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:
"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.
( - )
Aang, Sokka, and Katara were on their way to meet with Chief Arnook before they left for the Earth Kingdom. As they entered the chief's chambers they were greeted with the sight of not only Arnook but also two elite waterbenders.
"I have called you here to wish you luck on your journey, and also to warn you of a threat you may encounter on your travels." The chief stated in a grave tone.
"Aang just took out an entire fleet of Fire Nation baddies. Whatever it is, I'm sure we got it." Sokka said enthusiastically and grinned widely at Aang until Katara smacked him on the back of the head, warning him to be quiet.
"What is it, sir?" Aang asked cautiously.
"Around two years ago an elite raiding team was sent on a mission to capture the Fire Nation princess aboard her vessel. This team consisted of four of our best waterbenders and seven of our most skilled warriors. A small, fast raiding party of 11 soldiers, only these two here survived that mission." The chief explained.
"What happened?" Sokka asked, jovial attitude abandoned and leaving nothing but a young warrior and strategist.
"As you know, the mission was to capture the Fire Nation princess." The first soldier began solemnly. Before the second continued for him.
"It started well. We struck at night and boarded the ship unnoticed. Once on the ship, we took out the crew, and then dealt with all the ones sleeping in their beds."
"That's horrible! Killing defenseless men, even Fire Nation!" Katara exclaimed, outraged at the inhumanity.
"It's war, Katara. We can't show mercy because they sure as shit won't show us any." Sokka replied evenly. The warriors gave a nod of thanks to him before continuing their story.
"Everything was going according to plan. We took out the entire crew, located and captured the princess and her friends; we were getting ready to leave. That's when we noticed Kuruk hadn't reported back yet. He was a warrior tasked with clearing out the back of the ship." The bender paused letting his comrade resume the tale.
"We should have just loaded the prisoners and left immediately in one of our ships while a few waited with the other ship, but we didn't. We decided to wait for Kuruk thinking it would only be another minute. That's when everything went to shit. A shirtless kid charged us, he was unarmed so no one thought he was a threat. We were wrong. Once he got close he pulled out a strange-looking sword from out of nowhere and cut down six of our best warriors faster than you can think possible. After that, we tried to bend at him..." The man chuckled dryly for a moment.
"Emphasis on the tried. Our attacks didn't even phase him, he overpowered our attacks and blasted them back at us. It was unlike any master I had ever faced, there was no real technique, just raw power, and instinct behind his bending. After that, he chased down the Princess and took out the rest of our team. Only us two made it out of there." His voice was tired when he finished, remembering his fallen fellow warriors and friends.
"Thank you. You may return to your duties." The chief dismissed the warriors before turning back to the Avatar and his friends.
"This is the threat I wanted to warn you about. The Fire Nation has a waterbender. Not just any waterbender, a prodigy that can take down an elite team just going off his instincts… that happened two years ago, who knows how powerful he is now." Arnook finished grimly.
"Why would someone from the Water Tribe work for the Fire Nation?" Katara asked, astonished.
"We don't know. But he was just a boy, around your age. We speculate that he was perhaps taken when he was just a child and has been raised as Fire Nation his whole life. I'm sorry I don't have more information for you. This is the only encounter we have had with him, and we haven't heard anything about him since. We just wanted to warn you of a wolf that might wear sheep's clothing. What better use for the Fire Nation than to use him as a spy?"
"Thank you for the warning, Chief Arnook" Aang bowed respectfully.
"I wish you luck on your journey, Avatar. May the spirits guide you." And with that final goodbye, the trio walked to the harbor to begin their trip to the Earth Kingdom, the idea of a Fire Nation waterbender weighing heavily on all their minds.
( - )
Azula was the perfect picture of Fire Nation royalty, sitting proper within her palanquin gazing over the rolling waves through the thin sheet of silk, her face betraying nothing but a mask of cool indifference. On the inside, however, she was in turmoil. She was now betrothed. That fact alone was enough to make her want to incinerate someone, preferably her new betrothed.
After all, she had done for her father and he did this to her?! She had been the perfect daughter and the perfect heir. She had trained relentlessly to become a master firebender, she was ruthless and cunning. How could he do this to her? She wasn't a bumbling idiot like Zuko, she was the favorite child. It wasn't fair.
And that led her to her next issue. Both her brother and uncle had gotten themselves declared enemies of the nation. She always knew her brother was an idiot, but this was ridiculous. She didn't think that her brother or uncle were truly traitors. They were members of the royal family for Agni's sake.
But regardless of what had happened at the North Pole, their capture had been ordered by her father, so as the loyal daughter she was, they must be apprehended. Even if the idea of her brother in chains caused a strange and unpleasant feeling in her stomach. She quickly pushed the feeling away, it was a weakness and had no place in her mind. Her brother deserved it after all he had taken from her. She could not afford to feel sympathy for them, not now. Even if they were family, they got themselves into this mess, and they could deal with the consequences.
Azula sighed deeply for a moment. Well maybe she could put a good word in for them to father, but they would both owe her for this.
"Azula you're glaring too much, lighten up a bit! We're on the open ocean, you can't be gloomy out here." Percy's voice tore through her thoughts bringing her back to reality. She glanced over to see him grinning like an idiot. He was always so happy to be at sea. Azula almost smiled before reasserting control over herself, she had an image to uphold after all.
"Trust the Water Tribe barbarian to be so happy at sea." She tried for friendly teasing, but by the look on Percy's face, she must have vented a few of her frustrations on her loyal friend. She scowled briefly before resigning to spend the rest of the trip in silence lest she embarrasses herself again.
( - )
"Percy," Azula murmured so that only her bodyguard could hear. She received a nod in response acknowledging he had heard her. She took a moment to glance over the royal procession of 30 imperial firebenders she had brought from the capital, all bowed down waiting for her orders. "I want you to address the imperial firebenders."
"Wait, what?" Percy asked shocked. "I thought you were gonna give a speech or something."
"I was but, this seems like the perfect time for you to practice being my voice. This way you can learn to speak on my behalf when necessary. Oh, don't look so worried you probably know all of them from the palace anyway, not to mention you outrank all of them. Go on, you'll do fine." Azula encouraged her bodyguard, observing the look of panic on his face.
Percy muttered under his breath something about crazy friends and stupid speeches before straightening to his full height. He stepped forward to address the assembled firebenders below.
"Um hey there."
Azula groaned aloud at Percy's masterful opening words.
"So many of you protected Prince Zuko when he was a child, some of you may have fought with General Iroh during his campaign through the Earth Kingdom. Almost all of you are probably harboring some doubts or fears about capturing members of the royal family." Percy waited for his words to sink in while he desperately tried to make up the rest of his speech. "But we have a job to do and we can't fail in our mission. The plan is a good one and I'm not just saying that because Princess Azula is making me." He paused as laughter rippled through the soldiers below him. "It is a good plan. Remember your training and don't underestimate Iroh because I can promise you, he is more dangerous than he looks. They are desperate and desperate men do crazy things so tread carefully. Long live princess Azula! Long live the Fire Nation!" Percy finished his speech with a roar that was echoed enthusiastically by the soldiers.
The demigod marched back with a swagger in his step back to Azula's side.
"So how'd I do?" Azula noticed a bit of his nervousness leaking into his voice even as he smirked at her.
"You did well for your first-time public speaking. I would have added a few more death threats, but that's just me."
Percy honestly couldn't tell if she was joking.
"Although I am curious why you reminded them of their old ties to my brother and uncle," Azula questioned with a raised eyebrow. Her golden eyes glinted dangerously.
Percy may be good friends with the princess but she was still terrifying sometimes.
"I brought it up cause I get how they feel. It sucks to have to fight people you know well and if I ignored it, then those thoughts might have festered. By addressing it and mentioning their duty I think I defused the problem." Percy answered honestly.
"It was a smart move, but why would you be reluctant to fight my brother? I know you write with uncle often and are close, but my brother was gone before you even entered the palace."
"Well, you know that your uncle kinda fished me out of the sea after I lost my family. He set me up with a home when he brought me to Piandao. As for Zuko, you know that he liked his Dao blades. He came to Piandao to train and we sparred often; he was my only friend before he was banished. I haven't spoken to him since then." Percy trailed off as he glanced at Azula trying to gauge his reaction. Honestly, he'd thought she would have pieced together that he and Zuko knew each other already. Unfortunately for him, her mask never wavered, giving no hint as to what she thought of this new information.
"I see…" Azula responded after a brief pause.
Her voice sounded a little off to Percy. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, but her face remained impassive so the demigod banished the thought from his mind. He must have been hearing things, Azula wouldn't care that he used to know her brother.
( - )
Crack!
A massive bolt of blue lightning arced into the sky from the firebender's two outstretched fingers. She began repeating the motions to summon a second bolt before her instructors had stopped speaking. Their voices amounting to nothing but a low buzz in her ears. This wasn't about training, this was her trying to calm down her raging emotions before she burnt the ship down.
Stupid bodyguard
Crack!
Stupid life-saving uncle
Crack!
STUPID FRIEND STEALING BROTHER!
Crack!
Azula was panting for breath, sweat dripping from her brow as she fired her final bolt of lightning. Ignoring her instructors chastising her for her sloppy form, she stalked into her chambers, slamming the door behind her.
Percy had noticed her foul mood brewing earlier and had decided to take a swim underwater. Azula knew he was just trying to avoid her.
If it was Zuko that was upset he wouldn't have left. She thought bitterly.
No matter how much Zuko messed up and she succeeded, everyone always chose him over her. She was the stronger bender, she was more intelligent, she was better than him. It didn't ever seem to matter. He was mother's favorite, Iroh and Lu Ten both adored him. Even Mai, her close friend, liked Zuko more than her.
She trained harder and tried so much harder than he ever did. But did anyone care? No, all they wanted was their oh-so-wonderful crown prince. Only her father ever recognized her potential. Everyone always loved Zuko and only saw her as a monster.
He's gonna take Percy away too. A dark voice echoed in the back of her mind.
NO! I will beat him. I'll capture both him and my uncle. I'll prove to everyone that I'm better than Zuko. Percy is mine.
( - )
"We're almost there."
"You don't sound very excited," Azula noted.
Percy grimaced, "I'm not looking forward to having to lie to Zuko and Iroh after not seeing them for over three years."
"It's for their own good Percy," Azula replied firmly. "If they keep running, my father will order them killed on sight. This way, when they stand trial, they can prove their innocence and everyone goes home happy." She reasoned to him.
"Then why all the lies? Can't we just say that?" Percy questioned.
"Because this is Zuko. He's stubborn, he doesn't listen to reason, and he acts without thinking. If we mention standing trial he will run. It's better this way, trust me." She smiled up at her bodyguard to reassure him.
Percy's reply was cut off by the captain rushing forward to report to the princess.
"I'm sorry Princess, but the tides will not allow us to dock before nightfall"
"Don't worry about it, I'll deal with the tides." Percy quickly answered, dragging the captain away before Azula could comment.
"Listen if something is slowing the ship you come to me. I will deal with the ocean and its ever-changing tides. Never tell the princess what can and can't be done. An angry Azula isn't fun for anyone." Percy told the man under his breath. The panicked expression spreading across the captain's face as he realized how close he'd come to drawing her wrath.
Azula smirked as she watched her bodyguard drag the stunned captain away. Percy was not only good company, but he also had a way of making everyone's lives easier. She no longer had to threaten to murder the captain, and the ship's captain no longer had to be threatened with murder. Everybody wins.
Her smile only grew as she felt the ship lurch forward, the water that had been pushing against it now parting around. The ship would make port by nightfall now, impossible without a waterbender as skilled as Percy on board. The princess often wondered how someone could be so naturally talented in bending as her friend was. While she was no stranger to immense natural skill, she was a prodigy, after all, even she has to admit Percy was on a whole other level. He could do things that she'd never even heard of waterbenders being able to do. All without any real teacher, just training from the few scrolls Piandao and Azula had managed to procure for him.
The oddest thing about Percy's bending wasn't his skill or even that he was also a master swordsman. No the oddest thing was she didn't feel jealous or threatened by it. That was strange for her. As long as Azula could remember whenever someone managed to surpass her in any field (a rare occurrence), she would feel almost crushing jealousy and unease. She would feel weary of no longer being the best, it unnerved her and felt wrong.
Even when Mai and Ty Lee, two of her closest childhood friends, started to grow skilled in acrobatics and knife throwing, she had thought about sabotaging them so they wouldn't pass her. She realized the folly of that as Mai and Ty Lee were loyal to her, so sabotaging them was the same as sabotaging herself. But even so, bending had always been hers. She was the prodigy and would not accept anyone surpassing her skill, besides her father of course. But Percy, if she was being honest with herself, was probably slightly above her with no real teaching. It should have infuriated her, but somehow it just made her happy instead. It wasn't the smug satisfaction she felt watching Mai and Ty Lee dismantle her enemies. It was a safe and warm feeling, calming like the morning sun during her meditation.
That made no sense at all though. She did not need to feel safe and warm, she was cold and dangerous, as her father wanted her to be. Why was she not wary of him? She could find no real reason for his loyalty to her. Mai and Ty Lee both had grown up with her since they were young. Also, they came from noble families that would want to serve the princess to gain political favor. Percy meanwhile was an orphan. The closest thing he had to family was Piandao, and the old nobleman had a history of deifying the throne. So why was Percy loyal to her? More importantly, why didn't she care about why he stayed as long as he was here?
Azula was deep in her thoughts when she noticed Percy returning to her side. She ceased her pondering, banishing the thoughts until another time came before turning her attention to the armored teen next to her. "You're not coming with me when I go ashore."
"Wait, what? Yes, I am. I'm your bodyguard! How am I supposed to guard you if I'm not with you?"
"Percy I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. As for why you will be remaining on board the ship, well, you're a terrible liar." Azula stated bluntly.
"I'm not that bad," Percy whined. His pout would have melted the heart of any woman caught in his gaze. Lucky for Azula she was not just any woman. Although even she had to admit it was adorable and tough to ignore.
"You're worse than terrible, especially when you don't even want to lie. And I know you have misgivings about this plan. The second they see you they will know something is up. Which is why you won't be coming into contact with either of them until we are well on our way to the Fire Nation." She finished her tone firm and unyielding.
"Fine, but I'm staying close to the action, if there's any trouble, I'll be there faster than you can say "Save me Percy you're my hero." Percy finished in an irritatingly high pitch a mocking imitation of the princess.
Before Azula could bring her rage to bear down on the young demigod, he dove over the rail of the ship and into the harbor giving a lopsided grin to her before he disappeared into the sea. The princess swallowed back her annoyance at her friend's childish actions as she prepared for the meeting. She once more donned the cold mask of a true Fire Nation royalty; her confident stride carrying her off the ship and onto the dock.
( - )
Azula had never in her life wanted to kill someone more than her idiotic captain at the moment. Honestly how freaking hard was it not to say prisoner during the conversation. But no, the idiot couldn't keep his mouth shut long enough for the ship to pull out to sea. She was almost glad to see her brother knock the fool into the water. Or at least she would be if her carefully laid-out plans weren't being destroyed by her brother. If this plan had any chance of being salvaged she needed Zuko mad. Mad enough to do something stupid.
That shouldn't be too hard
"You know father blames uncle for the loss at the North Pole. And he considers you a failure for not capturing the Avatar." She spat trying to draw Zuko further from their uncle's side. She could see the rage growing on his face.
Just a little more and he will be in the brig and I'll have Percy talk to him and make everything work one way or another.
"Why would he want you home except to lock you up so you can no longer embarrass him?" As she watched pure fury eclipse her brother's features she smirked.
Got yah, Zuzu.
And then he exploded, bursts of orange flame arced from his feet flying towards her, driving her back. Azula was shocked. She was expecting him to be angry, that was the point, but what did he think he was doing, trying to kill her!? She could've been seriously injured if she got hit. She quickly ducked under his twin daggers of fire, moving gracefully away from his swipes.
Apparently so. She thought bitterly. She was his sister for Agni's sake, what was he thinking? She weaved through his attacks, her frustration and confusion turning to rage and hurt. A dark part of her mind whispered to her, speaking with the voice of her father.
"He wants you gone. He wants to take your spot. He wants to take Percy from you."
She stopped retreating and struck back with a bolt of blue fire, knocking Zuko back. As she stood there glaring at her brother the dark voice whispered its final phrase.
"He will take everything from you, just as he took your mother's love and hoarded it for himself."
Azula was beyond enraged, she saw nothing but the teenager in front of her that she blamed for stealing her mother's love. As she went through the motions to generate a deadly bolt of lightning she never noticed the swordsman watching her in frozen horror just off the brig.
( - )
Percy couldn't move, he was frozen watching his best friend move to strike down his oldest friend. Her brother...
Percy snapped out of his trance when he saw Iroh redirect the bolt of lightning into the mountains around the bay. He came back on the deck after soldiers began dropping into the sea like flies. When he saw Azula going through the lightning kata he thought he was too late to stop a disaster. Thank the gods for Iroh and his tea obsession.
He was from his thoughts when he saw Iroh knock Azula into the bay, making a split-second decision he rushed to intercept Iroh and Zuko. The look of shock on Zuko's face was priceless. Iroh on the other hand kept his composure, face betraying no real surprise after seeing Percy face-to-face for the first time since his rescue all those years ago.
"Percy?!" Zuko blurted out, caught flat-footed by the sight of his old friend. The prince never noticed his uncle taking a combat stance next to him, readying himself to fight the young swordsman if needed.
"What are you doing here? You're supposed to be with Master Piandao?"
"Um maybe if you'd ever responded to my letters you'd know why," Percy said his tone betrayed a sense of hurt that his friend had never responded to him. Percy let out a sigh before continuing, "Look, this wasn't meant to happen. We had good intentions. Well, mostly good. But we can all see that this isn't ending with a happy family reunion, not for a while at least." Percy squeezed his eyes, by letting them go he was technically betraying his friend. It was small and for her own good, but a betrayal all the same. "Run. Run and don't look back."
Zuko was shocked once again. The prince honestly didn't think he could take any more surprises today. Iroh on the other hand fully grasped the implications of what the young swordsman was saying and relaxed his stance.
"Percy, what are you talking about? Come with us, hurry before Azula gets out of the water." Zuko said with confusion and pain lacing his tone. He didn't understand what was going on but the guilt from never replying was easy to see.
"I'm not leaving Zuko. I swore an oath to protect Azula and I won't go back on my word." Sea green eyes meet hurt and confused golden. "Run because the next time we meet, we will most likely be enemies." Percy finished with grim determination.
Hurt flashed across the young firebender's face as his oldest friend proclaimed them to be enemies. Before Zuko could sort out his emotions, Iroh once again took control of the situation. "Thank you for the warning, Percy. I trust you'll take care of my niece."
"Azula pretty much takes care of herself, I'm just here for show." Percy grinned at the man.
"That is not the care I speak of." Iroh's gaze was heavy and held much wisdom. Percy didn't know what the old general was talking about, but he nodded anyway cause that seemed like the right thing to do.
As Percy watched the two firebenders run away, he waited a moment before raising floating soldiers back up to the ship. He noticed Azula dragging herself onto the port, her armor soaked and covered in seaweed. She did not look happy.
Good, Percy seethed. She's not the only one that's angry.
( - )
"I think we're safe here for the moment." Iroh panted to his nephew, both out of breath from their mad dash away from the ship.
"Why didn't Percy come with us? And why did you tell him to take care of Azula? If anyone needs help it's us, uncle." Zuko demanded, anger and hurt lacing his tone.
"We have been away from home a long time, nephew. I told you to respond to Percy's letters, that was your pride and ego that stopped you. Did you expect your friend to remain stagnant while you were away?"
The prince hesitated for a moment. "No, I guess not. But why is he working for Azula? What is he thinking?"
"Percy has found his path and calling. I asked him to take care of your sister because she needs his help."
"She didn't seem like she needed any help today." Zuko spat bitterly.
"I was not speaking of the help you assume, Prince Zuko. Your sister is lost and I suspect she has been lost for a long time. She needs help but is far too proud and stubborn to accept it. But Percy has a habit of not taking no for an answer." Iroh grinned at the thought of the rebellious boy. Zuko frowned considering what his uncle had said before pulling out his old Earth Kingdom knife. He gazed at its inscription for a long moment. Then he severed his ponytail before handing the knife to his uncle to do the same to his top knot. He watched with a heavy heart as the hair floated down the river.
( - )
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!" The soldiers stationed outside of the princess room both cringed at the sound of the enraged bodyguard.
"HE WAS TRYING TO KILL ME AND YOU LET HIM GET AWAY YOU IDIOT SAVAGE!" Neither guard had ever heard the princess lose her cool like this before. Both of them were debating if they should abandon their post and take cover or remain in the danger zone.
"ALL I SAW WAS YOU READY TO BLAST LIGHTNING AT ZUKO. YOUR BROTHER!" Both guards could feel the ship shudder as the waves became more violent.
"WELL MAYBE IF YOU DID YOUR JOB I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO." Now the hallway was starting to get uncomfortably hot.
"YOU'RE THE ONE THAT ORDERED ME TO STAY AWAY! HE CAN'T BEAT YOU AND YOU KNOW THAT! YET YOU STILL TRIED TO KILL HIM!"
"OH, SO YOU THINK I'M A MONSTER NOW DO YOU?" Both guards made the smart decision and fled like they were being chased by a saber-tooth moose lion.
Azula went from angry to hurt and maybe even a little scared. Percy softened his voice. "Azula, you're not a monster. I've never said that I will never think that. But why did you try to kill Zuko? He's your brother, family sticks together."
She stiffened at Percy's mention of family sticking together. Where had Zuko been when the servants and other kids whispered about her. Calling her a monster, thanking Agni that she wouldn't inherit the throne. Where was Zuko when her mother abandoned her? Where was Zuko when she was alone with her father? Azula's rage began to build again. Percy was siding with Zuko. He didn't think she was fit to rule. He didn't think she mattered; he just saw her like everyone else. Azula's vision turned red.
"AND WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT FAMILY?! LAST TIME I CHECKED YOU DIDN'T HAVE ONE!" Azula spat. She wanted her bodyguard to hurt. She wanted him to feel alone like she did. But once she saw Percy's face, she regretted even thinking those words.
The demigod stormed out of the room, his face a mask of rage and pain. His sea-green eyes were dark, a never-ending storm within them. He slammed the door behind him and was gone before Azula could fully process what had happened.
The princess sank into her bed, tired and upset. She felt so empty after fighting with Percy. This was the first time they had ever been truly angry with each other. She just wanted it to go back to the way it was, she wished she could take back all the horrible things she said to him. She just wished she wasn't such a monster. If the servants noticed her pillow was wet the next morning, they didn't say anything.
( - )
The next two days were torture for the princess. The first day Percy wasn't around at all. He had jumped over the side of the ship and didn't come back until the sun had set.
When back on board, Percy was cold and distant towards her, no more lopsided smiles or bad jokes. Just stoic silence and formality; the opposite of how he usually was. Azula was only half listening to Lo and Li as they gave their advice on how she should proceed.
"When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with the royal procession may no longer be the best option."
"May no longer be wise."
"If you hope to keep the element of surprise." The twins finished in unison.
Azula glanced over at Percy waiting for his usual quip about how creepy the two sisters were, or a joke, or at least his opinion. His face remained impassive. It was unsettling, for the first time since she had met Percy, she couldn't tell what he was thinking. She wondered when he'd learned to be able to hide his thoughts and feelings from her. She didn't like it.
He's thinking you're a monster. He's planning on leaving you like everyone does once they see what you truly are. A dark voice whispered in the back of her mind.
Shut up. He's just upset. He'll get over it and it'll all go back to normal in a few days.
Oh yeah, he definitely can't wait to be friends with the crazy girl again. The voice responded sarcastically.
I'M NOT CRAZY. Azula screamed in her head
Says the girl arguing with the voice in her head.
Lo and Li interrupted her thoughts, "What are your orders, Princess?" They spoke in unison again.
Azula took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering. "You're right, I need to be fast and the royal procession will only slow me down. It's time to visit some old friends."
( - )
Ty Lee was feeling ecstatic - no, exuberant - no, elated. Something with an e sound. But that didn't matter, she was happy. Joining the circus was the best decision of her life. Sure she missed Azula, Mai, and Percy but this was where she belonged.
Her joyful acrobatics practice was interrupted by the sight of two of the people she had just been thinking of.
"Ty Lee could that possibly be you?"
Ty Lee gasped and dropped gracefully into a bow before embracing her old friend. "Azula, Percy! It's so good to see you guys!" she said happily.
Percy offered Ty Lee his first genuine smile since his fight with Azula, "It's good to see you too, it's been too long, " He said fondly as he hugged her tightly.
"Please don't let us interrupt... whatever it is you were doing." Azula contemplated asking what Ty Lee was doing here before dismissing it as her friend's natural oddity.
As Ty Lee went back into another impossible position as Azula made her pitch. "I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor." Before she could continue Ty Lee interrupted her in a worried voice.
"What's wrong with you guys? Your auras are all angry, sad, and shaky." Ty Lee shivered, obviously not happy with what she was seeing, "What happened? Did you guys have a fight or something?"
Both Percy and Azula stiffened at the mention of their fight. Percy grew uncomfortable with the situation and blurted out an awkward excuse before running off, "Um I need to check the perimeter... for, um, assassins! Yeah, assassins." Azula would have laughed at her bodyguard's awkwardness if it wasn't her he was trying to avoid.
"What's going on?" Ty Lee put her hand on Azula's shoulder calling her attention away from Percy's retreating form.
"Could we talk in private somewhere?" Ty Lee had always been good with people, maybe she had some advice on what to do.
"Sure, my tent is just over here."
( - )
Percy walked around the circus through the crowds of people as he tried to order his thoughts. Things with Azula were tense as ever, he was just glad to see Ty Lee again. Hopefully she joined them, Percy missed her. Unbidden, Percy drifted back into the time he'd gone and visited her.
(Flashback)
Percy shouldered through throngs of people as he made his way up the street to the giant house at the top of the hill. He waited patiently at the front gate before he was let inside. He walked through the extravagant house, it was nearly as over the top as the royal palace. Not a speck of dust anywhere, everything shined and polished. It seemed fake in appearance. He would never understand how Ty Lee came from somewhere that seemed so fake but had such a genuine personality.
He followed the servant as they guided him into a large room and was greeted with all of Ty Lee's family turning and staring at him as he interrupted their conversation with his presence. He spotted Ty Lee immediately behind her siblings as they moved towards him and waved at her, a crooked smirk gracing his face at seeing his friend again. He started towards her; however, his path was impeded when all of her identical sisters swarmed him, firing off questions too quick to answer.
( - )
Ty Lee stared dumbfounded as Percy entered the room with her and all her sisters inside following the servant. Despite her and her sisters all looking identical Percy spotted her in just a few seconds and shot her a smirk and waved at her. Her. Identical to her sisters in every way, but Percy had singled her out without hesitation. She felt recognized, valued.
Her sisters converged on Percy, blocking his path to her. His smile was easy to see as he laughed at some of her sisters' questions as he continued towards her as she remained standing, still shocked that Percy had known it was her. She never stuck out in her family. Ever. She was a nameless piece, part of the family set. She leaped forward and barreled into Percy, wrapping him in a hug.
"How'd you know which was me?" she murmured in his ear while he hugged her back.
"How could I not?" Percy fired back. She looked at him confused as he smiled at her, "Your eyes sparkle."
She laughed loudly, remembering the conversation she had with him years ago when she said much the same thing.
She pulled his hand as she yanked him out of the room, leaving her siblings behind as they made their way through the halls towards outside, "Besides, friends are like siblings we never got. I'd always be able to tell my sister apart," Percy told her.
Ty Lee smiled, shaking her head fondly. Percy could never know how happy that made her, but she'd never forget it.
(End Flashback)
Getting Ty Lee back would be so much fun, she and him connected much sooner before he and Azula and they'd been close ever since. Hopefully, she could talk to Azula and help smooth things out between them. He missed his best friend but he couldn't lie that she'd definitely hurt him with her remarks about family.
( - )
"-and now he hates me and I don't know what to do. Not to mention I have no idea how to deal with Raijin and this Agni-damned arranged marriage!" Azula finished heatedly. They were both sitting in comfortable chairs in Ty Lee's tent. It seemed either the circus was very successful, or there were advantages to being of noble blood, even in a circus.
"Azula, I've known you since we were kids. You have always figured things out. This is just another problem for you to solve, even if it is crazy ridiculous. You're Azula the crown princess. Your. A. Bad. Bitch. Besides Raijin can always have a life-threatening accident or something right?" Ty Lee spoke with a hint of a smile spreading across her face.
"Ty Lee?! I knew you had a little killer in you somewhere!" Azula gasped at her friend and looked at her in an entirely new light. Ty Lee was right. She was Azula of the sapphire flame. She would conquer this problem like all others before it. But what about Percy? Suddenly all her confidence evaporated leaving her worried and nervous. She began fiddling with the cup of tea Ty Lee had given to her.
"Have you tried talking to Percy since your fight?" Ty Lee asked her friend when she sunk back into the chair and stared at the tea like it might grow legs and runoff.
"Well... no. Not exactly. But he's been so distant and cold since the fight I assumed he didn't want to speak with me." Azula responded to the question.
"Well... if you don't try how will you know?" Ty Lee brought her cup of tea up to her face and inhaled the rich scent before taking a sip.
"What would I even say to him, Ty Lee? 'Hey, sorry I tried to murder your friend then brought up how your entire family is dead.' Somehow I don't think that's going to go over well." Azula started with dry sarcasm.
"Well, you could start with the truth. Explain why you did it and why you got so mad at him. Percy likes to talk Azula you know that, you just gotta jump into it" Ty Lee answered calmly.
There is no way I'm doing that. Azula thought to herself. She didn't want to go into her messy childhood with Percy, and she didn't want to talk about the occasional voice in her head. But if opening up to him (even if only a little) is what it took to get him back, she would do it. Percy was her best friend, he made everything better when he was around. The last few days of him acting like she didn't exist had been utterly miserable. Percy was worth showing some vulnerability.
"Thanks, Ty Lee." Azula took a sip of her cooling tea before setting the cup on the ground beside her. "I'm gonna try that now." She said gratefully.
"But my show is about to start! Can't you talk to him after? Please? For me?" Ty Lee pleaded. Her massive grey eyes begging Azula to say yes.
She hesitated before agreeing. She did owe Ty Lee for sitting down and letting her vent after all. "Alright, I'll stay" And she picked up the tea again.
( - )
Azula was walking out of the main tent heading towards her bodyguard who seemed to be talking with one of the circus folk about one of the animals. She wished she could say she enjoyed Ty Lee's performance, but honestly, she hadn't been paying attention. She was too busy thinking about how her conversation with Percy would go. She should have been doing whatever she needed to ensure Ty Lee would join them on her mission, but she just couldn't focus on that. Not with Percy still mad at her.
She took a deep breath before walking towards him. "Percy, can we talk?" Azula cursed herself for sounding so weak.
Percy stiffened for a moment before letting out a deep breath. "Look Azula I don't know if now is the right time-"
"Please."
Azula never said please. She was the crown princess. She didn't ask for anything. She got whatever she wanted and gave commands. Percy knew this, his eyes widened a bit before continuing.
"Yeah sure, we can talk." He said after a slight hesitation. Azula brought him into her temporary tent so they could speak in private.
"Look I, uh, just wanted to say I'm sorry for everything and let me explain myself if that's okay?" She blurted out in a rush. When she saw Percy slowly nod his head she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Percy was going to listen, she had her chance.
"I'm so sorry for bringing up your family like that. No excuse or reason can justify it and I promise it will never happen again. I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth." She looked at him timidly as he nodded for her to continue.
"There's a lot you don't know about me and Zuko. Growing up, we never got along with each other. And I know you're probably thinking the whole 'siblings fight' but with us, it was deeper than that." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Our parents didn't have any resemblance to a good marriage, they fought constantly. I'm not sure my father ever loved my mother for anything other than her appearance." She held up a hand towards Percy, "I know you don't like my dad at all. I get that. But he's still my dad Perce. I've always wanted to make him proud."
She took another breath before continuing. "I don't think Zuko ever picked up on the turmoil between our parents. So as they fought more they started to pick favorites. Father favored me because of my firebending, and my mother favored Zuko. Dad was my idol. He was the Fire Lord, ruler of our entire nation. I modeled myself to be more like him. I acted older, I was more cynical, and I became cut off from the world in ways."
"That pretty much destroyed any chance of having a happy sibling relationship. But it got worse as time went on. When Mai started developing feelings for Zuko, it felt like my friends were picking sides too. And then you told me that you and Zuko were friends before he was banished. I definitely should've pieced that together since Piandao is the best swordsman, but Zuko and I didn't talk much. So when you told me, I felt that same way again. So I think you can maybe understand why I got so upset when you said family sticks together cause, well, mine doesn't."
Azula was staring at the ground. She had never opened up like this to anyone. She hadn't talked to him about everything but it was still more than she had ever told anyone else. She was terrified that Percy would reject her now that he had seen a glimpse of how broken she was. To say she was surprised by what he did next would be an understatement.
He hugged her.
Azula wasn't used to being hugged. Especially not by Percy. Azula wasn't exactly a touchy-feely type of person. Although his armor made it kinda uncomfortable, it was still nice. She felt like all her worries about her father, and that ridiculous arranged marriage didn't matter. That Percy would take care of everything.
Then she nearly had a heart attack. Percy kissed her forehead before leaning back, ending the hug far too quickly for Azula. As Percy pulled away, he linked his hands with Azula's tightly.
Oh Agni. Was it always this hot in here? Her whole body was tingling all over now. It felt like she'd just gotten a full body massage head-to-toe. And were her palms sweaty?!
Percy's voice brought her back. "Azula I'm not going anywhere. I may be friends with Zuko, but that doesn't change the fact that you're stuck with me. I had no idea any of that happened to you growing up. You can talk to me whenever you need me, you're my best friend. Besides, you're not getting rid of me that easily with just a few insults." Once Azula saw his lopsided grin she finally relaxed. It felt like someone had taken a giant weight off her shoulders. Things were back to normal.
( - )
As Percy and Azula were gathering their things and preparing to leave the circus for their next destination, a pink blur cartwheeled towards them. A pink blur with a travel bag strapped to her back.
"Wait up you two! I'm coming with you." Ty Lee exclaimed as she bounced up and down in front of the two surprised benders.
"But Ty Lee, I thought you were staying at the circus. You love it here." Azula asked, confusion lacing her tone.
"I do love the circus, but I love you guys more. Not to mention I have the feeling you're gonna be needing my advice again soon." Ty Lee said with a sly smile nudging Azula with her elbow while glancing between her and Percy. Azula blushed slightly at what Ty Lee was implying. Percy however, just looked confused.
"Well, we'd be happy to have you with us, Ty Lee," Azula said with a genuine smile on her face. "Let's get moving though, we're burning daylight and it's a long way to Omashu," Azula said quickly before her friend could say anything else to embarrass her.
Ty Lee giggled before nodding. The three friends finished gathering their things before setting off to Omashu. Their quartet was almost complete.
( - )
Mai stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to the governor's house as she watched a red palanquin carried by four imperial firebenders, and flanked by two familiar figures move towards her. Her old friend Azula exited the palanquin and walked up to her; she gave a slight bow before pulling Mai in for a hug surprising her.
Mai overcame her surprise, "Please tell me you're here to kill me." She said in her usual monotone. Then she narrowed her eyes at the chuckling figure before her.
"It's great to see you, Mai." Ty Lee beamed, pulling her into a hug as well.
"Still as gloomy as ever I see. Where's my hug?" Percy quipped earning a dark glare from Mai as she considered just how much Percy needed his left arm.
"I thought you ran off to join the circus. You said it was your calling." Mai said as Ty Lee disengaged from the hug.
"I thought it would be more fun to get the old gang back together. You know, Azula and Percy. You and Zuko." Ty Lee said with a teasing grin
"Wait, Zuko?" Mai was too surprised to respond to Ty Lee's teasing.
"He's who we're going after, along with my uncle. My father has declared them traitors and we have to bring them home to stand trial." Noticing the unease on Mai's face, Azula continued. "Although I'm sure they're innocent, once their names are cleared this will all be over." She reassured her gloomy friend.
"Well, count me in. Anything to get away from this place. But I do have a bit of a problem that I need your guys' help with first." Mai said in a somber tone, bringing their reunion to a close.
( - )
As the four friends walked away from the governor and his wife, Ty Lee spoke the question that was on all the minds besides Azula's. "So what's the plan?"
"We were gonna make a plan?" Percy questioned aloud.
The girls ignored his statement, not dignifying a response. "Well, as important as it is to get Tom-Tom back safe and sound, we can't just give the resistance one of the most powerful earthbenders in the world. That would be foolish." Azula said calmly.
"Yeah, but we can't just let them keep Mai's baby brother," Percy responded.
"I never said we would. All I said was that I'm not going to give them King Bumi. I'm sure we can employ some of your aggressive negotiations during the trade." Azula said teasingly as the other girls snickered at Percy.
"I need another guy in this group for real." He groaned aloud.
"Come along my savage, we have work to do." The princess said with a smirk.
( - )
A poorly disguised Aang waited with Katara and Sokka in the meeting place, all of them ready for anything. It didn't take long for three teenage girls to approach them. The Avatar and his friends remained stoic, not showing any surprise at dealing with three teenagers instead of the governor and a platoon of soldiers. They recognized the one in the middle as the girl who chased them with knives during their first night in Omashu. Bumi's insane laugh echoed across the platform as he was lowered to their level.
"Hello everybody!" The king greeted them as if he wasn't in the middle of a tense hostage trade. Aang smiled at his friend's antics.
"You brought my brother?" The knife girl now identified as the governor's daughter questioned them.
"He's here. We're ready to trade." Aang said, both he and his friends kept steady and serious despite the baby cooing and poking at Sokka's face.
"I'm sorry, a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind?" The girl with the red headpiece interrupted. The gaang tensed.
"Depends on what it is," Aang replied slowly.
"We're trading a two-year-old for a king. A powerful earthbending king. It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?" The girl's leader questioned, as Bumi nodded enthusiastically. Aang and his friends grew worried, this wasn't going as planned.
"No, it doesn't seem fair." The governor's daughter spoke up, glaring at the Avatar and friends.
Just as the governor's daughter finished speaking someone swung up onto the platform behind them. Three pairs of eyes quickly scanned the intruder. Their finely-tuned threat detection instincts noticed the new person heading towards them was wearing blue armor. Blue was the good guy and red was bad, so if he was wearing blue he was probably on their side. They all lowered their guard for just a moment thinking some unknown reinforcements had arrived.
Unfortunately for them, a moment was all Percy needed. He dashed towards Katara and faster than any of them could react, swept her legs out from under her and pinned her to the ground. One knee pressing down on her back while his forearm pressed against her neck with a wicked sharp dagger held dangerously in his hand. The attacker raised his head to glare at the stunned Sokka and Aang, revealing his tanned skin, messy black hair, and piercing sea-green eyes.
"How about you give back the child you kidnapped and I don't kill her?" He said in a dangerous tone.
Sokka noticed the sea serpent symbol displayed proudly on the center of his blue breastplate. The symbol looked weird on the blue background, almost as if mocking his tribe's color. Sokka gulped. "I knew this was gonna be a trap."
( - )
Author Note - Alright everyone so this is the end of chapter 6 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.
- What are your thoughts on Percy's meeting with Zuko and Iroh after such a long time? I wanted to show that Percy is still upset Zuko never wrote him back, but it's his oldest friend. He's not going to capture him the first time they see each other even if it goes against Azula.
- The Percy & Azula argument is the first time we see that two clash so openly. Percy and Azula have very different personalities so they're bound to clash at some point. Azula with the coldest insult of the book to date though.
- Azula and the girls reunite to join forces and Aand and co are finally introduced. We'll see more of them now though through fight scenes and character perspectives since they're in it.
- 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 advice on being a better writer.
Duces