Yes, another A: TLA one-shot. I think one-shots may be what I'm best at. Anyway, this is based on Azula. Kind of sad, in my opinion, but I'm posting it nonetheless.

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.

ASHES TO ASHES

"Dinner." A guard places my meal before me.

I'm disgusted. Someone of my rank should be feasting upon the finest food there is to offer, and none of this garbage. I push the tray away. The guard shakes his head in disapproval and leaves. As if I asked for his opinion.

So this is what I have resorted to. Me, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, soon to have been Fire Lord. But of course my dear brother held that position now. And I was nothing but a prisoner.

There it was again. I was seeing red. My heart began to beat at a faster pace. I gritted my teeth. My brother. The Avatar. Every time I thought of either one of them, my blood began to boil. They were the cause of my downfall. They were the reason why my father was now powerless and weak.

I growled. The thought of father also angered me. How could he lose to a child? It made no sense to me.

I then begin to criticize myself. I should've shot the little pest a second time, just to keep him down. Then I should have ridded of my brother and uncle. Of course killing Zuko would gravely upset Mai. She would have wanted revenge. So I could've plotted her demise, and keep Ty Lee in the dark. No need for more blood to shed. The Avatar's friends would be easy to manipulate, therefore I would not have to get my hands to destroy them. This was my fantasy, in which I would rule as Fire Lord, and my reign would be legendary. But fantasy is nothing but ashes now.

My mother. What would she say? What would she do in my presence? She'd probably mock me. She would continue to lie and act as if she were concerned for me, when she indeed was glad to see me put away.

Throughout the silence in my cell, I can hear my captors speaking.

"Did you hear about the Fire Lord's new plan for Reconstruction?"

"Ah, yes. Republic City. Sounds promising."

I clutch my hands into fists. My sharp nails dig deep into my skin, nearly drawing blood. I can't contain my rage anymore. What first erupts from my mouth is a scream. It sounds of a tortured soul and is chilling.

The guards burst in when hearing my commotion. Their eyes grow wide when fire explodes between my lips next. I want to slaughter them. I want to rip free and have their insides on the walls.

These soldiers were trained by Uncle Iroh to keep me in line. They bend small portions of lightning to shoot at me, and I fall to my side, my head lulling around.

"She really has lost her mind," comments the one who brought me my supper.

They enter my cell with caution and bind my hands tightly behind my back. They know of my flexibility, so my feet are also bound. Then they disperse, and I am left alone, somewhat dazed. My vision begins to blur, and I know soon I will fall unconscious.

I can only imagine how I look now. I look like scum, the lowest of low. I'm nothing but ashes.

I was in a depressing mood when writing this. R and R.