Azula's Law

The warmth blooms within me. I can feel the perfect sphere of heat and power rise from the base of my stomach, and blend through my finger tips. I watch it burst free, out of my palm and relish as the crowd scatters, mothers screaming, children crying. I marvel at the grown men and their widened eyes as they watch the unnatural, blue flame, beautiful and electric, shake the very air as it streaks past them, and finally pelts into the town hall.

I control a smile as their homes collapse around them, as the village bell falls to the floor with a final clang-the almighty sound splits the air and rumbles into my chest, a euphoric feeling. I manage to suppress the laugh that is trying to break free.

Rule 1: Do not show any emotions in combat, or if possible- at all.

I feel the ground absorb the pounding rhythm as my men march through the pathetic town, their faces covered, the beautiful colour of scarlet staining the atmosphere, seeping everywhere, the fire coinciding as it boasts it's radiant red. A man stumbles towards my direction as he clutches his head, but doesn't manage to prevent the bitter crimson creeping through his clamped fingers. Before long he falls, never to get up again, at my feet. Feeling nothing in particular, I take a brisk, neat step away from his lifeless form, and brush myself off, wanting to somehow rid myself of a strange feeling that has suddenly hung over me. You might say its guilt- but it's not. It's just memories.

I've learnt never to feel remorse or guilt- those sorts of feelings hold you back from things that matter, like victory. Nothing is like victory.

Rule 2: The most important thing is winning. Do not let others do it for you and do not become distracted.

Emotions are just distractions, your mind trying to slow you down. But my mind has learnt to keep up with me and my lifestyle. I liked to move quickly, and I don't wait around for others. Only an old fool like my uncle would stay behind and take care of injured men, but I know that you have to keep moving, you can't let anyone or anything distract you, because if you get distracted, you slow down, and you fail.

Rule 3: Do notfail. Failing is a sign of weakness and weakness is not an option.

"Weakness is not an option…" It never has been and never will be. That's the sort of thing my pathetic brother would take refuge in, curl up and cry in. He's always been the failure, the broken link of the family.

Suddenly I hear an unattractive screech, and heavy footsteps pounding the earth from behind me. I duck down swiftly, and put my left leg out. It connects with someone and a middle-aged man falls over me in a neat arch and lands in a heap, an unimpressive little axe flying from his hand, and sticking itself into the earth. The bundle of idiocy groans and stirs slightly.

"You made a terrible mistake." I tell him, my harsh voice ringing out, barely audible over the screams and heavy footfalls. But I know he hears it, because he is suddenly still. This time I let myself smile, because I feel the sense of power climaxing, as I prepare my stance, and feel the heat ripple through me before it's released. I let out a sharp breath as ropes of fire feed on its prey, consuming, burning.

Rule 4: If there are any signs of resistance, snuff it out.


"You father has sent a message for you, Princess Azula." A low, stiff voice sounds from behind me. I know it well. I feel the corners of my mouth prick slightly as the door closes and the distant rumbles of soldiers talking over their simple food are silenced. The atmosphere falls to a hushed stillness, until I suddenly feel a warm rhythmic pattern against my exposed neck. I am alone with this man, on a Fire Nation ship, in the middle of the raging waters. I feel my heart beat pick up slightly. But I ignore it. I know it will come to nothing.

"The message is: There's a man who is dying until he feels the weight of the princess on top of him." It is sneaky, and he thinks it will work, he thinks it will entice me.

This is what I like to do- I like to pull people down when they're at their prime, humiliate them and make them feel small. That way, I seem bigger, more intimidating and that way, I get whatever I desire- the command of the most advanced and elite troops, the city of ba sing se, if you want an example. It all works so easy- as long as I stick to another one of my fundamental rules.

Rule 5: Everyone is beneath you, remember this and you have your path set to victory.

I turn and face this man, this man who wants me, who desires me. It's nice to feel wanted, to feel desirable, but other things are so much more important. That's why I have to keep Rule 1 in mind. Although this particular circumstance doesn't include much emotion.

"River…" I coo, sounding sympathetic to his problematic passion, completely alien to my usual expressions, "If you want to feel the weight of me on top of you, then why don't you just take me in your arms now?"

A low growl sounds from his throat, and he smirks at me. He goes to move his arms, but before he can make any motion of lust or desire, I step smartly around him.

"Unfortunately," I sigh, as if is a terrible inconvenience, peering at my fingernails and maintaining my upright position, "I have better things to be getting on with. And if there isn't really a message from my father, then I suggest you carry on with your scheduledactivities. I'm pretty sure the one you have in mind is extra-curricular."

He watches me closely, and I can see his mind is working quickly behind those sharp grey eyes. In fact, he's not a bad looking man. It's the perfect opportunity. But it would only get out of hand, a bit of bother, something not worth dealing with. Too many strings would be attached, tangling and mixing the truths.

"Come now, Azula, I've seen the way you look at me…during that invasion today-"

"It was hardly an invasion." I scoff, changing the subject, "If you really think that's an invasion, then I suggest that you-"

His head ducks, his eyes shut and his hands seize my waist. My eyes are wide as his lips go for mine-

SMACK!

The atmosphere changes so suddenly it's like a switch over in a dream. My heart is thudding and River is lying unconscious underneath splinters of whatwas an ornately furnished desk. My eyes aren't wide any more; I'm not clutching the chest of my clothes with one fist and holding the other hand over my mouth, in a helpless frenzy.

My eyes are narrowed; my mouth upturned as I stride across the room and slap him awake. His expression is slanted as he gazes up at me, a little line of blood working its way down his face from a cut hidden underneath his hairline.

"Do you think you have control over me, River?" I snarl, shaking the front of his robes so violently that his neck cricks, "Do you?"

But his neck is slack, his mouth lopsided and his expression dim. I slap him again, my long nails catching his flesh. As I draw back to strike him again I see more blood shed from three thin lines. Again, I allow myself a little smile of spite before hitting him again.

"There have been few times when I have been this indignant, but then again, I remind myself…" I straighten up, and maintain that upright stance again, brushing off my hands as if he were ridden with filth, "Why should I waste my energy on you? But you have assaulted a member of the Monarchy of Flames. That's a death penalty offence. You will await trial when we reach land, but don't get your hopes up. There will be a guard to escort you to a cell in the bottom of the ship shortly."

And I leave the room, and leave the man who tried to show authority to me, tried to take control, a mistake that he won't even have a chance to learn from.

Rule 6: If anyone tries to show authority above yours, do not take it. Break it.

This account isn't going to show a deeper side of me. I show myself from inside out to each and every person I come across, whether it is one of my oldest friends, or a peasant whose life I am about to end, nor will it have a special meaning. I'm not going to witter on about my mother's rejection and my grandfather's death. I am merely describing life as I know it, my way of living, the law's by which I must abide.

Azula's Law.

And the most important one of all doesn't even have a number- because it is top priority. I already know that it is number one, the thing that I must and willsucceed in. I had already come so close.

The most important rule of all…Destroy the Avatar.

The Avatar…there's a lot to be said about that little child. He even at his age, he is still the Fire Nation's biggest threat, the master of all elements and the master of surprise, until the Day of Black Sun. I was the master of surprises then, the one with the upper hand, but only by coincidence, only because that Stupid Earth King let it slip. It'll never be a coincidence again. I don't need others help. I don't even need those Dai Li agents as long as I have the bright burning sun, and fire at my hand.

To be continued…