Through Uncle's Eyes
Chapter Five: Agni-Kai and a Necklace
Just minutes later, Zuko, Zhao and I were all standing in an Agni-Kai arena. Well, I was standing- - Zuko and Zhao were kneeling. Agni, did I have a bad feeling about this!
"Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko!" I urged him as he stood up. "They are your greatest weapons."
"I refuse to let him win." Was all Zuko said.
I watched as Zhao stood up as well, for of his soldiers rushing over to remove his shawl from his shoulders.
"This will be over quickly."
The gong sounded and I watched as the two men face each other, confidence etched on both of their faces. Fire formed in my nephew's fists and he shot it at Zhao, who easily dodged the flames. As Zuko kept firing wildly, Zhao puts his elbows together and with a sly grin, evaded the fire.
My nephew was a little tired, but he did not give up. He quickly spin-kicked more fire at Zhao, who waved it into submission with his arms. Getting lower to the ground, the commander countered the fire, until Zuko's was all used up.
"Basics, Zuko!" I shouted. "Break his roots!"
Zhao continued firing at Zuko, who like Zhao, evaded the fire by pushing it aside. However, Zhao continued with so much force, that my nephew was knocked to the ground.
I watched fearfully as Zuko forced himself up as Zhao came down upon him and blasted fire right at his face. I almost wanted to look away, afraid that my nephew would receive a new scar around his other eye. However, Zuko spun around, knocking Zhao over. Now I was confident that Zuko had this fight.
Zuko kept emitting flames from his feet, forcing Zhao farther and farther backwards. I grinned with triumph as with one final powerful fire blast, Zhao toppled to the ground, rolling over several times before my nephew was standing besides him, ready to end the duel.
"Do it!" Zhao ordered forcefully. I sighed; it was always about honor to that man. Couldn't he just admit defeat and end the duel peacefully?
With an angry growl, my nephew shot a fireball…to the side of Zhao's head.
"That's it?" I heard Zhao retort. "Your father raised a coward!"
"Next time you get in my way…" Zuko warned. "I promise I won't hold back."
I rushed to my nephew to congratulate him as he started to walk away; however, I had to deal with more important matters. I saw Zhao rise and attempt to attack my nephew. He attempted to blast Zuko, but I grabbed hold of his foot and tossed him backwards.
My nephew attempted to run up to Zhao and attack, but I held him back. "No, Prince Zuko! Do not taint your victory."
I turned back to Zhao, appalled. "So, this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. Disgraceful! Even in exile, my nephew is more honorable than you. Thanks again for the tea, it was delicious."
Zuko and I then turned and left. Once outside the gates, I heard my nephew speak.
"Did you really mean that, Uncle?"
"Of course!" I replied with a sly grin. "I told you ginseng tea is my favorite."
I chuckled lightly at the look on Zuko's face as we walked back to the ship.
&
A couple of days later, with no trace of the Avatar in sight, I entered my nephew's room. He was sitting in front of a row of candles, meditating.
"The only reason you should be interrupting me is if you have news about the Avatar." He spoke dangerously.
"Well, there is news, Prince Zuko, but you may not like it." I chose my words carefully. "Don't get too upset…"
"Uncle…" Zuko's spoke in a kinder tone now. "…you taught me that keeping a level head is a sign of a good leader. Now I'm sure, I can handle the news."
"Okay." I let it out. "We have no idea where he is."
"WHAT?!" Zuko exploded, the flames of the candles growing until the reached the ceiling. Overwhelmed by the smell, I pulled a fan out of my sleeve to calm myself down.
"You really should think about opening a window in here." I offered, but my nephew grabbed the map from my hands.
"How am I going to find him Uncle?" he asked me. "He's clearly a master of evasive maneuvering."
My nephew lowered the map and sat on his bed, his head resting in his hands.
"Come, Zuko." I helped him up with a warm smile. "I think a nice breakfast will cheer you up."
&
"Sir, we have news that the Avatar is on Kyoshi Island." A guard interrupted our nice meal.
Zuko shot up. "The Avatar is on Kyoshi Island? Uncle, ready the rhinos; he's not getting away from me this time!" And with that, my nephew exited the room. I reached up to Zuko's plate of fish and pointed at it.
"Are you going to finish that?" I asked hopefully. My nephew turned back and re-entered the room and snatched the plate from me.
"I was going to save it for later!"
As soon as he was gone, I crossed my arms and pouted.
&
While Zuko was gone on Kyoshi Island, I couldn't help it. I ate his fish. I asked the cook to make another one for Zuko, but Zuko came back earlier than expected. He didn't have the boy with him and he was soaking wet with a look of extreme anger.
"Let me guess…" I spoke. "He beat you again didn't he?"
Zuko growled in annoyance.
"Well, look on the bright side," I said, walking up to him and smelling him. "You don't smell half as bad as you did when you first left this morning."
&
A few days later, I was watching Zuko spar with some guards when the ship stopped and the captain walked up to him.
"Sir, do you know that prison rig?"
"Yes."
"Well, we found the body of the Warden floating in the water. It may be the Avatar's doing."
"Very well." Zuko replied. "Dock at the prison and I will take a look."
Moments later, Zuko and I were standing at just earlier this day would have been a whole yard of prisoners.
"Zuko, I don't think we'll find anything here." I told him. However, as I looked over at him, I saw him bend over and pick something up. He then walked over to me.
"I think I just found what I'm looking for." He told me, holding out his hand. In his palm was a beautiful Water Tribe betrothal necklace.
"I'm certain this belongs to that peasant that is traveling with him."
END CHAPTER
A/N- Writing battle scenes aren't easy. I hope I did a decent job of capturing the Zuko/Zhao Agni-Kai. Please review.