A/N: sooo, this is the final chapter of book one. I hope you all enjoy. I'm going to try to get a few chapters done before I start posting so I don't fall behind again. Anyway, enjoy.
BOOK ONE: FIRE
CHAPTER TEN: STRENGTH
"It's okay to fail Zuko, for you will try again. And, you will not let it define you." Uncle said to Zuzu. Azula had nothing better to do so she was simply spying on her brother. It was her go to boredom activity. Mai and Tylee were bussy today, so she had decided to revisit it. Her brother had embarrassed her father yet again, and received a burn for his effort. Her eyes traced his skin with pity. She knew what it was like to receive one of fathers burns.
"There is a difference between Power and Stregth," her uncle continued. Zukos eyebrows knif in confusion. Azula simply rolled her eyes. Great, another lecture. "Yes, strength and power are quite similar, but they have an important difference." Zuko was looking at his uncle curiously paying attention to his lecture.
"Power is something one has her doesnt. It is something one is born with or given. It is something not worked for. But strength is how we use the power we have. Be it small of great. If we do the harder thing, using it for the good of others, we are strong." His paused, allowing his message to sink in. "your sister is powerful, their is no doubt about that. But, she is not strong. Infact, she is week. She does not control her power, and allows it to be controlled by others. You on the other hand are strong. You use what you have to help people, not to simply please you father. You work harder to earn what you had. In the end, it is strecth that truly counts. His head snapped to Azula, and she was staring into his eyes.
But, instead of yellow eyes, they were grey. Her uncles face changed, his hair disappeared. Arrows appeared over his gigantic head. With a start, she realized he was the airbender. He was short, about the hight of Azula, and had tattoos all over his body. She had read about how they gave tattoos to masters. However, he looked young. No older than twelve. The stared at eachother, no one daring to blink. Finally, he did.
"Who are you?" He questioned as he began to slowly walk closer to her. Azula stood her ground, staring into his grey eyes.
"I'm," she found herself at a loss for words. Who was she? The avatar? The firenation princess? She truly didn't know. "I'm sorry i'm not sure."
His eyes shown with sympathy as he made his way closer to her. "You seem familiar," he said. He brought a hand to her face and she startled, but was held inplace by her fascination.
"Yeah, we are sort of the same person." she said. Did he not know? Should she explain it?
"Oh your one of my past lives," he acted as if he knew.
"No i'm," she was cut off. Darkness began swirling in a whirlpool around them. It began to suck the helpless boy it. She reached for his had, but didn't make it in time. He was sucked into a void, leaving her alone with her questions. The darkness was thick, chocking her as she tried to breath. She felt like she was suffocating, as if whatever was filling her lungs. This lasted for who knows how long, until slowly int began to thin. Light began to seep through the darkness and Azula opened her eyes.
Aang woke up shaking in Appas sattle. Since they had onlyjust got him back, the child wanted to spend every waking moment with him. He woke up confused. He had had the strangest dream. There was a girl, a pretty girl, who looked very familiar. Her hair was all the way up in a topknot, and she looked firenation. But, her skin was dark and freckled. She had said she didn't know who she was. And, that's she was him.
Aang got down from Appa. he walked over to where the guru was sleeping, and poked him with a twig. "Mr Guru Sir," he said quietly, trying to wake him up. The man moaned something inaudible and stirred slightly. However, it was not enough, and he was quickly snoring again. A smile came to Aang as a mischievous smile overtook his face.
He went his his waterskin and gathered the water. Making sure to stay a few feet away, he dropped in on the Guru. The man instantly jumped up, eyes crazed, looking around. Aang fell over on his side laughing. The Guru responded by rolling his eyes, and then yawning.
"What is it that you wake me before dawn?" He asked the young child. Aang didn't know how to respond. What was it. He had many dreams before. But, something about this seemed so real. He felt as if her knew him. He remembered her answere when he asked who she was. She had said she didn't know.
"I had a dream…..
Azula woke slowly, the blackness still hanging over her. She had no recollection of were she was, but she recognized the pillow that lay under her head. She recognized the material it was made of. She recognized the way it supported her delicate head.
She recognized the bed as well, the way it held her weight. The way it framed her body bonding her in a safe cocoon. For the first time in a while, she felt a sense of safety. She didn't want to open her eyes, wishing it could stay this way forever. So, she didn't. Instead she lay there. But alas, all good things must come to and end.
She heard footsteps approaching her room. At first she became fearful, but as she recognized them she relaxed. She heard the door tilt open and felt his presence approaching. Slowly she opened her eyes, taking in the tall am before her.
He stood about 1 and times her night, and twice her size. His body ripped with sculpted muscle and his hair fell longer than hers. Azula tried to stand up to show her father the proper respect.
The instant she sat up, the world became blurry. She began to fall, but was caught by strong arms. They clasped around her and carried her back to the bad. She felt herself being reposition, and felt a hand running itself through her hair. She instantly thought of her mother's touch, how it had soothed her the same way. But, this wasn't her mother. This man shouldn't be treating her like this. He shouldn't love her. She had failed him. But, he still loved her.
She began to sob into his shoulder, keeping her eyes scrunched closed. She had felt so vulnerable, but somehow so safe. That is why the princess let hearself cry into his shoulder. She knew he would be angere, but she couldn't help in.
Ozai began to stroke his daughters hair as she cried into his shoulder. He wasn't used to comforting people, but he had seen how Ursa handled Zuko. it was strange, watching his daughter break down. She had always seemed to unfazed, so perfect. But now she seemed week. However, he knew that was not true. He had seen her display of power. She must have been a gift from Agni, to help him end the war. And, if this was so than she was preseas, and he must treat her so. That's why, as she trembled in his arms. He soothed her. It's okay Azula, he would say. Or, daddys not mad sweaty.
Eventually, the words seemed to sink in. She raised her head, swollen eyes staring into those of her fathers. She seemed to be looking for something. Some trick that would lead to punishment, but, he had none. After seeing what she was truly capable of, he doubted he would ever punish her again. He stared back into his eyes, trying to hide his intentions behind soft eyes. He knew Azula was perceptive, so it was going to be hard to lie to her.
After seeming satisfied, Azula laid her head down again, nuzzling into the warmth of her father. Her sobs were silent but he felt her shaking slightly. She stayed like this. Almost a full hour had passed until she spoke.
Her throat was irritated from crying, and her words came out rougher. "Are you mad father," she asked. Her pleading eyes were staring directly into him, and something inside him began to warm. He began to feel bad for his child. The child he had pushed over the edge into madness. He closed his eyes, trying to push the feelings down.
"I'm disappointed," he finally said. The words had their desired reaction. Azula began to sob again, a desperate look in her eyes. He knew this would happen. His daughter was always so eager to please.
"I'm sorry," she pleaded with her father. "I'll marry Zhao, I'll capture Zuko and Uncle. I promise. Please father, give me another chance.
Ozia smiled inwardly, she was his once again. "You will not be marrying Zhao," he saw her face fill with relief. "And as of now, you will no longer be searching for your uncle." she looked as if she may cry again. He quickly brushed her single tear away. "I have a much more important mission for you." Ozia had his weapon, now it was time to end his war.
Azula had stayed shaking in her fathers arms the rest of the day. And, he had layed with her until he suspected she was asleep. When she heard his footsteps disappear in the distance, she breathed a sigh of relief.
She silently sat up at the edge of her bed. She allowed herself time to adjust before placing her bare feet on the cool floor. She flexed her toes, getting used to the feeling of them again. She had been unconscious for five days as the doctors did their surgeries on her. In the end, the had managed to save her. She knew they would, she handt hit anything too important. As she walked towards her window she clutched her abdomen. It hurt badly, but, she would soon be done with the wound.
She looked out of her window, gazing over the capital. The firenation was dark at night. Not many firebenders enjoyed the night, as their power was fuled by the sun. but, Azula had always loved it. She loved the stars that gleaned in the sky. They looked like splatters of ink on a piece of paper. She wondered who had created them, who had painted the sky. Or, were the stars all spirits, watching over the mortal world.
She laughed, remembering something her uncle had told her. Apparently some earth kingdom peasants once believed the stars were all suns, but far away. The idea was preposterous, that there were more suns. She wondered how it came into being. Maybe they had used it as an excuse for why firebenders were supreme. She sighed, she had better things to do than ponder the sky.
She slowly undid the robe, revealing her bare waist. Azula stared at the wound she had inflicted and grimaced. She wondered if she may have to cut it open to heal it. How else would she heal the internal wound. The idea struck her like lightning. She slowly walked backwards and layed herself on her bed. She placed a delicate had on the wound. As she did so, she felt a jold of pain shooting through her body. She clenched her teeth, but held her hand in place. Slowly but surely she adjusted to the sensation, and it became no more than a minor inconvenience. When it had eased enough she started working. She began to bend the water inside her, urging her blood to her wound. She then focused on the healing part of the element. She could feel the wound heeling itself as she focused her chi. Eventually, the pain disappeared as did the would.
She sighed with relief, alowig herself to relax onto the bed.
No there was only one matter of business left, finding a plan in which she could destroy her father.
She stayed up all night, contemplating this. She feared facing him again, knowing that she may not have the strength to take his life. No, someone else would have to do that part she decided. Azula had tried to ask her past lives for wisdom, but they never answered. She sighed, they were probably still mad about earlier that week. She didn't need their help anyway, she decided. A plan started to formulate in her mind.
Her father had said he wanted her to use her knew abilities to help concur Ba Sin Sa, from the inside. He told her she would have to form a small team of highly trained warriors to help her. Azula didn't plan on taking the city, but she did plan on going. She knew there she would find her uncle and brother. But, mainly her uncle. If he was anything, it was wise. It had often bored her, but now she needed his wisdom.
So, she decided she would travel to ba sing se. She knew she would need to chose people to go with her, however she was uncertain of who. She so desperately wanted Tylee to come, but she knew that her friend was happy in the circus. She didn't want to take thaan away from her. But, she had to, she determined. Ending the war was more important, she knew Tylee would agree. She decided she would also bring Mai. though the gloomy gril didn't know her friend was the avatar, she had still always been loyal.
With that decided Azula finally drifted off into her well needed sleep.
Hours later she was awoken, by none other than her father.
"Azula, sweetie how are you doing today," he asked. His voice was so kind, so concerned. But, Azula knew better. She yawned sleepily. She groggily smiled at him
"I feel so much better," she smiled, stretching her arms out. She put extra effort into it, making sure he god a good look at the wound, or lack thereof. His eyes widen, and she knits her brows in confusion. "Father, what is it?"
"Y-your wound" she has never seen her father at a loss for words. But, he was underly shock. She felt an urge to ball over in laugher. But, instead she followed his gaze down to the "wound." Apon seeing the smooth flesh she gasped. She took her hand and ran her fingers over the skin. She pressed her fingers down, feeling for a wound she knew was no longer there. She looked back up at her father, her eyes widened in a reflection of his shock.
"It's gone," she stated. He shook his head.
"Impossible," Ozia muttered under his breath. He stared in disbelief at where the wound had been. Less than a day ago they had been pretty rough and scared over. The nurses had told Azula to wear a bandage, however she refused. He was certain it was going to get infected and slow his plans. But, her she was. All healed and as strong as ever. It must have been another sign that he was on the right path. The spirits wanted him to end the war very soon.
"This is amazing," Azula exclaimed. She clasped her hands together, beaming brightly. "Now I can go to the earth kingdom like you wanted." In hindsight, she may have pushed the acting too much. However, her father seemed to buy it.
"Yes," he beamed down at her. He was disappointed he would not be able to go with her, but he had important duties at the palace. He brushed her cheak in an endearing gesture. He could swear he saw her shiver slightly. But, he took no notice. It was cold in here after all. "Since I will not be able to join you I have supplied you with one of my top benders. Admiral Zhao." He winced as he said this. It had become clear to him that Azula despised the man. However, he needed him to accompany her. He knew the people she would choose, and though they were powerful fighters, they were loyal to her. He needed to send someone loyal to him.
Instead of becoming angered, Azula took a deep breath. She just rolled her eyes, accepting that he would have to come with her. She did not want to argue with her father, not again. She nodded in agreement before making a moo\ve to get up. The instant she moved, she felt the arms of her father support her. She decided not to say anything, as she hadnt stood in days. It was strange, him being kind to her. She knew he only did it for her power, but, it still felt nice. That's why she needed him to stop. She needed to hate him if she was going to help destroy him. As soon as she was standing, she brushed his arms away. "See, good as new."
Three days later she boarded the ship. She smiled as she left the capital. Soon, she would be reunited with her friend.
That was it for book 1. I tried not to end on to much of a cliffhanger, but theirs still like more. Heres my reasoning behind doing the order I chose for the books
Fire: this element represents power. And, as Azula begins to unlock all this power it is a good element for the first book
Earth: this element represents strength. In book two Azula starts to learn what distinguishes strength from power.
Water: this elimant is manipulation. I don't want to tell you to much so not to spoil it.
Air: this element represents freedom. I feel this is very befitting of a final book.