Chapter 17: Crossroads

Hello again, Hope everyone had a nice long holiday. Thought I make a little recap chapter for those who were waiting for more than three months for this chapter. Thank you all for sticking around from the beginning, truly means a lot and I'm sure we've all experienced that painful waiting period in between updates.

As for those new readers who, swallow this fic in one day, kudos to you guys and gals, I'm glad you enjoyed it that much but you missing on that beautiful feeling you get when you check for updates and there aren't any.

just joking.

That feeling sucks.

Anyway, Lets see if we can shorten those waiting periods.

Sokka crawled forward, every muscle in his body screaming in agony. His breath came in ragged gasps, his vision blurred from the blood trickling down his forehead. His fingers dug into the dirt as he pulled himself closer to the sword lying just a few feet ahead. It gleamed in the flickering firelight, a lifeline in the midst of the destruction around him.

Flames roared across the area, illuminating the carnage of what had once been their camp. The Fire Nation had found them in the dead of night, striking with ruthless precision. They never stood a chance.

Appa had been the first to fall, his massive form lying lifeless not far from Sokka. Smoke and embers danced in the air around the great beast, his fur still smoldering. His once-gentle eyes, now closed forever. The sight alone sent a fresh wave of grief through Sokka, but he kept moving.

Then Zuko. He had fought harder than any of them, unleashing fire with everything he had. But he had been outnumbered, overwhelmed. Sokka had seen him go down, seen the moment the flames died in his hands as a sword pierced his chest.

Toph and Katara had fought back-to-back, their attacks fierce and unrelenting, determined to take down as many enemies as possible. But Katara was overwhelmed, struck down in the chaos, and Toph didn't last much longer.

They should have listened to him. They should have stayed in the skies, where it was safe. He had warned them about landing, about the Fire Nation patrols lurking in every corner of these lands. But they had ignored his concerns, Now, it was too late.

Sokka's arms trembled as he dragged himself past Katara's still body, forcing himself not to look at her face, not to see the lifelessness in her once-bright blue eyes. His throat tightened, his vision stung. I promised Dad I'd protect her. The thought hit him like a dagger to the gut. I failed.

They were all gone.

Except for Suki.

He didn't know where she was, but he prayed she had escaped.

Please, let her be safe.

Let her make it to Ba Sing Se.

Let her warn Aang and the others.

Even if the war would rage on, even if victory was still uncertain, at least there was still hope.

As for him…

He would die here, alongside his sister, alongside his friends.

His fingers finally wrapped around the hilt of the sword, but before he could muster the strength to rise, two Fire Nation soldiers appeared, their boots crunching against the scorched ground as they approached. Sokka tightened his grip, his heart pounding.

At least I can buy her some time.

With the last of his strength, he swung his sword in a desperate arc. But before the blade could reach its mark, a second sword intercepted it with ease, knocking his weapon from his weakened grasp.

Sokka barely had time to react before he felt the cold steel of a blade pressed against his throat. His breath hitched, his pulse thundering in his ears as he looked up at the soldier looming over him.

"What are you waiting for?" he rasped, his voice hoarse. "Do it."

The soldier remained silent.

Sokka's fists clenched as he ground his teeth. "Do it!" he shouted.

Then, a familiar voice sliced through the smoke and chaos. "And what if I don't want to?"

The moment he heard it, Sokka's blood ran cold. His stomach twisted, his body freezing in place. The soldiers immediately moved back, stepping aside and standing at attention.

Through the haze of fire and destruction, she emerged.

Azula.

Dressed in her royal armor, her high ponytail perfectly in place, she moved with the same effortless grace she always had. The flickering flames made the mark on her forehead glow with an eerie light. A mark they now all understood to be proof of the trial she had survived as a child.

She walked toward him with the confidence of someone who had already won. The two soldiers lifted Sokka onto his knees, forcing him to face her as she stopped just in front of him.

Azula tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into a small smirk as she reached out and cupped his chin between her fingers. "Did you really think, you could run away from me?" she asked, shaking her head in disapproval. "I ought to punish you for that."

Sokka's gaze didn't waver from hers. Fear lingered in his expression, but it was drowned out by the anger burning beneath it. His breathing was heavy, his body trembling from exhaustion, but he still mustered enough strength to fight against the soldiers restraining him.

He jerked against their hold, his muscles straining, but their grip remained firm. Azula's fingers tightened around his chin, holding him in place with unsettling ease.

Then, through gritted teeth, he spat out the words, his voice shaking with fury. "You killed them, Azula. You killed them!"

The soldiers flinched slightly at the venom in his tone, their grips tightening instinctively, as if expecting him to lash out. But Azula? She didn't so much as blink.

Azula's smirk didn't fade. If anything, it deepened. "Yes, I killed them," she said, her voice as smooth as ever, "because they were nothing but obstacles in the way."

She leaned in closer, her lips just inches from his as she whispered, "Our way."

Before he could react, she kissed him.

It lasted only a second—a cruel, mocking touch—but it made Sokka recoil in disgust, his whole body tensing. His breathing was uneven, his mind spinning, but before he could say anything, a loud cry rang through the air.

"Sokka!"

His head snapped in the direction of the voice.

Suki.

She was being dragged forward by another soldier, her arms pinned behind her.

Azula sighed as if she were merely inconvenienced. "One more obstacle. It would seem."

Sokka's heart pounded in his chest as he struggled harder against the soldiers' grip. "Don't you dare touch her!"

Azula barely spared him a glance as she stepped toward Suki, raising a single finger to trace along her cheek in a slow, deliberate movement. She smiled. "You mean like this?"

Suki glared defiantly, refusing to show any sign of fear.

Azula let out a quiet chuckle before turning her gaze back to Sokka. "Tell me, fan girl," she mused, her voice dripping with amusement. "I'm curious, Has Sokka ever told you about us?"

Suki's brow furrowed, her stance rigid. "What...what are you talking about?" she demanded, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Azula paused for dramatic effect, then let out a mock gasp, placing a hand over her mouth as if she had just uncovered some scandalous secret. She looked between Sokka and Suki, then back at him, eyes glinting with cruel delight.

"Oh, this is rich," she said, smirking. "You mean to tell me he never mentioned it?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "And here I thought we had something special, Sokka."

Suki's expression darkened, her jaw tightening. "Sokka, what is she talking about?"

Sokka thrashed against the soldiers restraining him, his voice sharp. "She's trying to mess with you, Suki! Don't listen to her!"

Azula chuckled, shaking her head in mock amusement. "You know, I almost feel bad for you," she said, turning to Suki. "Your boyfriend's been keeping quite the secret from you."

Her amusement faded as she extended her hand. A soldier immediately handed her a sword.

Sokka's blood ran cold.

"No," he whispered, his struggles becoming frantic. "Please, Azula. Don't do this."

Suki thrashed in the soldier's grip as the blade pressed against her throat.

Azula's eyes locked onto Sokka's. "I'm sorry," she said, her voice laced with mock sympathy, "but maybe this will teach you never to leave my side again."

The blade flashed—

And Sokka screamed.

He shot upright, his breath coming in ragged gasps, his skin damp with sweat. His wide eyes darted around wildly, searching for flames, for bodies, for Azula—

But none of it was real.

He was in his tent. The air was still. No fire. No battle. No dead bodies.

And then he felt a gentle touch on his arm.

"Shh. Hey, it's okay," Suki's voice soothed. She was right beside him, her hands steadying him, her face full of concern. "It was just a nightmare."

Sokka exhaled shakily, his whole body tense as he struggled to ground himself. Suki pulled him into her arms, letting him rest his head against her shoulder. He closed his eyes, focusing on her warmth, her presence—on the fact that she was alive.

After a moment, as his breathing steadied, he finally spoke. "Where are the others?"

Suki ran a hand over his back. "Don't worry. Everyone's okay. They're outside, getting ready to leave soon."

Sokka let out a breath, repeating her words like a mantra. "Everyone's okay. Everyone's okay."

Suki nodded. "It was just a dream. Nothing else."

Sokka swallowed hard, still trying to convince himself. "Just a dream," he murmured. "Nothing else."

Aang and Bumi finally arrived at Omashu, escorting the Fire Nation prisoners—along with the fallen Fire Lord—to a secure location within the city. Bumi had decided it was wiser to imprison Ozai in Omashu rather than travel to Ba Sing Se to assist with the ongoing siege.

Master Piandao and Master Pakku, however, were sent ahead to provide relief, as no messages had been received from Jeong Jeong or General Iroh. Something was clearly wrong.

Aang had wanted to go with them. Every part of him needed to go. But Bumi had advised against it, telling him to wait. He insisted that it was more important for Aang to oversee Ozai's trial first. The people needed to see the Avatar as the one who had brought down the Fire Lord. If they believed that King Bumi had defeated him instead, it would be seen as an ill omen.

More than anything, the people needed hope. And if Aang could give them that, they would be prepared to fight on.

Because now, Aang understood that the war was far from over.

Ozai himself had said it—he still had one card left to play. Azula.

If she remained on the throne, this war would not end. Aang had hoped that Zuko and the others would put a stop to her, but as time passed with no news of their victory, an uneasy feeling crept into his heart.

Had something happened to them?

The thought made him desperate to abandon Bumi and leave immediately to search for them. He would have in a heartbeat, especially when he thought of Katara. If something had happened to her… he didn't know what he would do.

Aang felt torn, a war waging within him.

On one side, his friends were out there, possibly in danger. Every instinct screamed at him to go to them, to fight alongside them, to make sure they were safe.

But on the other, his duty as the Avatar weighed heavily on his shoulders. He wasn't just a friend—he was the world's protector. Balance wasn't just about those he loved; it was about everyone. If he truly wanted to end the war, he had to think beyond his own desires, no matter how much it hurt.

Right now, the people needed him here.

So when Aang and Bumi finally arrived at Omashu, their convoy winding through the towering stone gates of the great city. The sounds of the people filling the streets. But unlike the usual hustle and bustle of Omashu's markets and trade routes, today the city had gathered for something else entirely—something they had waited a hundred years for.

The Avatar had arrived, and with him, the Fire Lord.

Ozai, bound in chains, walked in the center of the procession, flanked by Earth Kingdom guards on either side. Without his bending, without his crown, he no longer carried the aura of fear and absolute power that once made the world tremble. Now, he was just a man, his regal robes traded for the simple red garments of a prisoner. Yet, despite everything, there was no shame in his posture, no hint of defeat in his face. He walked with his head high, his golden eyes scanning the crowd with cold disdain.

The people of Omashu lined both sides of the street, cheering and celebrating, their voices carrying through the entire city. Many had suffered under the Fire Nation's rule, and to them, this was the moment they had been waiting for—the moment their enemy was finally brought low. Flowers and banners waved in the air, children clung to their parents' hands, staring in awe as the procession moved forward.

Bumi led the way, still wearing his White Lotus robes, though his usual playful grin was absent. His personal guard followed closely behind, ensuring that none of the prisoners—especially Ozai—made any attempt to resist.

Aang walked just behind Bumi, keeping close to Ozai. He could feel the weight of the moment pressing on him. The people's celebration should have been heartwarming, but in his heart, he knew this was not the end. Not yet.

He gave a faint smile and waved at the people, knowing that, to them, this was a victory. A great one. And maybe in some ways, it was. He had defeated Ozai without taking his life. He had found another way, despite everything and everyone telling him he couldn't. Even the past Avatars had insisted that ending Ozai was the only path to true balance. But Aang had refused, and in the end, he had proven them wrong. He had stuck to his beliefs, and he had won.

That battle was over but the war has just began.

Ozai's words still echoed in his mind. You think the war is over? There will be no peace while my daughter sits on that throne.

Azula was still out there.

And he had heard nothing from Zuko or the others.

He tried to push the thoughts away. He had to believe that they were okay, that they would succeed in stopping her. But as the procession moved through Omashu's streets, as he listened to the people rejoicing, a deep unease settled in his chest.

Bumi, as perceptive as ever, seemed to notice.

"Don't look so gloomy, Aang," Bumi said with a hearty chuckle as they neared the palace steps. "You just took down the biggest threat in the world! That's something worth celebrating."

Aang gave him a small smile but didn't answer right away. His thoughts were too tangled, too preoccupied with everything that could still go wrong.

They reached the palace, where the guards quickly dispersed, leaving only Aang, Bumi, and two of Bumi's most trusted warriors to escort Ozai to his prison.

The prison itself had been specially built inside the palace—a sealed chamber lined with growing jennamite crystals. It was a rare mineral found deep beneath the mountains, a natural defense that expanded over time if disturbed too much. It wasn't just a cell; it was a slow, creeping trap.

As they stepped inside, Ozai cast a single glance at the shimmering, sharp-edged formations along the walls. He said nothing, but Aang could tell he understood the nature of his confinement.

Bumi grinned. "I wouldn't move too much if I were you," he said with a playful tilt of his head. "These crystals love to spread. Too much shifting, and you might find yourself with a lot less breathing room."

He laughed at his own joke, but Ozai's expression didn't change. He merely turned his gaze toward Aang.

"You're going to lose," Ozai said, his voice smooth and unwavering. "You don't know what's waiting for you, Avatar."

Aang didn't reply. He simply held Ozai's gaze for a moment, his expression unreadable, before turning away.

Ozai's smirk lingered, but there was a flicker of something else in his eyes—something unreadable—as Aang stepped out of the prison, Bumi following behind him. The heavy doors shut behind them, sealing the former Fire Lord inside.

They walked in silence through the palace corridors, the only sound the rhythmic echo of their footsteps against stone. Finally, Bumi spoke.

"You're still thinking about them, aren't you?."

Aang exhaled, rubbing a hand over his bald head. "I should be with them," he admitted. "Zuko, Katara,… They're still out there, and I'm here. Worst of all, one of my friends is still imprisoned."

Bumi placed a firm yet reassuring hand on Aang's shoulder. " I understand Aang but you're where you need to be, for now. The people need to see the Avatar, to know you're fighting for them. They need to believe in you." His voice softened. "And if they believe in you, they'll have the strength to keep fighting, too."

Aang nodded, though the unease in his chest didn't fade. "I understand," he murmured. "But as soon as the trial is over, once he's locked away for good… I have to go."

Bumi smiled, his usual playfulness replaced with quiet understanding. "And when that time comes, I won't stop you." He gave Aang's shoulder a firm pat. "But until then, be patient. Even the Avatar can't be everywhere at once."

Aang took a steady breath and nodded.

But despite Bumi's words, despite knowing he was doing what was necessary, the feeling in his gut didn't go away. Something was wrong.

Jeong Jeong lifted his gaze to the sky, shielding his eyes against the midday sun. His sharp, weathered eyes caught sight of a small figure in the distance, steadily growing larger as it approached. His lips curled into a rare smile.

It had been days since he had heard any good news. Every battle, every desperate attempt to hold the city had only led to further losses. The White Lotus had been forced back, losing both the inner and middle rings to the enemy. Now, they were back near the wall in-between the lower ring and the agrarian zone, not far from where they had started. Worse still, General Iroh was stranded inside the palace grounds, cut off from reinforcements, and in desperate need of relief.

Jeong Jeong didn't know how he was going to break the news to the approaching group, but still, he was glad they had come.

The bison descended, kicking up dust and debris as it neared the tram station where Jeong Jeong and the remaining White Lotus members had regrouped. Appa landed a few meters away, his large frame blocking the midday sun for just a moment. As the dust settled, the first to jump off the saddle was Zuko, his movements sharp with urgency. Katara followed, then Sokka, Suki, and finally Toph.

Zuko wasted no time stepping toward Jeong Jeong, bowing his head slightly in respect. The others followed his lead, greeting the rest of the White Lotus in the same manner.

Jeong Jeong let out a small breath before finally speaking. "It's good to see you all," he said, his voice carrying a quiet relief. But before anyone could interrupt him, he continued, his gaze sweeping over their weary expressions. "Though, I can already tell things didn't go as planned."

A heavy silence settled over the group. Their faces fell, and for a moment, no one spoke. Then, Katara took a step forward.

"We found Ozai's fleet," she said, her voice tight. "It was completely destroyed. But when we got there, there was no one. No soldiers, nothing. We think Aang and the Fire Lord are still alive, but we have no idea where they are."

Jeong Jeong exhaled, his expression unreadable. "I'm afraid I don't have much good news to offer you either." His gaze shifted to Zuko. "We failed to take the city. Your uncle is trapped in the palace grounds, and we must make haste if we are to—"

Zuko's posture stiffened, his eyes widening. "What?" He cut in sharply, his voice laced with urgency.

Then Jeong Jeong said grimly. "We had hoped for a swift victory by capturing the palace and forcing the governor to surrender, but it didn't go as expected."

Zuko barely waited for him to finish before stepping forward. "Then what are we waiting for?" he said hastily. "We need to help him now."

Jeong Jeong held up a hand, stopping him. "Zuko, wait. That's suicide."

Zuko yanked his arm free, his temper flaring. "I don't care! We're here now—we can rescue him! There's no way I'm leaving him there!"

Jeong Jeong's expression remained firm. "And I'm not saying we should leave your uncle behind," he said steadily. "It was after all, your uncle himself, who ordered the withdrawal. Our priority now is getting our forces to safety before we attempt to retake the palace. Even with Appa, flying straight into the fray would be reckless."

Zuko clenched his fists but said nothing. As much as it pained him to delay, he knew Jeong Jeong was right. Charging in blindly wouldn't help his uncle—it would only put them all in danger.

Sokka, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, finally spoke. "What did you exactly have in mind?"

Jeong Jeong turned to him. "Before you arrived, I was overseeing the retreat to the agrarian zone. We've pulled most of our forces back there, away from the main city. The forests and farmlands will give us better cover, and the open terrain will spread their forces too thin."

"And the Civilians won't be in any danger inside the city." Sokka added.

Jeong Jeong nodded. "Yes. And that's where we need your help. The faster we reinforce the retreat, the faster we can get to Iroh."

The group exchanged glances before nodding in unison.

Katara stepped forward. "Then tell us what needs to be done."

Jeong Jeong's gaze settled on her. "We have many wounded. More than we can handle. We could really use a healer, if you don't mind?"

Katara straightened. "Not at all, I'll get started right away." She gave a firm nod and turned toward the camp, following a White Lotus member who led her to the injured.

Jeong Jeong then turned to Toph. "Since you're the only metalbender in existence, I need you for something special."

Toph smirked. "Finally, someone who gets my worth."

Jeong Jeong gestured to a nearby soldier. "He'll show you what needs to be done."

Without hesitation, Toph followed the soldier, leaving only Zuko, Suki, and Sokka.

Jeong Jeong glanced at them. "The three of you, follow me."

But before they could take a step, Sokka suddenly held up a hand. "Wait."

They all stopped and turned toward him.

Sokka's expression was serious, his blue eyes sharp with determination. "Before we do anything else," he said, "Please, please, take me to a weapon smith."

Jeong Jeong studied him for a moment before a knowing smile crossed his face.

Important Note:

Oh yes, almost forgot to add this link for those who are interested in having a more vivid and detailed picture of Ba Sing Se and the different sectors of the city. Check out this amazing map created by Luna_Istari . I'm using it for this story as we go along the chapters.

Link: /m/P5ggZj-avatar-legends-ba-sing-se