Avatar: Tower Master

I watched as both Zuko and Pakku dominated the fifth round, only Zuko seemed to have struggled with the high mage he was matched up with. The final rounds were about to start, for the finals each bracket's matches were not concurrent to allow people to see all the rewards being given out. First up was the one through nine bracket. Instead of being in the box I stood in the arena at the edge of it with the referee ready to present the rewards. 

Before the referee could start his announcements, I made my way to the center taking over. Spreading my hands out I amplify my voice "Welcome everyone to the finals for the one through nine brackets. I am saddened that this tournament is almost done. The participants have all done their best risking life and limb for the chance at the rewards. Now please welcome our finalist" 

Leading the applause the audience joined in as the two finalists entered from both sides of the arena. 

The Elf referee stepped forward to introduce them "Coming from the left side of the arena we have Kuzon, a soldier in the fire nation army. Coming from the right side of the arena Lock a hunter from the northern watertribe. Two benders fighting there polar opposites Fighters get ready" he paused to let the fighters prepare "Hai"

Kuzon punched his fist forward sending a blast of fire at Lock. Lock jumped to the side bringing his arms up and pushing out two flat palms. A wave of water swept forward almost hitting Kuzon but he leopard out of the way. In a manner uncharacteristic for a foot soldier Kuzon slid his foot forward on the ground letting out a wave of fire towards Lock's feet. Lock jumped over it ready to counter attack but was blasted back by another bout of fire burning his arm pretty bad. 

"Kuzon wins," the referee called. 

Before Lock could be taken to the healers, I stepped forward grabbing his arm and healing it, gesturing to the other side of the arena a young earthbender walked to the center standing next to Lock and Kuzon. 

"Congratulations Kuzon" I called, shaking his hand while amplifying my voice "As the first-place winner you have won a property in my own city" a scroll appeared in my hand; the deed to a small house; and I handed it over. 

Bowing Kuzon said "Thank you" 

"We aren't done yet" Next I pulled out a helmet meant to increase strength and dexterity by five points and handed it to him informing him of the effects and sending him his XP. 

Stepping over to Lock I said to him "As our second-place winner you have earned a piece of gear" pulling a ring out of my storage I handed it to him "This is a storage ring it's only effect is to store things less than three square feet" Then I sent his XP. 

Stepping over to the Earthbender I said to him "I am sorry but as the third place winner you have earned only some experience" I sent him the small amount of experience "That should not disappoint you though the tower can still help you become stronger so that next time you can come in first" Turning back around I said to the crowd "These are your champions of the one through nine bracket. We have half an hour until the ten through nineteen bracket begins, get some food, place bets and I will see you there" I then teleported away. 

Entering the second arena I made my way over to the finalists who were currently talking with the referee. 

"Let me just confirm, as a finalist you would like to drop out?" the dwarf asked. 

"Yes," Azula answered. 

"I would prefer you don't" I called and approached them. 

Ozai looked back surprised at my intervention Azula replied to my suggestion "I do not wish to fight my father" 

I could see the slight smirk on Ozai's face "I just think it would be a waste, this is a good opportunity to show that the fire lord's child is worthy of his legacy" I said trying to convince them. 

"It would not be seen that way if I were to fight my own child," Ozai said. 

"How about this? We need a final fight for this section so just put on a good show. Neither of you need to actually fight, just spar or something that way the audience will have something to watch" 

"To fight my own child is not something I wish to do but perhaps if something is offered" Ozai said lying through his teeth and trying to scam me at the same time. 

Putting on a hard face I said, "I have met your other child you know" I saw Ozai's start to worry a bit "You are perfectly able to fight your own child and because you tried to scam me you will fight and if you win you will not receive the property in my city". 

Ozai's face immediately contorted in barely contained rage "I had thought you and my daughter's recent friendship…" he started. 

"I know exactly what you were doing and I was content to let you try but you are going a bit far now" I said, stepping into his personal space. I could see that he was about to challenge me so I continued "If you continue to test me I will remove all powers you have gained thus far" 

"I…understand," Ozai finally said after a minute of deliberation. 

Turning to Azula I said "I hope that you do well in the match you are quite the talented bender. More so than your father" I ended with another jab. 

At that point the stands began to fill in with people hoping to watch an entertaining match. It took about another thirty minutes for everyone to finally find a seat and get any food or place bets for the fight. Ozai and Azula took their spots at each end of the arena preparing for their fight. 

Walking to the center of the arena I announced "Welcome to the finals for the ten through nineteen bracket, this match has ended up being quite special. One participant is someone who is hailed as both a great monarch and a warlord, giving it up for Ozai the Fire Lord of the fire nation" Only the fire nation citizens and those who betted on him clapped. "Then his opponent, princess of the fire nation, his own legacy, Azula" this time it was just a few fire nation citizens who clapped. 

Walking to the center the referee began "Fighters get ready" Ozai and Azula both got into a combat stance "Hai" 

Azula, nervous about fighting her own father, froze. Ozai on the other hand was more proactive, immediately activating intense flames and threw a large bout of fire at her. It wasn't until the last second that Azula reacted, instead of using her normal two finger firebending she punched out her entire fist letting out a large amount of blue flames shielding her from most of Ozai's fire though she was thrown back a bit. 

Some hair came down over her face as she started running forward throwing fire after fire at her father. Using his hands Ozai practically grabbed the fire and threw it to either side of himself. Both opponents were trading blow after blow with Azula on the offensive for most of it barely getting out any attacks. Then out of the blue Azula leopard under one of Ozai's attacks stood up, took a deep breath, activated intense flames again and punched out both fists. Instead of blue red fire quite literally erupted from where she was standing, basically engulfing Ozai in a wave of flames. Most thought it was over but I knew differently, Ozai had used his Heat resistance to tank most of the attack. 

"Foolish child" O zai said as the fire parted around him. 

Azula's eyes as she saw Ozai's hand, flat, facing towards her with a small amount of fire hovering in front of it. In a moment the small flame grew, letting out a concentrated blast of flames at close range. Azula's body went flying back as she used her arms to shield herself, she skirted on the ground until she fell into the water surrounding the arena. Though she didn't come back up. 

"Healers," Ozai yelled, looking at the spot where Azula went into the water with an empty gaze. 

Teleporting down I used waterbending to pull Azula from the water laying her on the ground. Kneeling down I put my hand in front of her nose to see if she was breathing, she was not. Putting my hand over her chest I used waterbending to find the water in her lungs, moving my hand up towards her head I pulled the water from her lungs and out of her mouth. Once all of it was out Azula began to cough. Giving Ozai a hard glare I picked Azula up and teleported to Minas Tirith I walked through the hall towards a guest room. 

Passing an Elf I yelled "Grab a healer" then entered the room and keyed her on the bed. Unfortunately her remaining injuries were burns which is not something I am good at.

Two female healers entered the room. "What do you need, my lord?" one asked. 

"Look after her, make sure there are no lingering injuries" 

"Yes, my lord" 

Teleporting back to the first floor I found Ozai in the fighter's tent right outside the arena. Fortunately from what I heard the referee ended the fight for me announcing the rewards. 

"How is Azu…" Ozai started. 

Grabbing him by the neck I slammed him into the ground cracking it in an orbit around him. The remaining elves and dwarves in the tent left giving me some privacy. 

"She is your child" I yelled into his face. 

"As you said accidents happen" he responded. In desperation Ozai tried to bend fire at my face. 

Using my own powers, I created a shield around it forcing him to burn his own hand. 

"Ahhhh, she is my child, she needs to be strong," he argued through clenched teeth. 

I was just going to take away all of his power but I thought better of it. Instead I remembered a certain hunter from an anime movie who killed a rotting boar cursing himself with its own rot. Beginning up my own system I immediately bought a few new abilities. 

[Curse breaker added] 

[Curse crafter added]

[Curse control added] 

"If your soul is that rotten let it show" Placing my hand on his arm I used my new abilities. The smell of rotting flesh entered my nose as blotches of rot started to show up on his arm. "Even cutting off your arm will not get rid of this curse"

"Ahhhh" he screamed in pain. 

"Know it's time for your reward" I said with a sick smile. 

[Give skill: Curse control?]

[yes/no]

"Yes" I stated giving the skill to Ozai "With this you should be able to prevent your death; at least for a while; but it will spread and make your life a living hell. You can keep your powers and enter the tower but no matter what you do you will be cursed to death" 

Standing up I saw him hold his arm in pain as the curse took hold "As compensation to your daughter she will receive your property in Minas Tirith" 

Standing back up I quickly sent the rewards to each other participant then handed the reward for the next match to the referee, including the class change stone. Then I teleported back to minas tirith right outside the room Azula was in. Knocking on the door one of the healers opened the door and came out, shutting it behind her. 

"How are her injuries?" I asked, concerned. 

"She sustained many burns, for the most part we have healed them leaving minimal scarring on her neck" she said looking a bit nervous. 

Noticing her nervousness I asked "What is it?" 

"We were able to save one of her eyes but the retina and optic nerves in her left eye have completely burned out. It's a miracle we didn't have to remove it" 

"She will live though?" 

"Yes she will live" 

POV Zuko 

"I can't believe it" 

Iroh spoke up "Neither can I, my brother has always been more aggressive but this is dangerous" 

For once I didn't have the heart to disagree with him, even though I was left speechless by fathers treatment of Azula. 

"I think you should prepare for your fight" Iroh said but I barely heard him. Grabing my shoulder he shaked me calling my name. 

"What?" I asked, turning towards him. 

"You should prepare for your fight, unless you have reconsidered?" he asked. 

Collecting my thoughts I stood up "No, I need to win" 

Walking down the stairs from my chair I made my way to the next arena. Entering early I was approached by the elf. 

"Prince Zuko, you have arrived early," he said. 

"I am ready for my fight" I replied quickly. 

"It will be in thirty minutes please wait a bit" 

"Fine" 

Hearing My annoyance the elf said "I hope you don't have the same temperament as your father" 

For the second time today I had no response. 

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I had to do some research about Ozai's personality and feelings for this chapter. I concluded that although he can be calculated and manipulative, he is also quick to anger as well as impulsive. The constant annoyance he had with the Tower Master just built up until Calum directly threatened him. Also, it's pretty obvious that he has no real love for his children besides having an "heir" which at this point he is considering Zuko as he has favor with Callum and is a higher level then both him and Azula. Also, Callum is not omniscient, although he can pretty much do anything he doesn't magically have knowledge of the human body, to him it was best to let the elves created specifically for healing deal with it, so he doesn't mess up. 

If you're wondering why Azula wasn't healed, it more has to do with the injuries being burns. A healing spell using the body's own cells infusing them with magic for hyper regeneration. Burns though completely kill and destroy the cells and surrounding flesh making it hard to completely regenerate. 

Also, this is most likely the last chapter until Friday, I may update tomorrow but I may be too nervous or concerned after my job interview.