It took all Phoenix King Ozai's strength to prevent himself from roaring in rage and fury, as he sat alone in the stern of the airship. Clearly, he had not imagined in his worst case scenarios, that a catastrophe like this was to be experienced.

But, that was exactly what had just happened. It was never unrealistic that the Avatar could defeat him, he was always going to have three elements worth of a handicap. But somehow the boy had removed his bending, on the day of Sozin's Comet no less.

The door to the room opened, and a orange robed boy with blue airbending tattoos stepped inside.

"Avatar" Ozai hissed.

"Fire Lord Ozai" Aang replied, and Ozai noted the lighter tone of his voice. Aang was obviously a lot calmer than when the rest of the Avatars had spoken through him earlier.

"We will be landing at your palace shortly" Aang told him, "we will be taking you directly to…"

"Do you really want to know where you will be going. Avatar" Ozai interrupted, and grinned evilly, "you're going to an army, one that will willingly scorch you and your friends the moment I give the order".

Aang almost looked like he was pouting.

"I've been told much about you, Avatar Aang" he continued "Zuko, Zhao and Azula described their encounters with your powers. And very foolishly, they exaggerated their own merits". The Phoenix King grimaced.

Aang shrugged, "Yeah, I'm not going to confirm that, cause I don't view myself based on my Avatar powers"

"Clearly you do not. And because of that, despite never meeting you before today, I have seen that you are one of the weaker Avatar's"

"Hey, he's the reason you just lost your bending" an Earth Kingdom girl said from the doorway.

Ozai scowled at the girl as she turned away and left as soon as she'd arrived, while Aang snickered.

This made the Phoenix King more enraged at Aang. Surely he could keep his seriousness in this situation, his status as a child notwithstanding.

"So, I suppose you consider this war all a game Avatar".

"What", the Avatar shook his head in denial, "No, I simply…don't want anyone hurt".

"Really" Ozai stood up till he loomed over his adversary, "And yet when you fought today, I saw otherwise" he gave a small smile, "I could see that your people were not that weak. I know even you had an inkling of rage".

Aang stared at him in worry, and he was now feeling a little irked.

"You felt the anger and pain of your people's loss 100 years ago. And after everything, you couldn't enact "justice" on my grandfather Sozin, nor any other firebender that dealt the blow to your people".

"It doesn't matter anymore" Aang gazed away, looking a bit mournful.

Ozai didn't believe him, "I was the closest man you could bring down. And I still am…"

Aang stared back at him, exhaling for a second.

"…As the Avatar, is it not your responsibility"

"The monks taught me my responsibilities…"

"FORGET THE MONKS BOY" Ozai finally lost his temper, "You remove my power, you deny me my conquest. DONT BE A WEAKLING. FULLFIL YOUR DUTY"

Aang looked at his feet, not facing the older man. Finally, he stared up at Ozai with a firm and strong expression on his face.

"NO"

And the Avatar turned away and walked to the door, Ozai went into a rant.

"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A CHILD. THE AVATAR POWER IS WASTED ON A PACIFIST BOY. FATE CHOSE POORLY IN YOU. IT WAS WRONG, AANG….

But Aang had closed the door, he rested his back against the wall. The young boy calmed himself down until he could smile contently.

He was now certain he'd maintain a much better relationship with the new Fire Lord.