Book 4 Air

Chapter 17 Betrayed

Running through the hallways, the princess panted. Her mind focused on her father, the man she admired in power. The man she longed for him to love her.

Swinging the door open, Azula was shocked to see who was in front of her. The once powerful Fire Lord she knew now lying in bed near death.

She walked up to his bedside, tears formed at the surface of her eyes. Ozai's cheeks were sunken in, his skin paler than rice paper...He wheezed strongly as his breathing was shallow and deep.

"Fa…Father…" Azula managed to say as she watched the man stir in his sleep.

Placing her hands on his bare shoulder, his body was cold and clammy. 'How did this happen?' Azula thought.

Aeron walked in, "I heard it was just a rumor…But it turns out that the Avatar took Ozai's firebending away. I thought you knew, I would have said something earlier." Aeron said showing slight remorse.

"We…we were suppose to take over the world together…Our nation was going to shine with glory. I…I…" Azula nearly broke down. Confused and hurt over all that's happened.

Ozai slowly opened his eyes; staring at the blurred face that was hovering over him. Taking in a deep breath Ozai tried to remember the face. He couldn't think-the only thing he could remember-the only thing he could think of was his wife.

"Ursa…?" Ozai whispered hoarsely.

Azula looked up at her father's face. Her eyes widen as she saw her father's dull golden eyes open and look up at her.

"No father…It's me… Azula." The princess said as she choked out a sob.

"Azula…?" Ozai questioned, trying to remember.

"Yes…" Azula said.

Watching his chest rise and fall slower and deeper. Azula knew he didn't have much time.

"Tell…Ursa…I loved her-I always have…" Ozai said as blood trickled down his mouth.

A faint smile formed from his lips, "Her son will rise higher than I…than I…" Ozai started to mumble as his eyes started too closed.

"Ursa…Forgive me…Forgive me…" Ozai said as his eyes fully closed shut.

"Father!" Azula cried out.

"Don't leave me…You're all I have!" Azula screamed out as she watched her father take his final breathe.

Tears falling down her face she fell on his chest and cried loudly.

"Father!"

Aeron watched quietly as tears rolled down her face. 'Even though they have done such sinful things, they are still human…' Aeron thought as she rubbed her tears away.


Walking up to the summer house Katara took a deep breath. So far she managed to complete these tasks. Trying to think carefully, she wondered if they were somehow connected.

Once the two women entered their home and walked into the living room, they turned and faced the waterbender.

"Here is your next question…" Li said.

"Can you admit you have done any wrong-doing in your life?" Lo said seriously.

Katara blinked, "Well…I…" Katara tried to think of the right words to say.

"We're waiting…" Lo said.

Katara lowered her head, what has she done? Has she done any wrong-doing? Every choice she has made in her life…

Katara's eyes widen…Every choice she made. From freeing Aang in the glacier, from wanting to master her element, from deciding to help in the war…from wanting to seek revenge in memory of her mother…All the way to actually agreeing to marry Zuko!

They all have led her here.

Katara closed her eyes, then opening them again. Her sapphire orbs glistened softly as her lips curved into a confident smile.

"Well…Who's to say what I've done was wrong. And who's to say it wasn't right?" Katara answered in a form of a question.

Li and Lo blinked, and then smirked.

'She is quite sharp this young girl…' Li thought.

'She is full of surprises…' thought Lo as she looked at her sister.

"Then tell us, Miss Katara…" Li said.

"Do you admit you were wrong in your choices?" Lo asked.

Katara looked at the two women, "If I did indeed have done something wrong…Then I suppose I wouldn't be here…" Katara said.

"Every choice I have made, has brought me here…Whether or not I can admit I have done something wrong…I know I can work things over. I can help fix it." Katara said.

"Admitting that we have done wrong is part of acknowledging that we are human beings, and not some powerful spirit." Li said.

"Part of being human is making mistakes." Lo said.

Katara slightly frowned. Maybe her answer wasn't very clear then? Maybe this is what she did wrong…

"Please return to the ship, and rest 'til morning. Then return here, Miss Katara…" Li said.

"Your tasks are done for the time being…" Lo said.

"We will review your answers and decide if you are truly worthy to become a Fire Lady…" Lo and Li both said.

With that the two women pushed her out the door and slammed it shut. Katara sighed.

'What if I failed? No…I can't let my father and Gran-Gran down. I made a promise…A promise to the world.' Katara thought as she walked down to the dock and entered into the ship.


Gripping on the blanket that covered her now deceased father, Azula screamed out as more tears fell down her cheeks unaware of Aeron's fraught breathe.

'Damnit…It's just too much, I can't stall them…' thought Aeron as she tried to hold the door closed from the guards trying to get in.

"Come on, we should go back into hiding…I can't hold back the door any longer!" called out Aeron as she pushed more of her weight against the metal door.

Azula ignored the girl, all of her hope was now gone…The glory of the Fire Nation is now in ashes.

The princess lifted her head; her eyes glared a wicked stare as her lips twitched.

"Please!! Help me!" called out Aeron as she pressed her hands against the door.

Turning her body slowly around, Azula walked over to Aeron.

"You are no longer needed…" Azula said venomously.

Aeron's eyes widen.

Azula then threw the girl, pushing her against the wall. The metal door flung open, "Halt!" ordered one of the guards as he formed into a firebending stance.

Azula then grasped her hand around Aeron's neck then swung her in front of her body. Turning Aeron into a human shield. Aeron struggled against Azula's painful grip.

Leaning over to her ear, Azula whispered coldly.

"I will break you…"

Aeron's eyes shut closed as she grinded her teeth.

"Release her!" called out one of the guards.

"No one move! Or I'll slit her neck…" Azula said as she pulled out a sharp dagger pointing it to Aeron's throat.

"Let us out!" commanded Azula.

The guards helplessly moved aside as the two women walked out of the cell and down the hall.

Reaching the front door Azula then hesitated.

Aeron looked back. From the corner of her eye she saw Azula narrowing her cold amber orbs.

"Say hello to Ozai for me…" Azula said.

Aeron's eyes widen as her mouth gasped. The deep shocking pain sparked down her back as the gripping weight of the woman behind her freed her body. Slowly falling to her knees, Aeron tried to clasp at the pain behind her back. The thick smell of blood filled her nostrils as Aeron lifted her head.

Azula smirked, lightly waving the dagger in front of her. The blade dripping with red blood.

"Why…?" hissed out Aeron as her vision started to blur.

"Ozai is dead…I will now full-fill his promise. By killing all the traitors who dare distrust my power!" Azula shouted.

"Farwell Aeron…It was a pleasure working with you…" Azula said mockingly as she ran out the door.

Aeron groaned from the pain as her eyes slowly closed.

"Damn you…" Aeron cursed out as she collapsed on the stone floor.


For a brief moment, Azula finally showed some slight signs of humanity. Only to lose her mind once again over the stress and grief. I really hoped this wasn't too OOC on Azula's part. I was trying to mix a few things.

Also wait and see what Katara's fate will be and she will react about the terrifying news.

Please let me know if you liked this and please review. Tell me what you think of it so far.