What If Zuko Won?
Based on events in W.I.T.C.H. in the World of Avatar
Epilogue 6: Aang and Roku
"I sense you have many questions, Aang."
In his dreams the previous night, after the battle that saved the world and ended the war, Aang finally had a peaceful night's sleep.
Even more satisfying, Aang spoke once more with the Avatar before him: Roku of the Spirit World.
"Yes, I do." Aang said as he and Roku walked through an ever-changing Spirit World landscape. "I don't understand, Master Roku. I thought I had to defeat the Fire Lord and restore balance to the world?"
"Not quite, Aang. Yes, you had to defeat Fire Lord Ozai to save the world from his tyranny, because if Zuko had done it, it would have been seen as more violence, a son striking down his father for power. But it was Prince Zuko's destiny to restore balance to the world, as it was his forebears that caused the world to fall out of balance…"
"You mean Sozin AND the Dark Avatar, right?"
"Correct, Aang. And I must humbly include myself on that list, also, as I am Zuko's great-grandfather and the Avatar who failed to check Sozin's mad desires of conquest. So it is up to Zuko to restore the balance. Only then can the world know peace."
"And the only way Zuko can restore the balance is if he is the Avatar. I see now, Master. Thank you."
Aang paused, thought for a moment, and then...
"But why did you tell me I had to master all four elements if I wasn't going to be the Avatar or use them to defeat Ozai?"
"To keep you focused on your goal, Aang. There was a strong chance Zuko would fail to achieve his destiny, and if that happened, the Avatar State was your best hope of defeating the Fire Lord since the art of 'vacuum bending', as you call it, was lost with the departure of the Air Nomads from the world. And the only way to master the Avatar State..."
"...Was mastering all four bending forms. Of course! Wow, talk about mad genius!" Aang added, recalling what Bumi told him those long months ago.
"We did try to warn you of the difficulty you faced, Aang, but the dark Spirit Koh kept myself and the other spirits in bondage. I was only able to penetrate my prison once, the morning before you set sail for the Fire Lands."
"Yeah. Zuko's 'spiritcatcher'! And then the lion-turtle tried to help me, but I was unable to use his wisdom…"
"What was that, Aang?"
"Nothing, Master…I suppose this is the last time we'll talk like this. Now that Zuko is the Avatar, you'll probably want to communicate through him."
"Not necessarily, Aang. Though you've lost the Avatar spirit, you still hold a special place in the hearts of the previous Avatars, and we'd be honored if you would continue to speak to us on occasion."
"Really, Master? The honor is all mine!"
"Besides...trying to tell family what to do can be a real pain in the posterior! They never listen!"
"I hear that, Master Roku. I hear that!"
"Oh, and Aang...Zuko won't be able to complete his tasks alone. He's going to need help."
Next:
Katara and Aang
Notes / Comments
Zuko has the power and soul of the Avatar, but not the memories, because Aang does, since he was born with them and didn't die. Yeah, it's confusing. Deal with it.