A wall of flames appeared, Sozin sitting in his throne room. Roku walked down a long red carpet toward Sozin.
"Sozin! Or should I say, Fire Lord!" Roku cried in welcome.
Sozin was serious. "Customarily, my subjects bow before greeting me." He walked down from his throne. "But you're the exception." He smiled and hugged Roku.
Older Roku and Aang were watching from behind.
"After all these years, he was still my best friend." It was later, a wedding ceremony and celebration in a Fire Nation courtyard, with many guests attending. Roku, on whose right is Sozin, was holding a scroll. "And a few months later, he was my best man."
As Roku lifted the veil. "Roku, it's that girl who didn't even know you're alive!"
"Ta Min. I was persistent." She stood up near Roku. "When love is real, it finds a way." The attendees clapped, as the newly-wed couple bowed their heads. Aang and Roku watched. "And being the Avatar doesn't hurt your chances with the ladies, either."
Zuko was watching with Kurai in the background.
"On wedding days, we look to the future with optimism and joy." Sozin was in deep thought. "I had my own vision for a brighter future."
Roku and Ta Min were receiving and thanking guests. Sozin walked up behind the couple.
Sozin was Leaning toward Ta Min. "Excuse me. May I borrow him for a moment ?"
"It's not very traditional, but, okay." Ta Min said.
Roku and Sozin were on a balcony.
"What's on your mind?" Roku said.
Sozin Raised his fist slightly. "I've been thinking hard about the state of the world lately."
Roku Put his arm over Sozin's shoulder. "Sozin, it is my wedding! Have a cookie, dance with someone, lighten up!"
Sozin Smiled slightly. "I know, I know, but just hear me out." Roku bowed in agreement. "Right from the start, I was destined to be Fire Lord. And although we didn't always know it, you were destined to be the Avatar." Roku stopped as Sozin continued on. "It's an amazing stroke of fate we know each other so well, isn't it? Together, we could do ... anything."
Roku was serious. "Yeah, we could."
"Our nation is enjoying an unprecedented time of peace and wealth. Our people are happy, and we're so fortunate in so many ways." Sozin said.
Roku was Concerned. "Where are you going with this?"
"I've been thinking, we should share this prosperity with the rest of the world." Sozin said. Roku was shocked. "In our hands is the most successful empire in history. It's time we expanded it."
"No! The four nations are meant to be just that: four." Roku argued.
"Roku, you haven't even stopped to consider the possibilities." Sozin said.
"There are no possibilities. This is the last I want to hear" Roku Closed his eyes. "about this." He walked away from the balcony, with an angry expression on his face.
Roku's spirit spoke to Aang. "That was my first real test as the Avatar. Unfortunately, it was many years before I learned that Sozin" Roku narrowed his eyes. "had gone ahead with his plan, despite my warning."