Night was about to make a descent on New York City when the Fantasticar resurfaced at last. Azula had remained in the city to watch for any more sea monsters, & to check on the citizens.

After Atlantis was reclaimed from Attuma, Ozai had wished to stay a while with Namor after the prince granted him kind permission to explore the palace grounds. The Ounce (Ozai's streamline jet) couldn't have been flown underwater to the kingdom of Atlantis, so someone had to ferry him back home when he was done for the evening.

"So, any volunteers to pick Ozai up in a couple of hours?" came Reed's question to everyone except Azula (she had yet to learn to pilot the vehicle by herself).

Ben just mumbled, "Stretch, I kinda have a date with 'Licia at 8 o'clock. I gotta dress up."

"Okay. How about you, Susan?"

She replied dully, "Remember how I had planned to schedule the twenty-two lectures you have to give this weekend?"

Reed was giving up hope, "Oh. Right. Johnny?"

"Uhhh, yeah, was that a rhetorical question?" snickered the Human Torch.

"Never mind…," Reed finished with a grunt.

"Intricate shell carvings, elegant coral arrangements, a graceful ornament stand…this is brilliant!" commented Ozai, breathing in the very air of art of the room before him. He enumerated the pleasures of viewing the surrounding structures. Namor flew beside him in silence (to give him plenty of room to chatter!) as they proceeded down the next corridor bathed in aqua light.

"Undiminished beauty, isn't it?" said the pleased prince.

Ozai removed his helmet, & scrutinized a trinket in his mechanical paw closely, "Of course!" For a while, they didn't progress further in their dialogue, until Namor sighed, "If you recall, Ozai -" Ozai turned to face him, obviously not feigning curiosity.

"—In the past, I committed an injustice towards you. I had accused you of physically offending me, for the wrong reasons. You were concerned for Susan & Johnny Storm's safety & you thought I wanted to deliberately drown them."

Ozai nodded, "I remember. I'm sorry for making that assumption."

"Fear not," the Atlantean smiled warmly. "We can put that behind us. But I must admit: I find you strange, feline."

Ozai had returned to admiring the palace art, now studying the wall paintings lining the area. But Namor knew he was still listening.

"You appear to absolutely forget any wrongdoings done against you. Particularly undeserved offenses," he corrected the hold of his triton, "You behave as if no such things existed."

"It is better to bear the cost of a misdeed yourself. Forgiving someone is refusing to make offenders pay for what they did."

Namor laughed, "Very astounding, Ozai, although how is there any justice in such an action?"

"Perhaps you should ponder this: you can still be free to confront a wrongdoer even if you forgive him. But the reasons for the confrontation will be reasons reflecting love."

"Loving someone hurtful is something unheard of. Surely it reflects nothing but weakness…or better yet, insanity."

"But it is the only way a conflict can be truly resolved. Because it paves the way for a clean slate - a fresh start." He put down the ornament & added, "Think about it – if you seek revenge & not justice, you don't seek another's change, but only their pain. From there, a cycle of retaliation begins, & you both are engaged in a fight where no one is built up. You both are being torn down & are defeating each other slowly. In the end, no side gains victory."

"Hmmm. Maybe there is truth in your words…we both have had this…'fresh start'. It is the same between Richards & myself. I am actually pleased it has become this way."

"I enjoy turning as many enemies as possible into friends," Ozai put a hand on his square shoulder, "I notice you are interested in knowing more."

"Indeed I am. Your wisdom is worth exploring."

"Whenever you feel like it, come up to the surface world & find me. I will bring you to a friend who knows these teachings inside out."

"And who might this friend be?"

"You can call him Keller."

"Keller…you mean a teacher?"

"When we gather to see him, he plays the role of a 'pastor' – much like a guide for people in need."

"He must have authority over many surface dwellers."

Enunciating carefully, Ozai mentioned, "He recently quoted a powerful saying: 'You can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death, & bring about forgiveness of sins."

Namor seemed warmed by the essence of the quote, & concluded, "I will consider the visit."