"Azula- time to wake up- we are fairly pressed for time."
As she opened her eyes the Princess was assailed by innumerable unfamiliar sensations. Her body was buried beneath the ground up to her neck- and despite the certainty that she should know how she ended up in such a position the memory seemed inexplicably absent.
"... It's strange- to be able to put a name to the face."
The voice belonged to a strangely dressed foreigner with a satisfied grin upon his face.
"What is the meaning of this? Get me out and leniency may still be offered." Azula's experience had taught her that threats tended to work best in times of doubt.
The young man rose from the ground, bringing a previously unseen sword with him. As he approached Azula studied his face- he was younger than he first appeared- deep lines stretched across his face. His skin was abnormally fair; he could have been an airbender if not for the unmistakable structure of his face.
"King Rockus..." The name suddenly popped in to her mind.
As he reached striking distance Rockus plunged the blade in to the ground, meters from Azula's head. "Ceremonial."
Despite herself the bridge of her nose creased. Rockus sat cross legged in front of her.
"...I have a question-" Rockus used a casually disinterested tone, continuing on without waiting for the Princess' response. "... I've always wondered if you left me alive or if you just forgot that I existed."
Despite her situation Azula attempted a tone of impatience. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
Rockus gave a small half sigh as he removed his shirt. "This is becoming a habit."
Azula's face blanked as she saw her handprint deeply ingrained in her captors chest. But then a wistful smile of relief spread across her face.
"... I'd prefer it if you didn't go insane- it'd be confusing."
"I thought you were dead... You were my first-"
"Certainly don't remember that." Rockus silently wondered if that should concern him.
"The first person I killed- I'm a Princess." Azula used a tone that impressively weaved disgust and pity.
"I am a King you know." The youth was caught perilously between amusement and annoyance.
"By default."
"I didn't come here to date you, I came here to kill you."
"You came here to kill me?" The words sounded absurd spoken aloud.
"That was the plan."
Azula did her best to look thoughtful but suffered due to her inability to utilise body language. "If it was up to me they would all still be alive. They were spineless fools- they would have never even considered rebellion."
"Just following orders were you? And this?" Rockus motioned towards his chest.
"You rebelled." Something that could have been either pride or mocking filled her voice.
"You're not very good at this are you? Justifying your actions." Suddenly Rockus sounded tired, like a deep sadness had set upon him.
"I do not need to justify anything. It was war-"
"It's always war-"
With a swift motion Rockus shot up- grabbing the sword from the ground with a flick of his wrist. The King raised the sword above his head in a needlessly dramatic gesture. Seconds passed and sweat dripped down the young man's chest.
His decision made and his body readying for attack Rockus began his descent- only to be knocked back by an unnaturally strong gust of air.
Rockus hit the ground hard, several meters back from where he stood. His sword embedded itself in to the ground at his side. He got up and attempted to brush an inexplicably large amount of dirt from his pants and from his hair.
Looking up he saw the small bald child that he had heard endless stories about- standing between himself and the head of Azula- a wooden stick at his side.
"Ah- the Avatar. And where were you when our friend here was slaughtering my people?"
"I'm fairly sure I was dead." Aang kept his voice neutral.
"Well... that's actually a surprisingly good excuse." It was clear that this disappointed Rockus.
Aang glanced at the chest of his opponent and saw the blistered red crust where there should have been skin. "I can't let you do this."
" 'Let'? What makes you think you have anything to do with this?" The momentum returned to Rockus' voice.
"I am the Avatar."
"I hope you realise that you're seriously killing the mood." Cold anger simmered in his tone.
"No good will come from this."
"Vengeance is good enough." A twisted smile burst out upon the young man's face.
"And what will happen when Zuko demands vengeance? When your people demand vengeance for you? Who will pay for the thousands that will die in a reignited war?" For the first time in the conversation Aang let emotion creep in to his voice. He was pleading for Rockus to see what was at stake.
"That has nothing to do with me." Rockus's eyes turned towards the ground, his mouth creased in to annoyance.
"Why did you do it?"
Rockus was in no mood for any of this. "Move out of my way." He grabbed the sword from the ground and gave it a practice swing through the air.
"Why did you give your people hope if all you wanted was revenge?"
"How do you even know any of this?"
"Sokka was fairly impressed, right up until the point where you knocked him out." Aang gave Rockus a small smile.
Rockus's smile mirrored Aang's. "Good guy- short attention span."
"I can't let you do this Rockus." Aang shifted back to neutrality- he was simply stating a fact.
Azula suddenly spoke from behind him. She was trying unsuccessfully to worm her way free from the ground. "Free me and I will take care of this."
Aang's answer was immediate and final. "No."
"- And I'm just supposed to let it all go?" Rockus was on the verge of laughing at the absurdity of it all.
"For peace to prevail someone needs to."
A heavy sigh escaped Rockus's chest and he turned towards the retreating sun on the horizon. "This is the first time I've been outside the walls of Ba Sing Sae... actually it's the first time I've ever left the upper circle of Ba Sing Sae. I spent my entire life never having seen the outside world. It's beautiful... bit too hot to be totally honest."
"...Do you know the thing I missed most when I was imprisoned?"
Aang returned the stare without faltering.
"... Me either... Peace, forgiveness- why not- seems like the time to try something new." Rockus dropped his sword and turned to walk away.
Aang watched Rockus walk back towards the palace- a relieved grin spread across his face.
"He can't be serious." Azula was outraged and indignant. She was about ready to demand that her assailant come back and stab her.
Aang spun around and crouched down with a smile still on his face.
"Looks like things worked out for the best."
"Like that proves anything- he's clearly insane."
Aang reached out and patted Azula twice on the head. After a moments contemplation a mischievous grin replaced his normal smile.
"You wouldn't dare." Azula was equally certain and fearful.
Aang shot in to the air and soared towards the castle- leaving Azula buried up to her neck, the sun setting in the distance.