A/N: Finally back from my christmas holiday! And so glad i got this fic finished! I like to write this long epic stuff but never have the time or can't think of a continuous drawn out storyline i need. Hope you enjoy this one, I sure enjoyed writing it!

Chapter 6

Family Ties

Something hung in the air the next day, a dull fascination with human suffering, and ultimately death. Everyone who came to witness the death of evil, gathered were the friends and loved ones who had sheltered Aang and his friends on there journey. The Kyoshi warriors were among them. The ones who only Aang could see came as well, the spirits of Iroh, Bumi and Chief Hakoda. Gran Gran and Pakku came too, along with Jeong Jeong and Piandao. Toph and Suki and Sokka stood together, guarding both Kussa and Loa. The fan stretched as far as the eye could see as the past avatars joined the old masters and friends as a group. They all stood before Aang in a bowling pin fashion and bowed respectfully to the one who finished what they started. Aang saw a smile come over Iroh's face, and when Aang turned to tell Zuko that his uncle was with him, he found Zuko smiling as well with his eyes closed.

"Aang, he's here, I can feel him." Zuko told his trusted friend in a whisper. Aang just nodded with a smile.

The Firelord and Avatar stood at the head of the crowd, waiting for Ozai and Azula to be brought to the granite tabs, cut from a grey stone with black speckles sprinkled on the surface. The stone were rectangular except the end that pointed to the sky; it was cut to the sharp curve reminiscent of the blade wielded by the executioner, a perfect fit.

They neither of them struggled when brought out the only sound from them was their shackles that bound both the hands and feet the chain met halfway down the back of the legs, Ozai now looked like Iroh in a strange way, but he was muscular as was always the case now he looks tired and his white stringy hair was now frizzy from barely washing it, even when given the opportunity.

Azula looked old, her years of hard living had finally taken there toll on her body as they had on her mind years before. She had wrapped her hair around itself tight until it had formed a bun on her head.

Their were both sat Japanese style with the lower legs tucked under. They sat as the charges were laid before them to think over in their last moments.

"Ozai son of Azulon, you are charged with attempted genocide, treason against the royal family, and forty seven isolated attempts of murder. By the will of Firelord Zuko you are to be executed by decapitation and your body burned. Have you any last words at this time?"

"I will rise from the ashes with all the fury of Agni!" No one in the crowd responded, everyone was stone faced and not wanting to give any satisfaction.

"May the spirits have mercy upon you." The executioner stepped forward, and Ozai noticed it was only three steps.

"stop." Came Zuko's voice. He then came forward and motioned for the guard to hand over his axe. "It's my job."

"As you wish my lord." The guard then handed over the axe and stepped into the formation lining the back of the congregation of onlookers.

Aang saw Iroh's spirit vanish and dissolve into the Firelord's body. "When you die, it will be without honor." Iroh's voice came through Zuko's voice as if they spoke together.

"Father?" Ozai did not look at his daughter, he had been consumed by his lust for power, and he had lost himself in his love of power, his only true love if he ever had one and instead he spoke softly to his daughter.

"Die with hon-." Ozai's words to his daughter were muffled by the woven linen cloth bag was over his head, the blade caught the neck and all that was heard was the blade hitting the stone beneath which was supposed to sound oddly like the sound of a bell toll, a sign of a clean cut. The head wasn't supposed to drop off the body, instead the bag was then picked up from its resting place and placed in a nearby basket.

"Azula, daughter of Ozai, you are charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, attempted murder of Avatar Aang and Queen Bei Fong. Treason against the Fire Nation royal family, including the attempted murder of Firelord Zuko. Isolated incidents of incest with a member of the royal family, thereof carrying a child of pureblood."

"My father's last gift to me." She interrupted with a monotone in her voice, she had already begun mourning her father.

(A/N: The real reason why Ozai made Azula stay behind and made her Firelord.)

"Treason against the Earth Kingdom, including the overthrow of an earth kingdom dignitary, and numerous isolated attempts of murder. Use of seven out of seven forbidden fire nation torture methods and escape from Boiling Rock. By the will of Firelord Zuko you are to be executed by decapitation and your body burned. Have you any last words at this time?"

"Zuko, did you ever like me as your sister?" Azula asked not looking up at her brother.

"I did." Zuko's eyes just looked down past his nose and at her neck. He took a deep breath, and again all that was heard was the bell toll clang of the axe on the stone.

Kindling was brought by the guards for the fire, which was traditionally lit by the Firelord in a ceremonious fashion. And as he watched the fire burned, Zuko felt something he hadn't felt in years, he actually missed his sister. The fire danced and sparkled as Katara stepped forward and clutched Aang's hand and he thought, everything took time but ironically time was all anyone had.

(End)