CHAPTER RATING: T (Language, Violence)
A/N: Thank you.
Published on: 01/12/2020
Chapter 23: Beyond Honor
The Avatar accompanies Azula to the White marble tower that hangs above then as they arrive. Two guards cross their polearms in front of the prison entrance.
"State your business." One guard commands.
"Visiting a prisoner. Ozai." Azula says.
"Only one visitor per prisoner. One of you must wait out here." The guard replies. Azula nods at the Avatar, he nods back, then turns and walks off. "Don't do anything suspicious, we'll be watching." They uncross their polearms, and Azula walks into the prison.
The air within the prison as a dry as the air that hangs above the Boiling Rock; molten cracks break through the white marble, stained black by the ash from the torches that burn eternally to provide the dim light that lines the walls. Another guard stands at attention, he salutes Azula as she enters, she returns the gesture.
"Visitor?" He asks.
"Yes." She replies.
"Prisoner name?"
"Ozai."
"Reason for visit?"
"None of your business." Azula crises her arms.
"Fair enough." He shrugs and jerks his head. "Follow me." He grabs a keyring from his belt and walks down the hall.
She follows him to an iron door, he unlocks it, and she steps through, it closes with a clash that rattles its metal frame. Within, an amber pair of eyes stares through her, sitting behind a set of iron bars, wearing rugged, ripped, worn rags, is the former Phoenix King.
"Azula." His voice has not lost any of its force or bass since his imprisonment.
"Father." Azula replies with a shaking voice.
"My dear child. What did I do to deserve such an esteemed audience? Here to ask for advice on how to rule your traitorous Nation? Or perhaps you came seeking advice? Years have passed since I last laid my eyes upon my beloved daughter. And yet right when she arrives, the bells signaling an Agni Kai are sounded. Am I correct in assuming that was your doing?" Ozai rises to his feet. "Come closer."
"Zuko-" Ozai sneers at the mention of his son's name. "-challenged me to an Agni Kai. And I accepted." Azula steps closer to the iron bars. "Sunset is when the duel will occur. But I did not come here seeking your advice or counsel."
"Then why did you waste my time with your presence?" He spits at her.
"I just wanted you to know, at least-" Azula feels pain rip through her muscles, and falls to her side, letting the marble wall support her weight.
"You are not yourself. Not how I remember you. What's the matter?" A hint of concern is able to bleed through his venomous tone. "Are you ill?"
"No." Azula pushes herself back onto her feet. "Throughout my entire life, you were the only one who was there to care for me. I always felt that way." She walks towards him and holds his hand. "The world sees you as a villain. But you will always be my father." She blinks and sees glistening light within his eyes.
"What are you saying?" Ozai's voice cracks and softens to a tone she only remembers hearing when she was a child.
"If this is the last time I see you, Father." Azula tries her best to keep composed, biting her lip to fight away the tears building. "I want you to know that I have the Avatar's trust and protection from now on."
"You…" his hand caresses her cheek, his thumb wiping away at the tears that take her eyes. "I failed you." He says through his own tears and cracking voice. "But he will not. He cannot." She sees his eyes shift to her stomach, then pull back to meet her eyes again. "I'm...I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you." Azula whispers to him.
…
Azula exits the prison a few minutes later, willing away her tears on the way out. She lifts get head and is greeted by the sight of the Avatar on his air bison.
"The guards said we could wait here." Aang holds out his hand. "Want something to eat?"
"I don't think my stomach can handle anything too spicy anymore." Azula takes his hand and climbs up onto Appa.
"That's okay. I asked for some special permission from Zuko's chefs, and they helped me make this!" He holds out a metal tray with treats that resemble bowls with a night yellow custard in the center. "Egg custard tarts! They're always easy on the stomach!"
"Very well." Azula takes one from the tray, and takes a bit of the sweet, buttery treat, and smiles when she manages to keep it down. "There is one more thing I'd like to do."
"What's that's?" He asks while taking a bite from his own treat.
"Appa, Yip-yip!"
With a roar, the Sky Bison takes off into the air.
The sun almost touches the horizon when she gives the signal again, and the sky bison stops. Azula stands and wipes away the crumbs from her dress and hands. She steps off the side of the saddle and smirks to herself as he scrambles to his feet and throws out a cloud of air to catch her.
"What are you doing?!" In his surprise, he spits out a piece of baked tart that falls hundreds of feet below to the ground.
"Avatar Aang." Azula smiles at the way his face lights up and flushes when she says his name. "Will you honor me with another dance?" She holds out her hand.
"As you wish, my Princess." His words send a chill down her spine that contrasts against the warmth of his touch.
She nestles her head in his neck, his hands rest on her hips, her arms wrap around him, wanting to hold him forever, and just like long ago, she is absorbed in his presence and his warmth on a cloud of air as they dance in the middle of the sky.
…
As the sun touches the horizon, coating the world in a deep red, they enter the throne room once again to find it empty. Azula leads the Avatar deeper into the palace, navigating through her memory until she reaches the door to the arena.
"No matter what happens, promise me you won't interfere." Azula squeezes his hand.
"I promise. Good luck." Aang whispers to her. With a thankful nod, Azula opens the door and they step through.
In the center of an open-air area, supported by massive golden pillars, the darkening red sky glows above the giant Fire Nation banners. In the shade of the structure, spectators watch on in silence. In the center of the room, on a raised rectangular platform with four burning braziers, the Firelord stands in anticipation.
An attendant bows to Azula and drapes a red cloak over her shoulders. Azula climbs up the stairs and takes in a deep breath. She sees him from across the ring, the Firelord bows to her. She bows to him. They both turn away from each other, a gong sounds, and they toss away the cloaks that laid upon their shoulders. Azula takes in another deep breath, she looks to the Avatar, sees the concern on his face, and smiles as she turns to face her opponent.
Two fireballs explode in the center of the ring at a collision of azure and scarlet. Zuko keeps his stance wide, sending three fireballs towards her.
Azula takes another deep breath, with her right hand, she can feel the flames of the Firelord's attack, and guides it away, sidestepping from the blast before another burns at her left. With her other hand, she turns it away and splits the last attack into two halves with all her might. The blast pushes her back, the soles of her shoes scraping against the stone floor, but she remains unburned.
Heavy gasps for air follow her movements, her muscles unusually tired from just this small defense, another deep breath, and Azula leaps to the air turning herself and kicking trails of blue flame towards her opponent.
She lands just to see him block and walk through the long streams of fire as if they were a morning mist. The Firelord takes several steps forward, each step calling forth a burst of red flame.
Azula takes another breath, the heat from his attack surrounds her like never before, but she takes to the air again, twisting to avoid his attacks before landing on a knee, and redirecting his attack to move around her instead.
He charges towards her, letting out a primal scream that is echoed through the entire crowd, fists and feet covered in burning flames, leaving stone ashes in his steps.
Azula summons the strength to return to her feet, her stance widens, blue fire engulfing her hands. Scarlet and azure collide again as her hands defend against his fists. He throws another punch that she catches with her palm, then sidesteps him and delivers a fire-infused strike to his chest.
Victory.
...Pain.
The fire in Azula's hands fades away. The muscles in her back tear at her like a twisting knife, cutting through her skin. Her legs seize in agony, freezing and burning at the same time.
She is untouched by the fire that Zuko holds but collapses to the ground, palm placed on her stomach, her eyes shut tightly from the pain. She opens her eyes to see her brother standing above her, confusion and concern dominate his expression.
"I can't go on anymore." She whispers loud enough only for him. "They will all see you as weak if you don't do something." She nods to her brother. "Take my honor from me. I have something much more important in my life now." Her gaze shifts to the Avatar.
Zuko's expression changes, a struggling sneer takes him; he knows that she is correct.
"Take my honor. But set me free." Azula turns her head down and closes her eyes.
Another gong sounds.
Silence.
Azula opens her eyes to the hand of her brother.
"I will." Zuko whispers to her. Azula takes his hand and is pulled up by her brother. He waves towards the Avatar, who rushes up to her and takes her onto his shoulder.
"This Agni Kai is decided!" He announces to the audience. "Due to forfeit!" Azula turns away at the stinging declaration of her defeat. "But let it be known…!" His words catch her attention. "From this day onward, that Princess Azula is pardoned of any past judgments pressed upon her by the laws and judges of our nation. And that I, Firelord Zuko declare her honor intact, and recognize her…" he places a hand on her shoulder; Azula bows her head and the Avatar follows. "...As a valued member of the Royal Family."
The crowd erupts in a cheer.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Firelord Zuko…" Azula manages to whisper, her tears evaporating as they strike the stone platform.
"Enjoy your life, Azula." She turns her head up to him. He bows to the Avatar. "Take care of her, Aang."
The Avatar gives him a stern nod. The Firelord waves his hand and his attendants rush to her aid, carrying her to her old bedroom.
…
She lays in her bed, drinking from a cup of medicinal tea that she was assured would 'ease the pain, but nothing else.' from the Royal Herbalist. Her legs are numb, but at least the pain is gone.
Azula smiles to herself at the irony of the situation at how everything has turned out. She sits on her bed, immobile, staring out a window that houses a sky full of stars that burn in the night, just like the sun that she would always look forward to seeing every morning when she was imprisoned.
Just like before, the Avatar sits at her side, working with a pool of water, trying to heal her legs.
She lifts her blanket, and he bends the water to the shape of her leg. It glows with a healing luminescence, and Azula feels the lifeblood return to her muscles.
"How's that? Did it work now?" He asks her.
"Try again." She playfully lies to him, just to see his determination to help. She hasn't openly admitted it to herself, but she knows that she had always found his enthusiasm charming. She didn't want to believe that she could care about him and not just his power. But watching him try his hardest every time brings a joy that she hasn't felt anywhere else before.
"Okay. I've got it this time." He takes a deep breath, biting his tongue to illustrate his effort that makes her let out an uncharacteristic giggle. And then his eyes and tattoos begin to glow. Azula has to restrain herself from bursting out into uncontrollable laughter as his effort to heal her continues with the power of his ten thousand past lifetimes.
The power that she had wanted for herself, to destroy her enemies.
The power that she had wanted for herself, to take back her throne.
The power that she had wanted for herself, to control the world.
He was now using that immeasurable power to make her feel slightly more comfortable.
"Aang." Her soft voice breaks his concentration, the Avatar State fades, and the water spills all over her bed.
"Sorry! I got it!" He raises his hands, drying her bed and puts the water back into the waterskin he brought it in.
"Aang…" She takes his hand and urges him to face her. "I have something I need to tell you."
"I'm listening…" His voice echoed more concern to her than necessary.
"We've been with each other for a long time. Just the two of us." Her hands close around his. "There's something I've never told you, despite the amount of time we've spent together."
"I'm here. I'm listening." He replies. Azula takes his hand and places it on her stomach. He looks at her with confusion at first, but then she sees the light glisten in his eyes.
And she knows that he understands; she knows that he senses the new energy, the new spirit, the new life within her.
"I love you."
THE END