Hello fanfic readers! This is the ultimate confrontation; Ozai and Ursa meet after fourteen years. What will happen? All will be revealed in this chapter.

But first…

WARLOCK2552- Piandao basically screwed himself over, later we will find out the ultimate resolution that heals the rift between them.

Private Fire- I'm so pleased that you liked my Ty Lee explanation I thought her story deserves to be told and even though there are several story lines they are all focused on one purpose to lead them on this journey.

Special thanks to chungin, Dannigar, ArrayePL and LaGhost for being new followers of this story; don't be shy peeps leave a review.

Now onto the story

I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams

Book 4: Air: Water and Fire is Air

Chapter 4: The Damsel and the Firefly

Stewing in his cell…he never understood the concept, until his incarceration and stripping of power. The only thing keeping him alive is his ego. His thoughts racing, dancing and parading toward him, like the bolts of lightning he used to call upon from his now empty core . What was left, was just a pathetic shell of a man. Argh! the confinement, its fooling him, playing these childish games; who is Ozai? Failure Phoenix King—no, he showed his Azulon who he really was; a man of action; but that day he lost something in return. Ursa, precious, beautiful, Ursa; she was the only thing anchoring him to the realm of the living and honorable.

Over the years he had taken her for granted, shunned her from his heart. They were nothing; but bodies sharing the same bed; but that night, that fateful, glorious and scary night; he wasn't the failure prince and she the sad and devoted wife. He was Ozai the man of intelligence and heart ; she was Ursa the woman for whom he had opened up his entire world to; the vessel that held his secrets. He had looked into her eyes as she cried; knowing what they must do for their son Zuko. In that moment, her face beheld the glow that he had so forgotten. The years of estrangement meant nothing. As they lay on the bed, exposed to one another; he became engulfed in the caress of her hips, the scent of fire lilies on her skin, the softness of her touch, the embroiled passion that would create within his belly, the comfort of a hearth. He had forgotten so long ago that feeling ,that couldn't be described as love—it was much stronger as if their spirits had entwined on some other realm. Abruptly and rather quickly; the moment had passed and she had left his arms; only for him to never see her again. when she was gone, so was the only light he had left. When his father was burned from this earth and extinguished like wildfire, something happened: he felt grief, guilt, pain. the old man knew it all along that he would be weak; but that moment, that life changing moment; the uttered words; the ones he had always waited and longed for, "All hail Firelord Ozai!"

A smile crossed his face as he thought, "I beat you old man: I showed you I am strong: that is why you are dead"

The expenses though, all the cost calculated; his daughter dominating him; his only son turned away from him and his love Ursa no longer with him. What does Ozai deserve?

He wanted his children by his side, filling with pride of their country, reaping the rewards of his sacrifice. Zuko that ungrateful soft-hearted boy, so much like him, it was disgusting. He tried everything to toughen him up show him that the throne was earned …nothing, the boy would crumble. That day, that ugly life changing day, his son spoke out of turn at a meeting. He tried to make him fight for his rights through an Agni Kai, but once again, those foolish coddled emotions resurfaced; he was an embarrassing obeisance was humiliating. There was only one punishment fitting for this infantile mentality; he formed a ball of fire in his hand and hurled in at Zuko's face, that once endearing face and to further humiliate the boy he cast him away and gave him the fool's errand of capturing the Avatar. Not long ago the boy—now Firelord had asked him; "Do you regret scarring my face?"

Ozai had told a great lie, for Zuko had become exactly who he had wanted. The former Firelord could not take pride for he was not by his son, guiding him and advising him; showing him love and taking credit in being the one who was the driving force of his change. Where did Ozai go wrong?

Azula, his daughter, very much like her namesake; he always suspected, in the back of his mind , she would be the death of him. She had grown very unsympathetic , unforgiving and devoid of the concept of love; summoning blue fire at such a tender age of innocence; she was too strong for him and one day she would surpass him with her unrivaled bending. He would be like his father, lost, forgotten and buried. Sweet precious girl; she was not always like that. Azula was beautiful and kind; but he pushed her, removed her from any maternal influence and ripped apart the close bond she and his brother Iroh shared. He molded, her formed her, made her a soldier; she was brilliant, he knew in the long run she would challenge him; especially when she would make plans of her own and showing initiative in taking down her brother. The only thing that was in his favor was deep beneath her façade; she wanted to please him; he couldn't risk the future. So, slowly, he poisoned her with a psychotic and psychedelic tea he found while in the earth kingdom, 'warrior's claw' . For its victims; it would deliver a blow worse than death; he pushed her over the edge and slowly she became crazed and not sensible; it was the only way to get rid of her. But, she came back didn't she? Her brother, foolish, emotional boy; he gave her a chance. For a while, they will fight, in time they will begin anew. She recovered, yes and became married to a half-ling water savage traitor, and they had child a little girl; his grandchild.

The day he feared came true. She would discover his deception; when her mind would become whole. He was so assured and assuming of what she would do. No, his daughter did something worse; far more unexpected. He had every intention of getting back his bending, for he read the ancient legends, that stated what the Avatar has taken, power could be restored. Once he had his bending, he would get take possession of his throne with the aid of supporters. He was so arrogant that night, that supernatural, faith crushing night. He taunted her; they battled one another; he made short work of that so-called husband of hers. Without warning, he experienced her true form, she took on the shape of a flame itself, her garments were still in tact. She kicked him swiftly, causing a light to pulse through his body. It she stripped him of any chance of bending permanently. What a scared, filthy and good for nothing creature he was now. It wasn't worth living and suicide was something that was beneath him; he was in purgatory. The lesson he had come to learn: there is no redemption for the ones who gives into darkness. Why must it be like this Ozai?

Wait, there was something he neglected; he strained against his bandages and picked up a picture, a reflection, the boy born out of love, Han-Lien the unsullied long-lost son. Perhaps there is hope for him yet. How?

Ursa felt her skin crawling as she got closer to the dungeon. How many years had it been? She shuddered as she held herself; knowing the man she was going to see. She proceeded forward sometimes pacing and other times stopping mid step. As the guards escorted her to the entryway; she contemplated on her and her estranged husband's bleak and lovely history.

The man Ozai, her betrothed, the fire nation prince, wasn't admittedly her first choice for a mate. Ozai, was a quiet young man, the very opposite of his brother Crowned Prince Iroh, who garnished respect and had a presence; that was expected being twenty years Ozai's senior. She could remember trying to coax the then fifteen year old to speak; it was no use. He seemed like such a brooding young man, who was never happy. Ursa in her positive resolve, wouldn't give up on him everyone deserves a chance. However, all social attempts were met with a glower or an about-face. Frustrated, she said to herself, if this was how the relationship was; she wanted no part of it. Ursa hadn't any idea of what vexed the young man so and at that point she didn't care. One day, she had noticed a meeting between Ozai and his father Azulon. Against her better judgement told her curiosity couldn't resist watching the pair. Ozai seemed desperate and on the verge of slowly imploding and his father Azulon taking pleasure in it.

"Father all the teachers have said I have excelled in my studies and feel that my combat is useful to the military, why can't I join?"

"You have the nerve to ask me such ridiculous questions. You who have killed your mother Illah with your constant failure; who even knows if you are mine? You are weak and have no place here not as royalty, not in my court, not in meetings, not in the military, not anywhere, ever. Leave my sight before I kill you where you stand!"

"if you would just list—"

"Your still here boy? You think if you show determination and resolution, that I will give into you, no! Your mother, Agni rest her soul coddled you too much and made you think that just because you work hard and make a name for yourself; then that means you will get what you want. I will always tell you no, you will never be Iroh, you will never be anything to me but wasted space."

"Father I—"

"Ozai so help me, I swear on your mother's grave that if you do not leave this room; you will join her!"

"Yes father," he walked away dejected.

"Ozai," he called back taunting.

"Yes father"

"In case you get the gull to approach me again; let me give you a word of advice. Pay attention; I will not repeat myself. The only way you will ever be someone, is if I and Iroh are dead and even then you will be in our shadows, eclipsed by our greatness. The smart thing for you to do is give up this pursuit and try something more suited to you, like being a royal secretary, you are good with words, it is your one advantage."

Ozai looked away clenching his fist,"I won't give up just because you tell me to."

"Then you Ozai are a fool!"

She then knew with absolutely certainty why he had become so closed off from the world. He had feared getting hurt, he was angry because nothing was ever good enough for his father; he was always the disadvantaged as the youngest, any and ideas were discarded. Ursa realized it would be a long road before the man would not see her as a burden, or as another duty fulfilled. After a chaotic year of courtship, she had grown to love him, and together they were like a beautiful song. He brought out the strength in her and she brought out the kindness in him.

Ursa allowed herself that small moment of happiness as she entered the dank, dark space leading to his prison cell. In her mind, she was rehearsing all the pain that her plagued her over the years, seeing her children so miserable and barren of a nurturing guidance. He would talk down to her and she would defend her honor:

"So my estranged wife has returned. Care to make a conjugal visit."

"You are far removed from the man I loved. How could you do this to our children?"

"You're missing a small piece to that puzzle. You lied to me about Han-Lien."

"I hadn't known I was pregnant until I left."

"You're so self-righteous; you think you can waltz back into our children's lives and they'll forgive easy."

"Zuko loves me and so does Azula; I just have to earn her trust."

"And what of Han-Lien, now that he knows the truth about his virtuous mother; do you think he'll still love you after knowing you used his sister to kill my father?"

"W...what...How would he know that?"

"You just confirmed it."

Ursa turned to see Han-Lien with tears streaming down his face.

Ursa awoke violently from her daydream, feeling the blood rushing to her head. How quickly she had forgotten that she was not alone, her son—their son Han-Lien was not far behind her the missing link within their family. He forced her to not be so idealistic and demand the answers of life, even the ones that would hurt. How symbolic that the young man was like this dungeon, in the obscure corner of the Fire Nation family with little awareness and trapped by his legacy. Ursa had to do this for him, to heal his foot path. Before she knew it the guards had opened the door to his prison chamber. She signaled Han-Lien to stay back, he grudgingly obeyed. She stepped into the space and took a deep breath. She opened her eyes slowly and saw a figured, hunched over in a beige cloth; its hair was black straw. She inched forward and crouched down to the bars. She reached out her hand to tough his sallow flesh.

"I'm dreaming," he spoke causing her to gasp. He turned to her fix his red puffy eyes on hers, "Perhaps this is a nightmare for which will be my demise."

"Oh Ozai," she nearly cried turning opposed , "You—"

"Am I that awful that you won't look at me?"

Ursa was silent, this was worse than seeing Azula; he was older, so much older and his eyes were so tired, "I thought I had prepared myself for this moment but it turns out…how could I?"

"Where is the boy?" he demanded

"He's here, he wants to see you"

"Why?" he snarled

"He deserves to know his father."

"How plain and simple of you; I expected better from a woman of exile."

"What do you want from me Ozai?" she gritted her teeth.

"Why are you here?"

"I—at first it was to yell at you; to tell you how ashamed I am of your actions and how much you have ruined our children; the truth is the moment we decided to do what we did; we damaged their lives and changed them for all time. When I look to our son Han-Lien, I see now none of what we did was worth it."

"My father gave Iroh the throne despite my late nephew's death and my brother was too weak."

"Look at what your quest for power has gotten you! Our family is torn apart. You could have been an ambassador and done things for the greater good; but you let that darkness take ov—"

"And what of you Ursa," he interrupted, "There may only be small traces of it; you have darkness in your heart as well. Ask yourself, why is it that as much as I have wronged Azula in her mental breakdown; you are the only one she felt tortured by?"

"And our son," she shouted, "you scarred him for life! You made him feel the same way that Azulon made you feel, only far worse, because he has the example on his face of how much hatred destroys."

"So then here we are the damsel and the firefly, at my cell; both slaves to our past both failures to our family. Do you think that our youngest son has a chance now? Both of us are undeserving of any happiness."

She look to him trying to beseech that part of him she hoped wasn't lost, "Han-Lien is proof that we can start anew, you and I both know the Avatar could have easily killed you but he didn't and Azula could have done the same thing but she chose not to. Don't you think he should know you then? Not the man who sits in this cell; but the man that I have loved, the man who had brought me joy."

"What does he know of me?" he hissed.

Ursa grinned brightly; rose from her place and opened the door, letting Han-Lien enter, "Whatever you want him to know."

"You dare ambush me with his presence!"

Ursa kissed the young man on the forehead and squeezed his hand supportively, exiting the room, "Han-Lien I will be right behind you, waiting on the other side of that door if you need me"

The young man shook his head and looked to Ozai they were alone, "Hello, my name is Han-Lien; but I guess you already know that,"the teen sheepishly smiled.

Under his sleeve he revealed a key. He opened the lock to Ozai's cell and sat in front of the man, "I've never had a father in my life; not one that I could count. Mother, couldn't look at any other man, she had a lot of suitors; she wasn't interested," he rubbed his forehead in frustration, "I'm getting of course. I just want to know about you and I'm not afraid to know the truth, just promise me you won't keep any secrets or lie to me; I won't accept that."

His son, the handsome boy, Ozai wanted to spout his verbal venom at Han-Lien and tell him how weak he was; he wanted to turn him away from his sight to never return; but Ozai couldn't find it in him to do any of those things. He caressed Han-Lien's face: he was so innocent, so much more like him than Zuko. He was his past, possibly his future. Ozai sat there in silence, absorbing the boy in front of him. For this child only, he would let the light within flicker. On this night, he will tell the boy all he longs for. Tonight, Ozai will be a father.