Ashes of the Phoenix
Series: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Rating: M
Summary:
In every story, Azula is a terrifying presence, thriving on fear and control. She didn't choose this path but neither family nor foe gave her much choice. When she ended up in an unexplored forest, the spirits gave the former princess a second chance. Will she try to reclaim her past or aim for a new future? What flame will ignite from the ashes?
Author's Note:
Welcome one and all to my first Avatar: The Last Airbender story. I won't bore you with too many details, but I wanted to make some quick notes. First, the timeline takes place several years after the original series. The events of The Search never happen meaning Ursa hasn't been found yet, though she will play a major role in the future.
This story will center around Azula finding finality in her identity post-A: TLA and forging her path. This is a project I've wrestled with for as long as I can remember and this, along with a few others, will be for the enjoyment of myself and those who find this story to be to their tastes.
If you read this and find that you don't like it, feel free to move on to something that piques your interest. Don't bother wasting either of our time writing flames.
Chapter 1: Scattered Cinders
After the 100-year war, the world began to heal. Though it would take time, the new Fire Lord, Zuko, has made strides over the years alongside his friends. With their aid and council, the four nations' recovery efforts were showing promise. However, while things abroad were positive, not everything at home would yield such results.
This isn't the story of Zuko's efforts to rebuild the trust of the other nation, however. This tale revolves around a certain disgraced princess, a former aristocrat turned fugitive. When she lost her right to the crown, Azula lost so much more than her status. She lost her very identity, and it was all their fault!
The Avatar. The water tribe peasants. That blind girl. Her so-called friends. Even that face-painted warrior played a part in the demise of her birthright.
Yet, the most egregious culprit was none other than her flesh and blood.
After several escape attempts, it was by his order that she was sent from the Fire Nation asylum to some prison in Ba Sing Se. She was no stranger to knowledge of the Dai Li and their methods of "rehabilitation".
But she refused to let that happen.
She was Azula!
Only she could decide her destiny...
Not her brother
Not her father...
Azula swore, despite her "fragile" mind, that she would be the author of her story from that moment on.
And that story started tonight
Just keep running! Keep running!
These words were the only thing that kept the young woman pushing onward as she ran away. Under the blue sky above, bathed in the rays of a full moon and the stars, she ran through the endless field, ignoring the cries and warnings of the soldiers. Azula knew better than to heed their words though, it was nothing more than their futile attempts to trick her, just like him.
Like Zuko...
The Fire Lord had mentioned her sudden execution after 5 years of imprisonment.
Even with the protest of their uncle, the last person she'd expect to see value in her life, her elder brother ordered her death without hesitation. Her heart clenched from the combination of such an agonizing revelation and the continuous journey that brought her to this moment. Her body ached and her lungs burned with each passing breath, her prison uniform enveloping her courtesy of the frigid sweat produced.
As pain coursed through Azula's body, she continued to ignore the cries to return to her fate. She was the daughter of the former Fire Lord, Ozai. She was perfection personified. Her fire was a rare blue color, a testament to her divine right to rule. She was the one who was born lucky!
Perhaps, your luck has finally run out?
The voice in her head continued to torment Azula as she noticed a dim light growing larger by the second. Against her judgment, golden eyes turned only momentarily to find a massive ball of fire above. She halted her escape, rolling to the side and narrowly avoiding the impact of the ball of flame. In her shock, she wondered if running away was genuinely worth it.
Had Azula stayed, she would've, no doubt, been executed on account of her commitment to being difficult. None of the quack doctors could get through to her. No amount of kind words could dissuade the young woman from her ramblings of insanity. Half a decade and she was no closer to being "cured". Even her father had refused to talk with her any longer, having resigned to his fate in prison for his attempt at conquest.
"I won't turn out like him..." she gasped, barely able to conjure a spark from her assertion.
Each breath was labored, cutting into her throat and organs for daring to summon oxygen. Her body began to convulse as she hauled herself to her feet. With a foggy mind and her vision blurry, somehow Azula could make out what appeared to be a forest. If only she could... No, she WOULD make it. Even if she died within this unknown location, it would be better than dying at her brother's behest.
She would never give Zuko the satisfaction of seeing her broken.
"Stop her!" her ears picked up the voice of a fire nature soldier crying out from the hill behind her. "Don't let her get away!"
Had they read her mind or was it something else that worried them? Azula wouldn't wait to ask them, forcing herself to ignore the pain of her bruised and bloodied feet. The soft grass felt like knives beneath her soles but the former princess bit back the tears and pressed on. Even when her pursuers opened fire on her, she disregarded the heat and pain swarming around her.
All that mattered was the goal she'd achieve...
"STOP RIGHT THERE, AZULA!"
Hearing that voice, her eyes somehow regained their golden hue, flaring with spite as she pushed herself harder than before. She scorned the warning, rageful tone of the one who put her in this position, to begin with. Her heart swelled when the open sky now became shrouded by a dark cave that gave way to a canopy of trees. She hadn't recalled moving any further after hearing the harsh tone of her estranged brother.
"I... I..." she wheezed to herself, stumbling deeper into the unknown. "I made it?"
Azula could barely make out her surroundings, but she knew that she was safe; At least such a notion was accurate with her pursuers. If the desperation of the soldiers was anything to go by, she might be able to die in peace in the depths of this region.
Peace...
Such a word made her stomach cringe... or was it from how far she pushed herself?
Why should Azula care?
Nobody else did... From Mai to Ty Lee to her father to... Azula paused when she thought of the old man who once put his all into raising Zuko. Her uncle was annoying, but thinking about the man drew the tiniest of grins on her face. Alone with her thoughts, she'd finally admit the truth of her circumstance. If it wasn't for Iroh's aid during her transport, the disgraced princess would be on her way to the executioner's block at this very moment.
"Thank you... Uncle." her cracked lips gave way to a bitter grin. "Even if only for your bumbling tales."
Her voice felt like she'd been drinking sand but she couldn't care less about the circumstances. The one person she expected to side with her brother had shown that he did love her as well. It was he who came to visit her during the past few years. She initially rejected his company, choosing to keep her back to the old man throughout his attempts to ignite dialogue.
...yet, he never stopped coming...
Such kindness wasn't reserved for someone like her, a monster. Whether in chains or trapped in a straitjacket, it always appeared that the Dragon of the West never looked at her as anything other than his beloved niece. She convinced herself that it was a trick, perhaps to get Azula to lower her guard for the final blow that would extinguish her soul's flame once and for all.
But...
Even with every reason conjured in that twisted mind of hers, Iroh never lifted a finger against her. It was a weakness... she felt a familiar scratchiness in her throat that prayed for water.
"How... How long have I been running?" she coughed through heavy steps.
The forest surrounding Azula seemed to brighten around her, faintly glowing with an aqua hue. Thinking them to be fireflies, the fugitive princess trudged forward. By now, the sounds of guards and animals were far behind, leaving only the gentle song of crickets to accompany her. Azula would not rest, however. She knew better than to think herself completely rid of those instructed to capture her.
If they hadn't followed her by now, they were, most likely, signaling for backup: The Avatar and his friends.
The mere thought of dealing with that bald bastard and... that water tribe girl again was enough to send panic into Azula's heart. If Zuko had ventured from the palace to oversee her recapture, there was no doubt that his allies weren't far behind. On cue, she once again bolted through the various trees, missing the eyes of the many creatures that called this place home. One such pair watched with curiosity before shifting back into the shadows.
"I think I hear something!" a feminine voice ripped through the dark woodland. "I can feel her footsteps! She's heading north!"
The sounds of a rowdy voice grew louder, pushing Azula to run faster than she'd ever run before. A torrential gust of air clipped her heel, but she wouldn't stop. Even though she wanted nothing more than to pass out, it was nothing more than her defiant will at this point. She refused to be taken back; Dying in this wretched place was better than awaiting the judgment of her brother or the Avatar.
"Slow down, Toph!" another voice wheezed in the distance.
The blind girl?! Dammit!
"She went this way!" the voice of Toph drew closer, accompanied by a few shifts of the earth beneath her feet. "We're getting closer!"
Azula's voice caught in her throat, just as the ground began to shake violently a few inches from her heel. The tremors continued as if the earth itself was trying to grab the exhausted girl, but she managed to stay just out of harm's way by sheer luck. However, the blurriness in her vision revealed how close she had come to danger. Despite the danger, Azula's will to survive kept her going.
As she rounded the corner, not only would her fear be confirmed, but she would also be shocked as her final act of defiance was met with a burning sensation along the right side of her body. The tiny embers mingled with the rags and rags of her faded, red prison uniform. Every inhalation was accompanied by a new wave of pain. Azula lay near a tree, half-asleep, and tears burned her eyes for the very first time since the nightmare night. The perfect little girl began to unravel.
She stayed on the ground, scorched and motionless her body aching. The frigid earth did nothing to ease the pain, keeping her conscious of every aching part of her tortured body. She expected her pursuers to show up at any moment, so the sound of their pursuit made her brain numb. She could vaguely hear the thudding of footsteps. Azula was only able to see a foggy image of the surroundings since her eyes wouldn't adjust.
Is... this where I die?
She was soon held in a strange but not unwanted warmth by a set of hands that quickly stretched out to her. She could barely hear her brother's tone over the angry and desperate cries, which were nothing more than jumbled syllables in her ears. It didn't matter since Azula was soon left with nothing but a quiet, soothing darkness.
Am I dead?
The young woman considered numerous worse outcomes if it were the case. She at least succeeded in depriving her brother of the gratification of putting an end to her life. Yes, he was the one who attacked her and hurt her, but it was still nice enough that she was able to depart this world on her terms. Better to die in the filthy woods than on Zuko's orders at the executioner's block...
As she drifted into unconsciousness, Azula couldn't help but smile as fear and trepidation melted away.
Meanwhile, Fire Lord Zuko was enraged, his bad eye twitching at the prospect of losing his sister. This was, in his opinion, the worst imaginable conclusion. There was no sign of the young woman whatsoever as they scanned the place Toph had taken them to. His thoughts raced before he directed his soldiers to scour the area.
"I thought you said she was here, Toph?!"
"She was!" the blind earthbender fired back, her jaw slacking at the revelation that no one was there. "I sensed her body hit the ground before we arrived. It doesn't make sense!"
"Maybe you made a mistake?" Sokka added, equally flabbergasted at the disappearance of the former princess.
Just before Zuko was able to lash out at the girl, Katara stepped in. Instead of judging the ruler, she gave him a sympathetic look, demonstrating that while his frustrations were understandable, they did not call for such a rant. She was the only one who could relate to him. Azula had been pushed by both of them during Sozin's comet years before, and she was dismayed by how things had turned out now that it had been so long.
"I know we're all irritated, but fighting amongst ourselves isn't going to solve things!" she warned, peering over her shoulder at her friends and allies. "We've been at this for several days now and we're not going to fix things by starting an argument. Aang, can you sense anything?"
With a perplexed look, the Airbender shook his head as he lit a. The sudden departure of one of their most formidable adversaries bewildered him, as it did the others. Nothing about it makes sense! He glanced at the area as those words echoed in his thoughts. While he had no proof, something in his chest throbbed as if demanding that he accept the reality.
Aang lost all ability to concentrate due to the smell of burning flesh combined with the stench of blood. The rotten stink reminded him of the horrible conditions Azula had endured all these years every time he tried to focus on the mission. The monk nearly felt compelled to feel sorry for her situation, but his sane mind cautioned him against being overly sympathetic to someone like Azula.
You know what it is... Don't you, Aang?
What?
"Aang!" The monk shook his head, now free from the contemplative trance, noticing Katara staring into his eyes with worry. Her palms rested on either side of his face, drawing a tired sigh. "Is something wrong?"
"I... I think I'm just exhausted. We've been chasing her for days now, I mean..."
"It's alright, sweetie!" she hugged the boy tightly, noticing how tense he was. "We'll find her and we can end this hunt. If we fan out, there's a good chance we can corner her."
"How can you be so sure, Katara?"
Again, the attention was drawn to one of the few non-benders, Sokka. While he was normally the comic relief, the light-hearted one of the group, the water tribe warrior's face held nothing remotely close to his usual attitude. Like Aang, Toph, and Zuko, he was worn out from their travels.
"What are you trying to say?!"
"We've been at this for days," Sokka cracked his neck, groaning at the cracking sound in hopes of relief. "The fact that neither Aang nor Toph can pick up her presence is nothing to just shrug off. Azula is crafty, that we can all agree on. Still, I doubt she has anything in her arsenal that could conceal her existence like this, let alone in some mysterious forest we've never stepped foot in before!"
"Are you suggesting...?"
Sokka bowed his head with a grunt.
"It goes against everything I stand for, but I think we might be dealing with something beyond our current understanding. Even Aang is stumped and it's never a good thing when THE AVATAR can't figure out spiritual matters. Maybe it would be best if we..."
"We are not giving up, Sokka!"
"We'd be halfway to Ba Sing Se by now if someone hadn't mentioned 're-education' along the way..."
Now the frustration was beginning to show for Katara as she moved away from her beloved. She jabbed a digit into her brother's chest, though it did little to sway his resolve. Under the light of the various flames, dark circles were visible underneath each of their eyes. Being deprived of rest was nothing new to the gang as they'd dealt with this before, each one knowing what was to come if they didn't heed the discolored warning soon.
"Nobody's suggesting we give up," a now calm Fire Lord Zuko interrupted. "But, I think Sokka could be right. We need to regroup and plot our next move. There's no telling what this place contains, and none of us will last long if we don't take care of ourselves..."
"I have to agree with Zuko..." Aang yawned lazily, followed by Toph.
Katara was taken aback by the firebender's sudden change in mood. She wondered if he was giving up until she realized that Zuko was slumped over, clearly affected by the chaos of Azula's escape. The gravity of their actions, or lack thereof, was not lost on her.
When the sentence was handed down, Zuko begrudgingly suggested going with the transport team to ensure Azula's secure journey to the execution site. However, the fire sages vetoed the idea citing his connection to his sister. Due to his relation to her, it was advised that Zuko distance himself from her at all costs for fear of risking the support of the nation. Iroh was against this, but ultimately, the once-banished prince chose to listen to the elders.
What a mistake that was.
Reports of Azula's getaway wouldn't reach the capital for several days and it was only thanks to the efforts of Sokka's map-making skills and Toph's seismic sense that they were able to locate her at all. Sadly, this was all they had to show for their efforts. Katara couldn't blame him or anyone for that matter; None of them could've foreseen this outcome, only suspect.
With heavy resignation, Katara pinched the bridge of her nose.
"If spirits are responsible for her disappearance, then there's not much we can do except head back. Sokka, what can you tell us about this place?"
"Nothing much, only that the only known entrance was the cave we came through. The surrounding area is far too treacherous to travel on foot and there's not much that I can tell beyond that. Toph?"
"I'm not sensing another exit for miles in this god-forsaken place either," the self-proclaimed greatest earthbender announced. "If this is the only way in or out, maybe we could set up some guards to keep watch just in case she wanders out."
Zuko considered the short girl's proposal. The prospect of Azula possibly wandering into a trap wasn't like her, but, his guilt reminded him of the attack that injured her. He hated having to do it, but he felt there was no other choice. Still, with his responsibilities, he couldn't waste time on a futile hunt. With a groan, he made his way down the path they came.
"I'll ask Suki if the Kyoshi Warriors can lend their aid. With her and Ty Lee leading things, they could have a chance to investigate further while we rest. Besides, we can't ignore the four-nation summit coming up."
Everyone stopped talking when the conference was brought up. Aang and Zuko were required to attend, as they represented their respective elements and people. However, the situation was more complicated with the Water Tribe, and no one wanted to discuss it further until they had a good night's sleep at least.
"Then it's agreed. We'll meet with Suki once we return."
Finality.
Zuko's words lacked the anger and exhaustion he had shown before. Since there was no evidence of Azula being dead or alive, he could only assume that she was still alive and hiding somewhere in this unfamiliar territory. He decided to let her continue living for now. As he walked past his friends, he couldn't help but wonder if she was okay. The fact that she might still be alive made him feel somewhat relieved.
He never wanted his sister Azula to be executed, unlike a certain man. If it weren't for the unanimous vote by the sages, he would have continued trying to reach out to her, despite all the fights, taunts, lies, and spite. Despite their tumultuous relationship, he loved Azula and wished the best for her. However, she was always difficult and refused to let her fate be in the hands of others.
If she indeed left this world, he may never believe such a notion. Not when an undeniable truth remained.
"Azula always lies..."
"Did you say something?"
Zuko shook his head, hoping the Water Tribe girl would drop the topic.
A headache was building up inside him, and he knew that a good night's sleep wouldn't be enough to ease it. He had a feeling that he was going to face trouble when he returned, but he didn't want to think about it right now. The rest of the group followed his lead. The Avatar was the final occupant to exit, stopping momentarily as if sensing something. When he found nothing worthy of drawing suspicion, he headed through the doorway of the cave, allowing the forest to return to its original serenity.
He somehow missed the figure that emerged, holding the young woman in his arms. He'd been veiled in the very shadows that adorned the region all this time. His kind eyes landed on her as he observed how her face was torn in silent misery. He wasted no time in venturing farther into the depths after seeing the extent of the perspiration and blood that coated her face.
A chorus of crickets and fireflies revealed the natural beauty around them as if guiding the young man through the maze of trees. The stench of blood faded away with every step until only the smell of lilies replaced them. Whatever the reason this woman appeared here, but such answers would have to wait until she was able and willing to divulge such information.
For now, the pair would vanish within the void.
"Azula..."
"Ngh."
"My Daughter..."
Go away! I don't want to be disturbed...
"Wake up, Azula!"
Golden eyes shot open with a jolt at the wrathful tone of her father. She sat up swiftly, finding herself in an unfamiliar environment. Gone was the enchanting gloom of the forest. It had been replaced with the stone walls of a building, most likely someone's home. It was considered humble compared to the trimmings of the palace but even she had to admit that the modest bed was a far cry better than the cold earth she collapsed on before.
This didn't mean that Azula was willing to accept things as they were.
Ever the strategist, she scanned the room for any signs of peril. All her calculating eyes picked up was a scroll sitting alongside a small bowl on the counter next to her. So, I am a prisoner? This must be my ration for the morning.
Such an assumption would find little merit when Azula tried to reach for the bowl only to pull away when a sharp pain ripped through her side. It seemed to trigger every pain receptor she had as various areas began to throb and ache. It was a reminder of what she left behind, her weakness and desperation taunting her. Years of imprisonment and mental torment flashed back, finally culminating in the most recent memory.
"Damn you, Zuzu..."
Azula made a second attempt to seize the copper bowl, which was strenuous, but she eventually succeeded in removing the lid. She had anticipated finding a meager amount of rice or some sort of food inside, but instead, she was staring at a dense, bronze-colored fluid. Uncertain of what to do with it, she carefully reached for the parchment and was appreciative that the discomfort didn't increase.
If you wake up to find this, please stay in bed. You're still wounded pretty badly.
I left to get food.
There's some medicine for you on the counter beside the bed. DRINK THE ENTIRE BOWL. It'll help with your recovery.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Tossing the message aside, Azula stared at the odd liquid once again. Her lips twisted in disgust as her mind once again began summing things up as if the simple gesture was the most complicated equation in the world. Was this medicine? Maybe this was poison... Eventually, the former princess' curiosity would get the better of her as she lifted the bowl to her lips, inhaling the soft and sweet fragrance.
"It smells... like honey?"
With a curious look, she delicately dipped her finger into the concoction, bringing it up to her lips. As the smallest dot of the drink touched her tongue, she was captivated by the taste that followed. The drink's scent perfectly matched its flavor, but there was something more to it. She could detect a lightness of herbs that mingled with the zest of spice, creating a perfect balance. The ginger and citrus in the drink were blended so well, resulting in a consistency that was both refreshing and satisfying. As she took careful sips, she savored every moment of the exquisite taste that enveloped her senses.
"I guess that rules out poison," the former princess sighed with a bitter grin. "...It would be unwise to let my guard down. Who knows what traps my savior has strewn around this dump."
"And yet, you accepted the medicine with little issue, Azula..."
That voice...
The grip of that sweet yet daunting voice from her past was far stronger than any ice construct made by a mere water tribe peasant could ever be. Azula's eyes bulged as she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Her stomach churned with the same viciousness as the day she first witnessed the person responsible for the sickeningly soothing tone that caused her pain. No one could dare to hold the young woman captive with such a grip again.
Azula clenched the sheets tighter than anything she'd ever clung to if only to ward off the nauseating feeling building in her throat.
"You're not real..." she muttered through clenched teeth. "I left you there! How did you find me?!"
"A mother's love will always find you when you need it most, Azula. Why do you insist on rejecting it?"
Once again that damnable calm shook the disgraced princess to her core. Her mind began to recall all the past events of years gone by. All of the betrayals. All of the losses. Her throne; her right to rule was stolen from her thanks to the combined efforts of her sorry excuse for a brother and the peasant as mentioned earlier girl.
She cheated...
"I recall you using dirty tactics that backfired, Azula. You were so focused on destroying them that you lost sight of your goal. I thought an Agni Kai was supposed to be honorable, not treacherous."
"STOP TALKING TO ME!"
With the fury of a dragon, Azula ripped off the thin covering, revealing what she was wearing. Rather than the dingy red prison garbs she'd been accustomed to, Azula was shocked to find herself clothed in a vibrant green silken-strewn gown. She draped her legs over the edge of the bed to find matching slippers and a robe nearby.
She put on the garments with reluctance and began to explore the dwelling. With each unsteady step, Azula could feel her heart pounding inside her throat. Her mouth went dry as she leaned against the wall for leverage. Despite feeling light-headed, she checked each room with determination and found not a single soul.
After a few moments of gracious silence, Azula's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurred. The unfamiliar ceiling above her swam into focus. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain lanced through her side. Looking down, she saw clean bandages wrapped around her torso.
"What in the...?" she muttered her throat dry and scratchy.
Gritting her teeth, Azula forced herself to her feet, hoping to avoid another unwanted conversation with her mind. The simple room spun around her, furnished only with the bed she'd been lying on and the small table from before. The window revealed a dense forest outside.
She staggered to the door, leaning heavily against the frame. The cool morning air hit her face as she stumbled onto a small porch. Her legs trembled with each step as she made her way around the modest wooden house. As she turned the corner, she noticed a young man kneeling in a garden, his back to her. He was tall and lean, with dark skin and long thick coils of hair tied in a bun. At the sound of her approach, he turned, revealing warm emerald eyes that widened in shock.
"You shouldn't be up," he spoke, quickly rising to his feet. "Your injuries-"
"Who are you?" Azula demanded, her throat ripping with every utterance. "Where am I?"
Her host held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Name's Adesoji. This is my home. You were unconscious in the forest and I brought you here to treat your wounds."
Azula eyes narrowed. "How convenient. And I suppose you expect me to believe you're just a Good Samaritan?" She tried to summon a flame in her palm, but nothing happened. Panic flashed across her face before she masked it with a scowl.
Adesoji's brow furrowed with concern. "I'm just trying to help. You were in bad shape when I found you. Please, let me-"
"I don't need your help," Azula snapped, taking a wobbly step backward. "I am Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, and I demand you release me at once!"
Instead of cowering as she expected, Adesoji crossed his arms and met her gaze steadily. "I'm not holding you captive, Princess. You're free to leave anytime. But in your condition, you wouldn't make it far in this forest."
Azula opened her mouth to retort, but a wave of dizziness washed over her. She swayed on her feet.
In an instant, Adesoji was at her side, his strong hands gently steadying her. "Easy now," he whispered, careful not to trigger a headache. "Let's get you back inside. We can talk more once you've rested."
Azula wanted to push him away, to reject his help, but her body betrayed her. She found herself leaning into his support as he guided her back toward the house. He kept a slower pace once they arrived at the stairs. Without a word, she felt her body easily lifted off the ground as Adesoji cradled her in his arms as a husband would his wife. Against the wishes of her mind, Azula found herself leaning into his chest as her senses began to give away, urging her to surrender.
"This doesn't mean I trust you," she muttered.
Adesoji chuckled lightly. "I wouldn't expect you to. But maybe, in time, you'll see I'm not your enemy."
As they entered the room, Azula cast a glance at the young man's face. Despite her suspicion, she couldn't deny the genuine concern in his eyes. It unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
The sun was setting over the Fire Nation palace, casting long shadows across the war room. Fire Lord Zuko paced back and forth, his face etched with frustration. Avatar Aan sat cross-legged on the floor, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a thoughtful frown.
"I can't believe we let her slip through our fingers!" Zuko yelled, slamming his fist on the table. "She was right there, Aang. Right there!"
Aang stood up, his voice calm but tinged with irritation. "I know, Zuko. But using more force wasn't the answer. We could've lost more than just Azula if we weren't careful. Plus we knew very little of that forest. Plus, what if we attacked innocent people that might've been nearby?"
Zuko whirled around on his toes, his good eye narrowing. "And what about the people Azula might hurt now that she's free? Have you thought about that?"
"Of course I have!" Aang shot back, his seemingly infinite patience wearing thin. "But we're supposed to be better than that. We can't just destroy everything in our path to get to her."
"Then what do you suggest?" Zuko's voice rose. "That we sit back and wait for her to cause more chaos? She's dangerous, Aang. You of all people should know that!"
Aang's tattoos flickered briefly. "I haven't forgotten what she's capable of. But I also haven't forgotten that she's your sister. There has to be another way..."
"Enough!" Katara's voice cut through their argument like a freshly sharpened sword. But men turned to see her standing in the doorway, her blue eyes flashing with determination.
She strode into the room, looking from one person to the next. "Listen to yourselves. This isn't about winning an argument. It's about finding Azula before she hurts herself or others."
Zuko opened her mouth to protest, but Katara held up a hand. "Zuko, I know you're worried about your people. Having Azula wandering around is a serious issue. And Aang, I understand your desire for a peaceful solution. But fighting each other isn't going to help us find her."
The tension in the room slowly dissipated. Zuko's shoulders slumped as he sank into a nearby seat. "You're right, Katara. I just... I feel responsible for her."
Aang placed a comforting hand on Zuko's shoulder. "We all do. We'll find her, Zuko. And when we do, we'll get her transferred to Ba Sing Se for treatment. That's our real goal here."
Katara nodded, a small smile on her face. "Exactly. Now, let's look at this map again. There must be something we've overlooked."
As they gathered around the table, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The frustration and anger were replaced by determination and hope. They were no longer the Fire Lord and the Avatar arguing over tactics. They were once more friends, united in their mission to capture the former princess of the Fire Nation.
Katara spread out the map, pointing to the forest where Azula was last seen. "We should start by gathering as much knowledge about this vast forest."