DOUBLE UPDATE! DOUBLE UPDATE!
I'm a month late, but happy one year anniversary! On February 28, 2015, my salt levels about the ending of LOK were still really high, and I decided to create a redemption journey for Mako. Thanks to all of the patient readers who have decided to go on this journey with me. You guys are the best.
So this is an exposition chapter about the origins of blue fire, how Azula learned this technique, and how the Senshi was formed. Most of this came from the wonderful suggestions of StevenBodner, so don't forget to thank him as well.
This chapter is almost as long as the last one, so get comfortable.
Avatar Kato was the firebending Avatar 1500 years after Avatar Wan. The world was entering another era of turmoil. The nations had not yet been formed, and people were fighting for territory; for a place that was uniquely theirs.
Waterbenders tended to drift towards the costal regions and airbenders to the mountains. The fire and earthbenders were constantly at odds. Battles for land would rage for long periods of time.
Though still a fairly young woman and not yet having completed her training, Avatar Kato was thrown into the midst of the chaos of her time. People were expecting her to figure out a way to solve the problems.
Kato was high in the mountains finishing her airbending training when talk of another uprising reached her.
An airbender rushed into morning prayer looking disheveled and distraught. "I've been down the mountain. There is talk of another battle between the fire and earthbenders," the messenger whispered frantically. "They say it could turn into a war! The worst one we've seen yet. Both sides are preparing to finish the others off."
Worried murmurs swept through the group of meditating airbenders. Eyes flicked towards Kato, who was sitting with her airbending master. Whispers floated on the breeze towards the two of them.
"She's the Avatar, the peacekeeper. She'll stop them."
"No, she is too young. She has barley mastered airbending."
"This is not our fight. We should pray to the spirits to resolve this conflict peacefully."
Kato was quickly ushered out of the prayer hall, her teacher right behind her.
"Jamyang, what should I do?" the young Avatar asked the master airbender. "I don't know how to resolve conflicts."
"You underestimate your abilities," the old man said calmly.
"Two children fighting over a fruit pie is one thing. Two large groups of people fighting over land is another." She paced the small walkway outside of the prayer hall, thinking.
"Have you had any vision from your past lifetimes?" Jamyang asked, stroking his grey beard.
"No," Kato sighed. "They are staying especially quiet with this one. Why couldn't Avatar Ting fix this problem in her lifetime?" She mentally cursed the earthbending Avatar before her.
"I'm sure Avatar Ting tried all she could. Some things are too much for one lifetime."
"So this becomes my problem?"
"Don't think of it like that," the elder reprimanded. "Bringing peace and balance to the world is the Avatar's destiny. Perhaps you will be able to solve this, perhaps not. But you must be willing to try."
"Alright," Kato agreed. "I'll try."
…
The young Avatar and her airbending master rode Jamyang's sky bison down the mountain to see if they could resolve the brewing conflict between the two bending groups. A makeshift boarder line was up for negotiation, and Kato hoped an agreement had been reached.
They traveled to the 'neutral zone', a large stretch of land in the middle of the country. A few small villages existed within this space, but they were always wary of their neighbors.
This time, a meeting was to be held within an earthbending village. The rulers of the earthbenders and the firebenders were already arguing when Kato joined them.
"Why should my people continue to be pushed to the edges of the continent?" The Fire Lord demanded.
"Because there are more of us. We need all of the land we can get, and so much of it is uninhabitable." The Earth King remarked.
"We are spread too thin! How can I defend my subjects when my armies cannot reach each other?"
"Are you saying that you are planning an attack?" the Earth King asked incredulously.
"I'm saying your people have attacked us too many times. I cannot let my subjects live in fear. I cannot protect my people from the other side of the world."
"Maybe if you and your people would just go to the other side of the world, we wouldn't have any issues," one of the earthbenders sneered.
A few firebenders jumped to their feet, prepared to make the man sorry for his comment. A few more earthbenders jumped to his defense, and soon everyone was at their feet and poised for a fight.
"Gentlemen please, sit down." The young Avatar entered the building and quickly went to work as the peacekeeper. The tension was so tangible within the room; Kato swore she could have cut it with a dull knife.
"Are we still discussing the boarders?" Kato asked.
"No. As usual, Fire Lord In-Su is demanding more of my territory." The Earth King proclaimed dramatically.
"We wouldn't have to keep doing this if you would give us an equal share, Pingfei." The Fire Lord shot back. "You rearrange the boarders and rob my people of their lands."
"These lands are rightfully ours!" an earthbender shouted. "We have been here long before the Lion Turtles dump your people in these regions."
"You can't keep moving the boarders as you please," Kato rounded on the Earth King. "The firebenders have as much rights to this country as you do."
Cheers of approval rang from her fellow firebenders.
"May I remind you child, that as the Avatar, you are not supposed to pick sides when it comes to global politics." The Earth King pointed out.
"I wasn't. I was just-"
"As a firebender first, she has a voice as one of my subjects," the Fire Lord roared.
"She belongs to the world. She is the voice of all people, not just yours."
Kato tired to protest, but she knew he was right.
"Well, what will it be Avatar? Will you side with your people? Or will you continue to do your duty to the world and remain neutral?" the Earth King stared intently at the young woman, almost daring her to choose incorrectly. Kato knew either choice would cause her to fall out of favor with one group. She was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Give me some time to figure out a solution," she pleaded. "Just a few months or so. I know we can fix this somehow."
"Absolutely not! We will not sit around and wait to be picked off by these mudslingers!" a firebending general shouted.
"Please," Jamyang raised his hand, instantly settling the rowdy crowd. "Avatar Kato will find a solution. Peace will not come in a day. Give her some time." The man grumbled, but agreed to let the young Avatar solve things her way.
The meeting ended with both groups agreeing that the Avatar had three months to find a way to fix their problems, or else they would go to war. As they flew back to the Air Temple, Kato and Jamyang discussed possible solutions.
"I have no ideas and no time," Kato groaned. "How in the world am I going to fix this?"
"I think it's time to look for guidance," the airbender said thoughtfully.
…
Kato climbed to a reclusive spot high in the mountains so she could be closer to the sun. She sat there meditating for hours, wracking her brain for answers. When none came to her, she dug deep into her soul and called upon a past life. "Avatar Ting, I need you."
The air shimmered around her, and a blue figure appeared before her. "Hello Kato," a woman not much older than Kato herself, greeted her.
"Avatar Ting. Please help me. The firebenders and the earthbenders are going to war. I have two months to find a way for them to co-exist. What can I do? I am just one person? I'm not even a fully realized Avatar."
"I'm sorry that this conflict got too out of hand for me, and that my life was cut short before I could resolve it. But I believe that you will bring peace to this fractured nation."
"How? I need answers." Kato pleaded.
Avatar Ting thought for a moment, looking to the sky for inspiration. "Follow the dragons," she said suddenly. "They will lead you to the sun." With that, her spirit dissolved back into the ground.
Kato sat in stunned silence for a moment before smacking herself in the forehead. "Well that wasn't very helpful," she huffed.
…
In the dead of the night, Kato took a flying bison from its pen and flew away from the Air Temple. She wasn't running away, she kept telling herself. She was just clearing her head. But what was supposed to be a quick joyride turned into an all-night journey to the edges of the country. Kato spotted the ocean as the night sky began to grow lighter behind her. She decided to continue flying, admiring the element she was to learn next.
"We could fly forever Duga," she mused out loud to the bison. "We could keep flying until we reach the other side of the world. We wouldn't come back. They would have to figure out their own problems."
Kato sighed. As nice a daydream as that was, she knew she had to go back. It was her duty as the Avatar to keep balance in the world. She couldn't run from her problems, as much as she would like to.
Just when she was about to turn back, something caught her eye in the distance. A large shape was emerging on the horizon. A lion turtle? No, it was much too big. Kato squinted. It was land.
"Faster Duga," she instructed. The bison roared and slapped its tail down, picking up speed. They hurtled towards the growing landmass.
They landed on the coast just as the sun was rising. Kato dismounted and stretched out her limbs. She looked around at the strange land.
The weather was hot here, almost tropical. Weird looking trees sprouted along the shore. Kato squinted up at the sun. It seemed so much closer here than it did back home. She sat in the sand and watched it rise, feeling energized by its rays.
"I wish we could stay here forever," Kato sighed contentedly. The sky bison gave a little roar, as if agreeing with his rider.
Eventually they left the beach and flew over the land, aerially exploring the environment. There were deserts and jungles and mountains and forests, just like the back home. "The firebenders could just live here," Kato mused. "They would certainly enjoy the weather."
The two continued flying west towards the mountains as the midday sun blazed brightly in the clear blue sky. The ride was peaceful until they got closer to the mountains. Duga started to get agitated, flying up higher in the sky and staying as far away from the mountains as he could.
"Duga," Kato protested, trying to lead the hesitant bison to a lower altitude. "Come on boy. I can't get a good look at this place from way up here."
The large fuzzy creature groaned, reluctantly obeying the Avatar. Suddenly there was a horrible screeching noise. Duga roared and dove through the air just in time. A large red streak of fire went zooming past them. Kato ducked, leading Duga slightly left of the trail of smoke the flames left.
"What in the world-" another screeching noise sounded, this time it was closer. Kato looked behind her to see a massive orange dragon flying towards them. The young Avatar directed her bison out of the way, letting the large flying serpent pass.
"That was close, huh Duga," she patted the large flying animal, trying to calm his still frazzled nerves. Suddenly there were multiple screeches, and the sound of heavy flapping wings thundered towards them. Dozens of dragons swarmed towards them.
Duga roared in fright. Kato maneuvered him through, narrowly avoiding large claws, sharp teeth, and huge bursts of fire, and deflecting some attacks with her own bending.
Finally they were left alone. Duga rushed away from the mountains, eager to be as far away from the dragons as possible. Kato looked back as the clan of dragons flew towards what looked like two halves of a mountain peak. The young woman stopped her flying bison and watched.
This wasn't a coincidence. There was a reason she had come to this place, why the large, dangerous beasts had not killed her.
"Follow the dragons, and they will lead you to the sun," Kato said slowly, piecing together the riddle her past life had given her. As terrifying as it was, Kato knew what she had to do. "Duga, yip-yip." She pulled on the reins and led her bison towards the duel peaks the dragons had disappeared behind.
As she flew over the twin peaks, she noticed a large clearing in the middle of the mountains. There was a large mass of some sort in the clearing. Kato decided to investigate.
Kato landed and slowly got off of her flying bison. Surrounding her were hundreds of people, and even a few dragons. The people wore robes of rich reds and golds, and their faces were painted. They all looked poised to attack. Kato raised her hands to show she was not a threat.
An old man stepped out if the crowd. He had on a large headdress, clearly the leader of these people. "Who are you? How did you find this place?"
Kato gulped. "I am the Avatar," she started. There were a few gasps.
"Avatar? Master of the four elements and keeper of peace amongst the people and the Spirits?" the young woman nodded. The old man raised his hand, and everyone immediately let their guard down. Kato breathed a sigh of relief and continued her explanation.
"My name is Kato, and I came here to look for answers. My past life told me to follow the dragons, and that they would lead me to the sun." Kato paused. "Did she mean you? Are you firebenders too?"
"Don't answer her," one man whispered furiously to the leader. The elder man held up his hand and silenced him.
"We will answer the child's questions." He turned his full attention on Kato. "We are the Sun Warriors, protectors of the dragons and worshipers of the sun. We have been in the Land of Fire since the beginning of time."
"Perhaps you can help me. There is about to be a war, and I don't think I can prevent it. I need to protect my people, but I don't know how!"
"Your people?" the elder asked. "You mean firebenders?" Kato nodded. He inspected the young Avatar carefully. "I was unaware of the existence of other firebenders outside of our nation."
"There are others here?" Kato asked.
"Yes, a few settlements." Kato grew more excited by the news.
"This is perfect! You see, there are hundreds of thousands of firebenders stuck in a country inhabited by earthbenders, and they refuse to share the land. They are going to go to war if I don't find a way for them to coexist. But maybe the solution isn't to force them to live amongst each other. Maybe the best thing is for my people to find their own place to call home."
"You can't be serious! You aren't going to let this girl convince you to let thousands of people come spoil our land are you?" the angry man complained.
"Hush Orochi." The elder silenced him again. "You must learn tolerance for others." He turned to Kato. "It is a lesson we must all learn." He paused for a second. "Find a way to bring our lost brothers and sisters home."
"Do you mean it?" Kato asked.
The old man smiled and nodded. "Anyone who lives by the way of the sun is welcome in the Land of Fire."
Kato hugged the old man, happiness radiating all around her. The leader of the Sun Warriors chuckled and hugged the young girl back.
"But wait," Kato suddenly pulled away. "I still don't know how to protect my people. The earthbenders outnumber us greatly, and the king will stop at nothing to get rid of us."
The elder stroked his beard and thought for a moment. "The dragons were the first firebending teachers. They know how to protect their own. Perhaps you could stay a while, and learn the secrets of firebending."
Kato bowed deeply to the Sun Warrior. "I would be honored."
….
Tensions grew in the Avatar's absence. People were becoming uneasy as the two political leaders continued to demand the other give in. Small fights and riots broke out among the fire and earthbenders. Finally, the Fire Lord declared war.
News spread across the country. Earthbenders and firebenders traveled from all over to fight for their kings.
"The waterbenders have left the continent," an airbender whispered to an old monk. "They refuse to be caught up in this battle. They are traveling the seas to find a place where their people can live in peace. We should follow their lead."
"What are you saying Norbu?" the elder monk turned his sharp eyes on the young airbending woman.
"I'm saying that this is not out fight. I know some of the others think that it is our job to help keep the peace in the Avatar's place, but I refuse to get involved. Master Kunchen, please don't endanger our people to fight for the pride of others."
Kunchen placed his hand on the woman's shoulder. "Norbu, do you know the story of the airbending Avatar Karma? She spent her life doing good deeds and helping others. In return, she was blessed with a long and fulfilling life. I think we should live by her example. We will try to keep things settled until Kato returns."
"And what if she doesn't?" Norbu challenged. Kunchen remained silent.
….
Two months passed before Kato finally left the Sun Warriors. "I need to go home now," she explained. "I was given a deadline to find an answer, and my time is almost up."
She hugged the elder. "Thank you for your help. I will bring the firebenders here, and hopefully we can live in peace."
"Good luck, young dragon." Kato giggled at the nickname she had acquired while staying with them. "Bring your people home."
…
As Kato flew back towards the Air Temple she noticed large plumes of smoke wafting up from the ground and giant fishers and creators in the earth.
"Oh no," she was too late. They had already gone to war. Kato pushed Duga to fly faster, rushing back to the temple. When she landed, she immediately went looking for her teacher. "Jamyang?" she called, running up and down the halls. The place was nearly deserted.
Kato rounded the corner of the prayer hall and found one monk sitting on the floor and meditating. "Norbu?"
The woman opened her eyes to the sound of her name. "Avatar Kato," she said traces of harshness in her tone. "I see you have decided to return after all."
"Where is everyone? Where is Jamyang?"
"When you disappeared, the Earth King and the Fire Lord decided to settle their differences without you. It has turned into a war, the ugliest one we have seen in centuries. I told the others not to get involved, that this was not our problem."
"What are you saying Norbu?" Kato feared she already knew the answer.
"Those fools, including your master, have decided to join the fight. They claimed to be keeping peace, but they will be standing with the firebenders. I warned them not to, that the Earth King will not take this well."
Kato ran out of the room before the older monk was finished.
"They will all be eliminated," Norbu said, settling herself back down for meditation.
...
Kato and Duga raced back towards the battlefield. "Jamyang!" She screamed, her voice being swallowed by the sounds of the earth shaking and fire blazing. The Avatar flew closer to the fight, trying to spot the old man in yellow robes. "Jamyang!"
She jumped off the flying bison, using her airbending to cushion the fall, and took off running. Firebenders and earthbenders were attacking each other with everything they could. Large cracks were opened in the ground. Huge chunks of rocks were flying through the air. Char marks blackened the earth. Injured and fallen soldiers were strewn everywhere.
In the midst of it all were the airbenders. They were deflecting attacks as the injured were carried off and pushing the earthbenders back with gale force winds.
"Jamyang!" Kato spotted her master from across the way. He turned and spotted her running towards him.
"Kato!" he called back.
He didn't see the large boulder hurtling towards him until it was too late.
"NOOOOO!" Kato screamed, feeling a burst of heat and rage fill her. A white-hot light pouring from her eyes blinded her, and she tasted flames on her tongue.
The battle was momentarily halted. Everyone stopped to watch the Avatar go into a rage. Her eyes glowed white and brilliant blue flames erupted from her mouth. The winds picked up around her, and she was lifted into the air atop of a giant tornado. She thrust her hands out and created a huge wall of blue fire, separating the two warring groups.
"Enough!" her voice was powered by a thousand lifetimes. "This has gone on for too long. Peace cannot be achieved if earthbenders and firebenders refuse to coexist."
People shouted in fear. "She's going to destroy us all!"
"You killed her master."
"The Avatar will have her revenge."
Kato heard it all. She wanted to have revenge. She had tried her best to keep the balance, but she had failed, and her teacher had to pay the price of her mistake with his life. It shouldn't have turned out this way. They should be punished, she thought darkly. All of them.
"Don't think of it like that," Jamyang's voice floated through her mind. "Bringing peace and balance to the world is the Avatar's destiny. Perhaps you will be able to solve this, perhaps not. But you must be willing to try."
Tears streamed down the Avatar's face. She had promised Jamyang that she would try. It was the last thing she had said to him. She had to keep this promise.
Kato slowly lowered herself back down to the earth and the wall of blue fire went out. Her eyes continued to glow, and her voice rang out clearly across the battlefield with the power of all of the Avatar's before her.
"This war is over!" she declared. "We shall no longer remain where we are not welcome. The earthbenders can have this land. I have found a new country, the Land of Fire, where my people can live free from the oppression of the Earth King."
There was silence for a moment before cheers erupted from the firebenders. Kato came out of the Avatar state, slumping to the ground.
An earthbender took advantage of her weakened state and hurled a large rock towards her.
A firebender stepped in front of the young Avatar and blocked the attack. "It is dishonorable to strike while a person in defenseless." He said darkly. A group of firebenders formed a protective barrier around Kato. "Whomever shall try to come against our Avatar go through us first." No one dared strike again.
….
Once the war was over, Avatar Kato met with Fire Lord In-Su and told him of the land she had found, and her experience there. "They call it the Land of Fire. There are other firebenders there who are willing to let us call it our home as well."
In-Su agreed, and they made plans to leave the Earth Kingdom.
The airbenders offered their services to the firebenders, flying groups of them over to their new nation on sky bison.
"Thank you for all that you have done," In-Su bowed to Kunchen. "Your sacrifice and charity will not be forgotten. We will find a way to repay you somehow."
….
Kato sat huddled against the side of Duga's saddle. She stared blankly into the sunset, watching the Earth Kingdom shrink on the horizon.
"Avatar?" she turned to see a young man looking worriedly at her. "Is everything alright?"
Kato thought about lying and saying yes, but she was tired of putting on a brave face. "No," she shook her head, tears trickling from her eyes.
The young man scooted over to her. "What's the matter?"
"My master died in that battle," Kato whispered. "He didn't need to. Nobody needed to. This whole thing could have been prevented." She started to sob.
"I'm so sorry," the boy pulled her into his arms and held her until she had calmed down.
"Sorry," Kato sniffled. "I'm not usually like this."
"I don't mind," the man smiled.
Kato studied his face carefully. "Have we met?"
"I'm Takao. I was the one who stopped that earthbender from crushing you." He gestured to the other men who were riding the sky bison as well. "All of us protected you after you came out of the Avatar State."
Kato noticed them for the first time. "Thank you," she bowed her head.
"We would lay down our lives for you Avatar," an older man sitting across from her said. "We will be your guardians; the protectors of the protector."
"Your Sages," Takao proclaimed. "We will be the guardians of the Firebending Avatar." The men nodded in agreement.
"Well then, as my Fire Sages, I need to demand something of you all." The newly appointed Fire Sages leaned in, eager to hear what the Avatar had to say.
"I need you to keep this a secret." Kato produced a small blue flame in her hands. The men stared in awe at the magnificent show of bending.
"How did you do that?" Takao asked.
"I learned it from the dragons. It is a technique used only for protection. But it was triggered today by my pain and hate. This cannot fall into the wrong hands. I will show you the secrets of blue fire, but you must not let anyone else know about this. This must stay between the Fire Sages and the Avatar."
Azula was a firebending prodigy. Her father knew, even at a young age, she was destined to become a master. She far surpassed her brother, who was still at a basic level at age eleven. She had the best teachers in the country, and when she advanced quicker than any had anticipated, the fire sages took over her training. Having known all the techniques and secrets to firebending, they were obviously the perfect tutors.
Her favorite fire sage was Tatsuo. He was as old as her grandfather Azulon, and told her juicy stories about the earlier years of the war. He treated her as if she was his own grandchild instead of his student, and the two grew quite close. As she progressed, he saw amazing potential in her.
The old master could see that the young princess was getting fed up with the forms he had taught her in their previous lessons. Although she was going through the motions, the flames Azula produced were incredibly hot. She was quite the powerful bender.
"Tatsuo, I'm bored." The nine-year-old declared, stomping her foot for added effect.
"One more time princess," the old sage stroked his beard, ignoring the child's temper tantrum.
"No! I've done this kata seven times perfectly already. I'm tired of being at ZuZu's level. It's time to move on to more advanced techniques!"
"Azula-" the elder warned.
"Now." The tone of her voice made him stop in his tracks. It was soft yet powerful, menacing and chilling all at the same time. Only a fool would dare to cross her in this mood. Tatsuo knew he had no choice but to give her what she wanted. She was truly her father's daughter.
He sighed. "Alright princess. What would you like to learn?"
Azula shrugged indifferently. "Something that will make me the most powerful firebender in the kingdom."
"You already are," he reminded her.
"Well, than teach me something that will make me the most powerful firebender in history!"
Tatsuo thought for a moment. He watched the little girl make small flames in her hands, trying to find a way to please her.
His eyes flickered to the tapestries on the wall, depicting the family's history. He was scanning through the portraits when his attention was pulled to General Iroh's. The Fire Lord's eldest son was named Dragon of the West for slaying the last of the aforementioned beasts. A lithe blue dragon was portrayed in the mural alongside the prince, its magnificent coloring popping against the dark red backdrop and giving the old man the inspiration he needed to appease the impatient princess.
"Azula, would you like to learn the rarest firebending technique? It was invented by an Avatar thousands of years ago, and has been passed down through the fire sages."
The little girl's amber eyes sparked with interest. "What is it?"
….
A few weeks later, an excited Azula ran down the halls looking for her parents. She found her mother strolling towards her.
"Mom!" the little girl bellowed. "Mom look!"
A wide smile spread across Ursa's face and she knelt down to her daughter's height. "What is it my darling?" Azula launched herself into her mother's arms.
"Look what Tatsuo taught me," she opened her little hands and produced a tiny blue flame. Ursa gasped. Azula took that as encouragement. "Only the fire sages are supposed to know this technique, but he said that it is okay because I'm a prodigy. He says I will be the most powerful firebender in history!" She beamed proudly at her mother.
"Azula," Ursa closed the little girl's palm, snuffing out her fire. "I forbid you to use blue fire."
"What?" Azula wasn't expecting that kind of reaction. She thought her mother would be proud of her. "Why?"
"What Tatsuo did was completely irresponsible. You are far too young to be handling something this dangerous. This technique was to be kept a secret because it could be catastrophic if it fell into the wrong hands."
"But I'm a prodigy!" Azula insisted.
"I'm sorry sweetie, but I cannot allow this." Ursa gave her daughter on last quick hug before setting her down and walking briskly down the hall.
When Azula went for her next firebending lesson, she found a young female fire sage in the place of her usual teacher.
"Where is Tatsuo? Why isn't he here? He's supposed to be teaching me!" Azula bombarded her mother.
Ursa tried her best to be delicate with the news, but she knew Azula was too smart to be coddled. "Tatsuo will no longer be your firebending instructor, and has been ordered to keep his distance from the Royal Palace. He is not allowed to come near you or contact you," she said plainly.
"What? Why?" Azula shrieked.
"Azula, that man was putting you in danger," Ursa scolded. "You are still a child, MY child, and I will decide what is best for you." She tried to wipe away the angry tears streaming down the little girl's face, but her hand was swatted away.
"You shouldn't have done that!" Azula screamed.
"Excuse me young lady-"
"I will never forgive you for this mother!"
"Azula-"
"Ever!" and with that, the little princess ran to her room.
Ursa stood there stunned. That was the first time Azula had called her 'mother'. Azula had had temper tantrums before, but this one left the Fire Lady with a feeling that their relationship would never be the same again.
Azula was good at holding grudges.
….
A twenty-three year old Azula stared back at the landmass that was once her kingdom as it grew farther and farther away.
She had run off as a teenager, leaving everything she knew behind. The search for her had been brief. She had been declared dead. The entire Fire Nation had been in mourning for almost a month, Zuko had made sure of that. But then everything had gone back to normal. It was as if she had actually died.
Azula had given the royal family a wide berth during her self-inflicted exile. She couldn't stand to see their faces. She was the rightful ruler of the Fire Nation, and they left her to rot in the loony bin. Zuko was just scared of her, Azula would tell herself over and over. He was afraid that she would come back for the throne one day. And this time when they fought, she would not lose.
After the long journey, Azula landed on the southernmost region of the Earth Kingdom, once formally known as the Colonies. She wandered the streets, keeping her face deeply tucked into her dark hood.
As she strolled through a marketplace, she heard shouting in the distance. She made her way down the street to find a large gathering of people standing around to watch a fight.
Three men were in the centre of the gathering. All equal in size and strength, but the fight was unfair nonetheless. Two men were dressed in various shades of earth tones, clearly earthbenders. The third man was dressed in vibrant shades of red and orange, a firebender.
Though the firebender was skilled, the two earthbenders tag-teamed, striking one after another. Eventually the firebender was worn out, giving the earthbenders the advantage. When he unintentionally left them an opening, on earthbender hurled a chunk of rock, hitting him squarely in the chest and knocking him down.
"Let this be a message to the rest of your kind," one of the earthbenders said, standing over the fallen man. "You are no longer welcome here. We are taking our land back." He roughly kicked the firebender. "Give your Fire Lord our thanks." He strode off, gaining cheers of approval and celebratory claps on the back by his fellow Earth Kingdom residents.
Azula had to fight the urge to turn the Earth Kingdom peasant into a pile of ash. How dare he disrespect her people? "What did he mean 'give your Fire Lord our thanks'?" She wondered out loud.
"You mean you don't know?" Azula turned her gaze to a woman standing next to her. She was shroud in Fire Nation colors and tears streamed down her face. "Fire Lord Zuko has decided to abolish the colonies. He has given the land back to the Earth Kingdom and anyone with Fire Nation heritage is being thrown out of the country." She began to sob.
"That's not entirely true Mai-Bao," a man dressed in green clothing came up and tried to sooth her. "The Fire Lord and the Avatar are working together with the Earth King to find a way to unite our countries."
"Look around Iseul. They don't want us here." The woman gestured to the other Earth Kingdom residents who were eyeing the couple warily.
Azula ignored the couple's exchange. "Zuko is abolishing the colonies," she said the words slowly, testing them in her mouth. They sounded wrong. Everything about that sentence was wrong. The Fire Nation had control over the Earth Kingdom for almost a century, and now Zuko was deconstructing everything his country had achieved. He might as well have been spitting on Fire Lord Sozin's memory.
She had to stop this. She had to put an end to her family's humiliation. Her weak-willed brother was not fit to rule. She had to take the throne back.
Azula's attention turned back to the fight. The firebender had picked himself up off of the ground and was limping away. The renounced princess watched his retreating form carefully.
If she was going to stage a successful coup d' état, she was going to need all of the warriors she could get.
….
Tsuneo stumbled out of the tavern into the dark street. He was one or two cups of cactus juice over his limit, causing his senses to be slightly dulled and his reactions slow. But as impaired as he was, he could still feel the presence of the person following behind him.
Tsuneo turned around to confront the stalker, but came up on empty street. He muttered profanities under his breath and continued to shuffle towards home.
He made it some ways before he noticed the sensation again. This time, Tsuneo whirled around and shot a blast of fire in the direction of the intruder. The fireball hurdled through the night, illuminating the vacant road. Tsuneo's nerves were on edge. He could have sworn he had heard footsteps. He started moving quickly down the sidewalk. Audible footstep fell behind him. Tsuneo quickened his pace, no more frightened than before. There was definitely a person following him. And they were now gaining on him.
Tsuneo quickly ducked into an alleyway, planning to ambush his stalker. He held his breath to hear the footsteps, but no noise came from the street. He waited to a moment, but the only sound was his heart hammering in his chest. He knew this was a trap.
He whirled around suddenly, a large fireball lighting his fist. A small, dainty hand came out to meet his, stopping him mid-attack. Whoever it was on the other end of that hand was much stronger than they seemed, pushing Tsuneo back with enough force to knock him to the ground.
"You're easily frightened, "a female voice taunted him. "That won't do." Suddenly a figure stepped out of the shadows. A small woman showed in a dark cloak stood over the fallen man. "We'll have to fix that."
"What are you talking about?" Tsuneo asked incredulously. "Who are you?"
The woman pulled back her hood. Tsuneo gasped. "Princess Azula?" He quickly scrambled to his knees to bow to the lost princess. "But you were proclaimed dead?"
"Do I seem dead to you, peasant?" she sneered.
"I'm sorry your highness, I didn't mean-"
"Stop your sniveling," Azula ordered. The man instantly fell silent. Azula circled him, inspecting him closely. "You are a skilled bender. You can hold your own in a fight, to a certain degree." She finished her assessment. "You'll have to do."
"Pardon my asking, Highness, but what are you talking about? What do you need me for?"
The young woman knelt down so she was eye-level with the street fighter. "Let me ask you something. You are a subject of the Fire Nation, yes?" the man nodded. "And you have made a life for yourself here in the Colonies." Another nod. "I'm sure you can't be too happy with the Fire Lord's decision to eradicate the Colonies and have the local scum treat you the way they do." The man shook his head, confusion still written on his face. Azula leaned closer, a wicked glimmer in her eyes.
"How would you like to take your land back in the name of the rightful ruler of your kingdom?"
"What?"
"Zuko is ruining everything the Fire Nation has worked towards for a hundred years, and I will not stand for it. I'm going to overthrow my brother."
"You plan to take this land back in the name of the Fire Nation?" Tsuneo asked. The former princess nodded. He smiled. "How can I be of service, your Highness?"
"I will need as many powerful firebenders as possible to stand behind me and a discreet location to train you."
"I can provide you with whatever you need," Tsuneo pledged. "I am your warrior, Highness."
"Not yet." Acting on impulse, Azula sprung on the man, clasping one hand over his mouth and the other tearing at his shirt. She lit a concentrated blue flame on her fingertip and brought it to the man's chest. He screamed and thrashed against her, but she was stronger then him. She etched the design onto his skin. When she was done, she stepped back to admire her work.
Tsuneo lightly traced the marking she made over his heart. "Senshi?"
"Now you are my Warrior."
….
In the following months, word managed to spread discreetly throughout the Colonies of the return of the lost princess and the coup d' état she was staging. Many shared the same views as Tsuneo, and soon Azula had the army she needed. They trained in an abandoned warehouse in a nearly empty village at the edge of the Colonies' boarder.
Dozens of men and even some women trained under her, learning the ways of blue fire and becoming a united front.
"Long ago, a firebending master taught me that the key to bending blue fire was sharp focus and self-control. Wise as he was, that was not entirely true. You also need an objective to fuel you. Focus on your hatred. Let is fuel you, but don't allow it to consume you. We need to be smart about this. Our numbers are small, but our determination is strong. If you do precisely as I say, we shall be victorious. We will take back our land, and we will once again rule the world with fire!"
With Tsuneo acting as her right hand man, Azula was able to turn her followers into a well-trained fighting machine.
As a few years passed, she decided it was time to return home. She found more people in the Fire Nation who were unhappy under Zuko's reign. Her numbers grew drastically, and within the span of seven years, Azula had an army that could take on the Royal Guard and the White Lotus combined.
One day, one of Azula's spies returned to their base with some news from the Royal Palace.
"The Fire Lord is going to have a child!" he proclaimed. Azula remained silent throughout his report and for a few moments afterwards. Everyone waited for her to react.
"He is going to have an heir," she tapped her fingers on her makeshift throne. "Clever ZuZu. He knows I'm coming back for the throne."
Tsuneo looked worriedly at his master. It was never a good sign when she spoke her thoughts out loud. Everyone knew of the princesses deteriorating mental health. She would lash out about the smallest things and speak to no one in particular. Tsuneo knew she was on the verge of a meltdown, he just hoped it would be long after she became ruler again. "Princess, What are your orders?"
Azula pursed her lips. "We will start moving towards the Capital City. Conquer small towns and villages along the way. Let's not do anything too drastic; we don't want to tip the Royal Guards off. We will secure as much land as we can in approximately nine months. Then as soon as the Royal offspring is born, we will ambush the palace and exterminate them. And once I am back on the throne, we will start moving back into the Earth Kingdom."
The twenty-eight-year-old dismissed the Senshi from her chambers and continued to sit alone in the dark room, talking to herself.
"ZuZu thinks he's so clever. His child will never sit on the throne. I am the rightful ruler of this Nation. I will take back what is mine."
….
Thirty-year-old Zuko gave his newborn daughter one last kiss, then silently left the nursery. Barely a week old, Izumi already had him wrapped around her little finger. Zuko was determined to be the best father he could be.
The Fire Lord walked down the dark halls of the palace, too consumed in thought to notice the dark figure following close behind him. As he passed the throne room, he heard the heavy doors open. Zuko whirled around to find the giant golden doors ajar and lights glowing from inside. Against his better judgment, he stepped into the room to investigate.
The Great Fire had been lit, the blue flames flickering wildly. A dark figure sat in the throne, their face concealed in shadow. Zuko didn't need to see a face to know who the intruder was. He always knew this day would come.
"Azula."
"Hello ZuZu. Miss me?" his estranged sister taunted.
"You have returned."
"You didn't really think I was dead, did you?"
"Why?" Zuko was done playing her mind games.
"What kind of sister would I be to you if I didn't come to celebrate the birth of my niece?"
Zuko bristled at the mention of his daughter. "What are you really doing here?"
Aula stepped forward into the light. The glow of the fire cast eerie shadows across her face. "You mean it isn't obvious yet? I'm taking back what is rightfully mine!"
She attacked quickly, firing quick blasts of blue fire towards her brother. Zuko tried to deflect her advances, but she was too quick. One particularly strong blast hit him square in the chest, knocking him down.
"You're getting old ZuZu," Azula teased, her voice filled with strange joy. "This will be easier than I thought."
The siblings continued to fight, Azula gaining the upper hand. She was too wild. Zuko couldn't anticipate her next move. She managed to corner him.
"Guards!" Zuko called out for help.
"No you don't." Azula swept his legs out from under him. Zuko landed hard on his back. "I'm afraid the guards are a little preoccupied at the moment. This is between you and me, brother."
Azula sparked lighting at her fingertips, intending to deliver the final blow. She aimed directly for Zuko's heart.
Zuko caught the lightning, feeling its charge buzzing through his body. He took aim, but hesitated for a moment. He wasn't about to shoot it back at his sister. As mad as she was, she was still his family.
In a quick decision and desperate attempt for a distraction, Zuko aimed for the ceiling. The power from the bolt caused an explosion that blew a large hole in the roof. Chunks of debris rained down on them. Zuko tried to make an escape, but Azula caught him. She shot a fireball at one of the pillars near the doors, hitting it at its weak point. The large structure fell, blocking the exit and nearly crushing her older brother.
The entire throne room was alight, the heat and smoke becoming stifling. Zuko assessed their situation. Both of them could withstand the growing heat longer than any non-firebender would have been able too, but the throne room was essentially a tinderbox, and the two of them would be roasted alive or crushed by falling objects if they didn't get out now.
"Azula," Zuko shouted at her. "We need to leave."
"I'm not going anywhere!" she screamed back. "This is my throne!" She turned around and sprinted back towards the throne at the back of the room. Zuko tried to follow her, but another large pillar fell in front of him, blocking his path.
The Fire Lord stumbled around the room, searching for an exit. He found the secret passageway he used to hide in as a child, and made his way back to the main hallway to find the rest of the palace in flames.
"Izumi!" he sprinted down the hall to the nursery. The crib was empty. Zuko wasn't sure of he should have been worried or relieved.
He dashed out of the room straight into a large, bare-chested man with a strange insignia branded over his heart. "Who are you? What is the meaning of this?" Zuko demanded. The man didn't answer, simply lighting two giant balls of blue fire in his palms. "Stop! I order you to surrender!"
"I don't answer to you, Your Highness," the man spat, raising his arms to strike. Zuko prepared to defend himself when a blast of fire came whizzing from behind him. The blast hit the intruder in the chest, knocking him off balance. Zuko turned to see two of his guards standing behind him.
One of the men sprang into action, attacking the assailant while he was still distracted. "Go Majesty," the other instructed. "We can handle this. Your family is waiting for you outside." He nodded to his master then turned back to help his fellow soldier, giving the Fire Lord time to escape the palace.
Zuko spotted his wife in the gardens, holding their infant daughter close to her chest. "Are you alright?" he asked, circling them both in a crushing embrace.
"We're fine," the Fire Lady assured him. "The guards think we should leave the palace and go hide. They say Azula has an army, and they have laid siege to the city."
"Azula!" Zuko looked around frantically. "Where is she?"
"It doesn't matter! Zuko she tried to kill your family."
"But she is still my little sister," Zuko insisted. With that, he turned around and ran back into the burning palace, his wife calling after him.
The structure was growing weaker by the second. The wood creaked as the crackling fire consumed everything. "Azula!" Zuko called, his eyes straining to find her though the smoke. "Azula, where are you?"
The roof began to collapse. Large pillars and beams fell around him as searched for his younger sister.
"Azula!" Zuko called, choking on smoke. "Azula, please."
"Majesty," one of the guards had followed him inside. "Sir, we cannot stay here. The whole building is about to come down."
"I can't leave my sister," Zuko insisted, pulling against the man who was trying to drag him to safety.
"Please Your Highness, it isn't safe. Think of your people, your family."
"I am," Zuko continued to struggle against the larger man. "Azula is trapped in there somewhere. I can't abandon her."
The palace began to crumble. Large wooden beams crashed into the ground in front of them. Zuko was reluctantly dragged out of his burning palace. As he and his wife were ushered to safety, they were informed of what was happening.
"Azula has created an army of blue firebenders, known as the Senshi. They have been causing some trouble in the eastern parts of the country, but we didn't realize it was a coup d' état. They are in the city now. It was an ambush. The Royal Guard is trying to contain the situation, but we may need to call upon re-enforcements."
The debrief fell on deaf ears. Zuko was consumed in thoughts of his little sister trapped in a burning room, alone and scared. He had failed her as a big brother. Yes, she had put his family in danger, but she still didn't deserve to go this way.
"I'm sorry," Zuko whispered as he looked back at the glow that was his burning home. "I'm so sorry."
….
Tsuneo and a few other Senshi members dug through the smoldering heap that was once the royal palace. "Anything?" he called out to the other men.
"Nothing yet," they replied.
"Keep looking!" Tsuneo ordered. "We are not leaving until we find her." The men continued to search through the debris for their leader.
Suddenly something shifting under the rubble caught one of the men's attention. "I found something!" he called out. The rest of the search party ran over to him and helped move the large objects out of the way. A crumpled form was stuck under a large beam.
"Your Highness!" Tsuneo checked for a pulse. "She's still alive."
Azula grasped his hand. Despite her current state, her grip was still incredibly strong. "Don't let them win. Don't let this be the end."
"Your Majesty, please. Save your strength."
"Listen!" Azula demanded. "You must avenge me. You must finish what we started. Everything we have worked for. Do not let it end here. Take back what is mine." As her strength began to fade, her voice remained determined. "Take back my Kingdom."
"We will," Tsuneo promised his fallen princess. "I swear, we will."
….
The Senshi retreated after Azula fell. They were either run out of the city or arrested. Though news of the attack on the Royal Family spread through the Fire Nation, Azula's part in it was kept secret. Her funeral was somber and lonely. Only Zuko attended.
Or so he thought.
A person stepped up beside him. Zuko immediately recognized who it was.
"Avatar," he nodded formally to the younger man.
"Fire Lord," the airbender nodded back. They stood in silence for a moment before Aang spoke again. "We all heard about what happened. I'm sorry Zuko."
The scarred man shook his head. "I couldn't save her. No matter what I did, I couldn't help her. She wouldn't let me."
Aang placed a hand on his friends shoulder. "Do you think it is over?"
"No," Zuko turned to face him. "This was only the beginning."
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Legend of Blue Fire
A/N: so there ya go. If there were any questions about blue fire bending, hopefully that cleared them up. And if not, I hope you enjoyed this super long expositional chapter.
So blue fire is originally a protective/defensive technique. You need a clear and focused objective to achieve it. But like regular firebending, anger and hatred can strengthen it. If your objectives are rage-based, than the line becomes blurred and your anger becomes the main source for this power.
Avatar Kato and her story were mostly composed from ideas from my lovely co-author/beta reader. He's the best. Leave him some love in the reviews.
next chapter focuses on our main story again.