Aunt Azula
The first person that Izumi ever saw die was one of the assassins that had somehow managed to sneak into her chambers. Her nursemaid had bravely put herself between the assassins and Izumi, but the little girl wasn't stupid. Her nursemaid had been hired for her loyalty and ease with children. She was not a warrior. The assassins would kill her in a matter of moments, and then they would kill Izumi. In all likelihood, the guards around her chamber were already dead. That was the only way the assassins could have gotten this far.
One of the assassins moved forward, fire gathering around his fist and –
And then he died.
His entire body was suddenly swathed in brilliant blue fire so hot and bright that it hurt Izumi's eyes just to look at it. Sweat broke out across her brow, and she tugged her nursemaid back by the hand. They were safe now. Her Aunt Azula had arrived.
"Look away." Her aunt's back was to them – she'd moved so fast that Izumi hadn't even realised she was there until she'd spoken – but her voice was colder than ice. This wasn't the Aunt Azula that helped Izumi with her lessons and poked fun at her father by calling him Fire Lord Zuzu. No, this was the Aunt Azula that her father had once told Izumi was the most terrifying opponent he'd ever faced. "Izumi, look away."
"No." Izumi shook her head. "They came here to kill me. I need to see this."
Her aunt glanced back at her then, golden eyes gleaming, and there was a small smile on her lips. "You will be a great Fire Lord one day."
Then her aunt was moving, swift, precise, and absolutely deadly. The other assassins attacked together, but her aunt seized control of their flames as quickly as they could make them, bathing the room in blue light. Normally, firebending in a room like this, one filled with flammable objects, would have been madness. But her aunt's control was perfect. The assassins burned one after the other, her aunt's flame consuming them with terrifying speed only to vanish the instant her opponents were dead.
A knife flashed through the air, and Izumi heard her aunt give a short, contemptuous laugh as she slapped it aside with one fire-sheathed hand. Of course, her aunt had grown up around Izumi's mother. A mere throwing knife was nothing to her. The last of the assassins turned and ran, and her aunt flicked one wrist.
A bolt of lightning crackled though the air, and the thunder of it shook the room. The assassin went down, and her aunt kicked him over onto his back. Another flick of her wrist set all the candles in the room alight with blue flame. In the eerie azure light, Izumi could see the last assassin's face. He was beyond terrified, staring up at her aunt like she was a nightmare come to life.
"You're probably wondering why I let you live." Azula sneered. "It wasn't out of any misguided sense of mercy, I assure you. That's not my style. But my brother will want to know who sent you and why." She paused. "And speaking of my brother…"
The doors of Izumi's chamber burst open and her mother and father charged into the room with a squad of guards. Izumi left her nursemaid's side and rushed into her mother's arms.
"Azula." Mai's eyes surveyed the scene. "What happened? We found the rest of Izumi's guards outside…"
"Dead. Yes, I know. I noticed them earlier." Azula's lips thinned. "I was out for a little walk. You know I can have trouble sleeping." She glanced down at the man at her feet. He could barely move. Her lightning had done terrible damage to his body. "The others are dead, but this one is still alive. They were taking orders from him. I suggest you question him thoroughly."
"We will." Zuko nodded at his guards. "Take him. Have him interrogated." He inclined his head at Azula. "Thank you."
"Well, what is family for?" Azula turned on her heel, letting the guards sweep past her to pick up the downed assassin. "But you may wish to speak to Izumi as well. She saw everything that happened." She stared at the girl for a moment, and then her gaze was back on Zuko. "You may also wish to advance her training. It is one thing to rely on guards, but the sooner she can defend herself, the better."
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Author's Notes
As always, I do not own Legend of Korra. I am not making any money off of this either.
I imagine that a reformed Azula would be a very big influence on Izumi, particularly when it comes to the more ruthless aspects of ruling.
As always, I appreciate feedback. Reviews and comments are welcome.