Chapter Text
She rose long before dawn.
Azula read that winter days grew shorter the farther north one traveled. The Royal Library of the palace held many books regarding the turnings of the world, its histories and peoples, its nature. At the time, she hadn't quite believed the tome. It was on global seasonal variations and the effects on international agricultural yields. She read it at the age of nine.
She thought she knew better, as an exemplary firebender, she rose with the sun, lived in the sun, and rested with the sun. In the Fire Nation, near the equator, the sun was a constant, her constant.
According to her strict sleep regimen and impeccable internal clock, she roused at the same time as always, but the sky remained dark and cold. That anyone would choose to live in these conditions, let alone a whole people, baffled Azula.
In the faint light of the setting moon and the coming dawn, she practiced her katas. The darkness didn't matter, she practiced with her eyes closed anyway. She needed her firebending to be perfect that day.
When she felt the stirring in her bending that presaged the sunrise, she sat facing the window to meditate, cupping in her hands a small blue flame, to honor the ascension of the sun to the seat of its ultimate power, a new day. A day that would be recorded in the annals of history. Zhao’s invasion.
Late the previous night, she was summoned by Arnook. His scouts had confirmed the invasion force and they made their plans. Azula was sure the Chief wouldn't withhold the information from his people, but she didn't leave that up to chance, she had her pirates spread the rumor before they left, right as she was informing the Chief. She needed the city strung taut with apprehension, with worry, with dread.
Fear was the best lever to maneuver and manipulate people. Azula knew fear was the strongest emotion and it was the easiest to stoke, at least for her. Now, with Zhao’s unwitting help, she spread fear throughout the entire city, and when she relieved that fear they would reward her with gratitude. She needed that gratitude, so she needed the day to go perfectly.
It would, because she would make it so.
Azula let out a long exhale and extinguished her flame to end her meditation. Zuko was stirring and she didn't want to meditate through whatever distraction he made. As it turned out, that morning brought more passive-aggressive brooding. Unsurprising. Azula sat sharpening her nails with purposeful unconcern for his childish behavior.
Zuko hadn't reacted well to her request of ‘one little thing' involving several minor decisions like who he would marry, his having children, and where he would live and what he would do for the next several decades of his life. Azula didn't know why he was so upset. He was a prince, those things would always be decided for him.
He knew better than to argue with her though. Her plan was already in motion and if he foiled her plot he would never be accepted back home again. She didn’t have to voice that threat though, he knew her well enough. Even Zuko wasn't that dumb.
“Prince Zuko, Princess Azula, your breakfast.” Announced one of her guards, or her escort as they were deemed now that some trust was established. The guards escorted a servant bearing a tray of dishes. Azula was relieved to see dishes of fish and meat. She was quite particular about her food and worried that traditional Water Tribe fare would be repulsive and strange. She had heard horror stories about stews of pickled sea prunes and noodles with raw squid. She approached breakfast with caution, both for her personal taste and in case anything was poisoned. She would wait for Zuko to taste a dish before trying it herself.
She was swiftly rewarded for her patience, both in knowing what to avoid and in getting to see Zuko’s face visibly contort in disgust as he bemoaned. “Who pickles fish?” Noted. Gross.
Once they had settled on a dish comfortably similar to komodo chicken, it was clear to Azula that he wanted to say something. She ate in silence until he was brave enough to speak, which he eventually did with his signature insight. “The invasion is today.”
“First of all Zuzu, ew. The next time you open your mouth while chewing, I will reach in there, grab your whole tongue, and incinerate it. Secondly, duh.”
Zuko rolled his eyes at her, but he dutifully finished his bite before continuing, exasperated. “What are we doing today? You know, for the invasion.”
Once her claim had been confirmed, she and Arnook spoke about how to handle the invasion. “The Chief has had waterbenders cleaving icebergs from the ice sheet since the scouts reported back. They’re making the waters difficult for larger ships to navigate.” Azula had to admit, under such short notice, they had prepared quite the defensive battle plan. “It will only serve to delay the fleet, but it will give us opportunity to strike.” She and Arnook had developed a plan the previous night. Well, it was her plan since the beginning, but she led him through it until he thought it was his idea.
“Us?”
“Yes, us. While the Fire Navy ships are struggling to navigate dangerous icebergs, we will be joining an advanced strike team that will plunge straight to Zhao. I will deal with him once we fight are way up the command tower.”
“You want us to fight our own soldiers?” Zuko seemed affronted and troubled. Poor Zuko.
“Zuko, every one of those soldiers is prepared to give their life for the Fire Nation, for their Fire Lord, and by extension us. They are sworn to serve us however we see fit. If they are injured or killed by our hands, then they served their duty with the utmost honor.”
“What happened to ‘all our soldiers get to live.’” Zuko retorted, appalled.
“There are nearly fourteen thousand soldiers and sailors involved with this attack. Even if we suffer a hundred casualties, 99% of our forces remain unharmed, that’s practically all of them.” Azula explained. “They would certainly suffer worse under Zhao, who would sooner die than retreat. So to save the whole, we must hurt a few. Really, Zuzu, it would be immoral not to.” What would mother think, Azula lecturing Zuko about morality.
He wasn't comforted. “We can reach Zhao without hurting anyone! We don’t have to do this.”
“It's not just about getting to Zhao, Zuko. We also need to be seen fighting for the Northern Water Tribe. We're going to be surrounded by the best, and therefore most respected, waterbenders of the North. They will spread word of our deeds and be a voice in our favor with the Chief, not to mention you’ll need their support when you're in charge.” She shouldn't be surprised, Zuko was always the soft one, of course he wouldn't see what they needed to do. “We’re trying to overcome a hundred years of antagonism and mistrust. That won't happen easily. That won't happen without sacrifice.”
Zuko wore his conflict on his face, the scar accentuating the scowl. He needed to get over those reservations, fast. After all, the invasion was today.
The mustering grounds were a frenzy of activity, the busiest Yue had ever seen.
The cleaving crews were just returning after a long night creating jagged icebergs to cut into Fire Navy ships, the men looking thoroughly exhausted. Hopefully they'd at least get a few hours rest until the invasion arrived. The benders working the water lock gate looked similarly haggard, but a flurry of ships and skiffs were being brought in and out, so they were going to be busy a while yet. The warriors in the first defensive wave we're preparing to head out.
Despite living in the city for her entire life, Yue had only visited the mustering grounds once or twice. It was a place for war, not a place for women, especially a princess, but it seemed arriving with the Avatar was an exception. Aang and Katara were talking with her father. Sokka was still preparing on the sky bison’s saddle.
“But Chief Arnook, we’ve fought the Fire Nation before! We even faced Zhao before too! We want to help, why won't you let us?” Katara seemed agitated, and Yue couldn’t blame her. It was always frustrating to be sidelined and told you couldn’t do anything to help. “Is it because we’re just kids!? Is it because I'm a girl!? I can fight! Master Pak–”
“No, Katara, no.” Her father mollified, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Right now we have our best men and our best defenses in place ready for everything we know is coming. What I fear most right now are the threats we don't know about. I am not foolish enough to place all of my trust in the prince and princess of the Fire Nation. But I trust your experience and I want you here to respond to the unexpected.”
He turned to Aang with a warm smile. “Being able to adapt to change is an important part of waterbending. Even if he tries to hide it, Master Pakku is very proud of your progress.” He looked over to Katara. “Both of your progress. I can think of no better people suited to the task than the two of you.”
Katara preened at the praise and Aang beamed at the Chief and bowed, “Thank you Chief Arnook. We’ll do our best!”
“WAIT!” Yue turned to the source of the yell, Sokka clambering down Appa’s tail. He was wearing face paint of black, white, and gray, traditional Southern war paint. He looked striking and would have looked fearsome if he didn't wear such a dejected look on his face. “The two of them? What about me!?”
“I have a special mission for you, Sokka.” He responded. “I want you to protect my daughter.” He looked to her then, a glimmer of fear, not of a chief, but of a father, darkening his gaze.
Sokka’s disappointment faded in the blink of an eye, replaced with a bright grin. His eyes darted over to Yue. Butterflies burst in her stomach right along a shock of discomfort. Did her father suspect their feelings? He was the one who betrothed her to Hahn, so why had he done this? But one look at her father told her he was completely unaware of her emotional turmoil. Now she had to weather the anxieties of the invasion on top of keeping her conflicting feelings at bay. Yue smiled back, but she knew her thoughts showed on her face when Sokka’s expression fell a bit.
He turned back to her father. “You can count on me. I’ll keep Yu– er, the princess safe! Uh, sir.”
“Thank you, Sokka.” He said, before stepping up to Yue and enveloping her in a tight embrace. Without letting go, he told her. “I couldn't bear to lose you, Yue. Stay in the palace. Stay safe. If anything happens–”
“I’ll be fine, dad. But please, you stay safe too.” She said, returning the hug just as fiercely.
“What are those two doing here?” She heard Katara say, pulling the group’s attention to the two figures clad in red and black armor standing with a group of warriors. The prince and princess of the Fire Nation were readying to fight their own people for the Water Tribe. It was clear that the other warriors didn't trust the siblings and they kept to themselves as well.
“Those two are going to try to end the invasion before it can begin,” her father said. “If the advanced team can get them to the admiral’s flagship, they can try to wrest control away from him. It’s our best hope to stop the invasion before he can do our people any harm.”
“So they're helping! Aang said, brightening. “See? They might not be so bad after all!”
“Aang, you've gotta see that they're up to something!” Sokka reiterated. “Zuko’s been chasing us around the world for months, but suddenly he's all goody two shoes? I'm not buying it!”
“And Aang, we don't know anything about the princess. She could be just as bad as Zuko.” Katara warned. “We could be walking right into a big trap.”
Sokka, Katara, and Aang had told Yue many of the stories of their travels, many of those tales involving the hounding prince. She could see the Zuko they described in the prince she saw, but something seemed different. For one, he wasn't trying to kidnap Aang. He seemed more reserved than the angry zealot of her friends’ stories. Perhaps his little sister was a good influence on him.
Yue didn't know what to make of princess Azula. She wore battle armor, she was bold and assertive, she was precise and observant, and she seemed to take charge over whatever situation presented itself to her. She defied all of Yue’s expectations of a princess. She was striking in a way she didn't know a girl could be.
“I understand your reservations about those two, but they put themselves at our mercy to ask for peace. I believe the pains and risks they took in coming here have earned them a modicum of trust.” The Chief said. “And they are our best hope of ending this invasion and finally having peace after so many years of war. I know that trusting them is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking.”
As Sokka and Katara geared up to continue their argument, a wave of tension spread across the mustering grounds like spilled ink, quelling all conversations. It only took a look upward to find the cause. Black snow fell from the sky.
“Soot and snow.” Sokka explained, his tone quickly dropping to serious. “Fire Navy ships are nearly here.”
Even though he spoke quietly enough that only Yue, her friends, and her father could hear, the warriors began barking orders and ships were readied to set to sea. While none in the North had seen a sight like this in decades, they all knew what the sign meant.
Zhao’s invasion had begun.
Black snow fell from the sky. Zhao clearly had a veteran of the Southern Raiders with him to suggest it, maneuvering upwind of the target ahead of their strike. It was good for demoralizing the already battered and weakened South. Of course against the heavily fortified North, all it served to do was cede the element of surprise. Idiot.
Azula admired the North’s overnight efforts. The approach to the city was littered with large chunks of glacial ice, of varying size, the largest being twice the size of the Empire Class Battleships currently trying to navigate them. While the prows of Fire Navy ships were reinforced to cut into ice sheets, the sides were not so lucky. As ships tried to push icebergs away, the ice hidden beneath the dark waters easily cut into Fire Navy hulls. Several ships were already taking in water and the Water Tribe hadn't committed a single warrior to battle. The Northerners had some barbarian cunning, it seemed.
Sooty snow streaked past them as the waterbenders propelled their skiff forward at breakneck speed. The maneuverable skiffs wove around the scattered icebergs with practiced ease, making it all but impossible for the Fire Navy sailors to fire on them.
Zuko was tense, their earlier conversation still not sitting well with him, be would do what he needed to, he would do what his Nation required of him. He would do anything to come home.
In a blink, the blurs of blue-white ice transformed into the black iron hulls of the Fire Navy as the forward strike team raced for the flagship.
The Sovereign-class dreadnought was easy to spot, the largest ship in the fleet, the largest ship ever to cross the seas. That such a marvel of Fire Nation engineering was commanded by the likes of Zhao was a travesty. The ship deserved better.
“Get ready.” Said the leader of the Water Tribe warriors. He hadn't offered her his name and Azula hadn't asked. However, they had gone over the layout of the ship, what to expect, and their plan of attack. It had been clear he hadn't wanted to include her or Zuko, but it didn't matter. By the end of the day, he and everybody else in his Tribe would hail her as a hero.
They didn't slow as they approached, the skiffs speeding on a collision course with Zhao’s flagship as waterbenders bent seawater into an ice ramp on the edge of the ship. The deck of the skiffs slicked into ice right as they crashed headlong into the ramps, their momentum carrying them up the ramps. The expert waterbenders of the north glided up unto the deck with ease, and though she had never skated on ice before, Azula’s impeccable grace and athleticism meant she had no difficulties. Zuko on the other hand would have flown into the sea if a waterbender hadn’t caught him as with a water whip as he fell.
The scene on the main deck was chaos. It was clear that no one had expected the lightning, surgical strike, embedded as they were in the middle of the fleet. The Water Tribe warriors made good use of the surprise by pushing or pulling many soldiers and deckhands off the sides of the ship, plunging them into the freezing, deadly sea.
But in short order, the deck was painted in the orange light of fire as the Fire Nation soldiers started fighting back. Quick as lightning, Azula moved in to join the fray. She didn’t bend, keeping to physical combat only. She wanted to save that particular surprise for later in the day.
With her sharp situational awareness, she scanned through the melee. Known to the Water Tribe and blending in with the Fire Nation, she freely dashed between fights, finding ones where she could tip the scales. A few quick jabs on one soldier, tripping another in the middle of a firebending technique, breaking a soldier’s lunging spear. Each time, she delivered a victory to the Water Tribe warriors, earning her some respect. She made sure that by the end of this battle, no warrior could claim she hadn't fought with them, fought for their Tribe.
She was pleased to see Zuko fighting alongside the Water Tribe warriors, confusion evident on the soldiers’ faces as to why a firebending boy in Fire Nation armor would be fighting against them.
The battle for the deck was short. Between the surprise strike and Azula’s expert influence, every Fire Nation soldier and sailor was either immobile, unconscious, dead or overboard. She made special note of the faces of every warrior that fought alongside her in this battle. When this was over and the Water Tribe securely yolked, she would make sure those warriors paid for each of her countrymen that they killed.
There were barely three breaths after the deck was secure when one of the bulkhead doors was wrenched open, screeching, and the wildfire rush of the battle continued, all of them plunging into the ship, fighting their way up the command tower. Between the surprise strike, Azula’s insider knowledge, and the clear influence of Zhao’s incompetence, they broke onto the upper platform in short order.
He stood there, surrounded by several lieutenants, and a crowd of soldiers, frantic at the sudden battle on the decks of their ship. Zhao didn't seem afraid though. His simple math told him he stood among thousands of the Fire Nation’s best military men and women against only a handful Water Tribe warriors and two teenagers. Zhao likely never thought beyond simple arithmetic, so he was completely unaware that he was horribly outmatched.
“Well Prince Zuko, it seems rumor of your kidnapping paid you more honor than you deserve. I always knew you’d turn traitor.” He spoke with the calm of a man in control, likely for the last time in his life. “But you, Princess Azula, this is truly a surprise.”
Zuko grit his teeth at the insult, but didn't say a word, just as Azula had instructed him. She had to weave her lies between the fiction she sold the tribesmen and the story they would have to give the Fire Navy. It was a far too delicate situation to let Zuko spoil.
“Zhao. Your reputation truly doesn’t do you justice. You’ve managed to plan, organize, and execute the largest mistake in military history, all under the nose of your Fire Lord. If you had bothered to consult my father about your plans, he would have put a stop to this farce before you put any of his subjects in danger. ”
Anger seeped through his body and posture with every word, but his mask of calm control remained. “That’s Admiral Zhao. You should know, your father promoted me himself. The Fire Lord invested me with the authority to make history,” his voice dropped to a venomous sneer, “and I intend to make full use of that opportunity.”
“And you use the resources provided to you by the grace of my father to try to kill his son and foil his plans for the North. As for that promotion, you've been touting, you've been an admiral for, what, a month? Three months ago you were nothing but a captain. How does an up-jumped attack dog like yourself ascend to such heights so quickly, I wonder? And I’m far from the only one.”
“The Fires Lord recognizes talent and achievement, princess, a prodigy such as yourself should know that.” Zhao retorted, sidestepping the attempt on Zuko’s life.
“I now believe those ‘achievements’ to be inflated far beyond their reality. I remember the reports that you captured the Avatar, Zhao. So explain to me why he is now walking free in the city before us?”
“That was the work of the traitorous Blue Spirit–”
“Ah, a spirit freed him. Of course.” Azula cut him off, taking joy in the low growl it earned her. “And what about the river expedition you launched where you destroyed all of your own boats in a fit of rage?”
“That’s not how that–”
“Enough Zhao! The Fire Lord does not tolerate failures, of which you have undoubtedly proven yourself. You are clearly unfit for leadership. You should resign with what scraps of honor you have left, because if my father has to sully himself in dealing with you personally, it won't be a demotion or a dismissal. It will be an execution.”
“You arrogant little girl. Fire Lord Ozai wouldn't send the likes of you to deliver his messages. He would summon me and tell me himself.”
“I doubt it, Zhao. There are over thirty admirals in the Fire Navy and you the least consequential. The only reason my father didn't inform you of his plans and put a stop to this invasion is simply because he forgot about you. I had to remind him of your name.”
Zhao’s rage was barely restrained, now. “I will not let you stand in the way of my victory, of history! Get out of my way before I make you!”
He was backed into a corner, but apparently needed to be lead by the hand to his only way out.
“And how do you intend to do that, Zhao? I'm still your sworn princess.”
“I challenge you to Agni Kai!”
A platform was raised in the middle of the city, between the great carved pillars. Here, the princess and the admiral would fight for the fate of the city, of Yue’s people. The duel was set for sunset, a tradition, and the crowd grew as an orange glow overtook the cool blue of the sky. It felt like a bad omen.
The duelists knelt on the platform, heads bowed and facing away from each other. At one end, the prince conferred with a new figure. Her father told her the portly, older man had appeared in the wake of the invasion force searching for his nephew. He didn’t seem like the fearsome general who besieged Ba Sing Se or a man who had nearly become Fire Lord, just an uncle who cares for his family.
She stood with her father and her friends near the center of the platform as the crowd drew together to watch the spectacle. The energy was tense, her people scared for their families and their city. The few Fire Nation soldiers and officers that were allowed to escort Zhao to the duel stood at his end of the platform, projecting an aura of arrogance and superiority.
“I still don’t trust it. It’s gotta be some sorta trick” Katara grumbled.
“But what if it’s not Katara?” Aang asked, “Would you rather just let Zhao attack?”
“There’s gotta be some sort of angle we’re not seeing here. What do they get out of stopping their own invasion?” Sokka said, continuing the same argument they have been having since the prince and princess arrived.
Yue didn’t know what to think. All she knew was that right now, there were over a hundred Fire Navy ships loaded with siege weapons and soldiers ready to attack her home, and her people were afraid. If this could give them some hope, then it was worth it.
The Chief rose to the center of the platform, the crowd around them quieting in anticipation. Her father, announced to the gathered crowd, “My people, this traditional fire duel between the princess and admiral of the Fire Nation carries a great weight. Should the admiral win, he will be free to continue his invasion on our city. If the princess wins, she promises the start of diplomatic talks of peace."
The silence was heavy over the assembled Tribe. The immense size of the invasion force scared people, some warriors even whispering at whether they could have repelled it at all. But what really shocked people, was the potential end to the war older than living memory. The moment the Princess had suggested peace negotiations yesterday, rumor had surged through the palace, flowing out into the city, swirling and mixing with the fear of invasion. There were skeptics, many like Sokka and Katara, but in hushed whispers and between worried glances, another emotion quietly rang out through her people, a final, bone-weary relief. A hope for the grinding, oppressive war to finally end.
“We have accepted and will uphold the terms of this duel.” Her father continued, speaking with all the gravity of a man gambling with the fate of his people. “By my honor we will accept the outcome. May the spirits of moon and sea guide us on the path to peace.”
He then backed off of the platform, out from between the fighters before shouting a terse “BEGIN!”
At once, both Azula and Zhao stood, the flags draped over them falling to the ground. It became very apparent that these duels were fought without armor, shoes, or as it turned out shirts. A strange thrill shot through her at the sight. She was just unused to girls having a warrior’s physique, so of course her attention was drawn to Azula’s well defined form and exposed midsection. She must have been cold with so much bare skin, so Yue’s own body felt heated. In sympathy, perhaps.
Zhao advanced, launching fire at the princess with rigid stances, strong motions, and clear intent, however Azula simply retreated, dodging and blocking attacks that Zhao threw at her. As she refused to attack, Zhao grew angry, starting to push forward more aggressively, pushing forward onto Azula’s side of the platform. As he marched forward, Azula gave ground easily. She wore a focused expression, but one without any of the emotion clearly painted across Zhao’s.
“What is she doing!? Is she just gonna let him push her off?” Sokka exclaimed.
Azula answered as she was backed all the way to her end of the platform, Zhao closing the distance with each thrust, each bout of flame. The princess finally launched her first attack and the crowd around them exclaimed in shock. Zhao’s fire burned the angry red and orange of the Fire Nation, but unlike any firebending anyone in the North had either seen or heard of, Azula’s burned blue, the color of Water Tribes. And, as it became imminently clear, the princess was the far better fighter.
Zhao was put on the defensive immediately as Azula pushed forward. Where Zhao had attacked with solid forms and powerful thrusts, Azula used graceful, flowing motions. While the her motions held much of the power and decisiveness of firebending, she moved like a dancer, precise, fluid, and powerful. Yue was entranced.
When Zhao reached his end of the platform Azula stopped her assault and spoke. “Give up now, Zhao. You cannot beat me. You’re invasion is finished. You have failed.” She gave him a wicked smirk. “Your invasion will be a footnote in the histories they will write of me.”
Zhao roared at that, launching a retaliatory barrage, punctuating his responses with fire. “You arrogant,” punch, “spoiled,” kick, “brat!” He brought his hands together sweeping them toward the princess, “I will not let you stand in the way of the end of the waterbenders!”
Azula dodged and deflected each gout of flame as they approached. “Well if that’s how you feel,” her smirk hardening into something vicious, “then you’ve left me no choice.”
Azula kicked backwards, launching herself into a flip that brought her all the way to her end of the platform. As Zhao stood his ground, uncertain at this turn of events, Azula planted her feet and started weaving her hands through great arcs energy collecting at her fingers. A shout rose behind her, a plea to stop, the royals’ uncle the only one to recognize what she was about to do.
Unfazed, Azula completed her form and a bolt of lightning shot from her fingertips, across the platform, and into Zhao. The thunderclap echoed through around them, stunned silence coming from the crowd.
Zhao’s form fell to its knees, smoke rising just off from the middle of his chest. A precise shot, right to the heart. It took a moment for his eyes to glass over, for his face to slacken, before his body finally slumped over.
Yue was horrified. She had never before witnessed someone die in violence, but what truly sickened her, were the overwhelming cheers rising from the crowd, her people. All for a girl who smiled as she killed.