Taang week '12: Return

Hi everyone. Since I missed Zutara Week (though I'm still considering Late submissions) I thought I could at least even things by doing Taang Week. All the info is posted on my DA Journal, so without further ado.
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Return
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This story Will take place during the episode "Avatar Aang" and it will follow what has been describe in Previous Zutara and Taang Week fics
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Fire Lord Ozai, or Phoenix King as he called himself now, looked up and the looming  presence that is Avatar Aang, in full control of the avatar state. With his arm and Legs encased in earth, Ozai realized he was a good as dead. Aang hovers over him on the narrow pillar they landed on, as he spoke, his voice was distorted and powered, as if the pervious avatars were speaking with him. "Fire Lord Ozai, you and your forefathers have devastated the balance of this world, and now you shall pay the ultimate price." He lands in front of Ozai, he summons the elements that surrounded him, stones form a sharp point, the water freezes into an icicle and the fire increases in its size.

"No...You can't do this! you won't! Avatar Roku couldn't kill Sozin, it's not in the Avatar's nature to kill!" Ozai shouted, hopefully to be spared. Aang spoke again, this time in his own voice "Times have changed Ozai...I've changed...and you helped with that change. You took away my life, destroyed my home, caused nothing but pain and suffering to everyone I hold dear!"

Aang took control of the Elements ready to strike Ozai down. He couldn't believe he was about to do this. Trapped in a defensive position, unable to access the Avatar State, Aang though he would lose his life today, but the Spirits have intervened though visions. He had seen how the world was paralyzed in fear when the comet arrived. He had seen his friends fighting in the sky, on the many air ships, trying to buy time for Aang as he faced Ozai. He saw Katara, facing Azula when Zuko was struck by lightning saving her, and Katara Stopping Azula and saving Zuko. He had seen Toph, Fighting with all she could with Sokka and Suki...Toph...he remember the talk they had before Aang was drawn to the Spirits call...the confessions...the kiss...he couldn't let them down, He couldn't let them die because of him, he wouldn't. Aang knew he couldn't just leave to save them...he was already working on saving them...by fighting Ozai, he couldn't let his attachment to his friends, to his loved ones, stand in the way of doing his duty as Avatar...and that's when he felt it: His seventh Charka, blocked by both Azula's strike and his fear to let attachment go, had released itself...it was open...and in that instant, He entered the avatar state, it had returned. He fought Ozai with the power of the Elements and the previous Avatars by his side, he brought Ozai to his knees and knew what he had to do.

With a final thrust, The elements charged at Ozai, ready for the final kill. Ozai shut his eyes, waiting for the end to come...but it didn't. After a moment, he opened his eyes and saw he was free from the earth confinements holding him down, broken by the Avatar himself. Aang exited the State and glared at Ozai. "Surprised? Don't be...you're not worth it."  He moved closer to Ozai, who was still laying on the ground "look at you" aang said, "Big Bad Fire Lord Ozai, bringer of devastation and destruction to the world" he added with a mocking tone, "and here you are...at my feet, cowering and begging for your life. You've lost Ozai. the four Nations will always endure, they will heal itself from the scars you caused." Aang moved closer to his face "remember this defeat Ozai...this Humiliation! Remember that you can never win." he smiled before turning his back on him, looking out on the edge, knowing that he was right.

Ozai was shocked at what he said...but then he grew angry. He got up and sends a lightning bolt Aang's way, but Aang managed to catch it in time and redirected. However, the lighting was erratic and wild, it flowed through his entire body before it channeled through his stomach and out his arms...one of the areas it channeled through were his eyes, the power and bright light it caused made him temporarily blind. Seeing the Avatar stumble, Ozai knew he had an opportunity, he smiled as he got up. "No...you remember..boy" Ozai said mockingly, "How I turned defeat into victory" He marches over to him as he stood, looking powerless and sightless. "How even with all that power, you were still weak. How I left your 'friends' without their savior." He took a stance and was ready to deliver the final blow. Just as Ozai send the blast at Aang, he spun around and missed. "What?" Ozai asked, surprised. Aang took a stance himself and stomped. Without his sight, Aang started relying on the same thing Toph relied on: his other senses.

Ozai growled as he sent fire blast after fireballs, but Aang blocked and dodged each attack. "No! NO! How are you doing this?" he asked in frustration, Aang replayed with a smile "I just waited and listened." Ozai growled and charged at him, he roared in frustration, his fist smothered in flames ready to strike. Aang stood still and waited, he couldn't see where Ozai would strike so the moment he got close enough...he struck.

Ozai stopped in a flash...the fire on his fist faded. Aang's vision returned and he saw Ozai as he looked down...an icicle had pieced his flesh and into his heart. He started gasping and he held the wound. He stumbled around trying to get it out, but was losing his footing, Aang moved out of his reach as he fell off the edge. He screamed for his life as he plummeted down to the water and rocks below, Aang looked down at where he fell and didn't see him float back up.

Aang hears the sound of one of the War ships hover near him. He took a stance ready to fight whoever came out, but all that came out were Sokka, Suki and Toph. Suki was helping Sokka, who had a bandaged leg and the moment Toph landed on solid earth, she runs to Aang's side. "Guys, how did you-" Aang started to ask but Toph cut him off with a deep, hard kiss on the lips. Aang smiled in it and kissed back, but at that moment, Toph pulled away and punches him in the arm. "You jerk!" Toph shouted, "Don't EVER disappear like that again! Did you have any idea how worried we were?!"

Aang rubbed his arm but smiled "I'm sorry, Toph. but I guess the Spirits had other plans." Toph still looked angry "Well, maybe next time, they can let us know first." Aang just shook his head "I'm sorry I scared you." "Who said I was scared, I just wanted-" Toph started to defend herself but Aang silenced her with another kiss, He pulled away and smiled as Toph blushed deeply after that, "Okay, you're off the hook for now."

Suki and Sokka looked shocked at what they saw, but Suki gave a knowing smile "I knew it" She said. Sokka decided to change the subject "Man, Aang You should have seen yourself, it was amazing! You were all like," He starts making firing noises as he pantomimes what he saw, despite his broken leg "and then the Fire Lord was all like," he acts like Ozai did before he fell. "Stop Sokka. I'm not entirely proud of that" Aang said, not wanting to envision that again.

"Aang, we saw the whole thing" Suki said, "we know that final blow was a mistake...but you can't blame yourself for that." Aang looks at her "Ozai was a coward. You showed him mercy and he took advantage of that. His death wasn't by your hand but by his own arrogance" she added.

"You did what you had to do, Twinkletoes" Toph added, "you won...the war is over." Aang gave a sigh "thanks guys. I know, you're right, and I don't disagree about Ozai...I just wished I could have done it without shedding blood." Aang said, "It's a shame really, I never got to use that technique." "Technique?" Sokka asked, "Yeah, it was something a giant Lion Turtle showed me, Spirit bending. I would have been able to take Ozai's firebending." Aang explained "seriously?" Toph asked, Aang nodded and Toph smirked and crossed her arms "wow, you have the craziest adventures when you disappear." She moved closer and held him close, "But I'm glad you returned." Aang smiled and touched his forehead with hers "So am I Toph." He leans in for another sweet kiss. Toph didn't pull away, she kissed back, they stayed that way even after the red sky turned blue again, returning the night sky to its proper place.
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Several months later
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After the Comet, Zuko was crowned the new Fire Lord. He vowed to return the Fire Nation to its former peaceful glory, undoing the damage his forefathers created. Ba Sing Se was returned to a simple city, the Dai Lee removed from the city for their treason, King Kuei returned to his throne and Vowed the city would be equal for all. Iron returned to Ba Sing Se and retired to his Tea Shop after helping Zuko. Everything was returning to normal...but there was still one more task for Avatar Aang and Toph Bei Fong.

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There they stood, Aang's face was neutral while Toph looked nervous, and for good reason, they had returned to Gaoling...her home. They stood in front of the gates surrounding the mansion. Aang could feel the anxiety and held her hand "I can't do this" Toph said. "Toph, you know in your heart you have to. You can't run from this forever. You have to face your parents."

Toph suddenly moved closer, embracing him "what if they try to keep me away forever, what if they still don't understand?" Toph asked, Aang held her close "then I will do everything in my power to make them understand. I'm not going to lose you Toph. Not after all we've been through."

Toph calmed slightly, and looked up to him "you promise?" Aang answered with a kiss, she blushed again and stood up "i really wish I didn't have to." "I know...but its the only way."

"Ok...lets do this." Toph said, "Ready or not Mom and Dad...your daughter has returned.

Hey walked together to face this return head on, Aang held her hand for support and Toph took it, they were ready.
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That's day one. keep watching for more