AN: On Archive of Our own this story has been updated all the way to Chapter 13! Strongly encourage readers to check it out!
Commander Zhao stood atop the battlements of the pohuai stronghold, watching a recruits trickle in. Several vessels sailed under his orders up and down the waterways of the Earth Kingdom. Their efforts yielded a handful of firebenders - low colony-born scum, poor, weak men. Their mettle had yet to be tested and Zhao believed in rigorous training to harden his men.
In the yard below, his quartermaster assessed them for their fitness and firebending ability, while he remained high above on the parapet, observing for worthy recruits among the rabble. Colonel Shinu stood next to him, silent as a Yu-Yan archer. Zhao could feel disapproval radiating from him in disdainful side glances and barely concealed scoffs.
"Thank you for allowing me to use your stronghold as a base of operations," Zhao said, knowing it would draw a reaction from the Colonel. Predictably, his scowl dug further into his leathery cheeks.
"You should send your thanks to the Firelord. For some reason, he seems to favor you." Zhao grinned.
"He does prefer accomplished officers."
"Strange he promoted you then."
Zhao's chest burned from the insult. He rounded on Shinu, who only narrowed his eyes. Smoke sizzled from Zhao's palms. Unfortunately, Shinu was his equal. There could be no retaliation. Instead, he walked around him, digging his shoulder into the shorter man's chest as he passed. How a Colonel as dull as Shinu had acquired the Yu-Yan archers was beyond Zhao's comprehension. Such talented warriors should not gather dust waiting at the Pohaui Stronghold. They should be joining him aboard theYofune,cutting down Earthbenders from afar. If any of the recruits dissapointed him, perhaps the Yu-Yan could use some fresh targets.
Someone shouted for the gate to open, and Zhao leaned over the parapet. A rider on a mongoose lizard stormed through the gates and dismounted, calling for him and Colonel Shinu in the now?Zhao glanced back for Shinu, who had disappeared down the battlements. Zhao growled, following.
"What do you have to report?" Shinu's hardened voice asked, beating him to the punch.
"There was an attack. Near the offshore prison for the Earthbenders off the Mo Ce Sea."Filthy water tribe was livid upon receiving the report of the destroyed riverboat. Worse, somehow, they had known the water tribe ship would be in the area from Zhao's orders - even a cruiser had spotted them!Yet the water tribe bested them by uncultured, lowborn trash. How insulting.
Zhao stepped between them, inserting himself into the conversation. "The water tribe has sunk another ship?" The scout blinked at him, puzzled.
"No, Commander Zhao, we've chased the savages to somewhere beyond Omashu. This was an attack on the mining town. All of the officers in the area are being alerted."What?Zhao and Shinu assessed each other.
"An attack?" Shinu asked. "The King of Omashu lashed out against us? Or is this another mystery? More spirits?" The scout shook his head. Zhao was ready to demand he spit out the whole story. This was an inefficient delivery if he had ever seen it.
"No, Colonel Shinu, the Avatar has."
Zhao sputtered, forgetting his thoughts, "The Avatar?"The Earth King has finally struck a counterblow.
"Yes, commander. A young girl attacked Captain Zhun and his men. She nearly destroyed the town." The scout's face darkened. "Some of the men did not survive. Most were wounded."
Zhao's whisper was faint. "She?" He considered the rest of what had been said. "The Avatar is a child?" This did not make sense. The Avatar was supposed to be an old man in Ba Sing Se, not a child near Omashu.
"The survivors of the attack and the villagers all told Admiral Chan the same story. A girl and two water tribe companions interrupted a routine search for Earthbenders. When she maimed his attendant, Captain Zhun was close to closing a lead. She burned his face with blue fire. He won't recover."Blue fire?Zhao knew there were rumors of the princess mastering blue fire in court. But those were rumors.
A young girl is missing, and the Avatar reappears as a young girl with blue fire in an Earth Kingdom town.A coincidence?
Zhao dismissed the notion. The princess was the fire lord's right hand, his favored child, and it was no mystery why. The other was a weakling and a failure. She would not betray her Father, Zhao would bet theYofuneon that. He would find this little backfiring traitor, though. The scout coughed and continued, now nervous, "Admiral Chan has requested you direct your ships south to aid in the search."
Zhao let Admiral Chan claim all of the credit and the glory?
"I have orders to remain here from the Firelord to oversee the training of these recruits."Until I make some progress, I'm stuck here,"Send word to half the ships under my control to pursue that water tribe cutter. Find them first." Shinu scoffed in open disapproval. The scout looked around as if looking for an excuse to must know of my reputation.
"An admiral has asked for your ships, and here you are, insubordinate." Shinu spat, shaking his head.
Zhao ignored him and elaborated. "The Avatar and the savages may be connected if the soldiers say she travels with them. I have other reports that could connect the two parties. Send word to Admiral Chan that the other half of my fleet will assist him."
Zhao had another idea. "Also, send word to Colonel Mongke and the rough rhinos. If this girl is the Avatar and hiding among Earth Kingdom towns, they are perfect for flushing her out."And when she does, I'll board the Yofune and hunt her down, regardless of how well-trained these mutts scout pressed his fist into his palm and bowed low.
"At once, commander."
Zhao strolled away, deciding to write two messages. He would explain his progress with the recruits to the Firelord and the war council. Then, Zhao would send one to the Southern Raiders to be on the lookout for a water tribe vessel. He would cover all ends. Zhao would be the hero the Fire Nation desperately needed to end this war. He the smile stretched the Avatar slayer.
Zuko waited for his Uncle outside of an antique shop, bouncing his knee against its wooden walls. This was not Uncle's first delay. First, Uncle made them stop at Shu Jing so that he could speak to Zuko's old swordmaster, Piandao. Then, he'd visited the Fire Sage's temple on Crescent Island, consulting them about the Avatar.
Zuko didn't understand why it was necessary. The Avatar hid in Ba Sing Se, and they had known that for years. So, Zuko had waited on the ship for his Uncle, continuing to train. After they'd sailed beyond the Fire Nation, Uncle stopped the shipthree more times. All of this for a Pai Sho tile. What a waste of time.
Zuko supposed the additional time did allow him to regain his strength. Besides, the Avatar wasn't going anywhere. He had spent most of his life comfortably in Ba-Sing-Se. Zuko's thoughts were occupied frequently by plans for the Avatar. Plans that were usually hastily discarded as too risky, too simple, or too long.
Sometimes, he doubted his banishment would ever end and envisioned himself living in Ba-Sing-Se until the Avatar was reborn in the Fire Nation. Capturing the Avatar was already a daunting task, not to mention it was in the largest city in the four nations. Not even Uncle could conquer the I don't even have an army, just a small crew of men loyal to Uncle and The Jee and the rest of his crew wandered the town somewhere.
Now, Zuko waited outside a shop in one of the outer colonies while his Uncle strolled inside. Zuko puffed his chest and stared down anyone who wanted to enter and distract his Uncle further. Most merchants avoided his eyes, but Zuko scowled at one inquisitive stall owner who stared at his fresh scar a little too long. Annoyed, he shifted his focus toward the Fire Nation soldiers intermingling with the colony. Several men stood by a tavern door, talking animatedly. Others patrolled the town stern-faced and stiff-backed.
Zuko leaned against the wall, tapping his was taking Uncle so long? Either they have the damn tile, or they don't!A rowdy group of soldiers stumbled about, shouting something further down the street. As they got closer, one of them caught Zuko's good ear.
"I'm telling you, it is true! The Avatar destroyed the town!"The Avatar is not in Ba-Sing-Se?
"I say it's Komodo Rhino shit! There's no way!"
He hesitated. They sounded drunk and slurred their words.
"It's not, the Captain had some report."But a Captain's orders are more that, Zuko pushed himself from the wall and stalked toward the group.
"The Avatar? Where was he?" The two men stared at him like dazed animals. The others clumsily whirled to face him.
"Uh, she destroyed some mining town far southwest of here."She? Zuko approached until he was close enough to smell the alcohol on their breath.
"What else do you know?"
"Nothin'," The shorter one said. "There's just been rumors. Captain says all the men are expected to move south toward Omashu, but there's rumors of all sorts of things. Even the spirits." Zuko whipped around and stormed back to the shop. His fist smashed into the door, knocking it aside.
"Uncle!" Zuko's eye looked around the empty ?Zuko lit a fire in his hand and walked through the store, turning each corner carefully. "Uncle?" He called one more time before hearing shuffling in the back. Uncle stepped through a curtain with a smile that was too wide.
"I have good news!" Iroh beamed. Zuko raised his eyebrow.
"I have better news." Zuko said as Iroh mimicked his expression. Zuko inhaled deeply, trying to be patient. "You first, though, Uncle. Did you find your piece?"
"No! I bought some excellent jasmine tea!" Zuko scowled. His eye darted around the shop, noticing some Pai Sho sets among the there not a single complete set among them?He looked up noticing a white lotus banner, hanging above his head, almost mocking him. He White Lotus shook his the Pai Sho piece.
"Uncle, we're not going to Ba-Sing-Se," Zuko said triumphantly. Iroh's smile grew.
"Thatisgood news!" A shopkeeper stepped from behind Iroh, whispering something in his ear and bowing. Zuko ignored him as he shifted around Zuko, offering a short bow before exiting quickly.
"We're going to Omashu. The Avatar has been spotted." Zuko wondered if he imagined Iroh's brief frown.
"The Avatar? Near Omashu? Are you sure of this?" Iroh asked carefully. In truth, he wasn't. But, even if it was a rumor, it had to be checked. If it was false, and the Avatar remained behind the walls with the Earth King, then Zuko lost no time. He explained this to Iroh, who stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Nephew, this still seems rather impulsive."
"I thought you didn't want me to rush to Ba-Sing-Se? Shouldn't we check every rumor before trapping ourselves there?" His frustration bubbled to the surface as he shouted. "We don't have time for this! Every second we waste is a second lost to someone else!"And every second lost increased the chance he would never be able to return scowled. Azula would have better luck with this. He'd gotten stuck with his lazy Uncle.
Iroh spoke reproachfully, "Zuko, I didn't want you to rush into a fight without training, regardless of where we go." Zuko blew smoke from his nose. They'd been over this! He needed to capture the Avatar as soon as possible before someone else did! "How did you hear about this?"
"Some soldiers outside," Zuko jammed his thumb toward the door. "They said she destroyed a mining town." Iroh's eyes widened. Zuko expected some more useless advice or a nauseating proverb, but Uncle looked at the table before him. Zuko took a step towards him, hesitating. "Uncle?"
"I'm fine, nephew." Iroh waved him off. He breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. "Very well. We can check this rumor. But do not be surprised if this does not end as you want." Zuko's brow furrowed at Iroh's remark, but before he could ask, Iroh guided him to the 's upset him? The White Lotus tile?Zuko was excited. He could end his banishment early. What was so wrong about that?
When had she gotten here? Azula was back up in the village, looking around at the soldiers. She fell into her stance and punched fire, but nothing came from her ?She punched again. .Fortunately, the men ignored her. They gazed up at something. She followed their eyes and sawherself, hovering above the ground. Azula sputtered and backed away, suddenly feeling forceful winds shove and tug at her body.
, glowing eyes gazed back at her, and blue flames licked at the ground around them all. Azula felt sick. She looked at the soldiers around her and tried to shout, wanting to make them run, but the glowing copy of her sucked the breath from her body, and she gasped, reaching out. The blue fire torched them .
She choked and rolled over as the other Azula lowered before her and lifted her with one hand.
"You're not in control, Azula." She shook against its grip and struggled in vain, growling like an animal.
Finally, she found her voice. "I am in control!"
The face suddenly morphed from her own and twisted, losing its white glowing eyes. Her mother stared back at her with all the disappointment Azula remembered. "No, the monster is. The monster killed all those men. What happened to my perfect little girl?" Azula snarled, lighting fire in her hands and lunging at her. Instead of colliding with something solid, the illusion disappeared, turning to smoke, sending her crashing to the ground. A slow clap sounded behind her.
"Perfect, Azula." Azula froze at her Father's silky voice. "You're the perfect weapon now. With you at my side, we could take on the whole world. No one could stop the firenation." Azula looked up hopefully, ignoring the welling tears.
"I can do it! Yes, I will! Take me back!" Now, her tears flowed freely, and a question spilled from her lips before she could stop herself. "Would you love me then? As your daughter, even as the Avatar?" Her voice cracked. Ozai's eyes narrowed, and his hand lit aflame.
"Have you learned nothing? Love is a weakness. I thought our training would have burned that into you." Azula winced, feeling her old wounds ache. "Perhaps you need another reminder, like your brother." His hand lit and lowered over her left eye.
"No! Father, please! I didn't mean it. I didn't!" Azula screamed. Instead of burning, she was falling. A yawning, black chasm, swallowed her up before she landed in shallow water with a splash.
What happened?Hakoda watched her from his boat, far away. The crew stood like stone sentries behind him. Only Tonaq and Kota waved her forward. Azula trudged through the water, but waves swelled, shoving her further into the . Please wait for me.
"Ty Mai! Hurry!" Hakoda's voice called out, and his hand extended to her. Her legs began kicking as the ground beneath her vanished. Azula struggled to stay afloat.
"I'm too far! I can't make it!" Instead of turning to fear, Hakoda's face softened.
"It's okay! I'll come and get you!" As he dove into the water, a red serpent struck from below the boat, splintering it into several thousand shards of wood—thered swam backward and shot blue fire at the dragon, but it cared not. Its gaping maw rushed to meet her. Azula braced for death as it clamped down shut on her.
She woke with a start under the setting sun, sweating. Kota stared at her from across the fire. His brow was knitted together in terrible dream. I'll never be free of them. At least there were no angry spirits this rubbed her face with both hands and slapped her cheeks.
At the smacking sound, Kota winced and asked, "Are you alright?" Azula ignored him and untangled from her bedroll, walking to the cliffside to catch her breath and sip from her waterskin. The healing blisters on the soles of her feet stung with each step. The air was lighter atop the mountain, and her sweat cooled her body. She preferred weightless air to the suffocating, muggy coastline and swamping river lands they had hiked through to get here.
Her eyes wandered down the mountainside to the bright lights at the base. Red and Black tents were pitched before an colossal red stadium adorned with fire nation flags. Several different smells caught the breeze. None of them were pleasant: animals, spicy incense, and dung. Azula's nose wrinkled.
"What is that? You never said when we got here." Kota's voice carried from across the campsite. She hadn't said much to Kota since the fight in the mining town. The water tribe's youngest warriors let her be, though, thankfully. They at least understood when she wanted to be left alone fists scrubbed the sleep from her dreary much for resting.
"A circus," Azula answered without looking at him. She returned to their small fire and rotated the little fox squirrels Kota caught. Hina's vegetables were neatly torn apart, resting on Azula's old bag. It dawned on her that Kota had the sense to prepare them while she slept.
"Oh!" Kota paused and stroked his chin. "What's a circus?" Azula shot a withering look at him. His ignorance only reminded her of his stupidity from days ago.
"It's where exotic animals do tricks and perform for the peasantry. It's undignified and dirty." She rotated the meat more, "You would fit right in." Then, Kota came and dislodged the stick from their makeshift rotisserie.
"Don't want you burning this one," Azula said nothing and laid back as Tonaq emerged from behind a rock face. A frown beset his face, which looked down at the assortment in his hands.
"I found some tree nuts. And the bushes only sprouted these weird berries." He held up some strange red fruit Azula had never seen. On impulse, against her mistrust of Tonaq's berry distinguishing capability, she took one from him and popped it into her mouth.
Tonaq gasped in shock. "Hey! We don't know if that's poisonous yet!"I hope it closed her eyes and leaned back into her rolled-up bedroll. They were doomed anyway. It's better to go by a poisoned berry than to a long hunt. By now, her nation had like assembled a strategy to hunt them down.
Kota walked forward, ignoring Tonaq's incredulous expression. "Ty Mai was telling me about the circus!" Kota said, more excited than he had any right to be, tugging Tonaq toward the cliffside and pointing. "Look at the lights down there!"
"The circus?" Tonaq sounded appropriately skeptical.
"Yeah, it's great!" Azula clenched her jaw at Kota's obliviousness. "They have exotic animals and do crazy tricks, right, Ty Mai?" Azula remained silent. She could sense Tonaq and Kota shift awkwardly. Kota cleared his throat. "I think we should go." He declared.
Azula scoffed. "No."
"No?"
"I am not showing my face in some rundown, disgusting freakshow. Besides, the fire nation will be looking for the Avatar. It's too risky." She looked at her nails and picked some dirt from them.
"I don't think the fire nation knows what you look like-" She sat up, glaring daggers at Kota. He swallowed. "-yet. Even if they did, it's only been a few days, and the circus is a pretty good spot to hide! Especially a fire nation circus!" Azula didn't want to admit that it wasn't a terrible idea.
Instead of complimenting it, she growled, "And you're the expert?"
"No. But I think it would be good for us." He and Tonaq shared a look. "Especially good for you. You've been ... off." Azula pushed herself onto her feet.
"Oh. I've been off?" She asked, keeping calm. Kota nodded.
"We think so."
"Why would that be, Kota?"
Her saccharine tone made him nervous. "Well, I know what you are thinking." Her fury swelled, her hands warmed, and she stamped up to him, twisting her face into a snarl. Blue flames jumped to her fingers, flaring brighter than the circus lights.
"You do? I'm glad. You didn't seem to think about anything when you threatened those soldiers and putmy lifeat risk. If there's more injustice at that circus, will you step forward like some brave hero? Will you threaten the ringmaster if they whip an animal too hard?" She asked spitefully, but before she could finish, Tonaq stepped between them. Kota did not appear as admonished as she had hoped, glaring right back.
"That's enough, Ty Mai." Their eyes locked, fighting a silent war. Azula scowled and stomped back to her spot, extinguishing her fire with a flick of her fingers. That was undisciplined of her; lashing out was something for Zuko to do, not her. "I agree with Kota. I think that we should go."
The emptiness returned to keep her company in the absence of her rage. "Then, go. I won't stop you." She waved at them. Tonaq frowned.
"You should come too. We want you to." Azula regarded him with a raised brow. Tonaq blanched. Even he knew it sounded weak. Then, he straightened his back and turned his nose up at her. "Or not. You can sulk here alone if you want. Kota and I will go alone."
"I don't sulk."
"Fine pout, cry, whatever you want to call it, princess." She stiffened at the nickname, but neither of the tribesmen understood why. Tonaq sighed. "You're the Avatar, Ty Mai. Something like that was bound to happen eventually."You don't know sighed and swallowed her pride. Unfortunately, she was becoming too comfortable with that.
"Fine. I'll go." Tonaq smiled until she added. "But we're doing this my way. I've been complacent for too long." Her hand grasped the green Earth Kingdom garb she'd purchased and threw the clothes at their chests. "Change. I have already." Tonaq and Kota looked at them in disgust.
"Why? I'd rather wear this." Kota said, tugging at his collar.
"Those water tribe clothes are the exact reason that couldn't defuse the verbal bomb you lit. Change. I don't care if your mother made those clothes for you." Her voice hardened. "And take out those braids and that wolf tail." They looked scandalized, but she pressed forward. "Do you think that I haven't made sacrifices?" Tonaq leaned in and spoke in a low voice to Kota. They conversed in hushed whispers for a minute.
"Alright. Fine." Kota's grudging tone made her smirk.
"Good." They started to walk behind a rock wall when she spoke again. "Andneverdo anything like what you did before." Kota's baleful expression made her reconsider a little. "At least tell me beforehand. Don't be stupid. Stupid will get us killed."
She dimmed the campfire and tore apart the fox squirrel, appropriately portioning the meat and vegetables and wiping the faint dried blood on her pant leg. While she ate her small share, she folded her bedroll and tied it to the saddle of their stolen Komodo rhino. They would need to feed the hulking beast more than scraps and grass soon. At the circus, she could steal some feed for the animal. Kota's rules didn't matter anymore. She wouldn't follow the orders of someone so impulsive and thick-headed.
More pressing than animal food, Father would hear of her mishap very soon, which frayed her nerves. Azula could not calculate how he would he remarry and sire another heir or two? With Zuzu banished and my status as Avatar, what other choice would Father have? I doubt he would revoke Zuko's banishment, and I'm no longer a worthy was vulnerable with no heirs, even as a descendant of a rival lord see his weakness?
The two water tribesmen stepped behind the rock, dismayed at their new outfits. Kota scrubbed at his shaggy hair and brushed it from his eyes while Tonaq examined the earth kingdom fabric with a critical eye. Azula nodded approvingly. "Much better."
"If you say so." Tonaq folded his clothes and tied them to the saddle. "After we eat, we can walk down the mountainside and see this circus." Azula hummed in agreement. The boys were swift eaters, devouring their large portions before she could finish her smaller one.
"That was fast," Azula said. Kota untied the rhino and shrugged, leading it down the slope.
"We've got big muscles to feed, unlike you, tiny." She snorted and shook her head.
"You just have no manners." She bit back. Tonaq chuckled.
"You're one to talk. You've got berry juice on your chin." Azula felt her face warm, and she hurriedly wiped her mouth.
"Yes, it's one of the downsides of being a fast learner. I've learned things from you two that I wish I hadn't." Tonaq stretched his arms while they hiked downhill. Kota was careful to test each foothold despite his laughter. Against her will, Azula grinned a little.
"We are the eating champions of the southern water tribe! We beat Hakoda and Bato, even Sangok and Uruk." Kota exclaimed while Tonaq laughed at the memory. Azula fell quiet as the sun set, darkening the sky. The noise from the circus grew louder. Even halfway into their descent, they heard excited shouts and squeals. The smell also grew more pungent, unfortunately. Kota tied their rhino behind a thicket of trees and clubbed some marks into the trees, carving a path to return to.
Azula gestured for them to follow, walking toward a tent with the calligraph for tickets painted on a wooden sign. "I still can't believe you want me to waste silver on this." She slid three silver pieces to the Ticketmaster, who exchanged the coins for three tickets, fixing her with a disappointed look.
"It's not a waste, little girl. This is the best show in history."I doubt that. The Ember Island players said the same snatched the tickets from his hands with a sneer as they pushed through the crowd of citizens. Green, brown, yellow and red blended in the mob, and their new clothes ensured they did not stick out. Azula relaxed, not losing Tonaq and Kota in the sea of excitement.
Several attractions were stationed outside the main tent to capture the skeptic's attention. A man juggled sticks of fire next to a menagerie of creatures with extra appendages or miscolored fur and scales. Azula frowned at a four-armed albino lemur monkey, chattering and shaking against the bars of its cage, demanding to be free.I understand your pain, sad monkey.
They lined up before the large tent while the attractions around them clamored loudly. Kota sniffed the air. His eyes widened, and he looked around them.
"I smell food." She followed the direction of his gaze, discovering a small stand beside the entrance offering food. Fire Nation street food was mixed among Earth Kingdom snacks. Her mouth watered at the taste of home.
"I'll buy us something," Azula promised. Soon enough, they stood at the front of the line, and Azula tapped her finger to her chin, looking at the snacks: skewered fire-roasted spicy komodo chicken and sausage, sizzle-crisps glazed in a spicy honey sauce, and the fire flakes. Azula found herself disappointed by the lack of cherries, and ignored the Earth Kingdom food.
"Do you need any help, miss?" The peddler smiled, and Azula winced at his missing teeth. His sagging, wrinkled cheeks folded down at her frown.
"No. I don't." She fished in her bag and removed a silver piece, pointing to the fire flakes. "How spicy are those?" The peddler shrugged.
"Not very. Pretty mild. Not like the ones in the Fire Nation." Azula nodded approvingly. The spice from the flakes would remind her of home, but not spicy enough for Kota and Tonaq to whine about. Kota leaned over her shoulder curiously.
"How much for one bag?"
"Two coppers."
"And the other snacks?"
"A little more." Azula flakes it is, a true peasant's food.
"I'll take one bag." She took her change and bag of flakes, inspecting it for loose hairs before showing the tickets to the ringmaster.
"Enjoy the show!"
"We will!" Kota beamed back, making Azula roll her eyes.
"This is a fire nation circus, you know."
"Exactly, its a circus - no soldiers here." They found some empty seats, but people poured in quickly. Before the show could start, Kota reached into the bag and snatched a greedy handful of flakes, tossing them into his mouth. Some flew to the ground, making Azula groan. To her surprise, Kota spat out the mouthful of the fire flakes. His face had flushed darker red than the flakes themselves. "What are these?"
"Fire flakes," Azula replied, primly dropping a handful in her mild.
"They're disgusting. Can you go back and buy something else?" Kota whined, panting from the heat. Tonaq sniffed the red flakes in his hand and tried to drop them below the stands stealthily. Azula caught him, though, catching his hand and taking them for herself.
"No. The show is about to start, and the line was long. Go get something yourself." She shoved the remaining copper pieces into his hand. Her tone sharpened at his pout. "I'm not giving you any more. We've already spent enough as is." Kota frowned and looked at the ringmaster, who made his way to the center. Drums began to pound and thump loudly while he announced the show's beginning.
"But then I'll miss something." Azula wasn't moved by his whining, watching the ring with disinterest. Realizing she wasn't budging, Kota grumbled and rose, bumping past a family to leave their row. Several performers led a platypus bear into the arena and made to do several tricks while riding on some contraption. The crowd applauded loudly at the end of the show. Azula wasn't sure what was so animal could be tamed and made to do whip them enough.
The ringmaster introduced another creature—some wild-scaled tiger with wings, calling it corrupted and claiming would battle a lion spirit. Azula squinted. She was pretty sure those wings were fake. A paper lion marched into the ring and taunted the beast, baiting it through rings of fire. She was faintly impressed by the stamina of the troupe members under the cloth. Perhaps their speed owed more to the rush of almost being eaten by the beast in the ring.
Kota returned with some dumplings, keeping them close to his chest. Azula pretended to be disinterested, waiting until, eventually, his attention drifted to the show before nabbing a dumpling. Tonaq nudged her and pointed, so she grabbed another. Kota kept eating without noticing. Azula and Tonaq shared a grin before she with the barbarians. Father should kill show continued while Azula mulled over her thoughts and munched on spicy fire flakes.
The stage cleared again. The torches at the tent's apex lit in a ring around a tightrope. Azula blinked at a girl who balanced precariously with one hand on a small platform in the middle of the rope, hovering above a net. Squinting to see, Azula could make out a golden headpiece, a white top, and an orange skirt.
"Introducing our newest act! She's lighter than a feather, more agile than our mongoose lizard, and more graceful than an airbender! Put your hands together for the amazing Lady Ty Lee!" Azula dropped her bag of fire flakes, spilling them in the stands. No one around her noticed; all eyes were on Ty Lee as she shifted to the drum beat and elegantly cartwheeled along the tightrope. Azula could not peel her eyes off the 's impossible.
Yet, there Ty Lee was, mesmerizing hundreds of people with the same agility Azula remembered from moons ago. Before Azula knew it, the show ended with Ty Lee backflipping onto her post, catching herself with her starting hand, and bending into a reverse bow. The instruments reached a crescendo, and the ringmaster emerged to thunderous applause, saying something in praise of Ty Lee. Azula didn't hear him. Her eyes followed Ty Lee, who lowered herself with a rope to the right of the ringmaster, bowed, and took her leave. Azula stood, ignoring the protests of Tonaq and Kota.
"Ty Mai, where are you-" She muttered something about needing to relieve herself, which shut them up. The families made room after hearing that, and she hurried out of the tent. Several braziers and torches lit the grounds and cast shadows on the tent walls.
Azula walked to tent and peered through the cloth flaps, finding most of them empty, until she came upon a small pink tent in the back. The internal humming made her pause and shut her eyes, listening intently. The sounds were so painfully familiar. Azula examined her dirty hands and the matted ends of her hair, swallowing , I shouldn't do this. Leave her be.
As she stepped back, the cloth flaps parted, and Ty Lee emerged in her tight pink outfit. Grey eyes locked with gold in a moment of silence. Azula barely had time to register if Ty Lee recognized her before the girl barreled into her chest with a crushing hug, squeaking, "Azula!"
hadn't heard her name in months. Her arms hung uselessly at her sides. As she made to wrap them around Ty Lee, the girl pulled back. Her nimble fingers glided from Azula's shirt to her neck and face. "I thought you were..." She drifted off; her grey eyes were glassy. Azula felt like someone stuffed a clump of fireflakes in her throat. Ty Lee tugged Azula into the darkness of her tent.
"I put those sparky rocks around here somewhere." Ty Lee mumbled before squealing excitedly. Azula didn't even think to use her bending; she stood still in the dark like a simpleton. A spark later, several candles flared over her vanity.
Azula found herself staring directly into a mirror. A thin, dirty, ragged girl stared back, unsure if they were the same person. The sight cut into Azula's chest like a hot knife. Ty Lee slid in front of her, gazing into her eyes again. Azula took a small step back. "Are you okay? You look flushed. And your aura is all grey and-" Ty Lee tilted her head as if unsure what to what?
"Your aura." Ty Lee repeated gently. Azula hadn't realized she'd said the words aloud. "When I joined the circus, Mistress Meng told me I had a gift! I can read people's auras! She's been so helpful, teaching me about this new way of life!" Ty Lee drifted as airheaded as I felt a grin tickle in the corner of her mouth. Ty Lee's lips curved upward. "Your aura looks a little better now. What-" Azula lunged forward and seized Ty Lee in a . She smells like the cherry tree still."-Oh." Ty Lee's arms snaked back, securing her in place like thin ropes.
After a moment, Azula pulled away, suddenly becoming aware of her smell, which was not as pleasant as Ty Lee's. "How did you end up," Azula gestured around them, "here?" Ty Lee rubbed the back of her neck, grinning awkwardly.
"It's a long story," Azula sat on the ground, and Ty Lee blinked owlishly.
"I have time." Ty Lee lowered across from Azula, crossing her legs over one another.
"Well, it was the day after Zuko's fight," Her eyes turned downcast, and Azula scowled at the rugs beneath them, "After that, I came back to show you something." Ty Lee wrung her fingers together. "But the guards sent me away. They said you weren't available. So, instead of leaving, I snuck around, climbed like I used to, and got in through your window. You weren't there, and it looked like someone had gone through your things." Ty Lee's voice lowered to barely above a whisper. "I thought you were dead or hurt or worse. I ran around the palace, looking, and found your Uncle. He was packing, and he told me that you left. Then, he told me about Zuko. I think I cried. I can't remember." Ty Lee finally paused for a breath. "No one was going to be there anymore. Mai was going to the colonies very soon, and I had already planned to leave, so I packed my things and boarded a ferry to Ember Island. I knew the circus was auditioning there. When I arrived, I learned they needed a new act; the rest is history! We sailed to the colonies and have been performing for two weeks. We're supposed to travel north." That wasn't as long as Azula had been expecting.
"You... you had already planned to leave?" Ty Lee's face flashed with guilt, but she didn't avoid Azula's gaze.
"I didn't like being in the fire nation. It was the last straw between my sisters and my parents; feeling like just a piece of a set. I never felt free there and didn't want to feel empty, too. Everyone would be gone after you, Zuko, and Mai left."
"That I understand." Ty Lee scooted closer toward her, lowering her voice.
"Because you're the Avatar." Azula nodded. Ty Lee had known that even before Uncle.
"You never told anyone," Azula said, observing Ty Lee. Ty Lee answered her hidden question by shaking her head so violently that her braid whipped around both sides.
"I would never do that to you!" The fierceness surprised Azula. Ty Lee looked at her hands again. "I know what it's like to have to hide." Azula cocked her head, but Ty Lee continued. "Wherehaveyou been hiding?" Azula ignored her beseeching grey horror from the attack flooded her at once, and she froze. "Azula?" Ty Lee reached out, but Azula batted her hand away.
"I did something bad. I'm not the perfect girl from the palace anymore. I'm a traitor." Ty Lee appeared unconcerned and more interested in what she saw around Azula's shoulders.
"Your aura's always been a littleoff. But right now, it's..." Ty Lee drifted off, leaving another though unfinished.
"It's what?" Azula spat.
"It's scaring me, Azula." Ty Lee confessed. Azula sat quietly, holding Ty Lee's gaze, which roamed freely all over Azula. "You look different."
"Dirty, you mean?" Azula suggested, hiding her filthy hands in her sleeves.
"No! Well, a little, but so am I! I just meant that green isn't your color, princess."
"I don't have a choice." Azula clenched her fists. "And I'm not a princess. Not anymore." Ty Lee stood up and walked to her dresser, shifting through some things out of Azula's view.
Why am I still here? We need to took her chance and rose to her feet. "I need to go." She considered pausing to ask the question:Will you join me?But, Azula was above dragging others into the mud with her, and Ty Lee seemed perfectly content to perform for the masses. "Goodbye, Ty Lee." Before she could second guess her decision, Azula stepped through the flaps of the tent and put one foot in front of the other, forcing herself to walk back to the I could join her here. Forget about being the Avatar. Hide right under the Fire Nation's nose. No one would suspect a shame coursed through her veins at the thought.
"Azula, wait!" Ty Lee's feet pattered behind her in the soft earth. Azula turned around and took Ty Lee's pink cloth bag hanging under her shoulder.
"What are you doing?" Azula asked flatly.
"I'm coming with you!" Ty Lee smiled as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Azula froze, not daring to hope.
"Won't they miss out on their best act?" Ty Lee blushed at the praise. "I thought you were happy here?" Ty Lee's smile fell a little.
"I am, but your aura is very dark. It's fracturing. I'm worried about you."I don't need anyone worried about me. I can take care of looked away as Ty Lee's eyes flashed with concern. She stepped forward, putting her soft hand on Azula's shoulder. "Besides, doesn't this feel like destiny? You, finding me here?"Destiny for what? Isn't this just you acting on impulse, as usual?
Instead of putting her boot in her mouth, Azula said softly, "I suppose it does." She pointed at her bag, "Is that all you're bringing?" Ty Lee's full smile returned, reaching her eyes as she bobbed her head. Then, she jumped forward again for another brief hug before parting and looking around. Azula found herself surprised that Ty Lee didn't mind her terrible smell. Perhaps being surrounded by the stench of the circus animals dulled her senses.
"So, what's next?" Ty Lee am I going to explain this to Kota and Tonaq?
Azula sighed. "The whole story is going to be hard to explain to you. Let me abbreviate it." Azula led Ty Lee toward the performance tent, regaling her with the story of her departure, sort of capture, alternate identity, and subsequent separation. When she finished, Ty Lee gaped at her.
"Wow, Azula! And I thought my life had been interesting in the past few weeks! When do I get to meet them?" Azula grimaced, looking at the tent.
"Soon. We'll wait out here. And remember, when you address me, only call me Ty Mai." Ty Lee tossed her hand up in a mock salute.
"Yes, Azula! I mean Ty Zula. Sorry, Ty Mai, I know it's supposed to be Ty Mai." Azula inwardly , let this sat together in the grass. The old habits returned easily, as if they hadn't lost a beat. Ty Lee stretched and contorted her body, chatting to Azula about all the different stretches she'd learned from her circus Mistress. Azula listened attentively, faintly impressed. She didn't think it possible to become more flexible.
"That's wonderful, Ty Lee," Azula said as her friend's back cracked loudly, making her cringe. Beyond the cloth of the tent, Azula could hear another performance. Hopefully, Kota and Tonaq hadn't gone to search for her. Azula realized she had been gone a long time.
"I can show you how to do them sometime!"
Azula rubbed her neck, looking away, "Hmm. I don't know." There was a brief silence before Ty Lee's airy voice filled the void again.
"So... you're the Avatar." Azula stiffened. Ty Lee continued talking, unaware of her discomfort, "What's it like? Is it, erm, hard to be the Avatar? I've wanted to know ever since I saw you airbend."
"I don't like talking about it."
"Does your dad know?" Ty Lee sucked in a sharp breath, "Did he do something? Did he hurt you like Zuko? Is that why your aura is-" Azula whirled around.
"I told you to drop it, Ty Lee." Ty Lee shrunk away from her harsh tone. Azula breathed through her nose slowly. "I'm sorry." She sank to the ground across from Ty Lee, fiddling with the edge of her shirt. Her next exhale followed a shudder. "Father doesn't know yet, but he might soon." Ty Lee sagged with relief.
"Why will he find out?"
"I destroyed a town. Almost. Well, I was told that I did. I can't remember anything. I think I killed some men. Our soldiers. I'm a traitor now." Ty Lee bit her lip. Azula expected Ty Lee to call hera monsteror traitor. But she didn't. Instead, her eyes shimmered with stomach-twisting compassion. Azula wanted to heave.
Ty Lee only said, "Oh. Your dad won't like that." Azula laughed understatement of my hands trembled and tingled. She felt faint.
"No. No, he won't."Daddy's going to kill couldn't hold it in any longer and sank. Sobs wracked her, and she shook violently with each one. "What have I done? It's not fair!" Ty Lee's hands grasped hers, and she allowed Azula to cry like some weakling without uttering a word. Azula finally sniffled. Her nose felt full, and her throat hurt. She cleared her throat roughly and pulled her hands back. "What's done is done."Tonaq was right. Something would've happened hadn't forgotten her visions or the things she learned. The war needed to end. Azula wasn't sure how to do that without committing worse acts of treason. She met Ty Lee's calm grey eyes. "It's not too late to go back to your tent. You could be happy here. They'll call you traitor too if you're seen with me." Ty Lee's head shook.
"I don't think I'm needed here, and I'm not afraid of that." Azula didn't understand people. Not like she once thought she did. Uncle made her reconsider her people reading skills a long time ago, but she'd dismissed him as an anomaly; however she was in no mood to dwell on those thoughts. She wiped at her face.
"I've been gone a long time. Kota and Tonaq might be worried. Let me go get them."
"I thought we were waiting here?"
"We were. But one of them is like you." At Ty Lee's confused head tilt, Azula . "Very concerned. They may go look for us." Azula didn't wait for Ty Lee to get up. "You should wait here. I'll bring them to you." As Azula walked away into the circus tent, Ty Lee spoke again.
"There's nothing wrong with crying, you know. Your aura looks a little better now." Azula pretended not to hear her and showed her ticket to the door guard, who stepped aside. Her eyes scanned the seats, remembering where they were supposed to be seated. Azula almost didn't recognize Tonaq and Kota in their new Earth Kingdom outfits. In the absence of water tribe apparel and hair, they were almost unrecognizable.A blessing in nudged her way to Kota and Tonaq, who were both engaged in a heated discussion until she tapped Tonaq on the shoulder.
"Thank Tui and La." Tonaq said, low enough for her to hear, "We thought something happened to you." Azula chuckled.
"Well, something did. Come with me." Kota and Tonaq exchanged significant looks. "It's nothing bad, just trust me. Come on."
"But we paid for the show," Kota whispered.
"You didn't seem too interested when I got here."
"Because we were worried about you!"
"I'm touched." Azula noticed some families looking their way now. "Come on. We need to go." Kota groaned and mumbled a two followed her outside into the dark. "A little further." Azula found herself hoping that Ty Lee hadn't reconsidered after her outburst. To her surprise, Ty Lee was in a backbend and stood up to greet them.
"Hey, Ty Mai! Are these your friends?" Ty Lee managed to get it right. Azula you, Agni.
"Yes. Kota, Tonaq, I'd like you to meet my friend from home. Ty Lee." Her friend grinned widely and took a bow before them.
"You're the girl from the show!" Kota looked like he'd met his idol. Tonaq, however, frowned and looked between her and Azula.
"Your name is Ty Lee?" Ty Lee nodded rapidly. He faced Azula. "And you're Ty Mai?" Azula's gut sank.
"Yes." Tonaq frowned deeper.
"When we woke you up a few days ago, you asked who Ty Mai is and if we meant to ask for Ty Lee."Did I truly said that?Azula massaged her temples, trying to remember.
"I was confused, or do you not recall? I could barely stand." Tonaq wanted to say something, but Kota rolled his eyes.
"Tonaq, remember what happened the last time you tried something like this? Relax." Azula frowned at that, sharing Tonaq's disapproval. Kota scratched his neck. "What?"
Tonaq sighed. "You're probably right. She was confused."
"Yes, I was. Now that it's out the way, Let's go," Azula said, waving all three of them along. Tonaq looked more confused than before.
"She's… coming with us?" Azula fixed him a glare that brokered no compromise.
"She is." Ty Lee looked between them nervously. Tonaq sighed dramatically.
"Fine, I'm not in the mood to argue with you. But you're gonna explain it to the chief, when we get back. As long as she can take care of herself, I don't care." Tonaq finished with an emphatic shrug. Azula looked to Kota, daring him to challenge her, but he too shrugged.
"You know me. I'm easy going."
"Good. Once we set up camp I'll give a more formal introduction." At that Tonaq smiled and took a spot to her right while Ty Lee flanked her left.
Ty Lee clapped her hands. "So! Ty Mai only told me a little about how you three met! Can you tell me the full story now?" Kota grinned and pointed to his chest.
"Well, I was there for the whole thing! It was crazy!" As they talked together, Azula lit a fire to guide them in the dark to their Komodo rhino, steadying her breathing. She would have to tell them eventually. A secret as great as hers was difficult to keep. Someone was bound to point it out, if they recognized her from a poster or court.
She watched Kota and Tonaq laugh at something Ty Lee perhaps that can wait for a while, found the rhino where they'd left it. They mounted the beast one after the other. Ty Lee rested her cheek against Azula's back and her arms wrapped around her waist. Behind her, Kota and Tonaq pointed at the stars and tried navigating with them, imitating Bato and Hakoda. They would be reunited with Hakoda's ship in a moon's cycle if her luck held. Azula grinned, snapping the to Omashu.