Avatar: Tower Master

POV Zuko

"Prince Zuko you should be resting, it is no good to tire yourself out before the match" Uncle pleaded. 

Bringing my sword back up into position I kept moving through my forms "I need to be ready, I have seen him fight. I need to be at my best to beat him" I explained. 

"Pakku is a master waterbender, I am afraid your chances are already low" 

"But there is a chance" 

"My son, it is good that you are preparing yourself" 

Both uncle and I snapped around to find my father watching from just a few yards away. I stiffened the image of Azula being flung like a doll, still fresh in my mind. 

Giving him a glare uncle Iroh stepped between us "What is it that you need brother, I would expect you would be taking care of that injury" Iroh said gesturing to the bandaged left arm. 

Ignoring uncle, Father spoke directly to me "I have seen and heard how you have done in the tower as well as in this turoment. Once it is over I would like you to come home". 

"Home" I said softly, surprised by the request. 

"Yes, home. You will take your rightful place as heir to the throne" Father said. 

"I did not take you for the forgiving type brother" Uncle spoke up. 

Giving Iroh a smug smile, father said "Recent events have made me reconsider my family relations. Zuko is my first born and heir and I would like him to return home" 

"I really came home?" I asked, still stunned by the offer. 

"Yes, you can come home" Father confirmed "Now I believe you have a match to prepare for" he finished turning and walking away. 

Sheathing my swords I started walking towards the arena but Uncle stopped me grabbing my shoulder. 

"I do not think that he wants you back for the reasons he claims, I do not think you should go back" he said. 

Turning and staring him in the face I felt some water clouding my eyes "This is finally it uncle, I can go home. The past two years have paid off I can take my rightful place as heir to the throne" 

"Remember what happened to Azula; she was always the favorite yet look what happened" he pleaded. 

Brushing his hands off my shoulders I yelled "I need to go home; my honor will be restored" 

"Honor is not something that can be taken and given you must find it for yourself" 

I paused for a moment at his words, but the thought of going home was all I had ever wanted. "I have a tournament to win," I said. 

Making my way into the arena I leaned against the wall of the side waiting for the tournament to begin. More and more people filled into the stands placing bets and waiting for an entertaining match. Finally, it was time, the elf referee walked to the center of the arena. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that the Tower Master will not be attending this match, though he has given me charge of the rewards" 

You could hear the crowd boo at the announcement. 

"Now please quiet down so we can begin" the elf waited for everyone to quit "Now our first participant surprised us all in the last match, quite literally turning the ground into a smoldering mess. Welcome prince Zuko of the fire nation" 

I walked into the arena basking in the cheers of my people, remembering a previous opponent, I pulled a sword from its sheath and held it straight up making the cheers go even wilder. 

"Then his opponent, someone who has found this tournament a little too easy. Waterbending master of the Northern watertribe. Pakku" 

My opponent entered from the other side receiving cheers from the rest of the crowd. We locked eyes, he smirked. Anger crept up on me, but I pushed it down preparing to fight. 

"Fighters get ready" 

I drew my dual swords, sliding my foot back getting into a ready position. Pakku just folded his hands behind his back like he was taking a stroll. My anger increased. 

"Hai" 

'Quick step' I thought, activating the skill. A burst of flame leopard from my feet propelled me forward at a great speed. He just stood there. As I got closer I wrapped my swords in fire, then slashed them forward sending out a wave of flames. He just ducked under them. Then I was upon him, bringing my right sword down he leaned towards my left letting it pass by him. Seeing that I missed I brought my left sword up in an underhand cut. Again he just leaned out of the way. 

For the first time in the match he used waterbending, smacking me with a tendril of water. I flew back quickly righting myself and landing safely on the ground. My opponent smirked again. Going forward I activated intense flames launching another bout of fire at him. 

Bringing up a wave of water he blocked my attack effortlessly. Then a faint white light surrounded him as he activated an ability. Stepping back I tried to figure out what he had done, but I could not. He started raising his arms from below him up to above his head, behind him a huge wall of water started to condense. 

"Try this boy," he taunted. 

The wall of water erupted into motion swirling into a thick rotation tendril coming right for me. I wouldn't be able to dodge. Reaching into my storage I pulled out the mask placing it on my face. I felt the power rush through me and my anger increase, just as the tip of the tendril touched my face I was gone. 

"getsuga tenshou" I yelled out. A thick blanket of fire covered my sword as I swung it downwards letting out a tall blade of flame at my opponent. I thought it was going to hit him but I didn't even see what he did, a blanket of steam surrounded him. Hoping to catch him off guard I rushed forward into the steam. The outline of my opponent became clearer the most, so I rushed towards it. Stabbing my blade through them I felt some resistance as it slid all the way through and out his back. But no blood came, taking a closer look, I saw ice in the shape of a man. 

Before I knew what happened a spear of Ice pierced both of my legs leaving me falling to the ground bleeding. 

"Pakku wins" I heard the referee call. 

[tournament: second place] 

[Rewards: Low grade armor, choice of weapon, +300 XP]

I quickly took off the mask and stored it coughing in pain. A shadow covered my eyes, I saw my opponent leaning over me. 

"Your anger got the best of you, you rushed in too quickly. I would suggest learning to control it or it will get you killed one day" 

Healers rushed to my side picking me up and carrying me to the healers tent where they treated my wounds. I couldn't hear what was being announced. 

"Zuko, are you okay?" Iroh asked, rushing into the tent. 

The elf healer answered him quickly "He will be fine his opponent was careful not to permanently damage his legs" 

"I lost" I stated. 

"You did well, Prince Zuko," Iroh said. 

The elf healer spoke up "I have to agree, your opponent was vastly more experienced and a master bender at that if you hadn't used that mask you would have lost sooner" 

"I have to agree with the pretty lady here," Uncle said embarrassingly. 

"I am a guy," the healer spoke, giving uncle a glare. 

"Oh a sorry" uncle Iroh apologised. 

Removing his hands from my legs the healer said "He should be fine now, he is mostly healed but healing spells take a lot of energy from their target so I suggest you rest here I'll send someone with food" he then turned and left the tent. 

Sitting down next to me uncle said "Just rect prince Zuko when you wake we may be going home" 

"Home" was the last word out of my mouth as darkness overtook me falling asleep.

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Hello author here. I am happy to be back and writing, I would like to thank you all for the support. My job interview went well, and I have a follow up interview in a week that will decide if I get the job.