Azula lay face down in a cot in the infirmary, her ruined armor and shirt tossed into a bin beside her as she ignored the glare directed at her by a certain white-haired heiress. "I'm not apologizing," said the former Fire Princess.
"You should," said the heiress. "I can't move!"
"Be glad I didn't cut off circulation to your brain. Though with the way you act perhaps I'd be doing the world a favor."
"Excuse me?!"
"Enough," shouted Ruby. "Azula, apologize."
"For what? Taking advantage of my knowledge in combat? You were fighting a person. Someone who is able to adapt and change tactics in a fight. There's no room for proper stances and textbook blocks and footwork. And there's definitely no room for hesitation. Ruby, I gave you multiple openings while avoiding the other's attacks. In a match, don't see me as an ally, I'm the enemy. And Weiss." Azula turned her head to Weiss. "Stop focusing too much on your footing. I noticed it both in the forest and now. If you can't adapt to changes in circumstances because you're too focused on where your foot goes for a stance, you will lose."
"I wasn't…"
"I've learned how to fight people, how to take advantage of any openings I spot, and how to spot them while maintaining an instinctive knowledge of where my body should be for particular stances in combat. You put a second too long into thinking on such a thing and left yourself open when I changed from defensive posturing to offensive." Azula looked over to where Yang was sitting reading a magazine. "Yang, you need to work on your patience and anger."
"What are you talking about," asked the boxer.
"You rushed in without your team, forcing them to keep up with you instead of working alongside you. And your fighting style consists more of punching than anything. You need to diversify otherwise you will be taken down as easily as today. Rushing in headfirst with your fighting style without patience, without thinking, and with nothing but pure power leaves you exposed. There are certain fighting styles that can overcome you just by redirecting your attacks and wearing you down before even landing a blow themselves. And when I stopped you from using one of your arms, you got angry, you lost focus and your eyes turned red. A casual observer can tell you're about to make a mistake soon." Azula shifted her gaze to Blake.
"And me," asked the normally silent girl.
"You, I only have one comment on, and that can wait for a private discussion. Other than that, you were the only one to land a successful blow on me, which put me where I am now, waiting for someone to seal up this gash on my back. You watched the way I fought, analyzed how I moved and found a clear advantage in my hearing. It's how you landed the blow in the first place. And you worked with Ruby to form a situation to limit my movement for a time to give an edge. You showed proper teamwork not just attacking individually and hoping the mismatched attacks would force me on the backfoot. Given time, you four would've properly fought together like in the canyon, but today, you showed just how much work we need. I don't like having a team that doesn't work well together. As soon as I can leave this bed and get some new attire, we'll work on that."
"Well said, Miss Agni," said Ozpin from the doorway.
"Someone should give you a bell."
"Good to see I'm not the only one that thinks that," said Glynda as she adjusted her glasses with a smirk.
"What can we help you with, Professor," asked Ruby.
"I just came to see how your team is doing. I know you were supposed to go with Miss Adel to acquire some new clothing, Miss Agni, but your wound takes precedence."
"So, you tell me," said Azula. "But despite the pain, this wound is nothing. Some salve and gauze and I'll be fine to move around."
"No need to act tough. Besides, we can make sure this wound doesn't leave a scar as it heals."
"Fine. Can we just get on with it? I want to get through this as fast as possible."
"As you were telling Miss Xiao Long, patience is a virtue."
"Not when I'm supposedly being subjected to hell, from what Velvet tells me clothes shopping with Coco is like."
"You're going shopping," exclaimed Ruby and Yang. Azula winced slightly at the excitement in their voices.
"If I wasn't sure I was going to regret it before, I am now."
"Might as well make this a team thing," said Yang.
"Why? So more people can enjoy my suffering?"
"It's not suffering, it's bonding!"
"My point exactly. Where is the healer?!"
"You know this wouldn't be a problem if you activated your Aura," said Weiss.
"I'm still debating whether or not to do such a thing. While I admit there is a clear advantage to do so, I've progressed on my own strength. Part of me doesn't want to rely on a cheap gimmick increase speed, strength, and I'm guessing stamina as well."
"It's to help fight Grimm," said Ruby. "We need all the help we can get."
"Except you won't just be fighting Grimm. Anyone in their right mind can tell you that humans are just as evil, if not more so, than those beasts. They're mindless. We're not. And we take pleasure in harming others."
"Not everyone is like that, though."
"But a good majority is. And you can't tell me I'm wrong. I'm sure there's fair number of murderers, rapists, and criminals who do things because they feel like it. People who would rather stomp you in the ground to get what they want. And there's more who would do the last thing in normal circumstances. You have to see it. There's no human alive who doesn't do one evil act in their life." Azula sighed as the nurse finally arrived and started treating her wound. Ruby frowned at Azula's back as she went over Azula's words.
"Can one of you girls lend Azula some spare clothes," said Glynda. "Those clothes and armor were the only things Azula arrived in Vale with, and with them being in the state they are…"
"In other words, Professor Goodwitch doesn't want me walking around in just my underwear and breast bindings."
"What's with those, anyway," asked Yang.
"What?"
"Those bandage things."
"It's to keep my breasts from rubbing against my armor uncomfortably. In case you hadn't noticed, my fighting style consists of acrobatic feats as well as maneuverability. The bindings prevent any unwanted movement."
"Oh, so it's like a bra!"
"What's a bra?" Team RWBY stared at their second leader like she'd grown a second head.
"You're joking, right," asked Weiss.
"I don't think she is," said Ozpin as he sipped from his mug and the healer finally came and started working on Azula's back. "From what she's told me, her father, Ozai, controlled her by using old technology and clothing. As evidenced by her armor, clothing, and lack of knowledge of how certain things work, like the scroll." Ozpin picked up the remains of her armor to examine it. "Leather lining with iron plate. Anyone care to tell me what modern armors are made out of?"
"I don't know," said Blake. "Not a lot of people wear armor these days. It was phased out when Aura became the norm."
"Well, allow me to explain. For those who still use armor, like Mr. Arc and Ms. Nikos, they use a titanium and steel mixed alloy. It's very durable, but also tends to be somewhat heavy. That's why their armor isn't full plate armor, and only covers the most important parts of the body, sans the head. Chest pieces to cover the organs, braces and greaves to protect arms and legs. The only thing they're both missing are proper helmets to protect from blows to the head, but that's where their Aura is supposed to come in."
"Helmets limit one's field of vision," said Azula as she stood up, her back stitched up and chest exposed to the others. "While head protection is nice, limited vision of your surroundings is a good way to get yourself killed. Their choice in armor was smart, for the most part. And I suppose their Aura will protect them from any cuts at the tendons."
"Th-the what," asked Ruby, snapping out of her stupor from how brazen Azula was acting by exposing her chest as Glynda tried chastising her. Azula grinned and moved behind Ruby before grabbing her hairpin and aiming the trident flame at her armpit.
"Tendons are what keep our muscles together and allow us to fully move our joints. Sever the tendons, reduce your opponent's movement. I could cut you here…" She moved the pin to her legs. "Or here, above the thigh where your leg meets your pelvis. Wrists, ankles. There are so many places I can cut to reduce you to a worthless heap on the ground."
"Professor Goodwitch," came a slightly gruff voice from the entrance to the infirmary. "I was told you wanted to see… Gah!" Azula looked at the door as a young man the same age as Yang. He wore a grey long-sleeved shirt, black pants and a half mask over his mouth and nose. He had light blue eyes and was clearly flustered at the fact that Azula didn't have a shirt on.
"Oh, grow up. Act like a man, not a boy!"
"Have some decency and put a shirt on!" Azula rolled her eyes and took the hood from Ruby before drawing it around herself.
"There, happy?"
"There is something wrong with you."
"So I've been told." The boy shook his head and turned to Glynda.
"Anyway… you wanted to see me?"
"Yes," said Glynda. "Because you were late for the entrance exam, you can still attend classes, but you won't be assigned a team until next semester.
"What?!"
"Don't shout," said Azula. "These four are already giving me a headache. I don't need an even bigger one." The boy glared at Azula before Glynda gave him a stern look.
"Perhaps if you had arrived on time to the pickup sight, things would be different. Your room has been assigned, Mr. Ro'Meave. I suggest you get some rest for the weekend before classes." She turned to Azula.
"I know," said the Firebender. "Find a set of clothes before heading into the city. I don't need to be told twice."
"And try and get your co-leader to calm down. I think you scared her half to death with your demonstration." Azula turned to Ruby and saw her white as a sheet, Yang trying to snap her sister out of it.
"Great," she muttered. "It's gonna be all day with her." The nurse stretched out Weiss' limbs and the heiress groaned as she rolled her shoulders and neck.
"You know," she said. "That actually feels better than before."
"You're welcome," said Azula before turning to the boy. "You may state your name."
"You're not the boss of me," he said, crossing his arms as he glared at her.
"Seems only fair for you to introduce yourself. You did ogle my breasts not a minute ago." Azula smirked as he blushed like mad.
"I-You-Argh!"
"This is Zane Ro'Meave," said Ozpin. "A late arrival to Beacon Academy. He's a member of a prominent Hunter family and is the first to join Beacon Academy."
"I think that's enough, Professor," said Zane. He turned around and started walking away.
"Nice to meet you," called Yang. She turned to Azula. "He was kinda hot."
"How could you tell with that dumb mask on his face," asked Weiss.
"He kinda had that mysterious vibe going on."
"Ozpin," said Azula. "Can tell me anymore about that boy?"
"Ooh. You thinking of asking him out?"
"Hardly. If he doesn't have a team. I should recruit him to mine when the next semester starts. But first I need to see how he fights and how he behaves in combat. If he's worthless, I needn't bother considering him."
"That's kind of cold," said Blake.
"I suppose. Now. Ruby. Lend me a shirt."
"She's still out of it," said Yang as she waved a hand in front of her sister's face. "I haven't seen her like this since I showed her that slasher flick when we were kids."
"Aahh," exclaimed Ruby. She started hitting Yang repeatedly. "Don't bring that up! I still have nightmares!"
"Slasher flick," asked Azula under her breath before deciding it wasn't important.
"Can we please get on with this? I can feel Glynda still glaring at me to get a move on."
"You're using Miss Rose's cape to cover yourself," said Glynda.
"Well, you're adamant that I cover myself. Even though there's nothing wrong with this."
"It's indecent."
"Glynda," said Ozpin. "Let's just leave this matter be. Girls." With that, the headmaster left the infirmary. Glynda gave Azula a look before following after him. Azula rolled her eyes before she noticed Blake staring at her hairpin.
"Can I help you?"
"Is that gold," she asked.
"It is. Why?"
"Why is your hairpin made of gold?"
"It's a family heirloom. Made of pure gold and passed down through the generations." Azula said nothing else and left the infirmary with the team following after her.
"Where did you learn to fight the way you do," asked Blake as they walked to their room.
"Instructors and a former friend as well as natural talent. I'm a prodigy at this sort of thing."
"That's a bold claim," said Weiss.
"It's true. When it comes to applying myself to combat, I've excelled faster than most. When I set my mind to something, I don't stop until I've mastered it. Only a few things have given me trouble when I started learning it. My lightning, and dancing."
"Dancing," asked Weiss.
"Outside of combat, I was not the most graceful on my feet. A fact I'm not embarrassed to admit. Dancing has always been a useless skill. Something I still think to this day." As they exited the main building to head to the dorms, Azula stretched and closed her eyes as she took in the afternoon sun. Ruby blushed before forcing Azula's arms down, her face burning red.
"Azula," she exclaimed. "aren't you embarrassed?!"
"What's there to be embarrassed about? I'm of decent development. I shouldn't be ashamed of what I look like."
"…Your dad was sick," said Yang.
"It's actually a trait my mother practiced. One of the only things I remember about her before she left. She was never ashamed of herself unless father was present. One of the ways he controlled her before she ran from him."
"Why didn't she take you," asked Yang.
"Because my father's grip was too strong. I wouldn't have left."
"And your brother," asked Blake.
"Father mainly ignored him, but Zuko was foolish enough to be loyal to him. When mother left, my uncle looked after Zuko. I think it was a way to fill the void my cousin left when he died." Blake watched Azula closely as she seemed thoughtful for once. Azula shook her head before continuing to the dorms. Azula handed Ruby back her cape as they entered their room and waited for the easily excited girl to hand her a shirt.
"Why didn't you put your bindings back on," asked Weiss.
"Because someone tore through them, rendering them unable to be redone properly." She glanced at Blake who shrugged from her bed as she read a book.
"It's a bit cramped in here, isn't it," asked Yang as she looked around.
"We'll fix it later," said Azula. Ruby handed her a black shirt with yellow flowers on it. Azula grimaced and tossed it over her shoulder. "Too many flowers."
"Beggars can't be choosers," said Yang.
"I'm not begging. I'd go without a shirt if Glynda wasn't going to give me an earful." Azula looked at the next shirt, one colored pink with a rainbow across the chest. "Too childish." She tossed it back to Ruby before turning to Blake. "Blake. Lend me a shirt."
"Why me?"
"Because Weiss is too small, Yang is too big, and Ruby has the same mentality as a child. Besides, the nightgown I borrowed from Ruby was a bit tight in the chest." Blake sighed before reaching into her luggage and tossing Azula a plain dark blue shirt. Azula pulled it on and placed her hairpin back in place before she saw herself in a mirror. She hadn't taken a full look at herself since she'd arrived. Now that she did, she saw just how much different she seemed. Before her botched coronation, she was a mess. Her mental state had been completely frayed. She was unable to even tie her hair into a bun properly and had cut her bangs out of spite. She had looked insane. Every bit the monster she felt her mother saw her as. Now, however, she looked like she did before she broke down. Her bangs were restored. There were no bags under her eyes from lack of sleep and the crazed look was no longer entirely present.
Azula sighed and shook her head. "Everything ok," asked Ruby.
"Yes. Everything's fine. Just lost in thought."
"Lien for your thoughts," said Yang.
"I'd rather not talk about it right now." Azula heard a beep and turned to Ruby who had taken her scroll before the sparring match.
"It's yours," said the young reaper as she tossed Azula her scroll. Azula looked at the device and saw the words 'New Message' on the glass. 'What was that spirit that allowed me to be able to read these characters?' Azula turned to her team. "What can you tell me about Fairy Tales?"
"Why," asked Weiss.
"I grew up learning about Spirits who helped create the world. I wanted to know which were actual stories, and what was something my mother made up to entertain me." 'Not entirely false, I suppose.'
"Sorry," said Ruby. "The only stories I know are one's Yang told me about were about heroes."
"My mother told me a few," said Weiss. "But It's been so long, I don't remember them that well."
"I have a few books," said Blake. "You can borrow them."
"Thank you." Azula opened the message and saw it was from Velvet.
Meet us at the docks so we can head into the city.
Azula nodded and turned to her team. "I'm going to meet with Velvet and Coco now to get some clothes."
"We'll go too," said Yang.
"Must you?" She saw the glimmer in their eyes and sighed. "I suppose I'll get no say in this?"
"Not really." Yang smirked at her leader; a look matched by her younger sister.
"Fine. I suppose you two are coming as well?"
"I need some new accessories," said Weiss.
"I'm fine here," said Blake as she pulled out a book and plopped down on her bed.
"If I have to endure this," said Azula as she walked over to Blake. "Then so do you." She leaned down close to whisper in the girl's ear. "Miss Faunus." Blake gave her a look before closing her book and standing up as Azula showed her the ghost of a smile. Azula pulled out her scroll and let Velvet know herself and her team were on their way. She glanced outside of the window and spotted the boy from earlier, Zane, wielding a longsword and working through a slew of onehanded stances. Feeling her gaze, the masked boy turned and met her gaze. Azula grinned slightly before stepping away from the window and following her team out of the door.
(Author's Notes)
Alright, the first member of Azula's team, AZR, has been introduced. For those of you who know where I've borrowed him from, no, he won't be exactly the same. If you don't know where he's from, look up a Youtuber named Aphmau. She does Minecraft animations and stories. Zane Ro'Meave is her character, not mine. He is part of her cannon, I just borrowed him for my story with my own twist. Now for the second part of this note. I want someone to come up with Azula's new look. I know a lot of you were drawn here by the unique concept, but for those of you new to my stories, let me explain. I like letting my readers have a little sway in things to come. Nothing major, for the most part at least. Just pairings, minor OC's, and character design. I need someone to help with Azula's design, not just to describe for the story, but also, hopefully, for the story's thumbnail, something I lack for all of my stories. If you have an idea you'd like to share, PM me and I'll start talking with you about it and future designs. As for the third member, they will be introduced in the next chapter, along with the concept for Azula's weapons. If you guys want me to activate Azula's Aura, let me know in the reviews. Until next time, Y'all!