Truth of Lies
Author's Note: Ok so quick explanation. Soza is the youngest daughter of Firelord Ozai and Ursa and was named after Sozin who started the War. She's considered a prodigy just like Azula, but her skills were overlooked by Ozai until recently. Her skill as a firebender doesn't quite match Azula's but it's getting close. The ages of the character's are a little messed up because I wanted to make Soza older, so Azula is 15, Zuko is 17, and so on. Soza is 14 in case you're wondering.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
"Again Soza!" Conditioned to obey, she sprang forward and repeated the advanced maneuver, trying to get it perfect. Just as the Princess was about to finish, she stumbled and her father was on her at once.
"Your footwork is sloppy and your center of balance is completely off. Fix it now!"
"I'm sorry, Father, it won't happen again." The terror in girl's voice was evident and he seemed to revel in it.
"Now that I am actually taking the time to train you, I expect nothing but perfection," he sneered.
She nodded and started again. This time she watched her feet, and succeeded in completing it without a mistake. Or so she thought.
"Your finishing hand should point slightly up Soza!" The girl flinched and corrected the offending error.
"I guess it will have to do," disdain poured from her father's mouth, leaving her feeling like a failure.
As he turned to leave, Soza rapidly repeated the maneuver, adding an improvised flip toward the end, and landing perfectly balanced on her foot with her right foot outstretched and palm facing slightly up. Ozai looked his daughter over and nodded.
"And that is how I expect my children to perform. Well done."
He then turned and exited the training room. Since he hadn't released her yet, Soza continued practicing basic forms to try and improve her balance. She flowed through each one, focusing on each movement, and correcting every minuscule error. After her body was drenched in sweat, a servant entered to inform her the session was over. She waved him off and grabbed her towel.
"Thanks for leaving the training room. I was getting bored waiting for you to finish." Soza froze at the sound of that cold voice echoing through the chamber. She turned to see her striding toward her with a smirk set in place. Golden eyes met golden eyes as they stared at each other, waiting for the other to budge. As was expected, the younger looked away.
"I'm sorry I took so long, Azula. Father was giving me a lesson."
"Oh that's perfectly alright, Soza. Just make sure it doesn't happen again." Her smile sent shivers down Soza's spine as the she walked passed Azula, trying to keep her face a blank mask.
At the entrance door, she paused with her hand holding onto the door frame. Curiosity had taken over and she glanced back at Azula. Her sister had walked into the middle of the room and stood motionless, centering herself. The air seemed to pause, gathering its breath for…something. That's when her hand twitched forward and azure flames fanned outwards with a roar. Soza held her breath at the deadly precision that exuded from her every movement. It wasn't the pure unbridled ferocity that she saw in her father's bending; it was entrancing, but Death was in every stroke. Every motion she made was so smooth and natural…effortless. She was truly one with the fire. Soza stood, not daring to move, as Azula drew from the energies around her. She could actually feel the energy being sucked toward the center of her sister's form. Just as she was sure Azula would burst from the energies gathering in her, she thrust her hand toward the opposite wall, guiding the energy away from her. Lightning crackled forth, dazzlingly white, blinding her momentarily. When her vision returned, she saw a gaping hole in the wall, tendrils of smoke swirling from its center to the ceiling. The Princess shook her head in disbelief at the raw demonstration of Azula's skill, before silently leaving for her room.