Fire Lord Ozai: Part Two

Inside his chambers, Prince Ozai gazed into the sunset through an arched window with a grim face that he'd always wore. His father will regret not crowning him the next in line to the throne, however, he will simply find another way. Ozai would need to plan accordingly.

Ozai will have to think about it later. After all, he had an order that needed to be done: kill his firstborn. It was rather unfortunate for Ozai, however, since Zuko had displayed unexpected talents that he had seemingly overlooked in the past. However, his daughter was more important. He had slowly cultivated her to become the perfect warrior, and his ultimate tool when he ascends the throne. But, he did notice a change in her personality, an imperfection.

Although her firebending had grown to tremendous heights, she was growing too soft, just like her mother. His daughter grew more affectionate towards her mother and brother with each passing day, and Ozai despised that. This was something that had to be fixed. But, the root of the problem lied with that wretched boy of Jiraiya's.

Ever since that boy arrived, he had corrupted the mind of his precious warrior. He needed that wretched boy, Uzumaki, gone from his palace immediately. Ozai planned on killing the boy, but who knows what that bastard Jiraiya would do once he heard wind of his death. He feared the skills of one of the best shinobi in existence.

Ursa silently entered the room. A frown marred her beautiful face as she spoke, "Ozai, you can't do this."

"I have no choice. Refusing the Fire Lord's command is treason," Ozai slowly turned around. "But, I am a merciful man. I'm waiting until he's asleep. He won't feel a thing."

'This man,' Ursa thought, her mind boiled with rage.

To go through with killing his own son due to some fear of treason against the Fire Lord was an absolute joke. Iroh would never had agreed to this. It goes to show how heartless Ozai can be, even to his own children. Ozai had a deep-rooted obsession with power and domination; he wanted the whole world at the tip of his fingers, just like his father and grandfather before him. His vast ambition came with cruel and brutal means to obtain whatever he wants. Even if it meant to cast all familial relations to ascend the throne.

"You listen carefully," Ursa said. "I'm going to make you a deal."

Ozai faced the window again, "You have nothing that I want."

"You want the throne."

Ozai narrowed his eyes, "I'm listening."

"I will create a poison that is colorless and odorless, completely untraceable. It causes the person to pass quietly, as if they had fallen asleep. I will give you it in exchange for Zuko's life."

"And where did you learn this from?" Ozai asked.

"My mother was a master herbalist," Ursa quickly answered.

Ursa had been taught by her mother in the realms of herbal medicine from various healing ointments to deadly poison for animal hunting. Now, she was using her skills to take another life.

Ozai chuckled to himself, "Very clever, my dear wife, very clever. However, I would do it on one condition." He walked towards Ursa and gazed down upon her smaller form.

"You will not show your face in this palace ever again," Ozai spoke slow and crisp. "I want you far away where no-one will find you, lest you will kill me one day with that wretched poison of yours."

"Then, I'm taking the children with me."

Ursa hoped, even if the chances are minuscule, to take her children away from this monster. Where they could grow up with love instead of hatred and cruelty. However, knowing Ozai, he would not allow this to happen; they were his tools to use in the future. Yet, Ursa still wanted that chance to claim them.

"No, these children are my collateral. Do as I say and no harm will be done to them. However, do as you wish with the Uzumaki boy; he is of no use to me." Ozai simply stated. It would be even better to have one more nuisance removed.

Ursa gritted her teeth, "Swear to me that you will not lay your hands on all three children."

"...You have my word."

In the dark of night, Ursa wore a hooded robe and walked through the quiet halls. She had given Ozai the vial of poison. He had most likely administered the poison to Fire Lord Azulon, already. By the time she is gone, he would pass on. There was nothing else she could do now that she was deemed a traitor to the Fire Nation. It was time to take her leave.

Ursa had just spoken to Zuko, saying her final goodbyes to her precious son before heading towards her daughter's room. She had many regrets when it came to Azula; she wished that she could have been a better mother to her, to love her like she did to Zuko. Alas, her fear for her daughter had gotten the better of Ursa since she very much resembled Ozai.

However, she saw her daughter slowly change over the past month. Her once cold heart began to thaw to the warmth of love. Azula had talked to her more, played with her more, and it was one of the happiest moments Ursa had experienced. She didn't want to leave her behind - her beautiful fire lily. Furthermore, Ursa understood something: she had been completely ignorant towards Azula's cry for help; she'd done awful things that earned a scolding from Ursa, but she never realized that Azula did them for her attention.

There were just so much she wanted to do with Azula to make up for the times as a horrible mother that she couldn't possibly do anymore. Tears fell from her eyes as she cried silently.

"Mom, where are you going?" Azula suddenly appeared in front of her with droopy eyes. The dim lights of the hall cast a faint shadow of Azula over her mother. Ursa's eyes widened; Azula was the last person she wanted awake right now.

Ursa quickly wiped her tears away, "Sweetie, what are you doing up so late?"

"I couldn't sleep."

Ursa gently held Azula's hand, "Let's get you back to your room."

They entered Azula room, and Ursa lifted her onto the bed.

"Hey, mom?" Azula's drowsy voice spoke softly to her.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Is Zuzu going to be alright?" Her voice laced with worry as she looked at Ursa with half-lidded eyes.

Ursa smiled, "Zuko is going to be alright; I talked your father out of it."

"I'm glad," She breathed a sigh of relief. "Hey, mom?"

"Hm?"

"I know this is childish of me, but can you sing 'The Dancing Dragon'?" Azula asked. "I miss hearing you sing, mom."

Ursa's heart nearly broke to pieces when she heard that. The Dancing Dragon was a children's song she used to sing to Azula before they grew apart. Things may never go back the way they used to, but Ursa can at least grant her one last wish.

In the midst of night, the mother's soothing voice echoed in the darkness of the room. And soon, Azula's half-lidded eyes now closed as she fell into the world of dreams. As the song ended, Ursa gave one last kiss on Azula's forehead - a kiss filled with regret and loss of what should have been.

Then, she departed into the night.

*****

The next morning, Fire Lord Azulon had passed away. The palace servants had scrambled to gather all the doctors they could get their hands on, but alas, there was nothing the doctors could do. They had ruled his death as a natural cause.

Word began to spread like wildfire about the Fire Lord's death. Every streets and corners in the capital city had all citizens talking about it. Some cried while others remained neutral towards the news. The city was bustling with activity as many sought out to find new information about his death. However, everyone wanted to know who will step up to the throne to become the new Fire Lord.

In the halls, Prince Ozai leisurely wandered about, a malicious smile etched across his face as the servants bowed before him while they passed by. Today had finally arrived, and he would be crowned as the new and true Fire Lord. However, there was one nuisance he needed to remove before the funeral began, and that was Naruto Uzumaki. The boy was too unpredictable for him to be around any longer. Ozai stepped out into the Royal Garden where his wife used to spend much of her time in leisure. Suddenly, Zuko burst into the royal garden with a look of panic

"Dad, where's mom!" Zuko screamed. "What happened to her!"

However, Zuko was met with silence.

"Where is she!" He screamed again.

Yet, he was met with silence once again. Zuko didn't wan't to believe it, but his father's silence gave it all away. His mother was gone now.

Ozai glanced behind him and watched his son sprint back into the palace. Just when the peace finally settled, he came.

Naruto Uzumaki.