Me: I'm back!
Lu Ten: And we thank the universe for that. We were all so lost without you.
Me: The sarcasm was not necessary.
Lu Ten: Yes it was.
Me: You're just mad I didn't share my brownies with you.
Lu Ten: Na Ah! Could we stop talking about food and get on with this disgrace of a story.
Me: Sure. Would you care to do the disclaimer?
Lu Ten: I'd be honored. Constance AKA LaserLance720 does now own ATLA. And the world is happy that she had nothing to do with the show.
Me: LOL. You said honor.
Lu Ten: I'm glad you find that funny.
Me: I did. Sorry for being so late. My psychology and trig grade fell a bit and I have been so focused on studying and getting those grades up. But as the grades are working their way back up, I felt I needed a break before I dived back into studying for my psychology midterm. So here it is.
-oOo-
"Now where is it you have decided to take us?" Ozai crossed his arms over his chest as he looked around the large and empty room. Red banners hung from the walls as Ozai leaned against them. The large door to his right remained shut; the table in the center empty. "Because this looks like a fun evening."
"Must you be so pessimistic?" Lu Ten chuckled as he took a seat at the empty table.
"Just being a realist," Ozai smirked. An annoyance with their casual banter spread over him as he watched the way the other sat carelessly. Ozai allowed his gaze to deepen into a heated glare as Lu Ten turned away from him.
"Of course," Lu Ten sighed, as his hazel eyes scanned the empty room. "We're still in the past if that is what you're asking."
"I thought we covered that?"
"The past is a vast ocean of events," Lu Ten shrugged. "And you my friend are still fishing."
"I see your father made a habit of passing down his failing ways." Ozai rolled his eyes, before averting them to the window on the wall to the right; away from his deceased nephew. The autumn leafs sank one by one from the branches of the thin tree; a single crisp leaf drifted through the open window before making its resting place the room's floor. "Could you possibly speak like a normal human?"
"Always so cranky," Lu Ten felt the smile spreading over his face. He redirected his gaze onto his uncle. "This evening will be close to over soon Uncle Ozai. There are just a few things left for you to see."
"And that is?" Ozai moved his eyes back onto Lu Ten. The sudden opening of the door beside him drew Ozai's attention. Joyful laughter echoed through the chamber; the sound filling the space before the group of young adults even entered into the room. Ozai's eyes narrowed at the youth. He first spotted the tattooed Avatar; the child who had been his undoing now stood tall and strong nearly six years later. The other members of the party meant nothing to him; as they were merely just the faces of enemies he never felt he needed to know. Two faces were missing from the collection, though. The scarred face of his son, as well as the blue eyed Water Tribe girl he had heard much news of, were absent.
"Will you two hurry up?" The voice; strong and loud, sounded from the thin girl in green. When she turned her pale face towards the sound, Ozai faltered at the glazed over eyes. "You two can make out later."
"We're coming." A voice he knew well answered. A voice he had tolerated for thirteen years.
His son came finally into the room. A smile played across his features; an expression that startled Ozai to see written so easily over his hated son's face. Just behind him, was the missing waterbender. Her deeply tanned hand was grasped with his fair skinned one. The dethroned king felt his gaze narrow at both his son and the barbarian who had seduced him. Her lips moved as she responded to something previously said, but the words were lost to Ozai's ears.
He watched, unable to react, as his son helped the girl sit, before dropping himself into the seat beside her. His movements were relaxed, as if he had cast aside the ridged conduct that had been drilled into him from an early age. The unseated king stared for what felt like time stretching itself thin, at the manner with which his son acted around these people. He threw his head back in laughter at jokes unheard by Ozai. He smiled with a grin that threatened to overtake his entire face. He blushed and stuttered with an innocent amusement, but took the teasing with a smile. Ozai watched as his son dropped barriers around these people.
"What is the purpose for being here," Ozai withdrew his gaze and turned an eye towards Lu Ten. The late prince looked up from his seat beside the Water Tribe boy, and smiled at his Uncle. The beaming face was identical to the one Zuko sported on the other side of the table. Ozai didn't know rather to glare or step back at the realization. Zuko may have inherited a lot from his father; his eyes, his bone structure, his temper, but the smile that glued itself to his son's face that was not passed from him. He had not past down a smile to his son. No, his son had picked it up along the way.
"To show you." Lu Ten smile lessened slightly; the corner of his lips fallen a fraction of an inch. His calm demeanor remained in his words as he spoke. The change from the fury he had shown in the last stop, troubled Ozai. "All of this is to show you. To show you where you went wrong and where those actions will lead you. But this moment, this moment isn't about you. This moment is my hope that you will see that your son is in much better hands without you. My chance to show you that all of the times you tried to shove him down, he was meant to wise. This is for you to see the people who took our son in, when you felt the need to cast him out."
Lu Ten snapped his fingers. A cobalt spark trickled from the friction as his blue tinted form stood and moved around the table. The group of friends froze in their actions, as if they were a painting on an urn. Ozai drew his attention back towards the table to look upon the stationary scene. His son was frozen, leaning in towards the waterbender who had been whispering something into his ears. To the right of them, sat the blind one; her head cocked back in laughter. Directly across the table from her, was the Avatar, his head buried in his hand trying to hide the forming smile and blush. And to the side of him, was the Water Tribe boy, a devilish smile on his face as he winked to the red haired girl beside him, whose mouth was half open about to respond. The moment was completely still; a picture perfect moment captured for his eyes to see.
"These are the ones who took him in," Lu Ten stood behind Zuko. He placed a translucent hand onto the young man's shoulders. "When they had no reason to, and he had no reason to go to them. Through a war, they found each other. They strengthened and created bonds that haven't been around since Roku and Sozin. They fought through the petty differences that kept the older warriors from uniting for so long. This group right here will be the ones who lead the future. And they shaped who they are. And this is just a few years after they formed. Imagine how strong they will be in years to come."
"Good for them," Ozai tried to shove as much sarcasm into his words as possible; only for them to fall dull and flat. "I don't see what this has to do with me. My future doesn't change. Why should I show any concern with the world's future?"
Lu Ten sighed, the aggravation beginning to seep back into his blood stream. "And here I thought we were getting somewhere. Look at this group," He gestured to those at the table. "What do you see?"
"I see the Fire Nation slowly weakening," Ozai shrugged with arms crossed over his chest, "while their Fire Lord associates with useless peasants. Was that the answer you wanted?"
"Not even close," Lu Ten answered. "Is it really that hard for you to see and accept the concept that people are more than just tools? Or is it the fact that there are people out there who wish to be a part of your son's life? What do you have against being friends with people?"
"Friends have one use and one use only." Ozai let his gaze fall back on the tree opposite the far window as another leaf fell from its branch. "To be moved as pawns. And even then, I had an entire country to move to my whim.
"There was never anyone who mattered to you? Lu Ten exhaled as he leaned against the wall. "Not even your wife?"
Ozai snarled, and tossed his head back. A vengeful laughter echoed through the still frozen room. "That woman? An arranged marriage set up between our parents. She was nothing more than a political gain."
"She murdered for you." Lu Ten closed his eyes.
"No," Ozai bit the inside of his mouth, "she murdered for that boy." He inclined his head towards his son. "She murdered my father so that boy could live. Then she placed me on the throne to keep me quiet. I was her pawn. There was never any attachment between the two of us."
A silence filled the room as the men avoided looking at one another. Lu Ten let his eyes wander over the faces of the celebrating friends. Ozai glared at the now bare tree outside, willing it to burn under his gaze.
"I see," Lu Ten lifted his stare, as a thin smile brought the corners of his lips up. "We're getting somewhere here."
"What?" The unseated king circled his gaze onto the other. "What the Hell are you going on about now?"
"This," Lu Ten tossed a hand towards the table. "You're scared of this."
"I am not." Ozai's voice tried to keep a defiant and harsh tone.
"You are!" Lu Ten couldn't fight off the laughter in his words. "Oh no, Uncle Ozai. This is too good. I had this whole evening planned out, where we would discuss your hatred of your kids and how awesome Team Avatar is, but I am having a mid-game plan change. Now," the smile was plastered over his face, "we are going to discuss this."
"There isn't a 'this' to talk about," Ozai bit his bottom lip as the words snarled out.
"Yes there is," Lu Ten responded. "You're scared that everyone is going to leave you."
"I am not," Ozai shrugged. "Where would you get that idea?"
"Just admit it," Lu Ten chuckled. "It's so obvious."
"Then would you care to explain?" Ozai motioned for the other to continue as he leaned deeper into the stone wall. "Because you lost me."
"Then let me explain," Lu Ten smiled. "You are afraid that one day everyone will leave you. And for you, that is an appropriate fear. I mean, the big two people come to mind. Your wife left you, after she murdered your father and secured the throne for you. Only, for you to realize that she did all that for your son. And the only reason she helped you get where you were, was to keep you from snitching on her before she could run.
"And then after you shoved your son to the side," Lu Ten continued, unaware of the tightening in Ozai's fists, "he was taken in by his Uncle and friends who were more than happy to welcome him into their arms. You turned your back on him, and he grew out of you."
"Watch it," the words spoken from Ozai's mouth were as harsh as fire. Lu Ten straightened his back against the wall as he realized he had stepped on a nerve.
"Sorry Uncle Ozai," Lu Ten lowered his gaze from the man. "But I am speaking the truth."
"You can't be farther from the truth," Ozai scoffed as he tossed his head to the side, turning his gaze away.
"No one else can hear you Uncle," Lu Ten side stepped closer to his uncle. Leaning his shoulder against the wall, he angled his head against the wall as well. "Just tell me why. Why are you so afraid to show the smallest amount of concern for anyone?"
"Could we get on with this?" Ozai voice was clearly scornful, his default tone since first entering into the cell. "Isn't there a past present and future for me to see."
"We will bring this topic up again," Lu Ten pocked Ozai's shoulder. "But you're right. We have a world for you to see. Six years locked up, there have been a lot of changes. But first, we have your daughter to check on. Let's see how well she's doing at this moment in time."
-oOo-
They stood in a scarlet red clad room. The two men exchanged glances, Lu Ten's expression filled with much more humor.
"Where the hell are we?" Ozai mocked. His hazel eyes scanned the space in hopes of determining where they were. The large red bed and nightstands that made up the room, spoke volumes of a female resident.
"Why does he always get so worked up," the female voice sounded behind them. Ozai turned in time to see his daughter entering into the room, followed by two other girls that Ozai found highly familiar. Azula spun around to face the girls, her long raven hair trailing behind her as she continued to back step towards the bed. The girl kept a large smile on her face as she jumped on the corner of the bed. The slender brunette hopped beside her, as the black haired girl spun a chair around and leaned in forward on two legs. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"You set his hair on fire 'Zula," The brunette responded. Her perky attitude and pink clad body instantly connected Ozai's mind as to who the two unknown females were.
"It was an accident," Azula smirked as she leaned back.
"It was still funny," Mai tilted her head to the side as she rocked on the chair legs. "Especially whenever Katara nearly drowned him trying to put it out."
"It was pretty funny," Ty Lee let the smile spread over her face. "I loved when he flipped out when all of his papers were soaked."
"We should do this more often," Azula smiled. A true smile spread over her face as she looked between the two. Ozai narrowed his eyes at the trio, as he watched his daughter interacting with the two. "I kind of miss you guys."
"We kind of miss you too," Ty Lee nudged the girl beside her.
"It only took three years," Lu Ten's voice sounded beside Ozai as the scene froze, "of not being under your wing, for her to grow away from you control. After being in that hospital for two and a half years, she was finally stable enough to be back into the world. You had nothing to do with that. She grew better on her own. Well, not on her own. Zuko and his friends played a large role in that. He visited her religiously every Saturday and Wednesday. And after a while, he managed to get his friends to help out and check on her as well. Katara, your daughter-in-law, was a large influence in her recovery. As well as Ty Lee and Mai. Ty Lee returned to her friend almost instantly after everything settled. It seemed like all that airbending stuff Aang has been teaching her was really taken in."
"Airbending?" Ozai sneered as he drew his gaze between Lu Ten and Ty Lee.
"Ya," Lu Ten shrugged, "seemed the little one is something special. But her and Mai's acceptance of Azula's apologies was a huge playing factor in her recovery. Between everything Zuko was doing for her, and her two greatest friends forgiving her, it was enough for her to realize that everything you had done, meant nothing when she had true people who care for her."
Ozai scoffed. "Sure. Because complete insanity can be cured by friends."
"In this case," Lu Ten sighed, "they did. It wasn't a complete recovery though. This moment, just three years after her break down, wasn't a complete fix. That love for setting her brother's hair on fire will forever remain. But she started to mend whenever the group got back together. I got to admit, the four of them together, make one Hell of a team."
-oOo-
The scene changed instantly. Ozai stood in an empty, open field. Lu Ten stepped beside him.
"There is still a long way for your kids to go until they are anywhere near normal." Lu Ten continued despite the change in the scenery. The empty field before them began to shift, as two shapes materialized. Ozai watched as the image appeared before him. His son, around the age of ten, sat on the now present bench. Azula, tears dripping from her face, sat cradled in her brother's arms.
"But I think if they continue the way they are, there will be no problem." The scene dissolved and began to form again. The embracing siblings grew older, and the tears dried from his daughters face. Azula and Zuko stood, their comforting embrace turned into a shared smile as Azula leaned against her brother. His children looked just as they had in the moments Lu Ten had showed him.
"With all of your flaws," Lu Ten continued as he gestured towards the siblings, "you did raise two strong children."
Ozai couldn't hide the chuckle that slipped under his breathe. Lu Ten raised an eyebrow at the sound, but made no mention of his uncle's reaction. Upon seeing his nephew's response, Ozai set the frown back onto his face.
"Come on," Lu Ten shock his head to the side as he began to walk away. Ozai watched with narrowed eyes as Lu Ten stopped and turned back to face him. "Do you want to stay in the past or not? Because we got a present to check out. You want to see how well your kids turned out or not?"
-oOo-
Been working on this crap for a month now. And it's finally done. Only taken way to long, and a few missed hours of sleep. But here it is….
Zutara? Yes.
Reason one… it is my OTP. For Forever's!
Reason two… I like the idea of Mai running off with Jun and Jet and causing trouble.
Reason Three… I wanted to use the 'seducing barbarian' line. And I did.
Ozai has seen Team Avatar. More of them as this goes.
Azula… I wanted to reunite Ozai's Angles for this scene. I imagine that after about two/three years she would have been stable enough to leave the asylum. As long as she had proper parental supervision. This means the Fire Babies are drafted for day care. This does not mean she is mentally stable, it just means that she can have fun and cause trouble for Zuko again. Always the best part of Azula.
Yes, Ty Lee is an airbender. It was mentioned, but no really important.
Going into the present next. Will get to see how well Zuko and Azula are doing six years after the war ended.