Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or anything associated with it except my fanfiction
:D
Katara disliked the void.
It was not so much the potential risk of injury that concerned her - she could very easily land without bending or even disturbing the urban peace, despite her having to lay low to blend with the shadows. But as her feet danced across the rings of Ba Sing Se, she felt an uncomfortable feeling, indiscernible to her mind, that something might have been awry. Her running alleviated this somewhat, the regular rhythm of her soft footsteps lulling her into a monotonous, mindless trance.
As she progressed closer to the Outer Ring, the buildings shrank in size and in spacing, to the point where she could simply step from one building to another. The rooftops converged on each other, making the abyss below harder to fall into - but conversely, the shortening of the space across also exacerbated the distance to the bottom. She was not one with a fear of heights - quite contrary, she enjoyed the many flights she experienced in her recent years. But... but...
Flights? What flights?
Katara flinched, a slight discrepancy in step the only external acknowledgement she offered the voice. She searched within herself for the voice, but it had disappeared just as swiftly as it had appeared. Frowning, she redoubled her efforts, realizing that she was wasting the cover of the moon.
And worse, wasting the Firelord's time.
"Wha-"
And then it hit her. A sharp pain in her temple, a spike hammering into it, a force that felt like it would split her in two. Silently, painfully, she cradled her head, thrashing around, trying to eradicate whatever plagued her mind while simultaneously trying desperately to not cause a disturbance and draw attention. The pain abated, and gingerly, Katara approached the edge of the roof and peered down to see if anyone had been arouse. She could not see down below, but could others see her above?
Just as this thought presented itself, the pain returned. Dazed, Katara could only watch in horror as her vision blurred into the likeness of two people - one with arrowed tattoos, the other with an emblem of flame - while her struggles threatened to pitch her off her ledge. Gritting her teeth, she desperately tried to control herself and the pain, ruefully wishing for a skin of water to heal herself. It was a gradual and arduous process, but piece by piece, she recovered her vision, the pain faded, and she was left with nothing but darkness and faint outlines of her destination.
Spurring herself onwards, she broke out into a full sprint. She was late. She could only hope the Firelord would spare her.
Azula was slightly irritated.
That pathetic excuse of a watertribe peasant hadn't reported to her yet. Although she was well aware of the inferiority of other races, she marveled at her newfound slave's absolute ineptitude at punctuality. She had ceased relying on precise measurement to determine the time elapsed since she had begun her wait - the alarmingly rapid arc of the moon was all the indicator she truly needed. Her peasant was nowhere in sight, and she could not help her lips curling from the sheer disappointment she felt.
The thought suddenly struck her that perhaps the reason for this lateness was an alarming one. She trusted the capability of the Dai Li and the efficacy of their brainwashing. But this peasant was different. She had the temerity, the pure audacity, to affront her power and role in the world despite the inherent and deliberate obstacles sent her way. She was - Azula was loathe to admit - uncommonly resilient of the mind. What was to say the peasant would not somehow, someway, shatter the restraints upon her mind? The sheer misfortune of such an event would not be implausible to Azula. Things like these always happened to her. Especially when it came to the accursed Avatar and his now-brainwashed lover. Always they found a way to thwart her plans, whether it be swaying Zuko, or even simply living. To think that her father had once said she was born lucky. It was only too clear how much this luck had served her - how it had reduced her.
Azula heard swift silent footsteps approaching. They came from the rooftops, and Azula grimaced. Not only late, but clumsy. She marveled that the peasant did not wake up the rubble rabble living underneath. Briefly, Azula entertained the thought that the peasant attended her Firelord in this way because she had broken free of the Dai Li's influence, but dismissed the thought. The peasant stood above Azula now, and this grated on her nerves.
"Get down. You do not belong on the rooftops. From now on, whenever you are in my presence, you can never be elevated above me, either in status, acknowledgement, or physical height."
The peasant barely had time to drop from the roof and walk up to Azula before she barked, "You're late, you know that, peasant?" Azula barked.
The peasant froze for a moment, eyes twitching. Azula became confused. Then alarmed. Why wasn't the peasant reacting to her? What if she really was resisting the brainwashing?
Then the peasant sniffled, nd before Azula knew it, the filth was groveling and crying at her feet.
"I'm s-so s-s-sorry, I'm s-such a f-f-failure to you! I d-don't even d-deserve to be your slave anymore...," the peasant whimpered. "I-I didn't mean to be late, b-but"
Azula blinked, shocked at the extent of blind devotion the peasant had been indoctrinated with. Internally she smiled, the brainwashing exceeding her expectations. Perhaps such devotion could be utilized at some other time.
Externally, she kept a stern, condescending face that befitted the recipient of the expression. Azula carefully chose her next words so as to be commanding yet placating. Clearly, there was something important to be gleaned from the peasant, and she needed to know everything to plot her next move.
"If you would, peasant, Would you please enlighten me on your 'failures?' You simply talk about how you have failed me, but you fail to explain in what ways you have 'failed' me. Speak! Do not hold back anything that may concern me or the Avatar!"
The peasant immediately assaulted Azula with all that had transpired "...and then that filthy watertribe warrior ruined my chance to kill the Avatar and when we got to the Earth King I tried to divert their attention from you but they got a letter from the Earth King and then they realized it was you who tried to kill that pathetic puppet and then I failed at killing Aang AGAIN because Sokka intruded on our privacy-"
Azula held up a hand. "Peasant, you are going to have to repeat what you said. Your gibberish and nonsensical watertribe babble is impossible for any human being to comprehend. What I did manage to catch were your failed attempts to assassinate the Avatar. Killing the Avatar should not be easy after all, especially considering that you are a hopeless watertribe peasant. I was hoping that perhaps your connection to the Avatar and his corresponding trust in you might be enough to lower his guard and get him killed, but obviously that was assuming too much of you. It also does not help that I am perpetually cursed by the spirit of luck ever since Father told me to hunt the Avatar. So that I might be able to find a way to forgive you for that transgression. And about them knowing about my complicity in King Kuei's attempted assassination?" Azula smirked. "That is what I want."
The peasant was taken aback. "You... want them to know... about you?"
Azula sighed. "I will let you know that you are not allowed to interrupt the Firelord while she is talking unless you are either addressed or I issue a command. Since you are clearly not completely trained in etiquette for the Firelord, I will tolerate your inadequacy, but you will not do anything to disrespect or defile me!" After the peasant quickly affirmed Azula's command, she went on. "Obviously, you do not possess the mental capacity to understand what is going on-" Azula realized, with a sense of awe, just how many scathing remarks she made against the peasant with a complete lack of rebuke. A thrill affected Azula as she gazed upon her servant with newfound eyes, further appreciating the work of the former Earth Kingdom agents.
"When rumors of my return are confirmed, fear will be struck into the hearts of people. They will remember the actions I have performed as a Regent Monarch of the Earth Kingdom, and will be highly alarmed at my return, which is exactly what we want. You see, my plan is to send the Earth Kingdom into disarray so that resistance against my eventual return will be less organized and effective, enabling a straightforward recapture of Ba Sing Se. We may also be able to influence the cynical and the fearful to join my cause." Azula could see a resemblance of a dull sparkle in the peasant's eyes. Although stupid and brainwashed, the peasant was not entirely void of reception. In fact, to further this objective, I command you convince the king to alert the entire population in order to progress this agenda."
The peasant bowed. "Of course I will, Firelord."
"Perfect," Azula purred. "Now, you are easily forgiven for not having disposed of the Avatar, as even I had difficulty in taking him down."
The peasant's eyes shimmered with tears, the moon reflecting their pearly sheen. "My-my lady. You are truly merciful-"
"Another interruption! Apologize this instant!" The stream of submissive placation made Azula glad for the darkness of the night, as she would not have been able to conceal the grin that crept across her face. She took a silent breath and recomposed herself to answer the peasant as coldly as possible. "Take care to never speak out of turn again. Always remember who your ruler and master is, and why that is.
"Yes, Firelord," the peasant mumbled.
"As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted. Nothing completely obstructive has transpired. Continue on with the tasks I have given you, and make sure you have carried them out as swiftly and thoroughly as possible."
The peasant bowed deeply. "Of course, Firelord Azula. Now, here is something I believe will please you." She recounted to Azula of her proposal to the king of what action to take, and how the bumbling fool had wholeheartedly agreed with her and had already begun preparations. Admittedly, Azula was extremely impressed. She could not believe how even Rockhead could be so stupid - almost as intellectually deficient, as it would seem, as her own watertribe slave. "Very good, peasant. This is, admittedly, an important accomplishment and will contribute to my plans."
The peasant froze, and Azula wondered at what exactly had the peasant halted at. Then, much to Azula's surprise, Katara lurched forward and started sloppily kissing her shoes.
"Firelord... how blessed I am to serve you..."
Azula quickly backed away, although she was secretly pleased that the watertribe peasant had finally learned her position, even if it was without the peasant's free will. "Don't do that again, filthy peasant. Although you have done an exemplary job, you are eternally too lowly to be fit to even lick my boots. Never fail to recognize the disparity between you as watertribe filth and me as the ruler of the most superior nation - and soon, the world as well."
The peasant's eyes widened and her face paled. "My deepest apologies, Firelord..."
Azula scowled and narrowed her eyes dangerously to convey displeasure, although she was still elated inside. "Prove it by doing what I told you to do."
Katara wasted no time in kowtowing. "Yes, Firelord."
Azula almost smiled as the peasant took her leave, which broadened into a real one as she saw the peasant now traveling on the ground instead of on the rooftops. If she were able to access the of luck, she ought to brainwash it as well, so that nothing would stand in her way. Although what with the development of the watertribe peasant, luck might just be collaborating with her for once.
Finally! An update! I'm sorry for being out so long - hopefully I'm back for good!
Please please PLEASE bear with me while I get back on track - especially with trying to pick up where I left off on my fanfiction, and also with plot inconsistencies and general writing rustiness. I am especially nervous about the fact that this chapter is very short compared to previous ones. If you could, please review and give constructive feedback so I can edit and revise to make this story the best it can possible be! Under a mediocre, irresponsible writer. College applications if anyone asks...
In the meantime, we all know I'm pretty bad at being consistent. So while I work on my stories, you might want to check out these fanfictions from other writers:
The Beifong Bandits by user HighQueenChickenhead - Toph with siblings. What more to say?
The Hero of Gaipan by VenusUberAlles - Sokka returns to Gaipan and lines between friend and foe are blurred.
Avatar: The Legend of Krypton by MegaBob452 - Crossover where Superman *lands in the Avatar world* (sorry for the misinformation - Superman *does not* become the Avatar in this story)
Thanks to Matheus Bezerra de Lima for bringing my attention to these fanfics and writers!
Also, some of my personal recommendations:
Tale of a Freedom Fighter by smolrockbb. Their writing really stands out to me. It's about Jet's path to being leader of the Freedom Fighters. Grammar and conventions aren't perfect, but writing gets across well.
Now, without further ado, let the Remastering Recommence!
