Each time I tried to move towards Zuko, Azula would attack me either with a blast of fire or lightning, forcing me to continually dodge and dive out of the way as she continued her maniacal cackle. Another stream of flames came towards me so I turned over my head and back flipped onto my hands, moving out of the way before with a final leap I pulled the water from the channel closest to me as I spun in the air to create a dome of water around me like a shield and the flames exploded against it, throwing me down so I quickly turned to land with a skid, now pushed further away from Zuko who tried to get up and defend me from his crazy sister.
Not wasting a moment, I water bended multiple whips from behind me, controlling each of them so that they moved on their own and struck at Azula, making her dodge and weave as I grit my teeth and swung my arms, creating ice lances and launching them at the princess before she charged herself with lightning again so I quickly evaded the attack, knowing that one hit from that lightning attack would finish me off for good. The lightning missed and Azula propelled herself onto one of the rooftops of the surrounding buildings, giving herself a height vantage as I came to a halt with a low stance, my feet spread wide and my hands prepared to move as I created two huge wheels of water to rotate around me, the rings overlapping as the gushing sound filled my ears.
"I'd really rather our family physician look little Zuzu if you don't mind!" Crowing at me as she charged up her lightning once more, I launched the first ring of water at the roof to create a wave blast to try and knock Azula down but she used her lightning to block the attack, causing a huge explosion and steam cover so I quickly focused on the pull of the water and froze anything that landed on the roof to create a slippery surface as I then flung the rest of my water at her into the steam to break through and pushed her further up as I ran forwards.
"I think the one who needs to see a physician around here is you, you little psycho!" I yelled back, keeping as calm as I possibly could, though it was kind of weird how I hadn't gone into panic. It was like my body and mind had completely synchronised and there was too much going on to have time to freak out, which was new for me.
"This time, I'll make sure to make you pay for all those times you humiliated me!" Azula screamed, revealing herself with a sphere of blue fire as she shielded herself from my attack and blew away the steam, melting the ice underneath her feet so I quickly gathered it under her foot where she wouldn't see it and reached behind me, pulling out one of my batons. I vaulted forwards and flipped over my head, flinging out the baton to release the ribbon then began to find my rhythm, quickly loosening up before I rolled out of the way of another fireball before I rose up and flicked the ribbon at Azula, catching he foot where the solidified ice caused her to slip and she slammed down on the roof with a cry, dislodging the tiles as I dragged her down.
She hit the floor and I untangled the plated ribbon with a twirl, drawing out the other baton as I began to find my movements, straying away from traditional water bending styles to dance my own, the water rising and swirling with me as I sent it curving at Azula whilst she was on the ground, slamming it against her front then at her back so she was flipped over several times before she lashed out with both feet with a scream, a jet of engulfing flames coming towards me. Not having enough water to block that attack I instead created a wave of curving ice to surf before launching myself upwards, using the ribbon to catch Azula's wrist next as she bellowed. "I'm going to obliterate you into nothing more than ashes! You lowly peasant!"
"Fine, but you have to catch me first." Using her unstable mind as an edge, I pushed her further towards the breaking point as the two of us fought, my ribbons twirling as I snatched her wrist and pulled her off balance before the water followed up with another block, dousing her repeatedly as I then started to push her back, feeling like I was beginning to succeed in winning. I turned, guiding water before launching it forwards like a geyser once, twice, then a third time but instead, Azula released an outlandish cry of rage and fury as fire billowed around her as she flung out her arms to scream.
The blue fire blinded me momentarily as it expanded in an inescapable mass, making my eyes widen and I rushed to pull all the water I had available to slice it down the middle as I turned on my side, staring at the wall of azure fire as it passed me on both sides, the gap only allowing me to pass through. A lightning strike followed and the force of the blow flung me back with a grunt, breaking my balance and causing me to lose one of the batons as I hit the floor, and before I could recover Azula leaped over me with a bellow, bringing her foot down with a stream of fire to strike.
Abandoning my last baton and ribbon, I swiftly rolled out the way with a flash of fear, hearing the ground crack underneath Azula's foot as she landed as I rolled onto my feet and turned to face her, seeing the wild, daunting looking her eyes as she came at me with fire at her palms, holding her hands behind her to boost her speed. Water bending as fast as I was able, I barely had time to think before I was blocking her fireballs, increasing the speed as Azula pushed me backwards towards some metal grating where I could feet water underneath my feet.
Looking down I bent my knees to lower my stance and felt the strain pushing through all of my arms and back, gasping for air and yelling from the effort as I lifted all of the water after condenscing its momentum, holding it back long enough to propel it forwards in a gushing wave and soon enough so that it was before Azula could strike me with lightning. The boom of thunder rumbled as water attacked Azula from all sides, trapping her as I threw all of my concentration into wrapping her up in a ball of water, undulating my arms and hands to keep the water spinning and churning so that she was trapped under the pressure, though I knew I couldn't hold her for long.
I needed to think, there had to be a way I could beat her. Katara had taught me everything she knew so I can't let her down now, there's no way I can lose, especially with Zuko down for the count. I need to wrap this up so I can go heal him, he needs me. Within the swirling vortex, Azula fought to try and raise her arms, holding her breath and straining as she gathered her chi and prepared to blast the water apart. For a while, my mind drew a complete blank, unable to think of how to defeat Azula on my own when all of a sudden, I remembered Hama.
Her technique suddenly fixated in my mind and it gave me pause, wondering if perhaps I could do it. It wasn't a full moon, but even Katara had said that I was a powerful water bender by standards. Maybe I can do it, I just need to hold onto Azula long enough to either knock her out or secure her somehow. I don't have a choice, do I? Blood bending was something Katara had vowed never to do again, saying that it should be a forbidden art, but…would it be okay? I can't let Azula hurt Zuko or take the throne for herself, not whilst we don't know what happened to Aang and whether or not he's going to face the Fire Lord.
It's all or nothing, this will either work or I'll end up shot full of lightning and will probably die. It was terrifying and as fire began to wrap around Azula within my water sphere, I felt like my whole word was shattering and burning around me as I struggled to keep myself standing. My entire body was trembling, both from the strain of containing Azula and because of the fear that was now creeping through me. The fire burst free of its boundary and I dove behind a pillar to take cover, the blast of steam, heat and flames causing me to perspire as I heard Azula drop to the ground and gasp for air, struggling to breathe.
This was probably going to be my only chance. She's exhausted, weak. She won't be able to fight me off, I have to do this. Right now. For a moment I couldn't make my feet move, natural cowardice taking hold of me before I took a cleansing breath to calm myself, entering a state of serenity before I turned around and stepped into the thick cloud of steam, moving quietly towards where Azula coughed and spluttered. Once my mind was prepared, I relaxed my stance and took up a position, holding it for a moment as I allowed myself to sink deeper into the sensation of flowing emotions, letting myself shift and change with every feeling that flickered through my body as I reached out towards Azula and felt for the throb of water within her body.
At first I felt nothing, so I sank deeper into the trance before I began to sense far more around me than I had ever felt before. The water vapour of the steam, the beads of sweat that rolled down my face, becoming so real and tangible that I could have counted each and every one. I reached out further, feeling every droplet of water that drenched Azula through from my attacks, beginning to pull at them as I ebbed and flowed like the tide rolling into shore, reaching further and further still. I felt the pulse beneath her skin, the rush of blood in her head as it circulated through her body. Every contortion and flex of her muscles as she began to lift her head, I felt it as if it were my own.
Seizing control, I heard Azula gasp as her arm twisted at my command, pulling it behind her and she naturally arched her back as she rose, eyes widening wildly as she scanned the steam layer until she saw my silhouette, fixating on me as I gradually opened my eyes, the connection now fixed. The steam faded away and Azula saw me standing there with my hands dipped towards her and my body angled, breathing lightly and slowly as I pulled at her other arm to swing her around with a single movement of my hand, moving her like she were a puppet on strings. "What are you doing to me? What is this? Let me go. I command you to let me go!" Azula panicked and attempted to punch at me with fire but I flicked out my hand in order to stop her, the blue fire dying into red before disappearing altogether as I made Azula's body contort. "Stop it, stop it! I'll make you pay for this, you'll suffer the consequences!"
"It's you who'll suffer the consequences Azula. This is what you get for all you've done. Accept that you are now defeated." I told her as I made her swing out a leg to walk, her body now gangly and completely under my command as I pulled the strings. She was crying now, utterly in tears and hyperventilating in fear at having lost complete control over her own body. She screamed and breathed fire at me so I forced her head back so that the flames flew harmlessly into the sky, avoiding me altogether.
My body was shaking all over, the pressure building and building until I couldn't even breathe anymore as I continued to make Azula move, bringing her closer to me as I also advanced step by step, holding onto her until finally we were face to face. She stared at me, finally feeling the same fear she inflicted on everyone else as I remained passive and unfeeling, narrowing my eyes into a glare before all at once, I released her. The moment she felt herself regain control she screeched at me and punched forwards, fire billowing outwards but I rotated under her arm and spun, turning my back around her as her eyes followed me a second too late.
Her leg swept over in a rounded kick which I also ducked under, moving like flowing water around her with my hands poised in front of my chest to protect my vitals before I came up behind Azula and with a final spin, I brought the side of my hand down onto the back of her neck at the spot Iroh had taught me to strike many months ago in order to effectively knock out an opponent. I felt my hand connect and Azula's body jolted with a violent contortion, head ripping backwards before all at once she slumped, dropping to the floor with her eyes closed.
I stayed behind her, waiting for a moment before gingerly prodding her with my foot to make sure she was really unconscious before I released the breath I had been holding, gasping for air and dropping to my knees. It was over. I'd really won. Part of me still couldn't believe it, but then I looked over at Zuko who was still lying on the ground in pain. Moving fast I swept Azula up with water and carried her on a wave over to the grate where water continued to run below us, spotting a chain and I used that to lock her hands behind her back then secured her to the grating before then raising an ice tomb around her, freezing it around her so that everything but her neck and head were covered.
Satisfied that she was now secure, I ran over to Zuko with such desperation my foot slipped and I almost fell, pushing my hand against the ground as I rushed to his side and quickly reached for him. "Zuko! Zuko please, open your eyes…" Blinded by my own tears I brushed them away quickly as I turned Zuko over to see the entry wound on his chest, his clothes burned to reveal the angry red scar. I drew water from my pouch and began to heal him, focusing on the twisted chi in his body and soothed it, letting it flow out and circulate once more. It had nearly hit his heart. If it had been any further to the left, then Zuko would have died.
"Kayo…" I jumped when I heard his voice, gasping as I saw Zuko open his eyes and move, no longer looking like he was in pain. "Thank you."
"You idiot." I choked up, biting down as tears streamed down my face as I kept my hands over his chest, continuing to heal him until I was certain there was no irreversible damage. I pulled my hands back then, using the heel of my hand to rub at the tears. "That was so reckless, you could have got yourself killed…dumb prince…" His hand came to thumb away some of my tears, sitting up whilst supporting his weight on his elbow before I turned into him, throwing my arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder as we hugged each other, relief and peace finally replacing fear and turmoil. "You saved my life again."
"I'll always save you Kayo." Zuko told me and I couldn't help but laugh, drawing back to press my hand to his face and look at him. My chest swelled with emotion and I had to close my eyes to contain it, fearing it would escape and become known if I didn't hold it back, taking a moment before speaking again.
"Thank you, Zuko." I whispered sincerely, not knowing what else to say. "Thank you." He smiled at me and for a moment, I thought I saw him starting to lean in towards me. I naturally looked down to his lips and started to think that maybe he was going to kiss me, but then an unearthly screech shattered the moment and we both looked to Azula who had woken up. She struggled against her ice prison without success, unable to move which only added to her frustrations as she blasted fire from her mouth and rolled her head, ripping it from side to side in order to fight against her restraint as she sobbed and wailed.
Drawing his arm over my neck I helped Zuko to stand up, his hand pressing against his chest over his wound as we both watched the rather pitiful scene of Azula utterly defeated and broken with insanity. "You beat my sister?"
"Well, you did most of the work. I just finished her off for you since you were taking a nap." I shrugged, passing it off though I looked away. I think it's best if I never tell anyone about blood bending Azula, not even Zuko. If she says anything they'll just think it's some crazy ranting, I'll only come clean if they ask me directly. I don't feel guilty about doing it, because it was the only way I was going to defeat Azula and live. My life, as well as Zuko's safety, in exchange for taking away Azula's will was a small price to pay.
"I meant to say this before, but your bending has really come a long way. You're really strong."
"Katara's a good teacher."
"It's not Katara who bends for you." Zuko said to me, giving me a soft look as he pulled me closer to him in a one armed embrace. "Today's victory is all on you."
"Not just me." I smiled to him, brushing at his hair and touching his scar unthinkingly. "I've never seen fire bending like what you did. You're a real master now, and your uncle will be proud. I can't wait to tell him everything." Starting to laugh, Zuko then winced and grimaced in pain so I quickly jumped to support him. "Maybe we should let you rest somewhere. Soon enough we'll find out if Aang came back and defeated Ozai, but just in case, we should prepare for the worst. What do you want me to do, Zuko?"
"Help me secure the palace. See if there's anyone left here and spread the word. Azula is defeated, and a new Fire Lord is to be named." He spoke with confidence and leadership, making me admire him all the more as I helped him remain on his feet and turn around, heading towards the palace and leaving Azula to shriek herself hoarse all she liked. No matter what else happened today, Azula was no longer the calculating, controlled princess she was before. In that respect, she was lost entirely, and I could not summon the means to feel even the slightest bit of pity towards her at all.
