A/N: I want you all to know that I am so ready to get to the end of this situation and we are almost there! Ozai is sincerely the worst human ever. I enjoyed writing this little portion to prep you for the end. Long Feng is now going down in infamy. Ozai doesn't realize that his own cup of Karma is getting full and judgment will soon be upon him. Zuko is so angry he is ready to kill. What on earth do you think is coming next? I hope you are still with me and getting into this falling action. We are about to get to the answers that have questions! LOL! Of course, I haven't heard from some of you in many moons but if you have an inclination, chime in... and if you likey (and haven't done so already) follow or favorite. All the love!
Disclaimer: If you knew just how bad your character was, wouldn't you do whatever you could to stop them? Fanfiction is for resolution...
Chapter 19: The Final Confrontation (Part 1)
Tophia spent the entire day at Ang's after Hakoda dropped them off at Councilman Han's home. Ang's father had been called away on urgent business the night before and Hakoda realized he should probably head back to the palace and see what was going on. Ang's mother Yangchen was visiting her parents in Republic City so Ang had the house to himself. His parents had no idea he was involved in the previous day's rescue news report said that Long Feng had been using teens to lure his students underground for inappropriate activities. His position was immediately terminated and he was being held without bond at the Ba Sing Se city jail. He would be making the Penitentiary his new home soon enough. Tophia and Ang showered and dressed since day old clothes and smells would not be acceptable for too long and decided to walk to Tophia's house to see what Poppy was preparing for dinner that night.
The walk to the Bei Fong house was short and pleasant. Tophia and Ang noticed there were men standing in front of her house and Tophia picked up with her seismic sense that some of them were armed. "Some of those guys are packing heat Ang." Tophia whispered. "What do you think's going on?" she asked curiously. Ang hummed non-committedly. "Uh, dunno. Maybe your father is just taking precautions; things have been getting pretty intense lately in the city. The guards allowed Toph to pass without question but stopped Ang at the door. "Identification sir?" Ang looked confused. "Uh, I don't…" he started. "He's with me, buddy. Councilman Han Gyatso's son Ang. He's my boyfriend and will be here a lot, got it?" The guard stood rigidly. "Not without some identification, Miss Bei Fong." Tophia's hackles rose instantly. "Are you—I'll be right back. Stay there Ang." She said eerily calm.
She marched in the house and in moments had her father in tow. "Daddy, will you please tell this rockhead that a fifteen-year-old boy with no weapons or body mass is not a threat when he is escorting your daughter to the house!" she finished nearly shouting. Lao Bei Fong gripped the bridge of his nose with annoyance. "My love please, be reasonable. The man is only doing his job that I pay him to do!" he said his tone intense. Toph froze with her mouth open. She had never heard her father use that tone before especially with her and was suddenly worried. "Daddy what's going on?" she asked meekly. Lao took a deep breath and turned to the guard at the door. "This young man is Ang Gyatso son of Councilman Han Gyatso. He is a friend and welcome guest at any time. Thank you." The guard took a good look and a picture of Ang and nodded to Mr. Bei Fong. "Thank you, sir, miss. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." He said. Lao sighed again and nodded. "Thank you for doing your job so well. I feel I made the right choice. Carry on. Tophia, Ang come with me." Lao said without looking at either teen and marched back into the house.
He went straight to his study and closed the door once Tophia and Ang entered. Lao suddenly looked years older and weary. "Something happened last night my love…to Azula." He said softly as if saying it louder would be a curse. Tophia and Ang gasped and began asking a million questions at once. "Is she alright? What happened? Where is she? Can we see her? Is she dead?" they fired off. Lao put up his hands at the assault and placed his hand on Tophia's shoulder to calm her. He sighed deeply. "Azula is here. Her father attacked her, she is not in good shape, and she was brought here for protection. No one knows about this except her driver Andre and Detective Korra Jiang. They both have intimate knowledge of the situation and felt it best that she didn't go to a hospital or let anyone know where she was." Tophia quickly grabbed Ang by the hand and whispered, "Easy…" She felt his vibration change and knew that he was a few moments from the Avatar state. Ang took a deep breath over and over until he felt himself calm.
Lao noticed the intense emotion and wondered if perhaps there was more to Ang and Azula's relationship. It wouldn't surprise him that they may have been secretly dating since they were both in the same grade and the same age though Azula always seemed too mature for guys her age, perhaps she wouldn't have wanted her father to know that she was with anyone to protect them. Lao wanted to reassure both his daughter and Ang. "Azula is recovering. We gave her a private room near you Tophia. We had the best doctors give her care and she is resting. You can see her sometime in the morning but for now, just give her time to rest and heal. Perhaps you can visit her with your mother for a few minutes tonight to let her know you're here, but she needs time to recover." Tophia exhaled audibly. "Oh, Gods. Ok, I think we both would like to see her tonight if that's alright with you, Daddy. I'm sorry for being a brat with the guard at the door." She said sheepishly.
Lao chuffed. "Don't worry about it Princess, you didn't know and it's just better this way. I never knew that the Azulon children were in such terrible danger! I never would have given that man a second thought much less been a business partner with him." Lao shook his head furiously banging his hand on his desk with a loud thud. Tophia and Ang jumped at the unexpected noise. Lao looked at the two apologetically and added, Ang I know your father is working at the palace tonight and your mother is out of town. You are welcome to stay here if you like. I'm sure Azula would like the company." Ang looked at Lao strangely at the mention of Azula, but he smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Bei Fong. I know the rules." Lao smiled and placed his hand on Ang's shoulders. "My wife should be returning soon and you all can see Azula then. For now, let's go have a snack, shall we?" he offered. Tophia and Ang smiled at the gesture and followed Lao to the kitchen.
Darkness fell over the city and draped the sky in a midnight bluish-black. Zuko donned his Spirit mask not caring about the distance from the Kuvira's residence to the house that used to be his own. He crept around the house and climbed to the roof in swift, nimble movements. It began to rain torrentially with occasional flashes of lightning outlining the trees and roof in an eerie blue light. The wind blew violently making the surrounding trees dance in a spectral rhythm metered to the beat of his own heart. It was a vengeful melody that fueled Zuko's rage. The wind made it difficult to hold on to the roof securely but Zuko didn't care. He was there to make his father pay for what he did to Azula and to their family. Ozai was not going to hurt him or his sister ever again. He didn't care if it was illegal. He didn't care if it was premeditated. He just knew he had to protect his sister as he promised himself that fateful day so many years ago.
Ozai tossed fitfully in his bed the storm fueling his unrest. The house was deathly still as if in anticipation of an event that he couldn't predict but he knew something was up. He tried to fight sleep, but he had taken medication for his pain and was fading fast. Shadows from the trees outside played tricks with Ozai's mind as the lightning created long and sinister shadows along the walls of his bedroom. Soon his eyes once again closed in sleep. Zuko walked the roof to the window of his old room which was down the hall from his father's room. He knew his father's windows would be locked but his bedroom window was broken and Ozai never bothered to fix it. Zuko had a way to open it despite the locks. He peered into the window cautiously to be sure no one was in the room. The room was empty. It looked as if it hadn't been touched since the fateful day he left Azula behind at school and discovered his fire bending abilities.
Lightning flashed. Zuko opened the window in time with the thunder which rumbled and shook the house from proximity masking the sound. Zuko climbed into the room easily, stealthily, and walked to the closet. He knew his father left weapons all over the house out of paranoia and opened the secret panel hidden in the back of the walk-in closet. He chose a small dagger that was very sharp. He planned to slit the man's throat while he slept. The police would assume one of his henchmen committed the crime as an attempt to take over his father's business and he would lay down the mantle of the Blue Spirit forever.
Zuko looked out of the door carefully for any signs of bodyguards or workers. The hallway was empty and dark. Suspiciously so. Zuko made no noise as he approached Ozai's room. The door was already cracked open and Zuko peered into the room to see a sleeping figure on the bed. Ozai moaned fitfully as if sleep was uncomfortable but didn't stir. Zuko hoped with his whole heart that Ozai's pain was Azula's doing. Zuko slipped into the door making no noise as he approached the bed. He removed his mask sitting it at the top of his head. He wanted to watch as his father died. All he needed was one side of Ozai's throat and Zuko would end his and his sister's misery forever.
He stepped closer to his prone father and in an instant, strong arms grabbed Zuko from behind. The attacker covered his mouth before he could make any noise and dragged Zuko out of the room. Ozai only stirred slightly as he slept the medication he took dampening the pain he felt in his chest and making him sleep deeper. Zuko couldn't break free though he fought desperately to getaway. This was not how it was supposed to go! He needed to get to Ozai and end this. The strong arms that held him dragged him back to his room. Zuko kicked and struggled the entire way. Once inside the room, the person leaned down and whispered. "Don't do anything you will regret young master Zuko! I know how you feel about your father and I too want to see the madness end. Your father knows who you are. He knows you're the Blue Spirit. One of his cronies recognized you. Ozai has plans to draw you out and kill you. You must not take this cowardly road. Don't kill a man when he can't defend himself. You will have your revenge but do it honorably. Be ready to go to action soon. Put the weapon back and go home."
Zuko tried to recognize the man's voice but it was foreign to him. Whoever he was knew him and knew why he was there and was trying to help. The man released his mouth and stepped back from him his hands up beside him. He truly didn't want to hurt him. Zuko took several deep breaths and trembled. His voice was barely registered over the rain. "I'm so tired of this. He hurt my sister. I can't let him hurt anyone else I love." He said. Zuko could see even in the dark that the man hung his head as if in understanding. "I know." He rasped. "Neither can I. Stay focused and be ready." The man said. Zuko exhaled harshly and handed the knife to the man. The man took the knife carefully and stepped back to show he wasn't a threat. Zuko nodded and replaced his mask. He climbed out of the bedroom window as silently as he came and disappeared like the night that covered him. As he went away the man smiled. He whispered more to himself, "You'll soon have your revenge, young man. We both will."