Prince of the Fire Nation and Shadows

I want to take a moment to apologize first about taking so long to update. I won't bore you with the details, but I have been having a rough year. It's all starting to turn around though and I am celebrating with this chapter. Enjoy and feel free to leave some reviews. Thank you.

Chapter 9: Shadows Cooler Than Flames

With Ozai, his father, as Fire Lord things began to become even more difficult for the lazy Osamu. It was sad to think that he, a man that was once widely known for his intelligence and skills for strategy , was scared. He was totally out of his element when it came to these kind of problems. Give him a life and death situation and he could figure his way out of it. But this was something completely different. With their Mother gone and missing, Zuko and Azula began looking to Osamu for more attention which forced him into a constant tug of war match between the two.

"Osamu, come firebend with me! My flames are starting to turn blue!"

"No! Come spar with me! You promised to join me in learning how to use dual broadswords! "

It was beginning to grate on his nerves as his siblings became more clinging. They refused to give him the space he desperately needed to hone his shadowbending. Even worse, they seemed determined to stand between him and his precious sleep! He desperately needed his space, but even his father seemed determined to get in his way with demands that Osamu spend time under his constant tutor ledge. It was obvious to everyone, even Zuko, that Ozai planned on making Osamu his heir. The new Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. It had Zuko resenting his twin at first, until Osamu confronted him about it.

Flashback

"Why have you been avoiding me, Zuko?"

"I don't know what your talking about," mumbled Zuko, not once turning around to look at Osamu, as he continued towards his room. "I've just been busy, you know?"

"Mmm-hmm. Sure," said Osamu with a bored voice. "I mean, Azula is even busier than you, but she always finds time to hang out, so spill it. Are you angry at me? If you are, I'm sorry Zuko, I never asked father to make me his heir. I'm sorry that-"

Zuko quickly swerved around to face Osamu, waving his arms to create small flames of frustration and anger that sparked in the air. "I'm not mad at you! I'm mad at myself," he cried. "No matter how much I try... I just can't seem to catch up to you! We're supposed to be twins, but you are so much better than me. Heck, even Azula, my little sister, is more talented than I am. How can someone like me compete with genius? No wonder father hates me and wanted to k-"

Zuko stopped himself from finishing his sentence as he looked to Osamu and his room doors, biting his lip before once again heading the opposite direction of his twin.

Osamu sighed. "You are being such a drag."

Zuko paused at this and turned around to face Osamu again.

"Really? That's all you have to say? How can you understand what it feels like to be a failure-"

"Shut up, you troublesome brother, and just listen. The world is a big place and there's always going to be someone better than you, better than me, which is why their are geniuses of hard work like you. People that have the drive to surpass all others because they had to work hard from the start. Now stop crying and whining, so you can show everyone what you can do. You are not a failure, Zuko."

Zuko just stared at Osamu before running towards him and hugging him with all his might.

End of Flashback

Things began to look up when Uncle Iroh finally returned to the Fire Nation and he was more than happy to look after Zuko. Sadly, Azula was not as easy to lose since she did not care for Iroh much and was just pleased to have Osamu to herself. She even managed to discover his secret. Troublesome sister.

Flashback

It was late in the day and Osamu stood in his room facing the wall where his shadow hung. He closed his eyes and concentrated. For a moment, nothing happened until ihis shadow suddenly began making punching motions and doing flips. It even came off the wall and began doing firebending stances and some old fighting moves from his old life. Opening one eye to see his progress he grinned at his success. This was a lot different than what he used to be able to do, but he was figuring it out. He realized he could manipulate the shadows like he could with fire but his own shadow was a bit tricky. It could only be controlled with careful concentration and by his emotions.

He heard a gasp come from behind him. Swiftly, he turned around to find his sneaky sister poking her head out from his closet.

"How are you doing that!"

"What a drag."

End of Flashback

In the end, Osamu managed to convince Azula to remain silent about what she saw. But it did not stop her from pestering and nagging him about it.

"You should tell Father about this!" and "You discovered a new bending and want to keep it secret? That's just plain selfish" and "This is a major discovery. There could be other shadow benders out there that could be taught how to shadowbend and fight for the Fire Nation. Our enemies will never see it coming."

"I have yet to master it and I will only tell Father after I do. Not before but after. Okay? Now let's move on to a more pressing matter. Why were you in my closet, you troublesome sister?"

Ozai's Thoughts

He had finally done it! After all these years of coming second to his brother...he was now the Fire Lord instead of that failure, who was without a doubt, drinking tea and weeping pathetically over the death of his son. Sure, he hit some bumps on the way towards the path of greatness: he had his father killed, his traitorous wife banished, and several servants that needed to be dealt with after hearing whispers of "Iroh is the true heir" and "Iroh should be Fire Lord". Such talk needed to be silenced before it spread like a disease and had the other peasants questioning his authority. For some reason memories of his father and wife took center stage in his thoughts.

"The Fire Nation is the most powerful kingdom in the world because of our family and that is because we know how to rule with an iron fist and never allow others to dictate how we command. True Fire Nation royalty never show weakness and they always know what is right! Never lower yourself to the point that you would listen to those that are lesser than you! Remember that!"

His father had drilled those words into both his son's minds and Ozai never forgot them. He lived everyday by those words and they made him strong, powerful. Only skill and accomplishment could determine a person's worth. That is why he favored Azula and Osamu.

"I wish Zuko and Osamu were Ikem's son!"

Ozai had to resist the urge to spew out flames in rage over his wife's insolence. Despite his attempts to be a good husband and father, she had refused to forget her old life. Refused to let go of her former fiancé. A man that was too far below him to ever be his equal!

'They caused their own downfall,' he reasoned to himself. 'My father denied my right to rule! And Ursa-'

"Father?"

Ozai looked to see his son Osamu come before him and bow.

"I'm beg your forgiveness for my tardiness, Father."

Ozai merely smiled at his favorite son and thought, 'I have no doubt that once the Fire Nation rules the world and I'm long gone, Osamu will be the greatest ruler in Fire Nation history, but he has a long way to go before he is ready to wear this crown. He still too soft and weak thanks to his foolish mother. When she was still here she poisoned his mind with silly things like love, kindness and peace. Zuko is beyond help but not Osamu. I'll make a Phoenix King out of him yet.'