#yes i do think a lot of him pitting azula and zuko against each other is projecting
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iroh azula antagonism is sooo important to me guys i cant ever read azula redemption fics cus none of them include their insane beef. its such a lonely world out here. can u even imagine how nuts it wouldve been if she found out abt the white lotus. i need to talk ab them dude
i like to imagine the trip back to the fn after ba sing se zuko didnt talk to iroh at all while he was in the brig because he was so in shock and still reeling that iroh outright betrayed him and his family and nation for the avatar. those three years iroh spent with zuko on the ship encouraging him meant what now? "why would he banish you if he didnt care" meant what now that you helped what would undo the banishment evade me?
and azula has never been above gloating, even over the most pathetic scum. so she makes sure to head to the brig the night they depart, her exhausted brother conked out in his quarters none the wiser, mai and ty lee flanking her. and even though the mission had been to capture the avatar dead or alive, theres something about looking down at her restrained uncle whod been working the whole time to get zuko (who has an unending list of faults but is loyal above all else and had been trying his hardest to fulfill the terms of his banishment even while being a wanted criminal to their nation- something she will not overlook) to betray their nation is somehow more satisfying by tenfold than looking down at a restrained avatar.
she knows just how hard iroh takes losing. he lost ba sing se and a son years ago, and here he has lost ba sing se and a son once more. or a boy his senile, trauma-riddled mind has convinced him is his son. her uncle bet against her father by trying to turn his son against him for whatever traitorous and foolish reasons he has and frankly shes just overjoyed to have him out of the way once and for all, because azula is a dragon just as much as iroh and she will always strive to protect her blood, because irohs the one who let zuko into that war room in the first place, because what right does he have to allow her foolish brother that couldnt keep his trap shut to save his life in a situation like that and then have the audacity to try and turn him against them when zuko even being in ba sing se (instead of working under azula along with mai and ty lee like he shouldve been) was all his fault in the first place? she hopes freeing zuko of him stings unlike anything else. she hopes if that sting manifested in reality it would take the shape of an ugly stamp right across his face and haunt him for the rest of his days in his self made prison.
and then iroh can say that zuko had no choice BUT to be loyal above all else because if he wasnt thats a death sentence from ozai. and then azula can say that thats wise of her father then because if that wasnt how it was then their whole family would be an infested nest of lying cowards like iroh. mustve been something her dad learned from his dear old brother. and what can iroh even say to that
#honestly i dont like fics that have iroh have bittersweet memories of ozai or hold deep down love for him because hes his brother.#like the way i see it iroh was alr old enough to leave the palace and fight by the time ozai even came along#he probably wasnt even there when ozai was born. The age difference left no chance of fair competition and ozai HATED it#yes i do think a lot of him pitting azula and zuko against each other is projecting#he gives his oldest no chance of winning to make himself feel better for how his older brother gave him no chance of winning#theres NO LOVE between them yall#what ozai did to zuko just made iroh genuinely Loathe ozai. like he was so despicable it kicked irohs ass out of his own apathy#IDK. azula is so normal though i think she can be allowed to torment iroh. As a treat.#atla#avatar the last airbender
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Possibly a hot take idk but I don't think any of the ATLA kids are "100% irredeemably evil monsters." They're children caught in a war. They're flawed, yes, but they all have the capacity to learn and grow.
I feel that... So much time and energy is spent debating which of them is the worst. Many defenses of one character boil down to shaming another. They're complicated. There's nuance.
In the case of Zuko and Azula, it feels just... so bad to pit then against each other. They're They're flawed, but they're both abused kids who deserve a chance to grow. That can be true for both of them. Debating over which is good and which is bad not only erases this complexity, but it mirrors the way in which Ozai abused them by pitting them against each other, a competition of who's the great sibling vs who's the terrible one. I'm not saying the fandom is as bad as Ozai, that'd be silly, but it's certainly... yikes? In my book?
Because a lot of these debates, in my opinion, shift the blame away from Ozai. People arguing that Aang is terrible for not killing Ozai and focus far more on they than the actual reasons Ozai needed to be taken down, and the reasons Aang had to defeat him as he did.
Oh and sorta unrelated? I'm tired of the argument that "Jet was right all along," because it usually paints the Gaang as being centrists when they're... really not! Centrists don't overturn corrupt governments together! But whatever.
I'm not saying Jet is bad, either! He's yet another kid traumatized by a horrific war, a kid who's flawed but deserves compassion just as much as the other kids do.
I don't know, this is a bit all over the place. I just think we can acknowledge the flaws the kids have and defend the ones often hated by fans without making another out to be evil. They're kids. Their flaws are intended aspects of the narrative that don't make them terrible or irredeemable. They're kids who all deserve time to grow, change, and learn, kids who aren't defined by their past mistakes.
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Hey, I saw one of your posts mention that Iroh and zuko where the only ones who hated azula, do you think zuko was trained to hate azula by Iroh(and maybe Ursa)? Or that he hates her out of his own experience?
So I think the sibling conflict between Zuko and Azula mostly derives from Ozai pitting them against each other. It's mostly his fault. I don't think that Ursa did the best job with either sibling, but she seems to be the one adult figure that actually encouraged them to get along:
(She runs over to catch her mother and brother as Ty Lee laughs quietly.)
Azula: Mom, can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game.
Zuko: (emphatically) I am not cart wheeling.
Azula: You won't have to. Cart wheeling's not a game, (under her breath) dumb dumb.
Zuko: I don't care. I don't want to play with you.
Azula: We are brother and sister. (her voice becoming sickly sweet) It's important for us to spend time together. Don't you think so, mom?
Ursa: Yes darling, (to Zuko) I think it's a good idea to play with your sister. Go on now, (she fluffs Zuko's head a few times) just for a little while.
That being said, her favoritism definitely worsened the relationship between Zuko and Azula.
As for Iroh, a lot of people think he was pitting Zuko against Azula precanon, but I'm not convinced:
Zuko: So uncle, I've been thinking. It's only a matter of time before I run into Azula again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her. I know what you're going to say: she's my sister and I should be trying to get along with her.
Iroh: No, she's crazy and she needs to go down. (Zuko nods. Iroh grunts as he stands up.) It's time to resume your training.
Zuko seems to be surprised by Iroh's words here and seems to expect that he would want Zuko to get along with Azula. Admittedly, Zuko can be slow on the uptake and doesn't necessarily always understand what Iroh is trying to tell him, but this doesn't read to me like Iroh was continually trying to pit Zuko against Azula before this point. Admittedly, he definitely does do so here and later in the series, but Book 2 Iroh was actually often concerned with stopping Zuko from fighting Azula, not out of any compassion for her, but because he knew that letting Zuko fight his vastly superior sister who has orders to kill or capture him was a very bad idea likely to lead to Zuko being killed or captured.
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So new to tumblr, legit made this for asks. In your Azula redemption timeline do you not think Zuko also needs to apologize to her? He's quite aggressive to her and views her as a rival rather than sister, not helped by her ofc. Just from what we see in the show there's no real reason for his raw hatred? Her journey seems very one sided without acknowledging that others harmed her as well.
wow, that’s dedication! and this is an interesting question.... I don’t think the idea that “there’s no real reason for his raw hatred” is necessarily true? like, you’re right in that he views her as a rival, but that’s because ozai deliberately pitted them against each other. azula’s survival hinged on zuko’s failure. he was the scapegoat to her perfect princess (literally), and he knew it.
of course he’s gonna resent her when he views her as an extension of ozai; she may not have been the one to burn his face, but she cheered on his burning all the same. of course, azula was also being abused, and zuko’s status as Loser Older Brother was necessary for her survival. but from zuko’s perspective, “you can’t treat me like zuko!” (an indubitably heartbreaking line) doesn’t mean all that much, does it, considering that, well, he’s zuko.
even if he gets over his resentment of azula, im not sure he would ever think he was wrong at the time for trying to take her down, since she was working as an agent of the fire nation, ranking second only to the firelord. of course, he was too for a very long time, so it’s not like he can’t empathize with why she was the way she was, also shaped by ozai’s abuse. but like..... does he owe her an apology for fighting fire with fire?? for not being a perfect, understanding brother to a sister who banked on his misfortune??
besides, a lot of their violence is typical sibling (especially in an abusive household) lashing out at each other magnified to the level of national conflict simply because of their positions within the state. even when they literally try to murder each other, siblings don’t really apologize for past transgressions. the best you can hope for is that they let it go and move on. take it from someone with brothers; they won’t apologize for hurting you, and they never will.
and what would an apology from him even look like? “sorry for being angry at you while you were trying to ruin my life and kill my friends.” “sorry for unintentionally giving you mommy issues because our mother preferred me more, not that it is my fault because I was a guileless child at the time.” “sorry for being suspicious of your intentions when you were shamelessly manipulating me.” yes he caused her harm, but only because he felt forced to, the same way she did him (again, the real culprit is ozai).
I’ve said before that iroh owes azula an apology, and I stand by that. he was an adult, and he should have recognized the way that his brother was abusing his children (before the events of the agni kai). he tries to rectify this egregious oversight with zuko, whom he recognizes as someone who can be set on the right path with the right guidance, but he deems azula beyond saving, which yeah, is pretty shitty of him considering that she’s basically a younger version of him (only she took ba sing se when she was 14 with only two friends lackeys for backup what’s good uncle?)
but zuko was also a kid, rightfully mistrustful and resentful of azula. an apology for not trying to empathize with her more while being pitted against her by ozai’s hand would be nice, but it’s not actually needed, considering that there’s nothing else in that circumstance that he could’ve done. yeah, asking katara to help “put azula in her place” is a pretty bitchy thing to say, but what was he supposed to do? be like “katara, how would you like to help me set up azula with the right mental health services to guide her on her healing journey???” lmfao please
#randomblogforasks#asks#azula#zuko#azula&zuko#hot takes#because uhhhh....... this is contentious#I know ppl have Opinions on this matter lmao#but idk. zuko didn’t rly have any feelings abt azula that arent 100% understandable#considering the fact that she was constantly antagonizing him#lmfao#like that single line in sozins comet is probably the most unwarranted thing he says#and really I think that’s just him & katara being mean bitchy besties together#they both called ty lee a circus freak too#they’re a coupla bitches!#they’re teens it’s fine#like idk#he was just doing his best#it’s zuko so like. his best isn’t always great. but he was doing HIS best#and that’s what matters#zuko: sorry for not being SOKKA#azula: YOU SHOULD. YOU SHOULD BE SORRY .#no.1 reason azula hates katara is bc she has sokka for an older brother and yet does not appreciate this enough#no.2 reason is bc katara has better hair than her and she is unspeakably jealous#no.3 reason is bc katara kicked her ass twice and that huwt her feewings!!!!!!#anyway
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ok but like, here me out,,,,, avatar high school au but its just me projecting my personality and trauma
my instagram
Aang
Freshman
He's trying his gosh darn hardest
The group baby
Appa is a therapy dog so he spends the day with gyatso in his classroom :)
Hes a saint bernard
The best man
Despite katara being the ‘mom friend’ he runs the god damn show
Momo is a shit head sphinx cat
The gang dropped movie nights for “knitting nights” so they could all learn to knit him sweaters
Hes very fashionable
he hates it
sokkas best friend
Aang makes costumes so when halloween comes around momo is very scary as dorothy
Track and field babey
Does not curse
He has a hard time keeping up with world events
Straight (i'm not wrong)
he and toph have an ongoing tradition of going in full dress to waffle house before school dances.
it got to the point where now all the workers know them by name
they also accidentally crashed a white lotus meeting and just kept going
Azula
Band kid
Sophomore
Rich girl with 2 friends
Pre eng
i know most schools dont have this program, but mine did and holy shit. those were some overachievers
The most annoying mf on the planet
Not a single teacher likes her
The know it all that will fight if you don't agree with the facts
She was the ww2 kid
Capitalist in the worst fucking way
Closeted lesbian, when she figures that shit out she gets a lil better
The one who can drive
Mai
Bisexual
She's really good at math?? Like shes the gay who can do math
But cannot drive, bitch failed her permit more times than she can count
She nearly went to an all girls boarding school at one point
Sophomore
Colorguard!!
She has beat the shit out of people she's walked in on making out in the bathroom
Genuine friends with the faculty??
She takes programming/coding as a filler class but she's pretty good and continues to pursue it.
Her tumblr looks sick as hell
has caused a teacher to cry
Ty lee
Bisexual
Lesbian earings actin mf
Sophomore
Cheerleader
She is the nicest mother fucker and everyone loves her
Despite acting like an airhead she's really science orientated
When she takes biology she passes with flying colors
Very invested in social justice
She would never hurt a fly but she will fuck you up
The one with a healthy relationship with her father
has comforted a teacher she found crying in the parking lot
Iroh
Now runs the jasmine dragon where zuko works after school w/ katara
Knows every single kid who comes in and tries his hardest to make sure everyone feels appreciated
Former war criminal
In a book club
The white lotus? Yeah this is the white lotus
Idk if it would be the same as the show, or if its just an old person shit talking group
Zuko
Junior
His dad got full custody of him and his sister when he divorced their mom
But at 13 he got kicked out for another bullshit reason and ever since Iroh has had custody of both of the siblings
But bitch boy ozai has visitation rights but only wants to see azula
Theatre kid!!
I mean he was gonna join jrotc to appease his dad but he figured his shit out before he really joined
A republican turned leftist
Hes queer he just doesnt know which label to use
Himbo rights
He and katara are best friends idgaf about ships but they are bros
orchestra kid! (yes this is me self projecting bc we have similar trauma)
Violist
Teachers have no idea what to do with him bc on one hand he's very reclusive and on the other his sister has the worst opinions so they don't know
Katara
Sophomore
Still the mom friend but this time she goes to therapy
Bc she literally raised her brother after her mother died?? And then became a parental figure to her FRIENDS???
Biggest political activist, genuinely does her best at educating herself and others about civil injustices
Also really obsessed with cults and true crime
Choir kid
She takes AP history, english, and second language classes
Is trying her hardest in math and sciences
Huge stuffed animal collection
Student council vice president
she originally ran for president but jets gang voted him in as a joke
The teachers pet
Swim team bitches
Best friends with the school janitors
This is my au so fuck off she and zuko are chaotic friendgroup parents and annoying best friends i love them
and maybe something more???
who fucking knows theres a betting pool in the white lotus and so far aang is winning
Sokka
Junior
Bisexual
Gym and History teachers LOVE him
On the swim team and the fishing team
Started crying when he took his drivers test
Goes to gsa w/ toph and loses his fucking mind
He's the reason suki’s car is disgusting
In all advanced/ap classes in math and science
Was the kid who carries a portable speaker around until suki put him in his place
Still has to use his hands to figure out left and right
Yue
Technically she doesn't go to school with them she goes to a nearby private school
She met the gang at a football game and has been invited to every group outing since
Junior!!
Very invested in world politics
When she joins the group at school events she ends up making friends with all the staff
Debate team kid!!!
She's not a rule breaker she just knows their limitations ;)
at one point missed school for like 2 months and everyone thought she died
turns out it was just fucking pneumonia and sokka is one dirty liar
Suki
oh? you mean yue’s best friend bc we dont respect pitting women against each other in this household?
Junior
Bisexual icon!!!
Oh god what sport would she do??
Probably basketball??
Or she would just do martial arts outside of school
And have a ‘female empowerment’ club or somethin
100% believes in self government in society and that the current gov exists purely on the theory that all humans are inherently evil
Bitch for bernie
Her car is DISGUSTING
She asks if she can hit peoples juul and then throws it in the trash
The gym coaches really like her but she fucking hates them
Is very close with her school counselor??
She never wants to run but she keeps getting elected to homecoming court
Toph
Freshman
Former homeschool bitch
Joined the wrestling team and the fishing team??
She doesn't even like fishing she just thinks it's hilarious
Very good a pottery and that's her arts credit
She and iroh have lunch together every thursday
If she catches wind of you putting gum on desks they will find your body in a ditch
She makes sokka and suki take her to prom
She hates it she just likes to fuck with people at prom
Sometimes she just tells people she doesn't believe in something bc she cant see it
has been wearing the same sandles for the past 3 years bc “they’re reliable”
Cryptid hunter
Goes to gsa bc its better than any fucking reality tv show
Has nearly burnt the house down making ramen
#do i find myself so fucking funny? yeah....#might fuck around and do something w/ this who knows#guess which of these are things ive actually done#aang#azula#tylee#mai#tyzula#mailee#iroh#zuko#zutara#taang#katara#jasmine dragon#sokka#yue#suki#sukka#toph#toph beifong#artists on tumblr#digital art#my art#fan art#avatar the last airbender#atla#momo#appa
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Tradition
Click here to read the full fic on AO3
Zuko was distracted on their video call. Katara let her words trail and it would take a few moments for him to respond. After watching him for a moment, Katara finally reclined on her couch.
“So, what’s new with you?” She asked. That got his attention and Zuko looked at her nervously.
“Katara, we’ve been dating a few months now.” He said, but didn’t seem to pick up the thread after trailing off.
“Yes?” Katara prompted.
“I don’t want to rush things.” Zuko said, as if that were a complete thought.
“But?”
“But certain people are asking about the long term.”
“Zuko.” Katara sighed and Zuko’s camera jostled as he sat up.
“I know, I know. Like I said, I don’t want to rush things. I just want you to know that people are asking questions and I’m answering them the best I can.” He said.
“That’s ominous as all get out Zuko.” Katara replied dryly.
“I just don’t want you to be surprised by the news or anything.” He replied easily.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing! Well,” Zuko looked strangled as he formed the words. “Azula and I are fighting. Or maybe my father is fighting me through Azula. Either way, we’re going to be in the news.”
“Is everything okay?” Katara asked.
“It’ll be fine.” Zuko replied. “I promise.”
It was not the news that told her.
Rohan landed their sky bison Dawa in the middle of the courtyard as Katara was going through her exercises. The large animal slid on the ice and bumped into the wall with a low groan. When they jumped off, Rohan pressed themself into Dawa’s massive head, bury their face in her fur.
“My poor baby. Did that hurt?” They cooed and Dawa lowed gently.
“Rohan? What are you doing here?” Katara asked as she approached. Still keeping their body pressed against Dawa’s head, Rohan turned their face. They were still mostly obscured by the long fur, but an attempt was made.
“Pop was thinking you and I should go to the Fire Nation.” They said.
“Arnook doesn’t want me leaving the palace. I still have a lot of learning to do.” Katara replied.
“Yes well, Azula challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai.” Rohan said.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU LEAD WITH THAT?” Katara yelled. Panicked, Rohan flipped around and Dawa growled at Katara.
“I DON’T REALLY KNOW.” They yelled back.
“WHY ARE WE WAITING?”
Katara pushed herself up with the ice and Rohan leaped onto the saddle.
“Yip, yip Dawa!” They said and Katara barely had time to brace herself.
The sudden force of air knocked her back, but after Dawa levelled out her flying, Katara was able to move. She crawled on her hands and knees toward Dawa’s head where Rohan sat with the reins.
“You need to explain to me what’s happening.” Katara said. Rohan turned, idly flicking the reins in their lap.
“Azula has stated that by continuing to pursue a relationship with you, Zuko has dishonored their family and should have no right to the throne. She’s challenged him to an Agni Kai for inheritance.” They answered.
“And he accepted?”
“He had no choice. His father wasn’t going to stop it; it’s kinda the end all, be all of decision making. And you know,” Rohan fidgeted as they spoke. “He had accepted the Agni Kai where his father burned him.”
“WHAT?” Katara gripped the edge of the saddle and felt the pressure against her palms.
“Like I said, it’s how they do things in the Fire Nation. Zuko didn’t really have a choice.” Rohan replied.
Katara sat back and stared off into the sky. Agni Kais were rare, but all of them were broadcast. They had been outlawed in the United Republic, and among any Fire Nation citizen in other kingdoms. The dangerous taboo created a massive allure and young Firebenders in the Fire Nation would routinely call for one, knowing that it would be televised. It was definitely their chance to make a mark on the world.
If Katara really wanted, she assumed she could find a recording of Zuko’s initial Agni Kai. Where his own father pressed his hand to his son’s face, in public, and marred him.
This one would be just as public. And against his sister.
Katara tried to think of the last time she had fought with Sokka. It was over the summer, when they had planned to eat dinner together and they disagreed over acceptable pizza toppings. She had thrown a loaf of bread at him. They weren’t even having pizza.
“So what can we do?” Katara asked.
“Thuy is already there with Pop trying to de escalate, except that neither Azula nor Ozai are actually, you know, emotional about it.” Rohan said.
“They’ve been looking for a reason.” Katara murmured.
“Probably.”
“You don’t think she’d kill him, do you?”
“It’s not illegal.” Rohan answered, answering her question as gently as they could.
“We have to stop this.” Katara stated.
“We literally cannot.”
“Then why did you bring me?”
“Just in case.”
Feeling sick to her stomach, Katara rolled on her tailbone until her back was against the edge of the saddle. Her arms fell along the edge as well, making her look like a boxer on the ropes. She felt like she had been sucker punched.
It took two days of flying to get there. Dawa pushed through as if sensing her riders’ desperation. Rohan showed Katara how to fly and they took shifts as they crossed the unending ocean. From a hastily packed bag, Rohan pulled out various foodstuffs and their eating times were the only moments they had together. They tried to think of a plan but had nothing, and fear gnawed at the underside of Katara’s heart.
When they landed, both Katara and Rohan leaped down. Katara pulled water from the grass on the ground to brace herself and Rohan’s wind ball gently shrank while propelling them forward. There were guards, because of course there were, but Rohan’s gusts snuffed out the pit of their fires while Katara swept them aside.
“The arena is over here.” Rohan yelled and Katara followed them closely. In front of them was also a large reservoir of water. It would make sense, in case the firebending got out of control. And it made things easier for Katara.
“There!” She exclaimed and found soldiers waiting for them. Rohan made a noise in irritation before spinning into an aerial kick, blowing them away with a gale. They floated down with a huff and Katara sped up to match their stride.
“They’re lucky I took a vow of non-violence.” Rohan muttered as they continued on.
“You’re lucky that I did not.” Katara said and Rohan briefly smiled at her.
They crashed into the doors and immediately struck bodies. There was a crowd gathered to watch the spectacle and Katara fumed. Rohan took a deep breath and blew out; a whirlwind burst out of his mouth and people were shoved away from them. It was just enough of a gap to see the raised platform where Zuko knelt, a cloth over his shoulders. Katara and Rohan bolted forward just as he stood, the cloth falling away.
And a burst of blue fire surged toward him.
Katara screamed even as Zuko turned out of the way, moving the blue fire around his body and changing it into the orange she recognized.
The fire was loud, which surprised her. It was also hot, which made her wary to get closer. Still, she stepped forward and Rohan put their hand on her shoulder.
“We can’t now.” They said. Katara, pained, looked at them before turning back to the platform. Zuko moved like a waterbender, sliding his feet as he pulled Azula’s attacks around himself before pushing it back at her. When he did get defensive, he spun with his feet arcing over his head, like an Airbender. And when the attacks were too large, Zuko took a deep stance and broke the line of fire, much like an Earthbender.
“What is he doing?” Katara asked.
“Tiring her out. Zuko’s hung out with us for so long, he’s picked up so many different styles, Azula can’t get past them.” Rohan replied. “Once she’s exhausted, he’ll knock her down and he’ll win.”
They smiled, looking relaxed, but Katara frowned.
“That seems very anticlimactic.” She said.
“But it’s a good thing.” Rohan retorted and she shook her head.
“Except Zuko said his father is dramatic.” Katara said before looking back Zuko. “Do you think it’ll be that easy?”
It wasn’t.
As soon as Azula went down - having been slow to react to a curve ball of fire and so Zuko swept her legs out from under her - Zuko immediately stood at attention.
Azula got up on a knee and started to laugh.
“You have brought dishonor yet again onto our family, prince Zuko.” Ozai’s menacing voice came from the far end of the raised walk. “You have fought with your sister in front of the entire world.”
“But he-” Katara started but Rohan grabbed her arm, shushing her.
Zuko put his fist to his hand and bowed deeply.
“I meant no disrespect.” He said, his voice hollow but still ringing in Katara’s ears.
Ozai stepped from the shadows; shirtless, as was required by the Agni Kai.
“So it’s time for a rematch?” He asked.
Zuko stood upright for a moment before sliding into a waiting stance. This marked a choice, not a reaction. He knew what he was getting into.
“Trust me,” Zuko said darkly. “It won’t be much of a rematch.”
Ozai’s burst exploded, making the air around the audience pop. That scattered most of them as the bending bordered on combustion; a trained combustion bender could control it, but Ozai did not focus on that form.
Zuko didn’t waste his time tiring out Ozai, mostly because his fight with Azula had already weakened his own stamina.
Looking around, Katara was finally able to see the people she was hoping for as the crowd fled. Tenzin, Iroh, and Thuy stood yelling at each other just a few feet away.
“Thuy!” Katara screamed and started to run. The Avatar turned and Tenzin preemptively held her back. When Rohan and Katara made it to the group, Katara was seething.
“Why haven’t you stopped this?” She damned, looking at Iroh and Tenzin.
“Our hands are tied here.” Tenzin started.
“All of this is perfectly legal.” Iroh added.
“But it’s not right!” Katara yelled.
“Watch out!” Thuy pushed Katara back and pulled up a rock wall as fire spilled off the platform.
“I’m going up there.” Katara stated.
“You are the queen of another country, you cannot interfere!” Tenzin said.
“Yeah, well, I’m the Avatar and it looks to me like the sovereign of the Fire Nation is terrorizing his heir, which I’m pretty sure can lead to some serious political consequences so I’m gonna have to overrule you here.” Thuy retorted forcefully.
“Look!” Rohan called out. Everyone turned and saw Zuko push Ozai back, now very clearly mimicking Waterbender styles. As Ozai shielded himself, the flames dissipated and Azula jumped up next to her father.
“That certainly isn’t legal.” Iroh said.
“Let’s go!” Thuy grabbed Katara’s hand and rocketed themselves upward on a protrusion of rock.
“There’s water under the grates.” Katara said just before they hit the platform. Thuy grabbed from the right side while Katara pulled water from the left. Bringing their wavering columns together, they clashed on the eruptions of fire heading toward Zuko.
Things worsened when the soldiers made it into the arena.
Iroh, finding himself yet again on the enemy lines, fought defensively. And as both Tenzin and Rohan had taken vows of non-violence, they were quickly occupied with keeping themselves safe while also not allowing anyone else to join the fight on the platform.
For the ones above, their fight was nothing less than brutal. Azula and Ozai went with sheer power, attempting to push someone off the platform. The fall would easily be enough to break a leg, making escape impossible. So Katara and Thuy pulled on more limbs of water, catching themselves when they got too close to the edge.
Thuy had no formal firebending training, but instinctively she was able to disperse indirect attacks.
But as Zuko got hit with a fireball, Thuy lost it. She pulled too hard on the water, bringing Zuko up but nearly taking Katara off in the process.
“Just. Stay. Put.” Thuy seethed through gritted teeth. Right before her eyes started to glow.
Katara had never seen Thuy in the Avatar state, and it terrified her a bit. Air swirled up around her, tossing her hair up that made her look like she was drowning. Large slabs of rock were ripped from the ground and circled her like an armor plated atom. Fire jumped between the slabs, creating a protective net, while water fell upward to coat the entire platform.
“We are sick of you and your forefathers treating everyone like filth.” A booming voice that was not Thuy’s said. “Your heir has atoned and we will bestow our favor on him.”
Ozai laughed. He laughed right in the face of the Avatar.
“You are a coward. You all were cowards! You can’t strike me down because of the balance!” He shouted.
The elements parted around Thuy, but something cloaked her. She was taller, wearing robes, and with a large headdress.
“I can assure you,” A clearer voice, but still not Thuy’s, rang out. “I was no coward when I killed my master.”
Avatar Kyoshi swept her hand and a large rock ripped itself free of the arena and slammed into Ozai, knocking him clear into the other wall.
The shroud changed again and Katara gasped at the sight of the blue parka. Water slammed into the place where Ozai had landed, just as the rock exploded. Avatar Kuruk ran on the water bridge he created and created a fist of ice.
“Don’t forget about me.” A lilting voice sang out. Blue fire shot toward Katara as she turned. Pulling up a sheet of ice, Katara took a moment to admire the shimmering explosion of blue that rippled behind it. Then, stepping forward, she shoved the wall at Azula. As Azula broke it, Zuko had spun through a series of sets. Azula charged them then, splitting them cleanly down the middle with a wall all her own.
Azula was good at keeping them apart, putting Katara on the defensive while forcing Zuko to choose between pushing an attack or trying to deflect spill over from harming Katara. They would dart at each other, only to have Azula fall back while attacking Katara.
The fight had barely gone on for ten minutes, but that was longer than any other duel. Zuko and Azula were both visibly panting, and they both swayed in their stances. Off to one side of the arena, the Avatar was beating the Fire Lord into the ground while the other side saw the trio slowly losing their footing.
Suddenly grinning, Azula stood up and took a different stance.
“Azula.” Zuko called out as a warning.
“Dear brother, this ends now.” She said. The electricity arced between her fingers and Katara froze.
She knew what happened when electricity met water. Unsure of what to do or how to help, she looked at Zuko.
“I can handle you Azula. For as long as it takes.” Zuko shouted, getting his voice over the snarling sound of lightning growing around Azula.
“Is that so?” Azula remarked casually.
Zuko stood, his body tilted and grounded.
And Azula turned to face a new direction.
Katara could see her gold eyes glint but she didn’t hear Zuko yell.
She saw the lightning and she saw Zuko. And she saw Zuko’s body. He was just a few feet from her, she could reach him.
Steam erupted as Azula shot fire in front of her.
“Oh no you do-” Azula began but cut off as the steam curled and shot up like a spear. Katara pulled more and more water, levitating ice shards all around her and sending them hurtling toward Azula. The water moved like a wave over the platform and while Azula twisted to dodge one of the ice spears, her ankle rolled and she fell to her knees. The water froze, adhering her to the platform. To keep her from bending, Katara pulled more water up and created an inverted bubble around them.
Then she froze it.
Bending was an art. Some benders were born with inherent strength while others could improve through rigorous training, and still others were stuck with low ability no matter what. But it was all dependent upon the benders chi, or spirit, or metaphysical energy. Whatever they called it, it was an energetic field that they could manipulate. Most of the time, benders had to move in order to control their element as they could never achieve true mastery of their chi.
Some monks among the Air Nomads were rumored to have achieved it and would float without the need for food or water.
Katara felt the frozen rage down to her core and the water around her obliged. She breathed, and the ice melted to let her pass.
Moving through the ice, Katara picked up the cloth Zuko had worn at the beginning of the Agni Kai. With it, she bound Azula’s hands, then refroze them. At least this way it would take longer for her to get frostbite.
Melting the ice block, Katara kept Azula pinned to the ground and her hands encased in ice.
Then she ran to Zuko.
Turning him onto his back, Katara knelt down to listen for a heartbeat. Not finding one, she immediately started CPR. As she counted, she used her bending to move the blood through his veins.
“I could use a little zap here!” She paused to yell. Focusing on her compressions, she had no idea how long it took Iroh to get up to them. When he did, she sat back and watched as Zuko was electrocuted again.
Gasping, Zuko rolled onto his side and Katara fell on him, crying.
“I have to heal you!” She sobbed. “I have to.”
Her hands glowed as the water came to them and she ran it over his chest. She had cracked his sternum during CPR and had to concentrate on pulling the fracture together. Her chi went into him, sewing the bone together. She healed his veins and the damage done to his heart. But the scar would not go. Dark veins bled out from the strike, but at least they were working.
“Zuko.” Katara said as she fell on top of him. “Why?”
“Tradition.” Zuko said weakly. “I wasn’t allowed to say no.”
“Get rid of it.” She murmured, burying her face in his chest.
“As soon as the crown touches my head beloved.” He brought his head up and kissed the top of her head.
“Yeah but seriously, someone needs to check to see if the Fire Lord is dead.” Rohan said from above them. “Because Thuy went all out on him.”
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I’ll Meet You At The Bottom (Part 45)
Sokka watched the last boat depart from the harbor. He clenched his fist and watched it grow ever distant. His father would be surprised to see him come home. He made a mission of taking the scenic routes, prolonging the trek home as much as he could. A few stars began glittering the sky with an icy cold brightness before his home came into view. In the sky above he could see the first dull illuminations of the arouras. He took a deep breath and continued to waddle over hills of snow, the stuff was coming down in large bursts now. The sky puffed small clouds of flakes into his face. Each one landed on him with a new glittering chill. He supposed he made it back just in time, there was going to be a big storm. It was only just the beginning and the winds were already growing violent. He could tell that they were in for a harsh season this year. With the wind to cover his cry he howled out in anger, he very well may have just missed the last boat of the season. He threw the door open with more force than intended.
“Sokka, what are you still doing here?”
“I couldn’t do it.” Sokka whispered. “I wanted to, but I was afraid.”
Hakoda stroked his forehead. “Of course you were afraid, you have to use that to push yourself forward. You were afraid during our hunt weren’t you? But what did you do?”
“I ran forward and went for it.” It had been the most exhilarating feeling, all of that fear had turned into pure adrenaline that exploded into a wash of pride.
“And you were thrilled.”
“I should have gotten onto that boat.” Sokka groaned.
“It’s too late to think about that now.” Hakoda replied. “We might be cut off from the other nations for a month or so. That’s a month you can use to think about what you’re going to say to everyone when you get back.”
Or I could be on my way to saying it right now, he cringed. “Is there any chance we can get another ship out?”
“Not even one.” Bato cut in. “You’re a good man, Sokka. Your words here are valued, but I’m not about to risk sending another sailor out in this.” He motioned to the roaring wind.
Sokka rasped his knuckles against his forehead. “I can’t believe I just watched them depart. I just let the opportunity go.” And now the ocean was the only thing that kept him from resolving his dilemmas. He wished he could say that he was surprised.
.oOo.
The sun beat down on Azula’s face. She had spent so much time huddled in her room away from its light, it would seem that she was making up for it now. Helping Zuko prepare for the dragon festival was a task for certain. This kind of work ought to be left for the servants, and yet it wasn’t so. She and Zuko, Iroh and Ursa, they were servants during the dragon festival. Everyone served the dragons, it was a high honor to do so, and would be a great shame to be excluded from the preparation services. So the princess found herself hoisting up banners that outweighed her greatly, banners that strained her back as she tried to position them well. By this time her cheeks were a sore, sun-scorched pink and her neck nearly as red as the gown covering her shoulders. Zuko, wasn’t in a much better state, with a sheen of sweat plastering his hair to his forehead as he pushed banquet tables into their positions. The greater amount of labor put into crafting the festival, the more praise one received form the dragon spirits. As much as Azula enjoyed that notion, she felt decently undignified having already put in thrice as much work as any of the actual servants. She huffed and resumed her task. This banner pole was particularly heavy and so awkwardly shaped that Azula wondered if she would ever get it erect.
“Need some help?”
Azula set the banner down once more. From Sokka or Chan she might have said yes. But it felt beneath her to accept it from a stranger. “I’m doing fine on my own.” She lifted the pole again.
The boy watched her struggle for some time before commenting. “I can tell.”
Azula gave an annoyed and haughty sniff before approaching the pole with renewed vigor. At last it stood tall. “Naturally, you can.” She found herself the nearest pillar and leaned upon it, panting some. Her face was plenty red.
“Here.” He offered her a water skin. She used it only to splash some of the cool liquid onto her face. The boy pushed a pair of golden glasses up his nose. Azula narrowed her eyes at him, assessing the boy. He was lean, perhaps a little too slender and had an array of freckles splayed over his face. Over his shoulder crawled a tiny white elephant-mouse. He looked up at the banner, reminding her that she needed to unfurl it. Tugging the rope binding it took only a little less force than it had to stand the banner up in the first place. But eventually it came loose, boasting brilliant red silk and an embroidered black and gold dragon. “I can’t believe you got that thing up all by yourself.” He paused, “I don’t know why I can’t believe it. You always perform better when challenged.”
“What do you know about that?” Azula asked.
“A lotta stuff, I guess.” The boy shrugged. “Like you how you made a point of sticking around the more Chan told you to leave…”
“Wire?”
He smiled, that crooked, lopsided smile.
“Sorry, I didn’t recognize you without your layer of dirt and bugs.”
“I miss my bugs. My ma doesn’t though, she doesn’t even know about Petro.” The elephant-mouse came to rest in his palm, he stroked it tentatively with the other hand. “She doesn’t like animals…” He frowned and then looked up at her, studying her more closely. “I almost didn’t recognize you without the Ruby Tears.” He concluded.
“Is that right?”
“You don’t look like you’re going to die anymore.”
A fair assessment, Azula supposed. “If I have to put up one more banner, I might just.”
“You made it home.” He remarked. “So you can’t tell me what’s going on with my friends.”
“They’re here in the Capital, actually. At least Khoza and Yoona are. The last I heard, the rest of them were heading to Ember Island with Chan.” She paused. “Perhaps I can get them to come back, at least to see you.”
“Why wouldn’t they want to come back.”
“I might have hurt Chan’s feelings.” Azula mumbled. “It’s a long story.”
“Great! I could use one of those, the stories my folks tell me aren’t very exciting when they do talk to me.”
Azula wasn’t one for recounting her struggles but Wire was so innocently curious. Behind that bright eagerness, the boy seemed sad, maybe lonely. So she caved and decided to detail her endeavors from the withdrawals to the mind games. She found that she rather enjoyed sharing it, hearing from her own lips that she was finally better off than before.
.oOo.
It was driving him crazy, being cooped up like this. Under different circumstances, he might have enjoyed it. Being wrapped up in furs by the light of a fire, all nice and cozy next to Katara with a steaming bowl of sea prune stew and their father’s wild tales of the Water Tribe in his youth. This was not such a night. There was a fire going, sure, and he had a warm meal and lots of furs. But Katara was horribly missing and there were no fun tales, just the merciless wind whistling over the shelter and his father and Bato discussing how ill-prepared they were for an early winter. He stirred his seaweed noodles absent-mindedly. The more irrational side of him screamed at him to acquire himself his own boat and try to make it to the Fire Nation. The rational side considered Hakoda’s advice.
What would he say to Azula when he saw her again? Would he just let her speak first? He could already hear her berating him and threatening to stick him in a prison cell—next to Ozai just to add an extra kick. He could apologize but how unfulfilling and hollow would that be?
No matter how hard he thought it through, he couldn’t come up with any form of apology that seemed adequate. Worse over, he couldn’t even promise himself that he could refrain from lashing out at the woman again.
He was both afraid of her and afraid of what he could do to her. More than anything he was afraid that he would find a way to cope with the roots of his problem. Maybe if he made amends with her, Azula would be so kind as to take him to the Forgetful Valley. Snow whipped against the side of his house reminding him that no matter which option he chose, he would have to wait.
.oOo.
Wire seemed to have enjoyed her story. Relaying it had distracted her from the pulsing in her sore muscles and the irritating sunburn that tingled on her neck.
“At least your ma is trying.” Wire said when she had caught up to her current conundrums. “Mine, she doesn’t like me much, she never did. So she never tries.”
“She doesn’t hurt you?”
“Not anymore.” Wire replied, “she mostly just ignores me now.” He tapped his foot awkwardly on the ground. “Since I went to the Ash Pit she’s been treating me like I’m dirty, I think she keeps me around just to keep people from gossiping.”
“The elephant-mouse probably doesn’t help.” Azula couldn’t help the remark. “Since my opinion matters more than hers, I don’t think you’re dirty.”
“She’s actually kinda cute.” He held Petro out to her. Azula flinched away. “Just hold her, I gave her a bath and everything.” Before Azula could protest, she had an elephant-mouse scampering over her arm. Wire retracted his hand. “So are you going to look for him?”
“Who? Sokka?” She asked, swiftly catching the rodent before it could reach her neck. It squeaked and squirmed—in joy or discomfort, Azula couldn’t decipher.
“Yeah.” Wire answered.
“He doesn’t want to be found. He’ll come home when he does.” Azula stated flatly.
“You said that he searched for you.” Wire pointed out.
“Yes.” She agreed.
“Shouldn’t you do that for him?”
“I’m sure he’d be thrilled to seem me standing at his door…or the door of whoever he’s staying with.” Azula replied sarcastically. “He left because of me, I know you heard that part of my story.”
Wire shrugged. “Chan said that you have a habit of inviting yourself to places and staying when you’re told to leave. Why break it now?”
Azula blinked. “I’m starting to like Petro more than I like you.” The elephant-mouse twitched its ears.
“Good, ‘cause she likes you.” After a moment’s thought he added, “So does the fish man.”
Azula crinkled her nose. “Fish man. I’ll have to let him know that you said that. Whenever he gets back.”
“You mean whenever you find him.”
“Wire, I have other matters to foresee. This festival for one. My mother, my uncle…” She pointed to her crown.
“I think that Fire Lord Zuko can handle the crown alone for a few more days.”
“And my mother? We haven’t finished our conversation.”
“Take her with you.” Wire replied simply.
“She doesn’t want to go on some blind chase. Besides, Aang, Katara, and Toph are already looking for him. Well, Toph isn’t exactly looking per say, but you get the point.”
“Great, you can cover all of the places they haven’t looked yet.” With a silly grin, he took Petro back.
“Jun-Hisoka! Jun, there you are!” The woman had such a voice that Azula loathed. It oozed with drama and gave off an air of false pomp. “Jun-Hisoka what did I tell you about wandering to far from mommy? I can’t have you running away and playing in the trash again.” She took his hand and Azula could see his face bunch up in discomfort. And then to Azula she dipped her head. “My apologies, Fire Lord Azula. I hope he hasn’t bothered you, he’s a bit of a pest, running about, making a mess of things.”
Azula had a collection of responses at the ready. Both ‘he’s bothering me alright, just not how you think’ and a very contradictory, ‘he’s not the one bothering me’ among them. But instead she settled on, “he’s not a bother at all.” She supposed a well-intended fib couldn’t hurt, “he was just helping me put up a few banners.”
Something in the woman’s jaw worked, she was skeptical, but it wasn’t her place to pose any questions. Instead and with the slightest twitch of her lips she turned Jun…to Wire and grumbled, “put that filthy creature down and off with you.”
Head hung low, he set Petro down and let his mother tug him away. The critter stared at Azula with its teeny nose twitching. Azula sighed, she supposed it couldn’t hurt to hang onto the elephant-mouse until she ran into Wire again. If nothing else, Toph would get a kick out of the creature. There was only one more banner to arrange and then she could go back inside and see what the others had come up with.
Anticipating no leads at all, she didn’t know what to do when Katara declared that they’d found something. Something they wouldn’t have found if Katara wasn’t such a sore loser and pointed out that Toph couldn’t have possibly won because she couldn’t read.
They had found his signature in one of the logs.
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I’ll Meet You At The Bottom (Part 40)
No matter how he ended things he would no longer be in the palace. He just hadn’t decided in which fashion he would depart. Wasn’t sure if he would simply leave or if he would take up a more permeant solution. In current, his mind leaned more in one direction than the other.
He knew one thing though; that his situation was suffocating. He couldn’t bare to watch Azula only from a distance mostly because it reminded him that she no longer cared for him. Partly—and shamefully—because he envied the higher place she had gotten to. That should be him, he couldn’t help but wonder if he sacrificed his own wellbeing to give her a chance at one. At least he could say with certainty that she wasn’t taking her chance for granted.
Sokka ran his finger over the blade of his sword, it didn’t hurt like it should.
He had recently sharpened the blade.
But to him it seemed too dull.
.oOo.
The sun had the pleasure of falling and rising before Azula even looked at Ursa…at her mother a second time. She had only looked up when Yoona uttered, “that lady look fency…fa-fancy. Fancy?”
Azula nodded affirmatively at the pronunciation before fixing her gaze in the direction Yoona had pointed to. “She’s not that great.”
Yoona cocked her head.
“Trust me, she isn’t.”
That had been a few hours ago. Azula thought that Ursa must have been seeking her out, the woman kept appearing wherever she went. Constantly undeterred by any of the other souls in the palace, and with no Zuko to dote over, Ursa made it a challenge to be evaded. The princess was rather invested in a book; a little something on the Fire Nation during the age of warlords when it was known as the Fire Islands. And so it was that she had Azula cornered. The firebender made a fine display of ruffling through the texts but Ursa was remarkably persistent, watching her read for at least one more hour. Eventually the presence became tiresome so Azula set the texts down. She needed some fresh air anyhow and she promised to give Khoza an extended tour of the Capital and all of its finer locations. Azula stretched her arms, that moment seemed like a good time to show the man around.
“The Fire Nation seems lively lately.” Ursa spoke. Azula never had been fond of small talk and was even less, when the small talk spouted from the lips of her mother. “The public seems impressed by your reign.”
“Don’t worry mother, it’s only temporary.” She made her way past.
“I think you’re doing wonderful things for our Nation.”
It was bait, solid bait at that. The words were pretty, but they weren’t what tuned Azula’s attention in. It was that she had said them at all. That she knew Azula well enough to comment on that instead of her looks or how much she had matured. “You would rather see Zu-Zu back home and managing things.”
“The throne is his, yes.” Ursa replied.
Just to see her flinch, Azula replied, “and if I decide not to turn the crown back over to him?”
Ursa pursed her lips. “Then I’m sure you’ll take care of your people well.” A diplomatic response, the kind of teetering around her true feelings that Azula had expected. “But I don’t think that you will.”
She turned her back on the woman. “You don’t?”
Ursa nodded with a slight smile. It should have made her happy that her mother thought her to be morally sound. But it only made her more furious. After how many years of the woman only seeing the worst in her. Of course she would only acknowledge Azula’s capacity to do kind things after she had already left the worst of herself behind. Her mother never seemed to see that small glimmer that Sokka had noticed. Azula clenched her jaw and made her way towards the door.
“You’re doing a lot better.”
She didn’t even know what Azula’s worst looked like. She didn’t know exactly how much better, better was. She had been utterly terrified, too much so to visit her like a mother ought to have.
“No thanks to you.”
.oOo.
There was a glint as Sokka’s sword came down one final time. The sequence did little to help him think but he had forced a decision anyhow. The truth was, he was afraid. Even if he did die, he was sure he wouldn’t join Suki. But he would be leaving, without a word, he would be gone. Had he gone downstairs to say goodbye, his departing words would fall on def ears anyhow. He picked his way through clothing—deciding which to leave and which to bring along. Going through his items, he came to realize that he didn’t have much at all. His boomerang and his sword, a wallet of coins and a waterskin. A hand-made choker and some wolf armor. And his paint set. That made up most of what he owned…owned and cared for that is. But his paint set was not in his pack, he couldn’t seem to bring himself to paint anything at all. He slung his pack over his shoulder and shut the door behind him. A beam of sunlight filtered through the crack in the door falling momentarily on his portraits as it shut. He crept down the hall, taking the long way, the way that brought him past Azula’s room. Maybe she would see him and ask where he was off to. Maybe she would convince him to stay.
His heartbeat picked up some as he came to her room to find the door open and the room vacant. His heart fell. Momentarily he thought to write a note and set it on the bed, but she hadn’t left him one before dashing away to the Ash Pit. She probably wouldn’t want a note from him anyhow.
He paused his getaway only to write Katara a simple apology. This he slipped under her door. With that he began his hustle. The boat wouldn’t wait for him, it didn’t even know that he was on his way.
.oOo.
Azula wandered the palace, she had already checked his room and the garden as well as the roof and the designated training rooms. Her next guess was the springs. She could usually always find him there. She didn’t know what kind of conversation it would be but all of that walking and searching had left her with ample time to prepare some dialog. Each script that unfolded in her head depended on what Sokka would say when she came upon him. She had every intention of letting him explain himself first, it felt more proper to so it in that manner. But the springs were empty as well, the only splashes and churns came from the spring’s natural motion. Officially fed up with this game of hide and seek, Azula cast her clothes aside and submerged herself. She leaned against the craggy spring wall, watching steam waft towards the ceiling. She let a small jet of flame expel from her lips and watched it dissipate in a puff of blue.
It helped to breath fire when she pined for a long drag from her kiseru. It absolved the urge and usually helped relax her in itself. She breathed out another jet of fire, this one longer. Its smoke lingered. She tapped her fingers against the rocks.
By the time she emerged from the spring, Katara had found Sokka’s note.
It was a simple thing. But then he was a simple…seemingly simple man. “I’m sorry.” And then beneath that, “bye.”
“I let him leave.” Katara muttered softly. “I can’t believe I let him just leave like that.”
“You saw him go?” Azula asked, doing her best to keep the question from sounding accusatory.
“No. But I didn’t do anything to make him want to stay.” She replied. “I. I didn’t even notice that he was gone.”
Azula pressed her lips together. She shared the same sentiments but couldn’t bring herself to vocalize them. They were probably going to pin it on her and remind her that it was her fault anyways, so she would let them remind her instead of saying it of herself.
She had toyed with him and for her game he was gone. She hadn’t wanted to isolate him but in her desperate attempt to not be seen as the monster again, she’d rifted him further than he probably could have ever shunned her. For what it was, it had worked, she had won. She wasn’t seen as the monster, but she sure felt the part. She was supposed to be different, so why was she acting on old habits? Old habits that just cost her Sokka.
She had played her game and this time it had hurt her too.
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Swift As Karma (Part 4)
“Come on.” She muttered to herself as the fire died in her palm again. She was alone alone but her face still flushed. She tried a second time but the fire only licked and lapped weakly in her palm. Her face fell; she very well couldn’t lead an invasion in such a state.
The Avatars were no longer keen on simply blocking her out, they had begun to actively sabotage her. Not that they hadn’t already been, but this. This was a new level entirely; a breach of what was hers.
She threw a fist forward but the fire that leapt from her closed fingers had all the power of a reading candle. She slumped against the wall in defeat. Her leap for power had left her weaker than she had imagined and with so much potential within her grasp and wholly inaccessible.
Azula flexed her hand and tried to coax a flame into it, simultaneously attempting to cut the avatars off from her chi to no success. She closed her eyes and tried to push outside clutter and white noise aside.
It should be simple; she just had to learn the pathways of her own chi and chakra points the way TyLee did. She just had to learn to distinguish her energy from theirs. From there, perhaps she could separate the two, learn to throw up some sort of mental blockade.
If she could pierce the minds of others from the outside, surely she could navigate her own from within.
She had to, Agni forbid she couldn’t.
Perhaps it would do her well to pay TyLee a visit. An uncomfortable prickle works its way into her belly, at the thought that it might arouse suspicion if she took up a sudden interest in chi points.
Azula bit the side of her cheek. And then she thought that, maybe, she should tell TyLee of what happened beneath Lake Laogai, it would do her just as well to get things off of her chest. She wrapped her arms around her knees and stared blankly across the room, pondering her options over.
.oOo.
Sokka cast another dismal glance at Katara. She had hardly moved since Aang’s fall. She laid there with the boy’s motionless body tucked under her arms and pressed up to her chest, sobbing softly to herself.
It was a constant sound that only let up in her sleeping moments.
Sokka, being most honest with himself, found it rather unsettling to be flying with the body of their friend but Katara insisted that they take him to be buried with the rest of the air monks. It was far out of their way but, really, where was the harm? Ba Sing Se was already Fire Nation property and the Avatar had been slain.
There was a certain lack of urgency that came with such a slash to their hope.
With Aang gone, it was hard for Sokka to fathom any means to achieve victory. They might as well take a detour.
Even still, flying on Appa’s back felt wrong without Aang at the reins felt entirely unsettling. He began bringing the bison towards the forest floor. He noticed Toph stir, she sat up slightly and fixed tired, sightless eyes upon him. “Is Aang awake yet?”
Sokka flinched. Had he forgotten to tell her that Aang was dead?
“Oh...right…” She trailed off, seeming to recall. It had been days and she still periodically did that. Sokka didn’t know if that was better or worse than Katara’s refusal to leave Aang’s unmoving side.
No matter which was worse, they were a sorry lot these days.
They are just kids.
Aang is just a kid.
Azula is just a kid.
He swallowed, he hated to admit it, but she is a kid too.
Not for the first time he thought about how abysmal it was that a bunch of kids have been pit against each other to fight and kill in a war forged by generations before them.
With Toph asleep once more, and Appa having landed, Sokka put his balled fists to his eyes and wept. He is just a kid too. And yet he never got the chance to truly be so. Spirits knew Aaang hadn’t; he never got to be a child and yet he never got to be an adult either.
.oOo.
That girl was beginning to aggravate him. She hardly came out of her room these days and when she did she was reserved and quieter than usual. Always seeming tired, never wanting him to be around when she practiced bending.
Still, he let her take the seat to the right of him.
For how long she’d stay there, Ozai wasn’t sure.
He rose to address his war council. “With both the Avatar and Ba Sing Se out of the way, the rest of the Earth Kingdom should be fairly easy to pick off and take over. We just need to approach with a study strategy.” He paused. “I invite suggestions.”
Azula shifted in her chair before speaking. “We can try to overwhelm them. Our military is large enough to fight on multiple fronts.”
Reasonable enough, Ozai deduced. If only the girl stopped speaking there.
“We should start with the smaller, weaker territories and…”
“We don’t have time to trifle with those.” Ozai cut in. “Why bother with them? After we conquer the larger cities, the smaller will surrender.” He concluded.
“Right, of course.” Azula muttered.
Ozai noticed Zuko’s brows crease. “I’ve lived in the Earth Kingdom long enough to know that that’s not true.”
He flashed Zuko a scowl. “Are you underming me during my own council meeting?”
“No, father.” He mumbled. “I’m just trying to help. The Earth Kingdom and its people are stubborn. Even if you leave one place out of the plan, they’ll start an uprising.”
If his sister was thankful for the support, it didn’t show on her face. Ozai stroked at his beard. “You really think that conquering the smaller towns will work?”
“None of my plans have failed so far.” Azula replied, likely thinking of the drill.
She wasn’t wrong. “We shall make an ordered list of towns to conquer.” He concluded. Turning to Azula he continued, “if you are going to lead any of the armies I am going to see how your training is coming along.”
There was a moment of pause before she replied, “yes, father.”
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