First Impressions
Azula's first impression of the new Avatar was that she was a little idiot. How else could she describe the child currently thrashing about in the training arena, haphazardly shooting fire every which way?
"Remember," Katara said, patting Azula on the back and looking far too smug while pushing her toward the training arena. "You volunteered for this."
Azula's eyes narrowed. "You don't have to remind me."
"No, I don't." Katara grinned as she walked away. "But I want to."
Azula made a disgusted sound. Only the fact that they were currently surrounded by ice and snow stopped her from lobbing some fire in Katara's direction. The years had eased their outright hatred and mistrust of each other into something that vaguely approximated friendship, even if neither of them would ever admit it.
As the new Avatar continued to flail about in a bid to demonstrate her non-existent firebending prowess, Azula watched. The girl's form was absolutely atrocious, but she already had a lot of raw power. That was not surprising. Korra was the Avatar, after all. What was surprising was how happy she seemed to be throwing fire around. Yes, Azula thought, lips curling. She could make something out of this Avatar.
Stepping into the training arena briskly, Azula revealed herself. The Avatar stopped what she was doing and rounded on her.
"Who are you?"
Azula almost smiled. How blunt. Not at all like her predecessor. "I am going to be your firebending master."
The Avatar scowled. "But you're so old."
"Katara is old as well, and she's been teaching you waterbending."
"But she's Katara." Korra waved her hands around. "You know."
That made absolutely no sense, but Azula had long since learned that children, almost without exception, did not make much sense at all. "Very well. I will make a deal with you. If you land even a single hit on me with the sorry excuse for firebending that you currently know, then you're more than welcome to ask for another instructor."
Korra grinned and got into pathetically sloppy firebending stance. "You asked for it, old lady!"
Half an hour later…
Azula had to admit that Korra was nothing if not persistent. She was also not very good. Not a single one of Korra's attacks had landed, and none of them had even come close. Azula hadn't even had to use her own bending to deal with any of the young Avatar's flames. And now, Korra was lying on the ground, utterly exhausted.
Azula's lips curled, and she strode over to prod Korra with one boot. "Are you done yet, girl?"
"Don't call me that! My name is Korra." Korra threw another blast of fire, but Azula merely leaned to one side to avoid it. "And you didn't even use any fire. Can you even firebend?"
"Can I firebend?" Azula laughed, and then her golden eyes gleamed. "Why don't I show you?"
Azula drove one foot into the ice beneath them and breathed out. At the same time, she flung both arms out, sweeping them upward in a smooth, broad gesture. The air around them was suddenly filled with a seething cloud of blue fire. It rollicked around them, turning the ice into steam before a sharp twist of her wrist flung it outward, melting the training arena's surface and setting the banners that hung around the edge alight.
But she wasn't done yet. Another gesture called her fire back to her, and she directed it upward, forming a whirling column of flame that she drove down into the training arena nearby. Normally, fire did not have a strong cutting effect, but Azula had never been a normal firebender. The flames drilled through the ice, melting and cutting at the same time until there was a wide hole more than a dozen yards deep.
X X X
Korra's first impression of her new firebending master's firebending was that it was totally awesome.
"Teach me how to do that!" Korra leapt to her feet.
"Oh, I will." The old woman's lips curved up into a smile. "But it won't be easy."
"Wait… what's your name?" Korra asked.
"Azula."
Azula? Korra frowned faintly. The name sounded familiar… "Oh."
"Yes, I'm that Azula." Azula chuckled. "But don't worry. I'm not going to try to kill you although you might wish your were dead when I start training you."
Korra shivered. There was something distinctly unsettling about those golden eyes. "Um… what about that?" She pointed at the big hole in the training arena.
Azula waved one hand. "That is what Katara is for." She paused. "But don't tell her I said that."
X X X
Author's Notes
As always, I do not own Legend of Korra. I am not making any money off of this either.
I've always thought that a reformed Azula would have been an awesome firebending instructor for someone like Korra. Combine Korra's general approach to things and Azula's approach to things, and you have a recipe for either greatness or disaster.
As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.
