Child on the Dragon Throne (Part 2/?)
Title: Child on the Dragon Throne - Part II
Previous Parts: Teaser, Part One
Summary: Iroh does not take kindly to Ozai humiliating, maiming and banishing a nephew he cares for. Now, with Ozai dead and Iroh himself banished for committing an act of regicide, the newly crowned
Fire Lord Zuko does not know who he can trust.
Author’s Note: in my defence, I didn’t post this sooner because I worked on pretty much all of the other instalments of this fic except for the one immediately following the previous one, chronologically. Thus, updates should come more quickly after this?
I would also be greatly appreciative of any constructive criticism you all have to offer. :)
---
In his prime, it was widely acknowledged that Prince Iroh was a peerless fighter. General Iroh had taken on a dragon and had come out victorious. Through his influence, the Fire Nation army had taken numerous Earth Kingdom strongholds, ensuring the safety and security of Fire Nation colonials and victory and glory for the Fire Nation itself. No other firebender could have hoped to have taken him on in one-on-one combat and come out victorious. Come out alive, perhaps. If the general was feeling merciful.
It was through General Iroh’s leadership that the Fire Nation came the closest to defeating the great city of Ba Sing Se in generations.
But the siege had broken him. And Iroh was no longer in his prime. The years now sat heavily on his shoulders, and his hair held more gray than it should have. Although still stocky, the sturdiness of muscle had softened into fat.
Ozai was still young. His movements were fluid and sure and devastatingly ruthless. He had not felt true grief or defeat.
But neither did he have the combat experience of a general.
The modern Imperial Firebending Style is fuelled by emotions, rage being among the most powerful. Ozai may have been angry at the indignity of having to waste his time on another duel, but Iroh’s anger ran even hotter: he was righteously indignant on behalf of his nephew, and absolutely furious at his brother.
Angry smoke came unbidden from Iroh’s nostrils as he knelt, facing away from Ozai in the arena. He focused on the familiar ashy smell of his own firebending. If he didn’t, he feared that he would smell something entirely different: the lingering scent of burned flesh from yesterday’s opponent. He couldn’t allow himself the distraction.
The traditional gong was rung, and Iroh stood at turned without hesitation. He would not show weakness.
Iroh knew that Ozai would not hesitate to go for the kill, if necessary (and it would become necessary, if Iroh had his way). Iroh could not afford to fail to do the same.
---
Tune in next time for... the actual fight!
Previous Parts: Teaser, Part One
Summary: Iroh does not take kindly to Ozai humiliating, maiming and banishing a nephew he cares for. Now, with Ozai dead and Iroh himself banished for committing an act of regicide, the newly crowned
Fire Lord Zuko does not know who he can trust.
Author’s Note: in my defence, I didn’t post this sooner because I worked on pretty much all of the other instalments of this fic except for the one immediately following the previous one, chronologically. Thus, updates should come more quickly after this?
I would also be greatly appreciative of any constructive criticism you all have to offer. :)
---
In his prime, it was widely acknowledged that Prince Iroh was a peerless fighter. General Iroh had taken on a dragon and had come out victorious. Through his influence, the Fire Nation army had taken numerous Earth Kingdom strongholds, ensuring the safety and security of Fire Nation colonials and victory and glory for the Fire Nation itself. No other firebender could have hoped to have taken him on in one-on-one combat and come out victorious. Come out alive, perhaps. If the general was feeling merciful.
It was through General Iroh’s leadership that the Fire Nation came the closest to defeating the great city of Ba Sing Se in generations.
But the siege had broken him. And Iroh was no longer in his prime. The years now sat heavily on his shoulders, and his hair held more gray than it should have. Although still stocky, the sturdiness of muscle had softened into fat.
Ozai was still young. His movements were fluid and sure and devastatingly ruthless. He had not felt true grief or defeat.
But neither did he have the combat experience of a general.
The modern Imperial Firebending Style is fuelled by emotions, rage being among the most powerful. Ozai may have been angry at the indignity of having to waste his time on another duel, but Iroh’s anger ran even hotter: he was righteously indignant on behalf of his nephew, and absolutely furious at his brother.
Angry smoke came unbidden from Iroh’s nostrils as he knelt, facing away from Ozai in the arena. He focused on the familiar ashy smell of his own firebending. If he didn’t, he feared that he would smell something entirely different: the lingering scent of burned flesh from yesterday’s opponent. He couldn’t allow himself the distraction.
The traditional gong was rung, and Iroh stood at turned without hesitation. He would not show weakness.
Iroh knew that Ozai would not hesitate to go for the kill, if necessary (and it would become necessary, if Iroh had his way). Iroh could not afford to fail to do the same.
---
Tune in next time for... the actual fight!