Chapter Sixteen – Burning of a Sinner

Recall the deeds as if

They're all someone else's

Atrocious stories

Now you stand reborn before us all

So glad to see you well

--A Perfect Circle (The Noose)

She stood on top of a cliff, surveying the dark, hazy horizon with troubled eyes. The scenery was familiar to her, though she couldn't remember why, exactly. The sun was sinking along the edges of her vision—red like the colour of rust on a dull knife. She shifted her weight, and turned to stare down at the sun, like a king would to a servant. With her hand raised, she looked as if she was about to grab the sun and snuff it out. Laughing at her own folly—for how could a mere mortal like her destroy something so...celestial, so out of reach?—she let her hand fall to her side.

The rock underneath her crumbled, and she found herself falling, falling so slowly, as if gravity was but a passing fancy made up by daft scholars who wanted an explanation for everything. She found peace in this—the horror of falling to her death had long ago escaped her. If she were to die today, it would come as no surprise to her. After all that she had done, this was only to be expected.

Sins. She had so many sins. She had done so much wrong. Was this her redemption? No, it was too late for that. All she could do now was fall, and allow whichever god who had taken an interest in her, to drag her to his personal version of hell.

She could almost feel the flames licking at her arms and legs, teasing her, reminding her of the peaceful death she had gambled away long ago, when she had first lost her innocence. This was her punishment. This...was what her eternity would be like.

Acceptance was not an issue; she had embraced the idea long ago, ever since she first tasted the bitter realities of humanity.

A memory flickered in her mind's eye, bringing a lump to her throat. She gritted her teeth and tried to push the memory away, but it grew stronger, calling to her, speaking of false forgiveness, and fleeting affection. Was she ever in love? Or was that just a twisted method of recruitment, to get others to side with her?

No, no. It couldn't be. She loved her, didn't she? What was she thinking? You're an idiot, you know that?

I'm manipulative, Toph, there's a difference.

No, you're just being too hard on yourself. Idiots like you think you're always in the wrong.

But I am. I've done so much. Killed so many.

Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you're not at fault here? You grew up in a stupid environment, where those who looked after you were just brainless dimwits who allowed a bastard to rule over them. Hell, I'd be stupid too, if I was in your place.

I had a choice. I could have chosen the right path, but I preferred being tainted.

Preferred? You wanted to be acknowledged by a man who was not even your father. You grew up chasing after a dream that was not yours. Why the hell do you think you made such mistakes? Your upbringing was completely fucked up! No respectable father would want their children to be so close to death at a young age.

And how would you know? Have you forgiven your father yet?

No. I suppose not. But at least I knew he loved me. I doubt the same can be said for Ozai.

He's not my father!

Right, so stop acting as if you're the Devil's daughter, incapable of receiving redemption, the very epitome of sin. You're human, Azula. You're allowed to be forgiven.

Darkness greeted her vision—a darkness which had haunted her reality ever since she was a young babe. She gasped for air and crumpled the bed sheets around her with her fists, sweat trickling down her forehead, making an unsteady line across her face. She tried to move free of the sheets, but found, to her dismay, that they were wrapped tightly around her, constraining her. It felt like she was suffocating.

She wanted to yell out in fear, and cry out tears of frustration, and squirm and flail about like a sullen child who had just been denied of her candy. She wanted to curl into a tiny ball and push everything out—the different smells, the overwhelming vibrations, the loud voices of people overlapping each other. She wanted to be with Azula again and understand why the young woman was dreaming such twisted, agonizing dreams. She wanted to tell her parents that she loved them, but that she couldn't comply with their wishes to keep her from the rest of the world. She wanted so much, but staying in this cowardly foetal position would do her no good. No, staying like this would just mean that she was running away. Very unearthbender-like. Not like her at all.

Finally free of her blankets, she slipped on the leather sandals which Jianyu had given her to muffle out the vibrations she felt, relieved that she didn't have to tie anything up. She scooted off the bed and walked for the dining room where the others were lounging comfortably, waiting for breakfast.

"Hullo," she said, nodding to them and taking a seat between Sokka and the Duke. What's our agenda for today? Any damsels in distress who need saving? What about word on the Fire Nation army? She hesitated and let the awkward silence hang for just a little longer. "Where's Aang?" she finally wondered out loud, feeling her heart constrict inside her chest. Right, don't ask the important questions. After all, it's not like Sozin's Comet is going to happen a week from now.

"In the training yard," answered Katara, sounding worried as ever. "With Mai."

Well that explains that. Toph thought wryly. Aang didn't want to be in the same room as Katara, and Zuko kept trying to talk to Mai and asking her questions the girl didn't want to answer—at least, not yet, as far as Mai was concerned. She took a deep breath. "I think Azula needs me."

The silence she received was an irritating one, but she refused to say more, focusing instead on her surroundings. The siblings were surprised—nowadays, they always were—while the rest of Team Avatar was unsure on how to react to her words. "How can you say that, Toph?" Sokka inquired, and Toph knew immediately that Sokka was holding something back.

She raised her hand and showed them the scar Azula had given her that day, during the eclipse. "I have a connection with her. My blood runs in her veins, just as her blood runs in mine. It's the only way I can explain how I keep dreaming her dreams." She clenched her fist and let her hand fall. "At first, I thought it was just a fluke or something, because I kept thinking about her. But these last three days, I've even managed to communicate with her. Right now, she sounds as if she's about to get punished." Toph bit her lip and turned to Jianyu who was listening earnestly. "You're her father. Surely you can help?"

"I wish I can, but with Sozin's Comet nearing, there are plans to draw up, an army to gather... We're already pressed for time as it is. I don't think we can afford to go back to the palace now and save her." Jianyu admitted.

"Funny," Toph growled tightly, green eyes flashing dangerously towards Jianyu's direction, "just before I woke up, I had this conversation with Azula concerning fathers. I think I now know why she doesn't trust them so much. She's already had a father who tried to drive her to her breaking point, and now that her true father has been revealed...well he isn't of much help either."

---

Aang leaned against the wooden post, watching Mai throw knives at a distant training dummy, one hand against his cheek. "Are projectiles all you ever use?"

"No, but they're easier to conceal." She threw the next shuriken at Aang who simply batted it away with a slight wave of his hand. He jumped over the fence and moved into a fighting position, his smile a mocking one. "I thought we are allies now."

"We are, but I'd still like to test myself against you."

Mai was taken aback by his words. Why? She wondered. With your bending, I can't possibly be a worthy opponent to you. "Very well." The words tumbled out of her lips before she could stop herself. "But by ancient law of combat, it is your right to choose the place and time—as it is my right to choose the conditions."

"Ancient law of combat? I wanted a simple spar, but if that's what you want, then I suppose it's alright. Let's fight, here and now. Your conditions?"

"No bending, and no use of weapons. The one who yields first, loses."

"Fair enough."

Mai's movements were light and quick as lightning, her hands like a viper, snapping at Aang's vital organs with the intention of incapacitating. Aang saw some similarity to Ty Lee's fighting style, except that Ty Lee fought with closed fists, her focus on chi paths. Mai's hands would shift from open palm to semi-closed, depending on the move she would execute.

Aang, on the other hand, rarely stayed where he was for more than five seconds. With the knowledge of four bending styles, Mai had a hard time anticipating his next move; he would be dodging and striking one second, and redirecting Mai's attacks the next. She soon found to her dismay that she could not take his heavy blows, not unless she avoided them altogether. Using the courtyard's uneven terrain to her advantage, she would twist away at the last moment and help Aang trip on the ground several times, giving him a well-placed, downwards kick at his right shoulder every time he fell. Knowing that her fighting style was inadequate, she decided to look for ways to tire him out. Starting with his right arm.

He threw a punch aimed for her stomach, but she sidestepped, grabbed his arm and, with the help of her hip, threw him on the ground once more, bending his arm un an uncomfortable manner. He hissed in pain and pulled away, but the effort taxed him greatly. He massaged the hurt, his eyes filled with new-found respect for this young woman. "I've always thought that I was invincible," Aang admitted in between large huffs of breath. "But ever since I had your friend as a sifu, I found that I was greatly mistaken." He laughed bitterly and beckoned, sweat trailing down his face. "And without bending at all, I'm completely useless, neh?"

"That's not the case, Avatar Aang." Mai spoke, grunting at the impact of Aang's foot against her side. "Your nature opposes this close combat."

"Your normal fighting style's the same. Or do you do hand-to-hand with a mix of knife fighting too?"

"I think when I fight. You're more comfortable with following drills," argued Mai, slamming an open palm below his collarbone. "And yes, I do use knives for close combat, on occasion."

"Then help me think!" He pushed himself off the ground and did a roundhouse kick.

"How can I? Some people are more used to drills, because it helps them react faster, than having to wait for their brains to issue orders. Besides, I simply concentrated on a body part of yours to weaken you. Even then, it's a trick that won't work twice."

"Then how can I fight someone like the Fire Lord?"

She tilted her head, narrowly missing his fist. Sighing, she leaned forward until their heads were lightly touching. "You don't fight him then. Leave it to someone more skilled."

"If there was someone more skilled, then why do you guys need me to overthrow him?"

"Because without you, there would be chaos after his defeat. By having you by our side, our cause is just. The rest of the Fire Nation will surely be more willing to change its Fire Lord, if it knew that the very gods willed for it to happen."

"I am no messenger of the gods!"

"But people think you walk with the gods. Don't you see?" Mai placed both her hands on his thin, wiry shoulders. "You are their hope because to them, you are celestial. Surely someone capable of reincarnation is above and beyond this physical plane of existence. The fact that you have the power to control the four elements means that you have their favour, to say the least."

"What's so fortunate about being the Avatar?" Aang asked bitterly, dropping his guard. "If I had the gods' favour, then I should be born a common boy. Instead, I am burdened with the fate of a nation, a world even."

"And yet I can name a handful of people who are willing to help ease that burden."

There was something about those hard, golden eyes that the Avatar found alluring. He forced himself to look away. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Ask for their help." She smiled wanly, warming his insides. "Come on, let's go and say hello to the others."

He obeyed, if only because he was tired, and he was too preoccupied thinking about that shared close proximity only moments ago, to worry about the empty feelings of despair whenever Katara was nearby. "Aang?"

"Hmm?"

"Please don't tell the others we ever had this kind of conversation." He raised an eyebrow. Why? "I-I have a reputation to uphold."

He laughed all the way to the dining room.

---

The joy didn't last for long though. As soon as they entered, their bright spirits were dampened by the tense atmosphere. Aang looked around in worry and tried to speak, but Toph cut him off.

"I love her, and I'm going to go back to the palace to save her. I don't care who goes with me. I don't care if you guys think of this as some kind of suicide mission.

"You know the difference between you and me?" She turned her icy gaze towards Jianyu. "You didn't have the strength to save the one woman you truly loved. Instead of going after her, you allowed her back into the arms of the Fire Lord, who never truly loved her. Me? I'm going back there, and I'm going to fight tooth and nail to get her back. That's why I'm the earthbender here and you're not. Because I have the resolve to protect the people I care about the most. That's why the Earth acknowledged me as one of its own.

"You think I don't know that you're jealous of me? You teach me meditation, and I know you treat me well, but I can feel it in my feet: the anger and envy which you harbour against me. I know you want my power. Well, thing is, you forfeited the right to that power long ago, when you decided to live the rest of your life as a wimp. I applaud your efforts to amass this tiny army and to bring about peace between the nations in your own way, but have you done anything? Have you made any move against the Fire Lord? No. Not one single move, because you needed the reassurance that you would win. You needed the hope of the Avatar. Well, there he is. What the hell are you waiting for?"

"Um, is there something I missed?" Aang asked, staring down at Toph's finger which was pressed lightly against his nose.

"Now, don't you think you're being a little unfair there?" Jianyu asked, spreading his arms in a gesture of peace. "I can't help what I feel, Toph. It's true that I am envious of you but that is to be expected, for I am human after all, and susceptible to flaws. As for choosing to stay here rather than going to the Fire Nation capital to save my daughter, I...I have faith in her. I know she'll be safe. I know she's capable of saving herself."

"Aren't you just rationalizing, old man?" Toph demanded. "She's capable of saving herself? You don't even know her. How would you know?" She took a deep breath and turned around, facing the open doorway. "I'm leaving. Who's with me?"

"I'll go," Zuko said, standing up. "She's my sister after all."

"Me too," quipped Ty Lee, seemingly unfazed by the tension. She made a face. "On the going part, not the sister being and all, though I suppose we're as close as a pair of, in any case."

"You'll need Appa," reasoned Sokka. "I should go with."

"She's my sifu, so you better count me in."

"She's my friend."

Toph smiled gratefully, her long dark bangs hiding her expression. "Ty Lee, will you go to the kitchens to stock up on food? We don't have much time left, I'm afraid, and I wouldn't want everyone to go charging in the royal palace on an empty stomach. Zuko and Mai can go to the stables for the crowlions. Appa may be capable of carrying a lot of people all at once, but I don't want to have so many people on him, especially when we make our escape. It'll tire him easily. Sokka—"

"Now see here!" Katara interrupted. "We don't need so many people to go, do we? I'm sure Sokka's better off here, with m—working on the invasion plans. And Aang's just too important to go."

"They're coming because they offered. Besides, we need every advantage we can get."

"I'll go get my weapons and saddle Appa," Sokka suggested.

"What about me?" Aang asked, twiddling his thumbs. "Normally, I should be saddling Appa."

"Don't worry, ol' chum. You deserve a break." He closed the distance between them in brief, long strides. "Katara's worried about you, Aang. You should really talk to her."

---

Azula wondered how many days had passed since she was thrown in this dingy prison cell. Not for long if there's no news of the Avatar's defeat yet. She thought wryly. Or of his triumph.

She shifted uncomfortably on the cold stone floor, resting her chained hands on top of her knees. With very little light coming from above, combined with the headache she had, it was hard for her to tell the time, let alone see properly in the dim chamber. She leaned against the wall, tilting her head upwards, her shoulders dropping in a heavy sigh. In here, in this very room, time was motionless.

The door opened.

Well, until the next meal anyway.

Dong-Mei, sweet old Dong-Mei with her quiet smile and unobtrusive manner, stood in front of Azula's cell, carrying a silver platter. She slowly knelt, inserting the platter in the tiny rectangular slot, giving the princess a look of melancholy—bittersweet and painful. She moved into seiza position, her hands neatly on top of each other. Azula knew she would not move from that position, not until Azula was finished eating, anyway.

She remembered those first few times when she refused to eat anything. The guards had to go and see what took Dong-Mei so long, only to receive her pointed gaze, painted with a sombre expression. She hasn't eaten yet, don't you see? It said. They left after some half-hearted coaxing, chagrined by that solemn face. Eventually, her silent ordeal took its toll on her body, and a bit of sympathy made Azula finally pick up her spoon and eat. Dong-Mei disappeared after, her mild expression betraying not even a whit of self-satisfaction at having the princess do something for her.

Azula knew that Dong-Mei truly cared for her well-being. She grew up with Ty Lee after all, and Dong-Mei loved her grandchildren so much, to the extent of their friends. She was not like her daughter who cared only for parties and pleasure, and being on the good side of the Fire Lord. She was not like Ty Lee either, but Azula ventured that it was because of her disability—she could not speak since a childhood accident—that kept her from being as light-hearted and carefree.

A rustle of cloth caught her attention, and she saw Dong-Mei's long, frail fingers slip through the bars, a piece of paper hanging limp in between them. She brought the warm broth down and crawled towards Dong-Mei, removing the distance between them. Accepting the strip of paper with shaking hands, she took a moment to read it, unconsciously holding her breath.

You will have your audience with Yama in a day's time. If you ask nicely, she will gladly lend you strength. – Your Beloved Dragon

Ryuu. Who else would sign his name like this? Besides, he was Dong-Mei's son-in-law, which made it easy for him to send his messages to her. She looked up, but hesitation overtook her, making her think twice about asking.

Tired. She'd been so tired these past few days and the dreams which occupied her nights made sleeping a luxury she could afford without. Yet sometimes, she would slip into a light state of dreaming all the same, against her will, fatigue forcing her body to take a little of its strength back by all means necessary. Toph had been in those dreams.

Azula squeezed her eyes shut, her fingers scraping lightly against her head, digging through her skin. No. Thinking about Toph had been a mistake on her part. Thinking about Toph gave her hope and hope was the last thing she needed on her mind. She was ready to die, had accepted the mantle of death long ago, or so long ago in her perspective, for the days between now and that heart-breaking moment when Toph stared her down, the hurt of betrayal glinting in her eyes, seemed so far away, so out of reach that she could do nothing to grab that one moment and twist it into the outcome she would have desired.

Several days' worth of pain and misery melted into nothingness as hands as gentle as a child's lullaby drew her out of her self-imposed agony. Hazily, she tried to think of something to say, tried to will herself to pull away and command Dong-Mei to stop what she was doing, but the liberation of hurt was so great, so...exhilarating that she found herself helplessly enjoying Dong-Mei's practiced fingers. Once the old woman was done with her magic, Azula found herself lying on the floor, her head on Dong-Mei's lap, crying to the melody of a song she knew so well and held dearly in her heart. It was a song her mother used to sing to her.

---

"Aang, if you're trying to run away from me this is the wrong way of doing it," Katara spoke hurriedly, following after Aang who was walking from one end of the hallway to the opposite, his boundless energy making it hard for him to stay still.

"I am not running away, Katara," Aang answered patiently. "In fact, I'm done with running away. I know what I have to do, and I'm going at it full-speed ahead, no turning back." Their eyes met for a brief moment and then Aang was walking to the other side again.

"Then why won't you stop for a little while and talk to me head on?!"

"Because I am worried, Katara," he said, turning around, his movements emphatic as he tried to explain with his body what words alone could not express. "I realize now what Sifu Azula's intentions were when she stopped me from going against the Fire Lord that day. I was unprepared; I wasn't strong enough to face him yet. If I had gone after him, would I still be alive today? They say that there's no harm in trying but is that really true when it's the Fire Lord we're talking about here? I was wrong on so many levels, Katara. I have to make up to her, and this is the only way I can think of doing so."

"But you're assuming that she's still on the side of good," Katara argued back, frowning. Aang looked away and started walking back and forth once more, trying to quell his beating heart. No matter what expression she made, she was always beautiful.

"I have to assume as much." The words came out quiet. "For Toph's sake."

"So what? You're going to go along with Toph's unreasonable feelings now? Love is blind! For all we know, Azula's blood in her veins is corrupting her even as we speak!"

Aang shook his head. "Toph is the best judge when it comes to character. We're all blind compared to her." He took a deep breath. "Humans are complicated fellows. Sometimes we see their actions as being wrong, or at the very least ambiguous. Tell me, what do you think the elders of my tribe felt when they found out I was running away from my destiny as the Avatar? Did they simply see me as someone who was weak? Or did they see more than that? What about the historians of the past who've tried, for years, to discern my motives for disappearing so suddenly? Would they think me a villain? By leaving, I had ensured the Fire Nation their victory against the rest. To their eyes, I could have been a traitor, running away not because I didn't want my destiny, but because I wanted the Fire Nation to win."

"That's not true!"

"Is it? Every single day more and more people are finding out that I'm still alive. But are they eagerly coming to my feet, asking for a way out of the Fire Nation's tyranny? No, they've been disillusioned. For all they know, I'm with the Fire Nation all along."

"But surely they've heard your deeds?" Katara asked desperately. "And besides, I'm pretty sure the only reason why they aren't eager to join our army is because a hundred years of oppression has robbed them of their will to fight."

"And who was the first to rob them of that will?" Aang demanded. "Me, Katara! I did this to them. If the Avatar didn't even have the guts to face the Fire Lord and his army, what more can ordinary people hope to achieve by rising up and bearing arms against their oppressor?" With balled fists, he walked closer to Katara, anger constricting his chest. "You have such a nice opinion of me, Katara. I wish sometimes you'd be a little bit more criticizing of my flaws. Maybe I wouldn't have fallen in love with you then!"

"Aang..." She looked helplessly at him. "I'm sorry."

"No, you're not sorry," Aang hissed. "You're just trying to stop me from going!"

"Aang, I—"

"Don't worry your head over it," Aang said, his voice pained. "I've already forgiven you. Just—try not to stop me. Please. It's the least you could do as a friend."

---

"Mai—"

"Please, Zuko, stop it with the questions. I love you dearly—that is all you need to know—but attraction is a different matter all together and my feelings for you do not go beyond that."

"I was going to ask you to hand me that bucket over there but that is good an answer as ever."

"Oh."

"I'm sorry though. I suppose I brought this upon myself regardless. Was I good enough for you? Did you see my flickering loyalties, my doubts, and found that you could not love a man who was so unsure of himself?"

"That's not the case! Listen, Zuko, despite whatever weaknesses you might have, you are still a good man. If anyone was to be blamed here it should be me. I had to keep an eye on you and what better way to do that than to take you as my lover? That was my mistake and I am truly sorry for that. I hadn't taken your feelings into consideration and assumed your feelings for me as fleeting at best. After all, I was the one who had a crush on you when we were younger. Cynical as I am, I felt that your response to my feelings was out of pity. It had never occurred to me that your feelings were genuine."

"Well now you know."

"And yet, I remain resolute in my decision. Our paths, once intertwined, are now diverging. Do not stop me from following the road of my own choosing for that will only lead to doubts and regrets. Do not follow me either, for such a relationship generates instability, with one person always leading the other. That road will only lead you to an eternity of heartbreaks."

"If it's you, then I wouldn't mind going through that sort of eternity."

"Now you're just being silly, Zuko. Commitment is something you shouldn't be thinking about this early on in life."

"And how would you know?"

"Because my parents married young and for other reasons not associated with love. My birth was merely an obligation in their part. Never did I feel the touch of love in their actions and in their words. Never did I detect the slightest hint of proximity between them. The few moments we had together as a family were short-lived for they were at war with each other for the most part. Life was strict under the tutelage of heartless women who cared only to conform me into the role of perfect daughter and humble lady-in-waiting."

"And I thought I had it bad. I suppose there is no convincing you after all. One last question though. Is it just me, or have you been chattier lately?"

"I would have continued avoiding you, but I figured, I had to justify myself before you for you to leave me alone. You were always endearingly tenacious, be it in pursuing love, or in practicing your bending drills."

---

Sokka tugged the last strap in place and slid down Appa's back, mentally checking off things in his to-do list. His distracted gaze met the unyielding black of Longshot's eyes. He smiled ruefully.

Words would have been appropriate at this moment to make up for the empty silence but Longshot rarely spoke, and Sokka was tired of speaking. They held their gazes for quite a while, simply enjoying the halcyon moment, each admiring the other's form. It had been so long since they had been together like this. Words could not have conveyed what these two had communicated in a matter of seconds through expression alone.

Sokka was the first to look away, reaching for the small bag he had prepared earlier. With the bag slung over his shoulder, he walked past Longshot. Their hands touched for a brief moment. Longshot curled his hand into a fist, trying to capture Sokka's fingertips but he was already gone. Longshot bowed his head slightly and twitched the cone hat he wore to hide his anxiety. Outside the stable, Sokka wondered when they would meet again. The last time he left, waiting had felt like an eternity.

---

The sun ascended slowly into the sky and settled on its throne of clouds. Birds squawked in the distance. Below, in the centre of the palace, soldiers formed a firm circle solemnly, gazes downcast, expressions sorrowful and tight-lipped. Behind them, hundreds of civilians stood, some roaring in approval, others in indignation.

Blindfolded, Azula was marched into the middle of the circle and carried up a raised platform where she was tied against a thick piece of log. Kindling was arranged around her.

"Witness the burning of a traitor!"

Citizens roared even louder than before.

The great Fire Lord Ozai stepped out of the palanquin and everyone, from the nobility gossiping quietly in the front row to the tiny children laughing merrily as they sat on top of their parents' shoulders, became silent. He turned his gaze from one end of the audience to the other and nodded grimly. "Let us begin."

Fire benders from either side of Azula moved into a ritualistic drill—almost like a dance—and with a quick pivot, each threw a fistful of flames at her feet where the kindling lay.

Burnings were always spectacular to watch and quick, once the fire had started, but after a couple of minutes of watching, the audience knew that something was wrong. The flames surrounding their disgraced princess, though large enough to engulf any man, did not go anywhere near her. Instead, the fire danced and twisted and coiled around her as if a young pet eager to play with its master.

Before Fire Lord Ozai could command the Fire benders to investigate the cause of this anomaly however, a great gust of wind smothered the flames and killed them. A huge shadow fell on the crowd, making them look up in horror. A most familiar bison was flying around the palace.

Towering stone walls sprouted from the ground and pushed everyone save Azula back. Soldiers who were not in their fighting gear hurriedly removed their ceremonial armour and pushed each other up the walls, trying to scale them. In the midst of this chaos, Fire Lord Ozai stood still, watching the avatar from a small crack between the walls as he jumped down the bison and swiftly removed the rope tied around Azula. He remained quiet as he watched his daughter—no, the child wasn't his, that was for certain—parry great big balls of fire back at the soldiers, stepping forward to keep the avatar from any possible harm. He made a mental note to look for that old crone, Dong-Mei, later and have her killed for disobeying his orders; Azula should not have been able to fire bend like that. What use would Dong-Mei and her clan be if they could not even block the chi of a truculent child? He should have all of them killed. Of course.

The avatar was on that bison again, laughing merrily at some joke the water tribe peasant had said. Fire Lord Ozai shifted his weight, his hands moving into his favourite form of attack. Lightning roared from his fingertips and flew straight and true towards the avatar. There was a loud cry of pain. He smiled. This time, the avatar was dead for certain; his lightning had struck the boy straight to his heart.