Journey
Iroh calmly walked into the chambers of the Fire Lord, Cadence at his side looking somewhat nervous. It had been years since he'd last seen Ozai, save his presence at the funeral and at the coronation, and he had no idea how much had changed between them. After all, Iroh never would have believed his father would disinherit him in favor of Ozai, especially so soon after his own son's death.
The one thing that stuck out in his memory regarding Ozai was his ambition, an ambition bordering on zeal. He truly believed to the depths of his soul in the ambition set in motion for the Fire Nation by Sozen. Iroh himself had merely pursued it as a means to an end, towards rebuilding the world as the Order of the White Lotus taught was the true path. Perhaps, towards the end, their father had seen that of the two of them, and chosen Ozai to guide the Fire Nation for that reason.
As he entered the chambers, guards lined the walls behind the fire pots, as Ozai himself knelt, in the arraignment of the Fire Lord, at the top of the dais. Iroh knelt before the steps, Cadence beside him. The little pony stared up nervously at the Fire Lord.
"Leave us," Ozai ordered the guards, and they promptly vacated the room.
Once the guards were gone, Iroh bowed low in obeisance to the Fire Lord. Cadence, beside him, glanced up at him before mirroring his movements.
"None of that, Iroh," Ozai said firmly, rising to his feet and descending the stairs. "Not just between us, and especially not now..." As Iroh stood in surprise, Ozai pulled him into a fierce embrace. "I can't begin to understand your pain or loss, brother," Ozai whispered, emotion thick in his voice. "All I ask is that you let me be here for you in any way I can."
Iroh smiled sadly as he returned the embrace. At least nothing between them had changed. "Thank you, Ozai," he whispered back.
Cadence let out a happy squeak, climbing up Iroh's robes to nuzzle Ozai's cheek. The Fire Lord pulled back in shock. "Iroh, what is this adorable creature?" he asked gaily, breaking the embrace to open his arms to her. A look of ineffable joy crossed his face as she leapt into his arms to nuzzle him.
"Her name is Cadence," Iroh replied, pleased to see that Cadence and Ozai were able to get along. It had seemed at first that Cadence would have rejected Ozai as she had Azula. "I believe her to be a Spirit Creature, one of the Love Spirit's."
"She certainly seems to respond to love," Ozai agreed, tickling Cadence's tummy with one hand, making her wriggle happily. "Was that why she was so nervous when I was up on the dais? Because I was keeping my emotions hidden?"
"Perhaps," Iroh allowed, accepting the explanation. "I am pleased that she has become so fond of you. It would not be good for her to dislike her Uncle." At Ozai's shocked expression, Iroh smiled goofily. "She has chosen me to be her Father."
The amazement on Ozai's face made him look almost boyish again. "Truly, you are beloved of the Spirit World, brother," he breathed. "So soon after your time of grief, they send you one to love and be loved by...a great destiny must surely await you."
"I hope it won't wait too long," Iroh joked. "I am not as young as I once was."
His brother chuckled in amusement. "I am sure that you will have time enough to see to both your destiny and your new ward," he assured. Stepping back, he returned to the dais, and all three of them resumed their former positions. Cadence was smiling up at Ozai now, rather than looking nervous. Having seen his true heart, his outward coldness no longer confused her. "So tell me, brother," Ozai continued, now once more in the tone of the Fire Lord, "is there anything I can do to ease your grief? To help you recover?"
Iroh thought about this for a time, his eyes trailing frequently to Cadence. "...can you release me from my duties as a General for a year or two?" he asked. "I feel it would be appropriate if I were to journey for a time, to understand what the Spirits have planned for me...and what they have planned for Cadence."
"Of course," Ozai replied. "Take all the time you need. As much as your counsel and expertise will be missed - not to mention your presence - it is for the benefit of the Fire Nation that you be whole in mind and heart when you return to duty." His smile was soft, though his eyes sad. "I will miss having you here...but it is for the best that you do what you feel you must in this regard."
Iroh smiled as he bowed, though not as low as before. "Thank you, Fire Lord Ozai...my brother." Cadence mirrored his movements, smiling.
"Are you really leaving, Uncle?"
Iroh looked up from his packing. He had discarded his robes as a Fire Nation General and had dressed plainly in Earth Nation colors. While he had all his paperwork to certify his identity should he encounter any officials, he felt it best that he not parade that fact before civilians, especially when not surrounded by an army to protect him. He was under no illusions of how the common people felt about the Fire Nation's conquest. "Yes, Zuko," he stated calmly. "I am. I need some time and solitude to come to terms with my grief, and understand my future."
"I could come with you," Zuko offered.
"No, Zuko," Iroh chided gently, shaking his head. "You have a duty here, as a Prince. You must remain and continue your studies, and your training. Fire Lord Ozai needs you by his side, you and your sister."
Cadence made a very rude noise as she popped up out of the luggage, her face screwed up like she'd eaten something sour. This set both Iroh and Zuko to laughing.
"And you needn't worry about the weight of grief crushing me in my loneliness," Iroh reassured his nephew. He scooped Cadence up into his arms. "This little one won't let that happen."
Zuko nodded. "You take good care of my Uncle," Zuko told Cadence. "Alright?"
Smiling, Cadence nodded. With an air of solemnity, she drew an X on her chest with one hoof, fluttered her wings, and then put the same hoof over her eye, all the while babbling nonsense baby sounds.
"...what?" Zuko asked in confusion.
"I believe she was swearing a special promise," Iroh translated. "Childish words carrying great seriousness to a child."
"What, like..." Zuko began performing the motions. "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a teacake in my eye?"
Cadence tilted her head for a moment, then squeaked, clapping her hooves.
"Something like that, apparently," Iroh translated good-naturedly.
Zuko managed a smile, before hugging Iroh around the middle. "I'll miss you, Uncle."
Iroh returned the embrace. "And I will miss you too, my nephew."
From her place clinging to Iroh's arm, Cadence gave Zuko a kiss on his forehead.
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Hmm...
He's right about Zuko's mother. On that note: DAMN YOU, NICK, FOR NOT LETTING US KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER!!
So far i love this story, and i understand your reasoning on making ozai the way he is now.
I highly approve of this.
Interesting. That might explain why he allowed Avatar Roku to die on the volcanic island, instead of sending an assassin to murder him in his sleep. He knew Roku was a threat to his goals, but he could not bring himself to murder just for the sake of his vision. He merely wished to bide his time until an opportunity presented itself.
6401992 yeah and letting us find out what happened to her after season 3 through a comic book!
Actually, I always thought Ozai was the sociopath, and Azula was a girl he trained into being a monster. Maybe she had issues, sure, but she never struck me as inherently evil. More... trained for a very specific purpose. And unable to function outside it.
In the comic expansion, he does actually send an assassin after the man Ursa loved before they met. And it's implied he sent one after Ursa after she ran away. (They both survived because magic hid them.)
6402015 actually, Ozai wasnt even alive when Roku died. remember that it had been 100 years since the avatar was seen in the show when it starts.
6402019 They were actually going to make that a T.V. movie, but Nick said no.
Not how I expected the Fire Lord to behave in his grand introduction, but I must say that I like how it turned out. I think you have sound reasoning for your characterization of Ozai, and assuming it's correct makes him seem that much more interesting.
6402015
That was Sozen. But yes, that does show hereditary behaviors and outlooks.
Is this an alternate universe in which Zuko DOES NOT come with Iroh?
I...uh....That actually makes sense....CURSE YOU TAT! You're making me sympathize with a man who was going to slaughter millions with a smile on his face and messed up his daughter.
I will forgive you, because Cadance is uber adorable.
6402015 You DO know that Ozai and Roku have NEVER at all interacted with one another, right? That was SOZIN that left Roku to die on the volcano, not Ozai.
An interesting way to characterize Ozai. Of course, as the official graphic novel The Search (which FINALLY tells us what really happened to Zuko's mom) shows us, he...really was a sociopath.
Not that I'm complaining. I'm curious seeing how this turns out.
Interesting take on Ozai. It'll be nice to see where his character goes as the story progresses.
DAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW that last bit was just too adorable
6401992 actually, there's a comic book coming out (or already out) on zuko's early years as fire lord, and he brings his mother back
6402264
Well, this is the first I've heard of it.
6402182
Zuko didn't go with Iroh on his spirit journey.
Iroh went with Zuko when he was sent to hunt down the Avatar.
6402198
Never read that.
6402275 ...Oh.
6402275 It's like this. Ursa's a descendant of good ol' Avatar Roku, and grew up living in a peaceful village with her actor boyfriend Ikem next to a forest inhabited by a mighty spirit called the Mother of Faces, who creates all the faces in the world and can be persuaded to change a person's face once a year if you manage to catch her. Fire Lord Azulon discovered her ancestry and convinced her to marry Ozai so that they could birth a child descended from both Avatars and Fire Lord, not-so-subtly implying he'd destroy the village if she refused. She was forced to leave, and poor Ikem's heart was broken, and he wandered into the forest, met the Mother of Faces, and started a new life.
Ursa was miserable in the palace of the Fire Lord, and wrote to Ikem everyday. Naturally, all of her letters were intercepted and locked in a chest on Ozai's orders, because he's a dick like that. At one point, several years after they had kids, Ozai read one of her letters implying that Zuko was actually Ikem's son and not his. He confronted Ursa on it, and she admitted it wasn't true but she wished it was. Ozai cruelly promised to fulfill her desire, swearing that from that point forward he would not treat Zuko like his own flesh and blood.
More time passed. Iroh's campaign in Ba Sing Se failed, and Azulon heard Ozai mock him for quitting after losing his son. Enraged, Azulon ordered Ozai to kill Zuko as punishment so he'd know the pain of losing his firstborn. Azula overheard and told Ursa because she's a little bitch, and Ursa confronted Ozai, who promised he'd do it in Zuko's sleep. Ursa came up with a better idea: using her knowledge of herbs from back home, she'd poison Azulon so Ozai could take the throne. Ozai was smart enough to realize that she could easily poison him as well afterwards, so told her to leave forever once the deed was done, and he kept the kids as collateral. Ursa poisoned Azulon, said goodbye to her kids, and left the capital, returning to her home village where she was reunited with the new-faced Ikem, and went into the forest to get a new face and memories from the Mother of Faces to start a new life and family from scratch. And that was that...
Until several years later, when Zuko and friends went in search of her...
Wow, it's so weird seeing Ozai act like this...
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
6402340
...I think I'm glad I haven't read that so I don't have to utilize it as part of this story. Sticking to the cartoon.
6402436
I'm glad. I like zealous Ozai more than sociopathic Ozai.
D'awwwww! ^^ That was so heartwarming how Cadence warmed up to Ozai after he showed his true emotions. She's a very perceptive little thing, that's for sure. Greatly looking forward to this story, even if I haven't actually watched the Avatar series!
6402436 Fair enough.
I like your interpretation of Fire Lord Ozai... cause I'm SICK of fics making him out to be samesociopath as Azula. Your interpretation is new and refreshing.
Question, isn't this supposed to be Thought?
Zealotry vs Insanity. Both are off the edge but one is more... How to say... Sympathetic? I don't really know how to describe it other than following the same path as the other but keeping steady in their beliefs.
Yeah, saw the comic and Ozai was real craycray in that one. Yours is much more engaging I believe.
6402992
Actually, it's supposed to be taught, as in "the teachings of".
6403001 Oh yeah, that's true as well. I kept reading the part near the end and confused myself on both occasions. Both work but of course had different meanings. I think I might be going slightly cocked eyed.
That's a good point; I never thought about it that way.
Ozai the Zealot has been accepted into my mind, then! I'm not sure if that makes me feel happier or sadder at that revelation…
I'll hold off judgment until you can explain later incidents but Ozai for me is on shaky ground as he did disinherit his brother and killed their father if by accessory.
Of course it's possible he was actually trying to save Zuko.... But you really have to go for it TAt and mod canon because I see no other way for Ozai to be seen as sympathetic later on particularly with Zuko branding and earth nation genocide
That being said you've always been good with that so keep up
I'm picturing Cadence borrowing a quote from Paladin in Wing Commander 3 to say to Zuko at one point:
"You shouldn't live your life for the approval of one man!"
I hope later in the story that one scene with toph and iroh having tea happens.
6403709
Four issues with your assessment.
One: Luna is a part of Nightmare Moon in "There's Nopony I'd Rather Be Than Me". Which means she doesn't get her second.
Two: Celestia has already been announced to being sent to Picard of ST:TNG.
Three: This would require me to know the Naruto series, which I don't.
And finally, nothing in your comment has anything to do with the present story, so it shouldn't even be here.
6403718
sorry I have been on a Naruto fanfic benge and I can't get it out of my head. I love Avatar to and this fic is awesome
will you continue cadence's story past book 4? ends before or during Korra's early years?
Awwwwhahahaww, that is so adorable, I love Cadence in this, she's so sweet and lovable.
Nice job Tat, nice job!
I love how she can sense stuff like emotions, that's so cool, both in the show and in this.
Awesome job, keep it up!
I wonder what could await these two on their adventure! :D
This is not how I envisioned things to go. I guess I'm even more interested now that things are like this, but this is still a bit shaky for even me to fully accept.
But I'm sure you've got something planned to stick everything together.
I LOVE THIS CHAPTER
oh I can't wait when Cadence will finally talk
Please tell me she is going to talk very soon??
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
Ozai said adorable, and Cadence LIKES the guy? Guess he's not so bad here.
I figured as much myself, like Starlight, he REALLY does believe what he's saying.
Wait... does that mean Pinkie can pop into this story now that Cadence made a Pinkie Promise???
Ozai is a big softie towards cute things... I want to see his reaction to the CMC puppy eyes, Fluttershy being herself, and the Cake twins.
6402019 ...theres a comic?
I'm liking where this is going especially the way Cadence acts around Iroh, Zuko and Ozai respectively as well as having nasty thoughts towards Azula. And of course I never thought that Ozai was ever really good in any way shape or form in the series since he was a humongous jerk and gave Zuko his nasty scar.
I... was not expecting that...
This is weird. Seeing Ozai like this is kinda creepy to me.
I don't know if i want him to go back to being the jerk he is in the show or not!
Was he even a jerk in the show? Damn you Tatsurou for making me question my childhood now I need to go back and try to rewatch the series.
6456577
I actually interpret his behavior as being excessively traditional Oriental (with the very strict family rules) and being a true zealot in his actions regarding the war. Every action he takes, he genuinely believes that it is for the good of his family and the war.