The Fire Lord glared at me. Then, realizing something was amiss, he began looking around.

"Ha!" I yelled at him, "You're too late!" I pointed up at the silhouette of the bison getting smaller and smaller, "The Avatar's escaped!"

He yelled something that I couldn't make out, and fired a huge fireball at the retreating figure. I pushed off of the ground, flew upwards, and punched the fire, making it dissipate. I landed in a crouch. "Why do you think I stayed behind? You aren't going to get him. Not if I have anything to say about it!"

Then began an epic duel of, to borrow the saying, "fighting fire with fire". I had many close calls, and a few times I was in a position to finish him, but that was the Avatar's duty, not mine. My father finally erupted in anger, and shot a bolt of lightning towards me.

I took a deep breath. I had done this before. I could do it again. I took up a defensive stance, and the lightning coursed through me. It was exhilarating, but it burned. I realized how exhausted I was. I aimed the lightning past my father, but the force of it made me fly backwards. I hit the rock wall, and collapsed onto my back.

He stood over me, chest heaving. "Are you regretting your decision yet?"

I groaned. This is it, dad. Prove that you care more about your son than your power. Please... I know you wouldn't actually... "I- I'm sorry, Father. I wanted your approval, but in wanting that I ended up on the wrong side. I'm not going to betray my friends. And if that means I will be killed by my own father, so be it." I paused. "But, you don't have to do this. You can forget about ruling all of the four nations, go home and live with your son and daughter. You don't have to face the Avatar, you won't have to- to kill-" I couldn't finish the thought. I could see his answer in his eyes.

The answer was no.

He held out his hand, but not for me to grab. A tiny fire burst to life. It was very concentrated, meaning if that even so much as touched my skin, I would burn, no doubt about it.

The hand descended down, coming closer to my face. Closer... closer...

I shut my eyes. I felt a searing heat, then heard a grunt. The thud of a body hitting the ground, and someone calling my name...

"Zuko! Zuko, Are you all right?"

I opened them again, and was greeted by a friendly face. "U- Uncle?"

He smiled and reached out his hand. I grabbed it and pulled myself up. "Giving up so easily? That's not the nephew I know."

My head was spinning. I groaned. "Wh- where did you go?"

"That's not important."

"Why do I feel so... drained?"

"You had already exerted yourself earlier, and piling lightning on top didn't help." He patted my shoulder. "As long as you don't do anything stupid, you'll be fine."

I smiled. Just then, a small movement caught my eye. I jumped up and ran towards my father. "No!" I thrust my hand upwards, catching his arm and sending the stream of fire that was meant for Uncle straight up. I brought my arms in and went for a roundhouse kick, which threw Ozai off balance, and sent him skidding across the ground. My knees buckled, and I collapsed.

Uncle ran over and picked me up. "What did I just say about not doing anything stupid?"

"S- sorry." Then I blacked out.

Zuko...

Zuko, wake up.

"Zuko? Oh my gosh, Zuko! What happened?"

I groaned and tried sit up. I was lying on my back near the camp. Katara leaned over me, her brown hair falling in her eyes. "Aang, come here! It's Zuko!"

Aang ran over. At least I know he's better. "Zuko! What happened?"

I looked around, ignoring the question. "Did- did everyone get out?"

"Yes, they're all fine."

I closed my eyes. "You got them all out. That's more than I could do..." Something was missing. "Where's Uncle?"

Katara looked concerned. "He's been missing ever since the Day of Black Sun. Don't you remember?"

I shook my head. "No... He- he was the one that... brought me here..."

She and Aang carried me into camp. "I think you just need rest." She smiled as she placed a hand covered in a layer of water on my forehead. "You'll be alright when you wake up."