Ozai
He wouldn't admit it even if it was Agni himself asking but Ozai was getting worried about his chances of beating Piandao, the older man was suicidal and far more skilled than Ozai ever gave him credit for. The Fire Lord had to do a split to dodge a swipe coming at his head and then punched forward sending fire toward the feet of the sword master, the brief distance that he gained allowed Ozai to stand up on his arms and send even stronger blasts of fire from his feet and legs in arcs that should have been lethal.
Piandao showed just how crazy he was by running head-first into the fire cutting it and then launching his body through the gap just to shorten the distance between them, his fire was smoking as were his clothes and there were clear burns in his arms and shoulders but that didn't even seem to affect the crazy bastard, in fact, Piandao was fighting harder the more he was burned.
The crazy sword master swung low and wasn't afraid to aim for any spot that would incapacitate him, Ozai was sure that the man was intentionally trying to attack his manhood because there was no way it was a coincidence that the majority of attacks were to his lower half. With a growl he went on the offensive a circle of fire enveloped him acting as both armor and sword as he advanced and ot show just how desperate he was to win Piandao didn't shy away from throwing anything and everything close to him to disrupt Ozai's concentration.
Priceless paintings, vases, cutlery, and chairs, he even threw Ozai's own portrait at him!
Clearly fighting him head-on wasn't going to work. The only solace in all of this was that Ozai was still unscathed, or at least his body was, his hair, beard and clothes couldn't say the same. Piandao needed to die but Ozai didn't think he could kill him without putting himself at risk or at least one of his limbs thankfully there were other methods that worked on those who held honor in such a high place.
Ozai started a barrage of fire, from his feet, from his hands, every movement carried at least some flame as he tried to get more space and then just to surprise the non-bender the Fire Lord roared out like a dragon lighting everything on fire, the look of surprise on Piandao's face was great but it grated him to know that it was only there because people thought only Iroh could do it.
Turning around Ozai didn't go for a window or try to move too far instead he launched himself to the middle of the enemy formation, the look of fear on the faces of Piandao's students was like a balm to his soul and the screams that followed as Ozai turned them to flaming corpses were better than any music he had ever heard and then what he was waiting for finally came as managed to get a hold of one that had dropped his weapon.
"Master! Please hel- hrg" Ozai squeezed the throat of the poor fool and then looked triumphantly at Piandao who moved to take a hostage of his own, he should have known better, or maybe he was thinking that with so many witnesses Ozai wouldn't abandon one of his men but life at court had changed a lot and everyone who served him knew there was only victory or death. After Zuko's revelation of Agni's favor, Ozai made sure that only the most fanatical of his forces were stationed at the palace.
"Release him Ozai! This fight is between you and me!" the sword master pushed the edge of his blade against the throat of the soldier drawing some blood and Ozai smirked.
"I don't think so, this is war! If you wanted a duel you should have challenged me to an Agni Kai but I fear it's too late for that" The Fire Lord walked forward with his hostage and Piandao reacted as he expected moving the sword further into the flesh of the soldier while the remnants of both sides watched.
"Stop walking or I take his head off" Ozai laughed at those words and relaxed his grip while fire burned in his hand pressed at the back of his hostage, a hissing sound came followed by screams and yet Piandao didn't kill the soldier.
"You're weak Piandao, just like my brother and just like Zuko, for a moment I saw true fire in your eyes but it was just an illusion. This world is only for those who are willing to do anything to win!" as Ozai spoke the last word Piandao's hostage sprung into action grabbing the free arm of the sword master. He didn't live long enough to see the result of what his actions brought as Piandao removed the soldier's head in a lightning-fast move but it was too late.
At the same time that Piandao was dealing with the distraction, Ozai had thrown his hostage into the frenzy and took on a familiar stance, energy surged from his body as his hands moved, and then an unmistakable sound emerged from the tips of his fingers. Laughter boomed along with the sound of electricity before Ozai let go of that energy.
Lighting raced toward master and apprentice but at the last moment, Piandao turned around and allowed himself to be struck by the cold fire. Ozai laughed as Piandao's body convulsed and burned. Honor, loyalty and love made people so predictable, it was great that his enemies never learned what Ozai had or else he would have been in far more trouble.
"OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!"
"OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!" "OZAI!"
The few loyalists that remained chanted his name, soon the whole world would do the same they would be screaming out his name, one way or another. None would be allowed to remain silent.
"Master! No!" the student of Piandao screamed out in despair almost making Ozai scoff, if he didn't want this to happen then he should have never taken up a sword in the first place. If that man crying atop a smoking corpse truly cared about honor or glory he would have done the same thing the soldier did but love and confidence blinded him, love of life and confidence in his master.
The fool wept atop the man and then stilled. If the fool was dead then Ozai would be even more disappointed than he already was was but what else should Ozai have expected from a non-bender. Then a great idea came to his mind and an evil grin appeared on his face.
Ozai threw the student's sword at his feet "Cut off his head with this and I will spare your life" he wasn't going to do it but it would be a great page in history.
Unexpectedly the fool shook his head while saying nothing, shaking uncontrollably as he sobbed. A sneer then took the place of the wide grin on Ozai's face and he advanced upon the downed Piandao, the moment Ozai threw aside the student of the fool the 'corpse' moved, and a wide swing attempted to bisect him, a pathetic last effort from Piandao or at least he thought so until Ozai felt pain and on the left side of his face there was only blackness. Pain engulfed his being and he could see blood marring his chest as it dripped onto the floor.
"You!" the Fire Lord screamed before roaring out an avalanche of fire, Piandao burned but he laughed as he did. Ozai had been maimed, he who was the greatest bender in the world had been maimed by an old man with a sword! The Fire Lord turned back to the soldiers who had fallen silent at his screams.
"Quickly one of you cauterize the wound and if it's not done perfectly you will soon join the rest of the corpses on the floor!" Ozai had to show he was in control, he couldn't scream as much as he wanted to, and he wouldn't show weakness!
After he was ehaled he would find Azula and she would help him hunt down the rest of the traitors before announcing to the whole Fire Nation just what kind of craven Zuko was since he wasn't even in the capital for his own rebellion, maybe the fool thought that if it failed he could claim ignorance of it all but Ozai wouldn't let that happen in a thousand years.
Zuko and Iroh were living on borrowed time.
AN: so i just wanted this to be a reminder but me not interacting with you is because i have a severe case of anxiety when it comes to my stories not because of anything else and i appreciate the likes you leave and all the comments you post as well as the support of those who go as far as to give money on . ok that aside here is the chapter late as always and i'm seriously thinking of making friday the new update day, i hope you're all in good health and that you have a great day or night as is the cae
