Ok I lied on the last update, some of the comics made their way in this story. Though it still carries much from the original storyline, I revamped it a bit and unfortunately or fortunately lengthened it a bit. I hope you enjoy!
The avatar jumped from his sleep in sheer panic. His face was drenched with sweat and his breathing was heavy, as he attempted to calm his rapid heartbeats.
"Aang!" Screamed Katara, hurrying to sweep him into a hug. "Oh, Aang! You're ok! I thought I had lost you".
Though he was happy to have awakened from that terrible nightmare, he could not shake the feeling that it may have all been true.
I'll show you lightning!
"Azula?" Were his first words after nearly a week of being in a deep sleep.
Katara felt a lump in her throat. "Well, a hello would have been nice," she said, somewhat haughtily. "Why are you thinking of her? Did you dream about her?"
Sensing his wife's irritation, Aang shook his head. There's no time for this! He wanted to say, instead he spoke softly. "Katara, please, it is nothing like that. I need to know where Azula is. This is serious".
Still unsatisfied with the answer, Katara stood from the bed that Aang was lying on and stomped out of the tent to find Sokka, her older brother, and returned with both Toph and the water tribe warrior.
"Hey, Twinkle Toes, how was your nap?" Asked Toph.
Aang gave a weak smile. "Hi, Toph, did you ever find Ty Lee or Azula?"
Finally, unable to contain her jealousy, Katara shrilled. "What's wrong with you, Aang? Why does it matter?"
Wincing from his wife's tone, Aang searched for a way to explain himself. His dream had seemed vividly real. Something bad had happened to Azula, he could feel it. Due to their intertwined spirits, he needed to find her quickly before the worse. "I-I'm sorry, Katara. I just need to know. Azula was in my dream. We…were…fighting and I think I may have killed her".
Before Katara could probe further, Toph stepped between the couple. "Nope, she's already dead," announced Toph to Aang's dismay. "Fire Butt beat you to it".
"No…this can't be right. Zuko killed her?"
Toph nodded. Aang groaned, bringing his hands to his face. "No, no, no…I tried to save her," he muttered.
Sokka grunted. "Aang, relax, Azula did this to herself. She was asking to be killed".
The avatar jumped from the cot angrily. "Sokka! No! Who are you to judge who's fit to die or live? It's not your place to decide!"
The young warrior swallowed as he dwelled on Aang's words, for once, speechless. Katara hurried to Aang's side and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Hey, maybe we should take a walk. You know, to help clear your mind. You are just waking up, after all".
Leading Aang from the warm tent, both of their teeth chattered as they walked out and into the cold air. Aang thought on what Toph had revealed. If it was true that Zuko had killed Azula while she possessed the powers of the avatar, it was possible that he would never regain his own power. He had already lost his ability to earth and firebend. With just two elements, could he even call himself. "The Avatar" anymore? He was so deep in his thoughts that he had not realized that he was sitting now, gathered with others in a futile attempt at warmth, around a fire pit in the middle of the village.
"Aang!" Snapped Katara, giving a disapproving look.
"Huh?" He asked, glancing around the scene.
Several village men and women surrounded him. A villager, a young woman caught his attention immediately. She looked like Katara and her people, yet with several distinct differences. Though her eyes were a gorgeous shade of blue against her tanned, brown skin, her jet, black, long tresses oddly spoke a different heritage. Odd. A small, but intense pain crept into his arm. Aang hissed and rubbed the back of his shoulder, wincing at Katara's cold eyes in his direction.
Leaning towards his ear, she asked, "Can you be any more infuriating? Stop staring at her!"
Aang quickly averted his eyes. "I'm sorry!" Aang hissed back. "I guess I'm a little tired". He admitted.
"That's Aurora by the way. She has gone through a lot in the last week. She is a Water Tribe soldier that was lost at sea. She's my best friend, actually. I will be happy to introduce you". Before the avatar could object, Katara had gestured for the girl to come and sit with them.
"Hello, Katara," greeted Aurora with a smirk.
Aang's eyes widened at her. That voice. It was so familiar. Was his mind playing tricks on him? Shakily he found the nerve to ask, "Azula?"
The girl stared at him blankly while Katara huffed loudly. "Sorry, Aurora, obviously, my husband is still under the weather".
The girl nodded with a faint smile and knowing glance. Standing and dusting off the snow from her clothing, she excused herself. "I'll leave you two be. Good day, Avatar," with a salute, she added. "You should come by to see my father, Katara. He wanted to personally thank you and Sokka for your sacrifice".
Katara bowed, humbly. "Of course, we will be honored to speak with the chief. I will let Sokka know".
Returning the bow, the soldier left. When she was out of earshot, Aang whispered, "Her father is the chief?"
Katara nodded. "Yes, her mother was a Fire Nation nomad, who abandoned her when we were children".
"So you have known her for a while?"
"Yes, why?"
"Nothing," piped Aang quickly, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Something was not right. His body was in turmoil. He felt an overwhelming sense of anger. He was definitely slipping and if Azula really was dead, he feared of his fate. A part of him felt dead as well. Fearing that Katara would not take the news well. He chose to keep his feelings to himself.
"What's going on with you, Twinkle Toes?"
The couple looked behind them to see Toph heading in their direction. Taking a seat next to his love, the earthbender stretched her short limbs towards the inferno. With a rub of his neck and a meek smile, Aang answered her with, "I guess I was asleep a bit too long. I feel out of touch".
"If you say so," responded Toph leaning her head back, basking in the warmth from the fire. "I don't know how long I can take this cold. The muddy swamp sounds so much better than this icebox," she added.
Katara chuckled before placing a hand atop the avatar's. "Listen, Aang, I know there have been a lot of things that have happened recently, but if there is something on your mind, you can tell us".
"She's right, Aang," said Sokka, suddenly appearing next to him. Placing a hand on his bald head, he added, "We're in this together. Always team, Avatar!"
Aang felt a warm feeling tug at the edges of his heavy heart.
"Well, since Twinkle Toes isn't up to it, I've got plenty on my mind. One of 'em is handling Fire Butt and bringing him down a couple notches or two," spoke Toph bringing her fist and palm together angrily.
"Right," stated Sokka, doing the same. "Suki's in the Fire Nation now for Ty Lee's trial. Zuko won't be expecting us to be there also".
"Yes, we'll have the element of surprise on our side! Zuko's getting too big for his fire britches".
Katara's eyes widened. "W-wait. Toph, we can't just break up a trial ".
"The hell we can't!" Exclaimed toph. "Who cares about the law? We're Team Avatar! We can do what we want, when we want!" She snapped, arms crossed in defiance.
"Exactly," Sokka agreed as he analyzed his sword. "Besides, Zuko's expecting us for Azula's funeral ceremony. Even though she was his mortal enemy, we should still pay our respects".
"You're right. We should leave today on Appa," Aang stated.
"But you're still hurt. Do you think you could handle the ride? I mean it's at least two days' tops even on Appa," reasoned Katara.
Aang nodded. "I'll be fine. I need to see Zuko. We have some unfinished business to handle".
#
Mai adjusted the sleeves on her black dress with care as she stared at her ensemble in the full body mirror.
"You look lovely despite the occasion, My Love," cooed Zuko from behind her.
Despite her reluctance, she responded, "Thank you, My Lord".
Zuko placed two hands atop her shoulders and leaned in for a quick kiss at which Mai flinched. Her betrothed's presence was far from as calming as it once was. Controlling her body's urge to move from his grasp, Mai allowed him to kiss her cheek, lightly.
"Thank you, My Lord," she said through her own clenched teeth.
Zuko gave a smug at her through the mirror. "I know it's hard to accept the way things are right now," cooed the fire lord. "After today, everything will get better, believe me. Azula has caused nothing, but evil in this world along with my father. We can finally replace their evil with an era of love and peace". Before the future fire lady could answer with another dry 'thank you', Zuko continued. "Besides, no one will miss my father or my sister".
"Except her wife," blurted Mai. She had not meant to mention Ty Lee's secret elopement with the fire princess to her betrothed, yet noting the change of expression in the man, she secretly felt better about revealing it. Perhaps her husband's heart was still there, somewhere.
Zuko let go of her shoulders and stared at her reflection with lowered eyes.
"What are you talking about, Mai?" He asked.
Mai took a deep breath, glaring back towards her future husband. "Your sister was married, Zuko. Since before the war ended, actually".
Zuko gasped, taking several steps away from her. "What? Who would be crazy enough to marry her?" Mai stifled a smirk as the fire lord brought a palm to his face. "Ugh! Damn Azula! Either way it's over for her!"
Mai nodded turning away from the mirror to face him. "Yes, but as the wife of the Crowned Princess, she has a say in these affairs, as well as a piece of the royal crown," she pointed out.
Zuko rubbed his small beard as he dwelled on Mai's words, knowing they were true. Despite her betrayal, Zuko had released his future wife on the grounds of a crime of passion. As his betrothed, she was more valuable outside of a cage than within one. She was his political equal, his partner and unofficial advisor. He often sought out her expertise in the Fire Nation politics and held her opinions in high esteem. When they arrived at the temple, he had her and Iroh released and placed under strict restrictions that prevented either of them from leaving from temple. Ty Lee, however, was still serving her time in the mental health institution wing until her trial in a few days.
Mai had feared that such a lonely confinement would only worsen the acrobat's condition so she hired an attendant to watch over her until she could think of a way to help her friend. The opportunity had finally presented itself.
"If what you're saying is true, then I have no choice, but to postpone her trial, for now". Mai brightened at the statement. "But," added the fire lord. "The Southern Water Tribe will want justice for the attack on Katara. If they decided to pursue punishment, I will gladly grant their request". Though it was not the best answer, Mai considered it a small victory.
With a bow, she said, "Yes, My Lord".
Zuko was about to snap at her behavior when a knock caught his attention. Mai watched him hurry towards the door to open it. To both their surprises, it was Ty Lee's friend and leader, Suki with a guard escorting her.
"Welcome Suki. I uh wasn't expecting you so soon," Zuko stammered.
"Good day, Miss," Suki said, looking past the fire lord and bowing to Mai. The girl held a chuckle at the obvious disrespect. "Fire Lord," she said, coldly facing Zuko. "I came as quickly as I could to support Ty Lee. It is my duty to support a sister at such an important time".
Zuko nodded, though the offense showed on his face. "Right, well, you should know that as a prisoner, Ty Lee is forbidden from my events, even funerals".
Raising his hand to prevent Suki from answering he added, "But as a wife of the late princess, I have decided to allow it, this time".
Suki nodded slowly with a confused expression. Mai was relieved that her lifelong friend had not told her leader about her marital status either despite their closeness.
"Well, is it possible to see her? She may need someone to help her dress".
Zuko nodded. "I have arranged for her personal attendant to handle such matters, but Mai can go with you to deliver the news. Unfortunately, I have more pressing matters to attend to".
Moving past the girls, the fire lord stomped away angrily.
#
"How long has he been like this?"
Mai awoke from her trance in time to hear Suki's question. "Who?" She asked. "The fire lord?"
Suki nodded, holding the door open to the mental institution ward of the capital's prison. Mai thought on the question as she surveyed the scene. The place was dead and more morbid than even the queen of bleak, herself, could stomach. Patients were wheeled left and right, to and fro as the women approached the service desk.
"For a while now. I think it came with his crown," she answered the warrior.
"My Lady!" The attendant quickly bowed from his standing position behind the desk. "Welcome, Miss Suki. The patient is finishing up in her room now. Please, allow me to escort you".
The women followed behind the attendant. Mai felt her heart ache with guilt for her friend's condition. Though she tried to reason with Zuko, she feared that she had not tried hard enough, to protect herself. The fire lord had immediately labeled the acrobat a traitor and threw her in this place without so much as a bat of an eye.
What happened to you, Zuko? Mai wondered.
The fire lord was not the same man who had stolen her heart for good with his passion making the right choice despite the odds. Mai hoped to one day find that man before it was too late. Opening the door with a wide smile, the attendant called to a nurse inside of the cell.
"Greetings, Noriko, is our patient ready yet?" He asked the middle-aged nurse.
"Why yes, we're putting some finishing touches on her. I hope you don't mind me bringing my daughter today? It seems to cheer Ty Lee up".
Mai looked towards the little girl, who was showing off her doll to Ty Lee, who was wrapped in a fresh, white straight jacket seated in a wheelchair. Nurse Noriko had done her signature braid perfectly and was about to place a flower in it.
"Wait!" Halted Mai with a lift of her hand.
Gesturing for the attendant to leave them with his fake, perky attitude, she revealed Azula's pendant from her sleeve. Stepping gracefully to the nurse, she replaced the flower with the pendant.
"I took this during the wake. I think, she should wear it".
Noriko nodded and looked as though she would cry, herself. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Kiyi, do you want to put this on her?".
When Kiyi placed the pendant of the Crowned Princess atop the acrobat's head, Noriko retrieved a mirror to show it to Ty Lee. Mai thought she saw a small spark in the acrobat's eyes flicker as she stared at her reflection. Yet, instead of the bright smile she had hoped to produce, the Kyoshi Warrior hung her head, eyes directed towards the floor.
"Thank-you Mai," she said barely above a whisper.
Mai laid a hand on her shoulder as she dropped to one knee next to the acrobat. Yet, Ty Lee did not take her dull eyes off the floor.
"I-I tried to show her my doll. She always likes seeing it!" Cried the little girl named Kiyi.
"Perhaps we should go, Mai. I'm sure you're needed for the procession," added Suki.
Mai could not tear away her tear-filled eyes from her friend. She hated seeing Ty Lee like this. She missed her hugs, her annoying voice and even her innocent flirting. She flinched when another hand touched her own shoulder. Looking up, she saw the nurse's puffy, red eyes staring back at her in pity.
"We must make haste," she said in a sweet, though, broken tone. "I would like to get Ty Lee a front row seat to say her goodbyes".
A splash of wetness hit her hand, looking down at the acrobat, she wrapped her arms around the girl's quivering shoulders. Her quiet sobs pulled at Mai's heart.
No, this is not how it was supposed to happen. She screamed at herself. She was supposed to save Ty Lee as the acrobat had saved her. This had to be a sick joke. The future fire lady had only two friends, one who was encased in a golden coffin, eyes forever closed while the other, true friend, wallowed in sorrow. She had to be torn away from the acrobat's side by both Suki and Noriko before leaving for the funeral.
#
Zuko checked himself in the mirror as he faced the exit to the funeral procession. He had rehearsed his speech with several Fire Sages for the past week as arrangements were made for the princess's burial. Adjusting his pendant in his topknot, smiled at his regal image.
"Ah, you are every spit of me, My Son".
Zuko's smile quickly faded as his father's grim smirk looked towards him. Glancing around for another presence, he leaned into the mirror hissing.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were dead".
His father bowed. "Of course, Fire Lord. I am only in your mind. I am here because you want me to be. Because you killed your last ally. How does it feel to know you've done exactly what was expected of you?"
The fire lord's jaw clenched. "My sister was never my ally. She always lied. The world is better without people like her and you," he growled back.
Zuko watched his father howl in his face with laughter. "You still have learned nothing, Child! Your sister was the only person you could trust! Did she lie when she told you about your grandfather's proposal?"
Zuko averted his eyes from his father's reflection. Of course she didn't lie about that! She wanted me to suffer. He recalled.
"?"
Zuko felt a tear fall unto his lip. His sister was the first to warn him about his father's hatred towards him, although it was it was after her original attempt to manipulate him after the siege of the north.
Father considers you a miserable failure!
In her own evil way, she had warned him and even allowed him to gain false honor.
"No, Azula always tried to break me".
"So you broke her, instead. Good you're learning the ropes as fire lord, I'm impressed".
Zuko felt his breath shorten with realization of his father's words. "I-I failed," he grumbled, falling on bending knee.
"No, My Son, you rid the world of your only sister. You showed your nation your strength and ferocity. It's what you always wanted. Your honor, your name, all at your sister's demise". Zuko grit his teeth as Ozai continued. "Funny, even in death she has made you. You always needed her".
In a fit of rage, the fire lord hooked his foot into the mirror. "I'm not you!" He growled. "I found my honor on my own! M-My sister just needed to be dealt with! She was just another you, a danger to the world!" He spun around to see Ty Lee's nurse wheeling in the acrobat. "S-Sorry".
Zuko tried not to cringe at the acrobat's helpless form. Instead of giving her usual cheerful greeting, she stared towards the floor with dim eyes. Atop her head sat Azula's golden pendant. The fire lord swallowed. In all of his blindness to restore his image, he had hurt others as well. A wave of emotions filled him. He was back to square one. He did not know the difference between right and wrong anymore.
Noriko gave him a sullen smile as she approached with Ty Lee's wheelchair. He watched as they moved outside of the palace and wheeled around towards Azula's casket. He followed behind them as the crowd rose to their feet at the presence of the fire lord. Even in death, Azula was every bit regal. She seemed to be asleep and even at peace in her red, dragon print dress.
My sister. Thought Zuko standing beside Ty Lee's wheelchair to pay his final respects to Azula's cold body.
"Azula!" Called ten-year-old Zuko as he rounded the palace garden a third time looking for his sister.
Finally finding her asleep on Ty Lee's shoulder, he approached the younger girls.
"Hey, Zuko!" Called Ty Lee from where they sat by a willow tree watching the turtle ducks cross the pond. "Shh…don't wake her yet. She mentioned something about playing the apple game again," the girl said with a chuckle.
Zuko sucked his teeth. "Ugh! I hate that stupid game. She's so mean! Why are you even friends with her? She's always pushing you around!" He asked, scornfully.
Ty Lee looked over at her best friend's sleeping form against her shoulder. At the time, Zuko had no clue why she looked at the princess in this manner.
"Just cause," she answered simply.
With a shaking hand, Noriko touched Zuko's shoulder. Though it was extremely inappropriate to touch the fire lord without proper permission, Zuko leaned into the strange woman and placed his head on her shoulder. He did not understand why she seemed so comforting, but he did not want to let go.
"I'm sorry". Whispered the woman.
"No," stated Zuko lifting his head to meet the woman's eyes. "It was my fault," he mumbled, turning towards his place to sit before the funeral's program began.
"I did this," He heard her whisper.
Confused, the fire lord twirled around to see his mother's image briefly in the nurse.
"Huh?" He wondered before being pulled away by an escort.
#
A golden box was now home to her wife. Her name was written in a beautiful carving along the sides of the box. A name that filled Ty Lee's dreams each night. She practically begged for the medication to rid herself of the voice as smooth as fine silk that called to her.
I trust you.
Ty Lee's heart ached with agony as the fire sage carried the golden casket the private burial grounds. Zuko had suddenly changed his mind about burying the princess next to her father. Her eyes never left the casket as it neared, nor did she dare look away as it was placed in its tomb next to her grandmother. Even now as she sat bondless in front of the Southern Water Tribe Council members, Ty Lee's mind was in the Fire Nation. The view of distinguished political members blurred by that golden box.
"Azula," she gasped as the aftershock of it all hit her body.
Her widened eyes shocking everyone in the room, including Mai, who immediately spoke out of turn in her defense.
"Please, allow a recess. Ty Lee has just buried her—her best friend. This is difficult for her," she spoke uncharacteristically ineloquently.
"I agree," added Aang. "There are a lot of missing details presented. I personally think we should postpone, Sokka".
Crossing his arms tightly, Sokka's disagreement was evident. "Son, I think you should listen to your friends". Hakoda spoke from his place on the judge's panel. "That girl doesn't look well enough for this".
Ty Lee inclined her head when the Water Tribesman reluctantly agreed. Her attendant began to wheel her away to her cell on the frozen island when a young woman clad in heavy armor of her tribe strode up to them. Ty Lee caught only a glimpse of the woman and wished she had not. Dressed in Water Tribe Warrior clothing made for women, she was gorgeous with ebony, dark hair that reminded her of her love hanging low below her shoulders, yet her eyes were a vibrant blue like Katara, Sokka and other water tribe members. Despite this her frame, build, and gait reminded her overwhelmingly of her late wife.
"She's dead," whispered Ty Lee to herself. "Forever".
"Hello, My Lady, please, allow me to escort the prisoner to her chambers," said the soldier.
Noriko, feeling responsible for Ty Lee's pain, gripped the handles of the wheelchair tighter. "I don't think that's a good idea," she stated defensively. "She's a fragile patient who needs constant care".
The soldier gave the woman an indiscernable look before replying. "I understand, but orders are orders. Please, excuse me".
Without waiting for an answer, the soldier placed her hand on one of the handles. Luckily, the fire lady, who had witnessed the tension intervened. Stepping close to the female Water Tribe soldier, she placed a long nail against her chest.
"Speak your name, Soldier," she hissed.
To her surprise the soldier looked as though she would strike her, yet with a deep breath, she answered calmly. "I am Aurora". She stated simply.
"Well, Aurora, by now you should know how we deal with your kind in the Fire Nation. We handle our own," the fire lady said ferociously.
The warrior shrugged unfazed by the royal woman's tone.
Mai captured three trusty shurikens between her knuckles. She had enough frustration to release for a lifetime.
"Woah! What's going on over here!" Asked Sokka, stepping between them. "Aurora, escort Ty Lee to her cell". At Mai's obvious frustration, he added. "This isn't the Fire Nation".
Looking to her betrothed for assistance, Zuko only nodded from his place on the councilor's bench for her to let the matter go. Aurora grasped both handles of the wheelchair and strolled away with Ty Lee.
#
Ty Lee removed Azula's prized pendant from her hair and held it tightly to her chest as she snuggled beneath the thin blankets of her cell.
"Are you cold?" Asked the disinterested soldier who had grappled her from Noriko earlier.
Ty Lee glanced in her direction against the farthest wall where she leaned casually, arms crossed, one knee bent with her foot on the wall. Despite her grim look, the acrobat had to admit that the soldier was gorgeous beyond comparison. Her dark, flowing black hair was down to the small of her back, styled very differently from Katara's loopies. Her face was tanned like the rest of the Southern Water Tribesmen, but held the signature cut of a Fire Nation noblewoman, yet with bright, deep blue eyes that seemed to stare through Ty Lee. Had circumstances been different, she would have chuckled at the soldier's boldness against Mai.
"A little. I'm not used to the cold," said the acrobat, focusing her eyes on the thin blanket after realizing she was staring rudely.
The soldier pushed off the wall with a grunt and retrieved a heavier blanket from a nearby closet. "You would think your royal friends would have accommodated you with something more than a thin straight-jacket," she snapped, irritably as she covered the acrobat with the blanket.
Ty Lee felt her heart stop. Before, she had paid little mind to it, thinking she was slowly losing it again, but when the soldier spoke, she heard it. With wide-eyes, she asked. "A-Azula?" Immediately feeling like an idiot.
The soldier grimaced and Ty lee quickly turned away from her piercing, blue eyes further cursing herself.
"You're the second person that's called me that in a week's time. Who is that?"
Ty Lee lifted her head from the cot. "Oh? You don't know?" She asked.
"If I did I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Snapped the soldier, crossing her arms from where she stood over the acrobat.
Ty Lee felt a small smile spread across her lips. It was nice to smile again. She had worried that she never would.
"She's the crown princess of the Fire Nation. I guess you remind me of her. I mean with your looks and all-"
"My LOOKS?" Growled the soldier, baring her teeth.
.
Ty Lee gripped the blanket tightly at the woman's unexpected reaction. The soldier blinked her lovely blue eyes and took a seat on the bed.
"Sorry, it's not your fault that my mother was trash". She said in a softer tone. "I know I look quite different from everyone else. It's obvious I'm a bastard".
Ty Lee sat up in her bed, legs crossed. A part of her longed to hear more of the soldier's story, yet before she could ask, Aurora walked towards the door.
"It was a pleasure, Your Grace," she said with a slight bow.
"Wait. Why don't you stay for a bit? I could really use someone to talk to right now".
With a raised eyebrow and a shrug, Aurora answered, "I would, but I should report to my commanding officer," pausing, she rubbed her chin in thought. "Then again, I could use a break from patrolling the seas. Water's not really my thing even though this is my home".
Ty Lee gave a meek smile. "I take you're not a waterbender?" She asked.
Aurora shook her head. "Nah, if anything I wish I were a firebender, like you people. But unfortunately, I can't bend at all".
Ty Lee shrugged. "Me either, but I could show you some chi blocking moves that can help against any bender," thinking briefly of her lost love's downfall, she added. "No matter how powerful they are".
Aurora nodded. "Sounds neat-"
The door opened slowly, cutting off the conversation between the girls and a formidable looking Zuko appeared. Standing at attention, Aurora bowed respectfully, while Ty Lee felt her chest burn.
"Your Highness," said the soldier.
Zuko nodded towards her. "Thank you, Soldier, if you could please excuse the lady for the night?"
Surprisingly, instead of leaving, Aurora glanced behind her at Ty Lee.
"Is that suitable for you, Lady Ty Lee?" She asked.
Ty Lee inclined her head. "It would probably be best if Aurora stayed. I feel safer with her here," the acrobat stated.
The fire lord and the soldier exchanged looks. Finally, Zuko shrugged. "Fine, but the matter is sensitive".
"Oh?" Asked Ty Lee, wondering if Sokka and the others had decided her fate for her without a trial.
"Yes," said Zuko. "It's about my mother".