Chapter 10: Redemption
Guess who's back?
"We need you, Aang" said Katara
"I need you, too." he happily responded
Suddenly the sky blackens around Aang as he starts panicking and finds himself alone on Appa and the form of his past guardian, Monk Gyatso, appears before him
"Why did you leave Aang, why did you abandon us?"
"I-I never intended to-"
"You left us to die."
Gyatso then vanished and the voices of Katara, Gyatso, Sokka, Naruto, Sasuke, all his friends behind him repeating, "We need you Aang, We need you Aang, We need you Aang." , over and over again.
He then sees Kisame standing before him, "You are weak!" He says before taking a swing at him then disappearing. He and Appa sink into the darkness, lightning splits the sky, and the silhouette of Fire Lord Ozai surrounded by flames appears for a fraction of a second before shooting a wave of fire towards Aang.
"AAAGGGHH!" Aang screamed waking up
"Aang! What's wrong?!" Katara said waking up from Aang's screams
"Oh, I'm sorry Katara. I just had a bad dream."
"What was it?" She said worried
"...Nothing, don't worry about it." He said and then went back to sleep
Katara stared worridly at Aang for a while, wondering what could be troubling him. She eventually went back to sleep as well.
The next morning at the Fire Nation
"He lied to us Nagato." Konan said
"I know but-"
"But what? He lied about being Madara and he knew Itachi was a spy but never said anything! He manipulated us! How can we ever trust him again?"
"Konan although what you say is true, we all still have the same goal. World peace."
"Yeah well we're in the wrong world for that."
"It can still be done in this world, they've been at war for 100 years!"du
"Yeah speaking of that, why the hell are we working with the Fire Nation anyway? All they want is death and destruction! They're the ones who started this whole 100 year war!"
"Konan listen, the jinchuuriki and the Avatar are working together , so the Akatsuki and Fire Nation are working together. We're new to this world so it's better have allies, we have enough enemies here just by working with them."
"I thought we didn't align ourselves with monsters, but I guess we became the monsters. Now that I think about it, we always were the monsters. Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara, all they want is destruction like the Fire Nation."
Konan then stepped closer to Nagato
"We have more enemies than allies right now, probably because we're on the wrong side. We know they plan on sending Hidan and Kakuzu to capture the 4 and 5 tails and kill the Earth Kingdom soldiers so the Fire Nation can take over. Do the right thing if you actually wanna honor Yahiko and Jiraiya-sensei." She then left the room as she said that leaving Nagato to contemplate his thoughts.
"There's going to be a terrible storm today, I can tell. Maybe we should alter the course for the sake of the crew." Iroh suggests
"Forget the crew! The only thing that matters is capturing the Avatar!" Zuko yelled storming into the ship
"I-I'm sure he didn't mean that. He's just worked up, that's all." Iroh said to Lieutenant Jee who had overheard them.
Aang and Katara ran out of food so they traveled to a small town to get something from the market. A woman was snapping at Katara because she didn't like her 'perfect' watermelon because of the swishy sounds it made. She decided to just forget about and get food elsewhere but as she was leaving she overheard an argument between a fisherman and his wife talking about a dangerous thunderstorm that's supposed to occur later in the day.
"Well well, seems like Iroh was right after all, as usual anyway." Lieutenant Jee says as he looks at the clouds coming together and darkening.
"Hey! I demand respect!" Zuko yelled
"Respect? What the hell the you know about respect!? All you care about is yourself and your ridiculous honor!" Jee snapped back
"So you dare to challenge my authority? Fine then! We settle this with an Agni Kai." Zuko challenged Jee
As the two locked arms, smoke already coming out of Zuko's hands Iroh broke the two up.
"Stop this fighting! Please, we are all just tired and hungry." Iroh says
"Ugh, stay out of this uncle! I don't need your help to keep order on my ship." Zuko snaps
"Zuko, please-" Iroh says placing a hand on his shoulder before he shrugged it off and stormed at the front of the ship to stare at the stormy sky.
"Zuko always seems angry, I wish he could find peace someday. Without capturing the Avatar." Itachi spoke up to Iroh
"That boy is determined, but honestly I'm not even sure if my brother will still accept him if Zuko actually does capture the Avatar. He wasn't always like this ya know, he was once a very kind and loving boy." Iroh said
"Really?" Itachi said kind of surprised
"Yeah, really?" said Jee also surprised
"Of course, come let me give you a bit of backstory." Iroh said insuring Itachi and Jee to follow him into the ship.
Han and Roshi were just getting back from a fighting event where multiple earthbenders compete for the championship. The current champion was the blind bandit, a little girl who Han and Roshi knew as Toph Beifong.
"Man that girl kicked their asses." Roshi said
"Still can't believe she's that good." Han commented
Suddenly there was a large explosion in the distance. Going to investigate Han and Roshi came across two people dressed in black cloaks with red clouds.
"4 and 5 tails, we have come to collect you." Kakuzu said
"Akatsuki..." Han growled as the four prepared for battle
Kakuzu immediately ripped off his shirt and four out of five of his hearts grew out and shaped into tall black creatures that each had a water, fire, wind, and earth nature.
People were running all around panicking and Earth Kingdom soldiers were attacking the creatures but were just getting blown back as buildings were getting destroyed too.
Roshi formed 1 tail and sped at incredible speeds hitting these creatures knocking them down, but that didn't stop them. One blasted a huge fireball but he just used enough force to kick it away.
"Lava Release: Scorching Armored Fist:!" Roshi said coating himself in lava and punching the creature with water nature having the lava melt it destroying the creature. Suddenly another huge fireball was launched at him followed by intense wind stregnthing it. He tried to counter it with his punch but got blown back and burned a little. Han on the other hand wasn't having as much of a difficult time wih Hidan, pummeling him with his cloak. However a giant Earth boulder struck at him with him barely dodging. All three then shot a massive fireball mixed with intense wind and a giant earth spike shooting down at Han but then suddenly was disintegrated by intense pressure. A figure then landed in front of Han and Roshi wearing another black cloak with red clouds.
"Nagato? What are you doing?" Kakuzu asked
"You will leave these people alone. We are not monsters, we aim for world peace not destruction. You will stop this attack and leave this place and these people alone." Nagato stated
"Who would've thought, betraying your own organization. Madara will be so disappointed." Kakuzu said
"To hell with Madara!" Nagato yelled
With that the creatures all prepared there attacks but were all hit with a powerful Almighty Push that obliterated them and almost destroyed the city.
'Damn, I need to be careful. I don't wanna kill the people I'm trying to protect.' Nagato thought
'Dammit, he's far too strong. We may need to retreat...
Nagato then appeared behind Hidan within the blink of an eye
"Immortal huh? I know the solution." Nagato said as he used the human path of the rinnegan to rip his soul out.
Kakuzu stood shook as Hidan's lifeless body hit the ground
"Am I gonna have to kill you too?" Nagato asked
"No." said a voice from behind Nagato as he turned a barely dodged a swing from Kisame.
'Great, one of the stronger ones and I can't risk going all out. That's just wonderful.' Nagato thought as he prepared for battle.
"Its your fault! Your the reason this whole war has been going on! You left us all!" the fisherman yelled at Aang after realizing he is the Avatar, accusing Aang of turning his back on the world.
"Aang never turned his back on anyone, it wasn't his fault he's been trapped for 100 years!" Katara argued
Aang though was taken back and opened his glider to fly away
"Aang wait!" Katara yelled
"Yeah run away like you always do!" The fisherman yelled with Katara giving him a mean mug
She later found Aang in a cave somewhere
"Aang! There you are."
"Sorry for running off like that Katara."
"No it's okay Aang, that guy was a jerk anyway. I mean, what does he know?"
Aang just shrugged and still looked sad
"Hey, listen don't let him get to you. You're one of the bravest people I know Aang."
"No Katara, he was right about what he said."
"Why would you say that?" Katara said shocked and confused
"I don't really wanna talk about it."
"This must have something to do with that dream you had last night. Aang, please, tell me what's going on with you."
sigh "Okay fine. I'll tell you everything."
Katara then got a fire started as Aang began to tell his story.
Zuko's Flashback
A young scarless Prince Zuko sat before his father in a war room with several other generals. He desired to learn as much as he can so he could be a great ruler of the Fire Nation one day, so his uncle allowed him to enter the room but warned him not to speak as the old generals were pretty sensitive.
"We should use the division of new recruits as a distraction, that'll allow the rest of us to attack from the rear launching a surprise attack on the enemy." One of the generals said
"We can't do that! Our guys trust us and if we use them as bait like that that would be the worst act of betrayal!" Zuko said outraged
Although what he said was true, it was not his place to speak. So he his father figured he needed to face dire consequences.
Aang's Flashback
It all started at the Southern Air Temple, when Aang was showing his friends how to use his air scooter technique.
"Aang, we need to see you in the meeting room at once." Gyatso told him so he followed. Once in he was there with Gyatso and the elder monks.
"Uh, what's going on?" Aang asked
"Aang, you are the Avatar." one of the monks said
Aang's eyes grew wide in shock, "W-What? But how?" Aang questioned
"The four toys you picked earlier, they were Avatar relics. They all belonged to the previous Avatars, your past lives." Gyatso said
"Oh come on! I only chose them because they looked fun!"
"No, you chose them because they were familiar to you." Tashi, another monk said
"Now Aang, we would normally tell you about your Avatar destiny until you turned 16, but the storm clouds are gathering. A war is coming on, and we need the Avatar." Gyatso said
"Zuko's father was furious at Zuko for his outburst and declared the prince's challenge of the general to be an act of complete disrespect so he figured it needed to be settled with an Agni Kai. Zuko accepted the challenge, however he didn't know until the day of the challenge that he would be facing his father and not the old general." Iroh said
Flashback
"Please father, I'm sorry. I only had the Fire Nation's best intrest in mind, I apologize for speaking out and it will never happen again." Zuko begged
"Boy, you will fight for your honor." Ozai demanded
Zuko then dropped to his knees
"Please father I beg you. Don't make me do this, don't make me fight." Zuko pleaded for his father's mercy
"You will learn respect Zuko and suffering will be your teacher." Ozai said ignoring his son's pleas
Zuko had tears in his eyes as his father struck him, scarring his face.
Flashback end
"Honestly I had to look away, unlike his own sister and Zaho." Iroh said
"After that, Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation for showing shameful weakness and the only way he could win his honor back and be allowed back into the Fire Nation is by capturing the Avatar. Ever since then he's been hellbent on his goal." Iroh finished
"Man...and all this time I thought that scar was just from a training accident." Jee said
"It was no accident! It was just the work of a monster." Iroh said angrily
"How come you didn't seem too excited about being the Avatar Aang?" Katara asked
"Truth is, I didn't really know how to feel about it. But after I found out, that's when everything started changing.
Flashback
Aang returned to the courtyard to see all his friends flying around on air scooters because they made up a game. So as Aang was going make his own, the other monks stop him.
"Aang, you being the Avatar would give you an unfair advantage in any team you would be on." one of the monks said
"What! Cone on, it's not like I'm any different I JUST found out!" Aang argued
"You are still not permitted to play."
"Fine." Aang said saddened as he returned inside the temple to play a game of Pai Sho with Gyatso.
Hours later the two were still playing and having a good time. Tashi then entered the room.
"Gyatso! Why are you playing games with Aang when the Avatar should be training? Aang come now! You will be tested on some advanced airbending techniques." Tashi said scolding Gyatso
Aang then got up to follow Tashi
"No, as long as I am Aang's guardian I will be deciding when he would train and play." Gyatso said sternly
Tashi just scoffed as he left the room while Aang and Gyatso continued their game. Things were going good for a while and Aang was starting to feel better, until one day. Aang had overheard the monks talking about sending him to the Eastern Air Temple to continue his training. Gyatso tried to stand up for him saying he deserved a childhood but it was no use.
Flashback end
Thinking about it all over again made Aang upset, temporarily putting him in the Avatar state before he quickly calmed down.
"Sorry for my outburst Katara." Aang apologized
"No Aang you have the right to be angry, they shouldn't have done that. They tried to take you away from all your friends and your teacher!" Katara said
"No Katara, they never sent me away. I was afraid and confused so I ran away, I packed my things, got Appa and left without saying goodbye to anyone, even Gyatso. I never saw him again as I got stuck in a bad storm and froze myself in that iceberg for you to find me 100 years later. Then afterwards the Fire Nation attacked the temple when I should've been there, but I wasn't when they needed me the most. Now everyone is dead, the fisherman was right to say I turned my back on the world." Aang said sadly
"Aang, you're being too hard on yourself. If you had stayed there's a good chance you would've gotten killed with the others. What matters is you're hear now, the world needs you and you give hope to people." Katara said trying to console Aang
"You know, I think I have a way to return Zuko to the way he was." Itachi said
"What do you mean?" Iroh asked
"There's an ability I have called the Izanami, it's a genjutsu which traps an opponent in a continuous illusion that maintains itself even without the user's concentration. I would require a few minutes of prep to set up would need to make physical contact in order to initiate. It works even if the opponent is blind or has cut off their eyesight. Now it can be broken if the victim accepts the results of their actions and stops trying to change them. He would realize he true self, and become a better person, though the eye which casts it would be sealed away and lose its light forever." Itachi explains
"How long would the victim be trapped in this illusion?" Iroh asks
"It all depends on the person. Some take hours, some days, some weeks, months, others can even be years. Those who are purely evil though and truley have no regrets, they may be trapped forever." Itachi says
"Well, Zuko certainly isn't evil." Iroh says
"That I agree, for Zuko I say it would take at least a day." said Itachi
Iroh then thought for a minute
"Alright, let's do it." Iroh says agreeing to Itachi's plan
Just then they heard a scream and all ran out to find that the helmsman is hanging on to the crow's nest for dear life after lightning strikes the ship. Jee and Zuko then waste no time and rush to the man's aid. As they are climbing the ladder another lightning strike heads toward the ship but Iroh redirects it into the water instead. Just as the helmsman falls unable to hold on any longer, he is saved by Zuko catching him, he then lowers him to Jee who brings the man to safety. Zuko and Jee gave each other a nod of respect but Jee also looking and Itachi signaling.
"Zuko, this is for your own good." Iroh said
"What are you talking abo-" Zuko was cut off as a weak fireball was launched at him then all he saw before he could react was Itachi speeding towards him and gave him a small cut on the face with his kunai. That was all it took, Zuko was now trapped in this genjutsu and would not come out until he was a changed man.
"Are you sure this will work?" Iroh asked
"I would'nt have even suggested it if I wasn't 100% sure it would work." Itachi responded
Aang and Katara were startled when they heard the fisherman's wife's screams for help. Katara then rushed to her.
"It's okay lady, you're safe." Katara said
"My husband is not! He's still at sea with that terrible storm! It's even turning into a typhoon!" she yelled worridly
"I'll save him." Aang stated getting ready to take off
"I'm coming with you." Katara said
"I'll be staying here." said the woman
Aang and Katara headed out on Appa flying through the storm to find the fisherman. A huge tidal wave was heading towards them so Aang used his staff to push it away so Appa could get through safely. While they saw the fisherman's boat in the distance, they passed Zuko's ship. They stared to see the whole crew along with Itachi staring right back but noticed that Zuko was standing oddly still.
The fisherman is hanging on to the boat so Aang jumps down to save him but lightning strikes the boat sinking it. Aang quickly uses his waterbending to sever the beam in two, saving the fisherman, and helps him up on Appa's saddle. Before they can escape however, they are overtaken by another large wave and pulled underwater. As they float down, Aang notices Katara and the fisherman all holding on the Appa's saddle unconscious. He feels himself is slipping away too, but he suddenly grabs hold of Appa's reigns with renewed vigor as he enters the Avatar State. Pulling himself back on Appa's head, he smashes his fists together and forms an air pocket around them all, allowing Appa to fly through the water.
Making back to the surface safely, the fisherman thanks Aang and Katara as he returns to his wife.
Nagato meanwhile was fighting for his life against Kisame. Normally he would crush him but he had to hold back in order to not destroy the Earth Kingdom.
Kisame then launched a water dragon at Nagato only for him to absorb the jutsu he then blocked a sword strike with his kunai. He pushed him back and lunged at him sweeping under his feet and drawing a deep slash on his back. Kisame however turned into water. Nagato quickly realizing turned around only to be slashed in the stomach, nearly getting cut in half. Suddenly Kisame was blown away by an explosion, Nagato looked to see Konan coming to his aid.
"Nagato, you're hurt!"
"Don't worry about me, protect the citizens." Nagato said
Konan then created a large dome of paper for any bystanders to retreat to during the battle. All the soldiers insisted on defending their home despite Konan telling them it's far too dangerous.
Kakuzu attempted to destroy the dome with his Lightning Release: False Darkness, firing a stream of lightning in the shape of a spear and sent it to the dome to destroy it but was blown away by Nagato's Almighty Push towards the sky. Kakuzu was then flattened with a massive rasengan as Jiraiya appeared on the scene. The attack destroyed his last hear killing him.
"That's it! I'll blow this whole city away!" Kisame screamed as he prepared his attack. "Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!" Kisame yelled as he sent a huge tsunami towards the town. The earth zoldiers all worked to create a giant wall to block off the tsunami, but it was still a little taller. The water then suddenly split and sunk down, completely blocked off by the wall.
"What!" Kisame shouted in shock
"Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!" Yelled a voice coming from above Kisame
He turned his head to see a flying shuriken disc in his face making impact, exploding. Kisame then fell to the ground as Naruto landed in front of him. Obito then suddenly appeared.
"So you've gotten stronger, good. Until we meet again." Was all he said before disappearing with Kisame.
The people came out of the dome clapping and cheering for their heroes. As Nagato and Konan watched they both felt a hand on their shoulders. Thsy looked to see Jiraiya just smiling at them, no words needed. They all then hugged each other as Naruto stared happily.
The next day the weather had cleared up and Aang and Katara had said their final goodbyes as they took off with Appa to continue their journey.
Earlier last night...
As hours went by Itachi was asleep in his bed. He then suddenly jumped up and held his kunai to someone's throat while holding them against the wall. The intruder then lit a small fire from his hands to reveal Zuko.
"Zuko?" Itachi said letting him go, "You're back sooner than I expected. Sorry I had to-"
"No need to explain I understand. Thank you, you helped me realize my true destiny and that isn't capturing the Avatar." Zuko said
"Oh? What is it then?" Itachi questioned
"Itachi...you're a ninja right? Master of stealth and infiltrator and all?" Zuko asked
"Um...yes." Itachi answered confused
"You were also one of the elites of your village, so you're pretty strong right?"
"Zuko, what are you getting at?"
"Itachi, I want you to help me sneak into the Fire Nation so I can kill my father."
Honestly I was looking back at some of the old chapters and just felt the need to return and give you guys another great chapter. I'm trying to get back into frequent updates on these stories but no promises, next chapter probably won't be as long of a wait though. Enjoy and let me know what you guys think.