Bab 429: 429. Zuko's Decision
Zuko was feeling lost these past many days. He was not sure what he wanted to do in his life. So, he just roamed around the whole of Ba Sing Se, without a decided destination.
He unknowingly came to the poorest part of the city. For as far as he could see there was dirt and bad odor from all the piled up garbage. Along the street, he saw many kids sitting on the sides. Their eyes looked lifeless and bodies malnourished. He could see their bone structure as there was no muscle fat left.
Then, to his surprise, he saw Alexander walking to each child and doing something which would make the kids healthy in every way possible. A child who had been on the verge of death just started to jump around in a matter of seconds.
He knew that the man was Spirit God and thought that maybe, following him can answer some of his questions.
"Ah, Zuko, come here and help me." Before Zuko could approach Alexander called him.
"Come, help me care for these children. The food rations will take a little time to get distributed, so I am making sure no life is lost." Alexander said.
Zuko and Alexander walked to the next kid and kneeled in front of him. This one too had lifeless and hopeless eyes. His stomach had deflated, making his ribcage appear in detail. His body was filthy as dirt was all over his ragged clothes and even skin. The smell of urine was all over him too.
"What is your name, child?" Alexander asked while using magic to heal him.
"Tai... Chin"
"What about your parents?" He asked.
"N-No parents," the kid replied.
Alexander caressed his head, "Well, you still have this grandpa. You don't need to worry about food and money now. I will take care of everything."
The boy slowly smiled and fell asleep. His body may have been healed but he was still tired. Alexander just picked him up and started walking to the nearby shelter he had opened which was being manned by his people.
"You look troubled, Zuko. What's on your mind?" He asked.
"I don't know what to do now. I don't know where to start now." Zuko replied in self-doubt.
"Hmm, why must you have a plan or a goal? Don't be so worked out about the future that you stop looking at what is currently around you.
"Look at this kid. He must have had hopes and dreams too. Maybe he wanted to become a soldier or a merchant but see where destiny brought him.
"You can never be prepared, Zuko, because life is too unpredictable. You can only be ready to face whatever life throws at you. Why not become the fire lord?" Alexander gave honest advice.
"Huh, I can't even defeat Azula, how am I to defeat my father and take over." Zuko scoffed at the idea in self-loathing.
"Ah, Azula. Well, even she couldn't defeat her inner demons. Like how you are fighting yourself right now, she is too. And about Ozai, well, he is Avatar's duty." Alexander said.
"Ah, we're here." He exclaimed.
He handed the child to one of the seraphs, "Send food out immediately. The situation is worse than I imagined." He ordered.
Zuko looked around the huge hall they were in. For as far as he could see, there were children. Some smiling, some sad, and some crying.
He tightened his fist seeing the scene.
Alexander stood beside him and spoke, "Children are the most vulnerable ones during crises like this war. They are too small and innocent to understand how cruel this world can be. They are too weak to protect themselves from exploitation.
"Look at those little girls. I saved them from an underground brothel. And to add to their misery, it was their parents who sold them. But I must say, they are very strong-willed. They still want to live a happy life.
"But all this shows you something. That this world is very unfair. Just because one was born in a certain family or nation with certain colored skin or facial features, it defines how their future life is going to be in this world. You were lucky enough to be born a prince and live your life lavishly but what about them? This is the reality of the world we live in.
"It is also likely that many of these were born in rich or decent families and yet are here in this condition, because of the war. As the crown prince of the fire nation, it is your duty to stand up when another member of your family does something wrong. Don't let the name of Fire Nation be smothered any more.
"Because it is not just people here who are suffering. There are many in the fire nation too. Kids, just like these. Who deserved better but destiny didn't allow."
Zuko took a long breath and straightened his back as he should. He was the crown prince of Fire Nation and it was his duty to ensure peace and prosperity in his country.
~Maybe, if I were the fire lord, I could truly help kids like these. But I need to get stronger.~
"Don't worry. You will be joining me in for training tomorrow. You will train alongside the Avatar. Just like it was always meant to be." Alexander said, reading his thoughts.
Zuko nodded quietly.
"Haha, good. Now, let's get to work. Your job is to distribute food packets to the people. No slacking." He instructed.
Zuko quietly followed the orders. It was his first step to help others.
...
Fire Nation Capital,
The current Firelord, Ozai was sitting alone behind the curtains of fire in the throne room. This was his favorite place to sit and plan as it made him feel how powerful he was and how much he could do.
But he was angry and unstable right now, clearly depicted by the uncontrolled flames around him.
"WHERE DID THIS SPIRIT GOD COME FROM!" He shouted.
His plans for Ba Sing Se failed, his daughter, his favorite candidate for the next fire lord position was also taken hostage by the Spirit god. For the first time since he became the fire lord, he felt powerless. His flames couldn't burn through this opposition.
"Argh, I should wait. I should be able to take them on when the Sozin's Comet comes. I will be the strongest then." He talked to himself in a maddened state.
~But you will still not be able to defeat the Spirit God.~
Ozai looked left and right to see where the voice came from, "WHO IS IT?"
"It is I, Vaatu, the spirit of darkness and chaos. The strongest, the most ancient spirit and the greatest enemy of the Raava, also known as the... Avatar." a whispering voice said.
"SHOW YOURSELF IF YOU ARE SO POWERFUL!" Sozin shouted.
"I cannot, I am locked in the spirit realm. But, I can help you to gain power even stronger than the Avatar. You just need to become my host, just like how the Avatar is of Raava." Vaatu whispered.
Sozai couldn't tell if he was really listening to the voice or it was a hallucination because it all felt like he was hearing the words in his mind directly.
"What is in it for you?" Sozai asked.
"The same as what you have. Death of Avatar." Vaatu said, not telling him his other goal of bringing ten thousand years of darkness.
"How do I become your vessel then?" Ozai asked, fully falling into the trap of Vaatu. He was just desperate for power at the moment and was ready to even sell his soul for it.
"Good good... just follow my instructions and see..." Vaatu started instructing.
...
*Aachooo*
"Ah, I think I caught a cold," Aang exclaimed, scratching his bald head.
"Don't worry. this practice session will make you sweat away any cold you have. So, today's first lesson is about mastering earthbending for you." Alexander started instructing.
A distance away from them, everyone was sitting and watching. Sokka, seeing that Azula was not a crazy psycho anymore tried to hit on her.
"Heh, I guess Aang has gotten very weak to catch a cold so easily. Strong men like me never get sick." He boasted,
"Oh, really," Azula exclaimed.
"Then your skin must be strong too? So if I were to roast you in my fire, you wouldn't burn, right?" She said with no emotions, which was ten times scarier.
Sokka got goosebumps and ran away.
"Haha... that was funny, Azula. Since when did you start joking?" Ty Lee laughed.
But Azula looked at her with a plain face too. Ty Lee stopped laughing, "Ah, sorry."
"Got you, hahaha..." Azula started laughing but this time genuinely.
A distance from the two, Chomei floated beside Ragnarok. Chomei nodded looking at Azula, "Ah, I am proud of my work. Here, take this, uncle Raggy. This is my card, call doctor Chomei anytime you need. I am busy now, gotta go."
Chomei acted and left to do god knows what. Ragnarok looked at the piece of paper with the words Lucky Seven Chomei written on it with crayons and a crude drawing of Chomei and Alexander on it also made of crayons.
"Haha... what a cute kid. I will frame this," Ragnarok muttered and put it in his pocket.
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