Chapter Twenty-Three: Post Victory Plans
Azula lounged upon the throne of the Earth King, legs crossed in dominance. At her feet was Katara, clad in a skimpy, red and gold outfit decorated with the symbol of the Fire Nation. It bared her midriff and long legs and showed off a lot of cleavage. Her arms were bound behind her back, and a gag disguised as a veil was on her face. The water peasant had stopped thrashing a few minutes ago. Ty Lee and Mai were near at hand, so even if she got loose she'd be knocked out.
There were few things better than having such a beautiful specimen chained at ones' feet. This right here, this was one of them.
The Earth King entered, handcuffed and guarded by the Dai Li. He looked defiant, even as Bosco was led in behind him with a collar. Azula stood up and bowed sarcastically, while Mai rolled her eyes. "King Kuei, I'm so glad you could make the time to meet with me. Don't mind Katara; she's here as decoration."
The Earth King saw her. He flinched visibly, looked to Katara, then Mai, then Ty Lee, then back to Azula. "You, you weren't the Kyoshi Warriors at all!"
Azula raised her hands as if at swordpoint. "You got me. Princess Azula at your service. With me are Ty Lee and Mai." She lowed her hands and began to examine her fingernails. "As of this moment, I am in absolute control of Ba Sing Se. The Fire Nation is coming to take power here directly in mere hours. With all this in mind, I'd like to offer you your kingdom back."
Dead silence. Katara looked up with a questioning glare. Because, of course, Azula was a comic book villain and couldn't possibly be reasonable. She'd have to educate her later. Azula set a hand on her head.
"What?" said Kuei.
"You heard me," said Azula, leading Katara away from the throne and motioning. "You stay Earth King. You keep the throne over there. We make a favorable peace between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. And you agree to become a protectorate. You will have exactly the same amount of authority that you had before, but you pay tribute to the Fire Nation.
"You also allow the Fire Nation in through your walls to provide a garrison."
"You would make me a puppet king," said Kuei.
"As I said: You'd have exactly the same amount of authority to had before," said Azula. She felt rather proud of that one liner. "The difference is that instead of being told what to do by Long Feng, you'll be told what to do by me. Someone actually competent. If you have any concerns, I'll hear them out, of course. But the final authority to make decisions is mine.
"Of course, we'll need to explain what's happening here.
"So here it is;" Zuko had helped her work this out. Actually he'd come up with the idea and she'd worked it out. Details. "The Avatar infiltrated Ba Sing Se and demanded you launch a hopeless assault on the Fire Nation. When you refused to do so and abandon your defenses, the Avatar supported a coup with the help of Long Feng.
"You will also reveal that Sozin's Comet is coming and that Omashu has fallen. Since the comet will allow us to finally destroy Ba Sing Se, you will do the only thing you can. You will surrender to the Fire Nation in exchange for generous terms. After all, you don't have any allies left."
If looks could kill, Katara would have murdered Azula. Of course, they couldn't, so she just made herself endearing. "MMMPH!"
Azula shocked her absently, and Katara fell to her knees. "You will express regret, but explain to the people that there is no point in hiding from the inevitable."
"Mmph! Mmph!" screamed Katara at Kuei.
"Quiet Katara," said Azula, giving the chain a jerk. "Your mistress is talking." She was so adorable when she thought her defiance has a point.
"I will never obey you! I will defy you to the end I will-" began Kuei. Azula pointed two fingers toward Bosco. He halted mid-sentence. "You wouldn't?"
"Do what I say," said Azula. "Or the bear gets it."
Kuei gave in and Azula smile. "I'll do whatever you want! Just don't hurt Bosco!"
Azula nodded. Then she motioned to Mai. "I knew you'd see reason. Now, on that note, there are a large number of reforms you will put through on my behalf. You will make it clear that these reforms will be coming from Princess Azula and Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation." Mai moved forward and passed him the reforms as the chains were unlocked. Kuei looked at them in horror, then frowned in surprise. "These are… not tyrannical at all."
"Well, of course not," said Azula. "I'm not some puppy kicking comic villain. I don't do cruel things without reason."
"Mmmph!" said Katara. Azula shocked her again. "What do you call that?" asked Kuei.
Azula shrugged. "My own amusement counts as a reason.
"Now, I think you'd better work on making a speech. I'm bringing the Fire Nation army in tomorrow.
"I assume you'd had experience with public speaking?"
Kuei paused. "Yes, yes, I have. At dinner parties."
"Then get to work on a speech," said Azula.
Kuei paused. "I… I don't make my own speeches."
Azula sighed. Typical Earth Kingdom aristocrat. "How unfortunate. Mai, Ty Lee, help him write his speech. If he lazes about, punch the bear."
"Do we have to punch the bear?" asked Ty Lee. "I mean-"
"You can punch Kuei instead, as long as you don't leave any visible bruises," said Azula.
"Right," said Ty Lee with a grin.
They moved off, and Azula sat back down on her throne. Then she drew Katara toward her. That toned midriff of hers would look much better branded. Perhaps with the symbol of the Fire Nation?
"So, Katara, do you think my plan will smooth things over with the Earth Kingdom?" asked Azula. "Or do I need something more?"
She drew her near and pulled off her gag.
"They'll never submit to…" began Katara. Azula began a series of low-intensity shocks to her more sensitive areas. "ugh… to you…" She struggled to stay on her feet as Azula felt up her bosom.
"Hmm, yes, I suppose getting them to have faith in the Fire Nation isn't enough," said Azula, before pulling Katara down, so her mouth was by her ear. The sensation of their bodies so close was addicting. How she longed to go further. "After all, you've been brainwashed to believe in the Avatar for so very long. I'll have to do something about that." She licked Katara's ear and drew back to admire her blush. "Hmm, undermine faith in the Avatar? Or break your spirit?
"I think I can find a way to do both." She could have kissed her. But Azula would save that for later. Instead, she fitted the gag back on.
"Mmmph!" said Katara.
Azula pushed Katara aside, so she stood by the throne again. "Dai Li, fetch Zuzu and one other person. Head to the Jasmine Dragon. They should be there by the time you arrive." She was running at the limits of her foreknowledge. Might as well make the best use of it before the end of the loops.
It was going to take some getting used to, not being omnipotent. She looked to another. She really should come up with a way to make good on her promise to Katara. But how to break her spirit and undermine people's faith in the Avatar.
And then she came up with an idea. A wonderful idea. A wonderful, terrible, awful idea.
"As for you, go to the Head of Interrogation," said Azula. "There's a high priority job I need him to do."
Life was good.
Jin had been waiting for hours by the shop, and no sign had been seen of Mushi or Lee. She was beginning to get worried, especially with the rumors of a disturbance in the palace. Some people even said there had been a rebellion against the Earth King.
Jin wasn't sure what to believe. But she hoped Lee and Mushi hadn't gotten caught up in whatever happened.
Then she saw Lee coming toward the Jasmine Dragon. He didn't have Mushi with him or any of the things they'd brought with them. But she ran to him anyway. "Lee! There you are!"
He looked troubled before seeing her. "Jin?"
"What happened in the palace?" asked Jin. "There are rumors of some kind of disturbance! Where's your Uncle?"
"There was a coup," said Lee.
"What?" said Jin.
"The Generals tried to stage a coup, or so I think," said Zuko. "The Earth King wasn't there when I arrived. We were arrested and had to make a run for it.
"We were separated. I came back to get some things before I went into hiding."
Lee had been caught up in this? Was this about him being a Firebender? "So you're going."
"I'm sorry, but… something very important is happening, and I can't talk about it now," said Lee. "I won't forget you."
And then the Dai Li were all around them. Jin looked around. "You two."
"What is it?" asked Lee. There was a sudden authority in his voice. Why?
"You are to follow us, by order of the Earth King." said the Dai Li, but his voice was deferential. Had Lee had something to do with the coup? Jin had assumed he was just a refugee.
Jin was going to make a run for it. Then Lee set a hand to her shoulder. His gaze was reassured. "Don't, Jin. Let's just see what they want."
Jin didn't have a choice, did she?
Aang awoke withing a dark room. He was chained to a chair and around him was a circular device. His chest ached where he had been shot. Then a man stood just behind, eyes veiled in shadow. A light began to spin around him.
He struggled. He had to get out and help the others. "What is this? Who are you?"
"Calm down. Focus on the light." said the man, voice calm.
"You've got to let me go," said Aang as the light passed again. "Don't you realize that the Fire Nation is going to take everything over."
"There is no war in Ba Sing Se." replied the man. "We are safe behind the walls…"
The light passed again.
Author's Note:
So yeah, Azula has sort of turned over a new leaf. But in a very needs of the many sort of way, I guess. If you've been paying attention to the fic, you'll have a pretty good idea of what Azula's plans for Ba Sing Se are. Which is good, because Azula comes across as a straight-up villain here. To be honest, I wasn't sure about posting this chapter at all. But I felt this was necessary to continue the story.
I could have had Azula see the error of her ways and join the Gaang, but that didn't seem like something Azula would do. Not just from experiencing Ba Sing Se, anyway. In her mind, the Fire Nation is still perfect. All the horrible stuff she saw in Ba Sing Se just confirms her existing beliefs. The difference is in one of intent. Before the Fire Nation's superiority was an excuse to conquer other people. Now she genuinely believes in the whole white-savior angle.
Katara opposes Azula's plans to 'save' the Earth Kingdom, so she can do whatever she wants with her. Since Azula has a psycho-crush on Katara, that involves chaining her to a throne instead of in a cell.