Azula middle school debut was fiery. The academy had lumped in the first day of school with club day and once the lunch bell ringed everyone was running. Fortunately, most people know Azula and parted away from her path and Azula was one of the first to get her lunch. In the past servants from home brought her lunch but her mother had been clear that would end once she reached the academy. Azula doesn't understand the point of being rich and from a noble family if she can't use its perks.
They eat their lunch outside and watch club members scramble to get more people to join.
"Would you girls like to join?" an older girl asks after creating an arch of fire.
"No thanks. It can't be worth my time since your form is sloppy," Azula responds callously and finishes her fried fish. "Here. Like this," Azula demonstrates the proper way to do it and her blue flame draws the attention of everyone.
Everyone crowds around her and ask how she got it blue.
"Hard work," Azula tells them. She's been trying to be honest lately. Lu Ten told her its easier to manipulate people if they think they're dealing with an honest person.
"Thanks for the show princess," the older girl grumbles and crosses her arms. "Maybe if we all had private tutors we'd be able to do it too."
Azula frowns. Mai and Ty Lee glance at each other. "That's not even my title," Azula growls in minor annoyance. If she could afford to come to this school than her parents couldn't lack money. Most nobles have the same resources she has. Their parents certainly act like it during festivals and dinner parties.
"Uhhh, Azula," Ty Lee stands next to her. "We have to go. I need to sign up for gymnastics before my sisters get there first," she offers her hand. Azula glances down at it and then back at the older scowling girl.
"Fine. I'm tired of dealing with this ungrateful peasant," she says and gives her the shoulder.
The daughter of a noble frowns and steps up. Azula lifts her chin.
"Alright, princess. Show us how much better you are."
The girl doesn't even last as long as Zuko. By the time the teacher come the girl is on the ground, rolling, and trying to stop her clothes from burning. When the teachers asked the honor bound students shook their head, they saw nothing. There are rules in middle school fights after all. Ty Lee has to run and jump over one of her sisters to sign her name on the sheet. They had come to an agreement not to be in the same club. Mai and Azula take a longer time. If they could get out of being part of a group they would, unfortunately, it was mandatory. Something about setting up communication skills. Mai picks archery and Azula isn't sure.
"How about cooking club?" Ty Lee suggests and Azula flicks her forehead.
"You heard that girl. I'm a princess."
"Hmm, you definitely are as pretty as one," she says and Azula blushes. It's out of character and she turns away to keep looking. "Art club."
"No."
"Gardening?" Ty Lee suggests.
"No."
"Music?"
"No thanks. Something useful. Law maybe?"
"You're part of the royal family. Your grandfather is the law," Mai says.
"Azula. You work too hard," Ty Lee shakes her shoulders. "You should do something fun and easy for a change."
"Fun and easy won't gain my fathers approval," Azula remarks dryly.
"I don't understand why he makes you work so hard. Once Lu Ten is married and has kids of his own you and your brother will go further down the line of succession," Mai states and Azula has to agree.
Why did her father make her and Zuko work so hard? Everything they have to do must be flawless. She gets they have an image to uphold but everyone is focused on the crown prince and his son. Her uncle and Iroh were skilled warriors that could shoot lightning. Nothing can happen to them.
"Join gymnastics with me," Ty Lee pleads and takes her hands. "Please. It'll be fun."
"Aiming to get a lead in a sports scholarship?" Azula asks as she feels sparks in her fingers.
"Ha, yeah, you got me. So? Will you join something fun?"
Azula looks around and something peaks her interest. Her parents don't pay much attention to her, a blessing and a curse but now she could use it. Her dad was mostly preoccupied with the war and her mom on Zuko. With a little begging and waiting for her dad to be in a good mood...
"I suppose there's no harm in trying fire hockey. Dad indulges in Zuko's sword hobby," Azula says slowly.
"Mai enjoy's the show," Ty Lee teases her and Azula grins.
"You don't?" Mai retorts and Ty Lee stammers.
"Uh-" she winces as she has Mai and Azula glaring at her.
"Uh?" Azula repeats and Ty Lee isn't sure who she's scared of more.
"He's pretty cute but I respect dibs," Ty Lee says to Mai.
"Interesting. I never said I had dibs on him. If you like him you can chase after him," Mai says in a monotone voice and Ty Lee internally sighs.
"He's 13. He probably wants to date someone older too," Ty Lee bumbles uncomfortably. "Not that I'd date him if we were the same age. Not because he's not cute or anything."
"Ty Lee we get it," Azula waves her hand. "We're just teasing you."
"Oh," Ty Lee presses her hand against her chest. "Don't scare me like that. I'm not ready for middle school drama yet."
Azula mentally notes to keep her friends separated from her brother from now on. He doesn't like to hang out with them but he is a teenager and apparently a cute one. Gross. Maybe Azula will get all the good genes and he'll suffer from acne. Azula's not sure acne will hurt his face much.
"My uncle wrote to us," Azula says as she signs her name on the paper and then drags Mai and Ty Lee somewhere secluded. She lowers her voice just in case. "He's going to make the final push to enter Ba Sing Se. We're heading to the fire temple tomorrow for a ritual to assure his success," Azula adds giddily. "I want you girls to come."
"No," Ty Lee tells them and they both look at her in shock. "The sages already told my parents that something was happening tomorrow but that they don't want all six of us attending," she shrugs.
"You're going," Azula commands with her father's voice and Ty Lee pouts. "It'll be less boring with you both there."
"But I get fidgety and they are making the older two go."
"Switch," Azula tells her apathetically.
"It's not like your parents could tell," Mai adds.
"Why do you hate me?" Ty Lee plops her head down on Azula's shoulder.
"We'll sneak out later and I'll even help you with our math homework," Azula promises and pats her head. "Mai?"
"You know my parents are going to drag my unwilling self."
Ceremonies and rituals take hours to conclude and while Azula feels their pain she's also been trained since she was a baby not to complain about it.
Lunch ends and they have to return to classes. Azula has mastered the art of looking like she's paying attention. Mai as well but Ty Lee has her head down on the table looking torturously bored. It's the same lessons she hears at home but with more propaganda. Neither she nor Zuko are given the whole truth but they're told enough and Azula had found interesting murals when she explored the palace at night. Interesting things that could hurt their empires if the truth was ever exposed.
School was let out early and the children of big and small houses were picked up. Azula immediately identified her family palanquin.
"I'll see you later," Ty Lee plays with her bookbag straps as Azula gives her a sharp look.
"You're not coming to the palace?"
"I live more far away and I have chores to do," Ty Lee says in an apologetic voice. She'd much rather go to the palace to play than do chores.
"Your parents have servants," Mai points out.
"My parents have me and my sisters. Why pay for other people to do it when we can divide the chores," Ty Lee puts on a pouty face. "Dad says it builds character or something."
Azula doesn't want her disappointment to show or bleed into her voice. "You better get going."
"By princess. See you Mai," Ty Lee hugs them both before dashing away.
"You better hide your displeasure about your girl friend leaving or your mom is going to bother you with questions," Mai says and Azula chokes on her saliva. It takes her a second too long to regain her composure.
"It's fine. Ty Lee is too silly sometimes," Azula looks back at the direction of the palanquin.
"Ohhh," Mai says and its been a while since Azula heard her sound interested. She doesn't like it. For some reason she feels attacked. "Oh, this is too good. You're always teasing me about Zuko."
"Pssh, I was playing. Don't take things so seriously," Azula chuckles.
"Here's the deal," Mai says taking a step closer and Azula glares at her. "You stop being mean whenever Zuko is around and I won't tell T-"
"There's nothing to tell," Azula speaks in a quiet voice and leans to whisper into Mai's ear. "I have no idea what you're talking about. You misunderstood something but even if something was amiss...well, you can't speak without a tongue," she gives Mai her space again. "Get your own ride."
Her intimidation tactic must've worked because the amusement was gone from Mai's eyes. Azula nods at the guards and jumps into the palanquin. Her mom puts her fan down.
"How was school?" her mother asks and Azula shrugs.
She feels annoyingly exposed and didn't like how Mai acted. She didn't do anything wrong. Ty Lee was a long time friend and fun to be with. Of course she'd be upset if Ty Lee couldn't hang around. Thinking about what just happened only makes Azula feel worse and so she decides not to think about it anymore.
"Azula? Are you okay?" her mother grabs her chin and Azula almost jumps. "Stop clenching your jaw."
Azula does and then massages it. Ow.
"Someone mockingly called me princess and I showed them what happens when princesses are disrespected," Azula throws in.
"Are they dead?" Ursa has to ask.
"No. It wouldn't reflect good on me if I go to prison. I just lit their clothes on fire...don't worry. The school board doesn't know," Azula assures her like the school board finding out is what worries Ursa.
"Azula. You should know better than to be upset over a fly," her mother says and Azula knows she's deliberately using the word fly.
"Yes, mother. I'll try to ignore them next time."
"Or go to a teacher."
"Now that's going to far," Azula snorts.
Azula doesn't feel talking or pestering Zuko later but she has no problem upstaging him. Their father was tired of paying a sword grandmaster to teach his son dual wielding. He had told Zuko his hobby reminded him of the time he thought Zuko couldn't firebend. As their father put it, swords are primitive and it's not like a sword is going to be useful against a water or earth bender. The only good thing as far as Ozai can tell is Azula is much more quick at dodging blades.
"If we ever need an executioner we know who not to call," Azula says maniacally as Zuko almost snips her hair.
She throws at him a succession of fireballs and to his credit he look's almost cool jumping away. Swords are close combat weapons but Azula can wield fire for close or far away combat. Azula gets tired of playing defensive and runs straight at him. He raises his sword to block her kick but doesn't except a giant blue fame to accompany it. He can feel the intensity of its heat and for a moment fears it can melt through her sword. He flinches and rolls back. She hits nothing but the ground and smirks at the scorch marks left behind.
"What the fu...it was blue?" Zuko points out.
"Yeah! Amazing right! I make it burn hotter but its exhausting maintaining the intensity. I can't use it long in a fight," Azula jabs at the air with her blue flames.
"I think it's still impressive Azula. You're the only one I've ever seen that can do that, "her brother nods and Azula beams at him. It was one of the nicer moments between them. If she squints he looks like their father and she can pretend she's getting the praise from him.
"Mai thinks you look pretty and cool whooshing your swords everywhere," Azula offers him.
"Mai? Whoosh?" Zuko shakes his head. "I do not whoosh."
"You whoosh," Azula uses her arms to demonstrate and he chases her with his sword overhead.
Dinner is a somber affair after. More than usual. Grandpa tells them in a strict manner not to disturb the ritual and to be brave. Azula was happily eating her fried dumplings when Zuko elbows her and clears his throat.
"Grandfather! Watch Azula can do," Zuko says and everyone looks over at her as she tries to swallow her barely chewed food.
She would have to give Zuko a talk later. She stretches her hand out and fwwooooo. A blue flame dances over her hand. Her father's eyes widen and her grandfather gives an approving nod. Her mother stared curiously.
"This is a good sign," Azulon says in his usual grave voice. "My father had a blue dragon," he pulls his beard and glances between the children. "You'll both be part of the ceremony tomorrow.
Azula fists her hand and Zuko looks at his mother in alarm.
"Doesn't the ceremony involve...lava?" she asks and Azulon nods. "They're kids."
"They're master fire benders there's nothing to worry about. Fire cannot hurt a dragon," Ozai reminds her. "Azula and Zuko will do their duty to help their uncle."
"Of course," Zuko says and Azula nods but they're both internally groaning.