Chapter 2: Azula
Over a year has passed since Zuko first came to me in search of information about Ursa. I have given him nothing. I see weariness in his eyes and hear desperation in his voice. This encourages me. The mantle of Firelord cannot be worn by one who would let foolish sentiment ensnare him. News of assassination attempts trickle into my cell daily. It is only a matter of time until one is successful. I have thus played the waiting game and I play to win.
I assume it's nighttime from the square of torchlight that comes in through the sole window in my cell door. In a better time I could feel the Sun as it rose and set in the sky, intrinsically connected to my inner fire. Life without it has since been…cold. Sounds from the door's lock abruptly catch my attention. Strange. I didn't hear anyone approach the door in the first place. The lock takes longer than usual to come undone, but finally the door opens.
"Father?"
Azula looks as though she has definitely seen better days. She wears a dirty prison uniform instead of the ornate armor I had been used to seeing her in. How disappointing that both of my children have failed me so. But it appears that supporters of the true Firelord have prevailed at last.
"Azula, what brings you here?"
"I'm breaking out! What did you think I was doing?!", she retorts in a harsh whisper. Breaking out? No one has managed to secure our official release?
"Has no one deposed your brother yet? Even in here I hear stories of attempts against his life and discontent among Fire Nation citizens as a result of our nation's perilous decline! Without the boon to industry that is war and without the land of the Earth Kingdom to exploit, every Fire Nation noble stands to lose the vast majority of their wealth. Have they really stood for this?" Azula begins to pick the lock on my inner cell door.
"They fear retribution from the Avatar." Azula's voice drops further. "Some of them may even fear Zuko. They have begun to collaborate with him in order to save their own skins."
"WHAT?!"
"Keep it down! Do you want every guard in the prison to hear you?!", Azula hisses, pausing in her efforts to undo the lock.
"Why would it matter? I won't go into hiding like some common refugee. I assure you my supporters will overthrow Zuko and restore me to my rightful place on the throne."
"When?! If you haven't noticed, it's been well over a year now! Several Fire Army and Navy generals are in here too, along with anyone who took part in the Earth Kingdom invasion on the day of Sozin's Comet! Everyone who was left has either fled or kowtows to Zuko like the Sun shines out of his ass!"
"I refuse to believe that the entirety of the Fire Nation is so weak and easily misled as to accept the rule of that usurper! He is no more than a puppet for the Avatar who will wreak havoc upon this great nation in retaliation for the extermination of his people! How can they stand by and allow that to happen?! Have they no pride?! Have they no honor?!"
A commotion starts in the hallway. "I think I heard something up there! Check the cells!", a guard shouts. Azula turns toward the door in a panic.
"We don't have time to argue about this. I've almost got the lock but we have to hurry!", she says as she frantically fumbles with the pin in the lock.
"We are not going anywhere. You may run away and hide in whatever hovel you wish while I await the victory of the true supporters of the Fire Nation!"
"They aren't coming! Don't you understand?! It's over! You will never be allowed to become Firelord again, regardless of whatever harebrained scheme your cronies concoct! Even at your strongest during the comet you were still defeated by the Avatar as I was defeated by Zuko! There is no future here for us! We need to go!"
"No."
Azula abandons the lock, gathers her tools and heads for the door. She turns to me one last time, sounding as if she's about to cry.
"Have a nice life then. Don't say I didn't try." She exits and closes the outer door behind her. Seconds later the door is again opened by a guard bearing a torch.
"Anyone in here with you?", she asks, frustration bleeding through in her tone.
"Now what would give you that idea?"
"I heard noise coming from around here. It sounded like you were talking to someone."
"No, just talking to myself. Only way I can be assured of intelligent conversation, you know." The guard rolls her eyes before closing and locking my cell door. Funny, she didn't seem to notice that it was unlocked before she came.