A/N: Here's a big one! I'm sick as hell rn and I could use the comment dopamine.
In much happier news than me being sick, something absolutely amazing happened: someone made fan art for my fic! I'm seriously blown away; I never expected to become a "people love my writing so much, they draw fan art" author, but it happened and even a week later, I'm still over the moon and can't believe it!
Huge shout out to sev-rh on Tumblr! I'd love to link to the art, but FFN doesn't allow that.
"Today, it is my pleasure to announce that we are one step closer to ensuring a future of prosperity for our nation and our people."
It's Katara's first time seeing the war room and it's not what she expected. There is a simpler version of the Fire Lord's throne in the back, complete with the wall of fire, but instead of the giant pillars and dark corners of the throne room, it's smaller. There is a map on the floor, maps and other papers on the walls, and the generals and admirals sit on the floor, around the map, while Azula paces over it.
"I'm sure some of you have speculated, or might have heard things that puzzled you."
The evening before, after their return, Azula had taken Katara aside after dinner and announced her decision.
"It's time to settle this", Azula says. "Despite my best efforts at secrecy, this last incident proves that someone knows. I might as well make it official. It'll give me an opportunity to test their loyalty."
"How so?"
"Tomorrow, I'm going to gather the war council", Azula explains. "I'm going to announce my intent to negotiate. We'll need to carefully watch their reactions, and for that, I need your help."
From the centre of the room, Azula scrutinises the assembled officers. They're doing a good job keeping their faces blank, a neutral expression of servitude. But she can't watch them all at once.
"You will stand at the other end. Keep an eye on them. Anything suspicious, any sign of treachery, you'll need to remember."
Some of the officers seem a little uncomfortable with Katara behind their backs. They, for sure, must know who she really is, and Katara wonders if her presence doesn't undermine Azula's authority in front of them. But this is too important.
"For a hundred years after my great-grandfather began our mission of conquest, my people have enjoyed the fruits of their patriotic duty. We have developed new land in the east, our borders have grown, and my people's wealth has grown as a result."
Azula makes sure to let the words sink in.
"But since my father's rule, this is no longer the case. His failure to adapt to the changing situation, his inability to keep control of what was his, has caused many great losses for our nation. In his overestimation of his own power and abilities, he has underestimated our enemies. By preferring performative submission over ability, he appointed men who could bow deeper, but not lead well; men who are no longer with us today as a result of their incompetence."
Zhao. Chan. Shen. The caveat is necessary to placate the incompetent ones who are still here.
"When my father shamefully vanished after discgracing himself and our nation in his greatest failure, failing to harness my great-grandfather's comet to defeat a mere boy and dooming his plan for victory with him, he left us with the result of his ineptitude. For three years, all of us here have been grappling with that legacy, paying for my father's shortcomings."
She allows herself a well-calculated smile.
"But today, this all ends."
Behind the council, Katara carefully watches for a ny reaction.
"For too long, the sons and daughters of our nation have been dying for the mistakes of a dishonoured imbecile. Today, I refuse to make his vanity project my own. I reject the burden my father has bequeathed to me."
This is it. This is the moment.
"It is time to end this war, to defend what has become rightfully ours, to stop risking what we have by seeking even more. Over the past hundred years, we have gained more than any Fire Lord before could imagine. When the losses threaten to outweigh the gains, it is time to recognise the importance of doing what's right. To run headfirst into defeat would be foolish."
The silence is so heavy, the air so tense, Azula almost feels like she can smell lightning. The calm before the storm.
"Two weeks ago, I've sent an offer of peace to the leaders of our enemies. Should they reject it, I will not rest until I have punished every last one of them for the audacity to reject my kindness. But if they accept the wisdom in peace, the Fire Nation will enjoy an era of prosperity and security like never before. No longer will sons and daughters be buried by parents who knew they died for nothing."
She transfixes every one of them with her eyes, especially the ones she knows have family members fighting on the front, or have buried loved ones.
"I will bring the children of our nation home."
The ones she can control – Fukushu, Yujin, Shinu – are the first to break into applause. With a split second of hesitation, the rest joins in. Azula can see a few faces who are overcome with genuine gratitude, but most of them applaud dutifully, nothing more. Within seconds, she's identified several who will need to be dealt with later. Despite his decades of serving three Fire Lords, Shazi's control slips and she sees his face distort into anger for a heartbeat before it turns back into a mask of detachment. Kozai, too; a nearly imperceptible tightening of the lips, tensing of the jaw that tips Azula off. Sung actually seems relieved, by comparison.
After she's had her letter read out, omitting the reference to Avatar Roku for now, the atmosphere relaxes a little bit as the officers are reassured by its contents. She's not crawling to the Earth King begging for peace, she's graciously offering it to an enemy she could, and threatens to, otherwise destroy. She issues further orders, and once the council disbands, only Azula and Katara are left.
"So", Azula asks, barely concealed hunger in her voice, "what did you see?"
There's bound to have been more dissent she's missed, and she wants every last one of them behind bars before the end of the day. They compare observations and Katara does not disappoint.
"The skinny admiral in the back… beard, broken nose?" – "Kzito", Azula adds – "When you mentioned the letter, his hand twitched towards his dagger. Just a little bit—"
"Still too much", Azula snarls. "Anyone else?"
"To the right of the throne, middle of the row, the guy with the golden dragon on his uniform, he was grinding his teeth throughout your whole speech whenever you weren't looking."
"General Lu. Capital Brigade."
Thank Agni, Azula prays. If the Capital Brigade revolted… She shudders to imagine what could happen.
There's more. When they're done, Azula has a list of a dozen officers whose loyalty is in doubt. Before they leave, she summons Meiyo and instructs her to arrest all of them, search their homes and investigate their staff. They'll have the first confessions this time tomorrow. The captain salutes and hurries off.
"Thank you", Azula quietly says as she takes Katara's hand. "Without you, I wouldn't have caught half of them."
The words can't convey the full extent of her gratitude. She knows damn well that she's just barely avoided a coup – hopefully. The men and women they've identified are some of the most powerful military leaders her country has to offer. Together, their combined forces could easily have taken the capital, and she's not too sure how many of the others would have stood in their way, or how many would have passively waited for a new leader to emerge. Now though, she's sent a message. By tomorrow, the entire palace will know of the arrests of a dozen traitors.
Days pass. The new prisoners are quickly charged, tried, and sentenced. No evidence can be found against Admiral Kozai, but if she didn't hate Azula before, she certainly does after being interrogated for a week, and releasing her is too risky. Azula makes sure evidence is found to imprison her regardless. The security of her nation, her own security, is paramount.
The next days after the announcement, she sits in the throne room, Katara by her side, and goes through dozens of officers, handing out promotions to fill the vacant roles, replacing not just admirals and generals, but also their second-in-commands, their aides, their chiefs of staff if the slightest suspicion has been cast on them. The commanders and colonels in front of her, bright young men and women, are given to understand beyond a shadow of a doubt whom they owe their premature promotions to, and when they swear their loyalty to Azula, the new admirals and generals compete to outdo each other in their verbose worship of the Fire Lord.
At last, Azula summons the captain of her own ship.
"Captain Chao. Is my ship ready?"
The man bows. "Yes, Your Highness."
"Very good. You and your crew will depart immediately and sail to the Western Air Temple. There, you will wait to pick up a group of diplomats. You'll be flying a white flag, the Royal Flag, and the flags of the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes."
"Your Highness?"
"You heard me. I've ordered flags to be prepared by the tailors; you can pick them up before you depart."
"Yes, Highness."
"You are not to engage any enemies", Azula continues. "Notify the palace once the delegates are aboard. They are to be extended every diplomatic courtesy and treated as my personal guests."
"C-certainly, Highness."
"Very good. Off you go!" She waves dismissively.
"Are you sure you can trust him?", Katara asks once they're alone.
"Reasonably. He's served me for years, before I was Fire Lord, even."
A tiny smile tugs at Azula's mouth.
"Did I ever tell you? When I was first setting out to capture Zuzu and Uncle, he told me that we couldn't bring the ship into harbour because of the tides. I told him the tides did not command my ship, and that the tides had already made up their mind about killing him, while I was still undecided."
To Katara, the words sound even more ridiculous than they do to Azula's ears now.
"Needless to say, when we tried, the currents almost ran us aground and we had to wait out the tide, just like he said. It all seems a little bit… silly, I suppose, looking back."
It's a rare admission from her. But, she supposes, that means she's grown as a person, which is a sign of strength. That she's had to admit to a mistake in the process is negligible. The point is, she's stronger now. She's learned, and to learn is to know, to know is to have power.
Spirits. I sound like Uncle.
"This is it, then", she changes the subject. "The letter is sent, the ship is waiting, and the plan is out. All we can do now is wait."
Katara studies her face. "Any second thoughts?"
"Too many", Azula admits. "But, loathe as I am to say so, you're right. It is the best option." She sighs. "I just hope the other side shares your… noble ideals, or pacfisism, or whatever."
"Me too", Katara quietly says. She slips off her helmet and presses a quick kiss to Azula's cheek. "Don't worry. If Aang is alive, he'll talk them into it. He likes noble ideals and pacifism."
Once all the preparations are complete, they spar. A lot. It helps pass the time, takes Azula's mind off the uncertainty, keeps her occupied while she waits for a message she knows will not arrive for several weeks at least, if it does at all. Getting the crap beaten out of her by Katara helps Azula clear her head, and beating the crap out of Katara feels satisfying, if nothing else.
"I almost had you", Katara pants as they're walking back from the dojo.
"'Almost' isn't good enough", Azula shoots back. "Better luck next time."
"You bet."
"You wish."
"Your Majesty!"
Commander Peng runs up to them and kneels down in front of Azula.
"Commander. Rise." Azula furrows her brows. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no, not at all, Your Highness!" He gets back up. "I was hoping to express my gratitude, if Your Majesty would permit me."
Oh well. Whatever. She makes a vague gesture of permission.
"I would like to applaud your decision to seek peace", he continues. "My daughter died last year during the retreat from Azulon's Glory. To know that nobody else's daughter will have to die puts me at ease greatly." He bows. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"And to you, Commander."
My work is paying off, she congratulates herself as she turns and continues walking towards the palace. Mine and Katara's, she concedes. The idea to emphasise the Fire Nation's gains, to play the emotional card about dying offspring, had been Katara's, late at night after they'd been up writing the speech for hou—
"TRAITOR!"
Screaming before the fire blast hits Azula becomes Commander Peng's second to last mistake.
At once, Katara tackles Azula out of the way. They're both back on their feet within less than a second and the Commander finds himself fighting off two enemies instead of the surviving one he'd expected.
"You dishonour my daughter's memory", he snarls while wiping Katara's icicles out of the air with one hand and firing flames at Azula with the other. "She died for our nation, and now you will, too!"
He side-steps a wave and his fire kick forces Katara to jump back.
"To give up now is to spit on the graves of everyone who has sacrificed themselves for our victory! And her!" He punctuates his accusation with a giant flame towards Katara before returning his attention to Azula. "You call yourself the Fire Lord yet you consort with the enemy, when every last soldier in this nation would gladly give their life for you? These savages murder our brothers and sisters, and you allow her into your palace?"
Focusing too much on Azula during the last part of his tirade becomes Commander Peng's last mistake. Katara's wave sweeps him up into the air at the same time that Azula's lightning bolt hits him. Late, too late, palace guards, alerted by the noise, swarm into the garden. Busy hands drag the Commander's corpse away.
"No grave", Azula decrees. "Bury him wherever. Better yet, pour his ashes in the ocean. He doesn't deserve to rest in our soil."
The casual use of her element as punishment doesn't quite sit right with Katara.
"Find out if he has any other relatives", Azula dictates to the lieutenant on the scene. "His wife will be stripped of title and lands, of course. If he has any children, they're to be discharged dishonourably. Their children, present or future, will be barred from serving."
At that, Katara can't keep to herself any more. But she's barely gotten out a "don't you think that's a little—"
"Silence!" Azula growls. "Know your place!"
She finishes up with the lieutenant and stalks away, Katara (after a moment's hesitation) in tow. Once the doors close behind them, Katara is ready to throw down, but Azula beats her to it.
"I'm sorry", she says, tone and body language completely changed. "It was necessary. We were in public, remember. I have a reputation to uphold."
"Fine", Katara forces out. "But still, what have his wife and children done to you?"
Azula sighs and steels herself for the inevitable confrontation.
"Let's make one thing clear. Peace or no peace, this is still my nation. I am the Fire Lord, not you. I've taken your advice, sure, but I will run my nation like I see fit. Is that understood?"
Katara grinds her teeth. "Understood."
At that, Azula relaxes. "Good. Now, how does dinner sound? I'm starving after all that exercise."
It will never cease to catch Katara off-guard, the way Azula can effortlessly shift modes from ruler to friend, from threatening murder to kissing Katara. From casually condemning a family to thinking about food.
She is, however, hungry.
They've just finished dinner when the captain of the guard is led into the room.
"Captain Meiyo", Azula greets. "Your report."
The captain bowns.
"We have Commander Peng's staff and closest associates in custody, Highness. So far, there is nothing to indicate he had co-conspirators. He wrote a goodbye letter which his wife discovered upon returning home, shortly after the attack on your person. As with the rest of the family's property, it has been confiscated."
"Very good."
"However, if I may make a suggestion, Your Highness?"
Azula nods.
"This is the third attempt on your life; the second within a week. Considering the risk to your person after the recent political developments, I would propose that you leave the capital for the time being and relocate to a more defensible position."
"Leave? Oh, I'm sure there are many people who would appreciate removing me from the palace."
The captain blanches at the implications.
"I meant no disrespect, Your Highness! I assure you, the capital will be kept safe. With my life, if necessary!"
Before Azula can tear into him, someone else knocks at the door, and a soldier with a message is admitted. He falls to his knees in front of Azula and holds out the scroll. She snatches it from his hand and starts reading as the man retreats from the room.
"The Earth Kingdom has feigned an attack on Yu Dao… no damages… obvious avenue of pursuit… troops remained passive as ordered… no attacks since along the coast…" She puts the scroll down, relieved an satisfied. "They've got the message and tested my assurances."
Katara clears her throat and nods at the captain, who's still standing to attention. Azula raises her eyebrow, and Katara's eyes dart to the door of the next room. Azula nods.
"Excuse us, Captain."
Once they're out of earshot, Azula shoots Katara a questioning look.
"She's right", Katara quietly begins. "I've sworn to protect you and I will, but this place isn't exactly making it easy. We're surrounded by people who want you and me dead."
"And that is exactly why I can't leave", Azula hisses back. "As soon as I'm gone, who's to stop them from taking over?"
"If everyone who wants you dead bands together, they'll be taking over anyway! I can keep you safe from single attackers, I can't fight the entire palace for you!" Katara sighs and rubs her temples. "You've just arrested several dozen people. You've promoted new officers who owe their entire career to you. It doesn't get much better than that."
A thought occurs to her.
"What about this captain? Do you trust her?"
Azula thinks about it. "As much as anyone", she eventually answers. "She's in a perfect position to enable a coup, of course. The Palace Guard and the Capital Brigade make up the biggest units in the city. But, I suppose she did prove her loyalty when we were ambushed."
"Then let her handle it", Katara insists. "You've got dozens of traitors in custody. Let her beat any accomplices out of them; you don't have to be personally there for that!"
When she notices that Azula is weakening, she adds:
"We can go somewhere where I can keep you safe. Just you and me. If there's anything important, they can send a messenger hawk. You'll be just a letter away from here. But you'll be safe."
"Fine", Azula relents. "If it helps you sleep at night…" She thinks for a moment. "Zuko and I had no trouble being incognito on Ember Island. I suppose it should do. My fath— my beach house is not the palace, but there'll be nobody there to sneak up on us."
"Thank you", Katara mumbles. Hidden from view, she tiptoes up to press a kiss to Azula's lips.
"I've decided that your proposal has merit", Azula announces once they return to Meiyo. "Until the delegates arrive, I will relocate to Ember Island. I will need a scout boat and a few reliable men; I'll trust you to choose some."
The captain nods. "I'll select my best guards."
"No, no guards", Azula corrects. "Crew for the ship, nothing else."
At that, Meiyo's eyes widen. "But… Your Highness, no guards?"
"She can keep me safe", Azula declares, nodding at Katara. It's a gamble, but she needs to know the captain's loyalties, and this is the best way she can think of. She's not disappointed: Meiyo's face rapidly flickers through surprise, hurt, concern, reassurance, and acceptance, before settling on a blank expression.
"Certainly, Your Highness."
With the captain off to prepare, Azula summons some servants to begin packing. She won't need the official robes, she decides, but just in case, her armour will be coming along. Katara's, too, of course, and a reasonable selection of clothing for both of them. Katara, meanwhile, packs the books that have been piling up on her nightstand, and sends for a generous supply of paper, ink, and quills. Enough food for two weeks will be loaded onto the boat, and Azula makes sure to bring enough money, as well as the royal artifacts that identify her as the Fire Lord, should the need arise. They're almost done when Captain Meiyo returns and, after glancing in Azula's direction, motions Katara closer.
"Miss… Lady…"
"Just Katara", Katara says. The captain nods.
"Meiyo. Palace Guards."
Katara scrutinises her.
"What do you want?"
If the captain takes issue with her tone, she doesn't show it. But even so, her animosity for Katara is downright palpable.
"The Fire Lord is convinced that you will be sufficient to ensure her safety", Meiyo cautiously begins. "I would like to make sure you understand the importance of that task."
"Oh, don't worry", Katara coolly replies. "I know what happens to me if I don't."
"Forgive my misgivings", the captain replies just as coldly, "but if I may be so frank? Her Majesty is taking you away from the palace, with access to the ocean, and nobody else around. You will certainly understand the risks inherent in that. You're asking me to entrust the Fire Lord's safety to you while she gives you the perfect opportunity to have your way with her and escape justice."
"No", Katara shoots back, "I am not asking you. She has given you an order."
Anger flashes over the captain's face, although she quickly retains her composure.
"Of course she has. But unless she orders me not to, it is my duty to ensure the loyalty of everyone who serves Her Highness, including you. If you were as committed to her as you claim to be, you would understand."
"I've saved her life more than once", Katara hisses, "when you and your guards couldn't. If I wanted her dead, I could have killed her a long time ago."
She sighs.
"I've sworn to protect her, and I meant it. I will lay down my life to save hers if necessary."
Meiyo nods. "Very well."
"You don't like me", Katara challenges her as she turns to leave. It's an observation, not an accusation. The captain stops mid-step and turns back.
"You're a waterbender", she simply says. "You're right, I don't."
She gauges her next words carefully.
"Your people embody everything I've been taught to hate and fear all my life", she continues. "But the Fire Lord has chosen you, and her will is absolute. It has been willed by Agni that she ascended to the throne. If she tells me to love your people, I will try my best to. If she demands my life, I will give it willingly."
It reminds Katara of Azula's words in the restaurant, and for the first time, she sees someone who embodies the devotion Azula spoke of. But she owes Azula too much to take the woman's word for it.
"Big words", she remarks. "But how do I know you're not lying? You control the palace guards, how do I know you don't just want her out of the way?" She steps closer until she's almost face-to-face with the captain. "Have you lost anyone in the war, Meiyo? Anyone whose memory you might want to avenge against the Fire Lord?"
To her credit, Meiyo doesn't bat an eye, doesn't take a single step back.
"Your accusations dishonour me", she simply states. "But you know as well as I that I cannot disprove them, just as you cannot prove them." Her expression becomes ever so slightly appreciative. "But in testing my loyalties, you do what I would have done in your situation. I can respect that."
She locks eyes with Katara.
"Rest assured, if I wanted the Fire Lord dead, she would be. She has entrusted her safety to me for three years. She has entrusted the investigation of prior attempts on her life to me. I've fought for her life and I bear the scars."
Her words mirror Katara's, and almost subconsciously, Katara's eyes dart down to her stomach, remembering the captain's wound after the ambushed raid, and when she looks up, it's obvious that Meiyo know what she's thinking about.
"If that is all, I have duties to attend to."
Katara nods. "You can go."
When she's almost out of the door, Meiyo turns back around.
"You have much to learn about the art of interrogation. Perhaps the Fire Lord can teach you."
A/N: I wanted to include an Ember Island vacation from very early on, but I couldn't find a good reason that didn't seem like, well, an excuse to check "Ember Island scene" off the ATLA trope list. But I'm happy with how the justification turned out.
Also, Meiyo character building! She started out as "well someone's gotta take orders from Azula and arrest people", and before I knew it, she ran away from me and started developing a personality lmao.
ngl, she and Katara would hatefuck in a different universe imo