Just adding the disclaimer that I do not claim the characters of ATLA though I enjoy writing about them.
Summers in the capital were relentless. The lovely city of vast infrastructure and wealth sat on a hill or rather a volcanic crater high above the other cities of the Fire Nation. The old people called it Agni's Blessing that the city had not been reduced to volcanic ashes in over a hundred years.
It was an early summer sunset when The Grim Reaper stepped out of a taxi and placed two boots on the smoldering ground. Everything felt familiar, the burn of the sun against vulnerable skin, the dust that spiraled around his boots with each step, the scampering of citizens who trembled at the sight of The Grim Reaper. Approaching a handsome child who had not fled with the others, Iroh knelt on one knee, giving his best smile to the boy.
"Hello there, My Boy, do you know who I am?" He asked without malice.
The boy bit his lip, nervously. "M-Mr. Reaper," said the boy. "You're Mr. Reaper".
Iroh cringed at the name given to him for his merits.
"Life is a good Pai Sho game," explained Iroh with a move of his piece along the board. "You must choose your moves wisely, My Son, you can't amend your decisions once a move is made". Lu Ten stroked a finger down the rough hairs of his side burns. His eyes focused narrowly on his father's illuminating, gilded ring of their family. "Well, don't make an aging man wait too long," said The Grim Reaper with a hearty chuckle.
"Decisions," grunted Lu Ten, taking his time to make a move with a ringless hand. "Like Sharkie's decision to send us to the pits while that snake and his wife-"
Celebrate their newborn daughter," ended Iroh. "No man has a right to step between a man and his family. It is Agni's Blessing that Snake Eyes can welcome a second child into this world. It is a rarity in our family". He added, using the hand that beared his wedding ring to move another piece along the Pai Sho table.
"Yes," agreed Lu Ten, stroking his chin. "Yes, a rarity, but as we both know, siblings create turmoil in this family. Take the snake for instance. Just pining for the chance to take your birthright. MY birthright for the matter".
Iroh breathed heavily. He knew very well of Ozai's disdain for him. The two had been rather close before Azulon had to choose favorites. Their family had a dark history with excessive violence that began with The Godfather, himself. Sozin came to power through the death of the "so called" Avatar Roku Zhou of the Fire Nation.
Avatar Roku Zhou or "Flipper" as the family refers to the old man nowadays, was once a respectable Fire Nation citizen from an esteemed family. He and The Godfather were as close as brothers could be during peaceful times. Upon reaching adulthood, their friendship had taken a turn for the worse as Flipper chose to antagonize The Godfather and reject the man's vision for a bright and secure future for years to come. Unfortunately, worse came to worse and Flipper was dealt with tragically while The Godfather expanded his empire that still burns brightly to this day. Dying a peaceful man, his legacy continued to Azulon and due to Iroh and when the time comes, The Grim Reaper's son, Lu Ten. Unfortunately, this left Ozai and his family as highly esteemed commodities with no real power in the family business.
"Snake Eyes is preoccupied at the moment with his pretty wife and children," assured Iroh, dismissively, hoping Lu Ten would drop the subject altogether.
"Hmph!" Huffed his son, obviously not appeased. "Snakes are untrustworthy, Father, what is the new child's name?"
Iroh beamed as he thought of the baby girl. "Azula, after your grandfather". The sixteen year old stood furious, nearly turning over the table in his rage.
"A girl child! And that snake had the nerve to name her after the most powerful man alive! I should have been named after him!"
Chuckling lightly to brighten the mood, The Grim Reaper jest softly. "I doubt you would have liked the name Azula, Son".
Instead of the response he had hoped to gain, Lu Ten growled angrily before stomping away.
Iroh sighed as he entered the family estate, a home known as "The Royal Palace" for its magnificence and size. The entire Jiang family resided here along with several servants. They were pretty much royalty in the capital. The home felt as hollow as his heart at the sight of his son's dismembered body wrapped in a gift box and sent to his Earth Kingdom rental home.
After losing his wife to another man, both now dead, Iroh had known that one day he would pay for the reaping he'd done in his lifetime. That day had surely come and cost him nearly everything. Unknown to the man, Snake Eyes had done him a favor by taking over the family business. He did not want to reap anymore.
"Uncle! You're home!" Cried a young voice that reminded him of his own son.
Feeling a smile pass his face, Iroh opened his arms to accept a hug from his only nephew. "Zuko!" He called, mussing the boy's hair. "Oh, how I missed you! Did you get the present I sent?"
Revealing the impressive knife from his back pocket, Zuko beamed, waving it around proudly. "Yes! I am going to cut up Azula with it soon," he joked, happily.
Reminded of his own bloody present, Iroh grabbed the boy's wrist, snatching the knife from him.
"Zuko, this is not a toy. I know you are young and excited, but you mustn't play with these types of things. Only use it when you need to".
Wide-eyed, the boy nodded quickly. When it was given back, Zuko sheathed the knife and placed it back in his pocket. "I'm sorry about Cousin Lu Ten, Uncle".
The Grim Reaper breathed heavily, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "I'm sorry, too". Quickly, he struggled to find the optimism he had begun to misplace. "Where is your sister anyway, Nephew? Did she like her new friend?"
Zuko bit his lip. "Well…" His voice trailed off and Iroh added.
"I understand. She's a feisty girl like her grandmother".
"Yeah…" He grumbled with a pout. "Girls are crazy anyway".
Iroh gave a hearty laugh, patting the boy's shoulder. He was about to inquire about his brother's whereabouts when the sound of a shotgun made him jerk his head towards the gardens while Zuko clung to his leg.
"Go hide in a closet". Commanded Iroh in a hush voice to his nephew. "I'll see what's going on".
Without another word, Zuko made a beeline for his bedroom with a squeal at another two shotgun shots split the air. Iroh waited for him to shut his door before revealing his father's gold shotgun with a dragon designed trigger. Advancing stealthily towards the gardens, he placed his back to the wall awaiting another shot to ring out. When it did, he gave a quick pump of his gun and revealed himself as he aimed in the direction of the sound.
His voice caught in his throat as he spotted Ozai and his daughter using a living human for target practice. The little girl chuckled at the man's soured pants. Pointing at the sight, she looked to see her father leaning against a tree with his arms crossing his chest and a proud smirk.
"Should I put him out of his misery now, Father?" Asked the ten year old.
Ozai shrugged. "Well, punishment must fit the crime, Dear". Waving his hand for her to proceed. "I will allow you to decide on the matter".
The little girl loaded her weapons, two sawn-off, gold-plated shotguns with custom dragon triggers, nearly twice her size as she spoke aloud. "Well…he is a traitor. But…he's also a trusted member of our family".
"Trust is for fools, Dear," pointed out Ozai.
"You're right as always, Father," said the little girl giving her guns a satisfied pat as she finished loading. "Once a traitor. Always a traitor". With that, she took aim for the man's head at close range. "I'll make this quick for you, Traitor," she assured the quaking man without the blink of an eye. "Agni's Blessing".
#
"I have little doubt it was her," said Iroh to Chief Bei Fong, quietly as not to disturb the sobbing Southern Water Tribe girl on the chief of police's arm.
"This is out of my jurisdiction," pointed out Toph, giving her friend a pat of solace. "But, I believe you and I have already let the mayor know. He will be here shortly on an emergency flight from Kyoshi Island along with Chief Suki".
Iroh nodded and gave a grim smile despite the unfortunate recent events. The scene was a bloody mess of ichor and sinew. Chalk was outlined around the place where medical doctor, Katara's brother, Sokka was found barely clinging to life. Luckily, his sister had been skilled enough to keep the man breathing long enough for emergency crews to hook him up to various machines to take over the job.
The old former mafia member had been called to the scene in the absence of his nephew. Right away, he knew from the clean hole in the boy's head that the shooter was a well-trained malicious member of his family.
"It was a wonder he lived," said Iroh to the chief when the EMS left with the medical doctor and her brother. "My niece is much more diligent than her father".
"Makes me think she wanted him to live," offered Toph. "People will know she escaped and-"
Her voice trailed when a slow moving black, luxury SUV approached with its high beams on. Iroh brought his hand up to shield his eyes. Squinting, he attempted to make out the driver of the vehicle, but could not before it turned and left the gates of the parking lot in great haste.
"I thought the scene was cleared!" Growled Toph to a cluster of Capital City police.
"It was, Chief," assured a lady officer, approaching with a wide smile and extended hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, General," she said pleasantly, pushing away a single braid off her shoulder. Turning to Chief Bei Fong, she asked. "Should I note the truck's license plate, Chief?"
"Already noted, custom tag, Sok-Man," said the old man. "And I do not believe I saw Sokka drive his own vehicle out of here".
Toph's eyes widened at the revelation. "We've wasted enough time! Officer! Have your crew tail that car. Notify Suki when you find it".
With a quick bow and smirk, the pony-tailed girl hurried off.
"We have to let the world know that La Bella Mafia is out, armed and dangerous". Warned Toph to Iroh.
"Done, I had a young man text the local news stations. I fear that there is little hope for my niece anymore. She was always quite…disturbed".
#
Dr. Ty Lee Zhou checked the shower's temperature before stepping in. After she left Sokka, she had briefly contemplated returning to Azula's cell for their fifth round, but decided a cold shower was better for her mental state. Since her assignment, she had given little thought on how her relationship with the mafia princess was detrimental to her own well-being.
Bringing her face in contact with the chilling water, Ty Lee attempted to banish the madwoman from her mind and focus on her upcoming wedding. She was still unsure of how to break the news to Mai, who was supposed to be at her penthouse an hour ago. She had zero intention to bring the news to Azula about wedding her brother. Even with their strenuous sessions she knew that the mafia princess would not take well to the news. Besides, she had already made up her mind to continue her trysts with Azula even after entering a love-less marriage with the mayor.
There's no way. She told herself, enjoying the cool of the water against her back.
Spring was coming to an end and the first hint of summer had roared its presence like a tigerdillo. The shower relaxed her melting flesh wonderfully and she began to hum to the tune on her bluetooth radio. An irritating blare pierced through her phone's speaker, making her cringe.
Stupid Amber Alerts, ugh! She thought before immediately feeling shameful. Ok…I know…it's for the best.
She was about to reach for her phone through her curtain when a voice broke in. "WE INTERRUPT THIS PROGRAM…"
What! Ty Lee wondered. That never happens…
"I REPEAT!" The announcer continued. "THE CITY IS ON HIGH ALERT TONIGHT AS THE INFAMOUS LA BELLA MAFIA HAS ESCAPED! SHE IS ARMED AND-"
Ty Lee's heart raced. Azula…that was the only La Bella Mafia, right?
No. She thought. H-How?
Though she enjoyed her times with the mafia princess, she knew from the extensive research in her field that her fiance's beautiful sister harbored many disturbing issues stemming mostly from childhood. She made sure Azula was quite "geeked" each night before leaving to avoid any disturbances in her absence. The measures the good doctor took were not the most legal yet were necessary to keep her princess safe as well as others, of course.
She shouldn't be awake. Thought the psychiatrist. Unless… She thought hard back to earlier events.
She had been overwhelmed and busy getting the fucking of her life while bouncing, without a hint of shame, on Zuko's imitation being wielded by her insatiable lover on the edge of the asylum's rooftop. Before their tryst, she had mistakenly left her syringe in the office or was it Azula's room? Either way, she had Azula escorted by a guard instead of locking her up herself like she normally did and…
A disgusting smelling towel across her face and mouth interrupted her racing thoughts along with hard, cold metal under her chin. Panicking, the doctor squirmed and tried to squeal.
"Uh, uh, uuuuh…Traitor," said a voice that would normally make Ty Lee leak instinctively, yet now filled her heart with overwhelming fear and a twist in her gut.
Letting out a muffled shriek, Ty Lee grasped Azula's slim wrist in fright, but faltered when the cold metal barrel of La Bella Mafia's signature shotgun was pressed harder against her chin along with the towel to her face, forcing her lungs to expand with need for air.
"The longer you fight, the uglier this could get, Sister-in-law," cooed Azula in her ear. "Now, this is not my usual way. It is way less fun. I prefer painting or splattering if you will".
Dr. Ty Lee's eyes began to roll towards the back of their eye sockets.
"You know, I had a pretty good aim on your traitorous cunt when that peasant had lips on what's mine. Then I find that you have been quite generous lately".
The doctor struggled to release the death grip on her face, yet could not force her arms to move.
"It is quite late. Aren't you planning to retire, anyway, My Pet? Personally, I think you should relax. Just let go. Give in to it. Shut your eyes for a while".
Ty Lee's eyelids fluttered though she tried with all of her being to keep them open despite the sultry voice of the woman holding her captive.
"Ah…yes…there you go. Sleep, Doctor," said Azula, removing the towel and placing the weapon on a nearby sink. "Sleep, when you wake, we can discuss your…wedding arrangements. I'm sure you're quite tired these days".