Author's Note: Ho-kay...I know I said the next installment would be Batman, but...I don't know, Charlie and the Chocolate factory called to me! I'm still trying to figure how exactly I'm going to incorporate the Batman film into the Avatar universe. Blue Spirit, of course, but how will he meet Katara? Thinking...Thinking..

Anyway, here is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for Zuko Halliwell! The Batman installment is also for her/him (sorry, I'm not sure! o.o), which will come next. I truly hope you enjoy, hun! I've actually had this done for a while, I just felt like it wasnt just right. Perfectionism is maddening. -_-;

Thanks for waiting! My classes are going well, as well as other such things. Hope you are all well.

Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D

~Much love

Disclaimer: I do not own AtLA characters, nor the familiar lines from the show. I looked up the transcript to get a better idea of what I wanted to do. You'll see that I tweaked things here and there, so it won't be like the episode EXACTLY. I don't own Charlie and the Chocolate factory.


Zutara: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Film: Wonka experiences flashbacks of his corrupted childhood when reminded of his father. He falls into a stupor, and appears to be in a state of panic. Charlie, the young, yet very wise, boy attempts to snap Wonka out of his stupor, and encourages him to face his past concerning his father.

AtLA Universe: Season 3, the Sozin's Comet episodes


"Look, everyone!"

A cheerful Katara came bustling about from the beach house. It appeared that she had been holding an old scroll in her small fist. The group of youths had shifted their heads in unison to see what had tickled her fancy so much. Toph's milky glazed eyes widened, a wide grin spreading upon her sweet, pale features.

"I knew it! You had a secret affair with Haru!"

Katara's sudden glee had withered, her cheeks flushing at such a notion. The rest of the youths had stared dumbfounded at the small girl's accusation. One of them, a slender and pale prince, had averted his eyes, a slight vexation causing a twitch of his black eyebrow.

The waterbending maiden merely shook her head, dismissing Toph's outburst. Sure, Haru had been a handsome young man, but her connection with him was of a more familial sort, not romantic. Continuing with her announcement, she unveiled the rolled up scroll, and presented a painted portrait of a plump infant playing in the warm sand.

"I was looking for pots, but instead found this! It's baby Zuko! Isn't he so precious?" she cooed lovingly, her twinkling eyes staring at the disgruntled young man.

The gang had all gushed teasingly at the portrait. Zuko had sealed his eyes shut, however. He knew that it was not he in that portrait. The mere knowledge of who this infant would become evoked a pain in his chest. His breath became shallow and quick. Closing his eyes assisted him in retaining a stiff expression. 'No, they cannot see…They cannot know of what's inside me.'

Reclaim a steady breath. Push away the haunting images and thoughts.

Katara noticed the tension in Zuko's visage, smirking at what she perceived was his annoyance.

"Oh, lighten up," she said, waving her hand. "I was just teasing."

The young man opened his eyes, golden irises solemnly meeting an azure pair. If only she knew of the torment birthing in his tight chest.

"That's not me," he rasped. "It's…my, uh…"

He struggled with his words, the others staring at him to finish the uncomplicated sentence.

"..It's my father."

*Next Scene*

The young monk had dismissed himself, unabashed by his temper. He had been conflicted between stopping the Fire Lord from destroying the world, and seeking out a way to NOT take his life. As horrid as the man was, Aang did not feel just in taking away a human life. The group had allowed him to walk away, particularly Zuko, who voiced the suggestion to leave him be. However, the prince could not deter from a certain thought: 'If you won't kill him, I would love to.'

Alas, it was not his place, or his destiny, to stop the Fire Lord. This situation was not about him and his inner demons, gnawing away at his innards when unwanted memories crept through consciousness. The yelling, the shame, the pain…

"No," he spat out, his breath beginning to quicken once again.

Zuko had been alone at this moment, tucked away in his dark room. No candles were lit; only the pearl luminescence of Yue's gaze brightened a corner or two in the lonely bedchamber. Sitting atop his unmade bed, Zuko placed a large palm flat onto his chest, experiencing difficulty in breathing. Eyes shot open, teeth clenched, it felt as if his intestines were quarreling with their master. A wheezing had emitted from his open mouth.

Suddenly, a knock on his door sounded off.

"Zuko, you alright?"

It was Katara.

"I'm fine! T-trying to sleep here!" he shouted.

"Ok, ok. No need to get fussy.."

Her voice had been muffled, but he could still hear the aggravation in her tone. He did not intend to turn her away in such a manner. However, another state of mind was rapidly taking the reins, thieving him of sweet air.

A familiar pain clawed inside, flashes of his father's wicked face grinning a mad man's smile. Ironically, the cruel man donned a handsome face with porcelain flesh and fine features. And yet, his ways were hideous to even ponder about. Shamefully, Zuko had been born with similar facial features. Looking into a mirror was a nightmare because he could see a glimpse of his own father laughing at him.

"Go away…Damnit.."

Time for bed, my poor little prince..

*Next Scene*

The next day, Aang was nowhere to be found. His bedroom was empty, and his gliding stick had been abandoned. Even Momo had gone missing. The youths panicked, trying to contemplate where exactly their dear friend had gone off to.

"Is he in the Spirit World? He has to be if he left without a word!" Sokka concluded.

"Then…wouldn't his body be here?" Zuko questioned in monotones.

"Oh..yeah, that. Heh..Ok, maybe he's not there," the lanky teen scratched his scalp.

The prince had devised a plan of action: travel to the Earth Kingdom. Without another word, he instructed the group to follow his lead. Sokka had questioned his plan, but he only assured him that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Arriving at a dusty tavern, the group of youths followed the prince into the bar area where a sort of competition took place. An unanticipated flying body collapsed before them; they flinched at the man's shout.

"What in La's name?" Katara shouted. "Why are we even here, Zuko? You better have a good explanation!"

"I do.." he merely said, pointing at a slender woman in the middle of the room. "Jun."

The woman, Jun, was a lone hunter, a scarlet tattoo embroidered on her shoulder. She had been arm-wrestling with a rather large gentleman. To the ignorant eye, it would seem that the slender woman would lose her lovely arm in this match. Fear not, for the hunter slammed the man's fist onto the pathetic wooden table, causing him to fall over and off of his chair. A sly grin grazed her dark red lips, taking a wooden cup of tea to her mouth as a victory shot.

"I don't know who this Jun lady is…but I like her," beamed Toph, pleasantly smiling.

The youths approached the woman, who lowered her cup, dark eyes looking up at them, emotionless. She seemed to recognize Zuko immediately, smirking to herself.

"Well, well. If it isn't the pouty prince…How's your creepy…grandpa or whoever he was?" her alto voice smoothed over the words like velvet.

"My uncle," Zuko corrected. "We need your help in finding someone."

*Next Scene*

Jun was of no help, unfortunately. Judging from her mole's, Nyla, roundabouts, she concluded that the Avatar "didn't exist." What kind of nonsense is that? Instead, the prince had figured that another person would be of use to help defeat the Fire Lord: Uncle Iroh. In this case, another smell sample was needed. He fetched for his uncle's old sandal, the putrid scent rising into his flared nostrils.

Before attempting to find Iroh, Jun had requested a break (well, she demanded) for her enormous mole to have her meal.

"Without a proper feast, Nyla refuses to work. She reminds me of myself, actually..Except I prefer gold, personally."

The group of youths decided to grab a quick bite to eat and some tea in the tavern. Zuko remained outside, behind the tavern. He leaned his back against the brick wall, his arms crossed before his broad chest. The thought of his uncle brought a pang of regret. He missed the old man so dearly…Why did he not show him his gratitude when he had the chance? Iroh was the only one in his life, after his mother disappeared mysteriously, to pick him up from the cold ground. This was especially true when he was burned in that dire Agni Kai. A haunting, cinematic image blossomed in the depths of his mind. It was he, fourteen years of old, on his bony knees, pleading for mercy.

"Father, please!" he wept, his hands flat on the ground beneath him.

Tears stained his flushed cheeks. Pure terror suffocated him. Was this the end? Would he perish in the flames of his father's fist?

"No…No! AAaaahh!"

The Zuko of the present sank to his knees, his nails clawing at his temples. He clenched his teeth painfully, eyelids sealed shut. He growled, shaking his head of kohl silk.

"For Agni's sake, not… now."

"Zuko."

A soprano voice cut through his mental torture. He didn't dare seek out the source, as if his vulnerability would pour out through his golden eyes and plump lips.

"Zuko, what's wrong with you now?"

'Damn woman..' he thought to himself, trying his best to breathe.

Katara rapidly made her way to Zuko, and settling down onto her knees to meet his level. Her small hands shook his shoulders gently, alarmed at this sudden state. Sure, she would expect something out of the norm with Aang, but not Zuko.

"Please, tell me what's wrong?"

"Shut. Up!"

The waterbending maiden leaned back in shock, her face tensing into annoyance.

"Who are you to tell me to shut up?" she retorted. "I'm asking you what's wrong. If we're going to work as a team, then you have to trust me."

The prince slowly raised his head, his half-hooded eyes meeting her sharp gaze. Katara's eyes softened at the morbid look, the corners of his lips downturned while his irises were dull as rust.

"I'm not…well right now, ok?"

Katara's eyebrows rose upward, knowing very well that that was not the complete truth. She was waiting patiently.

"I'm dealing with some issues that I don't wish to recall right now."

She lowered her gaze respectfully, suckling in air to prepare for her next sentence.

"It's your father, isn't it?" she concluded.

She had plucked the correct raw nerve.

His eyes widened with shock, only to narrow with suspicions.

"Who told you? How do you know?" he interrogated.

"Calm down," Katara eased. "I can tell because I can feel it. Besides, it makes sense. We're close to the day where Aang and your father battle each other. I can only imagine how you feel."

"You can't imagine it."

"I certainly can. You honestly think that I wanted fate to take care of that man who murdered my mother? No! I once wanted him at my hands, and my hands alone. But, then I couldn't do it. You were there, Zuko. You told me that I should do what I have do, and leave it behind, whatever that may be."

"I'm not you, Katara," he said curtly, averting is eyes.

"Oh, don't play that game with me! You are just as capable of facing this as I-"

"This man burned me, Katara! Branded me as a pathetic insect! It's on my damn face every single day!"

His hands were thrown about in wild gestures, his eyes dilated. Although Katara was not frightened of him, she was rather startled at how much the prince resembled a caged wild animal. What in La's name was going through that boy's head?

She was silent for a moment, unsure of what to even say. Shaking her head of russet waves, the young lady looked deeply into those eyes, and said the only things she could muster up.

"Look…I can't erase this pain you hold onto. But…do you really want to keep holding on to it? Especially now? Zuko, it is the time to end your father's reign, once and for all. I know, I know, it's not simple to just put aside everything you bear. I still deal with left over anger over my mother's death. I have to take one step at a time. Everyday. Just one step…that's all you need. Or else..this pain will only hold you back from what you were meant to do."

He spoke not a word, retaining an intense gaze with Katara. Her words were true. The memories were the only things that held him down to this dirty ground. He suddenly felt shame for even succumbing to it. Shouldn't he be strong? Shouldn't he be proud enough to keep walking forward? Not too long ago, he could not even firebend; the numb state of mind was more prominent than his anger. It almost took away his one talent.

No...No more self-criticism. No focus on the past any longer. It solved nothing.

"If you cannot face him physically, then face him emotionally..on your own turf. It's the best you have right now."

Moments passed amongst them, the waterbender waiting patiently for any response from the prince. Finally, the agony on his face appeared to have melted away; slowly, but surely. His stare lowered down to his dirt dusted knees. A partial smile formed on his rosey lips.

"When did you become so tough?" he spoke quietly.

"You'd be surprised what a girl learns over a year. Besides, you helped me cross a bridge not too long ago. Now, it's my turn."

Her voice had been gentle, sweet. Strangely enough, ever since Katara had accepted him as a new being, she had grown fond of him. Of course, she would not admit that. Not now. Not when a war was occurring miles and miles away. What if this liking became something stronger?

No matter. As of now, the pair of youths had burned bridges together, staring in awe at the metaphorical flames of their past. The young lady sat beside the prince, hoping that he would not mind her company. He acceded very well, nonchalantly leaning his cheek onto her head.

The past burned ever so passionately, only to make way for a brighter future.