Disclaimer: I don't own shit... well I own my shit but no one wants that
Aang, Sokka and Katara were on their way to meet with Chief Arnook before they left for the Earth Kingdom. As they entered the chiefs chambers they were greeted with the sight of not only Arnook, but also three elite water benders.
"I have called you here to wish you luck on your journey, and also to warn you of a threat you may encounter on your travels." The chief stated in in a grave tone.
"Aang just took out an entire fleet of Fire Nation baddies. Whatever it is, I'm sure we got it." Sokka said enthusiastically and grinned widely at Aang until Katara smacked him on the back of the head, warning him to be quite.
"What is it, sir?" Aang asked cautiously.
"Two years ago an elite team was sent on a mission to attack a Fire Nation vessel. This team consisted of six of our best waterbenders and six of our most skilled warriors. Only four survived. These three here are all that remain. One of the four survivors died in the recent Fire Nation attack." The chief explained
"What happened?" Sokka asked, jovial attitude abandoned and leaving nothing but a young warrior and strategist.
"The mission was to capture the Fire Nation princess." The first soldier began solemnly. Before the second continued for him.
"It all started off well. We struck at night and boarded the ship unnoticed. Once on the ship we took out the crew and then dealt with all the ones sleeping in their beds."
"That's horrible! Killing sleeping men, even Fire Nation!" Katara exclaimed, outraged at the inhumanity.
"It's war, Katara. We can't show mercy because they sure as shit won't show us any." Sokka replied evenly. The warriors gave a nod of thanks to him before continuing their story.
"Everything was going according to plan. We took out the entire crew, we had the princess and her friends captured and were getting ready to leave. But that's when we noticed Kuruk hadn't reported back yet. He was one of the warriors tasked with clearing out the back of the ship." The bender paused letting his comrade resume the tale.
"We should have cut our loses and left then and there, but we didn't. We decided to wait for Kuruk thinking we would only be another minute. That's when everything went to shit. A shirtless kid charged us, he was unarmed so no one really thought he was a threat. We were wrong. Once he got close he pulled out a strange looking sword from out of nowhere and cut down three of our best warriors faster then you can blink. After that we tried to bend at him..." The man chuckled dryly for a moment.
"Emphasis on the tried. The kid acted like our attacks did nothing and then bent our own water back at us. It was unlike any master I had ever faced, there was no technique, just raw power behind his bending. After that he chased down the Princess and took out the rest of our team. Only four of us made it out of there." His voice was tired when he finished, remembering his fallen fellow warriors and friends.
"Thank you. You may return to your duties." The chief dismissed the warriors before turning back to the avatar and his friends.
"That is the threat I was telling you about. The Fire Nation has a waterbender. But not just any water bender, a prodigy that can take down an elite team with no training in his bending... That happened two years ago, who knows how powerful he is now." Arnook finished grimly.
"Why would someone from the Water Tribe work for the Fire Nation?" Katara asked, astonished.
"We do not know. I'm sorry I don't have more information for you. This is the only encounter we have had with this man."
"Thank you, Chief Arnook" Aang bowed respectfully.
"I wish you luck on your journey, Avatar. May the spirits guide you." And with that final goodbye the trio walked to the harbour to begin their trip to the Earth Kingdom, the idea of a Fire Nation water bender weighing heavily on all their minds.
-Line Break-
Azula was the perfect picture of Fire Nation royalty, sitting prim and proper within her palanquin gazing over the rolling waves through the thin sheet of silk, her face betraying nothing but a mask of cool indifference. On the inside however she was in turmoil. She was betrothed. That fact alone was enough to make her want to incinerate someone, preferably her new betrothed.
After all she had done for her father and he does this to her?! She had been the perfect daughter and the perfect heir. She had trained relentlessly to become a master firebender, she was ruthless and cunning. How could he do this to her? She wasn't a bumbling idiot like Zuko, she was the favourite child. It wasn't fair.
And that leads her to her next issue. Both her brother and uncle had gotten themselves declared enemies of the nation. She always knew her brother was an idiot but this was ridiculous. She had no doubt that neither her brother nor uncle were truly traitors. They were members of the royal family for Agni's sake.
But regardless of what had really happened in the North Pole, their capture had been ordered by her father, so as the loyal daughter she was, they must be apprehended. Even if the idea of her brother in chains caused a strange and unpleasant feeling in her chest. She quickly pushed the feeling away, it was weakness and had no place in her mind. Her brother deserved it after all he had taken from her. She could not afford to feel sympathy for them. Not now. Even if they are family they got themselves into this mess and can deal with the consequences of their actions.
Azula sighed deeply for a moment. Well maybe she could put a good word in for them to father. But they would both owe her for this.
"You're brooding to much, lighten up a bit! We're on the open ocean! you can't be gloomy out here." Percy voice tore through her thoughts bringing her back to reality. She glanced over to sea him grinning like an idiot. He was way to happy to be at sea. Azula almost smiled before reasserting control over her emotions, she had an image to uphold after all.
"Trust the Water Tribe barbarian to be so happy at sea." She tried for friendly teasing, but by the look on Percy face she must have vented a bit of her own frustrations on her loyal friend. She scowled briefly before resigning to spend the rest off the trip in silence lest she embarrass herself again.
-line break-
"Percy." Azula murmured so softly only her bodyguard could hear. She received a slow nod in response acknowledging he had heard her. She took a moment to glance over the royal procession of 30 Imperial Firebenders she had brought from the capital, all bowed down waiting for her orders. "I want you to address the Imperial Firebenders."
"Wait, what?" Percy asked shocked. "I thought you were gonna give a speech or something"
"I was but this seems like the perfect time for you to practice being my voice. This way you can learn to speak on my behalf when necessary. Oh, don't look so worried you probably know all of them from the palace anyway, not to mention you outrank all of them. Go on, you will do fine." Azula encouraged her bodyguard, observing the look of panic on his face. Percy gulped before straightening to his full height and steeping forward to address the assembled fire benders.
"Many of you protected Prince Zuko when he was a child, some of you may have fought with General Iroh during his campaign through the Earth Kingdom. Almost all of you are harbouring doubts or fears about attacking members of the royal family." Percy waited for his words to sink in (while he desperately tried to make up the rest of his speech). "But we have a job to do and we can't let our own thoughts or feelings get in the way. The plan is a good one and I'm not just saying that cause Princess Azula is making me, it is a good plan. Hopefully we can pull this off without bloodshed on either side but if not... well, that's what you are here for. Remember your training and don't hesitate because I can promise you, they won't. They are desperate and desperate men are dangerous so I want you to treat them as such. LONG LIVE PRINCESS AZULA! LONG LIVE THE FIRE NATION!" Percy finished his speech with a roar that was echoed enthusiastically by the soldiers.
The demigod marched confidently back to his place at Azula side.
"How did I do?" Azula noticed a bit of his nervousness leaking into his voice
"You did well for your first time public speaking. I would have added a few more death threats but that's just me."
Percy honestly couldn't tell if she was joking.
"Although I am curious why did you remind them of their old loyalty's to my brother and uncle." Azula questioned with a raised eye brow. Her gold eyes glinted dangerously.
Percy may be good friends with the princess but she was still terrifying sometimes.
"I brought it up cause I get how they feel. It sucks to have to fight people you know well and if I ignored it those thoughts they might have festered. By addressing it and mentioning their duty I think I defused the problem." Percy answered honestly.
"It was a smart move, but why would you be reluctant to fight my brother and uncle? As far as I know you have never met them. They were long gone before you ever entered the palace."
"Well, your uncle kinda fished me out of the sea after I lost my family when I was twelve and brought me to master Piandao. As for Zuko, we used to train in swordsmanship together and were good friends before he was banished." He glanced warily at the princess trying to gauge her reaction to his statement. Unfortunately for him her mask never wavered, giving no hint to what she thought of this revelation.
"I see…" Azula responded after a brief hesitation.
Her voice sounded a little off to Percy. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye but her face remained serene so the demigod banished the thought from his mind. He must have been hearing things Azula wouldn't care that he used to know her brother and uncle.
-Line break-
CRACK!
A massive bolt of blue lightning arced into the sky from the fire benders two outstretched fingers. She was repeating the motions to summon a second bolt before her instructors had stopped speaking. Their voices amounting to nothing but a low buzz to her ears. This wasn't about training this was her trying to calm down her raging emotions before she burnt the ship down.
Stupid bodyguard
CRACK!
Stupid life saving uncle
CRACK!
STUPID FRIEND STEALING BROTHER!
CRACK!
Azula was panting for breath sweat dripping from her brow as she fired her final bolt of lightning. Ignoring her instructors chastising her for her sloppy form she stalked into her chambers, slamming the door behind her.
Percy had noticed her foul mood brewing earlier and had decided to scout for threats under water. Azula knew he was just trying to avoid her.
If it was Zuko that was upset he wouldn't have left. She thought bitterly.
No matter how much Zuko messed up and she succeeded, everyone always chose him over her. She was the better bender, she was more intelligent, she was better. But everyone always liked her brother more. He was always mothers favourite, Iroh and Lu Ten both adored him. Even Mai, her supposed best friend, liked Zuko more then her.
She trained harder and tried so much harder then he ever did. But did anyone care? No, all they wanted was their oh-so-wonderful crown prince. Only her father ever recognized her potential. Everyone always loved Zuko and only saw her as a monster.
He's gonna take Percy away too. A dark voice echoed in the back of her mind.
NO! I will beat him. I'll capture both him and my uncle. I'll prove to everyone that I'm better then Zuko. I won't let him take anyone else.
-Line Break-
"We're almost there."
"You don't sound very excited." Azula noted.
"Not looking forward to having to lie to Zuko and Iroh after not seeing them for three years." Percy said dejectedly.
"It's for their own good, Percy." Azula replied firmly. "If they keep running, Father will order them killed on sight. This way, when they stand trail, they can prove their innocence and everyone goes home happy." She reasoned
"Then why all the lies? Can't we just say that?"
"Because Zuko is stubborn. He doesn't listen to reason, he acts without thinking. If we mention standing trail he will run. It's better this way, trust me." She smiled up at her bodyguard to reassure him.
Percy reply was cut off by the captain rushing forward to report to the princess.
"I'm sorry Princess, but the tides will not allow us to dock before nightfall"
"Don't worry about it, I'll deal with the tides." Percy quickly answered, giving Azula a confident smile before dragging the stunned captain away.
"Never tell the princess what she can't do, it makes her mad and an angry Azula is not something that is fun for anyone." Percy whispered to the man. A terrified expression spread across the sailors face as he only now realizing how close he had come to drawing the princess' ire.
Azula smirked as she watching her bodyguard drag the terrified captain away. Percy was not only good company, but he also had a way of making everyone's lives easier, she no longer had to threaten to murder the ships captain and the ships captain no longer had to be threatened with murder. Everybody wins.
Her smile only grew as she felt the ship as the water guided it so gently into port it would be impossible without a water bender as skilled as Percy on bored. The princess often wondered how it was possible for someone to be so naturally skilled in bending as her companion was. While she was no stranger to immense natural skill (she was a prodigy after all) Percy seemed to be at a whole other level then what she had seen and heard of the capability of other water benders. All without any training other then some dusty scrolls she had managed to procure for him.
The oddest thing about Percy bending was not his skill or even that a talented bender like himself carried a sword (something she had often teased him about). No the oddest thing was she didn't feel jealous or threatened by it. That was strange for her. As long as Azula could remember whenever someone managed to surpass her in any field (a rare occurrence), she would feel almost crushing jealousy and... well, not fear. She didn't feel fear but maybe extreme weariness. Yes, that was it, she would feel weary of no longer being the best, it unnerved her and felt wrong.
Even when Mai and Ty lee, two of her closest childhood friends started to grow skilled in acrobatics and knife throwing she sought to sabotage them so they would not surpass her. She latter realized the folly of this as Mai and Ty lee were loyal to her, so sabotaging them was the same as sabotaging herself. But bending had always been hers. She was the prodigy and would not accept anyone surpassing her skill (besides her honoured father, of course) but Percy, if she was being honest with herself was at the very least on par with her abilities with no real training. It should have infuriated her, but somehow it just made her happy instead. It wasn't the smug satisfaction she felt watching Mai and Ty lee dismantle her enemies. It was a sort of safe feeling warm and calming like the morning sun during her meditation.
This made no sense at all though. She did not need to feel safe and warm, she was cold and dangerous, as her father wanted his heir to be. Why was she not more weary of the swordsmen? She could find no real reason for his loyalty to her. Mai and Ty lee both had family's that had ordered them to serve the princess to gain favour in the court, but Percy was an orphan. The closest thing he had to a family was Piandao and the old nobleman had a history of deifying the thrown so this was most certainly not his idea. So why was Percy so loyal to her? More importantly, why did she care so little about his reasons only that he stayed with her?
Azula was trapped deep in her thoughts when she noticed Percy returning to her side. She ceased her pondering, banishing the thoughts until another time before turning her attention to the armoured teen next to her. "You're not coming with me when I go ashore."
"Wait, what? Yes, I am. I'm your bodyguard! how am I supposed to guard you're body you if I'm not with you?"
"Percy I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. As for why you will be remaining on bored the ship, well, you're a terrible liar." Azula stated bluntly.
"I'm not that bad." Percy whined. His pout would have melted the heart of any woman caught in his gaze. Lucky for Azula she was not just any woman. Although even she had to admit it was adorable.
"You are worse than terrible, especially when you don't even want to lie. And I know you have misgivings about this plan. The second they see you they will know something is up. Which is why you won't be coming into contact with either of them until we are well on our way to the Fire Nation." She finished her tone firm and unyielding.
"Fine, but I'm staying close to the ship if theres any trouble, throw something in the water and I'll be there faster then you can say "Save me Percy you're my hero." Percy finished in an irritatingly high pitch a mocking imitation of the princess.
Before Azula could bring her rage to bare down on the young demigod, he dove over the rail of the ship and into the harbour giving one last lopsided smile to the firebender before he disappeared into the sea. The princess swallowed back her annoyance at her friends childish actions as she walked confidently off the ship and onto the dock. She once more donned the cold mask of a true Fire Nation royalty; her confident stride carrying her to the resort her sources had reported her brother and uncle to be staying at.
-line break-
Azula had never in her life wanted to kill someone more then she wanted to kill the captain at that moment. Honestly the plan wasn't that complex all he had to do was not say the word prisoner, how can anyone mess that up. But no the dolt couldn't even keep his mouth shut long enough for the ship to pull out to see. She was almost glad to see her brother knock the fool into the water. Or at least she would be if all her carefully laid out plans weren't being destroyed once again by her brother. If this plan had any chance of being salvaged she needed Zuko mad. Mad enough to do something stupid.
This shouldn't be to hard
"You know Father blames Uncle for the loss at the North Pole. And he considers you a failure for not finding the avatar." She spat trying to draw Zuko futher from her uncle. She could see the rage growing on his face.
Just a little more and he will be in the brig and I'll have Percy talk to him and then everything will work out fine.
"Why would he want you home except to lock you up so you can no longer embarrass him?" As she watched pure furry eclipse her brother features she smirked.
Got yah, Zuzu.
And then he exploded. Bursts of deadly orange flame arced from his feet flying towards the Princess, driving her back. Azula was shocked. She was expecting him to be angry, that was the point, but what did he think he was doing, trying to kill her!? Twin daggers of fire arced towards her head as she ducked gracefully under his swipes.
Apparently so. She thought bitterly. She was his sister for Agni sake, what was he thinking? As she weaved through his attacks her frustration and confusion turned to rage and hurt. A dark part of her mind whispered to her speaking with the voice of her father.
"He wants you gone. He wants to take your thrown. He wants to take Percy like he took Mai."
Azula was mad. She struck back with a bolt of blue fire knocking Zuko back. As she stood their glaring at her brother the dark voice whispered its final warning.
"He will take everything from you, just as he took your mothers love and hoarded it for himself."
Azula was beyond enraged-she was dead to the world, seeing nothing but the teenager in front of her that she blamed for stealing her mothers love. As she went through the motions to generate a deadly bolt of lightning she never noticed the swordsman watching her in frozen horror on the other side of the ship.
-Line break-
Percy couldn't move. He was frozen watching his best friend move to strike down his oldest friend. Her own brother...
Percy was snapped out of his trance when he saw Iroh redirect the bolt of lightning into the mountains around the bay. He had leaped onto the deck of the ship after helping the heavily armoured soldiers to safety after they had been knocked into the water. And when he saw Azula going through the lightning kata he thought he was to late to stop a disaster. Thank the gods for wise old men with a tea obsession.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when he saw Iroh kick Azula into the bay, making a split second decision he rushed to intercept the old man and his nephew. The look of shock on Zuko face was priceless. Iroh on the other hand kept his composer his face betraying no emotion upon seeing the face of the boy he had rescued all those years ago.
"Percy?!" Zuko blurted out, caught flat footed by the sight of his old friend. The prince never noticed his uncle taking a combat stance next to him, readying himself to fight the young swordsman if needed.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Master Piandao!"
"Um, yah, that's kinda a long story but basically ImAzulasbodyguard." Percy finished his sentence at high speed hoping his friend wouldn't understand him. Percy gained a sombre expression as he moved past the awkwardness of the situation. "Look, this wasn't meant to happen. We had good intentions. Well, kinda goodish. But we can all see that this isn't ending with a happy family reunion, not for a while at least." Percy took a deep breath knowing that by doing this, he was betraying the Princess. It was a small betrayal and for her own good, but a betrayal all the same. "Run. Run and don't look back."
Zuko was shocked once again. The prince honestly didn't think he could take anymore surprises today. Iroh on the other hand fully grasped the implications of what the young swordsman was saying and relaxed his stance.
"Percy, what are you talking about? You're coming with us. Come on hurry up before Azula gets out of the water." Zuko said confusion lacing his tone. He obviously hadn't been able to understand his friends rushed explanation (not that anyone could blame him).
"I'm not leaving Zuko. I swore an oath to protect Azula and I won't go back on my word." Sea green eyes meet hurt and confused golden. "Run now because the next time we meet we will most likely be enemies." Percy finished with grim determination.
Hurt and betrayal flashed across the young fire benders face as one of his oldest friends proclaimed them to be enemies. Before Zuko could sort out his emotions, Iroh once again took control of the situation. "Thank you for the warning, Percy. I trust you to take care of my niece"
"Azula pretty much takes care of herself, I'm just there for show, really." Percy grinned sheepishly
"That is not the care I speak of." Iroh gaze was heavy and held much wisdom. Percy didn't know what the old general was talking about but he nodded anyway cause that seemed like the right thing to do.
As Percy watched the two fire benders run off into the forest, he noticed Azula dragging herself onto the port, her body covered in water and quite a bit of seaweed. She did not look happy.
Good, Percy seethed. She's not the only one that's angry.
-Line break-
"I think we are safe here" Iroh panted to his nephew, both out of breath from their mad dash away from the ship.
"Why didn't Percy come with us? And why did you tell him to take care of Azula? If anyone needs help, its us, Uncle." Zuko demanded, anger and hurt lacing his tone.
"We have been away from home a long time, nephew. Did you expect your friend to remain stagnant while you were away?"
The prince hesitated for a moment. "No, I guess not. But why is he working for Azula? What is he thinking?"
"Percy has found his own path and his own calling. I asked him to take care of your sister because she needs his help."
"She didn't seem like she needed any help today." Zuko spat bitterly.
"I was not speaking of the help you assume, Prince Zuko. Your sister is lost and I suspect she has been lost for a long time indeed. She needs help but is far too proud and stubborn to accept it. But Percy has a habit of not taking no for an answer." Iroh grinned at the thought of the rebellious boy. Zuko frowned considering what his uncle had said before pulling out his old Earth Kingdom knife. He gazed at its inscription for a long moment. Then he severed his ponytail before handing the knife to his uncle to do the same to his top knot. He watched with a heavy heart as the hair floated down the river.
-Line break-
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" the soldiers stationed outside of the princess room both cringed at the sound of the enraged bodyguard.
"HE WAS TRYING TO KILL ME AND YOU LET HIM GET AWAY YOU IDIOTIC SAVAGE." Neither guard had ever heard the princess lose her cool before this. Both of them were debating if they should abandon their post and take cover or remain in the danger zone.
"ALL I SAW WAS YOU GETTING READY TO HURL LIGHTNING AT ZUKO. YOUR BROTHER!" Both guards could feel the ship shudder as the waves became more violent.
"WELL MAYBE IF YOU DID YOUR JOB I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO." Now the hallway was starting to get uncomfortably hot.
"HE WAS ON THE GROUND, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING! YET YOU STILL TRIED TO KILL HIM"
"OH, SO YOU THINK I'M A MONSTER, NOW DON'T YOU?" Both guards made the smart decision and fled once they heard the slight waver in the princess voice.
Azula looked hurt and angry and maybe a little scared. Percy softened his voice. "No Azula, you're not a monster. I never have and never will think that. But why did you try to kill Zuko? He's your brother. Family sticks together."
She stiffened at Percy mention of family sticking together. Where had Zuko been when the servants and other kids whispered about her. Calling her a monster, thanking Agni that she wouldn't inherit the thrown. Where was Zuko when her own mother called her a monster. Where was Zuko when she was weak. Azula rage began to climb once again. Percy was siding with Zuko. He didn't think she was fit to rule. He didn't think she mattered he just saw a monster like everyone else. Azlua vision turned red.
"AND WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT FAMILY! LAST TIME I CHECKED YOU DIDN'T HAVE ONE!" Azula spat. She wanted her bodyguard to hurt. She wanted him to feel as alone as she did. But once she saw Percy face she regretted even thinking those words.
The demigod stormed out of the room his face a mask of rage and pain, his sea green eyes so dark they seemed almost black. He slammed the door behind him and was gone before Azula could fully process what had happened.
The princess sank into her bed tired and upset. She felt so empty after fighting with Percy. This was the first time they had ever been truly angry with each other. She just wanted it to go back to the way it was, she wished she could take back all the horrible things she said to him. She just wished she wasn't such a monster. If the servants noticed her pillow was wet the next morning, they didn't say anything.
-Line Break-
The next day was torture for the princess. Percy had been cold and distant towards her, no more lopsided smiles or bad jokes just stoic silence and formality. Azula was only half listening to Lo and Li as they gave their advice on how she should proceed.
"When tracking your brother and uncle, travelling with the royal procession may no longer be an option."
"May no longer be wise."
"If you hope to keep the element of surprise." The twins finished in unison.
Azula glanced over at Percy waiting for his usual quip about how creepy the two masters were or a joke or at least his opinion. His faced remained passive. It felt unsettling for the first time since she had met her bodyguard she couldn't tell what he was thinking. Percy had always been an open book wearing his feelings on his sleeve. But now she couldn't tell what he was thinking.
He's thinking you're a monster. He's planning on leaving you like everyone does once they see what you truly are. A dark voice whispered in the back of her mind.
Shut up. He's probably just upset. he'll get over it and it will all go back to normal in a couple days.
Oh yeah, he definitely can't wait to be friends with the crazy girl again. The voice responded sarcastically.
I'M NOT CRAZY. Azula screamed in her head
Says the girl arguing with the voice in her head.
Lo and Li interrupted her thoughts, "What are your orders, Princess?" They spoke in unison again.
Azula took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering. "You're right, I need to be nimble and the royal procession will only slow me down. It's time to visit some old friends."
-Line break-
Ty lee was feeling ecstatic - no, exuberant - no, elated. Something with an e sound. But that didn't matter, she was happy. Joining the circus was the best dissension of her life, sure she missed Azula, Mai and Percy but this was where she belonged.
Her joyful acrobatics practice was interrupted by the sight of two of the people she had just been thinking of.
"Ty lee could that possibly be you."
Ty Lee gasped and dropped gracefully into a bow before embracing her old friend. "Azula, Percy! Its so good to see you guys!" she said happily.
Percy offered Ty Lee his first genuine smile since his fight with Azula "It's good to see you too. I can see you haven't changed much." He said with wry amusement lacing his tone.
"Please don't let us interrupt... whatever it is you were doing" Azula contemplated asking what Ty Lee was doing here before dismissing it as her friends natural oddity.
As Ty lee went back into another impossible position Azula made her pitch. "I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor." Before she could continue Ty Lee interrupted her in a worried voice.
"Whats wrong with you guys? Your auras are all angry and sad and fighting each other." Ty Lee shivered, obviously not happy with what she was seeing, "What happened? Did you guys have a fight or something?"
Both Percy and Azula stiffened at the mention of their fight. Percy grew uncomfortable with the situation and blurted out an awkward excuse before running off "Um I need to check the perimeter... for, um, assassins! Yeah, assassins." Azula would have laughed at her bodyguards awkwardness if it wasn't her he was trying to avoid.
"What's going on?" Ty Lee put her hand on Azula shoulder calling her attention away from Percy's retreating form.
"Could we talk in private somewhere?" Ty lee had always been good with people, maybe she had some advice on what to do.
"Sure, my tent is just over here."
-Line break-
"-and now he hates me and I don't know what to do. Not to mention I have no idea how to deal with that idiot Raijin and that Agni-damned arranged marriage" Azula finished tiredly. They were both siting in comfortable chairs in Ty Lee's large tent. It seemed either the circus was very successful or there were advantages to being of noble blood, even in the circus.
"Well, I don't really now what you could do about the Rajin problem, but have you tried talking to Percy since your fight?"
"Well, no. Not exactly. But he's been so distant and cold since the fight I assume he doesn't want to speak with me." Azula responded fiddling with the cup of tea Ty Lee had provided for her.
"Well, if you don't try how will you know?" Ty Lee brough her own cup of tea up to her face and inhaled the rich scent of the spices before taking a sip.
"What would I even say to him? 'Hi sorry I tried to murder your friend then brought up how your entire family is dead.' Somehow I don't think that's going to go over to well." Azula stated with dry sarcasm.
"Well, you could start with the truth. Explain why you did it and why you got so mad at him." Ty Lee answered calmly.
There is no way I'm doing that. Azula thought to herself. She didn't want to go into her messy childhood with Percy and she defiantly didn't want to talk about the dark voice her head. But she could try and explain some of it to Percy. If opening up to him (even if only a little) is what it took to get him back, she would do it.
"Thanks Ty Lee." Azula took a sip of her cooling tea before setting the cup of the ground beside her. "I'm gonna try that now." She said gratefully.
"But my shows about to start! Can't you talk to him after? Please? For me?" Ty lee pleaded. Her massive grey eyes begging Azula to say yes.
She hesitated before agreeing. "Alright, I'll stay" And she picked up the tea again.
-Line Break-
Azula was walking out of the main tent heading towards her bodyguard who seemed to be talking with one of the circus folk about one of the animals. She wished she could say she enjoyed Ty Lee's performance but honestly she hadn't really been paying attention. She was too busy thinking about how her conversation with Percy would go. She should have been doing whatever she needed to ensure Ty Lee would agree to join them on her mission, but she just couldn't focus on that. Not with Percy still mad at her.
"Percy, could we talk?" Azula cursed herself for sounding so weak. Percy stiffened for a moment,
"Yeah, sure, we can talk." he said after a slight hesitation. Azula brought him to the outskirts of the camp to they could speak in private.
"I, uh, just wanted to say I'm sorry for bringing up your family and explain myself for the thing with Zuko." She blurted out in a rush. When she saw Percy nod his head slowly she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. He was going to listen.
"The thing about me and Zuko is we have never got along. And I know what you're thinking the whole 'siblings fight' thing but for us it went a bit deeper then that." she took a deep breath before continuing. "Our parents didn't have the perfect marriage, they fought a lot. Zuko never noticed but I did. So as they started to fight more and more they also started to pick favourites. Father favoured me because of my fire bending and our mother favoured Zuko."
"That pretty much destroyed any chance we had of having a happy sibling relationship. But it got worse as time went on. When Mai started developing feelings for Zuko it felt like my friends where picking sides too. And when you told me that you and Zuko were friends before he was banished I felt that way again. So I think you can get why I was so upset when you said family sticks together cause, well, mine doesn't."
Azula was staring at the ground. She had never opened up like this to anyone. She hadn't talked about everything but it was still more then she had told anyone else. She was terrified that Percy would reject her now that he had seen a glimpse of how broken she was. To say she was surprised by what he did next would be an understatement.
He hugged her.
Azula wasn't used to being hugged. Especially not by Percy. Although the armor made it kind of uncomfortable, it was still nice. She felt like all her worries about her father and her ridiculous arranged marriage wouldn't matter anymore. That Percy would take care of all her problems. The hug ended far too quickly for Azula. As Percy pulled away, he kept his hands griping Azula shoulders tightly.
"I'm not going anywhere. I may be friends with Zuko but that doesn't change the fact that your stuck with me for the long haul. You're not getting rid of me anytime soon." Once Azula saw his lopsided grin she finally relaxed. Things were back to normal.
-Line Break-
As Percy and Azula were gathering their things and preparing to leave the circus and head towards their next destination, a pink blur cartwheeled towards them. A pink blur with a travel bag strapped to her back.
"Wait up you two! I'm coming with you." Ty Lee exclaimed as she bounced up and down in front of the two surprised benders.
"But Ty Lee, I thought you were staying at the circus. You love it here." Azula asked confusion lacing her tone.
"I do love the circus. But I love you guys more. Not to mention I have the feeling you're gonna be needing my advice again soon." Ty Lee said with a sly smile nudging Azula with her elbow while glancing between her and Percy. Azula blushed slightly at what Ty Lee was implying. Percy however, just looked confused.
"Well, we would be honoured to have you join us Ty Lee. Lets get moving we're burning daylight and it's a long way to Omashu." Azula said quickly before her friend could say anything else to embarrass her.
Ty lee giggled before nodding. The three friends finished gathering their things before setting off to Omashu. Their quartet was almost complete.
-Line Break-
Mai stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to the governor house as she watched a red palanquin carried by four imperial fire benders and flanked by two familiar figures walk towards her. As her old friend Azula exited the palanquin and walked up to her she gave a slight bow and her signature greeting.
"Please tell me you're here to kill me." she said in her usual monotone. Then as she raised her head she smirked slightly and chuckled along with her friends.
"It's great to see you Mai."
"Still as gloomy as ever, I see." Percy quipped earning a dark glare from Mai before she was tackled with a massive hug from Ty Lee.
"I thought you ran off to join the circus you said it was your calling." Mai said surprised.
"I thought it would be more fun to get the old gang back together. You know, Azula and Percy and you and Zuko" Ty Lee said with a teasing grin
"Wait, Zuko?" Mai said too surprised to respond to Ty Lee's teasing.
"He's who we're hunting along with my uncle. My father has declared them traitors and we have to bring them home to stand trail." Noticing the unease on Mai face, Azula continued. "Although I'm sure they are innocent, once their names are cleared this will all be over." She reassured her gloomy friend.
"Well, count me in anything to get away from this place."
"Are you sure that's your only reason for coming Mai? Don't you think it will be interesting to see Zuko again?" Ty Lee teased. Mai smiled and blushed. Percy finally caught on to what Ty Lee was saying.
"Wait, you and Zuko?! Wait Zuko had a girlfriend!? Did that guy tell me anything!?" Percy complained as his friends laughed.
"As fun as catching up has been I have a bit of a problem that I need your guys help with". Mai said in a sombre tone, bringing their joking to a close.
-Line Break-
As the four friends walked away from the governor and his wife, Ty Lee spoke the question that was on all the minds besides the princesses. "What's the plan?"
"Well, as important as it is to get Tom-Tom back safe and sound, we can't just give the resistance one of the most powerful earth benders in the world. That wold be foolish." Azula said calmly.
"Yeah, but we can't just let them keep Mai's baby brother." Percy responded.
"I never said we would. All I said was were not going to give them King Bumi. I'm sure we can employ some more aggressive negotiations and offer something else to trade." The princess said with a vicious smirk.
-Line Break-
A disguised Aang waited with Katara and Sokka in the meeting place, all of them ready for anything. It didn't take long for three teenage girls to approach them. The Avatar and his friends remained stoic, not showing any surprise at dealing with three teenagers instead of the governor and a platoon of soldiers. They recognized the one in the middle as the girl who chased them with knives during their first night in Omashu. Bumi's insane laugh echoed across the platform as he was lowered to their level.
"Hi everybody!" The king greeted them as if he wasn't in the middle of a tense hostage trade. Aang smiled at his friends antics.
"You brought my brother?" The knife girl now identified as the governor's daughter questioned.
"He's here. We're ready to trade." Aang said, both he and his friends keeping steady and serious despite the baby cooing and poking at Sokka's face.
"I'm sorry, a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind?" The girl with the red headpiece interrupted. The gaang tensed.
"Of course not, Princess Azula"
"We're trading a two year old for a king. A powerful earth bending king. It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?" The now named Azula questioned as Bumi nodded enthusiastically. Aang and his friends grew worried, this wasn't going as planned.
"No, it doesn't seem fair."
Just as the governors daughter finished speaking someone swung up onto the platform behind them. Three pairs of eyes quickly scanned the intruder. Their finely tuned threat detection instincts instantly noticed the new person heading towards them was wearing blue armour. Blue was the good guys and red was bad, so if he was wearing blue he was on their side. They all lowered their guard for just a moment thinking some unknown reinforcements had arrived.
Too bad for them, a moment was all Percy needed. He dashed towards Katara and faster then any of them could react swept her legs out from under her and pinned her to the ground. One knee pressing down on her ribs while his forearm slammed across her throat, a wicked sharp bone dagger driven into the wood barely an inch from her jugular. The attacker raised his head to glare at the stunned Sokka and Aang revealing his tanned skin, black hair and piercing sea green eyes.
"How about you give back the child you kidnapped and I don't kill her?" He said in a dangerous tone. Sokka finally noticed the Fire Nation symbol displayed proudly on the centre of his blue chest plate. The symbol looked wrong on the blue background almost as if mocking his tribe's colour. Sokka gulped.
"I knew this was gonna be a trap."
Sorry this took so long school, football and my social life all have been taking chunks out of my time so It's been hard to find time to write. After exams updates will be longer and come faster. Once again want to thank my betas for making this good. And today's my birthday so happy birthday to me. Btw Sokka line is a call back to the show before they go to the trade he tells aang he thinks its a trap but aang dismissed him so I wanted to give him his I told you so moment. Thanks for reading I'll try and update as soon as I can.