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Sisters and Secrets - Chapter One Hundred Twenty-Nine
At Terak's estate.
A roar of rage split into the air of Terak's home in unison with the sound of ceramic shattering on the floor.
As an overturned table now rested on its side with numerous broken bottles of wine now spilling into a pool across the floor.
While the former chancellor now stood trembling in rage with his fists clenched at his hips.
All while what little fire he was capable of producing burned from his fingertips as he ground his enraged teeth together.
"Foolhardy General Meram! Savage General Bujing! Barbaric Fire Lord Ozai! Damn them every last one of them! They have some nerve to treat me like that!" Terak roared in a seething voice as he threw a bowl on the floor that shattered at his feet.
While his golden eyes continued to boil over in fury like he had never felt before.
"Am I the only one here with a functioning brain!? Do these fools not realize what they have done!" The former chancellor screamed as he rasped for air with his eyes glaring down at the floor.
And just as he moved to throw another object across the room.
He froze up in mid step when he caught the gleam of the sigil of Clan Song on his chest.
'That's right…I still have Clan Song!' Terak thought with his sharp golden eyes gazing on ahead as he fought to regain his composure.
"Calm yourself Terak. You are smarter than them." The former chancellor stated in a low voice as he forced himself to take a calming breath of air.
While his lips began to curve back into a conniving smile as he let out a contemplative hum.
And he also had Princess Azula as well.
He just had to have patience.
In time, each and every one of them would regret looking down upon him.
Meanwhile in Azula's private study.
Due to the princess's growing paranoia that her movements were being closely watched by her father and traitors at court.
She had the walls of her study and her personal chamber sound proofed.
Which was precisely why she had chosen it as their location to regroup after the summit.
Azula now sat in her personal throne still wearing her ceremonial armor with her legs elegantly crossed.
While she glared down at the floor with callous amber golden eyes in contemplation.
Before she turned to gaze at the faces of her two subordinates.
Zoi was leaning against the wall with arms crossed over her chest gazing stonily down at the floor.
Yet there was a clear gleam of a troubled expression in her golden eyes.
And Ty Lee sat in a chair with her kindly brown-gray eyes still recovering from what she had just been told.
The first being that Ozai was now aware of Elle's power.
Which she had already figured when she felt the girl's aura increase all the way from the other side of the palace.
And the second…being that Nako had created a stunning new communications invention.
Under normal circumstances that would be the topic of greatest interest to her.
She would have never thought that the skittish girl that saved Azula's life back on the island would also be capable of building something so ingenious!
But right now, any thoughts of that were overridden by the knowledge that the monstrous general had went to Shung Wu after they left.
And publicly executed the poor and hungry villagers simply for demanding food!
"Where is Elle?" Azula questioned in a cold voice as she stared on with her usual impassive stare at the other woman's still shocked face.
While her regal lips pulled into a scowl when it looked as if the acrobat was about to cry.
"Ty Lee says that she went to her chamber in the servant's quarters to freshen up." Zoi replied in a stoic voice as her golden eyes still reflected her anger.
"He…he killed them…just for asking for food." Ty Lee spoke at long last in a horrified voice with an angered tear falling from her eye.
While Azula still gazed on with very little emotion in her icy eyes as she frowned in her childhood friend's direction.
"He did, and not only did he execute the instigator Shozak, the outspoken farmer that we encountered, and the others involved. Fire Lord Ozai rewarded him for it with the title of royal chancellor." The captain informed with her golden eyes staring back at the acrobat's still repulsed face.
"While I'm not fond of Terak's aura. He isn't wrong. Now, the people are going to start whispering that we kill poor Fire Nation citizens simply for the crime of going hungry." The acrobat stated in a distraught voice.
While Azula still sat scowling coldly back at her friend with her amber golden eyes refusing to show any emotion.
As much as it enraged her that the commoners had openly defied her and dared to obstruct her royal carriage.
She knew that both Ty Lee and Terak had a valid point.
And that there was a good chance that this could very well give rise to a more widespread peasant uprising!
"I am aware of that Ty Lee. At the same time, in order to maintain order, we cannot allow public disobedience to go unpunished. If the commoners think that they can just do as they please it will make the Crown look weak, and a monarchy that is perceived as weak is a monarchy that the public will disobey." The princess insisted in a stony voice with her callous eyes gazing back at the noblewoman's frowning face.
"While that is true princess. You and I both know that the public execution of Shozak and his supporters is only going to give the movements of dissent even further material to recruit more Fire Nation citizens to their cause." Zoi remarked in a rightfully concerned voice while her princess still sat scowling in her seat.
While the acrobat still sat in her seat with her arms folded uncomfortably over her chest as she gazed down at the floor in profound worry.
"Azula…Elle is eventually going to find out about this, and all of the things that you have kept hidden from her. And when she does. If we don' take steps to make the Fire Nation into a better place. She is going to hate us." Ty Lee spoke with unmistakable sadness in her voice while Azula turned away to glare at the wall.
And even the captain gazed down with something similar to unease at the thought of the girl despising them.
"You exaggerate Ty Lee. The girl isn't going to hate us." Azula scoffed in a pridefully stubborn voice while she glared out of the corner of her eye at her two companions unconvinced faces.
"Yes, she will Azula. Elle isn't going to like the Fire Nation anymore when she learns that our country deals in slavery." The acrobat insisted with a sterner voice than usual while the princess turned to stare callously back at her.
"Ty Lee makes a good point princess. If Elle learns about all of this…when Elle learns about all of this. If she runs away from us. If what Mava says about this entity…having a global influence is true. If we have a fallout with Elle. It could lead to her getting killed if we aren't there to protect her." The captain advised in a levelheaded voice while the princess still sat glowering on her throne.
And once again the three highborn women couldn't help but feel a sense of renewed paranoia.
Over the prospect of this mysterious unseen enemy of theirs having followers scattered across the entire globe.
And that was all it took for the room to light up with radiant blue fire.
While the princess's amber golden eyes flashed with a violently protective instinct as she gazed imperiously back at her two friends.
"When I become Fire Lord, I will lead this nation to a new period of greatness and glory unlike any Fire Lord has done before me." The princess declared in a regally proud voice with her burning fists clenched on the arms of her throne.
While the captain gazed back with a returning spark of motivation in her golden eyes.
And the acrobat stared on with a somewhat calmer look in her kind brown-gray eyes.
Although it had not escaped her notice that the princess had evaded answering if she was going to change the Fire Nation's violently imperialistic ways.
"Elle chose to come back home with us Azula. Even after what Naoki offered her. After all that she has done for us. We owe it to her to be honest with her." Ty Lee implored with heavy emotion in her eyes while Azula frigidly stared over the arm of her throne.
"The dead do not come back to life Ty Lee. That was nothing more than a lie to convince Elle to return with her so that she could use her as a tool in her war of revenge against her former masters." Azula replied in a glacial voice with her amber golden eyes taking on a look of anger towards the redhead once more.
Though it was her suspicion that the redhead had simply been trying to deceive the girl.
Somewhere deep down she couldn't help but wonder…
If there was even the slightest possibility of reviving her little girlfriend's parents.
"It doesn't matter if it was a lie Azula. If there was even the slightest chance that Naoki was telling the truth. She gave that up all for the sake of returning home with us." The acrobat commented with a frown on her lips while the princess still scowled back at her.
While the captain stood in contemplation from where she stood against the wall on the other side of the room.
"Then I will look into the matter for her and I will determine if there is any validity to such a claim." The princess remarked in a sanguine voice with her amber golden eyes staring back at her two subordinates understanding faces.
And then she began to push herself off from her chair while she wordlessly arose to her feet.
"This discussion is over. I have heard more than enough for today. I am going to my chambers." Azula announced in a refined voice as she stood up from her seat with her fists planted on her hips.
While the two noblewomen nodded their heads in comprehension.
"Perhaps I will have the tiger monkey join me. I know how much she adores worshiping her queen." The princess sighed in a spoiled voice as she sauntered forward with a smug smile returning to her lips while the acrobat stood up to follow her.
All the while as the two nobles stared on with a sympathetic look in their eyes.
Over how it seemed as if their adopted sister was once again going to spend yet another evening toiling away to please their entitled princess.
While the warrior pushed herself off the wall
"I am going to retire to the family estate for the night. I will see you both tomorrow morning then." Zoi stated in a composed voice with her hand on the door while the other two women offered her a nod of acknowledgement.
And then the princess and the acrobat watched as the warrior opened the door and began to walk down the halls of the Royal Palace.
Until the soldier soon vanished from their line of sight as they closed the door behind them.
While the two childhood friends began to walk side by side with each other as they strode through the hall together.
Just as the two women stopped in their tracks when they saw a familiar figure approaching them from the other end of the hall.
Only for the acrobat to gaze on with renewed outraged when she saw that it was the general who oversaw the execution of the villagers.
While Azula gazed on with inexpressive amber golden eyes as she watched the young man approached her.
Just before the general stopped a short distance away from the two while he smiled back at the princess's uninterested face.
And then the princess watched with her usual callous stare as the man bent over to bow at the hip before her.
"Your Highness…my lady." Meram greeted as he arose from his bow as he acknowledged both girls while they both gazed back at him.
Although he had no interest in the acrobat.
The princess was the only woman that interested him.
"General Meram, is there a particular reason why you have approached me?" Azula pondered in a naturally authoritative voice while she regarded the man with an indifferent stare.
While Ty Lee made no attempt to hide her contempt for the man as she stood frowning with her arms crossed over her breasts behind her friend.
All the while as the while as the Clan Sheng heir smiled coyly back at the princess's callous face.
"What I did…I did because those filthy farmers disrespected you. I did for you my princess." The young general responded with a flirty smile on his lips while the princess arched a graceful brow.
While the acrobat still gazed on with unhidden disgust in her eyes.
And then before the stoic princess could open her mouth to dismiss the man.
Her lips sunk into the barest hint of a regal thin line when she felt the man abruptly take hold of her hand!
While her amber golden eyes now gazed down at the general's hand in callous disinterest.
Before she raised her imposing gaze to stare back into the young man's amorous golden eyes.
"It is true what they say. Your beauty truly is as great as your wrath." Meram commented in a flirtatious voice while he stared back into the woman's apathetic amber golden eyes.
Only for the sound of Ty Lee attempting to snort down her snickering underneath her hand to resound into the air.
While the princess just gazed back at the general with deadpan amber golden eyes as she momentarily considered the compliment.
Only for her lipstick covered lips to contort into a scowl not a moment later.
Unlike her Elle, whose words came from out a genuine desire to worship her.
His words were false flattery.
Just like every other compliment that she has received all throughout her life before she met her handmaid.
It was nothing more than another attempt of many to kiss her ass in order to achieve political gain.
And not a moment after that the princess's hand lit up with searing blue fire while the general rapidly recoiled in alarm.
While the young man now held onto his burned palm as he shook it with a grimace on his lips.
All the while as the acrobat watched the man get burned with a pleased look in her disdainful eyes.
"I already know that, and while I do appreciate the reminder. I don't recall giving you permission to touch my hand." The princess remarked in a glacially dismissive voice as her hand fell back to her womanly hip.
While she stared callously back at the general's quickly apologetic face.
"My apologies princess. I meant no offense by it." The young general answered in an attempt to salvage the interaction as he smiled once more.
Only for the princess to fold her arms over her breasts as she let out an arrogant scoff.
"Good. Now if you'll excuse us." Azula snorted in a bored voice as she rudely shoved the man out of her way as if she were swatting a fly aside while she sauntered past him.
And then she strode off with a haughty smirk on her ruthless lips.
While Ty Lee then walked past the general with a cheerfully mocking smile on her lips as she followed after her leader.
Until the two highborn women disappeared down the hall leaving only the sound of the acrobat's jeering girlish giggles echoing into the air in their wake.
All the while as the general was left standing in his place with a measure of a discouraged expression on his face.
Only to swiftly recover his composure not a second later as he mustered a smile once more.
Getting the cold shoulder once wasn't enough to dissuade him.
After all it was what the princess was known for.
'There is no reason to be discouraged. I will do better next time.' Meram thought with a confident smile on his lips as he resumed his walk down the hall.
In the halls of the servant section of the Royal Palace.
Elle shuffled through the hall with her amber eyes gazing ahead as she strode to attend to her princess as scheduled.
Only for her eyes to gaze on with a marginally happier gleam when she saw a recognizable face walking her way.
It was Lao!
"Hello Lao!" The handmaid exclaimed in a kind voice as she waved at the girl only for the other servant to halt in surprise while she gazed back at her in shock.
"Elle. Where have you been?" The servant girl asked only for her brown eyes to widen when she gazed down at the cloth collar wrapped around the girl's neck.
And that was all it took for a sense of fear to wash over her when she saw that the princess had marked the girl as her favorite.
"The princess brought me with her so that I could serve her in her travels." Elle answered with an innocent puff of her chest while she stared back at the other girl's taken aback face.
"I…I see. She left me and the rest of her handmaids behind. Are you…the only one that went with her?" Lao questioned in with unease seeping into her voice while the younger girl speedily nodded her head.
Not only was the girl the princess's favorite.
She was the only one that the princess brought with her.
This girl spent over forty days in close contact with the woman.
And that meant…that the princess surely had this girl completely at her beck and call.
The girl was now too close to the princess for it to be safe to talk with her.
If she so much as even said the slightest thing wrong it could easily make it back to the princess by virtue of this girl being her eyes and ears!
"Just me! I'm her royal attendant now. Wherever the princess goes. I go. So, how have you been?" The handmaid responded with an eagerness to socialize in her voice after not seeing the older girl for such a long period of time.
"Well…I have been well. I…I have to go now. I have much work to do." The servant girl stated in a hastened voice as she began to quickly walk away while the younger girl's shoulders slumped.
"O-oh. Okay. I'll see you later then." Elle spoke lamely as she waved at the other servant as she hurried away.
While her amber eyes stared on with a saddened stare once more over the confusion over why the other girl didn't want to speak to her.
"Yeah. See you later." Lao called out in an evasive voice as she strode down the hall while she still felt the younger handmaid's eyes on her back.
And just like that the Fire Nation girl was gone.
While Elle was left lingering in the hallway with a depressed look in her eyes once more.
Before she resumed padding off towards her princess's chambers as she chewed on her lip.
Things just weren't the same without her big sister around.
In the princess's royal chambers.
Azula sat on a throne in her vast chamber with her palms regally clasped in her lap.
While her crimson lips curved into a sophisticated smile when she watched her pet timidly step into her chamber.
"H-hello Azula-sama." The handmaid greeted in a bashful voice as she closed the door behind her while she gazed back at the older woman's smiling face.
"Hello peasant." The princess commented in a perfectly refined voice as she watched the small girl pad over to her side.
While she found herself unable to resist allowing a tiny flicker of fondness to flash before her merciless amber golden eyes as she eyed the girl with a possessive stare.
"Is there something I can do to serve you princess?" Elle pondered in a sweet voice while her princess smiled back at her in approval.
"Yes, dear. As a matter of fact, there is. Come here." Azula purred in a smoothly silken voice as she wagged a fingertip for the girl to come hither.
Only for her pleased grin to grow when the young girl hurried over like a puppy that was eager to please her owner.
"How can I help you Azula-sama?" The handmaid questioned with some of her usual cheer as she stopped before her seated princess.
While the older woman lounged back on her throne with a spoiled smile on her lips as she gestured to her boots on the floor below.
"I need you to remove these boots and afterwards get me out of this armor." The princess instructed in a pampered voice as she stretched her boots out on the floor below.
While stared back at the girl with demanding amber golden eyes only for her gratified smile to widen when her handmaid curtsied her at the hip.
"If my princess says to remove her boots then I will remove her boots." Elle stated in a loyal voice as she smiled while she lowered herself into a bow on the floor before the foot of the woman's throne.
While Azula sat back with a beyond pleased smile on her lips as she dangled one of her boots before her young girlfriend's face.
Only to rest her head against the back of her throne with a calming sigh escaping her lips when she felt the girl take hold of her boot.
And soon after she felt the girl slide it from her foot while she felt refreshing air brush against her stocking clad foot.
"That's my girl. You did great today." Azula spoke in a graceful voice with her hands resting in her lap while she gazed down at her serving girl's emotional face.
"I-I did?" The handmaid stammered in a hopeful voice as she gazed up at her princess's beautifully smiling face.
While she pulled the second boot free from the older woman's other foot.
Just before both of the princess's stocking covered feet touched the floor while she gazed down at her handmaid with approval in her strict amber golden eyes.
"You proved your loyalty to me before Father. Well, done Elle. Your queen couldn't be more pleased with you." The princess remarked in a voice of natural authority with her red lips pulling into a regal smile.
While she observed her sensitive girlfriend rise to her feet with a blush on her adorable cheeks.
"I-I am honored that you think so Azula-sama. I was just following my instincts…and my instinct is to serve you." Elle stated with a lovable smile on her lips while Azula's domineering grin grew even larger.
And then she moved to lift the princess's ornate armor over her head while the older woman surveyed her from where she sat on her throne with a controlling amber golden gaze.
"I feel similar. My instincts are to lead you. I don't have to think about ruling over you. I just do it. I almost feel…as if I was meant to be your ruler." Azula confessed in a contemplative voice with the back of her head propped up against her throne.
While a confident smile still graced her lips as her armor was slid over her head.
And soon the serving girl set it carefully down on the floor while she fiddled with the sleeves of her shirt.
All the while as her heart began to beat pleasantly under the older woman's dominating amber golden stare.
"I…I think so too. It's strange how that works isn't it Azula-sama." The handmaid answered in an innocent voice as she smiled shyly while the princess stood up from her throne.
And just like that she trembled under the princess's controlling amber golden eyes while the older woman loomed over her once more.
"Yes, it certainly is isn't it dear." The princess responded in a smoothly dignified voice as she felt a pair of gentle hands take hold of her lower body armor.
While she stood with a fond smirk on her lips as she held her head high like a true woman of royalty.
Just as she felt what was left of her armor slide free from her tired body.
While Azula now stood in her fine red garments as she watched her handmaid kneel down to set the other piece down behind her.
All the while as ran a flawless fingernail through her dark hair before she purposefully backed up her body up so that she was looming over her kneeling girlfriend.
As a smug smile curved onto her lips as she gazed down at her girlfriend just as the young girl glanced up to find her ass looming in her line of vision.
Only for her smile to give way to a regal frown of confusion when the girl stood up without even stopping to peak at her bottom.
'The girl adores my ass. She never misses the opportunity to admire it.' Azula thought with her brows furrowing thoughtfully as she turned around to stand over her petite handmaid.
Only for a scowl to make its way onto her lips when she noticed that the girl's smile wasn't as bright as it usually was.
And her eyes…were downcast.
And that displeased her.
And then she reached down to cup the much smaller girl's chin while she gazed sternly down into her handmaid's trembling amber eyes.
"I thought I told you that it would only be a few months." The princess spoke in a strictly chiding voice that was both dominant and attentive at the same time.
"I-I know. It's just that I miss her Azula-sama." Elle mumbled as she stood with strong fingers holding her chin while she heard the princess sigh heavily over her.
"Peasant…" Azula trailed off in a disciplinary voice as she shook her head while she scowled down at the saddened girl.
"S-sumimasen…" The handmaid whispered in a barely perceivable voice while her master cupped her chin.
While she averted her eyes from the older woman's captivating gaze as the princess's hand retreated from her chin.
All the while as Azula crossed her arms over her breasts as she still stared sternly down at the depressed girl.
Before the princess pointed a controlling finger in the direction of her large extravagant emperor-sized bed.
"Go sit in my bed. I will join you after I change into my gown." The princess commanded in an imperious voice while she watched the young girl numbly nod her head.
"Yes, princess." Elle agreed in an obedient voice as she began to pad her way over to the giant bed.
While Azula stared at the teenager's back with her amber golden eyes reflecting her disapproval of the girl's sadness.
Only for another sigh to soon escape her graceful lips as she shook her head yet again.
And not even a minute later.
The serving girl found herself sitting in the bed with her chin resting on her knees.
While the princess now glided gracefully across the floor wearing a pair of fine red and gold sleep robes.
And soon after that Azula climbed into her luxurious bed with her back resting against her pillows.
All the while as her controlling amber golden eyes turned to stare sternly at her pet's small back.
"Oh, just quit pouting and get in my lap already Elle." Azula grumbled in a pridefully moody voice as she patted her robed thighs with an inviting hand.
While a tight scowl still graced her gorgeous lips as she watched the young girl turn around to crawl into her lap.
And just like that Elle crawled into the princess's lap.
Just before she set her head down on the older woman's gown covered thighs while she felt a powerful hand lower into her hair.
And soon enough the mighty princess found herself running her long fingers through the girl's golden hair.
"You are…a good pet." The princess admitted in a momentarily thawed voice with her ruthless amber golden eyes gazing possessively down at the girl in her lap.
While she sat back upon her lavish pillows with her hand never leaving the girl's hair.
All the while as she held her young girlfriend's emotional face into her thighs as another sigh left her lips.
While Elle curled up with her head resting on a womanly thigh as she took solace in the woman's petting hand.
"Azula-sama…." The handmaid murmured as her head sunk into the older woman's thigh while her princess's hand patted her head.
"When everyone else displeases me…you never fail to please me. You truly are forever devoted to me. And I…will never forget that Elle." Azula spoke in a harsh voice with a lovely scowl on her regal lips while she cradled her young girlfriend's head in her lap.
Just as the slightest smile made its way onto her lipstick covered lips once more when she felt two arms wrap around her robed belly.
While she gazed down at the girl hiding in her belly with a gratified smile on her lips once more.
All the while as she found herself sigh in fondness as she sunk back upon her bed.
Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if she held her pet for just a short while.
Later on, that evening at the Clan Song mansion in the caldera.
Zoi sat on her bed in her chamber with her contemplative golden eyes gazing down at the floor.
While Jiao was sleeping in a room that she had assigned her in the quest quarters of their family estate.
As unfortunate as it was.
It would be unwise for them to share the same bed when under the same roof as her mother.
She knew well enough that her mother would not react well if she were to catch her in the same bed as a commoner.
Much less another woman at that.
Her mother was currently unaware of her current relations with Jiao.
And it was best to keep it that way.
Otherwise, her mother might turn her wrath on Jiao.
And that…. was something that she didn't want.
As for Saro…Roden and the rest of her soldiers.
They were stationed in the military housing with the other soldiers.
Even she knew well enough that there was no way that her mother would allow her soldiers to stay at their estate.
Allowing Jiao to sleep here was already pushing it.
A moment after that she was torn from her thoughts to see one of the servants bowing in her doorway.
"Are you certain that there isn't anything that I can do for you my lady?" The servant questioned as she gazed back at the captain while the noblewoman shook her head.
"No, you may go Mio." Zoi spoke with a slightly softer edge to stoic voice as she gazed back at the young woman's uncertain face.
"If you say so. Please don't hesitate to call me if you need anything." Mio replied as she bowed once more before she turned to walk out.
Only to find herself stopping when she saw Sia in the doorway behind her.
All the while as the captain turned to gaze back at her younger sister with attentive golden eyes as the younger sibling gazed calmly back at her.
While Sia just sighed when the servant quickly bowed before her at the waist.
"Go take the night off Mio. You have done more than enough work for today." Sia stated with gentler edge to her voice as the woman arose from her bow.
"As you say my lady." The servant answered as she walked off down the hall while both siblings watched her walk away.
Until the two sisters found themselves alone in the chamber.
While Zoi found herself sitting a strangely uncomfortable silence as she listened to her sister shut the door behind her.
"Spoiling the servants again Zoi?" The younger sister inquired in something akin to a playful voice that made the older sister relax.
While the captain turned to face her sister with a small smile on her lips.
"Guilty as charged." The captain replied responded as she turned to watch her sister walk towards her.
"You seem as if you are being even kinder with them when you last left home over a year ago." Sia commented as she approached her sister while Zoi shrugged her shoulders.
"Yes, well. Since then, I have made a good friend in one of the princess's servants. After getting to know her. It doesn't feel right to make them wait on me hand and foot." Zoi stated with a slight smile on her lips while her little sister raised her brow in curiosity.
"You're friends with one of Princess Azula's servants?" The younger sister queried in a tone that was more amused than judgmental.
"I am." The captain admitted without shame in her voice as she sat with her back turned to her sibling.
"You speak of the one who caused a scene back in Fire Mountain." Sia remarked in an observant voice as she sat down on her sister's bed while Zoi nodded her head.
"That's the one. Her name is Elle." Zoi spoke in a tone of fondness while her sister arched a brow once more.
"So, that's her name." The younger sister stated as she gazed at her big sister's back with a thoughtful look in her golden eyes.
"She is…the gentlest person that I have ever met. She's a pacifist." The captain added in a reflective voice while her little sister listened in bewilderment.
"A pacifist Zoi? It's not like you to befriend a pacifist." Sia spoke in a taken aback voice while she heard her sister let out a hearty laugh.
It went without saying that she was not only puzzled that her sister would befriend a pacifist.
But also, that a pacifist would even serve their princess in the first place.
"You're right. It isn't. At first, I scoffed at her beliefs. But then when I was injured, she gave me the shirt off her back to make me a temporary arm sling." Zoi remarked in a deeply appreciative voice as she gestured to her left arm while her little sister's eyes flickered in astonishment.
"I…see. I'll have to thank her if I have a chance to meet her then." The younger sister commented with her golden eyes now conveying a sense of gratitude.
"I…have been rethinking a lot of things since I met her. About the war and peace." The captain confessed in a stony face as she sat with her head gazing down at the floor.
While the little sister listened with her golden eyes now staring at her big sister's back in surprise.
"I have been pondering…if there might be a way that we could make this country into a better place." Zoi spoke in an unusually ruminative voice while her sibling still sat in shock behind her.
"This is a surprising side of you that I haven't seen before Zoi." Sia remarked with a wry undertone to her intrigued voice while her big sister chuckled once more.
"I suppose that you are right once again. My apologies Sia. I'm starting to ramble." The captain said as she scratched her cheek with a nervous finger.
While Sia sat with her head hanging over her lap as she folded her hands together in apparent reflection.
"There's no need to apologize. I have been engrossed in many deep thoughts of my own lately." The younger sister admitted as she sat with her golden eyes gazing down at the floor.
"Is…it something that you would like to talk about?" Zoi questioned in a patient voice as she gazed at her little sister's back.
"Actually…I came here. Because…I…am in need of your advice." Sia muttered in a softer voice with a profound frown on her lips.
While Zoi's golden eyes flickered with a pleasantly surprised gleam as she gazed eagerly in her siblings' direction.
"You can always come to me Sia. What's on your mind?" The captain pondered in a supportive voice while she studied her little sister carefully.
"Would you pursue something…even if you knew it would displease everyone you know. Including Mother and everyone else." The younger sister began in a highly introspective voice that bewildered her big sister.
"Sia. Since when have you known me to care about what other people think of me." Zoi stated in an attempt at humor.
Only to find herself gazing on with her brows furrowing when her sister turned to face her with an unusually serious expression on her face.
And that was all it took for her to know that it something that her sibling had been pondering for quite some time.
"Would you take action even if you knew it would incur the hatred of those around you?" Sia asked in a momentous voice with a frown gracing her lips.
While Zoi stared back with a perplexed expression in her searching golden eyes.
"Is…this about your studies at university?" The captain queried in a composed voice only to find herself gazing on in even further surprise when her sister shook her head.
"No. It isn't that." The younger sister muttered as she turned away with her hands clasped in her lap while her big sister listened in confoundment.
"Then what is it? Is something going on? Is someone trying to hurt you?" Zoi pondered with a protective edge to voice as it grew harsher.
Only for her golden eyes to gaze on in bewilderment when her little sister shook her head yet again.
"I can't tell you. You would probably hate me if I did." Sia stated in a dire voice as she stared down at the floor while her big sister adamantly shook her head.
And then she felt a hand gently touch her shoulder while she avoided turning to meet her older sister's imploring gaze.
"Sia. I would never hate you. Whatever it is. You can tell me." The captain assured in a big sisterly voice with a look of growing worry in her eyes.
"I can't. Not right now. You'll find out eventually though…" The younger sister trailed off in a cryptic voice as her big sister listened in perplexity behind her.
And then she turned to gaze back into her older sister's confused golden eyes.
And just like that the two sisters gazed into one another's eyes for a moment that felt like an eternity.
"I just need to know. If you felt that if it was right…would you do it?" Sia questioned in an absolutely critical voice while her big sister gazed back down into her serious golden eyes.
While the captain's facial expression became dire as well as she tried her hardest to ponder just what her sister could be talking about.
"I don't quite know what it is that you are talking about…so it will be difficult for me to give you my answer without knowing what the problem entails. But I will do the best that I can to give you my advice." Zoi spoke in a voice of heavy consideration as her hand remained on her little sister's shoulder.
While she pursed her lips together as she sat in contemplation for a passing moment.
And then a look of absolute seriousness came over her golden eyes while she stared back down into her little sister's waiting golden eyes.
"Don't waste your life following someone else's orders. Do whatever it is that you feel is right. No matter what Mother or anyone else thinks." The captain advised in a truly profound voice while her little sister's golden eyes widened as she gazed back up at her.
While Sia sat in a marveled silence as she swallowed audibly as her big sister gazed supportively back down at her.
"Just go for it Sia!" Zoi declared in an encouraging voice as she nodded her head resolutely.
While the younger sister cracked a smile at long last as she gazed back into her big sister's loving eyes.
All the while as the older sibling formed a smile of her own as gazed back at one another.
And not a second after that the captain's golden eyes widened in pleasant surprise when she felt two arms embrace her around the neck.
While the warrior soon found herself sitting there as she wrapped her arms around her little sister's back.
All while as her younger sibling placed her head onto her shoulder as they sat hugging one another.
"Thank you, big sister. That…is what I needed to hear." The younger sister spoke in a highly appreciative voice as she hugged her big sister around the neck.
"I know that I haven't been the best big sister to you. But I promise you little sister…from this moment forward I'll be here for you anytime that you need me. And whenever you are feeling up to it…you can tell me whatever is on your mind." The captain announced with a rare break of emotion making its way into her voice.
While she sat holding her little sister against her shoulder as the younger sibling smiled at her from where she lay on her shoulder.
"Zoi…even though I sometimes get pissed at you…I couldn't ask for a better big sister. You're the best big sister in the whole world." Sia stated in a tender voice with her arms around her big sister's neck while the warrior's golden eyes widened in emotion.
"Do you really mean that little sister?" Zoi asked in a taken aback voice with a smile making its way onto her lips.
"I do…from the bottom of my heart Zoi. I want you to know that you're my inspiration big sister." The younger sister replied with her chin resting on her older sister's shoulder while a momentary sense of peace came over her eyes.
And that was all it took for a pair of mighty arms to crush her into a protective embrace as she smiled in her sister's arms.
"Thank you for saying that Sia. It…means a great deal to me." The captain muttered in an unusually soft voice as she closed her eyes while she cradled her little sister in her arms.
While a content smile adorned her lips as she held her sister in her lap.
And yet at the same time she couldn't help but wonder just what it that her sister was referring to.
But it didn't matter.
She trusted her sister to come to her if she needed her and that was all that mattered in the end.
On the following day in the early morning hours of the Royal Palace.
Elle now sat patiently in a chair while Shima listened to her lungs as he released a thoughtful hum.
Azula stood authoritatively off to the side of the room with her callous amber golden eyes watching the scene closely.
While Ty Lee watched from the other side of the room with concern in her tender eyes.
"How has your breathing been lately Elle?" Shima asked in a gentle voice as he backed away while Elle tilted her head in contemplation.
"It has been better lately! Azula-sama has been teaching me firebending breathing exercises that seem to be helping quite a lot!" Elle exclaimed in a cheerful voice as she smiled back at her princess's stony face while the woman gazed coldly back at her.
While the acrobat smiled as she gazed on from beside the ruthless princess.
All the while as Shima stood up with a slight smile on his lips.
"That is great to hear." The physician stated in a pleased voice before he turned to gaze back at his princess.
While the Fire Princess stared back with merciless amber golden eyes as he met her intimidating gaze.
"My suggestion is that I feel that we should stick with her current treatment plan since her condition seems to be improving." Shima informed in a calm voice as the two highborn women listened closely.
Just before Azula turned to stare back at the younger girl with harsh amber golden eyes while her handmaid smiled shyly back at her.
A short while after that.
Azula sat in a chair in her study holding a report in her hand with her icy amber golden eyes gazing back at Shima from where he stood opposite of her.
"You still don't have any idea what the cause of her condition is?" The princess inquired in a stern voice while the man shook his head.
"Unfortunately, Your Highness. Not at this time I don't. The good news is that she is improving. Which is always a positive sign and for as long as she continues to improve, we can rule out the more dangerous conditions by a process of elimination." The physician explained in a knowledgeable voice while the princess's stony eyes stared back at him.
While the princess scowled as she held a thoughtful hand underneath her as she mulled over the doctor's words.
It was a pleasing report.
But it irked her that she still didn't have idea on what the cause of her girlfriend's breathing condition was to begin with.
"I noticed that the wound on her chest has healed up completely…and not only that. There is no scar." Shima commented in a curious voice as he gazed back at the princess's stoic face.
"Recently, the girl visited an old sage who possesses the ability to heal wounds. At least…surface wounds. She was able to heal the wound on the girl's chest and my friend's foot injury." Azula answered in an impassive voice while Shima glanced up with intrigued brown eyes.
"A waterbender I presume? Or by chance a fire healer? Interesting. Perhaps that will also help heal whatever the underlying problem is in regards to her breathing." The physician remarked in an educated voice while the princess set the report back down on her table.
"Yes, perhaps. I have decided that I am appointing you to a post in in caldera as a royal physician so that you can be on hand when I have need of you." The princess announced in a voice of effortless authority as she gazed rigidly back at the man's taken aback face.
While her glacial amber golden eyes took on a searching gaze that was similar to that of a predatory eagle hawk scoping out her prey.
All the while as her elegant brows rose ever so slightly.
'Is that a sliver of discontent that I sense?' Azula thought with her tyrannical amber golden eyes staring imperiously back into the man's intimidated brown eyes as he regained his composure.
"I…am appreciative that you regard my work worthy of such a promotion and I am very much interested in continuing to oversee Elle's care. But may I ask what will become of my teaching post at the Fire Nation University's Fire Mountain Campus?" Shima stated as he chose his words carefully with his brown eyes gazing back at the imposing woman's stony countenance.
"Does it matter? As a royal physician, I will pay you far more than the Fire Nation University." The princess responded in an expertly smooth voice as she lounged in her seat with her amber golden eyes studying the man like a hungry predator.
"It's…not about the money princess. I enjoy teaching young Fire Nation minds. Will I be able to continue to teach at one of the Fire Nation University campuses? If not Fire Mountain. Perhaps the Capital Campus Your Highness?" The physician asked in a more submissive voice than in their prior meeting while the powerful woman rose a regal brow.
While the princess sat back as she pondered the request with her amber golden eyes reflecting approval over the man's submission to her will.
"If you serve me well and if you refrain from displeasing me. I will consider allowing you to teach on an intermittent basis." Azula remarked in a dignified voice with a domineering smile making its way onto her lips.
While her amber golden eyes gleamed with pleasure when she watched the physician bow before her at the waist.
"As you command my princess. I will do my best to deliver results that are to your satisfaction." Shima assured as he bowed at the hip while the princess smiled as she gazed back at him with an ever-imposing stare.
"Do see to it that you do. You are dismissed now Doctor Shima." The princess announced with a lazy wave of her elegant hand while the man nodded as he arose from his bow.
"Understood. Good day to you princess." The physician concluded in a respectful voice as he turned around to walk out.
While Azula leaned back on her throne with her hands folded over her robed belly as she watched the man depart through the doors.
And then soon enough the doors closed shut once more.
All the while as she stared on with her callous amber golden eyes taking on a possessive stare once more as she exhaled a puff of flames from her nostrils.
She will see her little beloved cured of this ailment.
Even if she must burn down entire nations whole to do it.
Later on, that day.
Azula and Zoi were striding down the halls of the palace together.
While the princess walked gazed at the warrior out of the corner of her amber golden eye when a thought came to her mind.
"Zoi. I have been meaning to ask…were those boys from Clan Yi banished to the colonies as I ordered?" Azula questioned in a flawlessly composed voice as her boots strode down hall while her captain nodded her head.
"Of course, princess. Mother is not very tolerant of anyone that disrupts the order in Fire Mountain. Most especially not when it comes to someone who offends her crown princess. She carried out your order within hours after we left." Zoi informed in a composedly stoic voice as her golden eyes stared ahead without remorse.
While a cruel smile tugged on the princess's lips as she smiled in approval.
"Perfect. I am pleased to hear it." The princess purred in a satisfied voice as her boots clicked along the halls of the palace.
While her callous amber golden eyes formed a frighteningly violent stare once more.
'I will settle for nothing less than the absolute lifelong ruin of anyone who dares to try to force themselves on my Elle.' Azula thought with her mighty fists momentarily tightening in her wrath at her womanly hips.
In a guarded laboratory beneath the Capital City Prison.
The mechanist glanced up from where he stood at his lab table when he heard the sound of steel doors being opening with a clang behind him.
While he turned to gaze behind him with poorly hidden fear in his eyes to see the intimidating princess striding into his laboratory.
It could hardly be called anything but a prison.
But it was at least much larger than the average cell and he had even been provided a connecting chamber that functioned as a modest bedroom.
And even a small washroom.
And if there was one upside to the situation.
Having scientific items to experiment with provided him a measure of a distraction from his imprisonment.
"Hello, mechanist." The princess greeted in a silken voice of casual domination with a smile on her lips.
While she strode in with her hands folded behind her back.
Only to gaze on in pleasure when the inventor dropped into a hastened bow on all fours on the floor.
"P-Princess Azula!" The mechanist cried out in a frightful voice that amused the woman as she loomed over him with a smile on her lips.
"How goes your work?" Azula questioned in an ever-controlling voice as her amber golden eyes turned to glance at the man's lab table.
"R-recently I have finished installing firebending power faculties to that interesting device that you provided me." The inventor admitted with a noticeable margin of excitement making its way into his intimidated voice while the princess rose an impressed brow.
Before Azula turned to stare down at her young servant's handheld game device resting on the tabletop.
"Have you now?" The princess replied as she lowed a well-manicured fingernail to tap the device while a dominating smile still graced her lips.
Perhaps her pet will cheer up after she returns her cherished little peasant toy to her.
"I…I have. It should be fully functional now. As was the music player. May I ask what land these fascinating inventions come from?" The mechanist pondered in a clearly intrigued voice only to bow down once more in renewed fear when the princess's amber golden eyes gazed imperiously down at him.
"No, you may not. Although, I must say that I am impressed at the speed that you work." Azula spoke in a regal voice as she stared imposingly down at the bowing inventor.
"Yes…well. What can I say? I enjoy experimenting…and it's not as if there is anything else to do in here." The inventor answered with a mutter while the princess let out a smooth hum as she gazed around his lab.
"Hm. I imagine that you must be getting bored in here now that you have finished all of the work that I have assigned you." The princess purred in a honeyed voice as she surveyed the fingernails on her hand while she smiled as her prisoner shook on the floor before her.
While the unfortunate inventor swallowed as he considered carefully how he would reply to that statement.
"S-somewhat. Is there any chance that I could be released now?" The mechanist questioned in a hopeful voice as he bowed on the floor while the princess turned to smile back down at him.
"Released? Oh, no. Not quite yet. The Avatar is still alive…for the moment. But…lucky for you. I have another assignment for you." Azula announced in a sadistic voice as she towered over the gulping man.
"Is…is it another medical device or toy contraption of some kind?" The inventor asked in a weary voice only for the worry in his eyes to grow when the woman smiled as she shook her head.
"No. You see…recently I found a talented young inventor whose skill could very well rival that of even your own….and not only that…" The princess trailed off in a delightfully pleased voice as she smirked down at the inventor's now pale face.
And that was all it took for a sense of even greater fear begin to build up in the mechanist's veins.
Another inventor…
Not only could this mean that his value may lessen in the eyes of the Fire Princess.
It also was terrible news for the rebels!
"Did I mention that she is Fire Nation born?" Azula purred in a taunting voice as she smiled victoriously down at the mechanist's frightfully stunned face.
"This…this young inventor is of Fire Nation origin?" The mechanist inquired with a nervous swallow while he gripped his fists on the floor.
"That's right. This impressive young woman managed to create a communications device that uses wavelengths of radiation from the sun to transmit messages over vast distances. And she needs your assistance perfecting it." The princess declared with a conceited smile on her lips as she feigned examining her fingernails.
Just before she turned to glance down at the shocked inventor with a look of absolute smugness in her domineering amber golden eyes.
'A communications device! With such an invention in the Fire Nation's possession! There may be nowhere left for the rebels to run once such a device is completed!' The inventor thought with his eyes widening in realization.
While a sense of shame swept over him once more.
As he realized that he should have known that the princess would eventually put him back to work building the Fire Nation tools to advance their war effort!
It was then that he found himself snapped out of his panicked thoughts not a moment later when the princess strode towards him with victory in her every step.
All the while as the princess's lips curved into a supremely confident smile when the sound of the cell door opening resonated into the air.
While the mechanist turned his hesitant gaze towards the cell doors as Azula waved her hand in the air to gesture to the person stepping into his laboratory.
"Now then…allow me to your new partner…my own personal royal inventor…. Nako." Azula announced in a beyond smug voice as she gestured behind her to her loyal subject standing in the doorway of the laboratory.
While the Earth Kingdom man soon found himself gazing back at a remarkably young Fire Nation woman that couldn't be older than twenty.
While the royal pilot stepped forward to stand beside her princess with her mouth falling open in astonishment.
Only for the princess to find herself to turning around in incredulity when a fangirlish squeal of excitement echoed into the air.
While she resisted the urge to smack her hand against her forehead as she watched her subject dash towards the bewildered prisoner.
And just like that the young inventor pulled the older man to his feet.
As she grinned from ear to ear while she shook the perplexed man's hand.
"I realize that this is a totally awkward moment but I just want you to know that I am a huge fan of your work!" Nako exclaimed in a thrilled voice while the mechanist blinked back at her in confusion.
"Why…thank you." The mechanist answered with a bit more cheer than before while the young woman smiled back at him.
"Nako!" The princess barked in a terrifyingly strict voice that snapped her pilot back to focus as the young woman jumped up in fright.
While she watched with sadistic delight in her amber golden eyes when the mechanist dropped back down on all fours in terror as soon as she raised her voice.
"Y-yes princess?" The royal pilot responded in a faithful voice as she bowed at the waist while her princess stood over her with her pleased amber golden eyes gazing back down at her.
"You aren't here to make friends. This man is a prisoner of war. Do not forget that the only reason that you are here is to perfect your communications device." Azula spoke in a voice of absolute authority as she strode forward with her footsteps echoing throughout the lab while Nako hurried nodded her head.
While her strict amber golden eyes stared back at the face of the bookish woman that saved her life.
"I want blueprints delivered to me that tell me exactly how big the towers must be. I want to know how many 'workers' are required to construct it and how long it will take to build. Am I understood?" The princess ordered in a tone of natural leadership while she loomed over her quickly bowing subordinate.
All the while as the mechanist stared on from where he knelt on the floor with a returning look of apprehension in his eyes.
"A-absolutely! I promise you that I will not fail you Princess Azula." Nako stated in a voice of undying devotion as she bowed at the hip with her arms tucked in at her waist.
While her princess stood above her with her callous amber golden eyes staring down at her in recognition.
"I know that you won't." Azula remarked in a poised voice with her stern amber golden eyes gazing back at her bowing subject.
Before she turned to stride away with her footfalls echoing throughout the prison laboratory.
While the two inventors gazed after her with differing expressions in their eyes.
One that of fear.
And the other almost gleeful to be working with the other.
Only for the powerful woman to pause in her tracks as she turned to glance back at the two a final time with beyond intimidating amber golden eyes.
"Oh, and Nako…" The princess began in a voice of silken control while she eyed her subject carefully.
It was a stare that made the poor mechanist shake in terror once more.
And a gaze that made the royal pilot feel honored to be able to serve her princess in such personal capacity.
"It goes without saying that you can leave whenever you wish. But try not to let him escape. I will have no choice but to punish you severely if he does." Azula commanded in a merciless voice as her smile grew when she watched her follower swiftly bow once more.
"U-understood. I'll keep a close eye on him. I won't let you down Your Highness." The royal pilot called out in a steadfast voice as she stood up from her bow.
While the princess's callous eyes flashed with approval as she turned to depart from the laboratory.
But not before she reached down to collect her young girlfriend's little toy in hand.
And with that she strode out of the prison laboratory with the door closing shut behind her soon after.
All the while as she walked with confidence in her every step as a wicked smile slowly made its way onto her lips.
Between her Elle.
And her strongest soldier.
And her eccentric little inventor.
Along with Ty Lee and all of the information that she has gleamed from the old sage…
She was sure to emerge victorious in this war and in all wars to come!
Later on, that night below the caldera.
It was well known that Royal Caldera City was an abode for the elite strictly reserved only for the Royal Family and the esteemed Fire Nation nobility.
Fire Nation commoners were segregated and forbidden to even so much as step foot into the prestigious city.
The only exception was if they had a royal permit to serve the highborn that dwell above.
Be it in their households as servants.
Or in the many elite shops and luxurious restaurants that were established solely for the pleasure of the highborn.
Those were the only circumstances where a commoner was permitted to enter into coveted caldera.
To many commoners it loomed in the skies above as an almost impossible reminder that no matter how loyal.
They would always be seen as less than the mighty highborn.
And as a result, aside from the small population of peasants that lived up above as house servants.
Nearly, all commoners lived down below in the several vast commoner cities.
And on this particular night…
In one of the commoner cities that was east of the towering caldera.
A secret event was underway underneath the city.
It was a literal underground rally, that was full of Fire Nationals and escaped slaves.
All people who believed that it was time for a Fire Nation revolution.
Candles and lamps lit the walls of the underground building.
While many people were gathered before a stage as one of their members stood addressing them from upon the stage.
"And now it is with the highest honor that I introduce to you the founder of our movement! The person that has been funding and organizing our meetings for the last two years! Our revolutionary!" A Fire Nation man announced to the awe of the crowd as he stepped off to the side while he waved to the curtain behind him.
And then the atmosphere of the crowd transformed into one of unfathomable suspense as listened to the sound of footsteps approaching from behind the curtain.
The prospect of meeting the founder of their movement was an astonishing one to every person in attendance.
None of them knew the name of their mysterious founder.
They only knew their founder's code name.
The 'revolutionary'!
And not a moment later the large gathering of peasants gazed on in trepidation when a hooded person stepped out from behind the curtain.
While a Fire Nation woman with black hair and tanned skinned stood adorned in red and brown clothes as if on guard watching the audience from behind with collected golden eyes.
And then just like that all of the noise in the underground rally rapidly faded away into complete silence!
While the Fire Nation citizens watched in anticipation as their hooded founder came to a stop at the forefront of the stage with her body guards observing faithfully from behind her.
Just before two hands began to lift the hood from over their concealed face.
And not a second later the hood was pulled down from the mysterious person's face.
And just like that the face of the founder was exposed for all to see.
Only for the enter crowd to gaze on in absolute disbelief when they saw whose face had been underneath the hood.
And that was all it took for the crowd to begin to mutter and chatter amongst each other while they stared back at the exposed face of their presumed founder in shock.
It was the face of one of the high nobles!
"O-our founder is a high noble?" A peasant woman asked in confusion from the crowd while people spoke up around her.
Only the crowd to fall silent once more when the several members of their movement ushered for them to quiet down.
The face of the founder of the revolutionary movement was not just any high noble.
No.
She was a member of the most powerful noble clan of all the seven great clans.
And her identity was known other than that of Sia of Clan Song!
And the noblewoman was now gazing back down at all of their shocked faces with a composed stare in her golden eyes.
"That's right brothers and sisters! I am highborn, I come from above and I am your founder! I understand that this revelation must be a great shock to many of you! But before you dismiss me as a deceiver…I ask that you please hear me out and listen to what I have to say!" Sia exclaimed in an urgent voice that carried throughout the underground rally.
While all of the commoners gathered found themselves falling silent once more as they gazed up at the young woman in bewilderment.
"Time and time again throughout history commoners are so beaten down and neglected by their rulers that they are unable to rise up because they are forced to live in a constant state of urgency! This is no coincidence! This is the very nature of your subjugation! They want you to have just enough to get by but never enough stand up for yourselves!" The revolutionary spoke with anger lacing her voice while the crowd listened in captivation.
While she stared from one face to another as she took in their rightfully angered expressions that only served to motivate her even further.
"Often times it takes someone from a position of power to stand up! Someone who is not held down by the chains of poverty! And that is why I am here! I felt a moral duty to launch a call to action!" Sia stated in a passionate voice that echoed throughout the air of the underground building.
While the doubt in the eyes of the commoners began to give way to astonishment as they gazed up at the young noblewoman in marvelment.
"And while you might find it difficult to believe that a high noble such as myself would understand what it feels like to be face discrimination…I do! As a child my mother always saw me as inferior because I was born as a nonbender! And it was her discrimination…her contempt for me that ultimately put me on this path!" The revolutionary shouted in a spirited voice while the Fire Nation people listened in a fascinated silence.
With every word that the young noble spoke the crowd began to find themselves starting comprehend that this was not a trick.
And that this woman truly was their founder!
"However, my biggest inspiration was my older sister Zoi! Throughout it all she loved me for who I am! She taught me about patriotism and it is largely thanks to her that I stand here today as your leader!" Sia yelled in an increasingly louder voice with a determined expression on her face while a wave of speechlessness consumed the underground facility.
While she took a step forward with her facial expression hardening as she gripped her fists at her hips.
"I am sickened by the gluttony and greed of my fellow highborn! When I look at the face of the Fire Lord I want to vomit! He doesn't care about any of you! All he cares about is advancing his century long imperialist war no matter how many Fire Nation lives must be sacrificed for it!" The revolutionary shouted in a raging voice as she swept her arm to the side.
While her audience listened with looks of fear and fury in their eyes.
In the strict, traditional Fire Nation society.
It was a guaranteed death sentences for anyone, even an aristocrat to speak such disparaging words against the Fire Lord and his family.
And yet this young woman was willing to stand there up on that stage and take that risk!
And that was all it took for a proverbial fire to light within each and every person present!
And just like that chants began to break out throughout the underground facility.
While Sia stood upon the stage with an expression of upmost determination in her burning golden eyes.
"The Avatar is not going to save you! Prince Zuko is not going to save you! Princess Azula is not going to stand up for you! You need to save yourselves!" Sia bellowed in a profoundly intense voice as she smashed her fists at her sides while flames blazed in her passionate eyes.
While she stood listening to the growing shouts of her fellow Fire Nationals as she removed a dagger from underneath her sleeve.
As the entire crowd watched in captivation when their leader sliced the dagger across the front of her palm.
And then the young noblewoman clenched her fist and thrust it into the air above her head while her shouts echoed throughout the underground facility.
"I bleed red! Just like the rest of you! It doesn't matter how much money you were born with! We are all one and the same! We are all human! Alone we just individuals but when we band together! We are a dragon!" The revolutionary boomed in a mesmerizing voice that split into the air like infectious thunder.
While the head of the body guards Toku did the same as she cut her before she thrust her fist into the air above her head in solidarity with her leader.
And then her fellow guards soon followed suit as they threw their fists into the air above them in unison with her.
And soon after that each and every individual in the rally thrust their fists above them in unison with their young leader as their cries pierced the air.
All the while as the revolutionary stood with her steely golden eyes gazing back down at her chanting comrades.
"Sia! Sia! Sia!" The people cried out in admiration while the young woman stood above them with her bleeding fist held proudly in the air.
"I promise you! We will have our revolution! We will win equal rights for everyone from the highborn! And if they refuse to give it to us then we'll just have to take it from them by force!" Sia roared as she stood before the wild crowd with her face having long since taken on a beyond resolute expression.
While shout after shout filled the air of the underground chamber as the charismatic young leader stood boldly over them.
"And know this my brothers and sisters! When the time comes, they will see the ferocity of our dragon's roar! We will show them that our roar is millions strong! We'll show them a roar so powerful that it will split throughout the heavens like thunder and resonate all the way up in the caldera!" The revolutionary called out in a spellbinding cry with her clenched fist punching into the air above her head while screams of passion rang into her ears.
As she took another step forward while she listened to the yells of the people consume the very air itself.
While her boundlessly committed golden eyes stared ahead as her own shouts pierced the air.
And then a single droplet of her blood fell to the wooden floor of the stage below.
While her dedicated countenance gazed ahead with an inferno burning passionately in her golden eyes.
The Royal Family and the nobles have left her with no other choice.
Revolutions are not won without action.
Someone has to take a stand for these people.
And since it was clear that no one else was going to do it.
Why should it not be her?
AN:
KingZilla, I am sure that Meram will not be happy about that. However, it is important to note that Meram really know Azula as a person and that he likely does not truly love her. He may desire her body the way that a man desires a woman, and he also desires to gain more power for his clan. But I wouldn't really say that he is in love with her.
Terak is clearly furious at Meram, Ozai and the others.
Both Zoi and Ty Lee made good points, that Elle is eventually going to find out about every cruel deed that Azula has hidden from her. And if Azula does not show to Elle that she is trying to take steps to rectify that cruelty, that Elle will no longer view them in a favorable light.
Meram found that Azula is less than receptive to his attempts to woo her.
We saw Lao again. Lao's wariness to be around Elle, stems from the fact that many of the servants still harbor great fear of Azula. And hearing that Elle spent forty days as Azula's only servant during her travels makes Lao fear that it is now dangerous to be around Elle.
When I started this story, I originally intended for Lao to have a larger role around Elle. But right around the time that Team Azula left for battle in chapter 22, I realized that much of the first half of book one would take place away from the capital.
Lao's role as a coworker of Elle's diminished because of that, but she still has a role.
Elle is still depressed because of Mai's absence, but her cheer will brighten in a few chapters after she becomes used to the new dynamic.
We also saw Shima again. I have already stated that the Fire Nation map looks exactly the same as in canon aside from that I added two islands. The first being Fire Mountain which is the second largest island, located beside the mainland island, Capital Island. Just slightly north of Ember Island.
This means that the island with Fire Fountain City, which is the second largest island in canon, is the third largest island in my story.
The other island that I added is the island that the team got marooned on, which is located in vicinity of the Sun Warriors Island northwest of Boiling Rock.
For the sake of lore, I want to add a little information on the Fire Nation University. We already know that Ba Sing Se has their own university, so I felt that given all of the education in the Fire Nation that they should have their own.
There are two campuses for the Fire Nation University, one in the Fire Nation Capital and the other in Fire Mountain.
I also want to mention that the term high noble, means that they are one of the seven clans that govern regionally for the Royal Family. If a noble clan displeases the Fire Lord (such as Clan Zanoda did), the Fire Lord can strip them of their rank and another clan can take their place.
Most of you probably forgot about the boys from the beach day, but Azula has not and they have been banished to the colonies.
We saw the mechanist again, and now he is going to be working with Nako to perfect her new invention.
Sia has finally returned and she is taking on a larger role in the story.
We saw the better side of Sia and Zoi's sibling relationship when Sia come to Zoi for advice.
What Zoi didn't realize, is that Sia was asking her if she should proceed forward with her plans for the revolution.
The leader and founder of the fire revolution movement is none other than Zoi's little sister Sia.
We see why Sia never attempted to accompany Zoi in her travels with Azula throughout the story, it wasn't because she was too busy with university. It was because being around Azula would hinder her plans for the revolution.
Right around the time when I introduced her, I decided that she would be the leading figure in the revolution movement and now it makes sense why she expressed bitterness to Zoi about the war with the Earth Kingdom.
Sia is largely based on real life revolutionary figures, who sometimes use their wealthy backgrounds to fight for the betterment of those in poverty.
Much of why Sia has succeeded in building up her movement in secrecy is because she has avoided associating with Team Avatar and the Order of the White Lotus.
For the most part, Ozai and Azula have been looking for enemies outside of the Fire Nation, which has allowed Sia to capitalize on the mounting resentment toward Ozai and grow her movement by working directly with the people that are struggling under Ozai's rule.
I will state that Sia is not involved with the whole kill the nobles thing that Yoko mentioned.
It's simply that people are getting pissed, sick of paying high taxes to fund the war and sick of dying in the Royal Family's war.
Even though Sia founded this movement, there are going to be people who put their own ideas out there and that is where the whole kill all nobles thing stems from.
While we are now seeing that Sia is the founder of the revolution. It is going to be a long time before her true identity is exposed to Azula, Zoi, Yoko and the others.
We are going to witness her build up her movement behind the scenes, while maintaining her public relations as a noble with her sister and everyone else.
I will say that Sia is probably the closest thing to a hero in a Fire Nation character outside of Team Avatar, because she earnestly just wants to make life better for the commoners and everyone of lower social status.
And lastly, the updates will continue to be slower than they were before because my health has not gotten any better. My doctors at UOM think that I have a spinal CSF leak. And that it may be the cause of the intractable pain that I have had in my head for four years now, and all of my other health issues.
Spinal leaks, are horribly painful because fluid leaks from your spinal area, and that causes the pressure in your skull to become low. Because the problem is caused by leaking spinal fluid, there is no medication to relieve the pain and it eventually becomes extremely debilitating, which is where I am at right now.
I will be traveling to the Mayo Clinic in November, and I am hoping that they will be able to find the presumed leak and help me get better. Hopefully then, I will be able to get back into my writing groove. Until then, I will probably switch my update schedule to every two weeks instead of every week.
Anyhow, that will be all for now.
Stay tuned for next time.
For chapter one hundred thirty! Obsession!