A/N: Whew Whee! This portion of the Final Confrontation is brought to you by depression and sadness. Please bear in mind the following trigger warnings: Major Character death, violence, and general overall melancholy... Um, I wanted to cry as I wrote this. I had no intention of killing off anyone I like but alas the writing muses have spoken. This is what it must be. No, for realls. Anyway, uh, I hope you can see how this chapter ties into the story, and uh, yeah. Just leave your reviews cause I'm pretty sure I'm going to get some. I love y'all though...

Disclaimer: Fanfiction is for unexpected untimely demises of major canon characters...

Chapter 20—The Final Confrontation (Part 2)

The next morning Ozai awakened groggily. The medication he took made him oblivious to anything going on around him. He opened his eyes to a crude message pinned above his head to his headboard by a small dagger. One that he knew was only kept in the closet of Zuko's old room. The only person who knew where it was beside himself and Azula was Zuko. Zuko had been here? In this house? Close enough to kill? Ozai realized with terror in his eyes. He felt around his neck as if his son had actually done the deed and saw the imaginary blade drain his life force away. Being in such deep sleep the night before from pain medication he wouldn't have even known. His son came and could have easily taken him out. Sure, it would have been a weak and pathetic move on his part, but it would have been too easy. Why would Zuko bother to come all the way to the house just to make a threat? He yanked the note and knife out of the headboard angrily. He looked at the characters which were carefully and painstakingly drawn so that they did not resemble Zuko's familiar and sprawling handwriting. The note simply said:

"Everyone pays a price eventually."

Ozai's eyes bucked. He had spoken those words about paying the price for being the Blue Spirit in the privacy of his room. How had the boy known? Had he been spying on him all along? Ozai trembled at the possibilities of his son having access to him unawares. By now he was sure Zuko had heard about what happened to his sister and was out for blood. He had to end this game and soon. Ozai called in his number two. "I need you to go and find my daughter. Once you know where she is, do nothing but report back to me." Ozai commanded. The man balked at the order. "Sir, what if she's no longer in Ba Sing Se?" he asked nervously. Ozai gave him a blank stare. His assistant swallowed audibly. "Right. Uh, we'll start with her friends and associates. Once I know you'll know." The man rambled not wanting to be a victim of his employer's ire so early in the morning. "Get out," Ozai commanded his voice low and distant. The man hurried off to get his crew on the mission.

Back in the middle ring, Zuko never bothered to change out of his clothing from the night before. Once he snuck back in the Kuvira's house through the study, he just fell on the bed wet clothes and all and slept wearily as if he had been up for days. How could not killing someone be more draining than thinking you did kill someone? He wondered. Zuko was so amazed that he allowed a total stranger to talk him out of what he wanted to do, but deep down he also knew that killing his father while defenseless was a weak move and would only create more problems. What if someone worse than his father took over and the crime and issues in Ba Sing Se became too much to handle? He would talk to his Uncle Iroh who had already risen for the day making his usual tea and pastries for himself and the household. Zuko knew Uncle would have questions as to his activities the night before. He may as well get dressed and go see him. Zuko sighed stretching and popping vertebrae and joints as he worked out his stiffness. With his arms in the air, he smelled himself and knew he couldn't make another move without a shower. He grimaced at his pungent odor and took off his clothes tossing them into the hamper in the corner. He stripped down to only his underwear and grabbed a towel. No one else should be home since students were heading back to school today. The Ba Sing Se High School Board found another principal in the interim and was having an assembly to introduce her.

He entered the hallway but didn't see Katara coming out of the bathroom. A squeak, a gasp, and simultaneous "Oh, My Gods" later, a door slammed and Zuko realized that he pretty much showed Katara all his business. He stood in the hallway stunned and blushing a furious crimson as he thought about the best way to die where he stood. Before he could embarrass himself further, Zuko hurried into the bathroom hoping to wash the shame of his "nakedness" away in the shower. Zuko began questioning if something was wrong with him. Katara did run away just now. Was it because she was embarrassed at seeing him almost naked or was it because of what she saw? He always thought he had a pretty fit physique and a decent-sized "personal asset" so it concerned him that Katara ran off as if she were traumatized. And why the hell wasn't she at school anyway? Now Zuko had two people he needed to talk to today. Zuko emerged from the shower feeling fresh and a little less embarrassed at the earlier happening. He managed to talk himself down from the low self-image ledge. Katara kissed him. She liked him and they weren't even at a stage where they would consider going further than kissing anyway. Zuko took a deep breath and wrapped his towel firmly around his waist. He cracked open the bathroom door and looked both ways before coming out. The coast was clear and rushed to his room closing the door quickly to get dressed.

Zuko chose to wear a yellow graphic tee that had an image of three cinnamon buns that said: "Rollin' with the Homies" underneath it. He put on his favorite pair of jeans and a pair of mix-matched dinosaur socks since his social life was probably over anyway. He ventured back out into the hallway and crept down quickly. He didn't know if Katara heard him leaving but he didn't want to talk to her just yet. Because fate doesn't really care about feelings Zuko walked into the living room to Katara and Iroh having an intense and animated conversation. They were whispering and giggling and trying to laugh quietly. Iroh looked up just in time and saw Zuko at the end of the hallway. Katara looked up and stopped talking immediately. Her cheeks blushed a rosy hue. Iroh took this time to excuse himself. "Good morning, Nephew. We will talk later. Katara it was a pleasure chatting with you…" he said with a knowing smile. Zuko looked between his two favorite people and frowned. What had they been talking about without him and why did the conversation suddenly stop when he came in? He wondered. Iroh walked past his nephew patting his shoulder as if in comfort. Zuko eyed him suspiciously as he walked away. Katara shifted uncomfortably on the couch but invited him to join her gesturing to the spot next to her.

On the other side of town, Ozai mobilized his crew to go to homes in the upper ring including Lao Bei Fong's home. His number two discovered that Lao suddenly had armed guards posted at his house. With a quick reconnaissance mission, he was able to determine that one of the bedrooms was being used next to the blind daughter's room. He realized then it was more than likely Azula. Ozai gave the go-ahead to get her. "Don't harm her, that's for me. Bring her "home" and kill everyone in the house. They'll regret the day they double-crossed me." Ozai growled menacingly. His number two sneered. "Consider it done boss."

The Bei Fong estate looked like a war zone. Tophia used her earthbending to take out several of the thugs who came to kidnap Azula from her home. She was able to feel them coming before they entered the house and tore up the floor in favor of taking out some of the men. Ang used his airbending and earthbending to disarm who he could until one of the men took a chance and aimed true shooting Ang in the chest. He went down immediately thudding to the ground with a groan. Tophia felt that Ang still had a heartbeat though it was weakening and sighed in relief. Her mother was also down but alive. Tophia was the last man standing so to speak. She couldn't feel where her father was and assumed he was also taken with Azula. One thug managed to sneak up on her because she was occupied with two others and hit her in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. The man prepared to shoot Tophia but his partner encouraged him to just leave her since they were already taking Azula "home" and the girl looked like she was going to die anyway from the wound in her side. The men ran out of the house jumping into the last getaway car speeding off to who knows where.

The house was eerily silent. Tophia painfully reached for her phone and discovered it was not in her pocket. She couldn't sense it through all the debris on the floor. For a moment, she felt helpless and afraid until she remembered she had voice command programmed on her phone. If it was in the room, she would be able to use it. "Yuki, call Katara…" she called breathlessly. Her head still hurt and her side ached. She reached down and realized something impaled her when she fell. It was a shard of the stone she bent around the house. She couldn't help but curse at the irony. It took a moment, but the phone began to ring and echo off the walls of the semi-destroyed foyer. "Hello?" Katara said breathlessly as if she had been laughing or exercising. "Tophia? What's up?" She said. The phone wasn't on speaker and Toph barely heard her voice. The phone slid farther than she realized. "Katara…" she moaned. "We need help." She strained. Katara was shouting now. "Tophia? Tophia! What's going on? Is everything alright? I can barely hear you. Tophia was struggling to get the words out but pushed herself to get louder. "Katara! We need help…They got Azula…Please. She choked. her voice filled with dust and caused her body to rack with coughs. Tophia cried out in pain. "Oh, Gods! We're on our way Tophia! Do you hear me? Stay awake! We're coming right now." Katara said frantically and hung up.

Katara looked at Zuko. "Something's happened at the Bei Fong's. We need Korra, and Dad right now!" Zuko looked up in shock. "Azula…Fuck! My father… Call whoever you need to call I'm going on ahead." Katara grabbed Zuko's arm as he got up to get his gear. "Zuko, wait. You can't just run off guns blazing. You have no idea what's going on yet. You have to think things through!" Zuko froze at the phrase his uncle used so many times when Zuko would make rash and emotional decisions. He knew that she was right, but time was of the essence. "Katara, we don't have much time! Every minute we waste could be another moment closer to something we don't want. My father must be the one doing this! He's the only crazy enough to try. His mind is gone. I don't want him to hurt my sister. You want us to just sit around and wait? I can't do that. There are people who need our help. Toph's hurt. What if her family is hurt as well? We can call Korra and Hakoda and ask them to meet us there at least. If people are injured you can help them, right?" Zuko begged. Katara took a deep breath in frustration. "I'm not saying to wait! We are going to Toph now, but you don't know where your father is or what his intentions are. Promise me you won't go do anything hasty until we know what's going for sure, please?" She caught Zuko's gaze with her own. "Please don't try to do this alone. We're stronger together. We should have done it together the last time. I don't want to lose you again." Zuko shook his head as if remembering a memory from a different era. His past life. He felt the familiar tug on his heart and knew this wasn't just his modern Katara. This was the Katara that got away over several lifetimes ago.

She put her hand on Zuko's face near his scar and held it there tenderly and smiled. "Please, Zuko." Zuko closed his eyes against her cool skin and sighed. He nodded gently. "Can we go now? I think we need to move quickly." Zuko said seriously. Iroh came into the room and put his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "I will drive. It's too far to walk and as you implied time is of the essence." Zuko looked at his uncle and nodded. Iroh looked at Katara and winked. "Master Katara, welcome back." She smirked. "It took me a minute, but I'm glad to be back. Are we ready, General? Iroh nodded and made his way to the garage to start his car. Zuko looked at Katara and smiled. "I've missed you, Kat." Katara smiled in return. "I've missed you too, but we can make up for lost time later. Are we really going to work together this time?" Zuko smirked lightly. "Yeah. We'd better go."

On the road, Zuko called Hakoda and explained about Tophia's phone call. Hakoda told him to hang up immediately and call Korra. When Zuko called Korra she dispatched police and ambulance to the house realizing that there might be multiple crime scenes. She told Zuko and Katara to administer first aid but not to touch anything else and to stay until she arrived. When the trio arrived at the Bei Fong residence the scene looked like something out of a horror film. Three men were dead on the ground surrounded by a pool of their own blood. Iroh noted that the blood spatter indicated that the men were standing when they were shot and they were possibly caught off guard. None of them had a weapon in their hands or near them. The guns were still secure in the holsters on their sides and backs. Zuko and Katara looked at Iroh with wide-eyed terror. What happened here? Zuko and Katara barely let the car stop before they ran carefully around the bodies up the stairs to the house.

"Tophia! Phi Phi!" Zuko called out practically screaming. The house was a disaster area. Debris littered the foyer with rocks and shards lodged in the walls. Another guard and a couple of Ozai's unlucky hitmen were dead on the floor. A weak groan came from the foyer near the stairway. "Over here…"Tophia called weakly. Katara was already pulling water from her canteen as she ran to Tophia's aid. Zuko continued looking for Ang and Mr. and Mrs. Bei Fong. In moments, Katara was sealing the puncture wound in Tophia's side. Tophia said shakily, "Ah, thanks Sugar Queen. You're a lifesaver," She rasped. Katara smirked. "I swear it's been almost three centuries and you still call me that. Amazing." Tophia chuckled holding her side at the slight stitch of pain. "It never gets old; It's about damn time, girl. Welcome back." At this Katara laughed. "Better late than never, bitch." Just before they could play a little historical catch-up Zuko called on the other side of the grand foyer. "Kat, they're over here! I need your help." He shouted. Katara looked at Tophia. "Duty calls. Stay down," She commanded. Tophia groaned at the bossy tone but didn't have the strength to disobey. She laid back on the floor and rested.

Katara gasped as she found Poppy Bei Fong with a gaping bullet wound in her shoulder. She could feel Poppy's pulse weakening through her bloodbending and hurried to patch up the wound so that she wouldn't lose any more blood. Katara began concentrating on the bullet that was lodged just under the ball of Poppy's shoulder. It would be tricky to remove. She closed her eyes concentrating on the position of the bullet fragments and used her skill to work the bullet out in as close to in one piece as possible. Fortunately, Poppy was unconscious and didn't stir while Katara did her work. After several minutes Katara managed to get the small fragments out of the wound. The shrapnel made small clinking sounds against the marble floor. Katara quickly gathered water out of her canteen and began to close the hole. Zuko gasped as he watched the skin and muscles knit back together until there was a medium-sized pink scar where the large destructive hole had been. They both moved over to where Ang was laying and turned him over.

Zuko and Katara moaned at the bloom of blood on his chest. Katara desperately felt for a pulse. His heart was damaged bleeding out too quickly and his life was fading fast. Zuko looked at Katara wide-eyed when her tears began falling fat and heavy. When Katara's eyes met his eyes, Zuko knew. Ang wasn't going to survive this. "Can you do something?" Zuko whispered in despair. Katara choked back a sob. Ang opened his eyes softly. "We tried to stop them Zuko; there were too many…" Zuko grabbed one of Ang's hands while Katara held the other. Zuko fought his own tears and whispered. "No, buddy. You did great. You did. Thank you…" he said sobbing softly. Ang grimaced his teeth tinged with the blood coming back up from the internal bleeding. "I need you to tell KoKo…" He paused to catch his breath. "Tell her, I really wanted to be her first…" Zuko's eyes went wide. "Uh, I don't think I can do that." He said nervously. Ang smiled painfully as he tried again to speak. "S'okay, she already knows… Seriously, I'm really glad… the gaang got back together again." He said and, at that moment, he was gone. Zuko called softy, "Ang?" His breathing staggered. "Ang…" he closed his eyes against the grief mounting in his heart. Tears spilled from Zuko's eyes and his heart broke into a million pieces. It wasn't supposed to go like this. Only one person was supposed to die but it wasn't supposed to be Ang, a child, his friend. Katara wailed at the realization that Ang's heart beat no more. She cried whispering Ang's name over and over. She cradled Ang's still and silent face. Katara closed the eyes of a boy that was much too young to leave this earth.

This was a part of saving the world that no one told people: that sometimes you lose heroes along the way and that death is no respecter of persons. Tophia lay on the ground tears running off her cheeks to the dusty floors below. She felt the moment Ang's heart stopped. It felt like her own had stopped too at that moment. It was then that Korra and Hakoda burst into the scene and instantly realized what happened. One of their own was dead. In an unexpected reaction, Korra grabbed the front of Hakoda's shirt sobbed into his chest. They were too late. She didn't look forward to telling two of the kindest people in the world that their only son was brutally taken by senseless violence. Moments later paramedics came into the house to take the injured to the hospital and remove the dead. As Poppy Bei Fong was being wheeled out of the house, Iroh approached Korra gently and whispered in her hearing. Korra's head and heart dropped at the news and she nodded understandingly. She didn't look forward to giving this news either. Tophia was on a gurney and about to be moved to the ambulance when she spoke up suddenly. "Korra…My Dad. You found him, didn't you?" Her face crumpled at the heavy silence. Tophia assumed Korra nodded but she knew anyway. "I couldn't feel his heartbeat. I couldn't feel it…" she said her voice breaking. Katara grabbed Tophia and held her until the paramedics urged her to let go so, they could do their jobs. The police and coroners entered shortly after to begin processing the crime scene that used to be home.

At the hospital, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, and Suki stayed by Tophia's side as moral support until they could mobilize to help Azula. Koko was so heartbroken at the news about Ang that she couldn't do anything but cry in her bed. Her parents kept her home to watch and comfort their daughter. Han and Yangchen Gyatso were devastated at the news of their son's death. Yangchen had moments before returned from Republic City and her husband had just picked her up from the airport. They were planning on picking up Ang from the Bei Fong's to have a family dinner to announce how Ang was about to become a big brother. Now they would have to plan his funeral. It was a desperately painful moment for Korra to explain to the Gyatso's how their son's life was ripped away much too soon. Hakoda and Kanna spent time with the family afterward to comfort them as much as they could having experienced the untimely death of a child and loved one too.

No one in Tophia's hospital room was really talking. It was hard to tell if Tophia was sleeping or grieving. She didn't move or speak, and her heart rate went slowly as if she were asleep. Katara sat in a chair as still as a stone her mind still processing the death of her friend and best friend's father. Sokka and Suki sat next to one another holding hands and Suki leaned on Sokka's chest and shoulder. She kept wiping away silent tears of grief that wouldn't stop. Sokka kissed the top of her head softly. They were both trying to think through how the situation escalated so quickly with Azula and then the Bei Fongs and Ang. It seemed unreal that their friend was gone so easily and senselessly. Korra tried her hardest to power through her grief and was using every possible resource she could to find Azula, but the police force was getting nowhere. It was as if Ozai and Azula had disappeared into thin air. The manor where Ozai resided had been emptied and was void when the police broke in searching for the girl. Zuko stood against the wall of Tophia's hospital room silent and brooding. His heart was numb from the overload of pain and loss all in one afternoon. All he could think about was stopping his father before he could hurt or kill anyone else. He knew there was something he was missing in this. Azula and her father didn't just disappear. Their father was insane, but he was also sentimental. Where would he have taken her?

Hours later the only ones remaining in Tophia's room were Zuko and Katara. Tophia was up and unable to go back to sleep. She couldn't think about her father and Ang anymore right now or she would lose her mind. She called out. "Sparky?" Zuko was dozing lightly and sat up at the sound of his name. Katara was next to him leaning on his shoulder. She sat up too to see what Tophia needed. "Hey, how are you?" Zuko replied. "You need something? He asked. Tophia shook her head. No, I can't sleep anymore. Something keeps bothering me. I couldn't stop thinking about something the men said after they thought they knocked me out." Zuko sat up his full attention on Tophia. "Sparky, they said they were instructed to take Azula home. But the way they said it didn't sound like the manor you lived in. Does it have another significance?" she asked. Zuko gasped sharply. He slapped his hands on his face and slid them down slowly. "Oh, I can't believe I didn't think of this first! He took her home. Tophia, home is the house where Ozai and my mother got married. Where both Azula and I were born. Ozai never sold the house he just moved out of it after mother…I gotta go!" Zuko stood up quickly not giving a second thought to the fact that Katara was sitting right next to him. He ran out of the door. Tophia waited then said. "Are you going to keep sitting here or are you going to go help him?" Katara made a face. "Damn you both… He's so impulsive! Tell Korra where we're going. The idiot thinks he's supposed to do this on his own. I love you Phi Phi…" She said softly. Tophia rolled her sightless eyes. "Get out of here. Help your boyfriend save Azula." She ordered and then whispered, "I love you too Katara…" Katara looked back quickly and smiled. She ran down the hallway just in time to catch Zuko before he got on the elevator. She lifted her hand and gripped. Zuko froze in place one foot up as if he was about to step into the elevator. His eyes widened at being bloodbended and he grunted. "Sorry, but if you think your impulsive renegade ass is going anywhere without me you are sadly mistaken! Together, Zuko. We. Are. Stronger. Together!"

Katara released Zuko and he stumbled slightly at being held in place for so long. He took several deep breaths and looked at Katara incredulously. "We lost Ang today, Katara! I can't lose you too. You mean too much to me. I would die…I would… Why can't you understand how much I love you?" he said his voice heavy with too many emotions. Katara was livid. "So, you go off like a lone wolf and get yourself killed, and then what? I have to stay behind and pick up the pieces…Not this time. You promised me we would do this together. We will have each other's backs and fronts. You cannot do this alone Zuko." Zuko leaned back against the wall bumping his head over and over. She wasn't going to let this go without a fight and there wasn't much time to waste. "Together?" he said tentatively. Katara smirked. "Together." She said determinedly. "Welp, there's no way in hell you two can go without us," Sokka said walking up with Suki in tow. Suki winked. "Stronger together right?" Katara smiled. "Definitely. Zuko? What's the plan? We're with you." she said. Zuko inhaled and exhaled. "We rescue Azula. My father is mine."