The Truth Behind Ursa
Chapter 2 - A Sacrificial Punishment
Mai and Zuko had moved to his room, wanting to escape the dark dungeon that was Azula's bedroom. They sat on the bed side-by-side as Zuko flipped through the pages, skimming the entries and searching for his mother's name, or even something slightly related to what had happened. At this point, any kind of information that could fill in some; any gaps would be appreciated.
As he turned the pages closer and closer to the current date and closer still to the back of the book, Zuko began to slowly lose hope that there would be anything in the book that was of any interest to him
He then came across the name of Firelord Azulon, which caught his eye. He turned back to the page and took note that it was dated about three months prior. He skimmed over the first paragraph quickly, and realized that it was Azula recounting the events of Ursa's disappearance. Jackpot! He started at the beginning of the entry, reading aloud so Mai could hear as well.
Today was another entertaining day in my horribly wonderful life. I have been enjoying a vacation on Ember Island this week, as father needs to meet with his advisors alone, without anyone else around. Zuko seems very disturbed by the fact that we have been sent away on a forced vacation, but I am actually enjoying it, and I think he secretly is too.
We had an interesting evening. We went to a party that turned out to be absolutely pointless and of no fun for any of us. The talk that went on earlier tonight was rough and even hilarious to me. Everyone was touchy and emotional tonight due to the fact that Zuko and Mai had just broken up an hour before. The ex-couple and Ty Lee all went back and forth telling sob stories of their past and expressing their emotions about their lives. Even Mai expressed her feelings a bit. I was surprised, and slightly proud that she would actually do so. I really don't care to write of what all happened. Ty Lee mourned about her six sisters, Mai groaned about her over-protective parents, and Zuko wailed about his scar and Father's despise for him. In the end Zuko and Mai made both up, and out. I applauded the three of them in the midst of Mai and Zuko's kiss, somewhat laughing at all their sob stories. Zuko managed to realize that I'm 'perfect' as he said with a sarcastic voice. I remember my responding words exactly.
"Well yes, I guess you're right. I don't have sob stories like all of you. I could sit here and complain about how our mom liked Zuko more than me, but I don't really care. My own mother thought I was a monster."
I quickly realized what I was doing after I had said this. I was opening myself up for my friends to possibly think that I was weak. So I quickly came back with the witty remark: "She was right of course, but it still hurt!" Of which, I still laugh to myself about.
But I'm writing today because I want to express more thoughts about that topic. It was very difficult to not blurt out the entire story of my mother and our relationship, and allow those three to share my burden with me. I know I could count on Ty Lee for that, but I can't put my trust in her to the point that I depend on her. If I were to regale them with the details of my relationship with Mother, it would be a horrible mark on my status with my friends(I use this word carefully. They are merely pawns in my game. I have no friends other than father and a few of the war generals.) and it would be relying on someone other than myself to go through life. And I can't afford that.
So, I rely on my diary to help me get through that. I can write all I want and never lose my status with anyone. I really wanted to just recount the entire story of what all happened that day in front of my friends. But I couldn't do that. So I will recount the entire thing in this journal. Every detail I can remember, it's all written here. Maybe I can someday use this to torment my brother. I'll find some use for it one day. So let me begin.
I remember the day it all happened like it was yesterday. Mother, Father, Zuko, and I were attending a requested audience with Grandfather. I had no idea or care to know what it was about at the time being. Father asked me to demonstrate what I had been learning recently at the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, so I willingly did so, hoping to impress Grandfather and annoy Zuko with my advanced skills for my age. I always was a better firebender than my brother. I quickly demonstrated, and Zuko, being the silly boy he was, challenged my skills, standing up to show his moves. And he failed horribly.
Grandfather grew tired of Zuko's pathetic routine of leaping and falling, and told the rest of us to get out so that Father could get to the point of the meeting. Mother walked out of the room, expecting us to follow, but not making sure that we obeyed. Taking advantage of her ignorance, I quickly pulled Zuko behind the curtains at the back of the room. He was hesitant and nervous, but he somehow managed to stay in the room for a few minutes.
We peered through a slit in the curtains to see what this meeting was about. This was the good part. I remember the conversation causing me to think that all my dreams were about to come true.
"Father, you must have realized as I have, that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege at Ba Sing Se, and who knows when he will return home? But I am here, Father, and my children are alive." Father spoke with a hint of evil in his voice. I've always loved that about him.
"Say what it is you want." Grandfather growled impatiently.
"Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me." At this point, Grandfather became very angry.
"You dare suggest I betray Iroh, my first born? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son!? I think Iroh has suffered enough. But you? Your punishment has scarcely begun!" Azulon bent the flames in the room into a blazing furnace, and that's when Zuko ran out. I continued to watch, to see what this 'punishment' could be.
The flames were blazing rapidly, and I could no longer see Grandfather due to the inferno burning between him and Father. Then suddenly appeared as he walked out of the flames towards Father, bending the fire out of his way.
"Your punishment shall fit your crime. You must know the pain of losing a first born son, by sacrificing your own!" At these words I nearly squealed with excitement, but covered my mouth in fear of being caught. Dad's response was enough to make me swell up with so much pride that I could hardly contain myself.
"Father, you know as well as I do that my son is not fit to be firelord. With Zuko as firelord, our nation would be doomed to burn in the very flames that we ourselves create." He paused for a moment as my heart was racing, dying to hear what would come next. "If I do this deed you have asked of me, and remove Zuko from my bloodline, will you then reconsider my request?"
"Keep to your word, Prince Ozai. See to it that Azula is your only heir, and I will keep to my promise, by revoking Iroh's birthright." I couldn't handle it anymore. Father bowed his head in agreement, and that was when I raced out, heart beating unnaturally fast that Father was going to kill Zuko, and that I was to be the only heir. Honestly, I had a slight pity for Zuko deep down, but I shoved it aside and decided to make the most of the time I had left with my brother in my life. I ran towards his room, preparing to torture his already swirling mind with even more thoughts threats, just for the sake of having fun. I did not stop to think of my actions, though, and my mindless thinking ruined everything.
My hand is hurting. I'll write more in tomorrow's entry.
Zuko stopped. That was, obviously, the end of that day's entry. He turned the page to see that she had kept her word and continued it on the next day's entry, but he had had enough for the moment. He looked at Mai who had a horrified scowl written upon her face. Zuko closed the book quickly.
"What did you do that for?" questioned Mai, "Keep going!"
Zuko exhaled a depressed sigh. "I guess... It's torture to read this. Remembering that terrible night..." He reopened the book to the same place where he had left off and began reading the next day's article which picked up where the previous had left off.
Ah, where was I? Oh yes! To torture my brother. I ran down the halls for Zuko's bedroom. I looked inside to see that he was desperately trying to fall asleep. I bluntly opened the door and did my best to frighten him.
In a voice as creepy as I could manage, I sung a little lullaby to him which could not have been soothing in the least bit, even surprising myself at how horrifying my words were.
"Dad's going to kill you."
