3 FIRE AGAINST FIRE

I was climbing a hill, I could see that the trees were burned by a recent fire, but thanks to our elemental nature, this wasn't even a nuisance, just a simple detail.

When we finally entered a circular gate at the top of the mountain, I couldn't help but notice that there were images and carvings of dragons represented by scarlet eyes.

[Hmmm.. I wonder if there is some family history related to these eyes?] - I couldn't help but think, admiring the great care with every detail that was put into the statues.

- Lord Ozai. - Said a maid, who bowed. - Do you want something to drink or eat?

- It won't be necessary, where is the child?

- Young master is at the training camp, I can take you there. –She responded with obvious nervousness.

As I accompanied the maid, I noticed that other residence staff gave a brief bow and prepared to leave the training field. Obviously, if you look at the behavior of the residents, it's easy to conclude that my son was hot-headed.

When I finally entered the open field, I could immediately notice a young man who was in a meditative pose, his long hair that reached the ground, dark as night. He wore a short-sleeved red outfit with black details, but was completely barefoot. The parts his clothes didn't cover revealed burn scars, which were still healing.

I gave a silent order to my Royal Guard not to interfere, and just approached the center that was occupied by what would be my son.

In a brief instant, I feel a killer instinct coming from the direction of the young man in front of me, and slowly his head turns towards me, revealing scarlet eyes that I haven't seen in over a decade.

- You know who I am? - I asked in a firm tone, slightly raising my posture to enhance my clear superiority.

- I suppose it's my father. - He responded neutrally, gradually diminishing his killer instinct.

- Firstly, I am your Fire Lord and I have no intention of considering you my son.

- Hmmm… then why did you personally come to this no man's land? - He mocked. For a brief moment, his figure was replaced by a female one, that of katsu. - You could have simply sent assassins to kill me and the witnesses, but Your Majesty decided to appear before a bastard.

I remain silent for a moment, in fact, he is the spitting image of his mother. He asks me if my sons always carry something that mirrors their mothers.

At first glance, I was irritated by his lack of courtesy and he didn't even bow to me. However, I could see… he is the total opposite of Zuko.

[He has the courage to look into my eyes, like his mother.] - This thought continued as I watched my bastard son getting up from the ground, standing just a few meters away.

It may seem simple, but the fact that the moment he looked at me, he didn't look away, made me feel a little goosebumps. Making me wonder what would have happened if he hadn't married Ursa, how different my future would be.

Without any warning, I attack with a concentrated blast of fire, aiming to kill. The wave of flames rose more than 7 meters high, surrounding the center of the arena almost instantly, but after a single second, the flames fell as if carried by the wind, revealing my son practically intact, even his clothes were unharmed.

At the same moment, I remove the royal uniform that covered me, at the same time that my son begins to walk slowly around the arena. I copy his action going in the opposite direction, now each one slowly studied their opponent.

[Katsu taught him how to nullify another firebender's flames. This means I can't fight according to my preferences] - I launch a quick but sequential attack of fire blasts, right to left, decreasing your chances of doubling.

Kai, seeing his father's merciless attacks, began to move quickly, dodging in the last microseconds, and in a remarkable display of talent, he got used to it and got into the same combat rhythm as his father.

Ozai, realizing this in moments, increases his pace, forcing a new entry and rain of attacks, causing Kai to even throw punches in the bursts, dispersing them with each punch in the air.

Without giving himself a chance to take the lead, Ozai breathes air into his lungs and compresses a large amount of fire with at least ⅓ of his true power. Kai in response, promptly "grabbed" his father's flames and used his own strength to return the blow with his arms with the same force, but his attack was quickly deflected by a great display of agility from the fire lord.

- This is new. – I comment, but with an imperceptible smile on my face.

The soldiers and staff were stunned by the brief demonstration of skills that unfolded before their eyes.

- Well done, Kai. -I speak my son's name for the first time.- You may know how to dodge and defend yourself, but how will you deal with it!

A celestial light begins to emanate from Ozai's fingers, in a single instant of skill, the fire lord activates it: SUB-BENDING: LIGHTNING.

Purposely, Ozai delays the preparation of his internal energy with positives and negatives, just to see how his firstborn would act.

Kai's eyes shone, but her expression was one of frustration when she saw the lightning that was being held by her father. With no other choice, he extended both arms in opposite directions and began a circular movement that slowly brought his hands together.

Ozai's golden eyes shone for the first time in a long time, the servants began to move away as if they feared for their lives and the royal guard remained confused in their places, prepared to intervene if necessary.

Slowly, Kai's hands separated to reveal a large, scorching light, and instantly, the wood, flowers, and grass around Kai spontaneously combusted.

- SUB-FOLD: SUN FUSION. - Said Kai seriously, as if he was applying great effort to his body. Her clothes began to have black tones and the skin on her hands turned red, as if the skin had been vaporized.

Now the two were facing each other, on one side an angry bastard son and on the other, a father who watched his son with pride in his eyes.

Lightning against sun, sun against lightning. Both firebenders waited for each other's movement.

Ozai was sweating with adrenaline, unable to hide a maniacal smile at the display of power, while his son was drenched in sweat from the effort of the technique, but facing his father like a true warrior.

At the same moment, both made their movements, but Ozai fired a beam near his son's legs, causing him to carry an electrical charge minimized thanks to the earth. However, Kai managed to launch his technique, but due to his father's interference, the little sun headed towards a mountain at a decent speed. After a few seconds, the mountain glowed eerily and a huge explosion was generated, causing the earth to shake and the wind to go out of control like a hurricane.

Ozai contemplated the destructive potential of the new technique and deeply understood that if Katsu had used it years ago, not only him, but everyone at that party could have died. But thanks to his calculating nature, he spent months imagining a situation that would lead him to face Katsu and his new technique, leading him to meticulously think of a way to counterattack.

As destructive as it was, it is undeniable that its use has a fatal opening in a combat situation. Therefore, Ozai spent years mastering and perfecting his lightning to be used at the highest speed possible. Today, at the height of his power, he was able to skip crucial steps in preparing for the lightning.

Kai was on the ground, trying to get up, but his burned arms didn't allow him to do anything else. Ozai walked calmly towards his son, staying a few steps away from him, even with a serious expression, his eyes did not show anger or frustration, but rather expectation.

- What are you waiting for? Kill me!- Kai shouted, his scarlet eyes shining brightly, as he released a great intensity of fighting spirit.

[He is the same age as Zuko, 11 years old to be precise, and has a great level of power! At least equivalent to the level of a general. Does all this potential come from your mother's lineage? No! He has my blood, a part of me runs through his veins, what a disgrace it is to be a bastard.] - I get lost in thoughts looking for a new option for the future. -[Azula is 2 years younger, she already has more techniques and is controlling the blue fire and Zuko… barely controls the fire.]

The feeling I feel for Zuko, disappointment, seemed to surface more intensely when I saw Kai. His bastard son was exactly what Zuko was supposed to be.

Seeing so much power, the most rational decision I should have made was to end his life, but come to think of it... I can harvest that power and make the current royal family, along with the next generation, even more powerful than it already is. Kai and Azula are exceptional prodigies, not even my brother's son has that much potential. This meant that my lineage was the one that should persist on the throne.

- LISTEN ME!! IF YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ME, DON'T STAY HERE! - Kai shouting, leaving a jet of fire coming out of his mouth.

- I've already made my decision! Kai, you will come with me to the royal palace. - I ordered, turning to my soldiers who were static. - Call a doctor, I want him to be prepared for the trip!

Promptly, within a few minutes, a doctor who accompanied me inside my ship approached and began treating my bastard's injuries. Kai himself watched me with an incredulous and confused look, not caring about the pain he was feeling.

- Why? I'm your bastard! There is no reason to leave me alive!!

- It's a simple question Kai, if you were weak I wouldn't mind discarding you, but it proved that it's worth seeing how useful you can be.- I answer, without looking at my son.

- I have nothing to offer. –His voice was weaker, taciturn to be more precise.

- I can't replace your mother and I don't want to, but I want you to be my sword, and if you are my blade, then you will have a home to live in. -I speak calmly, softening as much as I can, my body is capable.- I imagine that this place must bring you strong memories, but if you stay stuck in the past, you will become stagnant and without achieving your true purpose. So... I intend and will ensure that all this potential is not wasted. - I say, remembering my son Zuko, but I quickly discard the thought to focus on reality.

Kai remained silent and, for the first time, lowered his gaze to the ground, spending seconds in contemplation, as if his entire life had flashed before his eyes. He looked up at his father, his scarlet eyes shining brightly, and a mischievous smile appeared on Ozai's lips.