Chapter 43.2- And so the Dragons Danced

Iroh did not remain down for long. He pushed down against the floor and practically came flying to his feet, before he turned to Natsu with rage in his eyes. “They call you the thunderer. Only because they have never seen lightning when conjured by the bloodline of Sozin.” Those words were the only warning before he stood straight and took a stance that Toji did not recognise- of course the words made it easy enough for him to figure out the intention. The man began to move his fingers along an arc. Another man would have trembled at the sight, would have tried to run even if it would have served them no good, but Natsu remained on his feet, staring at the man. It was almost academic- his curiosity. From knowing him for years, Toji could tell that Natsu was breaking apart ever facet of Iroh’s stance, cataloguing it and storing it in his memory.

Toji wanted to scream at him to do something, but Natsu was not suicidal. This inaction was part of some plan to see to his survival. No one doubted Natsu and made it very far so he remained silent and watched the whole thing, not looking to miss a moment. When Iroh finished his movements, taking them even slower than he surely could once it became clear that Natsu was not going to try to dodge, the world changed colour. The lightning bolt that came into being was so large that it practically seared itself on Toji’s irises, but he did not blink, making sure to catch every moment. The lightning hit Natsu head on. No, not him. His fingers.

He’d stretched his hand out right at the last moment, and then he twirled on the spot before lashing out with his other hand. Another lightning bolt, just as fearsome as the first shot from Natsu’s fingers right for Iroh. The old man was clearly shocked but that didn’t stop him from taking the lightning his hand and sending it right back. Toji’s breath was caught in his throat. None of this should have been possible. Another lightning bolt came into being- or was it even the same bolt being tossed between them like a twisted game of volleyball.

Iroh sent it back to Natsu, but once the lightning left him, Toji could see the way his body began to vibrate with the absence. Toji’s mind came to the problem easily. Whatever they’re doing isn’t meant to be used like this- they’re twisting it and the lightning is fighting back, he figured. When Natsu released the lightning, he was similarly left in a state of agitation. Iroh took the lightning once again, and this time, it was like his body was struggling to channel it and send it back. This fight between masters of their craft had turned into an endurance contest.

An endurance contest that Natsu was losing, he realised as the lightning returned to his friend and he took even longer than Iroh did to send it back. Toji turned some of his attention to Natsu’s old master. While only a fool would get in the middle of this situation, Toji knew that the chance to get Natsu now that he seemed so vulnerable would be nearly impossible to resist.

Iroh returned the lightning and fell to his knees immediately after. Toji looked at him and knew the man as done. Come on, Natsu. This is it. Just this one more, and you’ve won, he said in his mind as his friend took the lightning into his body with a breath.