Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Doppelganger ❯ Lacking in Power ( Chapter 13 )

Sorry for the slight delay in this one. I've been having a bad headache all day long and it's taken me longer than usual to churn this one out. Oh well, enjoy!

 

I don't exactly know how old Iroh or Lu Ten was during Ba Sing Se… but if anybody has an idea of it, please do let me know. Thank you!

 

Haha, did you all know that Mark Hamill voice acts for fire lord Ozai? Oh yea… luke skywalker is Ozai. Use the force Zuko. I am your father.

 

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor do I make money from this fic.

 

Doppelganger

 

Chapter Thirteen

 

. . .

 

Iroh stared at his assailant as he pointed the makeshift blade at him. The earthbender had a sword on his belt, so why didn't he use that sword? He had taken the time to make the blade out of the earth and explain it to him. Iroh laughed to himself ironically. The Phoenix was playing with him, Iroh realized. The firebender smirked at Kayal, causing the Phoenix of the East the arch an eyebrow.

 

“What are you smiling at?”

 

“I can't win against you.” Iroh explained truthfully. The earthbender nodded and smiled tightly.

 

“Well… yes you can. The thing is… is that you won't.” Iroh pushed himself up on his hands and swept out a ring of fire. Kayal backed away to a safe distance and held the sword above his head, ready to attack. “There we go! That's the kind of duel I wanted!” Iroh readied himself and listened carefully for reinforcements. He couldn't guarantee anybodies safety if they came to his aid. His concentration was broken when Kayal rooted his feet to the ground and brought his hands up. Sand crept up Iroh's legs and covered the general's body frighteningly fast. He tried to struggle, but the sand hardened, trapping him in rock. “Of course…” He corrected himself. “I do want to finish this before help comes.” The earthbender held up a hand and clasped it slowly. Iroh could feel the rock constricting around him and found it harder to breathe. He would not last long at this rate.

 

Suddenly, Kayal stumbled forward; releasing the grip he had on Iroh. He fell forward a few feet and whirled around, facing a new opponent. A young man stood at the ready, glaring at the earthbender. Iroh gasped at the reinforcement and struggled madly against his stone prison.

 

“Lu Ten, don't fight him! Fall back!” Iroh yelled. The young man shook his head.

 

“I cannot do that, father! I will defeat the Phoenix of the East and save you!” He thrust his arms forward in succession and shot multiple missiles of fire towards Kayal. The earthbender twirled his arms in defense, manipulating sand to rise from the ground and intercept the fiery assaults. After the initial attack, Kayal looked over his new opponent and smirked, glancing at the trapped Iroh.

 

“Sending you son to fight you're battles for you? How noble you are, Dragon.” He laughed at the struggling Iroh.

 

“I will not tell you again! Retreat, Lu Ten!” Iroh's son did not appear to hear him, and snapped a kick at Kayal, sending a plume of red fire at him. Continuing to intercept the fire, Kayal circled around Lu Ten slowly and at the same time, creeping closer to the firebender. The general's son shot numerous fire blasts at the assassin, only to be foiled at every attack. The sand controlled by the Phoenix seemed to move as fast, even faster at times, than the crimson fire. “Lu Ten!” Iroh screamed at the young soldier. “Now!”

 

Kayal smirked and thrust his hand towards the young firebender, the same as he had done to Iroh, and trapped him in a prison of rock and soil. Lu Ten struggled along with his father, attempting to break free. Kayal clapped slowly and paced between both the firebenders.

 

“Well… it's been fun, I must admit.” He stopped clapping and stared blankly at Iroh. “But, my orders are to assassinate you to end the siege. Ba Sing Se will never…ever… fall.” He bit off his words and held both of his hands out toward father and son, clenching them slowly. Iroh and Lu Ten felt the rock constrict and struggled harder. The general's eyes flew to his son, then back to Kayal.

 

I must save my son!

 

Iroh gave a cry and flexed his muscles, causing the rock to shatter and fall to the ground in a dusty pile. Kayal raised an eyebrow and smiled appreciatively.

 

“Nicely done, nobody has ever done that before.” Iroh glared at the earthbender and held his hands out in front of them, gritting his teeth in concentration. Kayal's hand pointed toward Lu Ten stopped closing and he stared expectantly at the fire nation general. “Well? What's your next move?”

 

Iroh's hands circled each other and started to leave trails of light in their wake. Kayal narrowed his eyes after seeing the light, and turned his full attention towards the technique. The small trails of lights grew to thin lines of crackling electricity. After the electricity formed a complete circle in front of him, Iroh thrust his hand out; and the lightning, led by his fingers, arched in sharp zigzags towards Kayal. The earthbender tried to dodge too late and took the full force of the attack. The roaring electricity collided with the Phoenix of the East and he flew backwards, hitting a rock wall, and started convulsing violently. Iroh shook off the after effects of the lightning and turned to his son. Lu Ten screamed in pain and thrashed his head back and forward.

 

Suddenly, it dawned on Iroh.

 

The general whirled back towards Kayal. He was still twitching on the ground. More importantly, his fist was clenching and relaxing spasmodically. Iroh felt his stomach churn violently and ran to his son, who was still crying in pain. “Lu Ten! Hold on!” He yelled and shot precise blasts of fire, charring away the rock around his son. “I will get you out!” Iroh worked fast, hoping to get his son to safety before the earthbending lieutenant stopped convulsing. He doubted the Phoenix would survive the attack, as nobody did so far, but the odds were high that he would die with his fist closed. His son's pained screamed jarred him from his thoughts. Lu Ten's head thrashed painfully after every passing second, making Iroh more and more worried. “Lu Ten!” Iroh yelled, slamming his fists into the solid rock.

 

As if his fists did it, silence fell on the small battleground. Everything fell silent except for the distant yells from soldiers. Iroh looked up at his son; his head was hanging forward, unmoving. “Lu… Ten?” The general whispered and lifted up his son's head. Lu Ten stared blankly back at his father, unblinking, and emotionless. His only son was dead; Iroh realized at once. He let Lu Tens' head fall back down and his shoulders slumped in defeat. The Phoenix of the East didn't move from where he lay; he must have died with that attack. My own son… Iroh clenched his eyes shut as he heard more troops arrive and surround the area. An officer approached Iroh as others surrounded Kayal's unmoving body.

 

“Sir, are you alright?” The officer asked Iroh. The general straitened himself and wiped his face with his sleeve.

 

“Corporal.” The officer saluted and stood erect. “Gather the troops. We are retreating.”

 

“S-sir?” Iroh walked away from the scene towards his personal quarters.

 

“Bring my son. Leave the other.”

 

. . .

 

I stood in front of Senea as she demonstrated hand movements. It was midday and she just got through teaching me some advanced forms with firebending. Senea had been a vampire for a long time now, about seven or eight years. She had stopped aging, and took her time now with teaching me things. Even though taking her time, I still learned quickly at her pace. I distantly heard her speak to me.

 

“I'm sorry?” I asked. Senea sighed and threw her hands up in the air in frustration.

 

“Fuck, Kyle how can I teach you anything if you're daydreaming all the time?” I looked at the ground sheepishly and grinned.

 

“What if I was daydreaming about you?” I looked up at her. Senea sigh, smiling, and brushed her hair behind her ear.

 

“Fine, fine. Alright now pay attention or I will kick you ass.” She leaned forward slightly. “And I promise it will not be pleasant.” I nodded, wide-eyed. “Good.” With that, she demonstrated the hand movements again. “The trick for lightning is having a clear mind when you do it. You have to separate the two energies in your body while having a clear mind; and when they completely separate…” She finished her hand motions and thrust her hand forward, causing a thin string of electricity to crackle out and disappear some length out the edge of the cliff. “Lightning is created. You see?” I took a moment to stare in awe of the power shown to me then nodded. “Alright. The most important thing to realize is this: lightning… like fire… is an event, not a thing. After the event is started, it cannot be stopped or controlled while it is going; only guided. Understand?”

 

I swallowed and nodded.

 

“Alright, try it.” Senea backed away and let me step forward where she had demonstrated the technique. I spaced my feet apart and held my shoulders, arms, and hands the exact way I was shown. Alright… inhale… exhale… I concentrated and started to circle me hands around each other. Separating the energy that would create electricity, I could feel immense power start to overflow around me. A very loud and distinct crackle could be heard from my hands, and I looked at a blinding light coming from my fingers. I… I'm doing it! I felt like getting excited but calmed myself. This required a clear head to accomplish. Suddenly, I could feel the energy from inside me pull out to my hands, and a solid line of lightning connected the circle formed by my hands. “Now!” I heard Senea yell. Gritting my teeth, I slid my right foot forward and thrust the respective arm in its wake.

 

There was a thunderous clap of thunder as the energy bolted from my arm into the sky, causing a blinding flash and jarring my teeth. I stayed rooted to the ground and stared in shock at where the bolt of pure energy had just been. I could here a distant clapping and knew it was Senea. Even thought she was congratulating me, I couldn't help but feel completely at awe of the power of firebending.

 

I never want to be on the receiving end of that move…

 

. . .

 

Kayal's eyes fluttered open. From the looks of it, a few hours had passed. The sun had almost set, and the area was deserted. Grunting with exertion, he sat up and slid so his back was against the wall he had previously hit. After a few moments, the happenings of the day flashed back to him in a splitting headache. Kayal hissed in pain and clasped his head in his hands. Assassinate Iroh… free Ba Sing Se… those were his orders. From what he remembered, he had lost consciousness when the lightning had hit him. No… He had heard voices while he was out. “Bring my son, leave the other.” “We are retreating.” Then it came back to him. He had killed the general's son after hit with the lightning. Kayal looked to where he had trapped the young firebender. The stone prison had been broken into and the body retrieved. There was a bloody trail coming from the rocks and down to the main path. …Damnit. Kayal slammed his head on the wall he has sitting against.

 

At lease… Ba Sing Se is safe now. Kayal tried to get up, but was hit with a wave of nausea and laid back down again. Now he knew what it felt to be on the receiving end of that attack. The pain had been indescribable. Almost like… He looked at his hand, flexing the fingers. Being starved? No… worse. If he was human… I would had died. Kayal placed a hand over his chest and took deep breaths. I need to find a way to counter that attack now. Now that I know… Kayal took another breath and stood on his feet slowly, overcoming the sick feeling of dizziness.

 

I need to return to the city… The earthbender thought slowly made his way to the front gates of Ba Sing Se.

 

When he got there, he was not surprised to see the gates open and guards being sent out on patrols to capture any fire nation stragglers. An officer, flanked by two guards, strode up to Kayal as he entered the city. “Lieutenant Kayal. I see that your mission was successful.” He observed, eyeing my physical situation. Kayal panted and slowly held his hand up in a salute.

 

“Sir… where is the general?” The officer smirked and held his hands up in a shrug.

 

“I'm afraid that General Mo Fa has deceased earlier today.” Kayal stumbled on his leg, but caught himself and tried to act like he was fully able. “He was assassinated by a spy and I have been promoted to general. Now… has your mission been successful? Is General Iroh dead?” The proclaimed general sneered, clearly expecting a positive answer.

 

“I succeeded in the mission to make the fire nation army to retreat.” The general narrowed his eyes and stepped forward, looking intimidating.

 

“That wasn't what I asked. I asked if you had killed the Dragon of the West. Did you?” Kayal took a deep breath and shook his head.

 

“No. I didn't kill General Iroh. I ended up killing his son in his place.” The earthbender general's eyes flashed in rage.

”You didn't kill General Iroh?” He yelled, getting the attention of every soldier in the vicinity. “You have failed a direct order from you're superior officer!”

 

Kayal stood up strait, also looking intimidating. “I made the opposing force retreat. I feel I succeeded in that respect!” The two earthbenders faced each other in anger.

 

“You have failed you're mission! You shall face justice in the courts!” He waved his hand. “Take him away!” His guards walked forward and grabbed Kayal's arms. The vampire glared at the smirking general and sighed.

 

“I'm sorry to do this, but I will not face a court for no reason. Sayonara.” Kayal jumped up and kicked out his legs, hitting both the guards to the ground. The general slammed his foot forward on the ground, causing a spire of rock to jut up and intercept the rebel. The vampire planted one foot on the spire, crushing it and landing on the ground. In once blurred motion, Kayal slid his foot forward and, twirling in a quick circle, thrust his palm into the general's chest. The earthbending officer was flung backwards and slammed into a building with a loud crash. The vampire immediately rose his hands, causing a thick cloud of dust to rise for cover, and disappeared in the chaos of his wake.

 

Some distance away, The Phoenix of the East, Lieutenant Kayal, was seen by a straggler from the fire nation army dashing away from the remains of the six hundred day siege of Ba Sing Se.

 

. . .

 

Kyle shot his head up from his chest and grabbed the hilt of his sword. Looking around, all he could see was the soft wisp of smoke coming from the now-dead campfire. Everybody slept soundly. Even Cal was snoring softly from underneath Kyle's jacket. The older vampire chuckled softly and released his sword. Aang, in his usual sleeping style, looked wholly uncomfortable with his tossed-off blankets and odd position. Sokka and Katara looked pretty much the same, only their heads sticking out of their sleeping bags. Kyle pushed himself up and walked over to the lakeshore near their camp. Sitting down next to it, the vampire listened to the water flowing quietly downstream.

 

Kyle dipped a hand into the water and sighed softly. Azula… that was her name… He thought, swishing his hand through the water. He replayed the fight he had with Azula in his head again. Her fighting style… her movements… they were so alike… Everything except… The image of her gold eyes and sneer crept into Kyle's mind. He shivered and pulled his hand out of the water. Even the lightning… Kyle involuntarily moved his hand to his stomach and winced. The dull pain was still there, but slowly disappearing. What does this mean? Kyle stood up and, dropping his sword next to where he slept, walked into the trees.

 

After the vampire disappeared, Katara sat up and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She had heard Kyle get up and walk around, and finally built up the willpower to get up herself when he walked into the woods. Yawning softly, Katara stood up and crept after the vampire, intent on finding out what he was doing. Soon she caught up to him at a large clearing. Kyle stood at the start of the clearing, allowing for several meters in front of him. Katara sat on a rock and waited patiently for him to come back her way. Kyle stood still for a moment, then held his hands up in front of him, and started to move them in slow, precise motions. What is he doing? Katara leaned forward, trying to get a better view. The vampire circled his hands around in a familiar fashion. The waterbender had seen that move before. She gasped in shock.

 

Wait! I know that! Azula did that same motion when she shot lightning at him! She continued watching the scene unfold. Could Kyle create lightning as well?

 

Light appeared and trailed behind his fingers as the vampire moved his hands in font of him. Separate the energies… clear the mind… The light stretched and crackled, forming a solid line of lightning between his hands. When the energies separate… now! Kyle thrust his arm forward and a flash of Senea's face appeared in his head, breaking his concentration and causing the lightning to explode before he shot it off. He was thrown back and collided with a tree. Katara gasped and rushed over to him. She reached the vampire and knelt down, placing her hands on his shoulder.

 

“Kyle, are you alright?” The waterbender asked, trying to find a wound anywhere. Kyle raised his hand and slammed it into the dirt.

 

“Damn it! Every time!” He yelled, frightening Katara. The waterbender retracted her hands. “Every time…” He repeated and dropped his head in defeat. Katara reached out again and held her hands on Kyle's arm. He looked up in mild surprise.

 

“Was that lightning?” Katara asked with a warm smile. Kyle snorted and shook his head.

 

“A fucked up attempt. I can't do it.” He explained and sighed. “I haven't been able to ever since…” Katara nodded, understanding. “Well… you know…” He softly dropped his fist in the dirt again and pushed himself up, grunting in exertion.

 

Katara sighed. “Here let me help.” She pulled his arm over her shoulder and helped him up strait. Kyle mumbled his thanks and rolled the pain out if his arm. “So how did you learn to create lightning?” Kyle eyes Katara for a second and rolled his neck, emanating a few cracks from it.

 

“Senea taught me.”

 

“Ah… another thing they have in common.” Katara clamped her hand to her mouth, but it was too late. Kyle sighed and flexed his hand, the one that tried to direct the lightning. Seeing that it still worked, he dropped it to his side.

 

“Don't worry, I heard you and Cal.” He admitted. Katara blushed in embarrassment. “And the truth is that yes… they do look almost identical. I was shocked beyond belief when I saw Azula.”

 

“But… you didn't show it.” Katara pointed out.

 

Kyle chuckled. “Well, yea. How you look is very important in a fight. You can't let the opponent, even for an instant, know that you are distracted or distant. That will cost you you're life.”

 

The waterbender held her arms against herself. “But… what do you think of it? I mean…” She shied her gaze away from the vampire's curious stare. “What did you think of… when you saw her?” Kyle stayed silent for a long time. The longer he didn't answer, the more confident Katara was that he wouldn't. She turned around and started to walk back to camp when he spoke softly.

 

“Do you want the truth? Or a comforting lie?” Katara placed her hand on a tree beside her and felt the wet bark with her palm and fingertips.

 

“Whatever you want to tell me.”

Kyle sat back down on the ground with a soft thump and brushed his brown hair back with his hand. “The truth was… at first I was happy. I was happy to see her again. I…” He laughed nervously. “You know… at first… I almost wanted to run up to her and take her in my arms.” Katara felt her nails scrape the bark. “But… I realized that it wasn't her. Senea is dead, nothing can bring her back.” He whispered. “And nobody can replace her.” The waterbender turned to face Kyle. He smiled gently and leaned his head back against the tree. “It's true that you do remind me of her. She acted so much like you… you even have her talent for bending. Give it a little time and you will be better than me. Maybe even before Sozen's Comet arrives.”

 

He shook his head. “Anyway…you should know… that you are not a replacement for Senea.” Katara blinked, shocked. “I don't know if you are thinking that or not. I'm not Vincent; I can't read minds. But Cal made it sound like I am using you because of the similarities between you and Senea. That is not true.” He stood, pressing his back against the tree and forcing his legs into the ground. Then he laughed, placing his hand behind his head. “Damn… I'm not too good with these types of things.” Katara giggle, in spite of herself. “What I want you to know is… uh…” Kyle felt the waterbender's finger on his lips. He fell silent.

 

Katara pulled her finger back and stood up on her tiptoes, kissing Kyle softly. I'm starting to get used to this. Katara thought at the cool touch. After a few seconds, she fell back to her heels and pressed the side of her head to his chest. “I understand.” Katara sighed and wrapped her arms around Kyle. “I can't replace Senea. All I can do is be here for you.” Kyle didn't move for a few seconds, then placed his arms around the waterbender's shoulders. “And I will. I promise.”

 

. . .

 

“I've been wanting to know something for a while.” Katara worded softly, leaning against Kyle.

 

“What?”

 

“Well… I hate to ruin the mood, but I don't want to forget again.” She and Kyle had been sitting against the tree he had hit for the past hour. Kyle had his arm around Katara's shoulder, and she had her head on his chest. “Why… with how powerful you are… haven't you tried to stop the fire lord? You know… put an end to the war?” Kyle rolled his head around, thinking.

 

“Well… my first answer would be that I'm not the Avatar. It is not my job to end the war.” Katara lifted her head up quickly. “But after a number of years with no end to the war in sight, I took it upon myself to try and end the war. I snuck into the fire nation and found out the reason why you need my help.”

 

“Your…help?”

 

Kyle nodded. “Victoria has been aiding the fire nation for hundreds of years. I don't know how long exactly, seeing as I don't know how old she actually is. But to every fire lord, she has been concubine to. She has been the close military advisor, bodyguard, and mistress to every fire lord since I have been around. With her and her ilk… I can't get close to the royal family by myself.” Katara blinked, beginning to understand. “So… when I heard the Avatar was back, I was determined to find him and help him defeat the fire lord, as well as avenge Senea with my own hands.” Katara laid her head back down on Kyle's chest and sighed.

 

“Well… we have your help… and you have ours. We can end this war.” Kyle smiled at the girl and closed his eyes. An image of Senea screaming at him flashed across his mind.

 

“You left us to die! Our child, Kyle! Our child!”

 

Kyle bit his tongue and felt the coppery taste of his own blood.

 

It's impossible.

 

. . .

 

R & R