Chap. 38

The Beginning

The sun stretched forth from it's hiding place, bathing all the land in it's light. No matter what might occur in the world, all the earth would each day fall under the gaze of the great golden orb. It had been that way since the dawn of time and would be so until the end. No place was immune to its wakening touch; after all, how could they expect to survive without the golden light to guide them and separate them from the dark? The sun gave them the time needed to make their lives worthwhile. It let them make their way in the world with sight and understanding. But more then that, it reminded them of the nothingness the dark brought each night. It reminded them that they would all have to remember the gifts of the sun, and that only with its presence and gifts could they hope to continue in the world.

It was an old story, true, but in many ways, a true one. Fathers and mothers had told it to their children for generations untold. He had heard it from his own father in his youth. And each time he heard it, he smiled, to think that there was such a power that people knew and loved in the world. He smiled because one day, he would be an equal to that power, only he would not care if he was loved or not. It was the thought that had guided him through his adult life, and it was one he was pleased to return to every morning, as he watched the sun rise from his private chambers atop the palace.

Fire Lord Ozai smiled again, as he ate his breakfast and watched the sun creep up into the sky, ready to watch over its people once again. As he ate, he remembered how Fire Lord Azulon had told him of the sun as a boy. He had been amazed to learn of such a great power. But more importantly, as he'd laid in bed that night, he released that he wanted that power for himself. He wanted to be the one to give the world order- his order, the one true wisdom. The people would declare him a god for it, because he would show them the folly of doing otherwise. The people would know that without him, their lives would be meaningless. Without him, they would be cast into the darkness never to return. They would join all those who had prevented Ozai from his dream. They would join Azulon, strangled to death in the night for failing to see the god he had fathered. They would see Ursa, who had rejected him and suffered the cost.

And soon, they will the rest of my traitorous family. Ozai thought, as he finished the last of his breakfast. He still needed to deal with them- his foolish brother, his disgrace of a son, and now, his equally traitorous daughter. It almost saddened him, to think of what she had become. All his training, all his lessons, and she had not learned of the god she could have been, or of the god her father was. Ozai wondered what had become of her. Had she joined the other Nations? Had she found her treacherous family and thrown herself at their mercy? No matter. He would find them, as well as the Avatar, the only being that could stand against him. And when he found them, he would show them that his was a power that could not be dealt with, could not be withstood. He would destroy them for their treachery. And then, he could finally ascend to true godhood, destroy those who opposed, and take the world at long last.

But for now, Ozai was still a man, and therefore, the time had come for him to deal with the restraints of the mortal coil. Brushing off his robes, he rose and walked to the stairs. As he descended down from the high tower, he thought of how he would deal with the current problem. He was scheduled to meet with the merchant's union, to address their complaints that his war effort was depleting the supplies they needed for the economy. Ozai had considered their position briefly, but he didn't need to think long. He had known from the beginning what he was going to say. The economy of the common people didn't matter. All that mattered was that they use whatever they had to serve him, and that would be all they needed. As he exited the Tower and moved in the direction of the large speaking room, he knew exactly how it would all turn out.

"But, I don't know what to say." Aang exclaimed for the third time that morning. The camp had been abuzz with activity every since the sun rose. Today was the day when all their plans would either come to fruition or die on the vine. Black Sun had finally dawned. Everyone had known that they would need to move quickly; Hierro's knowledge of the stars had informed him that Black Sun would occur at three o' candle that day. The Army needed to be inside the Fire Nation capital when that happened, so that Aang could vanquish the Fire Lord. Since the capital would be heavily guarded and a long voyage from their current position, they had arisen at the first ray of light to prepare themselves for battle, and load their ships.

However, this did leave enough time for one thing- the generals and leaders of the Army to speak to the troops about the upcoming battle, and who was more important then the Avatar himself? Unfortunately, Aang was feeling a tremendous amount of stage fright at the concept, even though he would be addressing his friends.

"C'mon Aang, you're not afraid to face the Fire Lord, but you can't make a little speech?" Trueno asked, as he walked with the boy to the beach.

"It's not that. I'm just a monk, I don't know how to inspire a bunch of soldiers before battle. I'm supposed to be peaceful and respect life."

"Peace doesn't happen Aang, it's got to be earned. You know that." Katara said. "And even if you don't make a great speech, just seeing you there ready to fight will inspire them."

"You really think so?" Aang asked.

"Of course." Katara said. "You're the Avatar. You're the hope of the world. All these people gathered here because they believe in you."

"Besides, think of it this way." Trueno added. "If all else fails, just imagine them all in their underwear. Works wonders, believe me. Of course, it can backfire, but I think you're a little young for that."

"Huh?" Aang asked.

But before Trueno could answer, the trio arrived at the beach, and instantly forgot what they were talking about. Before them stood what was perhaps the greatest and most unlikely Army of their world. Peoples from all Nation stood side by side, dressed for battle. The Waterbenders, in their masks and cloaks, stood with the Firebenders in their newly made dark-red and spiked armor. The Earthbenders stood with their leather next to the Airbenders in their robes. And around each soldier's neck was a pendant that held the symbol of the Army- the symbols of the Four Nations, together on a four times divided circle. Standing in the water before them were ships of Fire, Water, and Earth, while Appa stood nearby with the rest of the sky bison. And in front of that, stood the rest of the Knights, the various generals, and the rest of their friends, who stood there as Oscuridad spoke to the Army.

"Today, we go to face a great destiny. We don't know what the outcome of that destiny will be. I know, that some of the faces that I see today will not be seen again. But I want each of you to know, that no matter what happens to you or to us, we do not go into this battle as we once were."

"We do not go in as Airbenders. We do not go in as Earthbenders. We do not go in as Waterbenders. We do not go in as Firebenders. We do not go in as the individualistic, selfish people that we have all been. For today is bigger then all of us. Today, we fight not just for ourselves and for our families, but for the families of the world. We fight for the people that centuries ago, called each other brother and sister, though they were not of the same people. We fight so that that unity, that brotherhood, might exist once again. And by doing so, we have transformed ourselves from Benders into something greater. We have become a force that no one in this world has ever been able to create, save the Avatar, the spirit that has power over the four elements. Well today, we have given him his greatest weapon. We came to him lone Benders and warriors, and today, we fight with him as Masters of the Elements! And though my brethren and I are not of your kind, I am proud to speak those words not as one apart from you, but as one of you!"

With that, the bat held his sword up high, as the Army cheered and roared its approval. Aang just shook his head, knowing that he now had a tremendous amount to live up. But he knew that it was his responsibility, so he sighed, and marched forward to where his friends stood. Oscuridad saw him coming and quickly said, "Now my friends, I give you the one who has brought us all here. I give you Avatar Aang!"

Again, the soldiers applauded as Aang moved up to speak. But when he faced the great Army before him, Aang felt his throat dry up and close. So many faces, all looking to him for great words and inspiration. Wasn't it enough they wanted him to fight for them? For a moment, Aang thought that he would have to stop. But then he saw his friends standing by him, looking at him with sympathy and understanding. As he saw them, his throat began to clear, until finally, he was able to speak again. Facing the Army, he let the words come through him.

"I'm not a great speaker. I don't know what I can say to inspire you to fight. I was raised to believe in humility, and the preservation of all life. And here I am, asking you all to fight on my behalf. Part of me wants to turn back the clock, to go back to my home and pretend none of this ever happened. Maybe some of you are feeling the same way. But if you are, I've learned that can't happen. I know now, that I can't go back and claim a different life for myself, but I can for you. I can for your children, and those that are yet to come. I can give them a world free of the fear of the Fire Lord, and the evils he's wrought upon the world."

"I don't know if I will succeed. I don't know if I will bring you all to victory. But I do know that it will take everything that Ozai has to stop me from trying. And I am proud to fight that battle with all of you at my side. And thought I can't tell the future, I'd like to tell what I know will happen. To do so, I'd like to paraphrase the words of a great speaker from the world of the Knights. I have been told that he is one of the greatest orators of that world, and deserves all the respect given to the awe-inspiring speakers. Therefore, let me say that when we meet Ozai, the street will be on fire in a real death waltz, between flesh and what's fantasy. And the poets down there won't write nothing at all, they'll just stand back and let it all be. And in the quick of a knife we'll reach for our moment and try to make an honest stand…….."

"Tonight in Jungleland!"

With that, the Avatar raised his staff high, as the Army gave its final cheer to him. With that final speech ringing in their ears, the Army moved to the ships and the bison, ready to move out to reach their enemy and finally defeat him. Slowly, the ships moved from the beach and pointed towards the horizon, as they sailed off for the capital.

"Do you understand me now?" Ozai said, as the merchants cowered before him.

"Y-Yes my lord. T-The war is far more important." The fat, oily man babbled, as he cowered before the Fire Lord, the other merchants cowering with him.

"Good. Now leave my sight. And don't dare come back." Ozai said.

The merchants quickly moved to their feet, bowed, and hurriedly left the room, almost mowing down the entering attendant as they ran. Somehow the attendant managed to make his way through to speak to the Fire Lord.

"I assume the merchants were corrected, my Lord?" he asked as he bowed to Ozai. The attendant had been in Ozai's service for many years, and knew just how to speak to his master.

"Indeed. Now, what news do you bring me?"

"My Lord, I fear that I bring word from some of your generals. They are low in supplies, and wish to speak to you about it?"

"Again? Is every general in the world upset with my rulings? I decide what is enough for them!"

"I told them as much sir, but they demand the right to speak their case to you. They feel you have treated them unfairly."

"Unfairly?" Ozai said, with a cruel laugh. "They dare to say such things?"

"I fear so, my Lord. Shall I tell them you are occupied?"

"No. I will deal with these dissenters myself, and show them the power they face. Let them come. Let them come and face me."