Avatar: Tower Master

The break between battles was quite nice but I was looking forward to the next round, I want to see how Zuko does. Today though there would be two rounds as many people have been eliminated. 

"You are here Tower Master" Ozai welcomed. 

Taking my seat in the box I asked him "Come to see your son's battles?"

With a grimace Ozai said "He has surprised me"

"Yes I would think so. His banishment has given him an almost unbreakable will to move forward. It is actually quite impressive" 

"Agreed" 

"Where is Azula?" 

"She is preparing for her fight; I think she would be disappointed that you aren't going to watch" 

"Despite her being young she is quite powerful and skilled I would be surprised if she is eliminated so soon" 

At that point the same Elf from yesterday appeared in the arena ready to announce the fights. 

Standing in the arena center he said "Welcome all viewers and participants to the second round of the tournament. I hope you have had the time to place bets because the stakes are higher." Stepping to the edge of the arena "From the northern watertribe we have a high mage ready to prove himself" then gesturing to the other participant "And his opponent is none other than waterbending master Pakku who made quick work of his opponent yesterday" 

"This should be interesting," I commented. 

"Fighters ready" the Elf began "Hai" 

Both fighters didn't even move an inch, sizing one another up trying to figure out what the other would do. Pakku brought his arms up, raising a large amount of water then sending a tall wave at his opponent. Much to people's surprise the high mange didn't even move as the water approached him then at the last second he used a mage bolt forcing the water to move past him not giving Pakku a chance to fix it. 

"Impressive" I heard Ozai whisper. 

What do you know he can be impressed. The mage bolt continued on aimed straight for Pakku forcing him to twist out of the way. Recovering I could see Paku using an ability to create ice spears and not icecycle's like many would expect, actual weapons. Using his bending Pakku through them at his opponent forcing him to use mana shield to protect himself from being impaled. Pakku kept at it, increasing the amount of weapons he threw. The shield started to crack despite the mages' attempt to reinforce it, then it shattered. A spear ripped through the man's arm taking it off entirely. 

"Fight is over, Pakku is the winner!!" the Elf yelled. 

I could visibly see Pakku almost throw up at the fact he almost killed someone from his own tribe. Obviously he didn't expect it to shatter that suddenly. Pakku ran over using bending to quickly take him to the healers tent right outside the arena. 

"He should've spent more time observing his opponents abilities," Ozai commented. 

"I agree, if he knew how quickly that ability can fail when overwhelmed me might have fought differently" 

The next few matches were pretty standard with mostly non-bending classes fighting one another. Then it was Zuko's turn for his second battle. Entering the field Zuko had his swords drawn and looked ready to take some anger out. His opponent was a waterbender trained by Pakku. 

"Once again we have Prince Zuko in the ring facing off against his natural opposite a waterbenders fighters get ready…Hai" 

The waterbender was the first to move, bringing water under his feet and skirting around the edges of the arena. Zuko watched as the bender approached him using quick step to move out of the way at the last minute. Circling one another both fighters measured up one another, Zuko probably done waiting blasted bursts of flames while using his swords. The waterbender used pressured water allowing him to block them all with just one move. 

"I thought you were supposed to be royal, not a common soldier" The waterbender taunted. 

Getting angry Zuko blasted out more and more fire quickly burning himself out. The waterbender seeing his exhaustion moved in trailing a large amount of water. Planting his feet on the ground the waterbender twisted his arms sending a large swirling stream of water at Zuko. 

Raising one of his swords to the sky Zuko yelled out "getsuga" dense fire started to surround Zuko's sword taking on a deep red as it did "tenshou!" he finished bringing his sword down. 

A large blade of fire flew from Zuko's blade cutting through the space in front of him. As a last ditch effort the waterbender used his bending to threw himself to the side of the arena slamming into the bottom of the bleachers knocking himself out and dropping into the water. 

"With his sword?" Ozai said, confused. 

"It's a quest I gave him, he has to use his swords while in the tower" I answered. 

The Elf/referee dragged the waterbender from the water and had him brought to the healers tent. I didn't immediately fix the arena as I wanted people to see what Zuko had done. Stretching from the spot Zuko had stood was a wide gash in the earth, some parts still smoldering from the intense heat. 

"Why would you give him enough attention to give him a personal quest?" Ozai asked me. 

"Think about it. A banished prince, outlawed from his own land using only his will and skill to prove his worth rising like phoenix to take back his place. It is quite literally the stuff of legends" 

As the Elf returned to the arena I fixed it with another wave of my hand. 

"If you will excuse me, I need to make it to my first fight" Ozai said leaving the box. 

The next few matches were quite plain as most of the remaining participants were warrior type classes, so it was a lot of weapons on weapon. 

Standing up I turned to Goshen. "I am going to see Ozai and Azula's second fight, let me know if something dangerous happens." I explained. 

"Will do," Goshen replied. 

Using my abilities I teleported to the box in the second arena. Taking my seat, I was just in time to see Ozai's first battle and he obliterated his opponent again by just releasing a large amount of fire again. 

"Man that is going to bite him in the ass at some point" I said to myself.

The mediator for this arena was a Dwarf wearing heavy armor and a warhammer on his back. 

Stepping to the center the dwarf announced "For the next fight we have Azula princess of the fire nation, and her opponent, the heir to the north watertribe engaged to it's only princess Hahn" 

As soon as I heard the name I knew this fight was going to be quick and funny. Azula stood on one side and the idiot stood on the other ready to fight. 

The dwarf said "Hai" and the fight began. 

Hahn barreled at Azula immediately using the empower ability. As he got closer Azula just stepped out of the way and used a quick blast of fire to light up his pants. Feeling the heat Hahn started yelling, dropped his weapon, and jumped in the water all the while yelling I give up. 

"Knew that was going to be good" I said with barely contained laughter. 

Probably having spotted me, Azula soon joined in the box and sat down on the chair next to me. 

"That was quite good, being able to defeat your opponent in one move is impressive no matter who you face" I complemented. 

"Thank you Tower Master" 

"Also you can let your father know that after the tournament I will be placing the gate at the fire nation capital" 

"I will do that, do you know where he is?" she asked. 

"I saw him walk back to the other arena" I answered "Most likely to speak to your brother"

"Zuzu? Why" 

"His win was quite impressive, despite him being cornered he caused his opponent to knock himself out" 

"I find that hard to believe," she said. 

POV Zuko

I sat in the healers tent letting them wrap my ribs and using various healing skills to help me heal faster. The last fight was close enough that I considered bringing out the mask, but my sword skill saved me though. 

"Get out" I heard a familiar voice say. 

Looking up I saw the healer leave and my father entered the tent. Immediately standing up I kneeled to him "Father". 

"Zuko, I saw your fight," he replied "It was impressive" 

Holding back some emotion I said "Thank you father" 

"If you keep this up you may be home sooner than you think" he said. 

Surprised, I lifted my head. "What about the avatar?" 

"The Avatar is not my priority. This tower will give the fire nation all the power we need to take care of them" he said. 

As father left Iroh entered the tent. 

"Zuko, are you alright?" he said, pulling me to my feet. 

"He acknowledged me" 

"What was that Zuko?"

"Father he acknowledged me, he even said I could be returning home soon" 

"If he wants you back then I don't think it's for the reason you think it is" 

Grabbing Uncle's shoulders, I stared him in the eyes saying, "Don't you see if I win this tournament then I can go home, I will be able to take my rightful place". 

Rushing from the tent I ignored what my uncle said from behind me. 

"I hope so".

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Hey readers I have an interview for a new job this week so for the next few days It is definitely possible that I only post one chapter per day as I prepare for it.