Zuko

The walk to the base was long and tiring, but at least Master Fung agreed to bring Toph along.

After the strange and shocking encounter with the white lotus member, he told Zuko that it was difficult to recognize him due to his scar, which he apologized for later due to his lack of consideration that those words might hurt Zuko's feelings, but eventually he told Zuko to follow him to the base of the order in Gaoling to discuss some critical matters, Zuko asked the old man to bring Toph along, and so the old man agreed hesitantly, Zuko couldn't blame the guy, for two reasons. One, the white lotus is built on secrecy. Two, Toph is an annoying brat.

"I am Tired of freakin' walking! I can't feel my legs anymore, Just tell me where that place of yours is and i'll use Earthbending to travel there!" Toph complained to Fung.

"We can't use any sort of bending around these parts, it'll raise suspicion and people might follow us, i feel like i repelled that same suggestion earlier." Master Fung responded, and he was absolutely correct, Toph suggested the same thing earlier and Fung responded to her with rejection.. Twice.

"We've been walking for hours and it's likely that we are going to walk for a couple more hours, it's midday already and we need to get back home by night, so we don't worry my parents." Toph complained again, Zuko found Toph's complains amusing so he just stayed silent with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Don't worry, your parents will be informed soon enough, you are going to leave them behind in Gaoling anyways." Fung said.

"What?" Zuko and Toph inquired at the same time, forcing Fung to stop walking and turn back to them.

"What we are about to discuss is thoroughly dangerous to talk about in public, mostly because it could raise unprecedented panic among the people, i reckon Prince Zuko knows a thing or two about it, The Avatar already told you." Fung said, casting a meaningful look at Zuko, Zuko couldn't get the memo at first, but eventually his eyes widened and remembered exactly the last thing Aang discussed with him and his family.

"The Spirits War." Zuko responded.

"The What?" Toph asked, obviously confused.

Zuko turned to her, "Toph, this matter is very dangerous and if true, we need to discuss it with the order fast, For this world to have a chance at survival, we need to follow Fung." Zuko said in a warning tone.

"Chance at Survival?" Toph looked confused, but Zuko knew she is starting to feel the panic.

"I'll explain everything once we arrive, Master Toph. Now please follow me." Fung interfered, and kept walking, followed closely by Zuko and a hesitant Toph.

After turning from one ally to the other, they finally arrived at the base half an hour later, Once they arrived, they found other Lotus members, some chatting and some playing Pai Sho and drinking tea, Zuko smiled as the sight that reminded him of a certain late loved one, but something bothered Zuko about their appearance and he quickly voiced his thoughts out to Fung.

"Master Fung.. If this order is built on secrecy, then why are all the members wearing formal White Lotus attires?" Zuko asked, as he noticed almost all the members are wearing matching white lotus robes.

"Oh, we normally wear civilian clothes, Prince Zuko.. but this is the war attire of the order." Fung replied, making Zuko clearly uneasy.

"War attire?" it was Toph who asked the question, as the look on her face mirrored Zuko's.

"Like i said, what we are about to discuss is a matter of world security.. Let's head inside, this way." Fung motioned at a nearby room and went in, followed by Toph and Zuko, "Please, Sit.. i'll brew us some tea." Fung went away for a couple of minutes, all the time Toph and Zuko sat around the table in silence, still shocked by the recent events, Fung returned with a tray of three cups of tea, he finally took a seat and after taking a sip of his tea, started discussing the matter with Toph and Zuko.

"Prince Zuko, since Master Iroh only sent us a messenger hawk with not much detail.. I ask you to explain exactly what Avatar Aang told you about the spirits war." Fung started, giving Zuko permission to tell the story, Zuko took a deep breath and told them the story, starting with Aang's encounter with the spirits in the northern watertribe and finished with Aang's warning to Firelord Ozai, Toph's face then lit up, she must have remembered something.

"Aang did tell me something about a spirits war but i wasn't really paying much attention, is it true?" Toph asked.

"Yes, but Aang was hoping for a better outcome, he never thought it would actually come to a spirits war, he only told the firelord and the people in attendance of the meeting, and apparently you.. in addition to the late chief of the northern watertribe, Chief Arnook." Zuko responded, Toph never spoke a word afterwards, probably trying to remember Aang's words specifically.

They have grown silent for some moments, Fung took a sip of his tea, and then interfered to break the tension, "Prince Zuko, you said The Avatar encountered those Spiritual troubles in the northern watertribe, correct?" Fung asked.

Zuko nodded, "Yes, he said Chief Arnook sent for him to investigate some troubles in the northern forest, and what he found there was Avatar Roku's spirit warning him of the upcoming war." Zuko responded.

"Well, that confirms our suspicion." Fung uttered grievously.

"What suspicion?" Zuko asked.

The Old Man sighed sadly, "We have received a message from Master Pakku of the northern watertribe, a Grand Lotus of our order living in the southern watertribe, he said that a dark spirit came from the southern forest, attacked The Tribe and that he sent it back to the spiritual realm using the ancient art of the northern watertribe. if dark spirits came out of the forests to the north and south, then i am afraid this is a sign of an upcoming war." Fung informed.

Zuko looked at the ground and pinched the bridge of his nose, "This is very bad.." Zuko muttered, he looked at Toph to find her still staring at the ground, clearly shocked and in grief.

"I have a course of action to follow, but this means you'll have to leave Gaoling with me, this is why i said you'll have to leave Master Toph's family behind." Fung suggested, and Toph finally raised her head to look at him.

"and What's that course of action?" Toph asked, Zuko looked at Fung in anticipation, not waiting for the most pleasant of answers, but he would follow anything Fung says if it means saving the world.

"We are going to The Northern Watertribe." Fung said, and Zuko felt the need to reward himself, because he wasn't waiting for the most pleasant of answers, and indeed he never got the most pleasant of answers.

Aang

They say fighting in battles is the most gruesome and terrible thing in the world, for Aang it was the nights before battles, way more gruesome.

Aang was sitting by the fire alone at camp, Senge has been long since fallen asleep, so Aang found the time to berate himself for his choice of words during his peace negotiations with Shun, had he selected better words to say, he might have never felt the need to murder somebody to survive, he might have never anticipated in a hopeless war that will end the freedom fighters and the rebel group for good, Aang never stopped thinking about the significant difference in numbers between Shun's army and their small army.

a thousand rebel warriors that never had a formal training and only contain two-hundred benders in the company of a fruitless Avatar against an army of ten thousand Firenation soldiers. A pity encounter, but as ever, he hoped for the best, at least Kori promised him as much.

his thoughts was interrupted however by a certain earthbender that cut his train of thoughts, "Still overthinking, Aang?" She asked as she took a seat beside him.

"Aren't you, Kori?" Aang reversed the question, Kori took a deep sigh and stared at the fire below.

"I never thought it would come to this, everything was going so smoothly and on course until Sneers was captured.. Suddenly i felt the need to withdraw this fight, but not before a go on a secret mission to rescue my love.. mostly i would have been killed or captured, but it would have been way better than the pain i endured and still endure." Kori confessed, Aang was shocked by the outpour of her inner feelings, Kori has ever been the secretive one.

"How was he captured?" Aang suddenly inquired, wondering why he never asked that question before.

Kori looked at him and Aang saw the tears gathering in her eyes before she blinked them away and went on with the story anyways, "We were on a mission to capture one of Jet's most trusted advisors, his name is Jeri, you probably saw him beside Shun during the negotiations, he was the one on the right.." Aang remembered the guy's face, as he was the first one to grimace as soon as Shun mentioned burning Yu Dao to the ground, at least he cared for those innocent lives.

Kori continued, "We were four that night. Me, Sneers and two other Warriors of Jet's named Chao and Yang, We followed him to a dark alley thinking we trapped him, and as soon as we came to his face, a group of twenty firenation soldiers came out of the nearby alleys trapping us instead, we were outnumbered and we had a non-bender with us while all of them were benders, I opened a gap between them and shouted for my friends to run, They did as asked and we did run away.."

By then tears were falling freely from Kori's eyes, Aang felt that he should comfort her someway but he refrained to move a muscle, instead he allowed her the privilege of his silence, "They chased us through the streets and out the city, only for us to find guards at the city gates, I tried to make a path through them but it was to no avail, they blocked the path. Sneers then shouted for Chao and Yang to use their earthbending to launch me simultaneously behind the wall, and before i could voice my disapproval, they did so, throwing me to the other side of the wall, i tried to bring myself inside the city using my earthbending, but it wasn't as strong as two earthbenders working together so i failed to return, with the gates shut.. i heard Chao and Yang's screams.." Kori stammered as she said the last sentence,

Aang felt the horror too as he knew exactly why Chao and Yang screamed, he then put a comforting hand on Kori's shoulder, trying to comfort her but fruitlessly, she still cried, but continued in a high pitched tone, "After Chao and Yang were.. you know.. I heard Jeri shouting to me from behind the gates saying 'Two of your companions are dead, we left one alive, if you want him to stay that way, you'll run to Jet and inform him of what happened here.. Now, run away before i change my mind.'.. I knew he only let me away because he knew we will come after him and try to rescue him, and that will give them the chance to capture us one after the other, but fearing for Sneers' safety, i did as asked.. but i still carry the guilt and grief with me to this day.." She then wiped out the tears from her cheeks and her face suddenly became consumed by a rather fierce look, "And this is why, Shun will never be forgiven, for what he did to Chao, Yang and Sneers.. Sooner or later, he will die, and it will be by my own hands." Kori finished, Aang was somewhat scared by the look on Kori's face, she does have a side that Aang would never like to be facing.

"I am sorry, Kori.. But from my encounter with Shun, i would advise never to fall for his manipulative schemes, as you know, he still has Sneers.. so, if he does anything out of the ordinary.. Please, Don't fall for it." Aang warned, knowing exactly that Shun will use their emotions before bending to break them.

"I'll try, Aang.. I'll try." Kori reassured, but Aang never excluded the thought that it might turn out to be an empty promise, he made sure to prepare for anything Shun throws at them.

They grew silent for a couple of moments, enjoying the warmth of the fire, before they were snapped out of their thoughts with the sound of a horn.. not just any horn.. A Watertribe Horn.

Aang quickly stood up and launched himself towards the source of the sound, with nothing but the moonlight to guide him through the darkness, he then heard a familiar voice.

"Is this the camp of Jet's warriors? Aang! It's me! Where Are You?!" Yes, it was him, the most pleasant voice Aang's ever heard, The voice of the watertribe Prince.

"SOKKA!" Aang called out excitedly as he ran towards the warrior, hugging him fiercely, finally a flame of hope.

"It's good to see you too, Buddy." Sokka said as he reciprocated the hug, they let go of eachother and Aang took a look at the army behind him, he wasn't disappointed but he wasn't satisfied either.

"What took you so long?" Aang asked not trying to elaborate anything yet.

"It took some time to convince my father of the course we are taking." Sokka responded.

"Hello, Avatar Aang.. it's great to see you again." Aang was ecstatic to say the least as he heard his voice, it wasn't possible, how could this be? he took a look at him, and indeed it was him.

"Chief Hakoda? How.." Aang trailed off as he took a look at the man, it was quite a shocker for Aang to meet a fellow revenant.

"Yes, it was shocking for me as well when i learned of your resurrection, looks like we have a few things in common." The Chief quipped, but Aang was too shocked to smile, eventually he came out of it and cracked a smile.

"Avatar Aang, it's good to see you again." Aang turned his face to look at the soldier beside The Chief, it was none other than Petu, the youngman he encountered in the northern watertribe.

"Hello, Petu.. how did a northerner come into the service of a southerner?" Aang asked Incredulously, Petu smiled.

"We both fight for the same cause, Avatar.. We escaped The Firenation massacre together and since then we have been an inseparable bunch." Petu replied, and Aang smiled brightly, very happy that some people escaped the massacre.

"Aang, this is Suki, the leader of the fierce group known as the kyoshi warriors." Sokka introduced the female warrior that Aang recognized immediately.

"Yeah, we have met before.. How are you faring, Suki? and how is Mayor Oyaji?"

"Very well, Avatar.. thankfully the war hasn't reached our island yet, we came here to help you, so that our island stays safe from Shun and his army." Suki said, Aang smiled to her and nodded in respect to the esteemed warrior that represented the island of his former incarnation.

"Uhm.. is nobody gonna introduce me? No? Alright.." Someone said from behind Chief Hakoda, Aang took a glimpse at him, he was a youngman, that didn't look like Watertribe at all.

"What's your name, friend?" Aang asked, and the youngman's face lit up at the word 'Friend'.

"Finally, some friendly words, you are the first person in a long while to not call me 'The Nephew of a traitor'.. My name is Tolan, Leader of the Dai Li agents, it's a pleasure to meet you, Avatar." Tolan greeted, and Aang knew exactly which traitor he was talking about.

"Ah, you are Long Feng's nephew.. an earthbender.. I would have found the diversity in your group pleasing, but i can't help but find it rather weird.. tell me, why is an Earthbender, who happens to be the nephew of a traitor among your group, Chief Hakoda?" Aang asked.

Tolan grumbled, "Ah, Spirits.." Aang knew instantly why he grumbled and raised his hands in apology.

"Sorry, i forgot you hate that name." Aang apologized.

"How could you forget that somebody hates that name? anyone would hate it." Tolan complained, and Aang smiled apologetically.

Chief Hakoda then interfered, "We captured a firenation ship that was headed to Yu Dao, it was led by two criminals that we disposed of their bodies in the water, and in their custody, we found this esteemed gentleman over here." Hakoda informed, and Aang looked at Tolan suspiciously.

Sokka decided to interfere, "Aang, he is safe, i interrogated him myself, he is not like his uncle, and we need him for the upcoming fight." Sokka reassured.

Aang took his time to contemplate, but eventually he shrugged, "I guess it's no harm." Aang said.

"Now that we are out with the greetings, Can we please start talking about something important? like the upcoming battle?" Kori interfered rather angrily, Aang saw a look of confusion on Sokka's face and decided to clear things up.

"This is Kori, daughter of the former Mayor of Yu Dao Morishita, she is an earthbender, and a friend.. you are right, Kori.. we should discuss this, Now, Sokka.. how many warriors do you have?" Aang asked.

"About two thousand, eight-hundred benders and the rest are non-benders." Sokka answered, and a look of displeasure appeared on Kori's face, Aang spoke fast before she could say anything.

"Good, we have a thousand with us, two-hundred benders.. The Battle is tomorrow, let's hope Katara arrives by then." Aang boasted their confidence by reminding them of Katara, he wasn't too sure that he boasted his though, Katara being this late isn't a good sign.

"You never told us how many soldiers Shun has, Aang." Sokka said, Aang knew it was useless, if not harmful to lie, so he told them the truth.

"Ten thousand." Panic ensued, even Sokka had a fearful look on his face, and he was always the confident one, Petu looked distant and never spoke a word and The Chief looked to be rethinking his decision.

"Why's everybody panicking all of sudden?" Someone asked beside Hakoda, Aang looked at him to find it was Tolan, Who continued, "Did you think we came all this way to have an easy fight? Shun has more than proven himself in the last couple of months that he is one of the most dangerous men in the world, and not only did he solidify that fact by being Zhao's most trusted army commander, but he took over all the colonies during that short span of time.. I don't know about you, but i came here looking for a strong fight, this land belongs to the earth kingdom and i'll never back down even if it was an army of a hundred-thousand.. I know this isn't your land, but if we don't fight them now, your land will be next.." He then turned to look at Aang, "I am with you, Avatar.. and i have faith in you to lead us to victory, in this war.. and the next." Tolan finished.

out of all people, Aang never thought the confident and courageous one would be Tolan, the man has more than proven himself to Aang, and his words didn't just spark trust, it also sparked courage inside Aang's heart, something he never thought he desperately needed.

"You are right, Tolan.." Aang turned his head to the owner of the voice, to find it Chief Hakoda, "Shun needs to be stopped, I am with you, Avatar Aang. We all are." Chief Hakoda spoke and everyone in attendance nodded in approval.

Aang did all he could not to let tears fall from his eyes, he finally regained his composure and looked at them with a smile, "Then we are finally ready for battle." Aang said with determination looking at Kori who mirrored his expression.

After their show of bravado though, Aang heard a yawning voice behind him, he turned around to find Senge waking up and scratching his eyes to have a better view.

"What's happening here? What's all the fuss about?" Senge asked sleepily, looking unaware of his surroundings.

Everyone chuckled at the young boy, Aang took his hand and motioned for the group to enter a nearby tent to discuss the plans, Chief Hakoda's small army stayed with the freedom fighters during the planning.. after they were done, Chief Hakoda informed everybody of the plan, with Aang sitting beside Senge who is now fully aware of the situation, then they had a couple of hours of sleep, to sharpen their minds before the upcoming battle that might change everything.

Azula

Everything was in place, Everything was ready, She was just waiting for the right moment, and when that right moment comes, Zhao and all his goons will be burnt to a crisp.

Azula was standing on the platform of The Firenation Palace, watching all the nobles gathering in front of the palace, waiting for The coronation of the new Firelord, For the first time in the history of The Firenation, someone outside of The Royal Family will be called ruler of the nation, as much of a douchebag he is, Azula had to admire Zhao's intelligence.. From a scummy, vile rebel to The undisputed ruler of The Firenation, now that's something to be proud of.. at least until Azula lights the rope on fire and the whole palace turns to ashes.

"You'll have to attend the coronation." Said General Shinu while discussing the plan with the pirates and Azula ten days prior.

"What the hell for?" replied Azula fiercely, at this point she thought General Shinu was trying to sacrifice her as well.

"Everything has to go normally, Zhao has to be crowned Firelord, and as soon as he enters the throne room, you'll ask permission to leave to attend to other matters, then you'll head directly to the basement and light the rope, it's quite a long rope so you'll have exactly ten minutes to make your way out of the palace.. then you'll wait for your own coronation some days after." General Shinu finished, but Azula still felt shook by the thought.

"Yes, But can't we murder Zhao on the platform of the palace? we don't have to officially crown him and wait for him to enter the throne room." Azula stated, Officially crowning Zhao will make it more difficult for her to lay her claim to the throne, and it'll take time for her to convince the people that she wasn't involved in the massacre.

But General Shinu had other thoughts, "Blow up the palace when Zhao is standing at the platform? Do you know how many people attend the coronation before the platform? probably half the population of our lands.. No, we can't risk it, you'll have to crown Zhao, wait for him to enter the throne room with no one but his loyal nobles around him, and then burn them all." General Shinu said, and as much as Azula hated to admit, he was right, she thanked the spirits that they had ten days of planning, otherwise this operation would have failed miserably, she took her time to study General Shinu's plan until she mastered it.

And finally, the ten days of studying have passed, and now it was time for the final exam, the events of today will change everything, for better or worse, everything will change after today. Azula waited on the platform, it appears to be everyone is in attendance, the people, the soldiers, the sages and the princess all in their places, except for The new Firelord himself, Azula's mood soured at the mere thought of this prestigious honor being put beside Zhao's name, from Firelord Sozin to Firelord Azulon to Firelord Ozai to.. Zhao.. you can feel the downgrade.

Finally, The New Firelord arrived at the platform, and the crowd erupted in cheers for him, Azula knew those are the same people who cheered for her Uncle's execution, the same people who called for an innocent man's head, at that moment she felt the need to jump them and kill them all, the same thought that occurred to her when they cheered for her Uncle's execution, she wanted her fire consume and burn them, but she decided to wait for bigger fire to consume them, at least consume the most despicable of them, The nobles loyal to Zhao.

The New Firelord raised his hand to wave for the crowd and then he spared a look at Azula, he smiled at her, giving her permission to speak, it was time for the hardest part, it was time to surrender her claim and swear fealty to Zhao.

Here we go.. Azula advanced forward on wobbly legs, she thanked the spirits that the walk was very short, otherwise people would have noticed the slight unsteadiness in her legs, she took the center of the platform and finally started her speech.

"I, Princess Azula of The Firenation, daughter of Firelord Ozai and rightful heiress to the firenation throne, do hereby recuse myself of that honor and proclaim Head Counselor Zhao the new Firelord, may spirits help him lead us to glory and prosperity." Azula finished, and returned to her place at the corner of the platform, taking a deep breath to relieve herself of the heavy cloud that gathered in her chest.

it was gruesome for her to say those words, but she knew in the grand scheme of things, it's going to be totally worth it, still she couldn't find an excuse for her lack of action when she heard some of the crowd boo her, some of them would have thrown rotten food at her even, how could she be silent when those despicable people insult their rightful firelord? also, if this many people hate her, how would she lay her claim and seize the crown for herself after Zhao's death? She decided to stop thinking about and just focus on the task at hand.

After her speech, it was Zhao's turn to advance, he knelt in front of the head sage, and waited for him to say the words.

"All Hail Firelord Zhao!" The Head Sage said as he attached the royal headpiece to Zhao's topknot, he stood up again and came forward to address the crowd which in return once again roared in cheers, Azula couldn't feel more helpless, the royal headpiece that has been on the topknots of the legendary Firelords, finds its way to Zhao's topknot? Fate is very cruel.

"Citizens of The Firenation, First and foremost i'd like to thank Princess Azula, for finding the right path, and being wise to refuse the throne for a bigger purpose, ensuring that this nation is led by competent and capable men who want nothing but glory and prosperity for this nation.." Zhao said looking at Azula, and even though Azula could hear the sarcasm in his eyes, she posed a fake smile and nodded to him, He then turned to the crowd once more

"Secondly, i would like to make new announcements to ensure that this nation is on the right track towards greatness, as New Firelord of the nation, it means that i would have to step down as Head Counselor of the nation, and it also means that i have to name my successor.." Zhao then turned his head to someone standing in the front of the crowd, a very familiar face,

"I name General Shinu to be the new Head Counselor of The Nation, HEAR HEAR!" Zhao said as he started applauding and so did the crowd, Azula couldn't hide the look of shock on her face, but The General looked to be very composed as he smiled and waved to the audience and bowed to Zhao, Azula didn't know what to feel at the moment, but she kept a straight face and went with the plans anyways.

Zhao then raised his hand to silence the crowd and continued with his speech, "Thank you for attending my coronation, respectable people of the nation. and i promise you, the glory days of this nation start Now.. Thank you and spirits bless you all." Zhao finished his speech and turned on his heel inside the palace, people roared and applauded once again, as Zhao went inside, he cast a meaningful smile towards Azula who in return feigned another smile and nodded to him, she then followed him, with some of Zhao's nobles following suit, The time for change is drawing near, and Azula couldn't feel happier that this nightmare is about to end soon.

Zhao finally ascended the throne, the seat of firelords is now the seat of a scum, Pity..

He spent hours addressing some issues with the people of the nation, all the while, Azula sat next to Zhao and listened to them yammering and discussing their useless business, until a topic caught Azula's attention.

"My lord, did you hear of Lord Shun's troubles in The colonies?" One of the nobles asked.

"Yes, i received word of Shun's troubles, but i had enough on my plate in the past couple of months that i couldn't reply to him, the last message caught my attention though.. he told me something that i couldn't believe and yet i couldn't keep away either due to the severity of it had it turned out to be true." Zhao said looking at the ground.

"What's it, My Lord?" The nobleman asked, and Azula couldn't bring herself away from the discussion, she was curious as to find out.

"The Avatar is alive." Zhao said,

and Azula felt her head started to spin, she did all she could to keep herself from fainting, and it took her sometime to compose herself, thankfully nobody noticed what happened due to their own shock, Azula didn't know what to feel, Happiness? Sadness? Excitement? Grief? Excitement? Aang is still alive.. Aang is still alive! Should she feel happy for the only man she's ever been in love with, or should she feel sad for the man who slept with her and then rejected her, should she feel Excited that Aang is finally back to save the world? or Should she feel grief that all her work might be brought down by Aang when if he decides to return to the firenation for revenge? although revenge has never been Aang's way, yet Azula couldn't be too sure.

Her head started spinning hard, but thankfully the signal came to cut her train of thoughts and make her focus on the task at hand, General Shinu gave her the signal as he excused himself.

"Excuse me, Your majesty. as new head counselor, i have other matters to attend to. Again, thank you for entrusting me with such responsibility. i am much grateful to you, Firelord." General Shinu said and bowed to Zhao.

"No, Thank you, General. for being a good man and a good servant of this nation. people of loyalty and integrity like yourself have been long since gone, we are lucky to have you with us, General.. of course you may be excused." Zhao said, had this been a normal situation, Azula would have laughed at Zhao's words, but alas it wasn't, she wondered what General Shinu felt about Zhao's warm words, she supposed she would have to ask him.

General Shinu told Azula to go on with the plan ten minutes after he leaves the throne room, so that he makes sure everything is under control and that she raises no suspicion.. Azula waited and waited until the ten minutes have passed, she then tried to excuse herself as well.

"I am sorry, Firelord, but i have to leave. as Chief Of Police, i have important matters to attend to, we still have to interrogate Combustion Man and Ding, and i can't seem to wait to interrogate the criminal that eluded me for months." Azula said.. Alas Zhao wasn't as lenient with her as he was with General Shinu.

"Your work can be delayed for another time, Azula.. you'll wait for us until the end of this meeting." Zhao said, making Azula's stomach turn.. WHAT?! she screamed internally.

"Uhm.. may i know the reason?" Azula asked as politely as she could.

"Some of those nobles are still loyal to your father, i need you to stay here to defend me had any of them decided to oppose me." Zhao said.

"Like who? everyone here is loyal to you." Azula responded, her patience growing thin.

"You see that guy over there?" Zhao asked as discretely motioned to a grey haired man at the corner of the palace, "That's Nobleman Ukano, a loyalist to your father, your father promised him the rule of Omashu but unfortunately your father's time couldn't allow him-" Azula couldn't hear the rest of Zhao's words, as she was too shocked to see Ukano here.. Mai's father is HERE?! I AM GOING TO MURDER MAI'S FATHER?!

Azula knew she was going to have to murder some noblemen in attendance to get to her big prize, but not Mai's father, Mai will never forgive her for this.. She then remembered that there is no turning back now, she has to do this, she reminded her self of General Shinu's words to comfort herself,

"Change requires sacrifice.. you can't have it all" She was snapped back to reality to see Zhao still ranting about Ukano, she stopped him immediately,

"Listen, Zhao.. i don't have other matters to attend to, i just needed some relief from the eyes of those noblemen staring daggers at me, i will just go to the restroom and perhaps have a drink, and then i'll come back i promise." Azula said, her eyes never leaving Zhao's, her lying abilities returning.

Zhao was hesitant at first, but then looked convinced enough to let her go, he sighed deeply and gave her permission to go, Azula thanked him and left the room, headed towards the basement.

As she was headed towards the place however, she was shocked to find innocent servants and guards that did nothing but serve in Zhao's kitchens or gardens or whatever.. Azula felt the urge to stop this, her conscience bothered her greatly, it was time to stop this.. it was time to stop this.

NO! I have to do this.. Just remember Shinu's words.. Change requires sacrifice, you can't have it all.. Change requires sacrifice, you can't have it all. She kept repeating internally, over and over again until she reached the basement to find that indeed everything is in place.. all the barrel of blasting jelly, dozens of them, enough to blow the entire palace and if there were houses beside it, it would have been blown up too.. Azula followed the long rope attached to the barrels and finally reached the end of it, she hesitated.. she hesitated, should she do this? the palace? the innocent people.. Mai's father.. I can't.. I can't..

NO! I CAN! CHANGE REQUIRES SACRIFICE! YOU CAN'T HAVE IT ALL! She screamed internally, and she lit the rope on fire as the fire started eating the fiber, she made her way to the entrance of the basement, she has nine minutes and she has to leave the palace immediately.

As she went out she saw the servants again, some of them smiling at her as they were servants of her father's, they served the royal family for years, Azula kept on walking her inside crumbling, she felt like crying heavily but held herself from doing so, she had to escape the palace first..

Finally, she reached the gardens, she still has seven minutes, she saw a gardener watering the grass, he also served under her family, the more Azula walked to the outside, the more pain she felt, she stood for some time to observe the place, she knew this land will turn to ashes in some time, but she was in too much grief to care.. eventually she forced herself to care, she closed her eyes and left the place.

There was still a minute left when she was at a safe distance from the explosion, she saw General Shinu waiting for her, he looked at her with a look of determination, as if telling her that she did the right thing, Azula was in no mood for encouragement however, she went past him and kept walking, with the general following her..

After some time, the immense explosion was heard even from this distance, could be felt as well as the ground beneath them shook significantly, like it was a strong earthquake, and the screams of people were heard afterwards, with Azula's tears falling from her eyes as she never turned back to have a look at it, she just kept walking aimlessly.


Well, That was a tough one to write.. and i guess the next one is going to be even tougher.

Two of the most important chapters of the entire story, One Down.. One to Go.

See Ya, Folks.