The End is Only the Beginning
For a brief moment, no one moved. It was just Azula and Ty Lee staring at Zuko and his guards. Then all hell broke loose.
“What the hell is going on here?” Zuko bellowed.
Before Azula could answer, Ty Lee spoke up. “Someone needed to prepare her for her execution, because you obviously weren’t going to.” Ty Lee spoke with such venom that it managed to shock Azula. She had never heard the bubbly acrobat so angry before.
“I forbade you from seeing her, Ty Lee. Yet here you are. I guess I should have expected this from you.” Zuko was furious at Ty Lee, but he didn’t have time for her now. “I’ll deal with you later, Ty Lee. Guards, remove her and strip Azula of her armor and crown.”
“You have no right!” Ty Lee was shouting now. “You never stripped her of her title, therefore she is entitled to that armor and crown.”
By this point, the guards were beginning to look uncomfortable, but before any action could be taken, Azula spoke. “Really Zuzu,” she drawled. “Are you so insecure with your authority that you need to make me look as weak as possible?” She had been unsure of how she was going to handle this situation, but now a plan was beginning to form in her mind. “Besides, Ty Lee is right. You never stripped me of my titles. If this is going to be my last moments, you should let me keep my armor and crown. That way you can project an image of strength to this nation.”
“I don’t need to project that image, Azula.” Zuko was seething now, if he had been calmer he might have noticed Azula’s manipulations, but they went right over his head. “The Fire Nation knows how strong I am.”
“Then show them,” Azula challenged. “Show them that you aren’t afraid of me. After all, they do believe that you won the Agni Kai. You don’t want to seem weak now.”
She was goading him now and he knew it, but it worked. “Fine. Guards, take the Princess to her execution. Bind Ty Lee as well. I want her to watch this.” Turning back to his sister, he couldn’t resist taunting her after everything. “You always thought you were untouchable Azula, but you lost. The throne and the Fire Nation are mine.” Without giving her a chance to respond he turned around and strode out of the room.
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Azula was brought to the Coronation Plaza, the same place where she had been cheated out of everything all those years ago. This time the plaza was full of people. Everyone wanted to see the execution of the once feared Princess.
Looking around, Azula could see that it wasn’t just the citizens of the Fire Nation who filled the plaza. She also spotted the Avatar and his Water Pesant. What surprised her was that both of them looked remorseful, like this was something that they didn’t want.
However, before she had time to think further on the matter, Azula was forced to her knees, hands, and feet bound. In front of her stood Zuko, Mai, the Avatar, and Head Sage Ichi, the latter of whom spoke first.
“Princess Azula, Daughter of Ozai, you stand convicted of treason and numerous war crimes. For this, your punishment is death by burning. Do you have any last words?”
This is where her entire plan hinged. This next moment would decide who got the last laugh. Taking a deep breath, Azula spoke. “I do. I would like for the honor of leading this execution.” Glancing around, Azula could see mixed looks of shock and confusion throughout the crowd at her strange request and for a brief moment, everyone was silent before. Then Zuko spoke.
“You’re crazy, Azula. But if you wish to lead your own execution, I will allow it.”
“Do you give your word, on your honor, that you will not interfere?”
Zuko scoffed. Still high on the idea that he had finally beaten Azula, he completely missed the danger that was lurking behind her golden eyes. He also missed Mai’s look of realization. However, before she could stop her husband Zuko spoke. “I swear, on my honor before Head Sage Ichi, that I will not interfere with your execution. However, any attempt at violence will be dealt with. Also, there will be no Agni Kai today. You have already lost and your fate has been decided.”
With a triumphant grin adorning her face, Azula spoke. “I accept your terms, Fire Lord Zuko.”
Shuffling her way before the Imperial Firebenders who would be carrying out her execution, Azula prepared for her final act of defiance. Calming her mind, she made eye contact with Ty Lee before she gave what would be her final speech to her people.
“Soldiers, when I give the command, aim true, and do not hesitate. Wait for my order, for it will be my last to you. I protest against my fate, yet I accept it with honor. I have fought a hundred battles for the Fire Nation, and not one against her. Even when I struck down my brother in our Agni Kai, I fought for this nation. He will bear the scar of his dishonor for the rest of his life.”
Throughout Azula’s speech, Katara had been growing angrier and angrier until she finally couldn’t help herself. “Had it not been for me you would have killed him!” At this, every single head in the plaza turned to face her.
Azula had planned for many things, but this was beyond her wildest hope. “So you admit that you interfered, Peasant?”
“I admit that I saved Zuko’s life,” Katara spat, not realizing the consequences of her words. “As it is, you burned over a quarter of his body!”
“My dear Peasant, I commend you. You have managed to do more damage to my brother’s reign than I ever could.” Not giving anyone time to react, Azula gave her order. “Soldiers, execute!”
There was a brief pause where no one did anything, but Azula shocked them out of it. “I SAID EXECUTE!” she shouted.
This time the soldiers followed her command and the last thing Azula saw was a wave of orange before her world went black.