The building that held the trial was full of people dressed in a wide variety of colors and shades. People had come from all four nations to witness Azula's trial. It was the event of a lifetime, and it would change the way the world punished criminals.

The jury consisted of seven people: one from the Southern Water Tribe, one from the Northern Water Tribe, two from opposite sides of the Earth Kingdom, and three from the Fire Nation. At the head of the room sat Aang. He was the overseer. Like his Avatar duties, it was his job to make sure that the evidence and trial were fair for both sides. Rules were created, and he would execute them while remaining completely neutral. Then, he would enforce the verdict.

Azula sat with her back to the crowd, but everyone could see her slight slouch. It was completely unlike the Princess to not be sitting at attention. Zuko had sent a full team of beauticians to help her look presentable. It almost worked.

Azula had one man that made up her defense team. A couple feet away sat a similar team that was going to present all of the evidence against Azula. They had smiles on their faces. There would be three sections of the trial. The first was for the opposing to present their case, then it was the defense's turn. The final section would be the verdict.

Seated in the first row of spectators were Katara, Sokka, Sukki, Uncle Iroh, a few members of the White Lotus, and some of the world leaders, including Zuko. The members of the White Lotus and the world leaders planned to swap places during the sections of the trial to ensure that someone would be able to rule in case a catastrophe occurred at the trial.

Anything is possible when it comes to Azula. They had to be prepared. They had to be ready.

Although, she hadn't been acting like herself lately. She was quiet, and she didn't fight the guards. She ate what they gave her without a fight, and laid in her cell like a model prisoner. It was like she had no will left to live.

But was she acting? Azula never gives up.

Toph had once again declined the invitation to join the group while watching the trial. She said it was too fresh for her. It was too painful and probably bad for her health, which was almost completely back to normal. She didn't want to chance her heart stopping again while she listened to all of the horrible things Azula had done. Instead, she volunteered to watch Tenzin and Ursa in the courtyard of the palace. The kids were excited to play with the rock soldiers she created and to use their bending.

There was a vast amount of evidence against Azula. The jury shed some tears and even looked like they were going to be sick at some points. Azula ripped apart families, fired staff for outrageous reasons, killed innocent people, destroyed villages, and led armies in the Hundred Year War. There was no denying her crime.

She had caused so much destruction that it took a few hours to explain it all. The man presenting his argument even stressed that there is no definitive list of her crimes because there are some unknown acts. The world may never know the full extent of pain she caused.

At the end of the first section, a recess was taken. This allowed for the spectators to stretch their legs. In all honestly, the jury looked like they needed this break the most. They were promptly escorted to another room for snacks and fresh air.

Katara looked at Aang with sad eyes. He sat in his ceremonial robes and was paler than normal. He knew what a destructive force Azula was while he was there, but he could hardly imagine what she did while he was gone. It was devastating.

He had heard most of the horror stories already, but it didn't change anything for Aang. It hurt him every time, and he couldn't help but feel guilty. He should have been there. He should have stopped her.

He should have been there.

But, he was there now. He had to repeat this mantra to himself many times to prevent his rage from sending him into the Avatar State. I am here now.

The thought of Azula's fate made him sick to his stomach. If he had not been a monk, then his decision would have been very different. In fact, they may not have needed a trial at all. This could have ended years ago. Children would still have their mothers and fathers, a luxury Aang had only become to know.

But he was monk. He had the values and upbringing of a monk. He knew violence wasn't the answer. It never was.


The second half of the trial began, and everyone was sitting silently in their seats. They couldn't wait to hear Azula's excuses. Zuko had decided to sit this portion of the trial out. He didn't want to see his sister in pain or hear her excuses. He grew up with her, and he knew that she knew what was right and wrong.

The man defending her was tall and had a Fire Nation accent. He was not dressed like Sokka when they tried to prove Aang's innocence in Chen Village. Instead, he was all black robes and had long hair. His beard was almost longer than Iroh's and in three thin braids.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, may I present to you…" He started. Then, he proceeded to tell Azula's life story… the day and time she was born, how they discovered she was a child prodigy, her favorite childhood toys, etc. The man sounded like he was writing a biography.

Sokka leaned close to Katara and whispered, "Is this guy a writer?"

Katara pondered this for a moment before she shrugged in response. She was having the same thought. This man was painting a perfect picture of Azula. He describe her as a perfect daughter and a loyal citizen.

Then, he reached what he called the "climax." He said, "Azula had lost her brother and only uncle."

This comment made Iroh grunt in dismay. She deserved it, he thought to himself as he rolled his eyes.

"This caused something in Azula's brain to snap. Combined with the pressure put on her by her father her entire life, the mission to find the Avatar broke Azula. She was facing many mental problems at the time." He continued on as if he was there the entire time.

"Why did she kill Mai? Her childhood friend had always been in love with her brother. He was a traitor at the time and an enemy of the Fire Nation. Mai had turned on Azula, breaking their bond and stabbing Azula in the back. She trusted her, and Mai let her down. She also became a traitor. Once the war ended, Firelord Zuko and Firelady Mai were no longer enemies of the Fire Nation, but they still were to Azula.

"Azula had already suffered her mental breakdown and was full blown psychotic. When she escaped, she felt the need to get justice. Justice in her mind, although it may have been wrong, was killing Firelady Mai and inflicting pain on Firelord Zuko and their daughter."

Katara, Sokka, Suki, and Iroh's jaws were hanging open. To be honest, they had been unhinged the entire time the man was speaking. He made terrifying crimes sound like any other day. It was like a huge shrug and saying she was crazy... there's nothing we can do about it.

Anger boiled inside all four of them. This wasn't something to shrug off or blame mental problems. Azula knew what she was doing… most of the time.

Aang sat in front of the room, keeping a neutral expression. He had to remain impartial, but he was bewildered by the tale this man was telling. Aang's hands sat in his lap and were white with frustration. He was gripping them hard, but no one noticed.

No one except for Katara.

Her heart broke for Aang. He was going to have to do something that he didn't believe in. Either way, it was a losing situation for Aang. The least the public could do was give him some sympathy if displayed some kind of emotion. But he was the Avatar. He had to this.

Katara couldn't listen to the fake story any longer and began to ponder about what Aang was thinking about. Was he even listening? There was no way in Hell that she would be able to keep her face completely void of emotion…

But she had! The idea hit her so hard that it almost took her breath away. She had performed that difficult and unthinkable task before. She had the hardest conversation of her life with Koh without breaking a neutral facade. Was that what Aang was thinking of?

No way, she thought to herself as she studied Aang. He's probably mediating with his eyes open… or something.

But she couldn't keep her mind from wondering back inside that dark, damp cave. The only time she spoke of the incident was with Aang on the ship ride home. She didn't even explain it to Sokka. It hurt too much and confused her. She wasn't sure how she felt about the situation, so she didn't think about it.

She felt… lucky? Was that the right word? She had gone into the Spirit World by herself, something mortals don't do. Very few people had ever been there. Yet, she went with a mission.

Then, there was the fact that she has also seen and talked to past Avatars, something only the Avatar has ever done. In fact, she saved them from a life of limbo. She had heard their voices, seen their facial expressions, and listened to their wisdom.

Did that make her… brave? She killed a spirit… a scary, face-stealing sprit without a single tear. She held it together while he ripped her heart apart. She stared into Aang's face for the first time in five years without losing herself.

Yes, she was luck and brave.

Suddenly, Katara was pulled back to reality. The second session had ended, and there was to be another recess while the jury determined their verdict.

Sokka stood up with a loud sign and obnoxiously stretched. Sukki rolled her eyes at him before jabbing him in the ribs.

"Hey!" He yelled quietly at her. "I'll get you for that later."

Suki snickered, and it made Katara laugh. She smiled at the two lovebirds and sighed. Everyone was happy again, and it felt like life would finally resume after the verdict was delivered.

Everyone was happy again because the Avatar was back… and he was back because of her. Her luckiness and bravery. Brave that she waited until the perfect moment to poison Koh. Lucky that she was able to find the light at the end of the tunnel, and even luckier that she was in the Physical World. Her waterbending was the only thing that saved her.

"Katara," Suki called to her. Katara snapped out of her dark thoughts. "Are you alright?"

Katara shook her head and smiled at her sister-in-law. "I'm fine. It's just been a long day."

"It's been a long life," Sokka replied with a sigh. "Our entire life has been affected by the Hundred Year War. Our village was almost wiped out, we lost our mother, we found the Avatar, we traveled the world while on the run, and then we ended the war. Then, we had to repair the world. Then, Azula escaped, Aang went missing, and life still had the same rush. But now, we captured Azula, we found Aang, and… now what?"

Suki looked at her husband in amazement. He had obviously been thinking about this for a while. In fact, they had a long conversation about their next steps on the ship ride home from the North Pole. They planned to share some big news after the trial too.

Katara related to her brother's words more than she would have liked. He was right. Life had always had a purpose to her. Now, their destinies seemed like they had been filled… twice! Was it time to retire to a life of leisure? Did they even know what leisure was?

"You're right, Sokka," Katara told him after a moment.

Sokka gave her a strange look. "What was that?"

Katara rolled her eyes.

"Can you say that again?" Sokka smirked. Suki jabbed his side again. "Ouch!"

The girls laughed. "I said, you're right," Karata told him with a smile. "Our lives may calm down, but they will never be boring."

"Life you guys has never been boring," Iroh rasped with a light chuckle.

They all erupted in a fit of laughter, but they were cut short by the sound of a gong. Then, Aang's voice rang out over a now quiet room. "We are ready to give the verdict."