Zorig was panting as he was sixteen and facing one of the greatest benders in the world. "Show your grandmother what you're made of." He jumped at her kicking flames at each other, with Zuko and the rest of the Royal family watching the fight.
Izumi was staring hypnotized, by the blue and mixed blue-red fire. Hitting against each other like waves. "How do they do it?"
Zuko turned to his heir. "What do you mean?" He asked her.
"How can they create such powerful fire? Even my best tutors are perplexed about how Auntie Azula and her children create blue flames."
Zaya answered for Zuko. "It's a drive, when you place a goal in front of you that demands complete focus, the fire becomes as focused. Mine was always surpassing my mother, mother's was to please that monster and Zorig." She went silent remembering the scared boy.
Izumi held her hand. "It wasn't your fault Zaya." Zaya took a long breath and wiped the tears away. "You're a Great Mother Zaya"
Zuko stayed silent, he saw something in Zorig's eye. After the spar, he went to Azula's room. "Did you kill the greyhound triad?"
Azula moved her eyes back but focused on cleaning her makeup. "They hurt my child Zuko. What do you think I felt when I saw Zaya crying over my grandson's comatose body?" Zuko took a step back. "Mother might have sacrificed her future, but they put a hand to my grandchild." She placed her hand on Zuko's throat. "So don't lecture me about the law because if it was Izumi's child you would have declared war to save him."
"I just wanted confirmation." Azula looked her brother in the eyes.
Azula. "You want to talk about something else?" Zuko nodded.
"I want you to run the Firelord secret guard. You're the only person both ruthless and smart enough to do so." Azula smiled and took those as a compliment. "I won't be Firelord, forever and I don't believe Izumi will be able to punish those who want nothing but war. You're responsible for the shadows of the throne. If a threat appears, show them the fury, and if a Firelord ever becomes like our father let the throne burn them. You are the only one I can trust with this."
"Good That you see things my way." Zuko sighed. "I know you want to protect the fire nation and make sure no one corrupts the throne or the nation. But I believe Izumi will be a great Firelord when she takes the throne."
"Mai talked me into this. Remember this is not some kind of secret police, we are not making another Dai li!" He said almost yelling
"I know it's an intelligence organization, we should talk about the name but otherwise I think we're certain about our plans, how is the general intelligence agency? Sounds non-threatening and harmless."
Zuko nodded. "That's better, still this stays between us. No one outside should know about it til we're finished writing the regulations. They will be under my orders." Azula smirked. "Of Course brother." He left and Zuko left, still worrying about what would happen next.
After the death of Aang. "To the new fire nation and to fire lord Azula!" They cheered with Azula on the train heading to the capital. She made her way out of the compartment and jumped off the bridge before it exploded. Zaya watched as her mother landed next to her. "Are you alright mother?"
She nodded, wiping away the ash. "The last of the royalists are dead and with me gone they won't dare to think of another cue." Zaya gave her to change into peasant clothes. "Now remember only my bloodline and Bumi should know about this, and Zorig and Kazuko, she knows how to keep their mouths shut. Izumi already knows"
Zaya sighed. "Mother, Kazuko is mute and deaf. She can keep more secrets than Aang could if I'm honest."
Azula smiled. "Exactly the Firelords's General intelligence agency will be in the shadows. Even after my true death, I hope one of your children takes over for me. Remember your lessons."
Zaya snorted. "Mother please I can lie to Toph mud queen bei-fong and so can my children, but what about the generation after them?" Azula finished changing.
"Once I or you have judged them ready they will be taken into our embrace." She took off her head and placed it on her daughter's topknot. "I love you dear, don't forget to visit and make sure to keep doing your best." Zaya teared up and hugged her mother.
"I will miss you."
"I will outlive Zuko dear, don't worry we will have many more years together." Azula made her a flame and passed it to her hand. "Remember this flame is like my heart and as long as it burns you know I'm safe." Zaya teared up a bit. "As long as it Burns I love you and all my grandchildren."
Zaya awoke from her dream wiping away the tears. She turned to look at the flame still burning and Kazuto sleeping on the couch as she had fallen asleep hearing the radio. "I need to visit my mother again." She looked at the flame, on her ancestor's altar.
The radio changed to static erupting and Amon spoke. "Citizens of Republic city." She glared at the machine as Amon made his demands.