Chapter 21
Golden Eyes
A/N: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Also, I sincerely apologize for the wait. With school, work , writers block and recently moving cross country...things got a little too hectic for my liking. Enough of that though, I am back and this story is coming to a close, there are only two chapters left so thank you for your patience!
Zuko
It had been decided that we would all travel back to the Fire Nation on Appa the following morning. It would take us a week to get back without any distractions. With nine of us all together we will have to make frequent enough stops for the Bison to rest. He is strong but not invincible. The plan was set, we would return to the palace undetected, I have sent word to my most trusted guards to keep it quiet and act as they had been in my absence.
This would hardly be an easy task and there was so much we had to do to prepare in such a short amount of time. Mother and Ty Lee would be staying up later and later each night while we travel and then would be staying awake the entire night before we reached the palace, that way they would enter the sleep state completely more or less by the time they laid down to rest. This was a key element in the plan because we wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. The rest of us needed to keep our sleep schedules the same, we needed to be rested in order to fight.
"Once we're inside we will secure Ty Lee and Mother in the servants chambers, that is the furthest from the West end of the palace where father's room used to be. No doubt he'll be in there." Azula explained that evening at the table to the group. She had a crudely drawn blueprint of the palace in front of her.
"Then once they are past the point of deep sleep you and I head to his room so you can dispose of his body." I continued.
"We'll have to be stealth."
"Just like he taught us."
For a moment I caught a glimpse of a faint smirk on Azula's face. It was an extremely rare thing and part of me still felt as though working with her like this was some sort of a fantasy. Never in my life had I pictured this day happening, but it wasn't a dream, it was completely real and in the back of my head I though about how proud I was at her reformation. Her face soon turned serious again and we continued with mapping out our plan. If anything should happen we would need to be prepared. It is never wise to walk into a fight unprepared. I touched my scar at the thought and let out a sigh, she must have sensed my distraught because she cleared her throat to catch my attention and said, "It'll be fine, Zuko."
"So what about the rest of us?" Sokka asked seriously.
"You and Aang will assist the guards in closing off all exits of the palace, in case he wakes and tries to flee. We can't afford to lose track of him again." I said. "When that is taken care of I want you to be ready at his door, he won't have a way out and he'll be stuck between the four of us. I'd like to avoid fighting him but if it comes down to it, the more man power we have the better."
"Got it." Aang nodded. "What about Katara and Suki?"
"They will be with our mother and Ty Lee, Katara will be standing by in case any healing power is needed, and if for any reason they find themselves under attack, they will both be there for the defensive." Azula stated as though neither of them were in the room. Katara seemed more understanding of Azula's tactician side, whereas Suki looked offended but said nothing. This was just how she was when she was 'doing business', she took it very seriously and did it very well. The two nodded to show their understanding of their positions in the plot.
At that point Mother walked in to break up the conference, she insisted that we all rest as much as we can. She was right, we would need to rely on all of our strength for this particular mission. It seems like a simple enough plan but we had to be prepared for anything. Father was a skilled fighter, fire bender or not, and if there was a chance that he would wake up we would have to be ready to fight him at all costs.
We all stood to leave, I was the first one to start out of the room and from behind me Sokka let out a yawn with an over exaggerated stretch and hobbled off to bed following Aang and Katara, Suki followed close behind when a voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
"Suki, may I have a word please?" Azula said in the same voice she had used towards all of us in the meeting. I was tempted to stay in case there was a fight, but both girls shot me a look that advised me otherwise. With an uneasy feeling in my stomach I slowly left them alone.
Suki
"Suki, may I have a word please?" Her voice makes me want to break things some times. Never before have I ever felt this degree of rage towards a person before. So with a heavy and annoyed sigh I turned back to her.
"What do you want, your majesty?" I said, mocking her former title.
Then my eyes caught hers and I felt this change wash over me, my hate was still apparent but some how when I looked into her eyes I saw something drastically different from the Tyrant I was used to. She didn't look defeated or even remotely distressed, but there was an underlying sense of uneasiness that she was trying so desperately to hide with her own strength.
"A lot is going to happen when this plan is set into motion." She put it simply, leaving me confused. Why couldn't she just say this in the meeting with everyone else? Why single me out to tell me something obvious? Crossing my arms I leaned against the wall, seemingly uninterested in what she had to say. She became annoyed at my mannerisms and stepped a little closer to me, partly scowling.
"Let's get right down to it then, we hate each other, we always have, we probably always will but you can't stand there and say we don't have a few things in common."
"Oh yeah?" I said, quirking an eyebrow then, pushing myself off the wall to get right back in her face until we were barely a breath apart. "And what's that exactly?"
"Ty Lee. We both care immensely for her, and though your feelings aren't quite the same as mine, I know you would do anything to keep her safe."
At that I took a step back, where was she going with this? Of course I cared for Ty Lee, she was one of my warriors and a dear, dear friend. I would protect her like one of my own, just as I would for any of my warriors. We were family. There was a silence between us with an air of confusion to it that became so overwhelming that my voice cracked when I dared to break it.
"Where are you going with this?"
Azula's eyes bore into mine, changing from those cold, uncaring and even ruthless quality to something warmer and undeniably sincere with just a hint of sadness. She rested a hand on my shoulder and held it firmly.
"If anything should happen to me when I face Ozai, please take care of her. You'll be the only family she has left."
"Why are you asking me this?" I pulled away from her grasp, this was not the girl I once knew at all and it was startling to say the least. "Why do you think this way?"
"I want to cover all bases, I need to know that she will be taken care of."
"So why me? Why not your brother? Or Mai? You've all known her longer than I have!"
"Because you helped her become a better person, and gave her the family she always deserved. She'll need your strength to keep her moving, just like before. Please, don't make me beg, I'm not very good at it." She pleaded with me.
We again held eye contact that felt so intense it burned, she again uttered the word "Please..." and I sighed. Glancing from the floor and then back to her I gave a quick nod in agreement. She let out a sigh of relief and patted my shoulder.
"Thank you Suki."
With that she left me standing there in shock at her actions and words. So this was the Azula that seemed to be winning everyone over, this was the woman that Ty Lee adored so much...I think I understand now. I still can't say that I like her, but after that confrontation, I don't think I can hate her anymore either.
Azula
I said what needed to be said, and after several pleads from Ty Lee I decided it would be best if I at least tried to like Suki. I wandered a bit in the hall way, I wasn't quite tired yet and had too much going on through my mind to just lay down. Everyone else was preparing for bed if they weren't already fast asleep. Glancing out the window I saw the guys getting the Bison's saddle ready for the journey, the beast was fast asleep and snoring loud enough to wake the dead. I think the only reason it doesn't drive anyone insane is because the sound has a way of lulling people to sleep eventually.
"You're still up." A voice broke me from my thoughts.
"Mai." I said looking up at my former old friend.
Like with Suki before we held a stare that made the silence between us awkward. Despite my path to redemption, I still had a few enemies. This one I deserved, looking back on it, I had always been horrible to Mai and Ty Lee. Unlike with Suki, Mai knew me inside and out and it was easier for me to put my pride aside to speak with her.
"I'm sorry."
She quirked an eyebrow unamused and waited for me to continue. Looking right at her I dared to continue.
"I don't expect you to forgive me or to even say anything to me ever again so long as we live, but I am truly sorry for how I treated you in the past. You and Ty Lee. I may not have said it but you two meant more to me than anything." Still nothing. Damn, sometimes her coldness bothers me more than it does Ty Lee or Zuko. And on that note... "I'm glad you two have each other, you and Zuko I mean, you always were like a sister to me anyway, it always seemed right. The four of us being family."
"I don't get what she sees in you." She finally said bluntly.
"Neither do I." I shrugged back at her.
"You're a monster."
"You're right. But hopefully one day you'll understand that I'm a monster fighting as your ally and not as your enemy."
"You don't care about us, you only want your throne back, don't try to hide it. No one will say it to you but we all know it's true."
"It would be nice to have what I've worked for, you're right when you put it that way, but my work and my goals are changing. Do I want a powerful position in the land I love more than most things? Of course. Do I love it more than the woman I wish to spend my life with? Well, let's just say my priorities have changed."
"What's wrong with you?" She snorted, holding back a laugh. "You're not being yourself right now, so what gives?"
"Honestly, Mai?" I asked, when she gave a slight nod, I looked away from her, almost ashamed at my own weakness. "I'm scared."
At that she let out a laugh that looked so out of character for her. I didn't expect her to understand. So much was running through my mind since I decided to join this little rag tag team. I volunteered to take down my father, and not just render him unconscious, but kill him completely. Murder weighed heavy on my mind, this wasn't an act of war to me. This wasn't a soldier being killed in a battle, this was killing a man in cold blood. Granted he wasn't an innocent person in the least but the facts remain, he is human and he is my father. The man I idolized and followed after like a sick puppy. He taught me everything and made me a top fighter, the only other person who could take me down would be him. This also scared me, what if he woke up and I had to face him? I might freeze up and be unable to break his hold on me, I'll let Ty Lee down and could lose her, and even more so, I could lose my own life. I betrayed him, I know that, and the only punishment that is suitable enough for this in his eyes is death. He can't tame me so he'll terminate me.
"I could lose her...or I might not make it if things get bad." I finally admitted to her and she immediately stopped laughing. This must have thrown her off guard because she said nothing. We were silent but this time it wasn't awkward, this time I felt as though she was beginning to get it.
"Azula? Mai? What are you doing out here?" Zuko approached us and made me jump, I hadn't seen him come in. He stepped beside his wife and took his hand in hers, I smiled gently at them as their eyes met and he lightly kissed her forehead. "We should get some sleep." Then his glance met mine, "All of us."
I gave a quick nod then turned on one heel and headed towards my room that I was sharing with Ty Lee. When I got there I thought she would still be awake, she and mother were apparently training to do so to build their sleeping habits during the day or something like that...but when I got there she was passed out on the bed still in her day clothes. Rolling my eyes I sat her sleeping form I readied myself for bed and laid down beside her. She rolled over into me and I held her in a gentle embrace.
"You're late." She murmured drowsily.
"I know, I'm sorry." I smiled at her and kissed her cheek.
"I waited forever..." She whined.
"Shhh...go back to sleep, love. We'll need our rest for the journey home."
"Home is with you 'Zula..." She said slowly and just barely above a whisper.
I didn't know what to say, there was so much I could say in response to that but she had me at a loss. Mai had a point, I don't know what she possibly sees in me either. I got an answer but didn't know what to do with it, she saw a home in me, stability and love...My heart swelled at this and I held her as close to me as I could.
"I love you, Ty."
And then we slept the last sound sleep we would ever have together.
Ursa
The children were quick to get ready that morning, we started out as early as possible after feeding Appa. Iroh planned to meet us in the capital as soon as possible. The path ahead would be difficult but they were ready to meet it with as much force as an entire army. Mere children, taking on the weight of the world a second time.
The nights would be trying, while the others slept Ty Lee and I will stay awake longer to insure exhaustion for when the time comes. Also while they sleep I will be keeping Zuko and Azula's minds blocked from their father's interference. Although Zuko said our return to the palace would be kept quiet, I have no doubt that Ozai knows we're coming and when we'll be there.
He wants a show down, he wants revenge.
Hopefully he won't achieve that goal...
We were two days away from our destination by this point and it was early enough in the morning that I had finally allowed Ty Lee to sleep. She had been doing so well and would need all the sleep she could get today, for when she woke up next she would have to stay awake until we reached the palace. She had been thoroughly trained in such a short amount of time and I had a lot of confidence in her abilities, her focus was much better than when we started, but I would still be there to assist her in this.
The Eve of the mission was finally upon us and aside from Appa, Ty Lee and I were the only ones that remained awake. Azula was fast asleep with her head in Ty Lee's lap, she sat there blindly stroking my daughters hair gently. A trait that I knew kept Azula completely relaxed. I smiled at the two of them until my eyes fell upon my son, sleeping soundly with Mai securely in his embrace. Knowing that my children were so well cared for outside of our immediate family was comforting.
"Lady Ursa?" Ty Lee's timid voice caught my attention and I smiled warmly at her.
"No need for such formalities, Ty Lee, you're like a daughter to me."
She seemed content with this but said nothing of it, her gaze fell back to my sleeping daughter and then with some hesitance she looked back up at me. Her gaze faltered in her apparent nervousness and she settled with looking to Zuko and Mai like I had.
"Did you always know those two would end up together?" She asked curiously.
"I had an idea they would, they have such a strong bond, they always have."
"I think so too...we all thought so." She nodded and continued to pet Azula's hair.
"What's on your mind, darling?"
Her movements stopped completely and she still refused to meet my gaze, she stared off into the sky and sighed. Biting on her lower lip slightly she finally spoke up again...
"Did you ever wonder who Azula would end up with?"
"She never seemed like the settling down type to me, to be honest."
"What if she did?"
"Then I would be thrilled for her, Ty Lee, what's really bothering you?"
She let out another, heavier, sigh and finally looked up at me with a half curious and half suspicious look as though she didn't trust herself to speak.
"When this is over...I would like to spend the rest of my days with your daughter." She put it simply, though still looked incredibly nervous.
I must admit I was taken aback by this statement, was she asking me permission to be with my daughter? This wasn't exactly a surprise to me, I see how they are with each other, but I did not think their relationship had escalated to this level of seriousness. Then again, I had also been gone far too long to even see its beginning. Taking my silence in the negative she started to shift away from Azula, only to have her whimper slightly in her sleep and cling to Ty Lee even more. This caused me to smile and I reached across and took Ty Lee's free hand.
"I give you both my blessing."
At this her smile returned full force and she squeezed my hand tightly, afraid to move too much more in fear that she would wake Azula. Her smile faded soon, however, when the sun started to rise and the palace started to come into view. We had finally arrived at the Fire Nation Capital...soon we would all face Ozai. I felt myself surpress a yawn and Ty Lee took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. This would be a long day in hell...
Zuko
Mother and Ty Lee woke all of us as soon as we arrived back to the palace. It had been so long since any of us had been back, but I couldn't help but note how Mother was taking it. It had been nearly a decade since she walked these halls and enjoyed the gardens, she looked almost frightened to be there. Like someone would realize it was her and arrest her immediately. As though she forgets that Ozai is no longer Fire Lord. I took her hand gently and gave her a reassuring look, Azula had her from the other side and we quietly made our way to the servants quarters. We went unseen but some how it still felt uncomfortable to be there. The anticipation was overwhelming.
Ty Lee, Suki and Katara assisted my Mother in preparing the room. There were two separate beds with a chair in between them for Katara to sit in case something happened while they were in the dream state. Aang and Sokka took off to meet with my guards and they began sealing off the exits to the palace. The plan was finally set in motion.
Azula and I prepared with stretches and practicing a set of fire bending techniques. She seemed a bit rusty and cracked her wrists a few times. Ty Lee came over quietly and massaged her sore wrists and palms. They shared a kiss and Azula murmured something to her companion and then walked back over to me. She nodded and we equipped ourselves with daggers and made our way to the royal chambers. The time was quickly approaching us...
Ty Lee
The time had come, once I hit the pillow I was out like a light. There were a few moments of silence and darkness but then I could feel my mind forming images and flashes of memory, the details I needed to create this dream. Ozai is in for so much right now...The game plan for Ursa and I was simply this, we would meet outside of the room we were sleeping in and find him. All we had to do was keep his mind focussed on us and we would be set. Azula and Zuko would take care of it and we would be free of this mans insanity for good.
I was suddenly outside of the room like I was supposed to be and Ursa soon rounded the hall way corner and found me. Then we went to the one place we figured we would find her ex husband: The War Room.
When we arrived it was empty, maybe we were missing something, or weren't looking hard enough. I let out a sigh and stretched a bit.
"Stay here." Ursa said suddenly.
"What? Why? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, darling, I just want to see to something"
"I'll go with you..."
"Someone needs to stay here in case he turns up. Stay close to the shadows, I'll be back soon." And with that she left me standing there.
Ozai
As much as I tried I could not penetrate Azula's mind again, one would think that I would be disappointed or enraged, but no, I was content with this. This meant they were here and that Ursa, that wretched woman, was protecting the children from me. She can't hide herself though, not while she protects them.
So once again I'll take to my sleeping state and pay my dear old wife a visit.
"The palace? How creative." I said coldly to myself with an air of sarcasm.
"It looks like my plan worked."
I turned slowly and to my surprise I was facing Azula. She looked as she did before the end of the war, collected, calm, ready for a fight. Staring her down for a moment I made my move towards her and stalked around her.
"And how did you get here?"
"You didn't teach me what you promised so I learned from someone else." She said simply, not looking at me or anything really.
"I see." I mused, not entirely convinced. "And who pray tell would teach you, I'm the only one left that could have."
"You give yourself a little too much credit." This wasn't her. My daughter would never speak to me that way, even in a calm manner, but I continued to listen anyway. "You honestly believe you're the only one with this capability?"
"Nice try." I retorted and swung at her hard causing her to stumble back and slam into the wall. The form of my daughter laid there slumped over and slowly morphed into her true form.
"Well now, it has been a while. I thought for sure you had perished." I said smirking at my wife.
"No you didn't. You always knew exactly where I was. You didn't even trust a banished princess to stay banished." She said in a low growl.
"Couldn't have you starting trouble my love."
"Don't call me that, you stopped being in love with me when you became the monster you are now."
Some how coming from her that comment stung, not enough to cause much emotional damage like she had done with Azula, but it still caused a pang of emotion that must have been dwelling within me long enough for me to forget about.
"I'd rather be a monster than a whore." I said without thinking, but didn't regret it. "I knew about you and Chung."
"There was nothing there." She said dismissively. "He had feelings that I didn't have in return. You were the only one I loved."
"You lie!" I answered and went after her again and yanked her up from the ground and slamming her back against the wall my hands gripped at her neck and squeezed.
Her breath ran short and her frantic kicking was useless as her eyes started fluttering back. This would be a quick death but at least she would suffer some what in the process. In reality I was being merciful. A grin took over my face as I watched her writhe a bit more in my grasp.
"Lady Ursa!" Came a high voice from behind me. Before I could react a blur of pink flashed at my sides and my body some how grew limp and my hold on Ursa was released immediately.
"You!" It was that pink clad Kyoshi warrior. "I thought I disposed of you!"
"You'll have to do much better than that to take me down!" She yelled back at me.
She didn't bother with me after that, instead she went to Ursa and helped her up, then they took off running in another direction while I lay there helpless. Thinking it through it hit me, this was a dream, I could do whatever I wanted to do. With that in mind I smirked again and slowly moved my once limp form and stood, producing a flame in the palm of my hand. This time she would be taken down for good.
I started after them and then had another pang hit my system, something didn't feel right. I could hear voices around me but could not comprehend what was being said. An ambush! Clever...we'll just see how this goes then won't we?
Katara
It hadn't been long at all until I started seeing them react to their own dreams. Ty Lee acted out more so than Ursa did. She tossed and turned a lot and punched at the air a few times. Ursa on the other hand remained still. That is until she started coughing and shaking uncontrollably. I was at her side immediately and tried desperately to shake her awake. Ty Lee punched more rapidly and in that moment Ursa sat up wide eyed and gasping for air.
"He's awake!"
With that Suki took off running to aid Azula and Zuko. Shaking Ty Lee enough finally woke her up and without anything being said she looked from me to Ursa and then took off as well. Ursa and I were quick to follow after them.
"What's going on? What happened?" Mai asked as we ran by her in the hall.
"Come on! We need to get to Zuko and Azula before something happens!"
Azula
It all happened so fast...all of the exits were sealed as planned and we were at the bedroom door that separated us from the man that terrorized us our entire lives. I was so ready for this moment, as was Zuko...then it all went down hill when we entered the room...
Pushing the door forward it creaked a bit and we stepped inside, weapons ready.
"Are you sure about this?" Zuko asked me once more.
"What other choice do we have?" I was growing annoyed at this, as though he honestly thought I would enjoy this. He was my father too.
"He looks dead..." Zuko poked at him a bit after we took to either side of the bed.
Lifting one of Father's arms and let it fall, it was limp and wobbly, I bit back a smirk and sighed, "Ty's work. Go figure."
"All right, let's get this over with." He sighed and unsheathed one of his swords then handed it to me.
I took it and stared down at him, this was it, the moment I proved my own redemption to my homeland and family. Who would have guessed it would take having blood on my hands? I was pulled from my thoughts when I noticed the way he was breathing, it wasn't even like it was before, my eyes widened and I stepped back.
"Zuko get back!" I yelled but it was too late, golden eyes snapped open and lashed out at my brother, pushing his own blade out of his hand.
It took us off guard, he was awake the whole time! He must have been! He was out of the bed in an instant and quickly secured his hand around Zuko's neck and dragged him out onto his own balcony which overlooked the town. By this point it was mid day, if he planned to assassinate the Fire Lord he would certainly want to make a show out of it.
"Father don't!" I yelled and leapt over the bed and ran towards them. He then kicked back and hit my stomach hard sending me tumbling down. Zuko passed out in his grasp and he was dropped. It seemed his focus was now on me instead of his son.
"You betrayed me." He growled, picking up Zuko's sword.
"You're insane." I said, pushing myself up onto my elbows as he pointed the tip of the blade in my face.
"And look who is accusing me of that. How did that muzzle feel for six months? The war broke you, and I offered to fix things, but you were foolish."
"You're wrong." I said calmly. "Your promises mean nothing to me. They were empty and went no where, you were the one that broke me, not the war!"
He pulled the sword away and grabbed me by the back of my head, lifting me up by my hair. I cried out in pain as he threw me out onto the balcony and he gestured at the sword in my hand that I had been given earlier.
"I can keep this one, do as I asked of you. Kill your cowardly brother and reclaim your birthright. You have your sword, do it for the nation to see."
I looked out at the crowd down below, most that stared up at me and a passed out Zuko, all shocked and began yelling and causing an uproar. Raising my blade and staring down at my brother all I could think of was this stupid journey I'd been sent on. This path of redemption...no matter what someone would end up dead. Any other time before this I wouldn't have cared, but this was too much now...I slowly lowered the sword and turned my back on my father. Dropping the blade completely I turned my attention to my brother and helped him up as he came to.
"Azula...?" He said weakly.
"I'm right here." I said back and steadied him into a standing position and he locked me into an embrace.
Mistakes are not things that I often let myself make, but we all have that one moment of weakness. Blood was dripping on him, I stared and started to feel dizzy, when I looked down I saw a blade through my side that came up from my back. I didn't even hear Father move up behind me, or the feel of the blade as it went in. I watched, bewildered as it was pulled from my body and I could hear screaming somewhere close by. My body collapsed and this started to become hazy.
Father...no...Ozai stepped over me and pushed Zuko out of his way, pointing the sword at his chest.
"People of the Fire Nation!" He bellowed. "Witness the downfall of your weakling leader as I stab him through his pathetic heart!"
What a bastard...he kills me like a coward but kills his son like a man...I'm sure I would feel awful for that thought later, but now was not the time. In my own weakness I made my last move, picking up my forgotten blade I lunged forward and sliced at his leg. This caught his attention and he fell, then with what little that was left of me I fell on top of him, blade going through his stomach. Blood spurted up into my face and his eyes rolled back. He was gone and my world was fading faster and faster. I knew I wouldn't see tomorrow.
I was grateful though, that my last moment wouldn't be spent on top of my dead father, but instead in the arms of my lover. Ty Lee was quickly by my side in tears. Agni, That was quick...I felt myself try to laugh but she quieted me and wiped the blood from my face gently. I wish I knew what she was saying but her words were falling on deafening ears. She leaned down and kissed me and then everything went black...but I was grateful to have her right there at my side.
A/N: This is NOT the last chapter.