Hey, guys!

Back on a regular schedule again for posting which is good. We're actually more than halfway through the story to give you all a broad idea of where we are in this tale.

I will also ask a quick favor: bear with me in these next two chapters. Some of you may be scratching your heads, but I promise the vision of Azula's future is still the same. Of course, I will be very interested to see what you all think

Speaking of, I am back to responding to the reviews this time around!

Guest- Thank you! Azula is a complex character and deserves to be portrayed as such

artKuzon- Thanks! And SPOILER: I'd say you're onto something ;) 'Catalyst' wasn't written for nothing haha.

haytsun- I do have to caution there is no Tyzula in this fic other than friendship haha. But they do care a lot about each other.

UnOriginal2Tall- I do actually think it's a cute ship haha. I just don't personally either one is bi.

RealmStriders- Good to see you back! I actually make a point of including Azula's skill in combat, seeing how badass she is. And unlike Aang, unafraid to use it to the fullest extent she can. Thank you for your compliments regarding descriptors, but in truth it's something I struggle with too. Definitely more to learn and to gain in writing. But I'm glad you're enjoying it thus far!

Matheus Bezerra de Lima- That talk is coming sooner rather than later I can assure you. I like your take honestly because that's what I'm going for. People constantly struggle with inner demons. Happiness and redemption don't merely happen and then everything is hunky dory. In the comic, Azula was not redeemed as you pointed out whereas here she is, which makes the the tension here all the more palpable. An embodiment of the conflict itself.

The Rhombus- I'm not very good at pulling fast ones haha. I tend to foreshadow a lot. But I'm glad it worked in this case. That and I didn't want to shortchange Zuko or Azula's ability's, they're both master firebenders at this point and no one other than a few could touch them. As for what comes next well...

vuuthegreat- I whole heartedly agree with your statement haha. But in all seriousness, I'm touched you think that highly of me as a writer and that you enjoyed Catalyst. I do believe that Azula got shafted when it came to a potential redemption arc even if I understand why it wasn't possible in the show or afterwards. Also, let me know if you have any ATLA stories. Would love to read.

Thank you as always for the support! Hope you all enjoy this chapter. Also I will give a special shoutout to anyone who can guess where the name 'Onoda' comes from and the history behind it.

Chapter 10. Turn Back

The aftermath of the battle with Onoda was quietly grim. The good news was that Ty Lee and the Captain were healed easily by Katara's water and were expected to make full recoveries. But fatalities were unavoidable. Overall, five civilians were dead, the center of town almost completely destroyed by fires. The Festival that had begun with such promise ended promptly in disaster.

For her part Azula aided in the clean up and made doubly sure that her best friend carried no permanent disability. Of course, the Avatar and his flying bison helped tremendously in moving the debris and rubble. The army was tending to the traumatized civilians offering food, water, and any supplies they could give. She did not do any personal interrogation for obvious reasons but the word from Captain Li was that of two dozen or so prisoners, none of them were talking or saying anything more. One even committed suicide by taking hidden poison in his mouth.

However, Zuko was taking the situation especially hard. She knew better than anyone that unlike many among the upper class, he never viewed commoners or anyone as expendable. It was a principle he'd held since his days as a young boy.

She found him sitting on a tree stump within a grassy area, hands covering his face in obvious shame.

"Zuko I know you feel that guilting yourself over this will somehow make what happened today better. But it won't. The people need a leader and you're the Fire Lord."

He looked up at him through his fingers. There were no indications or redness or tears, which Azula thanked Agni for but it was quite evident that he still took the full blame for what happened. It was ironic in that the opposite was true- she failed to alert the army or prevented the Avatar from leaving an obviously dangerous situation. Of course there was no way she'd tell him that.

"Azula...five people are dead because of me. Because I wasn't strong enough to protect them."

"You couldn't have known this was coming," she tried to assuage though her gut twisted into a knot as she spoke those words.

"The plan failed," Zuko spoke despondently. "Instead of trapping Onoda we basically allowed him to walk in this town and destroy it."

"Then we come up with a new one. A war isn't won by a single battle."

Evidently that had been the wrong thing to say as Zuko stood up, anguish on his face not seen since the days of his banishment.

"War?! That's the last thing I want, Azula! I promised our nation and the world peace! And now I apparently can't even provide that for my own people."

In the years the princess had known her brother, through constant agony, strife, and imposed exile, she'd rarely seen him in such despair. There was not one part of her that liked it.

"Zuko this is the moment where you need to demonstrate to the people that you are the Fire Lord and that you alone have the strength to lead. Show them!"

Her last two words were laced with such urgency Azula wondered if it stemmed from concern over Zuko or concern over her own inner turmoil...most likely a steady combination of both. That being said, the light in the Fire Lord's eyes seemed to vanish alongside the setting sun.

"Let's go back to camp. The mayor's house was destroyed so we have no choice but to sleep outside tonight."

He got up and began making his way towards the edge of the forest which in the shadow of the day seemed all the more foreboding. To Azula, however, it represented something additional, something deep within the recesses of her mind.

Pushing those feelings away, the princess said nothing in response to Zuko's defeatism but she knew that this was one of the times where the unspoken words were most powerful.

And it spoke of unavoidable conflict.

The mood among Team Avatar that was extremely somber to say the least. Even Appa seemed to notice the despondency and barely issued so much as a grunt.

Aang was the first to break the silence as he approached the Fire Lord.

"Zuko, I'm sorry I wasn't there today. If I had I-"

But he was silenced by a reassuring hand.

"You couldn't have known. None of us did."

Azula tried to ignore the enormous surge of guilt that issued from the pit of her stomach. She could practically feel Ty Lee's eyes bearing into her from behind.

"Can we all agree that Aang going anywhere at this point with a murderous rebel on the loose is a bad idea?" Sokka asked aloud.

"Toph would be scolding us right about now," Zuko muttered.

"Well she's not here right now," Katara interjected. "It's not as if we can't handle this ourselves. The best way to continue moving forward is protect innocent people, and bring Onoda to justice as quickly as possible."

"And on that score, we have some good news," Sokka said as he climbed up on Appa's saddle. Shortly thereafter, he tossed down his bag, which contained a handful of some very old looking scrolls.

"Oooo, those look ancient," Ty Lee said, prodding one of them.

"Yes, so that means 'be careful' Ty Lee," Azula said in a bored tone.

"Heh, sorry."

Sokka unraveled one of them and gestured for the rest of the group to gather around. There was still enough sunlight to see the characters that lined the scroll.

"According to legend, the spirit that inhabits the Forget Valley is known as the 'Miankong' or better translated as the 'Mother of Faces'. Supposedly she's responsible for the creation of every identity and every face in the history of the world."

"Every face?" Aang asked incredulously.

"I'm sure happy with mine," Ty Lee said proudly.

"So what's there to be scared of?" Zuko asked, confused but also moving the conversation along. "She doesn't sound too intimidating."

"Well...it's complicated," Sokka responded. "It's said that once a year she will grant a wish to any human. Problem is so many have ventured inside and never come back, people believe her to be vengeful and dangerous. Something about not liking her work being questioned or whatever."

Azula raised her eyebrows at this statement but otherwise said nothing.

"What my brother is trying to say is that she's extremely powerful and therefore it makes sense that Onoda is using it as a hiding place. No one will go in there out of fear of him and what they might encounter," Katara expounded. "But that's where Aang comes in."

"And our proposal," the Sokka added on. "We were originally going to suggest dealing with the spirit first. But after what happened today well...taking care of Onoda is the biggest priority."

"So what are the details?" Zuko asked.

"Simple. Tomorrow evening we all head into the forest and arrest him. I'll lead the way in case we encounter anything from the spirit world. There's a small lake at the center of the forest where the Mother of Faces supposedly resides. With me as a guide, and everyone else working as a team, we can find Onoda, bring him to justice, and then focus on getting in touch with the spirit," Aang said.

No one said anything at first until Ty Lee pipped up with a small, "I like it."

"And you Zuko?" Sokka asked seriously. "You're the Fire Lord. We can make suggestions but ultimately this is your decision. We'll respect whatever you want to do."

"We're your friends above everything else," Aang said with an encouraging smile.

Azula noticed her brother close his eyes, issue a small sigh and rub his temple.

"I don't see how we have a choice. It's clear that Onoda is far more powerful than I originally gave him credit for and is causing doubts among the people. This needs to be taken care of now," came the eighteen year old monarch's response. "I just don't know what we're going to do about the Royal tour. We're due to leave tomorrow but to do so feels...wrong."

"May not be the worst idea to have Aang take care of this personally," Katara offered. "Once Onoda is arrested and his bending taken away, you can come back here without any trouble and together we try to find the Mother of Faces."

Zuko considered this for a small second before continuing.

"The carriage was destroyed. The only way to move now is through Appa. I'll have to tell Captain Li."

"Makes for easier traveling," Aang said lightly. "I've never understood how people get around without a flying bison."

Sokka rolled up the scrolls and tossed them back into his bag.

"It's settled then. Zuko, Azula, and Ty Lee will continue on the Royal Tour while Aang, Katara, and I go into the forest tomorrow to deal directly with Onoda. Once that happens, we can focus on learning more about this spirit."

"Agreed."

The group discussion was seemingly settled, but to Azula there was so much wrong with this picture. For starters why was the Avatar settling this score with Onoda when it was Zuko's duty to do so? What on earth made them believe it would be so simple to find this spirit? But worst of all, the princess felt cast aside when it was her Agni given right to see this through. Despite believing the town of Hira'a to be a lost cause at first, more than ever she was certain it held the key to every answer she sought. Every fiber of her being felt revulsion at the sheer audacity and indecisiveness of not only everyone there, but the Fire Lord himself.

"Alright then, well if that's a plan let's get another fire going. I'll grab some wood...I assume one of you two can do the honors," Sokka said with an impish smile towards the royalty siblings.

Zuko gave a small smile in return but Azula once more remained silent as the rest of the team spread out to make camp for the night, a fact not lost on Ty Lee.

"Hey, everything okay?" she asked gently but with the same compassionate knowing she always held in her puppy dog eyes.

Azula did not like to lie to Ty Lee, however she still retained the ability.

"I'm fine."

"You hardly said anything during that conversation."

The reply was monotone and dismissive.

"There was nothing more that needed to be said."

Azula turned away from the light of the west and towards the darkness of the east knowing full well that her current path was at the edge of a precipice.

And this time there was no hallucinatory warning to lead her away from it.

Azula didn't sleep that night but this time she had no intention of doing so, merely waiting for the sound of Sokka's snores to reverb across the camp site.

Once assured that everyone around her was asleep, the princess rose from her mat and blanket and steadily made her way towards the forest, very careful not to make any noise that would alert even the nimble Ty Lee. Besides, this business was best done alone.

As soon as she found the narrow pathway into the Forgotten Valley she lit a small blue flame to light her way and simply followed the same trek as last time. Though unaware of the direction Azula was quite certain that all that this required was to keep walking until the inevitable. Steady and true, her footsteps pattered against the solid earth below with the occasional small *crack of a twig or leaf.

For once, the mind was relatively silent, with only the focus of her mission guiding the basic motion of limb and body. Armed with knowledge that this place was indeed inhabited by a spirit of some kind, it appeared to contain a supernatural quality much more apparent than the last time she made this trek. However, that didn't stop the occasional whisper through the wind issuing forth.

Turn back

She had made a decision.

Turn back, Azula

By Agni she was sticking with it.

Before it's too late

This was the final plan. The last chapter in the story of the insanity that was the Fire Nation Royal Family.

Looking up at the sky, she could see clouds moving in amongst the twinkling of the stars, the breeze picked up ever so slightly, the blue fire wavering slightly but never close to going out. In a way the general was right, the inner flame never died. It was about time everyone realized that.

It didn't take long for two issues of standard flame to spring up twenty feet with accompanying male voices.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

"I think your General is expecting me."

She couldn't see it completely even with the light of her fire but the two men bowed immediately.

"Of course, Princess Azula. Our apologies. He is indeed expecting you."

Really you imbeciles? Did you not see the blue flame or did you forget I'm the only one alive with that ability?

Wasting no time, the guards led her down to the same crystalline pond as last time. Only this time, Onoda did not need to be summoned. A fire by the shore illuminated his presence and his piercing, ambitious yellow eyes were practically oozing purpose and madness simultaneously. And unlike before, his men were not hiding. Perhaps they felt emboldened by the near success of their attack or maybe they were ordered to stand at attention but it was a display nonetheless.

When Azula came upon the general, she could see there was also a triumphant smirk behind his goatee.

"Princess," he said bowing low. "I had a feeling I would be honored by your presence tonight."

"Your instincts serve you well, General. As they did today."

The unsettling smile grew wider on Onoda's face.

"The armed forces protecting your brother were small and also out of place. I could only assume you were responsible for the scant protection."

Azula's temper throbbed.

"Do no not test me. Your word was that I would have time to consider your offer. And several of your men paid dearly for that…."

There was an uncomfortable silence as several of the soldiers shifted in the dark but no one dared to speak in place of the general or the princess.

"I felt...a demonstration of my strength was most prudent to win you to our side. And if eliminating the usurper was a possibility...it was worth risking."

"You injured my friend," Azula cut across with venom laced in her tone.

Onoda bowed again in an effort to avoid the full scope of her wrath.

"For which I deeply apologize."

"That might not be good enough."

"And yet, you are here," Onoda countered. "Willingly and of your own free will."

Azula said nothing for a second, allowing a few seconds suspense as though she was still unsure of her next step. But the Princess of the Fire Nation was never unsure and she was tired of not knowing. Those days were history. Slowly, she pulled out a small, crumpled up letter and offered it to the General, who took it with intense curiosity. Bright, golden eyes widened with each passing moment as the implication became abundantly clear.

"This is the handwriting of your mother...Lady Ursa."

"Indeed."

"Then that means…"

"My brother is a bastard and therefore an illegitimate contender for the crown in the eyes of the law."

The look on Onoda's face could only be described as sickeningly jubilant. If it weren't for decorum he might have broken the time old tradition of outlawing dancing. But there was no need. For the actions of the princess spoke louder than words.

"Princess, you have given us the final key to our victory. For not only did your brother improperly ascend the throne but he is a true fake! A fraud! An amateur of impure blood not fit to live in the gutters!"

Onoda held the piece of paper up on high.

"We will spread this information throughout the land. The seeds of the true heart of our nation will rise up once more. Our natural allies in the high command shall join us and the traitor cast down from his throne of lies!"

Naturally, the men did not cheer for fear of being heard miles away, but as it was with the last meeting, hundreds upon hundreds of fires were lit at once, creating a vast swath of orange and yellow light that gave the normally pitch black forest an eerie glow.

The general turned back towards the princess and proceeded to get down on one knee.

"And how could I forget the most integral piece of all. I swear that when we kill Zuko and reach the capital, the crown will be yours and yours alone...Fire Lord Azula."

The face of the princess was indeterminable but it held a visage of imperiousness and prestige. She being born of the royal blood could speak as she pleased towards anyone and that included the military. Lording over others was an inborn gift.

"I accept your generous support, General Onoda. Rise."

The man did as told, the manic look in his eyes taking on a whole new dimension. But before he could speak Azula interrupted him once more, whilst also taking back the letter into her possession.

"But...being your new leader this comes with certain conditions. The first being we do this according to my design."

"Of course, your highness."

"First order of business: Ty Lee is not to be touched. If you do, you will not live to see another day in this world."

Even a man such as Onoda was hardly immune to the intimidating, murderous tone of Azula. Though not visibility shaken, some of the enthusiasm from his middle aged features dampened.

"Your word is my command."

"The second: dealing with my brother. And I have a plan that will ensure we can take care of him sooner rather than later."

Onoda raised an eyebrow, the smirk returning now.

"Oh? And when would that be."

Azula's reply was prompt and without hesitation.

"I can lead him to you tomorrow evening."

Well, what is Azula up to? Is this truly the end for her redemption or is something else afoot? Find out soon!

~The Wasp