Chapter 17: Azula

That day I saw many prisoners and spoke to them al as kindly as I could. I even saw Ozai, but he wouldn't take anything from me. As I got ready to leave, one of the guards stopped me. "Excuse me, but you didn't go to prisoner number 108," he said. "That's former Princess Azula," he added.

"What?!" I exclaimed. "I thought she was in the insane asylum."

"Yes ma'am, she has been. But while you were gone the staff of the place informed us that the client is stable enough for prison. She rarely loses control of herself now; or at least, she's not trying to kill everyone in sight anymore. Trial Hall declared her secure enough for life in prison."

I was shocked. Azula? In prison, and so close to my home? She was the last person I wanted to talk to; still, it had to be done. I kept my bending water ready. When I walked as close to her cell as I dared, I took a good look. Azula had gotten taller. Her hair was long and wild, being uncut for so long. She was noticeably thin and malnourished, but there was still pride in her bronze eyes. I wondered if her years in the asylum had changed her at all.

As soon as she saw me, Azula smiled grimly and said, "Katara, the Avatar's girl. I remember you."

And despite the situation, for just one second, my blood ran cold.

The prison was surprisingly dark, lacking windows. The luminosity from the torches on the wall painted shadows and orange light on the walls, on the cold steel prison bars, and on the face of the lethal child prodigy, Azula. My hand went to me bending water where it rested in a pouch at my hip.

"You're the one that beat me," Azula stated.

"You remember?" I asked, not masking my surprise.

"I never forget a face. And I've picked up a lot of palace gossip—this must be a hard time for you."

"I'm not here to talk about me," I answered stiffly. I was supposed to make conversation with the prisoners where possible, to cheer them up. Maybe even play a game with them. I knew the only game Azula would play was "throw the lightning bolt" with me as the target. Remembering why I was here, I passed Azula a plate of homemade palace food.

"What about you?" I asked, trying not to sound taut. "I bet it's nice getting out of the asylum."

"I'm alone here."

"Are you lonely?" My voice did not sound at all sympathetic despite my best efforts.

"Not lonely," Azula corrected frankly. "I have no one to control."

"You mean no one to hurt," I snapped.

She smiled. "That too. It's a pity."

Fury and rage threatened to throw me over the edge again. "Argh! How can you be like that?! Aren't you sorry for anything you've done?"

Azula shrugged.

"You're a sociopath!" I shouted.

"Yes, I am," she agreed with a laugh.

I hated her that day. But I had to come back often for the next few weeks to do more charity. I found myself having many stiff conversations with Azula. I wondered about her. Was she really a sociopath? Could she be redeemed? Was it really possible to hope for change?—Not that I would ever let her out of her cell, I told myself. As we talked, hint of Azula's past hurts and conflicts surfaced; things the old Azula might never have shared expect with Mai and Ty Lee. One day we started talking about the state of affairs in the Fire Nation.

"Fire Lord Zuzu really made a mess, I hear," Azula said. "He's started a civil war, right?"

I nodded. "The Royal Circle made it official last week. They said they wouldn't tolerate Zuko giving the lower class more benefits. So the noblemen declared war and there have already been a few fights. It'll be over in a few days, though."

"Unless the Royal Circle gets more support," Azula corrected.

"No one will support them."

"Well, whatever. Leave it to Zuko start a war," Azula said with a mirthless laugh. "He always was hotheaded."

"Yes," I agreed seriously. He was a good deal too hotheaded.

"I suppose you're on his side."

I looked up, surprised at what I was about to say. "No, I'm not. I'm on Zuko's side as friend, I guess, but not in politics. I think he's cruel to the aristocracy."

"You've got a good point. While the Royal Circle had power, some peasants were unhappy, but the order of the country was stable."

I was again surprised. Azula was perfectly right for once in her life. If a war must be had, the noblemen should be the victors. What right did Zuko have to force them into change? How ironic, I thought, the term "civil war." Wars between compatriots were less civil and more savage than any other kind. If I was in charge, I'd end this war quickly and let the upper class have their way.

"Wishing won't do any good," Azula said bitterly. "Taking action is the only way. If you want something doe right you have to do it yourself." Azula was beginning to hint at her emotional side again. The flame in her eyes went down a little and she continued slowly, "Tell me, did you ever want something so baldy you'd stop at nothing to get it? Control, manipulate, hurt—you'd do anything to protect that goal, whatever it is. Because in protecting that goal or meeting that need…you'd also be protecting yourself?"

There was a long, heavy silence. "Yes," I whispered. "I know that feeling." Azula had echoed my own thoughts down to the letter. "Why?" I asked, growing suspicious. I couldn't keep my guard down around her. Was she trying to trick me, or did she really feel those things too?

"I'm just trying to give you a little perspective," Azula responded coolly. "On how the upper class of the Fire Nation is feeling."

"Huh?"

"Well the Royal Circle believes it knows what's best. Those aristocrats aren't going to change, you know; they'd rather die as it stands. You see, they won't be able to function ripped apart from their old lives…old things that make them feel secure."

"Yes…" I agreed thoughtfully. "I think…I think that's one reason I feel so deeply for them."

"And you want to avenge your father, don't you?" asked Azula with a crafty smile.

My guard was back up again. "Well, yes," I said warily. "I guess that's part of it."

"Maybe you can."

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you saying?"

The flame in Azula's eyes returned. She brushed the wild hair out of her collected face and began to disclose her plan.

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A few hours later I was alone with Ang in the field behind the palace. We were walking, and it was dark all around. Nobody could hear us. Aang was still a kid and he loved acting like on, flying around on his glider and whooping happily. He landed lightly beside me and grinned. "Wanna ride, Katara?"

I took his glider in one hand, closing it up, and held his arm with my other hand. "Aang, we need to talk."

The night was cool, and the trees seemed to be sighing in relief after the hot day. Crickets chirped contentedly. There was no moon visible tonight it was covered by black velvet clouds which foretold a storm and shielded the secret things of the darkness from the exposure of uncomfortable light. I was one of those secrets of the night. I had something solemn and undisclosed to reveal.

"What is it?" asked Aang.

"Aang, this war is wrong. You of all people should understand that. I'm the best water bender in the world, and I shouldn't have to stand around watch people die."

"Well it's not like they're innocent," said Aang, rather alarmed.

"Okay, so none of us are. You're obviously not the best Avatar that ever walked the earth; you're a party animal." I was still very sensitive about the very unclear, very private affairs Aang had been involved in.

My remarks shamed Aang. "Look, Katara, I'm sorry. The Lion Turtle said it was the Avatar's job to be the cleanser of the people, but I'm doing it. I have to try harder. I have to keep the pure, or the Great Forces will be angry."

"Don't you think it's 'pure' to save the country was a stupid war?" I asked. "I've seen enough war for three lifetimes."

Aang looked at me with sudden sternness. "Treachery isn't right. We can't betray Zuko?"

The emotions I had been biting were revealed suddenly and hideously for a brief second. "Why not?" I exclaimed. "He betrayed me!"

"So you're saying we should get revenge? This isn't like you. Who's been making you think like this?"

There was no avoiding it now. "Azula," I said gravely. "She came up with a plan. I know you what you're thinking!" I shouted as Aang tried to talk over me with protests. "She's bad, okay! Azula is a bad person. I know that! But her plan is good. We can do this."

"Katara! She'll trick us! She'll stab us in the backs—I should know what that's like!"

"Aang, do you think I don't know that? I won't let her get out of hand. She gets no power, no reward, except to work as a humble foot soldier instead of spending life in prison. That's only assuming we win. I'm totally in charge. I'm only using her for a little extra fighting power."

The Avatar shook his head. "No. It's not right. I won't fight my friends."

"What about me?" I demanded, forcing tears to me eyes and acting dramatic. "I'm your friend, too! I should be more than that. I'm your own half."

"Oh—don't cry, Katara." Aang dropped his staff and put an arm around me.

"I can't help it," I sobbed, breaking away. "When I think of all those children forced out of their homes and put on the street…I just can't stand it! If you're on my side, we could end the war quickly."

"I don't know—"

"Oh, please, Aang!" I begged, letting tears flow. I was on my knees now. "Please be on my side. I'm nothing without you. My heart would break."

Aang looked extremely disturbed. He was torn. I begged harder, repeating how much it would hurt me if Aang didn't join me. Then I stopped beseeching and cried silently, with my head bowed in a picture of grief. At last my manipulation worked.

"Okay," Aang said at last. He bent down to help me up. "I'm always on your side." He kissed my lips fervently. "I love you, Katara."

I wiped tears from my eyes overdramatically. "I love you too, Aang." What I had often mused about earlier was coming true. Aang was the most passive person I'd ever met. When I ked him to do something, he did it. He'd jump off a bridge for me. Tonight was the closest he's ever come to saying no. At last, things were looking up.

******************************************

A little while later I was back in the prison, holding a blade of ice at Azula's throat. "Okay," I whispered grimly, "tomorrow night. This is how it goes: you do exactly what I say when I say it. Make one move to act independently and I will end your life. I am in charge."

Azula only smiled. "Of course, your majesty."