CHAPTER RATING: T (Language, Violence)

Thank you.

Published on: 01/19/2020

Epilogue, Part III: An Eternal Sunrise

…Sixteen years later…

"…Today in Republic City, beautiful, comfortable weather as usual…"

Azula is jolted awake. Her raven hair, once as black as the night, was now as white as the clouds that float above her home. She sat up and reached towards the power switch of the new device that Tenzin had brought her.

"...In other news, a protest is set to take place in Republic City's central park, led by a group of political activists calling themselves The Equalists-" The radio's broadcast is broken as Azula's hand flips the power switch off.

"Mother?" Tenzin's voice comes from the hallway behind her bedroom door.

"Come in, Tenzin." Azula replies, letting out a heavy exhale.

"Are you feeling alright today?" He opens the door and takes a seat at her bedside, a large beard dominates his face, adorned with his traditional Air Nomad arrow down his forehead, his imposing figure clothed in traditional robes and aged facial features add to his sage-like appearance.

"You've asked me that every day since I can remember." Azula takes her son's hand. "And what is always my answer?"

"I'm just worried about you, that's all." He squeezes her hand. Azula stares at him for a long moment and brings a hand to his cheek.

"You look just like your father." Azula's voice cracks at the memory of Aang. Her eyes widen, realizing the pain she has just brought back into memory. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have."

"No, It's okay. I miss him too." Tenzin turns his head away towards the door. "Jinora! Bring your grandmother some water!"

"Coming!" A voice echoes through the house, followed by light, frantic footsteps; Jinora, her face framed in youthful brown hair tied into a bun, enters the room, a glass of water in her hand. "Here you go, Grandma."

"Thank you, dear." Azula takes the glass and sips from it. "How old are you now?" She asks.

"Ten." Jinora replies.

"You've gotten so big. I remember the days when I used to hold you in my arms and look at you now." Azula smiles. "Old enough to learn, I think."

"Mother, what are you talking about?" Tenzin's voice shakes at her vague words.

"Look at me, Tenzin." Azula holds back the urge to cackle like a mad witch. "I'm old and tired." Jinora's uneasiness is tangible.

"What are you-?'

"Do you know who your older brother is named after?"

"Uncle Bumi?" Jinora spoke up.

"Correct, Uncle Bumi." Azula nods. "Did we ever tell you who we named him after? I forget if we did."

"Yes, Dad's old friend, the King of Omashu. But, what do you mean? What is the point you are trying to make?" Tenzin interjects.

"My point is: King Bumi was muscular and healthy for being such an old man. He was able to take his city back during the return of Sozin's comet. When he had to fight firebenders." Her voice jumps just as Jinora's eyes widen in suspense. "I am a but fragile old woman when compared to him." Her eyes hang on the Avatar's statue a bit longer. "And I'm tired, Tenzin."

"Mother, are you-?" Azula's nod interrupts him.

"Sunset, Tenzin. My sunset is coming." Azula pulls Jinora onto the bed and takes her granddaughter's hand into her own.

"I...I…" Azula can tell he's trying his best to process what she is saying. "Understood." Tenzin pulls away. "Jinora, listen to your grandmother. I have some preparations to make." His voice cracks as he steps out of the room and closes the door behind him.

"Dad! Wait!" He hushes her protests, and she turns back to Azula. "What's wrong with Dad?"

"Nothing's wrong. Now pay attention, Jinora. There's something that I want to teach you. Something that the Avatar taught me a long time ago."

"Grandpa Aang?! I'm listening!"

"Good. Your grandfather taught me this one day while we were flying on Appa." Azula takes a firm grasp of her granddaughter's hand and takes a deep breath. "Focus on your breath and feel the energy of those around you, focus on the energy of the world around you, and you will see." Azula opens her eyes to the sight of a luminescent silver cord sprouting from her chest.

"What is that?!" Jinora's voice jumps from her throat; a smile of pure joy and accomplishment creeps across Azula's lips. "Grandma, look!" The little girl stood still, wide-eyed, her hands passing through the silver thread dancing from her sternum as she tries to grab hold of it.

"It's called a Spirit Cord. Look, I have one too; Everyone does." The sheer wonder in Jinora's eyes warms her heart. Jinora walks towards Azula, trying to touch the cord from her grandmother's sternum. "I have a feeling about you, Jinora." Azula cups the cheek of her granddaughter. "There's something special about you and the Spirit World. Remember this: If you ever need to find your way back to your physical body, your spirit cord will always bring you back. You just need focus."

"O-Okay!" Jinora stutters, Azula squeezes her hands gently, sensing her granddaughter's uncertainty.

"You'll learn in time. Now, focus." Azula assures Jinora. "Focus on the energy that is within you. Focus on the power and potential within your spirit, focus on your spirit cord, and we'll make it back home."

She takes hold of her granddaughter's hands and they close their eyes.

Azula looks up.

The sun is setting. A violet light takes the horizon.

Around her, her children: Bumi, Ilah, Tenzin, and Pema. In front of them: Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo, Tenzin's children.

Azula's eyelids are heavy. Her heart aches as she sees her loved ones sobbing around her. Jinora squeezes her hands one last time, then pulls back, wiping away tears, and muttering words of thanks that Azula can't hear anymore.

She smiles and shuts her eyes.

…

The wind whispers a song to her ears. The grass brushes against the soles of her feet. The sun warms her skin.

And his touch caresses her cheek.

"I waited so long..." she hears his voice again and opens her eyes. His forehead rests against hers. "so long…just for this moment." he sits across from her, as young as the day he saved her, but with the wisdom of the life he spent with her. Azula touches her own cheek, the wrinkles from her old age disappearing like dust blown into the wind.

He rises to his feet, holding his hand out to her. She reaches out, and with his strong grasp, leaps up to her feet.

Aang stands before her, his smile glowing and his voice as angelic as she remembered. The light of the sunrise wraps around him, bathing him in a warm glowing orange that would bring tears to her if she could cry.

She falls into his arms and holds him close. His warmth, intoxicating. Her arms wrap around him, her head nestled in his neck. His hands rest on her hips, holding her with an unwavering strength.

"I missed you so much." She whispers. "I felt so alone, for so long."

"I'm sorry..." His hold on her tightens and he lets out a deep breath. "I'm sorry that I had to leave so soon. I'm sorry I left you alone." He pulls back, wiping away the invisible tears streaming down her cheek and she takes in the warmth of his caring smile. "I won't leave you alone again, I promise."

Every promise he's ever made to her, he's kept.

And in this new life, she has no reason to doubt him.

"Just a little longer…" Azula's whisper to him carries across the infinite plains into the unending mountains. She falls into his arms again, basking in the warmth of his presence, holding him close, never wanting to let go, never needing to let go.

"...Just a little longer." He promises her and holds her tightly, with his unending devotion and love.

There, they held each other, slowly dancing amidst the light of an eternal sunrise until the end of time.

THE END