Fire Nation Capital
Prince Zuko raised his left arm horizontally, his bright amber eyes squinted in focus as he guided his arm towards his abdomen. He has redirected lightning before, not just with the Firelord watching. Of course, this was a completely different circumstance. Zuko's usual calm composure when bending was interrupted by the thundering pace of his heartbeat, fuelled by his deep thirst to prove himself to his father. His cool perspiration tickled his naked torso due to the sweltering afternoon sun. His muscles tensed as the lightning attempted to leave his control.
Big mistake.
His bicep involuntarily relaxed. The balance of his stance did not feel right, Prince Zuko lost control of his form. This allowed the lightning to climb from his abdomen up, he shook in agony. For the smallest fraction of time, Zuko's eyes widened in realisation, fear and pain. After that he squeezed them shut, it's not like he had a choice. The pain consumed him.
But it ended as soon as it started.
The bending demonstrator who formed the lighting tamed it as soon as the Prince convulsed. Both he and General Iroh ran across the training courtyard towards the Prince who was now sprawled on the cobblestoned ground. "Zuko, are you okay?" Zuko opened his eyes and chose to ignore his uncle's concerned question. The Prince lifted his head, looking past the stray hairs from his bun. He dared to look at where his father stood. It was too late, the Firelord and his attendants were already walking towards the castle entrance. Zuko could've sworn his heartbeat thumped to the sound of his father's fading footsteps. He tried so hard to please him. Yet in his sixteen years of existence, not one praise from the Firelord was directed at Zuko.
His Uncle Iroh and the bending demonstrator held his each of his arms, guiding him to stand. Humiliated, Zuko's anger boiled inside him, he snatched his arms from his two companions and stood up by himself. His frustrated amber orbs never left the door his father entered in.
"Prince Zuko, you did well." General Iroh's voice gently praised him. General Iroh actually believed what he said. Yes, it's true Zuko did not succeed in redirecting the lighting today. But he tried. And isn't that the point? Of course he knew his brother sees things a different way, he sees everything a different way. Firelord Ozai emitted wickedness in the way he acts on his diabolical views. This was why Iroh has unofficially made it his mission to steer his nephew from the same path.
"Uncle, why was he here? I only started learning this form two weeks ago! I had nothing to show!" Prince Zuko fumed. His father's presence that afternoon was unexpected. The Firelord never showed any interest in his son's firebending abilities, he already knew he had nothing against Azula.
"Maybe he just wanted to see how you were going with your technique?" Iroh suggested. This time, he himself did not believe what he suggested.
Zuko's handsome features formed his signature scowl. "Yeah right. He just wanted to see me fail. Azula's mastered this form two years ago." Zuko really didn't understand why his father had the need to watch him perform today. Did he only want to see him humiliate himself once again? Zuko knew his father never did anything without any purpose. This made him nervous. There was suddenly a bitter taste in his mouth. The taste of fear. What was his father planning?
"It's not good comparing yourself to your sister. It is true she has advanced fairly quickly. But Prince Zuko, you two are two different people. Two different people destined for two different paths in life." Zuko tuned out his uncle and his inspirational talks. As much as he appreciated his uncle supporting him at every turn, Zuko really can't decipher most of the 'wisdom' that his uncle tries to contribute to the situation.
Behind the wall of fire, Firelord Ozai sat on his throne as a messenger travelled from the throne room door to the front where the Firelord is seated. Many servants would agree that the throne room is the most spine-chilling place in the palace. The nature of the Firelord's sour mood always matched the aesthetic of the throne room. It was almost like it was made for him.
The Firelord was radiating aggravation more than usual. He just witnessed his pathetic son fail once again. He knew he should've gotten rid of the boy a long time ago. This was one regret that resurfaces every time he looks at the boy.
Now, his son was protected by his sad excuse of a brother. They were both pathetic. Weak. They deserved each other.
"Firelord Ozai, word has arrived from the Princess," The messenger declared as he kept his figure at a low bow.
The Firelord's expression remained unmoved. The Firelord already knew it was good news. His daughter Azula has never failed him, not even once. As the years go by, the Firelord is becoming more and more convinced that his daughter was fit to be the one to succeed him. He could never imagine his son sitting on this throne.
The Firelord's silence cued the messenger to proceed. "The Princess has successfully conquered Ba Sing Se. She has disguised herself as the enemy and infiltrated the city. The Dai Li is now under her control."
The smallest smile (more like a delighted sneer) formed on the Firelord's lips. "That is indeed very good news." His eyes quickly darted to his attendants, "This is what I have always expected from any sires of mine. Conquering cities, your Princess Azula has proven herself worthy to be called my daughter once again. Every day she spends in the front lines, we inch closer to victory" The Firelord said to no one in particular, "But that Zuko." Firelord Ozai expressed venomously. "He will always carry his mother's weak blood. He will always be a disappointment. If only..." He paused dramatically.
"... if only he is killed mysteriously, at some sort of raid perhaps? Or a random explosion?" The people in the throne room did not even react at the Firelord's suggestion, it was almost like they will vouch for anything the Firelord suggests. They knew better than to cross him. It was almost common knowledge to the Firelord's closest attendants that he fantasised about his son's death more often than he'd like to admit. It was a fact that nothing would make the Firelord happier than putting his son out of misery from his sorry existence.
"Should we arrange someone to take care of that, my lord?" Asked one of the attendants in an even voice.
Ozai paused, he was actually somewhat entertained that not even a small part of him held him back from the words he was about to say. He found that he had to force himself to think about any other way Zuko could be of use. But he could not think of anything.
"Yes." He dragged out the word longer than necessary, his ember eyes looking redder than usual.
Ba Sing Se
The following night, a Royal Fire Nation bird arrived at the Palace in Ba Sing Se, delivering a page of parchment from the Firelord. Sitting on this very green Earth Kingdom throne is Princess Azula, her eyes rapidly scanned the instructions given to her on the piece of parchment. As she read further down, her smile grew wider. After she finished reading, she threw her head back and laughed. It was an evil laugh.
Curious, Ty Lee tilted her head from her spot at the bottom of the stairs to the elevated throne stage, "What is it Princess Azula?" Ty Lee glanced at Mai leaning on the pillar next to her, she was twirling her knife in boredom. Secretly, Mai also waited for the Princess' answer in anticipation.
Princess Azula gathered herself as she rolled the parchment back to its original state and tucked it in her robe. "It seems Father finally had enough of my pathetic brother," Her mouth still formed a smile.
At the word 'brother', Mai stopped twirling her knife but other than that, she did not react. Mai has mastered the art of the perfect poker face. There are only two things in this world that can earn a reaction from Mai. One of them is the fine craftsmanship of a sharp blade and the other one is the Prince of the Fire Nation himself.
"Father, has sent Zuko to govern Ba Sing Se." Mai was glad she was the only one who can feel her suddenly rapid heartbeat. Zuko was coming to Ba Sing Se. Zuko was coming here. Zuko.
Before she could settle on the idea that Zuko was coming to Ba Sing Se, Mai grew suspicious of Azula's tone. She couldn't read it. Is it meant to be a bad thing that Zuko was coming here?
Ty Lee's big eyes widened even more, "Wow! That's a pretty good punishment if you ask me!" The acrobat seemed excited, she whipped her head to look at Mai once more. And indeed, her bestfriend's cheeks were flushed.
"Well, considering that we are expecting the resistance to fight back in no time, wouldn't it be such bad luck for my brother to be caught in the crossfire." Princess Azula amplified the last words of her sentence for effect and waited for her companions' responses. Her perfectly manicured hands gripped on the arms of the throne, she could get used to this. With Zuko out of the way, she will be first in line to become Firelord. She always thought she looked good sitting on thrones.
A big gasp was heard from Ty Lee, whose usually happy features slowly deteriorated into a shocked and somewhat scared expression. A smaller, barely audible, gasp was contributed by Mai. For the first time, her facial expression betrayed her. Mai's lips formed a soft O shape, her light hazel eyes showed real fear.
"But Azula-" Ty Lee started.
Choosing to ignore Ty Lee's protests, Princess Azula continued. "It's the perfect plan if you ask me. Letting Zuko feel like he's accomplished something in his life for once by letting him play governor for while. And just when he is in his high, that's when we shoot him down. I'm honestly disappointed I didn't think of this idea myself."
Azula widened one eye, and specially looked for any sort of emotion on Mai's face. She was not dissapointed. Mai never showed emotion, it made her a good companion. It was very rare Azula could get a reaction from her.
Princess Azula chose to push Mai even further. "Cheer up Mai, I know you have this silly little crush on my brother, but as your friend, I'm saving you from wasting any time on him,"
Mai's face is now back to her usual blank expression, but she couldn't help her cheeks forming a deep red tinge from aggravation. Mai chose not to answer Azula. She knew at that moment that anything that would come out from her mouth would just result in some sort of punishment.
Azula's goal was to get a bigger reaction from Mai. Disappointed, Azula pursed her lips. Not that the princess was expecting Mai to bawl her eyes out, she herself knew that is near impossible. Perhaps she overestimated Mai's crush on her brother, who could blame Mai, Zuko shouldn't really be worth anything.
Suddenly, Princess' vile smirk returned, "I think, to make sure that Zuko really ends up dead, Mai should be the one to drive a knife to his heart- or lungs, or throat, I don't mind. I'm not picky."
That earned a reaction from Mai. She turned her head to the Princess, ready to protest, but she couldn't form words. Princess Azula spoke first, "That is an order." At this point Azula really did believe she was a genius.
Azula did not hear a reply from Mai. "Is that clear?" Azula raised her voice with authority.
Mai faced the princess and bowed her head slightly, "Yes, princess." Her raspy voice answered dutifully. Mai tried to mask any sort of emotion on her reply. Ty Lee looked at her friend and she saw that her gray aura became an even deeper gray. Not black, just a very emotional, expressive gray colour. And the acrobat could've sworn she saw a mix of red, orange and sparks of yellow. Ty Lee herself couldn't explain this.
That night, in Mai's chambers, Mai laid in the dark on her double canopy bed. She was waiting until the moon has risen high enough to confirm that everyone should be asleep by now. Her bedroom is now one of the guest rooms in the Royal Palace. After conquering Ba Sing Se, the Princess saw fit that they should all move to the palace, they are technically the rulers now.
She has repeated what Azula ordered her to commit a hundred times in the last hour. She has to kill Zuko. Her? As if she'd ever touch a hair on his head. Yes, she has fantasied about touching his hair. But that was in a completely different sense.
To this day, it still baffled Mai how Azula and Firelord Ozai are able to treat Zuko the way they do. The father and daughter saw having feelings as a weakness. Zuko cried, he was angered quickly and an instance that Mai knows too well, Prince Zuko can really laugh. To her he was perfect. Her perfect opposite.
Mai was raised to remove all emotions and to just be a quiet obedient daughter. There was no space for personality. She herself didn't even know she was capable of feeling until Zuko. Well, to be more accurate, when she first held her first knife. But Zuko amplified that feeling a thousand times more. How could she kill him?
Mai wasn't aware her mouth formed a small smile. She caught herself and shook her head. There's no time to think about that. Mai took a glimpse of the tall windows of her room, the moon is no longer visible from her point of view. That was her cue.
Mai propped herself up and slowly got up from the bed, the wooden floor creaked softly at her every step. She made her way to the desk on the opposite side of the wall and gently opened the drawer to obtain a pair of flint stones. Such a mundane thing to do, it would have been a lot easier if she was a firebender. She tiptoed towards the window to close the curtains, she can't afford for anyone to see her room lit up. She eventually found her way back to the desk after walking blindly in the dark.
Mai sat down on the desk, lit a candle and prepared three parchment papers. She started to write.
My fellow members of the Order of the White Dragon,
Today, I have been instructed by Princess Azula to assassinate the rightful heir to the Fire Nation Throne, Prince Zuko. Firelord Ozai himself has given the order to have the Prince killed. Our society has decided long ago that only Prince Zuko is capable of stopping this war if he were to become Firelord. If I do not kill him, someone else will be ordered to. This is our time ladies. The very reason we took the White Dragon oath. To protect the throne of the Fire Nation. We need to save him.
...
Mai has filled the whole page with the explanation of the situation. She refused to acknowledge her aching hand as she made two more copies of the same letter. It was relevant that the Order's elders knew of this, one of the copies will be sent to them. The other two will be sent to the members of Mai's very own small team. Azula was not the only one who had an small elite group of warriors. One of the copies will be sent to Suki of the Kyoshi Warriors, the other one will be sent to Princess Yue of the Norther Water Tribe.
The three of them, female non-benders from three different nations. No one will suspect a thing.
A/N: This is my first ATLA fanfiction! Yes I am extremely late joining this fandom. The truth is, I've watched ATLA growing up. Now, as an eighteen year old, I rewatched it. And let me just say, my Maiko heart has driven me to write a fanfiction! That's a big thing!
Please review, I need feedback on my writing and the story/plot in general. I really tried my best. English isn't my first (or second) language. I also don't have a beta. But anyways, thank you for reading! Enjoy!