Hello fanfic readers! There are four more chapters until the grand finale. I have a special announcement- Chapter 3 once again has been rewritten due to the fact that I felt like it was less of Zuko's side of the story and more of Exodus with a little more detail. So fanfiction readers I need you to read over that chapter again. You all probably think I'm crazy; but really it's my own fault. Then again, writing is a learning experience.
So with that out of the way here are the responses to your reviews:
Meandcartoon22- He is adorable I love him.
WARLOCK2552- Ozai is a very bitter man trying to grasp at anything now that he is stripped of his bending. As for what becomes of the man stay tuned in this chapter.
Winterdevils- Mako is pretty awesome little guy. Zuko is just as surprised about his violent streak as anyone.
BoogieBoy- Mako is a bundle of joy. I would answer more, but I don't want to give away the chapter.
I really hope this chapter was worth the wait because it was very hard to write. Special thanks to WARLOCK2552 I needed all the help I could get. So here is the story.
Warning: You're going to need some tissues folks it's a tearjerker.
I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams and OC's
Book 4: Air: Out of the Ashes
Chapter 9 Lullaby and Goodnight
Zuko held Mako in his arms. The boy was fragile at this time. He had gotten to the point where he could barely hold his small body up for long; yet, throughout all of this, his spirit was unshakeable and indomitable. Mako always smiled and looked for ways to make his parents laugh. Zuko felt the tears puddle in his eyes; he loved his son so much; this was a cruel joke. Mako tapped Zuko on the chest, disrupting his thoughts. "DaddyZu don't crying. No sad ok?"
Zuko faked a grin to his son. "I'm not sad Mako. Daddy is very happy. You're the best gift I could ask for."
Mako weakly smiled and snuggled his plush toy dragon Naga. This was getting difficult by the day; watching his son slipping from this world. Zuko's focus kept diverting between Mako's life and inevitable death. The toddler wasn't a fool; he knew his father was struggling with the thought of losing him. "DaddyZu?"
"What is it Mako?"
Mako presented his plush toy to Zuko. "Naga make Frylord happy DaddyZu."
It took everything in Zuko not to burst into tears. He needed a positive distraction; something he could retreat to for just a moment. Zuko accepted the toy. "Thank you Mako. Daddy loves it very much."
Mako's eyes lit up as he coughed. Zuko held the boy's body. He placed Mako in his bed and sat him up. He warmed up the tea and brought it close to Mako's mouth. Mako sipped the tea slowly and blew out the warm air. "Look DaddyZu, see I Fryblender"
Zuko laughed heartily and rubbed Mako on the head. "Yes and you're a very good one."
Zuko smiled and tucked his son into bed. He placed the plush dragon next to him. Mako giggled and flayed his feet in excitement. "Yay DaddyZu tell story!"
"Easy there buddy. Where do you get the energy?"
"I Fryblender DaddyZu," he stated as if obvious.
"That's right, silly me, I forgot. Do you want hear the story about me and Uncle Aang?"
"Yes DaddyZu."
"Okay, but you have to be a good boy and lay down."
His son lay in his small bed, as his amber eyes lit up. Mako pulled Naga close to him. Zuko told him the same story about going to the temple and meeting the sun warriors. Zuko's son without fail would beam and still give him the same enthusiasm. It wasn't fair; he was so young and full of life and promise. He didn't deserve what was happening to him. He and Mai still hadn't recovered from the discussion they had with the physician:
"So how is he doctor?"
"I have to level with you; it's not good at all. His fever has returned, this time, it's getting worse every day."
"He's been sick before and he's recovered and went out and played like nothing happened," said Mai almost pleading.
"Firelord Zuko, Firelady Mai, I'm sorry to tell you; but your son is dying."
Mai's eyes shrunk in fear. She approached the doctor with hatred in her eyes. "No he isn't; he's just a little boy, he can't."
Zuko tried to hold her close, "Mai his cough is—"
She shoved him back, "NO, he is the child I prayed for; he can't die; I won't let him. We are royalty; we wil spare no expense. You get the best herbalist."
"I'm sorry Milady but he—"
Mai brought out her dagger shoving the doctor into a corner, "You will cure him; end of discussion."
The doctor hung her head trying to reason with Mai. "I understand how you feel right now. I lost my only daughter during the war. It ripped me apart even until this day. The difference between you and I, is that, you at least have a partner to rely on through this tough time."
Mai held the dagger closer to the doctor piercing her skin. "My son is going to live and I'm going to watch him get married and have children and become a great firebender. Cure him."
From that day on, Mai had been taking the news with difficulty. She was strong in front of Mako, but behind closed doors, she was exhausted from tear shed. Zuko was amazed by his wife. If he was being honest though; he didn't know what to do or say anymore. With that reflection, Mai entered the room. She looked like a woman at a loss. Zuko had tried to hug her; but she wanted no part of it. There was a cold silence between them. It only made matters far worse. She sat in the chair next to him.
Zuko had tried so hard to be strong for the both of them; but his statuesque faith was cracking every time his son called out to him. The seeds of grief began to sow themselves into garden of this once illustrious family. Zuko was found himself at an emotional crossroads; this is the worst thing that could have happened to him. He couldn't imagine life without the boy. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the negative; he would enjoy every moment. Mako drifted off to sleep.
The bags under Zuko's eyes were getting heavier; if this burden weren't enough; he had received the news of his sisters' disappearance. He had sent several search parties into the Earth Kingdom, all of them yielded the same result; either she's hiding very well or she's dead. Zuko tore a hand through his hair and sighed, he was feeling nauseous; he hoped he wasn't catching the flu that had been a going around. It seemed ironic, that he would much rather be dealing with politics, than this nonsense. Suddenly, his secretary Hikaru entered, "Milord, I hate to interrupt; but there is a matter I must discuss."
Zuko was visibly irritated by the interruption; but straightened his features. He looked to his wife.
"Mai, do you mind looking after him?"
"It's my turn to watch you go ahead."
"Thank you," Zuko lifted Mai's chin looking lovingly into her eyes. "My darling Mai we're going to make it through this together."
Mai, with dead eyes, snatched herself away, eyes glancing at Mako. "I don't want to talk about this now. You just do your job as Firelord and I'll take care of him."
Zuko laid a hand on her shoulder and rubbed her back. "I love you Mai."
She brushed his hands off of her and tensed her body. "Zuko please don't just go," she said lowly.
She was far removed from the inevitable truth. Zuko understood, she had to be, for what greater tragedy was there to watch you gave life to now fade. He felt guilty leaving her, but his responsibilities couldn't be put on hold, not even for his dying son. Zuko followed Hikaru outside the door. "What's going on?"
"Your sister is still missing. However, we bought Captain Chan and Lieutenant Ruon-Jian in for questioning."
"Where did they get those ranks; they're not a part of my military."
"Actually their ranks stem from a resistance that calls itself the Phoenix Battalion. After an intense interrogation led by The Warden, they swore they don't know where she is."
"How do you know they aren't lying?"
"Chan cried from the moment the prison bars shut on him. We'll keep looking sir; she's bound to be out there somewhere."
"We're running out of options. He knew this would happen, "he whispered to himself.
"Sir?"
"Put the search on hold. I know exactly who's behind this."
Zuko entered his father's cell fuming. He marched up to the bars, shaking them. "When are you going to stop?"
Ozai grinned widely at Zuko. He was certainly expecting him. "My son is here and I forgot to make tea and biscuits."
"Do you realize what you've done? Azula could be dead because of your actions. Why couldn't you just leave her alone?"
Ozai with some effort stood up and faced Zuko eye to eye. "Did you think I was going to sit in this cell and not yearn for my throne back? The only thing I can count on outside of this rotting cell is my daughters' loyalty."
"I thought I told you before leave her alone."
"The last time I checked; I am her father."
Zuko jeered, "Father that's a joke! What would you know?"
Ozai sneered at him, "I know that if my son was sick and bedridden I would be with him."
The flames in the lanterns grew with Zuko's anger. "You shut your mouth!"
"Temper, temper"
"Enough of this; I want answers!"
Ozai backed away from the bars and leaned against the wall casually. "What does it matter? My plan has come to a finish. But don't worry I'll never stop fighting for mythrone."
"You had your chance to be Firelord and father; but you screwed both of those up. Haven't you learned by now, that everything you do will fail?"
"The difference between you and I boy, is that I have a legacy. That wife of yours is barren."
Zuko's eyes widened in shock; He wasn't prepared for that statement. Zuko rattled the bars
"Who told you that? "
Ozai smiled deviously as he kept silent.
"Answer me!"
Ozai smiled wider, taunting Zuko; flames licked around Zuko's hands as he heated the bars. "I will make sure that no one will ever speak to you ever again. I will bury you in the deepest, darkest, coldest cell."
"You should bury your son first."
Zuko opened the bars of the cell with otherworldly strength. He went up to his father and grabbed him by the collar. "Give me a reason to kill you!"
Ozai laughed heartily, "You can't kill me; it would be suicide."
Zuko loosened his grip, confused. "What?"
"We are equals now. You're becoming more like me, dare I say better."
Zuko furrowed his brow and held his head in wonder. "This is some sick test?"
"Yes and you passed, congratulations. I knew I've always favored you. I have done the absolute worse to you and you always come out stronger."
Zuko shook his head in bewilderment, "You…are…disturbed."
"I've given you the ultimate gift, resilience."
Ozai had done something that Zuko hadn't expected; he embraced him with all if his strength. Zuko shoved him back and ran out of the prison cell, not caring whether the bars were closed or not. Zuko collapsed on his knees bawling. This was everything he's ever wanted, yet, it felt so wrong. His father truly didn't know how to love. The man destroyed him and scarred him in every way. He wouldn't submit to him ever again; Zuko deserved dignity and respected himself too much to let this occur again. No more visitations, he declared to himself internally; he will send someone to represent him from now on. He heard footsteps and he dreaded looking up; but he saw the water tribe guard instead. Shan put a hand to his chest and bowed. "Milord, I offer you my deepest condolences."
Zuko wiped his face with his sleeve and looked up at him. "For what Shan?"
Shan taken aback delivered the life changing message. "Forgive me, you haven't been informed. Your son Mako has passed away."
Mai held Mako's cold body. She knew what had transpired and it shattered her world beyond anything she could imagine. She opened her eyes and immediately shut them. The world was spinning and she felt so cold and hot. She had neglected her own health to stay with their son; it was foolish, but the right thing to do; her son needed the company in his final hours. She felt a hand caress her hair and opened her eyes; the world was like looking through a spyglass. She saw Zuko's face it was on fire. Her fever was worsening. Reality and fantasy begin to meld.
"Mai wake up."
"W...what, Zuko?" she said in a daze.
"Where's Mako? I want to see my son."
"Mai…its Mako."
"Zuko—, "she turned her face away and looked down on her son. She held his bracelet.
"Where is he Mai?" spat the deep voice
"Mai Mako is..."
She looked at him with tear filled eyes and clung to Mako tightly. The image before her was a red flame with black eyes and teeth. "This isn't a game Mai; I want to see my son!"
"My son…I didn't want to see you like this."
She shook her head grievously. Which one was the real Zuko, which words were her husbands.
She gripped the gold chain tighter trying to decipher the scene. "I'll make funeral arrangements immediately. All the paintings will be confined to a private room."
"We're not going to think about arrangements right now."
"I don't—" tears stream down her face; she was so confused. The image of Zuko got worse, now he had the face of the Blue Spirit tongue on fire and spitting flames.
"We're going to forget he ever existed and we will never discuss this day again."
"We have to remember him and how he was."
The image reached for Mako with blue flamed hands; she became protective, holding him tighter. "NO I won't let you take him away!"
"You killed Mako, you hurt him!"
"Mai its okay, I won't hurt him."
The hot tears were burning her cheek and she brought out her stiletto, "Get away from my child demon!"
"I'm going to put you away just like I did my sister," the Blue Spirit cackled.
"Mai you're very ill. You need medical attention."
She wasn't letting up; it was too hard to tell what was happening; she gripped her son tighter, jabbing at the horrific figure.
"Guards seize this pathetic waste!"
"Guards I need your help please don't hurt her."
Mai screamed bloody murder as they took the deceased toddler from her arms. She tried to speak; but all that came out was babbles. Her world was spinning wildly and with her last breath she collapsed on the floor. She held Mako's gold bracelet to her heaving chest and her eyes faded to black.
