Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Mask of the dragon. Enjoy the 900-word chapter. I don't own Avatar, Nick, Michael Dante DiMartino, and Bryan Konietzko do.
(Fire Nation Royal Palace, 1 year ago.)
"Damn it, Zuko." Azula hissed while looking away. She watched the Agni Kai.
It wasn't a fight. Zuko dared not strike at Ozai. It made Azula disgusted to know this was punishment of TALKING… During a war meeting.
The screams of pain made Azula squeeze her eyes shut. She didn't need to look at Sachi to know he was doing the same. Azula pretended that she was glad Zuko was suffering for his 'innocence'.
The crowd dispersed as Zuko was already banished. She had heard defeating Ozai was her brother's only way back into the Fire Nation without doing an impossible task.
The group dispersed with various people either pleased Zuko suffered or questioning the Fire Lord's actions.
Zuko limped away as Azula turned to Iroh.
"What happens now?" Azula questioned her uncle. She was well aware that her uncle was against Ozai's plans.
"I will make sure your brother is ok." Iroh stated as Azula frowned. "The question is: What will you do now?" Iroh questioned Azula as she crossed her arms.
Iroh knew of Azula's own plans. The man was a skilled General and gifted warrior prince. Iroh not knowing something Azula did? It was possible. But Azula was far more aware of the experience gap between the duo.
"Can you wait at the harbor before you leave?" Azula asked Iroh who nodded before she turned to Sachi. "Sachi? Can you get something from under my bed? I think Zuko needs to see it." Azula questioned of her friend who nodded and left.
Azula's features darkened as soon as her friend left. She needed to start making plans now.
"Ozai cannot stay in power or his ambitions will rip the planet apart." Azula stated and frowned. "I plan on stopping him here if I can, uncle. I'll keep you updated on what happens." Azula said while Iroh smiled.
"You know just because you're his older sister doesn't mean he cannot protect himself." Iroh said before both remembered that Zuko was in horrible pain at the moment.
"No, but It's my duty as his sibling." Azula said before looking at Zuko. "It's my duty to make sure he doesn't have to be in that position." Azula said as she turned on her heel.
"You plan to go to war with your father?" Iroh questioned Azula who turned to him.
"That man isn't my father or my family, uncle." Azula said before starting to walk away. "You are, and I refuse to lose more family to that monster. I also don't plan on letting him destroy the world anytime soon." Azula said and walked away with that.
The princess needed time to talk to her inner circle. Azula knew for a fact that Ozai would move onwards with his plans of domination.
Sachi returned with the box that Azula asked for. He looked at his friend.
"You know Ozai will try to kill you the second that he finds out what your doing." Sachi said while handing the box to Azula. "Open war with Ozai is suicide." Sachi added as Azula hummed.
"So is letting the world suffer under his heel." Azula said as she looked around. "Go and tell the others I'll be there soon. I have to give my brother something. I planned on giving it to him for his birthday." Azula said while looking at the box.
"You mean that's the…?" Sachi questioned as Azula nodded. "You know he'll think you hid it from him on purpose. Ozai has always wanted Zuko to think he was gutter trash compared to you." Sachi said while Azula nodded.
"Another manipulation of my father." Azula said while turning to Sachi. "Do you think you can find both of them? I'll need them both if I'm going to stop Ozai." Azula said and watched Sachi nod.
"Yes." Sachi said and looked to the side. "But it will take some time. Your have to handle some of the work here yourself." Sachi said before leaving.
"Thank you, Sachi." Azula said before her friend departed. Azula knew she was playing a dangerous game with her father.
Still? She had been doing this for a lot longer then Ozai thought. Azula knew how to fight and conduct a war. Yes, a civil war wasn't very good for the Fire Nation.
But allowing the rest of the world to burn under Ozai's rule? A fate that she wouldn't allow anyone to suffer.
"If Ozai wishes to play Pai Shao?" Azula said and looked at the box in her hands. "Then I'll indulge him in a game he won't forget anytime soon." Azula said and left to find Zuko and Iroh.
"This game will end with me victorious." Azula stated while thinking of her next move.
Azula narrowed her eyes and looked to the side while making sure that Ozai didn't know what she held.
Author notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that there will quite a few military battles and plotting for Azula. Next chapter will be in 2-6 weeks and will show Azula giving the gift to Zuko along with Sachi's quest and more of his history with Azula. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: Next chapter is 900 words and might follow more Avatar stories.