Book 1: Water

Thank you, to everyone who reads this. Seriously, I love you guys. You're all the best.

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Book 1: Chapter 5

After Zhao left, they were left alone for hours. Iroh seemed happy enough, but Zuko and Rhian spent the time stewing in their anger. Rhian couldn't sit still and paced around the room muttering insults and threats under her breath. Finally, finally, Zhao came back.

"My search party is ready." He said. "Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go."

"Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?" Zuko snarled.

Zhao laughed. "You? Stop me? Impossible."

"It's a legitimate question, Zhao." Rhian snapped, prowling the back of the tent. "If we're not a threat to your glorious achievement, then why did you keep us here?"

"You aren't a threat, girl. Neither of you. Don't ever assume you are."

"Do not underestimate me, Zhao." Zuko shot to his feet. "I will capture the Avatar before you!"

"Rhian, Prince Zuko, that's enough." Iroh said firmly as they both took a step towards the Commander. Rhian glanced at him, but didn't step back.

"You can't compete with me." Zhao scoffed.

"Watch us." Rhian snarled.

"I have hundreds of warships at my command, and you… you're just a banished prince and an orphan girl. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you, Zuko."
Rhian snarled, making to jump over the table, but Iroh caught her arm and held her back.
"You're wrong! Once I deliver the Avatar to my father, he will welcome me home with honour. And restore my rightful place on the throne." Zuko insisted.

"If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now. Avatar or no Avatar. But in his eyes you are a failure, and a disgrace to the Fire Nation."

"That's not true."

"Of course it's not true, Zuko. Don't listen to his lies." Rhian snapped.

"You have the scar to prove it."

"Maybe you'd like one to match!" He yelled in Zhao's face.

"Is that a challenge?" Zhao said.

"An Agni kai. At sunset."

Wait, what?! Rhian did a double take, staring at Zuko.

"Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you." Zhao walked away. "I guess your uncle and the girl will do."

"An Agni Kai." Rhian said, shocked.

Zuko just glared after Zhao.

"An Agni Kai?" She repeated, louder.

"Oh, don't act like you didn't want to do the same thing!" Zuko rounded on her.

"An Agni Kai?! Zuko! You haven't even fully mastered your basics!" She screamed.

"Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you duelled a master?"

"Yes, have you?!"

Zuko's eyes narrowed. "I will never forget."

Rhian let her eyes drift over Zuko's scar and she sighed. "If you get seriously hurt by this, I will kick your ass, Zuko." She snapped.

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Sunset came and the two firebenders knelt in a huge stadium Rhian assumed had been built for Agni Kai matches. Iroh and Rhian stood in front of the kneeling Zuko, his head bent and a ceremonial shawl over his shoulders.

"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons."

"Keep him on his toes, you can do this." Rhian said, leaning down to touch his shoulder.

"I refuse to let him win." Zuko said.

He stood, the shawl dropping off his shoulders as he turned to face his opponent. Across the field, Zhao did the same, saying "This'll be over quickly." Rhian's hands curled into shaking fists.

What she hated most about the Agni Kai was that she couldn't help him. It was a duel between two opponents only. Any outside help would cause the recipient to lose instantly and be branded a coward. Those where the rules.

Stupid rules.

Zuko attacked first, firing shot after shot at Zhao, who either dodged or blocked each shot, before moving to an offensive stance. Zuko was getting tired already. Rhian started to pace in agitation.

"Basics, Zuko!" Iroh yelled from next to her. "Break his root!"

Zhao attacked again and again and Zuko battered the fire away, until it was too much and he was knocked off his feet. Zhao jumped over him, readying to finish the match.

"Zuko!" Rhian screamed.

But Zuko twisted away, knocking Zhao off balance and landing on his feet to fire attack after attack at the commander, forcing him back again and again. Until Zhao fell, rolling away under Zuko's fire. The prince stood over his opponent, ready to finish him off. Rhian tensed. What was he going to do?

"Do it!" Zhao yelled. Zuko struck, burning a black, smoking patch into the ground by Zhao's head. "That's it? Your father raised a coward." He snarled.

"Next time you get in my way, I promise, I won't hold back." Zuko said, turning away.

Zhao got to his feet. Rhian could see what he was going to do a second before he struck and threw a shield around Zuko, but it didn't matter. Iroh was already there. Catching the Commander's foot, he shoved Zhao back, causing him to skid across the ground roughly. Enraged, Zuko made to attack him, but Iroh caught the Prince. "No, Prince Zuko, do not taint your victory." He said, as Rhian ran to their side, glaring at Zhao. She put her hand on Zuko's arm and pulled him back slightly.

"He's not worth it." She sneered.

Iroh turned to the fallen firebender. "So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat." He said as the dust settled around them. "Disgraceful. Even in exile, my nephew is more honourable then you." He smirked and Rhian almost crowed in victory. "Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious." And with that, they turned and walked back to the ship. Rhian wanted to jump and punch the air, but thought, since they won, she should probably let them leave with dignity. So she settled for punching Zuko lightly in the arm and grinning.

"Did you really mean that uncle?" Zuko asked, rubbing his arm.

"Of course. I told you, Ginseng tea is my favourite."

Rhian snorted. "That was incredible! Zuko, you won!" She grabbed his arm and shook it in her excitement.

"Of course I won. That was the point." He scoffed.

She shook her head and smiled, until she grabbed both his arms and spun him around to face her. "But don't you ever challenge a master to an Agni Kai again. Not until you've mastered firebending yourself, do you understand me?"

"Let go." He snapped, pulling at his arms.

"Zuko! Do. You. Understand. Me?" She growled.

Zuko glared into her eyes and could almost swear they glowed with anger.

"Fine." He said with bad grace.

"Good." She smiled. Patting his face lightly, she hurried off after Iroh.

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