Chapter 23: The Only Way

The chapter that everyone has been waiting for or at least the appearance in this chapter that everyone has been waiting for. Really wanted to finish this on the first for the anniversary but due some issues, I had to Persephone it until now. Its really difficult writing out dialogue and keeping everyone in character.

Nevertheless. Happy late anniversary to this story!

The midday sun hung high above the Earth kingdom village. It was one out of a hundred villages, spread all over the agrarian zone of Ba Sing Se and it was the one Master Piandao had chosen for them to stay in for a while.

Zuko stood outside the wooden barn, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows as he brought an axe down onto a thick log, splitting it cleanly in two. The rhythmic thunk of wood being chopped echoed in the air, accompanied only by the occasional rustling of hay as Appa lazily chewed on a nearby stack.

He'd been outside for hours, hoping the fresh air would clear his mind. First, he scrubbed Appa's saddle clean, then spread fresh hay for the bison to munch on. After that, he walked the perimeter—more out of habit than necessity—and now gathered firewood, methodically stacking each piece in the crook of his arm. But despite all the busywork, his thoughts remained just as tangled as when he'd first stepped out of the barn.

Still, he couldn't deny the peace of it all—the silence, the solitude.

It felt just like old times. Hopefully nobody-

Then the barn door opened.

He sighed.

Sokka emerged from the barn, stretching his arms before stepping toward Zuko. "Need a hand?"

Zuko looked at him for a moment, then gave a small nod, stepping aside as Sokka grabbed an axe of his own. Together, they fell into a routine each taking turns chopping, stacking the split logs into a neat pile beside them.

For a while, they worked in silence, the only sounds being the dull impact of metal against wood and Appa's contented grunts. Then, after a few more swings, Sokka said something.

"You sure you're okay with this?"

Zuko didn't look up as he lined up another log. "What? Killing my own sister? Of course not."

Sokka frowned, setting another log on the chopping block before striking it down the middle. "Then let's put a stop to this crazy idea. We can think of something else instead."

Zuko exhaled through his nose, tightening his grip on the axe before bringing it down. "Believe me, I've been doing that for the past few hours but there's nothing else to think about." he said, his voice edged with finality. "Master Piandao is right. A head-on collision against Azula and her generals would be suicide. We're clearly outnumbered here."

"Okay." Sokka tossed another split log onto the pile. "So we take Appa, get her alone and capture her. Then we fly back here."

Zuko let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Azula's never been captured in her entire life, she would rather see herself dead than in chains. And even if we did, where would we keep her? In the barn?"

Sokka paused, furrowing his brow. He hated to admit it, but it was a terrible idea. How would they even restrain her? With rock, metal, Ice. Her fire was of the most potent in existence. She would melt any restrains, they'd put on her. For a moment, he wished they had one of those Fire Nation cooling chambers—the ones they used in Fire Nation prisons to block firebenders from using their abilities. He wondered if that would be cold enough to halt her bending. Maybe then, there would be a possibility of containing her.

Zuko continued, his tone grim. "It would also have to be a place where no one could reach her."

"Why?" Sokka asked.

"Because it would take us years to get a single word out of her."

Sokka fell silent. He knew Zuko was right. They had better chances negotiating with a wall than with Azula-It was pointless and they were more likely to get hurt than her. But still, something about this plan didn't sit right with him. Then a dark thought crossed his mind. A way to get words out of anyone's mouth.

Torture?

For just a second, he entertained the idea—having her at his mercy, their roles reversed. She had captured him, tormented him, laughed at his pain. The thought twisted in his mind, then recoiled. No.

He would never stoop as low as her.

Pushing the unsettling thought away, he slammed his axe down onto the log in front of him, splitting it in one clean motion. "Then we take her to Omashu—to Aang," he said firmly. "He can strip her bending, just like he did to your father."

Zuko shook his head. "We wouldn't even make it past the outer wall before she escapes."

Sokka thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "What if we drugged her?"

"Genius! Why didn't I think of that before?"

Sokka perked up. "Wait, really?"

"No." Zuko shot him a dry look. "Do you realize how much planning that would take? To get even remotely close to her? Not to mention, we will need something to knock her out for a few days."

Sokka let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright, then we wait for Aang to come here."

Zuko hesitated, staring down at the axe in his hands before shaking his head. "There's no time. How many lives would be lost by then? And it won't be long before my uncle gets captured or worse. This is the only way"

Sokka exhaled sharply, gripping the handle of his axe. "Is it, though? Or is this just the only way you get to set things right?"

Zuko's head snapped up, his amber eyes burning. "This isn't about me."

Sokka met his gaze evenly. "Really? So this isn't about all that 'losing the Agni Kai and costing us the war crap?"

Zuko's jaw tightened. "No. It isn't."

"Good." Sokka let the word hang in the air as he grabbed another log." Because I just want you to know that at some point, we've all failed at something."

Seconds stretched between them, the only sound the wind stirring the grass. Then, Zuko spoke again, his voice quieter but no less sharp.

"What's really interesting is why do you even care so much?" He studied Sokka, searching his expression. "This is Azula we're talking about. Shouldn't you be the one pushing for this?"

Sokka hesitated. He should, shouldn't he? After everything she had done, after everything she had taken from them, shouldn't he want her dead more than anyone? He began to realize it little by little, a while ago that under all that resentment, there was something else—Pity? No, that wasn't it. Not exactly.

When he didn't respond, Zuko pressed on, voice growing more intense. "She tortured you for crying out loud. She's hurt Suki. She almost killed us—more than once. She imprisoned Mai and Ty Lee, Agni knows where. Many people have suffered under her, and more will if we don't stop her." He took a step closer. "We have to end this."

Sokka exhaled, gripping the axe handle tightly. "Look. I couldn't agree more," he said, voice steady. "But we should end it the right way. Lock her away for good—just like your father."

Zuko scoffed. "And how do you propose we do that with the little time we have? Demand her unconditional surrender from this farmhouse?" He gestured around at their makeshift hideout. "What leverage do we even have? Besides myself, she has no more family, she imprisoned the only people close to her, never even flinched with our father out of the picture. She's got nothing to loose."

The words sat heavy in his mind.

He remembered. He had told her that once.

Back then, he said it as an insult. A jab meant to wound. But now... he wasn't so sure. In the impossible chance they did capture her, then what? What could they possibly threaten her with? What did she fear?

His throat felt dry.

"Please," he said, quieter this time, "if you have anything—anything—that she might value, something we could use against her… I'm all ears."

Sokka lowered his gaze. "I don't."

"Thought so." Zuko let out a breath, setting the axe down. His voice was quieter now, but there was an exhaustion to it. "Trust me, if there were another way, I'd take it. But she's backed us into a corner." He glanced toward the horizon.

"And there's only one way out."

Omashu.

Aang found himself pacing.

The stone chamber was spacious, open on one side to let in the midday light, but it still felt stifling. No matter how much air he pulled into his lungs, it didn't seem enough. Across the room, King Bumi lounged on a pile of cushions, casually eating one of his crystals as if today was just another day.

"You're going to wear a hole into the floor, you know," Bumi mused, tilting his head. "And I quite like this floor."

Aang stopped, exhaling sharply. "I just—I don't know what to expect."

Bumi let out a raspy chuckle. "Oh, come on, Aang. It's a trial. You already know how this is going to go. Ozai sits in chains, people talk at him, he pretends not to listen, then someone gets mad—ooh, maybe someone will throw a cabbage!"

Aang gave him a flat look.

"Alright, alright." Bumi waved a hand, his expression settling into something more knowing. "Let me ask you something: what do you want to happen here?"

Aang hesitated. "I want people to see true justice done and that all life should be treated as sacred, no matter the person"

Bumi raised a bushy eyebrow. "All life, huh?" He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That's a nice thought, Aang. But tell me—what happens when the world doesn't see it that way?"

Aang blinked. "What do you mean?"

Bumi leaned forward. "People aren't coming to this trial to hear wisdom from the Avatar. They're coming because they suffered. Because they lost family, homes, whole generations. And now they get to see the man who is responsible for all of it sit before them in chains." He tapped his chin. "And if all life is sacred, where does that leave their pain? Their anger?"

Aang shifted uncomfortably. "I—I don't know."

Bumi nodded as if he expected that answer. "See, that's the tricky part, isn't it? You believe in balance. You believe in second chances. But what happens when the world is calling for justice, and what they really mean is vengeance?"

Aang swallowed hard, gripping his staff. "I don't want this trial to be about revenge."

Bumi gave a rare, serious nod. "Good. Because justice isn't about making people feel better. It's about proving that things will be different now. That we're not just replacing one tyrant's rule with another's revenge."

Aang frowned, absorbing the words.

Bumi sighed, rubbing his beard. "Look, I know this feels like the final battle to you, but it's not. Ozai's reign is over, sure, but the real battle is figuring out what comes next. If this trial is just about punishment, then we've already lost."

Aang took a slow breath, then nodded.

Bumi's grin returned. "There we go! Now, ready to face the big, scary, non-bending Fire Lord?"

Aang exhaled. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Bumi slapped his hands together. "Then let's get to it."

The courtroom was built into the heart of Omashu's palace, a grand hall of gray stone. Citizens had gathered in the open stands, watching from above. The front rows were occupied by White Lotus members—those who had helped Bumi, Pakku and Piandao against Ozai's fleet.

At the far end of the hall sat King Bumi upon his throne, the old monarch surprisingly still for once. To his right, Aang stood in full ceremonial Air Nomad robes, staff in hand. There was no elaborate setup, no banners or grand declarations. Just a room, a ruler, and the man who had almost brought the world to its knees.

The doors creaked open.

Ozai was led in, his hands bound in iron chains. His once-proud form, dressed in golden armor was stripped down to simple Fire Nation prison garb. His hair hung loosely past his shoulders. And yet, despite it all, his posture was straight.

A court official stepped forward."We gather here today in the name of justice."His voice rang across the chamber."Phoenix King Ozai, you stand accused of waging war upon the world, the brutal conquest of sovereign nations, and the oppression of countless people. You stand before the people of Omashu, before the Order of the White Lotus, and before the Avatar to answer for these crimes."

Silence.

"Do you acknowledge the charges?" the official pressed.

Ozai said nothing.

A few murmurs passed through the crowd. Bumi merely watched, waiting. The official continued, "By order of King Bumi, and as an act of rebuilding what was lost, you are given the opportunity to speak before judgment is passed. Do you wish to respond?"

Again, nothing.

The official glanced at the throne, uncertain. Aang remained still, his hands gripping his staff.

A full minute passed.

Then, a sound—low at first, but unmistakable.

Laughter.

Ozai's shoulders shook with quiet amusement, his head tilting slightly as he let out a breathy chuckle. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the court.

"You think any of this matters?" His voice, though not as powerful as it once was, still held weight.

The murmurs grew. Aang tensed.

Ozai smirked. "This trial. This desperate attempt to turn my defeat into some grand display of justice. It's meaningless."

He shifted in his chains, scanning the room with disdain. "You haven't won. You've merely delayed the inevitable. His smirk widened. "This is just the beginning. Untold more will suffer and all nations will be subdued to our rule."

The entire courtroom was on edge.

Ozai smiled. "You've achieved absolutely nothing."

He turned his head then, and his sharp amber eyes locked onto Aang's.

"And you."

Aang met his gaze, refusing to flinch.

"You should have killed me," Ozai mused, voice low but sharp. "That was your first mistake. But your greatest failure? You thought taking my bending would change everything."

The room was deathly silent.

Ozai leaned forward slightly. "And tell me this, avatar? Have you truly defeated the Fire Lord or have you merely bested a man?"

The words sent a ripple through the room. Even Bumi's usually unshakable expression darkened.

They knew exactly what he meant. Ozai had foreseen this outcome and he had a contingency in place.

Then he let out a slow breath. "She is stronger than either of us. And unlike you, she doesn't hesitate." He tilted his head. "No-one will be spared."

A flicker of pride and certainty passed through Ozai's eyes—or perhaps something far darker. Azula was his greatest creation, and he knew, beyond any doubt, that she would not fail where he had.

Ba Sing Se.

Lake Laogai.

The palanquin came to a halt just before steps leading up to an expansive balcony, which overlooked the pristine waters of Lake Laogai. A place of privilege, this lake had long been a retreat for Ba Sing Se's wealthiest citizens and noblest families. This particular stretch, however, was reserved for Earth Kingdom royalty—until now.

Servants flocked toward the palanquin, eager to assist their Fire Lord as she stepped out. It had been some time since her recovery and even if they knew she could assist herself in descending, none still dared to risk appearing negligent. But before their hands could reach her, Azula raised a single, delicate finger, waving them off before they could so much as touch her. She steadied herself instead, one hand gripping the pillar of the palanquin.

As she stepped down, her first foot emerged, revealing an exquisite pointed shoe—luxurious, finely crafted, and meant for royalty. It was crimson with gold embroidery, delicate yet commanding, a symbol of her power even in repose. A moment later, her other foot touched the stone path, and her full form was revealed.

She wore no armor.

Instead, an elegant, flowing dress of crimson and gold draped her form, its long sleeves brushing gracefully against her fingertips. The soft silk contrasted starkly with the rigid steel her generals were wearing. The Fire Lord's royal regalia was a statement in itself, accentuating her beauty, yet offering no pretense of fragility. Atop her head, the Fire Crown gleamed in the afternoon light, the symbol on her forehead marking her unmistakably as the ruler of the Fire Nation.

She held the gaze of everyone present—Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom alike. None of them could understand why the ruler of the Fire Nation seemed so carefree in a country that wanted her dead more than anything."

Behind her, walking in measured steps, were two of members of her high command, a general and an admiral, both silent, both watchful. Their presence trailed her as she ascended the wide stone stairs.

At the top, the first to greet her were Fire Nation royal guards, who immediately bowed in deep reverence as she passed. Then came the attendants, their heads low, their voices hushed with whispered prayers to Agni for her continued health.

Finally, standing at the entrance to the balcony, waiting for her, was Colonel Raike.

He had always imagined her arrival, but not like this. His breath caught slightly as he took her in. She looked regal, untouchable, and devastatingly beautiful. Yet, it was strange to him. she wasn't armored, not prepared for war, minimum security. Its as if she came here for recreation.

For a moment, he hesitated, unsure if he should speak first or let her pass without acknowledgment as she often did. But to his surprise, she paused. Her gaze fell upon him briefly before moving to the man standing beside him—an Earth Kingdom noble, clad in lavish green robes.

Azula arched a single brow. "Who is this?"

Raike stiffened, quickly clearing his throat before responding, "This is Bo Chen of the noble House of Lu Chao. He has graciously offered his entire estate as a command center for our operations."

Azula's gaze did not leave the nobleman, who, despite being in the presence of the Fire Lord, carried himself with dignity.

"Did he now?" she mused, tilting her head slightly. "And where does his loyalties lie?"

Before Raike could answer, the man took a step forward and bowed deeply before speaking up.

"To the one who conquered this city, Your Imperial Majesty. To the strongest."

A small smile played at the corner of Azula's lips—amused, yet unreadable. She said nothing further, merely continuing up the steps, Raike falling into step behind her.

Colonel Raike fell in step behind her, still processing what he was witnessing. Something was different about her. There was a shift in her demeanor—not just in the way she carried herself, but in the way she spoke. He could tell, this was the last place she wanted to be.

As they ascended, Raike dared to break the silence, though his words were chosen carefully.

"Fire Lord Azula, I—we did not expect your arrival. It was most sudden. Given the news, I assumed you would remain in the capital."

Azula did not slow her pace, nor did she look at him as she answered.

"I've decided against it," she said simply. "And I'm fine now, Raike."

He studied her from the corner of his eye as they reached the top of the stairs, where the rest of the Fire Nation commanders awaited them. The men, hardened by war and loyalty, bowed deeply in unison as Azula stepped onto the balcony.

She did not acknowledge them immediately. Instead, she walked past them to the railing, her hands resting lightly on the cool stone as she gazed out over the water.

The moment stretched in silence before General Bujing finally spoke.

"Fire Lord Azula, praise Agni that we find you here standing before us in good health." He stepped forward slightly, his gaze fixed. "We have heard the news of the Phoenix King's disappearance and we are at your disposal. What would you have us do?"

A heavy silence settled over the balcony. The gathered commanders stood motionless, waiting for their Fire Lord's response. Azula remained by the railing, her gaze never leaving the tranquil waters of the lake. The air was still, save for the occasional ripple disturbing the surface.

Then, without turning to face them, she spoke.

"Nothing."

General Bujing's sharp eyes flickered with confusion, as did the others. There was a brief pause before she clarified.

"We will do nothing."

The words settled over them like a heavy fog. General Bujing's expression darkened, his keen mind searching for meaning in her statement. For the first time, the Fire Lord's intentions eluded him.

"My lord, what exactly are you saying?" His voice was measured, though an edge of incredulity cut through.

Azula remained where she was, her fingers resting lightly against the cool stone railing. ""Finding my father isn't the reason why I called you all here."

That statement sent a ripple through the gathered officers, tension mounting.

Bujing's response was swift, his disbelief evident. "You would abandon the Phoenix King?!"

Azula paused, as if considering the weight of his words. Then, with absolute finality, she answered.

"Yes."

A hush fell over the commanders. Some exchanged glances, but none dared to voice their thoughts. Bujing, however, forced himself to calm, though his mind reeled at the implications.

The weight of that single word settled over them like a thick fog. Some commanders glanced at one another in quiet shock, while others stood rigid, disciplined enough to conceal their thoughts. Bujing remained silent, though his narrowed eyes spoke volumes.

Azula continued, her tone steady. "The Phoenix King is no more. My father was defeated, along with his entire fleet. Nothing was left."

Bujing exhaled sharply through his nose, his fingers tightening behind his back- not at the loss of the fleet, but at her—the girl who once stood unwavering at her father's side, the one who embodied his will with ruthless precision. And yet, here she was, casting him aside without hesitation.

One of the commanders finally spoke, shifting the conversation instead. "It was the Avatar. No one else could possibly summon that amount of power."

Bujing's lips curled into something between a sneer and a frown. "The Avatar." He nearly spat the word. "Huh. forever a thorn in our side."

"So is the White Lotus." Azula remained impassive. All her attention given to something happening out on the Lake.

Bujing's gaze snapped toward her, and his eyes narrowed as he caught the true meaning behind her words.

His failure to deal with them.

"They are no longer a threat," he assured. "Iroh has locked himself in the palace, his beloved order scattered in the wind, and we have wiped out the last resistance at the western wall."

Azula scoffed softly, still watching the lake. "And by wiped out, you mean to say you've allowed them all to slip away."

The accusation was subtle, yet the weight of it made the air in the room grow colder.

Then Colonel Raike, finally stepped into the Azula and his father. Noticing the conversation had taken a wild turn. "There were setbacks, Your Majesty."

Azula finally shifted her gaze slightly, though she still did not turn around. "Ah, I see. Because you had no problem sending raw recruits fight against some of the most powerful benders in the world."

Bujing remained unfazed. "Victory was achieved."

Azula hummed slightly, almost amused. "But at what cost?"

No one answered.

A brief silence stretched between them before she continued, her voice carrying a distinct sharpness. "In all honesty, I don't blame you, your useless army or governor Uruso. The odds were against you."

A flicker of something crossed Bujing's face. Then, to the surprise of the others, he let out a laugh. A low, dry chuckle that did not quite reach his eyes.

"The odds are against me?

Azula remained still, her eyes locked on the her distraction on the lake. She couldn't care less about anything else right now. "That is correct. You have clearly underestimated the individuals leading this resistance, and I'm not referring to my uncle."

Her words were calm, but they carried undeniable weight. The reality of their situation was not lost on her.

Raike watched her carefully, his mind running through possibilities before he finally asked, "Is that the reason why you came here, your majesty? To aid us?"

For the first time since arriving, Azula's focus shifted. Whatever had held her attention in the water—two turtle ducks nestled together near the shore, undisturbed by the chaos of the outside world. Their small forms moved in harmony, untouched by war, their perfect existence uninterrupted.—Her eyes lingered on them, just a second longer.

Then she turned, facing them at last. Her golden eyes met theirs, she looked every bit the ruler she was born to be.

A faint, knowing smile touched her lips. "Something like that."

End Notes:

PS: This is not the actual meeting.