Azula was so immersed in talking with her new friends that she didn't even look up when the severe came out. No, she was too busy teasing Aang about how bad his firebending was. But, when she heard her name, the smile on her face dropped. Because, it was her actual name. And, worse than that she recognized the voice that spoke it. Hardening her expression into her trademark one she turned around. "Hello Zuzu, funny seeing you here."
Everyone's heads turned with Azulas, for she wasn't the only one who recognized his voice. And, they landed on a young man. Though his hair was different, he had the one defining feature. His left eye, scared and squinted closed. None of them seemed to realize the recognition he had of Azula or they didn't care. In an instant, everyone had taken their fighting stances. That was, except for Mai, Ty Lee and Azula of course.
Toph felt Azula's heartbeat flare for a second and then relaxed to her normal speed. She felt Azula's weight shift, but it wasn't into a fighting stance. When she realized what Azula was doing the earthbender groaned. "Really Spice Queen, now's not the time to be checking your nails."
Honestly, it was, because Azula didn't want to cause a scene in front of everyone in the teashop that were staring at them like they were crazy. Azula sighed, looking up from her nails. "Please, Zukos not a threat, never has been. And if he's been in the city this whole time, it means he doesn't want trouble. Probably just hear with all the other refugees." Azula had begun to give up hope on him and her uncle being in the city. But, it was the best place to hide from the fire nation. So, of course, she was right to assume they would be here.
Azula looked at his sister who seemed to somehow be very friendly with the avatar. It was clear he didn't know who she was. But right now that wasn't his problem. He was seething with anger at the way she addressed him. "I am too a threat," his voice whined in frustration and anger.
"Wait so you're not in Ba Sing Se to escape the firenations? Are you saying you're a threat to these people?" she asked, having missed so much playing with her brother.
Zuko found himself fumbling with his words as his sister pulled his strings as always. "No, of course I'm not here to hurt these people." He growled through his teeth.
"So you're simply running from the fire nation therefore not a threat as usual," she made sure to add the last part for dramatic effects. Poor Zuzu looked as if he was about to pull his newly grown hair out. Speaking about his hair, Azula kinda found it cute in a turtle duckling way.
"Why would I be running from my own nation?" He said angrily, his head as red as his scar.
The gang watched as Azula humiliated the fire prince. By now, all of the customers had left so they felt less need to be ready to defend the civilians. Sokka was staring at the scene with skepticism as usual. How exactly did they know one another? Sure they were from the same nation, but that didn't mean they had to know each other. But, even with his skepticism he couldn't help but admit it was quite funny, watching the fire nation girl cause the prince such anger with a few sweet words. As for everyone else, they were desperately trying to hold back laughter, Ty Lee was holding onto Mai as not to fall over from the pain in her stomach. Mai tried to hide her amusement, Zuko was always so cute when Azula messed with him. Aang, knowing the relationship between the two was tense, waiting for the bomb to drop. And Toph and Katara were wiping the tears flowing from their eyes.
It's not funny!" he yelled angrily as he set a nearby table on fire. Everyone's laughter stopped, and Azula's face hardened. She began slowly stalking towards her brother, a snake stalking its prey.
"What's not funny Zuko?" she asked as she drew closer to him. "The fact that you're a failure, or the fact that daddy wants you home so you can no longer embarrass him." Zuko was peralyzed as his sister drew closer. "Or maybe the fact that you ran all the way to Ba Sing Se to escape your baby sister." His eyes darkened as he looked at her. "But the funniest part would have to be that here I am, and I found you anyway. That's the problem Zuzu, you're always too predictable."
"She's right Zuko, Azula knew you would come here from the start." Ty Lee pointed out. Azula rolled her eyes, leaving it to her friend to ruin her momentum. She could have sworn she almost had Zuko at his breaking point. She had begun to wonder if he would have exploded.
"Nephew, did you scare off all the guests again?" came the voice of a man from the back.
Azula sighed hearing her uncle's voice. Of course this tea shop was his idea. Truly, she should have known. The Jasmine Dragon, how much more obvious could he have been. Perhaps that's why she hadn't suspected him to be here. But, it definitely saved her time. Now she could talk to uncle fatso about what the hell was going on. She was sure he knew, as he was sort of a geek for that stuff.
She turned to the curtain into the back to see it being slowly poured open. Out through the curtain came just the old man she was looking for. She smiled cooly at him when his eyes caught hers. The instant their gold eyes met, he dropped the tea he had been holding. She rolled her eyes, leaving it to him to be clumsy. Maybe the first born of her family were cursed.
"Long time Iroh," her voice full of hate and malice. Iroh had left her for that no good Zuko. thanks to him she had to suffer her fathers wrath alone. And, for that he would never be forgiven. But, she tried to contain her discontent for the man, telling herself she still needed them.
"Azula," he said in a voice so unbecoming of him. It was full of weariness for the girl. He knew what she was capable of. She was pretty much an exact clone of her father. A second born, powerful, evil to the core. Perhaps she was misguided, but that didn't matter. What mattered was protecting his nephew. "Ozia finally decided to let you go at the big one?" He said. He seemed to just notice that she was standing by the avatar and his friends, along Mai and Ty Lee. "I see you made some new friends, I wonder what they would do if they knew the truth about your past?" His tone became threatening with the last words.
Everyone in the group turned to Azula. What was the truth? What was Safire hiding? Or was it Azula? Who was she truly, and what did that have to do with the firelord. However, Aang knew, and he stared at the old man. If Iroh was to disclose this information, it could cause unrest in their group. And right now, that was not what they needed. How would they be able to fight the firelord if they were too busy fighting themselves. He just prayed that Iroh wouldn't make goon on his threat.
"Iroh, the past is just that, the past." Azula tried to maintain her facade, but it was hard with her uncle threatening to reveal everything. God why couldn't he just shut up already.
Luckily for Azula, Aang was there to save the day. "Whatever past Azula has, we will gladly accept it when she feels ready to share. But for now I would advise you to leave this city along with your nephew or things will get ugly." The avatar said as he walked to Azula's side. Simply having someone by her side made her nerves calm down.
"And to answer your question, Ozia doesnt know I am here. I hope that quenches your worries." She said. Azula hadn't realized it until now, but her fists were clenched tightly behind her back. Her nails had bitten their way through the skin of her palms and blood was trickling from her fists.
Zuko scoffed, as if their father would allow Azula anywhere without knowledge of it. "Please, you're his lapdog Zula, I'm just supposed to believe he let you off your leash?"
Azula always lies, Azula always lies.
Azula felt her anger building, about to bubble over. But, she didn't show it. Instead she clenched her fists tighter, hiding them behind her back. "Of course not Zuko, that's why he sent Zhao to baby sit me."
The mention of Zhao angered Zuko. He had hated that man ever since he learned how to hate. For some reason the admiral thought so much higher of Azula than him, everyone did. "And where's Zhao now?" Zuko asked, slightly confused as to why he hadn't seen the general.
Sokka, Toph, and katara all stared at them confused. They had no clue what was going on. Not only did Azula know Ozia, it sounded as if they were close. And, Zhao came here with her. Sokka's mind began wondering. What if Azula killed the man to gain their trust, and it did work for the most part. What if it was all a lie.
"I killed him," Azula said, an evil grin spreading across her face. She became nostalgic at the memory. The smell of his burning flesh, the way the flames ate his screams.
Aang looked to Azula, seeing her get lost in the memory. He found this off putting, the way she could take a life and feel no remorse. Infact, she seemed to have enjoyed it. He shivered at the realization.
Azula noticed Zuko staring questioningly at her. "He was perving after me since before your banishment. A few days ago he said some things I didn't like. So, I killed him." She explained as if it were no big deal.
Iroh looked at his niece in disgust and horror. The way she said it. Even if the man had been making advances towards her, she shouldn't have done something so drastic. And to someone on her side nonetheless. Worse though, it looked as if she had enjoyed it.
"Your crazy Azula," Zuko spat at her.
And yes, maybe it was true. Azula was crazy, she heard voices that weren't the other avatars. But, she hated hearing it. And that was the last straw. Her finger nails pulled from her skin as she pointed her hands angrily at him. "And whose fault is that?!" she yelled, tears running down her face. "You all left me with him. Do you know the pain I had to endure? Sure, I don't have a scare on half my face. But my scars run much deeper Zuko. maybe if you took a moment to think about anyone but yourself you would realize that." She held onto a table in front of her to support the weight. The blood gushed from the wounds in her palms, staining the red wood.
"Please," Zuko scoffed, annoyed that she was even trying to lie to him like this. "You always were daddy's angel."
Everyone looked from Zuko to Azula, seeing the murderous glint in her eyes. Aang stared wide eyed at the girl as she began to lose it. He didn't know exactly what she had gone through, but it must have been bad. Bad enough that she had pierced her hands with her nails. Aang saw the blood of her hands painting the table, the pain of her face, the way she spoke. The tears that started pouring from her eyes, tears that were not only sad but angry. As she yelled at Zuko, Aang began to understand. Whatever her father did to Zuko, it was nothing compared to what he had put Azula through. The glint of madness as she screamed at her brother. The fire that enveloped the table with her brother's words. But what exactly did those words mean?
That was the question that ate at Katara. It was clear what those words meant, but she didn't want it to be true. Because that would mean that Ozia was the source of Azula's pain. Not only that, but that Zuko and Iroh were also to blame. They left her with him. A rage began to build in Katara as she realized the truth. Sure, she felt angry and betrayed knowing exactly who Azula was, but it in no way compared to the rage. Katara was a kind person, she didn't hate many people. She thought she had hated Ozia, but she was wrong. She had never hated him, not until now. The feeling was strange for her, overwhelming. It was as if her compassionate core was turned inside out, and all that anger directed at one person. A tear fell from her cheeks as she watched Azula begin to melt down.
Daddy's angel
Daddy's angel
Daddy's angel
The words echoed in her head, until they were all she heard. She was aware of confusion filling the room, of voices yelling at her, asking her to explain his words. But she didn't care. All she cared about was the words, the voice. She needed to silence it. The wooden table beneath her turned to ash underneath her touch. The room began lighting in azure flames. A light filled her being and she no longer felt anything. No fear, no regret, no guilt, just anger. Anger that was pure, unrelenting. It turned her blew flames white as they spread through the tea shop. They were destructive, but not as destructive as her rage.
Zuko's eyes widened as his sister's eyes began to glow. And, then her flames began to turn white. The flames of the dragon, the flames of hate. They spread, and he backed away from her. He saw his uncle, staring with the same wide eyes. After Iroh snapped out of his trans he motioned his hands, trying to subdue the flames.
She was losing it again, and they couldn't allow it. Ty Lee looked to Katara, the only other person who seemed to understand. When their eyes met, there was an unspoken understanding. Katara bended the water from nearby cups, forming a shield around her and Ty Lee. Azula didn't seem to notice them coming, infact, she didn't seem to be aware of anything. Her hands were held as if grasping a ball, a position only Aang understood the meaning of. Katara and Ty Lee approached the girl, and as soon as they were there, Ty Lee struck the girls' presser points. Azula fell, being caught in Katara's arms. However, the glow in her eyes didn't disappear with the flames. It was uncanny, even when Katara closed her friends eyes the light shone through her lids. Katara settled her on the floor before setting her gaze on the general.
Katara looked up, her eyes filled with anger and hatred. She set her gaze of the form of Zuko and his uncle. Iroh was gathering his nephew off the floor when he met the waterbenders eyes, which seemed to be glowing with anger. From what he had seen from this girl, she was always compassionate and understanding. But looking into her eyes, he saw another side of her. The side brought from the compassionate one, the flip side of the coin.
Iroh began to feel a tingling sensation in his limbs, as if they were falling to sleep. Then, he felt his body jerking forward. He looked to the waterbender and saw her hands in a spider like form. As she twitched her fingers, his body began to move against his will. He noticed his nephew from the periphery of his vision, caught in the same position as him.
Ty lee looked from the girl on the floor to Katara. The first thing she noticed were her hands, held in a puppeteer formation. Then her eyes, the pain and anger. The hate she looked at Azula's Uncle and brother with. Ty Lee realized that Katara knew the truth, the whole truth. And she was pissed. And, so was Ty Lee. It was not a feeling she liked, but it was a feeling she needed to feel. She looked to Zuko and Iroh, seeing them kneeling on the floor, their bodies jerking with every movement of Katara's fingers. She could see the strain this was putting on Katara, and decided to help the girl out.
"What the hell is wrong with you Zuko, why do you always have to be such a goddamn idiot." She screamed at the boy as she crossed over to Zuko, pressing on all of his pressure points. Once he was one the ground she saw the strain in Katara's face relax. Still very angry by what was said, she slapped the face of her friend's brother. "You should be lucky I don't kill you, because I sure as hell want to right now!" Ty Lee then proceeded to go over to Iroh, staring him dead in the eyes. "And you! You're even worse!" At this point she was so fed up with the old man. She used to think he was funny, cute even. But now she was just disgusted by him. "You knew what your brother was capable of and you left her with him, you're the reason he did what he did Iroh. You're just as guilty as him." The old man collapsed onto the floor after she hit his pressure points. Ty Lee looked back, facing the avatar and his friends. She saw the confused look from Sokka, the look of understanding from Aang. And, she saw the look of amusement from Toph, of course it was amusement. She then looked to Mai, her friend's blank expression gone. Replaced by sadness, her face full of tears.
Mai felt a part of her snap as she saw her longtime friend break down. She had never seen Azula cry, and would have never thought she was mistreated by her father. Then, when Zuko said that to her, it started to make sense. The scars, the denial. The way Ty Lee always seemed so protective of her. The reason she hated her father with such a pasion. And, seeing her friend, collapsed on the ground, she could no longer hold it in. a single tear rolled from her eyes, followed by a strangled cry escaping her throat. What started as a single tear became too many to count, and soon the girl was hunched over on the ground. She pulled her body beside her friends, bruising the long black hair from her face. "I'm so sorry Azula, I should have known." She wept as she laid by her friend's side.
Sokka stared at the girls, crying around the unconscious form of Azula, who he now knew to be the princess of the fire nation. But looking at her, on the ground, he didn't feel hate towards her. How could he? He had just watched her have a breakdown and admit to being abused by her father. And it was clear she wasn't the only one that knew. The other three girls seemed to have an understanding of what happened as well. Whatever it was, it had to be bad. The emotionless girl was sobbing over her friend in tears/ so, it was hard for him to feel anger towards the girl that had so obviously suffered. "What do we do?" Sokka asked, looking over to his young friend.
Aang sighed, truthfully, he didn't know what to do. If this was any indication, Azula was dangerous and unstable. But seeing her friends, as well as Katara, weeping at her side, he couldn't help but feel compassion. Whatever had caused her mind to become unstable must have had to do with her father. She spoke as if he had been worse to her than Zuko. And though Aang didn't know the exact details of what happened to him, but he knew that it had been his father who gave him his scar. So, whatever happened to her must have been much worse. "Nothing," he said back to his friend. Zuko and Iroh had been disabled by Katara and Ty Lee, and right now Azula was unconscious.
Sokka raised his eyebrow at his friend. "Nothing? But she's the princess of the fire nation. Ozias' daughter."
Aang nodded, "I know, the avatars told me. They also told me that they suffered more than the rest of us. And seeing what happened, I would say that's true."
Sooka looked wide eyed at Aang. he had known?? Why hadn't he told them? How was he okay with it? Sokka shook his head, if the avatars told him so, then he trusted his friend. But he didn't trust Azula.
"You know snoozles, I always knew you were inconsiderate but this is worse than I thought." Toph said as she looked to her friend. How could he even question her? She had saved his life and had clearly suffered more than him? Sometimes she didn't understand Sokka.
Sokka huffed, "fine," he said rolling his eyes.
The thirteen year old girl stumbled through the passageway. She bit her lips, trying to ignore the pain in between her legs. Tears streamed down her face as she crossed through the passage leading to her corridors. She had to hurry, she felt herself becoming sick. She hated being covered in his stench, it made her feel disgusting. He told her he loved her, but his actions spoke louder. It had been going on for years, and Azula was trying to forget. But when he kept coming back, he made it impossible for her to do so. She had long since stopped going to her friends house, she wouldn't let Ty Lee see her like this.
She pushed through the back of the painting that led her into her room. Rushing past the doorway she ran into her bathroom, puking in the sink. She gripped the sides as she continued losing her dinner. For her this was a first, many times she would feel nauseous after words, but never had she actually puked. She ran her hand across her lips, removing the excess. She then proceeded into her shower, turning the faucet on.
She washed him from her, making sure to fully get rid of his stench. She made sure to wash him from every crevice in her body, making sure to leave no traces of him. Once she was done she treated her wounds, applying the gels she had stolen from the infirmary. It burned as she spread it over her wounds, but she was used to the burn by now. She was used to the pain. She then proceeded to apply the gel to the aching pain between her legs. After she finished treating her wounds, she made her way over to her bed. She changed her nightgown into a clean one and tucked herself under her silk blankets, trying desperately to escape into sleep.
As usual, her sleep was filled with nightmares and memories. However, for her it was an escape. When she woke up, she wished she hadn't. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the sun. She wanted to retreat into sleep. For the past month she had woken up sick every morning, but this mourning was worse. She didn't want to wake up, she didn't want to go to her lessons. She didn't want to go to school. She groaned when a loud knock came from the other side of her door. However, she didn't answer. She just squeezed her eyes closed, wishing the war would disappear.
However, it wouldn't. The door to her corridors burst open, and in walked Lo and Li. She didn't even need to open her eyes to know it was them, she could tell by the way they walked. They way there were to presence yet only one set of footsteps was heard. She groaned and pushed her face deeper into her pillow.
She felt the blanket being pulled from her body as the pillow was pulled from her hands. She groaned and squinted her eyes closed tighter, but the light had already reached her. "Leave me alone," she ground groggily as she turned trying to pull the blanket back. "Princess, you will be late for your lessons," they said in unison. She opened her eyes to look at the identical pairs staring back at hers.
"I don't." she started before her stomach began to churn. Her eyes widened at the realization of what was coming and she left from her bed. She had barely made it through the bathroom door when she began to puke. Though there was no substance left in her, she began vomiting up her bile, tears streaming from her eyes. Once she was done vomiting, she fell over on the ground exhausted. Lo and Li came in moments later, finding the girl laying passed out in her own vomit. "Princess," they both said in unison as they rushed to her side, something was wrong.
Azula's eyes opened to a dimly lit room. She was laying in a bed that was not her own. It was much less comfortable and smaller than the one she was used to. She looked around, seeing a figure sitting next to her in. However, in the dimness of the room she knew not who it was. Panicking, she jumped from the bed. Her fist engulfed in a blue flame and she threw it to the figure. The man quickly stood, blocking the flame with a movement of his hand. However, the flame had been bright enough to show her exactly who was in the room with her, her father.
Her heart instantly kept from her chest and her body was overcome with fear. What was he doing here? She scrambled, trying to escape the bed she was laying on.
"Azula calmed yourself, it's me," her fathers voice rang through the silence of the room. However, she knew it was him. That was why she was so very scared. But, she couldn't show it. Instead she looked at him with fearless eyes.
"What do you want father, and where am I?" She asked, her voice betraying her fear.
Ozia looked at his daughter, so small, so frightened. It was hard to see her as a force to be reckoned with for right now she looked so weak. "Lo and Li told me you have been feeling sick for the past month and that you puked this morning. Why wasn't I informed?" He asked angrily at his daughter. He should have been told, she was his daughter and therefore had no right to hide anything from him.
"I'm sorry father," Azula said in a timid voice, "I didn't see anything to worry you with."
Ozia nodded, of course his daughter wouldn't tell him, she knew he was very busy and everything she did she did for him. So, he understood.
"It's okay Azula, but next time I expect you to tell me if something like this comes up do you understand?" He asked sternly.
Azula really didn't understand. Why was he making such a big deal of this, she was just sick. It wasn't even that bad. Just nausea and loss of appetite. She still got her training done. But, she dared never question him. "Yes father. "
"Good girl," he said, bending down to kiss her forehead. As his lips touched her skin Azula shivered. This didn't go unnoticed by her father and he smiled against her forehead. "I had the Physicians test you to see what's wrong, why don't we go see if they are ready to tell us how to help you."
Azula nodded as her father helped her from her bed. She placed her bare feet on the cool ground, her toes curling at the sensation. Slowly she put her weight on her legs, and instantly realized what a mistake that was. As soon as she did this she was falling, the ground approaching her rapidly. However, strong arms grabbed her around her waist, keeping her from reaching the ground. Her father placed her in his arms, carrying her as one would a child out of the room.
Ozia had his suspicions about what was wrong with Azula, and couldn't wait for them to be confirmed. For, if it was true, she would give him the most powerful bender the world would see. He opened the door to the room the physician were waiting in. they gave him confused glances seeing him holding his daughter in such a way. The girl looked to be completely exhausted, they just didn't think Ozia was the type of man to care.
Everyone in the room winced as they saw the two royals walk through the doors. The main physician prepared himself for the news that he was about to deliver to the thirteen year old and her father, the fire lord. He was praying to agni right now the man take mercy on him.
"We have grave news you majesty," the lead physician stepped forward, clasping his hands tightly behind his back. He looked at the girl in her fathers arms and sighed, who would have possibly done something like this to her? Ozia gave him a look and the man cleared his throat. "It would appear your daughter has been raped, your majesty." He said, wincing as the words left his mouth.
Ozia tried not to think of it as rape. She was his and therefore he had every right to her body. However, he acted angered as the physicians said this, for he would not appear to know. "What could possibly make you believe something like that?" he roared. The lead physician swallowed his fear and tried his best to keep his voice steady.
"Based on the burns and bruising on her body, we were able to come to this conclusion very easily. And," he paused, truly not knowing what to say. He saw the young girl, staring in fear up at the man holding her. Ozia growled, commanding the man to speak. "She's pregnant, your majesty."
Bet y'all didn't see that coming. God I hate writing Ozia this bad. But, I was like I needed everyone to feel bad for Azula and I needed to make him an irredeemable asshole. I think I did a good job. Don't worry, my other story "Road to Redemption," I have a redemption arc for him that y'all are going to love. Also don't forget to review and stay tuned bc I already have the next chapter done and will post Wednesday.