"Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence."
- "The Sound of Silence"
muted fate, chapter XV: "home coming" or "meeting the fire lord"
That night turned into dreams – and time seemed to slowly move forward as the ship headed in direction of the Fire Nation. Katara was bedridden for the first couple of days of the journey. It was no longer the idea of meeting the Fire Lord that was making her ill, but the pregnancy itself. She was starting to feel a staring on her body more often and having less energy.
"You're doing far too much," Zuko said to her as she laid in bed, "Your body is trying to tell you to take it easy,"
"But I'll go crazy if I have to stay in bed all day!" Katara answered.
"Take up a hobby or something," Zuko suggested, "but you have to stay in bed for a little while until you feel better – and you can't do that walking around chasing after Pepper and the others,"
Katara sighed, "Okay, okay – I'll stay in bed,"
So Katara took up her old habit of sewing so that as long as she was to remain in bed, she was at least getting something done. Seyvan was, in contrast to her, feeling much better was up and about – although he couldn't do too much. It made Katara's happy to see the boy go from filled with hate to happy and healthy.
"What'cha doing, Mom?" Seyvan asked Katara, jumping next to her on the bed. It was late afternoon – Pepper was off with Ashes and Zuko was off either watching them or doing whatever. Katara was left to sit in the bedroom and sew and keep herself occupied.
Also, Katara couldn't help but dislike being called "mom" – it made her feel so…old! For being a pregnant young woman, she still didn't like to feel so old.
"Just…making clothes…" Katara said as she looked at her sewing. She had been intended to make a small dress for either Ashes or Pepper but over time it had turned into a small dress only an infant could fit. "I guess baby clothes," she sighed.
"Have you picked out names yet?" Seyvan asked.
"No, not yet. Your father and I were going to wait until the birth," Katara answered. In truth, Zuko and her couldn't agree on a name because they didn't know the gender of the child. So they made an agreement that if it was a girl, she would name her, and if it was a boy, he would name him.
The ship suddenly jolted and Seyvan tumbled off the bed. Katara put her swing aside and looked towards Seyvan.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," Seyvan said.
A few minuets later, Zuko entered the room. He looked at Katara.
"Are you okay?" Zuko asked her.
"I'm fine," Katara said as she looked at Zuko, "but what happened?"
Zuko paused, "We just entered Fire Nation waters. We'll be at land within twelve days or so,"
Katara looked at Seyvan, "Seyvan, why don't you go off and play with Pepper? She's probably tired of playing just with Ashes right about now,"
"But I didn't do anything!" Seyvan pouted.
"Go," Zuko growled.
Seyvan grumbled but left the room. Zuko then sat on the bed next to Katara.
"Did you tell them where we're going?" Zuko asked Katara.
"I told them we're going there for a little while and nothing else," Katara said, "They fretted a bit about it but I told them it wouldn't a big thing,"
"It is a bit of a big thing, actually," Zuko sighed, "I've been away from home for so long…I'm nervous about what will happen when we get there,"
"What are you so worried about?"
"Well, for one thing, you're pregnant and it's starting to show–"
Katara glared at Zuko, "Are you calling me fat?"
Zuko quickly shook his head, "No, I'm not! I'm just saying that you look very pregnant–"
"You are calling me fat!"
"I didn't say that!"
"You're implying it!"
"No, I didn't!"
"You jerk! You think I'm gaining this weight on purpose like this? You did this to me!" Katara yelled at him.
'My gods – just when I thought it was over,' Zuko thought, 'She's having a mood swing,'
Katara then burst into tears, "You don't even care!"
"Katara, please calm down–" Zuko began.
"SHUT UP!" Katara yelled at him.
Katara may or may not have continued yelling at him during her moodswing because Zuko quickly left the room before she could start throwing things. 'One moment she's a puppy and the next moment she's ready to bite my head off,' Zuko thought. He then realized Seyvan and Ashes were standing across from the door.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko asked, more directed to Seyvan.
"…nothing…" Seyvan answered, "What happened? We heard yelling,"
"Nothing!" Zuko snapped, "And where's Pepper?"
"I dunno," Seyvan said, shrugging.
Aang found that the serious lack of food for Beelzebub, Morningstar, and him caused them all to be irritable. They were down from one meal per day to every-demon-for-himself. Aang fed on whatever he could find – including rats, any birds that flew close enough to ship, and even fishing off the side off the boat. There were other problems as well. At mealtimes in the crew quarters he had to either hide so he'd miss the meals or simply scrape away the food somewhere else no one was looking since he couldn't eat it. As hunger pains seemed to chew from inside of him, he sat on his bed, trying not to think about it.
"We've got trouble," Beelzebub annouced as he entered the room.
Aang looked towards him, "It can't be any worse than starving,"
"It can," Beelzebub said, "I just heard from some o' da crew 'n dey say we're goin' to da Fire Nation. We'll be dere within a few days,"
"What?" Aang said, jumping off the bed, "You must be kidding!"
"The sooner the better," Morningstar said, "I hate this ship,"
Beelzebub shook his head towards Aang, "I wouldn't joke around wit something like dis, kid. Da crew's all angry 'cause dey'll be outta a job soon but I'm more concerned about what we're gonna do once we get dere,"
Aang made a face, "Fire Lord Ozai is there. But we'd only be in trouble if I was still alive but since I'm here and…" He groaned. "I need time to think,"
Aang made his way onto the deck. It was only up there it seemed like he could think clearly. The water, the sun's reflection in the smooth waves – it reminded him so much of how happy he used to be. He heard the sound of feet in back of him and saw through the corner of his eye a little girl standing in back of him – what was her name? He had heard it before. – staring at him with wide curious eyes. This girl had been constantly following him around whenever it seemed possible for her and studied him closely. Aang had said nothing to her so far but – and he had to admit this – she was getting annoying.
"Oh…" Aang said to the girl, "…hello there…"
The little girl was wearing a red and black dress with her long black hair settled on her shoulders. Her almond eyes staring up at Aang.
"Hi," the girl said to Aang. She then paused and asked him, "Are you an angel?"
Aang could have fallen off the railing he was sitting on if he didn't have such good balance. The girl – 'Pepper. That's her name. Zuko yelled at her once,' Aang thought. – observed and gaged his reaction. Aang calmly got off the railing and walked over to the girl.
"What makes you think I'm an angel?" Aang asked. He remembered what Beelzebub ahd said to him, 'Be careful wit kids. Dey're smarter dan ya think most o' da time, 'n some o' dem have gifts 'n can spot a demon o' angel o' whatever a amile away,' Aang wasn't sure if Pepper was gifted but he could sense she knew something about Aang.
"Because you got wings," answered Pepper.
'Oh, so she's just using common sense,'Aang realized. He then smiled at Pepper, "Okay then, you caught me,"
"You really are an angel?" Pepper asked, smiling.
"Yes," Aang said. He put a finger to his lips,"I'm an guardian angel but you can't tell anyone about me or I'll have to leave, okay?"
"Okay," Pepper answered, "but who's guardian angel are you?"
Aang smiled and patted Pepper on the head, "I'm your mother's. But you can't tell her, alright? I'm here on a secret mission and no one is supposed to know about it,"
Pepper nodded.
"Pepper! There you are!" Zuko said. Pepper went over to Zuko, who had just arrived on deck, "You have to stop disappearing like that! You have no idea how much your mother yells at me if I keep losing you like this,"
"I'm sorry," Pepper said.
"Just don't do it anymore. Come on. It's time for your training," Zuko said.
"Again?" Pepper whined.
"Don't start complaining," Zuko said, "Go and get changed,"
Pepper grumbled something under her breath and the left the deck. Zuko looked at Aang. After all this time, he still couldn't place the face.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to someone I know, would you?" Zuko asked.
Aang smiled, "We're all related in some way, I guess, Prince Zuko,"
Zuko narrowed his eyes at Aang, "Suryan, I never told you my name,"
'Shit!' Aang realized. He then quietly said, "I…overheard some crew…guys…mentioning it…"
Zuko didn't believe him for a minuet but didn't let it show. He the said, "I hope my daughter wasn't bothering you,"
"Daughter?" Aang choked, "You mean you and–I mean…wow, that kid's yours? She's pretty…old," (There was no other way to word the questionpolitely)
"It's no secret she's adopted," Zuko said, "Her an dthe two others. You look almost like a kid yourself, Suryan,"
"The curse of youth," answered Aang, smiling.
'I've seen that smile before,' Zuko thought but he just nodded and turned away.
Katara was feeling much better – the mood swing had ended and although her head was pounding, her nausea from before had subsided. She was sick of staying in bed and got off of the bed to find something off about her body.
"Oh gods," Katara groaned, "I am getting fat!" Her stomach was noticeable and it made it hard for her to walk. She could feel the weight – as if a small ball was sitting on her pelvis. It wasn't too bad but for once the once slender Katara, it was the worst nightmare ever.
She eventually wobbled on deck to see Suryan, sitting on the railing.
"Hey," Katara said to him.
Suryan turned and looked at Katara briefly and then turned back around, "Hello, miss,"
Katara walked next to Suryan. Suryan kept on looking towards the sun slowly coming close to setting on the watery horizon.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Katara said, "I can come out here and feel so calm after everything else,"
Suryan looked at her, "Are you happy?"
"As happy as I can be right now," Katara sighed.
"Are you really married to that guy?" Suryan asked.
Katara laughed and smiled, "You sound like an old friend of mine. Yes, I'm married to Prince Zuko,"
"I'm sorry. It's just hard to believe. You're both very young,"
"I come from a village where I'm atthe official marrying age, so this is nothing new, or at least to me,"
"What village? You don't look like you're from the Fire Nation, like he is,"
"Water Tribe. Where are you from?"
"Oh, um…" He shrugged. "Down below, so to speak. But we kind ofmove around a lot…"
"Like the Air Nomads?"
Suryan blinked, "…what?"
"Oh, I'm sorry, about that…" She sighed, "…you remind me so much of my old friend I used to have. You look a little like him, if he was a few years older,"
Suryan gulped, "What happened to him?" he asked in a dry voice.
"He died," Katara said flatly, and then she walked away after that. Suryan let out a sigh.
'He can't be who I think he is,' Zuko thought, 'He's far too old. He might be a relative – maybe a brother or something like that. But he…he had tattoos on his head and hands. If he really is the same person – then he should still have those tattoos,' He shook his head. 'He can't be the same person. He died. Even if you are the Avatar, you can't come back as the same person, with the same body…'
A loud 'thud' came from behind Zuko. He turned and looked at Pepper.
"You fell. Try again," said Zuko.
"But I've alreaedy done it five times!" Pepper whined.
"You're going to keep doing it until you get it right," Zuko said.
"No! I won't do it again!" Pepper proclaimed.
"Fine. Go ahead and quit if you want," Zuko said, "You're the one that agreed to this,"
Pepper growled but gone back on the balancing board. She slowly stepped on it – one foot in front of the other. Zuko watched the girl – she had good balance but she got distracted too easily. 'A very short attention span,' Zuko realized. Not to mention that she was prone to frustation.
"I don't see why balance has to do with being a page!" Pepper huffed at one point.
"Pepper, there's something you should know," Zuko said, "Do you know why most nobles have pages?"
"Cause they're rich?" Pepper suggested.
"No. They're mostly used for spying, Pepper. Well, that and delivering messages and such, but once in a while, I need you to spy for me. Why do you think most pages are boys?" Zuko said.
"Cause they're stupid?" Pepper suggested.
"No. Because of their strength, but I need someone who's not suspicious as they are. You're perfect forbeing apage, if you would have the patience for it,"
"I'm patient!" Pepper huffed, crossing her arms.
"No, you're not,"
Pepper grumbled and continued walking along the plank and eventually she reached the end of it. She jumped off of it and looked at Zuko "I did it!"
"Good," Zuko said, smiling, "now all you need to do is to learn it so that you can do it faster while carrying things,"
Pepper made an unhappy face, "…I don't like you right now,"
Seven days passed and Pepper's skill as a page increased. She could sneak around unnoticed most of the time and deliver messages as well as spy.
"Only five more days…" Zuko murmured one morning. His mouth felt dry and his dreams had grown increasingly unpleasant as he thought about going home.
"What did you say?" Katara asked him. She slept on her side, half-asleep, half-awake.
"Nothing," Zuok sighed, rubbing his forehead. He could feel a hedache coming on, "How are you feeling?"
"Ten times heavier," Katara grumbled.
"Look on the bright side," Zuko said, "at least it's not permanent,"
"Yeah, but it'll seven more months before it's over," Katara sighed as she sat up in bed, "but really, what's botheirng you?"
"Maybe it's because I'm having second thoughts about going back," Zuko sighed, "Katara, did I ever tell you I have a–"
"DAD!" yelled Seyvan, opening the door, "Pepper hit me!"
A few seconds later, Pepper tackled him from behind and started pulling his hair while Seyvan tried to wrestle her off of his back.
"You pulled my hair, you big dummy!" Pepper said.
This was normal brother-sister bickering that seemed to strangely increase throughout the days between Pepper and Seyvan. Normally, Zuko would have a little bit more patience with the two but the extra stress was making his patience go dangerously thin.
Zuko sighed, "Okay, we're going to make a new rule – no fighting so gods-damned early in the moring! It'san hour before dawn! Go back to sleep right now!"
Pepper and Seyvan then stopped fighting and left the room in fear. Zuko groaned and laid on the bed with a sigh.
"And you said wouldn't be a good father," Katara said, with a knowing smile.
"Don't start," Zuko answered, "it's too early,"
Five days passed without major events on the ship, except Zuko slowly looked more nervous each day. On the fifth day, Zuko didn't even get out of bed, saying he was sick. That night, Katara sat next to him, resting her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating a mile a minuet.
"Are you still nervous about going back home?" Katara whispered to him. She heard the sound of Pepper and Seyvan laughing and having a pillow in the next room. Katara yelled, "Go to sleep in there! It's way past your bedtime already!"
Grumbles and groans were heard from the other room. Zuko sighed, "At least they're excited about going. We're going to be at land by tomorrow afternoon, at least,"
Katara kissed him, "Everything is going to be okay in the end, " She then asked, "Is Uncle coming with us?"
"No. He doesn't want to come and I don't blame him," Zuko replied, "He's going to stay on the ship, I guess,"
Everything was not okay for Aang. He was on the verge of starvation, as so was Beelzebub and Morningstar. Morningstar was faring better since he was closer to divine than Beelzebub and him. Aang tried to control his hunger by taking bits of raw meat from the kitchen and draining them of what blood remained in them. It was a little, but it kept him sated for a half an hour or so. He often tried to preoccupy his thoughts with other things than being hungry all the time.
He thought about Katara and how much she had changed and he as well. 'We're complete strangers now,' Aang thought, 'She's Zuko's wife and mother to be and I'm Suryan, a demon about to die from starvation,'
The impending arrival to the Fire Nation and simply increased his sense of fear, next to dying from starvation. Even though he was a different person now and he had not even met the Fire Lord, he couldn't help but feel some sort of dread. 'Still,' Aang realized, remembering the enchantmentsburned intoBeelzebub's arm, 'whoever summoned The Shadow is in the Fire Nation. I've come too far to stop now. I've got to find out what the hell is going on,'
The sun was slowly rising into the sky. Zuko and Katara were still sleeping in bed. Katara opened her eyes to find Zuko sitting up in bed. His eyes were filled with anxiety.
"You're going to get grey hairs if you keep that up," Katara said to him, "How much sleep did you get last night?"
"At least an hour," Zuko answered.
Katara sighed, "Don't worry. It'll all be over today,"
"That's what I'm afraid of," Zuko answered.
They laid in silence. Zuko stared at the ceiling. Katara listeneed to the sound of nothingness and the felt the slow rocking of the boat on the waves. The door opened and Pepper and Seyvan instantly jumped onto the bed. Ashes slowly came into the room and stood nearby – quiet as never juxtaposed next to her rambunctious and loud siblings.
"Wake up! Wake up!" Pepper and Seyvan chanted.
Zuko glared at the two of them, "This better be important or I plan on not being veryhappy with the both of you,"
Pepper looked at Zuko and said, "But there's a gate and a whole bunch of people outside!"
"What?" Katara asked.
"Look out the window!" Seyvan said.
Zuko grumbled and sluggishly moved from the bed to the window and looked out of it, pushing aside the curtain. He gasped at what he saw.
They had entered a large wooden gate painted red and fold – the gates tot he Fire Nation and there thousands upon thousands of people were standing nearby the gate and the bridges that surrounded it. Red and gold confetti was flying through the air. They were all cheering in excitement. Katara stood next to Zuko to see the large city they entered – all cheering for the return of the exiled prince. Zuko fell on the ground. His heart had seemed to stop from the entire scene.
"…my gods…I'm home…"
The palace dwarfed all the other brick buildings in the city and rested on a whole different section - a large hill it appeared to be. As soon as they stepped off the ship, they were greeted by servants, who instantly went to take bags and other things. A young woman was with them. She was about Katara's age and looked simliar to Zuko. There was a smirk planted on her face, and her hair pulled back in a ponytail.
"Brother," said the young woman, "I was wondering when you and your so-called wife would be here," The tone was in a false friendliess.
"Zula," Zuko said between his teeth, "…what the hell are you doing here?"
"Father wants me to show you and your…family…around," answered the young woman with a smirk. She turned her back to them, "Follow me!"
Katara and Zuko, with Seyvan, Ashes, and Pepper behind them, followed Azula up the steps leading to the large flame engraved doors of the palace. Two heavily built guards opened the door for them. They entered and walked down the hallway.
"Who is she?" Katara whispered to Zuko.
"My sister," Zuko whispered back.
"You have a a sister? Why didn't you tell me?" Katara asked.
"I was going to tell you, but I actually hoping she wouldn't be here," Zuko grumbled.
Zula eventually led them to a large throne room where everything was crimson and golden in color and large tapesteries of Fire Lords long past hung from the ceiling. Statues of different great Firebenders were aligned in a row along the walls as well.
Seated on a large throne surrounded by a large ring of fire was Fire Lord Ozai, and Katara – for a single space of time – forgot to breathe.
Fire Lord Ozai was tall – abnormally tall – at least six feet. He was a giant. A stern face, the cold looking golden demonic-looking eyes – the entire room had an ethereal appearance to it and it centered around him.
"Where do we go now?" Aang asked Beelzebub.
Moringstar, Beelzebub, Iwatansei, and him were standing on one of the street corners of the Fire Nation capital. At first, Aang felt nervous about being in the Fire Nation but Beelzebub reassured him that he was, technically, a whole new person. They stood in the market area, looking as normal as possible (even though they were drawing a little attention to themselves since some girls did turn their heads and smile at them). They were all feeling much better since they fed.
"She's lookin' at ya, kid," Beelzebub said, with a smile.
"Gods…" Aang groaned as he covered his face, "…I hope she doesn't come over here,"
"Don't be such a stiff," Morningstar said, "Why don't you have a little fun while you're here in the city? The women, the men, the lights, the warmth – ah, I love civilization!"
"I've got more important things to worry about than girls," Aang answered. He looked up towards the palace, "Like how to get into that palace,"
"You gotta be kiddin' me!" Beelzebub said.
'A place like that,' Iwatansei said, 'is bound to be under heavy guarding – especially for someone as powerful as this Fire Lord is supposed to be,'
"Whoever summoned The Shadow is in the palace! I know that!" Aang said in a hushed tone, "We have to go in there and get to the bottom of this, once and for all!"
"It's risky…" Morningstar said.
"Yeah, but it can be done," Beelzebub said. He winked at Aang, "If en't humanely possible, it's demonly possible," He then explained. "Let's get a hotel o' somethin', get somethin' tah eat, and den we'll figure outda rest,"
Aang then realized a tiny crowd of young women were standing some feet away from them. He flushed and said, "Let's leave…before they start following me,"
The Fire Lord looked towards Zuko and Katara. Zula breathed a sarcastic "good luck" to Zuko and left the room. Katara stretched her head so that she could look the immense manin the eyes.
"So I find you here again, Zuko," Fire Lord Ozai said to him as he got off the throne. The flames receeded as he walked off of it and in front of them.
"Hello, Fire Lord," Zuko said, as neutral towards his own father as possible.
Fire Lord Ozai directed his attention towards Katara and was about to say something when he noticed Seyvan, Pepper, and Ashes clustered nearby her, as if pretending they were part of her shadow and hoping to not be noticed.
"What's this?" Fire Lord Ozai said with a great distaste in his voice towards the three children, "Who are they?"
"They're ours," Zuko said, "We adopted them,"
"Not by your blood then?" Fire Lord Ozai said, "Let me see them,"
It took a bit of urging to make all three of them come forward and face the Fire Lord. Only Ashes didn't seem to be fretting over it. The Fire Lord studied the three of them.
"And what's your name?" Fire Lord Ozai asked Seyvan.
"Seyvan," Seyvan quietly said.
"How old are you, Seyvan?" Fire Lord Ozai asked.
"I'm going to be thirteen soon," Seyvan said.
"Ever thought of joining the military?"
"No," Seyvan answered flatly.
The Fire Lord then looked at Pepper, "I can tell by your clothes that you're a page, aren't you, little girl?"
Pepper looked at him, "Yes, sir,"
"How old are you?"
"Eleven, sir,"
"You sound very proper for a little girl. Who taught you to speak?"
"My father, sir,"
Fire Lord Ozai then looked at Ashes, "And what about you?"
"She doesn't speak," Katara quietly said. She then looked at the Fire Lord, "Her name is Ashes. She's about nine, I think,"
Fire Lord Ozai turned his attention to Katara, and approached her. Pepper, Seyvan, and Ashes returned to her side immediantly.
"So, you must be the wife I've heard so much about," Fire Lord Ozai said to Katara, "The one who married the exiled prince," He then added after he noticed Katara's stomach. "and is going to have a child by him, I see," He the looked at Zuko. "May I speak to you alone?"
Zuko nodded, "Yes, of course, but where will my wife and children stay?"
Fire Lord Ozai had to simply snap his fingers and two servants came into the room, "Why don't you take my daughter in law and their…children…to the east wing. There's a room prearedfor her in there,"
So, Zuko and Katara were seperated from each other to leave Zuko to talk of seriousness. As soon as Katara and the children left, the mood in the room changed from warm and friendly to cold and business like. The Fire Lord turned from Zuko and sat back on his firey throne.
"It's amazing," Fire Lord Ozai said, "You left here a weepy boy and return here a man with a pregnant wife and three children," He smiled a little. "It's as if you weren't planning to retun here after all. Did you already neglect your ideas and hopes of coming home?""
"I did," Zuko answered, "My wife and I were going to move to an island somewhere and live there until the baby was born,"
"Ah," Fire Lord Ozai said. He sounded niether happy or entirely angry, "But what kind of noble starts adopting peasant children off the streets?"
"It was my wife's idea," Zuko answered, "She felt sorry for them, so I let them stay,"
"I see, but I won't have peasants running around my palace,"
"What do you suppose I do with them? They're my own children, even if not by blood,"
"What would you say if I wanted to enroll them in the military for some time? We're trying to take the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe capitals but it's hard to do on their own turf. They have enough power to rival our own,"
"All of them? I don't think it would work, no disrespect intended, Fire Lord. Seyvan was recently ill, Pepper is still having trouble with discipline, and Ashes can't speak and she's a frail little thing as well,"
"In these times, all sorts of people are enrolled into our army, including girls anddumb like that girl,"
Zuko paused, "I'll think about about. I don't mind Seyvan – he could probably use the training – but I'm not sure about Pepper and Ashes,"
"Another concern is that wife of yours," Fire Lord Ozai suddenly added.
"What does Katara have to do with him?" Zuko asked, feeling a little nervous.
Fire Lord Ozai smiled – a smile that stated he knew more than Zuko did, "You have no idea what your wife will give birth to, do you, Zuko? I expected you to not know, naturally, but I suppose I should inform you,"
Zuko paused and waited for the Fire Lord to speak.
"Zuko," the Fire Lord said, "your child, and my grandchild, will be the next Avatar,"
Time seemed to slow down as Zuko realized this. He couldn't' believe or disbelieve the words. He just stood there frozen until the reality of what Fire Lord Ozai said fully sunk in. 'That's why he let me come home,' Zuko realized, 'By bringing Katara here, I've delivered the Avatar right into the hands of the Fire Nation,' He couldn't help but smile at the bitter irony. 'I accomplished what I had been trying to do for so long without even knowing it,'
Fire Lord Ozai stepped off the throne and approach Zuko, laying a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Welcome back home, son…"
AUTHOR'S NOTE: God, I hate doing these sometimes. Okay, Zula is NOT (I repeat) NOT a fanmade character. She is actually in the show. Her first cameos are in "The Storm" and "The Siege of the North, pt. 2". Also, I have no clue how Fire Lord Ozai really looks, so I sort of made some of it. Yes, I also realized I left out Uncle Iroh. I'm sorry. There was a part with him in it, but it made this chapter far too long and it wasn't really necessary. - ZeroSoul