Days later Azula had different feelings in her stomach. The air was cool this evening and even the hum of the engine of the cargo ship did not seem to ease her stress. The darks ness around them stretched into the infinite night. Pierced only by a few lights coming off their ship and the countless stars above.
She liked ships. She remembered her royal cruiser and the way it would sound and move under her feet. This cargo ship was not the same but the modern engines still gave it a good hum. She liked that it was big. It dwarfed her old cruiser even if most of it was empty storage space. It was loaded with...whatever she didn't really care. They had simply looked for a ship leaving when they wanted and found one with a firebending captain who was happy to not have had his bending taken and was willing to give passage to her and Korra. He didn't seem to react to Azula despite her more recent fame. Though she was sure she saw some of the crew muttering.
She hated the muttering.
Of course, they could have been muttering about Korra. The Avatar was on their ship and was willing to play their card and board games. It must have been a chance none of them wanted to pass up. That was where Korra was now, just spending time with the crew. They seemed like a fine enough group.
She jerked her head to look cautiously around the observation deck. The shiver of a feeling going up to her body. There was no one. There hadn't been anyone. It was getting late and everyone else was inside. She had wanted to feel the air get warmer as she got closer to home.
Home. Or just the Fire Nation. She wasn't sure how much of her home would be left. Korra had wanted a tour but she wasn't sure how much help she would be there. How much she wanted to be there. The uncertainty annoyed her.
"There you are. You like this spot don't you." Korra noted joining her on the raised deck near the bridge.
Azula smiled, slightly at ease. "I like the sea air."
Korra walked up with a smile. "Tenzin is going to freak out when he realizes we are gone." Korra amused herself by mimicking his likely reaction.
"Yeah." The fire bender had been a good adult and left a note. But how long it took Tenzin to find it was a different question. Hopefully, it would be enough time to explore the capital before he demanded their return.
"Lord Zuko is going to be surprised too." Korra joined her leaning on the railing.
"He is an idiot," Azula added instead. "He did invite me to visit the last time he was here."
"That was good of him. Why didn't you go then?"
Azula looked around the platform and saw that the door and windows to the cabin were closed.
"Well, I could say that I wanted to stay and help you organize the city. But I wasn't..ready." Talking to Korra, or Tenzin who had proven to be her helper after she burned through some professionals he had suggested, was one thing but she still had her secrets.
Korra put her hand on Azulas which was resting on the railing. "If you are not feeling up to this..."
Azula shook her head."Too late to turn back now. Well, I suppose we could take the ship and force the crew to turn us around."
"But that would be wrong." Korra corrected.
"Sure sure and cause more problems that I don't want to deal with but no, I am going back. I want to see if my home is still my home."
Korra moved closer so their shoulders were touching. "You are brave, you know that?" Korra lowered her voice. "Do you have it?"
Azula knew what she was talking about. It wasn't like it had left her person for months. She had gotten rid of clothes that didn't have a pocket big enough for it to be hidden on her person. She reached into her shirt, into an inner side pocket, and pulled out a bundle of cloth. Of course, she had it. Korra knew she had it. More than once the Avatar had pulled it from her hands when she found her sleeping with it. Her grip was so hard sometimes it left a mark. Korra knew what it was. So she unwrapped the cloth to reveal her golden royal hairpiece.
Its golden shine made Korra's eyes sparkle. She had asked to were it once. Azula had said no hard she scared the Avatar. She hadn't put it on at all. Her hair these days was just in a ponytail, tied down her back, or worn loose.
"Are you going to wear it while we are there?" Korra asked.
"I don't know. It is supposed to be worn by a princess of the fire nation. I don't know if I am that anymore. I don't know if I'm that person." Azula felt her heart start to race. It made her body shake. It was always like this when she was facing this kind of uncertainty.
Korra put out her hand and closed Azula's fingers around the gold and steal and the fire bender felt relief from the touch. "I like this person here now. You are a hero to a lot of people including me. I'm here for you and sure there will probably be awesome things that will distract me while we are there but just tell me how you are feeling or if you need anything. I know this is going to be a lot for you."
"I don't-" The fire bender tried to pull away from the grip but Korra didn't let go. "I..ok your right sorry." Finally, she relaxed and leaned against Korra. Her avatar was comfortable. "If we do have to fight I am glad you will be there with me."
Korra kissed her cheek. "But there is not going to be a fight because we are going to be nice right."
"Right."
A golden eye slowly opened. The dull grey of the cabin welcomed her as did the warmth of the body holding her. She never thought she would be the little spoon but the combination of Korra's arms and the cotton blanket from the air temple was too tempting. She felt odd as she woke. She knew this was the day they would make it to the Capital but her earlier worries seemed to fade away.
She was going back to the Fire Nation.
Even the air in the cabin seemed different, she could taste it. The taste of the tropics and the humidity made the air feel dense. She uncurled herself from her comfortable spot and grabbed the pack from under their bunk. She replaced her nightshirt with a red version of the air nomad robes. They will a little small but she liked to have a little less flowing about. She made a mental note to get some new clothes while she was here. Proper clothes. Royal clothes.
She was going home. Azula let herself believe Zuko's offer for her to be a guest and sank into that fantasy. She imagined sinking into the spa and looking through her wardrobe. She remembered barking at servants making them jump and asking for ridiculous things. Tying her belt she stepped over to reach under the pillow on the bed and found the metal hairpiece.
She thought about putting it on. But not yet. She would see what the day would bring. Before she could start her day though she had a body to deal with.
"Korra," Azula called softly. Only to get no answer. The porthole showed that the sun was up and a clock on the wall showed it was early morning. They were supposed to get to the harbor around midday. She wanted to see if something was where it should be.
She rubbed the back of her hand down Korra's cheek. "Korra," she said louder.
This time she got a groan. "Korra, Tenzin is here."
The Avatar's eyes popped open. "What?! Oh, come on he can't trust me at all!" she was sitting upright looking annoyed at a smug Azula. Korra scratched her face in thought. "Tenzin is not here is he."
"No. But I'm sure Naga would like a morning visit." Azula held out one of Korra's blue shirts. Korra took it and stuck out her tongue.
"Has there been any sign of Tenzin? I'm sure his red face could be seen in the night."
Azula smiled. "No, no nothing. We won't worry about him today. We are getting there later."
Korra combed her hair and put it in her wolf's tail. "Awesome, and yeah it definitely feels like it's hot out."
"The capital is a hot place, and not just because of the volcano." Azula finished tying her boots and Korra slipped on her heavy fur ones. The fire bender smirked and knew they would soon be changed. Their morning was spent taking care of Naga, getting something to eat, and talking to the captain. Apparently, they had been in radio contact with a ship that had gone dark. Odd but not unheard of on the ocean.
"Look at that Avatar, there is a sight for you." The captain pointed of their port(left). Korra and Azula turned and saw the black ship a few hundred yards off.
"Domination class," Azula smirked as she looked at the heavy cruiser. It was nearly the size of their cargo ship but she knew it was far denser. Its catapults were not deployed but the pointed brow was as distinctive as she remembered. Its sleek black hull was just as she remembered and out of the tower billowed the black smoke. The tower was as elegant as ever but she noticed the addition of an antenna and electric lights. Flying from its tower was the blood red and black flag of the Fire Nation.
She saw that Korra was awestruck. She had seen the United Republic cruisers but this ship was larger than those. Its single-hull sliced through the water at speed. "That's a big ship," she said, going out of the bridge cabin to stand on the balcony.
Azula joined her. "That's just a cruiser you should have seen the battleships." A thought came to her then. Why was she still seeing a cruiser? She looked again at the design as Korra tried to wave to it. It was the same ship as she remembered. Almost exactly the same. Only the addition of new technology stood out.
This made the former princess frown. She rushed back to the captain. "Is that a Fire Nation Navy ship?"
"Well, it ain't no water tribe ship!" The captain mocked.
Azula walked back to Korra and looked at the ship again. It was old. Most of the ships when she was around were already decades old and there had been plans to replace them near the end of the war. It was an old ship, what was it still doing in service?
She started to look around the bay as their transport steamed forward. It was busy. But not as busy as the bay of Republic City. Cargo ships like the one she was on shared the waves with everything from the warship to a collection of sailing ships. Old ships mixed with new ones.
Gears were turning in her head. Something felt off.
The horn of the cargo ship bellowed. Azula and Korra turned to it and then to the cabin where the captain was sticking his head out.
"Avatar you will want to head to bow we are getting to the gate!"
Korra looked at Azula confused. Azula smiled and felt her chest swell. She hadn't seen it in so long. The last time she had escaped the Fire Nation it had been from one of the smaller islands. She loved the gate. "Well come on."
Korra followed her as she went down to the deck. Korra walked fast to keep up and Azula sped up a bit making Korra rush to catch up. Soon they were racing to the bow down the long deck of the ship. Azula smiled as Korra grappled with her to get ahead. It was dumb and silly and fun. They reached the bow with a breath and Azula saw it.
On its small island surrounded by ships, it still stood out. The statue of Azulon, her grandfather, and namesake stood as tall as she remembered. The fire bender relaxed as she saw no addition or changes to the statue. It was unchanged and still looked over the harbor with its arms outstretched.
"The gates of Azulon," Korra said, surprising her. "Aang fought a battle here."
Azula smirked. "He lost a battle here. Well here and the capital. To me. You should see it with the net up it was quite a sight and a piece of master engineering." Azula stared at the statue more as they got closer, it grew in size with each moment.
Out of the corner of her, she saw Korra looking at her. "What?"
"You're happy. You were so worried and now you're happy that's good." Korra gave her a crooked grin and Azula turned away with a blush.
"It's good being home."
"I can't wait to see everything here!" Korra Jumped excited. "You don't mind if we basically never stop moving right? Tenzin will probably order me back at any moment so I'm not wasting any time."
"I want to see things as well. I will try to keep up with you." Azula smiled.
Her smiled waned as they got closer to the city.
If Republic city was a jewel of modern technology then the Fire Nation capital was its mutated cousin. There no skyscrapers here. A few larger buildings sure, but overall it had a lower look than Republic City. The harbor had a good number of ships and she saw that the old military wharves were now civilian docks stabbing out into the water. But it was not as...clean as Republic City. The buildings seemed to a mix of old design and new large factories slammed side by side with apartments and docks. It all looked so chaotic. That wasn't right. The Fire Nation she left was a monument to organization and order. The city kept its black grey and red in the traditional style of the fire nation but that tradition seemed to hold the city back.
Docking went smoothly and the pair thanked the Captian as they walked Naga off the ship. The street was crowded with the kind of dirty workers that she expected to see, but people seemed to have less than in republic city. The sense of poverty was there with more tattered clothes and a more dour mood.
"Where should we go first?" Korra asked checking the straps on Naga.
"The palace." Azula shot back. She was distracted. This wasn't right the fire nation was the most industrialized and advanced nation when she left and now it looked like it had been left behind. Her fists balled as she blamed the idiot Zuko. What had he done to her nation?
"You coming?" Korra broke her from her thoughts and reached out an arm from the back of Naga. Azula took it and climbed onto her normal spot holding Korra from behind. She hugged her close. And waited for them to start moving.
"Uhhhh." the noise coming from Korra.
"Oh right. Head towards the volcano." Azula had to remember Korra did not know where to go. Before Korra could even pull the reins and man in armor stood in front of them. Azula looked at it with a frown. She could recognize it for the military-style that it was. But it was softer, the spikes were dulled and the armor shortened giving the user more movement. It seemed like a logical change for a peacetime force.
"Do you have a permit for that animal!" The guard yelled annoyed.
Korra look to Azula for guidance. Azula thought of something. "You could-"
"I'm the Avatar and I'm here to see the Fire Lord!" Korra instead declared. It wasn't as subtle as Azula wanted but it was effective. A few other passerby's turned their head.
The guard looked confused. "Prove it."
Korra smirked and sent a light gust of wind over his head that did nothing but fuff his uniform and then held a flame in her hand.
"I am here to see the Firelord so um yeah see ya," with a flick of the reins. Naga bonded off. Azula looked behind as the crowd watched. That was an entrance. Word of the Avatar being on the island was certainly going to spread now.
Azula wasn't sure if word of the arrival was going to reach the palace before them but after their 3rd wrong turn, she was convinced they would never make it there. Unlike the organized roads of Republic City, the streets here were sometimes barely wide enough for 2 cars to pass. Some were little more than twisting ally ways. Cars were not as common either. Animal-drawn wagons shared the road as well as the people. The contrast cut into her. This city was behind Republic City. The cars on the road were all Sato Mobiles and she knew the only factory for them was not here. They passed by the unmistakable sites of slums as well. But also rich homes with high walls and wide enclosed yards. Rich carriages also were in the street. She even recognized some of the family crests.
"Ok, so we are lost." Korra groaned. "Like I can see the volcano but every stupid road turns away from it!"
Azula was also annoyed. This was ridiculous and of course, her anger was turning towards her stupid brother. What had he led their nation to? She squeezed hard onto Korra which made the Avatar turn her head. "Damn the roads just get us there."
Korra eyed her uncertainly. "You sure?"
The former princess smirked. "You are the Avatar might as well give this city the same entrance you gave to republic city."
Korra still looked unsure but Azula saw her grip the reins tighter and knew to hold on. A flick of the wrist and the polar bear broke into a run.
Azula had heard stories of Korra's first day in Republic City. It was during one of the post-Equalist Crisis nights out with her friends. Mako had brought the official report that he definitely did not get from Chief Beifong. They all had taken turns reading parts of it. Korra had wanted to burn the thing but Azula had stopped her. It had been a good night.
Experiencing it firsthand was a bit more nerve-racking. Both the animal and rider had to be showing off at this point as they jumped a train car moving through the city. They weaved and jumped around cars and carts and were lucky a low building had a flat, and sturdy, roof. The city didn't seem to use the kind of police airships that Republic City did so no threat loomed above but she could hear sirens as they made it to the base of the volcano. It was fun. And she was happy Korra had had a second set of stirrups put on Naga for her.
The base of the mountain was strange though. The old path that she knew was there and it seemed to be unchanged from what she remembered. Squat towers still dotted the zigzagging path and the chaos and dirt of the city seemed to stop at an imaginary line. It gave the volcano a look of being frozen in time.
"This is so cool." Korra could not sit still in her seat. She looked all around the path and took every new thing with an excitement Azula loved about her.
"So where is the palace?" Korra stood to look around.
Azula smiled. "Korra it's in the volcano."
"So wait like we start digging or.."
"No no just go up the path." The fire bender smiled amused. The sound of sirens behind them was getting closer and her heart started to race. This was fun. Especially knowing that she could get away with anything this time. Her grip tightened as Korra flicked the reins again and Naga started to run up the mountain. The path zig-zagged and they passed by one of the bunkers. Its structure was just like Azula remembered. She remembered inspecting them the day of the black sun. Running her hand on the cool stone giving the soldiers a single look that made them look nervous.
She reached out as they ran by but was too far away. The path was not busy only a few elegant carts were on it. They were pulled by eel hounds and komodo rhinos and were elegant in their construction and decoration. She recognized them for the nobles they were. It was oddly familiar the style had of course changed but no so much as to be unrecognizable. They all looked at them though. Korra in her blue riding her polar bear dog was probably new for them and Azula wondered if they would recognize Korra from the pictures that had to be around the world by now.
With her eye's she followed one cart that pointed and murmured and glared back at them until it was behind them. They were near to the top and she noticed that there was no evidence of their possible pursuers.
"Katara told me about this battle." Korra started slowing Naga down to a walk. Azula turned and wrapped her arms back around Korra.
Azula frowned. "She fought well during this battle. I heard many reports of a 'young water bender' and watched her bring down a war balloon." Of course, she remembered that day. It was almost a good day. Until she found Zuko had betrayed them...again.
"She didn't talk much about what she did. Her father was wounded and she had to help him I think she said."
Azula scowled. "Hmph she can pretend to be a good little healer all she wants but she was a warrior like the rest of us."
"I will get the two of you on speaking terms. I'm the Avatar I'm supposed to bring peace to people."
"Korra…" they had talked about this before.
"In a month there is going to be a festival in the southern water tribe. My parents invited me and they mentioned that you should come too."
'Oh fuck.' Azula thought. Korra had parents. they probably even loved her in a healthy way. This was going to be trouble.
"Meeting them would be interesting." Azula deflected.
"Awww are you worried about meeting my parents? Don't worry they seem to like you from the letters." Korra had caught on to the 'Azulaisms' as she called them. This both pleased and annoyed the fire bender.
"But I'm going to spend time with Katara." Korra added. "I think you should too."
Azula scowled. She absolutely did not want to. But Korra did and the old woman would be dead eventually so maybe she just needed to play nice for a little longer.
"Fine. But you have to be there."
"Need someone to keep the peace?" Korra laughed.
"A witness in case something goes wrong," the fire bender corrected.
Korra laughed and turned around a bit to look at Azula. "You know you are lucky you are cute."
Azula smirked. "You are too." that felt dumb and embarrassing to say but it got Korra to smile and no one else could hear them.
They were near the top now. The road led to a gate near the rim of the volcano. It was open and a few more luxurious carts were going in and out. Azula took a moment to look back and out towards the city. It spread far and wide across the land and was much larger than the old city. It surrounded the mountain. It was spread out but not as big as republic city. It was still red though. Like a sea of fire and smoke with the factory stacks spread around seeming at random. She remembered the muster fields and military warehouses. Replaced by black belching factories. She remembered the great wharf where armies would assemble to board ships. Replaced by crude housing and shops. The harbor with its docks lined with Great warships. Replaced by a hodgepodge of trade and civilian vehicles. It was different. Maybe it was wrong.
"Wow." Korra said and Azula wondered what Korra saw in the Caldera.
Naga was still walking forward as the former princess turned.
And saw home. Her home. Almost unchanged. Maybe a few buildings were different but the style was the same and no wires hung in the sky or factory smoke. Its two lakes were there and still seemed to be surrounded by parks. Right in the center, stabbing into the clear blue sky of the day was home. The palace looked unchanged. Its gold red and black stood out as much as ever and looked so alien compared to the skyline of Republic City that she had gotten used to. Like the road leading up here, the caldera looked frozen in time.
"You know I thought it would be bigger," Korra said tilting her head. Azula smirked she didn't see it but she could hear the self-amused smile on the Avatar and responded with a jab in just the right spot near Korra's rib cage.
"Ah! Stop!" Korra laughed and crumbled over in response. The fire bender did not stop until Korra was almost out of the saddle.
"Try to show some respect Korra," Azula added finally relenting and not helping Korra sit back up. Korra was still proud of herself as she got back up and had naga moving forward again.
"I'm just saying the Fire Nation palace has a reputation," Korra added.
Azula was leaning out to keep her eyes on the palace. The central road led right to it.
"And history."
Her chest felt tight as they got closer and her stomach turned. She could feel a head ace coming on. Her eyes jerked to her left when she saw a few Soldiers seeming to stand guard on a street corner. They were watching the pair, halberds in hand. She turned to the right to see a few more on another corner. Her mind started to race as she looked towards the palace again and saw the street clear. A rich-looking looked like it was moving out of one of the mansions just to be swarmed by soldiers and escorted off the street. Her headache was getting worse. She stood in the stirrups and looked to see more soldered gathering on the street and start lining the way to the palace.
"Uhhh." Korra seemed to catch on to something being wrong.
Azula scowled. "Don't turn away. We go forward."
Was this Zuko's plan all along? Lure her back to the Fire Nation where he could do what he wanted to her. He was too smooth, too kind, and too welcoming last time they saw each other it made sense.
She looked at them. Like the one, they met on the dock they had the new style of uniform. Even those not holding anything did not have the face masks of the fire benders. They were organizing to line the street to the palace. They stood in sharp contrast to those standing in front of the palace.
The blood-red armor made them shine against the black walls of the palace. Their face masks were in place and the spikes on their armor pointed to the sun in the sky. The Fire Nation royal guard were exactly as she remembered them. A dozen were on each side of the gate to the palace. She had fought with them and trained against them. She wondered if the new generation were up to the same quality.
"Why does it feel we are walking into a trap?" Korra asked. There were only a couple blocks from the palace now and the array guards stood unmoving.
"If it is, it's not subtle. I would expect better if they were trying to kill us."
Korra turned to look at her with uncertainty. "Oh come on it can't be that. we have been at peace."
'Kill me then' Azula chose not to voice.
They were close now to the palace and they watched several fire nation flags get unfurled down the walls. A royal guard who was not part of the line and had a golden pattern on his armor stepped forward and removed his helmet and held it under his arm. He was a middle-aged man clean-shaven.
"Avatar Korra." His deep voice could be heard as he bowed.
"Yes, I am?" The Avatar said with uncertainty
Azula rolled her eyes at her dorky girlfriend.
"If you wait for just a moment the Firelord will greet you."
The gates to the palace opened after a few awkward moments as everyone stood waiting. The soldiers and guards seemed to stand more rigidly as the great doors swung fully open and Azula watched with curious attention, she was not expecting this kind of welcome.
A group of figures walked out towards them. Her eyes passed over the obvious lackeys and attendant but settled on the center figure. The crown stood out of course as did the high collar. The black and red robes were similar to what she remembered. She had read about this Firelordher apparent niece Izumi. She could see the resemblance. Especially in her eyes even behind the golden frames.
The Firelord approached them and stopped a couple of arm's length from them. Naga was of course just standing there with her tongue out but gave the newcomer an inquisitive sniff.
"Welcome to the Fire Nation Avatar," Izumi said with a waist-deep bow.
"Korra get down," Azula whispered and prodded.
"Oh right shit fuck." Korra grumbled getting out of her stupor. She jumped down from Naga and took a few steps forward before bowing respectfully. Azula made sure to grab Nagas reins and joined Korra but didn't bow. She was looking at Izumi wondering what she looked like younger, what she herself would like older. The resemblance was definitely there.
"I hope the welcome was warm enough. Had I known you were coming I would have had a more proper welcome." Izumi noted seeming to actually be disappointed by this impromptu meeting. But her look never wavered from the Avatar.
"Oh yeah well it was kind of a sudden idea." Korra shrugged her shoulder.
"Apparently," Izumi smirked amused. "Getting a report that the Avatar was running through my city did make my day more interesting. Please come inside, the Fire Nation has gotten much more welcoming to Avatars on their first visit."
She turned to give a few orders about a room and stable for Naga to her attendants, never once even acknowledging Azula. Finally, she turned to leave but stopped half-turned finally glancing at Azula.
"Oh and of course Avatar your friend is welcome to join us as well."
Azula scowled. 'Friend' 'That was it?'