Chap. 24
Azula's First Day
The next few hours were filled with activity, as the Army worked to deal with it's new recruits. Per Oscuridad's instruction, Azula, the Captain, and all armored Fire Nation solider were taken to one of the supply tents, and given new clothing until proper armor could be fashioned for them. Afterwards, they were all shown to the barracks, and assigned quarters. Though those quarters were quite small, none of the soldiers complained. They were used to military lodgings, and besides, none of them wanted to do anything to anger the Army of foreigners that barely trusted them. Azula grumbled about it, as she was used to royal accommodations everywhere she went, but managed to bite her tongue for the most part, though this was partially due to Zuko's watchful eye.
The rest of the Council meanwhile, had to deal with the angry Nation representatives, who resented having such a potentially dangerous decision made without them. Jeong- Jeong and How were the most angered, since they had heard the most tales of Azula's cruelty. Hakoda, Bato, and Shyu were less angered, as they could see the positives of having Azula with them, but had still wanted to voice their opinions before inducting her.
The arguments went back and forth between them, until finally Bumi, who had been sitting in the corner cackling, got up, and said that the best way to defeat an enemy was to fight with someone who knew them, and that if Azula was lying, the fact she was in the camp and guarded would make her chances of escape or mischief quite small. It was a point that even Jeong-Jeong had to acknowledge, and so the debate finally ended. All returned to their daily duties and little more was said between them concerning Azula. But late that night, as the moon shone down upon the sleeping camp, they all snuck out of their beds and returned to the Council tent. There, under the pale light of Fuego's gemstone, they began to discuss the day once again.
"Frankly, I had a hard time arguing with those guys before." Desierto said. "I still think that Azula is too dangerous to have in this place. If she finds out what our plan is…."
"No one is that stupid." Toph argued. "No one except the representatives know about Black Sun, and I doubt that they would tell her after tonight."
"But it doesn't make this any easier." Sokka said. "I mean, we ask them to trust her when we assigned her an 24-hour escort?"
As Sokka finished those words, there was a rustle of cloth and then Zuko stepped into the tent. "Sorry I'm late. I had to consign one of the Waterbenders to watch Azula."
"No apology needed." Oscuirdad said. "Now, let's stop going over the problems we have and figure out how to solve them."
"Iroh, Zuko, you two have known Azula the longest." Hierro said. "What are we going to have to do here?"
"Tie her up and throw her into the ocean?" Zuko suggested.
"I understand your anger nephew, but we must try to think realistically." Iroh said. "In the past, Azula has shown that she can work with others. The problem is that she is used to being in charge."
"I'm not surprised." Aang added. "She's never had to listen to anyone except the Fire Lord, and that was because she was sacred to death of him. Still, that scared her enough to make her run here. Maybe we can use it as a threat."
"How? She knows where we are." Tierra snapped. "We can't let her or any of her friends leave now, or we might as well give up."
"Maybe if we try to make her feel important." Katara suggested. "If she knows that she's an valuable part of the Army, and that we depend on her, maybe that will change her attitude. It worked with Toph."
"Hey!"
"A good idea, but I doubt it." Bosque replied. "Azula's too used to getting her own way. Sure, she's in a new situation now, but that is out best advantage. People don't show all of themselves until they're completely comfortable with others. Making her feel a part of the Army now will just make her think she won't need any pretenses. And if that happens, I think she'll be dead in a week."
"Agreed." Iroh said with a nod. "Azula is used to being in control and not having anyone tell her what to do. And her royal upbringing will not make working with 'peasants' easy for her either."
"It sounds to me like we need to get rid of her arrogance before all else." Oscuridad said. "Any ideas?"
"I've got one." Bosque replied. "Azula is too proud and stubborn to completely accept her current position, or anything anyone might say to her. So how do we fix that? Easy. All we have to do is break her."
"Whoa, hold on a sec." Sokka said. "I'm not much of a fan of Azula myself, but there's got to be a better way then hurting her."
"I agree." Bosque replied. "I didn't mean break her physically, I meant mentally. Her father instilled in her from day one that she had to be the best, that nothing else was good enough. No matter how much she fears her father, she's listened to that speech too many times in her life not to believe it. And with all her training, she thinks she is the best. And the best don't need help from anyone. What I'm proposing is a way to teach her the lesson that every great conqueror knows."
"That there's always someone better." Desierto said.
"Exactly. If Azula realizes that she's not perfect, then she's going to have to change her whole image of herself. And that is not something that happens easily. She'll need guidance, and I think we can use that to help her figure out who she is apart from what her father made her. And that person has got to better then who we have now."
"But what if this plan doesn't work?" Tierra argued. "Even with help, she can't find a new identity in a short period of time."
"Not normally, but being in the camp and having to interact with so many different people might help the process." Luz said thoughtfully. "I think this might work."
"I still don't know." Tierra began.
"Do you have anything better?" Zuko asked. "Because if not, I say we vote. I don't want to leave my sister alone any longer then I have to."
"Are there any other ideas?" Oscuridad asked.
Everyone shook their head, and so a vote was quickly taken, with Bosque's plan winning by two.
"All right, Bosque. So what did you have in mind to start this little endeavor?" Osc asked.
"It needs to be subtle, so that she doesn't realize what we're doing." The squirrel replied. "And I have the perfect idea. Iroh, tomorrow you are going to introduce a couple of new exercises into your training regiment…."
"Azula."
"Uhhh… go 'way."
"Get up."
"Go 'way."
Zuko sighed, and moved to the foot of the small bed. Grabbing the sheets, he roughly pulled them back and over his sister. Azula shivered as the warmth of the covers left her, and curled into a ball, only to have Zuko come over and pull her upright. He then administered a few light slaps to finish waking her up.
"Uh… All right, all right! I'm up!" Azula snapped, as she pushed her brother's hand away. As she yawned and swung her legs over the edge of the bed, she sleepily asked, "What time is it?"
"Half past seven o'candle."
"What! Why in Darya's name did you get me up this early?"
"Because that's when everyone gets up here." Zuko answered, as he grabbed a bundle of clothes and tossed them at his sister. "Now hurry up and get dressed, so we don't miss breakfast."
"You actually expect me to wear this? I thought you were joking yesterday." Azula asked, as she looked at the plain cotton clothes in her hands.
"We didn't have any silk clothes on hand." Zuko replied. "Besides, you'd ruin them in training. Now c'mon."
"Gee, I'd love to, but I don't usually change with people staring at me." Azula snapped.
Again, Zuko sighed, and pointed to a walled off section of the barracks nearby. "You can change in there."
"Ahh, my own private changing room." Azula said, as she got and began to walk towards the room. Zuko just stood there and watched as Azula walked inside the room, then smiled a second later as he heard her scream, "There are socks and stuff all around here!"
"No privileges for you remember? You change in the same room as everyone else." Zuko replied, the smirk on his face growing ever wider.
Inside the stall, Azula growled and muttered to herself as she pulled on her new clothes. She'd barely been here a day, and already she was disgusted. These shabby rooms and beds were bad enough, especially with the tents she'd seen built for the Knights and the Avatar's group. She was just as good as they were, no better. Why should she be forced into these common ranks, while children like the Avatar and her weakling brother be given their own accommodations? She was royalty, for heaven's sake!
I will have to talk this over with that flying rat. She thought to herself, as she pulled the last of her clothes on. He seems to be in charge here, Council or not. She thought, as she looked herself over. The clothes she'd been given were pathetically simple- light red pants, boots, a short white shirt, and a red sleeveless cover shirt over that. Still, Azula knew that she wore it well, as she did everything else. Grabbing her sleeping clothes, she pushed open the door and thankfully left the room.
"Can we go now?" she asked Zuko. "I am hungry."
"In a minute. You need to clean up your area." Zuko said.
"What?! Do you think I'm a servant?" Azula spat.
"No, I think you're a soldier. And I think that I am your commanding officer."
"You're kidding." Azula snorted.
Zuko just smiled and reached inside his shirt and pulled out a chain and circular medallion. Azula saw that it was made of silver and was emblazoned with the signs of the four elements. Above the medallion, she saw four small ruby flames placed into the medal. As she looked at, Zuko reached into his pocket and pulled out another one that he handed to Azula.
"What's this?" she asked, as she looked over her medallion. It was exactly the same as Zuko's, save that hers only had one flame on it.
"It's an Army rank. Everyone has one, and it varies depending on which part of the Army they belong to. This one makes me lieutenant of the Fire Army." He explained, pointing to his own medallion. "Yours puts you at the rank of Fire Army foot solider. Therefore, I am your commanding officer. Now clean your area. Or, I can talk to Uncle and ask him to put you on cleaning duty in the mess hall."
Azula stared at her brother angrily, and then asked, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Tremendously. Now get to work." Zuko replied.
Azula growled some more, but then stomped over to her bed and began to make it, as Zuko watched with a smile on his face.
Ten minutes later, Azula and Zuko made their way over to the mess hall, which was packed with soldiers, sitting or waiting for food. Fuego stood at the end of the line, supplying each solider with the morning's breakfast. Smelling the food, Azula began to walk over to where the Elemental stood, only to be stopped by Zuko.
"What? I'm hungry." Azula snapped.
"Fine. Then we wait on line." Zuko answered.
Azula looked out at the line, which was about fourteen people, and groaned, as Zuko grabbed a pair of bowls from a nearby table and handed on to his sister. The siblings got on line and began to wait, as slowly but surely, it began to move forward. Finally, the two of them were only one person away from Fuego, and then they stood before him.
"Morning Zuko. Princess." Fuego said, as they held out their bowls. "How you doing today?"
"Pretty good, so far." Zuko said with a smile, as he replayed the image of his sister cleaning in his mind. I'm going to really enjoy that one. He thought to himself, as Fuego dumped breakfast into his bowl, then into Azula's. Of course, the second she saw what it was, she grimaced in disgust.
"What is this?" she asked in revulsion.
"Oatmeal." Fuego replied. "There's some eggs and biscuits a little further down."
"Sounds good." Zuko said, as he grabbed his sister and pulled her down before she could say anything else.
"You actually eat this?" she whispered to him.
"Yes. And now, you will too." Zuko said, as he dragged Azula to a nearby table where an Earth Kingdom man presided over, eggs, biscuits, plates, spoons, and forks. Zuko took his food and quietly thanked the man, while Azula just grabbed it and shuffled off. But as she moved away, she heard a familiar voice yell, "Azula! Over here!"
Azula turned towards the voice and saw Ty Lee sitting at a table and frantically waving her arms, Mai sitting next to her. The acrobat had kept her regular clothes, but Mai was dressed in a darker version of Azula's garb. Azula quickly started to walk towards them, Zuko following suit. Moving through the unfriendly glances quickly, Azula sat down near her old friends quickly.
"Isn't this place great?!" Ty Lee said happily. "Warm, soft beds, nice food, and the people are so nice to me!"
"Did they use you for target practice or something?" Azula snapped.
"No, she's just happy." Mai answered gloomily. "She's been happy for the last hour."
"I know, but I just feel like I'm back in the circus again." Ty Lee gushed. "I mean, your entourage was nice and all Azula, but this place is more….. regular."
"No argument there." Azula muttered, as she looked over at Mai, who was quietly eating her breakfast.
"You actually like that stuff?" Azula said in disbelief.
"It's better then you'd think." Mai said. "Besides, what else am I going to eat?"
Azula started to respond, but was halted a moment later when Ty Lee yelled out, "Jin! Hey! Over here!"
Azula turned to see Zuko's girlfriend walking towards them, her plate loaded with food. She sat down next Ty Lee, which was also across from Zuko.
"Morning Zuko." She said, as she gently kissed the boy-prince on the cheek. Zuko smiled, and returned the peck.
"Well, that's the most response I've gotten from you in days." Jin said. "What happened?"
"I just had a good morning." Zuko said. "Besides, I thought about it, and it seemed stupid to be mad about it. I know I would've done the same thing if it had been me."
"Aww, young love." Ty Lee gushed, clasping her hands together. "I'm glad to see you two together."
"Thanks. It's good to see you again too." Jin said, as Ty Lee threw her arms around her. After a few moments of prodding and pulling, Jin managed to escape Ty Lee's grasp, and give Mai greetings, which the girl returned nonchalantly. Jin gave no greetings to Azula, however. Azula didn't seem to care though, as everyone around her talked for the next twenty minutes, while she sat there quietly eating her breakfast.
"So what are you doing in the Army, Jin?" Ty Lee asked.
"I'm actually working with Toph and General How. They say I'm doing really well too."
"So I heard. Something about a platoon leader if I'm correct?" Zuko asked.
Jin just blushed in reply, as Mai said, "Congratulations. Hope we can do that good."
"I'm sure you will. I heard General Iroh is one of the best in the Army." Jin replied.
"Yeah, I'm sure his tea-drinking kookiness will be loads of fun." Azula muttered.
"You'd better hope so." Jin said, finally turning her attention to Zuko. "After all, he might decide that he needs a new target for his troops if he decides you're not worth it. Not that he would, of course."
At that, Azula's eyes narrowed, but before she could do anything, there was a series of small explosions as the hall's candle went off.
"Weren't we supposed to be at training by now?" Mai asked.
"Oh no, we're late!" Ty Lee said, leaping to her feet. "We can't be late on the first day! C'mon Mai!" the acrobat said, as she grabbed her friend and began to run for the exit.
"Well, she's right about that much." Zuko said as he got to his feet, his breakfast already finished.
"But I haven't finished." Azula protested.
"Too bad. Uncle's expecting you." Zuko said, as he leaned over and kissed Jin goodbye. Of course, he also whispered, "Don't make her too mad, my job's hard enough."
"I'll try." Jin whispered back. Zuko nodded, and taking his sister's arm, directed her out of the hall, as Jin waved goodbye with a somewhat smug grin on her face.
"Are you sure she'll go for this?" Trueno asked for the third time this morning.
"Don't worry. Once Azula understands why you're here she will jump at the chance." Iroh replied as the troops around them continued their stretches.
"I still don't know why I volunteered for this." Trueno muttered.
"You said you were best suited for the job."
"Maybe, but I'm not in the mood to have her pissed at me for God knows how long." The ram muttered.
"I don't think you have much choice." Iroh said, as he saw a group of figures running towards them. Nodding over at his companion, the old general yelled, "Troops, fall in!"
Almost instantly, the soldiers stopped what they were doing and fell into precise rank, just as Ty Lee, Mai, Azula, and Zuko arrived.
"Lieutanent, you and these soldiers are late." Iroh said.
"I apologize Uncle. We were delayed." Zuko answered.
"Very well. Please take your place Zuko; and if your companions would come up here as well."
Zuko nodded and moved to the left of his uncle, as Azula and the others came in front of him, and turned to face the soliders. It did not give them a view of friendly faces.
"Men, these are some of the new additions to our part of the Army; Mai, Ty Lee, and Azula." Iroh said. "I am aware that many of have problems with some of these recruits, epically Azula. I am not going to tell you that feeling that way is wrong. However, I am going to tell you that until we have proof of anything else, these women are your fellow soldiers and you will treat them with respect. If I hear any word of unjust treatment towards them, that person will answer to me. Is that clear?"
"Yes, General Iroh." The soliders replied in unison.
"Good. Now, I have a new exercise for you today. You have all demonstrated excellent bending skills. However, it is quite possible that you will encounter situations where you will not be able to bend. In those situations, you must be prepared to fight hand to hand against opponents of various strengths and ability. In order to prepare you, I have arranged for a special tournament involving the man to my right- Trueno, Knight of Thunder."
"Hey." The ram said, as he stepped up.
"You will spend half of today fighting Trueno in hand-to-hand. He is versed in several different fighting arts, including ones that come from other worlds. Trueno has already promised that he will not use any bending against you; therefore you will follow the same rule. You will fight Truneo until one of you is able to hold the other down for a count of three, or until one of you gives up. Lieutenant Zuko will count the falls. Are there any questions?"
"Is it truly fair for all of us to fight one man?" a solider asked.
"A fair question. But Truneo has endurance far beyond our standards. If he does tire, we shall use other exercises while he rests. Now, is there anyone who would like to volunteer to go first?"
Within seconds of those words, Azula's voice rang out: "I will fight him. I could use the workout."
"Very well Azula. Step forward." Iroh said, as Trueno removed his shirt and cape and laid them on the ground next to his staff. The ram moved in position right across from Azula as she stared him down. Already, she was thinking of how good it would feel when she stood over the ram's body. Azula had suffered enough indignities today. It would feel so good to take out her frustrations on someone else.
"Warriors, please bow." Iroh said.
Truneo curled his hand into a fist, covered it with his other hand, and then quickly bowed to Azula. Azula quickly made the same gesture, and then resumed her focus on Trueno.
"Zuko, you ready?"
"Yes Uncle."
"Then begin." Iroh said.
Azula instantly fell back into a defensive pose, as she and the ram began to circle each other. Slowly, they paced back and forth, never taking their eyes off of one another. Then finally, Trueno made the first move, striking out with one well-place fist. But Azula was lightening quick, and darted around it, then wrapped her hands around his arm and used the momentum to hurl him forward. But instead of crashing to the ground, Trueno arched his body and landed on his feet with his body bent back, held up only by Azula's grip. She began to release it, but before she could, Trueno jumped up and then pulled forward, throwing her forward. Azula tumbled over him, but rolled through the impact, managing to come up on her feet. As she stood back up, Trueno nipped up to his feet and gestured for her to come on.
Azula was all too happy to do so, as she ran towards the ram. Just as she got close, she leapt forward into a hard kick that drove into Trueno's stomach. He took the blow with a grunt and fell hard on his back. Moving quickly, Azula dropped to her knees and tried to hold him as Zuko came over to count. But he barely reached one before Trueno broke Azula's grip and pushed her off. As he got to his feet, Azula continued her assault, jumping and kicking at the ram, trying to disorient him. But Trueno was not so easily distracted. Reaching out, he caught Azula's leg, and held it in place, as he then stepped over it and delivered a hard spin kick to Azula's chest. The Fire Princess fell to the ground, and Trueno took this opportunity for another move. Running back a few feet, he then began to run towards her. Then when he was close enough, he curled into a ball, using his momentum to carry him forward, and then as he reached Azula, he hit one full roll and then uncoiled, delivering a hard blackflip that pushed all the air out of her.
This time, Trueno went for the cover, only to have Azula kick out at two. Nonplussed, he quickly got back to his feet, and moved to deliver another backflip. But this time, Azula dodged the move, and Trueno landed hard, but managed to at least sit upright. Stunned by the impact, Trueno wasn't prepared when Azula delivered a dropkick to his face, knocking him to the ground. Azula grinned, and bent down to pick him up. But when she grabbed him, Trueno pulled his legs back, clapped them around her head, and threw her forward. But once again, Azula rode the impact and twisted in mid air, landing on all fours like a cat.
"Nice move, Princess." Trueno said, as he got to his feet.
"You have no idea." Azula replied, as she charged him again. Trueno attempted to hit her with a roundhouse kick, but Azula dodged it, and the two began a series of blows with each other, blocking and dodging each one that the other delivered. Finally, Trueno leaned too far with a kick and gave Azula an opening. Reach around, she grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, while sneaking her other behind his head and pushing on it, putting tremendous strain on his shoulder. The ram hissed in pain as Azula increased the pressure, forcing him down to one knee.
"Give up yet?" Azula said with a smirk.
"Not yet." Trueno replied, with an equal smirk despite the pain. Slowly, he forced his way back to his feet, then slipped through Azula's open legs, forcing her to relinquish her grip. Before she could retaliate, the ram got back to his feet behind her, then wrapped his arms around her midsection and pulled back, taking Azula with him. She hit the ground with a thud, landing on her upper back and head. But Trueno wasn't done yet. He brought them back up twice more, repeating the move. Then, after he brought her up a fourth time, he fell back again, but this time arched his back to form a fragile human bridge that held Azula down. Zuko quickly counted, only to see Azula pop out at two and a half. The two fighters slowly climbed back to their feet, but Azula still managed to climb faster, and charged the ram.
But this time, Trueno sidestepped her, then grabbed her arm and spun her down and around, forcing her to the ground as he trapped her arm between his legs and wrapped his hands around her head. Trueno then began to apply the pressure, putting strain on Azula's shoulder. She grunted in pain, but kept struggling to escape. But Trueno's grip was iron-tight, and the determination on his face made it clear he would never let go. Azula kept thrashing and writhing for almost five minutes, but she could not escape. Finally, she did something that Zuko never thought he see her would do; tap the ground in submission and yell out, "I give! I give!"