The first year was an acceptable target.
For one thing, she wore pink ribbons in her hair. Pink was not the colour of the Fire Nation. For another, she had been scolded by all her teachers for her lack of knowledge and for not paying attention. Her happy-go-lucky nature had not endeared her to any of the others and she was forced to sit alone during the lunch break.
That was more than enough reason for Kai Xia and her gang of borderline delinquents to make an example of her in front most the Royal Fire Nation Academy.
A crowd of students had gathered. The poor thing, surrounded by bored girls who were eager for entertainment, now had nowhere to run. She trembled before the imposing gang of third years, her fear only provoking them further.
Kai Xia made a lunge for her. She dodged out of the way nimbly. Snarling, the bully made another grab for her. With an impressive flip, first year escaped her clutches again and caused the older girl to lose her balance and stumble. The girl continued to scurry, dive and roll out of danger. Kai Xia was furious at this point. The first year was too quick for her and would have gotten away entirely if it wasn't for the rest of the gang. Two girls seized her arms roughly from behind and held her still.
"I'm going to burn those ribbons off," growled Kai Xia, "with the rest of your hair."
The girl squeaked in terror. Before anyone could do or say anything further a small, jeering laugh came from the crowd of students. Kai Xia looked up angrily to find the source.
The source of the scorn was definitely a first year. She was too small to be otherwise. She was even smaller and slighter than the girl they were tormenting. Her uniform was immaculate and her coal black hair was arranged into a simple knot on the top of her head.
"Something you want to say?" demanded Kai Xia.
The small girl took her time responding. She was remarkable unconcerned for a first year who had incurred the wrath of a third year gang and her eyes, glowing, golden orbs, brimmed with derision. She checked beneath her nails for non-existent dirt before speaking.
"If you really were a competent Firebender, then you would chosen to challenge another Firebender to prove your worth," she said as though she was an adult speaking to a child slow to understand. "As it is... this apparently talentless girl has bested you with nothing more than a few flips and rolls. If it wasn't for your goons, she would have gotten away with the tattered remains of your dignity."
Kai Xia's snarl grew more pronounced.
"You've got a big mouth for someone so puny," she hissed.
The girl snorted gently into her hand, like most noble women did to show their contempt. This enraged Kai Xia further. The third year bully was the daughter of a lowly coal miner who had been adopted by rich relatives. There were rumours about how poorly these relatives treated their adopted daughter and her hatred of nobility was well known.
"I make up for my size with Firebending prowess," sneered the first year. "You can't fight for dragon droppings, by the way."
Kai Xia's hands clenched themselves into fists. The girl had overstepped an invisible boundary. There was no way she was getting out of this without a fight.
"We'll see about that," said Kai Xia dangerously.
"Very well," said the first year, utterly unfazed. "I challenge you to single combat."
The third year laughed loudly. The crowd joined in nervously. The first year calmly waited for the laughter to subside.
"If you defeat me, I will acknowledge your superiority and ensure you are honoured as such," said the little first year with all the arrogance and class of a teenager. "If I defeat you..."
A wicked smile formed on the dark haired girl's features and she pointed a long, thin finger at the terrified girl in the clutches of Kai Xia's gang.
"You will bow before her," she said smugly.
The girl was so sure of herself that Kai Xia had her doubts about facing her, even if she was just an arrogant shrimp.
"Not a chance," snapped Kai Xia.
"Those are my terms," said the first year. "Take them or admit to your cowardice."
There were murmurs coming from the crowd now. This little dark haired girl was actually winning them over.
"Shut up!" snarled Kai Xia.
The crowd was silenced instantly but the first year now had the upper hand. Kai Xia had no choice but to accept.
"Alright little mouse... you and me... right now."
The first year assumed perfect Firebending stance, her eyes blazing. Kai Xia was the first to strike. The first year blocked the fire deftly. Kai Xia struck again and again only to have the little dark, haired girl effortlessly counter her without a single hair falling out of place.
Just as Kai Xia's frustration began to show, the first year delivered a powerful, precise strike of her own. The third year just managed to block it but the force of the attack knocked her off her feet. The first year stood over her, her fist raised and ready.
"Give up?" she asked contemptuously.
"Alright... I-I give up!" cried Kai Xia.
The first year frowned and glanced at the rest of the gang, expecting a trick. She wasn't disappointed. While her attention was on Kai Xia's gang, the third year girl threw a handful of dust in her face. As she staggered backwards, the bully tripped her over. She cried out in surprise and ended up sprawled on the ground. Immediately one of the large third years seized her and held her down.
She didn't struggle. She knew it would be pointless.
Kai Xia got to her feet. She suddenly seemed to tower over the first year.
"Didn't your Mom teach you to pick on someone your own size?" sneered Kai Xia.
The dark haired girl flushed, as though bringing up her mother was a grave insult.
"My mother told me that even the most inbred, intellectually challenged, Water Tribe peasants are capable of acting honourably," she said coldly. "What that makes you, I wonder."
Kai Xia flushed slightly.
"Are you going to admit that you were beaten?" she demanded.
The first year girl raised her chin proudly despite being held to the dusty ground.
"You cheated... so no," she said definitely. "Do your worst."
The look on the third year bully's face told everyone that she was about to do just that. Before the Kai Xia could strike, she staggered forward. Her hand went to the back of her head and removed a sticky, soy covered dumpling. She turned angrily to the crowd.
"Who threw-"
The second dumpling hit her square in the face.
The perpetrator, a tall, slender second year, ran forward. While Kai Xia was distracted and trying to get soy out of her eyes, the second year flung the rest of her lunch at the other gang members.
The Firebender and the girl with pink ribbons immediately took advantage of their preoccupation. The girl with pink ribbons slipped out of the grasp of the bullies holding her and winded one girl with a well aimed elbow. She was more fearsome then she looked. The Firebender was much more violent in her efforts to free herself. The girl holding her ended up sprawled in the dust with badly bruised arms and a split lip.
That left her free to deal with Kai Xia. The first year's eyes narrowed themselves into angry slits and her hands clenched into fists. The third year bully just had time to widen her eyes before the first year set both her robes and her hair on fire. Kai Xia was sent running in shame, trying to put out the flames. Her gang quickly followed suit. The crowd, who were fickle when it came to loyalty, cheered as they departed. Before the three girls could savour their success, a teacher strode towards them.
"What's going on here?" demanded the old woman.
Apparently she hadn't noticed Kai Xia shrieking and running away with her hair and robes on fire.
"Nothing, ma'am," chorused the students immediately, feigning innocence.
The old woman frowned suspiciously and headed back inside. Deprived of their sport, the crowd dispersed, leaving the girl with pink ribbons, the small Firebender and the tall second year alone. The second year smirked in the direction Kai Xia and her posse had escaped.
"And I though school would be boring," she said.
The dark haired first year brushed herself off and arranged her uniform. When she was confident that she looked perfect, she addressed her rescuer.
"Your aim is quite good," she commented to the tall, subdued girl.
"The result of mind numbing boredom," shrugged the second year in response. "You had Kai Xia wetting herself for a while there, yourself."
"The result of discipline and training," said the young Firebender. "A pity about your lunch though."
The tall girl nudged the remains of her lunch that was strewn on the dusty ground with her boot and sighed.
"Momo dumplings are my favourite," she answered regretfully, "but it was worth it."
The younger girl chuckled quietly.
"I certainly hope so," she said.
The girl with pink ribbons, who was observing the both of them with admiration, couldn't contain herself any longer.
"You saved me!" she gushed.
The young Firebender frowned slightly. She could see why this bubbly girl had been the victim of bullies. She seemed to embody every trait the Fire Nation rejected. Still... she had held her own despite having no combat training. A few pointers and this girl could be rather formidable.
She rather liked her bubbly nature despite herself.
"Don't worry about it," said smaller girl with rigid formality. "I'm sure you could have handled them yourself if the need arose."
The pink ribboned girl beamed and turned to the subdued second year. The tall girl raised her eyebrows at this display of excitement.
"You too! You saved both of us!"
"Whatever," said the second year with another shrug. "This is probably going to be the highlight of my month anyway."
"I'm Ty Lee," said the girl with pink ribbons. "What's your names?"
"I'm Mai," responded the second year, still bemused by Ty Lee's exuberance.
"I'm Azula," said the small first year. "Fire Princess Azula."
Ty Lee gasped and managed a hasty bow. Mai followed suit with a little more grace. Princess Azula wrinkled her nose, as though unsatisfied with this response.
"My mother thinks that titles between friends are unnecessary," she murmured. "I suppose you could just call me Azula."
"You don't act much like a Princess," observed Mai dryly. "Aren't you supposed to be knitting dollies and feeding turtleducks like a good little girl?"
"That's my brother's job," smirked Azula.
Ty Lee giggled. Both Mai and Azula raised their eyebrows at her.
"You're funny..." she said between laughs.
Azula carefully scrutinised the pair, as though trying to decide something. She seemed oddly hesitant when she spoke.
"You both should come to the Palace after school," she said carefully. "I owe Mai dumplings after all... and the cooks are adequate for the most part."
"Really?" cried Ty Lee with delight. "Oh, I'd love to!"
"My parents should be okay with it," said Mai. "Sure, why not?"
The bell signalling the end of their lunchbreak rang and the students began to flock inside before the teachers could scold them. The three girls smiled at each other before hurrying away. Mai's smile was small. Ty Lee's was broad and warm. Azula's smile was barely noticeable but genuine.
Azula was still smiling as she strode into the classroom. Her mother was always worried that she didn't have any friends... now she had two. Both of them were useful and rather likable. She intended to tell her mother everything about them.
Of course she would have to tweak the part of the story involving getting into a fight with a third year gang and setting a girl's school robes and hair on fire. Her mother didn't need to hear that.
Author's Note:
No, Mai was not eating dumplings made out of lemur. It's an Indo-Chinese dish and since Fire Nation culture screams Indo-Chinese, I thought I'd shove it in. (Although, my train of thought was more along the lines of OMG it's Momo!)
I always figured that those three met each other during a school fight. It seemed appropriate. *smirk*
I hope I had them all in character. Azula doesn't really sound like a six year old with all those big words... but hey. It's Azula. She hasn't had any girls her own age to be around (until now) and kids who only have adults for company end up sounding like adults themselves.
She didn't sound much like a fourteen year old in the series either for that matter.