Another old fanfiction. Written on April 2, 2012.
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She continued to stare at me. Her metallic gold gaze kept me frozen in place. Katara sent a wayward glance in my direction. My friend was just as confused as I was. The firebender stood between us and Appa, making no indication that she would move. Sokka took a threatening step towards her. His boomerang poised over his head. "Move," it wasn't a request. It was imperative that we left Ba Sing Se at this time before the Dai Li could find us.
However, she was persistent in her stance. Her gaze narrowed even more in response to Sokka's command. Her right foot stomped into the ground for a deeper effect. "Aang," Katara began, "with all of us here, we can definitely take her." I caught Toph's nod in agreement from the corner of my eye. I sighed; I was not one to condone violence... Especially if it were me to make the first move. Toph whipped her head behind her before shouting "We're running out of time."
"Aang..." Katara pressed her lips together, opening her water skin. I was still reconsidering attacking Azula. Something about the girl's actions were very strange. If she wanted to fight me, we would be deep into a fray by now. "If you have something to say, then say it," I bluntly stated.
She blinked before taking a couple of steps closer to my flying bison. "Avatar..." she muttered lowly, "if you will permit me to do so, I wish to instruct you in the art of Firebending."
A stream of water was quickly launched towards Azula. I intervened and stopped it mere inches from the girl's face. The Firebender blinked in surprise. "Why did you stop me?" Katara questioned. When I did not give her an answer, she stated, "How dare she make such a ludicrous request? After everything she has done in the past six months..." she then directed her rant towards Azula herself. "Do you really think we will let you join our group?"
"No," she bluntly answered. "However, you don't really have a choice here, now do you?" I could tell that Toph was growing impatient as time passed. "My brother has gained the trust of the Dai Li. They will be here any minute."
King Kuei, who at this time had yet to say anything, spoke directly to the girl. "Are you not the Princess of the Fire Nation? Why would you want to teach the Avatar Firebending?"
Azula shrugged, "We have similar goals."
"I seriously doubt it," Katara scoffed under her breath. My lips tugged at the edges.
The girl ignored the comment and elaborated more. "My father..." her hand unconsciously touched her scarred cheek. "No, Firelord Ozai needs to go down if the Four Nations will ever see peace."
I sent glances towards my companions. Sokka and Katara shook their heads in refusal. "As I said earlier: you don't have an actual choice here, Avatar," she reminded me.
"Wait a moment," I told her.
"But Aang, we're low on time," I heard Sokka say. I grunted in frustration. The stakes were more than apparent to me already. I did not have to be reminded about what had to be done.
"Toph," she turned her head at my address, "what do you think about all this." My Earthbending teacher had the least experience in dealing with Azula. She was, in a way, the least biased person here.
"Everything she said was sincere," Toph stated simply.
I nodded and returned my attention towards Azula. "I'll let you come, but don't you dare think for one second that we forgave you for everything you've done for us." I marched past Azula without sending a single glance towards her, the others followed suit. I heard the Princess release a sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Avatar."