Roles Reversed

A/N: I was thinking, what if Azula and Zuko's class were determined like they would in the actual ancient times? Azula's talent wouldn't have been used simply because she is a woman, but Zuko would have been heir simply because he was first born and male. This story tells the paths Zuko and Azula would have taken if Zuko was under the manipulation of Ozai, while Azula was constantly training, succeeding in being better than her brother, but could never gain her father's love so she turned to her mother as her role model. There won't be too many changes in Azula's personality, because those are the traits that we all love! She will still be as cunning and manipulative. It just depends on how she uses it. I shall reveal more in later chapters! Here we go!

Chapter One: The Birth of a … Daughter?

Servants rushed the halls as doctors barked orders at them. Princess Ursa was giving birth to her second child, which Ozai had predicted would be male. He would not settle for his firstborn's lack of prodigious skill. Nurses and doctors were at her aid as the prince and his son merely stood and watched. Another scream from the young woman pierced the air.

"I see a head!" cried the doctor "Push!"

With her brow glazed in sweat, she pushed with all her might, the child came out further. One more time… She gave it the rest of the strength she had, a cry pierced the air, one that was not the woman's own. It was her child. She slowly relaxed, watching as the doctor held the child. Her moment of relief was short-lived as Ozai walked over from the shadows.

"What is it?" questioned the prince.

The small glint of happiness left the doctor's eyes, as did the small elated feeling that was present. His small smile replaced with that of a slight frown. "It's a female, Prince Ozai."

"What?" the prince growled "How could this be! The Royal Family does not give birth to females!"

His temper started rising, the flames in the room grew larger until he took a calming breath.

"Kill it."

"B-But, Prince Ozai, she is your-"

"Did I stutter, Doctor? I gave you an order, carry it out."

Just as the doctor was about to kill the young girl, a mother's plea ripped through the air. "No!" cried the woman "Ozai please," she begged "she is our daughter, a princess. Think of the opportunities she may hold! Just don't kill an innocent child!"

The prince looked at his wife, eyes laced with disdain "She is a female; she has no physical or political worth."

"Please, Ozai, I promise she will prove her worth."

The prince nodded, about to reply until the doctor let out a short cry of pain; gaining a questioning look from every member in the room. "It's not my fault," he stated "it's the child's! She seared my finger!" He held up the burnt member then looked at the two parents. "There's no questioning it with this one," he nodded "she is a true prodigy."

Ozai scoffed and left the room with his son, leaving his wife and daughter behind him. The doctor, who appeared no older than thirty, handed the child to Ursa. This one scared her, for after its first wail from her womb, the infant went silent. She didn't fall asleep, but only stared at Ursa with a blank, cold look. She certainly had her father's eyes.

The child's body was like holding a human flame. The doctor was right; this child will be a prodigy. The exact reason why she will need to be kept away from Ozai… She needed to be protected from him. Sure, she will still get the training she would from her father, but how long can she truly be protected? Who would help her, who would nurture her? Who would make sure she would get the love she deserved from her father? Ursa had taken this duty and bestowed it upon herself.

The girl will be difficult; she can already sense the young child has so much of Ozai in her… She could see the love and loyalty in the infant's eyes, she could see the strength. She could see – no, feel the power in the girl. This is the power Ozai wanted; this is the power that he could use. She needed to protect her from becoming a weapon.

Ursa looked at the child with a small smile graced upon her lips, the baby cooed softly, reaching her small hands up to her mother. Big eyes of wonder and innocence looked up into her mother's, but that innocence never lasts long; especially when you're in the Royal family. Ursa lifted the baby closer to her face, getting a closer look at her.

The infant had so many features that were her own, but even a greater amount the resembled her father. Her eyes, the same piercing gold as Ozai, she had his chin, his strength… But what did she have of her mother's? Well, she had her hair and her connecting jaw-line… Maybe even her nose. Oh well, Ursa wouldn't dote on such petty things as the young child's appearance.

She smiled at the still wonder-filled child, but kept her eyes fixated on the infant's. Even though she was merely a child with no conception of the world whatsoever, she had a rather cold look within her amber eyes. Ursa frowned slightly, the moment cut short by the opening of a door. It was Ozai.

He shut the door behind him, dismissing the doctor. He looked at Ursa then at the child, the cold, nearly emotionless eyes, and the tightly clenched fists of his infant daughter. He smirked, obviously seeing the same power as the others in the room.

"I heard she held a rather large amount of power."

"Yes, Ozai," replied Ursa.

"Let me see her." Ursa looked at him then back at her daughter, handing the young girl to her father. He held her in his arms, and maybe she was hallucinating, but she saw the ghost of a smile on the man's lips. "She's very warm," he looked at his wife "she is likely to be a firebending prodigy. It is a shame she is a woman."

"What do you mean?" asked Ursa, slightly baffled.

"I mean that she holds no political value other than being married off." Ozai shook his head "I hate seeing such talent wasted. She will be trained by the best teachers, but I will continue to keep Zuko, my heir, under my wing." He looked at his daughter once more "But she will be given the name Azula; after her grandfather, Azulon." He proved he was finished by quickly handing Ursa the child back and exiting the room

Ursa looked at her daughter once more, the smile returning to her lips, saying quietly "Azula…"

A/N: Well, that was it. I hope you all liked the first chapter! I hope it gets better and everything clicks into place as I go on. I'll update as soon as possible, other than that, later guys! Read and review!