Hello everyone! I'm sorry for the irregular updates, but it's finally summer time here in Europa and I try to enjoy the sun as much as I can. Anyway, this chapter is finally here! I've wanted to write this since I got the idea for this story, so I hope it won't disappoint.

'Half an hour before the eclipse,' Fire Lord Ozai said. 'It's time to take our places.' He looked at her, searching for any form of nervousness or hesitation.

'It is, father,' Azula said. 'Be careful.'

He nodded. 'You too, my child.'

Their eyes met a brief second. Ozai was relieved to only find determination in his daughter's eyes.

'Where's Zuko?' she asked. 'I thought he would stay with you.'

'He won't,' Ozai responded.

There was a brief silence. Their eyes met again. 'Focus on your task, Princess Azula.'

She bowed her head in submission.

'As you wish, father,' she said.

Ozai smirked as she turned around to take her place in the throne room. He had no doubt she was able to defend herself from those rebels, even without her bending. He had trained her himself when she was a child - and she had only gotten better since her banishment. Her loyalty, although not as unwavering as it had been, didn't seem to be a reason for worry either. It was only normal she was still adjusting to her new place, he assumed. But it wouldn't be long before Zuko was out of the way and Azula would be sure of her right to the throne.

There would be no reason for her to be unloyal anymore.

Ozai had wondered if she would be upset after her brother's death - but he had always taught her that feelings were weakness and she had been a fast learner. She didn't seem to upset that Zuko wouldn't be with him, either.

No, everything was going as it was supposed to.

Azula hesitated as she looked down on the throne. A strange feeling grew in her stomach. She was well aware of the Dai Lee agents she had brought along with her. therefore, she turned around and sat down, her face as cold as the metal of the throne. The strange feeling became more prominent.

'Now we wait,' she said out loud.

She didn't know how long she had been sitting there, waiting for the Avatar to arrive. She focused on the door, not allowing her thoughts to wander off. She had never lived through a full eclipse - so she didn't know what to expect. It didn't matter - she was ready.

Azula hadn't expected to be able to feel it. A shiver went down her spine as she noticed the power of the sun leave her. She knew she was unable to bend now - a horrible feeling.

She had to take a few deep breaths before being able to collect herself. It would only last eight minutes. She could do this.

A strange noise alerted her that someone wanted to enter the room. Azula leaned back in the throne, waiting for the Avatar and his friends to enter the room.

She didn't have to wait long. After a few strange noises, the door was blown away. Azula smirked, watching the Avatar's eyes widen in surprise as he saw her.

'So you're alive? I assumed as much.' She stood, placing her hands on her hips. 'You seem disappointed,' she said, looking at him in mock-hurt. 'What is it, Avatar? Am I not good enough for you?'

'Where's the Fire Lord!?' the Water Tribe peasant screamed. Azula quickly looked at him. Even though he was a non-bender, he was an important member of their group. The other two - the Avatar and the blind girl - followed his instructions. He was the leader.

'Why would I tell you that?' she mused.

'Your bending is gone and I can tell if you're lying, so you better tell the truth!' the blind girl yelled.

'Really?' Azula asked. 'I'm a 500 feet tall purple platypus bear with silver wings.' She suppressed a smirk.

'Well… I have to admit that you're good,' the girl said. 'But you can't defend yourself anyway, so…!'

As Azula had expected, the blind girl jumped forward. Underground she truly was in her element. Azula forced herself to stand still as she was trapped in rock. There was no reason to be afraid, she reminded herself. The Dai Lee were here and they would free her.

Azula smirked at the shock displayed on the faces of her enemy as the rock fell away. She wiped the dust from her armor. 'I brought some souvenirs from our time in the Earth Kingdom,' she said. After her words, the two Dai Lee agents appeared out of nowhere.

The blind girl decided to attack her again, believing she wouldn't be able to defend herself without her bending. Azula saw the rocks coming. As she felt the ground under her feet move, she pushed, almost flying as she made a salto and landed on the throne.

She smirked again. This time, the Avatar attacked. She evaded the rocks without difficulty, spinning through the air.

'Only a fool would rely completely on his or her bending,' she said, before running away. To her relief, they followed her. Only five more minutes to go.

She evaded a few more attacks. 'I can't pin her down, she's too fast,' she heard the Avatar yell to his friends.

He was right - but only one simple mistake would disable her. She might be able to evade their attacks for the rest of the eclipse… but she wasn't sure.

She ran around the room, in the direction of the hole in the wall she could escape through. The Dai Lee catapulted her, as she had instructed them to before the eclipse started. She jumped through without difficulty before landing and immediately running away through the tunnels she knew by heart. She had played in these tunnels as a child - even though she couldn't bend, she still had that advantage.

Azula heard she was being followed. Good. Everything was going they way she had planned it.

'Wait!' she suddenly heard the peasant say. Azula stopped running as well and turned her torso to watch the conversation.

'We're doing exactly what she wants,' the Water Tribe peasant exclaimed. 'Half of the eclipse is over - we need to find the Fire Lord! She's not even trying to win this fight.'

'Not true - I'm giving it my all,' Azula said, not knowing if she should be impressed or annoyed by the peasant.

'You're right,' the Avatar said.

They turned their backs on her - they wouldn't have done that if she had been able to bend. Azula gritted her teeth. She could strike them down with her knives - but there was an easier way that was less bloody as well…

'Sokka, right?' she asked. 'My favourite prisoner was always talking about you... she thought you would come to rescue her.' Her voice was coated in sarcasm. Azula watched how the peasant had stopped walking. It is working. 'Of course you never came,' she continued. He turned around to face her now.

'And eventually, she just gave up on you,' she finished, smirking again. 'It was quite sad.' He lost his temper.

Azula smirked and grabbed the knive she had hid in her sleeve. 'Come and get it,' she muttered. She would teach the intruder a lesson - no one intrudeded her house and…

Azula grunted as she was hit by rock. Her hand was pinned to the wall and she had dropped her knife.

Before she could recollect herself, Sokka had grabbed her shoulder and pushed her against the wall.

'Where's Suki? What did you do to her?' he demanded.

Azula felt slightly shocked by his anger. She narrowed her eyes and refused to say anything.

'Answer me!' he yelled at her.

'Sokka - she's just toying with us,' Aang said.

Azula was about to retort, but she suddenly stopped. The Avatar was eyeing her nervously.

The amazing feeling of fire in her veins, the strength of the sun…

'It seems the Firebending is back on,' she said, smirking. Before they could react she brought her leg up, her foot coated in fire. Sokka had to jump back to avoid her flames.

She stretched her leg in his direction, the blue fire soaring in his direction. He was the first one she had to take down.

The blind girl had to push him out of the way. Azula jumped, placing her feet on the wall. She had to focus on freeing her hands, but she only needed a little bit of fire before she could break free. She jumped again, almost hitting the girl with her fire.

'Fire Lord Ozai is all the way down the hall on the left, down a secret stairwell,' she said, smirking again. 'I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see you now.'

She had done it! She allowed herself to enjoy their shocked reactions for a brief moment before she ran away in the direction she had just pointed into.

The loss of his bending was torture. He sat on his throne, outwardly calm, but the knowledge he couldn't raise his hand a produce fire wasn't comforting.

Suddenly, the doors opened.

For a horrible second, he thought Azula had lost and the Avatar was standing there, ready to kill him.

Instead, it was his son. 'Prince Zuko,' he said surprised. 'What are you doing here? He narrowed his eyes as he leaned back in his throne. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he knew Zuko didn't pose a threat to him.

'I need to talk to you,' Zuko said.

Ozai hesitated, but eventually decided to order his guards to leave the room. 'What is it?' he said, sipping from his tea.

Zuko waited until they were alone. 'Are you going to name Azula heir to the throne?' he asked.

Ozai's cup stopped halfway between his mouth and his lap. 'What makes you think that?' he asked.

'Because you know,' Zuko said. 'You know it was Azula who killed the Avatar.'

'She confessed she believes the Avatar survived it,' Ozai said, putting down his cup and standing up. 'And to answer your question - the most worthy of my children will be my heir.'

Zuko scoffed. 'We all know who you think is the most worthy.'

How much time until the of this eclipse? 'She has proved herself, that's true,' Ozai said. 'But your chance to prove yourself will come.' He paused. A few minutes, at most.

Zuko sighed. 'I will prove myself,' he said.

'I have no doubt you will,' Ozai said. He smirked cruelly. He couldn't believe his son was this stupid - presenting himself like this. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. It was a pity it was during the eclipse - but it also was the perfect cover.

Ozai felt he was quite enjoying his victory, even though he had to wait until the end of the... Suddenly, he could feel it. The sun returning. Only a few rays, but he could already feel the heat return. He produced a small flame.

'The eclipse is over,' Zuko muttered, watching his father.

Suddenly, they heard a small explosion. 'Azula,' Ozai muttered.

'Is she okay?' Zuko asked.

Ozai suddenly hoped so. It would be very unfortunate if he lost both of his children on one day.

The door was still closed.

'I can't believe you,' Ozai suddenly said. 'Do you think I don't know about your visits to my dear brother?'

The hopeful look on Zuko's face changed into a frown. 'Azula told you,' he spat.

Now Ozai frowned as well. 'She knew?'

'She told me not to go anymore.'

Ozai sighed. 'A smart girl, your sister. Way smarter than you'll ever be.'

Zuko frowned. 'I promise you, I'll proove myself to you…'

'I'm not really interested in that,' Ozai said. 'You see, Zuko, your sister has become quite a dangerous firebender.'

Zuko seemed confused. 'I…'

'She can even beat me,' Ozai continued. 'Which means she could be a threat. She could do to me what I did to your grandfather.'

'I… don't understand.'

'I killed him, of course,' Ozai said. 'Or I let your mother do it. I knew I would make a better Fire Lord than my old and mourning brother - the same way Azula will make a better Fire Lord than you could ever be.'

Zuko took a few step backwards, seeming to understand what was going on.

'That's why I had her banished - I always intended to call her back as soon as I was ready to give up my title,' Ozai continued. 'But if you're out of the way - she'll be heir to the throne. She'll have no reason to usurp me.'

'Father!' Zuko protested.

'Goodbye, Prince Zuko.'

Zuko could only watch in horror as the flames raced towards him.

Azula hurried towards the room where Ozai was hiding. She had done it - now it was up to the army to capture the intruders. She might be able to play a role as well. She wanted to - she wanted to defend her country, her home. But first, she had to report what had happened.

There were a lot of soldiers in front of the doors. A lot. 'Let me pass,' she commanded, striding towards them. They parted to leave a path for her.

Azula sighed and opened the door, hurrying inside.

She froze as the doors behind her fell close. Zuko was lying on the ground, Ozai was towering over him. She could only watch, frozen in surprise, as fire flew from his father's hand and hit Zuko's face.

He screamed.

She could smell it - burning flesh. She heard her brother's screams. And she saw the look on her father's face. He raised his hand, preparing another attack. He was going to kill him.

Dulled with pain, Zuko could only watch the fire raise closer. Both Zuko and Ozai seemed surprised when the flames turned blue and disappeared.

'What is this?'

Her voice was completely calm, and collected. Ozai turned to face his daughter. 'Azula,' he said, sounding as if they were about to have a normal conversation and Azula hadn't just watched him burn her brother.

Zuko… she glanced towards him. His face was partly burned and she immediately realised these burns would scar. Badly. She wondered if he would still be able to watch with his eye.

'Leave us,' Ozai said.

Azula blinked. 'No,' she said.

Zuko turned his head to look at her. She tried to keep calm, looking at his terrible wounds.

'Azula, do as you are told.'

'Only if Zuko can come with me.'

Ozai frowned. 'Don't you realise this - my daughter? You'll be heir to the throne, assured from your rightful place on the throne when the time comes. The only thing that stands between you and the throne is your brother.'

Azula stayed silent.

'I have always told you feelings are weakness,' Ozai said. 'Affection is weakness. Your brother is an obstacle on your path. Get rid of it.'

Azula was intently staring at her father. She had almost forgotten her brother, until he softly whispered her name. 'Azula…' He was begging her, she realised.

If she didn't do anything... he would die.

'He came here, asking if he still was heir to the throne,' Ozai said, looking at Zuko with contempt. 'Telling me he would do anything to regain my favour - to make sure he would be the one to become Fire Lord. Not you. If the roles were reversed, he wouldn't hesitate to have you killed.'

'That's… not… true,' ZUko said weakly.

'Let me finish this, Princess Azula,' Ozai said. 'You'll leave this room heir to the throne.'

She didn't say anything. Ozai smirked as he looked down on his son again. 'If only my father had done this to your dear uncle,' he spat.

Azula blinked a few times. It was as if she hadn't completely understood his words.

He would kill Zuko.

She would be heir to the throne.

Did she want that? Of course she did. She had always dreamed of being Fire Lord… until she had been banished. Now, that dream was within her grasp.

But it would mean her brother's death. She would never see him again, never talk to him again.

But she would become Fire Lord. It was all she had wanted… once.

Attachment were weakness… but her friendship with Mai and Ty Lee was what had kept her sane during her banishment.

Zuko had never felt such excruciating pain in his life.

He had never felt such fear, not even when he thought the Avatar was about to kill him.

His father was towering over him, his hands stretched towards him. Zuko's entire body was tense. He had been able to dodge his first attack - his body refusing to give up without a fight. But he wasn't strong enough to defeat his father. He couldn't duck away this time.

This was it. He would die here.

Ozai screamed and for a few seconds, Zuko was waiting for his attack, until he realised Ozai had jumped back and had to put out the flames that were burning his clothes.

Zuko didn't comprehend what was happening. Only after Azula had jumped over him, he realised she had attacked him.

His brain was working slowly, dulled by the pain. She attacked him. She attacked their father.

She had defended him.

'Azula!' Ozai yelled. 'You fool!'

Zuko looked at his sister, who seemed determined to save him. Light on her feet, she darted forward and send more fire in their father's direction.

'Zuko, leave!' she said.

It took him a few seconds to realise what she had said. Slowly, he worked himself in a sitting position. His head was screaming with pain, but the adrenaline seemed to dull it at least a little.

He couldn't manage to get on his feet, though. Instead, he watched the two firebenders fight each other.

Ozai stretched his hands. Azula knew what was coming and followed his exemple. The two firebolts met in the middle, exploding. Azula wasn't sure if she knew what she was doing - but she tried to guide the lightning around her and her brother.

After less than a second, it was over. She was still standing. 'Zuko?' she muttered, not daring to look over her shoulder.

Her father wasn't appearing from the clouds of dust and smoke.

'Azula…' a very weak voice said.

Zuko.

She slowly walked forward, sparks dancing on her fingertips, prepared to defend herself if necessary.

There he was, fire lord Ozai. Was he… dead? Azula didn't dare to come closer. His chest seemed to be rising and falling though.

'Zuko, we need to leave now,' she said, after she was convinced her father had passed out. Her brother was still sitting on the ground. Azula knelt down and wrapped an arm around his waist. 'Can you walk?' she asked.

Being close to his face, the wounds seemed even more horrendous. She couldn't imagine the pain of such burns.

'I… don't know.'

Azula thanked herself for her years of intensive training, enable herself to help her brother up. She carried him more than he walked for himself.

'An accident happened in there - help my father,' she said as she saw the guards. 'Something exploded - maybe the rebels planted something.'

They didn't doubt her words - or if they did, they didn't dare to show it. Azula walked as fast as she could with the dead weight that was her brother.

'We need to leave,' she said. 'Somewhere he can't find us…' She hesitated. 'Father told me about the war balloons. I guess we…'

'Uncle,' Zuko muttered.

Azula frowned. 'Zuko, we don't have time…'

'I won't… leave without…. uncle.'

Azula just sighed. 'I have a plan. Just… trust me, okay?'

The war balloons were near the army trainingsfield. 'Sit down,' Azula commented. 'I'll go and get Uncle.'

She ran faster than ever before. She didn't dare to use her fire to propel herself, fearful of getting recognised. It was nice, blue fire, but it could be a burden as well.

Azula's mouth fell open when he saw the prison. It was in complete disarray - and not a guard in sight. She hurried towards uncle's cell.

It was empty. The bars were melted and two guards were lying on the ground, unconscious. Azula grabbed the one nearest to her. 'Where's Iroh?' she yelled at him, hitting him in the face.

He blinked.

'Where's Iroh!'

'He… escaped, Princess,' he muttered after a few seconds. 'He was like a one-man army.'

Azula gritted her teeth.

Her family had a habit of making things more difficult than they had to be. She had no choice.

'Where's uncle?' ZUko protested as she returned. She hadn't been gone too long - and she was happy to see no soldiers had returned. Just as she had predicted, they were all busy defending and organizing the city.

She picked Zuko up as if he was a little boy and walked towards the war balloon. 'He has escaped,' she said as she climbed into the war balloon. 'I couldn't find him.'

Zuko breathed deeply. 'But…'

'Don't worry about uncle right now - we need to find you a healer,' Azula said, using her firebending to let the balloon rise into the sky.

As they left the Capital through air, she turned around and stared at the city that had been her home. She knew she couldn't come back.

She had just attacked her father.

One this was sure: she wasn't his favourite anymore. Or, better put, he hated both of his children equally.

Strangely enough, the thought didn't hurt her. He had tried to kill her brother. She remembered Zuko's screams.

SHe realised she didn't care anymore about his opinion. The only thing she felt towards him was anger.

The sun shone brightly over the palace and Azula couldn't stop staring, knowing very well it probably was the last time she would see it.

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