Chapter 22: The Twilight of Ba Sing Se Final Part
I just realized, I have been writing notes on where the chapter summary should have been. Oh well, can't cry over spilled milk and its not like I've added any summary in the previous chapter. Its always been notes but I might change it in the future. Anyway its 6 days left before this fic officially turns one years old. What an incredible stressful journey this has been, haha. Thank you all for sticking with me and its been an absolute joy reading your comments. never thought this story would be as popular as it is. we're closing in on 10k hits and I hope we can push to 20. Thanks for all the kudos and support. Much appreciation and I'm glad you enjoying the story.
Right, now for the chapter you've all been waiting for or maybe this is the prelude to the chapter you've all been waiting for.
The tram station was busy as the freed prisoners rushed to escape. Jeong Jeong kept things moving, directing people onto the trams with quick commands. Nearby, Sokka and Katara helped the injured climb aboard, steadying those who stumbled.
The heavy stone platforms creaked under the weight before rolling forward, carrying the first group toward the outer wall. A few Earthbenders worked each tram, guiding them steadily into the morning haze.
But while the retreat was underway on one side, the other had turned into a battlefield.
At the front of the tram station, Zuko and Toph stood among a small force of Earthbenders and White Lotus members, holding the line against the advancing Fire Nation troops. The sky above flickered with the glow of fire blasts meeting raised walls of stone, and the clash of bending filled the air.
Toph, clad in the Earth Kingdom armor, just like she had worn during the invasion on the Day of Black Sun, had her arms crossed as she stood beside Zuko, completely unbothered by the chaos around them.
"So, this is it?" she asked, her tone casual despite the situation.
Zuko exhaled through his nose, keeping his stance steady as another explosion rocked the area. "Yeah," he said. "This is it."
"Then lets give them everything we've got." Toph said, cracking her knuckles.
Before Zuko could respond, movement caught his eye. From the far end of the battlefield, Akee and Hulo—Jeong Jeong's two lieutenants—emerged from the smoke, leading the last of the freed prisoners. Suki was among them, guiding the last few stragglers forward.
Zuko and Toph exchanged a look before moving in, rushing to escort them towards the tram station. Behind them, The massive metal barrier Toph had constructed was almost complete with an exception to a small opening—just wide enough for them to slip through before sealing the retreat.
But they weren't going to make it unchallenged.
Before they could reach the entrance, another wave of Fire Nation soldiers pressed forward. Streams of fire shot toward them, forcing the group to scatter.
Zuko reacted instantly, stepping forward with as he deflected an incoming blast with a swift, controlled arc of flame. Beside him, Toph stomped the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth. A row of jagged stone spikes erupted beneath their enemies, breaking their formation. White Lotus members took the opening, weaving through the chaos with quick strikes.
At the tram station entrance, the distant clang of blades cut through the station noise. Jeong Jeong turned first—just in time to see firelight flare behind the trams. No words needed. He moved.
Katara followed his gaze and saw Zuko—flanked by soldiers, his back to the tram tracks. Her waterskin was in her hands before she even made the decision to run. She surged forward, her whip cracking at multiple soldiers throughout the battlefield.
Just then, a fireball screamed toward Katara. and almost immediately Jeong Jeong's fist snapped forward - his own flame met it midair with a concussive blast that rained embers over the battlefield.
Sokka was already moving. No war cry, no hesitation. Wove through the place with his sword, deflecting blows and knocking soldiers back just long enough to give the others space to move.
"Akee, Hulo!" Jeong Jeong called over the fighting. "Is this the last group?"
Both men nodded.
Jeong Jeong took a sharp breath. "Then it's time to seal the barrier."
His gaze moved to Toph, who had just launched another soldier through the air.
"You can start," he told her.
Toph smirked, planting her feet. "Finally."
Without hesitation, She returned to her station as she slammed her hands forward onto the metal barrier as it groaned in response, the sheets of steel shifting as they began to close over the entrance.
The others tightened their stances, fighting harder to give her time.
But they were severely outnumbered.
More Fire Nation troops flooded in, and the attacks grew relentless. The heat of the flames scorched the ground, forcing the defenders back. Zuko gritted his teeth as he moved in tandem with the others, each fire blast he blocked leaving less and less room to counter. Katara fought back, redirecting fire with well-timed sweeps of water, but it was clear they couldn't hold on much longer.
The barrier was closing.
But before it could fully seal, noise erupted from the other side.
A second wave of Fire Nation forces.
On the other side.
"Uh, guys? Need some help here," she called. "Can't fight and close this wall at the same time."
Sokka, Suki, and Kataraturned, finding her behind cover, struggling to keep the barrier moving as streaks of fire slammed against the walls of earth she had erected for protection.
With out a second thought, the three slipped through the gap—straight into another fight.
They wasted no time slipping through the gap in the barrier, sprinting toward Toph's position. The moment they emerged on the other side, they were met with a barrage of fireballs streaking through the air.
Toph slammed her foot into the ground, raising a thicker wall of stone just as a fire blast struck where her previous barrier had been. The heat of the attack singed the edges of the rock, but the barrier held—for now.
The three of them quickly dove behind cover, catching their breath as they crouched next to her.
"How did they make it to this side of the wall?" Sokka demanded.
Toph exhaled sharply, dusting stray rubble off her armor. "I don't know. I can't exactly see you know."
Sokka peeked over the barricade, eyes narrowing as he scanned their surroundings. Fire Nation soldiers were advancing from the ruined walls above, their silhouettes descending rapidly on thick ropes.
Suki's eyes tracked the soldiers scaling down the walls before she cursed under her breath. "They're using grappling lines to drop in from the walls."
Katara's expression darkened. "So this barrier is useless?"
Toph gave a dry laugh, her tone flat. "As much as it pains me to say this… yeah, we're toast."
Sokka shook his head. "No. The barrier was never meant to stop the Fire Nation entirely—just slow them down long enough for us to escape." His voice remained steady. "It's not for them. It's to keep the larger force on the other side at bay, and it's doing its job."
Suki nodded in agreement. "Yeah. Even with those grappling lines, it'll take them weeks to get all their troops over the wall. And they can't send reinforcements from the inner wards since all the access points are blocked."
Toph snorted. "Aww, thanks, guys. That makes me feel sooo much better."
Screams of Flame was heard as Fire balls hammered into the barrier.
Katara turned her head just in time to see the earth barrier shielding them beginning to splinter, the constant barrage from Firebenders and tanks taking its toll.
"Uh, we're running out of time here," she said, pressing her hands together and pulling water from her pouch. "I can't get an opening."
She lashed out with a precise strike, sending a wave of water toward the attackers—but before it could reach them, a concentrated fire blast collided with it midair, evaporating the attack instantly.
Sokka clenched his jaw. "Great, we're sitting ducks here. And who knows how much longer Zuko and Jeong Jeong can hold the other side." He tightened his grip on his sword. "Think, Sokka think. We need a way out of this."
Before anyone could respond, The bombardment stopped.
A deep rumble resonated through the ground, followed by the unmistakable sound of stone grinding against stone.
Sokka, Katara, Suki, and Toph all turned their heads toward the noise, their breath hitching as a tram car emerged from the distance, gliding effortlessly across the smooth path. Whatever was guiding it, slowed to a stop near the Fire Nation forces blocking the way.
The four of them tensed.
The Fire Nation soldiers turned toward the sound of the approaching tram, their stance shifting as they registered the unexpected arrival.
Toph, unable to see but attuned to the vibrations beneath her feet, tilted her head. "Did someone come back?"
Sokka and the others exchanged confused glances. The tram had stopped, but no one had stepped off.
Two soldiers cautiously approached, gripping their weapons tightly as they neared the silent, unmanned vehicle. The tram sat motionless on the stone track, lined with rows of barrels stacked high along its platform.
One of the soldiers frowned, stepping closer. He rapped his knuckles against the nearest barrel. Hollow.
The second soldier, more curious, pried the lid off one. Inside—water.
His brow furrowed. Why would a tram arrive carrying nothing but—
He leaned in slightly. The water inside was moving.
The surface rippled unnaturally, as if something lurked beneath.
Then—
A tentacle of liquid shot out with impossible speed, wrapping around the soldier's waist and yanking him into the air. He let out a strangled cry before being hurled clear across the station, slamming into the far wall.
The second soldier barely had time to react before another tentacle burst from a different barrel, wrapping around his leg and flinging him violently off the high tramway, his scream fading into the distance.
For a moment, silence.
Then the remaining soldiers and Firebenders snapped out of their shock, eyes locked on the tram. Shouts rang out, orders were barked, and within seconds, fireballs and blasts of flame shot toward the vehicle.
But before the flames could make contact, every barrel on the tram erupted at once.
A tidal wave of water surged outward, sweeping across the tram station like a living force, crashing into the soldiers, tanks, and Firebenders. The Firebenders barely had time to react before the wave solidified mid-motion, freezing everything in its path. Ice crept up over the machinery, encasing the soldiers in thick layers of frozen water, their shouts of panic muffled as the cold overtook them.
Then, above the frozen battlefield, two figures glided effortlessly across the ice.
Master Piandao led the charge, his blade flashing as he weaved between the half-frozen soldiers, disarming them with swift, precise strikes. Behind him, Master Pakku followed, moving with the grace of a seasoned Waterbender, the very ice beneath his feet shifting and propelling him forward.
Sokka and the others watched in stunned silence before the realization hit them.
"Master Piandao! Master Pakku!"
The four of them rushed forward, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
Sokka reached Piandao first, grabbing his former master in a fierce embrace. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you."
Piandao let out a hearty laugh, clapping Sokka on the back. "Sokka, It's been too long. I see you've made it back to us in one piece."
"I did, thanks to them." Sokka said, pointing to his friends.
"Its good to see you all still breathing." Master Piandao said. "I hope you saved some fun for us."
Katara bowed deeply in respect toward Pakku, her face lighting up. "Master Pakku, Master Piandao, We need your help with—"
Pakku raised a hand, cutting her off with a knowing grin. "Don't worry Katara, we'll get them to safety. You just worry about sealing that wall."
They all nodded in agreement and displayed an eagerness to help their friends and they wasted not a second more. And with two Earthbenders from the White Lotus stepping off the tram to assist, the masters quickly went toward the other side of the barrier.
On the far end of the battlefield, Zuko and Jeong Jeong were still holding the line, fending off wave after wave of Fire Nation attacks.
Jeong Jeong spotted the approaching group and let out a breath of relief, smiling faintly. "Took you long enough."
Piandao smirked. "We like to make an entrance."
Jeong Jeong wasted no time. "Where's king Bumi?"
"With Aang," Piandao answered. "They're safe in Omashu."
At the mention of his name, the entire group visibly perked up—but none more than Katara.
"Aang's in Omashu?" she breathed, eyes wide with hope.
Pakku gave a firm nod. "Indeed and we come bearing news but now is not the right time to speak."
They all couldn't agree more.
Pakku's voice boomed over the fray:"Everyone out—NOW!"
The defenders didn't hesitate and continued their retreat, fending off the remaining Fire Nation forces as they moved toward the barrier's final opening. The battle had become a desperate push for survival, the enemy pressing harder with each second.
As the earthbenders wrenched the final section of the barrier aside, Pakku thrust his hands outward. Water exploded from shattered pipes along the station walls, surging into a massive wave that smashed into the advancing Firebenders, hurling them back. The impact buying them just enough time to escape.
Jeong Jeong was the last one through.
As soon as his foot crossed the threshold, Toph slammed her hands together.
The metal groaned, bending and twisting into place—
Sealing them off from the Fire Nation once and for all.
Earth Kingdom Royal Palace.
The morning sky above Ba Sing Se pulsed with fire.
Columns of flame arced through the air, illuminating the vast palace grounds in shades of molten orange and deep shadow. Lines of Firebenders stood in rigid formation, their movements, disciplined. At Colonel Raike's command, they thrust their arms forward in unison, sending a massive, concentrated wave of fire slamming against the palace's outer walls. The flames roared, thick and relentless, their searing light reflecting against the smooth, unnatural metal surface.
And Still-
Nothing.
The metal remained unchanged, untouched by the heat. There wasn't even a hint of red-hot glow, not the faintest sign of warping.
Colonel Raike chewed on his own silence. He eyes filled with frustration as he watched another barrage go to waste. The fire hissed and crackled uselessly, licking at the palace walls without effect.
"Again," he ordered, voice sharp.
The Firebenders obeyed instantly. Their flames merged into a singular, blinding beam, slamming into the same section of the wall with devastating force. Sparks danced along the surface, but the metal remained cold—untouched by the fury of their attack.
Raike exhaled harshly.
"Enough," he commanded at last, his voice steady despite the irritation burning beneath it. The Firebenders ceased their assault.
Raike turned on his heel and strode across the marble grounds, his boots crunching over shattered stone and smoldering debris. His father was waiting.
General Bujing stood, not far behind from the palace with his own contingent, surrounded by soldiers and officers alike. His presence was statuesque—arms folded behind his back, expression unreadable as he surveyed the assault from a distance.
At his son's approach, he did not turn.
Raike came to a halt a few paces away, snapping into a crisp salute before speaking. "Father, we've tried almost everything, but the metal won't pick up heat. Not even a little. It's as cold as ice."
General Bujing's eyes narrowed slightly, though his voice remained level. "Impossible." His gaze remained fixed on the unyielding fortress before them. "It must be some kind of safety mechanism. Try harder."
Raike inclined his head. "I will," he assured him, then added, "I've requested an airship bombardment on the palace. It will be arriving shortly."
At this, Bujing finally turned to face him.
"No," he said. "Delay that order."
Raike frowned but did not argue.
Bujing gestured toward the palace. "Explosive power won't bring the building down. What we need is more firepower. Order the men to focus their flames on a single spot. Only a hot enough flame will be able to melt those walls. "
Raike gave a firm nod. "Understood."
With that, he turned and strode back toward his waiting officers, already preparing to relay the next wave of commands.
As the colonel disappeared, another soldier approached the command outpost, stopping a few paces from the general. He saluted sharply before bowing his head in respect.
Bujing barely spared him a glance. "Speak, messenger. What is it?"
The soldier straightened. "General, The Western tram station to the agrarian zone has been recaptured. the last foothold of the White Lotus is no more."
At this, a thin smirk tugged at Bujing's lips. "Finally, some good news." He exhaled, allowing himself a rare moment of satisfaction. "Were there any survivors?"
"There were, General," the messenger admitted. "They've managed to escape to the agrarian zone and have blocked off access to it via the tram station."
Bujing's smirk vanished. His eyes hardened.
"Then unblock it!" he ordered. "Find them, and leave no prisoners except the deserter. Bring him here. I would like to have a word with him before I slit his throat"
The messenger's throat bobbed as he nodded. "Yes, General."
He was about to turn when he hesitated, then quickly pulled a small, sealed envelope from his belt. "Also—a letter from the capital, sir. It states that it is strictly for your eyes only."
Bujing's expression remained unreadable as he took the letter.
The messenger bowed once more before swiftly departing.
Bujing turned the envelope over in his hands, noting the Royal Fire Nation insignia. With a flick of his fingers, he broke it open, unfolding the parchment inside. His eyes scanned the neatly written lines—sharp, elegant strokes of ink delivering a message only for him.
For a moment, his grip tightened.
His face remained composed, but a flicker of something—shock, perhaps—passed through his features before smoothing into cold calculation.
Without a word, he folded the letter neatly and tucked it into his robes.
Then he called out, his voice cutting through the palace grounds.
"Raike!"
His son appeared immediately, saluting before stepping closer. "General."
Bujing's gaze remained sharp, unreadable.
"Give command to Colonel Arono," he instructed. "Tell him that when We return, I expect to see an opening in that palace wall."
Raike's brows furrowed slightly. "When we return?"
Bujing's expression did not waver.
"Yes, We have been summoned elsewhere and we shall leave at once."
A few hours later.
Agraian zone.
Somewhere in the country side.
The village lay quiet under the dim light of dawn, its dirt paths lined with modest homes and farmsteads. The buildings were spread apart, their occupants doing their best to remain unseen, keeping their doors shut and their presence hidden.
Sokka crouched near the edge of the village, a cowl pulled low over his face as he watched a Fire Nation patrol move through the settlement. Their red and black armor stood in sharp contrast to the earthy tones of the village, their movements rigid as they searched through homes and questioned frightened civilians.
His hands curled into fists.
They were searching for them.
Sokka kept his breathing steady, forcing himself to stay still as the soldiers neared a cluster of homes just a few yards away. If they chose to search this side of the village, things would get complicated.
Luckily, after a tense few moments, one of the officers gave a sharp order.
"Move out."
The patrol shifted, the clanking of their armor fading as they marched toward the main road. Sokka waited until they had fully disappeared from view before slipping back into the shadows, moving quickly across the open fields.
He approached an old farmhouse, its worn exterior blending seamlessly with the rural landscape. A small barn sat just a few feet away, its large wooden doors shut tightly.
Before entering, Sokka paused.
Glancing over his shoulder, he checked the area one last time, ensuring he hadn't been followed. Satisfied, he slipped inside, pulling the cowl from his head.
All eyes in the barn turned to him, their faces filled with tense anticipation.
"We're clear," Sokka said.
A collective breath of relief passed through the group.
Jeong Jeong, Pakku, Piandao, Toph, Katara, Zuko, Suki, and a handful of White Lotus members were gathered inside, all now dressed in civilian attire to avoid detection. Their usual robes and armor had been discarded.
Jeong Jeong was the first to speak, his voice low and measured. "Good. It will be a while before they send another search party. We can get back to the matter at hand."
His gaze shifted toward his old comrades, Pakku and Piandao, before he continued.
"My friends, your rescue is much appreciated, but you picked a pretty bleak time to come to Ba Sing Se." His tone darkened. "The city is lost."
Pakku's expression remained unreadable, but Piandao simply grinned. "We know. King Bumi predicted it would happen as soon as Fire Lord Ozai was defeated. Said it was something in air."
Then after a moment.
Zuko's brows furrowed. "Did Aang really find a way to take my father's bending?"
Piandao nodded. "He did. It seems the Avatar has learned an ancient technique even his predecessors had not yet possessed."
Katara's eyes widened. "That must explain where Aang disappeared to."
"Right," Toph added. "Now it makes sense. He was off on one of those spiritual journeys."
Suki crossed her arms. "So where is Fire Lord Ozai now?"
Piandao answered smoothly. "Locked away in Omashu, awaiting trial to answer for all the crimes he has committed."
Katara sighed. "But the war isn't over yet."
"No," Jeong Jeong admitted. "Sadly, it isn't. But that does not mean the other nations cannot carry out justice."
Pakku folded his arms. "And with the Avatar present, true judgment between the nations can finally be carried out."
Yet, despite their words, Zuko's expression remained grim. His thoughts churned as he turned away, his gaze settling on the small window at the back of the barn. He wasn't looking at the fields beyond—he was thinking of her.
His voice was quiet when he finally spoke. "Even then, with my father's defeat, nothing has changed." His jaw tightened. "In fact… it's only made things worse."
Silence followed.
Suki, watching him closely, took a small step forward. "Just remember, all of this. It isn't your fault."
Zuko exhaled sharply, his hands balling at his sides. "It is." His voice was bitter, filled with frustration. "Everyone else did their part. I failed at mine. And now, it's cost us this war."
A heavy weight settled over the group as the reality of his words sank in. Although no-one else was ready to admit it, they knew that he was speaking the truth and in more ways than one, the Agni Kai had cost them this war. All the death and destruction that would follow would be cause by the one person, they failed to beat. Now the war had only shifted, perhaps dragging on indefinitely.
But after a moment, Jeong Jeong's calm voice broke through the silence.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Prince Zuko. We all tried our best."
Zuko lifted his gaze toward the old Firebender.
Piandao then spoke, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Indeed. And on that note, it seems destiny is still smiling upon us."
Everyone turned toward him curiously—except for Pakku, who already knew.
"How so?" Zuko said, looking up to his old teacher.
The old Waterbender took the cue, stepping forward. "A few days before reaching the city, we were ambushed by a small party of Firebenders." He paused, his sharp gaze flickering between them. "Strangely enough, they had Earthbenders with them."
The reaction was immediate.
Katara stiffened. "Those weren't just any Earthbenders." Her voice was laced with recognition. "They were Dai Li agents."
Pakku nodded. "Right. It was quite the battle, but we managed to defeat them, of course." "
Piandao picked up where he left off. "We also took the opportunity to do some questioning." His smirk faded slightly. "It turns out they were part of a Fire Nation convoy, headed straight for Ba Sing Se."
Toph scoffed. "Great. Just what we needed. More Fire Nation troops."
Piandao shook his head. "No. This is different." His voice dropped slightly. "The convoy was transporting royalty."
Sokka's body went rigid. but he forced his expression to remain neutral.
Zuko, eyes wide with shock, spoke first.
"Azula. She's here."
Zuko's stomach twisted.
Azula was in Ba Sing Se.
And If she was here... The chance of reaching his uncle was getting slimmer by the second.
"She will attend an important meeting," Piandao continued.
Jeong Jeong, arms crossed, frowned. "What does this have to do with us, exactly? We were planning of rescuing General Iroh and then leaving immediately for Omashu."
Pakku, ever the tactician, met his gaze evenly. "A well-thought-out plan. But listen carefully." His tone darkened. "If we are to strike now, we can eliminate the Fire lord and put a stop to everything."
The air in the barn felt heavier.
"Prince Zuko shall then take his rightful place on the throne. And General Iroh walks out of the palace as if he nothing ever happened."
Silence.
"Not to mention, world peace would follow shortly."
Sokka tensed.
There was an unshakable weight to his teacher's words, one that pressed against his ribs, making it hard to breathe.
Assassinate Azula?
Kill her.
The thought, should have been simple. After the torture, after all the suffering and pain she had caused him. Why was the thought of finally putting an end to his captor, complicated?
He had imagined it a thousand times, before.
But now?
His fingers dug into his palms as his mind clawed for reasons to hate her again—the torture, the pain, the hallucinations, the nightmares. She was the reason he woke up gasping, the reason his ribs ached with phantom burns. She had ruined him. A sharp pain spiked behind his eyes. His abdomen tightened, the old scars pulling like they remembered her too.
Damn did she have to comehere, of all places? Why now, whenhewas here too?
Suddenly, it wasn't the killing that terrified him.
It was facing her.
How could he stand in front of her again after what had happened between them? How could he meet those gold eyes, knowing they'd let him see her, truly—knowing she'dlethim in?
Jeong Jeong let out a dry, humorless laugh, shaking his head. "My friends, have you assessed our situation?" His gaze swept over the room, his voice edged with disbelief. "We are outnumbered. Outarmed. The Fire Nation is already tightening its grip on this city, and you're suggesting we strike at its core?"
Sokka forced himself to remain calm, even as he tried to hide all the conflict bubbling inside of him. "Right. This sounds too good to be true." He narrowed his eyes. "What's the catch?"
Master Piandao met his gaze without hesitation. "There is none," he said smoothly, his voice carrying the certainty of a man who had already thought this through. "Fire Lord Azula will be meeting with her generals in one place. Instead of a head-on battle, we destroy that said place and everyone in it. Simple."
Katara folded her arms, her expression skeptical. "Destroy? With what exactly? It's not like we have access to an arsenal."
Master Pakku, stepped forward. His movements were unhurried as he walked toward the far corner of the barn, where an old, tattered cloth draped over a series of stacked crates. Without ceremony, he gripped the cloth and yanked it away.
The lantern light flickered over the dark wooden surface, revealing what lay beneath.
Explosives.
Rows of blasting jelly, carefully sealed in heavy containers.
Sokka's brows lifted slightly. He had to admit—he wasn't expecting that.
He might have to walk away from this mission entirely.
But then She would be dead.
And he would have peace, right?
The realization hit him like a kick to the ribs: he didn'twanther dead. Not really. Not like this.
And that—that was the most messed-up part of all.
Oh man, how much of this suffering in silence, could he take? When was he going to tell Suki, hell anyone for that matter, what really happened?
Maybe he should speak to Zuko about it, and there was a tiny chance that would but This was his sister after all.
Jeong Jeong scoffed at the sight, crossing his arms. "Blasting jelly." His tone carried both disapproval and reluctant acceptance. "How petty." He exhaled through his nose, giving a small nod. "But I suppose desperate times call for desperate measures."
Then, without hesitation, he turned his gaze toward Zuko.
"Prince Zuko," he said, voice steady. "This is your call."
The air in the barn grew still.
Everyone was looking at him.
Zuko hadn't moved since Piandao first said her name.
Azula.
His sister.
The weight of her presence in the city pressed down on him, a shadow that stretched far beyond the walls of Ba Sing Se. For years, he had chased his destiny, struggling to define himself beyond the expectations placed upon him—by his father, by his nation, by the world. He had thought he had found his path, thought he had finally stood for what was right. And yet, despite all of it, here they were. The Fire Nation still waged war. The world still suffered under its rule. And Azula had gained everything.
How many times had she bested him? How many times had she outmaneuvered him, humiliated him, claimed victory?
She had never faltered. Not once.
Even at her lowest, she had somehow clawed her way back to the top.
And now, they were asking him to end her.
To finish the war in one decisive blow. To make everything right.
But could he really do it?
Could he kill his only sibling?
He feared that this day would one day come, where they would be completely separated by the choices that they've made. The sides, they have taken.
And she had made her decision and stood firmly with their father in bringing the complete destruction of this world. Like their father, Azula must answer for all that she's done.
He clenched his fists. And after what felt like an eternity.
He exhaled slowly, his decision made.
When he lifted his gaze, his golden eyes burned with quiet resolve.
"Where is this meeting?"
Master Piandao then looks at him with all seriousness.
"Lake Laogai."
End notes:
Guess who's back?