Finding a Mother
Chapter Ten
"Zuko…" Iroh looked at his nephew with a stern look. The look sent shivers down Zuko's spine. The stern look left Iroh's face and was in stead replaced with his usual warm grin. "My nephew; I always knew you would make the right choice!" he embraced Zuko.
"You did?"
"Of course, I just thought it would be sooner than later."
"I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be." Iroh replied. "I've always told you that things happen for a reason."
"What reason?"
"You found your mother, didn't you?" Iroh smiled. "If you had chosen differently in Ba Sing Se, you probably would be thinking she was dead to this day."
The group spent the next month coming up with plans and battle strategies. On the night before the day of the return of Sozin's Comet, Zuko and the others sat around a campfire as Iroh passed around cups of tea.
"I just have one thing to say." Hakoda stood up. "Tomorrow is the day that Fire Lord Ozai falls. Some of you, though, may not be coming back. I hope you all return, but if you don't, I just want to say that it is an honor fighting beside you." He raised his cup, everyone else followed.
Zuko stayed awake as everyone else slept. He had to admit, he was worried. What if Aang wasn't powerful enough to stop him?
"Zuko?" came a small voice, causing Zuko to turn around to face the young monk.
"What?" Zuko asked. "You should be sleeping. You need to defeat my father tomorrow."
"I wanted to ask you something, though."
"What?"
"Is there anyway I can defeat him without killing him?"
Zuko sighed and sat down.
"Does it matter?"
"Yes." Aang protested. "I don't want to kill anybody."
"Aang, I know you're scared and I know you're not ready to save the world, but if you don't defeat the Fire Lord before the comet comes, there won't be a world to save anymore."
"Just tell me if there is any way…"
"I don't know!" Zuko replied. "Either way, after tomorrow, there is no way that my father can ever see day light again."
Ozai found himself in the hall of the prison, talking to Poon.
"I need an earthbender." Ozai growled.
"Why?" Poon asked.
"Don't ask questions, damn it!" Ozai roared. "I want that one my daughter brought back from Ba Sing Se."
Poon guided the Fire Lord to a cell where an earthbender stood, shackled to the wall.
"My daughter tells me your name is Long Feng."
No answer.
"Am I right?"
Still no answer; enraged, Ozai grabbed the prisoner by the neck.
"Is your name Long Feng?"
"Yes." The man spoke after a beat.
"I need you to help me."
"What's in it for me?"
"I'll let you go back to Ba Sing Se, where you can do whatever you want."
"I'm listening…" Long Feng smiled.
"I believe my daughter said you were acquainted with the Avatar."
Long Feng's smile widened. Finally, a chance to get back at those kids!
Long Feng stood by several Dai Li agents as Ozai talked to a group of people, including General Mung, Lo, Li, Joo Dee and the New Ozai Governor.
"Tomorrow, I expect the Avatar and his friends to be killed. If the Avatar doesn't fall, then my no good traitor of a brother could get the throne. Tomorrow, I will also be naming myself Phoenix Lord, with my daughter as Fire Lord."
"It is not wise to crown yourself on the day of the comet," Lo spoke. "It would give the Avatar the element of surprise."
"Then what do you want me to do?" Ozai growled.
"Do it on the day after the Avatar's fall." Li said.
"You could have a big celebration." Joo Dee's grin grew even wider. "I'll bring some leopard-seal jerky and Fire Flake Chip cookies."
Ozai sighed. "No! I don't want a celebration! Just as long as it happens, I don't care if I have to kill somebody to do it." Ozai turned around. "My son now knows the truth. That I was going to kill him for the throne; he may be back for a vengeance."
"Zuko will die, along with the Avatar." Mung promised. "I won't let you down sir."
"You better not." Ozai growled. "If we have another repeat about what happened at that village, I'll have you tried for cowardice and treason."
END CHAPTER