A/N. Just a quick drabble I whipped up for Avatar: The Last Writer (an ATLA competition).
oO0Oo
When she first hears the news, she is sitting alone in the garden. "Mother's gone?" she says, her eyes wild. This isn't right. This isn't what was supposed to happen. Zuko should be dead, and she should be an only child… but instead, it seems she and Zuko are only motherless.
"Your mother committed high treason last night," her Father says. "Your grandfather has passed into Agni's grace, and in his dying wish he made me Fire Lord."
Azula knows what her Father does not say. "Does that make Zuko Crown Prince?"
He nods. "It does, but do not fret."
She looks up at him with false innocence. "Why would I fret, Father?"
He places a hand on her shoulder. "My daughter, you inherited my ambition and lust for power. Zuko may be Crown Prince, but he is weak, and it is only a matter of time. You were born second, but that does not matter anymore." His hand tightens on her shoulder, and although it hurts, Azula does not make a sound. He is not talking about her and Zuko any longer, and she dares not interrupt. "Your Grandfather's funeral funeral is at noon."
"When is Mother's?"
He frowns. "I expect such ignorance from Zuko, but not from you." His words cut, and she bows her head. "Your Mother will not receive a funeral. If you knew how the Fire Nation punished traitors, you would have already known that and not asked such a pathetic question."
"Yes, Father." She bites her lip and stares at the turtle-ducks swimming in the pond before her. The littlest one is falling behind, but its siblings keep swimming. Her face hardens. She won't ever be left behind. "May I leave, Father? I would like to research our laws before Grandfather's funeral."
"Of course." The pride in his voice warms Azula. "After the funeral, meet Li and Lo in the courtyard. Your firebending is atrocious."
She blinks. Her teachers all say she is a prodigy. "I thought I was doing well?"
"Do not question me," her Father snaps. Then, his voice kinder, "I am only trying to help you, Azula. Remember that in this world, only the strong survive."
"Yes, Father." She rises to her feet and bows. When she leaves the garden, she makes her way to the Royal Library. There is much to be learned about her Nation's customs... and its laws of succession. When Father said she had inherited his ambition, he was right. To gain the throne, he had discredited his brother and killed his Father; Azula now prepares to do the same. She smirks, a cold, cruel glint in her eyes.
Long live Fire Lord Ozai.