Sorry the updates aren't coming as quick. You have been so wonderfully patient waiting for this. I uploaded this will fighting the early stages of strep throat so please forgive any errors.

The Temple of Agni has stood in the center of Caldera for centuries. Formidable and strong, it has housed the Eternal Flame of the Fire Nation and the sages who tend to it. It was on this very ground that the first Fire Lord was chosen by the Hand of Agni himself to lead the Fire Nation into a new era of power and prosperity.

The present Fire Lord, though, paces the hall, agitated and alone. With each sharp turn, the robes of his station cut stiffly through the air. His hands remain folded tight against his back and his eyes repeatedly dart to the large double doors in anticipation. When the ancient entry does finally open, Zuko is on high alert, turning harshly at the sound. His eyes narrow as he takes in the disheveled Air Bender making his way down the hall.

"Where have you been?" Zuko hisses.

Aang stops short in front of him. "I'm sorry. I overslept."

The Fire Lord glares and shakes his head. "I have to meet with the Fire Sages to defend my marriage and you oversleep?"

The Fire Sages are not pleased with Zuko's decision to marry outside the Fire Nation and have called upon him to convince them otherwise. Having the Avatar on his side will go a long way to help that cause and hopefully gain Agni's blessing.

Aang looks contrite. "Zuko, I'm sorry but I'm here now so let's go deal with this."

The tone in his voice tells Zuko there is something Aang doesn't want him to know and he takes a moment to really look over his friend. He bites back angry words. "For Agni's sake, you didn't!"

"Didn't what?" Aang's eyes widen in surprise.

Zuko gives a frustrated growl as he looks away. He already knows the Avatar didn't stay in his own rooms last night. "It was bad enough you brought her to the ball last night but rolling out of her bed and showing up here late? Ugh, I don't even want to know."

"Zuko, I…"

He puts up a hand at Aang's protest. "I don't need details. Let's just get this over with, okay?"

Aang lets out a sigh and murmurs quietly. "It's not what you think."

"If it's I think you reek of wine and perfume, then it's exactly what I think it is." Zuko snaps irritably.

Aang's retort is cut off when the temple doors open and an elderly sage bows low. "My Lord Avatar, Fire Lord Zuko. We are ready for you."

Oooo

Ty Lee quietly observes Azula. The woman's aura has changed drastically. Before it was a murky, muddled sulfur but now it is a sharp, if faint, light blue. The energy bends and flows with her as she leans over a table, pouring through ancient tomes while jotting notes down on a piece of parchment. It's one of the few times that Azula really lets her guard down as she becomes so absorbed in shaping the nation's future. Ty Lee shifts against the stiff cushions of the couch and feels the ache in her back. She is early in her pregnancy and it is already throwing off her balance and causing discomfort. Knowing Azula doesn't even notice her presence, Ty Lee feels confident she can slip out of the room and stretch the tight muscles in privacy. She is sure to let the door close quietly as she departs.

The quiet click of the door is a comfort to Azula as she knows Ty Lee has finally abandoned her post of watchdog. Mai and Zuko think they are being sly as they try to carry on her work without her knowing. The students can't match the master though and she smirks to herself at their attempts anyway. They mean well but their worry is misplaced. Azula feels more herself than ever before and can feel it in the way the chi hums through her veins.

The door to her anteroom slam open and the temperature in the room heats with the entrance of a furious Zuko.

"Tell me again why I care what the sages think!" He demands as his hands slam on the side of the table shaking the jar of ink.

Azula ignores the action and merely dips the tip of the quill in the jar to continue her task.

"It's all politics, brother dear." Without rising from her position over the table she glances up at him. "Did it not go well?"

Zuko huffs a puff of steam. "No."

Biting back her own frustration, Azula stands upright. "Care to elaborate?"

Zuko sneers. "No." Fury pours off of him as he turns away from her pacing the length of her office.

His shoes make no noise against the tiled floor. Even in his anger he keeps himself reigned in tightly. Briefly Azula muses what it would be like for the Fire Lord to truly let loose the fury built inside.

"Let me guess: even with the Avatar at your side they were unconvinced of your choice of wives and wanted you to select another more appropriate one, despite the fact we are in the eleventh hour."

It's not really a guess as for months the Fire sages have been very vocal about their opinion of Katara. The fact they choose to play this hand so close to the actual wedding date is telling of their need to show their power.

"Yes." Zuko snaps from the other side of the room. His hands dig into the top of the high backed chair and his eyes burn a deep yellow. "They will only give their blessing if I take a second wife of their choosing and only the children from that marriage can ascend the throne."Azula laughs and Zuko's scowl deepens. "What is funny?"

"Oh, brother, it's all a game. They just want to have some influence over the throne and they think that if they can have say over your marriage and your heirs that they will have it."

Zuko's hands drop to his side as he stands up straight. Religion often tries to exert its authority over politics. "I don't need their blessing. I'm marrying Katara and only Katara."

Azula smiles. Once Zuko makes a decision he sticks with it and he does not let anything stop him from it. His stubbornness is one of the traits she admires though she would be loath to admit that.

"Then I have something for you." She indicates the parchment spread on the table with a nod of her head.

Zuko perks up at this and crosses the room to her side. The scroll is long taking up most of the length of the large table. Azula's flowing script is an art form to itself and the prose is intricate.

"Does it need to be this…wordy?" Legalese has always escaped him.

"There are many loopholes to close in a situation like this but I think it will be the answer to your problem." Gently she pushes the quill closer to him. "All you have to do is sign and the sages have nothing more to say about this matter."

"How long have you been working on this?" His voice is tinged with amazement at the hours he knows she must have put into this.

"The law of succession was archaic and outdated. It did not reflect your rule, Brother. Just sign and it will all be taken care of."

Zuko frowns as he continues scanning the document. The language is very formal and forceful.

"What if they challenge it?"

Azula makes a disapproving sound. "Let them. Do you really think they wish to argue with me in court?"

The image draws a smile to his face. Azula would shred them with finely chosen words in a matter of moments. A part of him hopes they dare. With a quick nod, he signs with a flourish.

"When will you tell them?" He asks setting the quill back in the jar of ink.

Azula passes a hand over the scroll, gentle heat drying the liquid. "Mai is set to deliver it now." She offers up a small smile, already picturing the ire the new law will rile. "I imagine by dinner you will have some very disgruntled sages demanding an audience."

Zuko nods tightly. "I will do my best to be unavailable then."

"You do have that 'thing' tonight." Azula teasingly reminds. "I doubt any of the sages would be caught dead in that part of the city." She notes the way his jaw clenches at the mention of his stag night.

"Maybe I should meet with them." He muses over the potential of skipping out on the Water Tribe's idea of a bachelor celebration.

"And insult your future in laws? I'll not hear of it." Azula reprimands primly as she begins rolling the scroll. "Besides you should be more careful in your choice as Best Man."

"Not like I have many friends to choose from." Zuko reminds under his breath.

It's a bit of a sore point for the Fire Bender. His only friends are those from the war. They are the only ones he utterly trusts. Friendship amongst the nobility comes with a heavy price and Zuko can do without that intricate game.

"Honestly, the Earth girl would have been a better choice."

"Toph?" Zuko levels her with an incredulous glare. "Do you know what depths of Hell Toph would drag me to?"

Azula shrugs as she finishes wrapping the parchment. Heating the wax in her hand she seals the scroll and sighs. "Either way I am sure it will result in a drunken fiasco that I will have to scramble to cover up lest it cause irreparable damage to your image."

If possible Zuko's glare intensifies. "Your concern is touching."

Pivoting away, Azula snarks. "I am the one you should be concerned with. I have to sit the night through whatever passes for a last night celebration with the gossiping queens." Opening the door, she motions to the other room. A pale hand nimbly takes the offered scroll and retreats before the door slams shut. "I can only stand so much nonsense about hair and make-up before I want to immolate myself."

Despite the light hearted teasing, Zuko considers his sister. Immolation is more a possibility now that she is recovering her health. He can see some of the vigor return to her and the room is comfortably warm for once.

Deciding to brave the subject, he asks "Have you spoken to Aang?"

Her back stiffens as she cocks her head to look over her shoulder at him. "Should I?"

There is something in the arch of her eyebrow that piques his curiosity. "I would just think there wouldn't be any need to avoid him now…" he gestures with his hand, "he's moved on."

His choice of words causes her to turn more to face him. "Moved on?"

Zuko feels the encroaching discomfort in discussing his friend's sex life. "Well, he wasn't alone last night." He answers suddenly wary of her reaction and mentally kicking himself for bringing it to her attention.

Azula narrows her eyes. "He wasn't." She says sounding uncertain.

Zuko shifts his weight. "Don't. Just don't make me say it. She was glued to his side last night. You couldn't pry her off!" The sight of the acolyte with her cloying grasp on Aang's arm all night had rankled at something in Zuko. He warred between wanting to protect his sister to wanting to strike some sort of reprisal for it.

Azula's widen in recognition and she gives a soft nod. "I see." He can see the way she nearly curls in on herself over it. Her eyes are downcast studying the intricate patterns of the carpet. She takes a deep breath before looking up. "He should be happy, Zuko. I want him to be happy." The words are so sincere that they take Zuko off guard. Azula's whole demeanor shifts. "Now that I think about it, I should deliver the message to the sages myself and stop them before they get started. If you will excuse me, Brother dear."

She is out the door so quickly that Zuko can only stare at the now empty spot in confusion. "What just happened?"

A quiet scoff from behind him draws his attention.

"What do you think just happened?" Ty Lee sighs. "We don't talk about him." There is gentle reprimand in the acrobat's eyes as she shuffles back into the room. She presses one hand to her lower back as she makes her way to the couch.

Zuko quietly observes her slow movements. "Are you hurt?"

Tiredly she shakes her head as she eases down into the soft cushions. "Just terribly uncomfortable."

"I didn't expect to be this tired." She explains as she leans her head back, letting her eyes close.

A wave of guilt flashes through the Fire Lord. Enlisting Ty Lee and Mai to keep an eye on Azula seemed like a good idea at the time but he didn't stop to think about what burden it placed on the two women. Hesitantly he steps closer.

"I shouldn't have asked this of you."

Without opening her eyes, Ty Lee scrunches her forehead in confusion. "Why do you say that?"

Zuko casts a helpless glance around the walls of Azula's office. "You're pregnant. You can't be her bodyguard."

A peek of silver glares at him. "Azula is my friend. I would do anything for her. You know that." The frustration is new and the surprise of it must show on his face as her tone softens. "I'm sorry. I'm just so tired. Katara says it should pass soon."

Zuko finds himself nodding. He hadn't really considered Ty Lee or Mai other than their ability to protect. "I should get some others to help. Give you more time to rest."

Ty Lee opens her eyes fully. "She's getting better you know. I can see it in her aura. Something's changed."

Zuko gives a curt nod in agreement. He has noticed it too though without the sensitivity that Ty Lee often demonstrates. "Still, I'm not willing to risk it yet." He stops himself before he says more.

She seems to understand and gives him a soft smile. "She's okay, Zuko. She's going to be okay."

Zuko shifts awkwardly. Having his concerns for his sister brought into the spotlight always makes him feel uncomfortable. Instead of answering he nods his head in agreement and leaves out the door.

Ooo

The temple is farther away than Mai would like; having Azula in the open air puts her on edge. Attack could come from any angle and Mai's eyes dart here and there looking for any signs of one. Most of the people they meet along the way are friendly though keep their distance as if wary of upsetting the Princess. Azula seems to not notice and behaves as if they are on a simple stroll and not going to the Temple of Agni to stir up some dissent amongst the clergy.

Mai has always admired how Azula walks into a room as if she owns it. It did not matter to her whose room it actually was. She behaved the same way in the throne room of Ba Sing Se as she does in Zuko's own. It is the sense that she has every right to be here and it is a privilege to others for her to grace them with her presence. Azula's entrance into the inner sanctum of the temple is no different.

She pulls the heavy doors open, interrupting whatever incantation the sages are chanting over the Eternal Flame. In unison they turn to glare at the intruder and Mai can see their walls come up when they see who it is.

"Your Highness," a barely there wisp of a man reprimands, "This is a private ceremony! You must leave!"

Azula smirks in reply as she steps farther into the room. The flame situated in the center of the room flares brighter as she nears it. "I have every right to be here. Am I not the daughter of Agni?"

The tone is sweet and sugary but there is the underlying danger to it.

"Regardless of your lineage, you are not permitted to be here. Please wait outside and we will attend to you at our earliest opportunity." The eldest sage snaps.

Azula's eyes simmer in the flame's light. "You will make the time now."

A wave of disgust flows through the religious men.

"You have no authority here!" A younger one boasts.

Quietly Mai grits her teeth. Misogyny amongst the Fire Sages is infamous and had been encouraged since Sozin's time when he stripped all female sages of their sacraments. Azula only reaches out with one finger and the Eternal Flame is suddenly no more.

Howls of anger fill the room until with another flick of her finger the Flame flares back to life but this time burning a bright blue.

"I daresay I have more authority than any of you. Agni himself has blessed me. Can any of you say the same?" The Sages fall silent under the quiet threat. "I am here to discuss your misgivings of the Fire Lord's marriage. We can do that here or we can do that in the dungeon. You decide."

Mai nearly smirks at the looks of confusion on their faces. It is clear they are unwilling to speak with Azula about their demands but at the same time they are not so sure about the protection their positions give them. Azula would gladly drag each and every one of them to the dungeons for a chat, regardless of their religious affiliation or not.

"The Fire Lord and the Avatar came to you this morning in good faith to ask for your blessing of Zuko's marriage to Lady Katara. You refused." Azula states simply, meeting each and every one of their wide eyed stares. "Zuko does not need your approval."

The eldest sage, Botan, seems to recover his voice first. "If the Fire Lord wishes to have Agni's blessing then he does need our approval and Lady Katara is not acceptable to us."

Azula rolls her eyes. "I don't understand what he sees in her either but it's not as if any of us have to crawl into bed with her." The off handed comment causes the Sages to shift uncomfortably. Mai bites back another smile. Azula has a way of throwing people off guard.

"She is not Fire Nation." Another sage interjects throwing a glance at Mai. It is no secret that many of the Sages would prefer Mai to Katara and it makes Mai want to take a knife to each and every one of them.

"True." Azula agrees thoughtfully. "My nieces and nephews could be all Water Benders."

One of the sages falls for the trick and eagerly adds. "What sort of Fire Lord would that be? We would be the laughing stock of the world!"

Azula's eyes turn cold. The blue flame shines against the gold. "What is a laughing stock is that you are challenging your Agni chosen sovereign. Despicable little rats. You do realize that Zuko is descended from the First of the Fire Sages?"

The sages jerk in response. It is an often never mentioned fact. Zuko is a direct descendent and is therefore the head of the Temple.

"Now would it not be a shame if Zuko had to exert his influence over the Temple and replace every last one of you with those more…loyal." Azula's eyes take on an unholy light. "Just imagine what would happen to you: no more wealth, no more power, cast out into the street. Those disgraced by the Fire Lord find few friends. You would have to make for the Earth Kingdom and we all know how welcoming they are to the Fire Nation."

The threat hangs heavy in the air and Mai sees it reflected on each of the men's faces.

"He would not dare." Botan speaks solemnly. "Azulon himself appointed us. Zuko has no authority here."

Azula's expression remains unchanged and she does not deign to acknowledge the speaker. Instead, she steps closer to the brightly burning blue Eternal Flame. The sages tense up unsure of her next step. "Of course you are resistant to change. I, myself, found it hard to embrace." With a slight nod of her head the flame dies down to burn a solid orange. "It drove me insane." She looks away from the fire, the orange still burning in her eyes, pinning the old man with her stare. "I imagine it's what the first Fire Lord felt when Agni chose him to lead our nation." From within the voluminous sleeve of her robe, she produces the sealed scroll in her hand and holds it out to him. "A little something to commemorate this occasion of our first and, hopefully, last, meeting."

The older man eyes the scroll as if it were a serpent about to bite, but hesitantly takes it anyway. "Of course, Your Highness."

Azula flashes a tight smile before turning away. Mai follows into step behind her and it isn't until they are outside in the warm sun that the silence is broken.

"I expect in an hour they will seek Zuko out. Be sure they find him."

Oooo

The return to the palace is uneventful, at least until they arrive back in Azula's offices.

Mai recognizes the distressed acolyte right away and the slight widening of the woman's eyes indicate Lien has done the same. Azula is unimpressed and with a sideways glance dismisses Mai from the room.

"I assume this is not just a social visit." Azula muses as she pours a glass of water from the chilled pitcher by her desk. By turning away she is giving Lien the chance to state her case without feeling directly confronted.

It works and Lien gets right to the point. "I'm here about Aang."

The acolyte does not miss the small smile that curves the princess's lips.

"The Avatar?" Azula asks as she turns to lean against her desk, glass of water in hand, to face her. "Are you seeking tips of how to get him into your bed?"

Lien's mouth drops at Azula's bluntness to which Azula only arches an eyebrow as if daring her.

"I think you should leave him alone." Lien's voice is shaky as Azula has thrown her off with her remarks. "You aren't serious about him and only want to use him." As she says the words she gains more confidence.

Azula reminds her of a snake studying its prey. "Is that so?" The question is deadly quiet. "And you are an expert of my intent towards him?"

Lien only stares uncertain if she should press forward. She finds some resolve. "Yes, if you were serious about him then you wouldn't have rejected him."

Azula's sharp laugh surprises her. "Reject him? You thought I rejected him?" Suddenly the princess is animated as she sets the glass down and advances the few short steps between them. "Did you ever ask him why he left so suddenly?" Lien can only half shake her head as having Azula so close is frightening. "Then I suggest you not assume what you seem to know little about and that includes me." Azula turns pacing towards the window and the stifling weight goes with her.

"I do know you." Lien challenges quietly as she finds she can't keep her tongue any longer. "I know you better than you think."

Azula forces herself to not look at the woman. The itch to hurt is too close to the surface. "Is that so?"

"Ba Sing Se." Lien announces safely from her position across the room.

Azula snickers. "A glory." To this day the Fall of Ba Sing Se remains her greatest accomplishment under Ozai's rule. She took the city the Dragon of the West could never conquer and handed it to her father on a silver platter.

"A lie." Lien hisses back. Azula turns to eye her. "Ba Sing Se was not a bloodless coup. That was a lie!"

The story is laid out in Lien's eyes. "How so?"

She can see Lien steeling herself to tell the story. "When the walls came down, did you ever think there were people living there? There were!"

The walls of Ba Sing Se had come down crushing the small huts dotting its sides. The attack happened in the middle of the night when families were asleep in their beds.

The realization tempers Azula's anger. "Who did you lose?"

Lien draws herself up to her full height. "My mother and sisters. I already lost my father and brother to the war."

Ba Sing Se was a city full of refugee families broken by the war. It should pull at something inside but Azula didn't survive Ozai because she was soft hearted and this woman has made it a point to try to take what was hers. She closes the distance between walking slowly with intent.

"You cannot make an omelet without cracking a few eggs. I am sorry that it was your eggs that were cracked. However, that does not detract from the taste. I assure you the omelet was delicious as was the crown of Ba Sing Se when I handed it over to my father."

The statement is layered with every hint of malevolence Azula can pour into it and the strike hits its target. Lien's eyes widen with shock. It's the response Azula adores: the moment of shock and indecision before something has to be done. It's a look she has seen played out thousands of times on countless faces and it will always be something she finds fascinating…as is the reaction it always elicits.

Oooo

Zuko has taken to the training grounds to try to burn off the irate energy. His attacks are forceful and angry. A block of rock meets his flames before exploding from the intensity of the heat.

"For fuck's sake, Sparky!" Toph yells as a shower of rocks pelts her.

Zuko only has time to smirk in a sort of sick satisfaction before the shower of rocks suddenly turns his way and pierces the wall of fire he throws up. The sting of shards hitting his bare skin is surprisingly gratifying and some of his anger burns away.

Toph snorts. "Knew you had a punishment kink." He ignores the sniggers of laughter coming from the side lined Water Tribe siblings. "What are you laughing at Sweetness, like you never broke out the water whips?"Katara frowns but Toph giggles anyway. "Yeah that's what I thought."

"As much fun as this is," Katara states primly, ignoring the Earth Bender's brashness, as she stands, "We have plans."

"Oh yeah, got to get all gussied up to get falling down drunk." Toph crosses her arms petulantly.

"There won't be any falling down drunk." Katara scolds. "unlike some people." She throws a glare over her shoulder at her brother who feigns a look of innocence.

"We are just going to play a friendly game of cards and if Zuko just happens to imbibe too much then I'm not to blame." Sokka reasons.

"At a brothel."

Sokka looks offended. "It is not a brothel. It happens to be one of the finest houses of entertainment Caldera has to offer." At his sister's scoff, he adds."They have shows and music." Toph's added giggles only add frustration. "Hey Iroh suggested it!"

The Dragon of the West's hedonistic lifestyle is a well known fact.

"It's a brothel." Aang's simple statement draws their attention to where the Air Bender sits perched on a large boulder nearby. "That does happen to have rather good food."

Zuko arches his eyebrow. The Fire Lord has been frosty towards him since the Temple of Agni but Aang has little desire to correct his assumptions. He's not sure where he stands with Azula. As always the princess has too many secrets.

"Well, don't you worry, sis." Sokka throws his arm over Katara's shoulders jostling her. "I'll make sure he behaves.

"I think Sparky is the least of our worries." Toph smirks.

Sokka's retort is interrupted by the gravelly voice of Fire Sage Botan. "Your Majesty." Zuko's sharp look is not lost on the man. "Forgive my interruption, but there is a matter of grave importance I must speak with you about immediately." Zuko had been expecting this but a part of him wonders how they managed to find him so quickly. It must show on his face because the sage frowns, eyes quickly darting to the others. "It would be best if it were in private."

"I bet it is." Toph says dryly. She has spent a lifetime battling against societal expectations and it draws out something bitter inside of her. "Come on, Sweetness, let's leave the boys to their games."

Katara forces a smile at the scowling sage before sliding up close to Zuko. "Behave yourself tonight." She whispers against his lips before pressing a kiss to them.

The men fall silent as Katara and Toph depart. Katara often makes it a point to avoid the disappoving sages.

Botan casts pointed glances at Sokka and Aang who remain.

"Anything you have to say to me you can say to them." Zuko growls. He's had his fill of politics and religion for the day.

Botan sets his jaw and squares his shoulders. "While I understand your determination to marry beneath you…"

"Hey!" Sokka protests. "That's my sister!" He takes a menacing step forward but Zuko stops him with a hand on his chest.

The sage ignores the action. "It does not give you reason to strip Princess Azula of her position in the line of Royal Succession."

Anger at the man's insult to his fiancée fades as confusion takes hold. "What?"

A look of confusion passes on the sage's face as well. "The new Law of Succession." He holds up the scroll Zuko signed in Azula's office earlier. Zuko steps forward taking the document and swiftly opening it. As he scans the text, Botan continues. "Princess Azula no longer has any claim to the Dragon Throne. You have stripped her of her hereditary rights. Forgive me, my Lord, but if your marriage to Lady Katara does not provide an heir then the Crown reverts to Prince Iroh and we all know how he feels about it."

A sinking sensation fills Zuko's chest as he reads the carefully crafted lines of prose.

"Zuko?" Aang asks from over his shoulder.

He can only shake his head as he rereads the words. "Azula has written herself out of the line of succession."

Ooo

The walk back to the palace is tense.

"I don't understand." Sokka reasons. "You just signed whatever she put in front of you?"

Zuko isn't in the mood to explain. "She's my Right Hand. She handles things I don't have time to deal with."

"Like writing the laws that affect the future of your nation?"

"Exactly." Zuko pins him with a stare. "I trust my sister."

"Well aren't you lucky she wrote herself out instead of writing herself in." The sarcasm in Sokka's voice is not lost. "She could have had you deposed and arrested then have had her coronation on your smoking corpse."

Zuko stops and turns to face his future in law. "She's my sister."

Sokka doesn't back down. "She's Azula."

Ever the peacemaker, Aang intervenes. "Zuko, did she discuss any of it with you?"

The Air Bender's logic deflates his ire. "The sages wanted me to take a second wife and disinherit any children I have with Katara." His words take on a bitter tone at the memory of the sages' demands. "Azula said this would put a stop to that." He grasps for words. "I trusted her."

The idea that Azula would remove herself from the line without a word hits hard.

Aang picks up on his distress. "If she had told you, then you would have stopped her."

The lost look on the Fire Lord's face morphs into a scowl. "I still can." The power of an absolute monarch is near limitless.

With another quick turn, he is through the doors of the palace situated near Azula's office and into a sea of guards. His eyes narrow at the arm barring his entry.

The young sentry quickly recoils. "Fire Lord Zuko! Forgive me!"

Zuko draws himself to his full height, staring down at the hapless man. "What is the meaning of this?"

The soldier hesitates, unwilling to be the bearer of bad news. "Th…There's been an attack..."He stutters. "on Princess Azula."