused letting everyone take in this information. Just as the citizens were about to complain again Kuei spoke out again, "This is not a law of favoritism, every citizen of Ba Sing Se has the same protection from this day forward. I will be having an open court for any kind of crime complaint. There is however one thing I've been meaning to announce. Discrimination of any form will not be allowed. The full explanation of the laws are written down within the courthouse. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. If someone has trouble finding the courthouse, there should be a Dai Li member nearby to help. I have said my peace for today. If anyone has any complaints with the laws they can speak with me in person during in the court, no one will be ignored." Having said what he needed to say, Kuei walked out of the arena with complete dignity.

The only thing Sokka could say was, "I'll have to check up on the laws, it sounds like he'll refuse to make exceptions."

"He won't," Usui said. "That's how King Kuei works. He carries no greed for power or wealth. If he had it his way, he probably would even be the leader of Ba Sing Se."

"Why is that?" Katara asked, her curiosity peeked.

"Because Kuei doesn't believe himself to be worthy of the position of King," Usui explained. "He sees everyone as an equal. Kuei has never wanted to be treated any differently than a citizen, but his circumstances of being king since he was young has left him with little to no freedom. That's probably why he wanted to ride on Appa, because that's probably the most free he's ever felt."

"I can understand the feeling of constriction," Zuko admitted. "As royalty, the majority are raised to think that they are better than everyone else. That just because they have a higher station that they can do anything else. It was that I valued soldiers' lives that I ended up being banished. I saw their worth."

Ursa hugged her son, "I'm sorry you've had to endure all of those hardships without me."

"Some hardships are worth it if you no longer live in confusion," Zuko admitted while embracing back. "For the past eight years I didn't know what I wanted. It wasn't until recently that my vision has been clear. I just wanted father's approval. Honor was never worth such hardships and sacrifices."

Ursa smiled, "You've become a great man." She then kissed his forehead.

This caused him to blush a bit.

Katara just thought the display was sweet while Sokka was thinking of poking fun at Zuko later. Both, however, were envious. Both knew that no matter how much time passes, the wounds of losing a loved one will never vanish completely.

Toph herself was somewhat envious given that neither of her parents showed this kind of affection to her. No matter how tough her exterior or how powerful she is, Toph is still a twelve year old girl and still wanted affection like this. This, however, didn't stop her from throwing jabs at Zuko's pride, "Ah, isn't this sweet, Princess is getting embarassed."

Iroh just chuckled at her antics.

"Maybe we should settle this," Zuko said calmly, letting go of his mother.

"Anytime, anywhere," Toph said, accepting his challenge.

"Since we're in an arena and it's been vacated by everyone but ourselves, how about here and now," Zuko proposed.

"Sure," Toph responded excitedly and jumped over the wall.

Zuko calmly walked over to the steps and went through the combatents' entrance. This took about five minutes.

Toph shouted impatiently, "What's taking so long, Princess?"

"This should be interesting," Usui stated.

"I agreed," Iroh replied.

Toph just stood there, waiting, when Zuko entered.

"Took you long enough," Toph said, still impatient.

"I decided to take my time and enjoy the surroundings," Zuko admitted. "I haven't been able to relax like this in quite a few years."

"What makes you so sure that it's a good idea to relax while fighting me?" Toph asked.

Zuko just smirked while taking his stance, "I never said that it was."

Without warning the two started. Earth and fire flew around them.

Both had mutual respect for one another, so to show even more so neither were holding back.

Kuei walked in his normal attire while they were fighting. He noticed the two were sparring and decided not to interfere.

Throughout the entire fight, Zuko found that he couldn't get through Toph's defense. Though he was thankful for his own agility which allowed him to be able dodge better than most. Zuko found that if he was to win this fight than he would have to get through her defense. This may be a spar but they were still testing one another's strength. He stood twenty meters from her. Toph was standing near the middle of the arena while Zuko's back was to the wall. In one last bit of desperation he started moving his hands in a pattern few have seen. Through the movement Zuko was thinking, 'Whether or not other people are here, as long as mother is here I will hold nothing back. If I lose, it will be with dignity,' with these thoughts Zuko finally felt an inner peace and when he finished the movements and pointed his index and middle fingers and his thumb together the last thing he expected happened. Zuko shot lightning straight towards Toph. He then heard a metallic sound as Toph heard the attack and put up an earth wall in defense. The lightning pierced right through it, causing dust to rise blinding everyone of the outcome.

Nearly everyone looked shocked at what they saw when the dust cleared.

End of Chapter.

You can only guess what happened. All I do is mention small parts and never their relevance. Anyway, R&R.