Steam: An Avatar Story

Chapter 2

"Oh no," Katara whispered, horrified. Her hands came to her mouth. "Zuko, no."

"Father?" Zuko stood up out of his stance. "I thought I was fighting a General!" His golden eyes narrowed and hardened.

"You disrespected me in my War Council chamber. For that, you will fight for your redemption!" Ozai yelled.

"Father! I'm not going to fight you are you crazy? I'm your loyal son!" Zuko yelled. The 17 year old was terrified. His father was the most powerful Firebender in the world, and to fight him would be treason.

"Fight Zuko!" He exclaimed.

"I'm not going to fight you! I'm not going to betray the Fire Nation!" Zuko yelled. He bowed. "I am your loyal son, please Father." At this, Ozai got extremely angry. He punched out, a stream of fire following his commands and racing towards his son.

"Zuko!" Katara screamed. She wanted to go to him, but Iroh was holding her back. Tears spilled from Katara's eyes as she watched Zuko writhing in pain, screaming as his father burned a permanent mark on his face. Ozai left the room.

"Zuko," Katara whispered. Everyone was getting up and leaving. The Agni Kai was over. Zuko shamed himself. Katara scrambled down to the floor and ran to Zuko, hitting her knees beside him. Iroh was close behind.

"My dear, there was nothing we could do." Iroh whispered to the girl. Katara was shaking as medics picked him up and brought him to the infirmary.

"No, don't bring him to the infirmary. Put him in his room." Katara said. The medics looked at her, confused. Katara sniffled, but her eyes were hard and hate-filled. "I am your Princess. Do as I say, or there will be consequences." She threatened. Adopted or not, the Fire Lord had officially made her his daughter, and an order from her was as effective as one from Azula or Zuko. The medics nodded and walked him go his room.

"Katara dear, go with him. I'll go to the infirmary and grab what he needs." Katara nodded. "Please stay with him." Iroh asked as he left.

~

That night, Katara fell asleep with her head on Zuko's chest while sitting in a chair. A few hours before dawn, Zuko started stirring, which caused Katara to wake up.

"Zuko?" She asked quietly. He moaned in pain. "Zuko shh, it's okay." She brushed what remained of his hair out of his face and waited for him to open his good eye.

"Katara?" He asked hoarsely. "Katara, what are you doing here?"

"You were hurt, I wanted to make sure you're okay." She replied.

"Well I'm fine!" He yelled, which immediately led to him coughing. "Get out." He snapped. Katara was hurt.

"Zuko," she whispered.

"Get out." He growled. His normally molten eyes were hard and full of hate directed at..her?

"Zuko," she tried again, hurt.

"Get. Out." He threatened. Katara swallowed and stood up, terrified, but also angry.

"Fine!" She yelled. "I can't believe I thought you needed me!" Katara stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

~~

The next day, Uncle Iroh walked in on Katara furiously Firebending at invisible enemies in the practice arena. She was punching out aggressively, sending waves and waves of fire towards the walls, and generally hating everything at that moment.

At first, Iroh was impressed, because her flames had started turning blue. She was reaching a new level of heat.

"Stupid" punch, "Crown" punch, "Prince!" Punch. "Why are you so infuriating!" She screamed, sweeping her leg to send out a wave of fire. Iroh watched in awe as the blue flames sweeping across the floor had a white center. She was making her flames hotter and hotter. Breathing heavily, Katara let herself fall to the ground on her back, letting herself scream her frustrations out one more time.