Chapter 43

Coming of Age

Azula

I snarled in fury fire exploding from my fingers as I melted the ice around my legs. Damn that girl to the darkest pits of the spirit world. I hoped she would be forced to burn eternally. Taking a deep breath I sent a scathing look at my two companions, Ty Lee and Mai. Ty Lee was holding her leg, probably nothing more then a sprain. I turned to the door, it was ridiculous the amount of sheer ego this man had, two twelve foot tall gold and jade encrusted doors to lead to his throne room. Then again many people worshiped the one who sat in this seat as if he were a god. I reached the door and pushed. Nothing happened. I placed my hand against it and snarled. Cold, that water tribe peasant must have frozen it and as the door itself was made of wood she probably thought I wouldn't dare burn it. She was wrong. Fire exploded around me, ripping into the doors. I kept a steady stream of fire, ice making the flames flicker and splutter. Glaring, I sent more flame to the wood. Finally it caught on fire. I watched the doors burn slowly, frustration building. I knew they were getting away. Fine, perhaps they would escape but they would regret it before the day was out.

An hour and a half later the doors were destroyed into a pile of charred wood, metal and precious stone. Water dripped from the doorframe and pooled on the floor. I glared at the mess. A small group of servants stuck their heads around the corner as I strode past them.

"Clean up this mess." I barked before turning. A sneer curled my lip at Ty Lee's limping form behind me, Mai supporting the girl.

"Why don't you walk on your hands, it won't hurt as much," I suggested to Ty Lee. I saw the girl falter but I ignored her moment of weakness. Spinning on my heel I called for my Dai Li agents. I had something I had to do.

"You called princess," one of the leaders, a man called Yao asked. He was a handsome man, for a commoner.

"Yes, I want to make an announcement to the entire upper ring, then I want messengers to take the same announcement through the rest of Ba Sing Se. I suppose I can trust you to do that?"

"Of course princess," I nodded. No one moved. Snarling, anger flooded through my systems.

"Now!" They ran. My mouth quirked and I shook my head. They were all fools, peasants, and people still believed that they deserved to be treated well. They were little better than animals. Turning I once again entered the throne room. Mae and Ty Lee were standing there, Ty Lee on her hands like I had suggested, Mae looking bored. I smirked

"Come with me, we have some announcements to make."


Outside the sun was warm. Below me stood all the men and women from the upper ring, most looking like animals about to be lead to slaughter.

"My good people." I cried, catching the attention of those who had been conversing with others and dragging their attention to where I stood. Silence. Good.

"I am Princess Azula of the fire nation," there was an eruption of murmurings and fearful glances. I raised a single hand and they all fell silent.

"I regret to inform you that your king has abandoned you, running off with an enemy of the state, the avatar along with the traitors Zuko and Iroh of the fire nation. Those two traitors have been living hidden in your midst, going under the false names of Lee and Mushi." I scanned the crowd, noticing how some people were confused, some didn't care but others... others recognized the names I had said. I could see by the shock in their faces. I wasn't surprised, from what the Dai Li had told me my bumbling uncle had set up quite a reputation as one of the best tea makers in Ba Sing Se. Typical, fuddy duddy uncle making tea. It was the only thing he was good at really.

"Yes I know it is shocking to hear that your own kind betrayed you, left you for the fire nation to take but that is the most likely case. The other is that the avatar and his companions, including those two fire nation traitors kidnapped the king which makes them your enemies as well. Either choice it is yours to decide. Until the time when he returns I will keep this city safe from the likes of those traitors. You are dismissed." I turned briskly and exited, Mae and a limping Ty Lee following behind.

"Azula aren't you worried that some people were a little... too attached to your uncle, after all they were living here for over a month." Ty Lee asked, trying to catch up. I slowed my pace by a fraction, allowing kindness to my friend.

"I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to cause problems because of some old tea maker was a traitor. If anything they'll feel angry and betrayed by him for lying. Mae glanced over at Ty Lee and the limping girl sent an equally loaded look back. I pretended not to notice.


I inspected my nails, glancing at the red paint covering the sharp tips. I was distracted from my inspection by a slight cough. I looked up. One of the Dai Li agents, a man I had never bothered to learn the name of, was standing in the door looking at me. Neither Mae or Ty Lee were anywhere to be found.

"Yes." I asked sharply.

"Princess Commander Yao said to tell you... tell you that there was a small rebellion in the lower rings." I jerked upright and glared at the man.

"Do you mean to tell me that there was an attempted uprising?"

"Yes Princess, however it was quickly eradicated. Commander Yao just wanted to know if you wanted to deal with the ones who began it." I stood up.

"Yes. They thought to start an uprising? I'll make sure no one ever thinks of trying that again." I hissed. I noticed that the man was covered in a thin layer of sweat. He was scared of me, good.

Obviously they had already repaired for my answer as within minutes six people were escorted into my throne room. These were the ringleaders? Peasants, how pathetic. There were two adult men and a woman of the same age. A man a few years older then I and a girl. The first two men were very similar in appearance, brothers I assumed. The woman had brown hair and dark eyes. Her skin was dark from working in fields. The young man glared at me in determination, green eyes sharp. The girl also had dark skin, her hair pulled into braids.

"What are your names?" I asked softly. The girl quivered but the others remained strong. This girl was clearly the weak link.

"Nidhi and Ratna." The two men who looked similar stated. Twins perhaps? Rare for both to survive but apparently these two had.

"Ajala." The woman stated.

"Joh." The younger man stated coldly.

"Jin." The girl stated before speaking again.

"You're Lee's sister? No wonder he and Mushi left." I jerked. This girl knew my uncle and brother, personally from the sound of it.

"Their real names were Zuko and Iroh," I stated with a small smile, "and they were traitors."

"They are good men." Jin snarled. Perhaps my first assessment was off, this girl was not as weak as she had appeared at first. Not that her strength would spare her.

"Please understand, the penalty for your crimes is a harsh one but I understand..." I trailed off and gently cupped the chin of the woman, Ajala, in my hand, "you have families to take care of so I am willing to let the others go free, if you will tell me who started the whole thing. Who came up with the idea to cause problems for the princess who was so kind as to decide to guide your city personally." They remained silent.

"Tell me who started this outbreak of violence and the others can go home to their families, those who refuse will die." A shudder passed through the group before me. No one said a word.

"What was the purpose of the rebellion? To cause trouble? Did you really believe that you could cause an uprising that-"

"LONG LIVE FIRE LORD ZUKO!" I jumped at the boy's scream. Joh, snarled, fighting against the Dai Li who held his hands behind his back.

"DOWN WITH OZAI!" I snarled at Joh's continued screaming. It was time someone screamed back.

"Fine! You've decided the fate of all those here. I will personally make an example of you all." I screamed back, my voice pitching into a shriek of anger. My cry made him fall silent. I turned coldly towards one of the Dai Li who was not holding the prisoners.

"Announce the deaths of the rebells, invite any who want to see it. Make sure every name is used, and if you can bring any relatives to watch. Make sure that everyone knows the price of disobeying." The man nodded and vanished. I turned back to Joh, my gold eyes meeting his wide green ones.

"Congratulations. You're going to have the honour of dying at the hands of a princess."


Toha stared at the huge platform. When he had heard that Joh was to be executed he had to come. Joh was his brother in arms, both of them had entered the city just before the coup from Princess Azula. They had agreed to be spies for Su Sen here. Now though, his brother was about to die. He grit his teeth head up as he met his brother's eyes. He would not cry or show weakness. He would let Su Sen know of the princesses cruelty. He would make sure that she was punished for her crimes, he didn't care that she was a girl of fourteen. This was an evil bitch, a demon in a girl's flesh.

"You are accused of crimes against the Fire Nation including rebellion, treachery, and spewing false propaganda! For these crimes I, Azula Princess of the Fire nation, sentence you to death." The girl seemed to be enjoying the pain she was causing. The families of those five stood beside him, crying. The princess was dressed regally and held herself with pride as she stalked closer to the innocents who were held there, feet stuck into the ground, hands pinned by the Dai Li gloves. Toha's mind whirled as he tried to figure out how this girl was going to kill them. A sword? Have her friend with the knives stab them one at a time? Use earthbending to drag them below ground and suffocate? He had heard that the princess could use lightning, perhaps she was going to electrocute them? A child screamed for his mother but the princess ignored it, still pacing up and down. She stopped in front of Joh.

"You shall die first." Fire erupted from her fingers, fire with no smoke. Toha stared and collapsed to the ground, sick. The screams from his brother rang in his ears as he literally burned to death.

"Who will die next?" The princess mocked, "Or who will give up the leader of this? Who will renounce my brother and the avatar. Neither of them are here to save you are they? You all will die unless you bow and promise fealty to me." Toha knew the answer, not one was going to give in. Even the seventeen year old girl on one end who was sobbing. She was scared but she would never renounce Zuko, the true Fire Lord. She would never renounce the Avatar. She would die, holding on to hope for a better day. Azula was not done. Turning she laughed, outright laughed over the dying screams of the burning man.

"I sent an army of two thousand men after your so called 'true fire lord', even as we speak they are marching towards them. Do you give in now? The avatar, Zuko, they will all be dead within the next day."

"Liar!" The girl screamed, trying to struggle towards the witch who planned to burn her alive, "they will not die!" Azula turned, her face cold.

"Maybe, maybe not. But you will."


Sokka

I had been talking with Zuko when the news came. There were two letters both of importance. My father had called a meeting. Zuko sighed causing me to laugh.

"I'm sure it's just information on how the war is going in other places, nothing to serious." Zuko shrugged.

"It could be, it could also be bad news." I frowned.

"You're in a foul mood today? What's got you so upset?" I questioned. Zuko and I had been spending a bit of time together. He was a good fighter and unlike many benders he had weapons that he used as well, a pair of duel swords. He was very, very good with them. Better then either Maddi or I at our weapons. It was a little hard to take until he explained to me that he had been learning the sword since he was four years old, much younger then I had begun my warrior training.

"I'm just thinking." He stated, closing the conversation. We were almost at the tent anyway. I noticed Zuko's eyes attach to one person before he dragged them away. Pala. Why was Zuko staring at her? The scarred prince vanished into the tent, leaving me to wonder if there was something going on between the two of them. Shaking my head I entered the tent, deciding to think about it later. The second I did I knew that this was not just any news. The tent was eerily silent.

"Is everything alright?" I questioned as I took my place beside my sister.

"Not really." Pala muttered, "We've got news from the North Pole, and Ba Sing Se." As usual my father started the meeting.

"Princess Yue recently contacted us. She is sending her own troops to help us win this battle." My heart soared. Yue was okay, this was great news, she was sending troops to help us too. That stopped me.

"So what is the problem?" I asked. To my surprise it was Su Sen who stood up.

"I have been contacted by one of my spies in Ba Sing Se, I told him only to contact us if there was an emergency." My elation faded away. Something was wrong then, the question was what.

"What does it say?" Katara asked, nervousness clouding her voice. My father was silent for a while.

"There was a small rebellion after Azula took control, people who my spies told about the revolution, people who knew Iroh and Zuko or your group," he looked at us, "personally." He sighed.

"Six people, including one of my men were caught and executed. Let these names be remembered in honour, Nidhi, Ratna, Ajala, Joh, and Jin." Zuko and Iroh both jumped. The eyes of everyone in the tent landed on them. They were not the only ones who looked stricken either. Pala's eyes were wide and filled with tears, a hand covered her mouth. Zuko stood and swept out of the tent, face closed off. The rest of us quietly fell into silence.

"I'm going after Zuko-" Pala began only to be cut off by Iroh.

"Let my nephew grieve in peace," he stated softly, "we have other matters to attend to here first." She nodded but didn't look entirely convinced. Everyone was quiet for a few moments.

"We need to finish the design for the flag," Pala shot up.

"Are you kidding me? You're so worried about a piece of cloth when six people were just murdered!"

"Sit down." Taanki barked. Pala fell back into position but she had a distinctive hue of grey on her skin.

"It is not that we do not care." My father stated calmly, "but there are other, more important matters. The people need a flag to flock to, one that represents what the fire nation fears and what we want." Pala glared at Taanki, bile in her eyes.

"Fine, then how about this." Angrily she ripped off her necklace and pressed it to the ground. I frowned as the markings created a likeness to the necklace itself. Then she drew around it, just five lines but it changed the entire meaning of the design. With that Maddi stood up and stalked out after Zuko leaving us with four elements inside an arrow.


Zuko

If I ever had the ability to forgive my sister it died with her outright murder.

"I'm sorry." I jerked, turning to see Maddi standing behind me. Her face was hallow, empty of the usual emotions that played across her face. Her 'sun kisses' were clear against her pale face as she sank down beside me and buried her face in her hands.

"I'm sorry." I frowned as she kept repeating those words until they became a mantra, a prayer for forgiveness.

"There is nothing-" I began, placing a hand on her back. That was the wrong choice. She shot upright, fury burning in her eyes.

"There is nothing to say sorry about! Nothing! Really? Despite the fact that this entire fucking war is my fault! If I wasn't here this wouldn't be happening those six people wouldn't have died! Suki wouldn't have gotten hurt! All I seem to do is hurt everyone who isn't a main character! Any death is my fault!" This time I shot up, anger coursing through my veins.

"Your fault! Are you the one who started the war! Are you the one who just murdered six people! The cursed blood of Sozin runs in my veins not yours! All you have done is try to help people! You can't control the actions of others so stop beating yourself up about it. I was the one who hurt Suki, I was the one who started this entire rebellion by accident! You have nothing to be guilty about!" I stopped panting from the shouting. Maddi too stared at me, shocked at my bold statements. I noticed that she clutched something in one hand. Leaning over I tugged a snapped black cord and medallion out of her hands. I had seen it before, it was her necklace. The cord's clip was still intact the cord itself had given way right where the medallion hung. The weight of the medallion against the cord had worn it thin and it had snapped. Her eyes were directed at the necklace in my hands now as she realized what had happened to her necklace.

"Come on." I sighed, still holding the necklace. I looked back to make sure she was following me before heading off. A few minutes later we entered a low fabric tent with two reed mats for beds. Her eyes flicked around my tent in surprise.

"Why are we here?"

"I'm going to fix your necklace." I replied reaching into a small box looking for something that could replace the cord. I found a knife and something else. Smiling slightly I picked up the item, it would work well. I took her necklace carefully removing the clips and attaching them to the piece of fabric I had found.

"You can't be blamed for your family Zuko." She stated as I worked.

"You can't be blamed for the actions of other people." I countered lightly. There was a moment of silence.

"You may know the future but if its changed then you can't be held responsible for knowing it anymore." I slipped the medallion onto the fabric before turning to her.

"How about we both decide to forgive ourselves. After all you're not going to let me hold onto guilt and I'm not going to let you do that either." I paused. Her eyes were fixed on me, listening in rapt attention. I sighed and ran a single hand through my hair.

"I've... been unable to get you out of my mind since Kyoshi island you know that? At first it was annoying but now," I gave a guilty smile, "I don't know where I would be without your voice in my head."

"That sounds a little crazy," She replied, a wane smile crossing her features.

"A little?" I questioned causing her to laugh outright.

"Maddi, I..." I looked away, "I like you." The laughter stopped. I flushed and looked up. Her eyes weren't on my face. She was staring at the necklace I had revealed to her, wide eyed in shock at the red silk ribbon on which her necklace hung.