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How do you solve a problem like Ozai?
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Iroh came by not much later and I passed on Suki's news. He was most intrigued and unsettled by the news that Ozai was alive, but with his bending stripped from him. He kept starting questions with but how... to better indicate how mystified he was by this turn of events. I would shrug and Zuko would shrug and then we would toss round unlikely theories. Eg. Maybe Aang really did give glue bending a go, and Ozai, upon looking at pictures of himself as a chubby baby, found his bending drained away. I said that apparently Aang could explain it all. Though in all honesty, it sounds like he can't explain it very well. He has left everyone he tries to explain it to either perplexed (Suki) or irritated (My dad).
On the whole, the idea that Aang can take away someone's bending is a little unsettling and mystifying for me too. Iroh has never come across anything like it. Because Iroh doesn't quite know what is going on with Aang and Ozai, the whole thing seems even weirder. It always seems like Iroh knows everything. He told us that, long ago when he was a younger man, he went on a journey to the spirit world. The spirits told him only that the Avatar would restore balance to the world, but in a most unexpected way; sucking Ozai's bending out definitely classifies as unexpected.
Iroh is the only regular person I know, aside from Sokka who has been on a journey to the spirit world. Sokka's journey was accidental, because he got kidnapped by the Heibai, and he can't remember much about it. It seems like Iroh, on the other hand, went there deliberately and can remember lots. He is surprisingly tight-lipped about this journey, which is unusual. Normally Iroh is all about the jovial sharing of both his wisdom and his hijinks, but when it came to talking about this spiritworld trip, he wouldn't elaborate anymore. Even though Zuko was most curious about it, and was actually quite gentle with his questions. I get the feeling this was something they have never really talked about. Zuko asked when this happened, but Iroh gave him a sad look and said you know when, with a tone of solemn finality. That seemed to close the subject of Iroh's spirit journey because Zuko's expression changed, he nodded in understanding and shuffled uncomfortably and didn't ask any more questions.
Conversation turned back to this strange, newly acquired power of Aang's. I am trying not to let it give me the heebie-jeebies. Aang would have done it as an alternative to killing Ozai. He would have done it with the best of intentions. Surely there can be nothing sinister about something done with the best of intentions, right? I shouldn't be unnerved by it. I feel a little silly being unnerved by it really. But I can't help it. Just the thought of someone sucking my waterbending out of me... Waterbending is such a huge part of me. I don't know what I'd do without it. I'm not sure that I wouldn't rather die, than be forced to go on living without such a vital part of myself. I said something to this effect out loud and Iroh and Zuko both agreed with me. Iroh said that Aang would probably think he was doing Ozai a kindness, when really nobody knew what the effect of having your bending sucked out of you would do to a person.
Even without his bending Ozai would pose a problem and a threat for Zuko and Iroh. Even without his bending, he still had powerful friends and lots of influence. There were going to be a lot of changes in the firenation and these changes were going to make some people (wealthy, influential jerks who had made a lot of money from the war and stood to lose out if the war stopped) very unhappy. Change doesn't always go over well, and there was no point in pretending any different. These people were going to look at unconventional solutions to their problems. Ozai would be just the sort of unconventional solution that they might rally around. Leaving Ozai alive was a big problem for Iroh, who had been sorting out all the firenation-y political stuff. He expressed a great deal of consternation about this. He asked many rhetorical questions. Eg how could there be balance, when the most unbalanced individual ever to sit on the throne would be around to upset any new equilibrium? How could the Avatar hope to restore peace by leaving alive the biggest threat to that peace? Etc.
Zuko interrupted him and said because Aang's 12, by way of explanation. Then he shrugged and said Aang doesn't really think of the bigger picture Uncle. There was a bit of talk over what the best thing to do with Ozai would be. Iroh was all for locking him up for the remainder of his natural life in Iron Cove prison (that is where Ozai had Iroh locked up earlier this year). Solitary confinement, deep underground, was decided upon. Zuko looked grimly satisfied with this. If everybody was arriving sometime tomorrow afternoon, then they could transport Ozai there and release the prisoners of war at the same time. Iroh felt it would be better to release the prisoners of war with my father and Suki there to act as their leaders. Also this would give Iroh a bit of time to set up temporary accommodation for all the newly released prisoners of war.
Iroh got up to go, because if Ozai was still alive, and if we were about to be inundated with guests, then he had a lot to organise. He walked over and ruffled Zuko's hair affectionately and almost absent-mindedly. He asked quietly you okay with all this? Zuko nodded and said he had to be, didn't he – or something to that effect. Then he asked his Uncle the same question. Iroh shrugged and said it is an odd ending isn't it. That he will be allowed to live when so many other...more worthy people have perished. They nodded at each other in mutual understanding.
While I am glad that Aang found a way to defeat Ozai without killing him – because Aang wouldn't have been able to deal with that on his conscience- I can't help but feel a sense of anti-climax. Ozai is such a terrible person and it feels like losing his bending is somehow an inadequate punishment for everything he has done. I think Zuko and Iroh were feeling the same so I offered would it help if I told you my father had punched him in the stomach and a man named Chit Sang kicked him in the gonads? A small cheeky smile played across Iroh's face and he said with some amusement Actually, yes, that does help.
-?-
Zuko wasn't sure how he felt about it really, about his dad and Aang's new freaky power and everything. He told me so after Iroh left. I was a bit cross at him earlier, for ignoring me earlier, but as usual, I found it absolutely impossible to stay mad at him. Especially when we have these sorts of conversations. He was so painfully honest when he said that hated his dad, but felt a bit guilty about this and thought that he shouldn't. Normally I would say all the usual stuff, it's bad to hate your family members etc. but I make a special exception for Ozai. Zuko should feel free to despise him as he saw fit, in my opinion. Despite all his numerous evil deeds, he was still Zuko's dad. Zuko said, with some hesitation, that he didn't think he'd be who he was without Ozai.
When he said that, I paused for a moment to have a think. I love Zuko, so by that extension, should I be more charitable to one of the men who shaped him into the person he is, no matter how horrible the man in question is? My dilemma was solved for me moments later when Zuko added that Ozai contributed to Zuko's upbringing primarily by being so unrelentingly hard on him and just plain old mean, that Zuko had to toughen up. And he thought that, in the end, all that constant cruelty and taunting had made him stronger… And I went back to loathing Ozai unequivocally.
Zuko thought he should be happy that Ozai was alive, because at least with him alive, there was a chance that Zuko could find out from him what happened to his mother. I was most curious about this. Zuko told me that, on the day of black sun, he had gone to tell his father exactly what he thought of him (I imagine that went over well). As he was leaving, his dad had said that he knew where his mother was, and if Zuko was brave enough to stick around until the sun came out again, Ozai would tell him. Zuko stuck around (unsurprisingly) but Ozai didn't tell him exactly where she was (this is also not surprising). He just told Zuko that she had been banished too.
He also said a lot of other things, but Zuko wasn't sure if they were true or not. He wasn't sure if anything his father said was true or not. Like Azula, Ozai had a talent for lying. He didn't know if his dad was just stalling for time so that he could shoot lightning at him. But either way, at least Zuko had a chance to find out now. If Ozai had died, he never would have even had that. And so for that Zuko was going to try be thankful that Aang had done something really weird and freaky and left the old bastard alive.
I never even knew. Ozai might have known where his mum was and he never said. He just kept trying to convince Aang to off him. Zuko shrugged and said that it would have been much safer for everyone if Ozai had died, and on the whole he wanted us all to be as safe as possible. He wasn't going to ask Aang to spare his father for such a personal reason, because that struck Zuko as a little selfish. But what's done is done, and at least there was a positive side to his dad being allowed to live. Ozai was going to cause no end of problems for his Uncle when his Uncle was firelord, but maybe he could still do one good thing by his kids.
I was a little worried that Zuko was being a bit optimistic here. His father, from the sounds of things, has never previously shown the slightest interest in wanting to do right by his kids and I fail to see how having his bending sucked out of him would change this rather basic personality trait. I just didn't want Zuko to get disappointed. Zuko agreed with me and said that there was no way Ozai would just tell him, especially not like this. Zuko knew he wasn't err..in top form, and his dad would be able to sense this. His dad could spot any weakness a mile away. He wouldn't even need a mile to see that Zuko was rather severely injured. Despite all my healing and the fact that he was recovering really well, Zuko still had that washed out, recently struck by lightning look about him.
His dad was arriving tomorrow with everyone but Zuko said that he didn't want to see his dad just yet and I agreed this was for the best. He wanted to see him when he was clear enough in his head and strong enough and better enough to find out what he wanted from Ozai. He wanted to stand over the old bastard and demand some answers from him. If he could just get some answers, he was sure he could walk away and never think about that man again. He thought that answers would do him some good. And it would do Azula some good too. He added very softly. He looked at his hands and said not knowing…it's just the worst thing. I can see why it's driving her crazy. I think that there are many other things that are driving Azula crazy, but I kept this comment to myself.
-?-
Today I was all a flutter and quite excited to see everyone again. Even my dread over the veritable ass-ton of awkward fatherly affection that was coming my way was overshadowed by my excitement. Zuko and I had been lazing about in the garden and watching the skies for any sign of the airship for most of the day.
He was feeling much better today and had protested this morning that he was well enough to spend the most of the day outside. We had a small argument about this and the vile concoction. Eventually a compromise was reached. And outside day it would be, only if he drank all of his vile concoctions without fuss. This compromise suits both of us. We'd been lying on the grass on a blanket Yomia put out. Zuko's colour was looking a little better. He would practice this firebending meditation thing that Jeong Jeong had tried to get Aang to do. The thing with the leaf. He found it calming. And he was ready to start light bending again, according to Dr Yang, this morning. Dr Yang had a few stipulations for him, nothing too exerting etc. but she had given him the all clear to indulge his inner pyromaniac. I had finished the compendium. Dr Yang had given me an interesting book on anatomy, after I had bothered her a great deal for more literature. She also had a few stipulations for me, be careful with it etc.
I was trying to learn all the bones, and muscles and tendons in the leg. If Sokka's leg was broken, I wanted to be able to heal it as best I could. So for most of the day we sat together under that willow tree. I studied and Zuko bent and we chatted the day away. Zuko told me all about the firenation autumn, because I had noticed it felt a little cooler and less stiflingly hot today and the elm tree was changing colour and losing its leaves. We were definitely into autumn now, the comet had been on the last day of summer after all. Zuko said that the leaves didn't change colour here that much. Not like they did in the earth kingdom. That had been my favourite part about an earth kingdom autumn. Seeing all the colours change had been such a novelty for me. Zuko said only a few fire nation trees did that. Thankfully there a big elm in the garden that was keeping him in dry leaf supply.
The biggest change in the firenation came because all the moonflowers and other flowers than need lots of water were in bloom. Apparently in a couple of weeks, the rainy season would start and it would be all monsoons and typhoons all the way. And the firenation would be drenched for weeks on end. I have never seen a monsoon season before, but being a waterbender, the idea of that much water doesn't bother me. I think it could be quite fun, actually. Zuko said that his uncle used to say that firenation needed the monsoon to cool tempers down and chill everyone out a bit. But Zuko thought it actually had the opposite effect- because the air constantly has that just-before-a-big-storm feeling of anticipation- people in the firenation would get all worked up and do crazy things.
Crazier than usual that is.
-?-
Lenka brought us lunch, which was delicious. We fed the bread to the turtleducks. They came right up to peck some of it out of my hand, which was neat. Zuko said it was because they had gotten used to me. We would both constantly look up and watch the clouds for any sign of the airship. It was only just after lunch when we saw the airship peak through the clouds, I leapt to my feet excitedly and called Iroh.
Zuko wanted to come with me to greet everybody. I wanted him to go back to bed. We had another small argument, which Zuko won. He was allowed to come, but for five minutes only. Lazing on the grass all day was one thing, spending more than five minutes with an overexcited everybody was an entirely different matter and would probably tire him out way more than hours of turtleduck feeding ever would.
-?-
The airship was sinking slowly on the big main boulevard and we walked in the direction it was heading. By the time we got to the main street, I could almost see everybody's individual faces. They were waving and I was waving. Then a rope dropped down from the main deck, and my dad appeared. He climbed down the rope at amazing speed. When he was close enough to the ground, he just jumped down and landed hard. Then he ran to me and engulfed me in a big, snuggly dad hug.
He lifted me clean off the ground and my feet were dangling. He was squishing me a bit. It took me a second to realize my dad was crying. It took me another second to realize I was too. Happy tears though. He said he was just so glad to see me and so glad I was safe and he loved me and now the war was over, we'd never have to be separated again. I said similar soppy things back and there were many happy tears.
Suki had climbed down a second rope after my dad. I saw her out of the corner of my eye. She wandered over to Zuko. I heard her stage whisper to him affectionately watertribes – they always greet eachother like this. She gave Zuko a one armed hug, I was about to tell her to be careful of the big hole in his chest, but Suki successfully avoided the lightning wound and my scolding. Zuko said he had heard that she took down a whole airship on her own…during the comet. Using only stealth and badassery Suki finished. Zuko nodded and said I respect that and they had a small bondy moment over their mutual stealthy badassery.
Then Suki called my dad over to help her tie the airship down, and my dad reluctantly let me go. They each grabbed the ropes they had slid down on and pulled them taut in an effort to bring the ship to a gentle landing. Then they tied to ropes to some nearby buildings. And a cavalcade of people piled out of the Airship.
Aang came out first, while the ship was still quite high and before it was secured. He used his bending to cushion his landing and then practically hurled himself at me. He wrapped his arms around me, like we were the best of friends and he hadn't disappeared when I needed him the most. I felt a myriad of different emotions, but the one that I acted on was affection and relief. I could scold him to the Western Air Temple and back later (and believe me a giant scolding was definitely coming Aang's way). I hugged him back, and watched Toph and Sokka's progress.
Toph was, bless her cottons socks, trying to assist Sokka in navigating the small stairs he had to climb down with his huge cast. She earthbendered a little ramp for him and for Teo as well, I guess. Sokka hopped down and leaned on her and they made slow hopping progress over to us. Suki went over to help and with her at one arm and Toph at the other, Sokka made his way over to us.
There was much joyous hugging between everyone. Aang relinquished me and let me hug Sokka. After Sokka hugged me tightly, there was a rather awkward hug between Zuko and Sokka. It was awkward because of Sokka's ridiculously huge cast and his tendency to lean on people and the fact that Zuko wasn't quite prepared for this tendency. They nearly fell over, which would have struck me as funny at a different time. I hugged Suki tightly and thanked her for bringing everyone back to me. Reading between the lines of the letters she and Sokka sent, it sounds like Sokka and Toph were in a pretty tight spot until Suki did her stealthy badass thing. She hugged me back and muttered remember she's had a big fright to me in my ear and then gently pushed Toph forward.
Toph, who is normally a bit standoffish when it comes to being affectionate, put her two arms around me and gave me a really fierce hug that went on for a little while. She even said she missed me, which is an unprecedented level of affection from Toph. Then she tried to do the same to Zuko, but he is a lot taller than her and less easy to envelop in a snuggly Toph hug. Instead of a hug, Zuko got a headbutt in the chest (as Toph's head is lightning injury height this was bad). Zuko swore and grimaced in pain. Toph apologized. I scolded. Toph took the opportunity say, wow you really did get hit by lightning to Zuko. Zuko confirmed her statement. She grinned cheekily and said you look like hell. It took him an extra few beats to get the joke and then he gave a small chuckle and messed up her hair in an affectionate manner and she gave him a light punch in the arm, and it was very sweet.
Aang was a bit nervous about Zuko and was twirling his hands together. He greeted Zuko in an apprehensive manner and asked worriedly so how mad are you at me, on a scale of one to ten? Zuko was confused by this question. Aang said he was expecting Zuko to be really cross at him and probably give him a lecture on being responsible and probably have a shout at him and stuff. Zuko said he wasn't mad, still with a great deal of confusion. Aang smiled widely with relief and tried to hug Zuko, but he's not much taller than Toph and made the same mistake she did. He headbutted Zuko square in the chest in his enthusiasm for the hug. So naturally more pained swearing and scolding ensued.
Chit Sang and Haru and Teo and the Duke had since climbed out of the airship and we all exchanged greetings. The Duke had missed Zuko and wrapped himself around Zuko's leg while Zuko hopped awkwardly trying to extricate himself from the Duke's small but over affectionate-self. Zuko was actually looking pretty tired from the overload of affection and greetings and hugs from everyone. He'll never say when he's feeling too tired, but I can tell. Seeing him looking so drained just makes me want to sit him in a comfy chair and feed him cookies and tea and just look after him.
I declared that we were heading back to the house now, in a loud and bossy voice and everyone complied. We turned around to go back to the house and were greeted by a most worrying sight. My dad and Iroh, deep in (what was presumably) a hilarious conversation. Apparently Iroh had come into the boulevard a few minutes after Zuko and I did. He saw my dad and introduced himself. They have very rapidly, from the looks of the way they were slapping each other on the back, become the best of friends. I was sure this would not bode well for Zuko and me. At that point, they both looked up and right at us for a second and then Iroh said something and my dad threw his head back and laughed like he had been told the funniest joke ever. Definitely not good. Zuko asked worriedly what I thought they were talking about. I hope it's not us, that's all I can say.
Toph ran over to Iroh to say hello and he appeared absolutely delighted to see her. He said it was wonderful to see his favourite earthbender looking so radiant. She said it was nice to hear her favourite…old dude say so and they hugged. Iroh said hello to everybody else, and introduced himself to the people he hadn't met before, rather genially. Chit Sang appeared a bit overwhelmed and dropped into a full bow when Iroh introduced himself, but Iroh gave him a friendly pat and said all that formality wasn't necessary.
While this was going on, my dad tried to make- oh spirits- friendly small talk with Zuko. My dad -in true awkward dad form- came over to awkwardly say hi to Zuko. He looked torn between bowing and hugging and in the end he settled for giving Zuko a friendly pat on the shoulder and saying it's good to see you again. Zuko was equally awkward in response and tried to bow and called my dad 'sir' a lot. And then they awkward-ed at each other like giant dorks.
But I wouldn't have expected any less from either of them.
-?-
Iroh and my dad had decided that everyone should get settled back at the house, before we attend to the problem of Ozai. Everyone was exhausted from travelling and Ozai would keep. Iroh had the girls make up the extra rooms for everybody. He had also had three other royal residences –a little further down the street - made ready for the influx of both Kyoshi and Watertribe warriors and miscellaneous earthbenders. Iroh thought it would be better if the fine Koyshi ladies had their own space. This was actually not for their modesty, but for the everyone else's safety.
In his correspondence with the Iron Cove warden, he had found out that the men of my tribe often say umm…rather sexist things. This had not gone down well with the Kyoshi warriors. There have been many shenanigans and fights during the joint exercise periods. The guards had let the fights continue because they found them entertaining…they started betting on them actually. Typically a watertribe warrior would cast aspersions on a Kyoshi Warrior's ability to fight. And would promptly have his arse kicked by the girl in question, most of the time. Not all the time. A few times, some of the scrappier warriors would come out on top. But mostly the Kyoshi warriors kicked arse. There was much teasing and cries of ha ha you go your arse kicked by a girl amongst the menfolk of my tribe. Of course saying "you got your arse kicked by a girl" - like being a girl was a derogatory thing- in inevitably led to more arse kicking. Suki nodded in pride and said that's my girls under her breath.
My Dad and Suki would stay with their warriors, ostensibly. Even though the other houses are only a stone's throw away, I already know that they are both going to be spending most of their time at Zuko's villa with us anyway (because that is where most of us will be staying). None of us really want to be separated now that we are together again after all. But both My Dad and Suki also want to spend time with their warriors, and need to provide some leadership for them.
After everyone was settled, Iroh would call for the guards and a prison transport secure enough for Ozai, and then he, my dad, Suki and the delightful Miss Bei Fong would go and let Ozai out. Toph inched imperceptibly closer to me. I was still mad at her, but I felt a flash of concern. She asked if she was expected to escort him to the prison as well, but Iroh told her that would not be necessary. Hakoda had told him of her remarkable talent in metalbending and how she had metal bended the shackles in the cargo hold. He just needed her to undo those and then she would be free to go. Toph nodded.
Aang wanted to go along too, because he felt it was his Avatar duty. My Dad and Iroh exchanged a glance. Iroh started to say gently that he didn't think prison was a good place for a kid, but one look at Aang's earnest, sincere and determined face stopped him and he acquiesced.
-?-
Back at the villa there was much chaos and unpacking and running to and fro and demands for snacks. Some people (Toph, Sokka and Chit Sang) were starving and were rather vocal about this. Lenka laid out a spread in the kitchen and people came and went and picked at it while they passed or they had tea and delicately nibbled at it while chatting or they sat down and ate vast and inadvisable quantity of fireflakes. Dad and Iroh, when dad came back from inspecting the house Iroh had set up for him and his warriors, chose the tea drinking and chat option while they ironed out some details about this afternoon.
Because of the limited rooms, people would have to share until other arrangements could be made. Toph would be in my room (I was planning on giving her a sound scolding as soon as we were alone) and the girls had set up a second bed in there. Sokka was sharing with Haru and Teo and the Duke had to bunk in together. At least for tonight, tomorrow they would have the option of staying with their fathers in the other villas. Chit Sang was given his own room (because he is the size of six people put together and sharing would be hard) and so was Aang, (because he was the Avatar). Sokka cajoled and pleaded and bribed and now he and Aang have swapped rooms, so really he has Aang's room all to himself. I am just guessing here, but I think Suki will be a frequent visitor to Sokka's newly acquired solo room. She was most pleased to discover Sokka had wangled it.
Both Suki and My Dad have rooms at the Kyoshi house and the Water tribe house and have come back reporting very favorably on the set up. My Dad and Suki both think they will have to stay for a little while to ensure everybody's health and make arrangements for transport. Two of the Kyoshi girls are apparently sick with summer fever, according to a friend Iroh has at the prison. (Does he have friends everywhere?) and will not be fit for travelling the long distance back to Kyoshi just yet.
Iroh says that we can all stay for as long as we want. He explained that long ago, each of the nations had embassies in the Caldera. As we were at the start of a new era of peace, we would need to have more inter-nation co-operation, so it made sense to Iroh that the houses could become the new embassies. All these houses come from a time when the royal family was much larger than it is now and there was need for many separate residences. Now there are only 4 members of the royal family (and two of them are arguably criminally insane and should be kept locked up for a long period of time and will most likely not be needing a villa in the foreseeable future). If the houses were not serving as accommodation for us, then they would be just sitting vacant. And that struck Iroh as a waste.
I'm actually glad that we can all stay together here for as long as we want. When Iroh mentioned that two of the girls were not well enough to travel back to Kyoshi if Suki wanted to go back immediately, I was a bit taken aback. I actually thought why would she need to travel back to Kyoshi? I had always just assumed that Suki would stay with us now. I don't like the thought of her leaving us. I don't like the thought of us splitting up at all. If she went back to Kyoshi – what would Sokka do?
And what about us? Sokka and Dad and Me? Dad talked about arranging transport back to the South Pole when he was chatting with Iroh in the kitchen. I felt a thrill of horror, which surprised me. The South Pole is my home, so I should want to go back there, right? But… Oh I don't know. So much has changed and so much has happened and I don't know how I feel about going back there. I don't know if it will be home anymore. It certainly won't be home without everyone else. I can't bear the thought of saying goodbye to everyone again, especially now that we are all together again. There is one very frustrating, but wonderful person in particular, who I couldn't leave behind. But he is the one person I would not be able to take with me to the South Pole. So if I went back to the South Pole, we'd have to say goodbye. But thankfully I won't have to think about that for a while to come. Dad wants to stay here for peace negotiations and to work out a treaty and that will take a little while at least.
-?-
Iroh and my Dad were getting ready to go. I fussed over Sokka's leg and tried to heal it, while he ate a vast and inadvisable quantity of fireflakes. I couldn't fix it. He teased me a bit, but then he said it was okay and he had gotten used to hopping about the place. I felt like I had failed him terribly. Even after I had read that book, I still wasn't sure what to do. I could ease the pain, but I couldn't even begin to fix it. I said that I'd ask Dr Yang to take a look at it next time she came. Dr Yang might be able to do something for this break. Sokka nodded and hopped after me while I went to fuss over Zuko.
Suki, Aang and Toph were all in his room, all talking over each other trying to tell him what had been happening with them. Aang mentioned turtles a great deal and Zuko looked very confused. I kicked them all out and told them that I thought Iroh would be ready to go soon, so they had all better be ready and Zuko was tired. Zuko said he was fine. I made a face both at him and at the others. The others left, except for Sokka. Sokka thought this kicking out did not apply to him, because he wasn't going to the prison and was also injured (but it kinda did).
Sokka and Zuko have …missed each other (in a manly way, apparently). It is actually quite sweet. And both of them protested that Sokka should be allowed to stay because they wanted to gossip…eerrr I mean have a manly chat about manly things. Sokka is an indefatigable gossip, but he never thanks me for pointing this out. I relented. I wanted to fuss over him and Zuko at the same time and it was much easier when they were together. I made Zuko drink his vile concoction. However, when my back was turned, he double dared Sokka to drink it (for manliness!). Sokka complied.
Idiot.
Serves Sokka right that the concoction is the most disgusting tasting thing in the history of forever. He gasped and made a face and held the vial aloft and said this is the nastiest thing I've ever put in my mouth and I've licked cave walls. It's really bad. Zuko agreed and said I'd been forcing him to drink it four times a day. Sokka gave him a look of deepest sympathy. I gave Zuko a rant about the many medicinal benefits of his vile concoction. And then I huffed off to make another one.
When I was in the kitchen, Toph came up and startled me. She wanted to talk to me. I could hazard a guess what this was about. So I told her that I was cross at her for her little stunt in telling my dad about me and Zuko's imaginary steamy affair. Toph shook her head and said it wasn't about that. I said that either way, I was still plenty cross at her and she was going to get a big angry rant about the horribleness of telling my dad such things. I launched into my speech at that point, because it seemed as good a point as any. How could Toph do such a thing to me blah blah blah, Toph's assumptions were baseless etc. Toph scoffed and muttered baseless under her breath in a disbelieving fashion. Then she said that I was obviously arse-backwards crushing on him and she was just trying to help things along a little bit. I got a bit flustered, but told her that I would not dignify her comments with a response, and tried to maintain my composure. I couldn't lie and say I didn't fancy him, because Toph can tell when I am lying. But I was not going to encourage this new and worrisome meddling behaviour.
I tried to launch into my speech again, but Toph got huffy with me and said that she hadn't come for a lecture. I asked what she had come for then and she got most irate and told me I should just forget it. Something in the way she said that bothered me. Toph had that tone she uses when she really wants to ask for help, but is too stubborn to actually say it. I still asked her what she had come for anyway.
Toph said that she was just going to ask if I wanted to come with her when she had to release Ozai, because I was such a fussy britches and surely I would love to get cross and have a rant at him. I said I'd pass. Look, everybody thinks I'm this person who just loves to give bossy rants, but I'm not, like, rant obsessed or anything. I only like to give bossy rants when the person might listen to me. I could rant at Ozai about what a terrible person I think he is, but I don't think it would make much difference. It would be a waste of my time really. Also I would much prefer to spend time with Zuko instead (however I didn't say this reason, because Toph is already getting Ideas and sharing these Ideas). Toph looked disappointed and I realized that this was the closest Toph would ever come to admitting she wanted me to come with her. She was scared of Ozai.
Because I am a giant sap and an idiot and I hate the thought of Toph being scared of anything, I agreed to go with her.
I finished making the vile concoction and went in and made Zuko drink it. I reminded him of our deal earlier and how he was honor bound to drink it and not make a fuss today. He made a face at me but I had him there. Hardly har har! Go me! He complied. I explained what was happening to Sokka and Zuko. Well I told them that I was going with Toph and I would be back very soon and there was, under no circumstances, to be any: funny business, shenanigans, sparring or excessive fireflake eating in my absence. They agreed. Before I knew it, I was following Toph out to join the others on the prison transport.
-?-
We trouped back along to where the airship was in a big group. In the boulevard was one of those big Komodo Rhinos attached to a very secure looking cart that was flanked by several guards. They all saluted Iroh as he came up to them. I recognized Kal and waved at him and he waved back (subtly – because he was meant to be paying attention to what Iroh was saying). I had never seen a komodo rhino without all the armor before. They seem so domestic and ordinary attached to carts.
Chit Sang had come with us, (in case Ozai gave Tiny any trouble) as well as several guards and my dad. We trouped into the airship and went through several doors, all of which Toph had metal bended together. She took her time metal bending the last door open. When it finally popped open, I was hit by a terrible smell. Just a week's worth of eurgh. There was a figure metal bended into the side of the wall and he turned his head with the sound of us all coming in.
He was dirty and unkempt and had long hair that was also dirty and unkempt. He looked up and I saw his face for the first time. I hadn't expected him to look so ordinary actually. He looked a little like Zuko, on the one side of his face…but also not at all like him. I like Zuko's face, scars and all. But Ozai's face is a mean and horrid face, despite it being unblemished, because his mouth was twisted into a cruel sneer and his eyes were icy cold and appraising.
He said well if it isn't the scared little girl again to Toph and her back went rigid. His eyes roved over ChitSang, ah and you brought the idiot as well. Chitsang clenched his fists next to me. Ozai looked right at me then and said oh and you've also brought a friend. He looked me up and down in a way that made my skin crawl. An exotic looking friend at that he said, somewhat lecherously. Oh eww. My dad stepped in front of me and said a few choice words and Ozai scoffed at him and said something exceptionally distasteful back. He quickly ascertained that dad was my dad and said something about my Dad's skills as a father and how he hadn't been able to protect Sokka from getting his leg broken and he sure wouldn't be able to protect me from…at that point my dad cut him off and got right up in his face and grabbed him by the neck and told him to shut up in a low and dangerous voice. I have never seen my Dad that angry before. Ozai laughed in his face and said make me. Or will the weak avatar have something to say about that if you try.
My Dad made a frustrated noise and asked Toph to come over and metalbend Ozai out – the sooner she did that, the sooner he could be transferred to prison and the sooner we could leave. Toph seemed frozen in place and inched closer to me. Ozai also found this amusing. In an eerie mirror of what her father said that night that she ran away with us, Ozai called her tiny and blind and pathetic. For once, Toph didn't say anything sassy back.
I had officially had it.
It was unnerving how he seemed to know what everyone's buttons were and how to push them. He had made my dad lose his composure and Toph look scared. Both of these things were such rare events that it frightened me to see them happening together. I wanted to shake them out of the weird effect Ozai seemed to have on them. I stood in front of them and clapped my hands a few times to get their attention. Then I gave a small speech about how he was just trying to upset everyone. The best thing we could do would be to just ignore him. Ignore him and he didn't have any power.
Ozai said something exceptionally rude to me after my small speech. He compared me to a…oh! … I won't even write it here, it was that terrible. I just snapped. I don't even care if it upsets Aang. I didn't care that he was tied up and couldn't bend and it isn't honorable to strike someone who can't defend themselves. Ozai got such a slap. Nobody calls me …that… and gets away with it. Then I kicked him in the gonads for good measure. It was oddly satisfying, the way he crumpled up. My Dad and Chit Sang both cringed unconsciously when I did that.
The sudden violence seemed to shake Toph out of her weird moment and she cheered me on and then came up beside me. I put a hand encouragingly on her shoulder as she moved to touch the side of the ship. Ozai fell forward and tried to clutch his ..err family jewels, but Chit Sang came and hefted him up like a sack of potatoes as soon as the metal came off. He nodded at Toph and said good job Tiny, in an affectionate voice and hauled Ozai out of the airship.
-?-
Ozai didn't go with dignity. He made a lot of noise and was very threatening and insulting of Chit Sang and he was carried unceremoniously out. Just you wait, you big oaf! I will make you regret the day you were born. I will make you suffer! etc Toph, dad and I were bringing up the rear. Dad was said some very encouraging things to Toph as we walked back out to join the others. Aang had wanted to talk to Iroh, and Suki hadn't wanted to come in (now I have a better understanding as to why) and so all three of them were out there waiting for us, with the guards.
Aang was talking in an enthusiastic tone of voice to Iroh (I distinctly heard him say the word lionturtle as we came out of the airship and felt a rush of irritation towards him). Iroh was listening with a kindly expression on his face. When we came out of the ship, they both looked up and their conversation abruptly stopped. Ozai made a terrible hissing noise when we emerged into the sunlight that alerted them to our presence. Chit Sang wandered over to Iroh and dropped Ozai unceremoniously at Iroh's feet. The guards rushed over to clap some manacles on him and Ozai shouted his various vague threats at them too. Toph muttered next to me I really hate that guy.
Then Iroh spoke in a voice that was similar to the one that he used on Zhao, all the way back at the spirit oasis, when he said he'd unleash on him tenfold whatever he did to the moon spirit. I am so used to seeing Iroh as this kindly old figure, that it was a bit jarring to hear him shout behave yourself Ozai! with such force and power.
There was a tense little moment which was broken by Ozai spitting at Iroh. The guards recoiled, but Iroh smiled, almost serenely, as if he expected no better. He started reciting in a calm voice what was going to happen. He explained that Ozai would be transported to Iron Cove prison, where he would be allowed to live out his natural life under constant supervision.
Confusion flickered across Ozai's face and he asked why are you doing this? Iroh mused that he was perhaps just wishing to show Ozai the same consideration that Ozai had always shown him. Ozai disagreed and looked at Iroh like he was a puzzle to figure out. He asked did the boy put you up to this? He spat 'the boy' out like it was a dirty word. Iroh stiffened and said No simply. Ozai wanted to know where Zuko was. He looked around and said where is that weak, useless, stupid brat of mine anyway? Is he too scared to come and face me? I bristled and fought back the urge to slap Ozai again. I hated the way he talked about Zuko. Iroh gave Ozai a withering look, but ignored his comments (he could do the "ignoring Ozai" thing really well).
Then Iroh said, as if he was explaining something to a very young and particularly stupid child The Avatar was destined to restore balance to the world, somehow, even though I cannot begin to understand how, letting you live is part of that balance. A hint of steel had crept into his voice. This did not phase Ozai. In fact he seemed to find Iroh's statement somewhat amusing. He asked if Iroh was going to make taking orders from children a habit?
Then his voice rapidly changed and all amusement dropped out of it and he said Letting me live is ridiculous and you know it. You never let the disposed leader live. I can make things especially difficult for you. Iroh appeared nonplussed but this and said he imagined Ozai would. Ozai had always enjoyed being difficult. Ozai still appeared fixated on why we were letting him live. He started rambling off theories, because he was sure that Iroh had some bigger game afoot. He eventually settled on the fact that he was sure that Iroh was doing it too look magnanimous to the people. You always liked people to think you were the good one. When really you are just too cowardly to do what needs to be done, just like that weakling avatar. People who think they are good are always weak!
This appeared to be the final straw for Aang, who had been squirming with discomfort next to Iroh for the duration of this interview. He interjected, a little outraged you're not supposed to be like this! to Ozai. He said it loudly and with a fair bit of anger. He walked right up in front of Ozai and poked him in the chest and said I've shown you mercy, you're supposed to see the error of your ways and want to be a better person in the future. At this Ozai rolled his head back and laughed like Aang had just told him the funniest joke. He laughed for some time and would occasionally interject The error of my ways! And chuckle again with renewed mirth. Aang got unnerved and took a step back. Eventually Ozai's laughter died down and he looked Aang straight in the face and said in deliberate tone I regret nothing!
He started launching into a lengthy monologue. I would do it all again, but this time hotter and longer and more painful, etc. Just you all wait, I will make you all pay for this blah blah blah I am the all powerful Phoenix King and I will have my revenge yadda yadda yadda. Next to me my Dad sighed very audibly and rolled his eyes and said not this again. Next to him, Chit Sang said I know, he does go on a bit with a bored tone. But it was Toph who had the most practical solution. She had grabbed just a regular old rock from somewhere. It wasn't even a special rock. She didn't even bend it or anything, she just walked quietly up behind Ozai, between the guards who held him a kneeling position. He evil-monologued away. She snuck up and bopped him over the head with her rock, knocking him out in one swift blow. Ozai made a noise like oofff and collapsed face first. Toph looked up, as if she was already anticipating a certain someone's reaction and said with some resignation; sorry Aang, but even you must understand a little bit as she turned and stomped back towards the house. Judging from Aang's lack of arguments against Toph's actions, I think he did understand her point.
-?-
The guards shoved Ozai into the prison transport after that, and Iroh, Dad and Suki and Aang went off to the prison all together. Me, Toph and Chit Sang walked back to the house (we caught up to her pretty easily). Chit Sang was praising Toph and said he should have thought of a rock too. Toph just shrugged and said there was only so many evil monologues she could listen to before the overwhelming desire to smash something came upon her. She did it for the common good. Chit Sang said that the Avatar wouldn't be too mad at her, because he was trying to get back in her good books and also because even he knew he was being a bit ridiculous.
Toph said she didn't think Aang knew that at all and expressed a great deal of frustration about how impossible he was being lately. Chit Sang shrugged and said nah, baldy knows he made the wrong call, but you all harped on about it and he wants to prove you all wrong - so he can't back down now. He's just being stubborn. But even he's doubting his decision. You can tell just by looking at 'im. Me and Toph both looked at him in astonishment. It was the longest and most detailed and most sensible thing I have ever heard Chit Sang say. It was almost passably intelligent. One could almost be mistaken for thinking he had spent some time observing those around him. It was weird. Chit Sang got unnerved by our staring and shoved his hands in his pockets and kicked the stones and said 's just obvious a little petulantly. Then he announced that he was going to go explore the Caldera because he had never seen inside it before and took his leave of us. Toph said he was probably going to engaging in some light pilfering, but I didn't have the heart or the energy to call after him and stop him.
When he had gone I asked Toph about her and Aang's fight. Suki and Chit Sang had only alluded to it, but what had happened? She seemed rather cross at Aang. Toph launched into a rant that he had just been driving her crazy. With the fan girls and the Ozai is a person too and just …everything. She talked rapidly and with no small amount of frustration. I couldn't quite get the full picture. But I do know that it started after Aang came back.
Apparently Aang came back and never properly explained how or why he had just up and left them and Toph wasn't okay with that. She told him so bluntly. Then he had followed her around for ages. He never apologized, but just kept trying to justify it and talking about lion turtles. Toph did not care for lion turtles and is of a similar opinion to myself with regards to this excuse. Lionturtles are extinct after all. Toph honestly never wants to hear the word lion turtle again.
As if that wasn't bad enough, after 'the incident' (I get the feeling that this incident is not as fun as Iroh's incident with the nuns) he still would not admit he was wrong. I asked what the incident was, but Toph didn't want to talk about that. She was most forceful about this. Instead she went back to her rant. The point of the incident was that afterwards, Aang frequently gave speeches about how everybody had to treat Ozai with dignity, otherwise we'd be no better than him etc, and would lay the guilt trip on really thick. But Aang didn't have to do any of the guarding responsibility, so it was all very well and good for him to say these things- but there was no follow through. There was no consequence or inconvenience for Aang.
When Toph had bluntly pointed this out to him, he went off and played with his fangirls, rather than dealing with it. The fangirls worshipped him and never told him when he was wrong like Toph did, and for a while it seemed like he preferred them to her. When he got tired of the fan girls (after a while) he tried to apologize to Toph, but it was too late and she was pissed off.
Toph was waiting for a sincere and genuine apology from Aang, but he seemed to think he wasn't in the wrong and she was being unreasonable. He kept apologizing, back at the town, but he always had the fangirls in tow and Toph could tell that he didn't really mean it.
I listened sympathetically and made all the right noises. I told her that I was going to give Aang a really good scolding when I next saw him and if she wanted I could tell him to apologize to her. Toph was fine. She wanted Aang to apologize on his own, not because I told him too. An apology wasn't worth much to Toph, if someone had to be told to do it.
-?-
When we got back to the house, Haru wanted to metal bend with Toph again and he had been practicing something she had shown him in the airship, which he demonstrated for her. He wanted to perfect it, so he could show his dad when his dad arrived this afternoon. Toph agreed to take some time to teach him, with feigned reluctance (which she made a big deal of). However, I could tell she was secretly pleased.
Zuko and Sokka were sitting outside on the veranda, in big comfy chairs, with their feet up on a low table. They were drinking coconut water and watching Teo and the Duke. Teo and the Duke were showing off their swordy knowledge in the garden. The Duke had kept the swords Sokka had carved for him and had frequently cajoled Teo into being his sparring partner, during their time with my dad. Teo is now the only wheelchair bound swordsman (swordschild?) I have ever seen. They had a sword each and Teo would parry and block while the Duke ran around him enthusiastically. The Duke would frequently cry out, when he thought he had done something most impressive did you see me Zuko, did you see? Zuko would nod and raise his coconut and say something encouraging. By sheer force of will, he kept all his constructive criticism from the Duke, but he would frequently say some variation on he did the bending bamboo all wrong, we'll have to work on that with him to Sokka. Sokka would nod sagely.
I pulled up a chair of my own and sat with them. I tried to steer conversation away from swordy matters and into something that I actually wanted to talk about; The incident. Toph had mentioned it, but wouldn't talk about it at all. I didn't want to pester her about it. I had assumed I could ask Sokka, being the indefatigable gossip that he is. He seemed to know what I was referring too, straight away. He shifted uncomfortably and looked apologetically at Zuko and told us about Toph's big fright.
The story came out, reluctantly. Sokka felt bad, because he had underestimated Ozai, and that was what started the problem. Zuko gritted his teeth and asked what did he do? in a low and serious voice. Sokka hesitated then said he grabbed Toph reluctantly. Apparently, after Aang had beaten him and 'sucked his bending out' - Sokka wasn't sure what had happened actually, he just knew that the cliff the two of them were standing on started glowing like crazy- Suki had landed the airship as close to Aang as she could.
Aang had told them all about his victory and lionturtles and stuff and Ozai had seemed really out of it. He couldn't stand properly and he was drooling and stuff. Sokka and Suki had assumed that he wasn't a threat. Everyone taunted him for a bit, before Suki said that they should probably go, before the airship fell apart, because the Airship was their only way off this rock. Ozai was still just lying there and pretending he couldn't get up.
Suki and Toph had to drag him into the ship. Sokka had a broken leg and Aang was just exhausted after the fight. Because the airship had so much damage done to it, there was lots of broken glass around the place. No one noticed, but Ozai must have picked up a large shard from somewhere, and as soon as he was in the airship, he moved. Quicker than a polar dog, he grabbed Toph around the neck. Probably because she was the nearest and the smallest. He lifted her up so her feet weren't touching the ground and he held the glass shard to her throat and made lots of different demands. He said he'd kill her, if they didn't give him what he wanted. Because Toph can tell when someone is lying, she knew that he was deadly serious. She kept squirming and trying to bend the metal in the ship, but it was so hard with her feet off the ground. And the whole thing had been quite frightening for her.
Aang tried to talk peacefully and reasonably, to little avail. Sokka and Suki hadn't wanted to attack at first, because Ozai was holding the glass right on Toph's throat and they didn't want to risk it in case he cut her. Eventually, the whole thing got sorted by dumb luck and Toph's pluckiness. Toph, in her frantic squirming, jabbed Ozai in the eye really hard and he dropped her. As soon as her feet hit the metal, she slammed him into a wall with her bending and that was that. But she had been, in essence, held hostage for a fair while and she was really shaken by it, though she tried to hide it.
Suki had fussed over Toph. Sokka was furious and had wanted to 'finish the job' right there and then, but Aang hadn't allowed him too. Zuko also wanted to 'finish the job' as soon as Sokka told him this story and he leapt up with great speed and announced that he was going to kill that bastard with no small amount of anger. Unfortunately the sudden moment aggravated his lightning wound and he clutched at his chest in pain and sat back down hard. Sokka commiserated with him. But said easy there buddy, Aang has views on any of us harming Ozai because "he's still a human being". He said "still a human being" with some bitterness, because I imagine this is a conversation he and Aang had before.
Sokka had been all for turning Ozai over to the local village authorities when they landed. The local village authorities made it very clear that they wanted retribution for having so much of their farmland burnt to a crisp. Aang, because he'd made such a big deal about letting Ozai live and treating him with dignity, felt a bit backed into a corner and got ridiculously stubborn about the whole thing. If he let the villages have him, it would be like admitting he was wrong and Aang will not do that under any circumstances. According to Aang, if they let Ozai be killed, now that he was defenceless, it really would be murder and Aang wasn't having that. Also Aang was the Avatar, so there. His Dad, the town Mayor and Sokka had all been over-ruled. So rather than letting Ozai get a taste of good, old fashioned earth kingdom justice – they had brought him back to the firenation for Zuko and Iroh to deal with. Zuko said thanks so much for that with some sarcasm.
-?-
Zuko got that look on his face, the one he has when he's a bit beside himself, but is trying really hard not to show it. He excused himself and after a few moments I followed him. I found him sitting on the window sill in his room, in classic broody mopey pose. He looked up when I entered and scooted aside for me. I sat next to him and gave him a look. But I didn't say anything. We have done this enough times for Zuko to know how this works. He mopes, I go after him and cajole, tickle, tease, truthbend or bribe him with fireflakes, and eventually he tells me what's bothering him. But we've started skipping those middle steps lately. He just tells me things now.
Eventually he said that he was just so ashamed of his Dad. He felt it reflected poorly on him, to have such a man as his father. I told him that no one was thinking any less of him. Because really no one is. He said You want to know something pathetic and stupid. I always did where Zuko was concerned. Zuko said that he had actually thought that all dads were like that. That it was normal for dads to treat their kids the way his dad treated him and Azula. It was easier to tell himself that, than to admit to himself that there was a problem with Ozai.
Oh Zuko.
I remember something from back when he first tried to join us, in the Western Air Temple, and I was most upset and irate at him. I'd made a very sarcastic comment about how we could give him a not-as-much-of-a-jerk-as-you-could-have-been-award. But really, I wish now that such a reward, or something similar existed, because Zuko really deserves one. Now that I have met Ozai and seen how just despicable he is first hand, I can't imagine how horrible it would have been to have him as a father. Zuko's always been quite private about this sort of thing, and now he felt a bit embarrassed, because his Dad and all his abusive crazy was unveiled to everyone. I didn't know how to make things better for him. I couldn't make his dad less horrible. But I could sit with him and listen to him and hug him. I hope that's enough.
-?-
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La rambles.
Lovely readers!
You have reached the end of the problem with Ozai. Thank you and congratulations! Giant and enormous thanks to every lovely reader who takes the time to leave a review! Reviews make me smile and you and fabulous and wonderful for letting me know your thoughts on this wacky fic. So this chapter is less romantic and more plot-hole filling. Because there were a few that needed filling, as far as I'm concerned.
I vaguely mentioned Iroh's spirit world journey. I don't think he and Zuko every talked about it explicitly, but Zuko is aware that it happened and when it happened. I have many ideas about Iroh's spirit world journey, which will probably become a one-shot because they didn't quite fit with this chapter. Originally they were in here, as well as a much more expanded scene between Iroh and Ozai, and Iroh and Hakoda -but all of that got the chop. I was a bit late with this chapter because I ended up re-writing it a whole bunch. But anyway, if people are interested in reading this tangent, I can try and one-shot it up.
Katara can't fix Sokka's leg, and wants Dr Yang to have a look at it. She will think more about her inability to heal it, or even to know much about how to begin to heal it in the coming chapters.
I also wanted to address how Iroh and Zuko feel about Ozai returning, still alive and just without his bending. I think Iroh will go along with Aang because his belief in the avatar/spirits/balance would be stronger than his dislike of his brother. However it does seem anti-climatic to him, that after everything, Ozai gets a rather light punishment. I know some of you were keen for a big confrontation between Zuko and Ozai in this chapter, but in my opinion it wasn't the place for it. They have already had their big confrontation, where Zuko got a chance to tell his father exactly what he thought of him. I actually don't think Zuko was ever expecting to see his dad alive again. He knows that his dad knows how to push his buttons/exploit weaknesses and he doesn't want to see him when he has lightning brain and is feeling a bit weak himself. He will see him again and there will be another confrontation, but not for a few more chapters.
I think Zuko wouldn't know how to feel about Ozai. He is feeling extremely ashamed and embarrassed by him at the moment, but for the first two seasons Zuko longed for nothing more than Ozai's love and approval. Of course now, Zuko recognises how horrible his dad is, but Ozai is still his father. I think prior to the battle, Zuko (being a pragmatist) would have reconciled himself to the thought that his dad needed to be killed, because this would be the wisest and safest choice for the gang. He would be into the wisest and safest choice for the gang, as a general rule. But Ozai does know what happened to his mother and it would have been hard for Zuko to reconcile himself to the thought that if Ozai dies, with him dies Zuko's chance of knowing what happened. He wouldn't have said anything because Aang was already confused enough about his duty and Zuko wouldn't have wanted to muddy the waters further with such a personal reason for wanting Ozai alive. However, now that Ozai is alive, Zuko is trying to see the upside of what is a bit of crappy situation for him and his uncle.
So normally in countries that have a monsoon season, it takes up half the year and occurs over summer and the surrounding months. The firenation is quite tropical and on the equator and I hypothesize that it would have a monsoon season. However it is obviously not monsoon time in season three, which takes place over summer. So the monsoon season has moved to late autumn. Like Australia and most tropical countries, the firenation does not have many deciduous trees. Most of the plants will be evergreen. However there are a few elms etc in the long shots of the villa in Zuko alone. So there will be a few trees that change colour. Anyway, those of you who read the crooked thing know what I think happens in monsoon season. *wink*
So in this chapter, everybody is reunited. Iroh and Hakoda meet, and quickly develop a rapport and mutual understanding. They will go about the pressing task of embarrassing their kids in the coming chapters. Katara is happy to see Aang in this chapter, of course she is. He is like a younger brother to her. However she is also feeling a great deal of anger at him, which will come out next chapter. Aang actually is expecting a shout from Zuko in this chapter (as Zuko is the angry disciplinarian of the group), but in a freaky role reversal that I just realised – Zuko is trying to be the optimist here and Katara will be the angry disciplinarian. It always bothered me that we never saw any of the gang's reaction to Aang's abandonment of them, because I don't think that everybody would 'be cool' with it. Aang will try to justify rather than apologise/admit fault.
Aang not being able to admit fault and/or needing everyone to think he was right and agree with him is part of what is driving Toph's grumpiness at him. But Aang needs everyone to be on his side and doesn't take disagreement well, especially when he thinks he is in the right. Also Aang is very defensive of his image and his actions. Just think of how he was in the Avatar day episode. He was very image-conscious and hated the idea that people thought Kyoshi/the avatar and him (by extension) was capable of murder.
I actually think that even Aang, upon being faced with the actual reality of Ozai, would begin to question whether he made the right choice. He would (though he would never admit this) think that it might have been better to finish him off. Now Ozai had no bending and has in essence "lost" - it would be cold blooded murder (in Aang's POV) to kill him now, or even allow him to be killed by someone else. Because he stuck to his guns so firmly before the battle and alienated all of his friends over this one principle, he is not going to back down now. However "the incident" would have scared the crap out of him and he would have wanted to hurt Ozai too, after Ozai tried to hurt Toph. However, he wouldn't have given into these darker urges, and would have stuck by his principles.
Also, I think that Hakoda would have excused Aang and Toph from Ozai guarding duty, considering their age and Sokka considering his injury. So he will find Aang's Ozai is a person too speeches annoying. Aang does not have to deal with the reality of Ozai everyday after all. However, Aang is still very disappointed in the reality of Ozai. I think Aang, bless his cotton socks, tries to believe there is good in everyone, and he has just met the exception to that rule and it is undermining one of his core beliefs. Being around Ozai makes Aang very uncomfortable, but Aang will still defend his right to life to anyone who will listen.
While I think Ozai is a very bad guy, I actually think Aang's compassion for him and a respect for his right to life is a very important part of Aang's character and will be an important aspect of the new peace. I know I have given Aang a hard time previously about forgiveness. But only an Avatar like Aang – who believes in the good in everybody, in second chances and forgiveness – would stand a chance at stopping further retribution against the fire nation. Aang truly does not want to see anyone hurt or killed, no matter where they are from. That will be important because I do not think everybody is going to be as willing to embrace the peace as the Gaang is. Ever since his return Aang has been a symbol of hope and peace in the water tribes and the earth kingdom. He would have some sway over people. I think Aang's attitude and influence will be vital in stopping the rest of the world from trying to get revenge on the firenation/prolonging the conflict.
I think that Toph would want Katara to go with her, when she has to see Ozai again. Katara is like a mother figure/big sister to Toph. Toph will never ever say it in a million years, but she feels comfort in Katara's presence. Even the bravest of us get scared sometimes and Toph is no different.
Toph needs to be in contact with the earth or a metal surface to bend it/fight with it. Even when she earthrumbles, she is always able to keep her opponent a safe distance away from her. Ozai would have grabbed her because she was the closest and smallest, but when he lifts her up, he would have separated her from the metal surface and greatly impeded her ability to fight back. Toph would have been able to tell that he was deadly serious about killing her and she would have felt quite frightened. This is coming not long after she was dangling precariously above the earth. Two near death experiences in one afternoon would have left her a little shaken (though she would have tried her best to hide it). This is why Sokka and Suki give Katara a heads up over Toph's big fright.
One thing that doesn't sit right with me is the assumption that because Ozai can't bend, he is no longer dangerous. A lovely reviewer (come forward and I will credit you lovely) said a few chapters ago that what made Long Feng dangerous wasn't ever his bending, but his manipulation skills and connections. Ozai would also have similar manipulation skills and connections. Even without his bending he can still be very dangerous, especially to Zuko. He is dangerous on a physical level because he is still a big guy, with lots of muscles. He will be dangerous on a psychological level - because Ozai knows all about how to find someone's weak point and poke it with a sharp stick. The man knows how to manipulate people and work things to his advantage. He will be dangerous on a political level to Zuko and Iroh, his mere presence will challenge their legitimacy. And even though he is currently incapacitated – he will have friends in high places and these friends could cause no end of trouble. There will be people who will be dissatisfied with the new regime and will rally around the figurehead of the old regime. The deposed leader is never left alive for this very reason.
I also wanted to touch upon the idea of everybody's living arrangements in this chapter. That is all in flux at the moment, because there is going to be a bit of upheaval. Everything is changing and a new world order is being established. But I think that Iroh has the foresight to know that this new world order is going to require more diplomacy and diplomacy requires embassies. The houses he lends to everybody in this chapter will eventually become the Kyoshi and the Southern Watertribe embassies. In the coming chapters, Sokka is going to question which house/person he belongs with and what his future path would be. With Suki (and Kyoshi) or with his dad (and the Southern Water Tribe) or with Katara/his friends (and the firenation).
I think the Earth Kingdom will probably fracture a little bit, and would prefer to have one embassy for each principality, rather than a single embassy run from Ba Sing Se. It seems to me that the collective organisation of the earth kingdom would come undone and they would probably begin the process of changing to a decentralised constitutional monarchy. The earth king seems mostly a figurehead anyway. He is the high king of the earth kingdom – but what does he actually do? Perhaps Kuei is just in charge of Ba Sing Se, or perhaps there are other people who deal with the day to day running of the city. It seems to me that each area probably has its own king/ governing body – like Omashu has Bumi- who would go about the business of governing the area/principality. These kings/governing bodies may not trust Kuei to know their best interest when negotiating a peace. So peace with the Earth kingdom is going to get a little messy.
I floated the idea of the possibility of separation. It is something that Katara does not want to think about at all. The Gaang have become such a tight knit family that she cannot bear to think of them all splitting up. As lovely and symbolic as the fact that they all came from different nations but worked together to end the war is, there is a sad flip side to that. What happens after the war, when everybody has to go home/return to their normal lives? The fact that they do come from such different places is going to divide them eventually. However not just yet. Wars don't just end. There are peace treaties to draw up and messy negotiations to contend with and reparations to sort out etc.
I think that the only plausible explanation for everyone being in Ba Sing Se in that final scene is for some sort of peace treaty. As heroes of the war, they all want to be there to see it officially end/have some input into the treaty. For those of you wondering how much further this story has left in it, never fear! I have planned past the Ba Sing Se treat negotiations, so there is still more to come. We may be approaching the end of canon, but my fic will go past that (obviously because we need a Zutara ending). Also there is so much to fill in between the ending of the comet and the end bit in Ba Sing Se.
However, I am thinking about dividing this fic up and ending this one after Zuko's coronation and starting a new one called 'not stalking firelord Zuko' which will deal with all the post coronation, peace treaty organising shenanigans. Also what happens to the Gaang post war and especially how Katara and Zuko's relationship will evolve with his change in status. But because this fic is getting a touch long. And I need to up the rating for the next bit.
So I hope that answers some questions /assuages some fears.
Next chapter Katara will let Aang know what she really thinks, Iroh will tell Zuko that he really expects him to be firelord and there will be shenanigans.
Til then my lovely readers...