Disclaimer - I do not own Avatar The Lat Air Bender
Author's Note: Hello my wonderful readers! I owe everyone a HUGE apology! I know it's been a while since I updated and I have a very good reason. I have spent the past month studying super hard for my CBEST exam and volunteering (I'm trying to get into a teaching credential program). The rare moments I had free time to write I could only get a paragraph or two in. Again I am so so sorry, please forgive me! This story is far from over and I have an outline done of how I want everything to go. Updates are going to be a little erratic because I still have to take my exam (wish me luck!) and there will be more exams to come. But I promise I have not abandoned my story. Enjoy and please review!
Chapter 12 – Trial and Home
Azula sat in between Aang and King Aarn. Before them was King Kuei. Behind the fallen king sat an audience made of people from all the nations. Zuko and Mai sat in their thrones with a representative of each nation on either side of them. Everyone had agreed to hold the trial on Fire Nation grounds.
Azula was dressed in Air Nation yellow and orange. She did not wear her flame crown. She wanted to make it clear that she was there as a member of the Air Nation, not a princess of the Fire Nation. She saw Dulin and her other students in the back row. She was glad to see that Dulin's injuries had held thanks to Katara.
"King Kuei, ruler of the Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se, you stand before us accused of the kidnapping of Air Nation students, Omashu students, and a member of the royal Omashu family. How do you plead to these charges?" Zuko asked.
Kuei stood tall, "I am innocent of any crimes." Azula narrowed her golden eyes at him.
Zuko nodded, "Very well. Will those who accuse King Kuei please stand to present your evidence."
King Aarn, Aang, and Azula stood. They had agreed that Aarn would the speaking. "I, King Aarn of Omashu, Avatar Aang, and Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation and Ambassador of the Air Nation accuse King Kuei of Ba Singe Se of kidnapping students from our respective nations. We will present to the court testimonials from the students, the Dai Li agents, and the ransom note sent to Fire Lord Zuko."
"Very well. Please bring forth your first witness," Zuko commanded.
"Our first witness is Lord Bingwen of Omashu," Aarn called his cousin.
Bingwen walked regally to the front of the court, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Lord Bingwen of Omashu. I am cousin to King Aarn. I was amongst the students kidnapped by King Kuei's Dai Li agents."
"In your own words, please tell us what happened," King Aarn asked.
"Some of the Omashu students and I planned to camp outside the city walls to star gaze. The Air Nation students were new to our university and we invited them to join us. The morning after star gazing our camp was attacked. We tried to fight but we were out matched. Some of the Omashu students were able to escape.
Those of us captured were quickly bound with earth cuffs. One of the leaders recognized me and said I was an added value for negotiation. The leader revealed to us that King Kuei planned to use us as bargaining chips in exchange for the Princess Azula. When the Air Nation student, Dulin spoke out against their plot he was beaten.
We were escorted to Ba Sine Se and thrown in prison cells. We were there for a few days until the Princess Azula and her friends freed us."
People began to heavily whisper. Zuko called for order, "Thank you Lord Bingwen, you may be seated. King Aarn please call your next witness."
"I call forth Dai Li Agent Chun Hei," Aarn said.
Chun Hei was a tall man entering his middle age. He stood proud before the court, "I am Dai Li Agent Chun Hei. I have served Ba Sing Se as a Dai Li Agent for twenty-two years. King Kuei and Dai Li Leader Jung Hee created the mission of kidnapping the Air Nation students. The idea was first presented to us as an attempt of bringing the Princess Azula to Ba Sing Se to stand trial. We were told she was visiting the city of Omashu and our mission was to kidnap her. It wasn't until we reached Omashu that the true mission was revealed.
I and other agents tried to talk Agent Jung Hee out of this mission. We did not want to endanger children. He threatened our lives and those of our families if we did not obey. When we got back to Ba Sing Se we sent word to Avatar Aang. Some of the Dai Li agents even made contact with Princess Azula. I ask that the court has mercy on me and my fellow agents."
King Aarn nodded his appreciation, "Thank you Agent Chun Hei." He turned to face the rest of the court, "We have fifteen more students and a dozen Dai Li agents and Kyoshi warriors willing to testify. Their stories are all the same. Innocent students used as pawns, with no regards to their safety, for King Kuei's vendetta against the Princess Azula. The final evidence we present is the ransom note sent to Avatar Aang by King Kuei. We have also attached several decrees issued by King Kuei so his signature can be verified."
"Bring the evidence forward," Zuko said with an outstretched hand. King Aarn gave the letters to him and they were passed around the nation representatives. "The council and I will deliberate. Court is dismissed until sunset."
They were in Zuko's war room. Aang studied everyone's facial expressions. "Clearly he is guilty," a Water Tribe representative stated.
"Yes, but the question is how he should be punished," an Earth Kingdom representative answered.
Everyone turned to look at Aang. "I don't believe in killing him. But I don't think his family line should keep the throne."
Everyone nodded, "He also can't be imprisoned in the Earth Kingdom. There would be too much of a risk of someone freeing him," Mai said.
"The fair thing to do would be to have him imprisoned in the Air Nation," the Water Tribe representative offered.
Azula shook her head; "There are no prisons in the Air Nation."
"Then he will go to the Boiling Rock. He wanted my sister's head, it's only fair he spend the rest of his days in the Fire Nation," Zuko said firmly.
Everyone agreed. "Who will take over the throne of Ba Sing Se?"
"Give the city to the Air Nation," the King Aarn said.
Azula squeezed Aang's hand under the table. They knew the city would be offered to the Avatar. They had discussed in much detail how they would answer, "No. The Air Nation will not take Ba Sing Se. We suggest letting Lord Bingwen take the throne. He is a wise young man and King Aarn will guide him."
King Aarn was surprised, "Are you sure of this Avatar Aang?"
Aang nodded, "I am certain."
"Then it is decided, King Kuei will be sent to the Boiling Rock. His family will be stripped of their right to the Ba Singe Se throne which will be given to Lord Bingwen of Omashu."
It would have been an understatement to say Kuei was furious. Azula had never heard so many obscenities spoken in one setting, and she had lived under Ozai's rule. Her expression was cold as she watched him dragged away. It felt like a hallow victory.
They were back at the Northern Air Temple. After Kuei's trial, Aang had suggested a break and Azula had readily accepted. Despite their kidnapping, the students were still determined to continue the exchange program. As Dulin had said, "We can't shut ourselves off because of one crazy king."
Azula was in one of the temple rooms that she had converted into her office. She was finishing off reports and travel arrangements for the students' trip to the Southern Water Tribe. "Hurry up Azula, I'm hungry but Aang said we can't start lunch without you." Sokka whined.
Azula rolled her eyes, "Tell the Avatar I'll be right there." Although Sokka annoyed her, she was more at ease knowing he and Suki would be escorting the students to the Southern Water Tribe.
"I'm timing you!" Sokka shouted as he walked back to the mess hall.
Before she could get back to work Dulin was in her office, "Princess Azula, may I have a moment?"
Azula waved him in, "What is it Dulin?"
He stood straight but kept his eyes down cast, "Princess Azula, I never personally thanked you for saving me. I want you to know that I will always be your loyal servant."
Azula watched him, "Why will you always be my loyal servant Dulin? Because I saved you?"
Dulin quickly shook his head, "Your highness, I have been your loyal servant long before that. When you first came to the temple we were afraid of you. I lost my home and family in the war. Although we are at peace, I was still wary of the Fire Nation. But when you came and treated my friends and I like normal teenagers instead of orphans, well we admired you. You have such high expectations of us and listen to our opinions. You are a true princess, that's why I am your loyal servant."
Azula stood up, "I expect no less from you, Dulin. I thank you for your words."
Dulin nodded and walked out the room. He didn't see Azula blink back tears as he walked away.
Aang saw her standing by their window watching the sunset. Sokka and Suki had taken the students to the South Pole that morning. Since then she had said very little. Her eyes were distant as if lost in thought.
"Azula, are you feeling okay?" Aang asked.
She didn't say anything; she just kept looking out the window. Aang walked towards her and took her in his arms, "Please talk to me."
She let out a heavy sigh, "I want to see Zuko."
"You will see him Azula, after we are done setting things up for Bingwen in Ba Sing Se," Aang reminded her.
"I don't want to go to the Earth Kingdom. I want to go to the Fire Nation Palace," Azula stated.
Aang stroked her hair back. He was curious about her change in attitude but he didn't push it, "Okay, I'll take you home."
"Thank you." Azula said without looking at him.
She preferred riding Appa at night. The winter season had just started so the air was cold, but wrapped in her thick coat she felt comfortable. She closed her eyes and a memory forgotten long ago trickled its way back.
"It's not fair that Zuko gets to play the tsungi horn and fire bend! I want to play an instrument too," seven-year-old Azula pouted.
"Perhaps if your brother focused on his fire bending like you did, he would be able to advance as quickly as you," Ozai stated. Azula didn't miss the look of hurt in her brother's eyes.
"Zuko is improving every day, my lord. Perhaps it would benefit Azula if she had hobbies outside of fire bending," Ursa said trying to break the tension in the room.
"I couldn't care less. But if she starts to fall behind like her brother, I will hold you accountable," Ozai didn't wait to hear more and left the room.
Azula clapped her hands, "I'm going to be a better tsungi horn player than you Zuko."
"Mom no fair! Make her play something else!" Zuko whined.
"Settle down you two. Azula, sweetie, I actually have a different idea for you," Ursa said as she took her daughter's hand. "Zuko, my love, go practice your tsungi horn."
Azula was led to her mother's suite, "Azula, sing a song for me."
"A song? What song?" Azula asked confused.
"Any song," Ursa said with a smile.
Azula thought for a moment. She didn't know a lot of songs but decided on one, "Okay I know which song to sing." She cleared her throat,
"From the end of the earth, to the farthest sea
I searched for my heart's companion
A young girl sings, while he accompanies her
Your heart is my heart
Looking north from my mountain nest
My tears fall and wet my blouse
Missing him, I will not rest
Only love that lasts through hard time is true"
Ursa began to clap, "What a beautiful song Azula. It's very special to my heart, and do you know why?"
Azula eagerly nodded, "It's the song you wrote for Father when he went to fight in the Earth Kingdom. Why did you want to hear me sing, Mother?"
"Making you sing was a sort of test. You have a beautiful voice. I believe you will enjoy singing more than playing an instrument," Ursa explained.
Azula thought for a moment, "So you'll teach me to sing, just like you?"
Ursa smiled, "I think you'll be a much better singer than I ever could."
Azula sighed as she let the memory slip into new ones. She remembered the many hours she spent practicing in her mother's suite. She remembered Zuko being jealous of the time Azula spent with their mother. It didn't matter in the end how beautifully Azula sung or how much time she spent in her mother's suite, because Zuko was Mother's favorite.
In time, as Ursa predicted, Azula had become the better singer. When Ursa disappeared she had taken Azula's voice with her. The rare moments she did try to sing, it had felt wrong.
She watched as the Avatar bended clouds into different shapes. She wondered what he would think of her singing. She silently laughed at the idea. Singing was a delicate art, a big contradiction to her personality. No, she would let the singing stay a memory, like her mother.