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The Fall of Ozai	By : CaptATKirk Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 5957 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Note: Not one of my better chapter I admit but it needs to be here. As my Editor JPNelson ( who I thank for talking me off the proverbial cliff of giving up on this story ) would say’ In this story you are making love to the readers. Your leading them to the good stuff....In ‘Zuko’s Betrayal’ it’s just straight screwing!” So here it is oh and Zutara fans I put what really happened in that cave in here. LOL
Cross Roads of Destiny...my way. =}
Zuko’s Mind.
The storm is keeping us from any bending. Uncle says it is a blessing in disguise so enjoy it. I do enjoy it. Even though we have been locked in here all day, I enjoy that I am near Lan. She has been lying on my thigh scared of the storm. I have to laugh at Lan. She can bend fire and water yet she is terrified of storms. Another bolt runs across the sky and I can feel her grip getting tighter. I lift my eyes and see that no one is watching. Uncle and Aang are playing Pi Sho while Katara and Sokka are playing Nationals. Toph is trying to calm down Momo while June is leaning on Uncle watching the Pi Sho game.
I let my hand slide down Lan’s hair and to her back. I keep doing this and feel all the tension leave her body. I can actually feel her falling to sleep. I am so lost in this that I had forgotten that the others were there too. Katara is watching me now. They all are. I can feel it now. I don’t mind it so much except for one person. June is the worst. Every time I look at Lan, June looks ready to kill me. Lan thinks that June is just trying to pull my strings but I feel it is more than that. I just can’t put my finger on what it is.
“ Hey Lan! Angry boy’s leg is probably falling asleep. Why don’t you get to bed?”June looks at me and smiles. I want to slap her so hard I see red.
I feel as she wakes and sleepily leaves. Now everyone is watching. I cast my eyes down and look as if I am meditating but I can still see her. I can only watch as she left to go to her bed. I want to go with her but I knew they were watching. I want to crawl into the bed with her and lie down. I know I should have after what I did to her last night. I know it wasn’t the same as making love to her but it was close enough.
I know I shouldn’t care that our friends were watching but . . .
Yes I admit it. They are my friends. The word is still new to me as I am sure calling me their friend is new to them. I know that I shouldn’t care that they know how much I care for her and love her but I do. All the royal rules I grew up with are still so ingrained in me. Lan knows this and accepts it. She knows what it is like for me. She was raised the same way but she can abandon it while I can’t.
                                                                        * * *
As I lie here alone I listening to the storm, I try to still myself for sleep. It should be easy with Uncle gone who knows where, again but it’s not. I listen to the rain and want even more to go to her room and lie with her. I hear footsteps coming toward me. They are not Uncles. These are lighter and faster. I grip the dagger I have under my pillow. The curtain opens and it is Lan.
I relax and I can only stare at her. Her hair is damp and plastered to her. The white nightshirt clinging to her showing me all her curves. She is bitting her lip looking at me anxiously. I raise the covers so that she can slide in. I watch her face as it lights up. She doesn’t want sex from me . . . just to be close. I need to be with her as much as she needs to be with me. She settles herself against me and I cover us both. I hold her close and begin to drift to sleep. I am content just to hold her but as sleep takes me I wonder what it would be like to do this every night.
                                                                        * * *
I walk down a dark corridor and can see nothing. I keep walking until a soft green light begins to creep along the corners of my vision. As I get close, the light grows and I see that it comes from these green crystals that are growing everywhere like weeds. I come into a cavern full of them. I look and see Katara pacing like a caged tiger.
“ Katara?” I call her name and stand in front of her. She doesn’t see or hear me.
“ She can’t hear you.” I turn around to see my Mother sitting on a crystal. I walk to my Mother and look at her. Lately I have had many dreams about my Mother.
“ I’m not going to be sick when I wake up again am I?” I sit by my Mother and watch as Katara is still pacing the cavern floor oblivious to my mother and I.
“ No.” I look to her and she laughs. It is just as I remember it low and melodic.” However you are not going to like this one at all . . . but you must see.”
As soon as she finishes telling me the roof of the cave opens and I am pushed down into the cavern with Katara. I land in front of her on my knees.
“ Zuko!?” She yelps an looks at me shocked before her face turns into a thunder cloud and her eyes shoot daggers at me.” Why did they throw you in here? Wait I know! It’s a trap so that when Aang finally does show up to help me you can have him in your little fire nation clutches.”
She turns her hands into cat claws. I have my back to her and can’t believe this. Katara and I are friends. We get a long. We even talk sometimes mostly about bending and Lan . . . but not like this. I look to my Mother who only shakes her head slowly and points to the scene before us.
“ You’re a terrible person you know that. Always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to capture the worlds last hope for peace. What do you care? You’re the Fire Lords Son. Spreading violence and hatred is in your blood.” She has resumed her pacing her voice rising with each sentence.
“ You don’t know what you are talking about.” I turn to inform her before returning back to my own thoughts it seems.
“ I don’t! How dare you! You have no idea what this war has put me through. Me personally.” I watch as she kneels down hugging herself. I watch as the tears fall from her eyes and pool on her chin. I watch as she touches the necklace that was her Mothers.” The fire Nation took my Mother from me.”
“ I’m sorry.” I turn to look at her and my face reflects that I am.” That is something we both have in common.”
We both stand up and walk to each other. She wipes her eyes and stops inches form me.
“ I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
“ It doesn’t matter.”
“ It’s just that for so long now that whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy it ‘s your face I would see.”
“ My face. I see.” I watch as I touch my scar and look away.
“ No. No. No. That isn’t what I meant-“
“ It’s okay. I thought that this marked me as the banished Prince cursed to hunt the Avatar. Lately I know I have another choice. Even thought I can’t be free of this I am free to choose my own way.”
“ Maybe you could be?”
“ What?” I watch as she pulls out some kind of amulet vial that was hidden in her robes.
“ I have healing abilities. This is water from the Spirt Oasis in the North Pole. I have been saving it. I don’t know if it would work but we could try.” She comes closer and puts her hand to my scar.
I watch as I close my eyes and put my hand on her waist bringing her closer to me. She closes her yes and parts her lips slightly. I watch in silent horror as I kiss Katara long and hard. She throws both her arms around my neck. I am about to reach for the sash that keeps her robe closed when the wall is blasted. She and I part as if we have been scalded and when the dust clears I see Aang.
Katara squeals his name and runs to him throwing herself at him. He holds onto her for dear life and shoots me an evil glare. Uncle had done the same thing Katara had to me and now Aang and I are having an evil stare contest over their shoulders.
“ You still weren’t used to the new Zuko. Katara didn’t help much . . . actually she hurt more then helped. Now here is where it all goes wrong.” My Mother stands up and dusts herself off.
“ Mother kissing Katara was wrong. I don’t see how it can get any worse.” I shake at the thought of what I just watched myself doing. Kissing Katara is like kissing my sister . . . gross.
“ Wait and you will see.” She points back to my dream self.
“ Uncle I don’t understand what are you doing with the Avatar?”
“ Saving you that’s what!” Aang spits at me. I growl like a caged animal and go after him. Uncle holds me back.
“ Zuko it’s time we talked.” He is still holding me back. He looks to Aang and Katara while smiling.” Go help your friends we will catch up to you.”
I watch them leave. I see Katara steal a sad glance at me before leaving. I give her the same look.
“ Why Uncle?” He lets me go and I think I know the speech he is about to give me. I have heard it already.
“ You are not the man you used to be. You are stronger, wiser, and freer than you have ever been. You are now at the crossroads of your destiny. It is time for you to choose. It is time for you to choose good.”
I feel the earth shake and Azula appears in earth kingdom clothes with two more of the Dia Li. They have trapped Uncle in the crystals.
“ I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle but you Zuko . . . Prince Zuko? You are a lot of things but you are not a traitor . . . are you?!”
“ Release him immediately!” I order my sister.
“ It’s not too late for you Zuko you can still redeem yourself.” She informs me.
“ The kind of redemption she offers is not for you!”
“ Why don’t you let him decide Uncle!” This is all too familiar.
“ Seem Familiar. The Red and Blue dragons . . . the two fates if you will battling over your soul my son.” In life I know which path I chose. From the look in my Mother eyes it seems I choose a different road.
“ I need you Zuko.” Azula saying that to me is just . . . for lack of a better word . . . wrong. This whole dream is wrong. “ I have plotted every move of this day this glorious day in fire nation history and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day you will have your honor back. You will have Fathers love. You will have everything you ever wanted.” My Viper of a sister finishes her speech.
I can’t believe how stupid I am actually listening to her. I can’t believe I am actually considering her proposal. I want to scream at my self and tell myself I am an idiot but I know it will change nothing. I look to my Uncle and know he isn’t finished yet. Uncle Iroh hasn’t given up on me yet.
“ Zuko I am begging you! Look into your heart and see what it is you truly want!”
“ You’re free to choose.” Azula leaves and it is just Uncle and I now. I watch as my face makes a choice. I know I am making the wrong choice. I take off the outer Uniform of the tea house and look to my Uncle before following Azula.
“ Are you ready to see?” My Mother waits patiently for me. I know this is not going to be pleasant but she is going through all this for a reason. I owe my Mother to finish this. I nod my head and I follow her.
Azula and I are fighting Katara and Aang. Uncle was not kidding I am stronger but I haven’t changed. I am still an ass . . . just a more powerful one. I have only now begun to do the Fire Bending I see myself doing now. I save my sister from Katara. She and I go at each other with our elements.
“ I thought you had changed!?” Katara is the most angry I think I will ever see her.
“ I have changed.” I have to laugh here. I haven’t changed at all. I watch and can only see one good thing . . . In all our years of existing in the same space Azula and I are getting along. We defeated Katara together and turn our attention to Aang.
I watch him go into the Avatar State. It’s still frightening when he does that. I see Azula shoot him in the back. Katara has him in her arms and I see the fear of Azula doing this to Lan in Katara’s teary eyes. I see my worst nightmare reflected in her eyes. We are about to kill them both when flames shoot across and stop us.
“ Get out of here I will hold them off as long as I can!” I knew Uncle would find a way. Katara waists no time and her and Aang are free. Uncle is not so lucky. The look on his face at my betrayal hurts so much. To think I would do this. I close my eyes and don’t want to see anymore . . . but I know this is not the end.
“ That’s what would have happened if you never saw Lan again. That is the Zuko you would have become. You and your sister would be ruling Bah Sing Se together. The water Katara was going to use to heal you she used instead to save Aang. I am going to show you now the consequences of that Zuko’s actions.” I look at my mother and watch her eyes. I have never seen them angry but I watch them now. My mother never did get angry at me but she is now. She blinks and I see . . . home.
I am back home. Even after so many years I remember my home well. The gardens have changed only a little. There are more flowers then they’re used to be. It’s also colder then I remember. I watch as three children run by us laughing. One is a little girl who has her red hair streaming behind her. She is chasing two boys who are older than her.
“ Jiang, Lu Ten no fair you have longer legs than I do.” She pouts but keeps working her little legs.
“ She’s right.” They both stop and wait for her.
I look at them and cannot believe it. They look exactly like me when I was that age. She catches up to them and is happy. I follow them to the cherry tree where my Mother would sit and watch Azula and I play. Under that tree I see her. I see Lan in the trappings of a Fire Lady but it is not her. My Lan is happy and always has a smile. This one is sad except for when she sees these three bundles of energy.
“ There you three are.” I see the Lan I know. I see the vision of loveliness as she looks at them.
“ Mommy!” All three of them yell and the little girl who was saying she couldn’t keep up was the fastest of them all.
I finally have a really good look at the little one and as I look at her and cannot believe my eyes. She is the exact replica of her mother only in miniature form. Same hair eyes and heart-shaped face. She looks to her brothers who finally catch up. She is smugly sitting in her Mothers lap. Lan is still the picture of beauty. Her cinnamon hair up off her shoulders revealing her neck. Her blue eyes filled with love for the little one on her lap. The perfect heart-shaped face that is marred with a scar form a cut that runs along her left eye to her jaw.
“ Mother Lan doesn’t-“
“ Here she does. She was fighting in the resistance against you and your sister. Under those robes she has many more. It is because of her in the end that Aang reaches the Fire Nation in one piece. Lan has suffered much since your betrayal. Many . . . things . . . happened to her but you didn’t care. You asked for her hand anyway. Now watch.” She turns my head to look at Lan now.
“ No fair Yue.” The boys come up to her and tickle her.
I tear my eyes away from this happy scene and I can see myself coming around the corner. Uncle is in my wake and as sour looking as I am. Yue spots me first. I watch as my harsh face softens to look at her little face light up. I look at myself in awe. I am so much taller and broader. I still have the burn that my father gave me but I don’t seem to care.
“ Daddy!” She screams with delight as she leaves her Mothers lap and runs to me. To look at myself it seems that there is no greater sound then her voice.
I watch as I get down on one knee and this little ball of energy wraps her little arms around my neck. I swing her around and listen to her sequels of delight. I am so happy that I forget where and who I am. I stop and hug her little body to me. I look to her Mother and my smile fails. I see a Lan I pray I never see. Her eyes are cold and dead. Her face a complete blank piece of lifeless marble.
“ Fire Lord.”She bows to me formerly before gently shoving the twins to me. “ Got to your Father my sons.”
“ Father.” They both do the same as their Mother. I can only nod to them as Yue is squirming to get down. I let her down slowly she grabs my hand and pulls at me. She almost pulls me over.
“ Daddy play with us!” She is pulling me to the pond. Her brothers will not look at me. My own sons will not look at me.
“ Later my precious. I have to talk to Mommy now.” She pulls my hand harder and I see her little face turn so sad. I watch as tears well up in those big blue eyes and I want to die. Lu Ten Picks her up and carries her to the pond. He mumbles something I can’t hear that only makes Yue wail. I turn to look at Lan and watch as she stands up to her full height. I see those cold dead eyes and watch as I turn my gaze from her.
“ My Lady.” I try to make my voice soft but it comes out harsh.
“ Fire Lord.” She bows to me stiffly and formerly. She looks at me with nothing but contempt.
I sigh and sit on the bench motioning for her to do the same. She does keeping as much distance from me as she can on the little thing. I watch as my children attempt to play. Yue was for a while till she looked back at her mother and I. Looking at myself it seems they are the only joy here I have. I try to touch her to take her hand and she pulls it away putting them into the sleeves of her robes. My sons try to get Yue to play but she wails louder. Jiang looks at me with the hate I see in his Mothers eyes before taking Yue away.
“ Why do you poison my sons against me? There was a time Lan when you loved me. Don’t deny it. I was in the North Pole. I remember.” I look at her and watch her eyes turn red as my own.
“ I had to marry you because it was political. I am to this day great full that Katara had the courage to disobey her fathers wishes and married the Avatar. I loved my people and had a duty to them to fulfill. That is why I am here. I have to endure your touch as your wife. I will tell you now as I told you on our wedding night. I will do what you ask but don’t mistake my compliance for enthusiasm. I have given you children Fire Lord. You could at least give me my freedom.” She dose not look at me. She watches where our children were.
“ Please Mother! No more.” I can feel the tears rolling down my face. Even on my left I can feel them as they burn on their way down. I can’t watch this anymore. Lan loves me as much as I lover her. I look at my Mother.” I beg you Mother no more!”
“ Not yet. You still must see.”
I look back and see my face going threw a full range of emotions now. I watch my hands ball up into fists on my thighs. I am about to say something stupid but I can feel I am bitting it back. Finally it looks as if I settle for the truth.
“ You didn’t loathe my touch so much in the North Pole. I still love you Lan. I had thought I could make you see that . . . I am still-“
“ No. The man I loved died when he betrayed his Uncle and did what his sick sister asked of him. The man I loved died many years ago. A cruel monster has taken his place. You are your Fathers Son.”
“ So you do hate me.” I turn and look at her eyes. I wish I couldn’t see them. I hope to never ever see her this full of hate.
“ I don’t love you enough to hate you.” She gets up and tries to leave but I watch as I hold her there by her arm.
“ Lan please-“ She still does not look at me.
“ Do I have your permission my Lord to see to the well being of my daughter?” She snaps at me and I can only let her go. I can only watch in horror. I feel sick. To see my flower full of hate and loathing directed right at me . . . I can’t take it. I fall to my knees on the grass. I watch the woman I love turn her back on me. The tears I have shed are still stinging my face.
“ Aang did win there is a bright side but you didn’t. You have the crown as you can see but there is no love here. Your sons adore their mother. She tries to be dutiful but refuses to let them be like you. Yue is the only one in the whole palace who thinks you are a god. You have avoided this. You have avoided Lan hating you. You have avoided the marriage that was forced on her. ”
I close my eyes and look away. I can’t watch. I know it is not real and I have avoided this fate but I still can’t look anymore. I feel my mother take my by the shoulders. I feel her arms around me like when I was small. I can’t stop they had started and they won’t stop falling.
“ Zuko you have a choice to make now. You have seen what would have happened. Now once again my son you have a choice you must make. Is Lan important to you? Do you love her enough?” She kisses me on the fore head and walks down the dark corridor again.
This time I follow. She is moving faster and faster. I try to keep and finally come to a light. I am in the throne room. I see my father before me. He is towering over someone who is being held down. I run to see who it is. I can only see a woman’s back cris crossed with huge red angry gashes.
“ I told you my son would never betray me. I know you thought he would protect and love you. It’s the water in you that has to believe the good in everyone. Look at him Lan.” He reaches down and forces her head by her hair to look at me.
“ Zuko.” She cries weakly.
“ He will never save you from me. He will never protect you from me.” My father stands and uses a fire whip to hit her again. I see myself by my father and want to hit myself. My face is blank and I do nothing. I can hear her screaming my name and I do nothing. I can only watch as her face is red her eyes puffy and she screams for me to save her.
                                                            * * *
“ Zuko! Zuko! Zuko wake up!” She is screaming. I can feel her fear.
I wake up and sit bolt upright. Lan has her hands on my shoulders shaking me. I look at her and she is terrified. I grip her back and really look at her. Her hair is in disarray but she is fine. Her night shirt in one piece on her. I release her only to lay my head in her lap. I wrap my arms around her waist . She tries to move but I won’t let her.
“ Lan please. Just stay with me.” I grip her tighter. I need to feel her here. I need her to stay. I can’t look at her right now but I need to know she is here.
“ It was only a bad dream. It can’t hurt you any more.” I fell her hands on my back and head. She starts to hum and I relax. I know what I must do now. I now realize how important Lan is, not just me but the world. I know now what I have to do to keep her safe. I know now what I can do and will do to protect her.
                                                                        * * *
“ You just missed Sex Kitten . . . she went to get Lazy tea.” June waves her hand in the general direction of the spa.
“ Yes I know. They don’t have it there so she will be a while.” They all turn to look at me now with questioning gazes.
I resolved to do this last night when I asked for Uncles help on getting Lan away for a few moments. He had asked why and I told him he would have to wait. It killed me to make the decision to keep with tradition and not have her present but I had to. I will not back down. I get on my knees and look to Sokka and Katara. She smacks him and points to me her eyes never leaving my gaze. Katara I believe knows what is going to happen.
“ What?” Sokka puts down his cards to look at me. He and I barely tolerate each other but if I love Lan I will have to do this.
“ Katara and Lan are water sisters. Which makes you her brother-“
“ I guess so . . . where are you driving at?” I hate the look he seems to always give me. The one he is doing now like I have grown three heads.
“ As her Brother I am asking you for permission to marry your sister.” Everyone has stopped what they are doing and time is now standing still. I look to Sokka and his face is turning red. This is not what I pictured. He flips the table that he and Katara were playing on and his machete is in his hand. I get to my feet and make ready to defend myself.
“ If you think I am going to let you marry KATARA YOU ARE-“ I watch Katara hit him in the head and keep from laughing. He almost falls face first to the floor. Lan and Toph have rubbed off on her too much.
“ Not me you idiot! Lan! He wants to marry Lan!” She sticks her tongue out at him. If I wasn’t serious, I would be laughing now. Toph is howling with laughter while Aang’s jaw has dropped to the floor.
“ Oh well . . . Uhm . . . ” He looks at me and I am doing everything not to laugh. His face is blood red all the way to his ears. He stops blushing and looks thoughtful for a moment before unleashing on me the unexpected.” You only want Lan cause she is a princess. See with Yue gone Lan is next in line for the throne.”
“ I didn’t know that. I knew she is Yue’s cousin that is all I know about Lan. I don’t care that she is a princess. That is not why I love her.” I still can’t believe I am saying this to them. “ I loved her since I met her and didn’t even know her name.”
“ Yue said you would say that.” Sokka nods his head before he shrugs.” There ain’t nothing I can do. If Lan wants to be tied to an angry jerk like you for the rest of her life, I ain’t gonna stop her.”
I let out the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. I look to Katara who nods and grins manically before tackling me in a hug. I am still not used to it but I don’t want to offend her. She pulls back from me whipping her face.” It’s about time. As her sister I more than give my permission!”
“ Thank You.” I gently push her away and look to Aang. He doesn’t give me an evil look anymore when Katara does these things. “ Aang she loves you like a son. As her son I need your permission. As her family I need everyone’s permission.”
“ As her son I give it!” He smiles so wide I think his face is going to fall off.
“ About fucking time cranky pants. You got my vote . . . so are you going to lay her now or make her wait till your wedding night!?” I cover my face to hide it. I should have known something like that would fly out Toph’s mouth. Now I have to have June permission. I look at her sitting with my Uncle and her face is just dripping with hate.
“ As her friend and a member of this strange family I will give it but know this.” She is in my face and jabbing me in the chest.” The day you break her heart I will eat yours for dinner!” She leaves me after threatening me and goes back to sit by Uncle. I kneel before him and I know I will get the yes I need.
“ As her guardian I don’t give you my permission.” That was not what I expected to come from him. I don’t think anyone else did either from the looks on their faces.
“ Why Uncle!?” I can’t believe it. I expected a fight from June and Sokka but Uncle. I want to smack the lotus tile out of his hand and make him tell me now!
“ You don’t have to marry her just to have relations with her. How do I know you won’t break her heart? Her Father asked me to look out for her and so I am. I don’t think this is a suitable match for a Princess of the North nor a member of our nations nobility.”
I watch as he puts the lotus tile down and looks at me with a blank face. I can’t take this. I have wanted her since I met her and now he is going to deny me. I use my hand and swipe it across the board sending pieces flying. He is still so damn calm I can’t stand it so I throw the table across the room. June reaches for her dagger hidden in her boot and with a look from Uncle she stops.
“ I love Lan! I have loved her since the day I met her! I know now that she is not only important to the world but to me! I want her as my wife for this reason and many more! I can protect her with my name should I have to against my father! You have seen what type of person I am round her and you sit here and deny me the one joy I have in this world!?!?!”
“ Now you have my permission.” I watch my Uncles face and don’t know weather to laugh or slap him. The look he gives me is one I have seen many times. It is the look of I have passed some kind of test. I should have known better. I stop myself from smacking my fore head. I have been around Sokka way too much. “ There is the question of her dowery which I think she should name. You know what you have to do to make it binding in our nation. We can skip the whole thing mostly the gifts the waiting period but you do know what you have to do on your wedding night? ”
I nod my head for I do. I have the hard part out of the way. I know about the white silk I have to put under her to prove she was pure. I hate that archaic part but I want it recognized in Our Nation. If I adhere to the ancient rules Father can say nothing if we fail and I have to use our marriage to protect her from him.
“ I want it legal in both Nations. She is from both.” I look to Katara and Sokka. I am going to say something I have never said to anyone.” I need your help. I don’t know what I need to do.”
“ We’ll help you. Grant it most of the rules I am going to give you come form the South but it will be legal in both.” I knew Katara would help me and I am great full.
“ Great I am going to have the angry jerk for a brother in law. There is still the possibility Lan will say no.” I don’t know who threw what first but the picture of Sokka running out of the room like a girl will make me laugh for a life time.
TBC
Next Chapter we get to see why June hates Zuko so much.....Lan is about to go for another ride.
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The Fall of Ozai