A Thousand Birds

Bloop, bloop, bloop. The sound of turtle ducks swimming in a pond, carefully following the lead of the mother, echoed throughout the area. One odd fella kept dipping under water and letting its air out, resulting in the abnormal sound that morning.

Son Gohan smiled at the turtle duck that was different from the rest. It was so carefree and unrestricted, unlike its siblings that seemed to be militaristic in their formation.

"I think I'll name you… Krillin," he said, smiling at the memory of the goofball that was his friend. This little turtle duck reminded him a little of the balled monk.

A gentle breeze graced the area, giving a rare moment of cool air through the normally warm and hot city.

The young hero was dressed in formal Fire Nation robes, put together by the tailor of the Royal Family. Of course, he didn't really like the armor underneath, which was actually given to him by Ozai's demand because of what he did a few days ago, the Spirit of War! Speaking of which, that's the reason why he's dressed so formal. They were going to discus the phenomenon known as the Spirit of War.

He nearly chuckled at the thought. He let his imagination come to life right then. And now that he had time to reflect on that, the best course of action probably would've been to kill them, or to at least destroy the ship, leaving them to fend for themselves.

Or, if he knew how to materialize objects, he could create a giant cage, force them all inside and take them to a Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe camp.

His eyes sparkled from the sudden idea. 'Yeah, that's what I'll do. It will minimize loss of life and it won't hamper any progress,' he thought, smiling. 'Plus, no witnesses for a further report.'

"Why are you smiling?"

He turned his head and saw Azula standing next to him, one delicate eyebrow quirked.

"No single reason," he answered, standing. "It's actually a lot of things, really. I'm smiling because the beauty of those flowers, the orange glow in the sky when the sun sits just right on the horizon," he told her, still smiling.

"Why?" she asked, curious to know more about him.

"Come, there's still an hour before we're supposed to go to the Fire Lord. Let me show you what I mean," he suggested, taking her hand in his so he could lead her away.

He figured that showing her these things would make her smile. But he was wrong, those things didn't matter to her for some reason. He had told her about why he was happy, yet she seemed confused.

"Why? They're just flowers," she replied, looking to flowers in a garden not too far from the palace.

"Sometimes… you have to enjoy the little things in life, you know? You never know when your life will end, or swept off your feet and put on a path you never wanted," he replied, looking at the sky.

He was talking about his own experience.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"This amnesia. I'm sure I didn't want it," he said, looking her in the eyes. He could see the imperceptible, underlying guilt creep into her eyes for a moment. "But that's okay. It gives me time to think about life. That's why I believe that all life has meaning. From the smallest of insects to the the Fire Lord himself, even commoners and peasants. And even beyond just that. The grass, the trees, the clouds, everything. It all has value." He looked over to see her staring at him. He laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "It might seem strange, but there's even value in the life of those from other nations!"

Azula was perplexed. He was saying that there was actual value in the life of such trivial things? Why? What value was there in a filthy peasant?

"We should go now," Gohan sighed. "I'm sure we wouldn't want to keep the Fire Lord waiting, right?"

"Right," she agreed, storing a question for him for a later time.

It wasn't as strange as it was before. The walking through the Fire Nation. He was getting better at fitting the bill of royalty. He remembered sometimes visiting the Ox Kingdom, where the people treated him like royalty, and how his grandfather and mother presented themselves to the people. They were regal. He, not being one for attention, was not.

But now, seeing how this life was for Azula and Zuko, he tried his best to fit in and meet expectations so he didn't seem out of place.

A few turns later, they found themselves out side the war room. Two guards were stationed in front of the door, they instantly parted for the two teens.

Walking through the door was like removing a veil. The temperature was much higher than when he last entered the room. That was probably as an intimidation factor. The heat was making all the older Firebenders were sweating a little, a testament to their withered powers - or perhaps to Ozai's greater powers.

Gohan scanned the room once, seeing Zuko to Ozai's right, and two empty to his left. Gohan stepped aside and let Azula take hers to the immediate left of Ozai, and he took the one next to her.

It was silent for a few moments before Ozai decided to speak up.

"As we all know, there have been reports of a spirit going around and claiming that it has grown tired of the war."

There was a common nod of agreement. Before Ozai could continue, an old General spoke up.

"This a matter of upmost importance! For all we know, that spirit can come here and wipe us out."

Ozai critically looked to the elder that spoke. He closed his eyes, almost as if deciding whether or not to have the man gelded. He opened his eyes to address them once more.

"Yes, that is true; but, I might add that the spirit did not kill a single person. I find it odd that a mighty spirit would travel to our world just to demonstrate his power."

Gohan looked to Ozai. He leaned forward a little to let the man know he was going to speak.

"Fire Lord Ozai, if I may?" The Saiyan gestured, keeping his cool.

"You may, Gohan." Ozai waved airily.

Intrigued eyes watched as the teen contemplated his next words. Gohan heard a suppressed chuckle that was passed off as a cough. It was undoubtably the humor the elders felt when they looked to him. He was, after all, supposed to be under manipulation.

"It is strange to believe such a claim. I mean, the soldiers in question are all of the youngest class, correct?" Gohan had his argument in mind.

Ozai nodded.

"And why would a spirit attack the Fire Nation when there are two other parties involved with the war? And there were no other reports anywhere else but from here." At this point, Gohan drew a triangle on the world map in front of them in the area he went to. "Isn't it odd that only four ships were in the area, yet… only three report the incident?"

There were looks of consideration amongst the gathered.

"Back to the point about the young soldiers; if my memory serves correct, they were the latest batch commissioned from Kasai Port, where they spent a few weeks." Gohan looked to each face.

"What's the point?" someone asked impatiently.

"The point is: I believe the spirit they speak of is nothing more than a cleverly devised hoax." Gohan received a few blank stares before continuing. "A hoax made by young soldiers that very well may be off to meet their doom. As such, this is nothing more than a way to get a last laugh."

"He has a point, Fire Lord." Azula drew eyes to her. "Such fickle claims can't be trusted coming from a group of indisciplined soldiers."

"That's only if what Gohan says is true."

Gohan looked to the old man, raising an eyebrow. "How can it not be true? Why would a spirit even waste time with three ships in the middle of the ocean, and not the capital of the Fire Nation where the Fire Lord resides?"

That was hard to rebut against. The old man sat back, a sour look on his face.

Ozai seemed to hold Gohan in an appraising manner, his eyes glistening with pride. "Very well spoken, Gohan. I think you very well may have proven the claims false."

Azula caught the look in her father's eyes and resisted a smirk. Yes! This is exactly what she wanted! More light to be shone on Gohan than Zuko. If the two of them could prove their worth, she can somehow become Fire Lord! Then, Gohan and herself could rule the world as the mightiest couple in the world!

"Though, Fire Lord… I think the best course of action would be to send more ships out to the area, just to prove the claims untrue when the spirit does not show up." Gohan leaned back a little. 'Just a few more weeks. I'll take you down,' he thought.

The entirety of that night when he scared those soldiers served as plan to improve his merits with Ozai. It was also a test run of his powers.

"Prince Zuko…" Ozai looked to his oldest child, his voice losing something- the positive edge. "Is there anything you'd like to add?"

"Actually… I think it would be best to not send soldiers out on the off-chance that there is a potentially dangerous spirit out there." Ozai, for all his worth, was a little surprised by his son's argument.

"Prince Zuko is correct." Gohan brought eyes to him once more. "I realize the folly in my plan, even though I'm sure it's just a fable. It's a wise decision to not immediately send troops out." He smiled at Zuko.

Ozai nodded. He saw that Azula's eyes were slightly narrowed on Zuko. She clearly didn't like his counter to Gohan's proof of the report being a lie.

"Very well, you're all dismissed." Ozai waved his hand. He wanted to get to his musings rather quickly. "And send for my advisors."

Gohan nodded, standing to leave. He walked over and held the door open for Azula before walking out after her, unintentionally letting the door close in the face of a few respectable elders and Zuko. He didn't realize that he may have started a problem.

Over the course of the next five days, Gohan has tried explaining what he meant by the value of life. She was barely starting to understand him, but he could tell that her own view on life was the opposite of that. First, he'd have to get her to understand that before her change started to begin. It was a conflict of interest on her side, but that was all right.

Currently, with the wind blowing ever so slightly, Gohan stood outside of a beach house with Azula, Mai, Ty Lee and Zuko. The sun was beating down on them, but not too hot, and not a cloud in sight. It was a perfect day.

However, the sight that greeted them was mood killing. Not that they were hyped the to begin with. None but Ty Lee really wanted to be there. Gohan had a smile on his face, albeit a bit forced. He had no problem being here, but he'd rather be somewhere else. You know, somewhere to practice using his powers.

He stepped into line behind Zuko, walking up the wooden steps to the small house. There were few creaks made, probably from the lack of using them, or maybe over use.

Upon entering the house, he slightly grimaced, his sensitive nose taking in a strong smell as he looked around at what the beach barfed up, so as Mai had put it.

Red, pink, black, and gold. Those were the main colors he has seen anywhere in the Fire Nation. There were right here and there, but the aforementioned are the primary and secondary colors that existed here. He wanted to wear his orange Gi, but knew that orange made up Air Nomad garbs, along with yellow and beige.

He briefly wondered about why there were color codes. Was it that they lacked the necessary materials to make other colors, or are they unwilling to let other nations know how to make those colors?

"Who are these two beautiful women?"

Gohan slowly turned his attention from a cool-looking shell to see Ty Lee pointing at a painting of two young women with their rumps touching.

"Can't you tell…" Lo started, moving into the same position as the woman in the left in the painting.

"…it's Lo and me." Li finished, in the same position as the woman on the right.

"We know you are upset about being forced to come here," Lo started.

"But Ember Island is a magical place," Li continued.

"Keep an open mined…"

"Give it a chance…"

"And it can help you understand yourselves and each other," the said together.

"The beach has a special way." Lo picked up a rock and gave it to Li, who continued:

"Of smoothing even the most rugged edges."

"To the beach!" The twins clapped together, leading the teens to a changing area.

"Huh." Gohan looked away, not trying to be rude, but also not trying to be revolted when both old ladies dropped their robes.

Moments later, Gohan was walking next to Azula, keeping himself from taking in her beauty. He had a good look earlier, but pried his eyes away so he wouldn't stare. She has a very gorgeous body.

Gohan let his eyes wonder, instead, a little ways away to the water that occasionally crashed against the shore. There wasn't really much to admire around here, but he welcomed the distraction anyways.

'I have ultimately decided.' He blinked, his eyes sharpening for a moment. 'Ozai is going down on the invasion day. I'll have to make some other preparations, but everything shall be fine,' Gohan thought.

Azula saw his distant gaze and frowned. She wanted his attention to be on her, not some stupid water. It's the whole point of her wearing such an outfit. Maybe he was starting to grow tired of their relationship? They had talked for hours about the values of life, right and wrong. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the time.

She hadn't taken him serious back then. She only went along to make the ruse seem stronger, but now? Now she started to really think about those words. But why protect those that aren't worthy? Maybe the answer was in him.

She looked closely at him, knowing that beneath his thin robes was a well sculpted body. And she knew that he was a powerful bender.

'We have both attained great power by training, but he uses his power for good, and I for his version of bad,' she mused silently, glancing at her brother. There's no reason why Zuko shouldn't be at the level the two of them were at- or higher. Zuko was two years older than both of them, but Gohan would utterly destroy Zuko if they came to odds. Could it be that Gohan's drive to protect the innocent made him so strong? Was it because Zuko was like her that he was hindered so? If he were like Gohan, would he be stronger?

And what of her? If she became like him, what would happen to her? She could see herself as a peace-loving, weak-protecting, cheerful person. That Azula was weak, and she despised the weak.

They came to a stop at a nice, open area. Gohan went about setting up his and Azula's spot. It was quick and proficient, setting up shade for her and himself like Zuko did.

"I'm not bothered by the sun, you know." Azula looked to him. He flashed a grin in response.

"I'm sure you're not, but it just seemed right to do this for you." He sat beside her, looking out at the water. "I could always take it down for you if you'd like," he offered.

"No. It's… nice," she replied, a rare public smile adorning her face.

He smiled once more, taking in the sight that was her. "That's good."

As the hours went by, Gohan found that spending time with the other teens was somewhat of a good experience.

Currently, he sat under the inky night sky, looking to Azula. Mai and Ty Lee were invited to a party, that's where they were. Zuko was also there for some reason. Gohan had shrugged the party off, not wanting to be there. And so, Azula chose to stick with him and walk the length of the beach with him.

The Saiyan had a bright smile on his face. He had somehow managed to get a genuine laugh out of Azula. The Princess found his use of the term 'crap-baskets' humorous when he was telling her about a 'story' he had made up.

"What happens next?" she asked.

"The chubby swordsman then goes, 'please, sir, I really admire you and would like to join you if it's not too late!'" he answered, giving his best imitation of Yajirobe.

She laughed again.

Gohan decided that he liked her laugh, making sure to store the sound to memory.

"Gohan, where did you get such a scene from?" she asked after a while. Truly, there weren't much comedy centered plays and such in the Fire Nation; and, she wasn't really much into comedy, but she found the story humorous.

"I just made it up." Gohan shrugged, looking ahead. "I have an entire story if you want to hear it," he said.

"I'd… like to hear that," she admitted.

"Well, it starts with a boy named Goku…" Gohan hoped that by telling her a slightly different and shortened version of his dad's childhood that she'd get a better grasp of what he was getting at. But she was a stubborn one, getting her to change wasn't easy. He feared what will happen when he took down Ozai. What would happen to her when she saw him put an end to Ozai's reign?

Suppressing a sigh, Gohan put on a smile as the two stumbled upon Mai, Zuko, and Ty Lee. Apparently, Zuko had just tossed a family portrait into the fire, enticing a small protest from Ty Lee. The argument that followed wasn't the most comfortable of situations to be near.

Gohan kinda just kinda sat back and listened. He stared into the fire, tuning them out until his ear twitched when he heard:

"For so long, I thought that if my dad accepted me, I'd be happy! I'm back home now; my dad talks to me! Hah, he even thinks I'm a hero!" Zuko's words were humorless. "Everything should be perfect, right? I should be happy now, but I'm not! I'm angrier than ever and I don't know why!"

'That makes since. He betrayed Iroh, his one constant in life, for this life, and he's having regrets for that, and also because he knows he made a bad decision; a decision he might want to soon change,' Gohan thought, shaking his head as the rest of the scene played out. He stood up to leave once it was over, having absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation.

Azula noticed him leaving and called out to him:

"What about you, Gohan? What bothers you?"

Gohan stopped and looked over at her. He turned and walked back over to them.

"You guys want to know what bothers me?" he asked, sitting down. He looked at where the fire was, sparking a new flame by mental command.

There were simultaneous nods.

"I have no problems with my life," Gohan told them. "I have friends, family, a girlfriend, nothing wrong over here. I lost my memories? Oh well. I'll make new ones." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"So… you're saying that you don't have a problem with anyone?" Mai asked. "Don't you hate how Zhao nearly killed you?"

"I don't hate anyone. Sure, there are things I dislike, but hate is a very powerful word. But so is love. And I love the world." Gohan smiled.

The teens slightly tensed when his visage became darker. "However, I am bothered by the world. I don't like that the world has been at war for one-hundred years, with no end in sight; I want peace. I don't like the hate in the world, or people that try to oppress another's life. That's why, I'll put an end to this war," Gohan said, smiling at their reactions. "Alone, if I have to."

"How will you do that? You can't fight an entire two armies by yourself," Ty Lee pointed out. Oh, if only she knew.

"I've studied various Firebender techniques back at the capital. Lightning is an ability harnessed by so few. And it's pretty dangerous… well, in the normal means of harnessing it that is. I've created a new, safer method." He closed his eyes as he lifted his left hand.

The four other present stared in shock as lightning started forming at his finger tips.

"How are you doing this?" Azula asked, wanting to know so she could use it. The lust for power was evident in her calculating eyes.

"Only the drive for peace within will lead to the manifestation of the power to create that peace," Gohan answered cryptically. It was a lie, of course. He'd forgive himself later, if she came over the side of good, that is. "With this power, I will strike down the world's oppressor." He intensified the lightning, making it cackle.

'It sounds like birds chirping,' Ty Lee observed.

"The want for peace?" Zuko repeated. Inside, this was another blow inside. He looked to Gohan, the Saiyan was practically the Saiyan as when he first met him. Perhaps… his good spirit wasn't affected by the brainwashing.

"Don't you guys want the war to end?" Each nodded for different reasons. He let the lightning fade away. "The four nations were meant to be separate. There shouldn't be a need to conquer others… no one nation should ever try and dominate the others. When you look at all that this war has accomplished, it's almost laughable. The air nomads were wiped out a hundred years ago; in the time since then, all that's been accomplished is the simple loss of life. I cherish life, I don't like to see people die, and the three warring nations are simply sending men and women to be killed." He looked away. "That's why I want the war to end."

"What do you plan on doing about that?" Mai asked.

"If any of you were to ever have children… would you want he or she to grow up in a war-torn world?" Gohan asked, looking to each.

He took their silence as a means of finishing.

"Give me one month; I'll end the war. That's what I'm going to do about that." He stood to his feet. "One way, or the other, I'll personally put an end to it." He began walking away.

AN: Yosh! Next chapter, you will see what affect Gohan's words have on each of his peers.