"Rejoice," Yeerim, a Fire Nation soldier's voice carried through the courtyard, speaking the words Azula had written for this occasion, "for today, you are liberated from the oppressive, deceitful reign of Long Feng. Today, you are one with the great Fire Nation."
The princess looked down from the palace balcony at the courtyard full of high ranking Earth Nationals. Ba Sing Se had fallen to her a mere few days ago, and with it under her command, she had opened its gates to the Fire Nation. Their army swept through the city, amidst crying children and fearful mothers who had barely even known of the war raging outside their city. Some would-be heroes attempted to fight back against the invaders, but they, unprepared for the ruthlessness of war, were quickly shown their place.
The people who were gathered now, at the courtyard, had not done so willingly, and Azula could feel their half a thousand faces staring up at her, afraid and powerless. She did not want to do this - but she had no choice. She wanted to do this by spilling as little blood as possible, and she had to make an example of someone. Already the Avatar was slain, but that had been a necessary death. She'd spared his friends. She'd ordered her men not to kill unless necessary. Not to torture. Not to rape. There were thousands of them in the city now, and she could not oversee all their actions. But at least she did not endorse them. It made no difference to the citizens, of course, if they did so regardless. But at least she'd tried.
"Your king," Yeerim continued with Azula's speech, "is safe. The courage he displayed is testament to how dearly he loves you, his people, and we are certain that with the unity of our two great nations, he will work hard to bring to you true prosperity."
That was not a complete lie. King Kuei really was safe, albeit imprisoned in his own comfortable bedroom, guarded at all times. But he'd been a coward through and through, and attempted to run as soon as he felt the rumble of the army in the palace. No love for his people, no loyalty, no sense of responsibility… Azula regarded him with utter contempt. If ever her city should fall, then she, as princess, would stand for and fall with it. The citizens, nobles and peasants alike, were her people, and she could never imagine abandoning them to face the invading army alone.
But though she held the coward in no regard, he did not need to die. He was only a puppet king, after all, and might prove useful yet. Or at least, keeping him alive would not do them any harm, unlike someone…
"Today, the Fire Nation liberates you from the snake at your ankles."
Azula turned her head towards the soldiers behind her. Her voice was soft in comparison to the booming speech of the soldier speaking her words for all to hear, "Bring him forth."
A hand signal between others. The palace doors on the ground floor opened. Two soldiers came out dragging a scruffy man between them, his feet shackled together, his hands restrained behind his back in metal cuffs. His face had thinned. His hair was unkempt. It looked as though he'd aged ten years over these past few days.
"For his crimes against the king and you, the people of Ba Sing Se, Grand Secretariat Long Feng is hereby sentenced to death."
The crowd erupted into noise, but it was only a buzz of murmurs from where Azula was standing, well above them all. Cries and shouts and murmurs. She saw a woman fall to her knees. The crowd only quieted when Yeerim spoke again, forced to settle down to hear what was being said.
"For years, Long Feng abused his station to manipulate King Kuei, and through him, the people. He kept all information regarding the outside world from you, and sent anyone who opposed him to re-education camps to be tortured into submission - or to their death." He said. "He now pays for his crimes with his life."
Finally, Azula looked down at him on that platform beneath her and said, in the eerie silence of the court holding its breath, "Long Feng. Do you have any last words?"
For a moment, there was only silence. And then his voice, hoarse, when he spoke, crackling like a fire. He held his gaze steadily over his people standing in front of him. Held himself with dignity. If he was terrified - he did not show it. This, Azula thought, was how a ruler should face his people at the very end. With honour.
"Everything I've ever done," Long Feng said only a single sentence, wheezing, the effort of speech taking an obvious toll on his body, "was for the sake of our utopia."
He turned his head up now, to look at Azula. Their eyes met for a brief moment - his, bloodshot and weary - before the soldiers clasped his shoulders and forced him down on his knees. He went without struggle.
Azula knew she would see those eyes again in her nightmares.
This was not the first execution she'd witnessed, but it was the first she'd ordered. She remembered flinching, shutting her eyes the first time at the gruesome spectacle, years ago, back when Grandfather Azulon was still Fire Lord. The scent of iron in the air and the sound the sword made when it cut through skin and muscle and cartilage. Her father had noticed her reaction and he'd put a hand on her shoulder, not exactly comforting, not exactly threatening. There was disappointment in his voice when they spoke afterwards. He'd said that execution was an honourable death and that she should never turn her eyes away. Next time, she made sure not to, but Father didn't praise her. Nevermind that she had nightmares for three weeks straight. That she sometimes still dreamt of it, even now. That, that first night, she'd waited for her mother to give her a much-needed hug goodnight, but she'd lingered too long by cry-baby Zuko, and Azula had fallen asleep before she came to give her the hug she'd promised. But it had taught her to soothe herself, and it was thanks to this that she could now stand before the court in Ba Sing Se and order such a terrible thing. Such a necessary thing.
She wouldn't look away. Though it was not her hand that would take his life, it was by her order, and so she would take responsibility. It was the least she could do. It was what she owed him.
Long Feng bowed his head.
The sword came down.
It took three weeks to arrive to Bhizu, but finally - they were here. The sight of the sea and of their ship filled Azula with relief, like proof of the fact that they were getting closer and closer to home. If it was up to her, they could not have possibly left Ba Sing Se soon enough, but arrangements had to have been made. She left a number of Fire Nation generals to keep the city in order, until Father decided whom he wanted to leave officially in charge. King Kuei she left under indefinite house arrest. She took a handful of Dai Li agents with her, too, for they were good soldiers, and besides, weren't they supposed to integrate with the Earth Nationals from now on? They'd certainly find the Fire Nation to be a good match for both their abilities and beliefs.
And oh, Azula couldn't wait to return home, especially with Zuko by her side.
The tank train stopped before the seaport in Bhizu, from where Azula could already see her ship, docked and waiting for them, bobbing gently in the calm waters. Captain Ihn, the soldiers, and Suyin were lined up by the port to receive and greet them with the appropriate royal respect.
The sight of her handmaid filled Azula with a comfort she hadn't anticipated. Ty Lee had adequately attended to her over these past few weeks, certainly, but thanks to such a comparison, she had come to appreciate Suyin's skills. A learned and capable handmaid was a luxury, she'd come to understand. One that she'd taken for granted all her life.
But it wasn't just that - she was truly happy to see Su, not just as her servant, but as- as what? A friend? She wasn't sure she could admit to befriending someone of such low social status, but Su was different from the other peasants, from the other servants. She could make an exception. Or, she supposed, she already had.
"Welcome back, princess." Captain Ihn said with a bow of his head, "We congratulate you on your exceptional victory."
Azula did not have to force her smile, "Yes, I am pleased that we are able to report back to the Fire Lord with such great news. It is thanks to all our efforts that the Fire Nation has achieved such prosperity, and I thank each and every one of you for your contribution."
Of course she could claim it as her own victory, for it was by her hand that everything fell so neatly into place. It was her own calculated plan, through and through, that allowed them to take Ba Sing Se as easily as possible, shedding as little blood as possible. The victory came not by brute strength, as was usual in their great nation, but by cunning. Even so, she would not have been able to conduct this mission all on her own, and so she wouldn't forget those who supported her along the way. Even the sailors were crucial to her victory. She was glad to share it with them all, for her victories were their victories, united by their shared vision of greatness.
"In the same vein, I welcome back Prince Zuko, without whom these accomplishments would not be possible." Azula looked to her brother, who was standing, awkwardly, between her and Mai. In these past three years, he'd lost nearly all semblance of royal elegance to him, but no matter. He would learn again.
"Although his banishment has yet to be officially rescinded, you are all to consider it done, and treat him as the prince he is. Is that understood?"
A chorus of yes, princess echoed through the crowd, though she could see unspoken questions on some of the men's faces. They were probably wondering whether she spoke the truth, or whether this was just another attempt to trap Zuko and take him home as a prisoner without force. Captain Ihn looked particularly troubled, and the thought flickered through Azula's mind to have some fun with him. She wasn't lying this time; she really did intend to reinstate her brother's princehood once they reached home. Or, rather, to convince Father to do so, for it was not technically in her power to take back his punishment. But maybe she'd tell Ihn otherwise. It would be fun to watch him squirm and desperately try not to repeat his mistake from before.
(But then again, if he slipped up once more and Zuko believed him - that could lead to a nasty situation. Maybe it wasn't worth it after all.)
"Well then. I'm eager to get back home as quickly as possible, so let's not waste another minute. Men, prepare for departure. Transfer General Iroh onto the ship's prison, and be cautious. I would not put anything past him. Bring over our belongings and the provisions as well. We set sail as soon as it is done."
"Wait, princess- before that-" one of the soldiers interjected - Han, if Azula remembered his name correctly, "-there's something you should know."
He stopped there. Azula cocked an eyebrow, "Well?"
What was so important that it warranted setting aside her orders?
Han cleared his throat and looked at Suyin, who was standing beside him and beginning to look very uncomfortable indeed. Azula approached them both.
"I'd rather speak to the princess alone," Suyin mumbled, her gaze trained to the ground, "and once we board."
"No." Han insisted slowly, and Azula had the feeling this wasn't the first time they've had this conversation. "Tell her now."
She was about to pull Suyin aside to speak privately with her, as she wished, for she trusted her handmaid's judgement more so than Han's, but before she had the chance to do so, Suyin fell to her knees, into the deepest bow, as if to beg forgiveness.
"Five of the prisoners escaped under my watch, as a direct result of my negligence." Suyin said in an obviously rehearsed script. "For that, I am terribly sorry, and will take full responsibility and accept any punishment deemed appropriate."
Azula frowned. The Kyoshi Warriors had escaped, then? Or, all but one. "There were six. What about the other one?"
"She was successfully handed over to the airship bound for Boiling Rock."
So it was the leader who remained their prisoner - that was good. She was certainly worth more than any of her underlings, so if they could only keep one, this was the best case scenario.
"Stand up, Suyin." Azula instructed. "The ground is filthy. You'll get your dress dirty."
She got up, slowly, and patted the dirt off of her hands. Her eyes flickered to Azula's, and then back to her hands.
"Tell me exactly what happened."
She drew in a shaky breath.
"A few days before we arrived at Bhizu," Suyin started, in a similarly rehearsed voice, although now there was only a slight waver to it, "Suki - the leader, that is - assaulted me while I was bringing in her food. She stole the keys to the cells from me, locked me in hers, and released the others. Then she returned to take me as a hostage, which prevented the soldiers from stopping the escape. We only managed to catch one."
Azula couldn't tell who looked more nervous - Suyin, or the soldiers. It irked her, though, how the men, older and stronger and properly trained for war, stood around her handmaid, silent and towering. How they pushed the blame onto her with no apparent remorse. One person to take the fall for their collective failure…
"How unfortunate indeed. Captain Ihn," Azula turned her gaze to him, standing just as silently as the others, "What do you believe is an appropriate punishment for my Su here, for having allowed my prisoners to escape?"
He flushed red, evidently having caught on to what Azula was not-so-subtly implying. If they were to rank prisoners… well, losing General Iroh and Prince Zuko was a far greater sin than losing five no-name Earth Kingdom teenage girls. No one could argue with that.
"Well?" She urged him on, "Imprisonment? Banishment? How about execution? Or should I be merciful?"
Captain Ihn licked his lips, nervous. "Mercy."
"What was that?" She pretended she hadn't heard him, just to force the words out of him again.
"Be merciful, princess. It could have happened to anyone." His words came out a lot more shaky than Suyin's had.
She nodded, satisfied with his answer, satisfied with how much she'd made him squirm. That was enough for now; she'd get bored if she kept at it too long. They still had a few good weeks ahead of them to spend together on the ship before they arrived back home.
"Very well. Besides," she turned now from the captain and from Suyin - sweet, simple Suyin, who was certainly incapable of acting in any planned treachery - to the others, who had also been on that tank train with the prisoners.
She let her gaze settle on Han, "my handmaid was assigned to tend to the prisoners. The responsibility of stopping any escape attempts falls not on her, but on you, seasoned soldiers. She is the last to blame; I would not expect her to fight against them."
The others visibly stiffened, although they did an admirable job of keeping their nerves to themselves.
Azula continued in a light tone, "But, in accordance with Captain Ihn's request, no one will be punished. Capturing the Kyoshi Warriors was vital for our conquest of Ba Sing Se, but we have little use for them now that it is done. Their escape is of no detriment to our victory. The Earth Kingdom has fallen, the Avatar is dead, and my dear brother has returned to us."
There was absolutely nothing that could destroy her good mood. She had too many victories to let them be dampened by a few little mishaps. All she truly wanted right now was to go home - no, to be home already. Petty grievances be damned.
"Is that all?" Azula asked, allowing her voice to rise, a little, with impatience. "Then, get a move on. Prepare for our immediate departure."
They set immediately to their preparations, and Azula could finally spare a more private moment for Suyin. She still looked rather shaken, but the relief on her was more than evident. If it took her a moment to gather herself, Azula wouldn't blame her. But this certainly wasn't the way she imagined their reunion to go - not with an embrace, but a deep, desperate bow.
"Su. It's good to see you." Azula smiled.
Her gesture must have been friendly enough, for Suyin returned the smile with obvious relief. "You too, princess. Congratulations on your victories. And- thank you, for your understanding and mercy."
Azula waved her hand in dismissal, "I didn't mean to frighten you. I wouldn't have executed you, you know. It was only to drive home a point."
Suyin nodded, "I know."
Azula couldn't tell whether that was the truth or not, but Suyin, at least, didn't look too terribly shaken up. When she stepped back, Ty Lee bounced up to the girl and threw her arms around her, an embrace eagerly returned, and Azula almost wished she'd done the same.
"Su! It's been so long!"
"It hasn't been that long," Mai interjected, and greeted the handmaid with only a nod of the head.
"Well, yeah, but it feels like forever! I mean, so much has happened since we last saw each other." Ty Lee said as she finally let go.
"That's true." Azula agreed. It felt more like months than weeks of being apart - a distance in both time and space that now, amended, felt like home.
"By the way," Ty Lee piped up, her eyes bright, "I just remembered, now, when you spoke about, um, all that happened – that girl's name, it was Suki, wasn't it?"
Suyin nodded, "Yes."
Ty Lee clapped her hands together, "I knew it! That cute boomerang guy - he said he was involved with a Suki! It must be her!"
Azula raised a brow. "Is that so?"
Then it was very good that she was the one prisoner that remained. Although the Avatar was dead, Azula certainly couldn't put it past his friends to attempt to interfere with their plans even without him. Already she knew that they were planning an attack on the day of the Black Sun, and so she couldn't let her guard down in the slightest. Perhaps Suki would be of use to them yet…
In any case, it was good to be back and on the way home, and all that unpleasantry about the prisoners more or less put behind them. She motioned for Zuko to approach them, who was still somewhat lost in how he should behave now that his position was reinstated - or soon to be, hopefully, reinstated.
She turned to her brother, "This is my handmaid, Su."
"Suyin." She corrected gently. Politely.
"Right. Or Su-su." Azula looked at Ty Lee and laughed at her own joke, "Su-su and Zu-zu."
Her friend giggled.
Zuko scowled, as easy to rile up as always, "Don't call me that."
Oh, Zuko. He'd always been so easy to tease. Even now, three years later, she knew exactly what buttons to press. Maybe he didn't enjoy her teasing much, but at least it felt normal. Like things were back to how they were before, well, all this happened. Before the war. Before his banishment. Before his scar.
She hadn't missed the way Suyin refused to look at him directly, obviously making a conscious effort not to stare at his disfigured face. A polite gesture that could, she supposed, be understood as shyness, as a maid hesitant to gaze upon a prince's face, but Azula knew it was not about their difference in status, but his appearance.
Even Azula had to admit it was a grotesque sight: the scarred skin pulling his face taunt, the lack of an eyebrow, the way his eyelid drooped, that ugly stump of an ear… Father hadn't done him any favours with that, not at all. It was hard to look at; it was hard to know just what their father was capable of doing to them. Sometimes, when she looked at him, she could still smell the phantom scent of burning flesh; hear the echo of his screams.
She didn't know what Zuko had done, exactly, to earn his punishment - she hadn't been in the war room then - and only knew that he'd embarrassed Father and had made a fool of himself. No one had told her the specifics. But though she hadn't been there for the meeting, Father had invited her to the Agni Kai. She'd been young then, and eager to perfectly play the role of the princess. Excited to be included, when she, not yet eleven, hadn't ever before been allowed to even sit in a proper war meeting. She hadn't known just what it would come to, but the few executions she'd seen had prepared her enough as not to flinch and look away. Father would have known if she did - that much she was certain of.
In truth, executions were easier to watch than that had been. At least there the punishment was quick; a clean, neat swing of the sword to sever the head from the body. So quick that it was nearly painless. But Zuko had brayed like a poor lamb to the slaughter, tears evaporating before they could fall down his cheeks, and he'd moaned well into the night as he tossed and turned in a feverish pain, like a ghoul haunting the palace halls. Azula hadn't been able to tear her gaze away from the gruesome spectacle, and she told herself that it was a way to honour her brother. To witness him, rather than turn her eyes away.
He'd been confined to his bed for a week, flitting in and out of consciousness. And then, as soon as he'd been well enough to get out of bed - he was forced on a ship and sent out on his impossible mission. With half of his face wrapped in bandages, Azula hadn't even seen the extent of his burn. Not until now, when she'd been sent out to imprison him. Not until it had healed.
But it seemed that Father had been careful, merciful, even then, for Zuko still retained the sight in his eye and the hearing in his ear on the left side of his face, disfigured as they were. Father hadn't truly wanted to hurt him, Azula knew. It was just a lesson. Just to keep him in place.
The lesson that he wore so openly on his face was surely one he would never forget. One that Azula would never forget. One that was meant to keep them all in place.
But ugly as he was, he was her brother, and Azula would not avert her eyes from him. To look him straight on was to return to him his dignity. She'd have to talk with Su, too, and tell her that not looking at him was just as rude as staring. An understandable blunder, of course, but one she wouldn't allow regardless.
It had taken even Mai and Ty Lee a while to get used to that disfigurement, but things had returned, mostly, to normal now. Back in the palace in Ba Sing Se, she'd even witnessed Mai tenderly caress his scarred cheek when they thought that no one was looking, and she'd noticed how her brother first stiffened at the contact, and then relaxed into it. Though she'd wanted to speak with them then, Azula had retreated, opting to give them a rare moment of privacy.
It was then that Captain Ihn approached her and tore her out of her thoughts, "Princess, everything is ready. We can depart."
"Good." Azula nodded, though it didn't escape her notice that he still addressed only her, and not her brother.
She supposed it was natural that change was to come slowly, but she was sure that the Fire Nation would soon accept Zuko back as their prince. She would make certain of it.