Previously on The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans.
Azula remained quiet. As much as she despised her brother, a tiny part of her worried about the consequences Zuko might face. She knew just how merciless their father was capable of being. A phantom ache seared in her shoulder.
"What's worse is that I have heard reports that my brother has betrayed the fire nation, and fought alongside the avatar."
Azula's eyes nearly widened. Just what has Zuko and Iroh gotten themselves into? She knew what the punishment was for treachery. Conflicting emotions bubbled within her.
'You are pathetic. He's making you weak.' The sneering voice ridiculed her.
"Hunt them both down and bring them to me so they can face punishment." Ozai commanded. His eyes had narrowed to a glare, the flames in the throne room were nearly touching the ceiling.
Embers danced in her fathers hands. "You know what failure entails, daughter." The phantom pain in her shoulder returned, screaming at her.
"Yes father." She replied quietly with a bow. Azula knew what a dismissal sounded like from her father and made her way to the exit.
Before she could exit the room Ozai's cold voice echoed in the room.
"Send in Perseus. I wish to speak to him."
Azula nearly froze as she opened the door. Her heartbeat raced. What did her father want with him?
/
The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans
Chapter 13: An Unexpected Reunion
The Northern Seas (99AG)
Zuko and his uncle were adrift in the cold icy waters. Their small makeshift raft had barely any space for the two of them. The pair had long escaped the carnage at the northern water tribe. Images of countless bodies, sinking ships, and burning buildings polluted their minds.
The Prince felt horrifically empty to the depths of his spirit. That burning flame of hope had almost smoldered into nothingness. Zuko was exhausted. A nearly two year long hunt had just ended in a catastrophic failure. He had no ship, no crew, no sense of direction. The impossible mission was slowly destroying him.
The teenager could feel the watchful eyes of his uncle that were focused on him. Zuko sighed. A heavy exhaustion evident in his eyes and breath.
"I'm tired Uncle." The exiled prince spoke out quietly. His tone filled with defeat. Even with the coast on the horizon he had no energy left.
He just wanted to go home.
"Then sleep nephew. A man needs his rest to recover." Iroh wisely stated. Memories of the northern air temple flashed in Zuko's mind.
He simply nodded and laid down on the wooden raft. Moments from a long time ago consumed him as he drifted into a sleep.
/
Fire Nation Resort Colony
"Who knew nephew. That weeks upon the open ocean would do so much damage to my joints." Uncle Iroh groaned as he received a massage.
Zuko ignored him. He gazed off into the distance with weary eyes. There was no sense of direction. Nowhere to go in his search for the Avatar. Everything had fallen apart. Hopelessness slowly setting in.
He felt further from home than ever before.
/
The Open Waters (99AG)
Her annoying bodyguard had barely spoken to her for days at this point. Ever since his conversation with the Fire Lord, Perseus had distanced himself from Azula. The Princess was desperate to find out what had occurred or what had been conversed in the throne room. Yet she got no answers. The lack of clarity frustrated her deeply.
Perseus wasn't being his normal self, and that was what was bothering her the most. She could rely on his lopsided grin to always be there. Joyous sea green eyes always looking over her. Or annoying jokes and remarks every few minutes. But none of that had been there.
Azula was perched up on the bridge of her grand warship, her golden eyes watching Perseus train upon the metal deck. Her bodyguard wasn't wearing his usual training robes, choosing to forego his top under the boiling midday sun. His muscles glistened with sweat and his messy black hair was loose from its hairpiece. She gazed upon him as he effortlessly worked his way through a kata.
It was one she hadn't seen him use before. The style he was practicing was nothing like his own. Perseus was following a circular path on the decking only he could see. His legs and arms, shifting and changing with each move. No two stances were the same. She was amazed at the sight, beads of water encircled him from a distance. As he would turn or change direction the water mirrored his actions The way the liquid shifted through the sky was like the growing winds of a sea storm.
Sea green eyes met hers. Azula looked away, a slight blush forming on her cheeks. She hadn't realised just how intensely she had been staring. The princess let go of the intelligence report in her hands. It was time to get answers from her frustrating bodyguard.
/
'Perseus." Her voice was regal and commanding. She knew that tone was the easiest way to force his attention. Her bodyguard turned to face her. Powerful sea green eyes swirled with emotions. His body glimmered under the rays of the sun.
"Princess." Perseus replied neutrally. Azula frowned, the formalities over the previous days infuriated her.
"What is bothering you?" She confronted him, desperate to know what had been on his mind. "Ever since the royal palace you've been ignoring me." Azula accused.
Her bodyguards eyes narrowed in her direction. "I can't believe you think this mission is acceptable. Capturing Zuko and Uncle Iroh. You can't be serious!" His voice steadily grew angrier with each phrase.
A bubbling of anger grew within the pit of her stomach. "It doesn't matter what we think, Perseus. If the Fire Lord commands it then it is our duty." She spat. Memories of punishments for previous failures flashed through her mind.
"I've not forgotten my duty to you Azula." The way he said her name sent shivers down her spine. "But I can't just accept betraying Zuko or Uncle."
'He will choose them over you. Inevitably he'll leave like the rest." The familiar voice returned, taunting her deepest insecurities.
Her glare became lethal. If looks could kill, then her bodyguard would have been reduced to a pile of cinders. The silence between them was deafening.
"They betrayed the Fire Nation Perseus!" Azula's voice became irate. Emotions took over her rationale.
"They're family Azula!" Percy replied exasperatedly. "You don't turn your back on family."
The rage that was bubbling in the princess nearly exploded. What did her bodyguard know of her family. Her fathers cruel, ruthless, 'training.' Her uncle that forever doted on Zuko and ignored Azula. Her stupid mother who couldn't even look her in the eyes when she was a child. Her mother who fled the Palace and left her alone to suffer.
Her whole body was shaking with fury.
"You don't know a thing about what my family is like. If you're that upset then leave." She spat, betrayal filled her golden eyes.
The two remained still, golden and sea green eyes peering into each others souls. Perseus remained scarily still. Azula just wanted him to shout or rage, it unnerved her when he was this unmoving.
"I will never leave you Azula, but I'm sure I know Zuko and Iroh well enough." His voice was calm but cold. Just as it would be when he was in a fight. Chills raced through her.
"You know nothing." She spat as she stormed away. Percy eyes were a churning mix of sadness and frustration. It was unlikely he or Azula were going to resolve this anytime soon.
/
Days had passed and that unfamiliar distance between Azula and her bodyguard remained. The two still refused to talk to each other. It was exhausting. She was missing the teasing banter, and reassuring smiles he would shoot her way. But he didn't understand. It didn't matter if she liked her fathers demands or not. Failure was not an option on the table.
It was her turn to train on the cool metal decking. Sea spray from the ocean that surrounded them refreshed her. She was glaring off into the horizon, repetitively practicing forms she had mastered long ago.
CRACK
Brilliant blue lightning escaped from her fingertips. The mighty boom of thunder echoed in the air.
SNAP
Electricity danced through the sky.
She had been at it for the full day at this point. The sky above slowly shifting to a royal deep blue. Purples and violets tinged the upper edges of the atmosphere. The princess could feel several sets of eyes watching her. Azula knew her bodyguard would've remained close by. But it was the two old women who were watching her that the Princess was focused on.
"Almost perfect." The echoing voice of Lo spoke out.
Azula's eyes narrowed. A loose strand of hair was hiding in the corner of her vision. That annoying piece of hair was as ever present as the frustrating water bender.
'Almost isn't good enough. You grow pathetically weaker under his influence.' The ruthless voice returned once again. It's chaotic, evil ramblings grew louder and louder the longer she and Perseus refused to speak. She chose to ignore the voice,
BOOM
Thunder rocketed through the air. All of Azula's pent up frustration and anger released in a giant lightning bolt. Her breath had started to become ragged from the intense practice.
/
Northern Colonial Waters
The princess stared upon her imperial division of soldiers. Her bodyguard who would have usually stood directly beside her was several feet to her side. Azula had grown immensely irritated with him.
"My uncle and brother have brought great shame to the Fire Lord and the nation." Her cold regal tone commanded everyone's attention.
"We have been given a mission to capture and return them for trial. Some of you may have hesitations of apprehending members of the royal family." Azula walked amongst her troops. The princess knew she wasn't speaking to them. "I assure you I understand."
The princess paused for a brief second.
"But duty is duty. I will not hesitate to punish hesitation." Azula's words were laced with venom.
"Failure is not an option. Dismissed." She barked as the troops left the deck.
Sea green eyes met gold. Azula could see the slight frown on his face. It didn't matter if he understood.
She couldn't fail. She can't face those consequences.
The captain of the ship approached her. A fearful expression marring his face.
"P-P-Princess…" The man's voice was quivering. Azula glared at him. Amber eyes swirling with rage.
"I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to dock."
Azula looked at him dumbfounded. Had this captain forgotten the events of the storm? Or was he just stupid? Before she could threaten his life her bodyguard's voice spoke out.
"How's the saying go again captain?" Perseus asked rhetorically. He looked at the man's silence with an exasperated look.
"Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor." Perseus recited. "I think before you bother the princess about the ocean in the future you just come speak to me first." She watched the captain shrivel under Perseus' cold tone. At least he did part of the job for her, even if she had been looking forward to threatening his life.
"You're dismissed, captain." She commanded.
Azula could feel the ocean around them grasp the ship and guide them through the rocky shores. The waves that were crashing against the stones had become as calm on the surface as their master.
The captain had left them and her bodyguard stood beside her.
"I don't know how a man who fears the ocean became a captain." He sighed beside her in a soft voice.
Azula felt the faintest of smiles grace her face. It was the first joke he had cracked after almost a week at sea.
"What's the plan Zula?"
And that nickname of his for her. The princess chose to let it slide this time. She hadn't realised how much she would miss his annoying antics.
Azula also knew her next statement was going to immediately annoy him.
"You're staying by the ship. I will confront them alone." She answered carefully.
"What?" His voice was deathly soft. "You think I'm going to let you fight them alone."
Azula stared at him. "Iroh and Zuko will read through you like an open book. But if I approach them, then I can manipulate my brother into coming down to the ship without a fight."
She took a breath. Her bodyguard was about to protest but she raised a finger before he could.
"And I don't trust the competency of that captain. The moment my brother and uncle are on the ship I need you to get us out into the ocean."
"Azula-"
"Perseus please." She looked at him with pleading eyes. The fear of failure danced in her mind. The phantom ache returned to her shoulder.
Her bodyguard looked at her with a foreign emotion in his eyes. Over the nearly two years that he had known her, not once had she said please.
"He's made you so weak you stoop to begging.' The cruel voice mocked her. 'Pathetic excuse of a princess."
"Fine" Perseus relented. The relief Azula felt hearing her bodyguard's words silenced the haunting voice.
/
Fire Nation Resort Colony
"Look at some of these magnificent shells and stones, nephew. Fine additions to my collection of treasures." Iroh gleamed as he held a pale violet conch shell up.
"We don't need any more of your trinkets uncle. You forgetting we have to carry it all ourselves?" Zuko moaned.
"I'm sure Perseus would love to see them." A cold voice stole their attention.
Zuko turned in the direction of the familiar feminine tone. Adrenaline coursed through him as a dread engulfed him.
"Azula?" The confused Prince replied in astonishment. The frame of his sister was sat in a chair across the room staring at them. She was half concealed by the dark shadows and fiddled with a blue shell in her hand.
"Hello brother." Azula slyly smirked at him. She stood up and walked towards them slowly. "Uncle."
"What are you doing here?" Zuko spat, glaring at her.
"So quick to get to the point. Where I come from we usually exchange pleasantries before asking questions." Azula sneered at him. Her golden eyes pierced into him. "Has your journey made you uncivilized so soon, Zuzu."
"Don't call me that!" Her brother angrily retorted.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, niece. How do you and Percy fare?" Iroh questioned warmly.
Azula turned her direction towards her uncle. Her eyes briefly gazed upon the shell that she was still holding.
"See brother. It's not that hard to remember your manners." Azula taunted.
"We are doing well, Iroh. Though Perseus remains a constant source of frustration." She replied to her uncle.
"Father sent us here."
"Us?" Zuko questioned.
"Of course brother. Do you think father or Perseus would have let me travel here alone?" Azula rhetorically asked as she put her hands in her pockets.
"Where is he then?" The Prince questioned.
"If you'd stopped interrupting you would know by know!" Azula snapped. The pent up frustration caused by her bodyguard snapped under the barrage of questions.
"Now. Let me start again Zuzu." The princess sneered at him. "Father sent us here to return you home."
Hearing the word of the place that he had been yearning for froze Zuko in place. His eyes slowly widening as Azula spoke.
"There have been vicious rumours. Treacherous plots. Traitors conniving to overthrow the throne. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father, wants you home."
Azula's voice was silky smooth. Everything Zuko wanted was finally in front of him on the table. His expression slack jawed, eyes widened in surprise. She knew she had successfully deceived him.
"Perseus awaits us upon the ship. I don't trust my incompetent captain so I left him in charge. He was not delighted with my decision but I know he is eager to see you two."
She stared them both down. Her uncle was looking at her carefully but Zuko looked lost in thought. Every word that came from her mouth had sounded genuine.
He was finally free of his banishment.
"Uncle. We're finally going back home." Zuko finally spoke.
/
Fire Nation Colonial Port
Percy couldn't remain still. He had long left the boat and found himself trekking back and forth upon the rocky beach. His sea green eyes were constantly flickering. One moment he would be looking at the ocean, or the beach, or the cliffs. He couldn't remain focused.
The waterbender was trying to distract himself from his thoughts. He was ecstatic that he was finally going to see uncle Iroh and Zuko after such a long time. But Percy felt a deep pit of guilt pang within. Having to betray two people he was so close to hurt him deeply. The first time in two years he would get to reunite with them and his first actions were to deceive and capture them.
His attention turned to the stone dock beside him. The imperial guard on full display.
"Half of you return to the ship!" Percy barked. "This many soldiers in one place will alert Zuko and Iroh that we're trying to capture them."
The guard followed his orders. They knew well enough that to disobey him would be tantamount to disobeying the princess herself. Without her here Percy outranked them.
Time had passed slowly. But he could finally see three figures slowly maneuvering their way down a winding stone staircase.
He chose to remain by the dock as he watched them descend. His foot was restlessly bouncing up and down. It was impossible to remain still. Even if he didn't like it he was ready in case there was a fight.
The three members of the royal family had finally made their way onto the rocky beach. Percy could see Azula's golden eyes narrow at the sight of him. He knew she would have expected him to be on the boat. But she did say 'by the ship.'
Zuko and Uncle Iroh gave him smiles and Percy had to contain the nauseous feeling that was growing. He could see Iroh look upon the imperial guard warily.
"Perseus." Azula's tone may have been neutral on the surface but he knew she was pissed.
"Took your time princess." Percy smirked at her. He hated the plan but he would play the game.
"It's lovely to see you again uncle." Percy smiled at the old man warmly. Ignoring the growing pit in his stomach. "Hey Zuko."
"Percy…" Zuko whispered quietly, "I'm sor-"
"It's okay. We'll catch up on the ship. I've missed you dude."
Zuko smiled at him deeply. Percy's facade nearly broke right there.
"You look tired Percy" Iroh frowned at him.
The teenager bowed his head. "Just some nightmares uncle. Nothing I can't handle."
Azula watched the interaction carefully. She didn't show it but she had been slightly surprised by his willingness to help her in the mission. The princess was also surprised by her uncle's assessment of Percy. She hadn't noticed the dark bags underneath his eyes, or slackness of his shoulders until now.
"Let's board. We have a long journey home." The crown princess commanded with her regal tone.
Azula and Percy led the way with Iroh and Zuko following behind them. They passed between the fire ending soldiers until they reached the metal stairs.
The princess turned to her bodyguard.
"Prepare to set sail." Her golden eyes peered into him. Percy could only nod.
They began to make their way up the stairs until the captain's voice spoke out. Everything that had been carefully teetering, shattered in a moment.
"You heard the Princess. Raise the anchors. We're taking the prisoners home."
The silence was deafening. Everything was frozen for the briefest second. Percy could feel the waves of rage coming off of Azula.
"YOU LIARS!" Zuko roared as he shot a fireball in their direction.
Percy quickly willed the ocean from either side of the dock into a wall. Orange flames glowed behind a watery veil.
"I'm going to kill that captain." Azula venomously murmured beside him. They retreated up the steps onto the metal decking off the ship.
The flames died down and the wall of sea water dissipated. They stared upon a rageful Zuko and disappointed Iroh. The imperial guard that was once behind them either knocked out, writhing in flames, or floating unconscious in the water.
Zuko charged at them wielding two daggers made of roaring flames.
"Like I've never lied to you before." Azula replied with a smirk.
Her brother charged at her and the two began fighting at close quarters. Percy watched as she deflected every one of Zuko's attacks without firebending herself.
"Father is sick of you being an embarrassment to the throne." She sneered at her brother.
His sea green eyes turned to his left. Uncle Iroh looked at him with a sad look.
I'm sorry uncle. He mouthed. Hardly able to say the words.
"It's okay nephew. But I don't plan to surrender without a fight."
Iroh attacked. Moving at a ridiculous speed for a portly old man. A torrent of flames raced to Percy's side. Close enough for him to feel the fire's heat.
Water coalesced from the humid sea air into swirling rings of water that surrounded him. Percy attacked back. Several chunks of ice formed and rocketed towards the old firebender.
Iroh defended himself with a fan of flames. The ice melted under the intense heat. Before they could continue fighting a familiar sound sent chills down Percy's spine.
The cackling of electricity.
He turned in the direction of Azula. The princess stood triumphantly upon a disoriented Zuko. Slowly going through the motions of a familiar kata. Percy was horrified. She was going to kill him.
He hadn't even realized he had quickly matched her motions. Iroh had sprinted in the direction of the Prince.
His right hand was pointed in Azula's direction. Two lightning bolts raced through the sky crashing above the deck. An immense explosion boomed, throwing the princess and her bodyguard off the ship.
Just as Percy was going overboard he could see Zuko and Iroh, concealed in a sphere of flames. Percy was just relieved to see them safe.
/
Authors Note
Boom. Chapter 13 is finally here. Officially now my longest story by word count which is mad to think about.
A bit of a shorter one. I was wanting to write more in this chapter but kinda happy to end it where I have. Much more Azula orientated. Not showing Percy and Ozai conversation yet. Definitely been a fun one to write, Percy and Azula come so naturally but it's time they have some conflict with each other.
/
So below is a general timeline of the events since Percy became bodyguard. Some events in cannon have changed as to when they occur. I.E when Aang meets avatar Roku for the first time.
Tried to make it as concise as possible, will most likely retroactively go back to previous chapters and update location subheadlines with season and year. Just to make it easier to follow and clarify when things have happened.
Spring 97AG
- Zuko is banished.
- Departures from the harbor.
- Zuko at the western air temple.
Summer 97AG
- Azula's Agni Kai against Akhito Abe.
Autumn 97AG
- Azula's squad heading to and arriving at Yu Dao
- Zuko and Iroh meeting Guru Pathik
Winter 97AG
- Percy killing the assassins.
- Zuko and Iroh's at the southern water tribe.
Spring 98AG
- Arriving at the South Pole. Aang escaping.
- Kyoshi island.
- Percy stops the storm as they head home.
- Ty Lee decides to join the circus.
Summer 98AG
- Rescuing uncle. (Early summer.)
- Aang going to Roku island (not in the story but happens as the summer solstice instead of winter solstice.
- Mai leaving Azula. (Late summer)
Autumn 98AG
- Blue Spirit
- Percy's day off.
Winter 98AG
- Siege of the North Pole
- Azula's day off. (Shortly before the year changes over)
/
As always want to give everyone who's followed and favourited since the last chapter a massive shoutout. Appreciate you all joining in on the journey. Hope yous have enjoyed this chapter.
Going to reply to some reviews which has definitely become one of my favourite parts of all this.
Trife: Azula definitely has abandonment issues, something that will definitely get explored a few times over the story. Ozai's always going to be trouble and we'll eventually see how twisted he is.
Anonymous: Oh just you wait my friend.
Superhero01: Theres going to be so much Percy and Azula moments and progressions I can't wait. I'm sure you've enjoyed this one. We've barely scratched the surface on Ozai's toxic influence on Azula. I've got quite bit planned on how that's going to play out.
Agusfedredhunter: Thank you very much mate. I'm really looking forward to the eventual Percy & Katara fight, it's going to be a fun one.
Floaty: I'm not entirely sure how I'm going utilise Raava/Avatar spirit. I've got one or two ideas. But it's something I've been thinking about here and there. Something that will come in time.
Ltbutterfly287: they've definitely been seperated for a short time within the context of the book. But hopefully the timeline help kinda shows that they're had been significant time progression since Ty Lee and Mai left Azula. Nah they ain't gone for good.
/
As always, thank you to everyone who left reviews. I know I haven't went in depth as I usually do but I'm under some time crunch with other things in life and really wanted to upload as a way of saying thank you all for the continued support.
/
If you've enjoyed the story and made it this for please follow and favourite and join in the journey. Please leave a review or pm with your thoughts and questions. I check the notification on the app like 10 times a do and get gassed whenever I see a review pop up.
Love all you guys.
Take care,
Admeto