Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson, the ATLA universe, or the first 9 ½ chapters. Because Benthatguy did a helluva job, and I wouldn't have ruined the live-action movies.
Previously:
As Raijin gasped for air, Percy stepped forward before smashing his foot down on the firebenders knee, eliciting a scream of pain from the young noble as he dropped to the ground. Percy then whirled around, driving Riptides pommel into his temple. Raijin, of house Rai, crumpled to the ground, unconscious and defeated. The crowd went wild.
It seemed that seeing the underdog take down dozens of opponents had made him a crowd favorite, even if he was a waterbender. With the last of his energy, Percy stumbled out of the arena to the waiting arms of Piandao and Fat.
He smiled up at them, hugging Piandao tightly. "Thank you for believing in me dad." Before Percy collapsed with a tired smile on his face as consciousness faded. What he missed was Piandao's eyes tearing up at his words before he picked up the unconscious demigod and carried him.
Percy had won.
( - )
The meeting with the Fire Lord after the tournament brought back all Percy's nerves rapidly. He was about to meet the Fire Lord, the man who burned Zuko and could kill him, alone. He took a deep breath before he walked into the throne room, sinking onto a knee with his head bowed in front of the wall of flames. He stayed there for a minute before the Fire Lord spoke, "Rise, young one."
Percy stood tall and firm, but his hands were clenched in a white knuckle grip behind his back. He couldn't see the Fire Lord past the wall of flames but he could feel his eyes on him. "Why did you enter this tournament, boy?" The Fire Lord questioned him.
"I've been training since I was found by your brother about 3 years ago, I want more than to train all my life. I want to protect the princess, and to serve the Fire Nation," Percy spoke without falter, his life depended on this meeting after all.
"Your friendship with Zuko had nothing to do with the tournament?" The Fire Lord questioned him. Percy swallowed, he had been drilled by Piandao what to say when the Fire Lord would ask him such questions. "No sir, I haven't spoken with Zuko in years."
"Oh? I thought you were close friends?" The Fire Lord questioned.
'We were sir, but his dishonor was a taint on me, one that I have cut out. I joined the tournament to serve the Fire Nation and protect the princess, not because of my old friend."
The Fire Lord was silent for a moment before he spoke once more. "You have proven yourself to be an excellent warrior. My daughter's life is not trivial. You will protect her, fight her battles, and kill her enemies, or your life will be forfeit. Is that understandable, boy?"
"Of course, sir," Percy hid a smile, he knew there would be a death threat some time throughout the conversation. He stood firm as the Fire Lord said nothing, the silence dragging on for a minute.
"For a waterbender, you have a strong inner fire boy. You have your orders, protect my daughter. But when you turn 18, you will return to me, the Fire Nation can make use of your skills beyond a mere bodyguard. Dismissed," The Fire Lord spoke aloud. Percy bowed low before walking out of the throne room.
What he missed was the cruel smile stretching across the Fire Lord's face. His thoughts whirled around the young boy. His raw, still untapped power was obvious to see; it would soon be Ozai's to command. Let the boy mature and develop alongside Azula. He would return, and the power to conquer the Northern Water Tribe would be under Ozai's fingertips. "It seems you have finally done something useful for me, worthless brother of mine." He spoke aloud as visions of the Northern Water Tribe drowning in their element danced in his eyes.
( - )
"What is my father thinking? I don't need a bodyguard, I'm a bending prodigy for Agni's sake! And a Water Tribe barbarian for the job, the imbecile probably drinks his piss!" Azula cried out to her friends as she flopped down onto her massive silk bed.
"He is pretty hot though. Did you see him shirtless battling in the tournament? And those eyes..." Ty Lee trailed dreamily as she paced around the luxurious room on her hands as easily as most people walked on their feet.
"Does it matter? Odds are he'll just be like any other royal guard your father would've assigned." Came Mai's monotone voice as she examined her fingernails.
"It matters to me." Azula huffed to them. "I don't know how the hell he thinks that he is qualified enough to be my bodyguard, but mark my words, we'll be rid of him by the end of the week." She claimed imperiously.
"You do know that I can hear you right?" Percy's annoyed voice came from the other side of the door.
Both Mai and Ty Lee had the courtesy to blush, Azula on the other hand did not. "Shut up, savage. You will speak when spoken to."
"Does spoken about count, your supreme excellency?" Came Percy's snide reply, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He heard no response from the temperamental princess.
Become a bodyguard. Meet new people. Explore the world. Go on adventures. It'll be fun, I said. Gods, I have to stop listening to myself. Percy thought, thoroughly irritated by the princess's attitude.
He had been in her bodyguard for almost a week now and was seriously considering trying to drown himself. If only sons of Poseidon could drown themselves. The princess had tried ordering him around like a servant to attend to her needs. The look of shock on her face when he had refused to clean her armor, citing that he was her bodyguard not her babysitter was hysterical. He glanced down at his armor/uniform, it varied only slightly from the average royal guard's armor.
His armor lacked the armored collar and heavy shoulder pads of his fellow guards. He instead wore lightweight shoulder pauldrons and a metal breastplate over the top half of his torso. The rest of his armor bore no major differences to the rest of the royal guards besides his blatant refusal to wear the "stoner helmets" as he called them. Of course, everything had to be red and black.
"Why can't anything ever be blue?" Percy grumbled to himself as he came out of his thoughts and resumed his vigilant watch outside the door. Vigilant watch that was more listening to teen girls gossip - but same difference.
"Did you hear what happened to the patriarch of the house of Rai?" Came Ty Lee's excited voice.
"No, and I don't care," Mai responded in succession.
Ty Lee carried on unfazed, "He died! The official story is he died in his sleep of some unknown illness, but I overheard some of the house guards talking, and his body was found covered in burns."
"It was probably his wife or one of his mistresses, who else would be able to get into his bed chambers so easily?" Azula reasoned.
"Speaking of mistresses, I heard from my father that General Shizu is planning to divorce his wife to marry his mistress," Mai spoke up.
It was at that point Percy stopped listening, hoping to preserve what remained of his sanity. He groaned, it seemed he was set for another long, boring day of protecting the princess.
( - )
Percy stalked through the hallways grumbling to himself. He'd started his day out perfectly when he tried standing on the princess's left side as she waited to meet with her old crone advisors Lo & Li before she flipped out on him. Screaming how he knew nothing about proper etiquette and that clearly he should be on her right side while standing. He'd stood and taken some colorful insults along with the usual Water Tribe barbarian insults before she dismissed him, stating not to show his face for the rest of the day.
He took a left as he made his way to his favorite place in the palace. A secluded training area with a large pond and sand courtyard for sparring. He'd taken quite a few excursions there to release his anger and frustration over the princess and his amazing new job.
A few more turns through the palace and he was striding into the outdoor sandy area. He kicked off his shoes, stripping off his armor, as he strode through the sand towards the pond. He walked straight over the water before sinking to the bottom before he let out a yell. The water above churned rapidly as it frothed, giant waves crashing against each other as Percy channeled all his frustration and anger into the water.
After a few minutes, he calmed down and let the pond return to its calm, clear state. He closed his eyes as he sought to meditate off the few lessons Piandao had tried to teach but he'd never had any great success in sitting still for more than a few minutes at a time.
After about 15 minutes he felt someone else touch the surface of the water, he looked up to see the princess's friend, Ty Lee, waving down at him. He kicked off the bottom of the pond towards the surface and sat down as she patted the sand beside her.
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before it was broken by the pink-clothed acrobat, "Are you feeling any better?"
Percy grunted, "Yeah, it always helps me to work it out of my system," he told her.
She smiled at him broadly, "That's good! I heard about the incident and wanted to make sure you were okay, Azula can be very harsh."
Percy stared at her for a long moment, "You came to check on me?"
Ty Lee smiled, her eyes showing no ulterior motive within them, "Of course! I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"Why?"
"You look better when you're happy. Your eyes sparkle and your smirk makes me smile. Besides, everyone should be happy and enjoy life."
Percy laughed loudly, his laugh clear and sparkling across the courtyard.
Ty Lee frowned, "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, not at all, perfect actually," Percy told her, "It's been a lot rougher than I envisioned coming here to the palace. I just needed to hear something like that."
Ty Lee smiled at him, "Well I'm glad I could help. This is actually my favorite courtyard too, I love to come here and train. Would you like to come spar with me sometime?"
"Yes! I mean um, yes, I'd like that a lot," Percy amended trying not to show how desperate he was for something other than standing around all day.
"Great! You wanna spar now?" she asked happily.
"I do have the day off…" Percy said thoughtfully, "Sure, let's do it."
Soon enough, Percy's mood had shifted as Ty Lee gave him pointers on hand-to-hand combat as they sparred next to the pond. A budding friendship forming between the warrior and the acrobat.
( - )
Percy would never get tired of being at sea. They were supposed to be heading to Ember Island, a trip that should take a day, but the Fire Lord wanted them to take a tour of the entire Fire Nation. So what was once a day's sailing had been extended to over 2 weeks as they did a lap around the nation. It was Percy's personal opinion that Ozai just wanted Azula out of his hair, despite the official reason to reinforce loyalty on the outskirts of the nation.
It was getting late and Percy had retired to his quarters, currently using Riptide to carve the Minotaur horn. He had tried using the carving tools that Piandao had given him, but they barely left a scratch on the mythical horn. How he managed to tear it off at the age of 12, Percy would never know.
As the night moved on Percy stripped out of his armor, leaving himself only in his trousers before recapping Riptide and placing it in his pocket. He hated not having it on his person and sleeping with a full-sized sword was awkward (Yes, he had tried it). As Percy laid back in his bed, the sounds of the ocean soon lulling him into a deep and peaceful sleep.
( - )
Something was wrong. Percy awoke abruptly to the sound of his door being slowly opened. He remained still as he heard slow breathing from the person in his room. He slowly palmed Riptide as he tensed, ready to snap out of bed in an instant. He strained his ears to hear the soft footsteps get closer before he made his move. Percy's sudden jump out of bed caused the intruder to jump backward. The man was completely unprepared for the attack of a teenager in shorts, waving a glowing bronze sword around.
The assailant recovered quickly from his surprise ducking the swing and lashed out with the whalebone machete in his right hand. Percy quickly recovered and slashed downward, sending the blade clattering to the ground. The man lunged in a desperate tackle, surprising Percy, taking him to the ground, wrestling. While Percy was only 15, much younger than his attacker, Percy was a demigod, a son of Poseidon at sea. The mortal didn't stand a chance as soon as Percy woke up.
Percy grabbed the machete on the floor rolling the man under him as he drove the knife into its owner's chest, his demigod strength overpowering the would-be assassin. Percy stood to his feet, finally getting a good look at his attacker in the dim light. He was a Water Tribe and by the looks of his armor, most likely Northern.
Shit! The princess! They must be here for Azula, I can't let her die, or I'm guaranteed to get fried by Ozai. Percy thought to himself as he quickly slipped into the hallway, Riptide clutched tightly in his hand, back in pen form so its soft glow wouldn't give him away.
His quarters were at the very back of the ship, and as he ducked his head into each room he found he was only greeted by more and more dead crewmen. They had been killed in their sleep and judging by the lack of commotion it was safe to say the crew members on active duty hadn't fared much better. It was at this moment that he maybe should've put on his armor instead of creeping around in shorts and a pen.
Percy made his way to the deck and finally saw some other living people. He made out Mai and Ty Lee on the ground, although he couldn't tell if they were dead or just knocked out from his distance. Azula on the other hand was very awake; she was bound and gagged struggling against two Water Tribe warriors carrying her to one of their ships below.
Percy's ADHD was in full effect as he took in the enemy. There were two ships, one on each side of the barge. They looked big enough to fit at max eight people each. On the deck, he counted eight warriors. Two of them were waterbenders he could see as they slowly lowered Azula down to another two waterbenders stationed on the starboard side ship below. If he counted the one he had killed that would make 11 total soldiers, four of them being waterbenders. If he was lucky, that was all they brought but Percy wasn't willing to bet on Lady Luck smiling on him twice in one night.
Azula had been completely lowered to the ship below, he needed to act now. Percy dashed across the deck, making no effort to cover his footsteps. The warriors noticed him almost immediately as he bounded towards them, Riptide glowing in his right hand. The six non-bending warriors moved to meet him, while the two benders went by the limp forms of Mai and Ty Lee.
Good, if they are being guarded that means they are alive. Now to show these pricks who own these waters. Percy thought to himself as he closed the distance.
The first tribesmen stepped forward armed with a club-ready to strike down the teenager charging them. None of the warriors were expecting the 15-year-old in shorts to be a master swordsman. Percy leaned away from the club strike and decapitated the first tribesmen before dashing past him and cutting down his two comrades. The three warriors were all dead before the first body hit the ground and the soldiers knew what was going on.
The next three men tried to shake off their surprise as Percy drew near them. It was already too late. Not a movement was wasted as Percy tore through their defenses like an Eel-Hound through water. The benders lashed out with twin water whips to strike down the young swordsmen. The problem was that Percy was a son of Poseidon; attacking him with water was like trying to put a fire out with lighter fluid.
The water whips never even got close as Percy thrust his hand, blasting their water back at them, knocking them off the boat and into the sea. He quickly turned his attention to the ship that was racing away, Azula on board. Percy sprinted forward and swan dived off the ship, racing towards the ocean below.
He cut deep under the water, ordering the ocean to take him to his target. The seas obeyed their master's command, shooting the son of Poseidon forward faster than any ship or sea creature could ever hope. Percy rapidly closed the distance between him and the kidnappers.
As Percy got close, he rose out of the depths upon a massive waterspout behind the fleeing ship. Both benders panicked, trying to bend the spout away or knock the intimidating figure off of it, but their efforts were in vain. The demigod brought a massive wave down upon the ship, smashing it to smithereens, knocking both benders into unconsciousness with the force of the wave.
Azula had remained unhurt by the wave but was still tied up and sinking beneath the waves. Percy quickly gathered the young princess into his arms and sliced off her restraints. He was surprised to find that instead of pushing him away and yelling, she instead latched onto him, burying her face into his bare chest.
He felt something wet against his chest and it took him a second before he realized it was Azula crying. To say Percy was shocked was an understatement. Azula had never shown any sign of weakness before, but while she may be a powerful bender and slightly ruthless (okay, extremely ruthless), it never occurred to him that she was still a teenager like him. A 14-year-old girl who had just been pulled from her bed, and kidnapped by people who would show her no mercy.
Percy could feel her body shaking up against his own, hearing her sobs against the sound of the crashing waves.
He hated it.
He hated seeing someone so strong broken down to tears because of a war she had played no part in. Azula had lived her entire life in the Fire Nation, she had never hurt any of these men or their families, yet they were willing to kidnap and possibly kill a girl in cold blood, just because of who her father was, it made him sick.
Sure, Percy may not have liked Azula. She was rude, arrogant, and violent, but she was also just a kid trying to make her dad proud of her. She didn't deserve this just because her dad was the Fire Lord, nobody should pay for the sins of their parents.
It was that thought that made Percy realize he and Azula had a lot more in common than he originally believed. Their biggest difference between their lives was that Percy was free of his father. But what if he wasn't? What if he had stayed in his world? Would he be just a pawn in a god's games? Fighting and killing just to make his dad proud? Percy didn't want to know the answer to that.
As he looked down upon the young girl in his arms he wanted nothing more than to keep her safe. To protect her not just from assassins, but also from her father and anyone else who would hurt her emotionally or physically. She was his responsibility and he would keep her safe.
"I swear on the River Styx, I will protect you," Percy mumbled into her hair, too quietly to hear. He didn't know where the words had come from; they had just tumbled out of his mouth unbidden. As he brought them slowly back to the barge, he could've sworn he could hear the low rumble of thunder from the clear sky.
( - )
It had been a week since the assassination attempt. The two waterbenders that he had knocked off this ship had escaped while Percy went after Azula. Sometimes the demigod almost felt sick at how easily he had cut down the Water Tribe soldiers like he was slaughtering animals instead of people. People that most likely had families and dreams.
But then he remembered that these same people killed an entire crew while they slept, and then tried to kidnap three 14-year-old girls. It was safe to say Percy was at peace with what had happened that night. Azula, on the other hand, was not.
She stopped insulting him, which was nice, but she also stopped talking to him at all. She avoided meeting his eye or acknowledging he was even there. She was also avoiding her friends as well, isolating herself, doing nothing but training. Percy had tried saying something, but she had ignored him, acting like he didn't exist. Quite frankly, it was beginning to piss him off.
Percy and Azula were walking through the royal gardens towards the training grounds. There was no one in sight. Now was probably Percy's best chance of confronting the temperamental pyromaniac.
At least we're close enough to the palace that people will be able to see the smoke in time to save enough of my body for Piandao to bury. Percy thought to himself before he grabbed Azula's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"We have to talk Azula. I get that being kidnapped sucks, but you can't isolate yourself like this." Percy said, keeping his voice soft but firm.
"You think I'm worried about that?" She asked incredulously.
"Um, yeah?" Percy replied unsure of his answer.
"I get that I almost died, but I'm not so weak as to be unbalanced by such a trivial thing." She snapped at him. Percy was surprised to hear the conviction in her voice. She believed that almost dying was a trivial thing.
"Then what's going on?"
"What's going on is you. What in Agni's name are you?" She hissed taking a menacing step forward.
"Hungry and confused," Percy replied.
Azula continued as if he had not spoken at all. "You, a boy of only 15, with only over two years of training, managed to take down 11 Water Tribe warriors by yourself. You've defeated four waterbenders, even though they have trained all their lives to work on their bending, whereas you hadn't even met a single waterbender before the attack. They should've killed you as soon as you began fighting with your element. That's not even mentioning that you managed to catch up to two waterbenders that had a head start at sea."
She paused her rant for a moment taking a deep breath and taking another step forward, her face mere inches from his own. "And finally, you left the water completely dry. None of this adds up to the image of an untrained waterbender. I want the truth now." Azula looked practically murderous at the end of her speech.
"Azula, I don't think you understand, my teacher was Piandao, I trained every day for 3 years. While I haven't had any official teacher, the rare scrolls I was able to read were so easy to learn. I'm a prodigy, just like you."
"Bullshit, I have nowhere near that type of raw power and I'm Azula, the crown princess, wielder of the sapphire flames." She hissed at him.
Percy shrugged, "I don't know what else to tell you, Azula. I'm just that awesome?"
If her gaze could kill before, it was now promising a painful death too.
"Look, Azula, what I said was true, you know that. If you're asking if I am a Water Tribe spy then I can promise you this, I am loyal to the Fire Nation. I will protect you like I did last week any day it's needed. I'm just a normal Fire Nation citizen who happens to be a waterbender, that's all," Percy shrugged while looking deep into the princess's golden eyes, pleading with her to believe him.
"Okay, I trust you."
Percy let out a breath as Azula stepped away, relaxing muscles he didn't know he'd tensed.
"By the way, you're a terrible liar, Percy. I may believe you will protect me, but not for a moment do I believe you are anything close to normal." She said, a teasing smirk adorning her face.
Percy groaned aloud, the one part where he lied she had noticed immediately and called him on it.
"Come along, my savage, let's go visit Mai and Ty Lee."
Percy groaned louder this time. "Can you please stop with the 'savage' and 'barbarian' comments? I did save your life you know."
"Tempting...but no," Azula said, laughter ringing in her voice as she walked off in the direction of her friends' homes. It didn't go unnoticed by Percy that she had changed her route from the training grounds. He smiled to himself as he dutifully trailing behind, he could spot her lies just as she could his.
( - )
2 Years Later
"This is a great party, Princess Azula." Another noble complemented before walking back to rejoin the rest of the party.
"I suppose it is, but it's only fitting the 16th birthday of a princess to be magnificent." Azula stared absentmindedly looking over the veritable horde of nobles trying to curry favor from the royal family.
"You know some people try and be humble when complimented." Came the teasing voice of her bodyguard and friend.
"Humility is for the weak, my dear barbarian," Azula replied using one of her favored nicknames for the demigod.
( - )
The princess received yet another gift from one of the nobles. It was more jewelry, when had she ever worn jewelry in her life? It was useless. She thanked the noblemen remembering her court training at the last moment. Then she heard the quiet chuckling on her right. She glanced over to see her bodyguard trying, and failing, to hide his signature lopsided smile.
"What, pray tell, do you find so funny about all of this Perseus?" Azula smirked when Percy blanched at the use of his full name. He sent her a light glare before smiling once more.
"It's your face." He replied.
"And what's so funny about my face?" Her tone warning the demigod he was in dangerous territory.
"No, no, not like that. I mean your expression. Every time these people give you a gift you make this weird grimace because all their gifts are really bad. Like I don't think you have ever worn jewelry, what are these guys thinking?" Percy replied quickly trying to appease his temperamental friend.
"And you think you can do better? It's not exactly easy to shop for a Princess you know." Mai cut in defending the noblemen herself.
"I know I can, my gift will knock the rest of these idiots out of the park," Percy smirked.
"I look forward to it," Azula replied before motioning for the next noble to step forward. It was Raijin.
Percy's posture stiffened at the sight of the noble. While his encounter with him had been brief and almost two years ago, Percy never forgot the firebender and the killer gleam in his bronze eyes.
"Greetings, my dear princess, How does it feel to become a woman?" The noble said kissing her hand with a charming smirk. Percy wanted to punch him.
Percy stepped in between Raijin and Azula, forcing him to back away. "Sorry, but as the princess's bodyguard I'm going to have to ask you to back up a bit," Percy said firmly.
"Ah, the savage. How are you adjusting to life in civilization? Do you miss eating raw meat and going months without bathing?" Raijin asked, mocking the demigod.
"I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking. By the way, did you ever get those breath mints I recommended?" Percy made a show of sniffing the air then wrinkling his nose in disgust. "I guess not, maybe you should take another step back for the sake of the Princess's sense of smell."
"You forget your place, peasant, I am the heir to one of the most powerful houses in the Fire Nation. I could have you executed for that insult." The noble growled,
"That will be all Raijin. I thank your house for this gift, you may leave." Azula interrupted before the situation could escalate even further. The noble gave one last glare to her smirking bodyguard who mockingly waved as he walked away, Azula sighed.
"I wish you wouldn't do things like that. His house is very powerful and pissing him off is not a good idea."
"I know, I know. It's just something about that guy rubbing me the wrong way. I don't like him. And the way he looked at you like you're a piece of meat. Dude's like 10 years older than you, not my fault he can't attract anyone his own age." Percy huffed in annoyance. Azula tried to contain a smile from Percy's insults.
"Just try not to insult any more of my guests tonight, please," Azula replied. Percy hummed in a vague sense of agreement before settling back into his position on her right.
( - )
The rest of the party mostly was uneventful. A few speeches from the Fire Sages about royal blood and the Fire Nation's greatness. Then Azula greeted some suitors from various noble houses. Each one receiving Percy's deluxe 'wolf stare'. Almost all of them left Azula's presence pretty quickly.
Once the party was over, Percy was walking Azula through the halls of the palace back to her room. He stopped her just before they reached her door. He pulled out a scroll tucked away in his armor, another lopsided grin spread across his face.
"I said I would get you the best birthday gift."
"A scroll?" Azula asked in curiosity.
"Go ahead, open it," Percy said, eager to see her reaction.
Azula slowly unrolled the scroll to find four detailed images of a person going through a bending form that seemed very similar to waterbending. The images were of a figure seeming to intercept a line with their finger, then drawing it into their stomach, and then back out in the other direction. After a moment of study, Azula realized what the line represents. It was freaking lightning.
Percy had somehow found a scroll that detailed how to redirect lightning - something she had thought impossible. How did he get this? It had to be worth a fortune. A lost firebending form. It was amazing. Only after staring at the scroll in amazement for quite some time was she able to find her voice.
"How... how did you get this?" Her voice came out as a whisper.
"Your uncle. I sent him a messenger hawk asking for him to draw this out for somebody to learn. I know how you are always striving to master new firebending techniques, and what better gift for your birthday than a long-lost form? I knew from letters with Iroh it was possible, he developed it by studying waterbenders. He said I could give it to you on the condition that you keep the technique a secret." Percy said a massive grin splitting his face at Azula's reaction.
"But why? This is amazing! I have to tell my father."
"No, Azula," Percy said, placing his hand on her arm to get her attention. "Iroh saved my life and gave me a home with Piandao. The least I can do is honor his wishes on this." His sea-green eyes showed the princess nothing but conviction, he wouldn't budge on this. Azula deflated just slightly.
"Alright, I promise this will stay between us. Thank you, though, this is the best gift I've ever received." She said before pulling the demigod in an embrace. She stepped away after a few moments with a blush covering her face. She bid her bodyguard a quick goodnight before ducking into her room, slamming her door behind her. She leaned against her door as her heart suddenly raced from the intimate contact.
Percy stared at the door for a long moment, his face wearing a confused expression. What was that? He thought to himself as he walked away towards his room, silently concluding that girls were weird.
( - )
2 Months Later
Percy was returning from a short vacation to visit Piandao. He was on his way to meet up with Azula and relieve the royal guardsmen posted around her in his absence. He had just returned home for a short while to celebrate his birthday with Piandao and Fat, both of which he had missed greatly in his time as bodyguard to the princess.
Percy nodded to the two guardsmen outside of Azula's room, letting them know they were free to go. The guards both gave shallow bows to the demigod. While Percy didn't hold a place on the chain of command, his position was still one of great respect to many, especially members of the royal guard who knew what dealing with Azula could entail.
Percy knocked on the door, waiting for permission to enter. After entering the room, the first thing he noticed was the blue crate sitting atop Azula's bed, flanked by the princess herself while Mai lounged in a comfortable chair in the corner of the room. From the expressions on their face, the young demigod knew he had missed something.
He had known that Mai and Azula would be together, as today was the last day before Mai's family left for the Earth Kingdom. With Ty Lee gone as well for the moment, Percy worried that Azula would be lonely without her friends as he himself missed Ty Lee.
(Flashback)
Percy wouldn't have guessed that one day of sparring could've sparked such a good bond between himself and Ty Lee. They talked often and she was the only one that seemed to match his boundless ADHD energy.
The other Fire Nation guards however did not leap for joy at the pair's friendship. It had only taken Percy a few weeks and a cute baby seal face to convince Ty Lee into helping him prank the guards.
It all started with a bottle of hair dye. Percy had made one of his regular raids to the royal kitchen, procuring an entire package of komodo chicken bouillon cubes. Then with the help of Ty Lee, he had entered the guards showering area. Together they carefully unscrewed the showerheads, placing a couple of komodo chicken bouillon cubes inside, and putting the head back on.
Then they sprinkled blue jello mix powder into the Fire Nation towels. After a few hours of waiting and when the guard shifts rotated for the night, Percy and Ty Lee laughed so hard they cried. Grown men started yelling about chicken soup and their skin stained blue like a Smurf from attempting to dry off with their towels.
It only got better when Ozai dismissed the entire rotation of guards from shift for smelling like chicken; they kept their faceplates down the entire time to hide the fact they looked as blue as Water Tribe armor.
(End Flashback)
"Um, how's it going?" Came Percy's awkward attempt to start the conversation.
"You thought you'd get away without telling me, didn't you?" Azula answered.
"I told you he wouldn't..." Mai said, her voice devoid of any emotion.
"Think Percy, what is today?" Azula prompted her confused bodyguard.
"Um, Monday?"
"No, dumbass! What was two days ago that you didn't feel the need to tell me about despite being my bodyguard for over two years." Azula growled out, obviously with no patience for Percy's confusion.
"Oh, um kinda my birthday?" Percy realized. "But you didn't have to get me anything, it's not like we're a couple or whatever." His comment caused a blush to appear on Azula's face. Something that went unnoticed by the demigod but not by her other friend.
"Or maybe just because after two years of spending time together that you're close friends?" Mai drew coming to her rescue while gesturing to the crate.
"It's no biggie, for real" Percy said, embarrassed by the lengths Azula took to find out his birthday and have a gift for him.
"It's your 17th birthday of course it's important. Besides just think of it as a 'thank you' gift for doing such a good job keeping me safe for these past years." The princess claimed with a bright smile that was rarely seen outside of Percy's company.
"Wow, I don't know what to say. Thanks, Azula." Percy blushed at the compliment.
"Oh, stop flirting you two, and open it already," Mai exclaimed, getting impatient, ignoring the death glare Azula was sending her.
Percy blushed an even deeper red before moving to open the crate. Once he opened it, he gasped. Inside was a set of armor almost identical to the one he was wearing except for two key differences. The first being on the breastplate. A circular image with the Fire Nation symbol stamped engraved in the center. The second, more obvious difference, was the traditional red of the armor was replaced with blue. Percy was in love.
"I remembered you complaining about nothing being blue in the Fire Nation and my fire is blue, so I thought you'd like something more your color, and it sets you apart from others as my bodyguard. The chest symbol shows that you're one of us. After all, I can't have someone mistaking you for a Water Tribe just because you're wearing blue. What do you think? Do you like it?" Azula rambled on, obviously nervous about how her bodyguard would react. Percy interrupted her by sweeping her into a massive bear hug.
"It's amazing. It's the best gift I've ever gotten. I will wear it with pride." Percy said with a wide smile. Azula blushed at the praise mumbling a soft "you're welcome".
( - )
August had soon passed into the winter months of the Fire Nation, even if it was still warm enough to wear short sleeves outside. Azula had been summoned by her father for a private audience. She walked down the long corridor towards her father's throne room with Percy beside her. As she paused at the doors, she glanced at her friend and bodyguard as he took up a position with the guards already outside the throne room. Percy shot her a grin as she pushed open the doors since he was not permitted to enter with her. She moved inside the throne room before kneeling in front of her father's throne, waiting to be addressed.
If two years ago someone had told her that her closest friend and confidant would be a waterbender, she would have said, "How dare you speak to me?" and throw a fireball at them or something.
But now she would probably say, "How dare you speak to me?" and then have Percy toss them out. The difference being she would believe that person now. She had grown quite close to her bodyguard, trusting him before all others. Including her friends Mai and Ty Lee. As she thought, her father finally addressed her.
"You know of the embarrassing defeat of our fleet at the Northern Water Tribe. News has reached me that your Uncle Iroh is a traitor, and your brother Zuko is a failure. I have a task for you."
"Anything, father," Azula replied calmly, although inwardly she worried about her brother and uncle. While she had never been particularly close with Zuko or Iroh, they were still family after all.
"You will hunt them down and bring them back to the Fire Nation to stand trial. They will pay for their treachery. However, with your brother and Iroh being traitors, some may see the Royal Family as weak. This will not stand. I have chosen you a husband and he will join you on your quest, to remind the world just how strong the Royal Family is."
Azula was completely speechless. She had known that as her father, the Fire Lord had the right to choose her husband, but that right had not been exercised for generations. Not to mention she was only 16. She hadn't even thought of marriage! She was way too young.
As these thoughts flew through Azula's head, a figure stepped out of the shadows of the pillars surrounding the throne. The man had bronze eyes and jet black hair pulled into a traditional phoenix tale.
"This is Raijin, the heir of house Rai. He is your new betrothed and will accompany you on your mission."
Azula was panicking, this was happening and she was in no way okay with it. But she knew it would be suicide to go against her father's wishes outright. She needed to be smart and cunning.
"Father, with all due respect, sending me on this mission with Raijin only sends the message that the royal family is weak and needs help. If you send me alone then when I complete my mission the royal family will be shown to be strong, to be able to handle our problems. This marriage is unnecessary, I will show the world we are still strong." Azula smirked to herself, her reasoning was sound, her father would agree with her.
"You bring up some valid points, daughter. I will send you on this mission alone, but I am unconvinced that this union is not beneficial to the throne. Raijin will remain in the capital with me, we will announce your betrothal on your 18th birthday. Until then I will teach him the ways of leading the nation. He will be like my son where my own has failed me. Go, you will leave immediately."
Azula nodded mutely to her father, accepting her dismissal. She felt numb, in less than 10 minutes her entire life had been changed. She felt like her choice, her independence, and her free will had all been stripped from her. As she walked out of the throne room she continued silently as her bodyguard raced to catch up with her before stopping her.
"Hey, are you okay? You look like you're gonna be sick." Percy asked, concern plain on his face.
"Ah, there you are, my beloved." Came the silky smooth voice of Raijin as he caught up with them, snaking an arm around the princess's waist. He directed a smug look to the stunned demigod.
"What in Agni's name do you think you're doing?" Percy demanded.
"I am simply becoming acquainted with my new betrothed." The smug bastard replied.
Percy was too shocked to react for a moment. His mind trying to wrap around this new information. That is until he saw the look on Azula's face. Pure terror, she was afraid and confused. Protective instincts took over the demigod's actions. He grabbed Raijin, tearing him away from Azula before slamming him into the wall. Percy had grown since their fight years ago, he now easily matched the noblemen in height and was stronger.
"I don't care if you're her betrothed or not. You don't get to touch her if she doesn't permit you. Get it, you piece of shit? I swear on Agni's name if you try and touch her before your wedding, I will cut you down faster than you can blink." Percy growled out. His face was a mask of rage, it would have caused most grown men to piss themselves. Lucky for Raijin he was trained to mask his emotions in court politics. His face betrayed only the barest hint of panic at the raging demigod before him. Another moment passed before Percy let him down and stepped back.
"Watch yourself, barbarian. I will be Fire Lord someday soon and when that day comes... I will enjoy watching you burn." He threatened slowly but was completely ignored as Percy walked away from him.
A crackle of electricity was all the warning Percy needed. He turned to find Raijin charging a lightning strike against him. He was ready for it, he'd been ready for it since the last time they fought years ago. Riptide was out in a flash and the lightning changed trajectories away from Percy towards the glowing metal sword he threw away from him. Raijin was so distracted by his lightning being absorbed by the sword he missed the punch that leveled him.
A hard knee was placed on his back as he tried to clear the ringing in his head. Raijin gazed desperately at the guards outside the throne room who made no move to help him. The now smoking hot sword was put just inches away from his neck. He stilled all movement at the very lethal threat.
"Listen well because I'm only going to say this once," Percy growled from above. "I don't fear the Fire Lord and I most definitely don't fear you. You ever attack me again and it will be the last thing you do, I don't give a damn who your daddy is. The sea does not like to be restrained. One more mess up, and your body will be washed away, never to be found. Do you understand me?"
The silence beneath him was not the right answer. Percy dug his armored knee deeper into Raijin's back, emitting a gasp of pain, and pressed Riptide right against his chin. A thin line of blood began to trickle down his neck. "Yes, I understand." The words were spat out from the man underneath him.
Percy waited a moment longer before getting up slowly. The nobleman's ego would be extremely bruised from this meeting but Percy didn't care. Raijin had gotten the message. One more mess up and Percy would end him, Fire Lord liking him be damned.
Percy quickly rushed to find Azula who had disappeared from the corridor. He arrived at her door and knocked, letting her know it was him. The door was thrown open and Azula quickly pulled Percy in for a hug.
"You shouldn't have done that Percy." She reprimanded but without any real heat in her voice.
"Raijin had that coming for a long time, he won't mess with us again for a long time. He needed to know his place." Percy spoke firmly. Azula remained quiet though.
"Azula, are you okay?" Percy asked, going over to comfort his friend who sat on her bed.
"I don't know Percy, but there are bigger problems than Raijin right now. Uncle Iroh and my brother have been declared traitors. My father has ordered me to go capture them." Azula said in an obvious attempt to move the conversation away from her sudden betrothal. Percy obliged having no idea what to say to make her feel better.
"What do you want to do Azula?" He asked her carefully.
"We have to pursue them. My father's orders must be carried out. We will worry about what to do after we have them. We can't just bring them back to be executed." Azula was conflicted. She didn't want her brother and uncle to be killed... but she wanted to make her father proud as well.
"I don't have any good answers Azula. Whatever we do, we can't stay here. We should leave to find Zuko and Iroh. Once we have them I agree that then we can figure out what to do." Percy reasoned, knowing that if they refused to go on this mission Ozai would raise hell.
Percy gave Azula a forced smile before bringing her in for a long hug. After a while, he rubbed her shoulder comfortingly before walking down the hall to find the captain of the barge. As her bodyguard walked away Azula's shoulders slumped and she nearly cried. She was scared. Scared of her father, scared for her uncle and brother, and scared of this new betrothal she had been forced into. She didn't know what to do.
( - )
Author Note - Alright everyone so this is the end of chapter 5 of Percy Jackson & The Sapphire Flame and I hoped y'all enjoyed it. Give it a review or follow if you'd like to stay up to date on this story. A few things I'd like to talk about.
- A new scene with Percy & Ozai. I wanted Percy to be nervous and just get out of there, but also show Ozai's manipulative side. Asking personal questions about Zuko, threatening Percy, and all at the same time praising him. To Ozai, Percy is the perfect weapon he can use to finally conquer the Northern Water Tribes.
- The entire kidnapping scene was fun. Now Percy will probably not kill like that again. You have to understand his own life is on the line if Azula gets kidnapped and it's his first life and death situation. I have him rationalize it later on but he won't do it a lot. Percy is a demigod, born for combat, but even in the books, he has trouble when it comes to fighting other demigods. Monsters? Not a problem. But with human life, if Percy doesn't have to he won't.
- As you can see from Azula and Percy's birthdays I've upped the ages here from what they were in the tv show. That's only because it's kinda impossible to have a realistic relationship between kids that would be in junior high. At ages 17 & 16 before they even enter the main storyline, that would put Percy & Azula around senior/junior years in high school. That's workable and somewhat more believable than 12-year-old Aang making it work with Katara when they're just so young. This goes for the entire main group of characters: Aang, Katara, Toph, etc. I have a google sheet made if that would help anyone keep track of ages just shoot me a pm and I'll share it with you.
- Finally, please leave a review, guys! A follower or favorite would mean a lot too for me. Don't flame me too hard though. I'm always open to advise on being a better writer.
Duces