Once again if you see any obvious spelling errors that I missed I would appreciate it if you let me know. I have fifty chapters written and it is looking like it will take about thirty more on top of that to get to the end.
So with that said it is becoming really difficult to properly edit every chapter.
And once again it seems that a lot of people are following this story. I would really enjoy hearing from some of the lurkers out there and seeing what they think.
And just a warning to everyone this chapter has a good deal of cursing. That's Zoe for you. She has a sailor's mouth. :)
Pursuit – Chapter Twenty-Nine
One week later...
The princess's small fleet now sat in a misty bay well concealed from prying eyes.
While the captain's airship now rested adjacent beside the princess's royal vessel.
The scouting patrol had just returned after nearly seven days to deliver their findings to their princess.
While Elle was currently away getting her breakfast Azula sat in her throne reading Zoi's classified report.
They had successfully tracked the Avatar's travel patterns and narrowed down the most likely location for the enemy campsite.
And now they were lying in wait for the enemy to show themselves.
If their information proved accurate.
It was only a matter of time before the Avatar and his friends pass through the last available Fire Nation village to gather supplies on their way to their likely hideout.
The Western Air Temple.
And much to her contempt…Zuko as well.
Meanwhile Zoi sat opposite of her, patiently waiting while her princess read the report.
"So Zuko has truly joined the Avatar." Azula stated with a sneer to her voice while she raised her eyes to gaze back at her skilled captain.
"He did more than join them. We recovered this in the mountains." Zoi answered casually just as she dropped a chunk of metal upon the tabletop.
And then she slid it over to Azula who sat gazing down at the burned arm with curious amber golden eyes.
"And this would be?" Azula inquired with a raised brow while her soldier gazed back with a twinge of incredulousness in her eyes that began to irk her temper.
Yet she was grudgingly well aware that the woman was not a soldier that she could so tepidly vent her fury on.
For more reasons than one.
"You don't know who that belongs to?" Zoi queried with a trace of wit that had her princess scowling at her in anger.
"If I knew I wouldn't be asking you!" Azula barked with a finger pointed at Zoi who waved a hand in a placating manner.
"It belongs…belonged to an individual known infamously as the Combustion Man. We have eye witness reports that state that he engaged in a battle with several youths in Fire Fountain City. But that is not all." Zoi explained with her hands folded in her lap while Azula gazed on with a much calmer countenance.
"Interesting Zoi…and what else?" Azula asked while she stared down at the burned metal limb.
"After consulting with another bounty hunter…June. She not only confirmed that we are indeed traveling in the right direction. She also told me that a hooded young man was seen asking around for an assassin…" Zoi trailed off in a pointed manner while her princess sat back holding a cup in her hand.
"A hooded young man?" Azula repeated dryly with her brilliant mind already piecing the pieces together.
"A hooded young man with the slightest hints of a large scar on the left side of his face." Zoi answered with noticeable amusement in her voice while Azula rolled her amber golden eyes.
"I see that Zuzu is as transparent as ever." Azula spoke smugly while taking a drink of her tea.
"Yes well…judging by the scorch marks on this arm and with my source placing your brother with the Avatar's group. I can only conclude one thing." Zoi commented while gesturing at the burned limb.
Azula silently held her cup while her cold eyes flickered between the report and her captain's relaxed visage.
Within an instant an expression of disbelief and increased repugnance began to flash in her callous gaze while she read the conclusion of the report.
"And that is that a strong firebender helped the Avatar kill this man. My conclusion is that your brother felt remorseful for hiring the assassin…and in his guilt it would appear that he helped kill his own assassin." Zoi announced with evident amusement in her voice while the princess turned to her with her amber golden eyes widening in a brief display of disbelief.
"I knew that Zuko was stupid. But I never took him to be this idiotic." Azula remarked with her lips pursed into a frown while she now glared down at the singed chunk of metal.
Not only did her foolish brother rescue the Avatar from his own hired killer.
Zuko just threw away one of the most skilled assassins of the Fire Nation.
A combustionbender no less!
"You know what they always say about family having a tendency to try to see the best in family. Sometimes without even realizing it." Zoi quipped with a slight smile while Azula glanced over at her snorting all the while.
"There is nothing to see in Zuko. He is not only a fool but a traitor as well. And he will be treated as such." Azula replied with her merciless eyes gazing back at her soldier before taking another drink of her beverage.
"I see. And my stratagem?" Zoi pondered with a tilt of her head while she surveyed her leader.
"Thus far you've impressed me soldier. You may employ it." Azula informed with a lazy wave of her hand before she gazed down into her tea while she frowned over her brothers beyond idiotic decision.
"Understood Your Highness. I shall not let you down." Zoi stated just as she stood up before she bowed to her princess while Azula stared up from her tea in a pleased manner.
"See to it that you don't. You may go now. My breakfast has arrived." Azula replied just as she turned her head when a soft knocking was heard upon her door.
"May I enter Azula-sama?" Elle pondered meekly just as she delicately braced the tray of her companion's most favorite foods.
"Yes, girl. You may enter." Azula called out with a slight smirk now on her crimson lips whilst Zoi arose from her bow to turn to the door.
The door opened just barely while the small blonde girl attempted to scurry over to the princess's side with the large tray briefly clanging about.
The princess was once more aware of the captain silently studying her handmaid.
All the while Azula turned to Zoi with a possessive gleam in her strict eyes that the warrior picked up on.
It was almost like the look she has seen countless men give another man for looking at his wife.
"I brought everything that you ordered Princess." Elle stated in an even more bashful voice than usual while she set the tray down before her seated mistress.
And then without even giving it any second thought.
She lowered herself onto the floor while she prostrated herself on all fours before the princess's boots.
Azula's amber golden eyes quickly flickered down to her kneeling handmaid almost as if she was concerned with the girl feeling ignored.
And then the princess began to scrutinize the food with a discerning palate ever annoyed by Zoi's curious staring.
"And who might this be?" Zoi questioned with a faint smile well aware that she was quite literally playing with azure fire.
To her amusement that was all it took for the princess's gaze to snap up from her meal with her most ruthless death stare.
And she won't lie.
If not for her status she would actually be afraid.
"A servant. What does it look like?" Azula snapped with bite in her voice while she sat folding her palms in her lap.
While she stared back at Zoi with an imposing countenance that conveyed the meaning in her glare.
And when Elle pushed her face into the princess's kneecap the regal woman made no move to push the young girl away.
It was yet another strange sight to be sure.
If any handmaid attempted to hug the Crown Princess's leg she would most surely be backhanded at the very least.
And yet the girl had yet to be so much as bruised.
"I realize that. I just find it curious that you only brought one servant instead of ten. She must be skilled at something in particular to warrant such…attention." Zoi quipped with her arms folded over her chest while the woman cast her a piercing stare.
"My choice in servants is none of your concern Zoi. You would be wise to focus on the upcoming campaign instead of which handmaids I keep in my service." Azula commented in a moody voice while she reclined in her throne all the while allowing Elle to curl up at the foot of her throne.
Her eyes narrowed at her subordinate in a truly intimidating stare that practically dared the woman to make another smart remark.
"But of course, Your Highness. You'll have to excuse my freedom of speech…a trait that my mother has berated me for." Zoi replied with a sigh before turning away while the princess rolled her amber golden eyes.
All the while staring between her food and the warrior in increasing aggravation as she waited for the woman to leave so they could eat together.
"I am beginning to agree with your mother. Now. If you'll excuse me." Azula stated curtly with her utensils in hand while she cast her soldier a pointed glance.
"Oh right. I'll leave you and your…companion be." Zoi spoke with noticeable wit while she strode towards the door well aware that Azula was now glaring a hole through the back of her head.
"Just go!" Azula barked in a more hostile voice with blue fire flaring to life over her while Elle gazed on in amusement from where she lay upon her thigh.
Not a moment later the door closed shut finally leaving the princess and her favorite handmaid to themselves.
"Has something displeased you Azula-sama?" Elle pondered in a concerned voice while she craned her neck to peer up at Azula's scowling face.
For reasons that Azula could not explain she was already finding that the girl's company was already easing her rotten temper.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, someone has. But not you. You don't displease me." Azula remarked with her lips pursed into a frown before lowering her palm into her handmaid's hair while she gazed down at the girl.
"Oh! Well, I am so very glad to hear that Mistress. How may I serve you this morning?" Elle chirped with a sunny smile while she melted under her princess's petting hand.
Those words were already earning her a pleased glance from the woman who was now staring down at her with a revived smile.
"Eat breakfast with me. And if you like after that…you may spend the following hour in my lap." Azula spoke with a lazy sigh while her fingers danged through her petite girlfriend's hair.
"Yes! I would like that Princess! This is my spot after all!" Elle declared in a cheerful voice while she listened to Azula chuckle in amusement above her.
"I suppose it is. Now come. Dine with your princess." Azula declared just as she slid her backside forward before extending her hand before the girl's overjoyed face.
Elle didn't even hesitate to grasp the regal princess's palm.
And just like that the shorter girl found herself being pulled to her feet by the princess's strong yet careful hand.
All the while her cheeks heated up under the woman's stern stare.
It was yet another strange compulsion for Azula.
This girl was the first person that she has ever offered to help pull to their feet.
She couldn't help but ponder once more what a fascinating little find this young girl was.
"As you command Azula-sama. I shall spend every morning of my life beside you. So long as you wish for me to be here." Elle announced in a joyful voice just as she bowed before the princess.
All while the princess gazed back at her with an approving gaze before reclining on her throne with a pleased smirk now gracing her crimson lips.
"Sit down Elle. The food is growing cold." Azula commanded with her hands now folded in her lap while she gazed upon her grudgingly adorable admirer.
"Yes Princess!" Elle cried out with a beaming countenance before scampering to pull a chair over.
As she did so Azula continued to stare at her turned back with a measure of fondness in her gaze that she did not show anyone else.
Not even her closest childhood friends.
Within moments the younger girl sat in a smaller seat beside the princess's taller throne while the two finally began eating their long-awaited breakfast.
"Azula-sama?" Elle began with a lovably inquisitive demeanor while the woman glanced down at her in a patient manner.
"What is it now...Elle." Azula responded just after swallowing a mouthful while she turned to listen to her most faithful servant.
"Can I explore the village nearby tomorrow?" Elle requested in a hopeful voice just as she inclined her head respectfully while the princess observed her with stoic amber golden eyes.
The fact that the girl even attempted to bow when seated beside her was a trait that Azula vastly approved of.
"This is a war campaign. I do not have the time to leisurely stroll about. I am tracking the enemy!" Azula replied with a strict countenance just as she pointed a finger down at Elle's pouting face.
"B-but I wanted to see more of the Fire Nation." Elle mumbled while she heard the princess sigh above her.
"You can see more of the Fire Nation when the war is over." Azula stated in a voice that verged on parental while she gracefully wiped her lips.
She didn't want to say it aloud but the further they got from the Capital the more hesitant she became to let the girl galivant about.
"I understand that you are busy with the war Mistress. But I could go for a short walk in the village by myself." Elle insisted while she smiled with Azula now gazing down at her with her nose scrunched up in clear distaste.
"Please! You can't go for a walk by yourself without having your inhaler stolen, or getting punched in the face…or getting mocked by commoner girls." Azula snorted in contempt while she glared at her little girlfriend's crestfallen face.
"Sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle trailed off in with her hands grasping at her robes in a downcast manner.
"Quit your moping Tiger Monkey. I will permit a short walk. In the confines of the village and no further. Understood?" Azula remarked with her lips pursed into a thin line while she gazed at her sensitive admirer's happy little face.
"Yes, Your Highness! Thank you!" Elle cheered with a returning smile before lunging over the arm of her chair to assail the woman in a hug.
"Ugh. You are welcome girl. Now go back to your own chair!" Azula bellowed with her features narrowing into a stern glare while she peered down at her companion now latched onto her side.
"I am so glad that we're best friends Azula-sama! I just know that our bond will never be broken!" Elle squealed with her face pressing into the princess's side while she listened to the regal woman release a grunt of annoyance above her.
"Yes, much like an inoperable growth permanently attached to my stomach." Azula sighed with a roll of her eyes before scooping up another bite all the while the girl continued to cling to her side.
"We're so close that we just can't stop hugging…p-please let me stay." Elle whined out in a saddened voice when she was raised into the air by the back of her shirt.
"No. I assure you I have no qualms with removing you from my side." Azula spoke with a snort before dropping the pouting teenager back into her own chair.
"B-but I just wanted to snuggle." Elle complained solemnly while she sulked in her seat only to flinch when the princess snapped her fingers in her face.
"Eat your food now!" Azula barked with sadistic delight in her voice while jabbing her finger in her submissive girl's gulping face.
"Y-yes Princess! At once!" Elle agreed with a blush adorning her cheeks while the fine fingertip still pushed down on her forehead.
"Hm. A fine girlfriend indeed." Azula purred with a refined smile now gracing her red lips before turning to return to her meal.
All the while the young girl stared up at her with emotional amber eyes ever so happy to hear those words.
And with that the two girls returned to eating their meal.
As the princess continued to smirk down at her younger companion over the love-struck gaze the innocent girl continued to direct up at her.
If nothing else, the girl was an amusing little pet.
The following day in the Fire Nation…
Two people were busy maneuvered through the streets trying their best to avoid unwanted attention.
One was a young woman of the Southern Water Tribe and the other a young man of Fire Nation Nationality.
And much to Zuko's frustrations he was discovering that it wasn't so easy gaining the trust of each person in the group.
"It's not safe to be out like this. We should hurry back." Zuko stated with food items in hand while his companion turned to glare at him.
"Thanks for stating the obvious. I didn't know that until you brought it to my attention." Katara answered with noticeable venom in her voice that got on Zuko's nerves.
"What is your problem! I am doing everything I can to prove to you that I am genuine." Zuko insisted with indignation in his voice when Katara furiously rounded on him.
"Seriously? What is my problem?! Six years ago, in a cave. Is that clue enough for you?" Katara retorted icily while she narrowed her eyes with Zuko gazing away in renewed shame.
"Okay. That was a stupid question. But I am trying my hardest. I would have thought that offering to help Aang with his bending would have been proof enough of that." Zuko spoke with a frown while they made their way through the village with supplies in hand.
"Do you really think that it's that simple? Aang was comatose for six years because of you and your wretched sister. Do you have any idea what it was like? Day in and day out wondering if he would awaken. Do you know what it is like for Aang to know that Bumi died by his bedside waiting for him to wake up? Or how about how Suki has been locked away in prison for six years in part because of you? Do you have any idea what it was like for my brother to go day in and day out knowing that he hasn't been able to save the woman he loves all because of your monstrous sister?" Katara ranted in a bitter voice while she clenched her fists in her revived rage.
Once more it was all Zuko could do but follow alongside his companion with his head hung low in disgrace.
It was never his intention to cause them so much pain.
But he knew that was no excuse.
All of that happened, regardless of what he intended.
"No…I…don't…I just…" Zuko trailed off while he swallowed the lump that was in his throat with the resentful woman still glaring at him.
"Just save it. Now is not the time to be getting into this." Katara muttered just as she turned away all the while inwardly pondering if she was truly being too harsh.
She realized that it would be prudent to ease up on Zuko, especially after his efforts to teach Aang firebending.
But…it just wasn't that simple.
The prince said nothing as he glumly nodded before resuming their walk through the remainder of the village.
All along worrying about not only what his new comrades thought of him.
But also, the rumors of Fire Nation ships traveling through the region as of late.
Most worrying of all was the frightening rumor that they were under the command of the infamous Imperial Firebender, Captain Zoi.
It was no secret that she was one of the most dangerous people in the Fire Nation military.
And a known personal favorite of his sister.
And much more lethal than the traditional captains of old.
That was when a voice snapped both Zuko and his companion from their retrospective thoughts.
The two found themselves warily turning to the speaker.
A middle-aged woman that was staring underneath Zuko's hood in such a way that was making the young man tense up.
Her eyes…were honing in on his scar.
"Your scar…it's just like those girls from the Capital." The woman remarked with a grimace while the two visibly relaxed before sharing a puzzled glance with one another.
Despite Katara's feelings regarding Zuko she couldn't help but turn to him for an answer.
Only for Zuko give her a look that conveyed that he was just as clueless as her.
"Girls from the Capital?" Zuko pondered with a sliver of curiosity that was shared by his compatriot.
His fears that the woman had recognized him were fading away into a sense of curiosity about what has been happening in the Capital.
It was obvious by the look in her eyes that she did not recognize him.
Yet he found himself unable to suppress the sense of mounting dread over the woman's grim expression.
"You haven't heard the rumors? Have you two been living under a rock? A few weeks ago, two girls were foolish enough to anger the Crown Princess…" The villager informed gravely just as she glanced about in a fearful manner while the two listened in a state of unnerved silence.
The simple fact that a rumor was spreading that two girls were unfortunate enough to anger Azula was enough to spread a shiver down Zuko's spine.
"Some say they were caught gossiping about…about her ladyhood." The villager whispered whilst the two flinched in unison.
"What…what did the princess do about it?" Katara asked in a cautious voice while the woman backed away.
"I thought I already told you what she did." The villager grunted while she gestured to the young man's scarred face.
The two stood in complete astonishment while Zuko gazed ahead in complete disbelief.
"She…scarred them?" Zuko inquired in a horrified voice with his hands becoming clammy.
How could Azula do something so…so monstrous to her own people?
"That she did. Not a little scar like yours though. I heard that she grasped them so hard that the skin began to melt. They say that if you look closely. You can still see the princess's hand print in their scars." The villager commented with a shiver while the two gazed with pale complexions utterly stricken by the announcement.
They were so horrified that the prince hadn't even realized that he dropped their supplies to the ground.
The fact that his scar was referred to as 'little' sent a great chill down his spine.
Katara was just as affected by the horrible declaration.
It took every fiber of her being to refrain from denouncing the cruel princess before the onlooking townspeople.
"That's what they say anyhow. Just a few days ago one of the girls was sighted not too far from here. Likely banished from the Capital. But enough of my rambling. You have a good day with your girlfriend now!" The villager concluded just as she walked off while giving the speechless duo a wave over her shoulder.
It only hit them moments later that the woman had thought that they were a couple.
The prince just barely managed a slight blush while he gazed away still shivering over the ominous tale.
"I'm not his girlfriend!" Katara called out just while Zuko just now begun picking up the supplies.
Zuko took no offense to his companion's protest.
All the while mulling over the unnerving news.
'Did Azula…really burn two Fire Nation girls? Father burned me…his own son. But…even he has never burned a Fire Nation civilian. Azula! How could you?' Zuko thought with his teeth clenched together just as he began walking with his companion once more.
Katara was just as repulsed as he if not even more so.
She decided to use it as motivation, as fuel for her drive to defeat the Fire Nation at all costs!
On the other side of the village.
One certain blind bandit stood with a grin on her features just as she walked away from yet another scam.
"Suckers." Toph snickered with the bag of coin in hand while she made her way off to rejoin with the others.
That was when she heard the sound of footsteps rushing in her direction that prompted her to slow in her step.
"No refunds! Hey what…is that…" Toph trailed off before turning around when a slightly familiar cry entered the air.
"Toph!" Elle yelled out with her hands gripping at the straps of her backpack while the woman tilted her head with her glazed sea foam green eyes widening in surprise.
"Sunshine? Never thought I'd run into you again." Toph remarked dryly while she listened to the young girl scamper up alongside her.
"I am so glad that we got a chance to meet again! I never got a chance to thank you properly…eep!" Elle greeted only for the older girl to grasp onto her before she took off when angry shouts rang out from around the corner.
"Cheater!" A man's voice cried out which had the younger girl peering up at the woman in puzzlement.
"It's not cheating when your opponent is as dumb as a box of rocks!" Toph retorted while she discreetly shifted the earth beneath her feet with a smirk on her lips.
The distant cry of pain that followed was a rewarding one to her ears.
It was only then that she began to ponder just what she would do with her 'passenger'.
"Why was that man chasing you? Is he a bully?" Elle inquired innocently while she held a finger to her lip curiously with the older girl 'gazing' down at her in an amused manner.
"Yeah. He's just jealous of my skills. So, what are you doing this far north?" Toph replied while she slowed in her step before releasing the younger girl from her grip.
"Oh! That's…a bit of a long story! But I am really happy that I took your advice Toph!" Elle chirped with a sunny smile while the woman turned to her blinking curiously.
"My advice…oh right the fire lily." Toph stated in a softer voice just as they came closer to her friends on the other side of town.
"T-that's so. I gave her the fire lily…" Elle trailed off bashfully while she kicked at an imaginary pebble.
"Eh…so how did it go?" Toph pondered while she scratched at her cheek with her sack of coin in her other hand.
Romance wasn't really her specialty.
But it was hard not to take pity on the poor girl.
Running around in a fuss over some girl, fretting about whether she should give her a fire lily or not.
"Um…well…" Elle mumbled nervously when she glanced up to see two people waiting for the other woman.
"It's about time that you made it back…are you scamming again? And why is this girl with you?" Katara queried in her usual nosy manner while Toph glared back at her.
While she gazed at the girl's golden hair with an expression of amazement in her eyes.
This was the first time in her entire life that she has seen anyone with golden hair!
"As a matter of fact, mom, I was. And right now, I am trying to roll my eyes at you." Toph replied with maximum snark with Katara now narrowing her eyes in a glare of her own while Zuko turned to gaze at the young girl.
The tension was already in the air once more with the two women already beginning to get under each other's skin.
While Zuko also stared back at the petite girl's golden head of hair in incredulity as he took in her unusual hair color.
In all his travels all over the world in his hunt for the Avatar he has never seen anyone with that hair color!
Before he shook off his bewilderment as he mused that it wasn't important.
Only for his brows to begin to furrow as he observed the girl's attire with a contemplative gaze.
"Anyway Toph. Who is this?" Katara repeated while she glanced down at the girl's timid face.
"Ah right. Sugar Queen, this is Sunshine. Sunshine, meet Sugar Queen and sparky. Just a head's up though…she can be a bit bitchy." Toph explained with a smirk as Zuko gazed on in humor while Katara stood fuming in anger.
"Well that's alright! I make it a point not to judge people." Elle stated with a cheerful nod while her words produced a snicker from the earthbender.
"Listen here you…" Katara growled only for Toph to wave her hand about rubbing at her ear as she did so.
"Relax Sugar Queen. She wasn't making fun of you. Sarcasm just flies right over her head." Toph reassured with a sigh while Katara visibly relaxed.
As much as she could after hearing that the princess had burned two girls a few weeks ago.
It was just another reason on top of many that she already had to despise the cruel woman.
"So…who is this?" Zuko asked while still eying the girl's curiously fine clothes.
"A girl that I ran into about a month ago. What was your name again?" Toph questioned bluntly with her two companions nearly falling over at her rudeness.
"And you call me a bitch?" Katara snorted with a roll of her eyes while she took note that her friends tone seemed to soar over Elle's head.
"My name is Elle! We met four weeks ago when Toph saved me from some mean boy's that were throwing rocks at me. I didn't have any more problems with them after Toph took care of it." Elle quipped while she beamed up at the cringing waterbender.
"You didn't hurt those boys too, badly did you?" Katara spoke with a twinge of worry in her voice while Toph snorted once more.
"Just a few broken bones here and then. I also gave the kid a bit of romantic advice." Toph admitted with a smirk while the other's eyed her in a deadpan manner.
Even Zuko knew that Toph was a poor source of romantic counsel.
"Really? I feel sorry for her then. You don't know anything about romance." Katara scoffed all the while eying the girl unsure if they could trust her.
"Actually, her advice was very helpful." Elle stated with a bright smile while Toph placed a hand on her shoulder clearly pleased by the mild stroking of her ego.
"And you were saying Sugar Queen? So why don't you finish your story, Sunshine. What happened after you gave the girl the fire lily?" Toph pondered in a curious voice while the other two gazed at the joyful girl smiling up at her.
The two began to slowly relax. If only for the fact that the girl didn't seem dangerous in the least.
Anyone who was more concerned with giving a girl a fire lily than turning them in was clearly not someone they needed to be afraid of.
"Well…at first she told me to get lost! And she also called me a dirty peasant…" Elle admitted with baffling cheer while the other three listened in a taken aback manner.
"Oh…sorry to hear that." Toph muttered with a frown now adorning her features while the other two gazed at the girl in rising pity.
"I know that sounds bad! But it went well really! I saw her again a few days later. This time she called me a peasant but not a dirty peasant! She…even asked what my name was." Elle exclaimed with a blush seemingly unaware just how horrible that sounded.
"Wow. How kind of her. Clearly this girl has a heart of gold." Katara sighed while she rubbing at her forehead shaking her head as she did so.
It was obvious that this poor girl was crushing on some stuck-up Fire Nation girl.
"Yeah? And what then?" Toph inquired dryly while she 'gazed' down at the younger girl totally puzzled by her cheerfulness over her crush's cruel behavior.
"Then she made me carry her shopping bags around the city. But we met again the following day. She…rescued me from the cold rain. She took me in. And I am doing much better now. I think we're even friends now. I just wanted to thank you Toph…for giving me courage to approach her." Elle answered softly while the woman listened in a surprised silence.
Toph was most certainly not expecting to hear Elle say that her crush took her off the streets.
Most especially not after hearing how mean the other girl had been after being given a fire lily!
Both Zuko and Katara were mutually stumped by the strange girl's announcement.
"Took her in?" Zuko asked quietly while the earthbender folded her arms over her chest.
"The girl was living on the street in the Capital commoner districts when I met her. Well…Elle I am glad to hear that it worked out well for you. Sort of." Toph remarked with her finger scratching at her cheek.
The only thing that was still nagging at her was how the girl got this far north.
Was she traveling with…whoever her crush was?
While Katara now gazed at the young girl with understanding in her blue eyes.
The two must have met when Sokka went with Toph to perform a covert recon of the Fire Nation Capital fortifications prior to the Day of the Black Sun!
"I…really should get going but before I do. I just wanted to pay you back for the coin that you gave me…just let me get it out." Elle mumbled with her hand fishing into her backpack for her coin only to pause when the woman raised her hand for her to halt.
"That's not necessary. I've got all the coin that I need as it is." Toph assured with a returning smirk while the waterbender glared at the sack in her arms.
"Are you sure? I get paid really well now." Elle responded after withdrawing her sack of gold while the other two observed the exchange.
"Eh? She pays you? What for?" Toph asked with a blink of her glazed sea form green eyes all the while sensing the younger girl's radiant cheer.
"To do lots of things! I am her servant now!" Elle chirped while the other three listened incredulously over her announcement.
It was beginning to sound like Toph unwittingly screwed this poor girl over.
"Her servant? That's how she responded to being given a flower?" Katara spoke with a frown on her lips.
This woman was beginning to sound like a first-class bitch!
"It's not as bad as it sounds! Really! I am happy now. And she pays me very well!" Elle exclaimed just as she opened her bag of gold only for all but Toph to balk at the contents.
Zuko found himself gazing at Elle with renewed concern.
He scrutinized the gold coins all the while knowing that no commoner could afford to pay this girl such a large sum of money.
That could only mean one thing!
The girl was working for someone of great importance.
Once more he began to study her robes with wary eyes also noting that Elle was dressed in fine garb.
Attire that indicated that her employer was a woman of great wealth.
"Like I said. I am happy that it worked out for you. But you can keep your money, Sunshine." Toph stated in a tone of finality while Elle chewed on her lip in uncertainty.
"If you say so…but I would really prefer you take the money. I don't like to be discourteous…" Elle trailed off with a pout before slowly putting her coin away.
"So where is this friend of yours?" Zuko wondered with a slight edge to his voice all the while baffled that she didn't seem to recognize him.
Anyone well acquainted with a woman of nobility ought to know what he looks like.
"U-um about that…it's kind of complicated. She's a bit busy right now." Elle answered with a faint frown while the earthbender tilted her head curiously.
"Lying isn't going to work on me Sunshine. I am an expert lie detector…besides. You're a horrible liar." Toph announced to the rising worry of her two companions while they all turned to the now strangely sullen girl.
"Yes. I know. She…has told me that too. I have never been very good at lying…I suppose I'll just be honest and hope I don't get in trouble for it." Elle confided with a reduced smile while she clutched at the straps of her backpack.
"Get in trouble? Just what are you talking about?" Katara asked with a frown while Elle turned away still smiling sadly.
"She's told me…that you and your friends are the enemy Toph. She says that you are to be eliminated." Elle revealed rather bluntly while the trio now stared at her back in total surprise.
Zuko and Katara both took a defensive stance after hearing the girl's shocking declaration.
Only for the prince to halt when the earthbender shoved her hand in his face much to his annoyance.
"Toph! She's with the Fire Nation!" Katara hissed in a now distrusting voice only for the other woman to snort derisively.
"I get that. But Sunshine's harmless. Who told you that?" Toph questioned in a still jovial voice that baffled her friends while the small blonde still gazed away.
"The girl I gave the fire lily to…. Azula-sama." Elle admitted in an apprehensive voice with her words evoking complete shock from all three of them.
Zuko's mouth hung ajar as he processed the news with his golden eyes widened in astonishment.
Now it all made sense!
This entire time, the way that her crush spoke down to her…hiring her as a servant.
All along it was Azula!
For the life of him he couldn't even understand why this kind girl wanted to give his cruel sister a flower in the first place!
"S-she's with Azula!" Katara exclaimed with fear in her eyes while Toph stood with mutual shock in her eyes.
"You gave a flower to Princess Azula! Are you insane?" Toph blurted with her friends nearly falling over how she glossed over the danger the girl posed.
"B-but you told me to go for it. So, I went for it." Elle stammered lamely while Zuko gazed on with his eyes expressing his annoyance.
"Is this really relevant right now? Where is my sister!" Zuko demanded with a snarl while the young girl turned around to gaze up at him in surprise.
"Uh yeah I did say to go for it. But I didn't know that you were crushing on an aspiring dictator!" Toph yelled out with a hand in her hair while she groaned in disbelief.
"Oh wow! You're her brother? You must be Prince Zuzu! It's nice to meet you, Prince Zuzu! I've heard so much about you." Elle chirped with her words producing a snort of amusement from Toph before she reached out to shake the baffled man's hand.
"My name isn't Zuzu! It's Zuko." Zuko insisted while he gazed down at Elle joyfully shaking his hand in complete bafflement.
What was such a kind girl doing following Azula?
"Prince Zuzu." Toph chortled all the while even Katara almost managed a snicker at poor Zuko's expense.
"Right! Prince Zuko! Hm. You know I do see a resemblance now…but your sister's much cuter." Elle remarked just as the young man withdrew his hand with his anger fading away to comical confusion.
That had to be the first time that he heard anyone announce that they thought Azula was cute!
"If I had known that she was talking about Azula I would have told her to run away if she knew what was good for her." Toph stated before sighing under her breath.
"Where is Azula? And why are you traveling with her anyhow? She's not the sort of person that you should trust." Zuko spoke in a calmer voice while he stared down at Elle's still smiling face.
"I trust the princess more than anyone in this world. She's really not so bad. She's…been very good to me. I am her royal servant. Anyhow, she's not with me. Not right now. I'm just going out for a walk by myself!" Elle explained with a reassuring smile while the three listened in rising puzzlement.
"Whatever Azula has told you to make you trust her. It isn't true. Azula always lies." Zuko spoke with a scowl only to gaze on in shock as the girl shook her head.
"No. That isn't true at all. When no one is looking she's even gentle with me. She…cares about me and I care about her. We're the best of friends!" Elle stated in a confident voice that took the others aback.
"Azula is taking advantage of your crush on her. She's not your friend." Zuko declared with his teeth ground together while the young girl still smiled much to his rising frustration.
"We're more than friends. I'm her girlfriend!" Elle announced with her chest puffing out in a naïve show of pride while the three nearly fell over in surprise.
"What!" Zuko asked in a tone of disbelief while he stared down at Elle with widened golden eyes.
There's no way that his sister would date a commoner!
And a girl six or seven years younger than her at that!
"Wow. I'm not sure if I should high five you or give you my condolences." Toph commented just as she rubbed her head all the while trying poorly to stifle her snickering.
"I-it is so. She's oh so very beautiful…I could go on about how amazing she is all day. I-I even have a diary about her. I've written her poems…and I've even painted her and-" Elle rambled only to be silenced by Zuko's hand.
"That's all the details I need! Anymore and I'll puke!" Zuko yelled out all the while gazing at the innocent girl as he began to understand that his sister must be playing a cruel game with her mind.
It was just like Azula.
To pretend to care about a girl this sweet just so she can shatter her heart after building up her hopes and making her feel like she had a chance.
"I-I have never been happier. And it's all thanks to you Toph. Which is why I am repaying my debt…by warning you…" Elle trailed off while chewing her lip with the trio listening warily.
"Warning us about what?" Toph queried in a bewildered voice while she 'gazed' back at the younger girl.
That was when an explosion echoed off into the far distance with the group turning to gaze into the skies in alarm.
They could barely make out Appa soaring after with heavy cannon fire now besieging the sky bison.
"I've finally found you." A lethal womanly voice called out while the others turned to gaze up to find a lone female soldier standing atop a hut.
The woman was wearing a lighter version of the Royal Procession armor with a shield strapped to her back and a helmet without a face mask.
Which confirmed her status as a captain of the Royal Procession.
Her eyes were a piercing golden color while the prince stared up at her in fearful recognition just as she blew into a whistle.
"Fire Nation soldiers!" Katara cried out in alarm while Zoi stood waving her hand in a command motion.
All the while as her voice rang out into the air once more causing people to run the opposite direction.
"Fire Nation citizens! This is an official military campaign under the command of your Princess Azula! I am Captain Zoi of the Royal Procession! The Avatar and your traitor prince have been plotting the destruction of our noble nation before your very eyes!" Zoi shouted in a passionate voice with her words sending citizens running with their children in panic.
"Zoi! That lunatic." Zuko snarled just as he took off running alongside his friends while Elle turned to watch their flight with a saddened frown.
"Zuko! Who is that woman!" Katara asked in a guarded voice while she glared over her shoulder just as Zoi drew her sword.
"But fear not my good people! Today it ends here! Take cover and leave the defense of our nation to me!" Zoi bellowed before leaping off the rooftop with astounding speed.
Elle was startled when Zoi leaped down beside her while she then gulped under her icy stare.
It almost reminded her of her mistress's gaze.
"You tried to warn them. Why?" Zoi demanded in a cold voice while Elle flinched under her glare.
"B-because Toph saved me from some very cruel bullies. A-and she helped me to approach Azula-sama. I-I had to repay the debt." Elle stuttered with shame in her voice while Zoi eyed her curiously.
"An honor debt? I see. And you are dating the princess is that right as well?" Zoi queried while she turned to survey her princess's airship soaring down from the clouds.
"Y-yes I am. I-it's supposed to be a secret." Elle explained while Zoi finally managed to quirk a slight smile.
"A secret? I already suspected as much by the way she allows you to cling to her. But never mind that. Now you owe me a debt." Zoi continued while she stared down at Elle's nervous countenance.
"Oh. I do?" Elle asked in a meek voice that made it clear she had already caved to Zoi's will.
"Yes. If I tell the princess what I just heard she may well think that you were plotting against her." Zoi informed smugly while she watched the younger girl's innocent eyes widen in horror.
"I-I would never betray my princess." Elle insisted with her hands grasping at her robes while Zoi still eyed her coolly.
"Perhaps not. But if I were to just add a few details she might well think otherwise. Is that what you want?" Zoi questioned before turning to survey the fleeing trio.
"I-I don't want that. I can't live without Azula-sama. She's my home." Elle answered in a fretful voice with a distraught look in her amber eyes.
"Well then you owe me. When the time comes you will do a favor for me. But enough about that right now. I just knew that it was only a matter of time before the enemy would pass through this village. Now is the time to kill them once and for all. Let's go!" Zoi declared before grasping the girl by the arm just as she leaped to a komodo rhino below.
"Why I am coming along for this?" Elle squeaked in a panic with Zoi grasping at the reins of the beast.
"Because I have a feeling that the princess would be displeased if I let anything happen to you." Zoi spoke with the komodo rhino taking off in a sprint after the trio.
Zoi narrowed her eyes as Zuko launched blasts of fire over his shoulder while Toph slammed her feet into the earth.
"She's one of the most dangerous soldiers in all of the Fire Nation! We need to get to Aang and quickly!" Zuko yelled out only for small circular orbs to be thrown by the charging warrior.
"Ha! I'd like to see her try to get past my earthbending!" Toph boasted with a large earthen wall raising into the air before them.
The three stared up at it only to watch in shock when a powerful explosion pierced the wall of dirt.
"She's using incendiary earthbending piercing projectiles!" Zuko advised much to Toph's shock just as he reached out to grasp his two companions by the hand before leaping out of the range of the explosion.
Dust filtered into the air while Katara stared at Zuko with grudging appreciation in her eyes before they rolled into the dirt.
Toph barely had a chance to catch them with a mound of dirt to soften their fall.
All the while smoke continued to blow through the air while the prince furiously launched defensive blasts of fire.
Only for all three of them to spin around in shock when Zoi fell from the smoke before ruthlessly stabbing Zuko in his right shoulder.
"Zuko!" Katara found herself crying out in fright while the furious soldier began to barrel into her unfortunate target.
"You traitor! I'll kill you for betraying our nation!" Zoi roared with her sword buried in the prince's flesh while he stared back at her in shock.
"What the Fire Nation is doing to the rest of the world is wrong Zoi!" Zuko retorted before launching hasty barrage of flames in the warrior's face.
The injured man rolled back into the dirt just as a wall of rock arose that sent the maddened woman soaring backwards.
Zoi managed to avoid the earthbender's attempt at smashing her while she nimbly rolled out of the way.
"She's a complete savage!" Toph exclaimed in disbelief while she narrowed her glazed eyes just as she honed in on the crouching woman's location.
"A-are you alright?" Katara asked while she knelt over the young man holding his bleeding shoulder.
"I'll survive. She was going for the tendons. Her intent was to cripple me but she was just a hair off!" Zuko replied to the fright of his companions while Zoi knelt glaring back at them with narrowed eyes.
"I have been tracking all of you for some time now! There is no escape! Only death and destruction await you!" Zoi shouted with her hand swiftly reaching into a pouch before her fingers lit aflame when she tossed another circular grenade.
It soared through the air before exploding as it splintered into ten smaller blasts.
"What are those Zuko?" Katara questioned warily with her arms covering her face when the projectile explosives managed to continue to pelt through Toph's earthen walls.
"Experimental explosive grenades designed to kill earthbenders! We need to fall back!" Zuko hollered just when Appa flew down from above.
With Azula's airship in hot pursuit!
And not only that!
It was a smaller and sleeker model than the ones that had been used to ward off the invasion on the Day of the Black Sun!
"Hop on!" Sokka called out just as he grasped ahold of his sister's hand who pulled up Zuko.
And Aang grasped ahold of Toph's hand before the sky bison just barely avoided a blast of Zoi's firebending.
"Zuko…you're hurt." Aang stated in a concerned tone while he turned to their new companion to notice his brutalized shoulder.
"Never mind that! Get away from her!" Zuko snapped before gesturing down to Zoi stampeding after them upon her komodo rhino with the frightened Elle holding onto her back.
All the while Azula and her team observed from the catwalk of the royal airship.
The princess was beyond impressed by the warrior's ferocity.
And Mai was gazing down at Zuko with a degree of shock in her eyes to see that he had truly joined up with the enemy.
Yet any feelings on the matter were being swiftly squashed by her boiling anger towards Zoi.
She was trying her hardest to contain her rage over Zoi's attempt to murder her once fiancé.
Though it hurt to see Zuko had abandoned their six-year relationship in favor of allying with the Avatar.
That did not mean that she would just stand by and watch him die.
"Do you think you can escape from me so easily!" Zoi screamed just after removing a grappling gun from her belt before firing a line from its chamber.
And then she stunned her enemies and allies both when the grappling hook flew into the air.
And then a cry of pain was released by Appa when it plunged into his flesh which made Aang spin around with rage in his peaceful eyes.
"Appa!" Aang cried out while he rushed over to remove the hook from his companion's skin.
"Azula! Get Elle out of there!" Ty Lee pleaded in a worried voice while Zoi hung from her rope glaring up at the outraged group.
While the komodo rhino now ran while Elle gulped with her hands struggling to regain control of the animal.
"Lower the airship! That girl is far too useful to die!" Azula commanded just as the vessel plunged closer to the earth below.
"Slow down! Please slow d-down!" Elle squeaked only to find herself being grasped by her princess's stern hand.
Elle was swiftly rescued by the princess who now hung from the catwalk of her royal airship.
"Get up here Tiger Monkey." Azula spoke with a trace of fondness in her voice while she rolled her eyes down at her handmaid's blushing face.
"My princess charming…you saved me." Elle mumbled in a grateful voice only to cry out when the princess bounded high into the air.
Team Avatar saw it but they could barely believe it.
Zuko most of all.
His sister was actually jumping up the length of her royal airship with the girl under her arm!
"Foolish girl. If you die…who will pick the pits from my cherries?" Azula responded with a refined smirk gracing her lips before leaping over the rail of the airship.
Elle just smiled in a serene manner while she hung onto the older girl's shoulder plating with her head resting against the princess's toned bicep.
However, Team Avatar had little time to focus on the baffling scene.
Zoi hung furiously to her rope while she slowly but surely climbed it all the while deflecting Zuko's weakened blasts of fire.
"What is wrong with this woman!" Sokka cried out in a stunned voice just as they finally managed to remove the hook from the sky bison's flesh.
"How dare you hurt Appa!" Aang shouted with rage in his voice while he clutched his staff with Momo over his shoulder.
"I'll do much more than stab the bison! I'll kill the beast and then you soon after!" Zoi declared in a determined voice only to find that her fingers were beginning to slip from her rope.
Not a single second later a blade of water nearly sliced into her shoulder plating.
"I don't even care if you fall to your death! Monster!" Katara snarled with great fury in her voice only to fall down when a blast of cannon fire nearly took her head off.
The group sunk into the bison's fur before turning around to gaze up at the approaching royal airship with Imperial Firebenders speedily reloading the cannons.
And standing at the head of the airship was none other than Azula with Elle standing closely beside her.
Zuko especially was the most stunned by the strange way the two were now standing beside one another.
But there was little time to mull over the matter.
To their disbelief they glanced over Appa's side to see Zoi furiously hanging onto the sky bison's fur.
"For the victory of the Fire Nation! You will fall!" Zoi called out just as she propelled herself upward with a blast of yellow flame.
And in the very moment a brutal blast of wind sent her soaring backwards with the outraged Avatar clutching his staff in his rising fury.
"Aang! You need to stay calm!" Katara advised when her friend leaped over the edge with his glider upon his back.
"You'll pay for what you did to Appa and Zuko both!" Aang cried out only for Zoi to rapidly remove another grenade from her pouch.
"Die Avatar!" Zoi shouted before throwing the grenade above her before it splintered above the horrified group.
Aang slammed into Zoi while they grappled in mid-air with the fearsome soldier managing to brutally grasp the pacifistic man in a choke hold.
The roaring sky bison just barely managed to evade the brunt of the exploding grenades with some help from Katara producing a swift blade of ice that send them soaring backwards.
They exploded above them only for the group to cry out while they fell down from the force of the blasts.
"Your time is over!" Zoi snarled with her elbow slamming into Aang's windpipe while the rasping monk writhed in her arms.
Then Aang howled in pain when he was stabbed in his right arm with the warrior's blade tearing through his beloved glider.
Just before Zoi could get any further, she was sent flying once more by a blast of Zuko's fire.
"Quick! Grab hold!" Zuko shouted just as he caught Aang's hand while they both turned to watch Zoi plummet through the skies.
Any hope of the woman falling to her death was swiftly vanquished when the royal airship soared overhead just in time for the captain to grab onto the lower rails.
"S-she's insane! Completely insane! Even worse than your sister!" Sokka yelled in distress just as they barely managed to fly away.
"Appa! Are you alright buddy?" Aang exclaimed whilst ignoring his own wound to kneel over his friend's shoulder.
The large sky bison simply growled in response while they sped through the skies only to pale when a bolt of lightning very nearly hit Appa.
"Azula!" Zuko roared while he spun around to stare in fury over his shoulder at his sister standing with her fingertips crackling with lightning.
In that very moment Zoi bounded over the catwalk of the ship to land beside Team Azula.
"You…" Mai trailed off with noticeable wrath in her voice while Zoi strode forward.
"Fly faster you fools! We can end this war here and now! If I see anyone working with anything less than one hundred percent! I will throw them over the edge!" Zoi bellowed while she coldly watched soldiers sprint to their respective stations.
The announcement jarred a sense of horror into Ty Lee and even Mai but they were not surprised that it brought a pleased smile to Azula's lips.
"Yes Captain!" Cried out a cacophony of frightened soldiers while the woman stood with her eyes narrowed.
"Good work Zoi. Thus far it is all going according to our plan." Azula purred with Elle standing closely behind her.
"You tried to kill Zuko." Mai stated in a voice that was unlike her usual apathetic self.
It even sent a shiver down Ty Lee's spine and prompted Azula to turn her head.
Mai's aggravation back at the harbor was nothing in comparison to this.
Now Mai was practically foaming at the mouth in her rage.
The princess turned to cast her friend a warning glance while Zoi once more casually brushed off Mai's anger.
"I did. My intent was to permanently destroy all bodily functions of his dominant bending arm. But the earthbender intercepted my swing…what of it?" Zoi responded just as she turned to face the other woman's seething tawny eyes.
The savage statement Ty Lee hard in the chest.
And even Azula couldn't help but try to suppress the faintest sliver of concern for her brother upon hearing that her soldier attempted to take his life.
"What of it? You tried to slaughter my fiancé and you ask me what of it!" Mai shouted with a blade in hand while she shook in her fury.
She could tolerate Zoi's endless insults and disparaging remarks towards her clan.
But an attempt on her fiancé's life?
This time Zoi has gone way too far!
Elle observed the scene with worried amber eyes finding that she was growing increasingly uncomfortable with this war.
The more she learned. The more she saw. The more it upset her.
"I don't give a shit about your affections. He's a traitor to the Fire Nation. And traitors will be expunged! Why would Prince Zuko be any different? Those that side with the Avatar. Die with the Avatar!" Zoi retorted with her sword in hand while she stared icily at the approaching woman's furious face.
"A-Azula! Are you just going to let her kill Zuko! He's your brother!" Ty Lee began in an unnerved voice while she turned to her leader's stoic countenance.
"I would prefer it that Zuko be taken alive…" Azula trailed off thoughtfully with a scowl while she watched the two women stand eye to eye with one another.
"Do you think that I will order my own soldiers to risk their own lives all for Zuko? By the Fire Lord's own words, he is a traitor. Those that betray the Fire Nation are cut down! Got that!" Zoi snapped with her forehead butting against the gloomy noblewoman's own while they glared furiously into each other's eyes.
The warrior's statement rang into the air while many soldiers winced at her casual way of stating that she would not heed such an order.
Azula wasn't certain if she should be angered or pleased by Zoi's passion for the Fire Nation.
She decided to settle on a grudging mix of the two.
"Did you just say that you would ignore Azula's own orders and still kill Zuko?" Mai demanded with her fist gripping her blade while she narrowed her eyes into Zoi's callous eyes.
"I will try to kill Zuko again. If you don't like that…Lady Mai. Then perhaps we should settle this in a duel…without firebending of course. That is…if you have the guts to face me." Zoi spoke with a sneer while Mai ground her teeth together in her rage.
Even Azula stood staring at the scene with rapidly rising surprise in her amber golden eyes.
And even Mai was uncertain of how she should respond while she tightened her grip on her blade all the while staring back at the merciless soldier's bloodthirsty face.
Even the Dai Li stood silent amidst the Fire Army finding the prospect of an impending duel to be an entrancing one.
"Well? What's it going to be coward? Are you a warrior or are you just some prissy cunt in dreary funeral drab?" Zoi queried venomously with her head tilting back in a smug manner while many mouths fell open in shock over her brutal mockery.
It took a great deal to anger Mai.
But it was apparent that Zoi was pushing all of the right buttons.
"You…don't scare me Zoi!" Mai shouted with rage dripping from her voice while she readied for attack.
She wanted to cut Zoi's throat more than words could ever convey!
"Hey! You can't talk to Mai like that!" Ty Lee yelled while she stepped up behind Mai with her palm on the other woman's shoulder.
"That is enough! From all three of you!" Azula called out in a fed-up voice with her eyes narrowing in annoyance over the feud.
She was also well aware that Mai's chances of victory in a duel with Zoi were slim.
Even if the captain refrained from using firebending.
Zoi was known far and wide as one of the greatest warriors in the Fire Nation.
"H-hey there's no need to fight oneesan." Elle attempted to reason just as she began to walk forward only to find the princess's hand now tightly gripping her by the collar of her shirt.
As she peered up at Azula's strict face while the princess now glared down at her.
Elle gulped nervously while her mistress pulled her back over to her side in a manner akin to a how a woman would discipline her puppy.
"You stay put girl. Is that understood?" Azula announced in a glacial voice while she stared down at her handmaid with an unyielding glare.
"W-wakarimashita Azula-sama." Elle mumbled pitifully before she slumped under the princess's merciless grip.
All the while the woman's hand never released her hold on her shirt.
In a way it managed to bring a small smile to her lips while she once more mused that everyone was wrong about her princess.
She may be capable of great cruelty…as she found out with her two bullies.
But…her mistress was also capable of showing kindness.
Azula was just too proud to let people see her softer side.
"We both know that isn't true. You are afraid. Tell me. Why haven't you made a move yet? I know why. It's because you two are nothing more than high-class fools posing as weekend warriors." Zoi retorted in a malicious voice just as she slammed her head into Mai's while the other noblewoman stood glaring back at her.
The tension aboard the airship was now so thick that one could eat it.
And now every soldier stood gawking in awe to hear their captain openly challenge both of the princess's closest friends.
Ty Lee couldn't help but visibly shudder under Zoi's monstrous glare that somehow managed to rival the princess's death stare.
As Mai clenched her teeth with Zoi still aggressively leaning into glare into her eyes.
That was when a single bead of sweat dripped down her cheek before falling to the floor below.
"Let's go! I'll fight both of you at once! Two on one! Blades only! To the death!" Zoi shouted to the shock of the others while both women gazed at her in a stunned silence.
A state of silence was all that reigned while even Azula began to realize that she hadn't realized that Zoi was…this serious.
"T-to the death?" Ty Lee stuttered with Elle listening in horror.
"Accept or stand aside!" Zoi bellowed before pointing her sword in the direction of her detractors while they stood astonished by her savage nature.
"Mai…" Ty Lee begged with her hand upon her friend's tense shoulder while Mai stood trembling in rage under Zoi's heartless glare.
And even though no one else could see it.
Mai's eyes began to widen marginally when she realized that she actually feared Zoi.
Just like…she feared Azula.
"You…are insane." Mai spoke at long last before turning away with unbridled hatred in her tawny eyes.
She wanted to kill the wretched woman more than anything in this world.
But as much as she loathed to admit it a battle with Zoi was not likely to go in her favor.
But that didn't mean that this was over…
Not by a long shot.
And just like that the tension began to finally dissipate while the princess couldn't help but sigh as she shook her head.
In a sense she was relieved.
And yet on the other hand she couldn't help but be somewhat disappointed in Mai and Ty Lee's lack of dedication.
She supposed…that it was good that she brought Zoi on hand.
"It's just as I thought! You two are not Fire Nation strong. You are but propped up toy soldiers. Now get out of my way!" Zoi declared with a snide countenance before rudely shoving past the two furious women.
"She is not pink! Not pink at all!" Ty Lee growled with her fists clenched while she glared at Zoi's back.
"You please me with your devotion Zoi. But do refrain from killing my friends…" Azula sighed in a dismissive manner that offended both of her childhood companion's.
"Then they should refrain from defending traitors to our nation." Zoi answered with a noticeable edge to her voice before sheathing her blade at long last.
The princess observed her favorite soldier with equally cold amber golden eyes before she decided to speak her thoughts.
"If I told you that I wanted Zuko brought in alive, would you disobey me?" Azula pondered with a tilt of her head all the while allowing her handmaid to fretfully step behind her.
It was apparent that the girl was clearly frightened by the merciless captain.
"I do not believe in showing mercy to traitors. If you have any issues with that. Then you should capture him yourself." Zoi stated with her words causing the princess to narrow her eyes in anger.
"Are you telling me that you would kill my brother…your prince against my order? Some might say that is treason soldier." Azula remarked with her arms folded over her breasts while she fixed Zoi with a frigid glare.
"Perhaps. But some might also say that you are the treasonous one Your Highness." Zoi replied casually with her statement causing the princess's amber golden eyes to form into an imposing glare.
"What did you just say?" Azula snapped with venom in her voice while she rounded on the other woman.
"Oh, they won't say it loudly. But some may begin to question not only where your loyalties lie but your leadership as well. If the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation shows a clear bias to her treasonous brother…some might think you in league with the Avatar." Zoi informed with a frown while she turned to meet her princess's icy gaze.
Team Azula once more gazed at Zoi completely taken aback by the woman's brazenness.
And at this point both of Azula's childhood friends couldn't help but wish that the princess would put her in her place.
Azula just stared at Zoi with her lips pursing into a tight scowl.
Much as it angered her, she knew that the infernal woman had a point.
"Surely, you wouldn't tell any man or woman here to refrain from using lethal force against your brother should he threaten their life? Our soldiers our free to defend themselves…are they not?" Zoi demanded with her golden eyes furrowing in genuine frustration over the matter.
"I will ignore your blatant disrespect Zoi and tell you that you had best refrain from putting words in your princess's mouth. I never said any such thing." Azula spoke in a frigid voice while the two noblewomen turned to stare at her in disbelief.
They were just astonished and furious to see that the princess seemed to be taking Zoi's side in the matter!
Both of them knew that Zuko was wasn't the sort to use lethal force on his own people!
"It isn't disrespectful to speak the truth Your Highness. Unlike your other two so called elites…I tell it like it is." Zoi snorted in contempt while she turned to glare over her shoulder at the princess's two companions.
Mai just scoffed while she returned the woman's stare with a look of hatred.
"Am I to believe that you speaking to me in such a manner is indication of unflinching loyalty?" Azula questioned with a bewildered gleam in her eyes while the airship began to close in on the sky bison.
"My loyalty is to the Fire Nation and to my Fire Lord to be. To the glory to the Fire Nation! And death to all that stand in the way of that glory!" Zoi announced in a passionate voice while Azula appraised her with a curious amber golden gaze.
"You are a strange woman but I agree with those words." Azula commented with a revived smirk before placing her fists on her shapely hips.
"Anyone that should betray the Fire Nation, will receive no mercy from me. Not even the Royal Family." Zoi declared with her palm gripping the hilt of her blade while she turned to meet the princess's stare.
"Really? Humor me soldier. What would you do if me and my father decided to ally with the Avatar?" Azula queried in a voice of violent amusement while she studied the other woman's obsessed face.
"The same thing that I would do if it were anyone else. I would eliminate you." Zoi explained without delay in a steely voice while Azula gazed at her with uncharacteristic surprise in her impassive eyes.
Mai's mouth hung open in disbelief over this woman's gall.
She just openly stated that she would kill her own Crown Princess if Azula chose to follow in Zuko's footsteps!
"You would betray me if I were to join forces with the Avatar?" Azula pondered in a taken aback voice while Elle mustered up a pitiful attempt at glaring up at Zoi.
"Y-you would have to get through me first! Fear not Azula-sama. Your loyal servant would protect you!" Elle quipped with her chest puffing out in pride while Azula glanced down at her in a deadpan manner.
Both noblewomen listened in amusement while they gazed at their innocent companion.
Despite the growing grimness of the situation Ty Lee finally managed a giggle.
Elle's loyalty to Azula was truly something adorable.
"How reassuring. I have no doubt that you would be victorious." Azula sighed heavily while her young girlfriend tugged on the sleeve of her robes.
"I love you so much Princess that I would happily be your flesh shield." Elle chirped with a confident nod while the princess managed to quirk a smirk of approval over her declaration.
"Aww! That's so sweet Azula! Any other servant would happily step aside." Ty Lee stated with a chuckle while her friend glared at her through the corner of her eye.
At long last when the airship finally approached the fleeing sky bison the warrior turned to her princess with a deadly serious expression in her eyes.
"If it came down to that I would Princess. And I would expect you to do the same to me. Death to all traitors." Zoi answered in a fiercely determined voice while her princess began to smile in amusement.
If anyone else said those words to her she would have them sent to the gallows without question.
But not Zoi.
Zoi was the only soldier so devoted to the Fire Nation that she would continue to fight the Avatar even if the entire Royal Family were to fall.
And there was something immensely pleasing about knowing that her soldier was that dedicated to their nation.
"That's right Zoi. Death to all traitors." Azula purred with a cold smile adorning her regal lips while she allowed Elle to remain beside her.
Just when Zoi began to stride away that was when Mai stared at Azula's back in clear disapproval.
"I will not stand by and watch while my lover…your brother dies. I suggest you remember that Azula." Mai informed in a guarded voice while Azula glanced over her shoulder with her lips curving into a tight scowl once more.
Azula hadn't predicted that it would be this difficult to get Zoi and Mai to work together.
She despised it when an unknown factor, however minuscule disrupts the flow of her plans.
But she had no chance to respond however.
Not when they were finally closing in on the Avatar and her brother.
Soon the cannons began to thunder into the heavens once more with the unfortunate sky bison releasing distressed cries when the cannon fire grazed his fur.
All the while Azula watched in approval with a smirk on her lips once more.
Victory was finally at hand.
And this time the Avatar would not be coming back.
AN:
So the first battle with Team Avatar is finally here and there is a lot to discuss. I can only hope that my battle scenes do not let anyone down.
But first, allow me to reply to Agent Banana.
It is actually quite interesting that you brought up the Beauty and the Beast. Because I was going for something similar along those lines. Both of Elle and Azula's dancing scenes are meant to convey a dark and light romance.
And I will be honest here. I even got a bit of my inspiration for their bond from how Hannibal the TV series portrayed Will and Hannibal.
Azula is sadistic, cruel and cold yet Elle still finds herself drawn to her darkness time and time again.
And Azula finds herself drawn to Elle's purity.
I wouldn't worry much about Toph causing a divide. Toph may have met Elle first but they only spoke for maybe a half an hour. Elle has spent weeks with Team Azula. Her loyalty is pretty ironclad.
If anything, Toph and Elle being fond with one another might help form peace terms down the road. But we'll just have to wait and see. Toph is actually similar to Elle in the sense that she doesn't hold grudges as much as her friend's do.
And even though she can't stand Azula, she might end up being the only one who is willing to try to talk to her about a truce in the future.
Elle doesn't like it when Azula hurts people, and she won't be comfortable with Azula expressing a desire to kill Team Avatar. She doesn't like it when Azula hurts people. But she is willing to look past it all the same.
Because Azula protects her and keeps her safe. Azula doesn't treat her like the rest. And Azula is her happiness, and even though it would benefit the world for Azula to be defeated. In Elle's mind it would benefit everyone but her.
And like all human beings, even though she has a kind heart, she doesn't want to sacrifice her happiness with her family.
It will take something big to shake Elle's devotion to Azula. Something like burning the Earth Kingdom.
Anyhow. Elle finally met Toph and Zuko. Katara as well but that isn't as significant to Elle as meeting Azula's older brother and the woman who helped her out before she met Azula.
She will get a chance to talk to Zuko and Toph more in the future but she will have to do it when Azula isn't around.
And we finally got to see just why Azula wanted to bring Zoe along. She is the greatest warrior in the Fire Nation and it shows. She is utterly ruthless and she is willing to do whatever it takes to kill Aang.
Zoe is disgusted by how she feels that Zuko has betrayed their nation. And that will not be her last attempt on Zuko's life.
So know we're starting to see Mai and Zoe's feud boil over even further. Mai is furious that Zoe tried to kill Zuko, and just as angry at Azula for not telling her that Zuko was with the enemy.
This will only serve to further strain Mai's loyalty to Azula's mission when Zoe continues to try to butcher the man that she loves.
We also got another glimpse of Zoe's mindset. She will turn her blade on anyone who betrays the Fire Nation.
You might be wondering why she got away with saying that she would kill Azula if she turned traitor. If it was any other soldier Azula would have killed them. But Zoe is irreplaceable and it actually pleased Azula to know that even if she and her father fell, that Zoe would continue fighting until her last breath.
Since Azula won't be betraying her nation at any point this means that Zoe is the perfect bloodhound to use in her war against the White Lotus.
And we also got to see the beginning of just how much pain Azula (And Zuko) have caused Team Avatar. Like in canon they are willing to give him another chance and let him make amends. But Katara has way more reason to be furious than in canon.
There is a great deal of pain behind Aang's seemingly calm exterior.
On the inside Aang is still grief-stricken over Bumi's death and how he feels he abandoned his friend's a second time. What was six years to everyone else was just a nap to Aang. And he is beginning to feel shaken in his ability to defeat the Fire Nation.
The last six years have been very painful to Team Avatar and Zuko but pleasant to Azula.
Anyway! There are four more chapters in the battle to come!
Stay tuned for part two!