Pre-Chapter A/N: Please do check out the first chapter of the novel I'm working on up on pa-treon- it's completely free to access. What can I say except you're welcome? Here we go. Lovely to have you all here, and I hope you enjoy this one. If you do, feel free to head over to pa-treon and read the next two chapters- I update there on a daily basis so there's always something for you to read. There's a cheeky 20% off to celebrate my birthday till the end of the month so take advantage of that while you can.

"And by what right do you presume that position? A son of Ozai still lives. Well, Hyo was nothing if not predictable. The old bastard would defend the status quo to his last breath. He was one of those I would either have to win over or get rid of before I officially took the throne.

"Zuko is a traitor, and a kinslayer twice over. He colluded to kill Ozai" I began with a lie, before continuing— "And he was the one to send the Avatar here. The same Avatar that killed his sister, Azula. That alone would be enough to disqualify him from the throne, but there is also the fact that he colludes with foreigners and rebels. He seeks to abandon all that we have given blood, sweat, and tears for in some juvenile desire for peace. No, Zuko is a stain on the line of Sozin. And you ask by what right I seek the throne, by the same right that Tsukuyomi and his Wife unified the fire Nation. By the right of being the strongest of you all" I said with a smirk on my face, as I watched him bristle.

I'd just killed the Avatar, I could stand to be a bit arrogant. Everyone who could give me a good fight was on my side already. The others, the rest of the world? They'd be fodder.

My Grandfather was the first to bend the knee. Of course, he was. Those who had followed him followed suit quickly enough, and then those who were still standing began to drop one by one. These were experienced men, Generals and skilled politicians. They'd know how to read the wind. That was why I was not worried, even as Hyo and Aki seemed to consider not bending the knee at all. When they were the only ones left standing, they did it. Oh, that didn't mean I had their loyalty by any means. They would plot and scheme to get rid of me at least twice, but I'd cross that bridge when I got to it.

"Good. Rise, my Generals" I said.

"Today, we sail for the capital" I proclaimed at last.

We already had the ships ready and provisioned for a long journey, so why not put them to good use. And considering the palace was demolished, it wasn't like there was much to do in Ba Sing Se.

I gave my orders to Long Feng in a crisp tone. I'd be leaving behind a battalion under the command of some Lieutenant or the other, but Long Feng would be the one actually in charge of the city. He had orders to see to the rebuilding of the palace and to keep the people happy and compliant. There was no need starting a rebellion without me here to quell it.

"Are you sure that is wise? We will need all the men we can get to assault the capital" Aki posed. There it was. The challenges to my authority would start as suggestions. I pinned the man with a look.

"I have no intention of attacking my own capital. Zuko will face me in Agni Kai" I said, and that was that. Of course, if Zuko had any sense, he'd say no and prepare for a siege, but that was also unlikely to go well for him. He was fucked in either direction.

—

The journey to the fire Nation's capital began smoothly enough. I still didn't enjoy being on a ship any more than usual, especially considering that I was surrounded by people who could become enemies at the drop of a hat. Toph was the only ally I allowed to remain in my presence. Toji and Maki were placed on different ships. Toji with the second group of possible traitors, and Maki with an unlikely pair who, I felt, would be watching the winds to decide whether they would betray me or not. While they had both had their objections to the separation, they understood where I was coming from easily enough.

We had to prevent my army from getting ideas, and while I would be taking the time to wine, dine, and woo the generals on my ship, they were in place to ensure that if anyone had any dangerous thoughts and acted on them, they wouldn't last long with their heads still attached. Toji was many things, a friend, a wise adviser, a damn good man to have at your back, but above all, he was a genius killer. Long Feng was certain that he had been the one to kill Amara, and that he had killed the Earth Kingdom General I'd captured. If he had, it would be a betrayal of my trust. But now that I had some distance from the situations, I could see the logic in the decisions. If he had made them, it was clearly done for my own good, not out of self-interest.

So, I would not ask. I would never ask, and I would instead give Toji as much trust as I ever had. I would trust, but verify. That would be it. Another advantage of being isolated from my friends meant that I could spend my time thinking as much as I spent it doing anything else. I was presently on one of those thinking adventures, meditating on the deck of the ship while my daughter sat to my side, manipulating some scrap metal this way or that way.

The blimps were ready, I knew. I could make a detour and secure them. With their help, the Capital would fall to us in no time. But I still didn't want to attack the capital. It was for more than sentimental reasons. I had no idea how popular Zuko was with the average citizens— I hoped not very, but I had to prepare for the opposite. In that case, I had to get rid of him in a way that they would consider above reproach. Agni Kai was the only option. But how to get him to say yes. Did I have leverage I could rely on?

"You should just beat them all up" Toph said, interrupting my meditation.

"If only I could," I replied with a chuckle, leaning over to ruffle her hair. She slapped my hand away. Sadly, Toji had gotten to my little munchkin. For a blind kid, she cared about her appearance a bit too much.

"But you're right, Toph. There's no use worrying about this now. We'll cross all the bridges when we get there. Now, want to watch me toss lightning about?"

"Do I!?" She replied sarcastically, while failing to hide her enthusiasm.

I smiled and pushed myself off the ground.

I'd managed to concentrate lightning to my hand when I'd killed Iroh. That was more or less the same as the Raikiri. If I could use that kind of ability, then it would be a close combat ability, the equivalent of which I would struggle to find. A perfect sword to cut through any defence.

—

When the capital came into sight, we'd only spent about a week on the sea. Considering the distances involved, that was an impressive feat. The Fire Nation's technological advantage was quickly becoming one of the things that would set us apart from the rest of the world. But the capital wasn't what we were meeting to discuss now.

"And you have been assured that these 'airships' will function as advertised?" My Grandfather was skeptical. I could understand that. What I was suggesting was a massive change to how wars had been fought for centuries.

"Head Inventor Sato was glowing in his reports to Fire Lady Azula, and I doubt he would have dared lie to her. No, I think they will do exactly what we need them to do" I said to him.

The Fire Nation would be mine sooner or later, and the easiest way to cement that rule would be with a victory. I'd already conquered the Earth Kingdom. Any holdouts were small villages too inconsequential for me or anyone to bother with, so that couldn't be where the victory came from. To be honest, there were only two major holdouts from Fire Nation rule— Kyoshi Island, and the Northern Water Tribe. Kyoshi Island was a neutral trading port and had been allowed to exist as such because the army had bigger priorities. That would change in time, either with surrender or conquest, but they weren't the priority. The failure to conquer the Northern Water Tribe was the one black mark on Ozai's reign. That meant the easiest way to cement mine would be by succeeding where hue had failed.

"So you intend for us to deploy these air ships and rain fire down from the skies?" Hyo asked.

"Precisely. The initial assault failed because Zhao fell prey to superstitions and silliness. He sought to destroy the moon of all stupid things to do. Instead, I shall conquer the Northern Water Tribe, just like Sozin took the Air Nomads."

"You mean to use the Comet?"

"It's in a matter of weeks, so we'd have to hurry the plans along, but I do think there is a certain poetry to it. To bring the war to an end exactly a hundred years after it began" I said. They were still far from convinced, but I knew my plan would succeed.

—

"Drums" I commanded once we were in hearing range. The man beside me began to play, signaling to the other drummers on the other ships to begin to bang their own drums to the tune as well. The drums were to signal, one of the oldest fire nation customs. It took three rounds, before we heard another set of drums from the pier. Zuko would take my meeting, it seemed. To be a fly in the room where he explained to his cabal of rebels that Fire Nation tradition trumped everything he could come up with.

"Prepare the boats" I ordered the man again. He was one of Hyo's men, I knew. But I was the Fire Lord now. They were all my men. Or at least they soon would be.

There were three boats to be making the journey. Toph, Toji, Grandfather, myself, and the Generals would be the ones making the journey. Maki would command the ships in my absence. A choice that some very obviously did not appreciate. All children of Agni were equal, but there were still few Female Officers in the highest ranks for a reason. We could express all the platitudes we wanted, but people were people. I just pitied anyone who thought they could look down on her for having tits. Hopefully, they lived long enough to regret it.

I got on the boat and reached out to help Toph off the metal and on to the wood. I could see her mood shift at the sudden lack of sight. "Don't worry. Just a few minutes and I'm here with you" I said to her. She nodded, but even as she had let go of me, her hand still remained placed on my armour. The metal probably gave her a relaxing feeling.

On the pier, Zuko stood apart from everyone else. His hair was worn in a topknot with the symbolic crown of the Fire Nation speared into the knot. Around him were arrayed various members of the nobility. No foreigners in sight. How fascinating.

"I take it you somehow managed to escape the Avatar" He said in greeting, sneering at my appearance. We hadn't even exchanged greetings, I thought with a smirk. I ignored him before helping Toph off onto the wooden pier. In a few steps, we had left the wood and were on solid stone. She didn't collapse to her knees or anything, but she looked clearly better.

"The Avatar is dead. I killed him" I said, watching his sneer disappear in an instant.

"What?" Someone in the large crowd behind them called out. I was wrong. There were foreigners aplenty. Zuko had just dressed them up as Fire Nation Citizens.

"What of Sokka?" The same woman from earlier spoke.

"Dead as well. Your assassination attempt failed, Zuko. You must face me now."

I ignored the way she screamed in rage and rushed at me. Someone from her own side got a hold of her before she decided to commit suicide by Firebender. One of the more ridiculous ways to die. At least that was something.

"What do you want, Natsu?" He seemed so tired. The nobles were watching him with sharp eyes— watching the both of us.

"You sent assassins after me and your sister. While the Avatar failed to kill me, he managed to kill Fire Lady Azula. I am here to challenge you to Agni Kai for the affront."

"You must be joking. I am the rightful Fire Lord. I—"

"You are nothing. A boy who could not stand against his father and so was scarred and exiled. Ozai made it clear that you were never to inherit anything, and the one thing that could have returned your honour— you failed at miserably. Instead of capturing the Avatar, you colluded with him to kill your father and steal your sister's rightful inheritance. You, Zuko the Kinslayer, Zuko the scarred, Zuko the miserable, Zuko the honourless, are no Fire Lord of mine. I challenge you to an Agni Kai for the throne. I claim it by the right of Tsukuyomi himself. The right of being the Agni's chosen" I said, stepping forward. Zuko's eyes were wide, and they grew wider with every word I tossed at him like a bullet from a gun. Well, one of his eyes did, the scarred one remained nearly seared shut.

"You can't be serious" He scoffed.

"I am. Deathly so. Fight me, Zuko. Fight me now. Say what you would about your Uncle, fat, lazy, useless, but even he could stand and fight" I said, and I knew I had him.

"I accept your challenge" he said. There were gasps from the nobles at that, and they turned to each other to begin whispering. By agreeing to the Agni Kai, he was accepting my claim. A crucial sliver of legitimacy that this coup oil mine could scarcely succeed without.

"Good. As the challenger, I will let you set the terms."

"To the death"

"Perfect. I assume we can get this over with right now. The coliseum remains untouched, I trust? Even you couldn't have ruined Azulon's edifice in this short time." I enjoyed teasing Zuko. Conversations with Azula had made it clear just how fragile and prideful Ozai's son could be. My words left him stewing in rage as we made our way to the coliseum from separate ends. His people followed him, while my Grandfather led me down a separate route. Basically, everyone at the pier had begun the journey, not wanting to miss the fight.

And that was the important bit. Because Maki had orders of her own, and an empty pier would make it easier. I would beat Zuko in no time, but his rebels, traitors, and foreigners would need to be put down afterward.

XXXXXX- TOJI

H stared down at Natsu's back as his friend made a show of stretching. War had been good to him, Toji knew. But when placed against the Prince like that, it was even more obvious. Natsu's shoulders seemed to be half again as wide as the Prince's and then there was his body. Natsu had muscles that looked to be cut from steel, and where Zuko was not fat or flabby by any means, he was just lesser. The entire Capital could see it. Word had spread rapidly, and the coliseum was practically bursting at its seams. His father had given him numerous signs to show that he wanted to speak, but he had ignored them all. The man couldn't ignore him for all his life and now try to cash in when he saw some value to be extracted.

Toji knew who his family was. That was the man standing on the rough sands of the Coliseum, and the little girl fidgeting by his side. Well, them and the others. Where was Zhufu even? He hadn't seen her or Lee in forever. Hopefully, with the war coming to an end, and Natsu as Fire Lord, it could be the Five of them again. Just like it had always meant to be. Well, them and Toph, he amended as she shifted closer to him.

"He's going to win" He said to her. It wasn't even a question to him. The only bender that could best Natsu in a fair fight was dead. The world was theirs for the taking.

"I know. I just don't like not being able to watch" She said. Oh. That was it then.

"Natsu and Zuko are standing right opposite each other. They're waiting for the Fire Sages to finish snorting incense or whatever it is they do." He said.

When they did finally finish, they declared that the fight could begin. Natsu made a show of taking his stance and taking a deep breath in. Zuko, contrary to what his sister had said, did not just run in swinging. Toji figured that his rage had finally dulled enough for him to realise just who he was standing in front of. Of course, it was too late for him to turn back now. If Toji were in his place, he'd just do his best to die with some dignity. Make it look like a good fight.

Zuko must have had the same thought— for there was no way he thought he could actually defeat Natsu. He moved, sending a fire blast about the width of his torso at Natsu. Natsu stood still, watching the flames as they came, and then at the very last second, lifted his arms in front of him and then dragged them apart, cleaving the attack in two. He kept moving, kicking an arc of green flames in Zuko's direction. The whole crowd gasped at the colour of his flames. Zuko barely managed to dodge, so shocked he was. Luckily, Natsu hadn't decided to follow up the attack, just watching the Prince.

"Stop holding back and fight me" Zuko growled as he saw Natsu standing still and then fired two fire blasts in his direction. Natsu bent at his knees, and then he was off. He shot in the air, propelled by his green flames, until he was flying through the sky. Then the flames died, and he began crashing to the ground, right where Zuko was. The Prince aimed some flames at Natsu, but Toji's friend crashed through them unbothered. Even his trousers didn't get singed.

Zuko rolled to the side, and Natsu landed, scattering sand everywhere. He waited for the sand to clear, and while Zuko had retreated expecting an attack, Natsu had remained still.

"Rest well, Zuko. You will not be remembered" Natsu's voice echoed, and then he was off again. Zuko managed to block the first attack, an axe kick matched with an arc of flames, with both arms crossed above his head. But that left him vulnerable as Natsu used the leg on Zuko's arms to pull himself upwards and then spun into a kick that crashed right into the Prince's ribs. He went flying and rolled along the Coliseum's floor. Natsu stood there, and then clasped his hands together, before pulling them apart slowly.

Between his hands was a small ember of flames. He described this to Toph as best he could. The fire got bigger and bigger. Up until the point where it was about the size of a volley ball. Then and only then did it shoot from between Natsu's hands like a cannonball. Zuko had just managed to rise to his knees then, and could do nothing but watch the attack hit.

Toji lifted a hand to cover his eyes from the brightness of the explosion as he felt some hair on his arms be burnt off from the heat. He moved to make sure he was standing in front of the little munchkin.

When the explosion stopped flashing at his lids, he opened his eyes to find where Zuko had been kneeling had turned to glass. There was no body left behind. Just molten glass on the floor with green flames licking above it. Natsu lifted his fist in the air and the crowd went wild.

A/N: This might be my weakest fight scene in this story. Just couldn't make it a competitive struggle, and Natsu isn't the type to play around with Zuko that much. As always, the next two chapters are up on pa-treon. If you just want to read complete chapters and not my work in real-time, then feel free to purchase this story as a collection on my pa-treon page so you get to read each chapter after I finish it and not neecessarily the daily updates available with a regular pa-treon membership- nice way to support this story and me while you're at it. Enjoy! There's a cheeky 20% off to celebrate my birthday till the end of the month so take advantage of that while you can.