A/N: Hey again you guys! Yes, finally a chapter up soon enough! Thanks once again to all my readers, alerters, favorites, and reviews! I appreciate them! I think in this one, the story really kinda takes a turn...yeah, definitely. LOL! Sorry for all the suspense piled in here, too...hehe. Review! Enjoy! Just so you all know::This took a WHOLE lot of brain-racking just to think this up...so, I really hope you like this! It took a lot, and I think after the many changes I made to some of my original ideas, it is pretty good. Tell me your opinions, please!!

Disclaimer: I still do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Inspiration: Heh, I skipped this title for a while before...well! It's back! :::Apologize by Silverstein on the Punk Goes Pop CD. It made a lot of sense, because the main line is It's too late, to apologize, it's too late. I don't own that, either. Just read on! You'll see what I mean.

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Are you serious?

What?! I thought...no, I didn't think.

What in the world of The Fire Nation's rule? Oh, wait. WHAT IN THE NAME OF PEACE?

Those were just some of the thoughts running through the small group's heads. Surprise, astonishment, and more than likely a slight tinge of fear. Everyone had thought that...he had disappeared. Not only that, but everyone like him...followers, leaders, and the people just along for the ride. The innocent, then the evil. He—evil.

"Ozai?" Aang said, his voice rising more than he intended. Then, suddenly, the group heard footsteps inside the house...

Aang ran inside to see who it was, therefore handing Ozai over to Toph to hold down on the ground...and that she did.

"Who's there?" Aang shouted throughout the house. He airbent himself forward, and found...a Fire Nation guard. You know, the ones who wore half shirts, big knives and chains. The more dangerous ones...more dangerous than the firebending ones.

Aang grunted in effort as he half dragged the man outside to kneel side by side with...Ozai. Aang had to think the name with disgust, hatred, but in a way, some type of peace.

"What—are you here for?" Toph spat. Ozai shook his raggedy hair once, and looked to Aang.

"I heard it was that Avatar's birthday soon...," the guard said.

"Your name?" Aang demanded.

"Wi-Lao. Just call me Lao."

"Whatever your name is, just let Ozai talk. What? Are you at a loss for words now, you idiot?" Toph decided against saying worse, for it looked bad to fight with words when their power was so much more.

"What do you want?" Ozai said, glaring at the blind girl.

"More like what do you want? Snooping around here?" Aang said, causing Ozai to divert his eyes toward Aang. It was weird how such a creature like him could even have the advantage of eyes.

"Like Wi-Lao said, we heard it was your birthday...sucker. Power is more than power." Worthless words.
"You're saying you came here to say happy birthday? No, I'm serious. How did you get out anyway?" Aang demanded more.

"One: Maybe I did. Two: I was out therapy walking for stupidity's sake, and I ran off. Okay? So, here's more about power for you. You may think I have given up, but guess what, little boy? I didn't," Ozai spat. Then, with a terrible kick of his shin he made Toph lose her grip and fall to the ground. Katara was still shocked silent and awestruck, so Ozai continued his kick to her.

But, Katara didn't take it.

She caught his foot mid-kick.

"You think that's how you're gonna do it? Uh, no!" She grunted in effort and had Ozai on the floor in one swift moment.

"I wasn't going to, but I guess I have to, now," he muttered. The guard loosened Aang's grip, helped Ozai up, and quickly, but swiftly Ozai threw something small and circular into the air right above the tip of their house. Aang realized what it was...possibly too late.

He flung his staff out, and flew up, trying to retrieve the bomb.

Almost there...

One more inch, and...

Katara whimpered, and Toph kept her head on her knees in pain.

Someone came...

"Zuko?" Katara said, peering into the distance.

Toph looked up, and saw the horrific scene of...reunion.

Zuko glared into his father's eyes, and muttered one thing.

"Hopefully, this is the last time I'll ever see you again."

The pair stood there, glaring, before Aang had one more centimeter, and...

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A/N: Okay, tell me the truth. Was it a good idea to bring Ozai back?

I know, more cliffies! But, I wanted this to be more action filled, and then the suspense to come at the end, you know?

Okay, if you didn't get my inspiration...here it is...

It's too late to apologize, it's too late.

As if the only thing they expected was for Ozai to say sorry, but he wasn't. I really wanted to capture his lowness and utter hatred for the gaang here.

Hope I did good, and I hope you liked it!

Thanks so much for reading!

Regan.

Of Phantom x Phan.

Xx-Review!-xX

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