Dragon vs Dragon

Pov Kai:

The last few weeks have been pretty hectic, with the whole routine changing because of the Avatar.

There were a few power surges, which were actually quite impressive, but they were nothing like the power surge used on Kyoshi Island, or the old Kyoshi Island, since it was wiped off the map.

Azula and I were on a real ship to meet up with Aki, my grandmother. Although the only information I have is about her dubious character and her ridiculously absurd power.

As it was going to be a very uncomfortable meeting, I ended up asking Jefh to stay with Huzo in Jang Hui for a while, as I still wasn't sure why the dragons wanted to pick me up after 20 years.

Jefh was totally against it, because he wanted to be there to help in the event of a battle. However, if Aki is as strong or stronger than me, that would mean a big battle that I wouldn't be able to control.

Speaking of Huzo, I heard from him that there were complications in the area that Yoshie commanded, where there was a massacre in which dozens of people were killed because of the Avatar and his companions. Fortunately, Yoshie is fine, but they say she has undergone some kind of transformation, but the rumors about her are still very confusing.

My relationship with Yoshie is one of friendship and companionship in training, sometimes we talk for hours when we see each other again, so she's one of the few people I can really call a friend.

The subject of the avatar on my part will be dealt with when the time is right, it has already hurt too many people with its mere existence. When rumors of his return spread throughout the Earth Kingdom, it caused many people to revolt against the Fire Nation, especially in Omashu, with a newly ignited flame of rebellion.

The people's rebellion provoked the deadly use of firebending, and it was impossible to control the rebellions peacefully.

I had already decided that I would hunt down the Avatar myself once the matter with Aki had been resolved. Unfortunately, I couldn't just kill him like my enemies, because I would be reincarnated as someone else and start looking for the Avatar again.

I let out a long sigh, my long-term strategies for easing cultural tensions falling apart with the Avatar's return.

It reminded me of a conversation I had with Ayumi two years ago, about how I had changed my personality and my view of the world, becoming more pacifist in many ways. I don't deny that I'm extremely happy, especially when I have Azula by my side, but I feel that a part of me hasn't been the same for a long time.

At that moment, I was lying in bed with Azula sleeping peacefully on my chest. I couldn't help stroking her silky hair, it was almost intoxicating to see how relaxed she was.

I raised my right fist and made a blue flame that slowly turned yellow in my eyes, a flame that was faintly lit so as not to wake Azula. I asked myself why I had changed. 

A few years ago, I wouldn't even have imagined something like this, the pattern was always to train, improve and overcome an obstacle. I set myself new goals, but it seemed like a simple task to accomplish, like a weekly target. A moment of realization dawned on me, causing the flames in my hand to go out.

Perhaps the reason for my change in recent years was that I wanted to experience a new kind of challenge that would fill the void in my heart. I spent years fighting and risking my life to force my body to evolve three steps at a time, instead of one.

I think the real reason I've changed is not because I've matured or because of Azula's influence on my daily life, but because I no longer feel the same way I did years ago, the thrill of a real challenge.

I dream of having a family with Azula, lots of children and a peaceful life. These thoughts managed to warm my heart, but I still felt that something was missing, a piece of the puzzle.

Not wanting to wake Azula, I carefully got out of bed and walked along the deck of the ship, taking the opportunity to look at the stars before they disappeared with the new sunrise.

I admired the horizon for a few seconds, spotting the crescent-shaped island, the island that belonged to the Sages of Fire, the meeting point for me to meet my grandmother.

I couldn't wait to meet her, I wanted to know a few things about my mother, why she hid the truth and much more.

- Can't you sleep? - Azula said, putting on her red robe.

- Did I wake you?

- I like sleeping with you, I've already made it clear that you're my favorite pillow. - Azula calmly walked over on tiptoe to kiss Kai.

Because of Kai's height, it was almost unconscionable for him to lean over a little to kiss his soul mate whenever he wanted to.

- Eager? - Azula smiled affectionately.

- A little.

- Do you want to go back to bed?

- I wanted to see the sunrise later.

- Is there any difference between seeing this sunrise and the others you've seen? - Azula looked at the horizon, realizing that it would be some time before the rays of light illuminated the lands of the Fire Nation.

- The experience of watching the sun rise from the horizon is always different for me, and the same goes for every day I see you more beautiful.

Azula looked at Kai in silence, giving a small smile of satisfaction and with her cheeks flushed red, resting her head on his muscular chest, closing her eyes and waiting for the sun's rays to hit her delicate skin.

I wrapped my arms around Azula's small body and used my mastery to warm the air around me, enough so that the icy cold of the sea didn't bother her. It only took a few minutes for the sun to rise to its full height, a magnificent sight of nature itself.

I could feel the sun's rays hitting my skin, making me feel warm and my power increased by its omnipotent influence. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to better concentrate on this feeling of power that was influencing me.

When Kai was satisfied with the assessment of his primary power, he looked down and leaned close enough to kiss Azula's head, getting her attention.

- I love you. - I caressed her delicate face with my fingers as if it were a jewel.

- Idiot, I love you even more.

- Hmmmm... - I hugged her, pulling her waist so that our bodies were glued together. - Impossible, I love you even more.

I felt a small shock on my back, I looked closer and saw a smile of superiority on Azula's face, she raised her index finger and tapped my nose a little, deliberately spreading a small electric current to provoke me.

- Don't push your luck. - Azula whispered seductively. - Don't forget that you can't compete with your queen.

I felt Azula's small hands run up my back and squeeze my buttocks, digging her nails in as deep as she could.

- Let's get ready, it's going to be a long day. - Azula smiled teasingly and stuck her tongue out at Kai.

I couldn't help smiling at her, thinking about how our relationship had completely changed since our first meeting.

When we finally arrived on the island of the Wise Men of Fire, after a two-hour journey, it took almost no time at all for Azula and I to be greeted by the religious figures of the Fire Nation.

It was almost strange to think that these men of such mediocre power had such political relevance, second only to the Fire Lord in status.

- Lord Kai and Princess Azula, it is a great honor to have you here. - Said a fire sage who was leading the religious group. - My name is Fozi, and I hope I can be of service to you.

- Mr. Fozi, it's been a long time. - Azula said respectfully.

- This is the first time we've met, so I want to introduce myself properly. - I speak indifferently, bowing out of respect for political authority.

- No, no, no, I apologize for my rudeness. - Fozi hurried to bow, with all the fire wise men following his example, each of them with a certain admiration in their eyes.

Kai was surprised by this kind of attitude, not because it was strange to be treated with respect or fear, but because of the clear glamor of his presence. Azula didn't mind, for her it was the least she could expect, since the Fire Sages were the few people outside her circle of friends who knew of the draconic origin that ran through Kai's blood.

For the Fire Sages, who worshipped spirits, especially dragons, Kai was a divine presence in their eyes, and each of them wouldn't mind fulfilling any request Kai made, even publicly supporting him as a Fire Lord if he wanted to ascend.

Of course, Kai's divine obsession was compounded by the presence of another Celestial Dragon who was on the island, watching every detail of the youngest member of his family.

Around the crescent-shaped island, a few dozen kilometers away, there was a huge blockade of hundreds of Fire Nation military ships, probably the entire fleet, just to ensure that the dragons' meeting wasn't interrupted for any reason, an order given by Ozai himself, who wanted to make a good impression and ensure that the Celestial Dragons would see his actions as worthy of a future alliance, leaving the rest of his hope in Azula's hands.

- So, Fozi, can we get on with the meeting? I imagine the Fire Nation's guest of honor is anxious to see my fiancé. - Azula said indifferently.

- Yes, yes, I'm sorry... I'm so excited, we're about to witness a historic day for the Fire Nation. - said Fozi, completely lost in anxiety and excitement.

Before Fozi could make her way to the guest of honor, Aki, who was watching from the top of the island's only tower, jumped off the roof and fell violently to the ground, causing smoke and dirt to fly in all directions.

Everyone was coughing from the smoke, except Kai and Azula. Kai, in particular, stood protectively in front of Azula with his left arm outstretched to prevent her from taking any steps forward.

The smoke dissipated slowly, but anyone who looked closely could see two red eyes glowing brightly, sending a silent message. Aki's figure was revealed, wearing a red kimono and black pants, still barefoot.

- Just looking at you, I can see that you've inherited many aspects of me. - Aki said, pulling her fist out of the ground with a huge, proud, predatory smile.

Kai and Azula were amazed by the albino woman's appearance, especially the fact that she was a few centimeters taller than Kai. Azula unconsciously wondered if the whole family were giants.

- Physically, you look like me, but do you have the same strength as me? - Aki disappeared from Kai's eyes and kicked him hard in the face.

Kai skillfully shielded his face with his arm, causing the ground beneath his feet to crack several times at a distance of about 3 meters, his serious expression turning to astonishment when he saw his arm go numb. Aki gave a savage grin that showed off his razor-sharp teeth that had crushed thousands of living creatures in his thousands of years.

At the last moment, Aki deliberately slowed down the force of his kick and when he saw how his grandson managed to block even when his kick was defended, he continued to force his blow, unleashing more force than Kai could immediately handle and throwing him into the sea like a single thrown stone.

Aki turned to see how static everyone was, their gaze completely focused on Azula, enormous interest imprinted in their scarlet eyes.

- What... - Azula was prevented from speaking when her chin was lifted by Aki, who had practically teleported into her eyes, unable to keep up with Albina's speed.

- Hmmm... Your strength is enormous for a mortal, you're certainly the strongest human I've seen in the last 5,000 years. - Aki praised Azula as if it were something normal for her. - Your strength is similar to that of a 40-year-old dragon, impressive.

Without looking back, Aki caught Kai's kick, which had more than enough power to destroy solid iron walls with ease. With enormous ease, Aki threw Kai back into the sea with even more force than his kick.

Azula was almost stunned, as it was the first time she had seen Kai have such difficulty dealing with an opponent. In her mind, Kai was practically invincible, a god who had entered the world of mortals, and the years she had spent with him had only reinforced that idea.

- You must be surprised that Kai has such a hard time dealing with me. - Aki gave a gentle smile, something that contrasted with what was happening. - My grandson is far above what I expected of him, but he's still quite weak.

Aki tilted his head at the last microsecond, gracefully deflecting a punch from his new-found grandson. With Kai's guard down, Aki delivered a powerful knee to Kai's stomach, causing him to lose the rhythm of his breathing, be grabbed by the collar of his shirt and thrown to the other side of the island.

- I'm going to have to stimulate him... fighting humans all his life must have made his brain always use the minimum of its strength in battle. - Aki continues his conversation with Azula quite naturally, completely ignoring the princess's confusion. - He probably doesn't even know the limit of his strength, I think you've noticed that he never fights seriously, right?

Aki watched Azula with a mischievous smile, amused by the situation she found herself in. It might seem like she was belittling Kai's strength, but it was the opposite, she was using more than enough power to kill a human instantly, just the minimum to make her grandson start to free himself from the bonds that had held him all his life.

- I think that should be enough for him to realize that there's no need to hold back against me.

Aki tilted his head to the right, dodging another blow from his grandson, the force so impressive that it created an artificial air wave that split the seawater in half for a moment.

The Fire Sages were completely horrified to see two cult entities facing each other, but the physical prowess that had just been casually revealed was almost impossible not to be impressed and amazed, each of them explicitly refusing to turn their attention away from the battle.

- Good boy. - Aki took a few steps back while Kai held his position, apparently trying to catch his breath. Aki's face bore a small cut from Kai's last blow, revealing his golden blood. - Now, your energy is that of a 100-year-old dragon and you're only 20, but you've already cultivated so much power that it makes my blood boil a little.

- Why are we fighting? - I asked, finally feeling my lungs stabilize as I forced my body to circumnavigate the island in a matter of seconds. Although the island of the fire sages was quite large, it was no bigger than a small town.

- Fighting? We're not fighting, we're just playing. - said Aki indignantly. - That's natural if you want to teach puppies to evolve.

- What's that? What do you mean?

- Humans don't become adults until they're 18, right? So for us dragons, we don't consider adulthood in our species until we're 500 years old. - Aki crossed her arms. - As far as I'm concerned, you're just a hatchling.

Aki found Kai's cheerful expression hilarious; she couldn't blame Kai, he had grown mentally too fast in two decades. It reminded her of her past, when she was born at the height of the Eclipse War. Although the circumstances and the intensity of the danger were different, it was clear that they had a lot in common, not to mention the lineage they had inherited.

- How about making our banter even more intense? - Aki's eyes sparkled, warning him of his next move.

Aki shortened the distance with the same speed as her first attack, but this time, Kai could see her grandmother's attack. With a more restrained style, without using her sharp claws, Aki punched or slapped at the same level as Kai, slowly increasing her strength along with his.

The blows each of them used were defended with skill and technique, a sample of how each of them had gained their combat experience, their speed was so high that their blows appeared to be illusions to the human eye.

With each blow, Kai loosened up more and more, rediscovering the power he had always had, but had never been able to use seriously. In Aki's mind, there was a certain respect for her grandson for having strengthened himself without the help of another dragon, and she unconsciously watched Azula with gratitude.

An emotion welled up inside me, a feeling I hadn't felt for a long time, damn, how I missed that electrifying sensation that made my blood boil like that. I knew very well that my strength was no match for the true power my grandmother was hiding, but damn it, I'm not going to miss the chance to let loose like this and give this duel my all.

Azula crouched down a little, trying to stabilize herself as she watched the intensity with which the blows were delivered, each one creating a small shockwave that made the island tremble as if some earthbender was trying to lift it into the sky.

From one hour to the next, Aki and Kai's strength suddenly doubled, each of them abandoning practically any defense they could use to protect their vital points, it didn't matter anymore, they both just wanted to feel the raw impact of the other's blows. For Kai, it was an incomparably liberating experience for his body, as if he had been caged for years.

Azula watched the fight, stunned at the mere idea of being hit with such intensity, but her developed instincts warned her that it was practically a warm-up. Unable to forget Aki's words to her, she remembered that she had to get Kai to finally release the chains that bound him.

- This is insane... so is this your true potential? - Azula smiled proudly as she watched Kai grinning like a wild animal enjoying the hunt.

The eyes of the two albinos glowed completely red, as if there wasn't a trace of humanity left, this was no longer a battle or a joke.

Kai, releasing 100% of the spiritual energy he had accumulated over the years, dodged a direct hit and responded with a cross to Aki's mouth, throwing her against the tower and through the structure without any problem.

Kai was breathing heavily, with a big predatory grin on his face from the adrenaline of the fight, which he hadn't experienced for a long time. He hardly cared about the bruises covering his body, they were just unimportant details.

Aki was on the ground, looking up at the ceiling of one of the floors that made up the huge building. Her cheeky smile was like that of a proud mother, with a small trickle of golden blood falling from her lips.

Aki rose from the ground without haste, looking at the path she had been thrown down, realizing that Kai had thrown her through three solid walls with ease. Walking over to the hole in the wall, his vision focused on Kai and saw how his grandson was eagerly waiting to continue his personal game.

- HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. - Aki could no longer contain his laughter, which was conveyed in his draconic tone of voice. - Welcome to the family.

Fun facts:

Azula currently has 4 times the power of the Ozai in this story. Remember that Ozai has more power than his canon version at the height of Sozin's meteor power.

Kai's power, at its current peak, is equivalent to that of a 250-year-old dragon. On the other hand, Aki is just keeping up with Kai and is still far from his true destructive power when he uses all his physical abilities.

Next chapter: Fire vs Fire