Bittersweet Loyalty (Zuko's Daughter)

Chapter Four: Last Resort

Zuko had advanced far from explosive blasts when trying to connect to his rings. Since then, he's able to make a small blade out of a spark. It flickers in for a few seconds before fizzing out like fireworks. It takes eminsive concentration and he doesn't understand how he'll ever be able to do this without much thought.

Aine demonstrated the technique to create the weapon but he still cannot understand what it is that he's failing to do. Zuko has been practicing this for over a month and it's improved. No matter what though, he still felt like he was failing over and over and over again. With a depressive sigh, he stops trying. He grits his teeth as Aine comes forward. It was dusk allowing for the last sliver of the sun to shine its rays upon them.

Aine comes closer to him before silently placing her hand on her bracelet. She takes a quick breath, never breaking eye contact with him before crafting her large shield. In a split second her delicate legs are on the move, she practically flies at him using the momentum to slam the shield into his side. The shield immediately burns the hair off of his arms.

He rolls into a crotch as she comes running at him once more. Aine runs up a stone wall. She doesn't slip or fault using it as a spring to do a magnificent flip. During the flip she uses the opportunity to slam her shield into his face. It was graceful and calculated but Zuko was fierce and tired of losing. He dodged the attack to his head and instead allowed it to crash into his arm. His tongue betrays him by hissing out in pain. The fire scorched his shoulder burning the burgundy sleeve of his shirt to ash.

He clicks his tongue watching as no amusement collects in her hardened eyes. This wasn't a friendly spar, she was seriously tired of him failing as much as he was. She saw this to be an opportunity for him to have to forcefully get it right. Zuko knew that if he didn't act fast, she would in fact send him to the infirmary. The Prince really didn't want to add anymore scars to his less than pleasant list.

Ducking under a swing of fire, he taps on his rings to fill the heat and overcome the ring. Sparks ignite and she glides forward towards him. She practically dances around the courtyard. Zuko waits a beat before slashing forward allowing a small burst of energy towards her. It was weak and nothing close to what he needed. The sparks fizzled out only amusing the Princess in front of him.

She still doesn't say anything and he curses out rolling on the rocky pavement to get out of her reach. Zuko was angry and he knew it. The Fire Prince also knew that he couldn't allow anger and frustration to rule his bending. It blinded his techniques and would cause this all to blow up in his face once more. Taking a calming breath he closed his eyes and focused on the heat around him. The sun overhead, the bodies watching the fight near the stairs of the courtyard, Aine trying to sneak up behind him from the left, and finally the ring searing on his fingers.

He locks on to the last two feelings breathing in. He closes his fist feeling a power take over before spinning on his heels. The sounds of the courtyard take over. The cheers of the audience, the whistle of the air, breathlessness of Aine, and the whispers of the sparks shaking off of his developed broadswords.

She crashes forward, shield held high and heavily. Zuko raises both swords and allows them to clank onto the shield. It stops Aine in her tracks and she smiles for the first time during the battle.
"I knew you could do it. Now prove you can use them."

Zuko's muscles strain as he holds his ground, the weight of Aine's shield pressing down on his newly formed broadswords. He meets her gaze, his amber eyes burning with determination. He steps back, breaking the deadlock and causing Aine to stumble slightly. He takes advantage of the moment, pivoting and swinging his right sword in a wide arc.

Aine recovers quickly, deflecting his strike with her shield, but Zuko is already moving, following up with a thrust from his left sword. The clash of metal against metal rings out, echoing through the courtyard.

Aine counters with a swift kick to Zuko's midsection, but he blocks it with his forearm, grunting as the impact reverberates through his bones. He spins away, creating some distance between them, and reassesses the situation. His swords flicker, threatening to dissipate.

He tightens his grip, focusing his energy to keep them solid. Aine doesn't give him time to think, charging at him with renewed vigor. Zuko parries her blows, each strike testing his endurance and concentration.

He channels his frustration into a burst of speed, dodging to the side and landing a glancing blow on Aine's shoulder. She hisses in pain, but it only seems to fuel her aggression. She retaliates with a flurry of attacks, her shield a blur of motion. Zuko's mind races. He needs to do something unexpected, something that will catch her off guard. He remembers the lessons on combining bending with physical combat. Taking a deep breath, he summons his inner fire and launches himself into the air, twisting his body in mid-flight.

He lands behind Aine, slashing at her exposed back. She barely manages to spin around in time, blocking the strike with her shield, but the force of the blow knocks her off balance. Zuko presses the advantage, his swords a whirlwind of flame and steel. Aine grits her teeth, frustration evident in her eyes. She backs up, trying to regain her footing, but Zuko doesn't let up. He feints with one sword, then strikes with the other, slipping past her defenses and scoring a hit on her leg.

She drops to one knee, her shield arm trembling. Zuko stands over her, breathing heavily, his swords still glowing with fiery energy. Aine looks up at him, a mix of pride and exhaustion on her face.

"Well done, Zuko," she says, her voice steady despite the strain. "You've finally mastered it."

Zuko lowers his swords, the burgundy flames flickering out as he releases his grip. He offers her a hand, helping her to her feet. The crowd erupts in cheers, but Zuko's focus remains on Aine.

"Thank you," he says quietly. "You've been a big help."

Aine nods, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Remember this feeling, Zuko, when you meet the masters because you're finally ready."

He raises an eyebrow as he wipes sweat from his neck. His eyes glow with the last faint light of the sun. "You mean the mysterious people you won't tell me anything about?"

"Yes, the mysterious people that will one hundred percent decide whether you learn the essence of fire bending or die trying!" She giggles skipping off, "I expect to see you at the first of Dawn at the top of the temple."

"Am I allowed to run across the top?"

She thinks, "Since you have the city traps memorized by now, yes." Aine throws her arm around him, "Now let's go eat I'm starving."