Chapter Four: Protection Racket
Azula left the throne room, feeling a little rejected.
Father hadn't said anything critical or bad per se, but it had been in his posture. He'd kept eyeing Azula in a suspicious way as if wondering what she was going for. That she might want to improve the Fire Nation for its own sake, it was something he found impossible to believe.
"So how did it go?" asked Zuko.
"Awful, Father didn't like any of them," said Azula sadly. "He kept asking pointed and suspicious questions. It happened every time I suggested ways to improve things. He accused me of being weak when I suggested punishing war criminals. And when I suggested removing certain commanders from their positions, he got defensive. Then he ordered me to get out."
"What?" asked Zuko. "But... you've always been Father's favorites."
"Yes, but I never questioned him before now," said Azula, realizing as much as she said it. "You were the one who always presented the perspectives he didn't like, just like Mother did.
"Either way, I got his permission to go downriver and examine the conditions of the villages. We should be able to collect evidence of any misuse of power in those regions. And we can address any major concerns in the process.
"It was a good idea you had, Zuzu."
"I know," said Zuko. "We went to so much effort to reorganize the Earth Kingdom; we ought to do the same for the Fire Nation."
Azula nodded and decided to move on to better matters. "Anyway, I've decided to finally break in Katara for good tonight."
"Break in?" asked Zuko.
"Oh come on, Zuzu," said Azula. "Do I need to explain it to you? Want to come?"
Zuko shifted and looked away nervously. "I... think I'd rather not."
Enjoying his hesitation, Azula put a hand to his cheek. "Suit yourself, Zuzu."
Then she moved on.
Walking through the halls, Azula decided that what came next would be the perfect way to take her mind off this. Maybe she could also visit that Suki girl later? Although Azula had taken her before entering Ba Sing Se, so that might take some persuasion.
To Azula's pleasure, she found Jin waiting outside the door. Jin bowed before her and with her many of her servants. Azula smiled. "Is she there?"
"Yes, we had her tied to the bed like she ordered,".said the servant girl, looking a bit awkward. "Obviously she cooperated, but um...
"Please don't hurt her."
"Don't worry," said Azula, reminding herself that she hadn't been nice last time she was here. "I'll be gentle."
Opening the door, Azula found Katara lying on a bed, tied to the four posters by ropes. She looked at Azula and blushed as Azula moved forward, drawing off her shirt.
"Azula, what is the big idea here?" asked Katara, pulling at her restraints.
Azula crawled over Katara, enjoying her helplessness as their breasts were pressed together. Their lips were inches apart as Azula put her hands on Katara's rear. "I think you get the idea already.
"You look beautiful if it helps."
Katara looked away. "Um, what do you mean, if it helps..."
Playing at innocence? That was so cute. "Oh come on, Katara, I think we both know what I've been building up to."
"Hang on, this is uh... this is way too sudden..." said Katara.
"Nothing sudden about it," said Azula, beginning to draw off her outfit. "Now, why don't we-"
The door slammed open, and Ty Lee ran through. "Azula!"
"What is it Ty Lee?!" said Azula, looking up with the mood killed.
"Um, Zuko sent me to ask you to come to the meeting room," said Ty Lee. "He's put together some maps and wants to discuss the exact route we'll be taking.
"Um, sorry for interruption your um..."
Azula looked back to Katara in irritation. "...To be continued.
"Let me just get the leash."
"Do we really have to-" began Katara.
"Yes!" said Azula, standing up and putting on her shirt. "Nothing else is going as planned today; I will at least have you walking behind me on a leash." Picking up the leash, she attached it to Katara's collar and then removed it. On a whim, she grabbed a gag and fitted into Katara's mouth.
"MMPH!" said Katara.
"Oh, quit complaining," said Azula, breaking the ropes. She handed the leash to Jin. "Take this."
"Um, Mistress Azula?" said Jin.
"Yes, what is it?" asked Azula.
Jin looked to Katara, who was fuming with anger and disappointment. "Maybe, maybe we could give Katara a break?"
Azula paused for a moment. "...Fine, but I expect you to dance for me all the harder for this.
"We'll be going on a stunning trip downriver, so it should be nice and scenic."
The river stank to high heaven, as the boat cut through waves of sludge. Dead fish could be seen floating on it, mutated horribly. The plants along the shore were dying, and even the presence of Katara on a leash couldn't distract.
"...Um, do you-" began Ty Lee.
"Shut up," said Azula. Then she looked to Mai, who was testing the weight of a dagger. "Alright, Mai, who's responsible for this? I know full well that factories aren't meant to create this much waste."
"Ordinarily, that would be true," said Mai with disinterest. "However, this area is occupied by the descendants of Earth Kingdom immigrants. They are descended from colonists sent by Chen the Conquerer."
"Wonderful, we'll burn the village to the ground and cleanse this area," said Azula.
Then she saw Katara looking at her with disapproval, and Azula remembered to be nicer. "...After we ascertain the guilt or innocence of the village, of course. Then we'll burn it down."
"Azula, the people in this region, aren't responsible for the water at all," said Zuko. "There is a factory on the river near here that Father set up. It's been producing materials for the war." He motioned upwards, where Azula saw a war factory sitting above and pouring waste out of pipes.
"Wow, it's almost like nonstop war made on the entire world is bad," said Katara.
"Katara is right, Azula. We've basically won at this point, Azula," said Zuko. "If we close the place down, it could help a lot."
"Maybe so," said Azula. "But I'd like to visit this village first. I think it's possible this is somehow their fault."
"How could it be their fault?!" asked Katara.
"Have you seen the Earth Kingdom?" asked Azula. "Those people are incapable of running their own lands. I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow messed everything up."
"You don't actually believe that," noted Mai. "Why are you really up to?"
Azula sighed. "Well, if there's one thing I've learned, it's that all kinds of opportunities can be found if you dig a little deeper. Zuzu, you and I will go incognito onto the village.
"After all, these villagers must by now be a fusion of Earth and Fire. Perhaps they will have some unique perspective that is of-"
An old man with friendly insanity in his eyes greeted them on the dock. The people here were malnourished and clad in rags. Meanwhile, the village itself was made of wood and filthy cloth. "Hey folks, my name is Xu, I operate the village fish market. Don't mind, Dock, he's a bit eccentric."
"Who is Dock-" began Azula, stepping off the boat.
"I'm Dock, and I'm Xu's brother," said the same man, running over to a ferry. "I ferry people across the river for a price. Just don't listen to Xu, he's way too uptight."
Azula raised her hands and began channeling the power of lightning. As she fired the bolt, it shot toward the old fool, only for Zuko to catch it in hand and redirected it skyward. It exploded in the sky above. "Azula, no!"
"JUST ONE LIGHTNING BOLT!" cried Azula as Katara grabbed her from behind. "JUST ONE! I'VE BEEN GOOD! I DESERVE TO INDULGE MYSELF!"
"You folks are a bit eccentric, aren't you?" asked Doc.
"How do you even sell any fish with these waters?" asked Katara.
"Well, with difficulty," said Xu, or so Azula guessed as she tried to get her hand aiming. "It didn't use to be so bad, back when the Painted Lady was here. Since the Fire Nation started pouring their foulness into the river, it's all gotten like this."
"Who is this Painted Lady?" asked Katara.
"She's a really powerful spirit who protects us," said Xu. "A beautiful river spirit that hasn't appeared in a long time."
Azula took a few deep breaths. "...Well, she certainly seems to be doing a good job." And then she had an idea. It was a wonderful, terrible, awful idea. If they could keep the Painted Lady contained, they could hurt her. That meant Azula could threaten her.
"Zuzu, a word."
Azula took him and Katara aside, and Zuko paused. "Yes?"
"I think it's about time we started our conquest of the Spirit World," said Azula. "So, I think I'm going to blackmail this Painted Lady into swearing loyalty to us."
"You can't negotiate with spirits!" said Katara. "Only the Avatar can do that!"
"Katara does have a point," said Zuko. "Traditionally, the Avatar is supposed to be the bridge with the spirits. How do you intend to negotiate with them?"
"With threats of force, obviously," said Azula, walking over to the edge of the pier.
"Nice knowing you," said Katara.
"Ahem, Painted Lady!" said Azula. "I, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation, hereby command that you emerge and parley with me! Obey, and you may be rewarded! Defy me, and this village shall pay the price for its defiance!"
Dead silence followed.
Katara laughed. "Oh, what's wrong, Princess? The river itself not commanding your-"
And then the Painted Lady rose out of the river, bearing a broadbrimmed hat with a veil over her. She wore a colorful outfit and glared at Azula. "...What is it that you desire? You have already ruined my river."
"That wasn't my order," said Azula. "However, I wish to help you if you must know. You see, the war is over. The factory on those cliffs is of no further use. I could easily order it disabled; however, I will need something from you in return."
"What is it?" asked the Painted Lady. "And why should we have anything to do with you?"
"I want you to pledge loyalty to the Fire Nation and me, eternally," said Azula flatly.
The Painted Lady's eyes became visible through her veil, glowing red. "Spirits do not serve humans."
"Well then, I see no reason to remove one of my father's appointments," said Azula. "I'm sure there are other river spirits who will be more reasonable, and I will need some factories. And you can stay here and suffer for all eternity."
"Don't you realize that if the land suffers and dies, your race will too," said the Painted Lady.
"Oh, that's true," said Azula. "But it won't be my generation that dies out. So I can afford to risk it. Can you?"
"...What do you expect me to do?" asked the Painted Lady.
"Well, for a start, you can send messages of any notable figures who come up this river," said Azula. "And work against them.
"So, what would you prefer? One little pledge of loyalty to the Fire Nation you live in?
"Or this?" She motioned to the disgusting wasteland.
The Painted Lady shifted. "...I will do as you ask."
"Perfect," said Azula. "Come on, Katara, let's go blow up a factory."
One or two problems, but this week had been pretty good.
That was the beginning.
The group proceeded up the river, making contact with the spirits of the river wherever they did. Each time, they made a few threats, pointed out the reality of the situation. Then they politely demanded their subservience. One spirit, of a sacred grove, refused flatly.
Azula then set fire to it and asked it again. When the spirit agreed, Katara was allowed to put it out in an instant. It was a lot of fun, and she also managed to get a lot more powerful than usual.
They also fired a lot of corrupt officials, quite literally, and made some environmental regulation.
Zuko waited outside again after Azula finished making her report.
"So, how did Father take the news this time?" asked Zuko.
"Very well," said Azula with a smile. "The factory was a small price to pay for the fealty of river spirits, after all. It'll make future invasions into the Fire Nation by that route far more difficult. And now we have the means to force them into line.
"We've improved our reputation, fixed serious problems, and gained more power.
"All in all, a very productive achievement for us both, Zuzu.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a meeting."
No need to tell Zuko about it; this time, Azula suspected Zuzu had sent Ty Lee after her on purpose. Well, what he didn't know couldn't hurt him.
Making her way into her room, Azula opened the door to where Ty Lee and Katara were chained to the wall. They'd been deliberately moved there after Azula had drugged some of their drinks.
"Azula, what is this! Why are we here?" asked Katara.
"Yeah, um, I sort of have an itch," said Ty Lee, taking it in stride.
"Oh, sorry ladies, I just thought we might try something new," said Azula. "Now, why don't we-"
The door opened behind her, and Mai walked in. "Azula."
"WHAT?!" said Azula.
"Firelord Ozai wants you to prepare for a War Meeting," said Mai.
Azula put her face in her hands. "...To be continued."
She made for the door.
"Hey, don't leave us here!" said Katara.
"Feed them grapes if they want," said Azula to Mai. "I want them here when I get back!"
And Azula marched out, enjoying Katara's outraged cries.