Chap. 42

The Secret of Ozai

Before anyone could react, Ozai launched the flames at them. As the fireblasts rushed towards them, Aang began to twirl his staff, creating a gust of wind that managed to extinguish the flames.

"Why is he not powerless? Him being powerless was a really big part of our plan!" Aang cried out, as he dissipated the flames.

"I-I have no idea." Azula replied, as she tried to think of any kind of strategy to get them out of this. The original plan had been to kidnap a powerless Ozai, restrain him from Firebending, then when the eclipse ended present him as a defeated hostage to the Fire Army. Azula knew that seeing the Fire Lord broken and humbled was the only thing that would stop the Army from pressing forth. But she had also been thankful that she would not have to face her father in his rage; Zuko had admitted the same feelings. But now, as Ozai re-ignited his hands and leapt at the group with a roar, Azula felt her confidence began to erode away at the thought of facing him. At her side, Zuko's face twisted as the same thoughts ran through his mind.

Still, the royal siblings were not frightened enough to lie down and die just yet. As Ozai leapt at them, Aang and the Knights quickly leapt out of the way, as the Fire Lord brought his flame down upon them. But Azula used her training to create a flame shield that managed to cancel out the impact of Ozai's attacks. As their father landed in front of them, Azula dropped the shield as Zuko rushed forward, pressing the attack with flaming fists. The prince let out a cry of rage, of feelings buried for years as he let loose with all his strength and skill. But every attack was deflected by the swift skills of Ozai, who merely sidestepped Zuko or pushed his fists aside. Zuko gritted his teeth and increased the speed of his attacks. But it brought no results; Ozai continued to deflect the blows, his face cold and impassive as he looked down on his son.

Suddenly, Ozai caught his son's fist, trapping him. As Zuko struggled to escape, the Fire Lord grabbed his son's arm and gave it a hard pull, as if trying to pull it out of it's socket. Zuko grunted in pain, and fell to his knees, as Ozai doubled the pressure. But by doing so, Ozai gave his daughter an opening. Running towards them, Azula set her fists alight, and then as she reached her brother used his back as a stepping-stone to send a flying kick at her father. But Ozai's incredible speed was too much for Azula to overcome, as he moved to the side, grabbed Azula's leg and then swung her into her brother. As they both went flying into the wall, Ozai watched with grim intensity as he began to turn towards them. But before he could reach them, he heard the sound of steel being drawn, the sound of air being gathered.

Instantly, he whirled around towards the sounds, just in time to be hit by a blast of air from Aang. As Ozai struggled to keep upright, Oscuirdad and Luz ran towards him, blades outstretched. Ozai managed to look up long enough to see as they brought the blades down upon him. But the Fire Lord brought his hands up, catching the blades before they could strike him. Osc and Luz pressed harder, trying to force the Fire Lord down, but their immortal strength failed them. Slowly, Ozai began to push the blades, even as the two Knights put all their will into pressing him back. Ozai gave a grim smile, and then suddenly pushed the two blades together, as both Knights' eyes widened. There was a brief spark of black and gold, then the two blades, comprised of the opposing energies of light and dark, felt their powers intertwine, then explode outward in a burst of energy, throwing both Knights back. As they fell to the floor by Aang, who immediately moved to see if they were all right, Ozai looked on, his face grim and impassive as ever.

"So little Avatar, it has finally come down to the two of us." The Fire Lord said, as he advanced on the young Airbender. "Destiny decided on our meeting, but I shall decide it's ending."

"Don't bet on it." Aang said, hoping he sounded more confident then he felt.

"Were I a different man, I might respect your perseverance." Ozai said. "But I merely find it tiresome."

With that, that Fire Lord suddenly whirled around, sending a long whip of flame towards Aang. But Aang had been trained well, and was able to grab control of the fire and direct it harmlessly into the stone wall.

"Well, I see you may not be totally helpless after all." The Fire Lord said. "Good. I would feel annoyed at a quick death."

Aang gave no reply, but merely let loose with a fireblast of his own, directing it at Ozai with all his force. As the ball of flame streaked towards him, the Fire Lord was able to create a counterflame just in time, but the impact of the flame was enough to drive him to his knees. Aang saw his chance and moved to take, as he gripped his staff and began to spin around, gathering the air around him to deliver a final blow. But as he moved to deliver it, Ozai grabbed the staff in mid-air, preventing it from making contact. Aang struggled to break the Fire Lord's grip, but Ozai would not relinquish it. Aang then reached for the Fire Lord's collar, trying to get another hold on him. But then Fire Lord flung the staff hard to the left, hoping to break Aang's grip and injure him. The Airbender did go flying, but spun around in mid air, landing on his feet. Grinning, he held up his hand, which held the piece of Ozai's rode he managed to tear off.

Ozai snarled and charged, but Aang was ready. Suddenly, the stone of the palace walls stretched outward towards the Fire Lord. He saw and attempted to avoid it, but this time, Ozai's speed failed him. The stone stretched out and wrapped itself around the Fire Lord, trapping him inside as he struggled to escape.

"Looks like you won't have that quick death after all." Aang said, as he glared at Ozai. Seeing his enemy incapacitated, the Avatar moved to aid his friends, who were beginning to struggle to their feet.

"Nice moves Aang." Luz said, as she shakily got up. "I was expecting a longer fight though."

"Don't complain too much." Zuko argued, as Aang helped him up. "But this still doesn't answer our biggest question. Does it Father?"

"Why Zuko, what could you mean?" Ozai asked smugly. "Oh, you mean how I managed to keep my power without the blessing of Darya? As if I ever needed the blessings of a cowardly god that feared to face me, despite my 'evils.'"

"Watch it Ozai." Oscuridad said sternly. "Those who place themselves on pedestals don't keep their balance well."

"Oh my, a Knight with wit." Ozai snapped. "Make all the jokes you want, it won't be enough. Just like this little prison."

Suddenly, the stone surrounding Ozai began to glow red, then seconds later, literally melt away. As they stared in shock, Ozai gave a demon-like smile, and said, "Surprised? I imagine you all thought that was a skill known only to your own Firelord. But I know more skills and tricks then he ever will."

Ozai continued on, speaking about his own power and strength, but the others had stopped listening. Once Ozai had broken free, Aang had begun to sense a strange new power emanating from the Fire Lord. The Knights had felt it as well, but they hadn't been able to see its source. That task had fallen to the royal siblings, and they had answered without even trying. Their eyes had gone to the hole in Ozai's robes, to the strange, soft, glow that emanated from it. The Fire Lord saw his children's gaze, and gave a nod.

"Good children, good. You've seen my little secret. I suppose I might as well show it to you."

Reaching inside his robes, Ozai drew forth a pendant on a silver chain. But the pendant wasn't jewelry. All it was was a piece of rock attached to the chain. But it was the source of the strange light they all saw.

"Do you want me to tell you what this is?" Ozai asked. "It's an heirloom of my family, one that's been passed down for the last hundred years, starting with my grandfather. It's an important heirloom, that has seen many victories."

"I know what it is." Aang said suddenly. "That's Sozin's Comet."

"Correct, little Avatar." Ozai replied. "The comet that passed here in your time gave the Firebenders more power, but only temporarily. My grandfather found this one day in a field near where the comet had passed, and realized it's potential. As long as he wore it, his Firebending was unstoppable. At his death, his son received it, who later gave it to me. Had my children proven worthy, it would have gone to one of them. But no matter. You may know my secret, but there is not one among you who can take it from me."

"Don't be too sure of that." Luz said. Glancing at Oscuridad, the fox held her hand. The bat nodded and grabbed it. There was a flash of black and gold light once again, but when it cleared, Ozai's eyes widened at the sight of the Almagan.

"We are not masters of fire Ozai." The Almagan said, as it held out its weapons. "But we shall take that trinket from you nonetheless."

"Impressive." The Fire Lord said, looking on in genuine surprise at the creature. "I wasn't aware that you possessed such power."

"You'd be surprised at the power we possess, Father." Zuko growled.

Ozai merely smiled, and said, "Show me."

With that, Zuko charged his father, who received the boy with a quick, hard blow. But this time, Zuko used his speed to his advantage, dodging his father's attacks as Azula moved to join him.

"Aang, you must prepare yourself." The Almagan said. "We need the Avatar State to overcome this. Ozai is too powerful to be defeated by conventional methods."

"A-Are you sure?" Aang asked. "I mean we have you now…."

"We are not the end all here Aang." The living contradiction answered. "It will take all of our greatest powers to defeat him, and that includes the Avatar State. Quickly, enter it while we give you cover!"

But Aang merely stood there, not even attempting to enter the state. But the Almagan gave no questions, because they truthfully didn't need to. They carried the powers of both Luz and Oscuridad, which gave it total access to their realm- that of the heart. One look at the Avatar told them all that needed to know.

"You never mastered it." The Almagan said grimly. "You couldn't let her go."

"Yes I…. Wait how do you know about her?"

"It is written in your heart. You were a fool to attempt this. Did not the Architects tell you that your training in the State was necessary? But such things are pointless now. Aang, we shall hold off Ozai for as long as we can. But it is your hand that is destined to stop him. If you truly care for her, you must let go of her."

With that, the Almagan turned back to the battle, waiting for their chance to strike. It came rather quickly. As Zuko kept Ozai distracted, Azula let loose a bolt of lightning, directing it straight into her father's back. As he howled in pain, Zuko said, "This is a gift from Uncle, Father.", drew in a deep breath, and released a torrent of flame onto the Fire Lord from his mouth. Ozai screamed again as the flames ate away at his skin and clothes. But his torment was not over yet. The Almagan, seeing it's moment, gathered its power, and released a blast of light and dark energy at the Fire Lord. The blast extinguished the flames, but coursed through Ozai's body like an electrical current, filling him with pain and anguish. Finally, the power subsided, and Ozai fell to the floor, barely alive.

But as the trio of warriors slowly began to advance on the prone Fire Lord, he did something they did not expect. He began to laugh. He laughed shakily at first, but then more steadily, as the glow from the pendant began to increase. Zuko was the first to understand what was happening, and he moved to stop it, but he was too late. Suddenly, Ozai leapt up and released a huge ring of flame from his body, strong enough to knock back the siblings and even the mighty Almagan.

"I….. cannot….. be defeated….. so easily." Ozai whispered, as he got to his feet. His fine robes were tattered and torn, exposing much wounded flesh. Yet as his foes looked on, they could see the wounded flesh reknitting itself.

"The power of the comet is infinite." Ozai sneers. "It both enhances my power and keeps me alive. None of you are powerful enough to stop me. Except of course, for you." He said, glaring at Aang. "Once you are gone, there will be none left to stop me. I will wipe out the other Nations, and break the Avatar cycle once and for all. None shall ever oppose me again!"

With that, he loosed a mighty blast of flame at the young Airbender. But as it streaked through the air, Aang stayed still and focused. The words of the Almagan still rang in his ears- if you truly love her, you must let her go. Aang had seen his comrades fall. He had even seen the Almagan, the strongest being he had ever known, laid low. Everything had fallen on his shoulders now. Everything that was and would be was depending on him. It was time for him to do his duty. In his mind's eye, Aang summoned the staircase once again. He saw himself running towards it, towards the Avatar of himself. In the background, he could hear Katara's voice, but this time, he let it go, as he ran towards his destiny.

Ozai watched as his flame sped towards the young boy. In another few moments, Ozai would finally have all that he had desired for so very long, and there would be no one to stop him. But then, the flame blew apart in a gust of wind, as the Avatar suddenly stepped forward. The boy's eyes and tattoos were glowing, and he looked at Ozai with rage in his face. The Fire Lord felt a twinge of fear, but promptly buried it. He would not be denied so easily. As the Avatar stepped forward, Ozai lit his fists and prepared to face his destiny.