Chapter five:
It's tough to kill, isn't it, Zuko
Azula, Ty Lee, Katara, and Aang spent a couple of weeks in the secluded Fire Nation village. The sun was rising and Azula was the first one up, she rose with the sun. Ty Lee had woken up with Azula that morning and both went down to breakfast, leaving Katara and Aang to sleep. "So, how did you sleep, Ty?" "Oh, you know…good." Ty Lee said with a suggestive smile on her face. Azula laughed a little. Katara and Aang entered the dining room, said their good mornings and joined them for a traditional fire nation breakfast.
"Hey, Azula, are you ready to go?" Aang had appeared in the doorway to Ty Lee and Azula's room. "Yes, thank you so much for helping me find refuge for a while here." Aang appreciated Azula's gratitude much better than the Azula trying to kill him. "It's my duty as Avatar to keep everyone safe." Aang replied in a voice that was full of wisdom. Aang left the room and went to finish readying Appa. Azula came out and loaded her belongings onto Appa's saddle. "Again, I can't thank you enough, Aang." Ty Lee said, turning to the airbender and giving him a warm smile. "No problem, Ty Lee."
Fire Nation palace:
Zuko was busy pacing in the throne room, pausing every five minutes to release a pent up cry of anger. "My lord, we think we have your sisters' location. It said she was in a Fire Nation village, a secluded one too, east of here." "Well, then send in troops to find her. When they find her, I want her alive and brought to me…so I can finish her." Zuko said, seething with anger. The Imperial firebender left the room, on his quest to round up the Elite squad. "Finally Azula, I will have you ended." Zuko hissed through his teeth as his eyes held a fierce intention in them as he tilted his head slightly down.*
The Elite squad was made up of 50 separate divisions and where the most skilled firebenders, just not as skilled as Azula used to be. They were ready to bring back the fugitive no matter the severity of the consequences…they just needed her alive right? Zuko never said anything about barely alive though. The Elite squad took their formation, ready to launch the zeppelins.
Fire Nation village:
Azula sat with Ty Lee and Katara on Appa's saddle while Aang prepared for take off. "Oh, wait, I forgot something!" Katara exclaimed as she jumped down from the saddle and rushed back into the house. She had forgotten her necklace. This would take awhile, Katara usually put her necklace under lock and key and took about 20 minutes to get the right combo. Aang's stomach growled. "Whoops, looks like I'm a little hungry." He said with a sheepish grin. "Uh, Aang, no time to eat, I think we have company." Ty Lee said, pointing to the zeppelin descending from the sky. "Oh no, they found us. I just knew this would happen!" Azula shouted, franticly trying to figure out a plan in her mind. Doing mental planning in her head within five seconds wasn't her forte…of course, it wasn't most people's.
About half of the soldiers jumped from the zeppelin and landed on the ground, surrounding Appa. "Run!" Azula shouted, jumping up to the second floor balcony, Ty Lee and Aang following suit. "Get them! Don't just stand there!" the general shouted, pointing to the escapees. They charged at them.
A large wave of intense heat barely grazed Azula's clothes. Azula looked back down, things were really heating up…literally. Azula tried to get up to the third floor window but her ankle was caught in an iron grip. She had two choices, lose her foot or surrender. I'd rather not do both…Azula thought to herself. "Alright! I surrender…take me back to the Fire Nation." Azula was dragged to the ground. The soldier almost had Azula's whole body until a water whip knocked him away. "Katara!" Azula said, almost surprised. "No thanks now, talk later." Azula nodded. About to get up, Azula was struck down again, a sharp blade lodged into her side. "Azula!" Katara yelled, rushing over to the fallen girl. All Azula saw was the face of Katara before blackness took over.