Author's note: I do not own any rights to the universe of Avatar the Last Airbender. Those rights are exclusively held by Nickelodeon, Michael Dante Dimartino and Bryan Konietzko. The only thing I own regarding this story is the idea itself. This is a non- canonical work that takes place a decade after the end of the original show. I've seen and read the Dark Horse comic known as "The Search" which, for those that don't know, has Azula working together with the other characters to finally uncover where Lady Ursa has disappeared to. This story pretends as if those events have not happened. The Fire Princess is still locked up in prison at the beginning of this story.
Princess of Fire, Princess of Hate:
An Avatar the Last Airbender Story:
Chapter I: Confinement
Darkness. Complete silence and suffocating darkness. That's all there is. For the past 10 years that's all my life has been. Ever since my brother assumed the role that should have been mine, I have been treated as a examinee. When I used to look into the eyes of another person, I would see the fear written plainly on their face. Ever since I lost the Agni Kai to Zuko all I have been able to see are the looks of pity that my cell guards flash at me every so often. It's quite hilarious really. The once proud Princess of the feared Fire Nation has been reduced to a mere husk of herself that even common people seem to feel sorry for.
There have been many theories about why I broke down that day on the battlefield. Too much stress from hunting the Avatar and my brother on orders from my father. The betrayal I suffered at the hands of my so-called friends on the Boiling Rock. I have to say I was rather taken aback, Mai was always mistrusting of my motives, (smart girl) the actions she took were not surprising. Ty Lee however is another story. I could get her to do anything for me with a well-placed lie and a convincing smile. I was the one that told the circus master to let the animals go of course, but I doubt she ever picked up on the fact that it was me. Even if she did, it didn't seem to bother her all that much. She was the only one that could stand to be around me for more than a few seconds. At one point I even thought she- What am I doing? This isn't me. This is Zuko! After all this time his presence haunts me. Even though he got what he wanted he can't seem to leave me alone.
I never liked him. Even as kids we were polar opposites. He was the dutiful son that my mother and uncle doted on at every possible occasion. I was the little monster that no one could stand to be around. My mother said she loved me but her eyes told me the truth. The second born could never ascend to the heights of her only son. My uncle was always a fool, perhaps even more of one than my mother. Even after he conquered the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se, he didn't have the iron will needed to keep it. All he wanted out of life was his precious jasmine tea and the ability to spend time with his son. An heir to the throne without the tiniest shred of ambition. Pathetic.
"Princess have you heard a word I've said to you?"
A voice snaps Azula out of her memory and back into her present surroundings. Ever since Fire Lord Zuko had mandated that his sister be kept under constant surveillance, the prison had set up psychotherapy sessions for the Princess. It was the Fire Lord's opinion that his little sister could somehow be treated. He would never invite her back to the palace. He would never come to visit her. She was to be forgotten, cast aside in order to preserve the stability of his reign. Azula, who had heard the information from guards chatting in the hall, thought it was hysterical. If nothing else, it was the only way in which little Zuzu could feel safe. No matter what he said to those around him, she knew he would never have her executed, her brother was too soft. Deep down, even though he would never admit it, even to himself, he still cared for her. Even if he hated himself for doing so.
He did not love her and she was just fine with that realization. Love was weakness and a weakness was something she could ill afford to have. Even now, a decade after her defeat, Azula was a proud individual. Maybe her brother thought that by locking her up she would crack and admit all the wrong she had done her life. Maybe he thought that she would ask for his forgiveness and beg to be part of his family again. No chance of that. She would go to her grave convinced that she had done everything in her life in exactly the way she needed to do it. No one could convince her otherwise.
"Princess, why don't we talk about the impact your father had on you as a child?"
This was getting tedious. Every time Azula was on the verge of losing herself in the fond memories of hunting down her brother and the Avatar, this incompetent sniveling little doctor in front of her was always ready to bring her back and try to pick her brain. Find out why she was as heartless as she was. There must have been some reason she was so cruel to everyone around her. The common opinion that all the guards and doctors held was that her cruelty stemmed from her interactions with her father. Indeed, her father was a subject that was brought up very often in her sessions.
For the first time since today's session began, she looked at the doctor, an individual whose name she had discarded in the first five minutes of her first session a decade ago, and began to speak:
"I must say Dr,. you have a strange habit of bringing up the same discussion points over and over. We have discussed my father on numerous occasions and yet I continue to have to explain these things to you on a daily basis. My father, if anything, was a glorious influence on me. He was the only member of my family that I ever actually bonded with. Most called the two of us evil, vindictive, or outright despicable. I'm not going to mince words. We were all those things and more, however growing up that way made me realize something. I was better than everyone else. I'm confident enough to say that I still am. That's the main reason my brother has me locked up. Let me ask you a question. In the decade that I have been visiting you due to these prescribed sessions, have you ever seen me act in the same manner I was under when they dragged me in here, crying incoherently and spewing fire from my mouth?"
"No Princess, in fact if I had to offer a suggestion pertaining to your mental condition, I would say you are quite rational." The doctor leaned back in his chair and proceeded to entwine his fingers together. He was accustomed to waiting long periods of time between his subject's speeches. On this day however, the Princess did not make him wait very long before she continued.
"Exactly my point. I had just lost the most important battle of my life to a person that I know for a fact I am stronger than. This wasn't just a test battle in order to see who was stronger, this was the fight that would decide the fate of the crown. To make matters worse, my brother wasn't even the one that defeated me. It was the Southern Water Tribe bitch. To think that she thought she was actually worthy enough to engage me in combat. I guess peasants live their lives in a state of constant arrogance."
Azula seated herself back in her chair adjusting her dark brown hair with her fingernails. At the memory of being defeated by the Water Tribe girl she give a little laugh. It wasn't funny by any means, but she did have to admit to herself that looking back on the situation, there was something faintly amusing about the Princess of Flame being trounced by a total stranger. As she looked out the window to her left, she could see the sun blazing a path across the sky. It was mid-afternoon and soon the sun would set, allowing the world to be engulfed in darkness. If only she had the power to bend the sun. Her training afforded her many wondrous abilities, however, even she could never hope to achieve that kind of power.
Sitting across from her, the doctor was beginning to get nervous. He knew the next question he wanted an answer to. However, he couldn't help but feel nervous about asking it. He had not lied to the woman across the room from him, she was indeed acting much more rationally than she had been that day outside the palace. However, that did not mean that her normal self was not prone to violence and outbursts of aggression. He had heard that the Avatar was able to eliminate the Phoenix King's bending. How he wished he possessed that ability now.
"My lady, may I ask what exactly happened to the mirror in your room? After your brother defeated you in combat, he ordered that your room be destroyed. Upon removing your belongings, two servants found your mirror smashed to pieces. Your own hairbrush was laying on the floor next to a piece of glass. Upon inquiring, the two of them learned from a servant girl that she heard you carrying on a conversation with someone. The funny part is that no one was seen coming from or entering your room anywhere near the time that the mirror was smashed. So tell me Princess, who were you talking to?" The Princesses' eyes flashed dangerously. As far as she knew no one heard the conversation that she held that day. She wasn't even sure herself if it happened or not. So how did that bumbling idiot of a servant girl happen to be in the right spot at exactly the right time to overhear? She could not very well tell this bumbling nitwit that she communed with someone who had been missing since she was nine. Even she knew that her entire argument about being rational would be considered void after that. Even if she did speak the truth, what would he say? That she held a conference with Lady Ursa? She would rather admit to anything else, even her feelings about Ty Lee. She wondered if she could get away with blaming the mirror incident on the stress that she was under. She tried to be as tactful as she could.
"I do not feel like discussing the matter at this time. Next subject."
At this juncture, the princess crossed her arms defiantly. She would not break on this matter and she would not give up on the secrets that she had held so close to herself for all these years. Looking back at the doctor, however, she knew that he would continue to try to get the truth out of her lips. She begrudgingly had to admit that she held the absolute tiniest bit of respect for this inconsequential being across from her. It was not very often that those beneath Azula's station would continue to talk to her after she had closed a particular topic of discussion. Hell, not many people were willing to talk to her in the first place. They were all very much frightened of her. This doctor however was a different type of person altogether.
Throughout the decade that she had come to him, the Princess had noticed a strange sense of confidence exuding from her psychiatrist. He was still very much frightened of the power that she possessed, however, slowly but surely he began to gain a backbone over the years. She knew what he would say. Or at least she knew the way the words would flow from his mouth. It would go something like: "This incident may be the crux of all of your issues. If I knew what happened that day I could do so much more to help you."
Azula did not need or want help from anyone. She had never needed it either. Even as a young woman she had only learned the basics of bending from her father, all of the advanced techniques that she knew, she had taught herself. She was extremely proud of herself. Out of the entire current royal family, she was the only one who could bend blue fire. She was the first member of the line of succession to master Lightning-Bending at such an early age. A feat that was surely worthy of praise.
But all of that was in the past. She was 24 now and stuck in the mental ward of a prison reserved for Prisoners of War. The name of the jail was the Flickering Flame. The name was supposed to break the spirits of those held within its walls. There was a clear implication that all prisoners were required to grasp; once an individual stepped foot on the premises they were never leaving again. Even those that died serving their sentences were not sent back to their families. They were buried under the structure itself- the greatest form of solitary confinement.
After Zuko acquired the crown, his first decree was that his baby sister be shipped off to Flickering Flame. She could understand his reasons of course and she could not even say she blamed him for his decision. She was always very crafty not to mention she excelled at manipulative tactics. She thought back to the first meeting she held with her brother after not seeing him for over two years. It was right after the failed siege on the North Pole. The Princess could not be there in person, but, she had heard the stories of the young Avatar's admittedly impressive rout of Fire Nation forces. Not to mention the complete eradication of Admiral Zhao. After the fighting was over her father sent her to entice her brother and uncle to rejoin the royal family. Of course, this was all a cleverly constructed ruse to lure the two of them back to the capital so that they could be subject to punishment for their continued string of failures.
At first, Azula had a hard time convincing her brother that the offer she extended to him was sincere. Of course, it didn't help that even though he was a softhearted person, her uncle had always been very perceptive and able to read through to a person's true motives. If he had not been with Zuko on the Avatar hunting journey she may have not wound up in her current predicament. At the time though, she was able to eventually break through to her brother and pull the wool over his eyes. All she had to do was ensure her big brother that their father no longer considered him a blemish on the family tree and he was hers.
Even after Zuzu was accepted back into the ranks of the family after he assisted his little sister in defeating the Avatar and his friends within Ba Sing Se, Azula's schemes did not end. The lies she was most proud of, however, came later. Mai, Ty Lee, Zuko, and herself were to enjoy a weekend on Ember Island, a secluded island that was only accessible to the rich and powerful members of the Fire Nation. Even though it was not her first choice as to how to spend the weekend, Azula would later come to reflect on how that getaway with her brother and former best friends would be her ultimate manipulative triumph.
As was fitting, Zuko started off his vacation by complaining about everything around him. He was not meant to be on the island, he was supposed to be in the war room discussing plans with his father about how they would proceed with the war. This sentiment was not lost on the Princess as she too felt the same. This in fact marked one of the few times that she agreed with her brother on anything. However, unlike Zuko, she was willing to bide her time until her father called for assistance from her on matters of the war effort. So, she had to make the best of her current surroundings.
After a spirited contest in which the four Fire-benders utterly decimated their opponents, Azula took it upon herself to forcefully invite her companions and herself to a party that would be held later that evening. Upon arrival, the four of them found that they were the first ones to arrive and after Ty Lee was gawked at yet again- even Mai was able to catch the eye of some spoiled no-name much to Zuko's irritation- Azula requested a tour of the mansion. After a situation spiraled out of her control, (something she didn't think could ever happen)the foursome left the party and wound up setting up a camp fire on the beach. It was here that Azula crafted the first of two brilliant lies on the island.
Very quickly, the group discussion degenerated into little more than a "what are the saddest moments of my life" one-upping contest. Ty Lee moaned about how she felt invisible thanks to the fact that she came from a large family and that all her siblings looked exactly the same, helping to cement her view that she had no way of expressing a unique individuality other than being unbearably cheerful all the time. When it was Mai's turn she explained that due to the family's interactions in politics, she was commanded to stay quiet and not speak. She explained this order from her parents as the reason she found it hard to communicate with others and to care about them. Next to whine was the Prince of self-pity. He complained about the normal things including his lost honor, and that even though he was back in the Fire Nation, which is what he always wanted, he was not very happy about it.
At this point, each of the three women started to badger the Prince to be more specific. Why was he angry? Why could he not be happy? Of course, Azula knew immediately, her brother's honor was restored on the grounds that the Avatar was dead. The simple fact was that he had survived. Zuko was brought back into the fold based upon a merit that he had not achieved. It tore and clawed at his very being and baby sister certainly knew how to twist the knife in Zuzu for maximum effect. However, as her brother's anger wore off and was replaced with the love of his relenting girlfriend, it was finally Azula's turn to communicate.
Looking back on it now, the pity fest was extremely pointless. Sure, it may have helped her companions relieve some of the emotional tension that hung over them, but what did it really gain them in the end? Nothing had changed. The world had not suddenly reversed itself and followed a different path due to their outbursts. She could have complained for five hours about how the Queen adored little Zuzu and barely treated her with anything less than wholehearted disgust. But would that be of any use to her now? If Queen Ursa developed the ability to suddenly appear within the walls of the Flickering Flame would their reunion be all warm and fuzzy like tiny alligator-kittens riding rainbows? For some reason, Azula doubted that very highly. No, there would be no warm moments and declarations of love. That would never happen. For a woman who constantly preached the words of love and acceptance, the Princess knew that her mother's warm heart and gentle spirit were reserved entirely for her golden boy. Her mothers' affections were never meant to reach her.
The Princess was letting herself get caught in the past again. So instead, she shifted her mind back to that weekend on Ember Island. This time, the lie she told was much more subtle and most of it came from her body language. Her brother had wandered away from the group and found himself going back towards their family's summer home on the island. When she arrived at the home that door was already kicked in and her brother was admiring an old family portrait taken back when their mother was still around. This was of course pre-scar and Zuko had a look of contentment plastered across his face.
The Princess noticing her brother's vulnerable state decided to play into his desperate need for comfort in the hope that her ploy would further lead her brother into the web of deceit that she had so meticulously crafted. Just pretending to care about him in the way that she said, "come down to the beach with me, this place is depressing" was enough to make her physically ill. Even if it was to further her goals, she in no way enjoyed these sickeningly sweet deceptions that she had to carry out. Every time she was forced to be nice to her brother she inwardly cringed at the thought.
"Princess, it's clear to me that your mind is not entirely focused on the session today. I think it is best if we part ways for today and refocus our efforts tomorrow morning. The number one thing that stands in the way of forward momentum is not wanting to let go of the past and look forward. If you cannot accomplish that small step, you will never have the power to slay the emotional and psychological demons that dwell inside the very pit of your being."
The doctor had become increasingly aware that Azula was not paying him the slightest bit of attention all throughout today's session and as such he saw no need to continue the farce of this session any longer for today. If the Princess was not willing to take her therapy seriously, why should he continue to try to treat her when his skills could have been put to better use trying to tackle the issues of some of the other inmates?
Relieved that she did not have to spend any more time with someone so mentally infuriating, the Princess gladly rose from her chair and proceeded to the door that would grant her freedom from this taxing session ritual. Before she exited the room however, she decided to turn her head and grace the doctor with a retort one last time for today.
"I must commend you Dr., it takes incredible fortitude to stand up to me twice in one day. Not many other people can claim they have the same nerve. I don't know why you seem to have this ability. Maybe it's because you think the guards outside that constantly monitor the inmates offer you some security…
-At this point Azula started to pace back and forth-
…I can assure you however, that this is not the truth. When my brother sent me here he didn't count on one thing. Most times, when criminals are sent here, the very nature of this place is enough to break the captive and make them conform enough so that they are not tempted to commit any more violent acts. Even if they never step foot outside again, this place gets rid of their destructive impulses. However, allow me good Dr. to let you share a little secret with me. I am unlike the others that you find here, my brother may have thought that this place would be enough to break my spirits, but he is a fool to believe so and he should know better. Being cooped up in this place has not made me forget about my plans or my intentions. One way or another I will escape this prison and find my way back to the throne, of this you can be sure. While I am in this place, however, I expect to be treated with the proper amount of respect."
While she was speaking the Princess had found her way back to the doctor and was now standing close enough over him that she could smell the scent of sweat that now emanated from him. She made a point to bend a bit of blue fire into existence and held it in the palm of her hand.
"If you ever, -continued the Princess- presume you have the right to speak with me with that amount of familiarity again, I can promise you that all the guards in the prison would not be enough to stop me from extinguishing your life force. Be on your guard, my good doctor, now that I am making a note of you, do anything to displease me again and I cannot tell you how long you will continue to breathe. Do I make myself perfectly clear?
"Crystal my lady, absolute crystal."
"Good. Then we have reached an understanding you and I. Same time tomorrow then?"
At this point, the Princess allowed the fire in her hand to dissipate. Before she exited the room though she could swear that she heard the sound of water running, however, there was no sink or faucet to be found. It dawned on her what the sound was, just as the smell started to invade her nostrils.
Funny, he tends to act like he has the right to be my equal but in the end he is just as scared of my power as the rest of them are. It won't be long now until my escape from this hell hole and when that happens we will see just how the royal line has continued for the past decade without my "unique" style of input. Prepare yourself little Zuzu, you thought that you could break me by incarcerating me. However, all you did was stoke the flames of my hatred and allow me a decade to plot my revenge. This is one family reunion that you soon won't forget.
