She couldn't believe it. She couldn't forget how her friends, choose to betray her in that way. Azula looked with hate at the place, where Mai and Ty Lee were a few minutes ago. Why did fear not work in their case? She wasn't good enough to introduce more fear into them? What did she do wrong?
What was that feeling? She felt that her heart was tired. She felt a terrible pain in her chest, and the darkness gathers in her mind.
Azula puts the hands on her head, and then she aggressively descends her arms. Around her body was just fire, much fire. The soldier's voice helps her to gather her minds.
- What should we do now, Princess?
She closed her eyes. She wanted to forget what just happened. When she opened the yellow-brown circles, a demonic smile appeared.
- We do what a predator loves to do. We follow the loot. Azula said this with a disturbed look.
When the man saw the princess' gaze, he lowered his head to avoid her eyes.
Azula knew. She knew that today would succeed. She will capture Aang, and she will get rid of Zuko. She had to that. She needs to do that. She can't fail. She can't be like Zuko.
With that thought, the smile vanished, but a strong frown appears.
Zuko looked at the people who were with him. They were trying to catch their breath after the battle with Azula and Ty Lee.
- Zuko, I don't know if I've said this before, but your sister is really crazy. She almost killed us. Sokka looked toward his friend, then he lowered his head.
- This guy is right, Your sister and her friend are scary. Said one man who escaped with them.
Zuko looked at the man, without expression. He scratched his neck and then lowered his gaze.
- I know, maybe I shouldn't ask. But how did you resist there? Zuko's question attracted everyone's attention, except Hakoda's. The man smiled and looked at the boy.
- I had to resist. I have a family to go back to.
Hearing the word "family" Zuko lowers his gaze.
- But with Azula's help, I am okay now. Hakoda said this with a kind smile.
Zuko and Sokka were really confused.
- What do you mean "with Azula's help"? Dad, do you hear what you're saying? Sokka got angry fast, but Suki tried to calm him.
- I know what I'm saying, Sokka.
- Dad, it's about Azula here. You know? The girl who tried to kill us earlier. OUR ENEMY. Sokka yelled at the end of the sentence.
Hakoda looked at his son.
- I never said that Azula is a good person, I never said she has a good heart. I know, it's going to be weird to say that, but a little light it is in her soul. That light is hidden in her soul. She needs to bring it to the surface. And for that, she needs a huge help and understanding. Hakoda looked in Zuko's eyes at the end of the sentence.
- For a second, I thought Aang was the one who talked. Sokka frowns at his father. There is no light, dad.
- What happened there? How did you made this opinion about Azula? Zuko asked Hakoda with a hoarse voice.
Hakoda looked toward Suki, as if he was waiting for some kind of help, but she choosed to avoid the eye contact with him. Disappointment appeared on the man's face.
- You might be able to ask her by yourself, young Prince. Hakoda puts his hand on Zuko's shoulder and smiled at him.
Zuko wanted an answer, now. But unfortunately, he couldn't think about it right now. His concern was to return to his friends, and to teach Aang fire bending, so he had to accept it quietly.
The Prince observed that the man's smile was more gentle and warm. He realized that they got back to the temple, finally.
From the moment that Hakoda steps on earth, Katara runs towards him with eyes full of tears. Once she got in front of him, she embrace him strongly.
- I'm back, and I will never leave you and Sokka alone again. Hakoda said this with a kind voice, then he kissed her daughter on the forehead.
The man saw how Aang bowed with respect, and Hakoda bowed his head to show respect too.
He looked again at his daughter, and he saw that she no longer wanted to leave his side, so he embrace his daughter with more affection.
Zuko, Sokka and Suki were sitting next to a fire made by the Prince a few minutes ago.
- Its a good thing you made the fire, i'd like to fry this beauty. Sokka said this with a big smile, while he was holding a piece of meat in his hand.
- You really can't stay without food, aren't you? Suki smiled at her boyfriend.
- Suki, can you survive without your fan? Huh, tell me!
The little "fight" was interrupted by Hakoda. He also sits next to the fire. The man looked at Zuko, who was looking at the ground. He seemed to be lost in thoughts. He looked like, like he didn't know what was going around him.
Hakoda touched his shoulder, and the boy looks at him with big eyes. He looked like he just woke up.
- It will be hard to answer. But...why did you leave? Why didn't you stay with your family?
Zuko smiled nervously and scratched his neck.
- Well...i don't have… I don't have really a… When he wanted to finish the sentence, a wave of water, fell over him.
He was shocked. He didn't know what to do or to say. He looked behind him and saw Katara, Aang and Toph, looking with hate at something, or someone.
In Zuko's mind appeared a single person. He rised quickly and looked up. It was Azula. She had a fist full of smoke, pointed at them. Zuko runs at Katara, and he was ready for a dangerous fight.
- You called your sister here, didnt you? Katara said this with a visible hate in the voice.
- I am sorry to disappoint you, but this is not a good time for this conversation. Zuko frowned while he watched his sister.
Aang comes in front of everyone and looks at Azula with a friendly smile.
- Azula, there is no need to fight. We can solve all misunderstanding with a conversation. Aang smiled, but Zuko slap his forehead.
Azula rises an eyebrow, and then she started to laugh.
- Oh, you are so funny, Avatar. Azula wiped out a tear. But I think you've forgotten with who you are talking. Azula's smile disappeared, and a dark expression appeared on her face.
- Yes, I think I've forgot. He laughed nervous.
- What are you doing here, Azula? Zuko asked her, with a tight fist.
- What do you mean? I am celebrating this day. Today I will finally remove you. I will not live with the impression that my father considers me to be you. If I will destroy you, I will know that dad don't think I am a scum, like you.
Zuko listened all, with his eyes wide opened. What the hell was Azula saying? It was really disturbing to hear all of this from Azula. Although he knew what Azula thought about him, it was worrying that she said all this stuff in front of the others. Azula never said what she felt, but why would she do that now? Zuko could see that something strange was in his sisters eyes.
- Wait a second. But you...what are you doing here, Zuzu? Azula looked at her brother, with a gaze full of disgust.
When no one expected, Azula threw a wall of fire at Aang. Zuko quickly jumped in front of Aang. He blocked the blue inferno with his own fire. Unfortunately, a moment of distraction cost Zuko a lot. Azula's fire reached his arm.
He fell with a painful scream. Aang came quick and helped him to get up.
Terror appeared in everyone's eyes, when several ships of the Fire Nation appeared behind the Princess.
- Let's go! In the cave, now! Sokka yells at his friends.
- Come on, Zuko! Said Aang worried while he looked at Zuko's injured arm.
Zuko looked in his friend's eyes.
- No Aang, I have to stay, instead, you have to go. We both know, that she is here for you. Zuko looks toward his sister. I will take care of this situation, I promise. And for the first time, Zuko smiled at his friend.
Aang smiled too, hoping Zuko would be all right. He stood up, and quickly ran into the cave.
Once his friends enter in the cave, he had courage to face his sister.
- I still can't believe this. You're on the Avatar's side, how disappointing. Said Azula sarcastic. She smiled proudly, when she saw his brother's expression.
Zuko tightened his teeth, and looked at his sister with a nervous look.
-Why are you continuing this nonsense? Why don't you come back to the father's side?
What was wrong with her? A few minutes ago, Azula said that she wanted him dead. A kind of concern appeared in Zuko's soul. He didn't know, why he would feel this feeling for Azula.
-Why do you choose to betray your own nation Zuko? Azula looks at his brother with hatred.
When he hears this question, all the feelings of concern disappear. But what appeared in his soul, was anger.
Zuko closed his eyes, when he realized he could not resist anymore. He couldn't allow Azula to take him down, manipulate him, it was enough. His whole life, he lived like a scum in his own home. He always been insignificant for his father and sister.
Remembering all this, the flames sent to Azula became stronger and... full of life. For the first time, he realized that he didn't betray his nation. Zuko helps his nation to reborn from own ashes.
Azula was not ready for the wave of fire that fast heading towards her. She took her hands to the front, to protect herself, but the fire, sent her strong to the bar behind her. She lost her balance, but she regains it before, Zuko jumped to attack her. Azula beware of the violent fists of her brother.
When she wanted to stop the set of punches, she lost her balance and fell over the railing. The Prince jumped after his sister. When he saw that they approaches to the window of a ship, Zuko covered his face. The impact with the window was strong.
After the impact, Zuko looked up, and saw his sister was lying on the floor. He wanted to get on his feet, but an unbearable pain stops him. His arm was covered in blood. He had to ignore this now, he had to finish with Azula, who was trying to get on her feet.
It was his chance. Zuko gets on his feet and runs towards Azula, with his fist full of flames.
Aang looks at his friends, who climbed on Appa, but Sokka and Hakoda didn't seem to be in a hurry. The Avatar goes at them, a little angry at their rhythm.
-I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but we really should to hurry, Azula will destroy the whole cave.
Hakoda turned to Aang with a disappointed look.
-I'll stay here. Someone needs to stay, and that's going to be me. You guys have to go, quick!
Sokka grabbed his father's arm.
-You can't do that, not again, not now. Sokka shakes his head, looking down, while he bites his lip. I'll stay. He raises his head and looks at his father sincerely.
-Sokka, are you crazy?! Do you really think I'm going to leave my son behind, while I run away from the Fire Nation? The fury gathered in Hakoda's voice, while his son looks at the earth with disappointment.
What's he supposed to do now? He couldn't let his father to go again.
The boy gets on the knees in front of his father, and with his eyes full of tears, he begs him:
-Please don't do it again! Let me to save you all for once. I want to prove that, I can be a warrior like you, a warrior that my mother wanted to see. Please… He finished the sentence, with his head on the ground, in front of his father's feet.
Hakoda looked at the sky, and with difficulty, he accepted. Sokka raised the head, and his eyes was filled with tears. He jumped to his feet, and hugged his father.
- Do me a favor, and stay alive. We need you. The world, can't lose another warrior. Hakoda killed the hug and watched his son with love. He turned and climbed on Appa, still looking at his son.
-You really want to do this? Aang was asking his friend.
- I decided Aang!
Aang accepted his decision, and put the hand on Sokka's shoulder.
- Take care Sokka! Said Aang with a sad smile. Don't forget that, families always come together.
Katara and Suki looked at Sokka with confusion. Katara turned at her father and looked at him with big eyes. She knew what Sokka's plan was. She wanted to run to him, but Hakoda stops her.
-You're not serious, right? Katara's breath stops in her throat, and the heart and mind was drowned in pain and sorrow. She turned to looke at her brother for the last time. Watch what you're doing, idiot! Katara screamed with the trembled chin.
Sokka smiled toward his sister,then looked toward Suki who had tears on her cheeks. Sokka lowered his head slightly, confirming that everything will be fine. He looked sadly after his group of friends. He didn't want to be the last time when he would see his family. He had to fight and survive.
Zuko tried to kick his sister, but she was faster and hit him in the jaw. Zuko fell, but he gets up quickly. A curtain of blue flames forced him to break the window again. He fell slowly toward his death. He wanted to be able to fly, to be able to help himself, but this was impossible.
He closed his eyes, waiting for the impact with the ground, but someone takes his hand. He opened his eyes, and saw that he was on Appa.
-Katara? It was the first person he had seen. She has a sad eyes and painful expression. Zuko looked around him, but there was something different. Someone was missing, and that someone, was Sokka.
- Where's So…
- He's not! Katara spoke over Zuko, with a cold and tough voice.
He looked toward the cave where Sokka was, then toward the ships where Azula was. Why did he have to do a thing like that? "Don't worry Sokka, we'll be back. We'll save you. That means to have a...family." The smile appeared, when he realized that he has... a family.
Azula saw how the ship descends, and, because of this, she feels a terrible pain. What was it now? She lifted her right leg with difficulty, and she realized it was worse than she thought. Azula saw several pieces of glass in the ankle, and in the bottom of the feet. The pain was visible on her face. She sat down and pulled out the pieces of glass with trembling hands. The Princess saw that the floor was red from her own blood. She lowered her head because of the pain, but she gets up. A princess can't give up, only because of an injury. She can't stop just because of an injury, now when the Avatar escaped. She must to follow him. She must to find him. She had to do what her father told her.
Azula looked through the broken window, and saw something in the cave. She frowned, and wanted to run, but her leg forced her to stop.
A guard entered in the room and saw the princess limping. On the bloody floor, were some large pieces of glass.
- Princess! You need a doctor! Wait here, I'll be back as soon as I can!
- No, you stay here. This is not the right time for this stupid thing now. Azula looked at the guardian with authority.
- But... The guardian stopped when he noticed the frown on the Princess face.
- All you have to do, is to go after Jiahao, and to tell him to wait here. I will accept only his help. Azula walked until she passed the man, then she looked back over her shoulder and spoke: I will be right back.
The guardian nodded, but he knew it was a bad idea for Azula to go outside with an injured leg. The problem was that, he does not have the right to impose his own opinion, in front of the Princess.
Azula got out from the ship with difficulty. The pain was gone when, she remembered that someone is in the cave.
She was in front of the cave, but something was strange. She...didn't...she didn't want to enter. But why? What the hell was that feeling? She did not like this feeling. Wait a minute! This was… Her eyes become bigger when she realized what it is….fear…
She shakes her head vigorously. Azula had this feeling only when she was a child, she didn't want to feel again the sensation of fear. The girl lowered her head, then she smiled proudly. What nonsense. She was the Princess of the Fire Nation. There is no fear in her. Once she thought at these things, she forget that feeling.
Azula entered into the cave with care, but, a strange noise from behind, made her to turn quickly, and to stop a sword, which was close to strike her neck.
- Azula? Sokka asked with confusion in his voice.
The Princess smirked when she saw a friend of the Avatar stood in front of her with a sword.
"It was perfect." Azula smiled, without feeling that her hand was full of blood, and the red drops escape toward cold earth.
