1. Air
Zuko's footsteps echoed off the flagstones, barely lit by the bailiff's torch. He'd been down this way before, a rehabilitated princeling who had all he wanted – until he didn't. The feeling was depressingly familiar.
The guard unlocked the battered iron door and looked at him uncertainly. Zuko would have asked him to stay, but his host didn't need an excuse to find weakness. Steeling himself, he waved him away and walked into the dark cell.
The figure sat in shadow, a slit of moonlight cutting across the floor. The man had been a living god to Zuko once, he would have done anything for his approval. Would he still? And yet now… My name is Ozymandias, king of kings. He felt sorry for both of them.
Kneeling, he set down the lacquered tray. "You had the torches removed."
Ozai leaned forward, molten eyes catching the light. "You would sing to the deaf, paint for the blind?" Zuko flinched at the tone he had lived in awe of. His father might have lost his Throne and bending, but not his will. A will strong enough to conquer the world - and put it to the torch. Uneasy lies the head that wears the Headpiece. Must I be a monster to sit the Throne, or will sitting the Throne make me a monster?
"You will never know what it is to see a candle and not feel its life flickering at the edges of your awareness," said Ozai bitterly.
Not being the bender his father had been, Zuko realized he would never understand just how much he had lost. He remained silent.
"The young hero castrates the father figure and takes his place," Ozai continued, perhaps to himself. "A tale as old as legend. Perhaps we rely too much on bending for status and identity. In the old days, the right to rule rested exclusively on strength. The people still expect the Fire Lord to be a prodigious bender - even if the Dynasty occasionally under-delivers." He smirked.
Zuko tried to remind himself he was Fire Lord now, not a frightened child. He concentrated on pouring the tea, raising the pot in the smooth motion his uncle had taught him. He wished Iroh were here - but he had work to do in Ba Sing Se, and shouldn't appear to be ruling from behind the Throne.
"White dragon tea," he said passing the steaming cup. Ozai accepted graciously - Zuko was unsure whether earnest or mocking.
Zuko poured for himself. "Is that what gives us the right to rule the world? Just because we can?"
Ozai smiled. "Your great-grandfather called it sharing the prosperity."
"Was that what you were doing the day of the Comet?" Zuko didn't try to hide his repulsion.
Ozai chuckled. "Enjoy the moral high ground while you can. The Fire Lord answers to a different morality than the commoner. Time and again you will have to choose between equally horrible alternatives and do whatever it takes to protect the Fire Nation. Azula understood that."
"Azula was insane!"
"And she was only Fire Lord for a day," said Ozai. "I wonder what it will do to you. I didn't think you had it in you, but you've proven me wrong before."
Zuko was surprised by the unexpected praise, then embarrassed for feeling pleased. "The Earth Kingdom lay conquered. What could you hope to gain?"
"To make clear the price of rebellion," Ozai said unemotionally. "Admiral Moran called the airship the ultimate weapon, the one to end all war. Which army could fail to surrender when their civilian population lay vulnerable to aerial bombardment? Alas, Moran may have been too optimistic about human nature… Now, what troubles you?"
Zuko considered leaving, but he had come this far. "There was a coordinated uprising in Han Tui and some of the older colonies, local garrisons sided with the colonials – they call themselves the Fire Province and refuse to evacuate. Dare I order my troops to remove them? Would they even obey an order against their own countrymen? Dare I stand aside when Earth Kingdom troops attempt it? In response, some of the newer colonies rose against their garrisons and declared themselves the Western League. They are independent from Ba Sing Se and have pledged to liberate the Earth Kingdom whatever the cost. The remaining colonies live in fear of internal coup or outside intervention. The Harmony Restoration Movement has failed, there will be blood." Zuko felt crushed by the Headpiece. "Will I sacrifice my people to restore balance?"
"Balance?" Ozai scoffed.
"There was balance before we started this War," said Zuko.
Ozai laughed. "Is that what Iroh tells you?"
"You would rather I spout your official propaganda?"
"Allow me to add some perspective. Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Water Tribe attacked."
"That's ridiculous," said Zuko, "the Water Tribe was the weakest nation after the Air Nomads."
"Not always," said Ozai, turning away. "I am tired, Zuko, come back tomorrow. Bring tea."
Zuko started to protest, but picked up the tray and left.