To clear things up a bit, the Gaang is at the Western Air temple, and the events of the Boiling Rock have not occurred yet. Oh, and because I feel that they are not very important characters, Haru, The Duke, and Teo will not be present in this story. And YES I realize Aang is a vegetarian. Sorry guys, I forgot about this. Forgive me! Anyways, this chapter stretched on a bit longer than anticipated, so I'm going to split it up into two chapters instead. Enjoy!
Chapter 3:
Azula stood at the helm of the airship, in a daze that seemed to last hours. Her thoughts were juggling around in her brain, and she had a bit of trouble sorting them all out. When Fire Lord Ozai had commanded her to hunt for the avatar, she had run into Zuko many times. During those times, the two siblings were enemies, both trying to gain the upper hand (Azula had proven superior all of those times).
It was true that Azula relished in tormenting Zuko and making him cry when they were younger. She bathed in the glory of being the more powerful firebender, and being the preferred heir to the throne. When Ozai had burned Zuko's face, Azula could not deny the feeling of triumph at seeing her brother's pain and weakness, and her father's display of power. Not to mention that she could now see a clear path to the throne.
But it had never occurred to her to murder her brother before. The only person that Ozai had ordered her to kill was the avatar, and Azula had to qualms about doing that. In fact, up until now, Ozai had cared less about Zuko, at least until her brother betrayed the Fire Nation. Azula felt an unfamiliar cold feeling that crept into her bones every time she thought about having to end Zuko's life. She hated the strange sensation, because she had never felt anything of the sort ever before.
At the same time, however, the princess had never thought about disobeying her father before. Her entire life, she had instantly followed his orders without hesitation. The more she thought about it, the more she came to realize that there were going to be terrible consequences for failing her mission.
The cold feeling seemed to intensify, except that it was at a different caliber this time. What she felt when she thought she had to kill Zuko was akin to guilt. But when her thoughts strayed over to what will happen to her when she returned to the Fire Nation...Azula swallowed.
Oh, what am I worried about? she mentally kicked herself for feeling such a pathetic emotion. Father loves me...I'm sure of it. He would never punish me severely. But then old memories began to resurface. Azula remembered how Ozai had mercilessly pushed her past her physical limits in order to train her firebending. She remembered being burned if she was not able to perform to the standards.
No matter how much Azula attempted to reassure herself, she could not brush away the feeling that hell was awaiting her when she returned to the Royal Palace.
I could just turn this airship around and electrocute Zuko until nothing is left but a pile of ash...Azula thought grimly. Then I will not have to fear father's judgment. But instead, Azula merely gripped the cold metal railings and stood there until the airship glided back to her home.
OoOoOoOoOo
"Aang!" Katara exclaimed when she spotted the blazing orange glider in the sky.
Aang swept down from the air and snapped his glider shut. In his hands were sacks of fruit that he had collected. "What's wrong Katara? You sound worried."
"And rightfully so," Toph casually remarked from where she was stretched out. "Guess who paid us a visit while you were gone?"
The monk gave her a blank stare.
"It's that damned Azula again!" Katara exclaimed with frustration. "She can never leave us alone, can she?"
Aang felt himself going cold at the mention of the name of the demon who had nearly killed him in the avatar state. "How did she find us?"
"Beats me," Sokka said grimly, sharpening his boomerang. Aang did not miss the suspicious glance his friend cast to Zuko, who was leaning against a distant pillar. Zuko had only recently been accepted to join the Gaang, and several people, including Katara, still had trust issues with him. And it seemed too much of a coincidence that just a few weeks after Zuko joined them, Azula showed up out of nowhere.
"W-well we can't assume anything," Aang said quickly. "We all know that Azula is a great tracker, and she's been able to chase after us for a while now. It doesn't surprise me that she was able to discover this place."
"Well it doesn't matter," Katara threw up her hands. "We have to leave here as soon as possible."
"No," Zuko murmured quietly. "I don't think we have to worry about Azula."
"What are you talking about?" Sokka said, incredulous. "You're devil sister just attacked us with a Fire Nation airship, and you expect us just to sit here and wait for her to come back with reinforcements?"
"But...she retreated, after sparing me my life," Zuko said, sounding a bit awed.
"Oh please," Sokka scoffed. "She only retreated because she knew that she didn't stand a chance with all of us. The moment she zapped you, we would have all decapitated her at the same time. I'm telling you, that witch is going to come back with a whole fleet of airships. The Fire Nation knows our location now, so the smart thing to do is to skedaddle out of here!"
"I agree with Sokka," Toph chimed in. "I'm not going to wait around for that crazy girl who can shoot lightning. Let's just say I'm not a big fan of getting fried to a crisp."
"Amen," Aang breathed.
"Fine," Zuko consented. "Let's leave first thing in the morning, then."
OoOoOoOoOo
Azula knelt on the ground before her father. Ozai slowly paced around her in a circle. Anger emitted from his every pore, but the Fire Lord calmed himself before speaking.
"What you are telling me..." his tone was dark. "...is that you failed to kill your brother?"
"Yes." Azula was not one to make excuses. She took full blame for her failures, unlike Zuko, who would be stammering with excuses at the moment.
"You could not get rid of one pathetic, weak, treacherous boy like Zuko?" The Fire Lord hissed.
"He's not weak." Azula's words came out before she could stop them. Her eyes widened slightly, for she had not expected her voice to betray her like that. Azula usually had complete control over her thoughts, but it seemed that this particular one had been circling her mind for so long now that it slipped right out her mouth.
"Yes, he's pathetic, and yes, he is a traitor," Azula tried to redeem herself. "But he isn't quite as weak as he used to be."
Ozai was visibly incensed. His right hand massaged his brows as he spat out the next question. "Why were you unable to destroy him?"
Azula, once again, felt that feeling of dread creep up her spine. She felt angry and confused at herself. She felt ashamed for being to weak to carry out the job, but at the same time, she was quite content because she had not carried it out.
Taking a deep breath, Azula knew that there would be no lying to her father. The truth had to come out, whether he accepted it or not. "I cannot kill my brother."
"WHAT?"
Azula rose up and stood upright. "You can order me to kill the avatar, and I will put forth all of my power into doing so. But the same does not go toward my brother. Yes, I hate him. No, I cannot kill him." Azula mentally cringed as the words came out. But on the exterior, she kept a calm and composed demeanor.
Ozai bristled immensely. "So what you are saying, Azula, is that you will disobey me?"
Azula pressed her lips tightly together. Remember that you are strong. Remember that you are feared by everyone, with the exception of your father. He loves you. He cannot hurt you, not like he did to Zuko. Remember that.
There was no more running away. With a firm and steady voice, Azula replied, "Yes."
That one word sealed her fate.
Ozai nearly exploded with anger. The flames around his throne erupted into the air as the Fire Lord released his fury. "YOU ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN ZUKO!" Ozai roared. "You do not know how to respect your superiors!"
"Father, that is the only order I cannot carry out," Azula stated calmly. But underneath her cool lay a silent plea. Please understand.
The Fire Lord was shaking with anger. How dare his daughter disobey him like that? She must be punished. She must learn her place. And even more importantly, she must learn to fear him.
Ozai spoke in a low, dangerous tone. "Because you committed an offense against me, you shall pay the price, just as your brother did." Ozai's golden eyes bore into his daughter's. It took all of Azula's willpower not to avert her eyes.
"I hereby command you to battle against me in an Agni Kai!"
Azula's blood froze when she registered those words. Clearly her father cannot be serious. But she forced her lips to move, and said, "I accept."
"The duel will commence at dawn," Ozai announced darkly. "Now...GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
Pivoting on her feet, Azula whipped around and strode toward the exit of the throne room. Although she held herself straight and tall, her heart continued to rapidly pound against her chest the entire way out.
Someone tell me if I'm making Azula too OOC...I'm TRYING not to do that, but for some reason, it's really difficult! But stay tuned! And remember to review!