Chapter 9: The Avatar and The Firelord
Okay, here's the episode where Zuko learns about his great grandfathers. Since he is with Aang and Iroh won't be around to coax him into learning about the truth I'll make some alterations to this chapter so that Zuko still learns, which will once again cut the length of this chapter down like last time with the beach episode. Let's see, if I remember the order of episodes after that it's the scamming episode where they fight Combustion Man again. I'll have to just kill him off there since I don't plan on going all the way to Sozin's Comet, at least not one that has a battle in this version. Maybe I'll mention it in a final chapter synopsis showing the epilogue of what happens leading to the events of Korra. After scams its Hama, then the waiting for the invasion force where Aang gets all stressed out, then the Day of Black Sun. So about five more chapters unless I decide to split things up like I did early on.
We'll hopefully get to see some action with Katara and her new dagger in the next couple episodes against Combustion Man and Hama. Let me know if you have suggestions.
Aang and the rest of Team Avatar slept under the night sky. Aang tossed and turned as he had a vision.
He was surrounded by flames until suddenly a figure appeared from out of them. An old man with a long white beard and a head piece on top greeted him.
"Aang, the time is drawing near," Roku said. "You must learn how the war started if you are to stop it. Meet me on my home island on the summer solstice. But I have another thing you must do. I would like you to bring Zuko with you into the spirit world to meet me."
"Okay Roku," Aang said aloud even in his sleep.
When he awoke the next morning he told the others what happened. The solstice was only a couple days away. Thankfully they got to the island just in time. It was a ruin, the village that had been destroyed long ago by a volcano.
"I don't know why Avatar Roku wants you to lead me into the Spirit World to meet him," Zuko said. "I mean, it was my great grandfather that caused him to die in the first place."
"Maybe he just wants an apology," Toph suggested.
"Don't worry buddy I'm sure he understands you're not responsible for what great granddaddy did," Sokka said.
"Whatever it is it must important or he wouldn't asked Aang to lead you into the spirit world," Katara said.
"Okay Zuko, just sit down across from me. I'll try and lead you into the spirit world," Aang said.
Zuko nervously sat down next to Aang on the rock slightly higher off the ground. They both sat cross legged.
"Clear your mind Zuko," Aang told him.
The banished prince shuddered as flames appeared in his mind's eye. Aang could see them to, for since he was leading Zuko into the spirit world, their minds had become connected. Zuko could now see himself as he had been months ago, wearing the Fire Nation armor, his hair only a small pony tail while the rest of his head was mostly bald. A look of fury on his face. The old version of him turned toward Aang.
"I can't. I did so many bad things while I was hunting you," Zuko said aloud.
"Its okay Zuko, you're one of us now. That's all in the past," Aang said. "Now we can better the future together. Just hold on."
"Yes, we're friends now," Katara said.
"Yeah, we are." Sokka agreed.
The words caused Zuko to feel the peace he needed. The flames in his head and the old version of himself vanished. Now he and Aang stood on a cliff where a giant spirit passed them. Then he came. Avatar Roku, on his animal companion, the dragon Fang.
"Hello Aang, its been a while," Avatar Roku said.
"Yeah it has," Aang said.
"Avatar Roku," Zuko stepped forward and bowed in respect. "I wish to apologize on behalf of my family. I know my Great Grandfather Sozin was the one behind your death."
"There is nothing to apologize for Zuko," Roku said. "But I do hope that you end up a better rule then your other great grandfather Sozin."
Zuko pondered the words for a moment. "My other great grandfather?"
"You realize your have two great grandfathers," Roku said. "Your father's grandfather, and your mother's grandfather. Me."
Zuko was stunned. Aang's mouth fell open.
"You're my great grandfather too?" Zuko exclaimed.
"Yes, that is the reason I called you here," Roku said. "To tell you that truth."
Zuko smiled and felt a tear come out of his one unscarred eye. It felt good to know that he had another family that hadn't been all bad like his sister, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
"Its good to finally meet you Great Grandfather Roku."
Roku smiled. "Likewise Zuko. Afraid we can't wait for too long though. I was going to show Aang the events that lead up to the war. Perhaps you can learn something from it too. Come."
Aang and Zuko got on Roku's dragon behind him. Fang flew them into the past they had all shared in some form. It started with Roku as a young boy, playing with Prince Sozin before the young man would become Firelord and Roku's mortal enemy. A beautiful girl passed them, looking at them. Roku looked back at her but was too nervous to approach, and she seemed more focused on Prince Sozin. Then it flashed forward to the boy's shared birthday where they turned sixteen, and the Fire Sages revealed Roku's identity as the Avatar to him.
Roku had to travel through the lands to learn the bending arts. Before he left, Sozin gave him the Crown Prince's headpiece. He traveled the world for many years and finally succeeded, becoming a full-fledged Avatar by the age of twenty-eight. He then returned to the Fire Nation and met Sozin, he also married the girl he'd liked, Ta Min. But then, Sozin pulled Roku aside to discuss some plans for the future, expanding the Empire and sharing the greatness of the Fire Nation with the world.
"I remember that. Its what we were taught as children, that the war is how we share our greatness with them. But they hate us for it," Zuko said.
"Yes, the four nations must be separate or there will inevitably be conflict," Roku said.
Zuko looked at him. "What? But Aang and I travel with people from both the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom. I mean sure we didn't exactly have an easy way up but we're friends now. Katara trusts me, and Sokka took some time but we're friends now. Toph can be a tease and annoying sometimes but I still like her enough."
Both Aang and Roku looked at him.
"That may be something that happened a hundred years ago, but this is a new age. And we need to do something different," Zuko went on. "I don't think that separating the nations is really the way to go. If we want to create an era of love and peace, we should strive for unity and friendship between Nations. Aang, if you defeat my father what are you gonna do then? You're the last airbender. I imagine you want to somehow rebuild your culture, but there are no Air Nomads to do that, so you'd have to rebuild it from people from the other nations that might like its ways."
"You're right Zuko," Aang said. "And also, I'm in love with Katara who's from the water tribe. It seems the Four Nations can't be separated anymore."
Roku wasn't entirely sure, but Zuko had a case. "Well, it may work."
They continued to look over Roku's past. He one day found an Earth Kingdom colony occupied by Fire Nation soldiers. He went and confronted Sozin, who attacked him. Roku easily defeated his former friend but spared him. Years passed, until a volcano erupted on Roku's home island. Roku, now an old man, battled the volcano to hold off the destruction until the others could escape. But by then the toxic gases were overwhelming him. Sozin arrived, apparently to save his old friend. They almost escaped when the Fire Lord had a change of heart and left Roku to die. It ended when a baby was born, Aang.
So that was the story of the Avatar and the Fire lord. Aang and Zuko returned to their bodies in the physical world.
"Well that's a sad story," Sokka said.
"Yeah, my great grandfather on my father's side was a real piece of work," Zuko said. "At least I know had members of my family that are good besides my uncle."
"We'll stop this war soon Zuko," Katara said. "Then we can all live in peace."
"Together," Aang said.
Katara smiled and walked over, hugging her friend. "Yes together."
Sokka joined, followed by Toph, Zuko joined last. Momo went on Aang's shoulder. Their time was coming to face the Fire Lord soon.