The Princess and the Peasant - (An Azula Epic)

by grither55

Princess Azula believes that she was born with a divine right to rule, and she rules through fear alone. Until, a commoner girl enters her life by giving her a fire lily. Through this act, Azula finds herself undertaking a life-changing journey with her new companion to ascend the throne, save the world from an otherworldly threat, and find her humanity. Femslash.

30. The Chasm

Just recently I fixed a lot of spelling errors in my already published chapters. If you see any spelling errors in this chapter. Please let me know!

As always please read and review afterward!

The Chasm – Chapter Thirty

The sky bison soared over the oceans waters before speeding over a remote forested northern Fire Nation Island.

Shantu Island.

While Appa released distressed cries of alarm as he was continually bombarded with cannon fire.

All the while as the royal airship began to slowly but steadily close in on them thanks to the sky bison being forced to constantly maneuver out of the way of their fire.

"They're gaining on us!" Sokka called out in a growing panic.

"I'm starting to see why Sunshine was warning us." Toph complained with her hands grasping at the sky bison's fur.

"Now's not the time for jokes Toph!" Katara snapped with her palms gripping Appa in a worried manner.

That was when the poor bison released another cry of pain when he was shot in the leg.

The huge sky bison buckled while his companions stared back up at the airship with rage in their eyes.

"They're firing on Appa again! He can't fly like this for much longer!" Aang shouted in an unusually angered voice while Appa began to waver.

"We need to reach higher ground! Once we reach the mountains, we can lose them in the narrow mountain pass!" Zuko advised with his hand clutching his wounded shoulder.

The foursome began to quickly realize that trusting in their former enemy yielded the highest chance for survival.

"Bring out the ammunition!" Zoi commanded with her eyes narrowing dangerously while she turned to her men scrambling to heed her order.

"What is she doing Azula?" Ty Lee pondered warily with growing unease in her voice.

However, the princess made no comment while she observed the Imperial Firebenders rush out with the aforementioned ammunition.

Azula then rose an inquisitive brow when she watched as medals of the countless fallen Order of the White Lotus were then loaded into the cannons.

And then to her rising curiosity they were lit aflame by two firebenders.

"Fire!" Zoi yelled out with a swipe of her hand while she watched with determined eyes when the flaming medals shot into the air.

"Incoming fire!" Sokka exclaimed with a pale face before yelping when a flaming chunk of metal nearly singed his arm.

"What…is she firing at us? This isn't standard ammunition. I can tell…" Toph trailed off in a thoughtful voice.

"Medals…of the Order of the White Lotus?" Aang questioned with a puzzled frown just as he held up one of the burned metals in his hand.

"Are they already running low on standard ammo?" Katara pondered with her brows furrowing only for the prince to grimly shake his head.

"No. This is no mistake. She's sending us a message." Zuko replied with a snarl while he clutched a bloodied medal in his own hand.

"Those are the medals of each and every member of the Dragon of the West's Order of the White Lotus that I have killed! Let it rain down upon you Avatar! You will all join them soon enough." Zoi called out from the front of the airship while the Gaang turned to stare up at her with realization in their horrified eyes.

The hot medals continued to pelt them once more while the young Avatar gazed up at his pursuer with unnatural fury in his eyes.

"So that's why…we haven't heard from the Order of the White Lotus in some time now." Toph stated grimly with understanding sinking into each and every one of them.

"I will see you brought to justice for this!" Aang yelled out naively with anger in his eyes while he gripped his staff.

"Now's not the time to get riled up! We need to get away from her." Zuko stated with his hand on the monk's shoulder.

The Avatar nodded with a sorrowful expression in his eyes while he clenched his fist over the medal.

"Dai Li! On command! Fire!" Zoi roared with her hand swinging down once more.

Azula's subordinates observed in rising suspense when the Dai Li grasped an unknown ammo in their earthen gauntlets.

Before launching it into the air while their gloves soared high above them.

Only to release small circular objects that began to fall to the cliff side below.

"I suppose it's my turn…step back servant." Azula ordered just as she turned to stare down at Elle's worried face.

"Yes Azula-sama. J-just please don't hurt the flying bison." Elle spoke in a timid voice as she backed away while Ty Lee held onto her shoulder.

"Observe this Elle! This is my new technique!" Azula announced with her words causing many to turn their heads in suspense.

To the shock of even Azula's closest friends they watched her hold her fingers together as if she was going to generate lightning with both hands!

And then the princess's hands began to crackle with a tremendous force of electricity that quickly had her enemies gazing up at the airship in shock.

Sparks of lethal energy were raining down upon them from below while the prince's jaw fell open in disbelief.

And any and all sense of self-improvement that he had gained flew right out the metaphorical window!

His sister was standing at the top of the royal airship with a gigantic orb of lightning crackling above her right hand!

"I-impossible! How can she generate lightning with both hands!" Katara protested in a frightened voice.

"I hate to break it to you Katara but it's not impossible if she's doing it!" Sokka replied with a terrified expression in his eyes.

The group stared up at the princess now holding the shimmering sphere of electricity with her cruel lips curving into a proud smile.

"H-how? How is Azula doing that?" Zuko demanded in a voice of disbelief while he marveled over his sister's new technique.

"I-I didn't know that you could do that Azula." Ty Lee spoke with noticeable fear in her voice while their young companion stood marveling over the woman's strength.

"W-wow! You're so incredible Azula-sama! There's no one stronger than you! T-there just can't be!" Elle cheered with innocent awe in her amber eyes.

The young girl's pure hearted admiration managed to produce an even larger smirk on Azula's red lips.

Even Zoi stood astonished by the lightning generation feat.

She couldn't help but gaze on with her eyes agape in amazement.

"Of course! I am much stronger than Zuzu and far more skilled than the pathetic Avatar! Now watch closely my young admirer…and don't you dare turn your eyes away from me!" Azula called out with her lips pursing into a violent grin before she bent her arm forward just as the ball hummed above her.

'Can I even redirect such a blast!' Zuko thought in mounting dread while Sokka steered Appa away as fast as the sky bison could fly.

"Azula! Zuko's down there!" Mai protested in a frightened voice only to watch in shock when Azula hurled the massive gathering of lightning down below.

All eyes were glued to the scene of chaos that was the descending orb of electricity.

And then moments later a thunderous explosion shook the cliff range when the frightened animal just barely avoided the enormous blast.

"Ha! Looks like someone can't aim!" Sokka snickered only to turn pale when a storm of boulders began to fall down overhead.

And then just like that a boulder brutally slammed into the wounded bison's side.

What followed happened so fast that no one had time to react.

There was a shout of rage from Aang followed by cries of fright from his friends.

And then before they knew it, they were buried in a lethal explosion of sparky electricity and jagged rocks from above.

The onslaught was so vicious that not even Toph could deflect every boulder all at once.

Moments later silence reigned atop the airship while Azula stood gazing down with a cold smile just as she turned to share mutually pleased glance with Zoi.

"You…just tried to kill your own brother." Mai stated in a tone of tremendous rage while her leader literally waved off her concerns.

"Please Mai! I purposefully hit the cliff side all for the sake of my dear brother. I am certain that Zuzu can escape a rock slide." Azula scoffed in a remorseless voice while she turned to smile at her little admirer's awe-struck face.

"Well done Your Highness. Once more I defer to your power." Zoi spoke before she bowed to her princess.

The princess managed to quirk a pleased smile over that as well before she strode over to Elle's side.

"So…. how was it?" Azula purred in a tone of great self-importance while she scanned her fingernails in a conceited manner.

Weeks ago, Mai and Ty Lee had found it amusing when they watched the princess strut like a hormonal boy to impress Elle.

But now?

After watching her strike down her injured brother?

Mai was most certainly not amused.

"I-I don't know what to say. I have never seen anyone with as much power as you Azula-sama…you're so mighty." Elle confessed in a voice of pure hearted admiration while Azula examined her clenched fist with a gratified smirk now gracing her lovely lips.

And despite the growing severity of the situation Ty Lee couldn't help but cringe when she heard Elle naively tell Azula that her power was admirable.

"It's just as I thought! You find my power appealing! This is good. Because you won't find anyone with more power than me." Azula boasted before placing her hand on her girlfriend's small shoulder in a baffling contrast to her behavior just moments before.

And then Azula began to guide Elle alongside her while they walked the length of the airship.

It was plain to see to even the lowest of soldiers that the young girl was no ordinary servant.

No matter how hard the princess tried to act as if that was the case.

Her behavior would convey the exact opposite.

Zoi turned to gaze over her shoulder with her brows furrowing in amazement before shaking her head.

The princess's choice of companion was hardly any concern of hers.

"Lower the airship! I have a special present for our dear friends." Zoi yelled out with a smirk while she paid no mind to Mai's hateful glare.

"But…I just don't understand Princess." Elle murmured with her finger pressing into her lip while the woman stared down at her in a stunningly patient manner.

"Hm. Just tell me what it is that you don't understand and I shall educate your little mind once more." Azula remarked in a curious voice while she carefully pulled Elle along as if she truly was her pet tiger monkey.

"Why does everyone have to fight? What's the point in people killing one another?" Elle inquired in a deeply thoughtful tone while Azula gazed down at her with surprised amber golden eyes.

That was most certainly not what Azula had been expecting her young companion to say.

The princess had found that she often becomes so accustomed to Elle's childish nature that she tends to forget that the girl can become oddly philosophical when she put her mind to it.

A couple weeks ago she wouldn't have given such a question any thought.

She would have graced the girl with a snide remark and spent no further time dwelling on such a foolishly naïve query.

And now she finds herself considering how she should respond to such a question.

She didn't want to just shut the girl down with mockery.

She actually wanted her admirer to continue to confide in her, in all things large and small.

"We are at war Elle. War is not without death and destruction. In order to win you must kill. You must kill the enemy to be victorious. Do you understand now?" Azula explained while she turned to peer down at her handmaid's adorably quizzical face.

"No…I do not. I mean…I get that's how a war is won. But what is the point?" Elle answered much to the princess's puzzlement.

"To win. To conquer." Azula stated with a self-assured nod while she continued to walk with Elle's hand in her own.

The fact that their princess was walking the airship with the young girl's hand in her own was drawing some curious glances.

Nor did it escape Ty Lee's notice that Azula was slowly but surely beginning to show Elle affection in the public eye.

But she was wise enough not to comment on the matter while the two walked off.

'Elle deserves her alone time with Azula. I can tell it means the world to her…' Ty Lee thought just as she shook her head fondly despite the apprehension that more she listened to the roaring engines of the airship.

"Azula-sama, you still haven't told me what the point is. I mean…if a nation butchers one million people just to call themselves victors…wouldn't that be a rather shallow victory?" Elle pondered once more just as Azula halted in her step to peer down at her in an increasingly bewildered manner.

The princess was even growing a tad bit frustrated.

If only because she had initially thought that if the girl had spent enough time around her that she would shed her pacifism in time.

Once more Elle has proven that her purity is not so casually stained.

In a sense, she was much more pleased than displeased.

They were polar opposites after all, and yet she continues to find herself drawn to this innocent girl.

"No. The victory would not be hollow. History books are written by the winners after all. And we shall do whatever is necessary to win this war. The victory is all that matters." Azula instructed with a finger raised before her face to accent her point while she set a palm on the younger girl's shoulder.

Azula had truly come to see the girl as a strange combination of love interest and student, hers to guide and hers to lead.

Therefore, it went without saying that in her view Elle was worth the special attention.

"With all due respect Mistress. I disagree. I…just don't think people should be killing each other in mass." Elle insisted in a disconcerted voice while she craned her neck to meet the ruthless woman's gaze.

The princess's lips were pursing into a frown of disapproval that almost had her feeling that she had displeased her mistress.

But she has come to feel that the princess valued what she had to say and she did not feel as if she was not permitted to speak her mind.

"Regardless of what you think girl. It doesn't change the fact that it is in human nature to kill one another." Azula spoke with confidence while she slipped her finger beneath her handmaid's chin in a subtle display of her dominance.

"I…just can't accept that Azula-sama. I firmly believe that the mass slaughter of any and all other lifeforms can only hinder the progress of all life." Elle answered as she bit her lip while the princess still scowled above her.

"Really? You can't accept my answer? Some might see that as defiance…are you defying me servant?" Azula purred just as she began to lean over her smaller girlfriend while she aggressively cupped the quivering girl's chin in her clenched palm.

"N-no Princess. It is not defiance. I…just can't hold such a view. But I can pretend otherwise if you wish." Elle mumbled with a submissive tremble while she turned red just as the looming woman bent over to peer into her eyes.

In response Azula snorted above the girl with a small puff of fire exuding from her nostrils that could have burnt the fragile girl's skin.

If not for the princess compressing the tiny girl's head beneath her palm to prevent her flames from licking her handmaid's skin.

"No, do that and I will punish you. You will hide nothing from me…not even your childish thoughts. Is that understood my pet?" Azula declared in a domineering voice while she expertly pulled the love-struck girl back upward by her little chin.

"Yes Azula-sama. I live as you command." Elle responded in a lovable voice with her dainty hands folded before her while she still shook under Azula's piercing stare.

"Now that's a good pet. Good girl." Azula cooed with her other hand now patting the petite girl's hair while she purposefully exhaled in the blushing girl's face.

"I-I am so overjoyed that you think so Mistress. You know I try to be the best girl I can for you. B-because I love you with all my heart and soul." Elle stuttered out with a shy smile just as she averted her eyes while she quietly savored the way her mistress patted her head.

In that moment Azula stood hovering over Elle with the smaller girl beginning to giggle sweetly under her petting fingertips.

This was an action that earned the handmaid a composed glance from the princess yet even so she was making no efforts to scold the girl for her cheerful nature.

All the while Elle began to lean into Azula's palm with an almost childlike need for comfort.

While the girl did so the princess continued to peer down at her with her callous brows furrowing curiously.

"I know you do. And I…recognize your devotion. Now…I command you to explain what you meant… about war hindering the progress of life." Azula ordered in a sigh with her fingernails gently brushing against Elle's fair skin.

"In my homeland people are doing the same. People continue to die in senseless wars every generation. Just think of all the potentially brilliant minds that go to waste, of the innovation lost by purposeless slaughter. I just don't understand it at all Azula-sama. I think such bloody conflict inhibits evolution." Elle explained in a graver voice while she glanced upward to meet the princess's taken aback gaze.

Azula couldn't help but muse that this girl wasn't as simple as she had once thought.

No…the girl's little mind had great potential. She just needed a stern guiding hand.

"Even if that is so. Once again it is in human nature to war. Since the dawn of time we have waged war. Because we as humans are predisposed to violence." Azula lectured just as she straightened to her full height with her palms folding behind her back once more.

"Well that makes me sad. If people could just come together…then the world wouldn't be such a rotten place…oh well." Elle muttered in a more forlorn voice while she gazed down at her feet missing the way the princess frowned in disapproval.

Azula tilted her head just as she snorted in annoyance with her palms clasped behind her back while she loomed over the moping girl.

All the while regarding her pet with a concerned yet strict stare.

She hadn't expected the girl to become so depressed as a result of bringing her along.

"Girl. Look up at me." Azula ordered in a spoiled voice while she shifted on her booted feet before she smirked in approval when her handmaid peered up at her on command.

"If my mistress says look up then I look up!" Elle agreed in a dutiful voice while Azula glanced down at her with an elegant smile on her crimson lips.

"Hm. Now give me your best bow." Azula purred with another haughty tilt of her head while she peered down in pleasure to observe Elle immediately bend over in a flawless bow.

"And if my mistress says bow, then I bow! Is there anything else I can do for you Mistress?" Elle answered with her arms neatly tucked in at her sides while she remained bent over in a bow.

All the while the princess was staring down at her with a beyond pleased smile.

Simply knowing that she has pleased Azula was enough to pull her out of her depression.

The longer her princess gazed down at her in approval the more her chest would swell in pride to know that she has been good.

And that was something most certainly something to smile over.

"Such a well-behaved girl. Don't worry your little mind over the state of this world…or any another. All you have to do is serve me Elle. And I will take care of you. Is that understood?" Azula announced in a satisfied voice while her amber golden eyes continued to sweep over her submissive girl's little face beaming up at her.

"Y-yes Your Highness. I-I am so grateful that you took me in. So very thankful." Elle stammered with a joyful tear streaming down her cheek while she stood frozen in her bow.

"Believe me Elle. I can tell. But to answer your question there is something that you can do for me." Azula spoke with a hand beneath her chin while she glanced down into Elle's faithful amber eyes.

"How may I serve you Azula-sama?" Elle replied just as she glanced up at her towering mistress.

"I need you to do something for me. It is…an incredibly important task." Azula remarked before she turned to gaze over the edge of the descending airship while her handmaid peered up at her with adorably loyal amber eyes.

Elle couldn't resist breaking out into an eager smile just as soon as she heard that her job was an important one.

"You know you can count on me Princess! How can I help you?" Elle cried out with a sunny smile while Azula turned around to stare down at her with an amused amber golden gaze.

"I need you to hold onto this for me." Azula began in a calm voice before she extended her hand before the girl's diligent countenance.

Elle observed with faithful eyes to watch the princess open her hand to reveal what appeared to be a small watch of sorts.

The watch had a loop of fabric attached to a metal ring on the top of the device so it could be hung around the neck.

And then before the handmaid knew it the strange watch was deposited into her waiting palms.

All the while she peered between it and her princess's suddenly stern visage.

That was all it took for her to understand that this was a truly crucial task.

"Your Highness…what am I to do with this?" Elle questioned in a curious voice while she still peered upward to meet her mistress's gaze.

"The last and most recent technique that I've developed…I have only used it once before in private. It is a powerful…but highly unstable move. I plan to test it out in battle. And I want you to time how long I use it. If more than ten minutes lapses. Let me know." Azula explained in her usual callous voice while her little admirer stared up at her with an emotional gaze.

"I-I understand Princess. But how will I know when you've used it if I haven't seen it before?" Elle replied in a soft voice just as she clutched the watch to her chest while Azula stood above her smirking smugly.

"Believe me…you'll know." Azula stated just as her palms fell to her side while Elle nodded rapidly under her controlling stare.

"I-I must say Azula-sama I am truly moved that you would choose a simple servant girl like me for such a dire task." Elle admitted with a bashful blush adorning her cheeks while she gazed up at the princess's divine visage.

"Please. You are the only one I can entrust this to." Azula snorted before closing her eyes while she listened to her handmaid gasp in joy.

"R-really P-Princess? Just me? Not even my oneesans or Captain Zoi?" Elle stuttered in a beyond flattered voice while her heart began to beat rapidly.

"No. Mai is far too hung on Zuko to be trusted with this. And if Mai should do something I disapprove of, I cannot take the chance that Ty Lee will follow. As for Zoi…she is an exemplary soldier but I cannot depend upon her. Not like I can depend upon you." Azula commented with her eyes opening once more to stare down at her young companion's speechless face.

"I…won't let you down Azula-sama. You can count on me! I am your loyal girl!" Elle cheered just as she bent over to bow.

All the while frigid amber golden eyes studied her in an approving manner before raising a palm to pat the bowing girl's head once more.

"I know I can. Because there is no one that I trust more than you." Azula informed in a brief break from her hardened voice while the petite girl gaped up at her in awe from underneath her palm.

"I-is that really so Azula-sama?" Elle pondered in a voice of great longing while Azula rolled her amber golden eyes above her.

"No. It must be some other girl that I spend all of my time with." Azula scoffed with a wave of her hand only to sigh when her sarcasm flew over the girl's little head.

"W-what? Another g-girl?" Elle repeated in a comically horrified voice only for the princess to scowl down at her.

"That was sarcasm! Ugh. I should have thought my position on the matter to be obvious by now." Azula remarked in a sophisticated voice just as she patted the girl's head once more,

"Oh! I am so very honored to have your trust Azula-sama! If there is anything you need done. You just let me know. I'm the girl you can depend on!" Elle chirped exuberantly before she bowed one final time while she swelled in pride under her mistress's pleased stare.

"Your fealty pleases me Elle. Now come. I have a battle to attend to." Azula spoke with a spoiled snap of her fingers in her pet's face just as the girl cried out in joy once more.

"Yes Princess! I will follow you on this day and until my last day." Elle responded in a devoted voice just as Azula turned to walk away.

And with that the princess strode away with her leal companion scurrying alongside her.

Just as her callous amber golden eyes occasionally peered down at her young girlfriend with a margin of affection that she showed none other.

When the girl scampered after her, she felt a sensation of rightfulness greater than any other bond she's ever known.

Even her friendship with Ty Lee couldn't even begin to compare.

"Azula-sama? I have a question." Elle began while the woman sighed just as they walked to rejoin the others.

"Then speak it quickly peasant!" Azula barked with a stern narrow of her amber golden eyes.

"A-are you wearing your friendship bracelet?" Elle asked in a bashful manner just as she averted her eyes from Azula's incredulous gaze.

"Of all the things that you could ask me before a battle. This…is what you ask me?" Azula asked in a snide snort while she peered down at her handmaid's deflated expression.

"B-but Your Highness, it's very important. We share a link through our bracelets and I would feel better if you were wearing it. W-what if you get hurt? I need to be able to find you." Elle explained with her hand grasping at the watch now hanging from her neck.

"That is the most childish thing I've ever heard. Even from you." Azula replied in a sneer while she stared down at her now sullen girlfriend with hardened amber golden eyes.

"S-sumimasen Azula-sama…" Elle mumbled in a saddened voice with her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Azula groaned in annoyance before loudly snapping her fingers in Elle's startled face.

If this was anyone else, she wouldn't tolerate such weak behavior.

But she has long since come to understand that Elle was a special case.

"Oh, quit your sulking servant. I am wearing it. Are you happy now?" Azula announced with a roll of her eyes while she stared down at her companion before she flashed the distraught girl a glimpse of the object in question.

Elle gazed up at Azula with grateful amber eyes that lit up with moved emotion upon seeing the golden bracelet hidden beneath the princess's sleeve.

All the while the princess stared down at her with frigid eyes while an impatient scowl now graced her beautiful face.

"Yes! I am so very happy! Now no matter what happens we'll be able to find each other." Elle chirped with a bright smile while her much taller mistress released another mocking snort.

"How reassuring to know." Azula scoffed callously before turning to walk away all the while listening to the young girl patter after her.

"May I say something else Azula-sama? Eep!" Elle squeaked in a girlish voice when Azula began dragging her by the collar of her shirt all the while now glaring down at her with irate amber golden eyes.

"Enough talk Tiger Monkey. I have enemies to defeat!" Azula barked with waning patience while she dragged her pouting companion alongside her.

The two noblewomen turned to glance back at the approaching pair only to gaze on humorously over what they saw.

The powerful princess was stomping towards them with her fist mercilessly gripping the smaller girl's shirt.

All the while poor Elle was being hauled along much like a dog being disciplined by her owner.

"You could always let her walk Azula…" Ty Lee trailed off with her hands on her hips while her foul tempered leader drug her adopted little sister after her.

"Oh please. She is clearly incapable of doing so." Azula retorted in a supremely pompous voice while she pulled her handmaid on the floor behind her.

Elle lay limply in her mistress's hold while she blushed adorably when Azula dragged her upon her bottom across the steel flooring of the airship.

"S-sumimasen once again Azula-sama. I-I just wanted to tell you that I think you l-look so v-very b-beautiful in your armor." Elle confessed with an adorable stutter while she fiddled her fingers in her lap just when she abruptly slid to a stop.

Azula had paused in her walk to turn and peer down at her innocent companion with a pleasantly taken aback amber golden gaze.

And once more both noblewomen were staring at their young friend with varying degrees of pity in their eyes.

The two of them clearly held the belief that Elle may regret signing her life away to Azula when she is old enough to take an interest in a more 'normal' girlfriend.

Mai in particular more than her acrobat friend.

But as of this moment she was finding her thoughts preoccupied with the safety of her former lover and the bloodthirsty soldier out for Zuko's head.

"Really? You think I look beautiful in my royal armor?" Azula queried in a nonchalant voice while she glanced down at her admirer with her fingers still tightly gripping the girl's collar.

"T-that's so Princess. L-like a fire goddess." Elle stammered with heated cheeks unaware while Azula stared down at her with her frown now rapidly giving way to a pleased smile.

And in the background Ty lee could be heard sighing under her breath yet neither the princess or her admirer paid her any mind.

The last thing they needed was for Elle to dub Azula a goddess.

Sadly, it was too late to turn back now.

"Hm…a fire goddess you say?" Azula purred with a beyond gratified grin whilst she ignored her friends' sighs of exasperation in the background.

"Mhm! An oh so divine goddess!" Elle chirped with boundless reverence in her loyal eyes while the princess glanced down at her in approval.

"I was already aware of that servant but as always I appreciate the reminder. Now come girl! It is time that you see just how strong I really am!" Azula called out in an arrogant voice before resuming dragging the humiliated girl after her boots.

"You go Azula-sama! You go dominate that battlefield!" Elle cheered in a childish voice before pumping a fist in the air just as Azula pulled her to a stop beside her big sisters.

Her two adoptive older siblings stared down at her with fondly chiding eyes.

That was when Azula effortlessly pulled the smaller girl to her feet all while she peered down at her handmaid with a smug smirk now adorning her lovely lips.

"Isn't she just adorable Ty Lee?" Azula pondered with her fingers mercilessly gripping the back of the girl's shirt while she forcibly held the red-faced girl within arm's length.

"Well…I don't disagree with you there Azula! She certainly is adorable!" Ty Lee quiped before she reached over to pat the young girl on the head.

Elle just glanced up at Ty Lee with a timid smile on her lips only for the sounds of steel clanging upon the airship to gain their attention.

"You know Azula. That wretched woman is even more enthused about making people suffer than you are." Mai commented in a disgusted voice while Azula turned to glance over her shoulder with uncaring amber golden eyes.

"Please Mai. Zoi is just passionate. Unlike you she actually gives a damn about our nation. All you care about is Zuzu." Azula remarked in a cruel voice that earned her a furious glare from her comrade.

While Ty Lee stood between the two of them looking more unnerved by the minute.

As Zoi stood on an observation platform on the catwalk that overlooked her gathered squadron of elites.

And then she removed her helmet while she gazed down at her soldiers from above.

"Soldiers of the Fire Nation! Are you sick of this damnable war!" Zoi bellowed with her helmet in hand while her soldiers gazed up at her standing in formation.

As her shouts rang out into the air.

As they intermingled with the roaring engines just as the airship descended even further into the enormous cliff range

Ty Lee exchanged a curious glance with Azula while they watched the Imperial Firebenders rightfully fidget uncertain if the princess would punish them for answering such a question.

The soldiers even glanced in their callous princess's direction confirming their unease.

"Answer the damn question or I will start throwing you off the rails one by one!" Zoi shouted as she threw down her helmet at her feet while she began to pace about the catwalk.

As Azula observed with a wicked smirk on her approving lips.

And it went without saying that Ty Lee and even Mai were frightened by the psychotic claim.

And Elle just stood under her mistress's grip as she smiled up at the merciless princess even so.

"I like her." Azula commented with a sage nod while she ignored her two companion's stares of disagreement.

"That's not really much of a surprise. Coming from a woman that doesn't even care about her own brother." Mai remarked in an angered tone while she stood unusually defiant when her leader turned to glare over her shoulder with icy amber golden eyes.

"M-Mai please try to cool down. W-we'll make sure that Zuko will be okay. R-right Azula?" Ty Lee spoke in a fearful voice while she shivered under the princess's frigid stare.

"You had best watch how you speak to me. Shall there be a repeat of this incident Mai. I will strip your weakling father of every coin to his name! And when he's weeping in the fields then we'll see just how candid you really are! Is that understood!" Azula snapped in a furious voice with her palms alight in azure fire.

All the while staring at her outraged friend with a frozen gaze that already had Mai sweating in renewed fear.

And Ty Lee couldn't help but shudder even more under Azula's cruel glare.

She had regained hope for the princess after seeing her begin to form such a touching bond with Elle.

And Azula had even seemed to be making a noticeable effort to be kinder to them as well.

Yet just like that…she reverts right back to ruling through fear.

"Yeah. Understood." Mai muttered with her teeth grinding together in her anger whilst Azula continued to stare at her with a monstrously callous gaze.

It was plain to see to Ty Lee that Mai had already got on Azula's bad side and that it would only take one more remark for the princess to punish her friend severely.

"Good. Make certain that you don't forget…what are you…don't you dare hug me! Elle!" Azula snapped just when Elle's smaller body slammed into her belly.

Ty Lee observed in a poorly concealed amusement beside her angered friend while their young companion assaulted the powerful princess in a loving hug.

"But you looked so angry Azula-sama…I just had to give you a hug! I don't want you to hurt my oneesan." Elle exclaimed with her arms wrapping around the princess's waist while Azula stiffened when she deepened their embrace.

"Ugh! Release me at once peasant or I will punish you alongside Mai!" Azula protested in an indignant voice while she squirmed with her favored handmaid now burrowing into her belly.

"Wow Azula! I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be defeated so easily." Ty Lee snickered while she watched her furious friend attempt to remove the girl from her stomach.

"Silence Ty Lee! You! Get off me or I will incinerate you! Don't think I won't burn you!" Azula growled while she pushed on her servant's shoulders in an effort to disconnect from the hug.

"Now that's a good one. We all know that you don't have it in you to burn Elle." Mai snorted with her arms folded over her chest while the other woman glared back at her through the corner of her eye.

"Please don't fight with each other…" Elle trailed off in a concerned voice just when the princess finally managed to dislocate from her embrace.

"Then Mai had better watch her mouth. As for my dear brother…if he surrenders, he will be spared." Azula stated in a foul tempered voice while she turned to glare at her two subordinates.

The two women visibly tensed up while they mulled over those words.

They both knew that the chances of Zuko surrendering to Azula were slim to none.

"If he chooses to willingly aid the enemy…then I will show him no mercy." Azula spoke in a merciless voice before turning away from her worried friends to peer down at her young companion.

"We should hug more often Azula-sama! Then you won't be so angry all the time. Hugs make everyone happier." Elle advised with an innocent nod while Azula glanced down at her rolling her regal eyes.

"Please. Hugs are for the weak!" Azula snorted with a wave of her hand yet even so she made no move to push the girl away when Elle elected to stand closely beside her one again.

Soon Zoi's yells once more regained their attention as they all turned back to see the captain staring down at her shouting subordinates.

"It would be nice to be done with it, Captain!" A soldier responded in a shout while his captain gazed down at him with charismatic golden eyes.

"Then why don't we! They are right here before our very eyes! We can end this wretched war in one fell swoop! Shall we end it!" Zoi called out just as she thrust her sword downward while her troops gazed on in a trance.

Once more the Imperial Firebenders stood silent while they exchanged glances with one another.

All the while their leader slowly but surely managed to rouse their fighting spirits.

While their princess continued to watch with a vastly pleased countenance.

Zoi was damn impressive, even she can't deny that!

While lesser minds might perceive the woman as a bloodthirsty killer.

If one examined Zoi closely they would see that the captain was simply putting on a show to encourage her soldiers to fight to their fullest.

And then just like that the speech took on a scathing turn that took even Azula aback.

When the warrior's shouts continued to ring out through the air Ty Lee could only stare up at the woman in disbelief over her shear gall.

"Or shall we let the traitor! Prince Zuko escape to revitalize the rebels for many more years of war! All because Lady Mai wants to suck his cock! Shall we fight for our nation! Or cater to the whims of a pathetic rebel sympathizer!" Zoi announced with her words cutting through the air like a raging fire.

Ty Lee's mouth hung open in astonishment just as she turned to meet her friend's wrathful gaze.

In that very moment Mai was almost as terrifying as Azula!

Even Azula glanced over her shoulder at her childhood friend with wary amber golden eyes before turning back to Zoi uncertain if she should intervene.

"You bitch. I swear I'll kill you." Mai hissed with her fist gripping her blade just when she felt a hand softly touch her shoulder.

To her surprise she found herself staring down into Elle's concerned eyes while the young girl gripped the sleeve of her shirt.

And for once the princess refrained from scolding the girl for leaving her side.

She knew well enough that there was a good chance that Elle just inadvertently prevented Mai from doing something foolish.

The Imperial Firebenders stared up at Zoi through their helmets in a baffled silence.

They too were clearly wary of joining their leader in disparaging her fellow high nobility.

"Shall we hesitate to act like that coward Ty Lee! Or shall we kill them all!" Zoi roared while she madly paced the catwalk just as she pointed her blade down at her squadron.

The princess could only grunt in annoyance while she gazed between her offended friends and her overzealous captain.

It would be detrimental to punish Zoi before her soldiers…

And yet the more she mocked Mai and Ty Lee the more she jeopardized their commitment to the war.

"Do you know what I say to that! Fuck that!" Zoi taunted just as she turned to stare down at the two outraged women.

Even the good-natured Ty Lee couldn't help but begin to scowl up at her in a clear show of resentment.

"And I don't know about you but I am damn sick of being at sea! And I am damn well sick of the stench of vomit permeating the morning air! And I want to return home!" Zoi declared just as she briefly leaned upon the railing.

And just like that the sound of several soldiers chuckling in agreement began to resound into the air.

"And fish. We've been eating fish for twelve months." A man finally spoke out while he gazed up at his leader pacing across the catwalk.

"They say that the soldiers of the Fire Nation are the greatest warriors in the world! What do you say to that my brothers! Are we!" Zoi demanded while she stare down at her assembled legion.

"Yes!" A soldier cried out from amidst the throng of troops while their captain gazed down with passionate golden eyes.

"You're damn right we are! Just one of us is equal to ten warriors of the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom! Because every one of us is Fire Nation strong!" Zoi exclaimed just as she strode down the ramp with determination in her eyes.

Soon enough shouts and cries began to flow into the air once more while Azula continued to observe the scene with approval in her eyes.

As far as she was concerned, if Zoi helps lead the Fire Nation towards victory then she could easily let the mockery of her friends slide.

Afterall, Mai and Ty Lee were the ones that provoked Zoi to begin with.

"It ends here today brothers! Today we shall return home as victors! What say you to that!" Zoi hollered just as she pumped her fist above her head while her soldiers screamed out in agreement.

"As victors!" The Imperial Firebenders shouted out in unison just as they began to raise their weapons high above them.

"Hm. Say what you want about her tongue. She's skilled. One of the best of our nation." Azula stated in a pleased voice that was unshared by her friends.

Ty Lee could only sigh while she stared at her leader all the while trying to brush off Zoi's hurtful words.

They both knew well enough that if Azula held this woman in high esteem that no amount of arguing will change the princess's mind on the matter.

"I would see us return home as heroes! Thousands will cheer our names when we walk through the streets! And then we shall celebrate our victory with a round of wine and ale for every one of us!" Zoi screamed in an ardent voice when she began to walk through the mass of motivated soldiers.

And just like that Team Azula watched in awe as every warrior of the captain's squad began to roar in unison with Zoi.

Even the Dai Li were standing off to the side while they listened in fascination to the warrior's rousing speech.

All the while each and every soldier began to remove their helmets in an obvious show of respect to their captain.

"We will go down as legends in the echoes of eternity! Long after the Fire Nation has crumbled into the ruins of the earth we will be remembered as the ones who ended the Avatar! We will achieve never-ending gloriam!" Zoi roared with her sword in hand while she stood before her roused platoon all shouting her name.

Soon spirited shouts of 'Zoi' began to intermingle with the roars of the soaring royal airship.

"And after it's all said and done, I am going to enjoy a nice good fuck! And woe to anyone foolish enough to impede me." Zoi called out with a smirk while the men surrounding her began to laugh in amusement.

The shameless statement took the foursome aback while Azula stood gazing at the woman with comically deadpan amber golden eyes.

And even the offended acrobat couldn't help but feel a twinge of a blush creep up onto her cheeks.

Though it went without saying that Mai was most certainly not amused.

"Azula-sama…is that something that you and I will be doing together eventually?" Elle inquired with an inquisitive tilt of her head while she turned to peer up at the princess's surprised face.

And an even deeper blush began to spread across Ty Lee's cheeks after she heard their young companion's query.

"If everything works out well between us…and you continue to prove to be the optimal girlfriend. Then yes, I will eventually sit on your little face." Azula answered with her arms folded over her breasts while she glanced down at her pet's adorably curious face.

"A-Azula! Wait it out a while before you start talking about sitting on her face!" Ty Lee protested in a sisterly voice while Azula just turned to her with a smug smirk on her lips.

"I don't get it Azula-sama. You're going to use my face as a chair?" Elle pondered in a lovably confused voice while all three women glanced down at her in amusement.

And once again the princess was just astounded that her intended was this…naïve over all matters sexual!

"Ugh! No! That's not what I meant…you know what…forget it. I'll explain it to you another day." Azula sighed just as she waved her hand about while the teenage girl peered up at her even so.

"As you say Azula-sama. I promise you that I will be the best girlfriend that I can possibly be for you." Elle spoke with a sunny smile before reaching up to hold onto the woman's elbow.

Azula peered down at her handmaid with callous amber golden eyes while making no movement to push her girl off of her.

All the while allowing the smaller girl to latch onto her toned bicep.

That was when her thoughts were once more interrupted by the growing cacophony of shouting soldiers.

"The Avatar is certainly an audacious bastard if he thinks that we're going to let him destroy our great nation. So why don't we just go cut off his head? I'd like to see spirit water bring him back from that." Zoi snarled with her fist clenched above her while the shouts of her comrades rang into the air.

The brutal announcement sent yet another shudder down Ty Lee's spine.

She was almost beginning to pity the Avatar.

This woman was a terrifying blood hound!

"Now I really like her." Azula purred with a smug smile while she held her fingers beneath her chin.

While she listened to the violent shouts of the army just as they began to cry out for the Avatar's head.

"Are you with me my brothers!" Zoi bellowed with a smile on her lips while each and every warrior held the helmets high above their heads.

"We're with you Captain Zoi!" The platoon yelled out in unison while the solder stood amidst them with a sanguine smirk now adorning her features.

"Good! Our enemies are certainly arrogant bastards aren't they! Let's go kill them!" Zoi concluded just before she thrust her sword in the air all the while her soldiers continued to roar at the top of their lungs.

The completely savage statement managed to produce a pleased smirk on the princess's lips.

And without further delay every single soldier slid their helms over their faces while they released a roaring battle cry in unison with their captain.

Meanwhile at the bottom of the chasm the Gaang was breaking free from the rubble while they spun around assessing the damage.

That was when they saw Appa had been downed much to their anger.

The sky bison had been knocked out from the fall and he was now lying unconscious while Aang ran over to his side.

Zuko knelt in the rubble frantically searching for his dual broadswords with his one good arm only to punch the ground in frustration.

'Damn it! They must have slipped from my back during our fall! ' Zuko thought angrily before turning to gaze back at his newfound comrades with worried golden eyes.

"Appa! Are you okay buddy!" Aang cried out while Sokka and Katara stood over his shoulder gazing at the scene in mutual concern.

"Uh…does everybody see that?" Sokka commented in a fearful voice before pointing upward at the descending vessel.

"Hello! I'm blind!" Toph yelled out with her usual snark while she pushed herself to her feet.

"Aang." Zuko began while the other man turned to gaze at him holding his wounded arm.

The group turned to their former enemy to listen to what he had to say.

Even Katara.

"Look I know you guys still don't trust me fully and I can't blame you for that. I deserve it." Zuko stated with a frown while he stared down at his feet.

"Yeah. You do." Katara scoffed only to flinch when the earthbender threw a poorly aimed rock in her direction.

"In case you haven't noticed now is not the time for that." Toph snapped with her arms folded over her breasts.

Katara slumped in guilt ever so slightly knowing that her friend had a valid point.

"And I also know that you cherish your pacifistic beliefs. But you're going to have to let that go if you want to stay alive." Zuko announced with his words evoking a sense of alertness in each and every one of them.

The entire group got the hint while they continued to watch soldiers begin to climb down the airship.

"Zuko…I can't take a life. That goes against the teachings of the Air Nomads!" Aang protested with unease in his voice.

"Aang! If we don't kill Zoi, we're all going to die!" Zuko yelled out while the others stared at him in a disturbed manner.

It was a truly sobering statement that hit even the likes of Toph.

"Don't you guys get it? She was dispatched a year ago to hunt and kill the rebels because the others were too merciful! Myself included! She is the one that has been leading squads hunting and killing rebel soldiers all over the Earth Kingdom! Azula is far too busy at court to chase us every day and night! She'll return home! But Zoi won't!" Zuko explained in a panic while he met the gaze of the other man's now distraught eyes.

"So…she's just going to do this…day in and day out?" Sokka inquired in a clearly frightened voice with his spirits plummeting all the more by every passing minute.

And worst of all how would they manage to rescue Suki and the others with this bloodthirsty woman hunting after their every move?

The mere thought of the woman he loved languishing away in a dark cell any longer was enough to make his heart well up in despair!

"Yes! You won't get a single second to prepare to face the Fire Lord because she'll be hounding us everywhere, we go. But someone…one of us has to kill Zoi. Or we will never defeat my father." Zuko spoke in a deadly serious voice while the four stood in a shell-shocked silence.

A bead of sweat dropped down Toph's cheek while she turned to Aang unable to see his expression of denial.

"Twinkle toes…" Toph trailed off with a click of her tongue while she gripped her elbows.

"I…can't do that Zuko. I just can't…kill another person." Aang insisted with his fist gripping his staff.

The prince's face noticeably grimaced while he glanced down once more.

It would have to be him then.

And it wasn't a task that he was looking forward to.

Not long ago he was doing almost the exact same thing that Zoi was doing now.

Then in that moment they were mercilessly snapped from their contemplative reverie.

They barely had any chance to register it, they saw the grappling hook through the corner of their eye.

And then just like that Zoi was upon them.

She swung down like lightning before barreling into the injured prince with her blood speckled sword in hand.

"Zuko!" Sokka shouted in alarm before charging at the firebender with his sword in one hand and boomerang in the other.

Each of them sprung to Zuko's defense, even Katara.

Only to be taken by surprise when Zoi held Zuko with her blade lightly tearing into his neck.

"Another step and I decapitate the traitor." Zoi snarled just as she leaned into Zuko's ear while the man stared at the others with sweat on his brow.

The group stood frozen unsure of how to rescue their new ally.

"You know what? I'm starting to have no qualms killing this bitch." Toph stated with a scowl while she sunk into a bending stance.

All the while Aang stood glaring at Zoi while she continued to press the blade into the prince's neck.

Zuko stood frozen with a droplet of blood falling down his chin just when the earth ruptured beneath them courtesy of Toph.

The foursome scattered and make a charge for Zoi when she briefly lost her balance upon the shifting earth.

Then to the total surprise of the group the warrior exhaled and released a blast of dragon's breath straight at Sokka!

The warrior paled while the lethal blast of yellow flames very nearly consumed him.

His sister could only watch in horror knowing that she wouldn't be able to reach her brother in time.

In that very instance a powerful blast of air shielded Sokka from the flames while a wall of earthen rock arose to offer even further protection.

"She just tried to kill my brother!" Katara exclaimed in a furious voice while she sped towards her brother's side.

And just when they thought that they had accurately defended against Zoi's assault they heard the prince's voice ring out through the air.

Zuko was roughly thrown to the ground while he watched Zoi speed through the smoke straight for Aang!

"Aang watch out!" Zuko called out while he quickly stood up in alarm.

Another blast of airbending blew the smoke away only for the others to pale in disbelief when the merciless woman descended behind Aang.

Zoi's lips were adorning a victorious smirk while she fell upon the man from above.

And then the sound of steel tearing through flesh resonated into the air.

With the smoke now completely cleared the foursome stared on with widened eyes to see that Zoi had savagely slashed Aang's already wounded shoulder.

The Avatar cried out in pain while he stumbled backwards all the while making eye contact with his attacker.

"She…used me to get to Aang." Sokka mumbled in a shameful manner while he punched the ground beneath him.

"You'll be dead soon enough Avatar…" Zoi spoke in Aang's unsettled ear just as a spike of earthen rock arose beneath her.

"Twinkle Toes isn't going to die! You are!" Toph shouted only for Zoi to speedily leap backwards out of the range of her attack.

Within seconds Zoi was now hanging upon the cliff side wall from her grappling hook all the while staring down at the entrapped group with calculating golden eyes.

"Are you alright Aang! I'm so sorry. It's all my fault." Sokka cried out in a guilt-ridden voice while his sister placed her hand on his shoulder.

Katara stared up at Zoi with rising hatred in her usually kind eyes while the unflinching soldier's gaze swept over each and every one of them.

"It's not your fault Sokka. I'll be okay. But we need to come up with a plan fast." Aang assured while he grimaced with his hand on his bloodied shoulder.

"She's going after me because I'm wounded and Sokka to use us as decoys so she can slowly but surely cut away at Aang!" Zuko exclaimed while the others turned to gaze at him with shock in their eyes.

He couldn't blame them really.

It's an utterly savage tactic.

It's no wonder this woman was Azula's favorite!

The roars of the airship's engines echoed in their ears while they glanced up at it to see to their horror that it was now within range.

The vessel was lowering above them with Azula standing on the catwalk of the royal airship gazing down at them with smug amber golden eyes.

The Dai Li stood flanking her back in their usual stoic manner while the soldiers were seen piling down the cliffside after their captain.

And right beside the princess Elle stood peering up at her mistress with a concerned countenance.

It just astounded those that met Elle earlier that such a kind-hearted girl would fall for such a monster like Azula.

And last but not least Mai and Ty Lee could be seen gazing down at the group with clear worry when they took notice of Zuko's bleeding shoulder.

"Azula!" Zuko hissed with clear loathing in his voice while his sister rolled her eyes down at him.

"Yes, it's me dear brother. I see you have some new friends." Azula greeted with her hands clasped behind her back while she tilted her head in a condescending manner.

"I could say the same for you except it's beyond me how you even managed to make a friend!" Zuko retorted with a scowl while he gazed up at Elle's timid face.

It pleased him to see that he managed to get under his sister's skin with the insult even if it was only a small stab.

"My friend? This girl is just a royal servant and nothing more." Azula sneered with a wicked countenance while she glanced down at her loyal companion.

It took great effort on the part of both of the princess's childhood friends not to roll their eyes over the blatant lie.

"Yep! There's nothing special about this one! Just a royal servant!" Ty Lee quipped with a bright smile just as she leaned over the smaller girl's shoulder all the while grinning down at her blushing friend.

Azula just turned to cast the two a half-way glare before returning her attentions down to her surrounded enemies.

The Gaang quickly stood with their backs to one another while Zoi still hung from the rope of her grappling hook.

All the while Katara held her hands over Aang's shoulder while she furrowed her brows in frustration trying her best to seal the wound shut.

Yet before she had a chance to finish, she watched in alarm when the soldiers began to pile in on all sides of the canyon.

"I commend you Zoi. You truly are a woman of your word. Not only was your information correct, so far everything has gone completely according to our plan." Azula announced with a smile while the five-some stared up at her in a suspicious manner.

Then Azula waved her hand while the Dai Li nodded in an emotionless manner before leaping over the rails of the airship.

The assassins took to landing in specified positions before slamming their hands into the earth below them.

'Just what…is Azula planning?' Zuko thought while he clenched his fists in his anger.

"How…did they get our location so easily?" Toph snarled while she held her hands before her whilst she listened to the vibrations beneath her feet.

Something…was off.

What was that the Dai Li are transporting underground?

"Princess, your brother's right arm is all but functional. And I very much doubt the waterbender has the energy to heal both him and the Avatar. The Water Tribe boy is a non-factor…and the waterbender is as good as neutralized. Only the Avatar and the earthbender remain a threat." Zoi informed from her position with her enemies staring up at her in disbelief over her arrogance.

Yet it unnerved the group how Azula stared down at Zoi in a disturbingly sanguine manner.

There was something that she knew that they didn't!

"A non-factor! Why don't you come down here and say that to my face!" Sokka yelled out while he waved his boomerang in the air.

"Should you really be taunting her? Just a minute ago she almost killed you." Toph teased while her friend glared in humiliation at her back.

"Neutralized! I haven't even been injured! You need to get your eyes checked bitch!" Katara shouted before pointing a finger up at Zoi's confident visage.

To the further unease of the group the sadistic princess began to laugh loudly above them.

Chuckling so heartily that she was holding her stomach as if she had just been told the world's greatest joke.

"I…don't like this. What does Azula know…that we don't?" Zuko pondered while he gazed at Katara's mutually concerned face before turning his eyes back to his smirking sister.

And very briefly, ever so fleetingly he met Mai's tawny gaze.

A stinging sensation of guilt began to flood through him when he saw genuine heartbreak in his once lover's eyes.

But there was no time to ponder it.

Because soon after he heard the sounds of chains clanking from high up on the royal airship.

"Your name…is Katara isn't it?" Zoi inquired in a brief break from her callous voice while she glanced down at the scowling woman.

Team Avatar's fears were not abated when they noticed that the young girl with Azula had turned to gaze over her shoulder at something yet unseen.

They saw Elle visibly shiver before she turned away while she grasped at her arms in apparent discomfort.

Ty Lee looked almost as troubled as their younger companion and even Mai managed to flinch ever so slightly.

Something was wrong, very, very wrong.

"That's my name! What's it to you?" Katara answered with venom in her voice while the woman stared down at her shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh, not much. It just so happens that I landed a special catch on my voyage back home. But why tell you…when I can show you." Zoi replied in a pleased voice before she sprung into the air.

And then she landed over the rails of the airship before landing gracefully beside her leader.

"Explain yourself Azula! What are you planning!" Aang demanded with his staff in hand while Azula stared down at him with a cruel smirk on her lips.

"Nothing much. It just so happens that the water peasant is the most defeated of them all. Wouldn't you agree…old man?" Azula remarked to their puzzlement before gesturing behind her to Zoi leading a figure forward in heavy chains.

Then and only then did they understand.

The group stared up in horror to see a figure that three of them knew very well.

They watched him be carelessly slammed into the rails of the airship while both Katara and Sokka stared up at the sight with boundless rage in their eyes.

It was Katara's old waterbending master…Pakku!

"M-Master Pakku! What have you done to him! R-release him now!" Katara screamed out in a voice verging on tears while Zuko too stared up at the brutalized prisoner in disgust.

"I am so sorry Katara…forgive me." Pakku muttered in a hoarse voice while the five listened in rapidly rising anger.

"Quite the catch if I do say so myself. I beat him for twenty-four days Katara. And he still wouldn't break. His resolve…was really something impressive." Zoi explained with her hand cruelly holding the elderly man by his chains.

The Gaang was just stricken by the woman's utterly monstrous declaration.

"You'll pay for this! Do as Katara says! Let him go!" Aang ordered with his teeth ground together while the enemy force stood waiting for the order to attack.

"He just wouldn't yield. Not even when the guards beat him unconscious. I was beginning to think it a hopeless cause. That is…until my informant told of…a particularly juicy detail. I learned that he was Katara's instructor, as well as the one-time fiancée of her grandmother…Kanna and in a sense the grandfather of both Katara and Sokka." Zoi boasted while she stared down at the enraged group.

They Gaang was horrified by just how calculating their new foe had proven to be.

"You better let him go!" Sokka roared only to watch when the soldier began to cut into the old man's throat.

"He finally broke Katara when I threatened to throw you in a trebuchet over the ice cliffs of Agna Qel'a." Zoi concluded in a malicious voice while Katara stared up at her with her blue eyes widening in shock.

Each and every one of the five-some were just astounded by how cruel Zoi was proving to be.

The statement about throwing Katara in a catapult over the city walls had Zuko's mouth agape in pure horror.

"She's efficient…I'll give her that much. You'll be glad to know Zuzu…that I now know where our dear fat uncle is. Our prisoner was even kind enough to draw us a chart. I've already dispatched a fleet to dispense of him." Azula stated with a refined smirk while she gazed down into her brother's now distraught golden eyes.

Now they all understood just why Pakku had apologized.

The elderly man was holding his head low in a clear show of self-contempt.

"Shut up Azula! He only did so because you threatened his granddaughter's life! We'll get him back! Just you wait!" Zuko declared with rage in his voice while Azula peered down at him unfazed.

"I said let Master Pakku go!" Katara demanded with water pouring from her flask while Zoi remained unmoving.

"Avatar! You have ten minutes to surrender! Or I will have him decapitated before your very eyes!" Zoi called down with the old man hanging in her grip while the Avatar began to shake in his rising fury.

And if Zuko didn't know any better Aang was already beginning to consider handing himself over!

"Don't do it Aang! My life is not worth the world! No matter what happens…do not surrender!" Pakku advised with spark of renewed defiance in his eyes while the five-some stared up at him in a speechless silence.

"But…Master Pakku…we…need to get him back!" Katara exclaimed with a tear streaming down her cheek while she turned to her similarly concerned companions.

"We will." Zuko assured before placing a hand on her shoulder much to her surprise.

For the faintest of moments, the two stared into each other's eyes now more at ease with each other than they were before.

That was when Katara took Zuko aback by raising her hands to his shoulder just as she began to do what she could to quickly stop the bleeding.

With enemies surrounding them she didn't have the time to heal it completely but at the very least she had managed to heal it half-way.

"Thank you." Zuko spoke softly with genuine gratitude while Katara just nodded before returning her attention to their enemy above.

The fact Zuko was standing with another woman did not go unnoticed by Mai who just gazed away with a sliver of jealousy in her apathetic eyes.

"Listen well Zuzu…despite our differences. You are my brother…and I would prefer not to watch you die. Surrender now and I will personally see to it that you are spared any further harm." Azula spoke in her usual strict voice while the five snapped their heads up to listen carefully.

Zuko stood while he scowled up at his sister all the while sensing uncertain gazes upon his back.

Just the same, Mai and Ty Lee both were staring down at him in the hopes that he would agree.

"Just how stupid do you think I am? Even if I did wish to return. Father would have me killed." Zuko responded with a scoff while he returned his sister's stare.

"There is no need for you to concern yourself with that dear brother. Take heart…because soon one way or another I will succeed as Fire Lord. And once I have ascended the throne, my word will be absolute. And if you surrender, I will pardon you for your treason after I become Fire Lord." Azula stated with a sanguine nod while the Gaang peered up in increased disbelief.

"Do you really think that Father will just renounce the throne to you as long as he lives! That won't happen Azula!" Zuko retorted only to watch his sister chuckle in yet another show of confidence.

"Oh, I assure you dear brother, it will. Because I have finally surpassed Father and I am now the strongest firebender there is." Azula announced with a broad smirk adorning her lips while Zuko's arms fell to his sides in disbelief.

And Aang too could only listen with his mouth ajar in bafflement as he clutched his staff.

If that was true, that would mean that defeating Azula now took precedence over defeating Ozai!

"You're bluffing!" Zuko snapped while his sister walked forward with her arms folded over her breasts.

"I suppose we'll just have to see…won't we?" Azula purred while she held her fingertips before her face when they began to crackle with lethal electricity.

There was a moment of tense silence while Zuko hung his head just as he seemed to briefly consider his sister's words.

"No." Zuko answered at long last while Azula stared down at him with a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Yet Mai had expected as much.

And just like that she began to dread for her beloved's safety once more.

"What? You say no? You'd rather die?" Azula demanded with apparent anger in her voice while she now glared down at her foolish brother.

The Gaang began to relax after hearing their former enemy state his newfound allegiance much to their relief.

"My destiny is to help the Avatar restore balance to the world! And even if it wasn't. Why in Agni's name would I ever go with you Azula!" Zuko snapped with emotion boiling to the surface while his sister glanced down in a taken aback manner.

Ty Lee began to flinch alongside Elle while she turned to her uncharacteristically shocked leader.

"You are an absolutely horrible person! Ever since I was a little boy all you've ever done was torment me! You…you don't even give a damn about me Azula! And you think that I desire your company!" Zuko bellowed with resentment in his voice while Azula's callous eyes began to narrow in a furious manner.

Even Zoi visibly winced upon hearing Zuko's venomous protests knowing all too well that it was unwise to provoke the princess's further wrath.

The princess stood with an expression of anger brewing in her hardened eyes trying her hardest to hide the hurt in her eyes.

"Ever since we were little, I've watched you terrorize the palace servants and intimidate commoners just because you can! And now I hear that you've scarred two young Fire Nation girls! And you think that you're fit to be Fire Lord!" Zuko shouted whilst his new companions turned to him in surprise.

Even they could tell that the two siblings were about to have a bloody clash.

Ty Lee swallowed a lump that was in her throat when she caught the undeniable rage brewing in her friends' cold eyes.

She had a feeling that Azula's decision to burn those girls would come back to haunt her.

"You shut your mouth Zuko! Those two brats were far from innocent! They were spreading vile rumors about me! I couldn't let such audacious disrespect go unpunished!" Azula barked with her fingers curling around her biceps while her young companion placed a shaky hand on her lower back.

Even that did little to still her foul temper.

"They were your people Azula! I don't care what they did! A Fire Lord doesn't go around burning their own!" Zuko answered with his finger pointing up at his sister's scowling face.

That was when the young girl with princess took both Zuko and especially Toph aback when her voice rang into the air.

"I hold no ill will against you Zuko…but I can't just stand here silently while you insult my princess." Elle called out in a soft voice that was barely distinct while the five stared up at her in disbelief.

They were completely floored to hear this seemingly nice girl speaking out in the sadistic woman's defense.

Even Azula herself couldn't help but turn to peer down at her companion with surprised amber golden eyes.

"So…let me see if I have this straight Sunshine. The princess shot us down and she intends to let Captain Bloodshed kill us all and you're worried about her being insulted? Wow. You really are head over heels." Toph snickered with her usual snark while her four companions turned to glare at her in annoyance.

It was beyond the others why their friend was so jovial with this girl that was clearly on the princess's side.

"Erm…w-well I wish you all the best of luck…it's not like I want anyone here to…eep!" Elle yelped with a pout when a stern hand grasped ahold of the collar of her shirt.

When Azula loomed over Elle with her lips forming a terrifying scowl the others quickly became afraid that the cruel woman was about to burn the girl.

Yet to Zuko just gazed up in astonishment when his sister failed to even so much as backhand the girl.

"Why are you wishing my enemies good fortune!" Azula growled whilst leaning over her handmaid's gulping face.

"Azula…. you should have expected as much bringing Elle to a battlefield." Ty Lee chided with a shake of her head.

"Well that's because they're going to need all the luck in the world when they're up against you Azula-sama! You're the best there is and I just know you'll beat them black and blue! They have almost no hope! It would be rude not to wish them well." Elle chirped with a nervous laugh while Azula loomed over her while her lips began to revert into a conceited smirk.

Ty Lee listened in amusement alongside Mai while the Gaang barring Toph nearly fell over in anger.

The group and even Pakku were glaring at the cheery girl over the hopeless announcement.

"So…Zuko do you have any idea why this girl is on your crazy sister's side?" Sokka asked with a sliver of his usual sarcasm only for Zuko to shrug his shoulders angrily.

"Ah. Well isn't that sweet of you. Especially considering that no amount of luck will save them." Azula commented just while she removed her hand from the younger girl's shoulder.

"You said your name was Elle, is that right?" Zuko questioned from where he stood beside Aang while the monk gazed up at the strange girl in a similarly taken aback manner.

"Yep! That's me! I also go by peasant, servant and Tiger Monkey! Me and your sister are super close! We're best of friends!" Elle exclaimed happily while her princess stood with her arms folded over her breasts while she glared down at her with frigid amber golden eyes.

The girl's joyful statement took the others by even further surprise.

Zuko could only stare up at the girl with disbelief in his eyes.

He just couldn't believe it! This girl actually believed that his sister was her best friend!

Despite knowing that now was not the time to worry about someone else. He couldn't help but begin to feel terrible concern for this obviously naïve girl.

"I told you this before and I will tell you again. My sister is not your friend! Azula is absolutely terrible. She doesn't have a single positive trait. Just look around you! Is anyone else happy to be in her company?" Zuko advised with an edge to his voice while Azula narrowed her eyes down at him in rapidly rising anger.

As if to prove his point even Ty Lee gazed away as if she were silently agreeing with him.

Yet before Azula could even snap at her brother her faithful servant came to her defense yet again.

"Oh! Well I can't speak for the others but I have never been happier! I have had countless chances to leave if I felt otherwise. But I don't! She takes such great care of me…there is no place that I would rather be." Elle assured with her hands grasping at the straps of her backpack while she glanced upward to meet her girlfriend's aloof gaze.

Yet again the Gaang was floored by the girl's astonishingly cheerful declaration.

And despite Ty Lee's unease she couldn't help but turn to smile softly down at the younger girl.

If anyone could teach Azula about compassion. It was Elle.

That she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt.

"All my sister does is hurt people! You do know that…don't you?" Zuko queried with his brows furrowing in confusion over Elle's bright smile.

"I know that Azula-sama can be cruel to people. But I have seen that she is also capable of kindness. Just when I thought I would freeze in the pouring rain…just when I began to fall into despair…I saw her standing over me. And I…am not cold anymore." Elle explained with a grateful smile while the princess began to glare down at her with irate amber golden eyes.

Ty Lee could only smile in amusement while she watched her friend develop a moody scowl over her little sister telling her enemies how 'kind' she could be.

But even so the statement hit Zuko and his new companions like a bolt from his sister's lightning generation.

Not a word of that sounded like Azula at all!

"And those girls…a few days before that they tried to set my hair on fire. And…they stole my medicine. I…couldn't breathe without it! She didn't have to…but she tracked them down for me. And while they were dangling my inhaler above my head I began to choke for air! I could have suffocated without it but then…she made them stop!" Elle continued in a passionate voice with her gentle eyes gazing down at the bewildered Zuko.

"You've said more than enough servant." Azula warned with her lips pursed in a thin line while she glared down at her pet's naïve little face.

"And then she gave it back to me and I struggled to breath no more. I tried my best to plead for her to show mercy but…she chose not to. Even though it was cruel for her to burn them. I am grateful to Azula-sama…for protecting me." Elle stated with her arms grasping at the sides of her robes while the Gaang stared up at her in a befuddled silence.

Another brief moment of silence passed them by while Elle's eyes flickered across the group just as she began to chew on her lip.

All the while Azula observed her with taken aback eyes to see that the girl was so devoted that she would go to such lengths to speak out in her defense.

Then to the surprise of the princess and her inner circle the younger girl began to lose her smile if only for the faintest of moments.

"So, don't you dare speak about Azula-sama as if she's a monster! Because she's not! If you're going to call her horrible then the same label applies to you!" Elle shouted in a suddenly emotional voice while she frowned down at Zuko's now speechless face.

Everyone was staring at the young girl in shock over her sudden change in disposition.

And despite his best efforts Zuko couldn't help but gaze down with a returning remorse in his eyes.

What stung was the fact that he knew that Elle was not wrong.

Ty Lee's mouth was agape in amazement to see that Elle had actually gotten angry.

Even Mai had briefly lost her apathetic expression while she turned to stare at the shorter girl in complete surprise.

"I…can't believe it. This…is the first time I've seen her get angry over something that didn't involve spiders." Mai spoke in a tone of disbelief while she gazed down at her young friend's angered face.

"Calm down Elle." Ty Lee cooed with her hand on the girl's dainty shoulder.

That was when Azula began to laugh with an elegant smile now gracing her lovely features.

"Well. There you have it Zuzu. This one is loyal to me and me alone." Azula purred with a smug smirk on her features while she gazed down at her brooding brother's scowling face.

That was when Aang finally spoke up.

"No matter what they did! It still wasn't right! And as the Avatar it is my duty to bring balance to this world. To that end Azula I am taking you down! And then the Fire Lord soon after!" Aang announced with an expression of determination in his eyes while he stared up at the smirking princess.

"Oh please. You have no comprehension how strong I've become while you were taking your little nap. I knew that it was only a matter of time before you returned. So, I focused on honing my bending to the highest possible peak. And I didn't tell a soul. Not Zuzu. Not Mai. Not even Father and or even Ty Lee. To this end I ensured that there would be no information leak…and no counters for my new powers." Azula boasted with supreme confidence in her voice while the group stared up at her in newfound horror.

Zuko could only clench his fists with a look of fear in his eyes when he recalled the gigantic orb of lightning that his sister used earlier.

And Ty Lee couldn't help but feel amazed that Azula had put this much thought into keeping it under wraps.

"Zoi, come with me. You will be accompanying me into battle." Azula announced just as she began to walk forward with her words jarring the captain into the same.

"Understood my princess, it truly is an honor." Zoi stated as she gave a brief bow while her two fellow noblewomen eyed her in distaste.

"What about us Azula?" Ty Lee queried from where she stood beside their young companion.

"You two will remain here with this one. The less people in my way the better." Azula spoke with her usual callous stare while she observed the two as they nodded in agreement.

Ty Lee more hesitantly than her fellow noblewoman.

She wanted to accompany the princess into battle but as with all things she knew well enough that Azula had a reason.

Most likely because she wanted someone to be with Elle in case the girl got hurt.

Not that Azula ever say that though.

"A-Azula-sama?" Elle began with uncertainty in her voice while she stared longingly at the tall woman's armored back.

Ever so briefly Azula halted in her step before glancing over her shoulder with her fists upon her hips.

The fact that the princess even stopped when Elle called her name was even more proof of their bond.

"What? Can't you see that I have a battle to attend to?" Azula stated strictly with her usual scowl while she observed her companion speedily scamper over to her side.

"I know…it's just that…I wanted to tell you something before you go." Elle spoke in a timid voice while Azula stared down at her with impatient amber golden eyes.

"Then say it." Azula commanded in an icy voice while she gazed down at her little girlfriend grasping ahold of her armor.

"Please…please be safe." Elle whispered in a barely perceivable voice while the princess glanced down at her with surprised amber golden eyes.

This was the first time in all of her life that anyone has told her to be safe.

"Your concern is unneeded. Not even the Avatar can defeat me now." Azula remarked in a sanguine voice while Elle craned her neck to meet her gaze.

"Yes. You're the best there is Azula-sama, I just know that you'll win." Elle declared with a radiant countenance while she clutched Azula's armored plating.

Her declaration was a complete shock to the princess's enemies.

Zuko could only gaze up at the young girl with bewildered golden eyes.

This was the first time that he has ever heard anyone express a desire to see his sister victorious!

"Of course, I will. You see soon see for yourself that there is no other possible outcome." Azula scoffed before carefully removing her handmaid's hands from her chest.

"T-then I will await your victory Azula-sama." Elle stammered with her eyes peering upward while the princess held onto her wrists.

The wind rushed through their hair while Azula stared down at her girlfriend with hardened amber golden eyes.

She stared down at the girl with a stern stare while the smaller girl blushed under her gaze.

For a fleeting moment the two stared into each other's eyes.

And the princess almost found herself moving to kiss her young love interest upon the forehead.

Only to halt mere moments before doing so.

And with that Azula released Elle's wrists before rolling her amber golden eyes down at the cheerful girl.

"Whatever. Just stay out of the way peasant." Azula snorted while coldly pushing the Elle aside before stepping past the smiling girl.

"Wakarimashita Azula-sama." Elle agreed with a warm smile on her lips while she watched Azula stride away.

The princess glanced back at the girl for a final time before turning away without so much as speaking another word.

Azula strode with her fists on her hips while Elle stood watching her walk

Once again, there were no more words that needed to be said between them.

Because their bond was stronger than words could ever convey.

And they both knew it.

AN:

First to answer the review questions. Azula and Zoe fighting each other is not very likely. However, the more Zoe and Mai feud, the more strain it will cause Zoe and Azula's working relationship. Zoe isn't going to attack Azula if Mai pisses her off. But she might grow more disobedient, which means that Azula will have to work to keep the feud under control so it doesn't disrupt their missions.

Azula is by far the better firebender, so if it came down to bending alone Azula is stronger. But Zoe is better in hand to hand combat, and she has higher stamina than most firebenders. Zoe also refrains from using her firebending too often, she uses it only on a need basis and to trick her enemies into thinking that she uses swords because her bending is subpar.

This allows her to surprise the enemy with a sudden, powerful explosion of firebending at a crucial moment in the battle.

But even so Azula's bending is more advanced because her fire is blue. In my story, this means that Azula's chi is more evolved than her fellow firebenders.

Even so. Azula has only recently started learning swordsmanship. While Zoe has been fighting with a sword for almost fifteen years.

The bottom line is that they are both very strong in their own right, and Azula is the only one strong enough to control someone as violent as Zoe.

As for gg's question about Elle having run into Zuko, Toph and Katara. Elle may be a terrible liar, but Azula has a lot to worry about right now. If Elle doesn't talk about it, then Azula won't know. After all it isn't lying if she doesn't broach the topic. Elle may tell Azula eventually. But right now is not the time for it.

Azula wouldn't likely get mad at Zoe. She would just most likely tell Zoe to leave Elle alone.

Now for the chapter itself.

Just like in the Search, Azula demonstrated the ability to summon a large ball of lightening with one hand. And she can generate instant lightening just like in Smoke and Shadows. By all rights Azula has done what Ozai, and Iroh couldn't. She has mastered lightening bending.

We also saw that Azula is starting to show Elle small increments of affection in front of her army. As their bond grows she finds it difficult to resist being close with Elle.

And we also saw their differing beliefs. Elle is unsettled by war but since she loves Azula. She accepts that it is part of who she is.

We likewise more of Zoe's loud soldier personality. She is not like Azula, Mai and Ty Lee. She has been mingling with commoner soldiers for many years and in many ways she acts like a man.

She is used to getting drunk with her soldiers and she is accustomed to foul language over the fire. She abandoned any reservations about class long ago. Because she feels kinship with her comrades.

Zoe's ability to rally the soldiers is just another way that contrasts her as being different from Azula. Azula wouldn't inspire them. She would just terrify them with a cold order. But Zoe relates to them.

This is also a wise move on Zoe's part. This way if Aang is injured and neither she nor Azula are there to deal the fatal blow. She can trust in her subordinates to feel motivated enough to kill Aang.

And we saw Elle get a little angry with Zuko. Elle is aware that Azula is by no means a kind person, but even though Elle likes Zuko. She was off put by his righteous behavior. Zuko has hurt people too, and she felt compelled to throw that back in his face.

It also goes to show just how widespread the rumors have spread about Azula burning those girls. This is going to come back to bite Azula eventually. Her people are more terrified of her than before and she is going to have to take steps to fix it.

And lastly, Sokka only mentioned Suki briefly in his thoughts in this chapter. But I would like to say, yes. Suki has been in prison for six years. She was captured by Team Azula in book two, which was a little over six years ago.

Without Aang, and while living on the run, Sokka, Katara and Toph did not have the strength to rescue her. This is going to play a more prominent role as the story goes on. But now that Aang is back they will make a move to spring her and the others out.

Anyhow!

There are three more chapters to this first battle before we move on to what's after it.

Stay tuned for next chapter! Because it is Azula vs Avatar State Aang!