The evening was already taking a turn for the worse for Prince Zuko. His father's dreadfully, deceptive attempt at hosting a benefits fundraiser event was barely an hour away, yet the prince was ready to board the nearest plane to anywhere, but here. Uncle Iroh's National Tea Day had been a wonderfully kind gesture of good faith and hit in a nation that was beginning to question their royal allegiance daily according to the news. Naturally, Ozai had to make a show of the beloved new holiday with pitiful buffoonery.

To be honest, Zuko had not wanted to spend the summer with his father and sister at all. He had opted multiple times to skip the summer torture this year and spend it relaxing with his mother, step-father and half-sister in the small, quaint village of Hira'a.

"Your father and Azula would be heartbroken". Ursa had knowingly lied when he protested the arrangement for the hundredth time over the phone. "It is good for your image when you become the new head of state, Sweetheart".

Image… Zuko huffed, threading his calloused fingers through his shoulder length hair, leaning against the sink with his other hand, glaring at his reflection in the golden-framed mirror on the wall of the royal wash house.

Two female servants waited, patiently, for the Crowned Prince to take a seat for a hair washing with pleasant smiles as expected. Zuko contemplated melting their faces with his two fists, horrifying himself by the thought. Neither of the women deserved such treatment. They did not dare open their mouths to disrespect royalty as he so foolishly did. Even servants held more wits than him.

Zuko's eyes narrowed at what his mother called a 'glorious image'. Uncle Iroh had even agreed adding, 'A boy of true honor'.

Lies! Zuko reminded himself. All pathetic, worthless lies!

The porcelain sink cracked from his heated hand. Oh well, Ozai would not notice anyway. He was too busy pounding the flesh of his new wife in hopes of a new, worthy son to concern himself with his old, worthless son's slow self-destruction. Zuko briefly wondered if Azula was at all bothered by their father's blatant neglect.

"Of course not. He notices her, at least," he grumbled towards the scarred side of his face.

The scar marked him like a wayward woman's abdomen after a scandalous affair. His father's flamed fist to his face marked his failure from the moment Zuko rose with the sun until he drifted off with the moon. Even his short, well-received stint in his father's semi-voluntary military was quickly overshadowed by Azula's acceptance into Harvard and solidified by her now public relationship with the world's only known, living air nomad.

"Something's not right with Aang," he told his reflection. "How could he survive a complete genocide ages ago? Frozen in time?"

Rumors were floating all over Gossip Bender and other sites about the fabled avatar who was destined to 'bring harmony' to the four nations. Was it mere coincidence that Aang was affectionately called such a thing? Zuko had befriended the man to find out, but so far, he had only noted his airbending. He wondered if Azula thought on this? Was that her reason for dating him? Surely, his sister held no real affection for anyone, right?

"If he is, Father will need to know. Maybe…" Zuko shook away from the mirror to prepare for the evening.

#

Katara adjusted her blue leotard, checking the mirror to access the way the skin-tight outfit hugged her soft, slightly flaring curves in a tasteful, but beautiful way. She was sure to capture the attention of every fire bigot in the room, especially the Fire Nation's Princess Azula in all of her bitchy glory. She smirked at barely noticeable, nude stockings. It was surely enough to catch her ex-lover's eyes and capture his attention for the majority of the competition.

"Are you ready?" Asked Suki's other friend, Ty Lee, sweetly, awaiting her at the vanity to apply her make-up.

She elicited the acrobat's services immediately as she was the only friendly person in the entire country it seemed. As a Fire National, she knew exactly how to apply make-up flawlessly and perfectly to give Katara the competitive edge.

"How about gold for your eyeshadow?" Suggested Ty Lee.

Katara shrugged her shoulders. "If you think it will work," she answered.

"Oooooh, pink, wait…well, no," Ty Lee blabbered, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth.

When she finished, Katara opened her eyes to analyze the acrobat's work. Wow! She thought, turning her head for various angles. It seems a bit excessive, but what do I know? I didn't grow up here. She decided to trust Ty Lee's expertise and left the room to ready herself for the night's performance. Surprisingly, she glimpsed at distraught Zuko emerging from the washroom.

"Good luck, Buddy!" She called to him.

Zuko whirled around before raising his eyebrow. "Oh, um, hi Katara…"

Katara batted her false eyelashes. "What's wrong, Zuko?" She asked, concern evident on her face.

"Um…nothing…really," without further words, he hurried away as if something had frightened him.

Katara shrugged, continuing towards the arena when she noticed Azula's whorish friend, Ginger, sneaking out of Varrick's room looking about for his wife before completely emerging into the hall, smoothing her dress. At the sight of Katara, she tensed before narrowing her eyes in realization. Seconds later, she burst aloud with laughter.

"Excuse you!" Growled Katara, ready to send a whip of water from the adjacent bathroom's toilet towards the cackling woman.

"Sorry…may I ask what idiot did your makeup? Did you die?"

Katara bit her lip. "I—Is it bad?"

Ginger's eyes widened. "Wow…um…well, between you and me, you are Water Tribe casket ready, Sweetheart," with that she chuckled down the hall as Katara's make-up ran from a flood of tears.

#

Ozai lit a cigar with his middle finger from his perch overlooking the night's events.

"It's illegal to smoke in buildings in the earth kingdom," announced his wife passively seated by his side on the balcony overlooking the event in the fancy arena.

"Hmph! And they call us commies," commented the political leader. When Elder Advisor to the throne, General Iroh arrived with Governor Ukano's only daughter, he smirked widely, adding, "A man has a right to his indulgences".

He did not miss Jun's lingering gaze on his son's dreadfully, boring ex-girlfriend. He decided to address the matter in the privacy of their bedroom later.

"Hello, Brother," greeted Iroh, helping Mai into a seat before taking his own next to Ozai. "Thank you for such a generous gesture though I'm sure you have your bets on the table tonight".

Ozai shrugged, carelessly, narrowing his eyes briefly at the tattooed Air Nation athlete, adjusting his daughter's black leotard.

"The princess of course," he answered smoothly, blowing smoke from his nostrils. He heard Ukano's daughter snicker lowly. "Let me guess, you're doubling tonight with my son and his uncle, Young lady?" He addressed, at which she blushed harshly, staring straight ahead.

The fact that he had roused that much emotion was enough for the leader. "Just supporting Princess Azula and Ty Lee," answered the girl. "Ty Lee invited me and was quite persistent".

The comment made Ozai's jaw tighten. Azula's acrobatic ex had been sent on a one-way flight as far away as possible when the two graduated high school after blemishing his only good child's image when they were caught fucking on prom night.

It had taken severe action to "correct" his favored child. He was sure that she would never forget that night no matter how many Ambiens she took behind his back in efforts to do so. He did not have time to collect his surprise that the acrobat had dared step back into the palace. When his eyes caught sight of Azula and her new boyfriend, they narrowed in fury, locking with Azula's before she quickly snubbed the airbender's flame, pushing him towards the locker room. Ozai was careful not to alert the others surrounding him.

#

Aang stretched his legs, preparing for his name to be called. Azula sat on a nearby bench in the private locker room where their previous tryst had been halted by her old friend.

"Cheer up, Sweetie," he said, calmly bending over backwards to stretch his torso. "What's the worst that could happen? You guys are famous. Ozai wouldn't risk another political scandal".

"Hmph, fame is all well and good, but it was when fame killed a princess in England that people realized how bad it can be," spoke Azula, mostly to herself.

Aang raised an eyebrow. "Azula, calm down, your father wants a good show".

"You don't know him!" Hissed the princess, standing to pace to and fro around the room, two fingers tapping her chin in deep thought.

"Katara of the Water Tribe!" Came "Uncle Fuddy Duddy's" announcement of the next contestant.

Azula paused, so far, she had ignored the previous contestants. Sokka barely made it in, Suki was a shoe-in due to her looks and Toph purposefully flipped off everyone in the room with her middle finger when she was eliminated from the competition due to her "impairment". The announcement of her new nemesis made the princess hurry to the door of the locker room to watch the water peasant's preliminary round performance.

Azula huffed, noting the woman's makeup and blue, ballerina tutu to match her brown leotard.

"How is she doing?" Boldly asked Aang, though he dared not to see for himself.

"I am strangely reminded of a performing platypus-bear with make-up," Azula answered with a shrug though she noticed Katara's well-timed split performed with ease.

Little Bitch. She thought with a frown.

"Your introduction, Young Lady?" Ozai suddenly piped after the crowd's applause died down.

Azula smirked deviously as Aang stopped his lunging. "What?" Asked Aang in tandem with his ex in the spotlight.

"Well, seeing as you're uncultured. Every performer announces who they are and why they're in the competition. An introduction of sorts or they are automatically disqualified". Informed the man.

"Um…" Katara was obviously distraught. "Ok, well, I'm Katara of the Southern Water Tribe. I believe courage is above all the best virtue because without it, you can't practice the other virtues consistently. Therefore-"

Ozai gave a wave. "Ok. Enough, Child, you're in," he spoke, hastily.

Katara huffed, though thrilled that she had made it into the competition. Iroh gave a proud smile.

"And next, the Fire Nation's Crowned Prince Zuko!"

Aang joined Azula to watch this time. "Haha, sure failure. He's always such a disappointment".

"I worry for him. Poor guy has been super stressed lately. Hey, I meant to ask a while ago, how did he get that scar?"

Azula shrugged, "A training accident. Anyway, don't trust him. He is two face-faced literally AND figuratively".

The crowd roared before halting when Ozai stood. Zuko gave an additional, respectful bow.

"Your introduction?" Asked Ozai.

Zuko stammered for several moments. "I, um, the-"

"You're disqualified," said Ozai, making Azula snort loudly as the crowd gasped aloud.

"But-" Zuko began to protest.

"Will banishment suffice?"

Through clenched teeth Zuko hung his head, defeated. "No, sir," he answered, his face reddening almost to the color of his hideous scar.

"Then…GET. OFF. MY. STAGE," with that, the ruler took his seat again.

Iroh sighed, heavily, shaking his head, though he held his peace with a solemn look as his nephew stormed out of the arena. Looking to his list, he announced the next contestant, the unanimous crowd favorite.

"Crowned Princess Azula of the Fire Nation".

The retired general silently thanked Agni that Zuko did not hear the reception that his sister received as she took the stage with a pageant wave of her hand. No one suspected that Azula had been caught off guard when she heard her name. She tried to avoid her father's gaze and gave her most regal smile and waves to the country's privileged noble families in the crowd.

"Knock 'em dead, Princess," whispered Aang, making her stomach twist in a manner that surprised her more.

Azula turned her attention to the task at hand. After a brief display of tranquil bowing towards her father, she completed a complicated set of katas from her childhood called "Mother and Son" that she had performed for her grandfather years before his death. She had perfected the moves over time due to frequent fantasies of one day performing it during an Agni Khai with Zuko's beloved mother. Ending with an impressive split that she had practiced with Aang, Azula gave a dramatic kiss to the crowd before leaning back, her head nearly meeting her back leg as the people roared in admiration.

Standing upright, she gave another bow before speaking. "Crowned Princess Azula," she announced, removing her crown from her bosom. "The crown speaks volumes to my purpose here. It serves as a reminder to others whom they're dealing with".

Ozai seemed pleased with her performance which eased her anxiety. Luckily, her old, diamond-studded purse was full of Prozac that should last all summer.

"Congratulations, Princess. You will have first pick in the rounds," her father proudly stated.

Azula bowed low, feeling Katara's "pissivity" flare in her chi. She smirked in her direction. This is all mine along with Aang. She attempted to communicate to the water bender.

Hurrying off the stage, she froze, jaw nearly hitting the ground when none other than Ty Lee sauntered by legs wide on her hands with a skin tight, pink leotard that showed every curve on the short woman's figure along with an eyeful of bosom to accompany it.

"Ty Lee of the Noble Class," announced Iroh.

Azula's eyes stayed glued to the girl as she gave an erotic dance as graceful as a turtleduck on her hands before completing a full split upside down twice, toes touch the stage's floor lightly before tumbling into an upright position with a bright smile.

"Ty Lee of the Nobles. I fix inner issues of bad bitches. Some call me a…savage. What's flexibility without me?"

The crowd adored her, making Ozai stand.

"Excuse me, unfortunately, due to the audience, the princess will be second to you. Well done, Young lady".

If her jaw was not hinged, Azula was sure she would have lost it. Thankfully, Aang was there to kiss her before following the acrobat with a ball of air that made the crowd "ooh" and "ah" as he ascended into the air as though he were flying. Nearly touching the domed arena's roof, the athlete performed a perfect split as he floated back to the ground. Ozai acknowledged the performance with a nod to Azula's relief, though she had been almost certain her father had witnessed Aang's firebending earlier.

She dismissed the nagging in her mind watching with amusement as Aang completely avoided Katara's attempt to congratulate him with a hug by instead offering a pleasant handshake that she hesitantly took.

He's mine. Thought Azula, satisfyingly.

Her eyes remained fixated on her lover's form with each step closer towards her, making her forget about Ty Lee's display in seconds. Aang looked godly in his simple orange, Nike sweat pants and fitting tank tops. Sweat glistened over his tattooed arrows dripping as he walked, his brown eyes focused only on her. Azula's sharp index finger was glued to her bottom, loose lip entranced. The collegiate athlete grinned with a devious gleam in his eye that made her heart pound in her chest and her breathing increase.

It was when his lips met hers that she realized she was oogling him like a slutty fangirl. Though she deepened the kiss without hesitation, pulling him back into the locker room with her arms about his neck.

Aang moaned as the princess bit his bottom lip and pulled. Kicking the door closed behind them, using his airbending to lock it before hoisting Azula up, making her instinctively wrap toned calve muscles around his waist, panting loudly when his lips grasped her neck.

When they were against the wall of lockers, Aang's hand moved low towards the bottom her black leotard to make room for himself and finish their earlier, interrupted moment. He moved to her earlobe with a tender suckling before whispering, "Let's practice, Princess. Just how flexible are you?"

Quotes used here and there. Credits to the originals. Hope you enjoyed!