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Chapter 14
Agni Kai
Zuko
2 years later
"Stupid shoulder guards..." Zuko grunted as he looked at himself in the mirror, trying to get the shoulder pads of his custom-made military uniform right.
Normally, he would wear more comfortable and lighter clothes than he was used to, but this occasion required him to dress according to his position as Crown Prince.
After all, this was his first time attending a war council meeting. An honor he was granted because he had come of age on his sixteenth birthday.
He had been extremely excited and anxious about the meeting, which was why he had spent the last hour getting ready and fixing even the smallest imperfection in his uniform.
Zuko looked at his shoulder guards in the mirror from every possible angle and snorted in frustration. For some reason, he felt something was out of place.
"Very impressive," commented a voice from behind him.
Zuko turned to see his uncle Iroh standing in the doorway of his room. In the past two years, his uncle had changed significantly. He had gained weight again, as evidenced by the large belly he had acquired that was slightly hidden by his long robes. His hair and beard had turned completely white with age, but he still kept the same serene and kind expression he had always recognized in his beloved uncle.
"That uniform suits you well," Iroh praised as he entered the room.
"Does it look right?" Zuko asked, uncertainty evident, looking at his uniform. "I had trouble with the shoulder guards."
Iroh reached over and moved Zuko's shoulder guards slightly, aligning them.
"There. Perfect," he said.
His eyes slid to Zuko's arms, but then he just smiled.
"What... what is it?" Zuko asked, worried that something was wrong with his uniform.
"Nothing," Iroh refused.
"Tell me," Zuko insisted.
Iroh looked at his nephew's arms again and sighed.
"Your gauntlets are laced incorrectly, but no one will notice," he said.
"What?! Help me fix them!"
Concerned, Zuko stretched out his arms and allowed his uncle to untie the strings of his gauntlets and then begin to tie them properly.
Although it was his sister who was obsessed with perfection, he could not afford to look sloppy in his first appearance before the war council meeting. He was the Crown Prince, the firstborn of Ozai. He had to look dignified at all times.
"I remember my first war council meeting," Iroh remembered with a nostalgic voice. "They were smaller affairs back then. More private. Ozai, however, seems to enjoy having an audience."
"Father says he welcomes different opinions," Zuko said, admiring his father's quality.
"I'd advise against testing that. Best to observe and learn for now."
Zuko nodded in agreement. It was his first war council meeting, so there was not much he could contribute. Sure, he had studied battle strategy and tactics, but he had no command experience whatsoever, unlike his father and the generals attending the meeting. His uncle was right. The best he could do now was to listen and learn from them.
"There," Iroh said, and finished tying the gauntlets.
Zuko looked at them and could see that the knots were tied tightly without being uncomfortable. He looked down at himself, looking for any imperfections in his uniform. When he found none, he looked at his uncle expectantly.
"How do I look?" he asked.
A proud smile formed on Iroh's lips as he looked at his nephew.
"Like a prince."
Zuko smiled, touched by his uncle's honest praise.
"To me, you still look like a jackass."
Zuko and Iroh looked toward the door, where they saw Percy leaning against the wooden frame, arms crossed with a mocking expression on his face.
His uncle was not the only one who had changed in the past two years. Though only fourteen years old, Percy had grown considerably from a 5'4" midget to 5'6", with a lean, athletic body due to his swordsmanship training. He had stopped wearing a headdress, leaving his hair loose and messy.
Percy crossed his arms and entered the room with a grin. Amusement sparkled in his sea-green eyes as he looked Zuko over from head to toe.
"Although I have to admit, the uniform is great," he remarked approvingly before raising an eyebrow. "But you have a stain."
"What?!" Zuko looked down at his uniform, searching for the spot Percy mentioned. "Where?!"
"Here."
Percy placed the tip of his finger on the breastplate of his uniform, causing Zuko to look there, but Percy pulled his finger up and scraped it across his nose. Zuko recoiled and looked irritated at his friend, who laughed in amusement. Next to him, Iroh watched the two teenagers' interaction with an amused smile on his face.
"Ha ha, very mature…" Zuko commented, annoyed.
"Oops, sorry, Mr. Councilman," Percy said, patting him on the shoulder. "Relax, hotman, you look like you're about to go to the front and fight."
Zuko's expression turned serious.
"But I will be attending the meeting that will decide the battle strategy for those who fight on the front lines of the war. That is not something to be taken lightly."
"And that's the reason for these meetings, right? To come up with the best possible strategy to win the battles. Like I said, relax. You're not going to be the one coming up with the battle strategies. Leave that to those wrinkled old generals... No offense, Iroh."
Instead of being offended, Iroh simply laughed in amusement.
"Don't worry, my boy. You're right about the wrinkles. It's the price of years."
"And it's not the only thing," Percy said, looking at Iroh's protruding belly.
Again, instead of being offended, Iroh laughed again as he patted his belly.
"What can I say? Fat's cookies are really delicious. And a great accompaniment to ginseng tea."
Zuko rolled his eyes in mild annoyance at his friend and uncle's attitude and left his room.
As he walked through the halls of the palace, Percy soon caught up to him and walked beside him.
"So... you're finally going to attend a war council meeting," Percy said. "How are you feeling?"
"A little nervous," Zuko admitted. "But my uncle said since it's my first meeting, I should listen and learn. And that's what I plan to do now that I'm finally old enough to sit in on the war council meeting. One day, I will rule this nation, so it is my duty to learn as much as I can."
"Speaking of duties... Now that you're sixteen, shouldn't you...? You know, get married?"
Zuko snorted in annoyance.
"Don't remind me. But a prince can only marry at twenty, unlike a princess who must marry at sixteen."
"So... you still have 4 years, while Azula only has two years left?"
"Yes," Zuko muttered, eyeing Percy suspiciously out of the corner of his eye. "And why do you care?"
"It's not that," Percy replied quickly. "It's just that Azula has been complaining about how unfair it is that you're considered an adult and have all the privileges of adulthood while she's still considered a teenager. Speaking of the devil..."
Zuko and Percy watched as Azula appeared around a corner. She, like Percy, had changed in the past two years. Her body had become lean and athletic from her intense training. She had grown to the same height as Percy. Although she still had the same hairstyle, it was held in place by a prominent golden headdress that reflected her status as a princess.
At the sight of them, a haughty smirk spread across her lips, which were painted with lipstick.
"Well, well, I must say that your uniform looks good, brother," Azula commented, looking him up and down condescendingly. "It looks a little... big on you, though."
"What are you talking about?" Zuko asked, looking down at his uniform. "It fits me perfectly."
She looked at her nails with disinterest, as if searching for some non-existent imperfection in them.
"Oh, I didn't mean the size. Anyway, try not to embarrass yourself at your first war council meeting. I know it will be difficult for you to understand the complex military strategies that will be discussed, but refrain from asking stupid questions. You don't want to embarrass Father." Azula said as she walked beside them, glancing sideways at her brother with a smirk on her lips, though her smirk faded when her eyes met Percy's.
"Don't forget our engagement," she reminded him before walking away.
Percy watched her go, and Zuko looked at his friend with narrowed eyes.
"What was that about?" He asked. "What was she talking about?"
"Oh, just this."
Percy took a rolled up piece of paper from inside his robe and unrolled it to show it to Zuko. It was a flier from a noodle restaurant that read: "Noodle Special Promotion! For only one gold coin, enjoy all the noodles we offer!"
"This promotion... is from Mr. Tao's restaurant," Zuko recognized.
It was a noodle restaurant in Harbor City that he had visited with Percy on numerous occasions. And he had to admit that the noodles were quite good.
"That's right, I've been looking forward to this promotion for months!" Percy said excitedly before starting to list off the ingredients with his fingers. "Miso, soy, shio... There are so many choices."
"And you're going with Azula," Zuko said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"My sister?"
"Yes, as far as I know, she's your sister."
"The princess of the Fire Nation?"
"What's your point?"
"You're playing with fire... literally," Zuko pointed out. "You know that, don't you?"
From the first day he met him, Zuko always thought Percy was crazy. But he never thought he was that crazy.
"What are you talking about? It's just an outing with a friend," Percy refused. "Besides, I invited Ty Lee as well. I invited Mai, but she said she had to attend a meeting her family had with another noble family. What about you? Do you want to come?"
Zuko looked away hesitantly.
"I don't know. The war council meetings last for hours..."
"Don't worry, I'll wait for you. Besides, I know how much you like miso noodles."
Zuko smiled slightly, grateful for Percy's consideration.
"Okay," he agreed.
"Great, I'll wait for you in the garden, hotman."
Percy patted Zuko on the shoulder and walked away, probably to the garden to take a nap. Despite the years, he was still in the habit of sleeping most of his free time.
As he walked away Zuko took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart and shaking nerves continuing to the Throne Room, where the war council meetings were held.
The Throne Room was exactly as Zuko remembered it, with high ceilings supported by great ornate columns of stone and metal, illuminated by torches and lamps. And at the end of the great hall, raised on a high platform behind an imposing wall of flames, stood the magnificent Dragon Throne, the representation of the absolute power and authority of the Fire Lord.
On normal occasions, the Fire Lord would sit there, but now that a war council meeting was being held, Ozai chose to stand at the head of a large, long table that displayed a detailed map of the entire world. On both sides of the table, the generals and admirals of the army sat in a seiza position on cushions, discussing battle strategies.
Zuko's only comfort was his uncle Iroh sitting next to him.
"The Earth Kingdom's forces are concentrated along the southern coast," one of the generals reported, using a wooden pointer to mark the spot on the large map. "A dangerous battalion of the fiercest and strongest Earthbender warriors, they stood firm and impregnable."
"That was to be expected," commented an admiral. "They will concentrate their best forces there, as it is the only place our warships can land to attack Ba Sing Se from the south. What if our ships land a little earlier, follow them upriver, and attack them in a pincer movement?"
The general shook his head.
"They're anchored by a cliff. They can outflank any attack."
"What would you do?" Ozai asked.
"Your Highness, I would suggest..."
"Not you," Ozai interrupted, looking directly at his son. "Zuko. What would you do?"
All eyes fell on the young prince, who was stunned to be the target of so many stares, especially his father's. He saw his uncle Iroh, the only member of the council who gave him a look of support, but it did little to calm his growing nerves.
Zuko felt his heart pounding in his chest, but he found his voice to respond.
"Um... Horns tactic. Enveloping flanks, leave an escape route to draw them out," he replied.
"Did you not hear the general?" his father replied. "They are protected by cliffs on one side. They have the advantage of the terrain. They will not leave their position."
"We can..." Zuko's voice trailed off slightly. "We can use tundra tanks to come over the top."
"They're Earthbenders. Our tanks would be buried under rocks in seconds."
Zuko opened his mouth to say something else, but the words caught in his throat. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his uncle's sympathetic and understanding look, but it was drowned out by the stares of everyone in the room, judging him as his father refuted his suggestions. His heart pounded harder in his chest and his hands shook nervously.
In the end, Ozai simply sighed in obvious disappointment.
"General," he said.
The general who had been explaining the strategy stepped forward.
"My suggestion is this..." he used the pointer to move an iron figure on the map, symbolizing a squad of soldiers, in front of another group of figures symbolizing the stationed forces of the Earth Kingdom. "We could advance a division here and the enemy will concentrate on them while we attack from here and here."
The general moved more figures, explaining that warships would land to attack the Earth Kingdom's stationed forces.
Looking at the plan of attack, Zuko had a question in his mind. He knew he shouldn't speak after his pathetic attempt to contribute to the battle strategy, but he couldn't help himself.
"If you send them into the heart of their forces, how will they retreat?" he asked.
Everyone turned to look at Zuko, but he kept his eyes on the general.
"They won't," the general replied simply.
"But they'll be lost."
Zuko glanced at the other council members, looking for a reaction from them, but they all remained impassive. Iroh looked at him and shook his head almost imperceptibly, causing him to remain silent.
It was then that the magnitude of the plan sunk in.
"You're gonna sacrifice them," he drawled, his eyes widening in horror.
Ozai's features hardened as he looked at his son.
"Sacrifice is a part of war," he said in a harsh voice, leaving Zuko stunned. "General, what division do you suggest?"
"The 41st," he replied. "They're mostly new recruits. They're expendable."
"Good."
Ozai nodded in agreement and the general bowed to him. All the other council members rose, ending the meeting. Zuko did the same, but stared at the map in disbelief. No one had objected, explaining that they were all in favor of such a cruel strategy. A strategy that involved sacrificing the lives of soldiers who fought bravely in the name of their nation.
Iroh approached him and put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.
"Zuko, I know this may seem inconceivable to you..."
"It is more than inconceivable!" he replied. "It's cruel, it's inhuman, it's..."
"It's effective," another voice said.
Zuko turned to see the general who had suggested the strategy approaching and standing beside him, looking at the map with his hands behind his back.
"This is what it means to command," he said. "To make the choices that not everyone is willing to make. Your father said it; sacrifice is a part of war."
"Unfortunately, war tends to distort our perspective," Iroh interjected solemnly. "If we sacrifice our code, even for the sake of victory, we may lose what matters most. Our honor."
The general snorted derisively.
"Ironic, coming from one who abandoned the battlefield, dishonoring the deaths of hundreds of soldiers who fell in battle... including his own son."
Iroh was unfazed by the general's fragrant insult. But Zuko knew his uncle, he could see a flash of anger in his eyes at the mention of Lu Ten's death, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. The general, unaware of Iroh's reaction, continued to speak while looking at the map.
"If we must sacrifice an expendable division to win a battle, so be it. Wars are won by those who are willing to sacrifice everything," he said rigidly, before looking over Zuko's shoulder in a dismissive and condescending manner. "A child like you, who has lived sheltered within the walls of the Royal Palace, could not possibly understand this. This isn't something that you learn in a textbook. Little boys should know better than to play at war."
Zuko clenched his fists, frowning and gritting his teeth in growing anger. Not only had the general insulted his uncle, but he had also suggested sacrificing the lives of soldiers as if they were disposable pawns in a game of Pai Sho. And as if that wasn't enough, he mocked Zuko's intention to suggest an escape route for them. Was this how generals led their troops? As if they were just expendable soldiers to win a battle?
"It's a terrible plan," he declared, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
The general turned to look at him in disbelief and indignation.
"What did you say?" he asked.
Zuko glared at him and spoke forcefully, emphasizing every word.
"I said... It's a terrible plan! Soldiers are gonna die, and for what? These soldiers love, defend, and fight in the name of our nation! You are betraying them by proposing this cruel plan! It's unworthy of a Fire Nation officer!"
The general looked furious as he listened to him. His nostrils flared and he clenched his teeth.
"You dare question...!"
"Enough!" Ozai shouted, his voice echoing throughout the Throne Room as he approached them. "You dare to disrespect me by arguing in my presence and in this sacred hall? I expected better behavior from a general... and from my son."
Zuko looked down in shame. He didn't want to disrespect his father, but he also didn't think it was right to sacrifice an entire division to win a battle. It was not honorable.
"There is only one way to resolve this," Ozai said. "Agni Kai."
Zuko felt his heart shrink as he heard those words from his father, and a cold shiver ran down his spine. He had never participated in an Agni Kai, a fire duel. Sure, he had fought with his sister and Percy on numerous occasions, but none of those fights had been for his honor.
And now he would have to fight in one.
"You did what?!"
Azula's voice echoed through the Royal Garden. It was fortunate that no one but her, Percy, and newcomer Zuko were there to hear the princess's unusual outburst.
After the war council meeting ended, Zuko immediately went to the garden, where he knew he would find Percy sleeping in the shade of the tree by the pond. What he didn't expect was to find Percy and Azula in silent conversation, both studying a firebending scroll and discussing how to translate it into a sword move.
All conversation however, was put aside when Percy saw the alarmed look on his friend's face and approached him with concern, prompting Zuko to relate what had happened at the war council meeting.
"You questioned a general in the middle of a war council?" Percy looked both incredulous and amazed. "Dude, you have courage."
"Courage?!" Azula questioned incredulously, "More like a stupidity that surpasses all logic! What were you thinking, discussing military strategy with a seasoned general?! I expected this kind of foolish behavior from Percy, but not from you, Zuko."
Percy looked sideways at Azula with indignation, but said nothing.
"Azula, this general was willing to sacrifice an entire division just to win one battle!" replied Zuko. "How could I accept such a cruel strategy?"
"Well, if you didn't approve of the strategy, you should have suggested a better one! That's what war councils meetings are for! Not to challenge others to an Agni Kai!"
Zuko looked away and muttered to himself:
"I couldn't think of anything..."
Azula just sighed in resignation.
"It doesn't matter. It's done. Now you must prepare for your Agni Kai. Luckily for you, your opponent is a veteran general who has probably neglected his firebending due to the complacency of his high military position."
"And you've been training hard these past few years with my dad, Azula, and me," Percy added. "You got this."
Zuko still looked a little unsure, but finally nodded.
"When is your Agni Kai?" Percy asked.
"Today in the dueling arena," Zuko replied. "The Agni Kai is at dusk."
"Then it will be in a few hours. Maybe you should ask your uncle for some advice."
"Maybe..."
"Forget it, there's nothing you can learn from someone like him," Azula declared.
"Hey, Uncle is very wise."
Azula snorted disdainfully.
"The only advice he could give you is how to make tea... And run away from your duty like a coward," she gave Zuko an intense look. "Listen well, brother. This Agni Kai you will have is more than just to end this absurd quarrel you had with a general, it is to test your conviction in questioning his strategies. So don't hesitate and show resolve."
Azula left the garden, leaving Zuko a little confused. He certainly did not expect those words from Azula. He expected her to mock or deride him for what he had done, not to give him advice.
'She... has changed,' he thought as he watched his sister walk away.
Over the past three years, his relationship with Azula had changed. Not that it had improved, but it was less tense and distant than it had been when they both began their firebending training. Sure, Azula still had a habit of teasing him, but it lacked the dismissive and contemptuous tone she had used to address him over the years. Their sibling relationship had become almost... nice.
"Why is it that even though she was supporting you, it still felt like she was scolding you?" Percy asked, looking at where Azula had gone.
"That's Azula," Zuko simply replied. "By the way, will you be there? At the Agni Kai."
"Can I?"
"Yes. Agni Kai is performed with an audience as witnesses. It's part of the tradition."
"I see. I've never been to an Agni Kai before" Percy smiled excitedly and put an arm around Zuko's shoulder. "Count me in, bro. It'll be fun to watch you wipe the floor with that old general's wrinkled ass."
Zuko couldn't help but smile at Percy's enthusiasm, which dampened some of the nervousness he felt. It was good to have a supportive friend.
Dawn had come much sooner than Zuko had thought possible. Perhaps it was the growing nervousness he felt about participating in his first official Agni Kai. Or maybe it was the sheer number of people who had gathered in the dueling arena. The stands were filled with not only highly decorated military personnel, but also prominent noble families.
In the crowd, Zuko recognized the familiar faces of his uncle Iroh, Azula, Percy, his master Piandao, Mai, and Ty Lee. They all stood together with varying degrees of concern on their faces. His sister, however, had an expectant and serious look on her face. He would have liked to talk to them and maybe get some advice from his uncle other than "Focus on your breathing" and "Keep your stance steady," but he could not leave the ring once he set foot in it until the Agni Kai was over.
As tradition dictated, Zuko was on one knee with his back to his opponent, wearing simple pants held in place by a red sash. He wore no shoes and was bare-chested, demonstrating vulnerability and bravery. A short tunic hung over his shoulders, which he could easily remove once the duel began.
The war drums echoed loudly throughout the arena, drowning out the murmurs of the crowd and announcing the impending duel. As the drums stopped in unison, Zuko stood upright. His robe slipped from his shoulders and he took a deep breath. He felt his own heart pounding in his chest and a growing lump in his throat. He concentrated on his breathing, trying to calm his nerves and steel his resolve, remembering why he was there.
"Prepare yourself," a voice behind him announced, a voice Zuko recognized all too well.
When he turned, he did not see the general he was supposed to be dueling with.
He saw his own father, the Fire Lord Ozai. He was dressed in pants and a long cloak over his shoulders with a gold chain brooch on the lapel.
"Father?" Zuko stammered, his eyes widening in disbelief at the sight of him. You could hear the surprise in his voice. "But... I'm... I'm here to duel General Li."
"You are here because you have no respect for our military," Ozai replied.
"That's not true..."
"Really? Even if they come up with 'terrible plans'? My plans!" Ozai's eyes hardened, as did his voice. "My strategy! My military! That is what you have insulted!"
Recognizing the gravity of his insult, Zuko immediately knelt before his father, prostrating himself until his forehead touched the ground.
"I'm sorry, Father!" he quickly apologized. "I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!"
"Rise," Ozai commanded. "You will fight for your honor."
"No! Please, Father," Zuko begged, knowing what it meant to stand up and face his father at this time. "I meant no disrespect. I am your loyal son."
"Rise!" Ozai shouted, forcibly removing his cloak and revealing his torso, which showed the prominent and defined muscles that could only be achieved after vigorous and intense training.
"Brother!" Iroh shouted from the stands, "Don't do this. He's your son!"
There was a plea in his voice as he tried to appeal to the Fire Lord's mercy. If there was a change in Ozai's expression, Zuko did not see it as he still had his forehead pressed to the ground, begging his father for mercy.
"We'll see," Ozai declared, sounding relentless. "Rise and fight, Prince Zuko, so you can learn some respect."
Doubtful and hesitant, Zuko slowly rose to his feet, avoiding his father's hard, imposing gaze, knowing he would not change his mind. He would force him to fight.
Ozai was the first to move, sending up a fireball as he kicked. Zuko ducked and dodged in time, but had to quickly stand up and deflect a fireball that came straight at him as he took a step back due to the intensity of the flames. His father continued to attack with powerful fireballs that Zuko struggled to deflect. With each strike, he was forced to retreat, getting closer and closer to the edge of the ring. And when his feet touched the edge, Ozai stomped hard and lunged forward, sending out a powerful, steady stream of fire.
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise at the size of the flames, and knowing he couldn't help himself, he pressed his palms together and pushed forward, splitting the jet of fire in half. Gritting his teeth, he mustered all his strength to resist the attack as he felt the intensity of his father's flames begin to affect him.
Before his stance broke, the attack finally ended and Zuko fell to one knee, but he had no time to catch his breath as his father attacked again, making slashing motions that sent fire whips in his direction. Zuko managed to dodge them by performing a series of acrobatics, demonstrating the flexibility he had acquired through years of training by dodging Azula's fire attacks and Percy's sword slashes.
When the attacks finally stopped, he stomped his feet and assumed a solid firebending stance. His hands were ablaze with fire, and he did not hesitate to strike his father with it, but Ozai simply stepped aside to dodge it, then delivered a powerful blow to Zuko's abdomen that knocked him out of breath. When he tried to hit him in the face, Zuko grabbed his father's arm and the two struggled to hold each other down.
"Is this everything?" Ozai cried, pushing Zuko back with his great strength. "Give... me... everything!"
Zuko managed to break free of his father's grip and launched an upward thrust, but Ozai was able to block it just in time as a fireball erupted from Zuko's fist.
Zuko narrowed his eyes at the sight, but did not stop his attacks. He sent out several fireballs with his hands and feet, along with whips and fiery flares, but his father stood like an immovable force, deflecting or simply dodging his attacks.
Knowing that his firebending was no match for his father, Zuko moved in and engaged in hand-to-hand combat. Every punch and kick he threw was met by Ozai, who demonstrated a deep knowledge of hand-to-hand combat by blocking his attacks and countering in an efficient and brutal manner. Ozai did not hold back his blows, and Zuko felt severe pain every time they hit his body.
Zuko could not defeat his father in hand-to-hand combat, let alone firebending, so his only option was to look for an opening to deliver a precise attack. All he had to do was burn his father to win the Agni Kai. A simple burn would do. So he concentrated on dodging his attacks or defending himself. He dodged his father's fiery attacks and intercepted his blows, even if the force made him clench his teeth.
When his father landed a blow to his head, Zuko quickly ducked and took the opportunity to focus his chi into a fist, enveloping it in fire with the intention of striking his father and causing a burn that would end the duel. But as he was about to do so, seeing the look of total surprise on his father's face, he... hesitated. He hesitated to strike. And that hesitation was used by Ozai to grab his fist and snuff out his flame, then knock him off balance and send him crashing to the ground.
A groan of pain escaped Zuko's mouth as he landed. With the pain coursing through his body, he forced himself to stand up, but as he looked up, he saw his father's fist, which emitted a concentrated fireball that hit him right in the shoulder. Zuko fell to the ground with a groan of pain, feeling the skin on his shoulder charred by the fireball and a searing pain running through him.
He had been burned. The Agni Kai was over and he had lost.
As he lay on the ground holding his burned shoulder, Zuko saw his father approach and place a knee on his chest, preventing him from getting up. Zuko looked quizzically at his father's action and stretched out his arm so he could still move freely, but Ozai gripped his hand in an iron grip as he hovered over him with a cold, stern look on his face.
"Here and now, you will learn that compassion is a sign of weakness," he said coldly. "And suffering will be your teacher."
"F-Father?"
Zuko watched in growing panic as his father created a small fireball in his hand and slowly brought it up to his face.
The next thing Zuko knew, the pain was so intense, he narrowly missed passing out. A piercing scream escaped his throat as his father burned his face. He could feel his skin and flesh burning to a point he subconsciously knew would be irreparable.
When the heat finally subsided, as did the weight he felt in his chest from his father's pressure, Zuko was finally able to move, but the pain never went away. Moans and groans escaped his mouth as he brought a hand to his left eye, but simply rubbing it made the pain worse. He couldn't see out of his left eye, and his right eye was blurred from tears and cloudy from being on the verge of unconsciousness from the pain.
He heard someone call his name, but it sounded so far away and distorted that he could not identify who it was. A few seconds later, he felt someone put a hand on his shoulder and turn him around. With his good eye, Zuko could make out a blurry, black-haired figure talking to him. Even if he couldn't see very well, he would recognize those eyes because they belonged to the only person he had ever met who had such unique colors.
"Per... cy..." Zuko muttered, his voice choking.
"Zuko! Zuko, look at me!" Percy said, grabbing his shoulders. "Don't worry, you're going to be okay! You're... you're going to be fine!"
"It hurts..." he gasped. He reached out and grabbed Percy's hand. "It hurts so much..."
Percy squeezed back, and that simple action comforted Zuko a little, distracting him from the overwhelming pain that was running down the left side of his face.
"The doctor is coming," he said, trying to sound reassuring, but his voice was shaking. "Just relax. Everything... Everything's going to be fine..."
Zuko did not respond as he felt his consciousness slowly fading, even the pain began to feel distant.
But before he finally fell into the relief of unconsciousness, he could feel something extremely abnormal. His entire body began to shake uncontrollably, as did the ground beneath him. He heard cries of alarm and panic from people, along with the sound of cracking stone and a familiar voice anxiously calling out the name of someone he could not identify.
When he awoke, Zuko could see the ceiling of his room. For a few seconds, he wondered what he was doing there, until the events of the Agni Kai flashed through his mind. He abruptly jerked upright, and a sharp pain shot through his body, especially on the left side of his face, causing him to put a hand there and feel a bandage covering his entire left eye.
"Hey, take it easy," a voice advised.
Zuko turned to find Percy sitting in a chair by his bed. Next to him was his uncle Iroh, who looked genuinely relieved to see him.
"Uncle... Percy..." Zuko said in a hoarse voice, his throat feeling dry. "How long... How long have I been asleep?"
"A few hours," Iroh replied, grabbing a pitcher and pouring water into a cup before handing it to Zuko. "Don't overexert yourself, your body is still a bit fragile."
Zuko took the cup with shaking hands and drank it. The cool liquid slipped down his throat and soothed it, but did nothing to ease the throbbing pain that ran down the left side of his face.
"Zuko... Do you remember what happened?" Iroh asked gently.
The memories flashed through Zuko's mind with such intensity that it was almost painful. He could still hear the screams echoing in his ears, and his was one of them.
"I... I lost the Agni Kai to Father," he said, bringing a hand to his bandaged eye. "And he... punished me..."
Iroh nodded sadly and regretfully.
"We brought you here after you fainted. The good news is that the doctor said your vision will be fine. Which means you have the good fortune of continuing to bask in my beauty."
Iroh tried to lighten his nephew's mood with a little joke, but Zuko remained impassive. His mind was still on the Agni Kai and its implications.
"Before I passed out..." he spoke, looking up at the ceiling with a distant expression on his face, "I... I felt the whole place start to shake. And I heard people screaming with fear. What happened?"
Iroh and Percy looked at each other doubtfully before Iroh spoke.
"What happened... was something even we are not sure about," he confessed. "For lack of a better description, it's as if the dueling arena was the epicenter of an earthquake. Large cracks appeared in the ring, pillars cracked and some even collapsed, along with pieces of the roof. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Ozai believes this is because the volcano is showing signs of reactivation and has sent his experts to investigate. Even the fire sages have speculated that it may be the wrath of Agni manifesting itself."
"I see."
Zuko was never one for faith or superstition, so he found it implausible that what happened in the dueling arena was the manifestation of a spirit revered in the Fire Nation, even though he had seen and confronted an evil spirit more than two years ago. Or perhaps it was the volcano that was showing signs of becoming active, threatening to erupt one day.
Whatever the explanation, Zuko did not care. He felt that it did not affect him in any way. His mind was still processing what had happened at the Agni Kai when he felt the stinging pain on the left side of his face, reminding him of how his own father had left a mark that he would carry with him for the rest of his life.
There was an awkward silence between the three of them, none of them knowing what to say or do in this situation. And it was at that moment that someone stood at the entrance of the room, attracting the attention of those present. Looking with his uncovered eye, Zuko recognized his father. He felt a knot in his stomach and a chill in his heart at the sight of him.
Iroh was the first to rise and approach his brother. Out of the corner of his eye, Zuko saw Percy clench his fists in his lap until they shook, and his knuckles turned white. Zuko looked with surprise and unease at the look on Percy's face.
It was the first time he had seen his friend with such an angry expression. His green eyes seemed to glow with unrelenting hatred.
"Percy...?" Zuko muttered, worried about the way his friend was looking at the Fire Lord.
Percy blinked and the hate in his eyes disappeared as he turned to look at Zuko, replaced by pity before he looked away guiltily.
"Brother, now is not a good time," Iroh advised Ozai.
"I wish to speak with my son," Ozai said, sounding more like a demand than a request.
"He is hurt."
"He'll recover."
"But he will never heal," Iroh replied.
Ozai ignored his brother's words and entered the room. He looked at Percy, who looked back at him. They held each other's gaze, Percy's eyes reflecting intensity, while Ozai's reflected hardness and coldness.
Finally, Ozai looked away to see his bedridden son.
"The doctor said you'll recuperate quickly," he said, "It's a sign your body is strong. That's good. Your spirit, however, still needs strengthening."
Zuko remained silent, his eyes still fixed on the ceiling. He heard his father's words, but they sounded far away. Distant. As if he was speaking to someone else.
"You held back today" Ozai moved closer to Zuko until he was at the side of his bed. "Maybe you saw that as a sign of respect, but it wasn't. It was a weakness. You must purge that weakness out of you. You must be willing to give up the weakness to make yourself strong, that is what makes us the Fire Nation. That is why we sacrificed the 41st Division. That is what you must do."
Zuko finally turned to look at Ozai. His one visible eye did not reflect the same fierceness as his father, but a sad resignation. He understood that his father, despite all he had done over the years, considered him weak. He thought it was weak to show compassion to him in their duel. And maybe it was. It was weak to stand up to his father in an Agni Kai. He was not strong enough.
But he remembered Azula's words, that he should not waver, and that he should show conviction and determination in standing up for what he had once said. Conviction in his ideal of defending the 41st Division and determination to stand up for it in front of his father.
"Sometimes the weak can become stronger," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "Sometimes you just have to give them a chance."
The same chance his master Piandao and Percy had given him, believing he could become a swordsman. Ozai stared at his son. His features hardened, and he nodded slightly, not in agreement, but in grim resignation.
"I have made a mistake," Ozai growled. "I was too soft on you, and made you fragile like your mother."
Ozai turned his back on Zuko and looked out the window, taking in the cityscape under the blanket of night.
"Well, since you seem unable to learn within the walls of this palace, perhaps the demands of the world outside will prove to be a better teacher. You will leave here immediately," he declared, causing everyone to look at him in shock. Ozai walked over and stood at the foot of Zuko's bed, looking at him sternly. "And you will not be able to return until... until you have conquered the greatest remaining to our nation's destiny. You will find, capture, and bring me the Avatar. Only then can you return with honor and prove yourself a worthy heir to the throne. Until then, you must not set foot within our borders until this task is completed. Under threat of the severest of penalties!"
"Ozai! You can't!" Iroh vehemently disagreed.
"Brother, it's done," he declared sternly and started for the door, but as he was about to leave, he stopped and turned to look at Zuko one last time. "And one last thing. Since you care so much about the 41st Division, take them as your crew."
All Zuko could do was squeeze his eyes shut and wish this was nothing more than a horrible nightmare. He felt as if his whole world was crumbling before his eyes. And in a way, it was.
He was stripped of his title, his honor, his home, his family, his friends, and the life he had proudly led.
He had lost everything.
He could do nothing but sob silently as tears of frustration streamed down his eyes and despair flooded his heart.
Percy
When he left the Royal Palace that night, Percy did it automatically. His body already knew the details of the palace, he knew all the corridors like the back of his hand, so he knew exactly where to go without even thinking about it. When he arrived home, his father was waiting for him, sitting in the same place where he had seen him so many nights, looking at the garden on a cushion.
He knew he was waiting for him to ask him about Zuko's situation, and when Percy told him everything, his father's expression became sad and somber.
"So the Fire Lord banished Prince Zuko," he said with sadness.
"He can come back if he captures the Avatar," Percy replied, sounding hopeful.
Piandao shook his head sadly.
"The Avatar has been missing for nearly 100 years. Some believe he cut himself off from the Spirit World, never to return. Others even believe that the Avatar's cycle was broken and he was never reborn. Finding him will be no easy task. At best, it will take Zuko decades to find a clue to his whereabouts. And at worst..."
He didn't have to finish the sentence, Percy knew exactly what his father meant. Tomorrow at dawn, when Zuko set sail, it might be the last time he saw his friend.
Piandao put a hand on his son's shoulder.
"I know it must not be easy for you to see your friend leave and not know if he will ever come back," he said sympathetically. "Finding a friend is not easy, leaving him is difficult, and to forget him is impossible."
"I... I told him that I would stay by his side..."
"And that's exactly what you did. But life has other plans for Prince Zuko. Now he must step forward to fulfill the destiny he has been given, and perhaps someday meet his own destiny."
His own destiny...
Hearing that, Percy couldn't help but think of himself. For the past three years, he had trained hard under his father's tutelage and learned a lot from him. Not only that, he had also learned about his other unique abilities and how to control them, even his own invulnerability. However, he had discovered absolutely nothing about why he had these abilities. And for the past few months, he felt like he was stagnating.
"What if...?" Percy spoke hesitantly, "What if I decide to go with Zuko?"
Piandao didn't answer right away, pondering his son's question as he looked out over the garden.
When he did speak, there was no emotion in his voice.
"If you decide to accompany Zuko on his journey, there are only two ways you can return. The first would be for you to return to him once he has completed his mission. And the second... would be for you to return on your own. Do you understand what that means, my son?"
Percy nodded slowly, understanding. The first option meant that returning home was uncertain. At best, it would be many years before they could do so. At worst, they might never return. And the second... meant abandoning Zuko, abandoning his friend and leaving him adrift. Neither option was appealing.
After saying goodbye to his father and going to his room, Percy spent the entire night sitting on his windowsill, looking at the moon and thinking deeply. Worry and anxiety kept him awake as he remembered everything that had happened today. The feeling of anger that boiled in his blood when he saw Ozai burn Zuko's face, and the feeling of something breaking in his stomach when he saw the burn on his friend's face.
Had Azula not stopped him, Percy had no doubt that he would have drawn his sword and attacked the Fire Lord. Just the thought of him made him clench his fists, and something twisted in his stomach.
His anger was overshadowed only by the concern and sorrow he felt for Zuko, who was banished and doomed to never return home unless he succeeded in a nearly impossible mission. He still remembered the desperate look on his friend's face that made his heart ache.
He did not want to be separated from his friend. It hurt him to even think about it. But there was a way that wouldn't happen. He knew what he had to do. The real question that kept him awake and full of conflict was... Would he be strong enough to do it?
All night long, without sleep, Percy thought about it. It would be the first time in his life that he would not sleep.
The next morning, before the sun rose, Percy left his room, making as little noise as possible. When he went out into the garden, he found it eerily empty. It was strange, considering that the training of Piandao's disciples began when the sun broke the horizon. Not only that, the entire mansion was empty. Normally, he would find Fat in the kitchen and his father sitting in his favorite spot, gazing at the garden while sipping a cup of tea. But he found neither of them, which made Percy uneasy.
He searched the entire mansion for them, but found no sign of them. It wasn't until he reached the dining room that he found a note from his father on the table, saying that today's training had been canceled and that he and Fat had gone to the Royal Palace to report on the progress of the swordsmanship team. It also said that they could meet at Harbor City to say goodbye to Zuko, who would be leaving around noon.
Percy considered going to the palace with his father, but he doubted he could control himself if he saw Ozai again. So he just decided to meet him at the harbor, because he had something important to tell him.
Walking to Harbor City, Percy arrived around noon. He did not want to take a carriage because he wanted to take a closer look at Hari Bulkan City, remembering all the times he had walked through its streets accompanied by Zuko, Azula, Ty Lee and Mai. He passed Mr. Hao's post office, where he saw Chao at the door, greeting him cheerfully as he passed. He also passed the clothing store where he had accompanied Ty Lee countless times and Azula on rare occasions. He passed the armory, where he knew Mai got her knives, and Azula's favorite candy store, though she would deny it.
Seeing each of these places made him smile as he remembered them wistfully.
When he finally arrived at Harbor City Harbor, he saw that his father and Fat had already arrived, but he was surprised to see all of his father's disciples. If they were there, it meant only one thing. They had come to see Zuko off.
His father was the first to notice their arrival and approached him.
"Percy..." Piandao said, a sad smile on his lips. "So you've made your decision."
Percy nodded and dropped the bag that held his belongings from his shoulders.
He looked sadly at his father.
"Dad... I know you won't approve, and you won't like it, but I have to do this," he said with conviction. "I will accompany Zuko on his mission to capture the Avatar."
Piandao looked at his son questioningly. Percy held his gaze, showing that he would not waver from his decision.
Finally, Piandao let out a sigh.
"I was afraid this would happen," he muttered.
"I'm sorry, dad. But... I have to do this. Every part of me says I have to. But not just for Zuko, for me too," he added quietly. "I have to find out why I am the way I am. Maybe if I travel the world with Zuko, I can find out."
"I understand, Percy, believe me, I do. When I was your age, I also wanted to see what the world had to offer and shape my own destiny, but..." Piandao pursed his lips into a thin line. "I never thought the day would come when I would have to watch my own son do the same."
"Dad..."
"But it comforts me to know that I did my best to prepare you for this world. And I'm proud that you took a willing step to face it."
Percy blinked in surprise.
"You're not upset?"
"Sad, maybe a little. But I would never be upset to see you make a difficult decision to help someone you care about."
"So what you told me yesterday about the only two ways I could get home wasn't meant to dissuade me from my intention to accompany Zuko?"
Piandao shook his head.
"Of course not. I wanted you to see the big picture so you could make a decision for yourself. I would never force you down a path you don't want to go down" Piandao approached Percy and placed both hands on his shoulders. "Son, you are ready. When an obstacle is not willingly faced, it becomes a punishment. On the other hand, when an obstacle is willingly faced, it becomes a purpose. And if you feel that your purpose is to accompany Prince Zuko on his journey, then I will accept it and support you. As your master... and as your father."
Percy couldn't keep his eyes from reddening a little. His father was supporting him, even though he was about to embark on a journey where he didn't know how long it would be before they would see each other again. Before he came to his senses, Percy found himself hugging his father tightly. Knowing that it would be a long time before he did so again.
"Thanks, dad..."
Piandao hugged him back. Percy felt his father tremble slightly and hugged him tightly, as if he didn't want to let go. However, it was he who broke the embrace and looked at his son with obvious pride.
"You have grown so much, my son. And it has been my privilege to watch you do so," Piandao said. He reached into his robes and pulled out a small wooden box. "Now that you have begun to take your first steps in discovering who you are, I think it's time you had this."
Percy looked at the box. It was small and made of polished wood, elegantly decorated with bronze. Looking closer, he could see a series of symbols engraved on it, which he immediately recognized as words.
He... the... conci... of... sea...
He blinked, confused. For some reason, he recognized some letters and words engraved on the box, even though they were from a language he had never read.
Opening the box, Percy saw that inside was a ring that appeared to be made of bronze. Picking it up and looking closer, he saw that it also had a word written on it in the same language as the box, which seemed strangely familiar to him.
Rip...de...
"What is... What is this?" Percy asked as he pulled himself together to partially read a language he had never seen before.
"It is... a souvenir your mother left behind," Piandao said. "Maybe it belongs to where she came from or a family legacy. I'm not sure, she never told me. Maybe you can find out."
Percy looked at the box and the ring with trepidation. To tell the truth, he was a little excited to discover a clue to her origin, but it raised more questions than it answered. He decided to think about it later.
He turned and looked at Fat, who had kept a respectful distance from both of them. But judging by the expression on his face, he knew what was going on. His eyes were red, and he forced himself to keep a calm expression, even though his lips were trembling slightly.
"Fat," Percy spoke as he approached him. "I want to thank you. For everything. You have always been there for me. You taught me so much. I know we don't have blood ties, but I want you to know that I still consider you my family."
"Oh, my boy..." Fat reached over and wrapped Percy in a tight hug that lifted him off the ground. "Blood doesn't matter, it's just blood. Family, however, is a choice."
Percy smiled and hugged Fat back. As they parted, Percy saw all of his father's disciples approaching, led by Qiang.
"So you're leaving, huh?" he said, crossing his arms. "It's a shame. I won't be able to fight with you anymore to see who is the better swordsman."
"You never managed to beat him, so we know who's the best," Ming commented amused, causing all the other students to laugh.
"Shut up!" Qiang turned to look at Percy seriously. "I'll train harder than anyone else, and when you come back, we'll have another duel. I'll prove to you that I'm a better swordsman than you. Until then, don't let up on your training."
To Percy's surprise, Qiang extended his hand in friendship. Smiling slightly, Percy shook it firmly.
"Count on it," he said. "I'll kick your ass again as many times as it takes."
"Cheeky brat" Qiang scowled in annoyance, but also smiled in amusement.
When Percy had finished saying goodbye to all of his father's disciples, a single carriage arrived at the harbor.
Zuko stepped out of it, wearing the same armor he had worn to the war council meeting. The only difference was that his left eye was now wrapped in a bandage and his hair was completely shaved except for his ponytail. The expression on his face was serious, but his one visible eye widened in surprise at the sight of them.
"Everyone... What are you doing here?" he asked with obvious confusion.
"We have come to bid you farewell, Prince Zuko," Qiang asked as he stepped forward. "Even though you have been banished, we still share a bond. We have shed blood, sweat, and tears in our training to become swordsmen. Therefore, we will always be comrades-in-arms."
Qiang and all the other students formed a line and bowed to Zuko. He blinked, moved by everyone's actions, and bowed as well. As he walked among the disciples, he saw Piandao waiting for him.
"Prince Zuko," he said, bowing and bowing. "It has been an honor to be your teacher. I hope you will continue your training and become a great swordsman in the future."
"The honor was mine, master," Zuko replied, mimicking Piandao's gesture. "I am deeply grateful for your teachings... And for your faith in me."
"Of course, Your Highness. Everyone deserves a chance to show what they can do. And the first day I saw you, I saw the spark of greatness in you. Whatever adversity you face from now on, do not forget that greatness."
Zuko's one visible eye opened in surprise as he looked at Piandao's words.
"Thank you, master," he murmured.
Piandao nodded and stepped aside. Zuko looked up to see the ship on which he would embark on his mission, where the soldiers of the 41st Division were loading the supplies they would need for their long journey. Not knowing how long it would take to return home, or if he ever would.
"Oh, good. It's not too late."
They all turned to see Iroh approaching the dock, a few bags slung over his shoulders.
"Uncle..." Zuko muttered, blinking in surprise at the sight of the former general. "Those bags..."
"They're kind of heavy," he sighed wearily. "It's not easy to pack the essentials for a long journey into a few bags. But I think it will be worth it for this memorable journey. Don't worry, my nephew, I have all the tea I need."
"You... want to come with me?"
Iroh smiled softly.
"Of course, my nephew. I won't let you do this alone."
"And neither will I."
Percy took a step forward and dropped his bag to the ground, surprising not only Zuko but Iroh as well.
"Percy?" Zuko's voice reflected disbelief. "You... You want to come too?"
"I wouldn't miss it for the world," Percy turned to look out at the ocean that stretched as far as her eyes could see. "I've always wanted to travel the ocean and see what's there and beyond."
Zuko narrowed his eyes.
"This won't be a sightseeing trip."
"I know that. And I know how much it means to you. I have my own reasons for wanting to go on this journey, but the most important one is you. I said I'd stay by your side and watch your back, didn't I?"
Zuko's gaze softened, and he turned away.
"I don't need a bodyguard."
Percy walked over and put a hand on his shoulder.
"How about a friend? You said it, we are brothers. Xiōngdì."
Iroh walked over and put his hand on Zuko's other shoulder.
"Young Percy is right, Zuko," he said. "The family must stay together."
Zuko blinked back tears but managed to keep his composure.
"My father made it very clear that I cannot return until I find the Avatar," he reminded them. "Which means it could be a very long time before we return home."
Iroh looked around, taking it all in until his gaze settled on Zuko.
"Home... Everything I need is right here," a smile formed on his lips as he lifted one of his bags. "Like I said, all the tea I need."
"My dad always said that home is where your family is. And Fat told me that family is a choice," Percy said, looking around at the people present with a smile. "My family is right here."
A small smile formed on Zuko's lips as he seemed touched by Iroh and Percy's words.
"Anyway, these bags are not light at all," Iroh put the bags down and put a hand on his lower back. "It would have been hard to carry them up here alone. My back isn't what it used to be. Luckily, I had some help."
Behind Iroh, parked at the end of the dock, was an elegant carriage decorated with gold and bronze. It was pulled by two ostrich horses dressed in elegant robes. When the doors opened and the passengers disembarked, Percy and Zuko were surprised to see Azula, Mai and Ty Lee get out.
"Girl... What are you doing here?" Zuko asked, confused at the sight of the girls.
"Isn't it obvious, brother? We're here to say goodbye," Azula said simply. "Who knows how long it will take you to get back?"
Zuko frowned.
"I'll be back as soon as I find the Avatar! And when I do, my honor will be restored. I will reclaim what is rightfully mine."
"At least you're motivated. That's good" she reached into the sleeves of her robe and pulled out a small pearl dagger in a black sheath. "Then I guess you won't need this to find motivation."
Azula held it out, and Zuko grabbed it. As she pulled it out, she looked at the blade in surprise.
"Azula, this is..."
"I know you have your big fancy swords, but a concealed weapon is many times more deadly than a flashy one. And... it will also serve as a reminder. It is undignified for a member of the Royal Family, especially a Prince, to surrender."
Zuko looked at the dagger and then at his sister, who looked surprised by the gift.
"Azula, I... Thank you... I will take good care of it and return it to you when I return. I promise."
"Don't make vague promises."
"But I will do everything in my power to keep this one."
Azula looked at him questioningly before nodding slightly and turning away.
"Don't forget that resolve, Zuko. You'll need it."
Next to approach Zuko was Ty Lee, who held a small porcelain vessel in her hands.
"Here" she held it out to Zuko. "This is a special salve for your... wound. It will help it heal faster and numb the pain. Apply it every time you change your bandages."
"Thank you..." he said and took the bottle.
Ty Lee looked at him sadly before hugging him tightly.
"Take care of yourself, Zuko."
Somewhat hesitantly, Zuko returned the hug. And as they parted, Percy could see Ty Lee duck her head to hide the small tears gathering in her eyes, which she quickly wiped away.
The last to say goodbye was Mai, who looked at Zuko with obvious conflict. There was an awkward silence between the two before Mai surprisingly placed a hand on Zuko's cheek and gave him a chaste, fleeting kiss on the lips.
Percy and Azula looked stunned, while Ty Lee covered his mouth with his hands and stifled a squeal of excitement.
Mai broke the kiss and looked away shyly, a blush visible on her cheeks. Even Zuko had a faint blush on his cheeks.
"Goodbye, Zuko," Mai said almost inaudibly, slowly removing her hand from his cheek. "I hope... I hope to see you again someday."
Then she looked at Percy, and he could see the almost pleading look in her eyes, misty with unshed tears.
"Please take care of him," she begged in a choked voice.
Percy nodded earnestly.
"I will. I promise, Mai."
Mai nodded gratefully and gave him a quick hug.
"I hope to see you again someday, Percy. You're a good friend."
Percy hugged her back and when they pulled apart he could barely react as Ty Lee rushed up and hugged him so hard it almost took his breath away.
"I can't believe you're going too," she sobbed into his shoulder. "I... I'm going to miss you so much, Percy!"
"I'm going to miss you too, Ty Lee," he said, hugging her back.
And he was telling the truth, he had really come to appreciate the energetic, eccentric acrobat. In a city where everyone acted so prissy, Ty Lee's vibrant, fun, laughing personality was refreshing, like a cool ocean breeze on a hot day. Even her embrace was warm and comforting as she clung to him and refused to let go.
"You... you have to send me letters, okay? At least once a month," she said, her voice shaking.
"Okay," Percy agreed, breaking the embrace. "I'll even send you some souvenirs."
Ty Lee smiled, though it looked more like a grimace because of the pained expression on his face. He wiped away the tears and smiled again, this time with more composure. She brought her face close to Percy's and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek, causing Percy to hold his cheek with a slight blush.
"For luck," she said, winking at him before pulling away.
Percy still had his hand on his cheek, still feeling the remnants of the warmth and softness of Ty Lee's lips. He couldn't help but get a little excited because Ty Lee was a very pretty girl, and it was the first time a girl had ever kissed him, even if it was only on the cheek.
The last one to say goodbye was Azula. Unlike Mai or Ty Lee, Azula kept a neutral and controlled expression on her face.
Percy couldn't help but tease her.
"What? Aren't you going to wish me 'good luck'?"
Azula's eyes narrowed slightly, but she remained silent.
"How about a goodbye hug?" Percy reached out, but Azula stood her ground and crossed her arms. "You know, for a princess of the Fire Nation and a master of a more intense form of firebending, you're pretty cold."
"And you're a hardened fool," she replied sternly, "What are you thinking of accompanying Zuko on his uncertain mission? You are leaving a prosperous life to embark on a destiny filled with uncertainty. You could stay here and lead your father's elite squad of swordsmen. Serve the Fire Nation with honor, earning glory and prestige. Standing beside your father and with..." Azula hesitated slightly, pursing her lips into a thin line. "You have a place here, Percy. And you're throwing it all away by going off with Zuko."
Percy was surprised by Azula's tirade. Anyone else would have thought she was scolding him for making a stupid and pointless decision. But he knew that Azula was saying all this in an attempt to make his decision clear. It was her way of telling him that she didn't want him to go.
"Azula... you know I don't care much about fame or prestige. And I know that going on this journey with Zuko may seem illogical to you, but..."
"More than illogical, it's stupid."
"But I have to do it," Percy declared with conviction. "I'm not leaving Zuko. I won't leave him."
Azula narrowed her eyes.
"That unbridled loyalty of yours may cost you dearly one day. In fact, it already has."
"Maybe. But I know I'll regret it in the future if I don't go with him now. I know you don't understand."
"You're right. I don't."
"But I'm just asking you to accept it. I'm not just doing this for Zuko, I'm doing it for me. There are... things I need to figure out for myself. And maybe this journey will help me discover them."
Azula pursed her lips, clearly not liking the idea and not looking the least bit convinced.
"It doesn't matter what I say. You're not going to change your mind, are you?" she asked, though it was more of a statement.
"No, I won't."
She stared at him for a few seconds before she let out a resigned sigh.
"I should have expected it, considering how stubborn you are," she said. "Very well. If you insist on going on this journey and being Zuko's bodyguard, you will do so with the best equipment our nation has to offer. Thank your father, who warned me about your foolish decision to accompany Zuko."
Azula snapped her fingers, and behind her, two Royal Procession guards pulled a large trunk out of the carriage and set it down in front of Percy and Azula before opening it. Inside, Percy could see that it was a set of armor similar to that worn by the soldiers, but slightly modified. The chest plate was wide and adjustable with thick straps. The shoulder pads, which consisted of two semicircular plates sandwiched between them, were separate from the breastplate, but attached by body straps so that it would not restrict his movement while still protecting his shoulders. There was also a set of greaves, bracers, and knee pads. There were several pairs of armor, each one a size larger than the last, so he could use them as he grew.
Percy looked at the armor in awe, he had to admit it looked kind of cool, it didn't look stuffy and restrictive like standard military armor, nor ostentatious like the ones the Royal Family wore. It was also a plus that it didn't have a helmet or that ridiculous skull-shaped face mask.
"Wow..." he said, impressed. "That's amazing."
"Of course it is," Azula declared, a hint of pride seeping into her voice. "It was made by the best armorer our nation has."
Percy raised an eyebrow and turned to his father, who shrugged in ignorance.
"Not him" cleared Azula. "Your father is certainly a great smith, but I'm talking about the official smith and armorer of our nation. A man named Hiroshi Sato who lives in the Yu Dao colony of the Earth Kingdom. Despite his humble origins, he is remarkably talented at making weapons for our army."
"So, will you give me a suit of armor made by him?" Percy asked, feeling grateful for the gesture.
A faint, cryptic smirk formed on Azula's lips.
"Not only an armor."
She snapped her fingers again, and a soldier of the Royal Procession pulled a long cylindrical object wrapped in red silk from the carriage. He walked over and held it out to Azula, who unwrapped the silk to reveal an elegant jian sword. The hilt was lined with red leather and had a gold guard with a dragon's head on it. The sword was in a sheath that appeared to be made of red scales.
Azula picked up the sword with both hands and showed it to Percy.
"This sword has been tightly guarded in the Dragonbone Catacombs for centuries," she explained before pulling it out to reveal a blade that was scarlet red. "Despite the years, it has shown no sign of losing its edge or deteriorating. The Fire Sages believe this is due to the manner in which it was created. Forged with a dragon's flames... and tempered with its own blood. This is the reason for its peculiar color and its name: Dragon Sword."
"Wow, how... original," Percy commented.
Azula ignored the sarcastic comment and sheathed the sword again before offering it to Percy.
"It's yours from now on," she explained.
"What...?" Percy looked at the sword and then at Azula. "Are you sure?"
"Better to have it wielded by a talented swordsman than to have it sit in an old room gathering dust."
Doubtfully, Percy picked up the sword and was surprised to realize how much heavier it was than any conventional sword.
"It is... kind of heavy. A jian weighs between 1.5 or 3.3 pounds. This sword weighs almost 25 pounds, but..." he took the sword out and swung it a few times. "It has excellent balance."
Azula smiled slightly.
"I suppose the weight won't be a problem for you."
Percy looked at the sword, marveling at the scarlet blade before sheathing it smoothly, uncomfortable with its weight, and nodded confidently.
"No, it wouldn't."
For his age, he had excellent strength. A slightly heavier sword would not bother him.
Percy looked at Azula and smiled gratefully.
"I... I don't know how I can ever thank you for this."
"You can start by kneeling down and saying, 'I greatly appreciate your great kindness, Princess Azula. A lowly commoner like me is not worthy of it'," she suggested, with a smirk playing haughtily upon her lips.
Percy snorted in amusement.
"You wish, fire girl."
He looked at Azula for a few seconds, and they both shared a small smile. Before Percy could regret it or flinch, he walked over to Azula and gave her a firm hug.
"Thank you, Azula," he said sincerely. "I will wear this armor and sword with pride."
Azula tensed in the embrace. Percy thought she would burst and send a fireball into his face. But he was surprised when Azula tentatively hugged him back. He didn't know if it was because she was a Firebender, but the hug was surprisingly warm and immensely comfortable.
After what felt like minutes, Percy began to pull away from Azula, but she refused to let go. She increased the strength of her embrace for a second, as if to squeeze out his essence, before slowly releasing him.
"See you, Azula," Percy said, "I'm going to miss you."
And he meant it. Despite her condescending, dismissive, vicious, apathetic, manipulative attitude... Well, Azula certainly didn't have many endearing qualities. But she had also proven to be someone who was funny, sarcastic, and witty. She had shown concern and consideration for the few, emphasis on few, that she had come to appreciate. Though he knew she would never admit it.
"Goodbye, Percy," she said simply, her voice and expression betraying no emotion she might ever feel. But he knew her. Azula forced herself to put on that expressionless mask, not to show any hint of vulnerability.
"No, it's not goodbye," Percy clarified. "It's 'see you later'."
Judging by Azula's suspicious expression, she did not share his optimism.
As Percy walked up the ship's ramp with Zuko and Iroh, he did so with his new sword sheathed and slung over his shoulder with a leather strap. He turned over his shoulder to see his father, Fat, Piandao's group of swordsmen, Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula watching them. Percy glanced over his shoulder, gave them a crooked smile, and raised his hand in farewell, holding up his index and middle fingers, the ring on his index finger glistening in the sunlight.
He didn't know why, but he felt strangely hopeful and convinced that he would see them again much sooner than he expected.
...
..
.
And that's all for now, dear readers!
I have to say that this chapter was exciting to write, which is why it turned out to be so long. I had planned it to be shorter, but as I was writing it, new ideas came to me that I thought were appropriate.
The first one was the attitude that Zuko had, not only during the war council meeting, but also in the Agni Kai against his father. In the animated series, Zuko just exploded and rebuked the General's plan, and during the Agni Kai with his father, he refrained from even fighting him. That's why I was inclined to show Zuko more as he was in the Netflix live action, where he tried to come up with new strategy ideas during the war council that were dismissed as ineffective, and actively confronted his father during the Agni Kai, but hesitated to deliver the final blow.
Personally, the live action better expressed the Zuko I wanted to portray in this story. A boy with more confidence and determination, able to stand up to his own father, but still showing mercy, compassion, and a desire to not intentionally hurt anyone.
I also portrayed Ozai differently than he was in the anime, where he was cruel to Zuko just for the sake of being cruel. In contrast, in the live action, he was very demanding and wanted Zuko to prove that he was a worthy heir to the throne, and Zuko was not living up to the standards that Ozai set for himself and what he believed a ruler should be. That's why I portrayed him as he was in the live action.
Second, the closer relationship that Zuko developed with Azula.
Zuko expressed it. His relationship with Azula had improved over the years to the point where it was almost pleasant. Where Azula had gone from treating him in a dismissive and malicious manner to simply teasing him. More than ever, their relationship was that of siblings. Keeping the essence of Azula's personality, but showing that her relationship with Zuko was better than canon. Even though she gets to give him advice, get to say a proper goodbye to Zuko and give him her dagger, and give Percy a set of armor and a sword.
The changes in Azula are slight, but they are there. Her character development is easy to see, but her time has not yet come.
And finally, Percy.
As we all know, Percy's fatal flaw is loyalty, which is the main reason he decided to accompany Zuko on his journey. And also with the goal of discovering why he is the way he is. The journey he takes with Zuko is not only to support his friend, someone he has come to consider his brother, but it is also a journey of self-discovery.
In another instance, Percy has finally received Riptide! Some may have their doubts; if Percy received Riptide, why did he receive another special sword? I will answer this question in the next chapter.
At the same time, he also received the box that Poseidon had given him. This will later help him to discover his true origin.
Anyway, I think that's all for now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. I will try to answer them as concisely as possible without giving away any spoilers. And if you find inconsistencies in the story, don't hesitate to point them out. One can learn from mistakes.
Go through my pinterest account with the name jkalex18 to see the fanarts I've made of this fic and my other stories.
And with that, nothing more to say... Until next time, beautiful people!
Editor's Note - It is I, TeenGuy, here once again to remind you that I am here and that there should be better grammar and spelling throughout. The changes to this chapter were a lot more major as the flow wasn't great to begin with but I hope it looks better. Ironic telling you all that as you didn't see the before, but we ignore that. Once again a thank you to Alex for this wonderful chapter and like you I am excited to see where it goes in the future. Hopefully meeting the Gaang soon…. :)