"Well, well, well. What do we have here"?
Bending down to get a closer look at the familiar colored fur, Azula had to keep herself from sighing as her companions offered their own opinions on their discover.
"Wads of wet fur. How delightful"
"Hmm, they're not wads, they're more like, bundles. Or bunches? It's got an "uh" sound"
"Clumps"?
"Yes Clumps! They're clumps"!
Rolling her eye's at the familiar banter between the cynical knife thrower and the eternally optimistic acrobat, and noticing the knocked over tree tops that were going in a opposite direction of this new trail, the molten eyed princess moved to refocus her companions attention back to the task at hand.
"Amusing as this conversation is, I'm afraid that this leaves us in a bit of a dilemma. Knowing that their in no real condition to stop us, it appears that our quarry has decided to split up in the hopes of leading us astray".
Climbing back onto her mongoose lizard, and pleased to see that her friends were quick to follow her example, Azula outlined her intentions.
"You two will follow the path of crashed trees. Undoubtedly that is the direction in which that flying bison has gone. I will follow this trail since it most assuredly leads to the Avatar himself".
Frowning in confusion at this logic, for though she wasn't lacking in the brains department stratedgy had never been her thing, Ty Lee did something that most people would consider a death sentence.
She questioned Azula.
"Wouldn't it better if we stayed together and followed the bison? The other trail might be a false one, and once you get to the end of it, you might find no one there".
Smirking at the acrobat's explanation, for it was always nice to have competent subordinates who could at least provide a reasonable explanation as to why they were questioning her plans, though only her friends could get away with the tiniest bit of insubordination without being reduced to ash, Azul proceeded to explain her reasoning.
"Normally you would be right Ty Lee, but on this occasion you couldn't be more wrong. Our little get together in Omashu revealed that the Avatar is willing to do what ever it takes to protect his friends and allies, even if it means sacrificing himself so his friends would have a chance to escape our grasp. Also, I suspect the late Admiral Zhao and poor Zuzu have made it clear to the air bender just how persistent a fire bender can be, so he knows that the only way to ensure that I don't follow those Water Tribe peasants is too keep me preoccupied long enough so they can get away".
Jumping back onto her own reptilian mount, the energetic acrobat beamed at the princesses explanation.
"Wow Azula that's so clever. But what do expect me and Mai to do while your off chasing the Avatar"?
Sighing at her friend's naivety, though to be honest she quite liked the praise she was getting, the princess nevertheless explained the mission she had in mind for the cheerful girl and the dour knife thrower.
"You and Mai are to capture the Avatar's friends and wait for me to come back. I don't expect them to prove much of a challenge for you thanks to their current level of exhaustion, but be cautious. From what we saw last night, they now have an earth bender travelling along with them, which means that you be on your guard at all times. Understood"?
Waving her hand in a lazy manner, Mai acknowledged the warning with her usual bored sounding tone.
"Yeah yeah. We'll be careful. Just don't expect us them to be in the best condition after we're through with them".
Giving a single nod to her rather unique childhood friends, Azula dug her heels into the side of her mount and started the journey towards her destination. And as her mount followed the trail of bison fur, her thoughts wandered to her so called predecessors and how they had failed to defeat the air bending Avatar.
"Of the two, Zhao was probably the least effective. While I can respect his logic in wishing to prevent the birth of the next Avatar before we've finished our conquest, the man was an utter failure. Despite the vast resources father placed at his finger tips, that fool allowed the Avatar to slip from his fingers time and time again, and thus has caused our final victory to be postponed for an indeterminable amount of time. But Zuko, unlucky weakling though he is, had managed to come closer to success than Zhao ever had, even though all he had at his command was a outdated cruiser and the dregs of the fleet for a crew. Even his bending, while no where near my level, has come a long way from what it was before his banishment. Still he too lacked the ability to permanently remove this threat to the Fire Nation, though considering the terms of his banishment, I suppose it makes sense that he wouldn't think about crossing that line. It doesn't matter though. The Avatar will fall, and poor sweet Zuzu will join him".
Allowing a smirk to cross her face as she eagerly anticipated the fate of the two potential obstacles to her ascension, Azula urged her reptilian steed to pick up the pace. For it would be rather rude if she showed up late to the Avatar's funeral. And a Princess must always be courteous in such matters.
...
"So let me get this straight Mayor Tong. You had the Avatar in your grasp, and were about to execute him for the crimes he committed in a past life, but you decided to let him go after he agreed to prevent the Rough Rhinos from bringing your town under the jurisdiction of the Fire Nation. Do I have that right"?
Fearfully nodding at my question, and failing to contain his expression of helpless as he stared directly into my eyes, the mayor of Chin Village evoked a feeling that had become quite common after I had stepped off the boat that had brought me to the Earth Kingdom.
Contempt.
Whether it was due to the incompetence of my chosen side's soldiers, or the self serving grovelling of Earth Kingdom leaders, I felt nothing but disdain for those I was forced to interact with. However, thanks in part to the rather generous nature of the Fire Lord, I had been granted the authority to deal with these annoyances however I saw fit.
So with that in mind, I allowed the mayor of this rather pathetic town to debase himself by grovelling for leniency while I thought of a suitable punishment.
"Please my lord, you must understand. We only freed the Avatar because he stopped those Fire Nation soldiers from destroying everything. We had no ch..GRKKKK".
Having grown tired of his excuses, and wishing to convey to the silently watching villagers that their lives were in my hands, I used the power that flowed through my veins to silence the Earth Kingdom official as I allowed a bit of false sympathy to enter my previously congenial tone.
"Oh I understand completely Mayor Tong. You were reluctant to accept your new status as subjects of the Fire Nation, so instead of turning him over like loyal and patriotic citizens, you decided to align yourself with your new country's greatest adversary. Which I'm unfortunate to say makes you AND all the citizens of Chin Village traitors of the Fire Nation, and their is only one appropriate reward for traitors. Can you guess what that is"?
Despite being in the invisible grip of my power, Tong managed to slowly shake his head before I ended his suffering in my favorite fashion. Using a bit more power to strengthen the vice like grip that had been the first technique I had mastered while studying under my mother's tutelage, I was quickly rewarded with the unmistakable sound of neck bones snapping under pressure.
Dropping the now deceased mayor to the ground, and taking a moment to revel in the looks of terror that were currently adorning the faces of the Chin's population, though I noticed that several members of the new Fire Nation garrison where also uneasy at what they had just witnessed, I addressed my terrified audience in a manner that was reminiscent of a teacher talking to a chastised classroom.
"As you might have guessed from that little display, the punishment for treason is death. However I am afraid that the crimes of Chin Village were not limited to one man alone. ALL of you share responsibility for failing to adhere to your rather amusing tradition, so I'm afraid that my work isn't finished. But since I'm feeling a tad charitable today, I suppose I can show this town mercy. So instead of executing the lot of you, I'll only content myself with only having two volunteers join the late mayor. I think that's a rather merciful punishment considering the nature of your crimes. Don't you agree"?
Smirking as my announcement caused the villagers to express mixed feelings of relief and horror, I allowed them a brief moment to fully appreciate my unique brand of mercy before I drew my most valued family heirloom.
"So who wants to volunteer for this special honor? I have a long over due appointment I have every intention of keeping, so make your decision quickly. Otherwise I will make it for you".
As expected, this caused a flurry of frantic activity to develop amongst the watching crowd. And though they readily pushed one unfortunate individual to spare them from a grisly fate, I was surprised by the identity of the sole person who willingly stepped away from the crowd.
Ignoring the pleading sobs of the soon to be deceased villager, as well as the frantic begging of those who were desperately trying to recall the unexpected volunteer back into the crowed, I focused my attention on the rather plain looking child who unlike her elders, possessed the courage to take one for the team.
"Well this is unexpected, but interesting. Tell me something girl, why do you sacrifice yourself for those who clearly care for nothing except their own skins"?.
Despite being visibly afraid to be in my presence, the girl managed to look into my eyes with a level of determination that one would expect of a battle hardened solider rather than a child who couldn't have been more than 9 years old.
"It's because its the right thing to do".
Snorting at this rather naive answer, though I had to admire her for possessing the strength of character to willingly die for this belief, I decided to share with her my own views regarding morality.
"You'll find girl that right and wrong mean little in this world. All that matters is if you have the strength to take what you want, or the strength to defend it. If you don't, then your only chance for survival is serving those who possess that strength. Now get back in line".
Though she was understandably confused by my decision, the girl nevertheless complied with my order and was soon tearfully embraced by a relieved looking pair of adults who could only be her parents.
Shifting my focus to rest of the crowd, who judging by their relieved looks believed that I would only be satisfied with one sacrifice, I dropped any pretense of being civil, and allowed a sneer to spread across my face as I addressed the crowd.
"This town is even more pathetic then I though. Allowing an innocent child to die just so you can avoid your proper punishment? I may be a monster, but even I draw the line at killing children. So I think I'll raise your debt to three people, only this time I will be the one to decide which one of you will pay for your treachery".
Selecting two of the townspeople who had unceremoniously pushed the first sacrifice from the protection of the crowd, I decided that a more demonstrative expression of my powers was warranted to get the message across that I was not to be trifled with.
Focusing on what I wanted to happen, and snapping my fingers for a bit of dramatic flair, I watched with immense satisfaction as the bodies of the two rather wealthy looking towns folk exploded in shower of blood and guts.
Ignoring the justifiably terrified screaming of the crowd, I turned my attention towards the unfortunate individual who had been forced to accept the role of a scapegoat.
Allowing a slightly mocking smile to cross my features as the soon to be deceased man sobbed for his life, I once again used the power of my bloodline to force my next victim to look me in eyes.
"Do not worry. Unlike your compatriots, your family will be able to hold a proper burial for you".
And before he could offer a reply to my words, I swung the sword that had been in my family's possession ever since the Avatar decided that my people posed a threat to the so called balance of the world.
Using the now headless body to clean my sword before I stuck it back in its sheathe, I calmly walked through the swiftly parting crowd towards its newly installed governor, taking note that like the rest of his men, his expression was one that I had seen many times since my arrival to the Earth Kingdom 3 weeks ago.
Respect mixed with a healthy dose of terror.
"Thank you Commander for your help in this little endeavor. Such a shame that the Princess wasn't here as well, but at least now I know that I'm headed in the right direction. I don't suppose it would be too much trouble to request a new mount? I'm afraid that the Komodo Rhino I came here with isn't exactly the best animal to use when your pressed for time".
Quickly ordering one of his subordinates to fetch me the fastest mount they had, which unsurprisingly turned out to be a mongoose lizard, I quickly mounted my new steed, and with a bare nod of thanks to the garrison commander, I was soon racing towards the horizon.
By my reckoning, the Avatar had at least a week's head start, while the princess had 3 or 4 days. Normally this would frustrate the efforts of even the most determined of bounty hunters, though I suppose if they had a shirshu with them it would greatly aid their efforts of tracking down their quarry. But thanks to one of the less flashy abilities in my repertoire, I was able to ensure that my prey's head start would shrink to less than a day's journey ahead of me.
Still, I suppose it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing if the current heir to the Fire Lord finished off my prey before I got there. Sozin had been equally obliging in helping my great grandfather achieve near success in our family's mission, but I confess I would prefer to end the last Air Bender myself.
No matter. Either way the Air Bender will die. And that is all that matters.
...
And thats enough for now. Hope you enjoyed it :) Little bit darker than I orginally had thought...but turned out well I think.
Got a little hint of what the OC is capable of, as well as his personalty. I admit that I have already enjoyed the sophisticated monstrous villain, so glad to finally have an outlet to share this joy with the world LOL.
And to clarify right now...in case people were wondering lol...he is NOT a member of a splinter group of Air Benders, which as I point out would be like the whole Jedi and Sith Origins. Admittedly I had played with that Idea, but decided to go in a similar direction that still has the basics of that type of plot.
Apologies for not having the dueling sequence in this chapter, but I felt some character expansion was needed. Think I got Azula down pretty well, including the whole comparison between Zhao and Zuko. Cause lets face it...even though Zuko is the weakest member of the Royal family at this point in time, he's still powerful and capable enough to beat a man who has more experience than him, as well as more resources. And since the series also shows Zuko's growth as a fire bender (i.e. almost lossing an agni kai against Zhao to beating him, getting his ass kicked my Azula to more or less holding his own in the deserted town) it makes sense that Azula would recognize Zuko as a credible threat, even if she still has her condescending attitude.
BUT NEXT CHAPTER FOR SURE. So look forward to that.
REVIEWS are always welcome.