Sorry this chapter took longer than I planned, but some changes needed to be made because this one is going to be important.
Big thanks to HammerTide for pretty much co-writing and editing this chapter !
With that said, let's get it started !
Aang stood in shock at the scene before him. Katara was covering her mouth and nose from the smell of the smoke coming off the corpse. But the Avatar's eyes were glued to the burning body in front of them.
Aang had seen many horrible things in his time during the war, the destruction of the Air Temples, the loss of his people and his entire culture, facing Fire Lord Ozai and much more...but he had never dealt with something like this before.
The Avatar turned back to the rest of his friends, seeing them start to get up and rub their eyes.
" Ugh...my head hurts, what happened ? " Sokka tiredly asked, rubbing his head " Felt like I got hit on the head "
" Sokka ! Are you okay ? " Katara was instantly by his side, helping him stand up.
" I'm fine, just felt like I got hit by Toph " Sokka said groggily.
" If I hit you Snoozles, you wouldn't be talking right no-" Toph's jab at him was cut off when her nose picked up a strange scent " Why do I smell burnt meat ? "
Their group all turned back to the body, Toph covering her nose to block out the smell, while Sokka took it the worst with the smell getting to him and causing him to look away, the contents of his stomach threatening to come out from his mouth as Katara rushed in to help him.
I hate the smell of burnt bodies.
Sokka mentally noted himself, throughout his adventures and endeavors, this is one thing that he will never get used to.
Shin who had just woken up and stared at the scene for him for a quick second, before his military trained instincts kicked in and he immediately moved in to secure the scene.
" Agni above, get back kids !" Shin ordered them as he quickly went over to the body. His mind somehow telling him that these kids didn't need to see what a dead body looks like at such a young age.
Almost like a strange compulsion or voice at the back of his mind telling him about it.
The captain shrugged it off as he began examining the body, the fire clearly having gone out a while ago but there was still smoke coming off of it. The body was charred badly, but the face seemed to have gotten the 'least' of the punishment...and Shin could clearly see the parts of Princess Azula's face that he had made himself recognize months ago.
" Agni above..." Shin muttered under his breath as he stared at the slightly charred and lifeless eyes of the once princess of the Fire Nation, it felt like something died inside, a sense of 'failure' brewing in the pits of the stomach as if he failed the people, knowing that he 'failed' to rescue their beloved princess. A swerve of anger seemed to build up inside him, not towards anyone but to himself.
" Is she...alive ? " Aang asked, some part of him knowing what Shin is going to say.
" Is that a serious question Avatar ?" Shin lightly glared at the airbender, his tone much harsher than he intended.
" Sorry..."
Katara slowly got closer to the body, kneeling next to Shin. The others keeping their distance for obvious reasons.
" You don't need to see this kid " Shin warned.
" No...we need to...confirm that this is Azula " Katara said, trying not to be bothered by the smell.
" Is it ? I have seen the Princess in the distance but never up close and personal to know true details of the princess...and you kids definitely have " Shin gave a wary look at Katara " Please tell me this isn't her " he says, hoping that they shake their heads to say no, but deep down inside it the answer was already clear. How will he ever return to the palace and write a report about this?
" The body is badly burned and some of her face has been burnt off...but yeah, I think this is definitely Azula " Katara said, taking a step back.
Shin cursed under his breath, too low for anyone to hear. He had spent literal months trying to figure out where the Princess went, what happened to her, what was going in this Agni forsaken forest. He hoped that he would be able to work with the Avatar's team, get the Princess home safely, go back to his wife and tell her that he managed to save the life of the Princess herself. Yet all of it was just in vain.
And now...she's just dead, like that. How is he ever going to explain this to the Fire Lord and his family ?
" Did the Fire Lady do this ? " Aang asked quietly.
" I remember her being able to use fire, so I take it yes, this was her..." Shin answered, almost on instinct. The details were hazy, but he remembered that the malevolent spirit burned everything in its wake, it shouldn't be a surprise that it would have killed a helpless, weakened and tattered princess in the middle of the forest.
" But why would she kill Azula ? " Katara asked out loud " She went through the trouble of hiding her from you all these months, so why would she just kill her now and leave her here ? "
" You're right something isn't adding up here Katara..." Sokka agreed, keeping his distance from the body.
" It could be entirely possible that she was trying to get us to leave and by leaving this body behind " Shin suddenly deduced " This could be her way of telling us to leave and never come back "
" Still...this is just wrong " Aang said as he carefully approached the body and paid his brief respects. The rest of his friends quietly agreeing.
He and Azula had never been friends, much less allies. Their past during the war made that difficult for obvious reasons...still he had hoped in all the teachings his mentors and airbender friends taught him, that she would one day be able to find peace.
Aang hoped she would be able to find it in the next life at least.
" Wait a second Aang if that Fire Lady did do this...then we need to warn Kazumi right away !" Katara's eyes widened as she remembered about the woman they met " We need to warn them and make sure they are safe "
" You're right ! I almost forgot about them !" Aang agreed " We'll go check in with Kazumi and then we're going after the Fire Lady who did this to Azula and-"
" I'm afraid we can't do that Avatar "
All heads turned to the lead tracker of the group, who was eyeing Azula's corpse sadly.
" While I do agree we should inform Kazumi of the present danger in this forest, we can't waste anymore time because we need to prep this body for transport back to the palace " Shin explained.
" But why ? We should stay here and-"
" Do you want to be the one to explain to the Fire Lord and his mother why we brought back his sister's burnt rotting body back days later ? " Shin cut Sokka off with a glare " Orders when a member of the royal family dies is to immediately prep their body for their funeral, unless you want to be the one to have that conversation with the Fire Lord than by all means..."
The Gaang looked between each other and back at the smoking body before them. All of them looking away, because none of them wanted to explain this to Zuko so early...but they all knew it would even worse if they stayed in this Forest instead of going back to Zuko immediately.
" Alright, we'll leave the forest and bring Azula's body back with us...but we will come back later " Aang clarified.
" Good enough for me. Let's go, I think I recognized this spiritual pool and can work out the directions back to Kazumi's home "
" Okay, should we leave one of us here with...Azula's body ? "
" No, I think we can bring her with us " Shin knelled down and took a white sheet out of his pack.
That's strange. He didn't remember bringing this with him...his memory must not be right.
The kids all backed away as Shin went to work wrapping Azula's body up in the white sheet. All of them uncomfortable being around a dead body. Yet Shin wasn't, he had dealt with death before in missions, have seen the worst and as a soldier of the Fire Nation, it was his duty to do such a thing. Gently spreading the sheet, he wrapped the sheet around the corpse in the most gentle of ways, as if afraid that he might hurt her. She was after all a princess of the Fire Nation, and it's his duty to return her home with dignity.
" Alright, let's go...I don't suppose any of you kids, want to help carry her ? " Shin asked, blankly he asked and he didn't even need to look at them.
He got no response.
" Yeah, didn't think so. Let's go " Shin as gently as he could lifted the Princess's body over his shoulder, he steeled his nerves trying to not be bothered by the fact that he was carrying the body of a kingdom's beloved princess.
They could see that it was still dark out but Aang could see some of the signs that the sun was rising indicating that they had been asleep for a while now.
The walk to Kazumi's place was quiet and uneventful. It wasn't like anybody was in the mood to talk with their recent discovery. They had all woken up to a horrific sight and none of them knew what to say.
It didn't take long to get back to Kazumi's place with Shin leading them at the front. The lead tracker stopping with the body a few meters from the house.
" You guys go ahead and talk to her. I'll stay here with the body...doubt Kazumi would want a corpse in her house " Shin said. Aang nodded in agreement as he and the others approached the house.
Aang took a deep breath as he knocked on the door to the house, he felt bad for bothering Kazumi so late but this was important and he needed to let her know about the potential danger. A few seconds later, he heard the sounds of footsteps approach the door as it opened and showed Kazumi standing there in modest sleepwear and rubbing her eyes tiredly.
" Aang ? What are you doing here at this late hour ? " Kazumi let out a yawn as he greeted them.
" Kazumi, I'm so sorry to bother you at this late hour...but I wanted to let you know that you and your daughter may not be safe in this forest " Aang said it right away, a solemn look on his face.
" What do you mean ? What's wrong ? " Kazumi asked, clearly confused.
" We um...found the girl we were looking for but she's..." Katara didn't finish, glancing back at Shin who was waiting for them.
" Oh... that's terrible" Kazumi simply said in shock.
" We think that Fire Lady got to her, so we don't think it's safe for you here " Sokka explained " We think you should leave your house and-"
" I'm afraid that is unnecessary " Kazumi cut him off surprising the Gaang.
" Kazumi, you don't understand, this Fire Lady is dangerous. She's killed once and she will kill again most likely..." Aang tried to explain.
" And I appreciate your concern Avatar, but me and my daughter are completely safe here " Kazumi cut him off again " My family has lived on this patch of land for generations and have never been harrassed by any of the spirits living in this forest "
" But-"
" Aang, its okay..." Kazumi put her hand on his shoulder and Aang felt a strange calming presence from Kazumi " We'll be okay here, go back and do what you must "
Aang looked back at his team who seemed to be in agreement.
" Alright, just remember to stay safe okay ? "
" Likewise "
The Gaang wished Kazumi the best as they walked back to Shin who was patiently waiting for them.
" You done ? " Shin asked impatiently " Good, then let's move and get back to your bison. We still have some time before the sun rises and the residents of Hira'a wake up. I'd rather we be discreet, I'll send out a messenger hawk ahead to bring news to the palace...I'll prefer to not face the Fire Lord while he's still ignorant about the princess's fate."
No arguments there, as they all followed Shin back to Hira'a. In no time at all, they managed to get back to Appa, a small stop at the nearest place Hira'a has to resupply and sent a messenger hawk, small bit of time to rest.
Barely a word was spoken the entire way, the body wrapped in white cloth that was laid down at the very back of the saddle spoke for the whole atmosphere of the group.
The trip gave Aang plenty of time to think about what Zuko and the family will have to see, a letter about Azula is one thing but to see it for themselves is another. He looked at Katara, her expression as forlorn as he is, a thousand things were ringing in her head. None of them thought that this is how it ended with Azula, just a burnt corpse in the middle of a forsaken forest.
They always thought that if she had died she would have...fought. A warrior's death, dignified and graceful. She was gracious enough to help secure the return of Fire Lady Ursa, but at what cost?
Deep inside, he wished that Azula returned well. Not like this.
Ursa watched Kiyi play with Zuko, as Ikem stood beside her, now having to need a cane to walk due to the effects of the poison. Mai and Ty Lee was gracious enough to come to the occasion, nothing eventful had happen but for Ursa, having everyone to just have fun and relax is eventful enough as they sat at the base of the cherry blossom tree, Mai humming to her own tune, her eyes closed as her pale skin was protected by the shadows of the cherry blossom, she always took pride of her paleness for some reason to which Ursa found it odd.
"Be careful Kiyi, mother turtle duck is going to be angry if you touch her babies." Ursa chimed in, happily just watching Kiyi and Zuko play with one another.
"No she won't." Kiyi replied with a big smile on her face with a turtle duck baby sitting at the top of her head while another slept on her lap, the mother turtle duck seemed to be unafraid as it relaxed next to Kiyi.
Zuko was also swarmed with turtle ducks, wanting their share of bread that he so graciously brought to attract them and earned their trust, laughing in delight as the bread disappeared in the matter of seconds from the swarm of beaks and quacks. He looked to his side to see Ty Lee practicing her acrobatics at the branches of the Cherry Blossom tree, he was secretly hoping that the branch would break and she would fall off, that would be a laugh that even Mai perhaps would show.
He stood up as the turtle ducks cleared from him, approaching Ikem and his mother. He greeted them with a smile. "Hey, Ikem how are you doing?" He asked the man.
Ikem acknowledged his concern and showed a smile. "I'm fine, Fire Lord. Still strong enough." He chuckled as he assured Zuko.
Zuko patted his back as he then moved next to his mother, now them both observing the relaxing women and the playing child. "It's been awhile where we gathered to just relax and play, haven't had that in awhile." Ursa starts and Zuko nods in agreement.
"It is, I missed this you know? Before all the responsibilities came up, I value what little time we had whenever I take a break once in a while." Zuko said to her. "It's just different, you see me at the office and we eat together at dinner but having time together without having responsibilities is just completely different." He says and Ursa could just nod in agreement.
"Yes, it takes me back when you were younger, just you and Azula playing with the turtle ducks." Ursa says, Zuko's smile was about to disappear knowing the topic of Azula always leads to them having to assure themselves that she will return, but this time Ursa kept her smile on. Perhaps there will be a time that Ursa could live again, even if she never gets to see Azula again, as long as she is safe and happy wherever she is, that's enough for her.
Ursa returned admiring the view, the smile never leaving until they noticed a guard conversing with another and handed an envelope to the other. For some reason to Ursa, the atmosphere suddenly changed, like a strange Deja vu like as if she has been here before, years ago when Azula and Zuko were still so very young, playing with the turtle ducks under the Cherry Blossom tree, as she and Ozai observed their children of which for once there was normalcy in their lives.
The guard approached them, and she and Zuko turned their attention to him. With a formal bow, presented a black envelope, the candle seal on the front with the symbol of the Fire Nation awaiting to be opened. Now for Ursa this seemed familiar, when she was still a young heiress standing next to Ozai as they observed their children, a smile on Ozai's face as he watched Azula intently, knowing that talent she will bring forth for the family. The day was still young, the clouds hovered over as a guard came to them with the same black envelope and the same candle seal of the Fire Nation in the front. To bring word that Lu Ten, the young prince, the beloved grandson and nephew and heir to the throne was dead at the siege of Ba Sing Se.
"What's this if I may ask?" Ursa asked on what was supposed to be Zuko's question.
"A letter from Hira'a, with the seal of the Yuan and be directed to the palace, my lady." The guard formally answered, the envelope still waiting to be taken.
Ursa's lips trembled, reluctant to even touch the letter as if it was poison to touch. An assuring hand of Zuko puts her trembling hand down as he took the letter for himself and smiled at the guard, hiding his nervousness.
"Thank you, you may go back to your post now." Zuko says and the guard immediately left the family to their own, Mai and Ty Lee now aware on what's happening and approached them.
"What's going on?" The cheerful acrobat asked as Zuko opened the letter, Ursa carefully observed Zuko's eyes, the slightest twitch and the widening of his pupils made the anxious heart inside her grow even more. Her hands couldn't stop shaking as each sentence that Zuko had read made his eyes widened in what seems to be grief, guilt and sadness.
She didn't even realize that her eyes were starting to get wet and she had to blink rapidly, Zuko giving the letter to her as he left the garden with the excuse that he needed to rest, Mai followed him but commanded Ty Lee to stay with Ursa and Ikem, Kiyi still ignorant as she continued on playing with the animals.
Ursa gathered the courage to see the contents, to see for herself.
To Lord Fire Lord Zuko and his family.
I regret to inform you that Princess Azula of the Fire Nation - it felt unnatural for Ursa to read such a letter. That a mother would have to read such a thing.
has passed away in the forest of Hira'a - she couldn't stop blinking, everything felt unnatural. It felt like a dream, Azula? Azula is out there, hiding. Safe, perhaps planning.
we found her - planning to go back home, perhaps realize that she has mistaken -
her body charred - planning to collude, and connive with someone to retake the throne that she thought was hers.
wrapped in a white cloth - It's unnatural, tears shouldn't be coming out from her eyes, reading about such a thing. Nature didn't intend this, mothers are not supposed to read such things, about their babies being dead before them, that they have to bury them. It's unnatural for a parent to experience such a thing, to realize that what they had protected and loved supposed to love is gone.
to be sent soon as possible - No parent should have to bury their own child.
Ursa couldn't take it anymore as she collapsed in grief and sobbed.
1 day later...
Ursa held the crown close, a chair inside Azula's room, Ikem and Kiyi already slept in but she decided to stay up and be with her daughter. Brought forth by the avatar earlier this day, she couldn't handle it. She doesn't want to see it, the burnt corpse of what she held dear. She lifted her arms up and poured herself a glass to blunt the pain.
Is it because I'm a monster, mother?
Azula's words kept on repeating inside her mind. "Servant!" Ursa called to the closed door, the servant then opened the door, a tray of wine and glass as she tried to pour in one for the mourning mother but Ursa raised her hand. "Just leave the bottle be." She commanded and the servant nods, with a soft and respecting bow, left the former firelady to herself.
It's true! You never loved me! I heard it from you! You told Lo that you wished that you ended your pregnancy with me-
She took a large gulp of wine, trying to snap herself out from the painful memories. Ursa held her head tightly, pulling some hair on the way as she tried to numb that terrifying feeling.
"Azula, Azula, Azula, Azula."
She kept on repeating her name as the dam inside her broke, tears came out from her eyes, gripping her head tightly knowing that the last moments she had with Azula were insufferable, a mother should not have laid hand to a pleading daughter after she had begged to be loved, a mother should not have said empty words to a daughter that she had willingly left behind. And now she is gone.
"Azula, please come back! It hurts!" Ursa cried out, as she hugged her daughter's broken crown. The servants entering the room to console the grieving mother.
It hurts...It hurts.
Fire Nation Morgue
Zuko looked down on the half burnt body of his once beloved sister as it rested on the table while the doctor finished his examination, he had already asked so many questions to him.
His eyes was puffy as he looked at every detail. Agni was merciful that Azula's beautiful face was spared from being beyond recognition, her eyes were closed, untouched from the fire that killed her, the edges of her forehead and cheeks suffering the brunt of it, but at least her nose, brows and soft lips were spared, but the rest were just black and red from burnt skin and exposed muscles. He wasn't expecting anything like this, he hadn't had even thought despite all the wars and fights that Azula has been in, that at the end it will be him that is going to bury a sister. He didn't even get to say how much he loved her truly. She couldn't see it, but perhaps the truth that he didn't show it to her on how a brother should love.
Brothers do not lock their sisters in asylum in a straight jacket to be sedated while rarely visiting, only uttering words that if she is 'fine' she'll be in the palace and be a 'family' again. While she on the other hand had shown that she had loved him, helped him when he was down when his mother wasn't there, encouraged to not give up; even if in Azula's twisted way of competition, she still showed that she cared especially when she asked nothing back when she spared no second helping him in search of their mother.
"Did she suffer?" Zuko asked out of the blue, his voice was soft. The doctor can basically can hear that cry that he held back inside his throat. "Was her death slow and painful?" He asked more in detail. He wanted to know, to find any solace around her death. Perhaps he was being naïve, he already knew. He was after all the Fire Lord and no pain can be as slow as fire.
The doctor adjusted his glasses and gave an answer. "I didn't see any or detect any damage that says her internal organs were harmed, sixth degree burns such as this usually means that her death was..." The doctor's voice trailed off inside Zuko's head, he didn't even hear much from him other than telling that Azula has been burned and likely too long before she had died.
Zuko's hand slowly crept up, touching one of Azula's burnt fingers as if hoping that Azula will comeback to life and vindicate him from his guilt. "Azula..." Zuko groaned, something inside him died inside. He couldn't compare the painful sting that his heart is feeling, never once that something could be so much more painful than the night mother had left.
"I'm sorry, Azula...my sister, you're supposed to be at the palace, safe and sound now you're..." He couldn't describe it, just the aftermath of a murder. Agni is merciful to them that they still had found Azula where the animals of the forest had not found her body and eaten from it.
The sound of the backdoor opening made Zuko at least get away from the dark thoughts he had in mind, he knew who it is. He had wondered when she would have arrived. The doctor seems to have known just by watching the young Fire Lord and left the premises to leave Zuko and the future Fire Lady to speak their thoughts with one another. Zuko didn't turn to Mai even when her footsteps approached, and even when Mai was at his side to see for herself, he didn't look at her.
"I thought you would be coming with Ty Lee." Zuko started, his eyes finally scanning on to Mai who didn't look back at him, despite the expressionless face that she usually holds, the puffiness of her eyes gave her emotions away.
"She's not coming, she's out there balling her eyes out." Mai simply answered, and then they both became silent as they just observed. Mai studying Azula's body carefully, as if trying to find out whether or not this was fake, but it was real, all too real. She didn't want to admit despite looking at her face, eyes closed but pristine, spared from the ugly burns.
She began to chuckle, and then that chuckle turned into a full blown laugh as her lifts curled in anger, despite the laughter it was far from any joy. "This is cruel joke..." She continued laughing as if she heard the funniest that she had ever heard and she rarely laughs. "Alright, Azula you had your laugh, come off your saddle now you got us!"
Zuko turned to him, his arms trying to hold her to comfort her but she rebuffed his advances as she harshly pulled away. "Mai...Azula is-"
"No! Did Azula put you up to this?! No...this has to be some kind of trick...or lie she's come up with" Mai backed away "She's trying to trick us all, can't you see ?"
Zuko approached her still, regardless of Mai's outburst. He had no words for her, he doesn't have any. "Mai...Azula is dead-" He says but her ears didn't accept it, she didn't accept it, it had to be a trick. Azula was far too clever to die so easily in a measly forest.
"NO! The Azula that I knew wouldn't have been killed so easily! She wouldn't have allowed herself to die inside an Agni forsaken forest! She has too much pride for that." She yelled out, the tears starting to come out. She couldn't believe it, that she is crying over her, the one thing that she swore would never do. Promises are so easily broken.
She felt her knees weak and Zuko took her in his arms as they both wept. He had a mission, that he was supposed to bring Azula back home of which they can be a family together. He had completed his mission at last...
Just not in the way he wanted to.
The funeral for Princess Azula was set just a few days later. Tradition dictated that when the Fire Lord or member of the royal family died, the Fire Sages would prepare their funeral right away. Zuko wanted to delay it since he wanted Uncle to be here too, but seeing as he was all the way in Ba Sing Sae and the Fire Sages were pushing for him to allow Azula's funeral to take place. Advisor Jiang insisted on the funeral being kept as quiet and personal as possible, since he was worried that releasing the sudden news about Princess Azula's death may not be...well-received.
One of the few pieces of advice Zuko had actually heeded from the old advisor.
Those who were in attendance were few, since it was only the Fire Sages, Zuko, Ursa and her family, Mai and Ty Lee, the Gaang and even Lo and Li showed up after hearing about the death of Azula.
The body of Azula...after seeing how bad the fire damage was, the Fire Sages thought it would be better that they cover her face in a white veil. Her body already laid atop of the wood and dressed in ceremonial robes.
The funeral was a quiet affair with only light sobbing heard among the guests.
Ursa was crying with Ikem doing his best to comfort her, Ty Lee was crying into Mai's shoulder while the knife thrower pulled her closer into a hug. Zuko was sitting with the Gaang who were quietly respectful at the service.
" Well, if this isn't a fine collection of traitors and cowards assembled at my daughter's funeral " A voice broke through the silence.
All eyes turned to one man escorted by two guards, his only form of restraints is a pair of cuffs on his wrists. The former Phoenix King Ozai had been escorted to Azula's funeral, dressed in some more formal garbs to make himself look a bit more presentable for his daughter's funeral. His expression was one of the few that were one of seriousness.
" What is he doing here ? " Ursa practically hissed.
The Fire Sage stepped up to explain " Tradition dictates that all members of the royal family are present, I thought it best to have some men collect Princess Azula's father-"
" You do not have that authority to make that decision " Zuko glared at the old man, who glared right back.
" Then perhaps next time you should handle your own guest list for who may attend your sister's funeral pyre " Fire Sage Hiroshi bit back.
" Guys, come on, let's not do this here " Aang stepped in stop an argument before it could get heated.
" Ever the pacifist Avatar, I see you still feel the need to spread your dead culture's teachings wherever you go " Ozai glared at the boy " Shame that for all your power, you couldn't save my daughter-"
SLAP !
The former Phoenix King was cut off when Ursa walked up to him and slapped him across the face. Ozai looked barely fazed as he looked down at the face of his angry ex-wife.
" You don't deserve to be here and pretend you cared about her..." Ursa said, venom and anger in her tone.
The Phoenix Lord's eyes flashed of something angry and Zuko was worried that he might try to attack Ursa...but instead he of course, went for his preferred weapon of choice after losing his bending. His cutting words.
" You are without a doubt the last person to say something like that to me " Ozai spit back " You are the one who CHOSE to leave behind your daughter. Criticize the way I raised Azula all you want, but at least I can say that I KNEW my daughter when she was still alive. You on the other hand are merely mourning the loss of a girl you cut ties with a long time and are now just feeling guilty over all the past mistakes you have committed. Hurts, does it not ? "
Ursa stepped back as if she had been stabbed, looking like she wanted to yell something back at Ozai...only to be dumbfounded.
Some part of her knew that Ozai was right, that she never knew her daughter, her likes, her traits, anything about her as a person...the sick part that she hates is the fact that Ozai may very well have known more than her and she hates it almost as much as she hates herself.
Ozai hadn't even laid a finger on Ursa...yet she was the one who felt as though she got punched in the gut and slapped.
" All of you are hypocrites and pretenders...sitting here acting as if any of you actually knew my daughter " Ozai said loudly to everyone in attendance " Out of all you, I am the only one who knew my daughter and tried to bring the very best out of her..."
Nobody bothers to rise and give a rebuttal to the Ozai's claim, either too tired, too uninvolved or genuinely stuck on what to say.
" If you are both done, then may I please move on to giving the Princess, her last rites ? " Fire Sage Hiroshi interrupted. Looking not in the mood to deal with either of them.
Ozai turned away as he faced the pyre " Of course, continue "
The Fire Sages cleared his throat as he began to speak to the small group of people gathered.
" We are here today to part with the great Princess Azula's soul, a fire within her that grew hotter than the sun itself. Whose heart held an ambition that reached the sky, with a sharp mind that impressed many at a young age and one of the only firebenders known to bend blue fire...the Fire Nation has truly lost a great spirit this day..."
Ursa sobbed into Ikem's shoulder as the Fire Sages lit up the pyre. The flames quickly consuming Azula's body.
" Princess Azula, may your flames carry you into peace and beyond, into the warmth of our lord Agni..." The Fire Sages finished.
They all watched with varying reactions, some cried, some were respectfully quiet...while others like Ozai just watched.
" Take me back to my cell...I've seen enough..." Ozai said quietly.
The guards didn't have any arguments, but followed Ozai's commands. Mai fidgeted a little as he passed by her...and stopped by her.
" Didn't expect to see you of all people here..." Ozai said calmly and almost emotionlessly " You don't have to sit here and pretend you actually cared about her anymore..."
Mai looked down at the ground, thinking of what to say in a situation like this.
" We may not have been friends anymore... "
Ozai stopped and turned back to Mai. Who gave him a sad look.
" But I still cared about her, you know..."
" Did she know that ?" Ozai questioned and Mai didn't answer as he was led away.
Mai hoped to Agni that she did now at least.
Ozai had been silently sitting in his cell, after the guards brought him back, he had simply sat down on the stone floor and thought about everything that had transpired.
Azula was dead. His daughter dead. Gone from this world and never to return.
He had trained Azula himself, molded her into perfection, taught her all the necessary tools and knowledge she would need to survive in this world. He had long given up on Zuko, but he had hoped that at least one of his children would be able to one day take his place as Fire Lord. Azula was his pride and joy, his accomplishment and now she is gone from this world. Forever.
Ozai breathed in...and breathed out. It was a strange feeling he had never experienced before. A foreign one that was for certain.
He hadn't shed a tear for his bastard of a father when Ursa killed him, but he did feel a kind of loss for his daughter. Not quite sadness but...something at least.
The former Phoenix King glanced his head up when he saw the door to his cell open up and the guard from before carrying something. He didn't speak a word as the man laid a tray at his feet, but Ozai noticed something was off since there was a bottle of wine and a glass to go along with his dinner.
" Wine ? " Ozai raised an eyebrow at the guard.
" A gift from Minister Jiang...he sends his condolences for your loss " The guard explained.
Ozai lets out a snort of amusement at Jiang's attempt at pity, but still it is not one that is unappreciated. He reached out and poured himself a cup. Downing it in one go, eventually he put the cup down and just grabbed the bottle. Taking one big gulp of the alcohol and letting the wine burn in his throat.
He let out a sigh, he felt so damn tired...
Ozai was silent for a few moments, pondering what he should do next. To the point where the guard became uncomfortable with the silence between them.
" My lord ? What is your will ? " The guard asked.
"...Get me out of this cell. I think its time for me to leave this humble abode at last and take proper control " Ozai ordered, getting up and stretching his legs.
The guard didn't waste a moment, taking out a key and opening up the cell. Ozai took a deep breath as he exited the cell, it was good to be out at last.
" Come we have much work to do " Ozai said as he exited the room and greeted by the two guards stationed outside his cell.
" My lord, have you finally returned to us ? " The guardsman asked excitedly.
" Yes, my loyal soldiers...your ruler has returned " Ozai spoke calmly " Order all the guards to come with us, no point leaving you all here since I imagine the Avatar would have enough sense to question you all on my disappearance "
" Of course, my lord " The guard turned to his companion " Alert the others and get them ready to move out "
" And burn this place to the ground while you're at it " Ozai ordered.
" But sir...won't that alert your son at the palace about your escape ? " The guard asked concerningly.
" Exactly. I want him to know " Ozai clarified as he walked away.
As Ozai walked outside the prison for the first time in so long, he felt a strange sense of relief as he looked up at the moon shining down on him and felt the gentle breeze on his face. The feeling of the dirt under his boot.
Ozai allowed himself to smile a little, it felt good to be back.
The former Fire Lord watched with vested interest as his men lit the prison he had been kept in for so long on fire. He let out a chuckle, thinking that Azula would have wanted to personally been around to watch the fire.
" Sir, we have prepared a carriage for you, we can take you to one of the bases we've established " One of the guards from before told him.
" Excellent, let us be underway, it won't take long for somebody to notice the smoke and send someone " Ozai agreed as he and his men loaded up on carriages and began making their way to a safe place.
By the time anybody had noticed the smoke rising in the distance from the palace, it would have already been too late and they would be far away.
As Ozai looked at the burning tower for one last time as smoke rose into the air, he briefly thought about his daughter.
It was time for the real work to begin.
Well...I'd say this is one of those situations where shit went from like 10 to a 100 real fucking fast.
I'll be honest, Azula's funeral has been in the works for a while now, it is something of a pivotal moment for this story and I hope that we have managed to deliver the emotional sucker punch that all of the FN family is feeling right now.
And I hope that by showing this chapter, I have helped shown the full extent Kazumi's actions have. I'll leave it to you all to debate whether her actions are right or wrong.
The next chapter will be a tie-in to this one and be another major point for this story so stay tuned !
:)
With that said, I will see you all in the next one.
Angel Out.