Avatar - The Last Airbender (Storyteller Version)

Chapter 21: The Awakening

After overtaking Ba Sing Se, Azula and the Dai Li agents brought down the massive stronghold's great walls. The armies of the Fire Nation surged through and swarmed over Ba Sing Se, as innocent civilians looked in horror. Later, Azula returned to the Fire Nation in triumph, accompanied by Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee.

As for Iroh, he was confined to the Fire Nation's Capital City Prison as punishment for betraying his home country. But the heartbroken former general's greatest shame was that his own nephew had turned against him.

Zuko, meanwhile, had other concerns. After spending three years in exile, he had finally come home. And he had received not only a warm welcome from his people, but Mai's heart as well. She was now his girlfriend. All of this should have made Zuko pleased. But in truth, the prince was very troubled, for he not only betrayed Katara's trust in the Crystal Catacombs, he had let his uncle down. He was trepidatious as well. After all this time, would he finally have his father's honor?

That evening, Zuko nervously entered a large hall illuminated by blazing fire. At the back of the room sat a tall, menacing-looking figure on an elaborate throne. He had long black hair and a beard. The expression on his face seemed warm, but his eyes glazed with coldness and cruelty. Fire Lord Ozai casually gained his feet and approached Zuko with an icy smile.

OZAI: You've been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you. You have redeemed yourself, my son. Welcome home. I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment — you slayed the Avatar.

ZUKO: (Shocked) What did you hear?

OZAI: Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed with your power and ferocity at the moment of truth.

Later, Zuko spoke with his sister.

ZUKO: Why did you tell Father that I was the one who killed the Avatar?

AZULA: You seemed so worried about how Father would treat you because you hadn't captured the Avatar. I figured if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about.

ZUKO: But why?

AZULA: Call it a generous gesture. I wanted to thank you for your help and I was happy to share the glory.

ZUKO: You're lying. You have another motive for doing this. I just haven't figure out what it is.

AZULA: Prince Zuko, what ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar — unless, somehow, the Avatar was actually alive? All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness.

Zuko had convinced both himself and Azula that there was no way the Avatar could have survived. But miles away, far from the Fire Nation, their worst suspicion was about to confirmed.

Slumped on a mattress in a small room with metal walls, Aang woozily opened his eyes and looked down at himself. His arms, legs, and torso were wrapped in bandages. Wincing painfully, he sat up.

AANG: What happened?

Just then, Aang spotted Fire Nation banners marking the walls!

AANG: Oh no!

Using his staff as a cane, Aang hobbled out of the room into a long hallway, clutching his chest. Just as he turned a corner, he spotted who appeared to be two Fire Nation soldiers—one huge and bulky, and another tiny. Panicked, Aang sent a gust of air at them, then tried to escape. As he raced up an iron staircase, Aang tripped and fell, dropping his staff. Wearily, he looked up in disbelief. He was the on the deck of a massive ship, and before him were Hakoda, Bato, Sokka, as well as the Freedom FIghters Pipsqueak and the Duke — they were all disguised as soldiers! Appa and Momo were alongside them — and so were Katara and Toph!