Screams of the dying and injured create choric cacophony in a small, cluttered, wayward stone village. Animated blue flames flicker high above rooftops. Fire Nation soldiers shuffle from aisle to aisle, sending blast waves of fire, sweeping for survivors. Azula smiled sadistically –the whole horizon is one artistic scorching masterpiece!
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A frown lowered her pretty lips into a pout. "Strange. All this violence isn't exhilarating like it usually is."
"Princess Azula?"
"What is it?" She acknowledges the kneeling solider behind with impatience. "Can't you see I'm watching the downfall of these pathetic resistance fighters?"
"What should we do with the prisoners? Torture?"
"Fine. Lead the way."
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At the center of the village is a stone courtyard. Soldiers are busily rummaging carelessly through houses and buildings for loot. Azula narrowed her eyes skeptically. There are no prisoners lined up as is routine. More soldiers emerge from shadowy corridors. The princess quickly surveyed her surroundings, sensing a trap. "What is this? Where are the prisoners?"
"Now!"
Vigilant and quick on her feet, Azula easily dodged a towering wave of fire.
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Firestorms swiftly fill the air and narrow gaps of the streets. Azula scaled a wall and grinned at the angry men below. "So a group of traitors thought they were wise enough to ambush me? Too bad. You suck!" Lashing her arm, lightning cracked from her fingertips, and hit a soldier. The man screamed, clutched his chest, and fell over dead. The others raised their arms and shot fireballs or chained weapons. The princess traipsed her way out of their range and ran. Her attackers relentlessly followed. Grinning, Azula faked turning another direction only to double back and send a serpent-like wave of fire at two more soldiers. Ashes whip around a whistling wind and vanish. That's what traitors deserve! But she underestimated the strength of their wrath and desperation.
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A mace screams as it strike's Azula's leg. Metal spikes bury into her leg and in reply she shouts. The soldier violently tugs the chain back, pulling his adversary to him. The princess used the momentum. In an elegant round house kick she hit three with the chain and the original attacker. The heavy weapon weighed her down and Azula hit the ground awkwardly; something snapped and she scowled. Two arrows pierced her arm as she rolled. Luckily the armor stopped the arrows from going through completely but it still sent agonizing shocks through her entire arm.
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Looming overhead is a man wielding a big execution sword. The metal blade coldly kissed the back of her neck before the soldier lifted up. Azula barreled into the man with all her panic. They rolled down hill at break-neck speeds. She tried to right herself but the man's hold is sturdy. He got in two punches and she a searing burn on his side. Unbelievably, Azula is spared a dreadful death. Her adversary indirectly saved her life as a pointed stake stabbed through his heart. They had landed in a forest. Winded, the princess collapses and her gaze falls onto the man's features. Dark clouded eyes, a slack jaw, and a shocked expression like wax.
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There's no time to rest. She's certain that the other traitors will be tracking her. Fighting dizziness Azula wobbly stands up and stumbles through the woods. Every muscle movement sends blazing zaps of pain throughout her body. The only thing keeping her up is sheer willpower –and the fear of dying. The princess' reckless escape will obviously leave a trail and so will the drops of blood.
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Her legs finally buckled at a pond. Hurriedly Azula splashes water on her face and cups some into her shaky hands. The painful scratchiness in her throat is unbearable. The cold water is refreshing and clears her mind partially. Azula's face hovers over the grassy lip and she sees a ragged reflection.
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The tie keeping her hair up is lost and her glossy, long, dark hair is disheveled, muddied by dirt and leaves. The princess' mascara is smeared and her pale skin is full of ugly lumps, bruises, and cuts. For the first time in her life Azula recognizes fear in her eyes. She's never experienced any misfortune until now. Or lost a fight. Azula's entire life has been survival is perfection, perfection is survival. Being brutal and merciless is necessity. Broken arrows stick out of her arm. She knows removing them by force would be a terrible option. What would father say? Am I as useless and dishonorable as Zuko now?
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Something rustles shrubbery to her left. Like a demented and starving animal she sharply turns to meet –a Water Tribe boy? He's wearing the typical blue-plated armor with a moon insignia at the chest. He's carrying a boomerang and a sheathed sword hangs from a sash. Wait. It's one of the Avatar's friends! The information from her father is dead on.
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He stares at her bewilderingly. Not what he expected to find!
Azula sneered, equal to a wolf's snarl. Back off.
The Water Tribe fighter ambled up to Azula anyway.
"There she is! Kill her! Kill her!"
Sokka chucks his boomerang and clocks one soldier on the head. Senseless, the man drops. He catches the boomerang (that somehow didn't hit a tree) and exchanges it for a sword.
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Elegant sword strokes meet flesh and deadlock onto other weapons seamlessly. Sword blade sinks into a shoulder and sprays blood. Sokka disarms a man and stabs him in the chest. The last Fire Nation soldier lunges and hooking Sokka with a punch, the Water Tribe fighter dropped his sword. A serrated knife slices Sokka's side and he fell backwards next to Azula. In a flash she uses her good arm to hurl a wave of blue fire at the man. He screamed and became a smoking lump of charred flesh.
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"Whoa," Sokka exhaled. "Good one! Thanks! You saved my life!" He hissed from the fiery bleeding wound and he placed a hand on it. "Not fatal but it stings. Are there anymore chasing you?"
"I don't know," she muttered.
"I was out hunting when I heard Fire Nation soldiers fighting something. I didn't think it was another Fire Nation soldier! C'mon. Can you stand? I got a small camp and supplies."
I don't need your help! Azula wanted to say. I don't need anybody! She's the feared and powerful daughter of the Fire Lord! Accepting help from the enemy (and a poor born person nonetheless!) is disgraceful! But Azula is smart; even she knows when survival is more important than stubbornness or warfare. I have no choice. I have to depend on him. What kind of joke is this? Is the universe cursing her with such misfortune for laughs?
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He carefully sat Azula down by a tent and a surprisingly well-crafted campfire. After a few painful moments of removing arrows and cleaning injuries, Sokka smiled.
Azula narrowed her eyes. Why is he staring at me like that?
"I'm Sokka."
"Azula." No point on lying. Surely he doesn't know who she is. The Avatar and his friends most likely have run into Zuko though. "It's pleasantly misfortunate to meet you."
He laughed. "That's a good one. I should use that line next time."
Pursing her lips curiously she intensely stared at Sokka who stared back perplexingly. "Why is your smile so stupid?"
"For someone from the Fire Nation you're pretty –pretty cold! You must be fun at parties." Sokka fired back with a sarcastic grin.
"I wouldn't know," Azula shut her eyes and stuck up her chin indignantly. "I've never been invited to one."
"Oh. Oh! I'm sorry." Sokka's eyes widened as he genuinely felt bad. He almost forgot that the Fire Nation live under a tyrant. Of course they wouldn't know what fun is. Or if they do, it's probably those aristocratic parties Toph talked about.
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Sokka rubbed his neck nervously. "You're in no shape to move so I'll go hunt for food."
Azula responded with a dangerous glare and pout.
The angry pout is cute. Keep it together Sokka! She's from the Fire Nation and a soldier no less! She'll probably try to kill you in your sleep! He hopes his empathy doesn't get him killed. But when he, Aang, and Katara spent some time with Jett and the Freedom Fighters Sokka learned that not all Fire Nation people were as evil as their leader.
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He came back carrying game and sees Azula hunched over by the fire. Bright blue flames respond enthusiastically as she moved her hands. He's never seen such pretty fire before. Usually fire is an omen promising death and anguish. Sokka senses Azula watching him like a hawk as he puts food on a spit. He tried to ignore it and instead inhaled a sweet-savory scent. "Ah, meat. Mouth-watering! Could use some spices though. I bet you guys make some intense flavors, right?"
A cruel smile appeared. The princess leaned back with one arm and draped the other over a folded knee. "Yes. We live for the fieriest flavors. Or smoked. I could've hunted more than what you caught though. I'm an elite soldier and never lose what I track!"
Sokka hummed. "Really? We should go hunting sometime." Yeah right. Like that would happen. But to Sokka it would be a fun time. He wondered how the Fire Nation hunted and if it was similar to how the tribe does.
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He ravenously tore apart a leg with quick bites while Azula took small thoughtful bites.
"So, why were your friends after you?"
"They weren't friends," Azula scoffed. "They were soldiers under my command."
"Okay. Why'd they try to kill you?"
For a heartbeat the princess hesitated. For once she was clueless. And hurt. Sokka eyed her worriedly but she recovered her composure. "I don't know. Maybe they wanted to overthrow the Fire Lord. I am close to him, a general, so I suppose it'd be like taking out part of his crucial military power. But nobody can weaken the Fire Lord. Or kill him."
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What a confident smile. Has Azula met the Fire Lord?
"Yes Sokka, I've seen his powers first-hand. How amazing and terrifying it is! The Fire Lord's firebending is unsurpassed!"
He frowned. Right. Many people of the Fire Nation see the Fire Lord as a hero. He thoughtfully chewed another chunk of meat. "I can see why. At least from your view."
"Can you?" She asked doubtfully.
Seriousness and a glimmer of understanding shine in Sokka's eyes. He pictures his father and his leadership, minus the bloodshed and tyranny. "The Fire Lord provided your people with endless wealth, strength, and protection. But Azula, have you ever wondered if there's more to life? More than wars, I mean."
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Golden eyes strayed to the campfire again. Her father had warned Azula her whole life about the Fire Nation's enemies. How they'll try to manipulate her. They'll tell you that the mountains are always sunnier on the other side but they're wrong! Ozai never lies. Not to his daughter, anyway.
Or so she thought. Hell. Azula knows war is unfair, vile, and somber. Manipulation and violence are as dependable and vital as a soldier's weapons.
Don't fall for the enemies' tricks, Azula!
Questions spin in her mind. She's good at applying emotions when needed but not at understanding them. The princess felt like the strongest flame but stranded in a dark, dark nothingness. Why light up a room when there's nothing valuable to see?
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She looks at Sokka and asks, "What's the Water Tribe like?"
"Oh. Lots of blue. Blue sky. Blue water. Tall ice floats. Beautiful moon on clear nights."
"Not the land –the people!"
"Warm. Friendly." Sokka's eyes are bittersweet. He missed home. And with a pang of jealousy Azula realized that she had never felt that. Sure, she has pride as a Fire Nation solider but she never felt attached to anything.
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"When we fight it's a brotherhood. We make these drinks too after some sparring. Warms the spirit and chases the icy winds away. And the boat races are legendary! We sing, dance, make poetry –you name it!" He offered another slab of meat and Azula took it. "What about you? What are some Fire Nation traditions? Besides burning and pillaging."
"You don't know?"
Sokka snorted. "We only know from what they do to us. It's not like there are any Fire Nation scholars traveling the world."
At this, Azula laughed.
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Her laughter died and loneliness lodged in her throat. Absentmindedly she summoned a flame on her palm. "Strict. Humorless. We have Agni Kai, a show of force to settle arguments. The all-girls academy is a boring place accepting nothing but perfection. Not a hair out of place," Azula sang the last part mockingly.
"Oh, that's tough." A few heartbeats later Sokka said, "I bet you have a lot of expectations put on you from your family and society."
"Death is better than failure in the Fire Nation."
Sokka looked up past the trees to the sky. He too, is scared of failure. Ever since the Fire Nation attacked their village all those years ago and his father set sail to fight them, Sokka felt the crushing weight of responsibility. He had to be tough and courageous not only for his tribe but for his sister, grandmother, and himself. Now, the world and the Avatar's journey to restore peace. Maybe the Water Tribe and Fire Nation weren't all that different.
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"How did you get here?"
"Got lost," Sokka shrugged. "Looking for my friends. You're an exile now, right? I mean if your own soldiers tried to kill you then…"
"I am not! They just…I…I just wasn't vigilant enough! And they sealed their own fates by attacking a general. So if I go home and explain what happened I…"
"You sure the Fire Lord isn't just going to kill you instead? If I was him, I'd just blame the general for the soldiers' betrayal."
Azula's eyes widened.
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Sokka stood up and dismantled the campfire. He held her gaze a moment. "It's okay."
"What?"
"It's okay to be an exile. Now you have all the freedom you want to do anything. To change. No more judgmental jerks either. No more Agni Kai."
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The two slept across from each other each an equal distance from the ruins of a campfire. Azula is bundled up in a generously offered sleeping bag. The princess is restless. Sokka's words echoed in her dreams.
She's standing in a dark room. A single basin holds a tall flame inside. Unlike before, it lashes out at her approach. Azula can no longer command the fire. The fire roars viciously overhead as she falls, plummeting into cold water that sucks the air out of her lungs. Sputtering and frantic she claws her way to the surface –and realizes the fire is gone.
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Golden eyes shot open. Death loomed above Azula and so did a knife. Quickly jumping up Azula delivered an uppercut, flames following. The man screamed and his helmet clattered to the ground. More Fire Nation soldiers emerged and Sokka slayed one with his sword. "Run!"
The fighter and princess descend further and further into dense woods and find a wide river bank. If they tried to cross, the current would only slow them down. "Great! We're cornered!" Sokka drew his boomerang and surveyed the tree line.
Azula glanced at his weapon. "Don't hit them."
"And what? Invite them for tea and talk about feelings? I don't think they'll just happily give up."
"Throw it right over their heads."
The Water Tribe fighter gave her a bewildered look. He had no time to protest –there are the rest of the Fire Nation soldiers!
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Chucking the boomerang with a flick of his wrist it curved and circled. Azula snapped her limbs around and lightning shot from her hands. It's so intense that the air felt dense and tangible. Lightning struck the boomerang and exploded, contacting all the Fire Nation soldiers instantly. Smoke poured out from their helmets like a quivering tea kettle. Sokka flinched, knowing that they had to have been cooked alive. The soldiers all fell at the same time, lifeless.
"That…was awesome!" Raising an arm he caught his boomerang. "I didn't know firebenders could bend lightning!"
"It's rare," Azula grinned proudly. "And one of the hardest elements to learn."
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They searched the bodies. Nothing valuable was on them.
"So. Are you going back?"
Azula could. Paranoia entrenched her feet to the earth. If these soldiers wanted her dead what about those in the palace or the army? And what would Ozai say? What would he do? Would Azula be faced with an Agni Kai and banished like Zuko? Or worse? Half of her wants to go home but the other half never stopped thinking about what Sokka told her. She saved his life which made her a traitor. And Sokka helped her too, so she's twice a traitor to the Fire Nation. Not even her rank as the princess could save Azula.
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Azula sighed. She's always been ambitious and dedicated. Maybe seeing what else was in the world wouldn't be so bad. Hell. Better than being executed. Azula never bowed to others either, so why stop now?
Besides, her heart happily traipsed whenever she thought about Sokka. "I'll go with you."
"Wait, really?!"
"You're the one who said it wasn't bad to be an exile. You've…painted an extraordinary picture of the world for me and I want to see it."
Sokka smiled.
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Appa's familiar calls are heard. The flying bison circles and Sokka's friends are peeking over the large saddle. "Welcome to the gang, Azula! It's gonna be a crazy adventure!"
"Life would be boring otherwise, wouldn't it?"
"I just hope the others will eventually accept a firebender."
"I'm sure they will. If you all were brought together by the Avatar then I know that I can be part of something great too. Oh and Sokka?"
"Yeah, Azula?"
"Let's go hunting sometime."
Sokka laughed. "Sure. Anytime."