Chapter Text
Azula had won.
She was used to winning, but now, now, the triumph felt roaring in her mouth. Not that she was able to do anything else than win, really. She was born a victor, a conqueror. She never failed. Failing was for the weak, for those pathetic failures doomed to crawl under her boots. She always ended up at the top (always, always, always.)
The princess of the fire nation was walking under the red roof of the majestic palace (the red always looming around her, some night it felt like her mother deceitful gaze.) She was walking at a brisk pace, faster then she would have usually authorized herself, her steps empowered by the sweet taste of winning.
She had taken Ba Sing Se. The city had fallen, bowing to her majesty (to Ozai's majesty, she had to remind herself.) Whereas her uncle had pitifully went back home all this years ago, tail between his leg, she had come with the unassailable city in her grasp. The green would soon everywhere be glorious red. The earth King had fled, poor excuse of a man finally understanding Fire Nation's superiority. Iroh had been captured, hands in heavy shackles. She had arrested the old traitor, the Dragon of the West now only impotent ashes. She had taken home (was it ever home?) her dear brother, once traitor, now hero. She did not need him of course, she would have been happy with killing him, really. But she liked having one more shield, another ace in her sleeve, someone weaker to underline her strength, to make her shine even brighter (someone to shield her from retribution if she was not enough, someone to have at her side when she would sit on the throne.)
She had killed the Avatar. Eliminated the biggest threat to her nation. Killed the last remain of the enemy, the last hope of a world that would soon be hers.
The avatar was dead, Ba Sing Se taken, her uncle imprisoned and her brother home. Soon what was left of the earth kingdom, and then the Northern water tribe would fall before her too.
So, yeah, Azula was proud. She would not say it of course, it was only natural for her all these accomplishments. A proof of her superiority. (Oh Agni, what if it was never enough. What if the red walls were always to be holding the same disappointed gaze.)
Her father would see her absolute victory. Maybe she would even earn a proud smile. She would earn a hand on her shoulder, accepting her as a mind almost as great as his. (Maybe would he then say he loved her. She was not actually hoping for that. Such hope and emotions would have been weakness.)
She was walking.
Servants and nobles alike were making way for her, trying to disappear within the wall's tapestries. She soaked in their fear, their respect, the power it gave her. She nourished herself on it like a hungry wolfbear.
Finally, she arrived at the large doors of the throne room, the light of some torches flickering on her face. She authorized herself a sharp smile, kept her composure steady and entered the massive room.
The flames of her father were licking the roof, angry and starved. She imagined what it would be like to have her blue flames roaring in the same fashion. She quickly forgot about the idea. Only Ozai was ever to sit on this throne. (For now). He was the perfect being and she would never be able to compare to him when it would be her turn (and it would).
She bowed.
The shadow behind the ostentatious fire smiled. She authorized herself to do as such a second time, lips as a reflection of the firelord's, sharp and sardonic.
He waited some time, like usually, playing some games. Azula was used to it tho, she knew how to show her respect, how to stay bowing for hours if it was needed (but she only ever bowed to Ozai. She would never, never bow to anyone else.)
"Princess Azula. Rise."
She did as asked to, posture perfect like an old statue (never anything other than perfect).
The smile of the Firelord grew bigger and she felt herself glowing a little. He was proud of her.
"Azula. I heard of how you took Ba sing se."
He let the moment linger. She bowed a little bit her head, acknowledging him without interrupting. He got up from the golden throne and approached her. He put a heavy hand on her shoulder and she felt the fire within herself roam. (She definitely did not lean into the contact, she did not need it nor was she despaired for it.)
"It was rather clever."
The man smiled and let go of her shoulder. She felt a pang of hollowness.
"The death of the Avatar was good news."
She noded.
-Who would have thought Zuzu would finally be useful.
At that Ozai eyebrow went up almost undetectably. He took a step back.
"So, he is the one who killed the avatar? The report wasn't clear on the subject."
She did not still, nor did she let her face show any of the lies she was brewing. She smiled, hard and cold.
"Well, the dum dum did turn against Iroh rather expectantly. I was almost surprised" (as if she really was. She almost doubted for a second in the cave but at the end she knew he would always accept.). "Anyway, even tho his technics were not the most refined, he was still able to shoot a fair fire tornado on the Avatar as he was entering avatar state. I was utterly impressed."
He looked at her for a second. Could he know she was lying? No. She was too good. Something was not right about the Avatar death. Zuzu was hiding something. If the Avatar was alive she would not be the one taking the blame. (There was a flash of lighting going off her fingertip.)
"Well if so, it is great. He finally understood the lesson I gave him, finally a man."
Ozai smiled. He put his hand behind his back, the warm touch too far from her grasp.
"You have done great Azula. The glory of the fire nation is closer than ever to embrace the entirety of this world. A new, magnificent dawn will soon rise with my reign, with the flight of the Phoenix King."
"Glory be to the Fire Nation. Hail Fire lord Ozai."
She answered manically.
He paced in the room slowly. Finally his golden eyes met Azula's own. (She had done great.)
"But my daughter, i did not call today to talk to you about my victory which will soon be utterly total with the help of the comet. Nor did I call you about all the great things you achieved in my name."
The fire inside Azula roared interrogatively. Did he wanted to give her another mission? She was ready. She would win. She thought fast, as usual. Maybe did he wanted her to accomplish what Zaho could not: take Agna quel'a and the Northern water tribe. She always thought it would be a fun mission. But that was not likely: Ozai seemed to want to end up the conquest of the earth nation. He did not say exactly how yet but it was cleat it would be by using the comet. So what? She knew in any case she would accomplish it. After all she always won.
The silence lasted longer than she thought it would, which made her immediately analyze Ozai's face. She felt electricity at the end of her fingertips (a boy falling).
Ozai's tone changed brusquely.
"Do you question my choices Azula ?"
Danger, danger, danger.
"I would never father. You are the incarnation of Agni himself, your choices are the God's and your parole is law."
He seemed satisfied and put a hand on her cheek for a second. Her mind was racing. Something was wrong. Ozai was not usually hard to read. She should feel great, she had avoided whatever test he had put her way but she did not know what the test was. She always knew. She should feel great, she had satisfied him, he loved her (the same hand cupping another cheek with fatherly love. Fire).
"You know Azula it is an honor; you start to be aging."
He nodded to himself and took back his hand.
"At your age, it is only the custom."
"What custom father." She asked.
She knew. She knew. She knew. She knew. She knew.
"Princess Azula. It has been decided that you would be married to Lord Kuzon. Be grateful."
"I..."
"Now please take your leave and ask a servant to go fetch Zuko."
The fire in Azula went silent.