An Unpleasant Ending

Still, no matter how they guessed, they could never have imagined the truth. Or rather, they did not dare let their thoughts stray in that direction.

Unlike Zuko, who dared to stand up to Azula, the two girls who had spent so long playing with her understood how terrifying she was better than either Zuko or Kahn did. That was why they simply could not imagine Azula having a normal side.

Had Kahn known this, he would certainly have sighed. Azula, just how unpopular are you?

In Mai's eyes, anyone who could change Azula was probably even more terrifying than Azula herself. Otherwise, why would Azula submit? And so she decided that she absolutely must not provoke this person.

Meanwhile, Ty Lee looked at Kahn with even greater admiration. She wanted to become someone as brave as him, unafraid of Azula's threats and unswayed by others, able to live freely.

It had to be said that the girl's imagination had run a little too wild.

Kahn and Zuko continued chatting.

"You're studying firebending under Uncle Iroh now? That's great. I wish I could study under him too."

After hearing how Kahn had been doing lately, Zuko spoke enviously.

Kahn said:

"If you want to, why not just ask him? I don't think he'd turn you down."

Zuko nodded, then shook his head.

"But Father wouldn't agree. He doesn't really like Uncle Iroh."

"I see."

Kahn could understand that. After all, Ozai and Iroh had just finished fighting over the throne. They certainly did not look like two people who could get along.

In fact, if he could, Ozai would not even have let Zuko have contact with Iroh. His feelings toward Iroh went far beyond mere dislike; there was simply nothing he could do.

Although Iroh now seemed to have lost all his power and become a useless prince, he had spent so many years as crown prince. His prestige within the Fire Nation's army, his influence among its people, and his own strength all demanded careful consideration.

It could be said that as long as Iroh did not openly rebel, even Ozai could do little about him.

That was precisely why Iroh could still enter and leave the Royal Palace as he pleased, and even bring Kahn in to play.

Speaking of firebending, Kahn and Zuko had originally agreed that Zuko would teach him firebending, while he would teach Zuko his original move, "Scum Gale."

But now that Iroh was personally teaching him firebending, he no longer needed to sneak over to Zuko to learn it. Still, he would teach him "Scum Gale" as promised, and Zuko said he was looking forward to it.

Perhaps because Zuko had been defeated by "Scum Gale" himself, he always felt that the move was incredibly powerful.

Kahn, on the other hand, hoped Zuko would not expect too much, or he would be sorely disappointed. After all, the strength of "Scum Gale" lay not in the move itself, but in his own cheat-like physical gifts.

Just then, Azula came over with Mai and Ty Lee.

Seeing them, Kahn asked, "Why aren't you playing anymore?"

"It's boring."

Azula rested both hands behind her head, looking thoroughly uninterested.

Really? I saw you having a great time just now.

But one glance at Ty Lee behind her, who clearly wanted to keep playing, gave Kahn a rough idea of what had happened.

The little girl's a sore loser.

He did not call her out on it, merely asking:

"So what now?"

"Don't know."

Azula simply lay down beside Kahn and closed her eyes to rest on the grass.

Ty Lee sat a little distance away, opposite Azula and Kahn, her eyes sparkling as though she were observing something. Mai quietly sat down beside Zuko.

A gentle breeze blew. The bowed grass and the rippling lake nearby were pleasing to the eye, and this brief moment of quiet was quite relaxing.

Before long, however, Zuko could no longer bear the quiet and suggested:

"Kahn, how about you carry on with that story from before?"

For once, Azula did not object. "That sounds good."

Kahn thought for a moment, then agreed. "All right, sure."

"A story?"

Ty Lee and Mai were puzzled. "What story?"

"Well... it's a little troublesome to explain. Just listen and you'll see."

Then Kahn asked, "Uh, where did I leave off last time?"

Zuko immediately replied, "Sun Wukong went up to Heaven and became an immortal!"

"Oh, right. Last time, Sun Wukong went up to Heaven, and the Jade Emperor appointed him Keeper of the Heavenly Horses..."

As Kahn told the story, even Mai and Ty Lee, who had only joined halfway through, soon became engrossed without realizing it.

At that moment, the five of them, brought together for all sorts of reasons, seemed exceptionally harmonious.

But whatever the matter might be, fate would never let it proceed smoothly forever. Instead, it would try every means to fill the story with twists and turns-

"Oh? Do we have guests?"

Suddenly, a man in stately attire appeared in the courtyard, stepping into the five children's view.

When Zuko saw who it was, the joy in his heart instantly froze. Before he could arrange any expression on his face, he merely stood, lowered his head slightly, and called:

"Father."

Zuko's father... Kahn, Mai, and Ty Lee exchanged glances, then likewise stood and greeted him respectfully:

"Your Majesty!"

At the same time, Kahn began recalling what he knew about His Majesty. Whether judging from Zuko's behavior or Iroh's and Azula's descriptions, this emperor of the Fire Nation did not seem like a good person.

Especially that night of the struggle for the throne Azula had described. Although she had invented the part where Ozai stabbed his own father to death, the image refused to leave Kahn's mind.

Because it always brought to mind Arthas, Itachi Uchiha, Eren, and a whole string of other famously "filial sons"...

Stop!

Kahn hurriedly cut off that train of thought and kept his expression composed.

"Father!"

Unlike Zuko, Azula ran happily to Ozai's side. "Why are you back?"

Although the matter of Yin Shu had left some cracks in Azula's image of Ozai, that was precisely why she needed all the more to be his "good daughter."

At least, she had to make Ozai think so.

"I still have things to finish. I just heard we had guests as I was passing by, so I stopped in to take a look."

Ozai stroked Azula's head kindly, casually sweeping his gaze over the three children who did not belong to the Royal Palace.

He was no stranger to Mai and Ty Lee. Their fathers had become his subordinates before he became emperor, which was why the two girls had been able to become Azula's playmates.

His gaze therefore passed evenly over them and turned toward Kahn beside them. Their eyes met at once.

Unlike Mai and Ty Lee's reverent fear, although Kahn's gestures and manners were very respectful, his gaze was utterly calm, without the slightest trace of fear.

So this is the child...

Ozai was no stranger to Kahn. In fact, even before Kahn met Zuko, he had learned that Iroh had adopted a commoner orphan, and had mocked him over it.

Now I see. No wonder Iroh adopted him. This child is just as loathsome as he is!

A flicker of displeasure flashed through Ozai's eyes, then quickly vanished. But a sudden whim struck him:

If this child suddenly died, what sort of expression would Iroh make?

Just thinking about it is amusing.

Of course, for now, that thought could only remain a thought.

Testing Iroh's limits and even turning him into an enemy merely to satisfy a passing interest was not worth it. At least, it was not worth it while his own position as emperor had yet to become completely secure.

Ah, what a pity...

Ozai's gaze sent a chill through Kahn. He had no idea he had already taken a turn outside the gates of death.

Despite the various malicious thoughts churning within him, Ozai showed no emotion on the surface. In the end, he merely gave Azula a few brief reminders, then turned and left.

He really had only been passing by. On that point, at least, he had not lied.

As for Kahn, apart from that initial scrutiny that had sent a chill through him, Ozai did nothing else.

Once Ozai had left, Kahn let out a long breath of relief. Although Ozai had said nothing to him, he had still put him under considerable pressure.

He certainly lives up to being the main villain.

When Azula saw Ozai disappear completely from view, the smile in her eyes vanished, and she spat silently.

Ozai's appearance had robbed them all of the mood to play, and they parted on that unhappy note.

After returning home, Kahn thought again of Ozai and the secrets Azula had told him. That night, he had a rare nightmare.

He dreamed that Ozai learned of his agreement with Azula, then killed Azula, Iroh, and Zuko before torturing him to death.

He jolted awake in a cold sweat and cursed viciously:

"Old bastard!"