The Next Fire Lord
3
He lay awake in bed even before the sun rose. Numerous scenarios crossed his mind, and in all of them, a heavy anchor appeared to weigh him to reality: fate had not been chosen yet. So many had believed becoming Fire Lord was his destiny, and for once, those expectations had a chance at being fulfilled…
But Zuko's heart churned at the thought of what his potential victory would entail.
Would he be given a month, or however long he might need, to travel to the South Pole and bring his family back to the Fire Nation with him? Would Suki, Mari and Zi be ready for such a radical change in lifestyle? He already knew that Suki would not receive the warmest of welcomes as his Fire Lady… most people would wrongfully assume that they could auction their daughters off to him in an attempt to gain a foothold of power in Fire Nation society. Nobility always acted that way. He had dodged that on his last return to his hometown due to his chaotic status as his father's unwanted son…
He rolled in bed, breathing heavily as he rubbed his eyes with his fingertips: if they didn't let him go back to the South to fetch his family, he'd have to ask someone to bring them to him. The thought was so wrong, so utterly stupid… he couldn't become that kind of impersonal father, sending bodyguards to escort his family while he focused on ruling instead. Was that what being Fire Lord would entail for him?
What about Iroh and Ursa? He knew, by now, that his mother would not return to the Fire Nation unless… unless her complicated circumstances were resolved lawfully. He shuddered at the thought. How to handle such matters? Shaofeng lived, which could either make matters easier or complicate them further. It would take time for Ursa to be free to ever come home… if she so much as considered it home, still. As for Iroh: would he ever wish to return at all? Zuko suspected his uncle would seek, more than anything, to stay as far away from Azula as possible. If she were to remain in the Fire Nation, Iroh would not come back… if she went to the South Pole with Sokka, perhaps, Iroh might be more willing to join him and aid him with guidance regarding his role as Fire Lord.
For as much as Zuko wanted to trust himself… he knew he would need it. A Fire Lord's life was comprised by many matters besides ceremonies, feasts and parties. He had built his own igloo, he had aided in the leadership of firebenders in the war… but did he have the slightest clue of how to handle the challenges of a large-scale leadership? He couldn't do it without help… Aang, certainly, would be there for him. But the Fire Nation would not take kindly to that… much less to his membership in the Order of the White Lotus.
He huffed, rolling again and glaring at the ceiling: ruling truly was far more unpleasant, complicated and convoluted than his younger self ever imagined it would be. As a teenager, he had come to idealize the throne that he had hoped would one day be his, heir to Fire Lord Ozai as he was. Now, as an adult, he knew the world was not as simple as he would have liked it to be…
But he also knew he was made of stronger stuff than he had given himself credit for. He had powerful friends and allies… he had an unwavering heart whenever he set it on something. He had it in him to move forward, to rise to the occasion… to challenge himself to the utmost and find out what his true calling might just be.
One more deep breath, with fists clenched…
Zuko sat up on his bed, determination gleaming in his golden eyes.
He climbed off the mattress and made his way to the cluster of clothes he had been granted to wear. He rummaged through some of them until he found a suitable, long sleeveless tunic. Little by little, he shed his night clothes and put on a makeshift attire, not quite the true traditional Agni Kai outfit, but as close to it as he could manage. He fastened the sash in his trousers before pulling on the loose tunic. His eyes inevitably drifted towards his chest: the newest scar upon his skin might not be as heinous as it could have been, but it still pained him sometimes. He breathed deeply, placing his hand upon his heart… willing it to stay strong. To keep beating, to keep fighting, until he could finally reunite with the people whose companionship would heal him far more successfully than any powerful waters of the north could.
He raised his gaze towards the mirror of his room's dresser: a nervous, but eager boy once had been clad in a similar outfit, clinging to the belief that he would face a foe he could defeat… only to walk out into the Agni Kai Arena to confront his father, instead. Three years later, a scarred teenager had faced Admiral Zhao in another Agni Kai, and he had allowed his rage to guide him for most the fight, right until the very end. Compassion had held his hand, and Iroh had stepped out to defend him when Zhao tried to take advantage of Zuko's mercy…
Back in those two duels, Zuko had been either too scared to fight or too unwilling to deliver a final blow. The foes he had faced were terrible, cruel, ready to humiliate him through burn marks that evidenced his failure to overcome them… only one of them had succeeded.
Zuko raised his hand towards his scar, fingertips trailing upon the skin that had gradually healed, that no longer burned as often as it had in the first years after Ozai had inflicted it upon him. His youthful innocence had died when that fire had charred his left eye, leaving him branded for life as a failure…
But his scar did not define him. Neither did his mistakes. He knew the path forward now, he could see it so much more clearly, even through that damaged, burnt eye.
His scar was no longer a mark of shame. It hadn't been one for a long time.
If he became Fire Lord, it would be because he knew firsthand what kind of pain fire could inflict. It would be because he understood how to withdraw the flames and offer a hand of kindness, instead.
He ran his fingers through his hair, pulling it back before fastening it into a top-knot. He exposed his scar, and where rage had burned under his healthy, pounding heart at sixteen, where fear had filled his chest at thirteen, now there was serenity and balance, instead. His golden eyes did not glare: he was at peace with himself now. He was ready to face whatever the future held in store…
He was ready to face his sister.
"I've never done this before."
Sokka nodded as Azula breathed out heavily, gazing at clothing garments that had not been meant for today's events. She had chosen them carefully, hoping to compose an outfit that would befit the traditional Agni Kai apparel, but she knew it wouldn't be as proper as expected… and the reason why might just amuse Sokka, too.
"The truth is… women don't usually fight in Agni Kai of this level of societal importance," Azula admitted, her hand trailing over the tunic she had chosen… a simple, red sleeveless blouse. "As proven by the typical state in which Agni Kais are fought…"
"What do you mean?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow: he sat on the bed, with Hotaru on his lap, toying carelessly with his fingers and thumbs. Azula smiled a little at him.
"Usually… men fight Agni Kais while entirely bereft of clothes across their upper bodies," she said. Sokka's eyes widened. "I can't say for sure what I'll be forced to wear for this, but… I'd much rather not fight with my chest exposed that way, wouldn't you say?"
"Absolutely! Not a chance! Hotaru and I won't stand for it!" Sokka squeaked. Azula laughed, shaking her head at his protests. "Hell, I had no idea… but wait, can't you wear like, uh, the upper part of a swimsuit maybe? You know, to cover that up without looking too exposed?"
"Might not be the worst idea," Azula admitted, with a shrug. Sokka grinned.
"I'm pretty sure the one you wore in Shu Jing is somewhere in my drawers," he said, hoisting Hotaru and climbing off the bed. "Better than nothing, right?"
"Frankly, yes," Azula smiled, as Sokka sat by the drawers, with Hotaru in one arm.
"Help me look? Yes, yes, that's a lot of crazy, messy clothes…" Sokka teased the baby, who slid her hands right into the cabinet once he opened it.
Azula watched him with a tender smile, forsaking her preparations as she admired them: Sokka had taken no time at all to find his rhythm as a father, ever eager to spend time with their daughter, incorporating her to most anything he got up to. His smiles were so innocent and gentle… most nobody would believe he was the same man who had been waging a war against the Fire Nation violently, openly, less than a week ago.
"Ah! You found it, Hotaru! No, no, not that one… there we go, this one!" Sokka grinned, helping Hotaru pull out the top of Azula's old swimsuit. "Look at that! Hotaru is just that clever, isn't she, Azula?"
"She inherited both our smarts. She'll be running circles around us before we know it, and we'll be entirely helpless against her," Azula smiled.
Sokka rose to his feet, still carrying Hotaru, urging her to hand the garment to her mother. Hotaru let out a soft cooing sound: Azula kissed her brow before taking the swimsuit top from her child, who relinquished it quickly.
"That's a good girl. You're always so helpful, dear," she said.
Sokka sighed, smiling warmly at the beautiful bond between his lover and their child. Azula raised her gaze towards him just in time for him to press a brisk kiss to her lips.
"You're an adorable mother, you know that?"
"Look who's talking. There's never been a cuter father…"
"We're a cute, adorable family, then," Sokka decided, smirking. Azula chuckled and nodded.
"For once, it's best to accept it rather than fight the truth, yes," she said, patting his chest gently. "Thank you."
"Thank Hotaru, not me…" Sokka said, elusively. Azula smiled, shaking her head and pushing herself up to stand on her toes, taking one more kiss from him.
"Silly Gladiator."
That such words could still compel him so much, that his title only seemed to sound right when it was on her lips, stirred Sokka's heart. He smiled anew as Azula pulled back, tugging at her nightgown's sash…
"Want help?" he asked.
"Hmm. That would be suitable, I suppose," Azula smiled. "I did help you when you dressed for fights before…"
"It's my turn to do it for you," Sokka declared, kissing Hotaru's brow softly before carrying her to her crib.
He returned to Azula shortly afterwards, sliding his hands under her gown, rising from her flanks to her shoulders to push the silky garment off her. Azula didn't move an inch, letting the gown pool by her ankles as Sokka admired her body…
But instead of teasing her over how utterly appealing he found her, Sokka settled for smiling as he picked up the clothes she would wear: he fastened the swimsuit's fabric around her chest and neck properly, chuckling whenever Azula leaned into his touch, ensuring that he'd caress her intimately even when that wasn't quite his intent. She smiled guiltily for it, accepting his kisses gladly before he moved forth with her short trousers. He fastened the sash smoothly, letting his hand rest upon her flat belly afterwards, thumb caressing her faded stretch marks before stealing one more kiss from her lips.
"Guess those battle scars will be quite visible, huh?" Azula whispered against him. Sokka hummed and nodded.
"One hell of a battle you fought, bringing that little firefly to our world," he said, with a gentle smile. "You're beautiful."
"I suspect I ought to be intimidating today, instead, but… thank you," Azula smiled, pressing her brow to his.
"Think your brother would be intimidated by stretch marks?" he asked. Azula snorted and smirked.
"He's had two kids by now. I'm sure he knows how to show proper respect to a mother… Suki should have kicked his ass if he ever failed to show it to her," Azula theorized. Sokka chuckled.
"Going by how smitten she is with him, I doubt that was ever necessary," Sokka said, caressing her cheek. "But you always do say you'd rather win battles without fighting them at all…"
"It's better," Azula said, with a tight-lipped grin. "But admittedly… that's not happening today."
Sokka nodded solemnly, kissing her brow. He lingered there for a hefty moment before pulling back, picking up her calf sleeves. Azula sat on the edge of the bed, allowing Sokka to slide the sleeves properly over her legs, right until he reached her knees. He rose again after that, watching her intently from above: Azula met his gaze, and she knew his smile's meaning well before he acted upon his intent.
She relaxed on the mattress anew as he climbed over her, kissing her passionately, utterly transfixed by his fascination with the woman who would soon become his wife lawfully, and not only in his heart. Her arms looped around his neck, keeping him close, and Sokka grinned warmly at her as he hovered atop her.
"Once the fight's done…" Sokka whispered. Azula hummed, prodding his nose with hers. "I'll… I'll find us a quiet corner somewhere. I will."
"Naughty Gladiator," Azula smiled. "This is… a very serious occasion. And a very serious outfit…"
"A seriously compelling outfit, yes. You're giving me many inappropriate urges here, love," Sokka chuckled, kissing the side of her neck, his lips brushing against the velvet of her necklace. Azula laughed too, hugging him snugly. "Doesn't matter if you win or lose, okay? We've got to."
"Hmm? You wouldn't mind railing a loser, then?" she asked, amused. "Here I thought I'd lose all appeal in your eyes if I failed today…"
"You know all too well, you tease, that that's never happening," Sokka smiled, pulling back to gaze into her eyes. Azula smiled back, cupping his cheek. "I love you, Azula."
"You do," Azula said: her throat thickened with tears suddenly, as she admired her handsome lover gratefully. "I… I will do my best out there today. But I admit… it feels like I have an unfair advantage."
"You do?" Sokka asked. Azula smiled, pulling him close so she could kiss him again.
"You," she whispered. Sokka snorted.
"Don't say that, now. You're giving me too much credit," he said. Azula laughed, shaking her head. "I mean, everyone knows I'm on your side here, but if they think the Gladiator somehow is the one choosing the winner here or so…"
"That's not what I mean… though that could still be the case. Who knows?" Azula shrugged. "The unfair advantage is… you're here beside me, Sokka. I… I feel stronger, just because you are. And maybe I'm not, objectively, but… my heart is at its most peaceful since we were torn apart, these days. You're here… and that's a miracle, Sokka. It makes me feel like… like anything's possible."
"Heh," Sokka smiled, running his fingers gently over her cheek. "I suppose we really have changed roles here, huh? Usually I was the one who felt that way, because you were watching over me as I fought in the Arena. If I can do the same for you…"
"No doubt you can," Azula smiled. Sokka chuckled, kissing her anew.
"My strength is yours. My heart is too, as it always was. I'll be with you, every step of the way, Azula. Even if I can't fight this battle for you…"
"You'll stand by me, as I stood by you," Azula said. "We're… the greatest team there ever was, aren't we?"
"The best combination of Gladiator and Sponsor?" Sokka grinned. Azula chuckled. "Of Gladiator and Princess, perhaps…?"
"No doubt," Azula said, pressing her brow to his. "And we always will be."
They shared another kiss, and then another: the rays of sunlight drifting through the curtain alerted them that they had to get going, much as the noise downstairs did… Sokka sighed, shaking his head.
"Always interrupted. Guess that doesn't change no matter if we're no longer in a secret relationship, huh?" he said, rising back to his feet, bringing her with him as he did. Azula nestled in his arms, hugging him tightly, her head resting on his chest. "You okay?"
"Nowadays… I think I will be," she said, smiling gently. Sokka grinned, squeezing her tightly.
"I love you," he whispered again.
"I love you too, Sokka."
Their moment of tenderness had interrupted Azula in the midst of dressing up, but Sokka resumed his work at fixing her appearance once they were on their feet anew: he pulled her tunic on, but Azula stopped him from buttoning it up, to his surprise.
"It should hang open," she said, with a weak grin. Sokka hummed, eyes trailing down, peering at her collarbone and flat belly before whistling approvingly.
"Is this going to be your Fire Lord uniform, maybe, or…?"
"Not a chance."
"Then lose so you can be dressed like this as a commoner instead…"
"Tease," she huffed, shoving him lightly. Sokka snickered, kissing the top of her head before fetching the hairbrush.
"A ponytail, this time. A tall one?" Azula said. Sokka shrugged, picking up a hair tie before approaching her.
"Whatever you say, love. I am yours to command," he smiled proudly. Azula snorted.
"And I'm yours to disobey, I suppose?" she asked. Sokka huffed.
"I disobey you once in a while, not that often, really…"
"You literally just spent a whole year disobeying me, you reckless man…"
Sokka snickered guiltily, but he didn't protest her accusation as he finished composing her ponytail. Azula breathed out heavily, turning towards the dresser's mirror then…
Sokka cleared his throat, calling her attention to himself once more.
Azula glanced at him… then, at the golden hairpiece sitting on his hand. Her Princess's hairpiece.
Azula sighed at the sight of it before reaching for Sokka's fingers: he blinked blankly as she closed them around the small crown, rejecting it.
"Keep it. Just… don't stab anyone else with it for now," Azula smirked. Sokka scoffed.
"Curses, you can't stab the one person with a Princess's hairpiece because you'll never hear the end of it, huh?" Sokka said, playfully.
"I'm afraid so," Azula smiled. "I just… don't think I ought to be wearing it anymore. Whether I win or lose, it's… it's hard to say if I'll ever be Princess Azula again."
"Huh?" Sokka blinked blankly. She met his gaze with uncertainty. "Pfft. Screw that. You're my Princess, I'm never going to stop calling you that…"
"Even if I become Fire Lord?" she asked, amused.
"More so if you do. I'll remind you of your humbler roots that way," Sokka grinned teasingly. Azula rolled her eyes.
"What part of my tenure as a Princess has been humble, exactly?" she asked, with a dry grin. Sokka snickered. "You're always a piece of work, aren't you?"
She reached up, cupping his face between her hands as he laughed: she shook her head, but she couldn't stop smiling as she kissed him anew, repeatedly. His mischief dwindled once she pulled back, stroking a loose strand of his hair gently.
"Are you ready?" Sokka asked. Azula shrugged.
"Maybe… maybe I just want to get it over with," she said. "I want to build our future… might as well find out which side of our crossroads we'll be building it on."
"Alright," Sokka smiled, hugging her tightly. "I've kissed you good luck many times so far, but… it's not enough, is it?"
"Never is," Azula sighed, hugging him tightly.
"Think I'll have a chance to do it right before the fight?" he asked. Azula smiled.
"We ought to find a sneaky place for it. But we won't have enough time for more than a kiss, alright?"
"Fine, fine. That's not fair, but fine…" Sokka sighed.
"You know, if you did have your way with me, I'd be more likely to lose," Azula smirked, pulling back and approaching Hotaru's crib. Sokka yelped in outrage. "I'd have wobbly legs, my stance would be all over the place, I'd be on a high, physically and emotionally…"
"So, you wouldn't be able to focus, huh? That's very sad, but… guess it adds up," Sokka smiled. "We usually didn't go all the way before my fights, either."
"Not unless we started really early," Azula smiled over her shoulder, collecting Hotaru carefully. "So… hold off for now. We'd best get going already… though we have to figure out who's going to watch over her while we're gone, right?"
"Right," Sokka nodded: Hotaru gazed up at them in curious confusion, unaware of their intentions…
Once downstairs, Sokka and Azula were greeted by the surprising sight of a fully crowded kitchen: all the house's current occupants sat before empty plates, and some of them were starting to vacate the room already.
"You're all done?" Azula blinked blankly: Fei Li grinned, waving at her.
"We saved you some food!" he said.
"Of course we did," Tai Wei said, nodding firmly.
"Thank you?" Azula smiled awkwardly. "But why did you eat breakfast that much earlier than…?"
"Because it's a long walk down to the Coronation Temple and Plaza!" Fei Li grinned.
Azula blinked blankly. They gazed at her with pleasant smiles. She raised an eyebrow slowly.
"You're… going to watch the Agni Kai. Huh," she concluded, glancing about the room: Aang, Katara, Kino, Rei, Song and Rui Shi all appeared to be eating quickly, too. "Does that include… all of you too?"
"Yeah?" Rei said, smiling guiltily at Azula after swallowing a bite of crab. Azula's eyes widened. "What is it?"
"Who's going to watch Hotaru?" Azula asked, with a small, worried voice.
The entire kitchen fell silent then: it appeared that nobody would volunteer for the job. The baby nestled against her mother's chest, gaping about herself in wonderment, unaware of being at the center of such a strange, uncomfortable impasse between Azula and many of her closest associates…
"Well…" Rei grimaced, glancing back at Song. "We wanted to watch your fight, though…"
"We kinda did," Song admitted, with a guilty grin.
"I mean, I would offer, but, uh…" Katara said, with an awkward smile.
"Same!" Kino bit his lip. "But…"
"We should go too," Aang pointed out. The waterbender fell silent.
"Heh. Well, then, you can all go watch Zuko get crowned while I stay here with Hotaru. He can win by forfeit," Azula declared, with a sarcastic grin: the protests didn't take long to erupt afterwards, and yet nobody seemed willing to stay behind to watch over the child…
Sokka couldn't help but laugh at Azula's strange manner of irritation this time: a part of her was honored, truly flattered, just as much as she was apprehensive of what would result from the Agni Kai. She wanted someone to volunteer indeed, but knowing that so many of her allies and friends wished support her wholeheartedly in her upcoming challenge moved a fiber of her heart. It was no question that Sokka had to be there in her Agni Kai as well, and he knew that, if he attempted to volunteer to stay behind with Hotaru, everyone else would jump out to do it in his stead…
But perhaps it wouldn't be needed at all. There was a potential solution they could resort to.
"Say…" Sokka intervened, raising a hand to silence the arguing voices: Azula glanced back at him warily, while others did so with hope. "I think it makes sense that we'd all want to go, right? So… maybe it's just easier if we all do?"
"What…? You don't mean bringing Hotaru too?" Azula asked, eyes widening. "Sokka… I know I brought her with me to a battlefield once before, sure, but…!"
"She doesn't have to be in plain sight for anyone to notice her," Sokka smiled, glancing at Aang and Katara. "You guys can ride Appa the whole time, can't you? If they do, they'll be way out of anyone's reach, they can hold Hotaru there… or, well, someone else could, if someone else joins them on Appa's saddle, and she won't be at risk of being seen by anyone dangerous that way, see?"
Azula hummed, appeased by Sokka's suggestion right away. Even so, a rather odd part of her was apprehensive of that notion…
"It's dangerous," Azula said. Sokka raised an eyebrow. "I mean… she's very small. Appa will fly very high, and…"
"You're worried that she could fall off the saddle?" Sokka smiled.
"It can happen! You remember what Yuudai was like, sneaking all over the place back when he was still just crawling…" Azula said. Sokka chuckled. "Sokka…"
"I just love seeing what a protective mother you are. Goes to show you've proven yourself so wrong about thinking you'd be no good at it," he smiled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders: despite herself, Azula's cheeks flushed under his words. "She'll be okay. If you're worried, then maybe people she's used to can go on Appa, too. Rei, Song…?"
"Could we?" Song asked, glancing at Katara, who smiled and shrugged. Aang offered her a thumbs up right away.
"Sure thing! Appa can handle about five of us without issue," he said, though he corrected himself quickly, glancing at Azula. "Well… six of us. Though Hotaru is so small that she mustn't weigh much anyway."
"She wouldn't, no," Azula said, sighing and glancing at her older daughter anew. "Do you think you can hold onto Hotaru, then? Watch the Agni Kai from above?"
"It wouldn't be a problem," Rei smiled. "I'd be honored to!"
Azula smiled at Rei's enthusiasm: with that matter settled, though, the eager guards readied themselves to take off, along with their other Fire Nation associate.
"Well, for Appa's comfort… guess I'll just join you guys!" Kino smiled at the guards: Taro patted him on the back and nodded.
"You'll be alright with that, Kino?" Aang asked. Kino grinned and shrugged.
"I'd rather not risk Hotaru hating me as much as Mari does, heh. If she did, well, you'd have a very uncomfortable flight! It's safer if I just go with these guys, right? And I'll take Momo with me!"
"Well, if you're sure…" Aang smiled: the lemur already rode on Kino's shoulder, eagerly devouring any scraps the former soldier offered him.
"Alright then… we shall see all of you there!" Fei Li grinned. "Rui Shi, keep them on task and make sure they arrive on time…!"
"I shall, Captain, I shall…" Rui Shi said, playfully. Fei Li snickered at his response before bowing towards Azula.
"Good luck today, Princess. We'll be rooting for you!" he said. Azula smiled, nodding in their direction.
"Whatever the outcome may be, I hope not to disappoint you."
"We know you won't," Fei Li smiled: the others offered her just as much support, stepping out of the kitchen one by one.
Azula breathed out heavily before taking her seat, once the last of their group was gone. Sokka joined her by the table and they enjoyed yet another of Song's hefty breakfasts with delight… even if this time, Azula appeared not to have as much of an appetite as she usually did. Sokka stretched a hand over the table, caressing hers gently, once she spent over a minute without taking a bite. She offered him a nervous smile, and he reassured her silently, squeezing her fingers gently.
"We could give you a lift too, I think… might make matters easier," Aang reasoned. "That way, Rui Shi can make sure you won't be late!"
"Fei Li was joking around with that, but I appreciate your helpfulness regardless, Avatar," Rui Shi smiled. "It would be the fastest way to get there, Princess…"
"I know, I know. I just… don't know if I want to be that fast," Azula smiled sadly. "This is a really strange feeling. An Agni Kai… I've never actually fought one before."
"But you've been in other kinds of fights many times anyway, right?" Katara asked. "Is this that different?"
"Kind of," Azula said, frowning. "It is my brother, and… well, it's as good as a scheduled fight. This is not my area of expertise, it's his."
She pointed at Sokka, who smiled fondly and shook his head.
"You were the expert at setting up those scheduled fights. You have plenty of second-hand experience at it…"
"I suppose you could say so," Azula breathed deeply. "Well, then. It'll turn out as it has to, that's all there is to…"
The Princess fell silent suddenly, frowning upon sensing something familiar in her mind: a warm presence enveloped her, one she understood deeply well…
Sokka jolted upright upon hearing a familiar sound. One he often waited for, when he had lived in this very same house…
He met Azula's eyes, finding the same recognition in hers.
"Or… maybe you won't need Appa to take you?" Sokka smiled. Azula's lips curled too before she turned towards Rei, holding Hotaru out to her.
"Can you please…?" she said: Rei didn't need to be asked twice, already wrapping her arms around the baby.
"What is…?" Rei asked: Azula jumped out of her chair, rushing out of the kitchen without looking back. Sokka smiled.
"Xin's back."
Azula raced out of the living room, making her way through the house's backdoor, a relieved, tearful smile upon her face: she was greeted by a welcome, familiar groan, as well as the graceful figure of her dark dragon.
Appa, too, groaned in acknowledgement of Xin Long. The dragon huffed and nodded in his direction, offering him a respectful bow of his head before trotting towards Azula: her arms looped around his neck as she hugged him tightly, and he followed her example by wrapping his body around her quickly.
"Xin…!" she gasped, smiling in relief. The dragon chuckled deviously, prodding her brow with his nose. "I… I thought you'd be on your way to the Earth Kingdom, once you felt better. I didn't think…"
Of course she didn't, because she never seemed to give him the credit he was due. Xin Long shook his head reproachfully, and Azula hugged him tighter still.
"Alright, alright, I… I'm sorry. I'm a mess, Xin, I just…" Auzla said, with a sad smile. "I would have understood, if you had gone to them by now."
Well, he still might do that eventually… but as far as he could tell, Azula needed him still. He could travel later… perhaps they could go together, even. For now, he was here for her, and he would gladly carry her to the new challenge she had to face.
Azula pulled back, cupping his face with a hand. Xin's golden eyes gleamed with intent and determination, and Azula sighed at his expectant expression.
"You're sure of that?" she asked. "Xin, you… you really don't owe me anything after all you suffered. If you'd rather stay put someplace and rest, I'll understand…"
Well, he certainly could do that after he carried her to her fight, couldn't he? Besides, he felt much better already, and any excuses to fly were welcome. Perhaps he no longer had his saddle, and maybe that was something Azula didn't find comfortable…
"Oh. I… didn't think of that," Azula frowned, placing a hand over his chest, where the saddle was typically fastened.
But she could still ride on his back easily without it: she had done it before, recently at that! Azula smiled and shrugged.
"Well… sure. But, uh, it wouldn't be me alone, I suspect…"
Xin Long snorted, glancing towards the house's backdoor: the Gladiator stood there, smiling kindly over them, much as the others did, too, lurking behind him. Many eyes glistened with curiosity, namely those of the people who knew Xin Long the least. Xin Long groaned a greeting at them, and Sokka chuckled before waving at him.
"Good to see you too, Xin!" he said. Azula smiled at him, stroking Xin's hair one more time before raising her voice towards Sokka.
"He seems to be ready to bring us both to the Agni Kai… If you'd ride with us, that is," she said. Sokka grinned wildly.
"Always!" he announced. "Though… without a saddle, it's definitely better not to bring Hotaru too, huh?"
"For sure," Azula conceded, with a sad smile. "I would've liked to make sure her first flight was on Xin Long, but… maybe sometime later."
"She won't remember riding Appa anyway," Sokka grinned. "Are you all done eating, though? Because, if you are… we could get going already."
Azula's placid demeanor tensed up once she heard his suggestion. She swallowed hard, glancing at Xin Long… the dragon brushed his nose against her cheek, as though to reassure her that everything would work out for the best. The Princess breathed deeply… once, twice, and then she nodded with certainty. He smiled.
"Then… let's get going," he said.
"How about you? You don't need more food?" Azula asked. Sokka waved a hand dismissively at her.
"I'll find something else around the city if I get hungry," he reassured her.
"That might not be a possibility… but hopefully you'll be fine," Azula smiled at him. Sokka grinned as she raised a hand towards everyone else. "I suppose I'll see you all at the Coronation Temple and Plaza… Rui Shi, I assume you'll guide them?"
"Won't be a problem," he said, nodding. "We'll meet you there."
Azula nodded: Rei approached along with Sokka, allowing Azula to say a brief goodbye to Hotaru. The baby cheered upon being near Xin Long, who licked her cheek softly, startling her. Azula laughed at the tender exchange between them, taking a chance to hug both Rei and Hotaru once Xin Long relinquished her from his grip, focusing on Sokka instead.
"Buddy! Riding you without a saddle will be a little odd these days, but I'm glad I get to do it again," Sokka grinned, running his hand over his hair. Xin Long nodded, pressing his head into Sokka's chest. "Hey there… I missed you too, Xin. It's been way too long since we last flew together."
Xin Long groaned, smiling wistfully as Sokka caressed his scales affectionately. The sight of them appeased Azula, too: there were so many nostalgic things returning to her life, so many she treasured and had missed profoundly… one day, they might just become the norm anew. But Xin Long's freedom, and Sokka's return, would continue to delight her in the most blissful of ways for years to come.
"Good luck, Mom," Rei said. Azula pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll be rooting for you."
"I'm not sure you should be. Being a Fire Lord is no easy task," Azula said, rubbing Rei's back.
"I trust you," Rei grinned, pulling back. "If you need any help with it… well, you have all of us at your side, as you always have. So… do your best, Mom."
Azula smiled and nodded, turning her attention to Hotaru now. The baby whimpered, no doubt eager to reach for Xin Long anew. Azula chuckled, leaning close to kiss her brow.
"One day, dear, once we have a new saddle to ride on, I'll feel a lot more comfortable letting you ride with Xin, okay?" she said. "You'll do it so many times you'll eventually take it for granted, I'm sure…"
Xin Long huffed at her claim, and Azula smiled at him as she bid goodbye to her baby. Sokka followed, making goofy faces to amuse Hotaru – though she mainly appeared confused by his expressions. In the end, he chuckled and kissed the top of her head too.
"You're just as cute as your mother, Hotaru. That's not fair, you two will have me on a chokehold forever at this rate," he smiled. "Be good to your sister, alright?"
Rei's heart jolted upon hearing the word from Sokka, this time: he smiled at her, nodding respectfully in her direction, and she beamed before doing the same thing.
"I'll keep her safe. I promise."
"I know you will. Thanks, Rei," he smiled kindly.
With that, Xin Long offered his back to his riders. Azula smiled, running her hand down the line of hair that ran over Xin Long's spine, from head to tail. She slid her leg over his frame, settling right behind his front paws, and Sokka settled behind her shortly afterwards, arms looped around her waist.
"I've got to hold on this way this time, Azula. No getting mad at me as you did back in the day, right?" Sokka teased her. Azula snorted, eyeing him with disbelief over her shoulder.
"How dare you sit so close to me?" she hissed playfully. Sokka smirked, sliding closer still… though the movement made him wince. "Sokka?"
"Ouch. Got pinched by his scales," Sokka said, with an awkward grin. "No playing around, okay, I get it…"
"Damn, that's a shame," Azula laughed, grabbing his hands and ensuring he was fully locked in place around her.
Her own legs gripped Xin Long properly, and her hands fell upon the sides of his neck. Once she was ready, she let him know he could ascend: the dragon took off gracefully, pushing himself into the sky with a smooth, slow jump. Rei gazed at them in wonderment from the ground, her smile growing wider as she watched the magnificent creature rise gradually into the sky.
"Amazing…" she said, hugging Hotaru tightly to her chest: Azula smiled at her from over her shoulder, waving at Rei from the air as Xin Long made his way towards their destination.
Behind her, Appa groaned in greeting: Rei gasped and turned towards him, finding the rest of the group that would ride the bison appeared ready to go, too.
"I'll clean up the meal when we get back," Song said, with an awkward smile. "We'd better leave now, too."
"It's amazing, isn't it?" Katara smiled, walking hand in hand with Aang as she watched Xin Long fly into the sky. "How damn different he is already, and it's just been a few days…"
"We knew it was bound to happen," Aang chuckled: their words surprised Rei, who glanced at them with curiosity.
"Different?" she asked. "What do you mean?"
"Well… that goofball is my brother, but he certainly wasn't that much of a goofball while they were apart," Katara sighed, with a sad smile. "He was… not at his best, you could say. He sulked a lot, he hardly ever smiled, he didn't joke around nearly as much… he missed her. He wanted to see her again, and, well…"
"He became a bit intimidating. Or even terrifying," Aang admitted, with a guilty smile. "I know most people think he shouldn't be that scary, he's a non-bender, and I'm the Avatar! I should be scarier than him! But, uh… I don't think I am, heh."
"Well… Azula changed too," Song smiled, nodding. "She wasn't much better than what you've said about Sokka… though she was constantly guilt-ridden and miserable about it too. It's such a relief to see her like this again. I knew Sokka would do that for her, but it's a relief nonetheless."
"They've always said they're better together," Katara said, watching as the snaking dragon slipped past the clouds, out of sight. "Now we've seen for ourselves that they weren't kidding around with that, huh?"
"They really weren't," Song smiled.
"Alright then… time to go," Aang smiled, glancing at Rei. "I'll… give you a lift?"
"You… how?" Rei blinked blankly. Aang grinned.
"With airbending, of course!"
Rei's eyes widened: she gasped when she felt herself rise from the ground, for no apparent reason. The Avatar, before her, waved the air expertly, hoisting her and Hotaru, whom Rei hugged tightly, until they were sitting safe and soundly on the bison's saddle.
"W-woah," Rei blinked blankly, cheeks flushed. "T-that was… t-thank you!"
"You're most welcome!" Aang grinned, proceeding to help Katara next.
Rui Shi hoisted Song, and Rei helped her climb before they both gave Rui Shi a hand to get on the saddle as well. Aang leapt on Appa's neck, and he gave out his bison's usual flight command:
"Yip-yip!"
Further into the city, Azula sighed as the wind brushed against her skin. She relaxed against Sokka, as she often did during their trips with Xin Long, while Sokka's hands held her with no shortage of affection and care. He leaned closer, trailing gentle kisses upon her cheek, bringing Azula to smile fondly over the nostalgic moments they were reliving right now.
"I missed this," Sokka said.
"I did too. Maybe even Xin Long did," Azula smiled.
The dragon huffed in protest, prompting her to chuckle: he certainly had missed them, but not so much being the one carrying them whenever they wanted to do naughty things to each other. Truly, he was already prepared to block Azula's mind again the minute they had enough privacy to start with their non-stop mating…
"Would be nice if such a thing ever came to pass…" Azula said, with a careless grin.
"Such a thing being…?"
"Our non-stop mating, as Xin calls it," Azula explained. Sokka jolted up at once.
"Say what, now?" Sokka smiled, his chin on her shoulder. Azula laughed.
"And as we're walking down nostalgia lane, I think I'd do best to warn you not to get too excited at that idea. We won't have much of a chance to act on it anytime soon, just as it typically was for us, back in the day," she smirked at him.
"I know, I know," Sokka sighed. "But… maybe later?"
"Definitely later. This isn't a good time or place for it at all," Azula said, before raising her eyebrows. "I mean, it wouldn't be the first time you get too excited on a dragon's back, but still…"
"Heeey!" Sokka pouted: Azula, as ever, laughed as she let her head rest against his shoulder. "Goodness, you're really basking in reminding me of every silly thing you can remember, huh? My wonderful, wicked Princess…"
His hands threatened to tickle her, but he stopped from doing that for the sake of safety, enjoying the feel of her body under his strong hands instead. Azula, however, leaned back into him and raised her gaze towards him.
"It may be weird, frankly, to ask this now… clearly, I wasn't about to do it back then," she smiled. "It was fun to tease you about your random boners caused by dragon flight…"
"That's not why…"
"That's exactly what I wanted to ask, though," Azula laughed, glancing at him with amusement. "I didn't really let you explain… or maybe you never cared to, frankly. But… was it just random? Or…?"
"Azula, if you're around, I can assure you my body's going to react to it one way or another," Sokka smiled awkwardly. Azula snorted. "Random ones can happen, sure, but if you're nearby? You're the cause. Without a doubt."
"Flattering, I suppose," Azula laughed, smiling at him. "Then… was it because of how close we were? I only felt it because we were in full contact, after all…"
"That… wasn't really why, though that didn't hurt," Sokka smiled. "Truthfully… it happened because I was thinking back on how glorious you'd looked while you fended off his fire down in his cave, you know?"
"Ah…" Azula hummed, raising her eyebrows. Sokka chuckled.
"I was scared to death at first, but… you handled yourself so damn well in that cave. I was in awe, alright? So… yeah, it was your fault. Sorry if I disappoint, Xin, but…"
Xin Long huffed, shaking his head in feigned disappointment indeed. Azula laughed, leaning back against Sokka, who hugged her tighter still.
"I should not find stories about your accidental boners quite as sweet as I do, should I?" she said. Sokka chuckled, kissing her brow. "I don't know why I never asked, but… I guess I figured it'd be more fun to tease you about the effect that flying on a dragon had on you, huh?"
"You figured correctly, clever Princess," Sokka smiled. "But it was all on you. Not to say I don't love flying, though… I missed doing it with you two. I'm glad he was fit for it."
"Me too," Azula said, patting Xin Long's shoulder gently. He turned his head around, offering them a toothy grin. "You know you're free again… you can do whatever you like. That you've chosen to stay with us is no small thing, Xin. Thank you."
It was only right: they were family after all. He didn't feel as uncomfortable in the city anymore anyway, for between the two of them, they had destroyed the Palace and ensured not only to get rid of the place where they had been prisoners, but the corruption that had threatened them. Azula sighed and nodded, caressing the dragon fondly still. With that out of the way… Xin Long no longer felt as sickened as he had for over a year of imprisonment.
"It's never happening again," Azula vowed to him. "If Zuko beats me… I'll be chiding him to no end until he passes a law to protect you and your kind, alright? And we'll make sure that anyone who dares do anything to harm dragons will face the harshest punishment possible. Never again, Xin Long. No matter what."
He smiled proudly at her, and Azula stroked his hair affectionately: time certainly hadn't gone by in vain. Their first flight, so long ago, had resembled this one… but where she had fought brigands who stirred trouble and chaos in the Fire Nation back then, now her dragon delivered her to the fateful battle where the next Fire Lord would be chosen.
Back in those days, when their partnership was barely beginning, Azula had also made promises to her dragon: she had felt his pain over believing himself the last of his kind, and she had helped him search for others like him across the years since they bonded. Just as they had succeeded at tracking down the last remaining cluster of dragons, they would protect them in the coming years. Much as Xin Long had believed in her first vow, and stood by her until she had fulfilled it, he believed in her now.
That his faith would not waver after everything he had witnessed, after everything he had endured, filled Azula's heart with grateful wonderment. She didn't feel worthy of his kindness, no more than she felt worthy of Sokka's… but she certainly had lucked out with the two of them. After facing so much cruelty recently, it seemed she was currently experiencing the entirely opposite end of that spectrum… and while healing from the horrors they had lived across the last year would take time, it had seemed an impossible feat before. Now, comforted in her lover's arms, with her dragon's warm presence in her heart and mind, Azula truly could look forward to a brighter future.
But as relaxing as she found that notion, the Princess's tension was certain to rise once Sokka tightened his grip with urgency around her.
"Is that… where we're going?"
He raised a hand, pointing in the direction of the Coronation Temple and Plaza: it was a location Sokka hadn't visited so far, as it seldom saw use besides for its stated purpose. Today, it was where the Agni Kai to determine the fate of the Fire Nation would take place, if simply because the Agni Kai chamber within the Palace had been destroyed… the Grand Royal Dome, too, was nothing but a charred ruin by now. The acknowledged locations for proper, lawful duels had been obliterated, leaving them with no other choice than to do it in a large, open space, where grand ceremonies were supposed to be held…
But when Azula glanced towards it, she wound up just as shocked as Sokka was.
A sea of people crowded the location. It was as thick a multitude as the ones that gathered during the festivals, when the parade marched across the city…
Azula's relief and calm demeanor certainly faded quickly at that sight. She tightened her grip upon Sokka's hand, finding an anchor in him, no matter how unsettled he might be.
"That's… that's the place," Azula confirmed. Sokka's jaw dropped.
"Did word spread all over the Fire Nation?" he asked. "That's a lot of people, Azula…"
"Maybe those from the nearest towns and villages have come," Azula said, her voice small. Sokka glanced at her, wary at her unusual tone. "I suppose, anyway. I figured we might have a crowd, most Agni Kais do, but… I didn't imagine anything like this."
"Well… guess the similarities with gladiator fights only continue to pile on, huh?" Sokka said, nudging her gently. "You did always complain that you wanted to be the one in the fighting pit instead… guess now it's my turn to fully relate to that, huh?"
"Switching roles for one day, are we?" Azula said, smiling at him. "Though I fear Zuko doesn't have a sponsor for you to contend with."
"Eh, he has Jeong Jeong. Not the one he'd choose, no doubt, but he's probably the person who's most hellbent on Zuko's victory today," Sokka said. Azula sighed.
"Is it wrong for me to be slightly more motivated to win simply so that old bastard won't have his way?"
"Honestly… no."
Azula smiled, and Sokka's grip around her tightened.
"How do we go about…?" Azula started: she didn't finish the question before a rumor of voices rose towards them.
The Princess tensed up: they were quite high still, but even from this distance, she could tell that the crowd was reacting to their presence. Sokka breathed out slowly.
"And now I wonder if I should be here after all…"
"We've agreed to face this side by side. To stand together against anything," Azula said: he squeezed her hand gently for it. "We're about to find out just what that means now, I suppose."
"They might just react badly, is all," Sokka said, frowning.
"You're the Gladiator. At this stage, you're more intimidating than I am," Azula said. Sokka snorted. "You are…"
"Not likely…"
Azula smiled at his refusal: her eyes raked the plaza to find sages already hard at work, attempting to clear the area for its intended use. Up by the steps where coronations were usually held stood a handful of people… Zuko among them.
"I guess… we'll aim for landing over there," Azula said, jerking her head in that direction. Sokka nodded. "Off we go, Xin…"
The dragon floated cautiously, almost paranoid of any harm, just as much as his riders were. Xin Long deliberately flew by the crowd's outskirts, without exposing his lower body to any potential attacks, and he aimed to land on the temple's area from one side: the military leaders of both factions made room for his arrival. Xin Long glared at them suspiciously, distrusting Fire Nation and White Lotus alike, daunting them effectively with his tense demeanor.
Zuko nodded at Azula upon meeting her eyes. With him stood Mai, Ruon Jian, Yuudai, Toph and Jet, all of whom had accompanied him to the Coronation Temple earlier. Beyond them, the Head Sage, Jeong Jeong, Anorak and other members of the White Lotus appeared content to keep their distance from the wary Xin Long.
"Should've told me you'd make a big entrance. I would've tried to figure something out too," Zuko teased her. Azula smiled, shaking her head.
"I didn't know I'd be doing that at all. Xin wanted to bring me, though," she said, patting her dragon's neck kindly. "I also didn't think I'd be late…"
"You're not," Mai said, simply. "People are simply… eager, from the looks of it."
Azula breathed deeply, glancing across the field of commoners and nobles alike, awaiting the outcome of a battle yet to be fought. The last one, perhaps, of the Hundred Year War… or the first, perhaps, of the new era of peace.
Sokka dismounted first: he seemed even more tense and uncertain than Azula already felt. He ensured to climb in such a way as to keep Xin Long between himself and the crowd, unsure if that would prevent an adverse reaction from the Fire Nation people to his presence… but even so, he aided Azula in dismounting too, offering his hand as she swung her leg off Xin Long's scaly back.
"You alright?" Sokka asked. Azula breathed deeply and nodded.
"You?"
Sokka swallowed hard: he didn't seem to know how to answer the question. Azula sighed, squeezing his hand gently.
"It'll be over soon. I hope," she said. Sokka nodded.
The Princess turned towards the others, stepping up to her rival, as well as to the men who had organized this Agni Kai: the Head Sage bowed his head towards her, while Jeong Jeong, as expected, kept his distance. Anorak nodded respectfully, and she returned the gesture.
"Welcome. Well… we shall take some time to clear the area for the Agni Kai to take place. Our turnout has been quite impressive, as you can see," the Head Sage explained, with an awkward smile. "There are rooms within the temple where you may wait for now, if you wish, and we shall call you when everything's ready. If not… then feel free to stay out here. As your brother intends to."
Zuko nodded, arms folded across his chest. He looked anxious, but not so much as to break his current mask of serenity and focus. Surely, he expected Azula to head inside… surely, he wanted to retain his center, and it'd be easiest to do so if he were out here, where his loneliness would not be as apparent as in a silent, private room. It was, of course, a problem Azula wouldn't face… for her, the very notion of having to stand by before a fight felt terribly familiar.
"We have waiting rooms and everything," Azula smiled, shaking her head. "This is truly nostalgic. I suppose, if just for that reason, I'll take you up on that offer."
The Head Sage smiled, gesturing towards the building beside them. Toph, naturally, stepped up to her and elbowed Azula lightly before she left.
"Guess it's time to put your old routines into practice, huh?" she teased her. Azula smiled, shaking her head.
"Don't need to put it that way, do you?" she said, prodding Toph's brow with her fingertips. "Should I ask who you're rooting for?"
"You shouldn't. It'll discourage Zuko too much," Toph said, bluntly. Azula snorted, shaking her head. "Hey! Once you're done fighting him, we can have our rematch! I've gotten stronger since we faced each other, you know…"
"No doubt. I don't think I have it in me to take two fights in one day right now, though," Azula said, shaking her head. "Give me some time."
"No fair," Toph pouted. "You should fight me instead of him, then, if you only have strength for one…"
"Silly Dirt Worm," Azula said. Toph grinned guiltily at her.
"Well… good luck, Spicy Princess," she teased her. "Spicy Lord doesn't have the same ring to it, true… but maybe I'll get used to it if you win."
"Maybe you'll abruptly stop using nicknames just to mess with me in a wholly different way, if I win," Azula suggested. Toph snorted.
"I'll see what sounds like the most fun, when it comes to it," she said: she raised a fist, and Azula wrapped her hand around it. "Do your best out there, okay?"
Azula nodded, wrapping an arm around Toph quickly. The earthbender pulled back, smiling reassuringly as Mai stepped up next.
"Unlike Toph, I'm not rooting for anyone," she announced. Azula snorted.
"Not possible. After all I've put you through, I'm sure you can't wait for Zuko to win," she said. Mai smiled, but the enigmatic expression across her features didn't either confirm or deny Azula's claim. "Mai, now, truly? Am I suddenly on the same level as Zuko in your priorities? That's… hard to fathom, really."
"Do you think our friendship means that little to me?" Mai asked. Azula smiled.
"I think it doesn't. But I also think you're not likely to admit that out loud, so…"
"I'm not. Hence, I'm settling for saying it's all the same to me, whether you win or lose. I'll be ready to ridicule every dumb choice you make, no matter if your crown has three pointy ends or five."
"That's… reassuring, actually," Azula smiled, clasping Mai's hand gently. Her friend smiled. "Well… doubt that I need to say it, but I promise I have no interest in causing Zuko any permanent damage. If that helps."
"It does. I'll make sure he feels the same way about you now," Mai said. Azula chuckled and nodded.
Yuudai watched her intently, too, as did Ruon Jian: the father waved at her, a gentle smile upon his face, while Yuudai swallowed hard.
"Is… i-is Rei…?" he asked. Azula nodded.
"She'll be here," she said. Yuudai smiled brightly.
"Good, uh… good luck," he said: he didn't really seem to understand the situation much, far too young to make sense out of it, but his sentiment still reached Azula. She smiled graciously at him and nodded.
"Thank you, Yuudai."
With that, Azula breathed deeply and glanced at the building behind her: she could remember her last time in its premises still, back when her father had been crowned. Her wedding to Zhao might have taken place there, too, if Ozai hadn't been too paranoid to make it happen in an open location… never had she thought that she would be fighting an Agni Kai here, but she truly hoped to be ready for it.
She glanced at Sokka, finding him ready to head inside with her: she smiled, reaching out to clasp his hand before leading the way into the building.
"This is a new place for me…" Sokka reasoned.
"Almost is for me too. It's seldom used," Azula explained, as they crossed the doors and entered the building: columns of dark onyx, with golden adornments at the bottom and top, led the way through a corridor of white and red marble.
The noise outside, so apparent before, dwindled as they marched inside the temple: its grandeur evoked that of the destroyed Palace, of the main Temple of the Capital, too… but there was something simpler in it, as they crossed a few curtains with the Fire Nation's emblem, that Azula could only appreciate about it.
"It's not as obnoxious as you might expect, as grand as it might be anyhow," Azula said, glancing over at him with uncertainty. "The last and only time I was here… it was my father's coronation. Quite a different occasion, even if it sounds like it shouldn't be… my grandfather was burned ritually, and even before the flames were gone, my father was crowned."
"He didn't even bother changing out of his funerary attire?" Sokka asked. "Thought he'd be too vain to be crowned like that."
"I suppose he could have waited, but… whatever the circumstances of his ascent to power, there may have been reasons why he was impatient about taking the crown at once," Azula reasoned. "Maybe he feared Iroh's return… we had been told he was coming home, we had no idea that he'd take a detour for a long time on that quest of his to find Lu Ten's soul. But maybe it was something else… and maybe I'll never know what it was."
"We might yet figure it out," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow as he brushed the curtains of another room open. "This one looks okay… want to wait here?"
Azula stepped forward, agreeing with his choice at once. Her fingers intertwined with his, and he let the curtain drop behind them once they were in the bright room, lit up by the morning sky's light as it drifted through large windows.
"I'm just thinking… your mother knows what went down, more that night than anyone else," Sokka said. Azula hummed, tensing up at the mention of Ursa. "So… whenever you're ready, I'd say, we could ask her about it. Figure it out… if you really want to know."
"As usual, whenever it comes to her, I… have to say I'll think about it. A lot," Azula said, with a sad smile. "It doesn't make a lot of sense that taking the Throne would intimidate me less than facing my own mother, but…"
"It's okay," Sokka said, stepping close, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Like I've said before… you can take your time to decide when and how you'll handle Ursa. If you're not ready yet, that's fine."
"Maybe, but… a part of me wonders if she would've wanted to be here now," Azula said. Sokka raised his eyebrows.
"To… watch her kids fight over the throne that, I suppose, she thinks destroyed your family?"
"Well, when you put it that way…" Azula said, eyes wide. Sokka chuckled. "Though… maybe she would have wanted to see it, if just to realize that… well, she didn't fail quite as badly as she might have thought. Among the very last things she ever said to me, as she scolded me for being a brat, well… she told me that family was the most important thing. She wanted me to look after Zuko, I guess… I doubt I can say I succeeded at that. But I'm not nearly as hellbent on beating him up these days, as I was when I was a child, so… maybe she'd take some joy in that."
"I'd hope so," Sokka smiled sadly. "I don't know if I should speak for her, I never really think I ought to do that, but… I will say, I don't think she'll take any issue with whoever becomes Fire Lord, between the two of you. She… she'd be proud. She'd trust you to change the Fire Nation for the better."
"Well… that's such a terrifying notion that I'm not entirely sure I want to test it," Azula laughed, shaking her head and making her way to one of the windows. Sokka followed, hand still linked with hers. "I don't know what I'd do… don't know how it'd feel, knowing for certain that she's proud of me. It was one thing with my father, it was easy, even, but… it always felt like I'd failed my mother's every expectation."
"Boggles the mind," Sokka sighed, shaking his head. "Someone who's spent her entire life doing the exact opposite thing, succeeding where everyone else fails…"
"Maybe she's the reason why I've always been like that," Azula said. "Maybe… I've been so desperate to prove myself to her that I became a mindless overachiever in the hopes that at some point or another, she… she truly couldn't find a way to be disappointed in me. And even so… I always figured that I could never truly prove myself to her anyway."
Sokka sighed, wrapping his arms around her. Azula groaned, burying her face in his chest as he guided her to a cluster of cushions. She as good as crumbled against his firm hold, sitting on his lap as he rubbed her back reassuringly.
"It was easier to be self-deprecating about all this before you knew her," Azula whispered. "Now… it feels like I'm being unfair and putting you in an awkward spot, aren't I? You know that most my insecurities aren't nearly as accurate as they feel to me. And I believe in you, I do, Sokka, but…"
"If there's one thing I've certainly learned across all this time, it's that your feelings about your parents are yours to decide," Sokka said. Azula raised an eyebrow, glancing at him with uncertainty. "As you know, there are countless things I'd never forgive your father for…"
"I wouldn't, either. I didn't," Azula said.
"Didn't stop you from loving him, though," Sokka finished. Azula lowered her gaze. "Just so… I can't really do anything about how you may feel about your mother, Azula. But, if anything… I'd advise that you don't think about that quite so much right now. You have a big fight to deal with, don't you? You always said you wanted me at my finest, both physically and mentally, before any fight…"
"Evidently, but… I'm not sure I can be fine, mentally speaking," Azula smiled carelessly, letting her head rest on his shoulder. "As you must remember, an old fortuneteller once told me…"
"Oh, not again," Sokka groaned. Azula laughed, burying her face in his neck. "Curses, if her every prophecy has come true, I… I'll just say she got lucky about it! She, uh, predisposed you to make choices that fulfilled her predictions, if anything!"
"Sure she did," Azula said, patting his chest affectionately. "But… she never did tell me how this would turn out, you know? Didn't predict an Agni Kai between myself and my brother… didn't say if I'd ever wind up ruling my nation."
"See? She was a scam after all," Sokka said, smugly. Azula chuckled, kissing his cheek.
"Well, as opposed to her… you're honest and blunt about everything, aren't you?" Azula asked. Sokka raised his eyebrows. "I can trust your judgment, as questionable as you might be in terms of loving a mess like me…"
"That's not questionable about me at all, woman. Seriously…" Sokka huffed. Azula smiled, fingers rising to caress his cheek.
"What would you say… is going to happen out there today?" she asked. "What outcome are you bracing yourself for, Sokka?"
He fell silent at her question. She eyed him expectantly, and his grip around her waist tightened.
"Don't… don't use me as a fortuneteller," Sokka said, with a nervous smile. Azula laughed softly. "I've never thought I can see the future. I never tried because it sounded stupid to begin with, but…"
"Don't think about it from a spiritual point of view," Azula teased him. "Try the tactician's point of view instead. You are, after all, a master strategist …"
"I wouldn't call myself that…" Sokka smiled.
"If you're not one, nobody is," Azula said, simply. He laughed, shaking his head.
"Curses, Azula…" he said, kissing the top of his head. "From a tactician's point of view… well, both you and Zuko are recovering from wounds, we know that. He's recovered plenty, but he still has some weaknesses that you could exploit. Much like he could exploit yours… say, is your throat alright?"
"It's… not as good as I'd like it to be. I might be lucky to cough it out before they call me in for the fight," Azula said, raising her hand towards her throat. Sokka huffed.
"Well, if you clear it up before the fight, you ought to be alright for the next few hours, hopefully," he decided, nodding. "Your shoulder's wound seems to have healed as well as it could… you say it only causes you occasional pain, so that's good. Now, then… Zuko can do lightning now. You can, too. I don't know if either of you will try, though? You… you didn't, when you fought against me."
"Wasn't going to have the chance to charge an attack, and I didn't want to anyway," Azula admitted. Sokka hummed.
"You used no gold fire back then either, but… you could use it this time. You could block his fire with condensed gold," Sokka suggested. Azula nodded.
"I figured as much."
"With the blue, you'll be able to stay on the offensive as much as you want to," Sokka reasoned. "All in all… I think you have more options than he does. And it doesn't hurt to be the crowd's favorite…"
"Am I?" Azula asked, with a slight frown. Sokka smiled.
"How are you so oblivious to the effect you have on other people?" he asked, brushing her hair gently with his fingers. Azula huffed. "Seriously, girl. The way they reacted when you turned up…"
"I… I know I spent ages building up this connection between myself and my people, yes," Azula said, uneasy. "It's something Zuko didn't have a chance to do. But I did it because… because they took for granted that he'd be the next Fire Lord. He was the expected heir. I went the extra mile to gain their approval and support, and I always… always figured I couldn't have had absolute success at it. I made enemies, too…"
"No doubt those will root for your brother, but… I don't think you made nearly as many enemies as you made allies," Sokka smiled. "I know this is hard to swallow, hell knows it always is, but… as opposed to me, the most feared and hated man in this world?"
"Oh, please, you couldn't possibly be…"
"You're very much the most beloved woman in this nation," Sokka said, taking her hand in his. "So… all in all? I'd say… I'd say victory is very well within your grasp."
Azula tensed up. Sokka's earnest eyes spoke for themselves as he brushed her hair gently anew.
"I'll stand by you no matter what the outcome may be. We both know that, well… a long vacation would be very welcome after the things we've been through. Ten years, give or take? That ought to work," Sokka smiled carelessly. Azula snorted. "So, if Zuko takes us off guard and actually beats you? I'll be happy enough with that outcome too. Don't win for me, if that's what you think I'm asking you to do…"
"As far as our relationship and family are concerned, I think we'd be better off away from any throne or crown," Azula said, eyes wide. Sokka chuckled and nodded.
"But we both know… you have it in you to achieve the unthinkable. The impossible," Sokka said. Azula's throat thickened with tears, hand rising to his nape.
"If I do… it's only because you taught me how," she whispered. He laughed, shaking his head.
"No way. I learned it from you first…"
"Then you perfected it, and now I'd be imitating you…"
"Which, then, continues to prove we're a perfect team, doesn't it?"
Azula smiled warmly at him. Sokka offered her a confident, reassuring smile before claiming her lips with his own.
"You can do this, love. The world that's to come will be better… and we could shape it ourselves, if you wish to," he said, brow pressed to hers. "Even if you don't win… we could still find our ways to shape it indeed. We already proved it, didn't we? We can have an impact whether we have the most power or not, so…"
"You clearly can build power yourself," Azula smiled. "Gladiator General… crafting armies all on your own, bringing rebels and soldiers to heel under your daunting boot? If I lose, I'll most likely just sit back and enjoy the sight of your authoritarian self, as you command all those who would follow you to hell and back…"
"Hey, now! That's…! I don't even know if the Gladiator Army is going to stick together after this, and… I'm the one who wants to do that with you! You get to lead, I get to watch…!"
"Nuh-uh…"
"Azula!"
That the lead-up to an Agni Kai would not be a matter of meditation and stern focus, but of laughter and teasing, with no end of tender kisses, would surely outrage any Fire Lord from the past two hundred years. But that, indeed, was the very point of what they were doing: breaking the toxic cycles of the Fire Nation would be no easy feat, and defying tradition was but a way to start doing so. Violence, cruelty, bloodlust would finally fade away as a new kind of fire bloomed in the Fire Nation… a fire as tender, warm and gentle as the one that burned inside Azula's heart as Sokka hugged her tightly.
"I love you," Azula whispered, arms locked around his neck. His grip tightened slightly, his lips finding her temples now.
"I love you too," he responded. "And I always will. No matter what comes next."
The words were as good as an omen that fulfilled itself moments later: footsteps echoed down the corridor, and Azula pulled back from Sokka unwillingly. She met his gaze with uncertainty, but Sokka smiled with just as much affection and confidence as before.
"My beautiful sunrise," he said. "I… I don't really know if I'll be strong enough to share you with the world as much as I may need to, if you win. But… you were my guiding light, and you brought me this far. Now… now you can be theirs. Guide them… and show them the true path forward. Show them the way to a world of balance and harmony… to the peace that's finally ours for the taking."
Azula's throat thickened with tears: she cupped his face, pressing her brow to his, when a throat cleared by the room's threshold.
"Princess… it's time."
Azula swallowed hard and nodded. Sokka smiled reassuringly, and it was by his strength that they rose to their feet. For a moment, Azula hid away from everything in his chest, as though seeking salvation. It seemed that the world rested on her shoulders… but Sokka was there to hold her upright. To take part of the load, should she need him to do so. He was her partner in every sense that had ever counted… regardless of what happened today, that would continue to be the case, going forward. No one would ever question their bond again… for whether she rose to the role of Fire Lord, or whether they relocated permanently to the South Pole, their lives were as entwined as their chi was, just as they were always meant to be.
Azula released a trembling breath, pulling back. Sokka dabbed at the tears in the corners of her eyes with his thumbs, and Azula smiled gratefully for it before turning to face the Head Sage. The old man, as uncomfortable as he might upon about interfering with their intimacy, smiled at her too.
"Alright… alright," Azula said, nodding.
Her hand gripped Sokka's firmly again: they treaded across the corridors anew, stepping with a strong, even stride. Her legs felt weak, Azula realized… she had never been nervous in this way before. It felt as though her every challenge, every choice, had led to this… as though her every lesson had taught her the right way forward across this upcoming challenge.
The temple's front doors awaited them down the corridor. Azula sighed, stopping abruptly, prompting Sokka to do the same. The Head Sage turned, confused by their pause, but Azula nodded in his direction.
"Go on. I… I just need to do one final thing. I'll be there shortly," she said.
"Ah. Very well, then," the Head Sage said, with a knowing smile.
His footsteps echoed down the hall, but Azula turned towards Sokka even before they faded. She offered him a weak grin, and Sokka raised an eyebrow.
"Is it just my idea, or… is this, now, a stand-by room of a sort?" he asked. Azula smiled awkwardly. "I take it… this is where I say inspiring things to you, reassuring ones, and kiss you good luck?"
"Well, it can also be a place where you argue with me over nonsense and then I could go out there in a terrible mood…"
"I don't think so," Sokka smirked. Azula chuckled.
"I just… I really just wanted one last moment of this. Of us," she said. "I know everything's changed anyway, but… whatever happens now, they'll change even more still. It's… it's the end of our run, in a sense, as Princess and Gladiator. If… if I lose, then I won't be much of a Princess anymore. And if I win…"
"Say that all you want… I already told you I'm not relinquishing that title anytime soon," Sokka smiled, cupping her face. Azula smiled warmly at him. "Maybe it is our last Gladiator fight, huh? At least… the last one we can envision so far. The most important one, maybe…"
"I don't know about that, but… whatever the case may be, after this, you and I…"
"We'll get married, officially, by both our nations' standards," Sokka said, firmly. Azula nodded. "And if anyone protests, well… Space Sword saw plenty of use as it is. What's some more?"
"Heh," Azula smiled awkwardly. Sokka chuckled.
"I know it's scary, alright? But… I can't wait to see what's coming next," he said. "So… go out there, and know that I'll stand beside you across every move you make. I'll be cheering you on, and I'll be ready to take you into my arms as soon as it's done, okay? So… don't worry one bit about that. Win, lose… you're my Princess, and nothing's going to change that. I'll be right there, watching over you… and you'll never fight alone again, Azula."
She nodded, leaning in to take a passionate kiss from his lips. Sokka held her closely: it might very well be their final kisses before their lives changed massively… but they tasted of a new beginning, instead. He smiled, and he felt her doing the same thing.
"The universe knows… that it blessed me beyond any reason when it brought you into my path," Azula said, softly. Sokka raised his eyebrows. "You've changed my world, my life, Sokka. You fought for me in every way you could… you've conquered every battlefield you've faced for my sake. Today… it's my turn to do it for you. I won't do it in vain. I… I will do everything in my power, Sokka… I will prove worthy of what you've done for me."
"You mean… you'll do it again? Because, heh, as far as I'm concerned, you've proven yourself worthy of everything a million times over already," Sokka chuckled. Azula smiled warmly, a tear escaping her eyes.
"I love you. Thank you… thank you for saying yes, all those years ago. Thank you for being my Gladiator."
Sokka's heart ached with overflowing affection as she moved in for a second kiss: he returned it gratefully, leaning forward, holding her waist carefully. No words needed to be spoken when he had no response to her last… for his choked-up throat would not give him enough room to speak anymore. His mind was rather jumbled up, anyway, with nothing but warm affection and gratitude for Azula, right back…
The unfortunate interruption of their tender exchange, however, saw Azula pulling back anew, turning away from him to cough. Sokka pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket quickly, offering it to her: the smudge of black that remained once she returned to standing upright was much smaller than the last one.
"Well… I think that's a wakeup call," Azula said, with a sad smile. Sokka nodded.
"Let's… let's go. They're waiting."
He took the handkerchief from her, tucking it into his pocket again and guiding Azula anew. Their hands remained linked as they walked into the light, out of the temple… and into the plaza that would witness the fateful battle between Prince and Princess, on their quest to determine who of the two would be tasked with rebuilding their father's throne… as well as the nation their ancestors had spent years priming for its own destruction.
The new dawn of the Fire Nation would bloom from the blazes of the two siblings whose golden eyes met once Azula emerged from the temple…
It was the final day of their childhood rivalry. The last time they would challenge each other… all be it so that, together, they would see to the end of the cycle of cruelty and violence in the Fire Nation's Royal Family.