Book One: The Oracle
Chapter Eleven: From the Ashes, Part 2: Sealing the Deal
A/N: I'm so sorry this chapter took forever! I apologize with all my heart! I even wrote a oneshot to try and make up for it. It's called The Little Things. Go forth and read. ;) And review if you will. By the way, because this is a part 2 chapter, I'm not putting review replies.
This chapter is dedicated to Sokkas Instincts 2. Thanks for sticking with me from the beginning.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the characters within it.
...Something glittered a distance away from her as she hurried through the open garden and down a cobblestone path. She smiled. Her memory was accurate as well...
It was during her childhood. She was a devious little girl, and she knew it. She lived for it. But getting into other people's business was one of her prime characteristics. There wouldn't be 'Azula' without mischief.
Not that she really cared or wondered about what anyone else did; she just wanted to know how it would affect her.
Her cousin died during Iroh's siege over Ba Sing Se. When uncle came home, he had tears in his eyes and depression that lurked into every pore. How could this puzzled, misguided and broken man be expected to reign over the Fire Nation? Sure, he was the first born son of the Fire Lord; crowned prince of the western part of the world, thus, the ability swam through his veins. He was demented and stubborn like so many other Lords of the past, but he, himself, was unfit for the job.
He came home, crying. 'I'd do anything to get my dear Lu Ten back...' The whole bit. It seemed Azulon had sympathy for him. Yet another weakness! Sympathy was for the blinded. The impotent. The addle-minded. It was an unacceptable vulnerability with a role such as his own.
And someone killed Azula's grandfather for his weakness. She didn't know who, and she didn't really care either. He was old, and it was pulled off as a simple act of mother nature.
If that was the case, Ozai wouldn't have become Fire Lord. The world most likely wouldn't be encased in war a few years longer than it had. Iroh would've changed things. He would've built a new, better world. A peaceful one.
But there was no lapse of peace. There was no prosperity. Azulon died because someone killed him, and Ozai took his place on the throne.
And then... there was an even more interesting turn of events. The Avatar killed Ozai! Sympathy was obviously not a weak spot for him. But he did have a weakness. That little water tribe girl.
She thought about kidnapping her, or something, but decided she was too well protected. Kidnapping wouldn't be necessary if she played her cards right...
But this was about Iroh and his spiritual need to be with his son. His spiritual connection that was so deep and pathetic he ventured to the spirit world to visit his lost child.
He wrote a letter to somebody; who it was was unclear, for the entry stated 'To whom it may concern,'. He left it on the nightstand, along with another piece of paper he scrawled on and departed the physical world for something more. Azula was curious. A strange and quiet form of the word. She took advantage of the old man and placed his papers in safe keeping. Somewhere nobody went.
The princess walked, slowly now, up to the shimmering object. The silver of the handle gleamed in the moonlight as it rested on a pristine and untouched piece of wood.
What was better than a fall-out shelter to hide something other people shouldn't have access to? The one that hid under the noses of all the inhabitants of the royal family. They knew where it was, but it wasn't used. There hadn't been a natural disaster violent enough in the city for the use of underground shelter.
She pulled at the handle and it creaked as the hinges moved. They were a bit rusty from lack of oiling, something that was only done every year or so. It was most likely the oldest place of the palace. Everything else was replaced or renovated with time, but the large room under the earth was nearly lost to the ages.
After staring into the blackness, she peered up once more to check if anyone was near. She made a hasty descent down the ladder and landed without difficulty on the rough stone surface.
Her hand conjured a small blue flame that forced light to flicker through the entire room, only leaving small shadows behind large objects and causing cobwebs to become more prominent. She smirked and made her way over to a small chest in the corner. It was dull, with a key-accessible lock hanging from its clutches. She studied it for a moment before pulling the dangling lock away from the chest and thrusting her elbow on the top where the loop connected. It shot open and she finagled with it, causing it to fall and clatter on the ground. The sound echoed eerily.
After opening it, she laid her eyes on the small, crinkled pieces of paper within. The princess closed her hand and the small flame disappeared. Her hands dove in and retrieved sheets, folding them quickly and placed them down the front of her shirt.
That was the easy part.
She climbed back up the ladder and out of the underground room. If Zuzu hadn't changed anything more (at least not drastically), the guards should be patrolling the other side of the palace. However, they would be on her side any moment now, causing her need to flee to transform into a priority.
She backed away from the fall-out shelter, keeping her eyes open for the guards. Almost effortlessly, she threw her body backwards over a hedge and shot up into the air, her hands guided by blue fire which lifted her over the palace wall.
If someone saw her, it was too late. She was long gone.
It was true, she could've entered the way she exited and dropped all the hard work, but it was better like this. She needed the people to worry. She needed everyone to turn against each other. If she, the Earth King's personal advisor, was sneaking around and stealing things, or even kidnapped by someone (which some people may debate due to the disarray of her room), there would be stress throughout the nations.
Plus, it was more fun this way.
--
To whom it may concern,
I have successfully manufactured an alternate way to the Spirit World. I know someday I will be reunited with my dear son, but I must know if I can speak to him now. I have much to tell him. Much to apologize for. Along with this letter, I have enclosed the formula that seems to work. Only one journey has been made so far. The Spirit World is vast, and if there is any possible way to meet Lu Ten again, I will seek it out. I have spoken to many spirits, some kinder than others, along with a past reincarnation of the Avatar himself and a strange spirit named Koh. I found it difficult speaking to him, for you must show no emotion when doing so or he will steal your face.
That's where it ended. Azula read it many times in the past, knowing that someday, if it was useful, she would use it to her advantage.
It was useful now.
She pulled the other piece of parchment from underneath the first and read it.
Langwin Tea
Separation of Chi within ones self
Such a short and simple list, yet something no one ever thought of. Only Iroh would do something so strange as to experiment with tea to enter the Spirit World.
This particular tea was very rare, but simple to find for someone such as Azula. Upon expecting to need it, she searched for some after her escape from the Avatar and his companions. Even chi separation was simple. She had to do it in order to create the lightning she adored so deeply.
The princess brought her flame to a nearby boulder on the riverbed she currently inhabited. She molded it into a shape almost like a bowl and dipped it into the water. The liquid sloshed and settled, quickly turning a pale cream color as the Langwin was dropped in.
She sipped slowly, not knowing what to expect, and soon felt lightheaded. Azula paused and looked down at the hand holding the rock bowl. It was shaking violently. She quickly downed the rest of the substance while her limbs fell numb and tingled.
Was this right? Was this how it was supposed to be? She second guessed herself. Did she really get this 'Langwin'? She knew the description. She was aware that it was like no other. How could she be wrong? She was never wrong... She was perfect... no mistakes... oh, so perfect...
Her mind clouded up with misjudgment and thoughts of regret. What use was it to visit the Spirit World? What use was it to do all of this...?
Suddenly, a powerful wave crashed down on her body and she felt at peace. Azula took her chance and concentrated all her willpower on separating her chi. The simple act exhausted her thoroughly and forced her body to the ground. Her eyes were half lidded on the moist riverbed and she tried again.
Everything went black.
She could see dots. Sunspots, maybe?
Then a flash of light, and-
The tingling sensation was gone. She opened her eyes (when did she close them?) to take in her strange, unfamiliar surroundings.
What was this place? Jade green with swampy features. So this was what it was like to dream...
She stood. Her body felt drained, but she wasn't feint any longer. Her legs carried her through the trees as her limbs slowly regained their energy. Her heartbeat began to quicken, but died down just as soon as it started. A surge of anxiety and drowsiness washed over her and she felt as if she slept while she walked.
Her legs brought her to the mouth of an ominous cave. Azula felt like she'd been here before, but continued walking, leaving no room for debate.
It was dark inside; almost pitch black. She forced the remainder of her energy into her palm and felt warmth. But there was no fire. She tried again and again. Nothing.
The darkness engulfed her, but the aching in her limbs and a mysterious clicking noise told her she didn't sleep. She felt the presence of someone behind her and turned, but with no surprise, she still saw nothing.
"Hello," whispered a voice that seemed to chide.
She felt the breath of the man, heavy on her shoulder. She turned around again. Unexpectedly he was behind her, but she had no words. Her voice was lost to her exhaustion.
"I know why you have wandered here," the voice hissed through his teeth.
"Wha-" her voice cracked and she tried to clear her throat, but found even breathing a hard task.
"Hush, child. Do not hurt yourself."
Again, Azula tried to conjure a flame, but her attempt was futile.
"There is no bending here."
The princess' eyes widened with this knowledge, but she soon inhaled deeply through her nostrils, the breath calming her. This man could aid her... She found the strength to speak.
"I would like your assistance," she whispered. Her voice was so low, she expected him to miss it.
He didn't.
"I understand. I know of something that may help you. Someone, actually. But what will I get in return, I wonder?..."
"How... I..." She felt something touch her shoulder and growled inwardly. "What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure if you've been told, but I fancy the faces of others. You, my dear, are a different face. A face that would be my prized possession. But I need you. You are intriguing..."
"Who is this someone you speak of?" she questioned, quietly again.
"What's in it for me?"
Azula inhaled slowly again, pondering. What could this strange spirit, she figured, wish for?
"Have you met the Avatar?" she asked with a twitch of her lip. The fire princess could almost feel his nod.
"Good... I can promise you a face. A very... important face. A face that if I could, I would keep as a 'prized possession'. The face... of the Avatar's beloved."
He hissed softly causing the room to echo with the sound and Azula narrowed her eyes, hoping it would grant her sight.
"I already possess the face of the Avatar's beloved! I crave his face. The face of the Avatar himself."
"You have her face? How?"
Koh laughed, causing Azula to cringe. "It was easy. Two, three hundred years ago... she was weak. Defenseless..."
Azula caught on. A past reincarnation's mate was of no use.
"Ahh, but you see," Azula corrected, chuckling darkly, "I speak of the current Avatar. If you have the face of his love, he would want her back. He would come and get her, no?"
Koh sighed. "Mmm... that is true. But he has great restraint for a child. He knows better than to show emotion in my presence."
"I would force him."
There was a long pause. He considered this. How did such a female; such a human female live with this spectacular wit?
"Yes," Koh whispered. "Yes..."
"Now... who is this someone you speak of?"
A/N: I think I like this chapter. Not sure why, it's a little scattered. But I'll get to explaining it eventually. By the way, if I didn't make it blatantly obvious, Azula knows it's Koh because he said he fancies faces, and in the letter from Iroh, it said the same...
Please review! And again, I'm sorry I didn't post earlier. "-.-
-Katara
