A/N: Long chapter, even with the split.
Hard one ahead, but an interesting challenge to write. As always, hope you enjoy, and see you at the end!
Chapter 10: Agni Kai
Katara watched as the giant caldera city that was the capital grew on the horizon. The mouth of the volcano opened to the sky like the jaws of a dragon, the many ornate crimson buildings jutting to the sky like flaming tongues.
Zuko flew them into the mouth without hesitation, hands gripping the reins.
Katara had moved back to the saddle, and now she peered over the side at the city below. Her hands touched her twin water pouches at her back for the hundredth time, to make sure they were there. Zuko was right, she had once fought Azula in the catacombs of Ba Sing Se, and nearly defeated her, if not for Zuko's interference. But they had been in the cool underground, surrounded by motes of water—this time the comet was here, and they were in Azula's territory. But this time Zuko stood with her—they would give it all they had, and they would win. They had to.
A giant courtyard expanded out below them, and she could make out figures, clad in Fire Nation crimson, standing before what might have been a temple. Water troughs spanned the length of the courtyard on either side, most likely meant for some ceremonial purpose, along with long buildings with crimson roofs, fronted by impressive decorative pillars. Metal grates were just visible in the shadow of the overhang beyond them.
Katara scanned the courtyard, searching for soldiers, and Azula's Dai Li agents, anywhere they might be hiding—they might have to fight and knock them out first. They should be able to, with Appa's help.
However, the place was eerily empty. The figures standing upon the dais looked more like sages and spiritual advisers than soldiers. Only a single figure knelt in front of them, head bowed. The gold five-pointed headpiece of the Fire Lord held above her head.
At a low growl from Appa, Azula turned. Her features tightened with annoyance, as though at an impolite interruption at a feast.
Appa landed with a heavy thud on the stone, at the bottom of a long set of stairs, and Zuko was already on his feet.
"Sorry," Zuko called out to her. "But you're not going to become Fire Lord today." He leaped off Appa's head, landing on the stone below. "I am."
Toph or Sokka might have said he was being overly theatrical, but if there was ever a moment that called for it, it was now.
Azula's cold features turned to amusement. She snickered, then laughed aloud, hand to stomach. Her sharp eyes suddenly fixed on Zuko, mouth smirking, though eyes still cold. "You're hilarious."
Katara slid off Appa's saddle and stepped up to stand at Zuko's side. "And you're going down," she added. However, Katara glanced around once more. No soldiers—the more she thought about it, the more unsettling it was. Was Azula ready for them? Had she laid an ambush?
The sages seemed unsure what to do. The one holding the crown of the Fire Lord seemed to decide Zuko and Katara were unimportant, and he began moving again—to place the crown in Azula's topknot, declaring her the Fire Lord of the Fire Nation, the ruler who would decide the fate of not just the Fire Nation citizens, but the other nations, as she fought alongside her father to grind them under their feet.
However, Azula put up a hand. "Wait," she commanded.
Azula eyed Zuko speculatively. "You want to be Fire Lord? Fine. Let's settle this—just you and me, brother." Her eyes gleamed with a sudden crazed light. "The showdown that was always meant to be. Agni Kai."
Katara could only stare in disbelief. An Agni Kai? When she was in the heart of the capital, where she should have every advantage—why would she risk facing Zuko one-on-one when she didn't have to?
Katara's eyes flickered about them again. Why were there no defenses? Had Ozai taken the entire Fire Nation army with him, and really left his daughter with nothing to defend the capital? Perhaps he had thought the Avatar and his forces would only focus on his army, on stopping the attack on the Earth Kingdom, but even so—
Azula showed no sign of tension in seeing them here. If anything, she seemed amused—and yet, there was something unusual in her face. She gazed at Zuko hungrily, as though in finally destroying him it would make her coronation complete. As though he were a hated enemy, rather than the insignificant minor irritation she had often treated him as in the past.
"You're on," Zuko replied.
Katara started, whirling her head to look at him. Zuko was letting himself get caught up in the moment. They couldn't get sucked into Azula's games—they needed to be smart. To lose meant everyone would lose.
"What are you doing?" Katara hissed, too low for Azula to hear. "She's playing you, Zuko. She knows she can't take us both, so she's trying to separate us."
Zuko's eyes never moved from Azula, where she stood atop the stairs, staring back down at him with a mix of triumph and delight. "I know," he muttered back. "But I can take her this time."
Katara could only stare at him. He had seemed so rational, talking to his uncle, humble in a way he had never been before. Recognizing he needed help without an argument. She couldn't believe he would let Azula bait him so easily, that he would let himself get overconfident, now of all times.
"But," Katara said, in a lower voice still, trying to inject some logic back into the conversation. "Even you admitted to your uncle you would need help facing Azula."
Zuko's eyes remained on the top of the stairs. He didn't appear riled up, or ready to charge in rage. Rather, he seemed almost preternaturally calm. Quiet, yet strong.
He muttered, "There's something off about her. I can't explain it, but she's slipping."
Katara glanced back at Azula. It was hard to see her clearly at this distance—and yet, now that she paid attention, Zuko was right. Azula was always immaculate, always in perfect control. But even as she had asked for the Agni Kai, her face had seemed to shift strangely between anger and wild delight as she spoke. It occurred to Katara that she wasn't sure she had ever seen Azula angry—truly angry, as though it would be that which drove her to destroy someone. Azula was always cold; she struck someone down because it served her purposes, some greater plan. To see her now, smiling, but with a vindictive, intense loathing she didn't bother to hide, she seemed... different.
But Katara wasn't sure if that made her less dangerous, or more so.
Zuko turned to her at last, and added quietly, "And this way, no one else has to get hurt."
Katara looked at him. And, though she wouldn't have admitted it, another pulse of relief coursed through her. Not for her own safety—but that she might not have to fight this battle after all. That, though Zuko had never intended to completely take out his sister anyway, that Katara wouldn't face a situation where she would have to be the one to decide.
Still, the anxiety prickled at her skin. And she knew that the thought of losing Zuko was just as unthinkable as losing any of their other friends. She had known she'd grown to think of him as their friend, but not until this moment did she know how deep it ran. He truly was a member of of Team Avatar.
Katara nodded once. "Just don't lose," she said quietly. "I might have forgiven you for Ba Sing Se—but I won't ever forgive you for that."
Zuko nodded solemnly, then turned his eyes back up to Azula.
"Well?" said Azula, flicking her long, ornate Fire Lord's robes in irritation. "Are we going to stand here all day, or are we going to fight? The world will finally have its proof, of which one of us is better."
Her eyes suddenly narrowed slightly, flicking to Appa behind them. "Of course, there are rules to such a contest. You'd best send the beast away, I would hate for you to get tempted to use unseemly advantages. Errant puffs of wind can be so—irksome in firebending duels."
Zuko stared at her, incredulous. "You've got to be kidding. You think I'd be the one to try to cheat you?"
"Fine," Azula said, checking her nails lazily. "It won't be my fault if the poor creature gets a bit singed. I understand bison don't like fire."
Zuko clenched his hands into fists. "An Agni Kai is a fight between two people, and two people only. You know that, Azula. To attack Appa or anyone else outside that is as much of a dishonor as—"
Azula waved a dismissive hand. "Of course, Zuzu, of course, I know the rules—better than you do. I only speak out of concern—with the comet, the fire burns so bright, so high. Accidents can happen."
Katara placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Let's just do as she says," she murmured. "She's right, Appa won't be able to stand being around so much open flame, he might spook and inadvertently interfere."
"What if she has soldiers waiting, and surrounds us?" Zuko muttered back.
Katara shook her head. "I haven't seen any sign of anyone else here. I think you're right, Zuko—there's something... wrong with her." Katara's eyes flickered back to Azula. For the first time she noticed her hair—usually so perfect even in the middle of a fight. Now it looked as though it was half unraveling from her topknot, falling in loose strands about her face. It even looked like her long bangs had been forcibly sheared off at an odd angle.
Azula spread her arms in a mocking conciliatory gesture. "If it makes you feel better, Zuzu, I'll send my people away as well. Too many eyes would sully such a sacred contest."
Zuko hesitated only a moment longer. "Fine," he said. "I'll agree to that."
Azula snapped her fingers at the sages behind her, and they, without question or protest, filed away, disappearing from the courtyard.
Katara had gone back to Appa and, murmuring to him and stroking his fur, she pushed lightly at his nose. In response, he let out a low groan, as though to say he thought this was a bad idea, but then lifted reluctantly into the air, turning away and disappearing over the crimson roofs of the buildings.
Katara turned back, to find Azula descending the stairs. Azula should have looked regal, with her long Fire Lord's robes, shoulder spikes glistening in the red light of the comet. And yet, there was a strange awkwardness to the way she moved. She swayed a little unsteadily, though not as though she might fall over. More like the undisciplined ruffians at June's tavern, who had drunk just enough strong tea to be more aggressive than usual, more ready for a fight. Katara wondered briefly why Azula would have been so willing to send her own people away so quickly—but then, maybe she felt that would give her more freedom. To fight dirty if she had to.
Azula had reached the final stair now, and she stopped. Her eyes narrowed, suspicious eyes falling on Katara. "Didn't you hear me?" she said in a low, dangerous voice. "I said we were to fight alone. What guarantee do I have, Zuzu, that the moment you begin to lose—which you will—that you won't have your little snow peasant friend interfere?"
"She's not going anywhere," Zuko answered. "She's going to make sure you don't doublecross me, Azula. But she won't do anything as long as you do things the right way. On my honor, as prince of the Fire Nation."
Azula studied Katara for a long moment, and though her eyes were wild, hair frayed, she seemed to make some calculation. At last, her lips formed a cold smile. "Oh, very well. I trust you, Zuzu."
Giving Katara one last look Katara didn't like, Azula turned her back to them. Katara backed up, giving them space, at the same time Zuko walked down the courtyard, facing away from Azula. They both knelt down in a crouch, backs to each other, separated by the length of the courtyard.
Katara didn't know all the exact rules of an Agni Kai, but there was a ritualistic feeling to their actions now. They remained crouched for a long moment, before Zuko slowly climbed to his feet and turned, at the very same time Azula did. Azula drew off the Fire Lord's robes and discarded them beside her.
"I'm sorry it has to end this way, brother," she said, her painted lips curling with a sneer.
"No," Zuko said calmly, taking his stance. "You're not."
Azula raised her hands in front of her in something that could have almost resembled a bending stance—except there was none of Azula's usual crisp preciseness. Instead, she looked more like a marionette on a set of strings.
This was more than Azula simply being a little off. Could she have decided to feign weakness, in order to lure Zuko into this one-on-one contest? To put him off his guard?
As this thought occurred to her, Katara's stomach plunged, but before she could try to shout a warning, Azula suddenly spun, a giant stream of blue flames erupting from her palm, shooting toward Zuko like a cannon blast.
However, Zuko was ready. Rather than pull back, he stepped forward into the attack, bringing his hands together in an orange blaze of his own. The two forces collided in the center of the courtyard—and burst upward in an enormous wall of flames, shock waves exploding outward.
Katara gasped and drew back, raising her arm over her face as she felt the heat wash over her clear across the courtyard. Such power—this was the might of the comet. It was a truly terrifying sight, and she saw now how the master airbenders, strong as they might have been, couldn't have stopped the advancing Fire Nation on this day.
Azula used a blast of fire to propel herself into the air, and when she landed the momentum carried her forward, spinning and kicking in blast after blast. Zuko matched her, dodging and blocking each strike of blue flames as it came, and launching his own attacks back in turn. Again they both lashed out, and the bursts of fire blazed against each other, rising higher and higher, forming a wall of flames that spanned the courtyard.
Azula's blazing blue flames suddenly burst through the wall, a giant spinning funnel twice as high as Zuko's head. It shot past him, so powerful it reached the end of the courtyard behind him. The wind billowed as the funnel tried to suck him in—however, Zuko stood his ground, orange flames still bursting from his fists in a bright explosion of fiery light.
When at long last the blue flames died down and petered out, Katara stared out at the courtyard, and saw that Zuko's strike had also breached through the flame wall on the opposite side. Azula spun her head to look at the temple behind her, as Zuko's flames crackled against the roof and over the steps, pieces of ash collapsing to the ground. When she turned back, her eyes blazed with fury—and, for the first time, a hint of something almost like fear.
Azula leaped into the air again, foot striking downward, and bringing with it another giant lash of flames, which bore down on Zuko like a charging beast.
Zuko didn't hesitate. He spun around once for momentum, then split his hands. Twin walls of orange flames severed the blue blast in half, and the flames dispersed to nothing but a few small blue embers crackling on Azula's side.
Azula was crouched down, her shoulders heaving with effort, her eyes wide. This wasn't an act—something had affected Azula, and she was not fighting at her usual level. Could it simply be the pressure of suddenly being made the Fire Lord? Or something else?
There was no way to tell, but although Azula's giant explosive blasts of flame and increasingly erratic movements were unnerving to watch, Katara felt just a little of the tension in her shoulders ease. The inevitable victor in this battle was clear. He was in perfect form, and Azula, however it might have happened, was not herself. It wasn't over, but there was only one way this could end.
Zuko placed another palm before him, and then with his other arm, punched forward. Twin rivers of flames burst forward, twisting around each other like snarling dragons, straight for Azula.
Azula was clearly exhausted, and she didn't have time to try to summon any flames to defend herself. She only managed to leap aside, just in time. She used the dodge for another attack, blue flames bursting at her feet as she surged forward, flying on the air as she let loose another rush of blue flames.
It was Zuko's turn to launch himself upward, and even as Azula shot at him, he blocked every strike with flames of his own, bringing down a great wave. He landed, and bent low to the ground, sending another blazing tunnel at Azula.
But now Azula had shifted tactics, and she skirted around Zuko in wide arcs, feet never touching the ground, leaving trails of blue flames in her wake. She really could fly.
Katara felt some of the tension that had left her seize her again. She shouldn't be complacent, not when Zuko was facing Azula. Azula glided over the ground with the agility and speed of an airbender, flames blazing from her feet and fists behind her, and even though Zuko sent blast after powerful blast in a wide circle, they were always far behind her.
And yet, Zuko was still completely calm, as he followed Azula with his eyes and fists. He deflected each of Azula strikes—only small ribbons of light now, as she struggled to continue to attack while most of the fire trailed behind her, keeping her moving.
Azula was on the defensive, and Katara realized now Zuko's strategy. He couldn't hit Azula while she was moving like this, and yet she couldn't keep it up forever, and as long as she was moving that fast, her offensive power was compromised. As long as he remained rooted in place, he had time to take proper defensive measures against her attacks. And if he managed to land a strike, even just a glancing blow, it would do far more damage.
Zuko suddenly dropped to the ground, spinning his legs out above him, and sending a wide circle of flames expanding out over the entire courtyard. It was a weaker strike, more dispersed—but Azula couldn't avoid it. She tried to cut through with an arc of blue flames, but the force of the blast combined with her own momentum were too much. She fell forward, as though falling over a tripwire, and suddenly she was sprawling in an uncontrolled tumble, head over shoulders, side over side, before she at last came to a stop in the center of the courtyard.
Painfully, Azula forced herself to her feet again.
Any semblance of the grace of her royal blood had left her. Her topknot had come undone, and now her wild, shorn hair fell all about her face. She stood with her shoulders bent, like an animal about to charge. At last she lifted her head, and her eyes, just visible through the tangles of hair, burned with hate.
"What's wrong?" Zuko called out to her, as Katara raced forward to stand as near as she dared.
It looked like the fight was almost over—with the way things were going, Azula was unlikely to come out of it unscathed. Katara would have to be ready to heal her, though she would need Zuko's help figuring out a way to keep her restrained while she did it.
"No lightning today?" Zuko continued to shout. "What's the matter, afraid I'll redirect it?"
Though the words were taunting, there was none of the real glee or vindictiveness that Azula would have had. Zuko was calm, focused. This was the way to end the fight quickly—to turn Azula's most powerful, deadly technique back against her. It would be dangerous for both of them—but Zuko had redirected lightning before, and he was ready for it, and Katara was here to help Azula when it happened.
Katara touched the mouth of one of her water pouches.
Azula was panting, face twisted with ferocity. She took the bait.
"Oh, I'll show you lightning!" She swayed one way, then the other as electricity gathered around her, at the point of her fingers. Her motions were still strange, unnatural and jerky, and yet still filled with power.
Zuko took a slow, deep breath, readying his stance. Katara bent forward, prepared to run—she didn't know how dangerous it was for Azula to be hit by such a power, how long she would have to survive without help. Katara would have to get there as soon as possible.
The white lightning danced around Azula, crackling, throwing her mad features into sharp relief. However, her gaze suddenly shifted. She smiled, cold with malice—and then she raised her pointed fingers. Only not toward Zuko. Slightly to his left—straight toward Katara.
Katara stared at the white light, uncomprehending. Some part of her mind knew she needed to move—to throw herself aside. But she had not been ready for it, and so for one second, she stood, frozen, as death raced toward her.
Zuko reacted. He threw himself sideways, fingers coming forward to catch the lightning in the redirection technique. But he'd had no time to properly set up, and as the lightning struck him in midair, it danced all around him, for a moment seeming to engulf him in its cold light.
He landed hard on his side, skidding along the ground. For a moment, electricity crackled around his prone form, and he only had enough strength to point two fingers up toward the sky. A bolt of lightning burst upward, for a moment casting the red light of the comet in blue.
Zuko gasped, curling in on himself as electricity continued to jolt around him, making him twitch and spasm in agony. He rolled onto his back, clutching his chest where he had failed to completely disperse the power.
"Zuko!" His name seemed to punch itself from her mouth—and she finally moved, dashing forward, the run that had been meant to help Azula. But she hadn't gone even a few steps before another blinding bolt struck the ground right in front of her, sending up a plume of dark smoke in its wake.
Azula stood in the center of the courtyard, laughing, a horrible, staccato sound that sent chills over her skin.
Katara's heart was pounding, her blood pumping in her ears, and for a moment everything had gone silent. Zuko had rolled onto his stomach with the pain, and the lightning crackling over him had faded. Now he lay still amid the flames. Perfectly still.
No.
No.
It wasn't supposed to happen this way. They were supposed to defeat the Fire Nation, stop the war. He couldn't—they couldn't—
Zuko suddenly groaned, raising himself with his arms a short ways, trembling.
Tears stung her eyes. He was still alive—if only just. If she could just reach him in time—
Katara raced forward, bringing the water from one of her pouches up over her hand like a glove. She could still save him.
A blast of blue flames blocked her way. Azula appeared in the sky, having launched herself on another burst of fire, lightning crackling around her. She laughed, a crazed, grating sound like a hyena-dog.
Katara hurled herself away just as yet another bolt of lightning struck the ground where she had been. She turned and ran, her heart pounding, but she hadn't made it far before she heard another crackle of power, and suddenly the ground exploded just behind her, a bigger blast than before. Katara launched herself forward, straining for every bit of speed to throw herself out of the blast zone.
Katara rolled to a crouch, then spun around, chancing a look behind her.
Azula had taken to the air again, and she landed on the roof of one of the surrounding buildings. At a safe distance now, she began to move her fingers in the practiced motion, gathering more crackling energy at her fingers with each pass.
She called out, in that same voice of mad delight, "I'd really rather our family physician look after little Zuzu if you don't mind—"
As she spoke she turned in a slow circle, her loose hair whipping in the wind, as she gathered more power—Azula could produce lightning almost instantly, but not the most powerful, not that which was truly like a strike from the heavens.
Katara backed away, toward the overhang that ringed the courtyard, before her eyes flickered to the side—and for the first time, she remembered the ceremonial water troughs.
With a sweep of her hands, the water rose in a giant wave at her call. The giant bolt of lightning struck down, and collided with the shield. Scalding water exploded outward, turning almost instantly to steam, but it was enough that Katara just had time to race away as Azula began firing blast after blast.
Katara hurled herself behind one of the columns, crouching down and shielding her head as the deadly blue flames coursed around her in waves on either side. At long last they died down, leaving embers flickering on the ground all around her.
Katara pushed herself to her feet, keeping close to the pillar, then risked a glance back out to the courtyard—where Zuko still lay, exposed and unable to move.
"Zuzu!" Azula cackled from the roof. "You don't look so good!"
Katara stared out at him. She had to get to Zuko as soon as possible—she didn't know how deadly the lightning strike had been. He was still alive for now, but from the steam she had seen rising from his chest when he had fallen, he may not have long left. He needed healing—but she had to somehow stop Azula first, or Azula would just kill them both. Azula might still finish Zuko off, if Katara didn't keep her occupied.
Katara's eyes flickered once again to the roof, in time to see yet another blast of lightning forming at Azula's fingertips. Katara ran, just as the pillar exploded, sending flames and choking black smoke hurling out in all directions. The ground shivered beneath her feet.
Katara stopped next to another pillar, taking cover once again, hoping the smoke would obscure where she had gone, if only for a few moments. She gripped her hands to the stone, gritting her teeth.
The time had come—she had to do it. There was no way to immobilize Azula long enough to give Katara time to heal Zuko properly. Azula would burn out of a pillar of ice in moments with the power of the comet, and even knocking Azula out—the amount of time and concentration it took for a proper healing would make it so Azula could wake back up and come upon them at any moment. She had to do it.
Katara took a deep breath—then raced out into the open. First thing was first—she had to get Azula off the roof.
She raised her hands, and more water from the trough rose with her. It twisted into a giant whip, and she pulled it to her, before whipping it back around the pillar for extra speed. She hurled it upward, high into the air, then slammed it down with all the force she could muster onto the roof beyond.
Katara stood next to the pillar, squinting up at the roof as water surged, splashing back to the ground. She tried to see if it had worked.
The rush of flames behind her made Katara spin.
Azula was gliding on three pillars of flame, two from her fists, one from her feet. Her mouth was twisted in a vicious smile.
Katara started in shock to see Azula so close, then steeled herself. Now. Now was the time.
Azula breathed out a blaze of fire from her mouth, like a dragon, and Katara leaped back into the open space of the courtyard, sweeping a hand sideways to summon a wall of water to block it. Steam exploded from the hit, lingering in the air around them, but this time the flames didn't disperse the water entirely. And so, with her other hand, she turned the wall into a giant water ring that shot outward, trying to knock Azula off balance as Zuko had done.
However, Azula was apparently ready for her. She weaved out from under the courtyard overhang roof, then shot up high into the air above the attack.
Katara followed her upward with another twisting whip, and Azula had to drop both hands to send another blast downward to block it. With the fire still at her feet, she propelled herself backward and away, higher into the sky, moving back toward the center of the courtyard. Back again to attack from the roof on the other side, Katara realized.
This long distance fight, while safer, was not what Katara needed. The longer Azula drew out this battle, the greater chance Zuko would die before Katara could get to him. She had to end it quickly.
"What's wrong, Azula?" she called out, as Zuko had, trying to make her voice taunting rather than desperate. "Are you that afraid of me?"
The old Azula would have only laughed at her. And indeed, Azula's lips were already curling—yet the fire beneath her feet propelling her backward slowed a fraction.
"You?" Azula sneered. "A filthy peasant?"
Katara shifted forward, shouting over the distance and crackling flames, "I would have beaten you in Ba Sing Se, if Zuko and the Dai Li hadn't saved you. You aren't as strong as you pretend you are, Azula. And you aren't even as strong now as you were then."
Azula's feet had touched the ground once more. She was no longer smiling. "You can't match me," she said coldly. "I have the power of the comet. I have power you could never dream of. I have defeated my pathetic brother at last—I am the Fire Lord."
Katara subtly moved her fingers at her side, drawing moisture from the still lingering steam in the air just behind Azula, drawing it out into a long shaft. "You couldn't beat Zuko," Katara continued. "You had to cheat. You're weak, Azula."
Azula's face twisted with sudden animal ferocity, head bending forward like a charging komodo-bull.
"I AM THE FIRE LORD!" she screamed and, still rooted in place, wisps of blue flames rising off her breath, she swung both fists forward as one, a giant wave of flames rising high with the force of her fury.
Now!
The shaft of water in the air suddenly solidified into a deadly dagger, and Katara, gritting her teeth, brought her fingers together, drawing it forward. On instinct, she closed her eyes.
In the darkness behind her closed eyelids, a face flashed. A woman in the rain, with sad eyes, that was a strange combination of her own mother, Yon Rha's, and Zuko's. And... Azula's, too.
Katara froze, and her eyes opened—in time to see the ice dagger in the air turn to water, splashing harmlessly against Azula's black armor.
Azula didn't even seem to notice, as the blue blaze exploded forward, a giant twisting dragon, ready to consume.
Katara didn't have time to block, and so she hurled herself to one side.
Not in time—her right arm, still half raised in the bending pose that had formed the shaft and dismissed it both, caught the edge of the blast.
Katara screamed as the fire ripped over her skin, instantly burning away the shoulder of her tunic, along with the black leather bands holding her bone gauntlet to her wrist.
With her last bit of strength, Katara raised the water from the trough once again with her good arm, and she raced away on a slide of ice, tearing across the courtyard. Behind her she could feel the blazing heat as blasts of fire instantly melted the ice. Smoke and ice mist filled the air, and she glanced behind her, to see Azula briefly completely obscured from view. Perhaps Azula couldn't see her, either.
Katara weaved around once, then dove behind one of the pillars once again. She crouched there, huddling down with her good arm around her legs, trying to make herself as small as possible.
Katara had been burned before—when Aang had been playing around with his firebending, in spite of Master Jeong Jeong's warnings. Flame had scorched across her palms, leaving red ribbons of puckered flesh. She had thought the pain excruciating then, unbearable. Until she had healed it, discovering waterbending's healing powers for the first time.
That pain was nothing to now. Her entire arm screamed with agony, a fire that blazed under her skin and sunk deep to the bone. She didn't look—and yet it felt as though half her body were on fire. The smell of burnt flesh rose in her nostrils, and for a moment an image of her mother's charred form in the tent flashed in her mind. She bent her head, covering her mouth, trying not to be sick.
Katara tried to raise the arm a little experimentally, in the way she often needed to move it for bending—her entire body went rigid, her fingers clenching over the skin around her mouth as she muffled the scream. Beads of sweat dripped down her face, and though her arm still felt as though it were on fire, the rest of her felt suddenly cold. A wave of dizziness swept through her, and for a moment she closed her eyes.
Katara clenched her teeth, and pulled her good hand away from her mouth. She started to raise it toward the burn—but the sound of booted feet on metal made her freeze. They drew closer, step by step.
"Where are you, filthy peasant?" came Azula's harsh voice, almost guttural, like a prowling gator-lion. "Who's weak now?"
Katara gritted her teeth, barely breathing. She couldn't heal—the courtyard was silent now but for the crackling flames, and Azula would hear the hum.
Katara curled in on herself again, then pressed her head back against the pillar, as the agony burned. She tried to think, to come up with a plan—but she couldn't think. The pain blocked out everything, and her thoughts felt heavy and sluggish. She bent forward again and opened her eyes, staring at the empty ground, and for the first time she noticed her vision was blurred. Tears were streaming down her face, unchecked.
She was going to die. Here and now. She had barely been able to fight off Azula with both arms fully functional. The moment Azula found where she was hiding, she would kill her, and Katara wouldn't be able to fight back.
And even if Katara could have fought back—the only way to beat Azula was to kill her. A pillar of ice wouldn't hold her, and even if Katara could have somehow managed the miracle of knocking her out, ensuring she stayed that way long enough to heal Zuko and herself would be near impossible. And Katara hadn't been able to kill her.
Katara could admit it to herself now. That in killing the man who had killed her mother, he had become a weight, a shackle weighing on her. She did not think she could bear the weight of carrying Azula, too. Azula who, in spite of everything she had done, was Zuko's sister, who had once played with him on the beach, who he still carried a spark of hope for someday reconciling with. Who, if her mother were still alive, if she returned, would love her, want to see her.
Katara would die here. And—maybe that was for the best. It was her only means of escape now. In her final moments, she could be herself, the person she wanted to be—a kind person, who didn't take life. Like Aang.
Katara felt her shoulders relax. She was so tired—so tired. The tears on her face slowed, as she anticipated the coming peace of nothingness.
Yet—
At the thought of Aang, for a moment her thoughts shifted. Away from this courtyard, and far across the land, back toward where the airship fleet would be. Where Aang would, even now, be facing Ozai.
Will he have the guts to take out my father? Zuko's voice whispered in her mind. What if he doesn't—what if he loses?
Through her fading, darkening thoughts, for a moment Katara imagined the future. Azula, finding her, striking her down. Her body falling limp to the stone, blackened and lifeless. Then Azula turning, walking, in stiff, jerking steps, to the place where Zuko still lay, helpless—drawing her fingers through the air, as electricity crackled about them. Zuko jerking once, then falling still, as Azula cackled over him.
Aang and the others, along with General Iroh, arriving in the capital, finding them. Finding Azula standing victorious. Iroh bending over the boy that had been like a son to him, touching the scar on his face, as his shoulders began to heave with grief. Aang, walking among the pillars, until he found her. Her face unrecognizable, the smell of burnt flesh still lingering on the air.
Something Jeong Jeong had said whispered in her mind. "To take another life is not something done for oneself…"
Katara opened her eyes again. Only this time, when she did, the tears had stopped.
The sound of footsteps on the metal grate were growing louder now.
"Cowardly peasant," hissed Azula. "You are nothing. Once my father is done with the Earth Kingdom, he will come for your people. They'll cower before us just like you, and die as the vermin they are..."
Katara glanced toward the nearest water trough—it was too far away. The water in her pouches would just have to be enough. Unless—
Her eyes flickered to the metal grate, several feet away. She hadn't bothered to wonder why a grate would be there. She imagined the heart of the Fire Nation did not see rain that often—and yet it did rain, just as it had on Yon Rha's home village that day. And when it did, the courtyard had to get rid of it somewhere.
Katara slowly, silently, climbed to her feet. And then, taking a slow, steadying breath, she stepped out from behind the pillar.
Azula was there. No more than the space of a single pillar away.
"There you are, peasant," said Azula, in that same guttural voice, more angry than triumphant. And, with no more words, no more taunts or threats, Azula launched forward.
Katara was ready. And, with a shout of pain, brought up both her arms, the good and the bad.
The sloshing rainwater beneath the grate surged with her, and while Azula might have been ready to dodge whips of water from Katara's pouch, she didn't see the giant wave that rose up behind her. Her arms were still coming forward, two fingers rigidly extended as lightning sparked at their tips.
The water behind her instantly extended out into a long shaft. Katara tensed her fingers, and it froze into a spear, one end sharpened to a deadly point. Katara jerked her good hand toward herself—and the spear answered her pull.
The tip of the blade connected with Azula's back—then pierced through Azula's armor, cutting through her like a hunting spear through an elk-seal. The end struck the ground at Katara's feet, driving into the stone at the base of the pillar, where it shuddered once, then held.
Azula stared at Katara, her arm still raised, but now limp.
Blood formed at the corner of her mouth—before spilling down in a single trickle down her chin.
At last her eyes dropped down to her chest. She stared at the surface of the ice shaft, where it extended all the way to the ground. Then her gaze rose back to meet Katara's. For a moment she stared with disbelief—before her eyes hardened. She tried to breathe outward, blue flames once again sparking to life in front of her mouth, but this time they only sputtered before fizzling out. Instead, the breath turned to a cough, spattering the ice and metal grate with blood.
"I'm sorry," Katara whispered into the silence. "I'm sorry, Azula."
The light was already fading from Azula's eyes, her body sagging against the ice. Still, as she gazed back at Katara, the hatred lingered.
"Filthy..." she whispered.
Then her face slackened. The free hand, still extended in front of her as though she might still have strength enough for one last attack, fell, swinging limply at her side.
Katara raised her good hand, and with a single movement, the ice unfroze, freeing Azula to collapse to the ground.
Katara gazed down at her a moment longer, before she turned away. She dragged her feet back across the courtyard, pressing a glove of water around her good hand to the skin of her bad arm as she went. A real healing would have to wait as she didn't have a moment to spare, but with every step around the orange flames and scattered debris from Azula's lightning strikes, her head felt lighter, fainter, and she needed to be conscious to do what she needed to do.
At last she came to Zuko, where he lay on his stomach, perfectly still. She felt something seize in her chest—before she lowered herself to her knees beside him. She slid her good arm under his chest, then, gritting her teeth against the pain, somehow managed to roll him over. He groaned as she did, and she felt a spike of relief—he was alive.
His shirt and vest had been torn open by the force of the exiting lightning, and the skin was charred and red. Drawing more water from one of her water flasks, Katara covered her good hand in water, then pressed it to his chest. It hummed and glowed, and Katara felt the familiar sensation of the movement of his chi, as she redirected the flow of energy.
Zuko's eyes opened, and he gazed up at her. He was limp with exhaustion, yet she could feel his body respond. He would be all right—he must have managed to get rid of most of the lightning, though it would take more rest and treatments to bring him back to full health.
He smiled weakly. "Thank you, Katara," he whispered. Then he blinked once, slowly, frowning slightly as his eyes shifted from her face, down to her side. "Your... arm..."
Katara automatically half turned her bad arm away from him, as though she could hide it from view. "I'll... get to it," she said. "Once I know you're okay."
He frowned at her face, which was probably ashen with the pain. "You should... probably heal it now." He reached up and took the wrist of her good hand, pushing it lightly in that direction.
Her vision swam again like she might pass out, and as she knew now he would be all right, she hesitantly complied. She raised her hand covered in the healing water toward her upper arm again.
Zuko's eyes flickered to one side. "...Azula?" he asked hesitantly.
Katara's hand stopped briefly. She stared down at his now familiar face, for the moment pale with his injuries, the skin around his eye that she had once offered to try to heal boiled and thick as always.
The tears had begun to harden on Katara's face, but as she gazed at him, he looking up at her for answers, she felt them burn in her eyes anew.
Katara shook her head once. Then, before her hand could touch her shoulder, she bent her head, and let the tears fall.
A/N: I know, I know. You hoped I wouldn't do this, but I did anyway. (When I first started writing the first chapter of this story on a whim, I actually didn't think about Katara and Zuko's later showdown with Azula at all. Only later did it occur to me the thematic overlap with my other Avatar writing.)
It was interesting analyzing this fight more closely for this chapter, I think because it made me appreciate that, even though Azula is off her game, she's still fighting what looks to be pretty intelligently throughout. It's just Zuko was in absolute top form and she really needed to be at one hundred percent to beat him. In any case, I found I liked looking at the fight that way, that Azula was at about ninety percent in the end as opposed to completely off kilter, as it would further help demonstrate how strong Zuko has become.
Thanks for reading! This was a major one, I know—if you have a moment, let me know what you thought, and hope to see you next time!
Posted 10/25/22