I still do not own Avatar
Chapter 3: Assignment
Azula walked briskly to the throne room after receiving a summons from Fire Lord Ozai, her father. She had received it just five minutes before but she already felt as though she was way too late. She took long strides that mirrored her confidence and determination. I wonder what this could be about she thought as she opened the curtain to the war room and let it sway softly back behind her as she passed.
Fire Lord Ozai was already seated on his throne. Azula noticed General Zhu and Captain Gin kneeling at the base of the stairs facing her. There were twenty imperial fire benders on each side of the carpet lined up in columns facing the center, standing and still. This is unusual passed in her thoughts as she reached a distance not to far away from the Fire Lord but still close enough as to not show any fear. She waited quietly as the tension in the air became thicker. She would have to wait to speak until spoken to, that was the custom no matter what her relation the Fire Lord maybe.
"Azula," Ozai said softly, "tell me, how is your hunt for the Avatar and your brother going?"
"It's infuriating," she replied coldly.
"Why is that?"
"Well," she paused only for a second to gather her thoughts, "the group that Zuzu and the Avatar travel with is incompetent to say the least, and however, the Avatar is a master evasive maneuvering especially since he seems to learn from his mistakes. But it seems that every time that I have them in my grasp another traitor or my men's incompetents seem to help them get away."
"You just cannot insult the men like that," snapped Captain Gin.
"Enough Captain," the general replied, "Sorry for his insolence princess. He shall be punished for that."
"No need," Ozai replied, "it seems to me Azula that you may need to take a break from the Avatar and your brother for a while."
"But?"
"Quiet Azula, listen to me, before your brother's performance on the day of the Black Sun, I was able to get some information from him that you might find useful. Zuko once said that after confronting the Avatar, he always had better success after a period of time between confrontations. He told me that they became careless after a while and dropped their guard. The incompetent, traitorous fool that your brother is was unable to catch them each time however; you are not your brother. I think it wise let them drop their guard before your next attack, you have been too diligent in your tracking."
Azula pondered this for a moment before speaking, "That truly is a wise decision father, but what is it you would have me do in the meantime?"
"Yes, now that is a question we were just discussing Azula," the Fire Lord replied, "General Zhu if you would."
"Yes your majesty," General Zhu gave a slight bow in his direction before turning his gaze towards the princess. "I am sure that you are aware princess the Fire Nation national rebels are you not?" Azula gave a quant nod. These rebels were traitors to the fire nation. Firebenders who for some reason did not agree with the war and as a result rebelled against the state. It was said that some of the fire nation's best benders were in this group including being lead by the great deserter, General Jeong Jeong. "Good that will save us some time. These men are traitors to the fire nation and need to be dealt with quickly. Through our spies in the Earth Kingdom we have discovered a small cell of these traitors a few miles outside of the town of Makapu, in the Northwestern part of the kingdom. Our intelligence indicates that these small forces of no more than twenty men are protecting the town from our advance."
"What is it you would have me do?" Azula questioned looking at the general however it was the Fire Lord who replied.
"It is my order for you Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation to lead a force against these men and annihilate them."
"Your wish is my command father," Azula replied.
"Good, you will be accompanied by a force of fifteen men lead by Captain Gin here. I think that I will allow you to also take your two friends Lady Mai and Lady Ty lee along as well. I await news of your success daughter."
"Then you shall have it father," Azula replied knowing that the meeting was now over. "When do I leave?"
"Within the hour, Captain Gin will meet you at the docks."
"Yes my Lord," and with that Azula stood up from her position and slowly backed out of the war room. I wonder why my father decided to send me off to take care of a few rebels she thought as her footsteps slowly began to fade from her ears as her became lost in her thoughts. Obviously he wants me there to claim the glory the Fire Lord himself. Maybe it is a ploy to gain further favor with the people. No, that cannot be it. Maybe he just wants to see these rebels suffer like no other. Yes that sounds right, these rebels will be put to pain before their deaths and even that will not be quick.
Azula giggled a little to herself as she set off to find Mai and Ty lee.
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Inside the war room.
"Captain Gin, you are excused so that you can prepare you men for battle. I hope you have chosen wisely," Fire Lord Ozai said.
"Of course your majesty, I will see to it now."
The Fire Lord watched Gin leave the war room before looking to his guards, "Leave us." The footsteps replied in unison as all forty men turned towards the exit and marched out together. It was a few tense seconds before the only people left in the war room were the Fire Lord and the General.
"My Lord," the General asked, "are you sure it is wise to send your daughter and the two ladies on such an errand?"
"Why is it that you ask general," the Fire Lord said coldly.
"Sire, there is not just twenty of these rebels but hundreds. Such a small force does not stand a chance against the likes of them even if does contain the Princess, Lady Mai and Lady Ty lee. They are at risk of being killed, my lord."
"I know that general."
"But then sire why it that you did not tell the Princess of the danger is."
"Stifle you insolence general," snapped Ozai. Each word seemed to be poisoned with venom. "I do not answer to anyone except my ancestors but because of your loyalty I will indulge you this once. I know that my daughter may be killed in this battle, in fact I wish it."
"Sire, forgive my but why? She is your heir."
"And I can have more."
"Sire?"
"Our nation has become too complacent with the world. They have grown soft and if I am to rule the whole of the world they need to become strong, united in hate against a common cause. The death of my daughter, Lady Mai and Lady Ty lee will be the kindle that lights the fire. Also, my daughter has become ambicous of late and she seeks to usurp my throne. This way I can, what is the phrase, kill two dragons with one stone."
"A truly wise decision," the general replied half heartedly.
"Do not patronize me general, I can smell your disgust but I have to do what is best for the Fire Nation. This is what is best now leave me and do not mention this outside of this room on pain of death."
"Yes Sire." With that the general left the room leaving Ozai in a bath of flames created from his own devilish flesh.
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"Azula!!" came a scream that could have made anyone go deaf followed by a deep hug. Ty lee was always excited but today she was even more so. "Guess what? Never mind I will tell you. I just saw this guy and he was absolutely cute. His aura was all blue and silvery too. Does that not sound like the perfect guy?"
"Um...sure Ty lee," replied Azula as hse desperately tried to free herself from the contact. But it was not until another person arrive did the contact truly stop.
"Let her go Ty lee there are more important things than hugs," came a voice devoid of emotion.
"Oh yeah like what Mai?" Ty lee asked tilting her head slightly as if trying to hear well.
"I don't know, maybe breathing," came the answer. For some reason, only the Gods seem to know, Ty lee found this extremely funny considering that it took several minutes for her to compose herself.
"So," Mai started, "what brings the great and powerful Fire Nation Princess to company of these two Ladies?"
Azula could tell that Mai was joking albeit in a very dry and sarcastic way. "What can I not come and spend time with my old friends," she replied with an equal amount of sarcasm.
"Frankly, no, not without a reason."
"Oh very well Mai I really do not have time to fool around anyway. I have an assignment from my father. We are to destroy a rebel camp outside of the town of Makapu in the Earth Kingdom. He specifically asked that you two come along."
"Yea a trip, I cannot wait," yelled Ty lee. She began to hop up and down in excitement before departing to go pack.
"So," Mai whispered only laud enough for Azula to hear, "Why is it that the Fire Lord wants us to go to wipe out some rebel camp? I thought that was army stuff?"
"I have been thinking about that too."
"And?"
"And," Azula replied annoyed, "my father wishes to send some sort of message to the rebels. The camp is only made up of twenty or so. This will be a quick and easy one."
"But what about the Avatar and your ……brother?"
"Are you asking because of the importance of the mission or do you just want to see Zuzu again?" Azula quipped. A small, evil smile began to form from her lips as see saw Mai beginning to blush. "It is no matter. My father wishes to lull the Avatar and company into a false sense of security. When that happens we will be posed to strike him down for the last time."
"Well, I guess that makes sense."
Just then a soldier came around the corner and approached the duo. Bowing he said "My ladies, the ship is ready to depart. Lady Ty lee is already aboard."
"That was fast," remarked Mai.
"Yes my lady, you baggage was packed per Fire Lord's orders."
"Leave it to my father to take the initiative."
With that, Azula and Mai headed for the ship. Azula knew what she had told Mai but yet she still was not sure as to the reason for her father's decision. The question just seemed to continue to roll over in her head again and again. It was stuck in her thoughts like a porcupines quills. Azula wanted to believe that what she told Mai was the truth, but she was not even convinced herself. But before she could come to a decision, the ship lurched its way forward to the open sea.
I must focus my attention and not be caught up in idle thoughts. I was not even aware that I had boarded the ship. No matter, I will have time to think this is going to be a long voyage.
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