Book One: Fire
Chapter One: The Girl in the Palace
Around 95 years ago, our glorious nation defeated the air benders with the power of Sozin's Comet. We created a world in our image, and though some may not agree with it, they will eventually be persuaded. Though we mourn the loss of ladie Ursa and Azulon, we come here to celebrate the crowning of a new Firelord. As was the Firelords last decree, his second born shall inherit the thrown. Thus, I crown prince Ozia lord of the Fire Nation. May the spirits bless your reign." With that the man placed the crown on her fathers head.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Azula had been kneeling for to long. Not only were her joints beginning to ache, she was bored. Why did the ceremony have to take so long. Couldn't they just crown her father and leave? Apparently not. This is why when the flame like crown was finally placed on his head she stole a glance at her brother.
She bit the inside of her lip, trying not to snicker. Though he was older than her, poor Zuzu looked so young. He seemed to shake slightly and when she searched his eyes all she could see was sadness. Was he still sad over the disappearance of their mother, she wondered. They were given a whole day to grieve which was more than enough for Azula. But then again, her brother had always been slower than her, at firebending, and while everything. She rolled her eyes, he was so week.
Hours later, after the ceremony was finally over, they were allowed to depart. Her father had stuff to attend to in light of becoming kind, so she was left to her own vices.
The first thing she decided to do was change out of this hideous gown. She rushed into her room, where she found her normal get up on her bed. It consisted of a shirt with baggy sleeves, extending to her forearm and tightening around it. There were pants of the same design and color, which tightened around her ankles. There was also a tunic designed to go over the other garments. She sighed again. It was summer, and she simply didn't want to put all this on. But, as always, she didn't have a choice.
So, she sucked it up and changed into the garments. Once she was dressed in the pants and shirt she slipped the tunic over her head. She took her time positioning it until it was satisfactory and buckled the belt over her waist. She then walked to her armory and grabbed her cuffs, latching them around her wrists. She pulled the "chest plate" over her shirt and looked at her reflection.
Amber eyes met hers, and she stared at the person before her. The first thing she noticed was her hair. After not having fixed it for over 8 hours some loose strands were poking from it. She sighed, and taking a careful hand re-adjusted her topknot. She then readjusted her flame pin and smiled. Perfect. She walked over to her bed were the gown she had worn lay and folded it neetly, make sure to leave no tinkles on the white serface. She placed it on her covers and decided to leave it for the maids. Normally, she would never allow anyone to come into her room, as they were sure to mess it up. She wouldn't even allow then to clean, because almost perfect wasn't good enough.
After she left her room, she began walking to the hall. She didn't know what to do. Today had been extremely boring, and she wanted to do something fun. She had been excused from practice due to the tragedy or losing her mother, but truthfully she wished she hadn't. She was expected to care that her mother was gone, but truthfully she didn't. Why would she? Her mother had ran away from her own free will and was probably somewhere in the earth kingdom. She could rot with the peasants for all azula cared. However, this left her with too much time on her hands. She frowned. What would she do. Suddenly an idea came to her, and her lips curled up into a sleigh grin.
She instantly set off for the royal garden, for she knew her brother would be by the turtle duck pond. He always sulked there, she knew he did. He was so predictable.
However, when she reached the turtle duck pond he was nowhere to be found. Instead, she saw a women sitting by it, tossing crumbs to the ducklings. When she realized who it was her vision become to grow blue with anger.
"What are you doing here?" She asked her mother. However, Azula got no response. Instead, the women tossed more seeds to the turtle ducks. Azula became angered, and began to approach the traitorous women. "Mother." Azula was trying frantically to get her attention, but she was to busy with the baby turtle ducks. Azula scowled, she always seemed to busy for her. With turtle ducks or Zuzu it didn't matter. "What did you come back for Zuzu?" Still no answer. Azula became angry and reached for her mother's shoulder, however her hand only grasped air. Her mother was gone. Confused she looked around, she couldn't have just disappeared right? But, she did. She had left Azula again.
In a fit of anger, Azula turned to the pond in which the turtle ducks were peacefully swimming. She clutched a fist a thrust it forward at the water. Instead of the heat of a flame coming from her closed fists, something else happened. Something strange, something impossible. Air swirled from her fist and flew into the water, startling the ducklings. Azula staired down at her fisted hand, unsure of what had happened. Had she aorbent?