7
Azula sits at the desk as the teacher tries to teach the class. The girl tilts her head. On second thought, that woman is teaching the class but not the princess. She learned these things on her own by staring at Father's maps. Who wouldn't? Tragically, this is also the only class that is remotely interesting.
Other firebending children go to military school or, at worst, a normal school. Alas, Azula has the double-edged sword called royalty. A fire nation princess must know the dullest of things. How does one brew tea? How to sit perfectly still while the men talk? Raising childing? To everyone else, this may be interesting, but Azula knows her destiny is far grander than being a Fire Lady or a princess of the court. She WILL be Fire Lord. Fire Lords don't need to know the steps of brewing tea. That's for her uncle and cousin.
While keeping her eyes on the teacher, she studies her interesting classmates from her peripheral vision. Mai acts like the perfect lady. Her parents expect nothing less. At least it gives me control over her. What noble family would want their daughter to not associate with the only princess of the Fire Nation? What bored daughter of a noble family wouldn't want to have exciting times with a firebending prodigy? And be closer to Zuzu. Ew. What does she see in him?
On the other hand, Ty Lee bounces her leg up and down even as she sits. She looks almost as bored as Azula currently feels. Is she even capable of being still? She wouldn't make a good infiltrator, but she could be our distraction. That Chi blocking will be handy as well. Still, does she feel out of place? Like me? Every girl here is a noble, but I am the princess while Ty Lee is technically a commoner. A commoner from a rich family, but a peasant nonetheless. When I become Fire Lord, I will elevate her family to nobility.
Azula nods. Is it unnecessarily nice? I believe so, but I will guarantee the loyalty of a family of Chi blockers. Why hasn't any Fire Lord possessed the intelligence to do that yet? Oh well, their loss will become my gain.
She waits diligently until class is over. Patience is a virtue of earthbenders, but even those savages can occasionally have a correct idea. They leave for lunch, which is another class. Here they learn to eat properly which is something Azula knows how to do. Mother made sure of that.
Azula and her two followers sit away from the other girls and eat their meals. Their etiquette instructor occasionally walks by, but they are otherwise left alone. Ty Lee rambles about a cute boy she saw on the street. On the street? Ew. Also, cute boy? Ew.
Her ears perk up. Always listening, she hears a very important word. Ozai. And, it's just Ozai, not the proper Prince Ozai. She focuses on that voice, and its conversation. It looks like two girls to their left. Aren't those the daughters of Uncle's… something. Is it Captains or Majors? Either way, their fathers are out on that overly long campaign. I would have won by now.
"And why isn't he in the battlefields? I thought he was a powerful bender, like General Iroh?" It's Crown Prince Iroh to you, stupid noble girl.
"Mom said they need a royal in court in case the general and Prince Lu Ten die in combat." You dare insult Father?
"That doesn't seem honorable for Ozai." You no good-
"It isn't."
"Azula?" Ty Lee sounds worried. "Your hands are on fire a little bit."
I should have more control than that. Azula ends her blue flames. "Mai, Ty Lee."
"Yeah?"
Mai simply nods.
"We have a mission to defend our nation's honor." She pauses for a moment before smirking. "I know exactly what we're going to do."
Three hours later, Azula watches those two girls rush into a washroom. Ty Lee accidentally spilled some of her paint on their dresses. How unfortunate. Then, a candle happened to be knocked over. Who could possibly have such precision? Since none of the teachers can bend, a great deal of screaming and panic erupted in the room. It provided ample time for Azula to slip away from watching eyes. She down the halls to the washroom door. If the girls were intelligent, then they may have heard the ruckus, but they wouldn't be at the receiving end of Azula's wrath if they were intelligent.
And this is why I train in combat beyond firebending.
She opens the door as the girls grumble, cleaning the pigment from their dresses. Oblivious, as expected. Firebending would be preferable, but blue fire would be a giveaway. Instead, she uses her foot. And Mother complains how I always wear pants. With the utmost precision and flexibility, thanks to lessons from Mai and Ty Lee, she kicked the back of one girl's head. As she crumples, she kicks the other one as well. You can't do that in a skirt, Mother. You also wanted me to wear dainty shoes, not these wonderful boots Father gave me.
Both girls seem semi-conscious. Azula takes out her brooch. And people wonder why I chose to have a sharp Royal Brooch.
One at a time, she gathers the girl's hair in her hand, lift it up, and fells the hair in a decisive swipe. Ha! You will never recover from losing your hair! It may grow back, but your honor shall be gone! No noble lady would have hair like a boy! Now, wallow in your upcoming misery and shame!
Azula sneaks back to the class just as the flames are put out. No one noticed her absence. Victory tastes sweet. No one may insult Father.
As planned, word spread quickly due to some strategically placed rumors. No one may insult Prince Ozai of the Fire Nation.
8
Four princes and princesses eat in a strangling silence. Each eyes their companions with mistrust. The tension seems to be destroying everyone's appetites, even Fathers.
Azula takes another bite of her meal, though it's not nearly spicy enough for her tastes. Why let good food go to waste? Why not enjoy the moment? This must be like the battlefields. She imagines herself standing at the walls of Ba Sing Se at the break of dawn. Her troops and the enemy's glare at the other, waiting for one to make the strike to start the battle for the Earth Kingdom's mighty, walled capital.
Instead of those dirty barbarians and patriots dressed in the finest armor, there's Mother and her son facing Father and herself. They even sit at opposite sides of the table. I know we're supposed to do things for the image, but this does seem slightly… ridiculous? We haven't shared a meal as a family for months. Always an excuse by somebody not to eat together. Too bad we don't throw flames at each other. Agni Kais are made for these situations. Have your duel of honor and let the winner be right. Then, suck up your pride and accept the consequences.
Poor Zuzu tries to melt into his chair. He'd make the worst of Fire Lords, especially during wartime. If he can't handle family drama, how could he handle the lives of our people? Stupid Mother. You twisted and pampered him until I'm manlier than him. And I'm not manly, at all. I'm a ferocious princess.
She realizes everyone's eyes are on her. I was smiling, wasn't I? Okay, time to make that seem intentional.
"I was reading about different types of warfare today." She keeps her voice conversational, casual. It seems more out of place for this diner than a waterbender inside a volcano. Huh, would a waterbender die faster than a firebender? What about earthbenders since the volcano is part earth?
"Azula." Is it possible for Mother to say her name without sounding so critical? "What kind of classes are you taking at the Girl's Academy? When I was there, they'd never teach su-"
"They don't." The timing of her interruption was perfect, as intended. This way, Zuzu could still follow the conversation. "I taught myself." She puffs out her chest.
"Good job." Father's voice is cold, but the tone, unlike the words, were intended for Mother. His glare seems too cold for such a powerful firebender.
Zuzu slinks further into his chair.
"I was trying to apply what I learned to Uncle's campaign in Ba Sing Se. The barbarians seem to be using a hybrid between conventional and attritional warfare." Attritional is a big word. Zuzu wouldn't know that one, would he? "While it's purely defensive, they rely on their tested methods of combat. Mostly reigning down stones and dirt on our soldier's heads from those walls." One day, she'll see for herself if the walls are higher than some mountains as the legends and soldier's tales say. "That would make it conventional warfare, but their goals lines up with a war of attrition. They aren't going for a decisive victory. They want to wear down Uncle and his soldiers until they give up."
"Uncle wouldn't give up." Zuzu finally speaks.
Azula shrugs. "He would if he ran out of tea. Speaking about our glorious Crown-Prince…" Was that too much sarcasm? "Uncle seems to be using conventional war for an attritional objective while also utilizing blockade warfare."
"Correct." Father nods in approval. Mother sits still, like a prim and proper noble. Ug.
"It's stupid."
Her bold statement caused everyone to look at her. Father raised his eyebrows. Mother glared daggers at her. Zuzu acted as if she just insulted his hero. Well, I did just insult his hero.
Now, it's time to defend my statement. "The city has the farmlands between the outer and inner walls. It should be self-sustaining until the outer walls are breached. It's more as if Uncle is blockading the world from Ba Sing Se, not Ba Sing Se from the world." She straightens her posture. "But, we already know this. That means the enemy is not desperate yet, thus conventional warfare. Eventually, Uncle and his forces will breach the outer wall. The enemy will then become desperate and gain two advantages, only one I believe Uncle anticipates."
Father appears amused. Mother seems angry at her daughter for insulting Uncle and for speaking about things a girl her age couldn't possibly understand. Yet, I understand anyway. Zuzu looks like he's paying attention to her, though he's unhappy with her critiques.
"They'll be fighting inside the walls. Home advantage, more so than what Uncle has been experiences. Also, the population won't be happy with our presence. Uncle doesn't have the will to use violent population control. The only way to not get crushed by a falling boulder is to either dodge or smash. We can't retreat, so he can't dodge. He doesn't have to will to smash the people."
In other words, Uncle is too nice to be a competent Fire Lord.
"Then, we have the problem Uncle won't expect. The Earth Kingdom is known for doing the same thing, patience and consistency. All that stuff. He'll expect them to use conventional war." She shakes her head. "Mother, if Water Tribe barbarians raided the palace and would possibly kill Zuzu, would you use honorable warfare or do anything possible to protect him?"
Mother's eyes opened a little. She expected me to not involve her in my analysis. "A mother would do anything to protect her son."
Azula forces herself not to wince. A mother would do anything to protect her CHILDREN. "The barbarians will do the same. Urban guerilla warfare. It's be nasty, too nasty for Uncle or any of our commanders." She shakes her head. "Maybe Zhao. Definitely me or Father. When we need to push just month longer to conquer the city, Uncle will leave. After all, Lu Ten fights on the front lines."
Mother stands up and leaves without a word. Zuzu looks between mommy dearest and the rest of his family. Then, he follows her out of the room.
"Interesting assessment, Azula." Father takes a bite of his food. "Might I suggest another scroll to read?"
"Of course."
"It is one of my favorites. In my personal library, read the scroll named Lighting, Infiltration Tactics. You made find the ideology appealing as someone who looks beyond conventional warfare."
9
Mother coddles Zuzu after his embarrassment. Should've brought your swords, brother. Father never would take us to the Fire Lord in his throne room without showing us off. Well, showing me off. You just fell on your butt.
"Ursa, Zuko and Azula, you are dismissed." The old man's voice still carries some power. He used to be the greatest firebender in the nation before old age took its hold. Azula does her proper bow and leaves Father behind. Too bad I'm not a few years older, then I could challenge you to an Agni Kai, maybe even kill you. I always thought you were stronger than this, but you're just an old, frail man. A man who never bothering seeing me, ever. The wall of flames surrounding his throne aren't a display of power when one never has the courage to step outside of them.
Zuzu falls behind Mother, still sulking after his embarrassment. Mother wouldn't be able to hear anything she whispers to him. Changing her plans around slightly, she adds another member to her infiltration party.
Azula takes his hand. "Zuzu, follow me," she whispers. She drags him around a corner to a curtain. From what she saw during her time in the throne room, her first time ever, she decided that this would be the best spot for hearing what was meant to be a private conversation. Information is power.
Zuzu protests a little, but he quiets down when they poke their heads between the rich, lavender draperies. Father planned something, something huge. Lu Ten died as I predicted and Iroh gave up after breaching the outer wall and experiencing urban guerilla warfare as I predicted. Now, their Crown Prince is technically a deserter and without an heir. How come I'm the only one who seems to know exactly what's going on? Besides Father of course.
"You would not put on that performance without purpose. Ozai, what do you want?" Well, he's to the point at least.
"Lu Ten has fallen nobly in battle, and my brother has no more heirs nor a wife to sire more. With my brother's retreat and desertion following the death of my nephew, no one knows if or when he shall return. However, I am here, Father, and my children are alive. Let your humble servant ensure your bloodline will continue on the throne." He bows before the old man.
In one day, will Father pass both Lu Ten and Uncle for his place on the throne?
"Fool!" Father miscalculated. The flames around the throne rise to the ceiling from the old man's fury. She holds Zuzu's hand. If not, he'd flee in fear.
"You dare wish to punish Iroh further? He lost his son! My son has suffered enough, but your suffering has just begun for your arrogance."
Zuzu breaks free of her grasp and flees. If it wasn't for the fiery inferno blazing around the Fire Lord, they would've heard him. Next time, only allow Mai and Ty Lee for infiltration operations. They'd keep their heads on straight.
"Father, I only wish what is best for the Fire Nation."
"No, you wish only for power and do not understand the feeling of loss. Only you have not experienced the battlefield. Only you still have your family in the land of the living. In your arrogance and pride, you could not see the pains of others. Now, you will know the heartache of sacrifice. Iroh lost his son. You will lose yours, by your own hand."
If you knew anything about your son, Fire Lord, you'd know he has no love for the boy. Still, I did not expect you to ask something so impossible for any Fire Nation prince to accept.
"I accept your punishment." What! "It will be done tonight."
"Go."
Father leaves. Azula stands motionless, trying to process a scenario that she never imagined.
Zuzu is going to die? Of course, he'd make a horrible general and a worse Lire Lord, but…
She slinks into the shadows. No one can know that SHE knows. Information is power and in this… battle… I have only two weapons. Information and manipulation.
She sits against the walls and buries her head between her legs. Father has the physical and legal power. He has the backing of the Fire Lord, so doing anything to stop this would be treason. I'm not old enough to challenge him or the old man to an Agni Kai, nor would I survive such a suicidal tactic.
She clenches her fists. Who's the enemy? The main combatant on the enemy side is Father. Sorry, Father for my temporary misalignment of goals. The leader is the Fire Lord, thus the entire Fire Nation would be on the opposing side. That includes all the palace guards. Anyone who aligns to me would do so out of personal selfishness or loyalty. It's me versus everyone else.
She suppresses the urge to scream in rage. I cannot switch sides. I made a promise. "I'll always be on your side when we're in battle," she whispers to herself as if to reaffirm her commitment. Mai and Ty Lee would follow, but Mai's family is on some boring vacation. Ty Lee went to watch some circus in a miserable port town with her family. Fate has aligned with the Fire Lord. Who do I have?
I have Zuzu, but he's the problem, not an ally. Too bad he never bothered making friends with anyone. Uncle and Lu Ten would take his side, but they're too busy abandoning their nation or being dead. That means there's no one else… Mother. No, I am not involving her. I'll save Zuzu myself. All I have is information and manipulation.
She sneaks away to the one place Zuzu would go at a time like this. Azula would flee for the docks to secure passage to the barbarian lands or hide among her friends. Zuzu would… be Zuzu.
The princess enters his bedroom as he sits in bed, covers up to his chin. Beds are flammable, Dum Dum.
He looks scared. He should be due to his imminent and approaching death, but her brother doesn't know that yet. He's just being a scared little boy.
I might as well be direct. She sits on the side of his bed and stares at him. "Father's going to kill you."
"What?" He backs away from her. Oh, right. I'm Father's beloved child just as he's Mother's. I ALWAYS lie. Ug.
"He'll sacrifice you. The Fire Lord wants him to experience the supposed pain of losing his son."
He shakes his head. "Dad would never do that." Denial? At a time like this?
"Father doesn't love you. He doesn't like you. Maybe some Earth peasants would." Zuzu's really good at being a lovable idiot. Maybe some peasants would take pity on some lost Fire Nation noble. Then again, Zuzu would somehow tell them he's a prince and get killed.
"Run away?"
She shrugs. "Mopping the decks often gets free passage on merchant ships."
His eyes move to the doorway. She sees the recognition on his face. I thought Father said he'd do it tonight. Salvage the situation, Azula. Maybe I could act like I was trying to kill him?
"Azula." Fate must be on Father's side. "What are you doing here?"
I'm saving your son, Mother. "Talking."
"Come with me." The tone and the tight grip on her arm don't allow for protests.
As she drags Azula out of the room, she hears Zuzu muttering, "Azula always lies."
That HURT. She doesn't struggle at all as she's practically dragged through the halls. I'm the only person in the bloody world that's trying to save Zuzu, but you've entrenched your ideas so far into his head that he refuses to believe me. You aren't good for him, Mother. You aren't good for anybody. Father's going to kill him, but you're the one who made him weak enough to kill. I wish you were gone. I wish you were dead.
Her eyes light up. Dead. Gone. She sees a new opportunity. It'd kill two birds… four birds with one stone. Father would be so proud if she could ever tell him. Too bad she can't and won't.
They stop in Mother's chambers. She stopped sleeping with father two years ago. Also, ew.
"What were you doing, Azula?" And she thinks I'm the baddy here.
"You once said you'd do anything if barbarians wanted to kill Zuzu."
Her eyes narrow. For once, Mother looks dangerous. Maybe I inherited a few things from her, besides beauty, after all. "Tell me the truth." Her grip on the girl's shoulder becomes painful. Maybe, it'll leave a bruise.
"Father's going to kill Zuzu tonight because the Fire Lord asked him to."
She doesn't believe me. "Tell me one reason why I should believe you."
"Four. Zuzu won't die. The Fire Lord will die. Father will get the throne, and you will be gone forever."
Her shoulders slouch. I don't always lie. I'm occasionally nice. More importantly, sometimes the truth hurts more than the lie.
"You have a plan, don't you?"
"Yeah." Azula smirks.
Later that night, the palace erupts into chaos. Azula stands watch in the shadows outside Zuzu's door. He sleeps, blissfully unaware of the subterfuge and murder that just occurred. No matter what happens, she will not let anyone into his room tonight. Well, except that one. A figure gracefully approaches his bedroom. Unaware of the hidden prodigy, Mother rushes into his room. She shakes him gently.
"Wha? Mother?" He rubs his eyes. None of the guards are aware of the woman in his room. Father happened to ensure no one was around his son's bedroom tonight. Too late, Father. We spilt blood before you could.
"Zuko, please, my love, listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you." She wraps his in a tight embrace. She loves you, brother. Now, she'll never see you again. "Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are."
Before he could say anything in reply, she leaves. To where, Azula doesn't know. All she knows is Mother will never return. She'll always live with blood on her hands instead of her son.
Azula smiles, a real one.
I saved you, Zuzu.