Karp - Father Lord Ozai 001

A grand boulevard festooned with armored guards, thousands of cheering citizens, red flags, and confetti greeted the procession of the Fire Nation's newest ruler. 

Grandson of Sozin, son of Azulon, younger brother to Iroh, husband to Ursa, father of Zuko & Azula. Dressed in all crimson, possessing fair skin, amber-gold eyes, long black hair, and a handsome yet cruel face that could order the deaths of thousands with a smile. He was: 

Fire Lord Ozai. 

Seated within an open air palanquin so that the people could see their new monarch, Ozai appeared particularly stern, making several nearby attendants & guards who knew the true nature of this viper-like man stair dead ahead, fearful of making eye contact. 

To Zuko-a miniature looking version of his father with a much softer appearance-who sat at a lower rung, just below & to the side of his father, the pomp & pageantry of the celebration of the ceremony, and solemn air of the funeral for his grandfather all paled in comparison to the fear he felt towards his father. 

The other night, mother had held him close, telling him his favorite stories, and had even personally cooked his favorite dishes. For the first time in a long time, they had dined as a family. For a time, he had almost felt like…like a family. But the way she held him, the way she kissed the top of his head, reluctant to leave. Zuko knew something was wrong. 

Now, upon the coronation of his father, mother was missing. 

“Squeeze the hem of your shirt anymore than that, Zu-Zu, and you'll make a tear. Father is going to address the nobles in the throne room soon, you wouldn't want to end up like mother, would you?” Azula's childish voice came from the side, her face full of vicious mockery. 

“What do you know about mother?!” Zuko said with a raised voice. His shout, however, largely went unnoticed by anyone else due to the noise of the crowd, but unbeknownst to him, a pair of amber eyes locked onto the back of his head. 

“You don't know?” Azula cruelly cooed, and shook her head in faux pity. “Well…maybe if you jump off this palanquin right now and strip naked, I might tell you.” 

Zuko narrowed his eyes, and gripped the hem of his shirt even tighter. “You’re lying, Azula. I won't fall for your tricks.” 

“Ohh? Pity, you believed that Avatar Kyoshi was going to come out of the ground, and stuff you in a box just last week.” Azula taunted. 

“I'm done listening to you.” Zuko stated, crossing his arms with a pout. 

“Oh, poo~” Azula mocked. 

With the beat of drums, and the praise of thousands, the family of three finally arrived at the palace. 

Carried into the throne room, the Fire Lord did not need to take a step as his seat was placed upon a raised platform. 

Lined up from end to end within the chamber were various ministers, military officers, and nobles. Those who stood closest to the throne all shared sly smirks, as if they had all bet on the right ostrich-horse to win the race. Meanwhile, those few ultra traditionalists who supported the rights of primogeniture-that being the first born son inherits it all-stewed silently towards the back. 

Zuko didn't understand why the room felt so stifling, but attributed it all to his father. Currently standing by a large pillar alongside the other children of the nobles, he was pressed to the front to represent the younger generation. 

For several long minutes, nothing happened. A long, cold wind drafted into the building, and the assembled courtiers stood stiffly, some of them shifting from side to side in place, unable to contain their awkwardness. Those standing nearest the front began to feel increasingly bitter at their decision, whilst those in the back secretly cheered, hoping their Lord Iroh would make a come back. 

“Father must have something planned.” Azula whispered to Zuko, half uncertain, half expecting something. 

“What?” Zuko blankly asked back with a slow blink of the eyes. 

“Fool, do you know nothing?” Azula rolled her eyes. “What am I saying, of course you don't. Fine, let me explain. Each Fire Lord must light the sacred flame upon taking the throne, to prove that he is a true child of Agni.” 

Zuko belatedly nodded, realizing that the reason why it was so cold inside the throne room, was because father had not ignited his flame…but why did everyone else seem to care so much about that? 

Just as a few people couldn't help but mutter to one another in discontent, father took a deep breath, and sighed. 

Zuko felt static in the air, and goosebumps prickled his arms. 

“Yes.” Azula whispered in anticipation. 

An invisible wave of heat suddenly filled the room like a dry desert wind, yet no flames were present. The sound of leaves being stepped upon crackled in his ears, and yet every last man, woman and child in attendance was deathly still. 

Zuko could not look away, fascinated by what was taking place. Azula, meanwhile had a look of rapture, as if that were her upon the throne. 

Then. 

White. All Zuko saw was white. 

Blinding light like the son poured down upon everyone, forcing them to stagger with tears in their eyes. A concussive blast from above brought everyone down to their knees, ruining several gowns & outfits worth more than an average family's annual income. 

None dared to stand in protest. 

The venue was silent, save for the crackle of white flames obscuring the form of their Fire Lord. 

Strikingly, Zuko & Azula had not been knocked over, and conspicuously stood out compared to all the rest. 

‘When will father teach me that?’ Zuko privately thought, crying deeply as he blinked light spots out of his eyes. 

‘YESSSSS.’ Azula mentally screeched, desiring nothing more than the power to make others bow to her whims. Status was cheap compared to this. Father's control over his own flames was supreme. 

The Fire Lord maintained his silent, sitting posture for ten more minutes, and not a soul complained. 

“Rise, servants of the Fire Nation. Your loyalty knows no question. Rise, and depart these chambers with the words of power upon your lips. So long as a child of Agni sits upon this throne, you are secure. This, I promise.” Ozai's voice calmly, sibilantly commanded his subjects. 

One after another, the important figures stepped forward, kneeled, offered their loyalty, and then departed. From the elderly to the children, none dared refrain from showing their open support. Many of the traditionalists who believed in Iroh had been convinced by that act of power. Even those few who remained uncertain had to show public support, lest they be lost in the currents of time. 

When it was Zuko & Azula's turn to pledge loyalty, Azula bypassed Zuko-who had been staring blankly into nothing-practically running ahead of him to plant one knee on the cold black floor, and bow. A small smirk was shot Zuko's way as she gave her support. 

“Fire Lord, Azula offers her utmost in serving your goal of unifying the world under your rule.” She said in a proud voice. 

Zuko was a beat late, awkwardly following after his sister, stumbling into his kneel. He faintly heard Ty Lee snickering somewhere from behind, and he caught the silent scoff of Mai out of the corner of his eye, making his embarrassment a thousand fold. Worst of all, a tear had occurred at the hem of his cloak, and it was so severe, that if he made any sudden motions, it might tear the stitching from half of the garment! 

All of these small things made Zuko sweat and stutter out his oath. 

“F-fi-Father Lord, I, uhm, Zuko offers you his undying loyalty. May you strike your enemies against the walls of Ba Sing Se.” Zuko got out all in one breath. 

The white flames swirling around the throne seemed to rise higher, and an even more oppressive heat evaporated the sweat covering Zuko. 

Azula smirked as if she were watching a good show, yet even she didn't dare say a word, as their father truly was that intimidating. 

Due to the sudden heatwave, the already torn stitching on Zuko's robes, snapped. His clothes began to slump & fall. Ty Lee's laughter increased in volume, and the various ministers who were waiting for the royal scions to speak before departing scandalously looked on. 

However, the one man who had the clearest view of events was none other than the one on the throne. Standing up, white flames swirled around his palm. To Zuko, it was as if Agni had descended from the heavens, and was about to incinerate him. 

Suddenly, Zuko worried about his mother, and even wondered if his father was going to carry out the threat that grandfather had made!

“Father. I'm sorr-” 

Then the white flame wooshed out of father's hand, and circled around Zuko like hungry vipers. 

Even Azula could not help but tremble in fear at the ruthlessness of her father, and for the smallest of seconds, pitied her dumb older brother. Afterall. Who will catch father's ire with him gone?

Zuko opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Right when he thought that it was all over, he felt coolness upon his skin, and for a half second, realized he was naked. 

‘Well, spirits don't wear clothes, right?’

However, the next second, a cloak was wrapped around him, and he was standing next to his father…his father who was wearing one less layer of clothes???

“Dismissed.” Ozai contemptuously ordered the ministers & officers. 

There, floating in an all white flame armor, the Fire Lord's will was swiftly carried out, lest the servants of the Fire Nation suffer the wrath of Agni. None had the wherewithal or mental capacity to laugh at the boy Prince. No. They fled from the throne room, happy to be alive! 

Before long, the giant double doors to the vast chamber slammed shut, and all that remained were a father and his two children. 

That is, of course, with the exception of two old women who each sat upon cushions adjacent to the throne. Clad in long voluminous blue robes, and sporting white hair set in buns, they were the royal advisors most trusted by Azulon, the twin sisters Lo and Li. 

“A magnificent display of power, Fire Lord.” Lo muttered, her old voice filled with something peculiar. 

“Long may be your reign.” Li bowed, speaking nearly at the same time. 

For a moment, both women felt a shiver of fear as the white flame behind the throne curled. They shared a worried look: just how great is his control?!

“Honored councilors.” Ozai ever so slightly inclined his head, much to everyone in the room's shock. “Your loyalty to the children of Agni is known to all.” 

Lo & Li were silent for a second, before bowing deeper, wondering if they had offended their newest master. 

“That is why you are to recall Ursa to Imperial City, and summon my brother.” Ozai said, his words sounding particularly threatening. 

“But Fire Lord, you said-!” Lo said haltingly in shock regarding the first order.” 

“His supporters are not few. Losing the siege of Ba Sing Se was not enough to turn the military against the Dragon of the West. Should he return with a fleet, they may raise their banners in rebellion!” Li warned. 

“Master, you must not do this!” Lo & Li said, raising their voices, and speaking at the same time. 

“Your Fire Lord has spoken. Dismissed.” Ozai declared, staring the pair of elderly women down. 

“Yes, Fire Lord.” The twins reluctantly answered, cupped their hands, and then bowed their way out of the throne room, keeping their faces towards the floor. 

Once the final outsiders had left the room, Zuko felt his father's weight upon him. Looking up curiously, he thought he spotted fatigue…but that was impossible. Father was the greatest fire-bender alive. 

For more than five minutes, father & son stood like that, and even Azula had gotten up from her kneeling position at some point, and had come in to share the group ‘hug,’ jealous of her brother. 

Their father suddenly pulled them both into a tight hug, and began to laugh, startling Zuko for two reasons: 1) he couldn't remember the last time he heard father laugh. 2) this was the first time he had been hugged with such warmth by the man he looked up to the most. 

Daring to lift his chin for the first time in years, the boy quickly ducked his head, expecting a scolding at best, or a swift cuff to the ear. However, instead, a hand lifted his chin. 

“Look at me, Zuko, Azula. Know that to the public, I am their master, their Fire Lord. But so long as you place your faith in me, I will protect you, and raise you to be as strong as I am. Our family suffered under the tyranny of Azulon, forcing me to choose between him, and my son.” Ozai said, looking meaningfully into their eyes. “No longer.” 

No. Zuko's amber eyes widened in fear. 

“So you really do love us. You would even, even kill your own-” Azula choked out, finally losing her composure, and acting like the child that she really was. 

Closing his eyes, then opening them, father didn't say a word in denial, simply rubbing their backs tightly. 

“Your mother and I love you both deeply. Never forget that.” Ozai said, and then pushed them away. “Now go. Never discuss this topic, not even with your friends or with your Uncle. The consequences of revealing this information could mean the end of this family. Do I make myself clear?” 

“Yes, father.” Azula bowed. 

“Y-yes, Father Lord.” Zuko stuttered due to father's sudden mixup between hot & cold. 

Ozai studied them both for a moment, nodded, then ascended the throne. Silently, he sat there. 

Darkness & cold filled the room once the children had left, and he felt an emptiness in his heart. The cunning, vicious nature and sinister personality of Ozai warred with the virtues of the modern man of Earth. The urge to be cruel, violent, and vindictive nature surged through him like a cancer. Ever present, and invisible to the touch. Each decision of his was subtly influenced by this lingering will. And yet he would not allow the hateful specter of Ozai to claim his destiny. 

Exhaling a deep breath, he clutched the fragment of his son's torn robe, a small smile gracing his lips. 

Father Lord, huh? 

~~~~

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