AstheSunbydandeliondreams

AU.Forahundredyears,theFireNationhasharrieditsenemyacrosslives,deaths,andnations.Inthechaos,theAvatarSpirittakesaterriblerisk.BeingbornastheSpiritoftheWorldcan'tchangewhoyouare,butmaybethingswillworkoutfortheBalance...AvatarAzula.Rated:FictionT-English-Adventure-Zuko,Mai,TyLee,Azula-Chapters:23-Words:58,296-Reviews:304-Favs:460-Follows:199-Updated:4/20/2013-Published:5/18/2011-Status:Complete-id:7002165URL:https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7002165

TableofContents

TableofContents

Lies

Family

Spirits

Scars

Traitors

Honor

Control

Spiral

Divide

Tides

Pull

Push

Coil

Veil

Steel

Revenge

Follow

Reign

Root

Ignite

Ashes

Embers

Epilogue

Lies

.

.

inastrange,strangeworld

(thespiritstakewhattheycanget)

.

.

Kuzonstumblesforwards,almostinarticulatewithemotion.

"Aang!Getout—getout—youhavetogo—run!Getthechildren!"

"Wait,what'sgoingon?"

Hestartstospeak,buthiswide,wideeyesturntosomethingintheskybehindhisfriend'shead.Anunearthlyglowtaintshisashenfaceadeep,bloodred.

.

.

"Theyhadnoarmies."

Thetutor'spaperyvoicetrailsoff.Hisnailsscrapeloudlyagainstthegrainofthemapashelowershishand.Heclearshisthroatandlooksathisprecociousstudent.Alongsecondwhispersby.

"Pardonme?"

Thechild'svoiceisatoncehesitantandconfident,assuredofthetruthandyetunwillingtospeakoutagainstanelder.

"Isaid—"

"Pardonme,"thetutorrepeatsfirmly,andthediscussionisclosed.Thelecturecontinues,buttheraspingwordsareasmeaninglessasleavesinthewind.AllAzulacanhearistheboyinherhead,insisting:

Wehadnoarmies.

.

.

Shedoesn'ttellanyoneaboutthem,theoneswhospeaktoheratnight,withvoiceslikeclear,echoingbellsandeyeslikestarlight.Thenthey'llknowshe'scrazy,andevenasachild,Azulaknowswhat'sbestforher.

Shestopshurtingtheservantswhentheraggedpeasantthreatenstohurther.

Shestopslying—toherself,atleast—whentheblindwomanonlystares,andwaits.

SheletsUrsahugheronceinawhile,sinceitmakestheyellowboycry.

Ihaveamotherwholovesme,shetaunts.

.

.

Whentheycometotakeher,Hamadrivesthembeneaththewaves,feelingonlyicyhatredasshesensesthewaytheirthrashingbodiesmakepeacewiththedeath-coldwater.Theeeriebluelightfadesfromhereyesandmouthasthemonsterssinktotheirgraves.

Shedoesn'texpectthearrowthatwhistlesoveranimpossibledistancefromtheinvaders'ship,orthearrowsthatfollow,eachonepiercingherheartwithpinpointaccuracy,oneaftertheother.

Aboystandstranslucentbesideherandweeps,notshiveringinthecoldoftheSouthPole,despitethethinnessofhisyellowrobe.

.

.

Azulalikestheraggedonebest.Theylaughatthesamethings,sometimes,untilthewomanrealizesitandpursesherlipsdisapprovingly.Atleastwhenthepeasant'saround,shecanfeedtheturtleduckswithoutworryingaboutharsh,emptystaresorhigh-pitchedwhining.

Sheremembersplainsofice,ascoldandharshasherheart.Sheturnedthewaves

againstyoungpenguin-seals,laughingastheytriedtoreachtheshore.Motherdidn'tunderstand.

(we'rekindredspirits,youandI)

Azulacastsstonesalmostcasuallyintothepond,sensingraptattentionintheraggedwoman'ssilenceastheywatchthestupidanimalsmillaboutinconfusion.

Whentheprincessfinallyhitsthelittlestone,Hamaletsoutashort,involuntarybarkoflaughter.

Thegrinsontheirfacesareidentical.

.

.

You'relying,Azulathinks,butknowsbetterthantospeakoutagain,notafterFatherheardaboutlasttimeand—

Well.Itwasonlytobeexpected.Disrespectwastobepunished.

"Inthepresent-daycolonies,CommanderCho'sforcesfacedminimalresistancefromthefinalstandoftheBlindAvatar.Hisvictorywascelebratedbygratefullocalswhodesiredtheprosperityofferedbycivilization…"

Butsheknows,sheknows,witheveryfiberofherheart,thatbastardChoinfiltratedmyranks,cursehisblackheartandthosebloodlesslyingtraitors,Ishouldhaveknown,shouldhavefelttheirpulses,whycouldn'tI—

Whenshecloseshereyes,shecanfeelthesteelslideintoherbackasathousandheartbeatsturntodespair.

Thetutorcontinuestopouruntruthsintoherears,andshehidesagrimacebehindatoo-perfectsmile.

Oneday,IwillbeFireLord,andnoonewilllietomeeveragain.

.

.

Ozaireallycan'tcarelessabouttheselectionofantiquetoystheex-crownprincepresentstoAzula.Nor,forthatmatter,canshe:thegirlsetsallbutfouralight,much

toIroh'sconcern.

.

.

Itisnight,andAzulaismorethanthree-thirdsasleep.

"Stoprightthere,DragonoftheWest,"theoldwomansays,herworngreenclothesentirelyatoddswiththeFireNationopulencearoundher.Herfeetrestfirmlyontheground."Iknowwhatyou'reherefor,andyou'renottouchingher."

Alongtimeago,theystoodlikethis,onoppositesidesofanendlesswar.

Alongtimeago,butnotlongenough.

Hestopsandliftshishandswearily.Heseemstohaveagedimmenselyinthepastyear,asifeverydepartedfamilymemberhaslefttheirmarketchedintohisbrow.LuTen,Azulon,Ursa,andnow…"Youwouldstopmefromdoingmyduty?"

"Youwouldstopmefromdoingmine?"

"HonorableAvatar,yourdutyistotheworld—totheBalance.Shecannotbetrusted."

"You'dbesurprised.Getout,beforeImakeyou."

Thegroundjuddersthreateningly,butIrohholdshisground,stubbornasanearthbender.

"Perhapssometea,foroldtimes'sake?"Inonehand,heholdsaPaiShotilebetweentwofingers.Moonlightglintsoffthestylizedlotus,andhepraysthatthisAvatar,atleast,isoldenoughtorecognizeit."Ithinkwemayhavemuchtodiscuss."

Amomentflickersby.AsmirkgrowsontheAvatar'sface.

"YouknowI'mblind,don'tyou?"

.

.

Forabsolutelynoreason,theblindoneordershertomasterPaiShowithsuchuncompromisingferocitythatAzulaagreesalmostwithouthesitation.Motherusedto

play,butshe's—

—nothere,soAzulafindsherselfacrosstheboardfromthepatheticLoseroftheWest,lookingforwardtoaneasygame.

Herteasteamsawayunnoticedathersideasshelaysdowneachtileincompletesilence,internallypricklingatIroh'sramblingstoriesandconstantteabreaks,untilthegameisover.

Thegameisover.

Shestaresatthearrayinsilence.

Irohtakesonelastsipofteaandsighswithsatisfaction.Heplaceshisdrycuplightlyonthefloorbesidehim.Theteapotispreciselyempty,asifheknewexactlyhowlongthematchwouldlast.

Azulaburns.

Thereisnotatraceofhumorinheruncle'sfacewhenhesays,"Youneedwork.Youlacknegativejing."

Somethingsharpglintsatherfromhisgoldeneyes,likeFather's,andshemeetshischallengewithanequallydeadlysmile.

.

.

Firebendingcomesfromthebreath,Irohsays.Sosheholdsthethoughtinonehand,andbreathes.

Shedoesn'tyetrealizewhatshe'sdone,ofcourse,onlycongratulatesherselfforsteppingbeyondherlimitsyetagain–fromorangetobluetothisblindingly-whiteblazethatfarsurpassesanythingherillustriousgrandfatherhadeverdreamtof.

Atrueprodigy.

Zukowillbejealous,andFatherwillbeproud,andMother…

ThewhitefireleapsandtwirlslikeTyLee,reachingupasiftoconsumetheclouds…orperhapstojointhem,floatinguponthewind.Azulaconsidersthewhirlinginfernoandimaginesalaughing,gray-eyedchildplaying.Dancing.

…Motherwouldhavesmiled.

"She'llalwaysloveyou,nomatterwhat,"theblindwomansays,uncharacteristicallykind.Hervoiceisdistant."Mothersalwaysdo."

Azulaalmostargues,butfacingtheimplacableblankgazeofawomanalmostimmunetolies,shefindsherselfmurmuring,"…Yeah,theydo."

.

.

Father'sbeendistanteversincesheshowedhimthewhitefire.

.

.

ShewatchesZukoscream,half-smiling,secureintheknowledgethatFatherlovesmebest.

Afterwards,shesneaksintotheinfirmary,hauntedbyamemory(sheisaboyyoungerthanthisbutnotbymuch,andhisskinisburning,burning,andthenheisgone).Shetriestodripwaterintoherbrother'smouth,buthespitsitout,hisunbandagedeyerollingmadlyinitssocket.

He'sstillupsetaboutthetimeshetriedtosmotherhiminhissleep.

Azulaignoreshisincoherentmumblesandusesthewatertowashthetearsandsweatandashesfromhisface."Stopcrying,baby,"sheorders,andisnonplussedwhenherefusestoobey.Hissoftmewlingnoisesandsnifflesbotherher,evenasshestandsbyhisheadforlongminutes,fascinatedbyhispain.

ShepretendstowaterbendlikeHamaforamoment,holdinghercoldhandsoverthebandage,lightly,andwishesMotherwashere.Zuzuleansintohertouchandstopscrying,sosheleavesherhandsthereforawhile.

Later,whentheytakethebandageoff,shefeelsstrangelydisappointedwhenhisfaceisdisfiguredbyamottled,palepinkscar.Shewishesheridlethoughtscouldhavedonesomething.

.

.

Sometimesshewakesup,shaking,memoriesoffireandscreaminganddyingrollingaboutinherhead,andwhenshestumblesoutofbed,handsofstarlightcatchherarmandhelpherstand.

"Remember,"theytellherquietly,withoutapologyorblame.SheseestheproudemblemoftheFireNation,andfeelsalienstirringsofhatedirectedagainstit,hercountry,herfather.

Shebecomesangry,then,buttheyellowboytellshertobreathe,wearingastupid,stupidsmile.

Soshedoes,pouringfirefromhermouth,settingthepalaceablaze.Thepeasantcacklesasthewhiteflameswraparoundwallsandeattapestries,likevengefulspiritscoastingonanintenselyhotwind.Azulaimaginesthesuperheatedairrising,rising,andapillarofswirlingfireburststhroughtheceiling,bloomingoverthepalace.

Somewhereinthedeepsofhermind,Azulasaysitisamemorialflameforunknownnamesandfaces,peopleshedoesnotcareabout,orpeoplesheoncelovedwithafrighteningpassion;shecannolongertellthedifference.

InthemorningshefacesherfatherwithacompletelystraightfaceandtellshimshewasdreamingofconqueringtheEarthKingdom.

(Iamafourhundredfoottallpurpleplatypusbearwithpinkhornsandsilverwings)

Ofcoursehebelievesher.NooneliestotheFireLord.

.

.

Theteacupinherhandburstsintoacloudofsteamandtheashyremainsofleaves.Inalow,deadlyvoice,shehisses,"I'mwhat?"

.

.

.

.

Family

.

.

(family)

.

.

Sheavoidshimforweeks.It'saseasyasavoidingtheinfirmary,becausehewon'tleaveZuko'sside,untilnow.

Irohlooksold.

Azulashakesoffthethoughtbeforeitcanbotherher."Whatareyoudoinghere?"shesnaps."Whyaren'tyouwithZuko?"Shespitsherbrother'snameontothefloor.

"Hewokeupthismorning...Mybrotherdemandedanaudiencewithhimimmediately."

Azulaknowsherunclewellenoughtoexpectgoodnewswhenhesaysmybrotherinthatslow,disappointedvoice,butshequietshersuddenexcitement.Fatherwouldn'thurtZuko.Itwouldbedishonorabletostrikeawoundedopponent.

Abitmorebrisklythannecessary,shesays,"Outwithit."

"ZukohasbeenexiledfromtheFireNation.Iwillaccompanyhim."

Exileisahardwordtovoice,andIroh'sfacesags.Azuladoesn'tblink.

IamcrownprincessoftheFireNation,shethinks,feelingherstomachswoop.IfitmeansZukoandIrohhavetoleave,sobeit.Peoplelikethemdon'tbelonghere.

Motherdidn't,either.

Allofasuddenshefeelsexhausted.Sheturnsaway,andisabouttoclosethedoorinhisface,butIrohsweepsintoherroom,determinedtospeak.

"Thepriceofhishonor—andhisthrone—isthecaptureoftheAvatar."

Shecan'thelpthesharplaughterthatbreaksfromhermouth.Itturnsshrillin

moments,andshedoesn'tcareaboutthefrownlinesdeepeningonIroh'sbrow."Soyou'rehereforme?AsifZuzucouldkeepthethronethatbelongstome!"Everymuscleinherbodytenses,readytolunge.

"No!"

Heseemsgenuinelyupsetbyherwords,assheknewhewould.Butshecan'thavepredictedthis—

"Wewillbegonebysunrise.Beforeourshipleaves,youwilllearntoredirectlightning.Youmust."

Thecrackleofblueinhishandsisacoldpromise.

.

.

Azulausuallycan'tstandherwashed-upuncle'sexplanations,butthestarlightspiritslistenwithraptattention.Theyareimpressed,sherealizes.Hiswordsresonatedeepinsideofher.

Push,pull,tide,whirl.Aboveher,themoondriftsacrossthesky,andwithoutlookingsheknowsexactlywhereithangs.

Belowher,thesinkoftheearthwaits,blackandhungry.Inthesmoothmarbleofherfloor,shefeelstheriftsthatwillguidethefiredown,down,intothewelcomingarmsoftheearth.

Theleapingsparkisbarelyenoughtoburnhair,butsheknowsonlyamastercouldcontroltheuncontrollablelikethis.Shetakesthelightningwithoutaword,utterlyperfectinform,andchannelsitthroughherselfandintothefloor,harmlesslydissipated.

Exceptitdoesn'thappenthatway,andtherecoilhurlsherintothefarwall.

Ithoughtyouwereaprodigy,Azula,Irohdoesn'tsay.

Sheonlystandsandmotionshimtotryagain,withaterriblesmileonherface.

.

.

Theshipisalreadyhalfwayintothebaybythetimeshedragsherselfoutofbed.

"EvenMothertookthetimetosaygoodbyetome,"shesaystothewindow.

Thepredawnshadowswraparoundherasshepullsthecoversaroundherandshakesthescentoflightningoutofherhair.

Onanimpulse,shebreathesdeepandfiresastreamerofwhitefireupandoutintothedarksky.ItleavesasmokyquestionmarkhangingoverthePalacelongaftertheflameseatthemselvesaway.

Ifthere'sareply,shedoesn'tseeit.Thesuncreepsoverthehorizonandsetsthewateralight.

Softly,Azulasays,"JustmeandFathernow."

.

.

Azulahatesthecourtesanswhodriftthroughthehallslikepoison,drapedinsilkstiffenoughtoconcealathousandknives.Theireyesdancewithself-satisfaction,proudoftheirvictoriesinmeaninglessCourtintrigues.

(NotMai,though.NeverMai,whopiercestheirveils,whoneverwantedtoplayattheirgames.Mai,whoisasbluntandhonestasabadgermole.)

Fatherhasbeenhumoringthemmoreandmorerecently.

Theonewitheyeslikeaviper'sapproachesthethronetorequestfavorsforherfamily—pettyappointmentsandsubstancelesstitles—inalow,silkyvoiceutterlyinappropriatetohappeningsatCourt.

Mother'svoicewasbeautiful.Shecan'trememberitverywellanymore,butsheknowsitwasalullaby,aswarmasthesun,alovingwhisperonafatefulnight.

TheFireLordallowsthecornerofhismouthtosmile.Sheedgesnearer,notquiteoutsidethebordersetiquetteallows.Thegoldenserpentcoiledinherhairglintsinthelight,andevenbehindthecurtain,Azulacansmellthesicklyperfume.

Azulahatesher.

She'sgladZuko'snotheretoseethis.

.

.

Azulaisperfect.

Shemustbeperfect.

Theworldneedshertobeperfect.

Azulamovesherarmsinanelegant,whirlinggesture,andapurewhiteflameleapstowardstheclouds.Sheholdsitthereforlongmoments,watchingittwinesinuouslyarounditself,andfindingthehazyfocussheneedstokeeptheflameasfineasawhitesilkribbon.Toomuchintensitystreaksitblue;toolittle,anditdissipatesintounsubtleyellow.Shetiltsherheadandwatchesitdance.

Itisbeautiful.

"Itisweak,"Fathersaysfrombehindher,andhercalmsplinters.Thedancingtendrilsflareintoorangerags.Immediately,Azulacurses,honingherconcentrationagain,andthefiresimmersblue.

"Myapologies,Father,butIthought—"

"Youmustbewithoutcontamination,"hecontinues,pressingalong-nailedhandintohershoulder.Hestandsinherblindspot.Thesmallofherbacktingles,rememberingknives.

"Father—"

"Afirethatburnswhitehastoomuchair."

Notamusclemovesinherexpression,butsheknowshefeltthejoltthatpassedthroughherspine,thewayhisfingerstensepainfullyintothefleshofherarm.Hiswordsbrushbythebackofherneckashestepscloser.

"Youneedtobeperfect."

Iamperfect.

"Iwillworkharder,Father."

.

.

Inthepracticeyard,herfaceisclosed,andherfirelancesoutbrightblue,searinglyhot.LiandLobegintorunoutofcriticism.Fatherneversmilesather,butsheknowsheapproves.

Inherroom,withthedoorlockedandthewindowcrackedjustenoughforabreeze,shelightshermeditationcandlesandbreathes.Theycometolifelikethreesmallwhitedoves,flutteringinthefaintwind.

Asshecloseshereyes,Azulasmileswithoutatraceofbitterness.

Inthestillness,ashyvoicedriftstowardsher,softasthemountainecho,andbearingthescentoffrostonthebreeze.

...Hi,hesays.

Helookslikethesortofpersonwhodiesyoung,Azulathinks,lookingatthewideeyesthataresomehowimmenselysadandhappyatonce.

Therearenomoremasterstoteachyou,hesaysinatwelve-year-oldvoiceshecan'thelpbuthate,beingtwelveherself.Youneedtogotothesource.Theskybison—

"I'mnotleaving,"shesaysfirmly."Fatherneedsmehere."

Helookspuzzledandtriestoprotest,butshetuneshermindtoaperfectlystillplace,andhevanisheslikemist.Thecandlesburnblueforalongtime.

.

.

Theskywon'tstopcallinghername.

TyLeedoesn'tquestionherwhenshescalesthewalloftheFireAcademyforGirlsandstartstorunoverthemoonlittiles.Theyleapfromrooftoroof,lightasbirds,dancinginillusoryfreedom.Theacrobatgigglesandstartsturningcartwheels.

Azuladoesn'tsmile,exactly,butsomethingsoftensintheanglesofherface,andshepullsherlonghairfreefromitscustomarybunsoshecanfeelthehandofthewindwhipthroughit.

Shelooksjustlikehermother.

.

.

Ifshecloseshereyes,shemightbeabletohearthescreamofyinandyangbeingseparated.

Shedoesn'tdare,ofcourse,becauseitwouldbedeathtotakehereyesofftheactiniclightningleapingoverherfingersandscorchingblistersintoherskinwherejustshecan'tquiteholditoff.

Withashout,shehurlsthestingingenergyawayfromherself.Thecourtyardisilluminatedforastarkblueinstant,andadeafeningcrackofthundershakesthewalls.

Azulapantsandclutcheshersingedarms.Shemufflesawhimper.

"Youlackcontrol,"Fathersaysfromthecorner."Untilyoulearntoseizepower,youwillneverhaveit."

"Iunderstand."

"Again."

Sheshutsoffeverything.Shequietlyfoldsawaythepainclawingupherwrists,thecallofthewind,thewayZukoscreamed,thenot-memoryofbeingburnedaliveunderthecomet-brightsky.Thereisonlythebone-deepcoldandthesplitting,screamingchi.

.

.

ThePalaceissoemptywithoutZukoandIroh(andMother).Shefendsoffthelonelinesswithendlesskatasandexercises—butattheendoftheday,shestillneedstowalktoherroom.

There'ssomethingmalevolentaboutthewaytheshadowsgatherinthecornersofthehallswhenshewalksbyherself,somoreandmoreshewalkswithhereyesclosed.

Mostoftenit'stheblindwomanwhowalksalongsideher,castingafaintpearlylightoverthedarkness.Azulaneversaysshe'sgrateful,butthecalmnessinherheartbeatisobvious.

BythetimeshereachesZuko'sroom,Azulaisaloneagain.

Itdoesn'tlookliketheservantshavecomebyinweeks,thesamewaythey'veavoidedMother'sroomforyears.Theclosethangsopen,clothesvomitedontothefloor,asifhe'dgonethroughitinapanic,orhadjustbeensloppy.Histablehasbeenliterallysweptclean,asifbyanarmknockingeverythingintoabag.

"Idiot,"shesays,andjumpsatthesoundofherownvoicebreakingthesilence.Thequietcrowdsbackaroundherinmoments.She'sneverfelttoosmallbefore,butthegapingemptinessleersatheruntilshebacktreadssoftlyandlocksthedoorbehindher.

Mother'sroomismorewelcoming,stillfullofclothingandhintsofherpresence.Itdoesn'tlooklikeshetookanythingwithher—eventheproudgoldenflameliesonthesidetable,forgotten,ordiscarded.Azulawalkspastitwithouttouchingit,asshealwaysdoes.

Azulatakesapreciousbottleofperfumeandtouchesittothesheets,sothepillowswillstillsmelllikeher,evenaftertwoyears.Shecrawlsunderthecoversandbreathes.

.

.

Againandagain,Azulasendscoldfireintothewallinthepracticecourtyard.Shedoesnotflinchfromthearcingchainswreathingherhands.Theydonotburnher.

Notasinglehairoutofplace.

Fatherdoesn'tcommentonhertechniqueanymore,soshemustbeperfect,atlast.She'llalwaysneedtoimproveherstamina,butthere'sonlysomuchathirteen-year-oldcando.

Azula'salmostreadytodeclareherselfaFirebendingmasterwhenshefindsoneofthefewuncensoredmilitaryreportsinstorage.JeongJeongtheDesertercouldfly.

Therearenootherdetails,buttheyaren'tnecessary—sheknowswhattodo,asifshe'sdoneitallherlife—whyshedidn'tthinkofitthemomentshefeltthekickbackofaburstofflame,she'llneverknow—

Thesky-longinghitsherstrongerthanever,andshecanhardlycontrolherselfas

sheclimbstothePalaceroof.Fromhere,shecanseealmosttheentireCapital.Thewindswirlsaroundherlikeatamedbeast.

Theheightmakeshergiddy,butshe'snotafraid.She'slivedinloftyAirTemplesherwholelife;she'sdancedthroughtheaironnothingbutaredkite.She'saprodigy,andJeongJeongtheDeserterisanobody.

Shetakesarunningleapoffthetiles,andembracesthesky.

Hotairbloomsbelowher,buoyingherupstraightintothesun;thefireinherhandspressesherhigher,higher.Shecanfeeltheairragingaroundher,tearingoutherhairpintoclattertothestonessoveryfarbelow.

Thefirespullatherinfourdirectionswiththeforceofchargingkomodorhinos,andit'sallshecandotokeepfrombeingtornapart.Herarmsandlegsshakewiththeeffortofholdingthemsteady.Thefeelingofhanginginmidairisworthit.

Gettingdownisanotherissueentirely,butsheholdsoffexhaustionwiththestrengthofherwilluntilshe'stenmetersup.ThewindblowsmorethanentirelynecessaryasshefreefallsintothePalacegarden.

Outofthecornerofhereye,sheseesFather'srobessweeparoundacorner,andvanish.

.

.

Fathersays,"Mydaughter."

He'sveryproudofherskill,hesays.Azulacanfeelthejitterofhispulsetremblewithfalsehood.

Shewasbornlucky,saystheministeroffinance,eyesfullofenvy.She'llmakeapowerfulFireLord,saystheministerofwar.

SomethingflickersinFather'sheartbeatbeforehesays,"Yes."

Azulasmilesallthroughdinner.Afterward,theshadowsswirlinherwakeandnipatheranklesasshewalksthroughthehalls,everymovementtightlycontrolleduntilshereachesMother'sroom.

"He'safraidofme,"shewhispersshakily,slammingthedoorandcollapsingagainstit.Shehugsherkneestoherchestandtriestoquietthefranticpoundingofher

heart."Allofthem.Everyoneis...afraidofme."

Good,shewantstosay,butitchokesinherthroat.

"Iamamonster,"shesaystothemirror,hatingthewayhervoicecracksandthreatenstocrumple."I—am—"

Azula,saysavoicelikealullaby,andit'stoomuchforher.Sheburiesherfaceinthesheetsanddoesn'tcry.ThebedcreakswhenMothersitsnexttoherandsighs.

Bestrong,shesays,strokingherhairwithahandofstarlightthatissomehowtooroughtobelongtoUrsa,butAzulaleansintoitnonetheless,andshakeswiththesobsshewillnotfree.

.

.

.

.

Spirits

.

.

(spirits)

.

.

Azulasitsbeforehermeditationcandles.Theyburnagitatedorange,flickeringwitheverythoughtpassingthroughhermind.

It'snotfair.Fathershouldbehappythathisdaughterhassuchtalent.HeshouldbegladthattheFireNationwillberuledbythegreatestFirebenderinhistory.

TheAvatarherself,honoringtheempirewithherfavor.

Thecandlesblazefitfully,thenpulsebackintorhythmasshetakesseveralcalmingbreaths.

Shewantstodullherskill,soFathermayhavethepleasureofcriticizingher;sohemayforgethereffortlessperfection,andquiethisjealousy.AzulatriestoconvinceherselfthatpowerisnothingcomparedtoFather'sapproval,butshe'slearnedhislessonstoowell.

Fatherapprovesofnothingbutpower.

Aswitheverything,shecalmlyturnsherthoughtsoverinherheadandignoresthewayherhandshavegonenumb.Herpulserefusestorace.Nothingwillstoptheslow,coilingchurnofambitioninherheart.

Motherwouldhaveunderstood.

(Shedidterrible,treasonousthingsthatnight.)

Theflamesturnbrilliantlyblue.

.

.

Fatherisn'tstupidenoughtobarherfromwarmeetings,notwheneverygeneraleyesherwithhunger,rememberingthecharredbattlefieldstheformercrownprinceleftinhiswake.TheyallknowshewouldexceedtheDragonoftheWestineveryway.

TheyedgecautiouslyaroundthetopicofZuko'smissionwithoutmentioningthenameofdishonor.

"SurelytheAvatarismerelytooyoungtounderstandhisdutytohiscountry?Ifhe'sbeenraisedinprogressiveschools,hecouldbeavaluableadditiontothewareffort."

"Thenyouthinkthesearchparties'jurisdictioninFireNationterritoryshouldbesuspendedimmediately?"

"TheAvatarcannotbetrusted.Wemustrememberthatwhenhebetrayedthethrone,Rokucrippledthebeginningofourexpansion."

"Ifhehasn'tshownhimselfbynow,wemustassumeheisourenemy."

"Giventhesituationintheoutercolonies,Iwouldn'tbesurprisedifhehasbeenturnedagainstus.TheincidentinGansuclearlydemonstratestheinadequacyofthepatrols."

Azula'sexpressionneverflickers.

Oneofthegeneralsglancestowardsherandsays,"IfImaysuggest—asmallteamoftrainedassassins..."

ShelooksattentivelyatFatherwithacalculatedexpressiononherface—justtherightmixtureofself-assuranceandrespect,layeredintentionallythinlywithfalsemodesty.Thetiltofherheadaskspermissionwithoutwords.Pickme.

"No,"saysthevoicebehindtheflames.

.

.

Infrontofhermeditationcandles,Azulatriestoquiethergrowingunease.Thelightofthefullmoonleavesnothinghidden,sosheknowsthatshe'snotindanger,butachorusofvoicesbehindhereyesdisagrees.

Sheletsthecandlescalmtosmoothwhite,andsomethingburstsinthebackofher

mind.Forabriefmoment,herheadsingswithpain,discordantnoteschiming.Awomaninraggedblueseizeshershoulderwithsurprisingstrength.Hama'seyesarewidewithpanicandrage.

"TheMoon—youmustprotecther—"

"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Azulasayssnidely,beforetheworldtilts.Thepatchofmoonlightinherbedroomslowlyturnsred,likebloodinmilk,orKuzon'sfaceonthedayofthecomet.

Hercheek,sherealizesdimly,ispressingintothefloor.Hamahasvanishedintotheseethingmassofvoicesinherhead,orperhapsthevoiceshavebubbledforthtojoinher,shecan'ttell.Imagesflashpasthereyestooquicktofollow.

"Stopit,"shemumbles,squeezinghereyesshuthardenoughtoseespotssuperimposedontheflickeringscenes.Thevoicesrisestoablurryroar,strikingherwithdizziness.Hersenseofplacetwistsandlurchesuntilitseemssoeasytojustslidesilentlyintothefloor.

Inablink,shedoes,andhervisiongoesblack.

.

.

She'slyingonherbackinthecoldgrass,feelingfrost-dewseepintohersilkrobes.TheskyisthecolorofthescarletcurtainsonthenightMotherranaway,ortheshadowofherhairunderthecloak.Byhabitshesummonsahandfulofwhiteflametocastawaythedark,onlytofeelherheartskipabeatwhennothinghappens.

Inmomentsshe'sboundedupintoafluidcrouch,eyesgaugingeverypotentialthreat.Shecan'tsenseanyintenttokill,andtheonlylivingcreatureseemstobeababoonwearinghumanclothing,encircledbyacrevasseoftreerootsinanalmostmeditativeposture.

"Om,"itintones,andAzulaflinches.

Shestaresatthemonkeysilently,longenoughforhertoremembersomethingIrohhadmentioned,once,aboutLuTen.

Itrepeatsitsmantraandsneaksaglanceather.

"Spirit,"shesays,anditpretendsnottohearher.Aflarelightsinherheart.

"Don'tthinkyoucanignoremewithoutconsequences,"shehisses,steppingforward.

Itopensitseyesandturnsitsfullattentiononher."Don'tthinkyoucanthreatenmewithoutconsequences,"itmocks,andtherewouldbesomethingsillyaboutthisanimalspeakinglikethattothePrincessoftheFireNation,theSpiritoftheWorld,but...there'ssomethingmonstrousinitseyes,orthetiltofitsruffledhead—somethingutterlyalientohumansentiment,andawarethatsheispowerlesshere.

Somethinglikethatlooksoutatherinthemirroreveryday.

Morequietly,shesays,"Tellmewhat'sgoingon."

"Youfailed,Avatar,"itsays."Wedidn'thavehighexpectations,but—"

"Youhavenoright,"Azulasnaps.

"YoulettheMoondie."

Herhandscurlintofists—shewantstoscream,"HowwasIsupposedtoknow?"Butlookingintothespirit'sbeadyblackeyes,Azulaseesnounderstandingofspace,ortime,orahundredothermerelyhumanlimitations.Itseesonlyherfailure.

Thepathissimple,then."Iwillkillitsmurderer,"shepromisescalmly."Tellmewheretogo."

Thebaboonlookscloselyatherfaceforseveralmoments,andsays,"Kohmightshowyoutheway."Itpointsidly,andclosesitseyes.

"Om,"itchants.

.

.

Thebattle-scarredwomanwalksbesideher,surprisinglysolid.Azulacanseethathereyesarepalegreenunderthemilkycataracts.

"It'snotatrap,"AvatarTophsays."Theyjustforget,sometimes,thatyoudon'tknowthesamethings."

"Face-Stealer,"Azulasaysslowly.Thevoicesinherheadaregone,fornow,butshestillfeelsaslow,boilingrageagainsttheunfamiliarname."He—ittooksomethingfromme."

"Heplaysbytherules.That'sallthereistoit,"shesays,beforedissolvingintoashes,borneawaybythewind.Azulastandsaloneunderthemournfulsky.

Itneveroccurstohertodismissthisworldasunreal.Azulahasseenillusionsandheardvoicessinceshewasyoung,andonlysomeofthemweretrulyneverthere.

Withoutthinkingaboutit,shestopswalkingtowardsthedistanthorizon.Distanceisdifferenthere,asinadream;sheknows,somehow,thatherstepsaren'tbringingheranycloser.Shecloseshereyes,summonsthatfeelingofnauseousplacelessness,andstepsinnoparticulardirectionbuttowardsthenameKoh.

Whenthewhirlwindstops,Azulastepsoutontoaplateau,watchingagiantraccoondogpassthroughthecloudsbeneathatorturedtree.Withouthesitationshewalksintothedarkness.

"Koh,"shecommands,feelingeyesonherback.

Awhisperofclicking,andawhitemaskattachedtoamonstrousbodyappearsbeforeher."Welcome,"itsays,inavoicethatresonatesoverherskin.

"It'sbeenalongtimesinceI'veaddedachild'sfacetomycollection...Avatar."

"I'mnotheretochat,"shesays."TellmehowtofindtheonewhokilledtheMoon."

Itlaughssoftly."Notimetotalktoanoldfriend?"itsays,driftingnearer.Azuladoesn'treactwhilesegmentedlegsbrushherrobeandlingeronherarms.Itcoilsslowlyaroundher,andinspectsherface.

"Beautiful,Iknow,"shesays,resistingtheurgetosmirk.

Kohhesitatesatsomethinginhereyes.Itdrawsbackslightly,butsmilesalmostapprovingly.

"Littlegirl,it'sasmuchamaskasmine."

.

.

Itdoesn'ttakelongtoreachthearchoftheOasis.Shecanfeelthedrawoftherealworld,somehow,thefeelingofwaterswirlingslowlydownadraininthecenteroftheinnocuous-lookingarchway.Allshehastodoisclosehereyesandfollowthescentoficeandthesoundofinhumanhowling.

Gleaminglikestarlight,Azulastepsintothehumanworld.Theskyispitchblack,andallcolorhasbeenleachedawaybytheunnaturaltwilight.ShestepsoverthebodiesofFireNavytroopstoreachthepoolwhereablackkoifishswimsfranticallybackandforth,moaninginavoicelikethetyphoon.

ShemeetsIroh'seyes.

"Iknewyou'dbehere,"shesays."Whodidthis?"

TheOcean'svoicegrowslouder—itseemstoslowitscirclesandlingernearher.Come,itwhispers,hungryasthesunlessoceanfloor.Cometome.

"You'vemadeapromiseundertheskyoftheSpiritWorld,"Irohsaysinstead."Besuretokeepit."

Come,andgivemeblood.

"Iintendto,"Azulasays,andstepsintothewater.

Theoasisbeginstowhirlwithdarkpurpose.

.

.

Asthemoonreemergesinthenightsky,thegirl-spiritdriftsbacktoherself,feelingnauseous.Thefeelingofathousandrottingdrowned,thegrimfingersofthedeepocean,themindlesshatredunceasingasthetide—thefilthoftheOceanSpiritwithoutbalanceleavesasea-saltstainonherspiritasthewatersrecede.

Shecan'trememberkillingZhao,orthecrewofwhatappearstobeseveralRevenant-classbattleships.Forawhileshehoversonthebarrierwall,ahazypatchofstarlightunabletoholdform.Thetidecallstoher.

Shestrugglestorecallheridentitylongenoughforherghostlyformtosettle,butbythetimetheweakarticsunrises,shehasremembered.

("Neverforgetwhoyouare,"shesaid,vanishingintothenight.)

"Azula,"shesays,rememberingsilkonskinandacombinherhair.Sunlight.Sheneedstogohome.

It'snotthesamethingastravelingintheSpiritWorld,butcloseenoughthatsheholdshernameinhermindlikeabeacon,andsteps.

Herbodyisheavy.Shecanhearthetrickleofbreaththroughherlungsandthepulsingofherheart.Thesinewsofherhandsstretchassheclenchesherfists.Herfleshhangsonherbones.It'sinconvenient,butthesparkinherbloodremindshershecanbendagain.

Inaflashofawareness,sherealizesthatshe'snotinherroom,andsitsupasthelastoftheeeriebluelightfadesfromhereyes.

Sherecognizesthesmall,darkroom,butshe'sonlyeverseenitfromtheoutside,lookinginthroughthesmallwindowinthedoor.Itisasteelcell—afurnacetoanyfirebenderfoolishenoughtotrytobreakout.

"Welcomeback,Azula,"Fathersays.

.

.

.

.

Scars

.

.

(scars)

.

.

Onthefirstdayofhisexile,Zukolockshimselfinhislivingquartersandtriesnottohowlwithpent-uprage.

Later,helooksathistaskwithcalmereyesandtriesnottopanic.

EverythingabouttheAvatarisanunknownquantity,excepthisageandheritage.TheEarthKingdomAvatarwaskilledtwelveyearsago,andaccordingtotheirrecords,theAvatarpassesfromlifetolifeatalmostthemomentofdeath.

ThefactthattheAvatarisafirebenderraisesahostofdangers.Thehomeislandsareforbiddentohim,butanytruesonofFireNationsoilwouldhaveturnedhimselfinalready,sothecoloniesaretheonlyplaceworthsearchinganyway,Zukotellshimself.

AsaprinceoftheFireNation,heknowsheshouldtakecareofhispeople,butthere'sachancethattheAvatarwon'twanttocometothecapital.Hemightresist.

Hisageisirrelevant.Azula'sshownhimexactlyhowdangerousatwelve-year-oldcanbe.

.

.

Thecolonialgovernorlooksathisscarfirst.

ThebeginningofaninstinctivesmirkisquashedbythesuddenpresenceoftheDragonoftheWestinhisreceivingroom,thoughZukodoesn'trealizeituntilmonthslater.Hechalksituptotheglarehelevelsthroughmismatchedeyes.

Hedirectsthemtothecensusofficewithstrainedpoliteness,wherethearchivers

lookathimwiththesameexpression.Theshelfofbirthstwelveyearsagohasalreadybeensearched—infact,ithasanairofconstantuse.

"Weletthestudentscomehereforclassprojects—everyyearthere'sanattempttofindthemostlikelyAvatar,"theysay,hidingsmiles,asZukogritshisteethandsweepsoutoftheroomwithoutlookingback.

.

.

Azulaiswinning,hethinkswitheverypassingday,patientlybuildinguphisstoreofresentment.

Dayspass.Hetrawlsthrougheveryscrollhecanlayhandson,thoughheneverstoopstothankingIrohforvisitingthepalacearchivesbeforetheyleft.Withresignation,ZukotakesinthelegendsoftheAvatar'sexploits—Roku'sduelwiththevolcano,Kyoshi'sdecisivepeace,Yangchen'ssuppressionofWaterTribepiracy.

Thedetailsaresparse,andrarelyfocusontheAvatar'schildhoods,excepttomentionuselessthingslike"Hewasanearthbendingmasterateleven"and"Shewasaprodigy."Thestoriesmeannothingtohim.

HundredsofyearsoftheAvatar'sliveslieinhishands,buthestillcan'tfindhim.

.

.

He'ssickandtiredofscouringthecolonies.Ofcoursethefirebendingschoolshavealreadysearchedtheirthirteen-year-oldsforanysign.OfcoursetheFireSageshavemadecountlesspassesoftherespectablefamilies.Everypettycolonialofficialhespeakstotakesimmensepleasureininforminghimoffactshealreadyknows.Everymanonhisshiplooksathimwiththesamemildlyamusedexpression.

Repetitiondoesn'tmakethestinggoaway.

EveryoneknowstheAvatarisn'tinthecolonies.Atleast,notthecivilizedones.

ZukoleaveshistroopsbehindtoseekouttheoneswithreasontohidefromtheFireNation.Uncleworriesenoughtocomewithhim,andZuko'ssecretlygladtohavehimthereastheysaddletheirarmoredostrich-horsesandheadinland.

ThegratitudevanishesthemomentIrohbeginstosing.

.

.

Recently-conqueredterritoryisnothinglikeheexpects.Thisclosetothefront,it'snotworthsendingofficialstocontrolthearea—FireNationmercenariesandsoldiersplunderthecountrysideatwill.

Afterayearofveiledinsultsandsubtleinsubordinationhastaughthimtonoticethedisdainonpeople'sfaces,thepeasants'expressionsonseeinghisuniformisgratifying.Thenoveltywearsoffwhenherealizesit'snotrespect,it'sterror.Nobodywillgivethemtheinformationtheyneedwhentheylooklikeroyalty,asridiculousasitsounds.

It'shardertoletthearmorgothanhethought,butZukosteelshimselfandtriesnottoimagineAzula'steasing.Irohlooksfarmorecomfortableinthesimplebrownhomespunthanroyaltyshould,butZukorefusestocomplain,evenwhentheitchyfabricandrelentlessEarthKingdomsunmakeeverymovementexcruciating.

Theylookathisscarfirst,likeeveryoneelse,butouthere,theirfacesbrimwithrespectandsympathy.Somethingshrivelsinsidehischest.

Zukoalmostprefersthepeoplesharpenoughtostarelonger,takinginthecolorofhiseyesandskin.Undertheirsuspiciousgazes,herememberswhoheis.

Hedoesn'tfeelproud.

.

.

"We'relookingforafirebenderaroundthirteenyearsold,"Zukosaysinwhathethinksisacasualtone,onlytoheartheentirebarfallsilent.NotevenIroh'suncannyfriendlinesscanweaselthemoutofthatsituation,andtheyleavebeforethevillagersdecidetoturnonthem.

.

.

Zukolearns,villageaftervillage,thatsometimesit'sbettertolistenandwait.Afterawhile,noonepaysanyattentiontoaraggedpairofwandererstakingrefugefromthesun,notevenwhenshoutsringoutandathinboystumblesintothelight.

TheEarthKingdomsoldierslaughastheycuthimoffinthemiddleofthestreet.Noonetriestostopthem—someevensmilewithathin,gleaminglookintheirfacesthatremindshimtoomuchofAzula.

"Noonewantsyouaroundhere,"theleadersneers,makingasiftograbtheboy'scollar,butheducksoutofthewaywithasharpmotionandtriestorun.Theothertwosoldierscloseinandgrabhisarms,twistingthempainfully.Hedoesn'tsquirmonceheseeshe'scaught.Somethinghardensinhisgoldeneyes.

Theleaderleansintotaunt,"Whydon'tyoubeg,littleboy?Ifyousquealloudenough,maybeyourdaddy'llcomebacktosaveyoursorryhide!"

Theboylooksbackwithafuriousexpression.Hecoughssomethinglikeacloudofsmokeandsootintohistormentor'sface,thenchangeshismindandspits.

"YoulittleFireNationbastard—"

Withasinglefluidmotion,Zukosmasheshisscabbardagainstthebacksofonesoldier'sknees,pivots,andramsthehiltintotheother'stemple.

Beforeanyonecanblink,hestandsfacetofacewiththeiroutragedleader.Behindhim,theboystandscautiously,lookingatthesoldierscrumpledinthedustoneithersideofhim.

Theleadergrowls,"Don'tstickyournoseintothearmy'sbusiness,stranger."

"You'rejustacommonthug,"Zukosayscoldly.

"Pleaseexcusemynephew,"Irohsays,finallystandingtojoinZuko.Histoneisrigidlypolite."Hesimplymeanttopreventtheinjusticeofthestrongpreyingontheweak."

Irohsoundslikeeverydisappointedteacherandparent.Thesoldierbaresasnarlasheseesthecrowdturnself-consciouslyagainsthim.

"Ibetternotseeyouintownanymore,"hesays,levelingahammeratthetravelersbeforewalkingaway.Thegatheredvillagersdispersenervously,tryingnottolookanyoneintheeye.

Behindthem,theboyisgone.

It'seasyenoughtotrackhimtothedilapidatedhutwherehelives.Thewomanwhoanswersthedoorhasasleeplesslookinherface,andwrinklesthatspeakoflong

sorrow.Herfacepalesasshewhispers,"Whatdoyouwant?"

Zuko'sbloodturnstoicewhenheseesthelividscaronhercheek,likearedhandprint.

.

.

Foronce,heletshisuncledothetalking.

"Sohowoldareyou,son?"Irohsayswithfakelightness.Theboyglowerssilentlyandletsthewordsfalllikedeadleaves.

Irohglancesathisnephewwithastrangeexpression.Hiswordsbegin,"Youknow,youaren'ttheonlyone—"

Withanuncharacteristicflashofinsight,Zukoknowswhathe'sabouttosayandturnsred."Don'tyoudareslandermymother!"heshouts,andstormsoutofthemudhutbeforethebarely-controlledsparksleapingfromhishandscandamageanyofthepeasants'meagerpossessions.He'sintenselyawareoftheboy'ssuddenlyinterestedeyesonhisbackasheleaves.

Laterthatevening,Irohsaysquietly,"He'stooyoungbyayear.Let'snotimposeontheirhospitalityanylonger."

Zukorisesandwalksawaywithoutanotherword.

Underthestars,Unclesays,"Iamsorry."

.

.

Inthescatteredvillagesontheborder,therearetoomanyhaunted-lookingEarthKingdommothers,livingfarawayfromneighborswhowon'tlookatthemonthestreet.Theyflinchawayfromsuddenmovements,anddon'tliketolooktoolongatthefirebeneaththecook-pot.Theirskinisbrokenbymottledredscars.

Zukotriestotalktothesullenchildrenwholookinhisgoldeneyesandseeamonster,orthemselves.Theyhatehimalmostinstinctively.

Withafewsoftwords,though,Unclemanagestocoaxabitofbendingfromthem—aself-conscioussparkorflame.Ashewatches,Zukostartstorealizethatthey're

ashamedandafraidoftheirgift,andwondersifthiswassuchagoodideaafterall.

Toomanytimes,he'sendedupprotectinghistargetsfromvigilantestryingtowipeeverylastdropofFireNationbloodfromtheirsoil,togainnothingbutcursesforhisefforts.Morerarely,hecatchesastrangelookintheeyesoftheirmothers.

Everypassingdayofsearchingmakesthedisgustinhisstomachgrowstronger.He'salmostrelievedwhenUncleIrohsuggeststheytakea—well,hedoesn'tquiteusetheword"break",buta"trainingretreat"bytheoceansoundsperfect.Anythingtoescapethisplace,stillbearingthescorchmarksofwarinitssoilanditspeople.

.

.

Whenhiscrewrejoinstheminasmallportcity,Zukorealizessuddenlythatitwasn'tnecessarytoleavethembehindtofindtheAvatar.Hemighthide,mightevenbeabletoevadeatroopofFireNationsoldiers—butintheend,hewouldneverbeabletoescapehisheritage.Therewouldbeuncountablevillagersalltooeagertoridthemselvesoftheirdishonor.

Allhewouldneedtodoispostabountyforfirebendersofacertainage,andtheAvatar'sfamilyandneighborswouldjumpatthechancetoturnhimin,eventotheirenemies.Theywouldhateandbetrayhim,anexilefromhisbirthplace.

(Inthegardensheloved,hetriestodemand,"Whereisshe?"inashakyvoice,butFatherdoesn'tseemtohear.)

(Hekneels,paralyzedwithfear,underthelightsandthestaresoftheentireCourt,andlooksupintoafacewithoutcompassion.)

Zukodoesn'tknowwhatbothershimsomuchaboutthethought.Hekeepsittohimselfwhiletheytrain,eventhoughtheturmoilmakeshisflamessplutterweaklyanddisruptseveryattemptatmeditation.

Acouplemonthsshyofthethree-yearanniversary,AdmiralZhaobargesintocamponakomodorhino.Zukowelcomesthedistraction,atleastuntilhesnidelyinformshimthatthesearchfortheAvatarisfarlessimportantthancripplingtheNorthernWaterTribe,onlyfitforuselessbanishedchildren.

ThenZhaostealshiscrewandtriestoassassinatehim.

.

.

Zukoliesonthebeach,exhausted,tryingtotakeinthesunforever.

Noamountofwarmthwillbeenoughtodriveoffthecold,orforgettheeyesoftheOcean—afeelinglikefathoms-deep,crushing,sunlesswater.HestartstoshakeeverytimeheremembershowitturneddeliberatelyawaytoseizeZhaoinstead.ButnothingcouldbeworsethandriftingonthatsameOceanforweeks,staringatbloatedbodiesamongtheremnantsofonce-proudFireNationregalia.

Andthen,theanniversary.Zukodecidestoforgetthewaythepeasantslookedatthegold-eyedchildren,anddowhateverittakestogohomeandreclaimhisrightfulplaceatFather'sside.They'llbehappier,hethinks,awayfromfamilyandneighborswhowillonlybetraythem.

Besides,hecan'tletAzulawin.

"YourunclesaidI'dfindyouhere,"saysafamiliarvoicethatelectrifieshimtothecore.Hesitsupabruptly,lookingoverhisshoulder,half-unbelieving.

She'sreallyhere.

Maidoesn'ttrytohidehersmile."Hey."

Zukostumblestohisfeet,suddenlyawareofhisraggedappearanceagainstthefinenessofherrobes."Mai!Whatareyoudoinghere—Ihaven'tseenyouin—mph!"

Shestepsback,blushing,ashetoucheshislipsinbewilderment."Mai?"

"You'recomingback,"Maisays,lightdancinginherusuallyhoodedeyes."Yourfathersentme.Hesaidheregretswhathe'sdone.ApparentlytheCourt'sbeengettingambitiousandfamilyaretheonlyoneshecantrust.Hewantsyouhome."

"Father...regrets?"Zukowonders,touchingtheskinbeneathhiseye.Ashiveryhopepassesoverhim."Hewantsme...backhome?"

Maiembraceshim,seeminglyunaffectedbythesandandthesaltdirtyingherrobes."Iwantyouback,"shesays,silencinghisprotestswithanotherkiss.

Aguiltyweightvanishesfromhischest.

.

.

.

.

Traitors

.

.

(traitors)

.

.

"InthefewminuteswehavetogetherbeforeIleaveyouherefortherestofyourlife,whydon'twediscussyourbetrayal?"Fathersays.

Azulaletsherpulsecalm.Thisisnothing.Shecanreadeveryliltofhisvoicelikeabook,evenbehindthedoor.Sheknowshim.Thisdeliberatesilkiness—tryingtoohardtointimidate—tryingtocoversomeessentiallackofknowledgehedesires.Itmeansshecancontrolhim.

Ormaybeit'sthecustomarytonehetakeswithprisonersbeforeinterrogation.

Butshecan'tlethimfrightenher.Shecannotgrovel,notwhenshehastheoptiontodeceive.Zukomadethebestpossiblemistakeunderthecircumstances,butAzulahasfarmoreroomtomaneuverhere,inaconflictofwords.

FatherhasneverseentheoutcomesofherlittlealtercationswithZuko,andwhyshouldhe?ItwasalwaysMotherwhowatchedhermanipulations,withdawningcomprehension.AsfarasFatherisconcerned,Azulaisaperfectfirebender,andnomore.

"Father,whoever'sbeenspreadingliesaboutmecan'tbetrusted,"shesays,drawingherselfupintoamoredignifiedpositionthatstillmanagestolookvulnerable.Shepitcheshervoiceafewyearsyounger,andinjectsasmuchsincerityasshecan."Youknowme.Iwouldneverbetrayyou."

"Don'tlietome."

Tingedwithanger,butshe'scertainit'sfalse.There'sastrainofcommandinit:request,perhaps,orevenquestion.It'snotanoutragedrejection,butanopening.

"Never,"shesays,pullinguptheshadowofmisplacedloyaltystillinherheart."Ihavedonenothingwrong.Whyhaveyouaccusedme?"

"You'vekeptyourlittlesecretforyears,haven'tyou?Isuspecteditthemomentyoudemonstratedthewhitefire—ordidyouthinkIdidnotknowofAvatarYangchen'sattackontheWaterTribepirates?"

(Onthebackofaskybison,shewhirlsherhandsoverhead,andhurlswhitefireontothesailsbelow.)

Azulashakesthememoryawayandfocusesonthepresent.

"Igaveyouachancetoconfess.Igaveyoueveryopportunitytoproveyourselfatruedaughterofmine.Butyouheldyoursilencethroughthewarmeetings,thepractices,thedinners...Youturnedyourbackonme.Youlied."Theairseetheswithhisdispleasure,butperhapsnotallofitisdirectedather.Ifshecandivertitontocircumstance,ontoblind,unfairfate...

"Ineverbetrayedyou,"Azulasays,fightingtoholdhervoicestill."Ididn'tknow!IthoughtIwasimprovingmyfirebending!Father,pleasebelieveme.Ididn'taskforthis.Ihaveonlyeverwantedtobeyourworthydaughter...tohaveyourapproval."

Thewordsslipoutwithouthermeaningto.Sheshiversatthesoundofrawtruthechoingthroughthecell,andwilts."Please,"sheadds.Fathersaysnothing.

Hebreaksthesilencewithalowlaugh.

"Anadmirableperformance,trulyworthyofmydaughter,"Fathersays,inatonenowdevoidofexploitableemotion."Holdyoureyesalittlelesswide,dosomethingaboutthedisdaininyourtone,andmaybeyou'llbeabletofoolmeinahundredyears."

"Father—"

"Goodbye,Azula."

Thesoundofhisrobesbrushingthefloorisdeafening.

"No!"sheshouts,panicrising.Sheleapstowardsthedoor,decorumforgotten.Tooshorttoseeoutofthewindow,sheforcesherfingersthroughitinstead,reachingblindlyoutformercyashervoicerisestoascream.

"Youcan'tleavemelikethis—Father!"

Shehearshimpauseandturntofaceher.

"Yes,Ican,"Fathersays.

Hisfootstepsslowlyfadeuntilonlyweepingremains.

.

.

Azulaliesmotionlessonthefloor,staringstraightupattheceiling.Threedays'worthoffoodliesignoredbyherside.

Ifshestartstostarve,surelyFatherwillcomebacktocoaxhertoeatagain.

Fatherwillcome.

Anothertrayslidesthroughthedoorslot,jostlingtheothers.Shecloseshereyesandpretendsnottoseethem.

Theseconddaywastheworst,whenitwasallshecouldtodotoignorethefooddirectlyinfrontofherasherstomachcontorted.Bynow,though,she'ssettledintoahazystupor,hungerpainshummingdullyinthebackofhermind.

Ifhedoesn'tcometomakehereat,surelyhe'llcometothefuneral.It'sonlypolite.

Anythingisbetterthananoceandeath,thekindreflectedintheOcean'sheartlesseyes:acorpsetossedinslowmotionbyunderwatercurrents,fleshdroopinghalf-chewedfromthebones,eyesocketsgazingintotheblacktrenchesoftheabyss.

Asfarasdyinggoes,Azulathinksfaintly,starvingtodeathisn'tbad.Onelasttriumphofwilloverbody.

Tophsnorts."Eat,orthey'llthreadatubedownyourthroat,andpeanutstoyourtriumph.Triumphisliving.It'sfighting,andnevergivingin."Shegripsherwristwithsurprisinggentlenessandsays,"Live,idiot."

Mechanically,Azulareachesforthebread,andeats.

.

.

"He'sgoingtomarrythatcourtesan,isn'the,"Azulasayswhentheguardpassesherthecustomarytray.Shehasn'tmovedinweeks,andheknowstonudgethetraycloseenoughforhertoreachwithonehand."Theonewiththelongfaceandseductivelittlevoiceandvipereyes.Motherwouldhavehatedher,youknow."

Hedoesn'tsayanything,soshesayscalmly,"Youanswerwhenaprincessasksyouaquestion."

Startledintoobedience,hesays,"I—I'mnotprivytoCourtgossip,YourHighness."

"Hehastoensurethecontinuationoftheline,"Azulasaystotheceiling."Notme.NotZuko.He'llfindanewbroodmare."

Theguardleaveshastilybeforehehearsanythingthatmightbegroundsforexecutingeitherofthem,buttheprincesscontinuesherone-sidedconversationwithouthim.

"Mother,I'vemissedyou."

"Father'sbetrayedme,butIguessyouknewthatwouldhappen,afterwhathedidtoyou...WhathedidtoZuko.Ishouldn'thavesmiled.Iknowthatnow."

"Thehorse—he'sgoingtomarrythehorse,andhaveaflockofbabyostriches.Theywon'tbeasgoodasme,becauseshe'snotasgoodasyou.Butthat'sthepoint."

"Yes,I'vebeeneating.It'satriumph.Akindoftriumph."

"Iloveyoutoo."

.

.

Zukoshovesheragainstthewallthemomentthesoldierspassbythealleyway."Howdareyou!"hewhispersfuriously."Itrustedyou!"

"I'mhelpingyouescape,ifyoudidn'tnotice,"Maisnaps,andpusheshimaway."Yourfatherliedtome.Ididn'tknowhewasgoingtoarrestyou."

Helookslikehewantstoexplode,butcan'tbringhimselftoyellatheranymore."Whatever,"hefinallysays,turningaway."I'mgoingtofindUncle."

"You'llneedhelp."

"...Goaway."

"Idon'tthinkso."

"Yourfamilyisgoingtobeindangerifyoustay."

Sherollshereyes."Youunderestimatemyfamily.Theyknowhowtotakecareofthemselves—they'llcutalltiesratherthangodownwithme.YouandIaretogether.That'sall."

Zukohesitatesforamoment,andlooksbacktoher."Youmeanit?"

"Idon'tlie.Nottoyou."

.

.

Clawsclatterdownfromtheceiling.

"Youtookher,"shegasps,fingersscrabblingforpurchaseontheslickcarapace."I'llkillyou."

LongblackhairtumblesfromthestolenfaceasKohlaughs.

"Letmeseeyourdespair,"itwhispers.

.

.

"Typical,"sighsZuko,lookingattheemotionlessmask.

Maisaysnothing,butbehindthewhitewoodandbruisedeyes,sheraisesaneyebrowathischoice—thefaceofaleeringbluedemon,mouthstretchedwidebytusksandmischief.

Sheproducesalistofimprisonedbureaucratsfromasourceshedoesn'treveal,cuttingtheirsearchbyadozenunimportantcells.

Thetwospiritsdriftsilentlythroughthecity,fillingtheshadowswithpurpose.Thesinglewatchmanunluckyenoughtocatchaglimpseofawhitemaskinthehalf-lightisimmediatelypinnedtothewallwithstilettosandknockedunconsciouswithasingleblowfromthehiltofadaosword.

Bysilentaccord,theysearchthemostlightly-guardedcellsfirst:cageswithhigh-setwindowsasconcessionstotheinmates'formerpositions.TheDragonoftheWest,traitorornot(Not,Zukosaysflatly)deservesonlythefinest,asbrothertotheFireLord.

Whentheydon'tfindhim,theyturntotheprisonsbelowthesurfacewithasenseofforeboding—sunlesslabyrinthsindead,staleairdesignedtostiflefirebending.

Zukodousesthetorchesastheypass,spreadingatrailofprotectiveshadowbehindthem.It'snotenoughtohidethemfromtheunluckyguardwhojumpsforwardwithashoutbeforetheycandealwithhim.Hiscompanionsarriveinseconds,eyingthemaskedintruderswithahintofapprehension.

Forseveralsilentmomentsthespiritsstandback-to-back,steelintheirfingers,beforesteppingovertheunconsciousbodiesstrewnaboutthem.

Thecellsaresolidmetalboxes,cutofffromairandlight,anddesignedtosteamwould-beescapeestodeath.Theyareunattended,excepttheoneatthefarend.Theguarddoesn'tlookupintimetoseethepalefacestrike,andcrumplestothegroundwithoutasound.

Zukoslidesthewindowopenandstaggersbackwards,whisperingacurse.

Maitiltsherheadinsilentquestion,butZukoshakesoffhisconfusion,andseizesthekeyswithtremblinghands.Hethrowsopenthedoorwithslightlymoreforcethannecessary,holdingfireinonehandtocastlightintothecrampedcell.

"Onishite!Tsure!IthoughtKohtookyourfacesagesago,"Azulasays,puzzled.

.

.

Sherefusestomovefromthefloor,soZukosheatheshisbladesandpicksherup,half-expectingherunfocusedeyestoturnmalevolent.Instead,shewrapsherarmsaroundhisshouldersandmumblessomethingincoherentabouthisface.

Hissisterseemsmuchlighterthansheshouldbe.

Therearenodeserteddistrictsinthecapital,buttheymakedowiththepoorestquarter,whereservantsandlaborerslive.Theinnkeeper'ssilenceiseasilybought—ifherecognizeseitherofthechildrenoftheFireLord,hemakesnoindicationashepassesthemthekeysandsayssomethingthatmakesMai'scheeksburnred.Zukoalmostturns,butshekickshisanklesandtheykeepwalking.

Theylayheronthebedintheirroom,stilldreamilyaskingfornamesfromepicpoemslikelong-lostfriends,andsettleintheoppositecornertowhisper.

"What'shappenedsinceI'vebeengone?Ithought—IthoughtFather—he'dneverturnagainsther."

Maitiltsherhead,notatraceofboredominhereyes."Idon'tknow.She'sbeenbusypracticing.Lastwespoke,shewantedtogotowar.Nothingbeyondtheusual...nothinglikedisloyalty.Whateveritis,itcan'tbebetrayal."

"Azulaalwayslies,"Zukosays,inatoneoflongrepetition.

"Nottohim,"saysMai,frowning."Therewererumorsthatshetriedtoseizethethroneduringthelunareclipse,buteveryoneknowsshe'sdevotedtotheFireLord.Noonetookthemseriously."

Somethingrustles.

"TheMoondied,"Azulasaysfaintly."SoIkilledhim.Zhao."

ItmeansnothingtoMai,butZukojerksviolentlyandrushestohersideinaninstant.

"Whatdoyoumean,youkilledhim?"

Hereyesareasgoldenasever,butsomethinginthemwhispersofcorpsesdancingonendlessmidnightsandsbelowthewaves."Ididn'ttakeyou,Zuzu,"shesays,smiling."Buthe'lldrownforever."

.

.

TherisingsunlooksonAzula'sfaceforthefirsttimeinages,shakingtheshadowoftheOceanfromher.Thenightmarefadesassheslowlymovesahandthroughthesunbeam,skincryinginreliefasitpassesintothelight.

Shehadn'texpectedanyonebutFathertocomeforher,butherrescuersarehereinplainsight,leaningagainstoneanotherastheysleepinthecorner.Azulaletsherheadturnslowlytotheside,watchingthemthroughthemotesofdustdancinginthemorninglight.MailooksuncharacteristicallypeacefuldrowsingonZuko'sshoulder.

Azulatriestoimaginewhyherbrother'shere,ofallplaces,butthegearsofhermindhaverustedtoslowness.Zukohasgottenalottaller.Shefaintlyremembersbeingheldlikeachild,tooweakorconfusedtorunonherown.Herprideprickles.

Herunusedmusclesprotestpainfullyasshetriestositup.

I'msoweak,Azulamarvels,fallingbackontothebed,feelingtiredtothebone.IletmyselfdecaybecauseFa—becauseIcouldn't—becauseOzaiturnedonmeandIforgothowtoliveformyself.Ishouldhaveknown.Nevertrustanyone.

NotOzai.Notanyone.Totrustistogivepower.Tointimidateistotakeit.

SherealizesthatOzaitaughtherthat,andtriestoslumpdeeperintothericketybed.Thingsaretoocomplicated.Sheneedstostandonherownfeetfornow.Thatshouldbesimpleenough.

Carefully,Azulainchesoffthebedandstands,usingthewallforsupport.Atherfirststep,thefloorcreaks,andsteelflashesinthesunlightbeforeshecanblink.

"...Ithoughtyouweresleepingonthejob,"shesays,eyeingMai'sknivesandthedualswordssuddenlyinZuko'shands.Itcomesoutasmoreofacroak,hoarsewithdisuse,andhalfthewordsvanishinherthroatbeforeshecanspeakthem.

"Azula,"Maisays,weaponstuckedaway,abowlofwaterinherhandsinstead."Here."

Thewateriscloudywithclay,coldandmineralandhonest.Shetriestogulpit,chokes,andfinishesitanyways.

She'snotsureexactlywhattosay,andeversinceOzailaughedshe'sstoppedtrustingthepowerofherwords,butnooneseemstomind.Zukodigsthroughhispackandwarilyoffersheramilitaryrationofsaltedmeatandbiscuit.IttasteslikewanderingunderanendlessEarthKingdomsky,andfreedom,andthemostdeliciousthingshe'severeaten.

Zukoformsanorangeflameinhishandsandoffersittoher."Sometimesit'shardtobend,afterbeingsolonginthedark,"hesays.

Shecan'tlookweak.Afterdebatingwhetherit'sworsetoacceptpity,ortryandfailtoproveherself,AzulagritsherteethandcradlesthefiredancingoverZuko'sfingers.Foramoment,she'sbarelyabletosustainit,butlonghabitkicksinasshebreathesandremembers.Itunfurlswhiteinhercuppedhands,likeasilkribbon.

SomethingcracksinZuko'smind,twohazymemoriesatlastcollidingintonewknowledge.

"Yangchen'swhitefire,"Zukosays,horrified.

.

.

.

.

Honor

.

.

(honor)

.

.

Azulasmilesbitterly."Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?"shesays."Takemeback?I'dratherdie."

Shemakesnomovetodefendherselforextinguishthecurlingwhiteflame,instinctivelyrecognizingZuko'shair-triggerreflexes.Layersarepeelingbackunderthelightofthesun,andshe'sbeginningtonoticeflickersofmeaningagain:hiswideeyes,andthewayhelooksatherscarecrowrags.Zukohasalwaysbeeneasytoread.

"Hewasgoingtoleavemetheretorot,"shesnarls,lettingacarefully-controlledamountofrealangershinethroughhercomposure.Herwordshavethedesiredeffect.Zuko'seyeswiden,andhismouthopenstoprotest,butshepressesheradvantage.

"Youknowheneverregretsanything,"Azulasays,withtheforceofthetruthbehindher.She'snotsurewhatmakesherkeeptalking,pullingupthethoughtsthatmockedherinthedark."Don'tthinkhe'llevergiveyouthethrone.HehashiseyeonapaintedCourthorse.You'llsee,we'llhaveasquallingbratsoonenough—anendtoeverything.YoucanaskMai."

Mainodsslowly,eyescalculating.

Azulaclenchesahandwithanastonishinglyweakgripandspits,"Notyou.Notme.NotMother.We'renotwelcomehere,nomatterwhathepromises.Don'tforgetwhathappenedtoGrandfather."

"Grandfather?"Zukosays,finallyfindinghisvoicewhiletakinganunconsciousstepback.

"Motherwasstrongerthanhecouldimagine,"Azulasayssoftly.Asifconsideringsomethingnew,shetiltsherheadandadds,"He'safraidofus,too."

ToomanyemotionspassoverZuko'sfacebeforehesweepsoutofthedoor,unabletostandhisground.Hewasneveroneforwords.Azulamakesnomovetofollowhim.

"AvatarAzula,"Maiconsiders,inaboredtonethatdoesn'tfoolanyone."Aren'tyousupposedtobemasterofallfourelementsorsomething?"

"True.Firewon'tbeenough,"Azulasays,lettingblueflamesmeltintothewhite.Theshadowsgiveherangledfeaturesacalculatinglilt.

"Forwhat?"

Sheletsthesilencespeakforher.

Unsettledbehindhermaskofapathy,Maistandsandwalksaway."I'mgoingtofindZukobeforehegetscaught,"shesays."Dowhateveryouwant."

Azulasmiles."IthinkIwill."

.

.

Zukogripshisarmshardandmuttersunderhisbreath.

"Azulaalwayslies.Azulaalwayslies."

Unlessthetruthhurtsmore.

Hecan'tshaketheimageofherlyingpassivelyinthedark,sanityunravelingwithherrobes,innerfirebankedtosmolderingembers.Itcouldn'thavebeenanact.Azulacouldneverwillinglylooksoweak.

Ifthat'swhatFatherdoestohisfavorite,whatwillhedotoyou?saysavoicemockinglylikeAzula's.

"Healreadydid,"hesays,fingeringtheskinbelowhiseye."BecauseIwastooafraidtofighthim."

Thevoicehisses,Whatdoyouthinkhewouldhavedoneifyou'dtriedtofight?

Somethingpricklesuncomfortably,buthepushesthethoughtaway.FatherwouldneverdishonorthetitleofFireLordbykillinghisownheir.

"AzulaoncetoldmeanAgniKaiisthemostacceptablewaytokillamemberoftheRoyalFamily,"Maisays,lookingmoreseriousthanusualassheclimbstotheroofbesidehim.Shelooksunimpressedbyhissudden,horribleflinch.

"...What?"Zukowhispers.

"She'sabouttodosomethingstupid,"sheanswers.

.

.

Tophfoldsherarmsoverherchest,lookinggrim."Ithinkyoudon'tknowwhatyou'redoing,"shesays.

"IthinkIdo.Nowgoaway,"Azulasays,tryingtopulldeeper.

Sheonlystareswithgrayeyesperfectlysuitedtoexpressingstubborndefiance."Notuntilyoutellmeyourplan."

"You'llbewaitingaverylongtime,then,"shesayscalmly."Infact,solongthatyou'llhindermyprogress,loweringmychancesofsurvival.Youdon'twantthat,doyou?"

TheEarthKingdomAvatargivesheraninscrutablelookbeforegrinningwidely."Girlaftermyownheart,"shedeclares."Kickhisassforme,willya?"

Despiteherself,AzulacracksagrinofherownasTophdissolvesintomist.Sheswallowsitbeforeregainingherinnercalmandreachingasfarasshecan—

"It'sbeenalongtime,Hama.YouneverdidthankmeforsavingyourMoonSpirit."

Thewaterbendertiltsherhead,lettingherlongblackhairfalltooneside.Withoutaffect,shesays,"Youhadnohandinsavinganyone.Yourcontributionwasdeath.PrincessYuebroughtlife."

"Ididn't—"

"Thankyou.Deathisanimportantthingtobringtocertainpeople."

Azula'sgladtheyseeeyetoeyeonthesematters.

"You'vebeengettingintoplentyoftroubleinthemeantime,"Hamacontinues."Ihopetoseeanotherdecisivesolutionsoon."

"Ihaveaplan,"Azulasaysdismissively."I'mnotlookingforyourhelp,though."

Hamasneers,butdissipateswiththebreeze,whispering,"Typicalprincess."

Azuladrumsherfingersimpatiently,buttriestosettleherself,thinkingofthecoldmountainairandtheresonatingechoofthewindthroughthepeaks.Ifshefocuseshardenough,shecanrememberthesoundofmonasterybells.ShestepspastTophandHamatoreach—

"Aang.Thereyouare,"shesayssweetly.

.

.

"Youshouldprobablyberesting,"Maisays.

Azulaignoresher.Thetrainingkatascomebacktohereasily,musclesgroggilywakingfromtheirslumber.Herskinburnsundertheeyeofthesun,buteveryhourshespendsinthelightbringsmorepowerintoherfire.

Shewatchesforafewmomentslongerbeforerollinghereyes."I'mnotyourbabysitter.Dowhatyouwant."

Thatfinallypromptsareaction—adrylaugh."Asifyoucouldstopme."

.

.

Ozaimeditatesinhisaudienceroom,surroundedbytoweringcolumnsandariveroffirethatsurgeswitheverybreath.

"Makesyoufeelpowerful,doesn'tit?"

Hedoesn'tjump,tohiscredit,butAzulasmileswhensheseesthefireflareup.Lettinghervoicebounceoffthewalls,sheadds,"Allalone,inthisroomyouworkedsohardtosteal."

"Azula,"hesays.

"Ozai,"sheanswers,thefirsttimeshe'sspokenhistruenamealoud.

Hemakesnomovetostand,thoughthefiremurmurswithunease."Itwasfoolishof

youtocome."

"Ithoughtwe'djusthavealittlechat.Ididn'twanttheretobeanyhardfeelingsbetweenus,afterall."She'sneverspokentoOzailikethisbefore,sherealizes,relishingeverytauntinglilt.

"There'snothingtodiscuss."

"Youdon'tevenwanttospeaktothefutureFireLord?"

Hislaughterisloudandconfidentintheechoingroom."Pathetic.Youstillthinkyouhaveachance,"Ozaisays.

Thistimesheseesthejumpofsurpriseinhisbrowasshestepsaroundacolumnandintoaboltoflightning.

Suchspeed,shemarvels.Thequickcrackleofseparationisbarelyenoughwarningforhertoanchorherstanceanddirecttheflowofchi.Sheseizesthebolthead-on,forcesitin,down,up,andoutofheroutstretchedfingers,directlyatOzai'ssurprisedface.

Sheenjoysthelookinhiseyesasherealizeshewon'tmoveasideintime,asherealizesthetruthofhisownage.Thelightningblastshimoutofthethrone.Sparksleapoverhistwitchingbody,butsheknowsit'snotfatal.Hisattackhadonlybeenmeanttostun—amistakehewon'tmaketwice.

"Don'tworry,Ozai,"shesays,steppingforward.Theriveroffireripplesundertwomastersformoments,thenglowsspectacularlywhite,spreadingstarkshadowsintotheaudienceroom."I'mnotgoingtokillyouhere.Itwouldbesobarbaric.No.I'lljustfollowinyourfootsteps."

Azulastopsattheedgeoftheflames,sothathecanhearherwhisper,"Onenight,ourbelovedFireLordOzaiwillpeacefully...never...wake...up."

Sheadmireshiscontrolashestandswithouttheslightestsoundofpain.Ozaicutsanimposingfigureashetowersoverher,evenwithsmokesteamingfromhisrobes."Youdarethreatenme,"hesays,inalow,dangerousvoice.

"Iammymother'sdaughter,afterall."

"Yourmotherwasweak."

Thebriefflareofherangerdropsdownintocold,sharpresolve.Withasharpsweep

ofherarm,thewhiteflamesvanish,castingtheroomintodarkness."TellthattoGrandfather,"Azulasays,walkingaway,withtheweightofherthreathangingintheairlikesmoke.

Sheletsthewordssinkinforseveralseconds.

"Ididn'traiseyoutobeacoward,"Ozaisayssilkily."Let'ssettlethiswithanAgniKaiforthethrone.Justyouandme,daughter."

Intheshadows,Azulasmiles.

.

.

SheevengoesasfarastomakeaformaldeclarationtotheFireSages.Shelinesitupincareful,stiltedlanguage,andelegantlysignshername:Azula,CrownPrincessoftheFireNation,acceptsachallengeofAgniKaifromheresteemedfather,FireLordOzai,asherroyalhonordemands.

Zuko,ofcourse,wastoohot-headedtoplanclearly,butAzulaknowsit'simportanttokeepupappearances.Hercarefulwordingmakesitcrystalclearwhotheaggressoris.

Fatheragainstdaughter,theFireLordagainsthisownheirapparent.Theentirecapitalwillcometowatchthisduel.

AzulapretendstoflinchwhenOzaiproposestheofficialarena,thesameonewhereZukolayscreamingthreeyearsago.Sheletshimsmirk,unintimidatedbythememoryofherbrother'sAgniKai.

Ofcoursehewantshertothinkhe'stryingtoscareher,andshewantshimtothinkhe'ssucceeded,butsheknowshimwellenoughtounderstandhisrealmotives.Thenarrowconfinesfavorhisstyle—sheer,overwhelmingfirepower—whilelimitingtheadvantageofheragility.

Azuladoesn'tcare.Sheknowsfire,andthewayitdancesonthewind.Againstthegreatestfirebenderintheworld,Ozaidoesn'tstandachance,especiallyifheunderestimatesher—andhewill.Allsheneedstodoistakehimdownquicklyanddecisively,beforetheenduranceofherfourteen-year-oldbodycanfailher.

.

.

Theseatingaroundthearenaiscrowdedbeyondcapacity.Everyonewithashredofinfluencehascometowatch.Azulasmiles.Ozaiwon'tbeabletousehismoredestructivemoveswithoutdamagingatleasthalfofhiswarministers.

TheentirearenafallsintotensesilenceasAzulastandsandturnstofaceherfather.

Neitherofthemtrytobendlightning.Instead,sheimmediatelysendsanarrayofblueflames,unsurprisedwhenOzaiblockswithasinglesweepofhisarm.Hefollowswithawaveoffiretoolargetododgewithoutfallingofftheplatform.Withoutflinching,Azulasplitsitaroundherinacounterthattakesalmostallofherstrength.Flamescrackledangerouslyclosetoherasshepants.

Hefollowswithaseriesofpowerfulfirepunches,eachmoredifficulttodispelthanthelast,butAzulamovesherhandsinelegantcirclesuntilthefinaloneburstsintosparks.Herheelshangofftheedgeofthearena,andshecan'thelpherfrustratedfrown.Sheneedstogetcloser,andstrikewithalltheprecisionandpowershecanmuster.

"Whydon'tyousurrenderlikealoyaldaughter?"Ozaisayssoftly.

LikeZuko,shedoesn'tsay.Azulaonlysmiles."Scared?"

"Soyou'vedecidedyourfate.You'vemiscalculated,"Ozaisays,utterlysecureinhissuperiority.Toofondly,hepicksatanoldmemory."Youwilllearnrespect,andsuffering—"

"Don'teventryit!"Azulasnarls,baringherteethandloosingwhitelancesoffire,perfectlyconcentratedintosearingheat.TheypiercethroughthefireballOzaisummonsandmisshisfacebyinches,oratleastappearto.

Bloodoozesfromasingledeepcutthroughhischeek,onlytostillastheheatofAzula'sattackcauterizesthewoundbeforethespectatorsnoticeanythingbutthesuddenlividburn.Ozaidoesn'tscream,butheclutcheshisfaceandstaresatherwithshock.

"Youmiscalculated,Ozai,"Azulataunts,holdingtheairlikeknivesinherfingers.Withawhipofherarm,shecreatesafiercelywhitearcoffire,envelopedbyaninvisiblewindthatforceshimtoduckwhenhisdefensiveflamespartmeeklyaroundherattack.

Azulalovesthewaytheedgeofhislongblackhairisslicedandburnedinrapid

succession.

"Thishasgoneonlongenough,"hesaysharshly,standing.Heletsanoverwhelmingstreamoffirepourfromhishands,powerfulenoughtoendangerthespectatorsbehindher.

Shestandsasifparalyzedforalongmoment,almostlettingtheflamessingeherbeforeleapingintotheaironaplumeofwhitefire,impossiblyhigh,andhurlingabarrageofattacksthatOzaidodges.Thescythingairaroundherflamesgougeswind-cutspiralsintothearenafloorbeforetheevidenceisobliteratedbyfireblasts.

Azulalandsanarm's-lengthbehindOzaiwithawidesmile.Hedoesn'tturnfastenough.Theexplosionofbluefirecollidingwithhisinstinctivedefenseinchesfromhischestflingshimacrossthearenainacloudofsmoke.

Theringingsilenceofthecrowdismusictoherears.

"Daddy!Youdon'tlooksogood,"sheshouts.

.

.

Thesmokedoesn'tevenhavetimetoclearbeforeZukothrowsbackhishoodandleapsoverthebanister,runningtotheedgeoftheraisedplatform."Azula,stop!Youcan'tdothis!"heyells.

Withoutlookingathim,shesays,"Yes,Ican.AndIdon'trecallaskingyoutointerfere,Zuzu.Getoutofthearenabeforeyouinvalidatemyvictory."

"PrinceZuko.Youknowtheconditionsofyourreturn,"Ozaisaysslowly,lookingnotawhitlessintimidatingforthescorchmarksonhisskin.Hestandstohisfullheightandthelightcastsstarkshadowsoverhisface."TheAvatarhasbetrayedhercountryandmustbebroughttojustice.Capturehernow,andyourhonorwillberestored."

Thecrowdrippleswithshock,butthebattlefieldhasshiftedandshedoesn'thavetimetocarewhattheythink,notwhenthere'snoproof.Azulaignoresthem,insteadlookingatZuko'swideeyes.

Verycasually,shemovesherheadinawaytomakeherhairfallfromitsbun,longanddarkoverhershoulders.Sheturnsherhandsupwardsandsoftenshereyes,drawingoneverycarefully-treasuredmemoryshecan.

Azulahasneverlookedmorelikehermotherthannow.

"Zuko.Youknowbetterthantotrusthim,"shesays,layeringsereneconfidenceintoherwords.SheliltshisnamejustthewayMotherdid,withthesoftvoicethatsometimeshauntsherdreams."He'salreadybetrayedallofus."

"Yoursisterisaliarandatraitor.It'stimeforyoutotakeyourrightfulplaceatmyside."

"Youcan'tlethimcontrolyouanymore,Zuko."

"PrinceZuko!DoyourdutytotheFireNation!"

Theprincelooksatthemfrantically,completelyunusedtoattentionfromeither.Azulaquietlytouchesherlefteye,andenjoysthesuddenrecognitionandpainthatflashesthroughhisfeatures.

"Hedoesn'tdeserveyourloyalty,"shesays.

.

.

Ofcoursehe'llsidewithher.Ozainevercaredtolooktwiceathisfirstbornson,andnomatterhowmuchZukoadoreshim,Azulawillalwaysknowhimbetter.

TheroarofOzai'slightningshattersthesilence.

Azulasinksintoadefensivestanceandstillsherchiflowinpreparationbeforesherealizesthelightningisn'tmeantforher.Zukodoesn'tscreamasthestrikeburiesitselfintohischestandsparksoutlinehisbody,butonlybecauseeverymuscleisspasminguncontrollablyandthebreathhasbeenknockedoutofhislungs.

Sheisn'tsurewhatcomesoverher,butbeforeshecanblink,she'sreachedoutandseizedZuko'shand,suppressingacryatthecracklebetweentheirfingersthatraisesblistersontheirskin.Arcsofblueelectricitysurgeoverherarm,butsheignoresthepain.

AzulavisualizesZuko'schisystemandpulls.

In,down,up,out.

Sparkscollectoverherfingers.TheredirectedlightningexplodesatOzai'sfeet,hurlinghimentirelyoutofthearena.

AlongmomentpassesbeforethepresidingFireSagerememberstosay,inatremblingvoice,"VictorytoPrincessAzula."

.

.

ThereisnotimetogloataboutOzai'stacticalmistake,becauseZuko'seyesarerollingintheirsocketsandeverythingsmellsofburningskin.Azuladragshimontotheraisedplatformandlayshimonhisback,ortries,ashislimbsdon'tseemtobeunderhiscontrolanymore.

Notagain,Azulathinks,somehowunabletocontrolherbreathing.Shepressesahandoverhishearttofeeltheerraticbeat,afardeadlierattackthantheonethreeyearsago.Ishouldn'thavesmiled.Iknowthatnow.

Theroyalphysicianrushesoverinaflurryofrobes,unpackinghisburnsalvesandbandages.

Inamomentoftotalclarity,AzulaseesHamastandingatherside,lookingonthemedic'seffortswithdisdainfulblueeyes."Useless.Don'ttheyknowit'sinternaldamage?He'llbedeadinafewminutes."

SomethingcracksinAzula'smind.Shedoesn'texamineittooclosely.

"Healhim,"shesaysinstead,seizingthephysician'swaterpack.

Thewaterbenderlooksdownatherwithaggravatingslowness."Everyonewillsee,andyou'llbedisqualifiedfromthelineofinheritance.TheAvatarcannotbeFireLord."HamaoffersaknowingsmirkandnudgesZuko'stwitchingbodywithatoe."Ishislifeworthlosingallthatyou'veworkedfor?"

Azulaalmostcan'thelptheresponsethatclawsitswayupherthroat."Shutupandhelp,Hama."

Alongmomentpasses.

"You'renotbadforFireNation,"thewaterbendermuses,andtouchesAzula'sforehead.Hereyeswarpintoglowingblue.

.

.

.

.

Control

.

.

(control)

.

.

Whentheglowingfades,Azulafeelsthepowerrushoutofherlikerecedingfloodwaters.Suddenlylight-headed,sheswaysandcollapsesalmostontopofZuko,whoopenshiseyeswithapainedgroan.

"...Azula...?"

"Don'ttalk,"shesays,strugglingtoherfeet."We'renotoutofthisyet."

Shelooksoutoverthecrowd,anddoesnotflinchawayfromtheirmeasuringstares.Murmursripplebetweenthemasnoblesreevaluatetheirloyalties.TheImperialFirebenderswatchhersuspiciously.

"Killthem,"Ozaisays,lowandmenacing,brushingsootanddustfromhisbody."TheyhavebetrayedtheFireNation."

SheswallowsherimpulsetoattackastheRoyalProcessionsubtlyclosesaroundhiminprotectiveformation.

"Theonlytraitorhereisyou,"Azulasayswithforcedcalm,glancingattheImperialFirebenders'expressionlesshelmets.Theymakenomovetoattackher."IhadonlytheFireNation'sbestinterestsatheart,butyoucaredonlyforyourownpower.ThemomentyouknewIhadtheauthoritytoputyouinyourplace,youtriedhavemesilenced."

Shewhirlstoaddressthesoldiersandaristocratswatchingandshouts,"CastoffthissadexcuseforaFireLord!Hedoesn'tdeserveyourloyalty.Ido."

Thesilenceisdeafening.

.

.

"Whatwereyouthinking?"Maisays,strugglingunderZuko'sweightastheydodgefireblasts.Sheturnstoflingahandfulofknivesattheirpursuers,andtheattacksstop."Tryingacouphere,surroundedbynobleslikemyparents?PeoplewhogottheirpowerbylookingtheotherwaywhenAzulondied?"

"Theyshouldhavebowedtome,"Azulahisses,fightingtheurgetosetfiretotheentirestreetastheyrunfromthecapital.Sheaimsprecisestreamsofflameatthefirebenderstryingtochasethemalongtheroofs."I'mtheAvatar—I'mthemostpowerfulbenderintheworld—IdefeatedFa...OzaiinAgniKai!"

"Youcan'tbetrayDadlikethat!"

Acruelsmiletwistsherlip."AndIcan'tbelieveyou'restilldefendinghim,afterhetriedtokillyouforthesecondtime."

Zukotwitchesandturnsaway,shiveringwithnausea.

"Anancientrestrictiononthethronecan'tstopme.IcancrownmyselfiftheFireSageswon't,"Azulainsistsbetweenbreaths."IfIdon'tdeservetobeFireLord,thenwhodoes?"

"Ido,"Zukosayssuddenly.HeignoresMai'swarninglookandstandsstraighterwithaneffort."YouonlywanttobeFireLordbecauseofDad!Youdon'tcareaboutthepeopleoftheFireNation!Youdon'tcareaboutthepeopleoftheworld!"

"Don'tmakemeregretsavingyou,"Azulasaysflatly.

Maielbowshimintheside,buthecarriesonangrily."Youhaven'tseen—you'veneverbeenoutthere—they'reallwaitingfortheAvatartosavethemfromus!"Hewhirlssuddenlyandhitsanapproachingguardinthefacewithanexplosionoffire,andforamomentthey'retoocaughtupinthefightingtoargue.

SomethingcrossesAzula'sfacebeforetheyslipintotheshelterofthedocks,nolongerpursued.Sheturnstofacetheothers,lookingserious.

"Azula..."Maisayswarily.

Thetiltofherheadisalmostplayful."I'llgiveyouthethrone,Zuzu."

Hefrownsathersuspiciously,butAzula'salreadyturnedaway.Shelooksovertheocean,totheothernationsbeyondit.Softly,shesays,"Iftheworldwantsasavior,

whoamItorefuse?"

.

.

Azulaturnsthemomentoverandoverinherhead,treadingtheknife'sedgetofindwhysheslipped.

Theharsh,isolatedarena,emphasizinghersmallsizeandlackofsupporters.OrperhapstheshockofwatchingthecrownprincessovershadowedbyawaterbendingAvatarSpirit.Oreventhefactthatshesidedwithherweaklingbrother,theexiledprince.

Itdoesn'tmatter.Afterthevicious,searingjoyofdefeatingOzaiinAgniKai,she'scalmenoughnowtorealizethattherevolutionmustbequiet,athiefinthenightstealingOzai'sthroneoutbeneathhim.

Undercoverofdarkness,AzuladropsdownfromtheroofofMai'smansionandslipsinthroughawindow.IftheflawlessplacementoftheirdaughterintothelivesoftheRoyalFamilyandtheirproximitytothePalaceareanyindication,they'remoredeviousthanperhapsevenOzaiexpects.

She'scountingonit.

Hurtinghimhadfeltgood,butit'stimetosetthestageforhernextmove.

.

.

"Thatcan'tpossiblybeTyLee,canit?"

"Mai!Azula!Zuko!"shecriesbrightly,lookingatthemupside-down.Theacrobatuntanglesherselfwithaflourishandembracesherfriends."Itissogoodtoseeyou!"

Zukotwitchesandtugshishoodalittlelower,lookingattheplatypusbearhandlerssuspiciously."Notsoloud!"

TyLeeblinksinnocently."What'sgoingon?"

Azulaseemstogrowtallerandmoreconfident,butherauradoesn'tchange."Ihaveapropositionforyou.We'reonamission—"

"Tellthetruthforonce,"Maiinterrupts.Sheignorestheprincess'sfuriousglareandsaysflatly,"We'renotonamission,we'reontherun.TheFireLord'sgonemadandneedstobestopped."

"I'mbidingmytimeandgatheringsupport!"Azulasnaps,foolingnoone.Shepressesherfingertipsintohertemplesbeforelookingupagain."TyLee,IwouldbehonoredifyouwouldjoinmeonmymissiontoreclaimtheFireNation."

"I—I'msorry,"shesays,"butthetruthis,I'mreallyhappyhere.Myaurahasneverbeenpinker!"

Forafewmoments,Azulaseemsalmostatalossforwords.TyLee'sstumblinghonestyhasneverfailedtodisorienther,butsherecoversgracefully."Well...Iwouldn'twantyoutogiveupthelifeyoulovejusttopleaseme."

TyLeesmilesandoffersabow."Thankyou,Azula."

"We'llcatchyourshowbeforewego."

Herperformanceisstunning,althoughtheydon'ttryparticularlyhardtoenjoyit.Zukopracticallysulkswhilenotofferinganequally-boredMaihisfireflakes.Thecircusistooloudandcolorfuland,well,TyLeeforanyofthem.

Azula'snailsleavedeepgougesinthebench.ShewishesfiercelyforpowerenoughtomakeTyLeecomewiththem,insteadofbeingforcedtohidelikefugitives.

They'reontheirwayoutwhenshecomesrunningbehindthem,shouting,"Guys!Waitforme!"Hermakeuphasbeensmudgedhurriedlyaway.

"Ithoughtyouwantedtostay,"Azulasays,forgettingtohidehersurprise.

"Iwasjustthinkingthatyourauraswouldneedbrighteningup!"TyLeesays,smilingwide."You'reallsodingyandgray,you'dendupunbalancedwithoutme!"

Azulastaresforalongtime,tryingtoreadTyLee'sopenhiddenfacefortherealreasonshe'shere,butherroundgrayeyesrevealnothing.

"...Let'sgo,"shefinallysays.

.

.

"I'mgoingtobetheAvatar,"Azulasays.Tophsnickers.

"Youalreadyare.Butit'snicetoseeyouembracingyourdestinyinsteadofchasingafteryourfather."

Azuladoesn'tseemtohearthesuspicioninhertone."I'llneedtomastertheotherbendingstyles."

"ThecombinationofallfourelementsinonepersoniswhatmakestheAvatarsopowerful.Icould'vebeenunstoppable,"Tophsighswistfully.

"Youonlyevermasteredearth?"

"Wasn'tliketherewasanywayformetolearnfireorairduringthewar,"shesayswithashrug."Imetawaterbendingmasteronce,butitjustdidn'tclick.Liketryingtoconvincetheseasonstoturnfromspringtowinter."Tophsmilesalmostbitterly.

"Ihavenochoicebuttolearnair,"Azulasays,driftingintothought."Aangmentionedskybison."

"YoumightfindsomeintheAirTemples,"shesays."Theysaytheshadowsofthepastcanbefeltbythepresent."

.

.

TheSouthernAirTempleiscradledbyviciouslyfamiliarmountains,butAzuladoesn'tsayanythingastheyclimb,notevenwhensheseesthegougesinthecliffswhereSozin'sprimitivewarmachineswerehurledaway,toshattertopiecesontherocksbelow.

Thecarnageinsideisterrifyingandinspiringinequalmeasure.TyLeetakesonelookandrefusestogoanyfurtherthanthedoor.

Azulatriestoreadkatasfromthewaythedustyarmorlies.Shecanseethecircularmotionsthatdrovedisciplinedrowsofelitefirebendersintodisarray.Theairbenderdidn'tmovefarfromthecenteroftheroom,though,fromthewaytheinches-deepgroovesinthestoneradiateoutward,accompaniedbyFireNationskeletonsthatlooklikethey'vebeenslicedcleanlyinhalf.

Azula'scuriousenoughtostepontothebowed,shatteredtiles,intothecirclebakedcompletelyblackbyconcentratedfire.

.

.

Whentheycutoffhisescaperoute,hedancesinandoutoftheirranks,dodgingplumesoffireandthrowingsoldiersintoeachother.

Aneldermakeascythinggesturehe'sneverseenbefore,andyells,"Nowisnotthetimefornonviolence,Aang!"asatroopofsoldiersfallswithechoingfinality,slicedtopieces.

Butmorecome,asunrelentingastheblazingcometitself.He'stiredandafraidandangry.Everyonewilldieinscreamingbloodandsmokeifhedoesn'tdosomething.

Kuzonshoutssomethingattheexpressionlessmasks,tearsstreamingdowntheashonhisfaceashehurlsfirebackatthedesecrators,buthe'stooyoungtofightelitesoldiers.Flamescatchhiminthechestwithdeadlyaccuracy.HeturnshelplesseyestoAangsohecanseethelusterfadefromthegold—

Somethingunspeakablypowerfulseizeshisbody.Heseeshisownhand,tattoosglowing,airbendingametalwarmachineintotheoppositemountain,toshattertopiecesontherocksbelow.Initswake,soldiersfallapartlikecutpaper,metalarmoruselessagainstthedivinewind.

Butmorecome.

.

.

Azulagaspsandfindsherhandsshaking.Shestumblesawayfromthecharredtiles,feelingicycoldthathasnothingtodowiththealtitude.Therearen'tevenbonesleftofhim,justascorchmarkandarisingtasteofbileinherthroat.

"Goodjob,"shefinallysaystothesad-lookingboyinyellowfloatingbytheedgeoftheroom,carefullyavoidingthescatteredskeletons."Ididn'tthinkyouhaditinyou."

Maishootsheraglancethatcouldbeconcern,butAzulashakesherheadandletsherturnthesamelookonZuko,whostandsinthechamberwithawhite-knuckledgriponhisswordsandemotionsinfullbloomoverhisface.

Itisunspeakablyhardtostandhereasbothmurdererandmurdered.Azulawondersifshe'sforgottenwhosheis,ifshecan'tfeelprideorguiltforSozin'ssake.Perhapsshe'snotatruedescendantofSozinafterall,becauseallshecanfeelnowisclawing,crawlingdespair.

TheworldisbrokenifthisiswhatitmeanstobeFireNation.

(sheisaboyyoungerthanthisbutnotbymuch,andhisskinisburning,burning,andthenheisgone)

.

.

TheFireNationstoppedhuntingtheAirNomadsafterthefirstgenocidalattackkilledtheirAvatar.Noairbenderswereseensince,butAzulafindsherselftraitorouslywishingthey'dallbeenwipedoutwhenshesenseskillingintent.Sheinstinctivelythrowsherselfaside,narrowlydodgingawaveofcompressedwindthatcouldhavecrushedherwindpipe.

"Murderers!Defilers!"shoutsahoarsevoice.

Theirattackerslookmorelikeraggedbanditsthanthemonksofthehistorybooks,butshe'salwaysknownhistorytobepackedfulloflies.Anyairbenderstrongenoughtosurvivethepurgescouldn'thavebeentooenamoredbypeaceful,spirituallife."Standdown!"sheshouts,soundingeveryinchaprincess."HowdareyouattackyourAvatar!"

Sheairbendslikeshefirebends,withsharp,explosivemovements,butthere'snodoubtthatshecanusebothelementsassheletsthemleapintothesky.

Theirleader,anoldmanwithflintyeyes,shakesoffhislookofsurprisewithagrinthatshowstoomanyteeth."Yeah,right!Evenifit'snotatrick,we'lljustkillyou,andtheAvatarSpiritwillcometoanationmoreworthythanyours,firebendingscum."

Zukoalmostlunges,butAzularaisesahandtostophim,castingcooleyesovertherestoftheband,wholooklesscertain."Kelzang,let'satleasthearwhattheyhavetosay,"saysthewomanathiselbow,thoughthewarfansinherhandsstandreadytoattack.

TherightwordscomeeasilytoAzula'smouthifshedoesn'ttrytobelievetheircontent.Sheanglesforenoughmoraloutragetomakeupforherlackofauthorityandsubtlyslightherattackers.

"Ifyouthinkyoucancreatebalancebykillingme,you'velearnednothingfromwhathappenedhereahundredyearsago.Thepainandsufferingneedstoend.We'regoingtoendthewar,whetheryoulikeitornot,andbringaneweraofpeaceandkindness."

Whilehiscompanionslookconvinced,Kelzangsneers."Wedon'tcareaboutthewar—theEarthKingdom'sexploitedAirNomadrefugeesforacentury.Ifitweren'tforusthey'ddesecratethetemples.They'llgetwhat'scomingtothem,andsowilltheFireNation."

AzulathinksAangwouldbeembarrassedbythesesupposedAirNomads—nomorethanbandits,bitterlyclingingtotheblood-soakedpastwithoutrememberingtheirancestors'ways.

Behindher,Zukosaysindisgust,"Thisisyourworld,too,"andforamomenttheairbenderlookschastened.ThenZukovomitsandcollapses,entirelyruiningthemoment.

.

.

Azuladoesn'thoverbyhisside.Thatwouldberidiculous,andbesides,Mai'salreadyseizedalltheprimespaceforherself.

InsteadshepracticesspinninginineffectualcircleslikeanidiotwhileKelzangfiresblastsofairatherfeetwithtoomuchenthusiasm.TyLeewatchesintently,alookofconcentrationonherroundfacewhenshethinksAzulacan'tsee.

"Iknowhowtododgealready,"shesaysimpatiently."Thisisawasteofmytime."

Hescowlsatherforamoment,thensays,"Jump."

Sheleapsoverthewaveofairpassingunderherfeet,stillbristling."Thisischild'splay—augh!"Herfeetseemtomissthesolidgroundasshelands,slidingstraightoutfrombeneathher.Thehandsshethrowsouttocatchherselfareflungawayfromthestone,andshelandshardonherface,bruisingherjaw.

Kelzangsmirksandsays,"You'llhavetostayintheairlongerthanthat,Avatar."

Sheglowersathimwithblazingeyes.Impatiently,shesnarls,"Enoughwiththesegames.Justshowmetheairbendingforms,andI'lldothem."

"Therearen'tanyformalkataslefttolearn,afterwhatyourpeopledidtothemonasterylibraries,"theairbendersaysdarkly."Buildthemupfromscratch,likewehadto."Amockinggleamshinesinhissteelgrayeyes."Unlessthespoiledlittleprincesscanonlylearnthingshandedtoheronasilverplatter."

Azulastandsandmeetshischallengewithadangeroussmile."Don'tunderestimateme,peasant."

Whenhetriestounseatheragain,shepullssomethingfromhermemory(thisischild'splay)andlandsonawhirlingballthatcomfortablyblastsawayhiswaveofair.Thelookonhisfacesayshewasexpectinghertosimplyslowherdescent.

"That'sahighlyadvancedtechnique—howdidyou—"

Shesmilesathispoorly-hiddenenvyandsays,"Iinventedithalfacenturybeforeyouwereborn."

.

.

"I'mnotafraidofyouanymore,"Maisayssuddenly,withoutatraceofemotioninhereyes.

Caughtoffguard,Azulatellsthetruth."Iknow."

.

.

Whenshe'scertaintheothersareasleep,Azulafinallyletsherroyalposturego.Sheslumpsbesidethefirewithasigh.

"Youdon'tknowwhatyou'redoing,"Tophsays,rollinghereyes."Again."

"I'mapeopleperson,"sheinsists."Icanhandlethis.AslongasIdon'tmakeemptythreatsandletthemthinkthey'redoingwhattheywant—"

Tophlaughsaloud."Allyourlifeyou'veusedfeartocontrolpeoplewhocouldbeyourfriends.ZukoandMai,whorescuedyoufromthatprison.TyLee,who'sputtingherentirefamilyindangertohelpyou,whenshecouldbelivingherdream.Foraprodigy,you'rearealmoron."

Azulaglares."Ifyou'retryingtomakemefeelguilty,itwon'twork.Theychosetheirpath.Theyknowtheconsequences."

Tophlooksatherwithunnervinglyemptyeyes."They'reallyouhave.Trustthem,andthey'llreturnthefavor."

"Trustisforfools.Fearistheonlyreliableway,"shesnaps,lettingthefireflarewithheragitation.

"IbetOzaitaughtyouthat."

ThefiredimstosullenembersasAzulaburiesherfaceinherarms.Almosttoherself,shesays,"WhatotherchoicedoIhave?"

UrsasighsandputsanarmoverhershouldersthatAzuladoesn'thavetheenergytothrowoff."Idon'twantanymeaninglessplatitudes,Mother,"shegrowls,andimmediatelyfeelslikeasulkingchild.

"Everythingwillbeclearinthemorning,"shepromisesgently,usheringAzulatoherbedroll.Shetucksinherdaughterandhumsalong-forgottenlullaby,silhouettedbythefire.

Zukowakesupwithtearsstilldryingonhisskin.

.

.

.

.

Spiral

.

.

(spiral)

.

.

Kelzangdropsasturdyleatherbaginfrontofher,filledtothebrimwithgrain,sheepgoatvenison,andallthepracticalimplementstheyhatedthemselvesfornotbringingweeksago.

"Iseewe'veoutstayedourwelcome."

"We'retempleguardiansandherdsmen,notairbendingmasters.You'llhavetogototheEasternAirTempleforthat,Avatar."

"Therearen'tanyrealairbendersleft."

"Thenyouknownothing."

Azulatwitches."Eveniftherearemasters,it'shalfwayacrosstheworldfromhere."

Ifanything,Kelzanglooksimpressed,butnotather.Hepointstoadistantwhitespeckthatappearstobecareeninglooselyacrossthesky."YourfriendTyLee'sexcellentwithanimals.Wedon'tusuallytrytoridewildskybison.Ifshecangetasaddleonthatthing,he'syours."

Heturnstoleave,butAzulastandsinhispath,wearingalookonherfacethatwouldbecalculating,ifthenumbersmadeanysense.Quietly,sonooneelsecanhear,shesays,"Whyareyouhelpingus?"

Hefrownsandcrosseshisarms,unusedtoscrutiny."Youreyestellmeyou'llseethiswarthroughtotheend.Ifanyonecanbringpeace,it'syou."

.

.

"We'reburningthebodies,"Zukosays.Thebodiesofthemonkshavealreadybeenputtorestintheirbarbaricfashion,whatKelzangcalls"skyburial,"butthecountlessFireNationsoldiers,anachronisticarmorandall,havebeenlefttowitherforacenturyinspite.

Predictably,Kelzangprotests,"Afterwhattheydid—"

"They'vealreadypaidwiththeirlives.Letthemgohome,"heanswers.Hemakesasiftoignitethefirstpileofskeletons,blinks,andrepeatsthemotion.Alonesparkleapsfromhishandanddies.

Azulaalmostshriekswithlaughter."Zuzu,don'ttellmeyou'veforgottenhowtofirebendafteryouryearsofexile!Andyouthinkyou'regoingtobeFireLord?"

Heglowersandyells,"Shutup!"Asmallflamejumpsfromhisfingers,onlytoberippedapartbythemountainwind.

"Here,"Kelzangsays,passinghimatorchwithanunreadableexpression.Zukodoesn'tthankhim,buthedoesn'tsnap,either,ashelightsthefirstpyre.

Theairbenders'sheepgoats,clingingimprobablytothesheercliffs,watchsilentlyassmokebeginstorisefromthetemple.Themountainssigh,asthoughwithancientrelief.

.

.

"Animalshateme,"Azulasays,notmovinganinchclosertothemonster.Itseemstoappreciatethesentiment,andbacksawayslightly.

TyLeepeeksovertheskybison'sheadasshesaysbrightly,"It'sbecausethey'renotassensibleaspeople.Otherwisethey'dknowthatyou'rethemostbeautiful,smart,perfectgirlintheworld!Imean,whowouldn'tlikeyou?"

"TheentireFireNation,foronething,"Azulasays,butsheappreciatestheflatterymorethansheletson.

"It'ssimple,really,"TyLeesays,slippingdownfromtheanimal'sback.Despiteherself,Azula'smooddarkenswhensheseesthewayitnudgestheacrobataffectionately."Justfeedhimanapple."

Azulatossesitandwatches,unamused,asitbouncesuneatenofftheanimal's

nose.Theskybisonblowstherejectedappledownthemountainsideandcontinuestostareather.Shefeelsvaguelyoffended.

TyLeehandsheranotherandprodsherforward."Notlikethat!Trynottolookso...um,scary."Whenshe'ssureAzulaisn'tbothered,sheforgeson."Animalscansensenegativeenergy,likefearandanger—justlookhimintheeyesandshowhimthatyoucanbetrusted."

Shelooksblanklyattheskybison'sgiantbrowneyes."Youcantrustme,"shesays,inhermostauthoritativevoice,butitonlygrowls.

TyLeestrokesitsearsoothinglyandgivesAzulaanencouragingsmile."Don'ttrytoscarehim,anddon'tbescaredbyhim.Justlethimknowthathe'ssafewithyou."

Azulabitesbackaretortalongthelinesof"I'mnotafraid!"Iwon'thurtyou,shethinks,feelingstupid.Ipromise.

Avortexofwindsuckstheapplefromherhandandintotheskybison'smouth.Itchewspensively,andalmostsmiles.

"Iknewyoucoulddoit!"TyLeecries,huggingherwithsurprisingstrength."Wanttotrytoride?"

Atthis,Azulaswearsit—he—canunderstandhumanspeech,becausehetakesoffbeforeshecanreply.

"Oh,Iguesswecantrytomorrow,"TyLeesays,momentarydisappointmentignoredinfavorofherunflappablybrightmood.SomethinginherwidegrayeyesmakesAzulathinkshe'spassedakindoftestofcharacter."Doyouwanttohelpmecomeupwithanameforhim?"

"Appa,"shesaysunthinkingly.

.

.

"Askhimwhat'swrong."

Maidoesn'tlookupfromhertargetpractice."Askhimyourself."

"Hedoesn'ttellmeanything,"shesays,withahintoffrustration,"eventhoughheknowsIcanhelp."

"Zukodoesn'tneedyourhelp."

"Ofcourseheneedsmyhelp.Ifhecan'tfirebend,he'llgethurt."

"Andwhatdoyoucare?"

Decidingthatsilencewillserveherbetter,Azulamakesafaceofdeepreluctanceandturnsaway."Nevermind."

She'sonlytakenafewstepsbeforeMaisays,inacasualtone,"It'sridiculoushowfirebendingisfueledbyangerandhatred.Itwouldbebetterwithoutstupidemotionsgettingintheway."

"Itwasn'talwayslikethat,"Azulasays,beforeshecanwonderhowsheknowssuchblasphemy.ShegivesMaiaconspiratorysmile."Isupposetotrulymasterfirebending,oneshouldseekancientknowledge.Wecanstopbytheruinsofthefirstfirebenders,theSunWarriors.Theremightstillberecordsofpowerfultechniquesthere."

Impossibly,Maismilesback.

.

.

Azulastaresattheancientstatuesforalongtimebeforeshewhirlstofaceherbrotherwithasmirk.

"Zuko,dancewithme?"

Hisexpressionisstormy,buthesinksintothefirststanceanyway."Thisbetterteachussomereallygoodfirebending."

Theirfiststouchandtheytwitchawayfromeachother,waitingforsomethingtohappen.Whenthepedestalrisesfromthefloor,Azulasays,"Don'ttouchit."

"Iwasn'tgoingto!"hesnapsself-consciously.

TheywaitforseveralmomentsbeforeAzulasighs,"Ifthisistheonlyleadwehave,let'stakeit."

Zukodoesn'tquitesay,"Itoldyouso,"buthepullsthegoldenstonefromthepedestalwithagrin.Hestaresatitstrangely.

"Whatisit?"

"Itfeels...almostalive."

"Getback!"

Theslimeisentirelyfireproof,andinshortorderAzulafindsherselfscowlingupintothesky,trappedbesideherbrother.Withanuncharacteristicallylevelvoicethatannoyshertonoend,Zukosays,"Atleastwehaveair.Maybeifwestaycalm,wecanfigureawayoutofthis."

Thetensesilencestartstodriveherinsane.

.

.

"You'vegottenalotbetter."

"What?"

"Yourstanceslookmuchstronger.Lesshesitant.Beforeyouleft,youcouldbarelytaketwostepswithouttripping."

"Um."

"Thatwasacompliment,Zuzu.Whereareyourmanners?"

"Uncle'sagoodteacher."

"...Yes.Remindmetoteachyouhowtoredirectlightning."

"Uncletaughtyou—Wait,whywouldheteachyouandnotme?"

"Idon'tknow.Maybebecausehedidn'twanttoleavemedefenselessagainstDa—againstO—againstalightning-bender."

"Daddidn't...?"

"No.Anddon'tcallhimthat."

.

.

"They'repeasants,notbarbarians,andthey'vebeendestroyedbythiswar.They'regoingtotrustyoujustbecauseyou'retheAvatar.Whateveryou'replanning..."

"I'mhurt,Zuko."

"I'mjustsaying.Theydon'tdeservetobeusedandthrownaway."

"Whatareyouimplying?"

"Whatyousaidtothoseairbenders—Ihopeyouweretellingthetruth."

"Iwas!"

"Okay,okay!Ijustwantedtoknow."

.

.

"WhatdidMom...DidMomsayanythingtoyoubefore...?"

.

.

Thereisn'tmuchelsetosayafterthat.Azulaidlyblowsstreamersoffireintothenightsky,tryingtomixthecolorstogetherlikepaint.Zukowatchestheorange,white,andblueflamesdancewithahintofenvy,atleastuntilaspeartouchesthehollowofAzula'sthroat.

.

.

ThepieceoftheEternalFlameinherhandflickersalmostimperceptiblywithnervousness.Zukonotices.

"We'retheFirePrinceandPrincess.Ithinkwecantakethesemastersinafight,whoevertheyare."

Shewantdoesn'tadmithowmuchthegleamofhistwindaoreassuresher.

HerheartstopswhenRanandShaowhirloutoftheircaveswithaflashofscalesandwings.

Whenshewasyounger,Azulawouldboastaboutherdragon-killeruncle,andpromisetofollowinhisfootsteps.Nowshehurriedlywipeseveryincriminatingthoughtfromhermind,becausenothinginIroh'sstoriescouldhavepreparedherfortheimpossiblypowerfulformstwiningaroundthem.Herpulsehammersinthebackofherthroat.

"Ithinktheywantustodance."

Nervesfraying,Azulaalmostsnarls,"Whataboutthissituationmakesyouthinktheywantustodance?"

"Trustme!"

"Fine!"

RanandShaoseemtofallintoplaceastheystepintothefirstform.Azulafeelsarushofreliefatthefamiliarityofitall—it'sjustanotherkata,justanotherexercisebeforeexactingmasters.

Thedragondipsandleapswithher,mirroringherarmsandlegsinperfecttime.Neitherleads,buttheymovetogether,aspartners,andifsheletsherselfsinkintomeditativecalm,shecanalmostimaginetheflexofscalesoverherskin.

SheremembersTyLeewitharushofaffection,andinspiteofthemassofteethandmuscleinfrontofher,Azulafeelsalmostpeaceful.

"Iwon'thurtyou,"shesayssoftly.

Shedoesn'tquitescreamwhentheflamesroaroverthem,butherbackbumpsintoZuko's(whendidhegetsotall?)andtheraspofhisswordshalf-unsheathedisalmostenoughtocomforther.

Thenshelooksupintothevortexofleapingcolorandheatthatdoesn'tburn,andfeels,asiffromagreatdistance,thetrickleoftearsslippingdownhercheeks.

.

.

Theguardswhisperamongstthemselvesaboutthecomingexecution.

Irohignorestheirsmuglooksandrumormongering.TheHomeGuardhasneverseenwar,onlythespoilsofvictoryandtheshameofdefeat,andcannotunderstandanoldman'sweariness.TheywillneverforgiveIrohforturningawayfromBaSing

Se.

Still,whentheWardenthrowsopenthedoorofhiscell,hehastopauseforamomenttostilltheworryinthebackofhismind.

"Come.You'rebeingtransferredtotheCapitol."

Thereisnohigher-securityprisonthantheBoilingRock.Mostprisonersleaveonlyforcourt-martialandexecution.Theguardsdon'teventrytohidetheirsatisfiedgrins.

Irohdisguiseshiswithagrimaceoffearandastutterastheyoungguardschainhiswristsandleadhimtothegondola.

TheWardenandhisentourageofguardsareimposinglysilenttheentiretrip,despiteIroh'sattemptsatlighthumor.OnlyaftertheWardenhandsoverthekeytohisshacklesdoeshebrushpastIrohandwhisper.

"You'vegotfriendsinhighplaces,"hemurmurs,pressingsomethingintohishands.ThearmoredsoldierscloseinandtheFireNavylieutenantbarksanorder.

"Securetheprisonerbelowdeck!"

Asthehatchshutsoffalllight,Irohturnstohimandgrins.

"Ihopeyoustillhaveyourpipa,LieutenantJee,becauseIthinkit'smusicnight."

Thegray-hairedofficerlaughsandunlocksthecuffs,lettingthemfallheavilytotheground."Yourtsungihornisrightwhereyouleftit,GeneralIroh."

.

.

"I'mreadytotryitwithreallightning,"Zukosays.

Azulatiltherhead,considering."You'restillrecoveringfrombefore."

"I'mfine."

Morethanfine,afterstaringintothedragonfire.Someessentialraggededgeinhisconcentrationhasbeensmoothed,andAzula'ssurehecanhandlethesplitting,screamingmonsterthatislightning.

"Thencatch!"sheshoutswithagrin,lettingsparkshaloherhands.

.

.

SomethingabouttheEasternAirTemplemakesherthinkofUncleathismostfanciful.SheprefersKelzang'sragged,sharp-eyedgangtothetrioofsaffron-robedairbenderswhodescenduponthemwithacoordinatedsnapofgliders.Theydon'tlookreadytoattack,butsomethingintheirsupremelyself-assuredattitudesmakesAzulawishtheywould.

"Sonamhadavisionofyourcoming,Avatar,"saysanoldnun,givingZuko'sdaoahardlook."Youmayenter,butIamafraidyouandyourfriendswillneedtoleaveyourinstrumentsofviolencebehind."

Azularollshereyes.It'sauselesssymbolicgesture,thekindUnclewouldfallallover.Removingtheirvisibleweaponswillleavenoneofthemanylessdeadlythanbefore,buttheyacquiesce.ZukolaysdownhisswordsandMaidropsafewtokenknivesbeforetheyproceedintothecourtyard.

"Welcome,travelers.IamSonam,headmonkofthistemple."

Theyintroducethemselves,followingAzula'slead,whousesthegreetingreservedformeetingalliedheadsofstateintheirhometerritory.Zukostickstoasimplebow.

Somearcaneruleofairbenderhospitalitydictatestheyeatbeforeanythingelse,andafeastissetbeforetheminweatheredstonebowls—lentilsoup,vegetablecurry,buckwheatnoodles,flatbarleybread,buttertea.Azulatakestheabsenceofmeatasasignofweakness,theblessingoverthemealevenmoreso.

BythetimeSonamasksifshe'shadanyexperienceairbending,thepacifisticundertoneshavemadeAzulasorestlessthatshegrinsandasksforatarget.Preferablynothingvaluable.

.

.

"Isenseyouareunsatisfiedwiththeteachings,"Sonamsaysdryly.

"Infiremeditation,weuseacandleasafocuspoint,andbendtheflamewithourbreath,"Azulasays,untwistingherlegsfromthelotuspositionwithaneffort."This

isn'tbending.Thisisboring."

"Thepurposeofmeditationisnottoachievecontroloveryourbending.Itisameanstoachievecontroloveryourself,"heremindsherpatiently."Itisyourdutytoachieveinternalbalanceandcastoutillusion.Onlythencanyoubringbalancetotheworld."

"Ialreadyhavebalance,"Azulasayscoldly.Withoutflinching,shepullsatherchi,justenoughtoletsparksdanceoverherfingerswithoutburningtheskin."IfIdidn't,thelightningwoulddestroyme."

"Lightningattacksinternalconflictandweaknessofconviction,notspiritualimbalance,"Sonamcorrects.

Hepausestoconsiderherforalongtime.Thesilencestretcheson.

"What?"Azulasnaps.

"Perhapswecandispelillusioninadifferentway.Comewithme."

Themonkspeakswithoutlookingatherasshehurriestokeeppacewithhismuchlongerlegs."Youhavealreadydiscoveredthatfireandairarekin.FurtherinyourAvatartraining,youwillunderstandthatallelementsandallnationsareone.Thisistheillusionofseparation,butwewillnotdealwithittoday."

Theywalkintotheharshmountainsun.Sonamturnstofaceherinthecenterofthecourtyard."Youreyesspeakathousandwordsofcontemptforourways."

Shemakesnoattempttodenyit.

"Thisistheillusionthatourvowofcompassionmakesusweak,"hesays,silvereyesturningcoldasheliftshishandslikeblades."Holdnothingback,andletusdispelittogether."

.

.

Fightingamasterairbenderisliketryingtoseizethewind.Hespiralsoutofthewayofeveryattack,asifreadingherbodylikeabook,hisownstylealienandunpredictable.

"Yourfirstlessonisnegativejing,"Sonamsays,leapingasidetoavoidarazor-edgedwind."TheFireNationisnotawareofourpresence,despitehavingusedthecoastofthisislandasamilitarybasefordecades.Why?"

"BecauseAirNomadsarecowardswho'dgiveuptheirhomelandratherthanfight,"Azulasays,tryingtoangerhimenoughtomakeamistake."Atleastyou'renotstupidenoughtobelieveyoucanwinawarwithoutkilling."

EvenwhensheblendsfirebendingkatawithKelzang'sunorthodoxforms,Sonamseemstosimplydriftasideandretaliatewithbroadsweepsthatknockthebreathoutofher.Runningaway,shethinksdarkly,canansweranyattack.

Heletsherrecoverashesays,"Wechooseourbattles.Toresistcolonizationwouldbetorevealourpresence,withoutchangingthestalemateofthiswar.TogiveupourwayswouldbetodestroytheAirNomadsasthoroughlyaswithfire."

Sheblockswithabroad,unfocusedblastoffire,buttheairthatslipsbelowitloosensherstanceenoughforSonamtocatchherinthestomachwithaharderwind.AzulasomersaultswithTyLee'seleganceandreturnsthefavorwitharingofwhitefireatwaistheight,onlytowatchhimalmostfloatovertheattack.

AzulaaimsthenextslicingflamesdirectlyatSonam'sneck,andthoughhecanreversedirectioninmidairwiththeblinkofaneye,thesleeveofhisyellowrobefirstsplits,thencatchesfire.

"Theywillfindyoueventually,andyou'llbeforcedtogiveupyouroutdatedfoolishness,"shesays,watchinghimextinguishhissleevewithabreath.

"Theyhavefoundusathousandtimes,"hesayswithacurioussmile."YouarenotthefirstfirebenderIhavehadtheprivilegeoffighting."

"Thenyoukilledthem?"Azulaasks,feelingatonceeageranddisappointed.

"Ofcoursenot.Whowouldbelieveevenabattalionofsoldierswanderingdownfromthemountains,completelyunharmedandstinkingofthesmokeofthebluedreamingpoppy?"

.

.

Azularefusestofeelfearassheeyesthesheerdropbeyondhertoes.Thebaseofthemountainisobscuredbyclouds,buteveryinstincttellsheritisterrifyinglyfardown.Theurgetostepbackisalmostoverwhelming.

"Thisistheillusionofgravity,"Sonamsays.

Hehandsheragliderandpushesheroff.

.

.

.

.

Divide

.

.

(divide)

.

.

Theweddingisamasterpieceofoverstatedfinery,richwiththespoilsofwar.TheRoyalProcessionreceivesthenewFireLadyinperfectlyspacedrowsofgleamingarmorandceremonialflames.Alongsidetraditionaldishes,thepalacechefsincorporatecolonialproducetocelebratethecontinuingmarchofcivilizationacrosstheworldunderFireLordOzai.

Noonedaresmentionhislastwife,orhischildren,orthewaythenewlywedslookatoneanother—likepiecesonaPaiShoboard.

.

.

Flightisastrangemiracle,aneffortlesstwiningthroughtheairsounliketheexhaustingfirebendingform.Shedoesn'tneedtothinkasshecarvesthroughthemountains,onlyreact,andthatbyinstinct.

Fortheagelessmomentsshedancesonkitewings,Azulaforgetstheturningofcircleswithincirclesinhermind.Intheair,everythingnarrowstothehowlinthehollowofherear,thetautclothtremblingwiththewind.

Theskyiscallinghername.

Sonamgivesheragratinglyknowingsmile,butsheforgiveshimwhenhesays,"Wewillsubstituteflyingformeditation."

.

.

AzulaspendsherfreetimeinterceptingmessengerhawksheadingtotheFireNavy

base.

Thescrollshe'sbeenwaitingforisunsigned,butsherecognizesIroh'spenmanshipimmediately,ifnotthePaiShotilethattumblesoutwhensheopensit.Themessagetakesheralmostanhourtodecipher.

OfcourseOzaiwouldmovetodestroyanypossiblesourceofairbending,eventhoseheconsidersextinct.Inmeredays,aplatoonbeginsthearduousmarchuptotheEasternAirTemple.

Sonamwatchestheapproachingredandblackspecksalmostcalmly.

"Excellenttiming.Youhavemaderemarkableprogressinsuchshorttime,"hesays,asifcommentingontheweather."Wewillscatterintothemountainsbeforetheyfindus.Isuggestyoudothesame."

Shespearshimwithajudgmentalgaze."You'reabandoningmytraining."

"Youhavemasteredthephysicalaspectofbending,"hesays,inadetachedwaythatnegatesthepraise."AndIhavecometotheconclusionthatyourspiritualdevelopmentwouldbebestservedbyhumanexperience,notseclusioninourmonastery.YourpathastheAvatarleadsawayfromhere."

"Convenientlyforyou,"shescoffs,unimpressed."Youcanrunawayifyouwant.I'mgoingtostopthem,sinceyoudon'tseemtobecapableofdoingityourself."

Asuddenrockfallinterruptsher.Shoutsriseupfromthesoldiersbelowasbouldersanddirtraindown,butit'sfarenoughaheadofthemthatnooneisinjured.Ifshesquints,Azulacanseeapairofthetemple'sskybisonflyingawayfromthemountain.

"Whateveryouintendtodo,you'llhaveatleastanextradaybeforetheyfindawaypastthat."

"...Good."

.

.

"It'soneplatoon.Ifthingsgetviolent,thefourofuscanhandlefiftysoldiers."

"I'mnotgoingtofightmyownpeople!"

"IfyoudoexactlyasIsay,youwon'thaveto.Besides:acommonsoldier,attackamemberoftheRoyalFamily?Idon'tthinkso."

"Azula,we'reexiles.TheFireLordwantsusdead."

"We'retryingtodethronehim.Ofcoursehewantsusdead.Thatdoesn'tmeanthattheydo.Don'tmessthisup,Zuko."

.

.

Thesoldieronnightwatchraisesashakinghand."Y-y-you!"

Zukosays,"Weneedtotalktoyourcommandingofficer."

FromthelookonLieutenantShen'sface,thelastthingheexpectsistheFireNation'smostwantedtraitorstowalkblithelyintocamp,asconfidentasiftheyweren'tsurroundedonallsidesbyhissoldiers.

"There'sakill-on-sightorderforyouboth,"Shensaysflatly,onehandreadytostrike.

"Nobody'sgoingtodietoday,"Zukosays,withtheforceofapromise.

Thelieutenantdoesn'trelax."Whyhaveyoucome?"

"AscrownprinceoftheFireNation,"Zukosays,andpauses,instantlyfeelingthefalsenessofthewordsAzula'sgivenhim.Hedoesn'thavetheairofcoldmenaceorarroganceneededtopulloffherparticularbrandofintimidation.Evenifhedid,he'snotsurehewantsto.

Inasplitinstant,heabandonsherscript.

"No—AsZuko,firstbornsonoftheRoyalFamily,I'mheretoaskforyourhelp."

Outofthecornerofhiseye,heseesAzulaflinch.

"I'veseentheFireLordmovenewrecruitstoattackexperiencedEarthKingdomtroopsjusttoprovideadistraction.Hetreatshisownloyalchildrenasthreats,"hesaysquietly,scartinglingwithremembrance."Hehasbetrayedallofus.Ozaicannolongerbetrustedwiththethrone.It'stimethecrownfelltosomeonewhoactuallycaresabouttheFireNation."

Someoneyells"Traitor!"andlungesforward,buthedoesn'tevenhavetimetoturn

hisheadbeforeTyLeerapidlyneutralizesthethreat.Mai'sairofboredomsuddenlybecomesmurderouswithoutasinglemusclemovinginherface.

"I'mnotheretoturnyouagainstyourcomrades.I'mheretotellyouthatyoudon'thavetofollowtheordersofamonster,"Zukosays,refusingtolethisvoiceshake."You'reheretodestroythememoryofadeadpeoplewholostthewarahundredyearsago.There'snohonorinattackingawoundedopponentthat'salreadysurrendered.Turnback.That'sallIask."

Levelly,Shensays,"Yourmessageisreceived,PrinceZuko.Leaveimmediately."

.

.

"Youweresupposedtomakethemdefect,"Azulasays,herfaceunreadable.

"YousawtheguyTyLeetookdown!Whatarewegoingtodowithfiftysoldierswhoseloyaltywecan'ttrust?"Zukosnaps.Moresoftly,headds,"Wewouldhavehadtofightthem."

Azularestrainstheurgetohithimwithaneffort."Youcan'tdirectlychallengethethronewithoutfightingFireNationtroops,dum-dum.IfyouwereFireLordmaterialyou'dknowthatloyalty'snotimportantaslongasyouhavefear."

SomethingdawnsslowlyoverZuko'sface,turninghisexpressiontoanger."You'rejustasbadasFather."

Shemeetshisfuriouseyeswithanunimpressedstareandsays,"WhatdidyouthinkyouweredoingwhenyoujoinedthewaragainsttheFireNation?"

Thefirerageshigh.

"Iwanttosavemycountry,notbetrayit,"Zukosays,barelyholdinghistemperincheck,andwalksaway.

Oncethecrunchoffootstepsoverrockdiesaway,Azulasays,"Mai.Ineedtotalktoyou."

.

.

Asthesunbreaksthroughtheearlymist,LieutenantShen'ssoldiersretreatwithout

attemptingtoreachthemonastery.

.

.

Zukoreappearsinthetemplecourtyardinthemorning.

"Azula...Ithoughtalotaboutwhatyousaid."

"Youdid?Good,"shesays,genuinelypuzzled,buthisfrowndoesn'tshift.

"It'shelpedmerealizesomething,"hesaysemotionlessly."Wenolongerhaveanythingtogainbytravelingtogether.Ineedtofindmyownway."

Shedoesn'tmoveashewalkspasthertoretrievehispack,orwhenMaisilentlystandstojoinhim.

"Mai...areyougoing,too?"TyLeeaskstremulously,eyesflickingbetweenherfriends.

"Stay,TyLee,"Azulasays,andafteramomentofhesitation,theacrobattearfullyhurlsherselfintoMai'sarms.

"I'llmissyou,"shesays.

"Noneedtomakeascene,"Azulasaysscornfully.TyLeestepsbackwithasniffle."We'llseeeachotheragain,ifyoudon'tgetkilled."

.

.

"Youdidthatonpurpose,"TyLeesays,lookingsurprisinglyunhappy.

Azulalooksaway.

"He'llbefine.Mai'swithhim."

.

.

SandsiftsovertheweatheredrocksofMistyPalmsOasisasMaiandZukotether

theirostrichhorseoutsidethecantina.

"Ifyou'reseriousaboutwhatyousaidtoAzula—"

"Yes."

Theywalkintothedimlylitcantina.Herundeniablywealthyappearancedrawsattention,buttheknivesidlytwirlinginherhandsensurethateyesquicklyturnelsewhere.Nooneisfoolishenoughtochallengearichbountyhunter.

"Aslittlebloodshedaspossible.Nocivilwar.Howsweetofyou,"Maisayshalf-fondly,scanningthecrowdandsettlingonanoldmaninthecornerwithagameboard."It'llbehard.You'llhavetolearnpolitics."

HerfingerstoywithAzula'sPaiShotile.

"It'sagoodthingI'malreadyaplayer,"shesays,placingthefirsttileoftheWhiteLotusGambit.

.

.

"Whatareyoudoinginourwoods,youleech?"

"Justenjoyingthefreshair,"Irohsays,smilingasiftheteenagerisn'tstaringhimdownwithhookswordsdrawn.Hesetsdownhispack."Wouldyoucaretoshareacupofteawithme?"

Thehookmisseshisfacebyinches.

"Although,Iwouldn'tsaynotoanicespar,"heamends.

.

.

"Comingherewasawasteoftime,"Azulagrowls,exhalingjetsofwhitefirealltooquicklytornawaybythewind.ThemiserablesettlementoftheSouthernWaterTribelooksbarelyworthvisiting.

TyLeecurlsupinAppa'slongfurandsaysbrightly,"Ifyou'recold—"

"I'mnotcoveringmyselfinbisonhair."

Appalandswithagrumbleandstartstochewonsnow.Predictably,TyLeecooswithasympatheticfaceandrubshishead."Oh,Appa,youmustbesohungry."

"Thepeasantsmighthavesomethingforhimtoeat,"Azulasays,lookingatwhatcouldcharitablybecalledasnowfort.Sheshiversandbreathesflames."Maybewarmclothes,too.Comeon."

They'vealmostreachedthewallwhenalankyboyinhastily-appliedwarpaintjumpstothetopandshouts,"Stoprightthere,FireNationspies!"

It'spainfullyobvioushe'sthestrongestwarriorinhiscamp.Azulasmirks."Orwhat,peasant?"

Inreply,hehurlswhatlookslikeabentswordather,andshesendsitspinningwideofitsmarkwithatwistofair.HisshockedexpressionmakesTyLeegiggle.

"He'skindacute."

"Notnow,TyLee,"Azulasays,rollinghereyes,beforesomethingsharpandheavysmashesintothebackofherunprotectedhead.Sheseesbloodsprayonthesnowforalucid,red-on-whitemomentbeforeshecollapses.

.

.

Sheworksmoisturebackintotheyoungwoman'sdehydratedandsunburnedskinasotherhealersforcemashedseaprunesintohermouth.

"Whydidyourun?"sheasks,curiouslytouchingtheengagementnecklaceatthehollowofherparchedthroat.

Thewoman'ssharpeyesopen,andaclawedhandseizeshers,gentlypullingitaway."Freedom,"shewhispers.

Hamaunderstands,andoffersafaintsmile.

.

.

AzulawakesuptothesoundofTyLeescreaming.

"Itburns—please,takeitoff—"

"I'mtrying!"

"Myhands,myhands—ithurts,please—"

Purehatredsurgesthroughherveins.Shestrugglestositup,onlytobeforcedbackdownbyivoryweaponsinherface,heldbyagaggleoftremblingchildren.Herheadspins,andshesquintsthroughhazyvisiontofindTyLee.

Thewarrior-boyliesinabonelessheapinthesnow,muchtohersatisfaction,butTyLee'slimbsareencasedtothejointsinice,rootinghertotheground.Appastandssnarlingbetweenherandapeasantgirl.

"Don'tmove,invader!"achubbyfive-year-oldshouts.

"Idon'thavetimeforyou,"Azulasnaps.Impatiently,shecirclesanarm,summoningawhirlwindtoknockthechildrenharmlesslyback.

Azulawalkspastthepeasantswithoutlookingatthem,despitetheboy'sindignantchallengeandthegirl'sfranticapologies.AppaacknowledgesherwithasnuffleassheseizesTyLee'sfrozenhands.

"Ifyouloseyourfingers,I'llmeltthisplaceintotheocean,"Azulapromises,andbreatheswhitefireovertheice.

.

.

ThePaiShoplayerlooksatthearrayandtellsthemtotravelwesttoasmallEarthKingdomvillagewithanannoyinglyenigmaticsmile.Atleasthegivesthemsuppliesinsteadofcodephrases.

Gaipaniscradledbylushforestsandwater,curiouslypicturesqueforarecentlyconqueredregion.Eventhevillageseemsuntouched.

Thegarrisoncommandercomestogreetthemonthepath,alongwithanescortofsoldiers,sotheydotheonlysensiblethinganddrawtheirweapons.

Thecommanderliftshisemptyhands,smiling,andsays,"GeneralIrohsaidyou'dbecoming."

.

.

"No,Kanna,"shesaysflatly,turningawayfromthehideouslyagedfaceofHama'sfriend.

"AvatarAzula,"shesayspatiently,"Iaskyoutohonorthefriendshipofapastlife.HamawouldneverletthewaterbendingoftheSouthernWaterTribebecomeextinct."

What'sleftunsaidistoldinthebarelyperceptibleflickerofKanna'seyestothedilapidatedhutsandcrumblingsnowwallsofthesettlement.Thesilentpresenceofdespaireatsthisplacealive,anditisasmuchaprisonasanyFireNationholdingfacility.

(freedom)

Shefrownsatthedark-skinnedgirl,who'sreconciledwithherguiltandreturnstheexpression."TheFireNationwantsmedead.Idon'tneedanuntrainedtag-alongwho'lljustgetherselfkilled."

"Makethattwountrainedtag-alongs!"theboyyells,triumphantlystandingonwobblylegsbeforefallingover.

"Sokka,you'renothelping!"

TyLeeturnsanirresistiblelookonAzulaandsays,"Please,canwekeepthem?"

.

.

.

.

Tides

.

.

(tides)

.

.

"Youknew.Allthoseyears,youknewitwasher,andnevertoldme."

"AndifIhad,whatwouldyouhavedone?Knowingthatyourfatherbanishedyoutolookforsomeonehealreadyheld?"

.

.

TyLeesmilesinnocentlyandasks,"Sokka,right?"

It'spainfullyobvioustheonlygirlhisagehe'severspokentoishissister,becauseheadoptsapainfullylowvoiceandsays,"Yeah,I'mkinda...princeoftheSouthernWaterTribe."

Kataralaughsderisively,butTyLeeonlybeams,storybookromancesswirlinginhereyes.

"Ooh,Azula'sroyaltytoo!Maybeyoucould—"

Azuladoesn'tevenlookupfromhermeditationcandlesasshecutsheroffwithasharp,"No."

Ifanything,shelooksencouraged.TyLeeturnshereyesbacktoSokka,sizinghimup."You'reawarrior—wanttospar?"

"Realmendon'tfightgirls."

"It'llbelikedancing!"shesays,alittletooeagerly,andpuncheshiminthearm,hardenoughtonumbitforaweek.Herecoilswithanoctave-leapingyelp.

Forthebarestbreathofamoment,thetwinkleinhereyesturnstoblade-shine.

.

.

KyoshiIslandisthemostcivilizedplacethey'vebeensofar.Itwouldn'tlastamomentagainstarealattack,butsheadmiresSuki'skillerinstinctandeffortlesscontroloverherWarriors.

TyLeelooksattheceremonialrobesandfacepaintwithabitoflonging.It'sbeenawhilesinceshelastdressedupforaperformance.Azulaseesnoreasontheyshouldn'tstayawhile,andhumorherjustthisonce.TheymightevenbeabletoseeSokkamakeafoolofhimself.

Besides,somestar-struckchildrenhaveagreedtobehermakeshiftpalanquinbearersfortheweek.

.

.

Azulaputsahandintheoceanandwatchesthewaterripplearoundherwrist.

Waterislikeair,butwithmorecalculation,moresubtlety,lessforgiveness.Anelementthatrememberspastinsults,andreturnsthemwithinterest.Constantmotion,pushandpull,cycleasthetides,themoon,andthecoilingdragon.

Shelistenstothelapofwavesalongtheedgeandmimicstheirwaver.

"Oh,"Katarasays,watchingAzulaamplifythesurfaroundher."Ittookmeweekstolearnthat."

"You'renotaprodigy,"sherepliesmatter-of-factly,tryingtoconvincethewatertoliftupoffthesandentirely."Waterbendingislikemakingpeopledothingstheydon'twantto.Youhavetolistentothemfirst."

"I...sure."Thepeasantarcsahandandaglobeofwaterbubblesoutofthesea.Azulawatchesfromthecornerofhereyeandtriestoreplicateherelegantgesture,buthermusclesaren'taccustomedtoflowing.Sheonlymanagesalumpierwave.

Katarasomehowmanagestobespitefulandpatronizinginthesamebreath."Youlearnfast.I'msureyou'llbefine."Thespherehoveringinmidairslowlyfreezesover,thesameveinedcreepasbluefireovertakingwhite,andAzulasmileswithrecognition.

Sheletshermindfallintoafamiliarcold,calculatingtrance,andreachesforthewateralongtheshore.

.

.

"Youstolethewaterbendingscroll?"

"Ididn'tsteal—Imean,itwashigh-risktrading!"

"Andweneeditmore.Excellentwork.Ididn'tthinkyouhaditinyou."

"...Thatdidn'tsoundlikeacompliment."

"Doesitmatter?Let'strytheseforms."

.

.

Aloudsplashinterruptsherairbendingpractice,andsheturnstoglareatthesourceoftheannoyance.

Sokkagestureswildlyataleapingcarp,shouting,"Themeatismockingme!"

"It'shardtobelieveyourlittlevillagesurvivedsolongwithahunterlikeyou,"Azulasays,smilingsweetly,asthoughsheisn'ttoyingwithhisinsecurities.

TyLee,everwell-meaning,dartsforwardwithapalmstrike,knockingthefishintothegrasswithpinpointaccuracy."Thatwaseasy!Hereyougo!"It'sexactlythewrongthingtosay;Azulacouldn'thavedonebetterifsheweretrying.

(sheeffortlesslylandsthelastsomersault)

TheTribesmanmakesanincoherentnoiseandstalksoff.

Whenhereturns,it'swithmorefishthantheycanactuallyeat.

.

.

Itdoesn'ttakelongforAzulatolearnhowtomanipulateSokkaandKatara,butit

almostdisappointsher.Theyimpulsivelylookforthingstoprotectandnurture,andeventhoughAzulaisthechildofeverythingtheyhate,theycan'thelpbuttrytodothesameforher.

Itwouldbeusefulifshewasinthehabitofpurposefullymakingherselflookweak.

Quietly,shethinks,Ialreadyhaveamother.

(AndIdon'tneedanotherfather.)

Ofcourse,TyLeealsoinstinctivelyknowsthebestwaytobethecenterofattentioninanysituation,andstartsplayingthecutelittlesistercardforallitsworth.

.

.

Irohstaresatthemwithadarkeningexpression,andZuko'sstomachchurns."Ididnotopposemybrother'sbidforthethronepreciselytoavoidthiskindoffight,"hesays.Thedisapprovalscorches.

"Andthatturnedoutsowell,"saysMai,deadpan.

Irohlooksawayandsighs,"Imadeamistakeinallowinghimtoproceedunchallenged.ButIamnotsuitedforconspiracy.Nor,Ithink,areyou,Zuko."

"Ihavetodothis,Uncle,"hesays,closinghiseyes."Wecan't...Iwon'tbringcivilwartotheFireNation.Thisway,nooneelseneedstogethurt."

Maionlysays,"Myparentstaughtmeeverythingtheyknow."

Tiredgoldeyesregardthemovertherimofateacupforalongmoment."PerhapsyouaremoresuitedforthisthanIthought."

.

.

Sheexpectsassassinationattempts,butthefirstattackoftheYuYanissurprisingenoughthatsheonlymanagestodeflectmostofthearrowsintime.

Azuladoesn'tdarepullthebarbedarrowfromherside,notwhenshe'sstillsurroundedbyanunknownnumberofenemies.Theairspeaksofrecentrain.

Hamasnarlsforlong-delayedvengeance.

There'senoughmoistureinthegroundtodeflectthenextvolleyofarrowswithwell-placedshardsofice,andenoughlighttocatchtheflickerofmovementinadistanttree.

Thundershakestheforest.AnarcherfallsfromhisperchasAzulawhirlstomeetthearrowsofhiscomradeswithagustofair,butgatheringthelightningtooktoolong.Onedrillsthroughherhand,pinninghertothetreebehindherwithascream.

Azulagaspsandpressesherbackagainstthetrunk,willingherselftostayalert.Shecan'tdeflectanotherattacksinglehandedly,butshe'llsettlewithsurviving.

Somethinglikeatranslucentdragonwhirlsaroundher,enclosingherinashieldofice.Katara'smuffledvoicesays,"Holdon,we'lltakecareofthem."

Foralong,tensesecond,nothinghappens.

"Where'dtheygo?"Sokkashouts.

"Negativejing,"Azulasaysdarkly.Inhermind,she'salreadyconstructinganewairbendingtechnique.

.

.

"Thisisn'tworking."

"Youcanheal?"

"Apparentlynot.Whatareyouwaitingfor?Help."

"ButIdon'tknowhow—"

"Ifyoudon'tdosomething,myhandwon'tworkanymore,andImightdie,sohealit...Please."

.

.

Inthesand,MaidrawsthenamesofthemostpowerfulfamiliesandalliancesinCourt.

"Theseareourpriorities,"shesays,circlingpoliticalrivals.

Irohsays,"You'veforgottentheFireLady'sfamily,"andZukochokesonhistea.

.

.

"Youdon'tlookanythinglikethePaintedLady."

Thegirlinflowingrobesalmostjumps,butturnsawayandtriestorun.Azulalandsinfrontofherwithasprayofairandtugstheveilfromherface.

Kataraglaresbackunderthestylizedredswirls.

Deliberately,Azulasays,"YouknowTyLee'sbeenlosingsleepaboutAppa."Theexpectedflickerofguiltisquicklysuppressedbyrighteousanger.

"Thesepeopleneedmyhelp."

"Therewillalwaysbepeoplewhoneedyourhelp.Mostofthemaren'timportant."

"They'restarvingandsick!Howcouldyoubesoheartless?"

"I'mjustbeingrealistic,"shesaysdismissively."Ifwewasteanymoretimeinthisslum,theYuYanwillcatchuptous.Let'sgo."

"No!"Katarashouts,eyesblazinglikebluefire."Iwillnever,everturnmybackonpeoplewhoneedme!"

Azulastaresforalongmoment,andgivesupontryingtounderstandher.

"Youweredoingitwrong,anyway,"shesays,turningtothefactoryupstream."Ifyouhadanysense,you'dstopthesicknessatitssource."

BeforeKataracanprotest,Azula'salreadydrawnherhandstogether,lightningragingbetweenthem.

.

.

Hama'showlsoftriumphantlaughterechothroughtheforest.

AsAzulabusiesherselfdislodgingthearrowsinhersleeve,Sokkaappearswithacryof,"Hey,what'stakingsolong-WHATISTHAT?"

"Firewouldhavebeencleaner,butthetreesweretoodry,"sheanswersmildly,finallyfreeingherself.

Sokkamumblesincreasinglyshrillnonsensewhileshesurveysherwork.TheYuYanprefertofightfrombehindfortresswalls,anddon'treactquicklyenoughtododgedirectattacks.Somethingtokeepinmind.

Azulastepsoverashatteredbowandretrievestheemptypail."Youfetchwaterthistime,"shesays,droppingitathisside,andpretendsnottobebotheredbyhisflinch.

(monster)

"IdidwhatIhadto.Don'ttelltheothers,"Azulasays,lookingawayfromtheexpressiononhisface,andheadsbacktocamp,onlytostopdeadinhertrackswhenheanswers.

"Youdidtherightthing.It'sokay."

.

.

"AcompanyofYuYaniscoming,GeneralIroh,"thegarrisoncommandersays,passinghimascroll."We'rebeingaskedtoprovideprovisionsandlodgingastheysearchforyouandtheprince.I'mafraidthey'renottakingprisonersthistime,sir."

"Itseemsourtimetogethermustbetragicallycutshort,Commander."

"It'sbeenanhonor,sir,"hesays.Hedoesn'tseemlikethetypeforrevolution,butwiththesamemilitarycalm,headds,"We'lldefendthepeopleofGaipanfrombothsidesuntilthisisover."

"Youhavemythanks,"Irohsays,bowing."Asforthechildarmyoutsideyourwalls,treatthemwithjusticeandmercy.Theydonotknowwhattheyaredoing."

.

.

TheFireNationarchersdon'tseemtonoticetheirpresence,asleastuntilonesuddenlylooksup.Awarningarrowflashesthroughtheforestandsnapsthrough

Longshot'sbowstring.Unfazed,theboypullsoutanother.

"We'llhaveplentyofextrabowsoncewetakedowntheseguys,"saysJet,andwarblesasignaltotheothers.

TheaimoftheYuYanispreternatural,buttheFreedomFightersclosethedistancetooquicklyforthattomatter.

.

.

Pakkusurveysthemwithdisdain.

"Inourtribe,itisforbiddenforwomentolearnwaterbending.IcanmakeanexceptionfortheAvatar,ifsheaskspolitely."

Azulaknowshistype:aself-righteousnoblesecureinhispower,andallthemoreeasytomanipulateforit.Sheanalyzesheroptionsandsays,"MasterPakku,Iwouldbehonoredtobeyourstudent,"withoutatraceofsarcasm.

"Howcouldyou?"Katarahisses,butAzulaignoresherinjuredpride.

(shecanalwayskillhimlater)

"Awisedecision.Iwillseeyouatsunrise,"Pakkusays,turningaway.

Katara'svoicerisestoashriek."Whatdoyoumeanyouwon'tteachme?Ididn'ttravelacrosstheworldsoyoucouldtellmeno!"

"...No.Gobacktothehealinghutswiththeotherwomenwhereyoubelong."

Shetearsoffamittentomakearudegesturetohisretreatingback.

Azulareconsiders.

Shetapsherontheshoulderwithalong-nailedfinger."Idon'texpectabarbarianlikeyoutounderstand,"shesays,"butcivilizedpeoplewouldsettlethiswithaduel."

"That,"Kataragrowls,tuggingoffherparka,"istheonlygoodideaI'veeverheardcomeoutofyourmouth."

"I'llbeyoursecond,"Azulaoffers,smirkingasthewaterwhipcatchesPakkuinthebackofhisbaldinghead.

.

.

(pushandpull—goodandevil—yinandyang)

TheSpiritOasismakeshervisionsplinter,asthroughunfocusedeyes,ordoubledmirrors.Azulastandsunderthearchway,notsurewhyshe'scomebacktothisplace,wherethewaterlooksintotheskiesoftwoworlds.

Onawhim,shecurlsherfingers.Waterripples,bubbles,andpinchesupward.

Intheoasis,thepartnerlessMoonstopscircling.Ablackkoifishthrashesthroughthesphereofsacredwaterinherhands.

Azulacansensesomethingsplittingapart,apolarizationofopposites.Hervisionworsens,andbloodpoundsthroughherheadwiththelowroarofthetsunami.SomethingintensifiesintheOcean,asifitsdeepmalevolenceisgrowingdeeper.

Herhandsstarttoshake,andsherealizessheshouldneverhavetriedtobendthiswater.Herchiistooclosetothatthing—

(corpsesdancingonendlessmidnightsands)

(aclawedhandreachingforvengeance)

(Zuko'sgoldeneyeswidewithterror)

"Whyareyouholdingafish?"Kataraasks,steppingthroughthedoor,andthespellisbroken.AzulaletsitfallbackintotheSpiritOasiswithagaspofrelief.Theendlessdancecontinues,andthethreateningdarknessvanisheslikesmoke.

"It'snot,"Azulasays.Katarapretendsnottonoticethetrembleinherfingers.

TheywatchtheMoonandOceancircleoneanotherinsilence.

.

.

Maisays,"Holdstill,Father,"anddrivesadaggerintothewallbesidehim.

Hedoesn'tmakethemistakeofmoving,sothatthenextknivesflickerpasthisneckwithouttouchinghim.

Admiringthemirrorfinishonanotherblade,shesays,"Asinglewrongmoveonmypartcouldjeopardizeyourfuture.LookslikeMotherwasright,afterall."

"I..."

"Listen,"sheinterrupts."Opportunitieslikethisonlycomeonceinalifetime,andyoualreadytookyourfairshareafterAzulon."

Sheplacesascrollonherfather'sdesk,andsays,"ThenextFireLordisasgoodascrowned.It'stimeforyoutoreconsideryourloyalties."

Maivanishesbeforehecanreply.

Onepieceofpaperreads,WEHAVEYOURDAUGHTERinthreateningboldcalligraphy.

Thesecondsays,Justincase.Familyhastokeepupappearances,afterall.Butdon'ttellMother.

Hestandsoverthetwoforalongmomentbeforeaslightsmilebreaksoverhisface.Stuffingthefirstnoteintoalockeddrawerandburningthesecond,hemurmurs,"That'smygirl."

.

.

StandingbeforetheeldersoftheNorthernWaterTribeisathousandtimesmoreirritatingthanlisteningtoOzai'swarcouncils.Atleastthegeneralslookedatherlikeatooltobeused.

Thesebarbarianslookatherasifsheisnouseatall.

Hermouthhardensasshestepsforwardwithmilitaryprecision.

"ChiefArnook.Honoredelders.TheNorthernWaterTribehasneglecteditsdutytotheworldfortoolong.YoumustcrippletheFireNavybeforesummer'send."

Azulaignoresthepatronizinglooksintheireyesandletsherlastsentencefall."Sozin'sCometwillreturn,andyouwillbedestroyed."

Theirdisbeliefshadesintofear,perfectlyoncue.Azulahidesasmirk.

Aslongasshecanusethem,itdoesn'tmatterwhattheythinkofher.

.

.

"Mylord,we'vediscoveredincriminatingcorrespondencebetweenHighGeneralsWeiandZan.Theyappeartoberingleadersofaconspiracyagainsttheothermembersofyourwarcouncil."

"Iamnotinterestedinthepettygamesofofficials."

"Theultimateobjectappearstobeyouroverthrow.ZanhasasmallbloodlineclaimtothethronethroughtheFireLady."

"...Youhavedonewellinbringingthistomyattention.Havehimdealtwith."

"AndWei?"

"IthinkZanwillbeafittingexampletohim.Keephimundersurveillance.Lethimknowhe'sbeingwatched."

"Asyouwish."

"Andbringmethenewrecordofthelineofsuccession.Thereare...familymatterstoattendto."

.

.

.

.

Pull

.

.

(pull)

.

.

"Asinglekayakofwaterbenderscouldeasilycrippleawarshipandstillhavetimetoescape,"Azulasays.

Agrizzledwarriorscoffs,"You'veneverfoughtawarship,haveyou?"

Sheunravelsherscrollwithaflickofonewrist,revealingintricatelinesofinkinspiderwebcomplexity."You'veneverlearnedthebasicsofmodernshipbuilding,haveyou?"Azulasays,matchinghistonewithamockinglilt."Andyoudon'thaveaccesstotheplansforeverymajorclassofFireNavyvessel.Ido."

Shesnapstheblueprintsshutthemomenttheeldersleaninforacloserlook.Withnarrowedeyes,Azulasays,"I'mnotjustgivingthemtoyou.I'mheretomakeadeal."

SomethingchangesinChiefArnook'seyes,asifhehaschosentotakeherseriously,atlast.

.

.

WEHAVEYOURDAUGHTER.

Hesmiles.Notthemosttraditional,butitcertainlygetsthepointacross.He'salsoawarethatthis,morethananythingelse,hascementedhisloyaltytotheexiledprince.

Thechancetobefather-in-lawtotheFireLordisirresistible.

.

.

Lanziofferstheprinceapolitebow,instinctivelyunderstandingthathewon'tbeimpressedbythecringing,floor-kissingprostrationfavoredbyhisfather.

It'sgratifyingtoseethesamelessonshedrilledintoMaimeldedintothedistinctivecarriageoftheRoyalFamily,asifshe'sspentdaysretrainingtheexileintoapropernoble.

"Zan'sdeathwasuncalledfor."

Morestraightforwardthananobleshouldreallybe,butthenMaiwasalwaysparadoxicallyblunt.

"Thelineofsuccessionneededtobedealtwith.TheFireLady'sfamilyhashisattentionnow."

"Youkilledhim."

Todenyitwouldbeameaninglessquibble,sohesayspleasantly,"ShouldIhavedonesomethingelse?"

(Thisiswhatyouwanted,isn'tit?)

"Yes,"hesays,withsurprisingfire."Honor—"

"Thisisashadowwar,ofinkandwords.Wehaveourownhonor."

Zuko'smouththinstoastubbornline."No.More.Murder."

Hebowshisassent,unconcerned.

(Accidentshappen.)

.

.

Shepointstotheicemodelshipandusessmallwordssothewaterbendingstudentswillunderstand.

"Thelowerlevelsaremostvulnerableatthesepoints.You'llneedaruthlessandunflinchingattacktodoit,butunfortunatelywaterbendersdon'thavequitetherightattitude,sodon'teventrytodoitalone.Redirect.Katara:catch."

Azulastrikeswithasuddentorrentofwater,buttheothergirllivesandbreatheswaterbending:thelightningreflex,positive-negativejing.Katarareturnstheattackflawlessly,splittingtheskywithasharpenedpillarofice.

Shesauntersforwardwithagrin."Prettygood,huh?"

Azulashrugsanddrawls,"IfIhadn'twarnedyoubeforehand,youwouldn'thavebeenabletokeepup."

Curiously,hersmileonlygrowswider."Isthatachallenge,Princess?"

.

.

"Didn'tyoursisterevertellyounottopokeyournoseinotherpeople'sthingsifyouwanttokeepitattachedtoyourface?"

TheicerecedesenoughtoletSokkashakehisheadfrantically.

"Funny.That'swhatIalwaystoldmybrother,"Azulasays,andkickshishand,sendingpiecesoficeandascrollflying.Shepluckstheblueprintsfrommidairandletsasufficientlyintimidatingmomentpassbeforeasking,"Whatwereyoudoing?"

"Youcouldhavepickedbetterpoints,"Sokkasays,tryingtounobtrusivelycrawloutoftheiceencasinghim.

Curiously,Azulaunrollstheplansandexaminestheinkscrawledblotchilyovertheplans,targetingtension-bearingbeamsandeven,tohersurprise,thehydraulicpumps.WiththecuriousinstinctofaWaterTribewarrior,he'ssketchedaplanofattackthatcouldsinkashipinminutes,fasterthanmostpeoplecouldreachthelifeboats.

"Theydon'tneedtoknowthis,"Azulasays,asifshe'salreadyconsideredanddiscardedhisideas.

Hisfaceisguilelessasachild's,soshecanseetheexactmomenthisthoughtsgofromAreyouconspiringwiththeFireNation?toYou'reprotectingyourpeople.

Themisguidedunderstandinginhiseyesagitatesher.Azulaalmostdecidestochangeherinstructions,justtoprovehimwrong.

She'snotentirelysurewhyshedoesn't.

.

.

"Yao,it'sanhonortoseeyouagain."

"Docomein,"heanswers,withalookofextremereluctance.HismenwerehumiliatedbyMai'sdaggers;toencounterherfatherisalmostaninsult.

Somethingdesperatelyearnestbloomsinhisfaceasheenters,andYaocan'thelpbutbeinterestedwhenhedrawsthecurtains.Withanairofgraveseriousness,Lanzisays,"I'mcallinginafavor."

.

.

"Domeafavor.Yao'sbeenmakingnoises."

Theoldermansmilesattheharassed-lookingnoble.Yaoisacommonenemy,andhemightaswelltakeallthegratitudehecan,beforeYao'splottingtakesholdandthefavorowedisuseless.

Afteraflurriedwarinrumorsandthreats,Yaotakesanextendedvacationtothecountryindisgrace.

Mai'sfatherslipsunnoticeablydowntheCourthierarchyastheenemiesofhisenemiesfightforpower.HebarelymissesreceivingthehonorofthegovernorshipofOmashu.TheCourttittersattheobvioussnub,butLanzisoldiersonwithasmile.

.

.

Somethingabouttheblindingwhitefieldsofsnowmakesherpulsehum.Ittakesherawhiletoplacethefeeling,buteventuallyAzularealizesthatitfeelslikethesurgeoffirethatcomeswiththedawnafteralong,longnight.Itfeelslikethetides,pushingandpulling,thesurfroaring.

"It'safullmoon,"Hamasays,beckoning."Let'sgooutandplay."

Asifinadream,Azulawandersoutontotheice,followingthestarlightfigureflowingoverthesnowdrifts.Shedoesn'tfeelthebiteofthewindonherexposedface,notwiththegazeoftheMoonuponherskin,burningwithunknownpurpose.

ShestrugglesthroughthesnowthatHamafloatsovereffortlessly,untilthewaterbenderstops,andpoints.

Aherdofreindeeryakshuddletogetherforwarmthintheleeofarockyoutcropping.Theirbreathsteamsinthefreezingair,litbytheharshmoonlight.Withoutasinglewordspoken,Azulaunderstands.

Bloodislife;itiswaterandfire,pulsingitsowndeterminedcoursethroughtheriversofthebody.Water.

"Play,"Hamawhispers.

Azulareachesouttograspthatfire-water-life,andmakeithers.

.

.

Forallherflightiness,TyLeetrainswithsinglemindeddedicationinanisolatedpartofthecitythatisn'tquiteisolatedenough.Whetherornotshe'sawareofhersizeablemaleaudience,Katarais,andsheisn'thappy.

Athreateninglurchofthesnowattheirfeetsendsmostofthemrunning.Thestragglersareswallowedtotheeyesinice.Kataramightswearshedidn'tmeantotakeitthatfar,butshecatchesAzula'sknowingsmilethenextday,andcan'tdenythemomentofsatisfaction.

ThenshehasafitwhenshefindsTyLeewalkingonherbarehandsonpolarice,mittensdiscarded.

"ThosethingsconstrictmyfingerssoIcan'tbalance,"shesays,showinghertherawredskin.

Theredoesn'tseemtobeanythingelseforit,soKataratakesaneedleandsomepenguinsealguttoturnthemittensintoapairofgloves,muchtoTyLee'sdelight.

"Thanks!"shecries,huggingherferociouslyaroundthestomach,andjustasabruptlyflittingoff.Kataradoesn'tevenhavetimetoblinkbeforeshestartspracticinghandstandsagain,asifnothing'shappened.

Katarastandsthereforabeat,half-stunned.Tooquietlyfortheacrobattohear,shesays,"Thankyou."

.

.

"It'satest,"Maisays,admiringtheassassins'knivesbeforeaddingthemtoherarsenal."Iftheyreallywantedyoudead,they'djusttelltheFireLord."

Zukosheatheshisswordswithafrown."Thenwejust...letthemgo?"

"Whoeversentthemwantstoknowyou'renottobetrifledwith,"shesays,tiltingonemaskedfaceup."Ithinkwe'veprovenourselvesworthy.Tellyourmaster."

.

.

"HighGeneralTozacan'tbetrusted,"Lanzisays.

"Someonewiththatkindofpowerwouldbeuseful,"repliesZuko.ThenobleoffershimthesamecynicalsmirkMaidoes.

"Ofcoursehe'llbeuseful,butdon'tletthatfoolyou.Remember,youcan'ttrustmeeither."

.

.

It'sSokkawhosays,"Thewar'sworstinthewest.Allthebestearthbenderswillbethere.We'llfindateacherthere."

Hesoundssoabruptlyreasonable(twominutesagohewastryingtojugglehisboomerang,withpredictableresults)thateveryoneblinksinsurprise,exceptAzula.

.

.

TheymeetTozainthemostisolatedplacepossibleandbringtheirweapons,butthatdoesn'tevenmakehimfrown.Theassassinsstandathissidewithoutahintofrancor.

"Whydidn'tyoukillthem?"thenobleasks,eyessharpfromwithinhiswrinkles.

TozawaitsforhimtolooktoMaiwithanairofcondescension,butZukodoesn't

needeventheslightestofhintsanymore.

"Anyfoolcantakealife.WhyshouldIhavepermanentlyremovedyourretainerswhenyourintentwasobvious?"

"Iorderedthemtoassassinateyou."

"IfI'vedoneyouadisservicebysparingthem,Icantakecareofthatnow,"Zukosaysdryly.Thetwomendon'tsomuchastwitch,notuntilTozastepsbackwardsandnods.

Steelfliesfromtheirsleeves,onlytobedeflectedbyavolleyofMai'sknives.Withoutbreakingpace,theydrawtheirswordsandlunge,butZuko'salreadyspinningaway.Histwindaoflashinthestarlightashestepscirclesaroundthem,slippingbetweentheirblowsaslightlyasaleafonthewind.

Hewasfarfromunoccupiedintheirtimewiththeairbenders.

Inahairsbreadthofanopening,though,Zukoflashesforwards,strikingwiththehilts.SwordsfallfromnervelessfingersasMaistepsbetweenthemwithquietprecision,holdingherknivestojugularveins.Noonemovesinthesuddenquiet.

"Impressive,"Tozasays,butZukofrowns.

"Pullingthesametricktwice?Youshouldbemorecarefulwiththeonesloyaltoyou."Heglancesatthetwowarriorsandsays,inopeninvitation,"Iwon'tthrowpeople'slivesaway."

"NeitherwillI,"thenoblereplies,andwithawhirlofmovementthatMaican'tfollow,hismenareathisside,unharmed."Forgiveme,PrinceZuko.Ihadtoseeformyself."

"Andwhathaveyouseen?"

HighGeneralTozasmileslikeaknife."OurnextFireLord."

.

.

Ofcoursetheyattacktheweakestlink.TyLeecancatcharrowswithherbarehandsandKatarahasthereflexesofatruewaterbendingmaster.

(NooneintheirrightmindwouldevertrytopreyonAzula.)

Theyleavearrowsscatteredintheforest,butnonote,becausetheyknowhertoowell.TheFirePrincesswouldneverbotherrescuingacapturedsubordinate.

"Theywon'tdamagehim,"shetellsKataralightly,twirlinganarrowbetweenherfingers."Ifitwasoneofusthey'dcrushhishandsattheveryleast."

TyLeeslumpsmiserably,butKataraturnswitheyeshardasiceandstartstoshriek.

"Ithoughtyouwerebetterthanthis,youheartless—"

(monster)

"You'renotlistening,"shesays."EveryoneunderestimatesSokka."

"We'regoingbackforhim,"Katarasays,daringhertodisagree.

Azulafrownsather."Obviously."

.

.

Platearmormakeschi-blockingmoredifficultthanusual,butforherit'sjustanewruleinthegame.

TyLeestepsintothecellfirstandfeelsthehappyadrenalinerushshuddertoabreathtakinghaltinherveins.Herpreparedlinesseemabsurdlychildishnow.

(MyPrince,I'mheretorescueyou.)

Suddenly,Azula'spresenceatherbackisintenselypainful.

Verydistantly,shehearshersay,"I'llmeetyououtside,"asthesoundofherfootstepspassesaway,deeperintothefortress.

.

.

Lightningflasheswithacrackleofsuperheatedairasthedoorishurledopen.Thefirelightaccentsthethin,angularfeaturesofthegirlinthedoorway.Astrangehungerburnsinhergoldeneyes.

"ColonelShinu.IpresumeI'mnotinconveniencingyou?"Azulasays.Sheglances

outofthewindow,whereevenatthisdistanceshecanseeKatara'swaterleapinginthelightofthefullmoon.

"Youlittle—"

"Good.Let'shaveachat,"sheinterrupts,asshetakesthecolonel'schair."Icouldn'thelpbutnoticesomeinterestinginjuriesonyourprisoner."

"You'renotstupidenoughtogoafteranonbenderpeasant,"hesays,deliberatelyfacingawayfromthecharredbodiesofhisentourage."Wedidn'ttakehimasbait—weknewyouwouldn'tcome.Hewasonlyusefulforinformation."

Ashutterflickersbehindhereyes,alightning-fastbreakinheramuseddemeanor,beforeshelooksbackwithapracticedsmile.

"Youwerewrong.Soletmetellyousomething,Colonel,"Azulasays,leaningbackinthechairforabeat,asiftocomposeherself.

Withoutwarning,shelungesacrossthedesk,seizingtheoldmanbythethroatandknockinghimtotheground.Hernailscutoozinggashesasshehisses,"They.are.mine."

Hisonlyreplyisadesperategasp.

"Don'ttouchthemagain."

"Nngh—"

Shestepsbackandflicksbloodfromherfingertips."Lettheothersknow."

Henodsfrantically,butthelongerAzulawatcheshim,themoresomethingdarkandfuriousseemstogrowinherthroat.

Andthere'sreallynoreasonsheshouldn'tindulge,justthisonce.

"No,"shemuses,"IthinkyourcorpsewillspeakforyouifI'm...eloquent."

Shinumoveswithalltheforcecanmusterinasinglefirebendingblow,butwithagesturehe'scutoffmid-strike.Hisentirebodybeginstoshakeasheliftsslowlyofftheground.

She'snoteventouchinghim.

"TheFireNationwaswrongabouttheprimacyoffire,"Azulawhispers,listeningto

theroarofmoonlightonherskinandthecreepofbloodinhisveins.

.

.

Afterwards.

TyLeehasastrainedlookonherfacethatcanonlypartiallybeattributedtoexertion.SheholdsAzula'shandsandrunsherfingersoverthedryingblood.

"Youraura'sgoneallfunny,"shesays,silenttearspassingthroughthegrimeonhercheeks.

Sheactuallyhastoforcehervoicetostayeven.

"Isupposeithas."

Azulastillcan'tcontroltheinexplicableragethatwantstorunbackandburnthestrongholdtotheground;shecanonlydrownitinaloudervoicetellinghertostandcloseasthehealingwaterripples.

She'snotsurehowithappened,butwhenKataraslumpswithexhaustion,she'sathershoulderwithTyLee,carefullyloweringhertoherbedroll.

(theyare—mine—mine—mine—)

"Itookcareofhim,"Azulasayswithunusualopenness.She'sevenmoresurprisedwhenKataraunderstandsexactlywhatshemeans.

Red-rimmedeyesgrowwide."You...youdidn't..."

"Don'tlietoyourself.Youknowhedeservedit."Anditmustbetheexhaustionthat'smakingherpushandbegforunderstanding—forforgiveness—

Thesilentflickerofhesitationtellsvolumes."Butyoucan'tjust..."

Azulaconsidersamoment,andsays,"Youcan't,"withsomethingofagrudgingcompliment."Soit'sagoodthingyouhaveme."

.

.

TyLeegreetshimwithasquealandahugthatsomehowmanagestoencirclehimwithoutbrushingasinglebruise.Sokkayelpsanyways.

"He'sawake!"

Kataraburstsintothetent,half-panicking,butwhensheseesherbrother'sexpression,hereyesfillwithtears.

"Idiot—don'teverdothatagain,"shesays,tentativelyembracingthem."Iwassoworried."

"Iwasn'tworriedforasecond,'causeIknewyouwerecoming,"Sokkasays,grinning.Helooksupandseesthefiguretoo-casuallylingeringoutside.

"Comeon,Azula.Beingpartofthegroupalsomeansbeingpartofgrouphugs."

"I'drathernot,"shebeginstosay,butKataragrabsherhandandpullsherinwithonlytokenresistance.

.

.

.

.

Push

.

.

(push)

.

.

Ittakesasurprisinglylongtimeforhertorealizethatsomething'sbeenmissingfromherlife,andevenlongertoswallowherpridetodosomethingaboutit.

"CaretoexplainwhyIhadtowastemytimewithmeditationtoseeyou?"Azulaaskstetchily.

Tophactuallylaughs,loudanduncivilized,butstrangelyfaint.Thetranslucenthandonhershoulderisdefinitelylesssolidthanbefore.

"It'scutehowbackwardsyou'vegotit.Youhaven'taskedformeinawhile.Guessyoudon'tneedmetoholdyourhandanymore,"shesays,grinning.Hervoiceblursintoechoes,asifshe'sbeginningtobesubsumedbyherpreviouslives."Exceptyou'regoingthewrongdirection.BaSingSe'snicethistimeofyear."

Somethinglikepaniccoilsinherstomach.Azulaforcesthewordsoutofhertighteningthroat."You'releaving?"

(hercloakvanishesintothepalaceshadows)

Herexpressionturns...notquitesoft,butthegrinturnsintosomethingthat'salmostascowl."Idiot.You'renevergonnagetridofme."

"WhataboutMother?"

Thistimeit'salmostcertainlyascowl.Hereyesvanishsullenlyunderherfringe."Trustme,youdon'tneedher,either."

.

.

"It'stoodangerousforanoldmanlikemeintheFireNation,"Irohsaysgently.

Zukostayscalmwithaneffort."Uncle..."

"Iknowyouwilldowell,"hesays,voicedroppingtoseriousness."YouhaveaheartfortheFireNationlikenoneI'veeverseen."

"ButIcan't—"

Zukodoesn'tknowhowtoexpressthesquirmingdiscomforthefeelsinhiding,orthelookonLanzi'sfacewhenhe'ssaidsomethingnaive.

Ifyouleave,Idon'tknowifIcanstillactwithhonor—

"Isaidyouwoulddowell.Ididnotsayitwouldbeeasy,"Irohwarns,handonhisnephew'sshoulder.Hiseyesglintwithouttheirusualfriendliness."ThisisaCourtwar,nephew."

—andyou'regivingmepermission,aren'tyou?

Zukoswallows."What...whatareyougoingtodo?"

"MaybeI'llstartateashop!"

"Youmeanyou'regoingtogathertheOrderoftheWhiteLotus."

"Hm.Ikeepforgettingyouknowaboutthat."

.

.

Iroh'spartinggiftisaboxofthefinestginsengoolongtealeavesintheFireNation.

Zukohaslearnedenoughbynowtoknowthatit'snotforhim.

.

.

AzulastepsoffAppa'sbackinapavedcourtinthemiddleofthePalacecomplex:notfarenoughtomixwiththerabble,butnotcloseenoughtoinfringeontheEarthKing'sdomain.

She'ssoconfidentshe'sappropriatelyjudgedtheproximityallottedaforeignpowerthatthestonecuffsthatsnaparoundherwristscomeasacompletesurprise.

"Noone'sallowedthroughthepalacewalls,"asevere-lookingwomaninagreenuniformsays.Behindherstandtroopsinthesameflowingclothesandroundhats.Shedoesn'tmakeanyothermoves,butshedoesn'tbackdown,either.Azulaturnswithicydignity.

"Releaseme.ThisisnowaytotreatyourAvatar."

Azulacatchessomethinginthewoman'shardface,likeajoltofrecognition,butshedoesn'tchangeherstance."I'msorry,butmycity'ssecuritydependsonorder.Iwon'tmakeanexceptionforyou."

Idon'tknowifyoucanbetrusted,Azulaparses,andadjustsherapproachaccordingly.

"Iunderstand,butIintendtospeaktoarepresentativeofthekingassoonaspossible.IfthePalaceisoff-limits,Iwouldbehappytoarrangesomethingelse."

"I'msuretheGrandSecretariatwouldbeinterestedinanaudience,"shesays,stillwary."I'llnotifyhimimmediately,buttheremaybeadelay.TheMinistryofCulturewillarrangehospitality."

Directaccesstopower,Azulanotessilently.Shedipsherheadwithrespect."Azula,Avatarandex-PrincessoftheFireNation,"shesays,makingherrenounciationclear.

Thestonecuffsslipapologeticallyfromherwristsandreformaroundthewoman'sfingers.Sheinclinesherheadinreturn.

"DaiLiAgentLinBeifong."

.

.

"WeneedtocontroltheHomeGuardifwewanttheCapitol,"Zukosays,offeringTozaasteamingteacup."RemovingYaowasn'tenough."

Theoldmanpausestoenjoythearomabeforetakingasip."Ginsengoolong.Howdidyouknowitwasmyfavorite?"

"Luckyguess,"hesays,unamused.Hisownteasitsuntouchedbyhisside."Iwant

youtobringafewmeninforinterrogation."

.

.

LieutenantShenstandsrigidlyoutsidetheinterrogationroomasthehighgeneralcallshimin.

"Whydidn'tyoudestroytheEasternAirTemple?"

"Therewasnoneed,sir.Nothingbutghostsinthoseruins."

"Ididn'ttakeyouforasuperstitiousman,Lieutenant."

Whenhedoesn'trespond,thehighgeneralsays,"Yourmenhavetoldmesome...interestingstories.Caretoelaborate?"

"Notparticularly."

"Thatwasn'tasuggestion,"hesayshumorlessly."TellmewhattheAvatarandPrinceZukowantedwithyou."

Hismouthgoesdry.Heseestheexecutionathisdoorstep,andregretseverything.

No.Heregretsnothing.

"Theytoldmethetruth,"hesays,heartracing."Everythingwe'vedone...theFireLord...Iwastiredofdestroyingthings.Iturnedaway."

Thehighgeneralsmiles."Theconsequenceoftreasonisdeath."

"Thiswasmyresponsibility,andminealone,"hesays,makingonelasteffort."Letmymennotsufferformymistake."

Heturnsaway,handsclaspedlightlybehindhisback.Almostcasually,hesays,"It'sfortunatethatyou'llonlybechargedwithincompetence."

Shenblinksandalmostmakesthemistakeofspeaking,butthehighgeneralcontinues.

"Foolishofyou,tomistakeaninsurrectionist'sforgeryforagenuineorderfromyourcommandingofficer."

"HighGeneralToza,Idon'tunderstand—"

"You'llbedemotedandreassignedtoaminorcommandroleintheHomeGuard,"hesays."Themenwhopersistedindefendingyourmistakewilljoinyou."

Isee.Hispulsepoundsinhisthroat.

"Doyouaccept?"Tozaasks,finallylookinghimintheeyes.

Histeacherswouldtellhimtorejectthistreason,whatevertheconsequence.TorebelagainsttheRoyalFamily...

...buthesaidPrinceZuko,didn'the?

"Yes,sir."

Tozasmileslikeasatedwolfbat.Shendoesn'ttryhisluckbyaskingaboutthemenwhoturnedonhim.

.

.

Katara'spracticingtheeelhoundformwhenthedoorslidesopenwitharustleofpaper.

"Hello."

Despiteherself,sheflinches.Thesinuouswaterbreaksandfallsbackintoitsjug.

"Azula,whatisit?"

Shedoesn'trespond,butstepslightlyintotheroomonbarefeet,thegreendressill-suitedtoherpalefeatures.

TheMinistryofCulture'smisjudgedhersize,becauseAzulaalwaysgivestheimpressionofbeingbiggerthansheis.Thesilkhangsawkwardlyfromherframe,andshelookslikeachildcaughttryingonhermother'sclothes.Kataracan'thelpthesoftsmilethatcomestoherlips.

Azula'sfingerslatcharoundherwrist,nailspressingintotheskin.Hergripislight,onlymeanttohold.

Katarafeelssomethingcoldrushdownherspine.Thedarkbrownpatternonthe

oversizedsleeveisn'tembroidery,it'sblood.Somehowit'sobviousit'ssomeoneelse's.

(Itookcareofhim.)

"Don'tleaveme,"Azulasays,almostpleading.

HernailscutintothesoftskinoftheundersideofKatara'swristasshetriestotwistaway.

"You'remy..."Foramomentherfocuswanders,puzzled,thenlandsonKatara'sfacewithfrighteningintensity."You'remine."

TherearebonyfingersaroundherthroatasAzula'sgleaminggoldeneyesdrawclose.Herpaleskinisfreckledbyasprayofreddroplets.

"Iwon'tletyouleaveme,"shehisses.

BlooddripsslowlydownKatara'sneckandsoaksthefrontofherdress.

"Stay?"Azulaasks.

Shewhispers,"Yes,"andhatesthecowardlytremorinhervoice,butfightingbackhasneverseemedaworseidea.

Satisfactionglintsinheruncannyeyes."Good,"Azulacroons,wipingawaythebloodwiththepadofherthumb.

.

.

Katarawakesupscreaming.

.

.

Theywatcheachotheracrossthefireplacelikecoiledserpents.

"Youdidn'tbringyourfriends,Isee,"LongFengsays.

"They'reunimportant."Azulaleansforward,thegreenlightthrowingherfeaturesintosharprelief."Ihaveinformationthatwillendthewarthissummer.Onewayor

another."

"Isthatso?"heasksinacasualtonebeliedbythedilationofhispupils."Doshare."

"Anexchange,"shereplies."I'mlookingforateacher.Whoisthegreatestearthbenderintheworld?"

"Iam."

Azulatiltsherhead."Doyoureallybelievethat?"

Hedoesn'treply.

"Icantellwhenpeoplelietome,"shesays,watchinghisface."I'mnotblind."

Ah.Thereitis.

.

.

Theconcentrationittakesjusttosummonawispyimageoftheblindwomanisalmostdisheartening.Azulaletsthestarlightfiguredissipatesothatshecanfocusonhervoice.

"TellmeaboutLongFeng."

AzulacatcheshazyflashesofmemoryastheypassthroughToph'smind."Cleverkid.Tooclever."

"ShouldIbeworried?"

"Notascleverasyou,"Tophsays,thegrinevidentinhertone."Justwatchyourstep.He'scompletelyloyaltoBaSingSe.Youcan'tfakethatkindofemotion.Nottome."

(BaSingSewillbefine.Weneedsoldiersonthefront.Quityourwhining.)

(Avatar,I'mbeggingyou.)

AzulawadesoutofthememoryandseizesthefrayingthreadofherconnectiontoToph."Yourdaughter."

Theroilofemotionthatpulsesoverhermakesherstomachturn.Azula'smouththinstoawhitelinewhensherealizes.

"Youabandonedher."

Guiltburnslikeacidinherthroat."Ihadtogobacktothewar.Justforafewyears.Shewassafe."

"Shewouldhavebeensaferwithyou."

Thevoicehesitates."IliedwhenIsaidIwasn'tafraidofanything.Youdon'tunderstand.Icouldn'thavetakenherwithme."

"Youleft,"shehisses,furiousfornoreason.

"Iregretitmorethananything,"Tophsays,beforeAzulaletshervoicevanishintotheether.

.

.

"I'vebeenassignedasyourearthbendingteacher,"Linsays,notlookingespeciallythrilled.

AnexpressionofsurprisecrossesAzula'sface."Strange.Iwouldhavethought..."

Thewoman'seyesnarrow."Notgoodenoughforyou?"

"Please.You'rethegreatestearthbenderintheworld,"shesays,givinghervoiceahalf-rememberedbrazenlilt.

Lintwitches.

"Don'tcallmethat."

.

.

HighGeneralTozaisn'tsurprisedbytheshadowinhisoffice,butthelow,tightly-controlledqualityofhisvoiceisnew.

"Yousenttheotherstotheeasternfront,then?"

Hesmirks."RewardedfortheirloyaltyandcowardicewithachancetowingloryagainstthefinestwarriorsofEarthKingdom.Idiots.They'llbeslaughtered."

(Butthe41stareentirelynewrecruits.HowdoyouexpectthemtodefeatapowerfulEarthKingdombattalion?)

(Whatbettertouseasbaitthan—)

"Freshmeat,"Zukoechoes.

"Precisely.Wecan'thavethemspreadingrumors."

"Ofcourse,"hesaysquietly.Hepausesbeforeheasks,"You'veensuredit,then?"

"Nomistake."

"Good."

Unconsciouslyfingeringhisscar,hesweepsoutwithoutanotherword.

.

.

AttheBoilingRock,adozenguardsinexplicablyleave.Rumorhasit,aclericalerrorupintheWarden'sofficesentouttheirpensionstenyearsearly.

Eitherway,theirreplacementsarefreshofftheboringpartofthewarfront,fulloftalltalesandboasting.They'veobviouslybeensenthomebecauseofsomeembarassingfailure,sonoonetakestheirstoriesseriously.

Asifsomehalf-ratesoldierscouldevermeettheAvatarinpersonandlivetotellthetale.

(EveryoneknowsaboutColonelShinu.)

.

.

Kataradreamsofsnow,andadaynotquitecoldenoughtofreezetheteartracksonherface.

"Katara,please,"Hakoda'svoicesays,hisfaceanamorphousshadowhaloedbythesun."You'llhaveGran-GranandSokkaand—"

"Idon'twantthem,Iwantyou!"shescreams,voicecracking.

Gran-Gran'sarmslatchtightaroundher.Herthrashingfeetdigineffectualtrenchesinthesnow,butGran-Granstillwon'tletgo.

"Ineedyoutobestrong."

"Don'tleaveme,Daddy,"shebegs,lettinghervoicedroptoapathetictremble.Hiccupingsobswrackherbodyasshestopsstruggling.

Itdoesn'twork.Hakodapressesakisstoherwetcheeksandturnstoleave.

Notagain,shethinks.Neveragain.

ShesuddenlytwistsaroundinGran-Gran'slooseninggripandhitshardatthepressurepoints,justasTyLeeshowedher.Theoldwomanstumblesandfalls,butKatara'salreadytearingherselfaway.

Hakodastandsimpossiblytall,hisfeaturesshadowed.

Theperfectsolutioncomestoherlikeaflashoflightning.Katarareachesoutahandandlistenstotheroarofbloodpulsingthroughherfather'sbody.

"Iwon'tletyouleaveme."

.

.

Coil

.

.

(coil)

.

.

Earthbendingiscrude,barbaric,andvaguelyfilthy.Ithasnoneofthefiercejoyoffire,theexaltationofair,orthedynamicbalanceofwater.

Also,itmakesherlookridiculous.

"Lower,"Linsays,inatonethatbrooksnoargument.

Azulascowlsandsinksherhorsestanceuntilshe'spracticallysquatting.

Therockbruisesherhand,butrefusestomovemorethananinch.

.

.

"Yournailsareimpractical,"Linobservesdryly."Youcan'tmakeafistwithoutcuttingyourpalm."

Azularesiststheurgetosnap."They'reasignofroyalty,obviously."

"Itmeansyoucan'tstrikesolidly.Getridofthem."

"Lin,"shebegins,absolutelynotwhining,buttheolderwomancutsheroffharshly.

"That'sAgentBeifongtoyou,"shesays,andsomethingflickersinherexpression.Azulablinks—

"Mother,I'mtellingyou,thewarisgoingwell.TheDaiLineedme.Youdon't."

"That'snotthepoint.LongFeng'sgothisheadsofaruphis—"

"It'smydecision."

"Lin..."

"That'sAgentBeifongtoyou."

—andfillsin,quietly,"AndhereIthoughtthatnamecouldn'tgetanystuffier."

Linflinches.

.

.

"Ifyoucanrememberunimportantconversations,youcanrememberseismicsense,"shesays,knottingtheblindfoldtightly."Comeandgetme."

Thegroundrumbles.Therecastingofsunlightandshadowoverherskinsuggestsaseriesofchest-highridges,butapartfromthat,Azulacan'tsenseathing.

"I'mwaiting."

Azulalungestowardshervoice,onlytoslamintoasolidrockwall.

Sheknowsfireandair;shecanreadwindcurrentslikebreathing,butthesheerimmobilityofstoneisanemptymysterytoher.

Andshe'sdefinitelynotimaginingToph'sraucouslaughtereverytimesherunsintoanotherwall.

"Youcandobetterthanthat."

"I'mtrying!"Azulasnarls,whirlingtowardsherandmeetinganotherwall,thistimewithherhands.

Sheknowsshelooksperfectlyfoolish,gropingaroundinthedark.Lin'smotivationalwordsonlyinfuriatehermore.

"Enough,"Linsnaps,rippingofftheblindfold.Azulablinksinthesuddenbrightnessandflinchesawayfromthescowlonthewoman'sface."Thatwaspitiful.IcoulddobetterwhenIwasthree."

Everynerveendinglightsatonce."That'snotfair!"Azulaprotests.Shestaggersashervisiongoesdark."You—

—werebornblind,"screamstheshrillvoiceofachild,andAzulaalmostshudders

withtheflowofinformationassaultinghersenses.

forty-eightpounds-weightontheleftfoot-elevatedheartrate-bruises-asnifflynose-tremblinghiccuping-shame-

Sheknowswhatcomesnext,ofcourse.

(Yeah,well,Ihadtoteachmyselfeverything,soyoushouldbeevenbetter!)

Butthat'snotwhathappens.Instead,hermouthsays,"Lin,Ionlywantedtomakesurenoonecouldhurtyou."

Thesuddenshiftinthevibrationstellshertomove,butherbodydoesn'treactfastenoughtododgeLin'spunch.

.

.

"Azula!JooDeesayswecanhavefooddeliveredtoour—Whathappenedtoyourface?"

"Shutup,Sokka."

"Areyoubleeding?"

"Yes.You'llbe,too,ifyoudon'tdropit."

"Um.Sure.WantsomeSiWongbarbeque?"

"...Ifthere'sfireflakes."

.

.

Lieutenant—no,SecondLieutenantShen—takesalongmomenttosteadyhisbreathbeforehesays,"Goodevening,sir."

PrinceZukounapologeticallydropsfromtheceilingofShen'schambers."Ithoughtyoumightwanttoseemeinperson."

Shenissilentforalongmoment.Finally,hesays,"IfIcouldaskaquestion,sir."

Theprincenods.

"Mymen.Therestofthem,Imean."

"Theoneswhobetrayedyou,andtoldtheinterrogatorsaboutme."

"Yes,"hesays,notflinching."Whathappenedtothem?"

PrinceZukodoesn'tlookhappy,exactly,butaweightseemstoliftoffhisshoulders."Iknewyouweretherightmanforthejob."

.

.

AzulamakesagameoutofevadingtheDaiLibodyguardslongenoughtodropinontheGrandSecretariatunannounced.

"Whatareyoudoingthatyoudon'twantLintosee?"

LongFengmanagestocontrolhisexpression,butthesuddentensioninhisshouldersspeaksforhim.

"Iexpectedyoutokeepacloseeyeonme,butit'sobviousshe'snofriendofyours,"Azulacontinuesthoughtfully."You'reusingmetokeepheroutoftheway.There'ssomethingmoreobjectionablethancensorship."

"Don'tberidiculous,"hesaysinanirritatinglypatronizingtone."MostoftheDaiLihavebenefitedfromherskills.It'sonlypropertooffertheAvatarthebestinstructorourcityhastooffer."

Sheshrugs."I'mnotinterestedinunderminingyourplaceinBaSingSe.Butyou'llonlyhaveonechancetosaveyourpreciouscitybeforethecomet.Don'truinitbylyingtome."

Thecontemptonhisfacefades.

"Trustme,andI'lltellyouabouttheeclipse,"Azulasays.

.

.

HighGeneralTozatakestheemptyseat.Thefactthatit'sslightlysmallerthanMai's

doesn'tescapehisnotice.

"Ifhehasanysense,Jinzawillstarttryingtopullrecruitsfromanywherehecangetthem."

"Andthecourt-martials?"

"Stillundermydirectcontrol."

"Good.Thiswoman'supfordisciplinaryreviewintwodays.Failuretosuppressinsurrectioninthecolonies."Maislidesascrapofpaperacrossthetable.Tozamemorizesthenameandletstheashesfallaway.

"IonlyhavesomuchpowerwiththeHomeGuard.ThesoonerJinza'spromoted,thebetter."

Asifcommentingontheweather,Maireplies,"TheOfficeoftheHomeGuardjustgotananonymoustip.JinzawillbeoutofourwayinacoupleweeksiftheFireLadydoesn'tmaketroubleabouthernephew'sarrest."

"AfterZanandWei,Idoubtshehasthepower."

"Anythingelseinteresting?"

"Navalhighcommandiscompetingforthehonorofbeingthefirstlineofdefenseduringtheeclipse."

"Howpredictable,"shesighs."Pickwhoyou'dmostliketohumiliate."

.

.

Shen'snotthemostobviouschoicetoreplaceJinzaascaptainoftheHomeGuard,butafterafewweeksnoonerememberswherehecamefrom.

MostpeopletreattheHomeGuardasapunishmentwhiletheothermilitarybranchesgoouttowinglory.ShentracksdowneverysinglerecruitandremindsthemthattheFireNationdependsontheHomeGuard;somethingabouthistonemakespeoplethinkoftheirfamilies.

Theonesswayedmorebybloodlustthanpatriotismbegtobeonthefrontlines,towaitwhateverinvasionmightcome,andShenonlyhesitatesalittlebeforerelenting.

Toaselectfew,hewhisperssedition.

.

.

Azuladoesn'thidetheimpressedlookonherface."Isee.Ididn'tconsiderpayingrefugeestosilencetalkofconflict."

"Twobirdswithonestone.Weupholdthepeaceandorderofthelastutopiaintheworld,andpotentialtroublemakersareboughtontoourside.WecallthemtheCopperPieceBrigade."

"Elegant.Andtheoneswhowon'ttakethemoney?"

"Wecanbepersuaive,"LongFengsays,thecornerofhismouthcreepingintoasmirk."AgentBeifongwoulddoubtlessprotest,butguidingpublicopinionisnecessarytoprotectthecity."

"Ofcourseshewould,"Azulaagreesdisdainfully."She'sthesorttocareforpeople.Butpeopleareweak.Theonlythingwiththepowertosaveispoweritself."SheofferstheGrandSecretariataconspiratorysmile."Icanseewhyyou'reheadoftheDaiLi."

LongFenglookspleased."Ican'tbelievethatTophreincarnatedintosuchawiseyoungwoman."

Withhisguarddown,hisemotionsareobvious—thefaintcontemptintheasymmetryoftheupperlip,andtheirrepressibledelightofasuccessfuldeception.

.

.

AgentLinBeifongstareslongandhardintothemirror.

Hereyesaretoodark.

Lintracestheparallelscarsonhercheek,likethetrackofaviciousbackhand,thatareasoldashercareerwiththeDaiLi.

Shetriestorememberhowsheearnedthem.

.

.

"JooDee,I'dsimplyloveatourofthemostcharminglyquaintpartsoftheLowerRing,"Azulasays,takingthewoman'sarminhers.HerfingerswraparoundJooDee'swrist,pressinggentlyintothepulseofrushingblood.Evenwiththenailsfileddowntosoftcrescents,theystilllookliketalons.

"Certainly,AvatarAzula,"shesays,toobrightly.

SheturnsherfocusontherhythmofJooDee'sheartbeatunderherfingertips."Ihopeyoudon'tmindifIaskquestionsaboutthewarrefugees."

"Oh,youmustmeanthemigrantlaborerswhohavecometothegreatcityofBaSingSeinsearchofopportunity!"

Theycontinuetowalk.JooDee'sheartskitterslikeaterrifiedrabbittheentiretime.

.

.

TyLeefreezesinthemiddleoftheroad,andforamomentKatara'sheartraceswithadrenaline.Byreflex,sheuncapsherwaterskinandscansthestreetforenemies,buttheacrobat'sfacebreaksintoasmile.

"Aspa!"shecries,seizingKatara'sarm."Ouraurashavebeensodingylately,weneedadayofrelaxation!"

Katarashakesawaythebattle-readinessalittlesheepishlyasTyLeepullsherintothebuilding."...Iguessyou'reright."

Whateveritmeanstohaveadingyaura,Katarafeelsimmenselybetterinahazeofrosewaterandunendingchatter.TyLeeissurprisinglyknowledgableaboutthemostfashionablestylesandexplains,withoutahintofcondescension,whythosegirlswerestaringatKatara'shair.

Addingmorerockstothesauna,TyLeesays,"Sheneedsus,youknow.Notjustforprotectingher."

She'sthankfulforthecloudofsteamobscuringtheirfaces."Ifyousayso."

"Really!"shesaysearnestly."Azuladoesn'thavealotoffriends,butshereallylovestheonesshehas.Youshouldn'tbeafraidofher."

"I'mnot."

TyLeesighs."Itotallyunderstandifyoudon'tlikepeoplefromtheFireNation.Withallthecrazinessgoingon—"

"No,no,it'snotaboutthewar,"Katarasayshastily.

Someonedropsatrayoftowels.

.

.

AzulaignoresthecellholdingKataraandTyLeeandwalksstraighttothefrontdesk.

"Ididn'trealizeyousupportedLongFeng'slittleproject,Lin."

Shedoesn'teventwitch."TheDaiLiupholdthelaw.Eventheonesthatgetyourfriendsintrouble."

Underwatchfulblueeyes,Azulachoosesherwordscarefully.

"Useyourvauntedseismicsenseforonce.Peopleareterrified.Isthatwhatyouwant?"

"Iwantmycitytobesafe."

"AndruledbyLongFeng'sironfist,ofcourse."

"DoIhavetoarrestyou,too?"

Inthecadenceofherpulsebeatingthroughtheground,Azulacanfeelsomethingbeginningtofray.

"Justletthemgo,"shesays,backingoff.

.

.

Azulasitscross-leggedbeforeasetofmeditationcandlesandbreathes.Thewhiteflamesflickerwithblue.

Aneclipse,aninvasion.

Sheneedstobeabletostrikethroughthemountaintothehiddenbunkersbelow.

"Ineedtoearthbend,"shesays.Butstoneisdisgustinglyimmobile,stubborn,useless.Earthdoesn'tdanceliketheotherelements,anditbothershermorethansheletson.

Thecandlesburncomfortingly.Azulastaresthoughtfullyintothedistance.

"No.Ineedearthbenders."

.

.

Inthemiddleofthenight,twoDaiLiagentsmaterializeontheroofaboveAzula'sroom,onlytofindherstandingonthemoonlittileswithaknowingsmile.

"Ithoughtyou'dbealong,"shesays.

"Pleasecomewithus,Avatar,"thefirstsays,bowing.

LongFengiswaitingforthemontherimoftheOuterWall,tensionwrittenineverylineofhisbody.Hesays,"Tellmehowtostopthatthing."

AzulaglancesattheFireNationdrillsteadilyraspingawayatthewallofBaSingSeandleansbackcasually."Whatwillyougiveme?"

.

.

"Azula,wehavetodosomethingaboutLongFeng,"Katarasays."Youknowwhathe'supto."

Seismicsenseisimmenselyusefulformonitoringpeoplejustpastlineofsight.Katara'sentirebodytenseswithnervousenergyeverytimeshe'swithintenfeetofAzula,fornoapparentreason.PohuaiStrongholdwasagesago.

It'snotthatitbothersher,it'sjustinconvenient.ThedarkcirclesunderKatara'seyescan'tbehealthy.

SoAzulaagrees,"HeholdsBaSingSeinhishands.Thiscan'tbeallowedtocontinue."

Katarabrightensimmediately."IfwetalktotheEarthKing,hecanhaveLongFengarrestedandpasscontroloftheDaiLitoAgentBeifong."

Thatwouldwork,becauseLinhastheloyaltyofeveryagentshe'severtrained,whichisalmostallofthem.Butitwouldcreatemoreproblemsthanitwouldsolve.LongFengatleastthinkshecanmanipulateher.

"Youknowshearrestedyou,"shesays,lookinghesitant.

Shebitesherlip."Itrusthertodotherightthing.She'sagoodperson."

—whichisexactlytheproblemwithgivinghercontrolofBaSingSe.ButKataralookssoexcitedtobedoingsomethingforjustice...

Well,LongFeng'sbeenstubborn;controllingtheCouncilofFivewouldbeeasierwithouthimintheway.Andperhapsit'sbettersomeonelikeLinBeifongbekeptbusyrunningacity,ratherthanpokinganoseintotheAvatar'sdoings.

"You'reright,"Azulasays."Let'sgovisittheEarthKing."

.

.

Shedidn'tknowthathidingthewarwouldignitehisrighteousangersothoroughly,butKuei'sfaceonseeingtheremainsoftheFireNationdrillispriceless.

TheproblemwiththeEarthKing'snaïveté,Azularealizes,isthatwhileitmakeshimaneasytargetforLongFeng'smanipulations,he'sallthemoreoutragedwhenevenasmalldeceptioncomestolight.

(ShemakesamentalnotetokeepaneyeonKatara.)

Still,Azulacan'tbelievehe'ssoutterlystupidastotransferhistrusttoher.IfshehadknownitwouldbesoeasytocontroltheEarthKing,shewouldhaveoverthrownLongFengagesago.

Lindoesn'tprotestwhenKueihandsherallofLongFeng'sformerdutiesandtitlesatAzula'ssuggestion,butshecatchesheralonewithasuspiciousfrown.

"Idon'tknowwhatgameyouthinkyou'replaying,butifyouthreatenmycity,Iwon'thesitatetobringyoudown."

"You'dbebetteroffwatchingLongFeng,"Azulasaysshortly."Idon'tcareabout

rulingBaSingSe."

Lineyesherwarily."Whatdoyoucareabout?"

"TheDayofBlackSun."

.

.

Zuko'sunnaturalcalmsendsalarmbellsringinginMai'shead.

"MessagefromAzula,"hesays,handingherascroll.

Shebarelylooksatit—expertlyblendedinkonsilk,aclearsignofcomfort—beforethecontentsmakethebloodrushfromherface.

"Theeclipse,"Maiwhispers,apangofbetrayaltremblingthroughher."Shecan'tgiveawayanationalsecretlikethat."

"Moreimportantly,weneedtobeready,"Zukosays,turningaway."IfAzulasucceeds,there'sgoingtobeanarmyonourshores...andthethronewillbeempty."

.

.

.

.

Veil

.

.

(veil)

.

.

"Doyoureallythinkshe'llkillyour—theFireLord?"

"Yes."TheyknowAzulatoowellfortheanswertobeanythingelse.

Maiwatcheshimcarefully."Areyougoingtobeokay?"

"Fine,"Zukobitesoff,stillnotlookingather."Ithastobe...Ialwaysknewitwouldhavetoendthisway."

Liar.EvennowMaicanseethedimming,irrationalhopeinhiseyes.

"There'snootheroption.Ifhe'sleftalive—"

"Iknow!"Zukoshouts,butinstantlydeflates.Hetakesasteadyingbreath."It'stheAvatar'sdestiny.Allweneedtodoisclearthewayforher,andshe'lltakecareoftherest."

He'sneverlookedsounhappyaboutAzula'sruthlesscompetence.

Maislapshim.

"Getoveryourself,"shesaysflatly,andsweepsoutoftheroom.

.

.

Frommemory,AzulabeginstomarkupthemapoftheCapital.Withabitofpride,shesurveysthearrayofbattlementsanddefenseslacingthebeach;theFireNationisfarmoresophisticatedthanearthbendersdroppingrocksfromtheOuterWall.

Sokkadoesn'tevenaskforpermissionbeforeleaningin."Ifthebattlementsare

attackingfromthere,weshouldkeepourforcesinawedgeformation.Thetankscandefendtheearthbenderswhiletheytakedownthebattlementsfromadistance."

Foramoment,Azulaconsiderstearingthemapaway,butashecontinues,shefindsherselfnodding.

Withhislegstillmending,Sokka'sbecomerestless.Givinghimcontroloftheinvasionplanwouldn'tbetoobad.It'samuchbetterhobbythanorderingtakeoutorscrawlingthoseoddsquiggleshecalls"art."

.

.

TheCouncilofFiveispositivelythrilledbythenewsandimmediatelystartssquabblingovertargetsintheregionoftotaleclipse.Azularollshereyesandslamsahandontothetable.

"Enough,children,"shesays,lookingattheNorthernWaterTribeenvoywho'sfinallybeenallowedintothepalace,afterbeingdelayedbytheMinistryofCulturefor"sixtoeight"weeks."Notinfrontofourguest."

Shedoesn'tlistenasSokkalaysouttheirplan,sinceeverydetailisalreadyengravedintohermind.Waterbendersworkinginpairstodefendtheinvasionfleet.Targetedlandslidestotakeoutthebattlements.AnarmydescendingupontheCapital.AdefenselessoldmanawaitingtheAvatar'sjudgement.

ThenAzularealizeshe'sbabblingaboutsomethingentirelyunrelated:"...andtherewerethesetwo-headedfishthatIateanywaybecauseAppa'stonguewaspurplebutthenweblewupthefactoryand—"

Shestompsonhisfootandtakesover,layeringmenacemoreheavilyintohertonethanusualtomakeupforSokka'sblunder.Noonedareslaughather.

Later,hecringes."Ifailed,didn'tI?Thatwasmymomentoftruth,andIblewit."

"Yes,"shesaysflatly.Atthelookonhisface,Azularelents."Thatwasn'tyourmomentoftruth,thatwasjustpublicspeaking.You'llfeelmuchbetterwhenthetroopsfollowingyourinvasionplanaredecimatingtheCapital'sdefenses."

.

.

"There'saSouthernWaterTribefleetinChameleonBay,"Linsays,handingSokkaanintelligencereport."Yourfather'sHakoda,right?"

Sokka'sinitialshockturnstofranticjoy,butKataraturnswhite.Herbrother,notnoticing,hugsherandshouts,"Dad'shere!Ican'tbelieveit!"

"Tellhimabouttheeclipse.Weneedships,"Azulasays,watchingherwithasenseofunease,"andI'msurehe'llbeoverjoyedtoseeyouagain."

Despitehisstill-healingleg,Sokkapracticallydragshissisteroutoftheroomthemomentshe'sfinishedspeaking.

AzulaleansintoTyLeeandsays,inalowvoice,"Gowiththem.Makesurenoonegetshurt."

.

.

Linpacesbeforetheassembledagents.Shedoesn'tmakethemistakeoflookingtoocloselyatanyoneface,insteadlisteningtothehumofheartbeatsandbreathingrates.

"Idon'tcarewhatyouthinkofLongFeng,"shesaysshortly."HehasmadeanenemyoftheEarthKing.Itwon'tbeeasytoreversethedamagehe'sdonetoourcredibility."

ThenicethingabouttheDaiLiisthattheyarrangethemselvesintoorderlyrowsanddon'tfidget.Herseismicsensecanreadthemlikelinesinabook.

"OurjobistoprotectBaSingSe.NotLongFeng.NottheMinistryofCulture.NoteventheEarthKinghimself,"Lincontinues,catchingthejudderingpatternoffearandangerinthecrowd.Shewalksslowly,triangulatingthesource.

"Thisisourhome.Thisisourduty.Soletmemakeonethingclear,"shesays,stoppinginfrontofoneoftheolderagentsintheroom.LongFeng'sfavorite,ofcourse;howcouldsheforgetthatscar?

"IfIsenseanydisloyalty,anyhesitation,anytreacheryatall...Iwillsnuffitout."

Abeadofsweattricklesdownthescarredagent'sface.Hispulsebeatsguilty,guilty,guilty.

"Dismissed."

.

.

LinbarelylooksupfromhernewdeskwhenAzulastepsintoheroffice."Idon'thavetimetotrainyou."

"Iknowthat.I'mthereasonyouhavethatjob."AndbeforeLincangetanymoresuspicious,sheadds,"IwantDaiLiagentsontheDayofBlackSun."

"Outofthequestion,"Linsays."I'mnotsendingagentsoutofthecitywithLongFeng'ssympathizersstillnursinggrudges."

"Ineedearthbenders."

"GoasktheCouncilofFive."

"EveryoneknowstheDaiLiarethebest."

Theyhaveakillerinstinctthat'ssofirebender,butAzuladoesn'tthinkLinneedstohearthat.

.

.

MaybeHakodacansensetheanxietyKatara'slettingoffinwaves,becauseafterheembracesthemboth,heimmediatelyrunsoffwithSokkatoexplainthetanglemines.She'satoncerelievedandachinglyjealous.

TyLeediscreetlysqueezesherhand."Youdon'tlooktoogood."

"I'mfine.Fine."

Inthedream,ithadfeltsowonderful:therushofpowerfeedinghercontempt,drowningoutthehorrifiedscreaminthebackofherhead.

TyLeebitesherliptostopherselffromsaying,"Icanreadauras,youknow."

.

.

ItmustbeTyLee'sfault,somehow,thattheyendupafewfeetawayfromoneanotherwithoutanothersoulinsight.

BeforeKataracanthinkbetterofit,shehitshiminthefacewithawaterwhip.Herhandsareshakingtoomuchforittohurt.

Hakoda'sresignedexpressionsuggestshe'sbeenexpectingthisforalong,longtime.Katararefusestolook,becauseifsheseeshishauntinglyfamiliareyessobeatenandtired,shewon'tbeabletospeak,letaloneshout.

"Howcouldyouleaveus,Dad?Imean,IknowwehadGran-Gran,andshelovedus,butwewerejustsolostwithoutyou."

Theadmissionburnslikeacidandshebarelymanagestoforceitoutbeforeherthroatcloses.Thewordsthatweresosincereinherheadseemlaughableinthelightofday.

IfhesayssomethingastriviallytrueasTofighttheFireNation,orevenasweetlielikeToprotectyou,hersimmeringhurtwillboiloverintorage.

Hakodasays,"I'msosorry,Katara,"andsomethingpainfulandviciousdissolvestosobsinherchest.

TyLeebreathesasighofreliefwhenthetwoalmostcollapseintoeachothers'arms.

.

.

"Heretogloat?"

"Justpayingavisit.Youseem...surprisedbyrecentevents,tosaytheleast."

"Ithoughtwehadanagreement,AvatarAzula."

"IfoundabetterwaytogetwhatIwant.Isuggestyoukeepthatinmind."

"Oh,Iwill."

"BehaveyourselfwhileI'maway.Itwouldbeashametohavetodeposeyoutwice."

.

.

"WewillfollowyourordersuntilourreturntoBaSingSe,"thetwoagentspromiseinsuccession."Wewillnotbetrayyou."

ToLin'samusement,Azula'seyesareclosedinconcentrationasshereadstheirintentionsthroughtheground,butafteramoment,theyopen,gleamingwithsatisfaction.

"Thankyou.I'lltakethem."

"They'regoodmen."

"Iunderstand."NotLongFeng's,then.

"Bringthembackinonepiece.That'sallIask."Herexpressionflicksbrieflyintoathreat—orelse—beforesoftening."I'llcontinueyourtrainingafteryoureturn.Thewayyourseismicsensehasimproved,you'llhaveabreakthroughanymoment."

Azuladoesn'tneedseismicsensetoreadComebacksafely.

.

.

"Ihopeyou'veleftthoseshipsintact,ChiefHakoda,"saysAzula,wrinklinghernoseatthestenchofskunkfishandseaweed."Theinvasion'sgoingtoneedthem."

Hakodalooksalmostamusedbyherageandcommandingtone,butwiselydoesn'tmentionit."Katara'sgonetountanglethepropellers.Ifthere'snottoomuchdamage,we'llbeabletousethem."

"Good.Thereareanotherfiveshipswaitingjustoutofyourrange.I'llhandlethem,"Azulasays,alreadywalkingaway.

.

.

"Atleastadozenwitnessesconfirmedit,"thewarministersaysnervously."TheattackonPohuaiStrongholdwasn'tarumor.Noteventhe...whattheAvatardidtoColonelShinu."

Theydon'tusehername.Ever.

Theflamescrackleominouslyastheshadowattheendofthehallabsorbsthe

news.ThemembersofthewarcouncilexchangeworriedglancesuntiltheFireLordfinallyspeaksinavoiceentirelyfreeofrecognizeableemotion.

"Thiscouncilmeetingisdismissed."

Ozaibroodsinhisemptychamberanddeliberatelytriestoextinguishtheflickerofpride.

.

.

Sightingconfirmed!Readythefirelances!Aimfortheaiaigghrk—

—kkkkhh—

—ssss—

Hello,crewofthe...let'ssee.TheSeraph.Thisshipisnowundermycommand.Foranyofyouparticularlyattachedtoyourcaptain,don'tworry,he'sstillbreathing.Fornow.

Nowgetoffofmyship.

Butfirst,letmemakesomethingclear.Ifyoudosomethingasfoolishassabotagetheenginesbeforeyougo,I'llbeforcedtodosomethingdrastic.Forexample,pulloutthecrewrosterandfindwhereyourfamilieslive.

There'dbenowaytotellwhosemisbegottenpatriotismoverrodecommonsense,sotobefair,I'dhavetohuntdowneverysingleoneofyou.Unfortunately.Sowhydon'tyousaveusallthetroubleandleavequietly?

YouhavehalfanhourbeforeIstartelectrocutingthedeck.

.

.

Hakodaletsoutabreathhewasn'tawareofholdingonceAzulawandersoff,lookingdarklypleasedwithherself.

Notthathe'snotimpressedbythecapturedships,butit'salittleeeriehowthere'snosignofastruggle.

"Ican'tbelievetheAvatarmanagedtohideheridentityforsolong,"heremarks."She'sgotaknackforremindingeveryoneelsehowhumantheyare."

"Ithoughtthatwasjustaprincessthing,"Sokkasays.

Hakodapausesamomentbeforesaying,"Iknowyou'vebeentravelingtogetherforawhile,butbecareful.That'snotahuman,butaspirit,andavengefuloneatthat."

Shedoesn'tcareaboutpeople,Katararemembers.Allshewantsistorestorebalancetotheworld,nomatterwhatthecost.

ButshealsoremembersthesteelydeterminationoftheattackonPohuaiStronghold,andafterward,herunguardedexpressionastheyembraced.

SoKatarasays,"Azula'sourfriend,"andleavesitatthat.

.

.

"Theinvasion'sonlyadistraction,"Zukosays."Azula'sgoingstraighttotheundergroundbunkers."

"Somedistraction,"Tozasays,foroncelookingworried."She'sbroughtthebestoftheEarthArmydownonourheads."

"They'renotgoingtomarchdownintotheCapital,"Maisays."Azulaknowseverytacticinthebook;there'snowayshewon'tseetheambushcoming."

Tozafrowns."Oursourcessaythearmy'splanningtotakethecitydirectly."

Zukostills,comprehensiondawning."Azula,"hehisses,makingitalmostacurse."Ofcourse.Whatbetterdistractionthananentireinvasionforcewallowingstraightintoatrap?"

Thehighgenerallooksalmostoffendedbyherdisregardforthebattle'soutcome."Doyouthinkweshouldinterfere?"

"...No.LetthemseethepoweroftheFireNationontheDayofBlackSun."

Toza'seyesglintapproval.

.

.

AzulaperchesonthehighestpointoftheSeraphandletstheseawindtangleinherhairastheymaketheirwaywest.

"Everyone'saurasaresobrighttoday,"TyLeesays,danglingfromthemastbyherankles,seeminglysolooselyastraywavecouldknockheroff."Evenyours!"

"We'redoingwell,"Azulaadmits.TyLee'santicsliftherspirits,andsheallowsherselfasatisfiedsmile."Theinvasionisgoingtobeexactlyasplanned."

.

.

Lindoesn'tmakeasoundasshetailsthescarredagenttoLongFeng'scell.Shewaitslongenoughtooverhearascatteredconversationbeforeinterruptingitwithasuddenrocktothebackofhishead.Theechoestellherthere'snothingsuspiciousinthearea,soshenudgesasidetheunconsciousagentwithherfootandretrievesherrockglove.

Tooeasy,likeeverythingelse.She'smissingsomething.

"Sorrytointerrupt,"shesays."Ihopeyouweren'tplottinganything."

"Whatashame,"hesayssarcastically.Hispulsehumscontempt,resentmentand...confidence?

"Incaseyouwerewondering,I'mnotstupidenoughtocarrythekeyswithme."

LongFengonlylaughs.

"Somethingfunny?"

"Lin,"hesays,eyesdancingwithamusement,"theEarthKinghasinvitedyoutoLakeLaogai."

.

.

Shesuddenlyremembershowshegotherscars.

.

.

"Iamhonoredtoaccepthisinvitation."

.

.

.

.

Steel

.

.

(steel)

.

.

"Areyoureadytofacehim?"Kataraasks,curiosityandconcernbrimminginherblueeyes.Azulasighsandcontinuestostareintohermediationcandles.

"Whywouldn'tIbe?"shesaysstiffly."WaterandairwillbemorethanenoughtodefeatOzai.Withoutfirebending,he'sjustaman."

Asexpected,Katarabitesherlipnervouslybeforesaying,"He'syourfather."

"I'maware."

Hesitantly,shesays,"Itdoesn'tbotheryou...?"

Azulaletstheflamesleapraggedlyasifwithasurgeofdefensiveness."Ofcourseitbothersme!"shesnaps,meetinghereyeswiththeslightestbitofpanic."ButIdon'towehimanything.Ihatehim.Hetookmymotherawayfromme."

"Azula..."shebreathes.

"I'mgoingtotakehimdown.That'sallthereistoit."

"You're...reallybrave,"Katarasays."Butyoudon'thavetodothisalone.Wecanhelp—"

"Youcanstaywiththemainforceasplanned,"Azulasays,pouringasmuchemotionintothewordsaspossible."ThisissomethingIhavetodoalone.Please."

KataralooksshockedbytheuncharacteristicforceofAzula'swords."Ofcourse,"shemurmurs,puttingacomfortinghandonhershoulder."Iknowyoucandoit."

"Thankyou,"Azulareplies,givingherjustenougheyecontacttomakethemomentgenuine,thenturningbacktohercandlespensively.

ThewaterbenderslipsawayintimetomisstheirrepressibleshiftinAzula'sexpression.

.

.

NorthernWaterTribecanoesdartoutwithpreternaturalspeed,tooquicklyforthedefenderstotrack—onewaterbenderprovidingpropulsion,twootherscripplingtherowsofFireNavybattleships.

Azulaloosesawild,harshlaughassheandKataratearagapingrentbelowthewaterline,anattackdesignedtofloodasmanychambersaspossible.

Theyweavethroughtheships,agileanduntouchable,withafeelingofpurepowerasthemassiveshipsbegintosink.

.

.

Thelipofthecalderaisdottedwithjaggedoutcroppingsanddefensivepositions,andthisparticularstretchisfarenoughfromthebaytoserveasthecivilians'evacuationpoint.Despitetheseriousnessofthesituation,theydon'tseemworried;asortofamiablepeacesettlesoverthem.

"Thiswouldbeaniceplaceforapicnic,"Maimurmursfromhervantagepoint."Exceptforallthepeopleruiningit."

Zukolaughs."You'resobeautifulwhenyouhatetheworld."

"Idon'thateyou."

"Idon'thateyou,too."

.

.

LongFengstandsupfromhismeditativepositionandlookscloselyintoLin'sdilatedpupils.

"It'sabouttimeforyourretraining.Gotothecorrectionalfacility.Secureyourselfandwaittherequietly."

"Yes,sir."

Theentirerighthalfofherfaceisburning.

.

.

"Wedon'tusuallyacceptwomen,butwe—I'dliketomakeanexception.Withthewareffort,ourforceshavebeenstrechedthin."

"I'mgoingtofighttheFireNationwiththearmy.Sorrytodisappoint,"Linsays,notsorryatall.

Thespikeinhisheartratedoesn'twarnherintimetododgetheviciousbackhandfromhisstoneglove.Starsexplodebehindhereyesasherjawdislocates.

"Apologyaccepted,"LongFengsays,asshepassesout.

.

.

Waterbendersworkbestinpairs,inremembranceoftheendlessdanceofTuiandLa.Or,fromamorepracticalperspective,toproducetheshiftfromnegativetopositivejingthatcharacterizesthemostpowerfulwaterbending.

Theydon'ttrytomoveinperfecttandem.Theseawaterthatpassesbetweenthemrunsalopsidedcircuit.

ButwhenAzuladigsintogiveaparticularlyforcefulpush,KatarapullstheattackinanarcaroundherandredirectsitstraightintotheGreatGatesofAzulon.

Theburningchainsfallapartlikewetpaper.

.

.

Linisonlyvaguelyawarethatherfeetaremovingoverdampmetalgrates.Everythingwavers,asifunderwater.

Secureyourselfandwaittherequietly.

Herhandstightenmetalbandsaroundherwristsandneck.Thelocksshutwithaclickthatechoesunbearablyinherthrobbinghead.

Linsitssilentlyuntiltheslowdripoflakewateristheonlythingshecanhear.Everyshapeinthedarkroomswayssluggishly.

Oneimageremainssteadyinhervision,whichistroubling,becauseshe'sfairlycertainit'snotreal.

Alamp,runningaperfectlycircularcircuit.

.

.

"Whatashame,"hemuses,peeringatthebleedinggougesonherchin."It'llleaveamark,butyouleftmenochoice."

"I'llleaveamarkonyou,"Linsnarls,thrashingfuriouslyagainstthecuffssecuringhertothechair.Herjawthrobswitheveryword,butshe'stooangrytocare."IfyouthinkthisisgoingtomakemejointheDaiLi,you'reevenmoreofanidiotthanIthou—"

HertiradeendsinastrangledscreamasLongFengseizesherchin.

"You'dprotectthiscitywithyourlife.Andeveryoneknowsyoustillresentyourmother.Ithink'DaiLiAgentLinBeifong'hasaniceringtoit,don'tyou?"

"...won't...followyourorders...scumbag,"shegasps,chokingonthebloodtricklingintohermouth.

LongFengonlylaughsandstepsbehindthecirculartrack."Yes,youwill."

.

.

"Staytogetheranddon'tdoanythingstupid,"Azulasays,hangingbehindthefrontlines.

"Goodluck,"Sokkasaysgrimly.Kataragivesherareassuringnod.

"Azuladoesn'tneedluck,"TyLeecorrects,helpingthetwosiblingsclimbontoAppa'sback.Shegrinsconfidentlyassheadds,"Andneitherdowe.Yipyip!"

Oncethey'resoaringthroughthechaos,arcsofwaterslicingthroughtrebuchetsandprojectiles,AzulaturnstoapairofsoldierswhomovewithfartoomuchdeadlyprecisiontobemereEarthArmyrecruits.

"Meetmeontheridge,"sheorders,deployinghergliderwithasnap.

Asherlightningbeginstoarcthroughtheairwithdevastatingandeye-catchingeffect,herDaiLiagentsslipawayfromthemainforceunnoticed.

.

.

Oncetheeclipsehits,wordspreadsquicklyamongtheHomeGuardthattheWaterTribewarriorsaretakingprisoners.

TheEarthArmyisn't.

.

.

"Whydidtheyhavetocomethisway?"Maigrowls,watchingtheHomeGuardfendoffawaveofEarthArmysoldiers.Inthedistance,smokerisesfromburningwarmachines."When'sthecounter-attack?"

"Notsoonenough."Zukodoesn'tneedatimertoknowwhenthesunwillcomeback,notwitheveryparticleofhisbodyscreamingforthehiddenlight.There'snothingelseforit."Wecandelaythemforanotherfewminutes,"hesays,unsheathinghisswordsandsteppingout.

Maitwirlsherknivesandfollows."Troublesome."

Asitturnsout,Shen'stroopsdon'tmindacceptinghelpfrombrandedtraitors.Notwithacityofciviliansattheirbacks.

.

.

"Don'tletthemgetbehindyou,"Maisnaps,asadisarmedsoldiertriestotackleZuko.Needlesfly,andthemandrops.

"There'stoomany!"

Maihurlsaknifeintoaman'sthroatwithsurprisingforceanddoesn'tevenflinchasthebloodsprayshersleeve."Well,there'sanobvioussolutiontothat,now,isn'tthere?"

ThelookofshocklastsonlyforamomentbeforeZukoabruptlystopsfightingwiththeflatsofhisblades.

.

.

Azulaswingsherhalf-openedgliderhard,hurlingtheclusteredsoldiersoffthecliff.Sheignorestheirharshscreamsandusesthestafftoscratchamarkintothesideofthemountain."Tunneldownhere."

"Yesma'am,"theDaiLiagentssay,clearingthepathtoherfatherwithefficientmovements.Theirfacesareindifferent,buttheirexcitedheartbeatsbetraythem.HuntingdowntheFireLordmustbeathousandtimesmoreinterestingthanchasingpoliticaldissenters.

"Goodwork."

Azulaalmostsighsastheymaketheirwaytotheundergroundbunker.ShemighthavegivenawaytheeclipseandSozin'sCometwithoutregret,butsomethingsshouldstayFireNationsecrets.

It'sashamethey'llhavetodie.SheratherlikeshavingherownDaiLiagents.

.

.

Ahazyshapeappearsinfrontofher.

LongFengsays,"Thankyouforyourpatience."

Pureloathingcoursesthroughherwithsurprisingforce.Herarmsshakewiththedesiretolungeathim.

"Don'tworry,Lin,"hesays,gentlybrushingafewstrandsofhairfromherface.Sheforcesdowntheurgetovomit."Soonyou'llbeharmonized,andthistroublingincidentwillbenothingbutamissingmemory."

Somethingismissing,screamstheoverwhelminghatredclawingitswayupher

throat.Remember—

.

.

"I'llhavemymenbacksoonenough,"LongFengsayslightly."Thewarinthewestisgoingtoend.Verysoon."

Linfindshervoiceagain,despitethepainracingthroughherjawlikelightning."Mom'sgoingtoteartheFireNationapart,"sheshouts,"andwhenshe'sdone,she'llcomebackhereand—"

"Youmisunderstand,"hesays,smiling.Thelampbeginstowhirl."She'snotcomingback."

.

.

Whenherslicingwaterfinallydestroysthelockingmechanism,AzulastepsintotheFireLord'sbunkertofindsomeoneelsewaitingforher.

CommanderCho,her(not)memorysuppliesher,beforeAzularemembershewaspromotedtheyearshewasborn."HighGeneral,whatanunpleasantsurprise,"shesays,handsitchingtoholdlightning."Where'sOzai?"

Hisresponsepuzzlesher.

"LakeLaogaiisintheEarthKingdom,youclod,"Azulasays,butsomethingaboutthesituationsetsherteethonedge.

(bloodlesslyingtraitors,Ishouldhaveknown,shouldhavefelttheirpulses,whycouldn'tI—)

Fasterthanreflex,Azuladartstothesidejustintimetododgetwowickedlysharpearthspikes.

(steelslidingintoherback)

ShestaresatherDaiLiagentsindisbelief,butthey'realreadymovingwithbeautiful,deadlyefficiency.

.

.

Linexhalesshakily,surgingemotiondrivingawaythetrance.Suddenlyherbodyisherownagain—notthatitdoesanygoodwithcoldmetalencasingherwrists.

"You,"shehisses,inavoicethatshouldhavekilledhimtwiceoverforsheervenom."You.killed.my.mother."

"Tophneversawitcoming,"LongFengsays.Withaconfidentlaugh,headds,"Sheshouldhaveknownbetterthantotrytocommandme."

SomethingexplodesinLin'shead,followedbythescreamofshearingsteel.

LongFengbarelyhastimetolookshockedbeforehe'spinnedtothegroundbymercilessbands—theremainsofherrestraints.Themetalfloorcurlsmalevolentlyaroundhimandbeginstotighten.

Shestrugglestoherfeet,pantingwithrage.Thelampframecollapsesintoacrumpledballofironandglassassheadvances.

"Fourteenyears,youslimypieceof—"

"Impossible,"hegasps.SteelclawspressaroundLongFeng'sribcageassheleansin.

"Iamthegreatestearthbenderintheworld,"Linsays."Anddon'tyoueverforgetit."

Behindher,thechaircrumples,metallimbscontortedasifinagony.

.

.

Revenge

.

.

(revenge)

.

.

"Lookslikethefirebending'sbackon,"Azulasays,shakingthebloodanddustoutofherhair.Fireburststolifeatherfingertipslikeanoldfriend.

Explosionsareimmenselymoreeffectiveagainststonedefensesthanwaterandair,andoncethey'reoff-balance,evenDaiLiagentsarehardlyfastenoughtoreacttothecrackleofelectricity.

Azulastepsthroughthesharptangofozonewithabreathless,sharp-edgedsmilethat'smorebloodlustandfurythananythingelse.

"Don'tgo,HighGeneral,"shecalls,standinginfrontoftheonlyexit.Actinicsparksdanceoverherfingertips."Wehavesomuchtodiscuss."

.

.

Zukofeelshisinnerfireawakenwiththesun,andreleasesthesuddenspikeofenergyinaburstoffire.

Simultaneously,theremnantsoftheHomeGuardhavethesameidea,andtheywatchhalf-horrifiedasanentirewallofflamesurgesovertheunpreparedsoldiers.

"Thecounter-attackisstarting,"Maicomments,puttingawayherknivesasmen,engulfedinfire,screamandturntail.Theothersstarttoretreatjustasthefirstairshipsliftupovertheridge.

TheHomeGuardcaptainapproaches,andZukoshiftsintoadefensiveposition,butheonlybowsandsays,"Thankyou,YourHighness."

.

.

It'snotenough.

ShecameherelookingtokillOzaiandthepulsing,tremblingenergystillhasn'tleft.Sheneedssomethingtodestroythememoryofsteelinherback.

Azuladoesn'twanttotrawlthisbunkerlookingforherfather.Ifhe'sevenhere,he'llhaveanentireregimentofImperialFirebenderswithhim,andsheknowsshecan'tfightthosenumbersinnarrowcorridors.

Sheknowssheshouldn'triskit.

Butsheneedsto,screamseverytensemuscleinherbody,soAzulamovesthroughtheundergroundpassageslikeawraith.Moreandmorepeopleareventuringoutoftheirhidingplaces,likethesuncrestingpastthedarkness.

Azulatakesthemdownwithbrutalefficiency,butthegnawingfeelingonlygrows.

.

.

Sokka'sfirstreactionisaweandHowdidtheybuildthat?andCouldIhaveone?

Butastheydriftmalevolentlyovertheinvasionforce,droppingbombs,hebeginstofeeldread.Hisplaniscomingapartattheseams—henevercouldhaveexpectedthesegiantfloatingwarmachines.Distantexplosionsandscreamsfilltheairastheyglideforward,untouchable.

AndwhenthehiddenFireArmysweepsdownfromtherimofthecaldera,bentonrecoveringtheircity,there'sonlyonethingtodo.

"Retreat!"heyells,turningtowardsthebay.Hakoda,leaningheavilyonhisson,signalstohismenwithoutevenquestioning.SomethingwarmbloomsinSokka'sstomach.

ItturnstoicewhenheglancesbehindhimandseestheEarthArmyturningstreetsandbuildingsintofortresswalls.

"Youhavetoretreat!"Sokkashouts,voicecrackingatexactlythewrongmoment,butwhennoonelistensherealizeshismistake.

TheEarthArmydoesn'tlistentoteenagers,eveniftheteenagerinquestioncame

upwiththeplaninthefirstplace,eventhebattlefieldislost.Thecommandershavetheirorders,andfortheloveofOmaandShu,they'llfollowthemwithatenacitythatmightbeadmirable.

They'regoingtotrytoholdthecity,andwhentheycan't,they'llmaketheFireNationpayforeverystreetinblood.

.

.

Beforethetell-taledesignofhishelmetconsciouslyregistersinAzula'smind,she'salreadypassedasplinteroficethroughtheman'scarotid.

TherestoftheRoyalProcessionsweepsaroundthecornerandattacksherwithoutflinching:awaveofdisciplined,concentratedfireshecounterswithanother—no,there'snoroom;shehastosplititaroundherinstead.Aninfernoroarsaroundheronbothsides,butthroughtheheathazeshecanseetheglintoftheroyalcrown.

He'shere.

Adrenalinesurgesthroughher.Onehandstillpartingtheflames,theothermakesanelegantmotionasthelastofherwaterwaversinfrontofherlikeacoilingsnake.Shelaunchesitinacrescentarcthroughtheflames,whereitvaporizesalmostimmediately,awastedattack.

Azulasmilesinthefaceoftheircontempt.

Air-of-waterisanunexpectedandinvisibleweaponinherhands;there'samomentofbeautifulshockontheguards'facesbeforetheycrumpletothefloor.Withsuicidalloyalty,theImperialFirebendersstillinthepassagewayrushforwardtomeether,onlytostopattheFireLord'ssignal.

Azulastandstenselystill.Againsteveryscreaminginstinct,shewaitsforherfathertospeak.

"You'vebecomepowerful,"Ozaisays,glancingdownattheremainsofhismen.Shecanreadhimperfectlynow,downtothevibrationthatbetrayshisjealousy.

"Scared?"

No,he'snot,thegroundsays,andshesuppressesasmirk.Hethinkshecanwin—underestimateme,willyou,Father?

"No.Onthecontrary,"Ozaisays,withthesoft,deliberatevoiceofahunter,"I'mveryproudofyou."

Shestartstolaughbeforeeverynonverbalticandtremorintheearthtellsher,He'snotlying.

Azulaturnswhiteasasheet.Aringingsoundplumesinherears.

...Father?

Behindher,Ursagrabsherwristandwhispers,"Run,Azula."

Lightningshattersthespace,butAzula'salreadyvanished.

.

.

KataraandTyLeeareholdingthepathbacktotheshorewhensomethinglikeameteorstrikestheground,scatteringtheirattackers.Azulalandsinaflairofpaperwings,ahalf-panickedexpressiononherfaceinsteadofherusualsmirk.

"Whathappened?"

"Hewasn'tthere."Azulahurlsaboltoflightningthatdissolvesintosparksandsmokebeforeevenreachingthenearestairship."Itwasalie."

Shelooksdownatherhandswithdisgust.Astraysparkcracklesoverherfinger,leavinganuglyblister.

"Theywereexpectingus,"TyLeemurmurs,downcast."Youcouldn'thaveknown."

Theywatchhelplesslyastheairshipsbegintobombardtheirfleettoscrap.

.

.

Bytheshore,waterbendersandsoldiersworkfranticallytocobbletogetherevacuationboats,givingAzulaawideberth.Shedoesn'tseemtonoticethem,butthepoisonousaurasheexudesrepelstheminstinctively.

"Icouldhavetakenhim,"Azulainsists,huggingherkneeswithascowl.Motheronlysighsandkeepsstrokingherhair.

Sheclenchesherhandshardtostilltheshaking."Iwouldhavedoneit,"shepromises."YouknowIwould."

"Youthinkyou'resopowerful,"Mothermurmurs."Allofyournewskills...evenyourbloodbending.Butwe'velearnedavaluablelessontoday,haven'twe,sweetheart?"

"Iampowerful,"sheinsists."Ican—Icanhurtpeople—makethemscream—"

"Thisistheonlyplaceyoucanreallyhurtsomeone,"Ursasays,andpressesalong-nailedhandtoherchest.

(I'mveryproudofyou.)

Azulaburiesherheadinherarmsandtriestocrushthewarmthoutofherheart.

.

.

TyLeelingersontheupperpath,halftowatchforpursuit,andhalftoindulgethehopethat—

"Longtimenosee."

TyLeeblinksinsurpriseattheshadowcrossingherface."Mai!"

Asmileflitsacrosshernarrowfeaturesasshereturnstheacrobat'shug."Hey,you."

"Imissedyousomuch,"shesays,sinkingintoherarmswithoutacareforthesuspiciousdarkstainsonthesleeves."Comewithus?"

"Thanksfortheoffer,butthere'sworktodo,"Maisaysquietly."Howmuch,dependsonhowtheinvasionwent.DidAzula...?"

Thelookonherfacegivestheanswerawayevenbeforesheshakesherhead.TyLeepointsdownthecliffatasmallfigurecrouchinginthesand."Iguessshe'ssadbecauseshecouldn'tfindhim."

"Iwouldn'tcallitthat,"Maisays,raisinganeyebrow."Homicidal,maybe.She'sprobablytryingnottokilleveryoneinsight."

"Thatwouldbeniceofher,wouldn'tit?"TyLee'sexpressionturnswistfulasshelooksdownatthebay."ButIcantell.She'ssad."

.

.

WhenAppariseshighenoughthattheycantakeintheentireislandataglance,theEarthArmy'spredicamentbecomesasclearasthecalderaitself—apatchofgreenentirelysurroundedbyreduniforms,theentiresectorwrithingwithdustandflameasarmiesexchangeblows.

Theinevitableconclusionisonlyobvious.

TheEarthKingdomandFireNationwillrememberthisdaywithtrembling,Azulathinks,pleased.Thewarwillturndesperatewithterror,andthey'lldoanythingIsay,anythingatall.

Katara'sgaspofhorrorisexpected,butwhattakesAzulabysurpriseisthenauseathatmakesherdoubleover,visionspinning,herheadthreateningtosplitintwo.

"You,"saysTophmurderously,andhitwithacripplingpainbehindhereyes,Azulacrumplestothefloor."GetbackthererightnoworIwillmakeyou."

Ofitsownaccord,herhandreachesforhergliderbeforeAzulablinksandtwitchesitback.

"Don'twantto,"shesays,hearingherownvoiceasiffromagreatdistance.

Tophglowers."I'llmakeyouwantto,"theoldwomansays,pressingahandoverAzula'sheartthatburnswithstar-fireandmoonlightand—

Theyareyourpeople,thesonsofyourcountry;theyprotectedyouinthewarandsaidMydaughteriswaitingformeandyousaidMineisn't.

Theyaredyinginthedustandthehazeofadreamyougavethem.

Theyareafraid—

Somethingisrippinginhalfinherchest,allfuryanddespairandmoreguiltthanshe'severfeltinherlife.Azulapicksupherglider.

.

.

"Stop."

Sokka'shandisstickywithblood,andAzula'swristlooksaspaleandbrittleasboneinhisgrasp.

"Ihavetogoback,"Azulasays,shaking."Youdon'tunderstand—they'reafraid."

"Iknow,believeme,"hesays,gentlypullingherawayfromtheedge."Butthere'snothingyoucandoforthemexceptregroupandlivetofightanotherday."

Shelooksveryyoungandlostasshecollapsesintothesaddle.Quietly,almosttoherself,shesays,"Youcan'tmakeme,"andtakesadeepbreath,likesurfacingfromunderwater.

"Don'tberidiculous,"Katarasays,touchinghershoulder,butshe'salreadyturnedaway.

.

.

Shedoesn'tshifthergazefromthecloudspassingby,butAzulacansenseKatara'shesitantprescencebehindher.

"It'sgoingtobeokay."

"Ofcourse.There'sstillplentyoftimebeforethecomet,"shesays,rollinghereyes.

"That'snotwhatImeant,"Katarasays,frustrated."Youdon't...youdon'thavetobeperfectallthetime.Noone'sperfect."

"Iam,"Azulasays,turningawaywithoutanotherword.

Tohercompletesurprise,acloudcoalescesandcatchesherhardwithablastofwater,almostthrowingherofftheskybison'sback.Apparoarsinpanic,buckingtheotherriders,butAzulaonlystaresatKatarawithwideeyes.

"I'mtryingtohelp,youungratefulbrat,"shesnarls,fiststight."Stopactinglikeyou'resomuchbetterthanus."

"I'mnotacting,"Azulasays,steamrisingfromherdrenchedclothes.

Thewaterbendermakesachoked-offsoundofrageandshouts,"YoumightbetheAvatar,butyou'restilljustaperson!Idon'thavetotakethisfromyou,youmurdering,FireNationscum."

Sokkaturnswhiteandbacksaway."Sis,youmightnotwanna—"

Azulaloosesanunsteadycackleandlunges,herhandswreathedinelectricity.Inaninstant,she'spinnedtothefloorbyatremblingTyLee.

"Letgoofme,"Azulasays,unblinkingyelloweyesnotleavingKatara's.

"Stop,"TyLeebegs,fingersgrippingherpressurepoints,butnotyetpressing."Ithinkyou'reconfused.Don'tdothis."

Sokkasayscautiously,"Guys,Ithinkwealljustneedtocalmdownandtryreallyhardnottokillanyone,please?"

Inthesamecold,flatvoice,Azulasays,"Iknewyoucouldn'tbetrusted.Everyonebetrays—"

"Don'tbestupid!"yellsKatara."Friendstelleachotherwhenthey'rebeingmiserableexcusesforhumanbeings-butmaybeyoudon'twantfriends.Youjustwantservants,youstuck-up,spoiled—"

Sheyelps,swallowingthelastwordasApparoarsanddodgesafireball.Blackshipscutthroughthewatertowardsthem,moreprojectilesblazingthroughtheair.

TyLeesays,"Sokka,grabthereinsandgetusoutofhere!"anddoesn'tevenstoptowatchhimscramblefortheskybison'sheadbeforesheturnsbacktoAzula.

"Iknowyou'reupset,butit'sareallybadtimetolosecontrol,"shesays."IfIletyouup,areyougoingtobe—Katara,whatareyoudoing?"

ShedivesoffAppa'sbackwithoutasecondglance.TyLee'sscreamfalterswhentheoceanarcsuptowelcomeher,flawlesswaterbendingtechniquepropellinghertowardstheleadingshiptooquicklytotrack.

"Searavens,"Sokkasaysdistantly.

AzulawrigglesoutofTyLee'sgripenoughtofollowhisgaze.Theships'flagsrippleinthewind,andsomethingconnectsinhermind.

"TheSouthernRaiders,"Hamawhispers.

Belowthem,amassivewavesurgesoverthedeck,washingawaythesoldiers,asKatararunstowardsthebridgewithcrystalfocus.

.

.

ThecommanderoftheSouthernRaiderslieshelplessandcrumpledagainstthewall.Spearsoficepiercethroughhisarmortothemetalwallbehindhimandcutredgougesthroughhisskin.

Azulastepsintotheroomwithafainttingeofapproval.It'saprettypicture,evenifheraccuracycouldusework.Maiwouldneverbesloppyenoughtodrawblood.

Kataralieshuddledintheoppositecorner,weeping."It'snothim,"shewhispers."Ican'tbelieveI...butIthought...thesearavens-"

SheyelpswhenAzulakicksthecommanderinthestomach."You'retheleaderoftheSouthernRaiders.Therewasanattacksixyearsago.Talk."

Hegulpsandtriestosquirmaway."YoumustbelookingforYonRha.Heretiredfouryearsago."

"Excellent,"Azulasays,lookingatKatara,whostandsshakily."Don'tletgoofthatfeelingyet.There'sstillahuntwaiting."

"Whatdoyoucare?"shesnarlsbitterly,brushingawaythetears.There'ssomethingverystrangeandsharpinhereyes;Azula'snotsureshelikesit.

Sheletstherightanswerforminherheadbeforesaying,"IwasfromtheSouthernWaterTribe,once.Theykilledme.Let'sgo."

.

.

Stiffly,Azulasays,"Iallowedmyemotionstogetthebetterofme.Ishouldn'thavetriedtohityou."

"ImeanteverythingIsaid,"Katarasays,stilltense,butsheadds,quietly,"ExceptmaybethemurderingFireNationscumpart."

AninvoluntarysmiletiltsAzula'slips."Ifitmakesyoufeelbetter,you'regoingtocleansetheworldofsomerealmurderingFireNationscumtoday."

Somethinginthereturnsmileremindsherofatwistedmirror.

.

.

Azuladoesn'ttrusther(erratic,weak,unbalanced)lightninginthisdownpour,butitonlytakesalittlefiretointimidatetheoldman.Pathetic.Kataraignoreshisblubberingandstalksuptohim.

Therainhumswithherrage.

"DoyouknowwhoIam?"

"No.Idon'tremember."

"Oh,youbetterremembermelikeyourlifedependsonit!"Katarahisses,seizinghimbythethroat."Whydon'tyoutakeacloserlook?"

Adeliciousmomentpassesasslowrecognitionspreadsacrosshisface.YonRhatremblesandrasps,"Yes,yes!Irememberyounow.You'rethatlittleWaterTribegirl."

"I'mnotthathelplesslittlegirlanymore,"shesayscoldly.

(Iampowerful.Ican—Icanhurtpeople—makethemscream—)

Azulawatches,silentandstrangelydisturbed.

"Sheliedtoyou."Kataradropshimwithdisgustandturnsaway."Shewasprotectingthelastwaterbender."

YonRha'smud-splatteredfaceslackenswithshock."What?Who?"

Therainstopsinmidairasshewhirlstofacehim,eyeslikelividbluefire.

"Me!"

(I'mafraidI'mnottakingprisonerstoday.)

Athousandshiningicedaggersflywithunerringgrace.

.

.

"Well,atleastonepersongottoavengetheirmother."

Kataradoesn'treply.

.

.

.

.

Follow

.

.

(follow)

.

.

Kataracollapsesintoherbrother'sarms,andforonceshelooksyoungerthanhimasshesobsintohisshoulder.

"...Ithinkshe...wemadeamistake,"Azulaadmitscarefully."Ithoughtjusticewouldmakeherfeelbetter,but—"

"Whatyoudidwasn'tjustice."

Indignationflaresinherthroat,butthelookonSokka'sfacemakesherfalter.Hesays,"Backoff,"inalevel,perfectly-controlledvoice,whilethegroundcrawlswithhissuppressedanger.

Azulabacksoff.

.

.

HighGeneralTozalooksshaken.

"Yoursisterkilledhalfthewarcouncil,"hesays.

Zukosmilesruefully."That'sourAzula."

Hedoesn'tseemtoregisterhiswords."Shekilled—"

"Thisisgoodnews,"Maiinterrupts."Taketheopportunitytogetyourmeninpower,andtheFireNationisasgoodasours."

.

.

Hercandlesburnagitatedorange,butherdisorderseemsonlytostrengthentheyoungvoicethatcarriesacrossacentury.

"Themonksusedtosaythatrevengeislikeatwo-headedratviper,"Aangsaysmournfully."Whileyouwatchyourenemygodown,you'rebeingpoisonedyourself."

"That'scute,butthisisn'tAirTemplepreschool,"Azulasnaps,glaringattheyoungmonk."Idon'tknowwhat'swrongwithKatara."

"Revengeiswrong,"hesays,withconviction."Youcanaskherwhy,onceshe'sreadytotalktoyouagain."

Azulatwitchesattheverysuggestion."Ifyou'renotwillingtohurtthepeoplewhohurtyouandyours—lookatwhathappenedtotheAirNomads."

Herfleshbrieflycrawlswithcomet-fire;aflashofpainpassesovertheirfacessimultaneously.

"Hurt,didn'tit,whentheykilledyouandeveryoneyouknew?"Azulasaysviciously."I'mtheAvatarnow.I'mgoingtobringjustice."

"Youjustwanttohurtthem,"theboysays,eyesimpossiblyknowing."YouwanttostandonthePalacestepsandwatchitburn."

Underacomet-brightsky,therecouldbenothingbetterthanacleansingfire.Azulasmiles.

Buthedoesn'tstop."Youwanttolookyourfatherinthefacewhenheknowsthathe'sbeaten,"Aangsays,"butyouwon'twanttokillhim."

Thecandlesflarewildly."Youknownothing."

Shetuneshermindtoaperfectlystillplace,andtheboyvanishesintomistashercandlesfadetocold,calculatingblue.

Thentheflamessuddenlyblazeorangeagain,andAangtapsherontheshoulder.

"Iknowthatyourememberedlovewhereyouthoughttherewasonlyhatred,"hesays,inavoicefartoooldforhisface,"andloveneverdies."

.

.

YonRha'sugly,wrinkledfacestirseveryhatefulimpulseshe'severfelt,untilshecanhardlycontaintheforceofheremotion.

"Please,"hegasps,"takemymotherinstead!Thatwouldbefair."

Kataraliftsahandinrevulsion."Youdon'tdeservetolive."

"No!Please!"

Undertheeyeofthefullmoon,shelaughsastrangelyfamiliarwildlaugh,andtakeshertime.

.

.

Seismicsenseisturningouttobemoreburdensomethanshe'dthought.

Allnight,shesitsuncomfortablyawake,listeningtothetremblingfromKatara'smat.

Shemakesviolentconvulsivemotionsinhersleep,untilonelargeenoughtotearherawake,heartracingthunderousthroughtheearth.There'sapauseforbreathbeforesheshuddersforwhatseemslikehours.Thegrounddescribeshereverysobwithexcruciatingdetail.

Azulastaresatthemoonandmarvelsattheperfectsilenceofherweeping.

.

.

"Father."

Lanziglancesup,mildsurprisereplacinghistroubledexpression."Mai—afterrevealingyourselftodozensofwitnesses,you'resteppingwithinfiftyfeetofthePalace?"

"Theywon'tseeme."

There'safamiliarflat,stubbornsettoherfeaturesthattellshimthere'snopointprotesting,soLanziasks,"Whyareyouhere?"

Maidrawsthecurtains."AzulaattackedtheFireLord."

Hisfacedarkens."Ionlysawtheaftermath.I'mnotactician,butfromwhatIcouldtell..."

"Sheranaway,"Maifinishes,findingtheconfirmationinhiseyes.

Herfathernodsslowly.Inthedustyshadowsoftheroom,hesays,"Theymightnotbeabletodoit."

"I'mnotworried,"shesays,turningaway."Ifthere'sanythingwecancounton,it'sAzula'sabilitytoholdagrudge."

.

.

"WeshouldjoinDad,"Sokkasays."Wecanmaketherendezvousifweleavenow."

Katarafrownsdistantly."Ithinkwe'reneededhere."

Heglancesquicklyoverhisshoulderandmutters,"Ithinkweneedtogetoutofhere."

"YoumeangetawayfromAzula."

"She'snotsafe.Afterwhatshedidtoyou—"

"Don't,"Katarawarnstautly."I...that'sdifferent.I'mresponsible,nother."

Wisely,Sokkabacktracks."Lookwhatshedidtoherownpeople."

"Ofcourseitbothersher,butAzulaknowsshe'sdoingtherightthing,"Katarainsists,withoutknowingwhy."It'snotherfaultshewasborntotheenemy.Whatmattersiswhatshe'sdoingnow."

"Whatshe'sdoingnow?"Sokkasays,throwinghishandsintotheair."Herinvasionplancostthousandsoflives!"

Moresharplythannecessary,shesays,"Youmeanyourinvasionplan."

Hisexpressionfreezesinshockbeforedroppingtotheground.

"Thatmightbetrue,"hesaysquietly.Turningtofaceherwithhard,weteyes,hesays,"Butifsheknewabouttheeclipse—ifsheknewabouteverylastbattlement—thenthere'snowayshecouldn'thaveknownabouttheambush."

(Ididthis.)

.

.

"Youcan'tdothisforever,"Azulahisses,wipingthebilefromhermouth.Herentirebodytrembleswithnausea."Idon'tcareaboutthem—Idon'twantto."

Ithurts.

Tophsays,"Iknow,"lookingatherwithinfuriatingpity.

.

.

"You'reright,"Katarasays,halfreluctant,halfrelieved."There'ssomething...wrongwithher."

Sokkasighs,"Finally,youagreewithme,"butshe'snotfinished.

"No.That'swhywehavetostay."

.

.

ShehurlsthelastofToph'scloudinginfluencetothegroundintriumph,gaspingforbreath.Hamawillunderstand,Azulathinksblindly,instinctively.She'salwaysunderstoodbest.We'rekindredspirits,youandI—

"TheAvatarhascertainduties,"shesays,raggedparkafloatinginthewind.Hereyesareadelightedlysharpblueasshetwiststheknife."Youareafooltorunfromthem.Youthinkyou'reescaping,whenyou'reonlyfailing."

I'mnottheAvatar,I'mthePrincessoftheFireNation,herheartroars,buttheblowpiercestothehilt.Thebladecutsdeeperwitheverylieshetellsherself.

I'mnotafailure.

I'mnot.

.

.

Maitwirlsherknives,headbowedinthought,asherfatherglancesoutpasttheheavydraperyintothemoonlitstreet.

"Idon'tlikehavingtoreacttowhateverAzuladoes,"shefinallysays."Withsomuchchaosintheupperranks,weneedtomovequickly.Thisistheperfecttime.Wecan'twaitforher."

"TheprinceishardlycapableoffightingOzai,"Lanziremarks."NorIroh.Idoubtwehaveachoice."

"You'dbesurprised,"shesays.Inthepolishedsteel,hereyesgleam.

.

.

"You'renotsupposedtobehere,"shesays,butKohonlylaughsasheripplesfromnothingwithadisconcertinglyfamiliarclicking,asoundlikedeathwatchbeetlesonsleeplessnights.

"TheAvatarcalls—whocannotanswer?TheAvatarfalls—whocannotwatch?"hesays,withthesmoothcadenceofadage."Youwantedme."

Shethinksratherthanspeaks,butKohhearsanyway:Iamtoomanypeople.

Hardclawstremblewithexcitementandthespirit'sentireformwarpsasifbristlingwithhiddenteeth."IcantaketheAvataraway,"hepromises,gazinghungrilyather."Bonespickedclean,butnotasliverscratched.You'rejustaPrincessunderneath."

"Isthatso?"Azulamurmurs.

Kohnods,softfacedisplayngonlykindness."Noneedtosuckthemarrow,notwithafeastofflesh."

Azulaleansclose;herhandiswarmandsurprisinglygentleontheglossyblackcarapace.SomethingaboutKoh'salmondeyesandlongdarkhairwhispersWaterTribe.

TheAvataristheirfriend,buttheyhaveonlyhatetooffertheFirePrincess,somethingsaysquietly.

Withoutshiftingamuscle,Azulasays,"Idon'tthinkso,"andshattershisimagewith

aboltofwhitefire.

.

.

Shedidn'tmeantostopsonearthecoast,butAppawastired,andshedidn'tthinkofituntillater,butnowit'sallAzulacandotokeepfromscreamingaloud,muchlessgotosleep.

They'regoingtoleaveme,shethinksnumbly.They'llhaveenoughmoneyforpassageiftheysteal.They'llsetoffundercoverofnightandneverlookback.Thetidewilltakethemaway.

Shedoesn'tcontrolHakoda,soshecan'tthreatenthemintofollowingher.Butifshe'scompletelyhonestwithherself,AzulathinksaboutKataraafterYonRhaandsomethingdeepinhersays,Idon'twantthemtolookatmelikethat.

(Evenyoufearme.YouthinkI'mamonster.)

"Can'tsleep?"TyLeeasks,steppinglightasair.

Inreply,Azulasitsup.Thefirepitblazestolifeonthesand."Maybe,"shefinallysays,lookingaway.

"I'mhere,"shesays,scootingcloseandputtingahandonhershoulder,thekindofsentimentalthingonlyTyLeecoulddowithoutseeminginsincere.

Azulalaughs,softandstrangelyself-loathing."Why?"

"Idon'tunderstand."

"Youcouldleave,youknow.Idon't...Idon'tneedyou."

TyLeetiltsherhead,almostuncomprehending."You'retryingtosavetheworld.You'rethemostperfectpersonIevermet.Ilikebeingwithyou.You'remyfriend."

Almostuncomprehending,butnotquite,andAzulacatchesthehesitationinhercloud-grayeyes.

"There'ssomethingwrongwithme,isn'tthere?"Azulasaystotheflames,afraidtolooktheothergirlintheface.

"Yes."

Shelooksup,halfsurprisedandhalfhurt,butTyLeecontinues,"You'rethebravestpersonIknow.Youcanfightit."

Whichispatentlystupid,becauseitsuggestsshewantstochangeherself,butAzulaonlyhugsherkneesinsilence,andlistenstothesoundofSokka'swide-awakeheartbeattryingtopulseinconspicuously.

.

.

"Backtogloat?"Azulasaysdarkly."Ormaybeyoujustwanttoscoldmesomemore?"

Tophisunmoved."Whinybrat.Sinceyoudon'tseemtotakeahint,I'mgivingyoufairwarning."

"Ofwhat?"

"You'vemetKoh."

Shedoesn'tflinch."I'mnotafraidofhim."

"Youshouldbe.Heplaysbytherules."

"Iknow,Iknow,don'tshowemotion,gotit,"Azulasaysimpatiently,buttheoldwomanonlylookstired.

"Notthoserules.Therules.TheBalance,"shesays."NotthatIevercaredforrules,butspirits...don'tmesswiththem.WhydoyouthinkAvatarKuruk'strappedroamingtheSpiritWorld,madwithdespair?"

Thefaceofthewomanwithsadeyesandlonghairlightsinhermind,andtheanswerisobvious."TokillKoh."

Againthattroublingpity."He'llnevermakeit,themoron,butheneverwouldliedownandaccepthispunishment.TheAvatarhascertainduties,andifyouneglectthem,Kohwillcomeandtakewhathepleases."

TherearesomeThingsthatcan'tbebargainedwith.

Tophpokesherhardontheforehead."Andjustsoyouknow,ancientspiritsdon'tcareifyou'resorry."

.

.

TheEarthKingdomtownbristleswithhatred.

Withperfectcomposure,Azulaselectsthefewsuppliestheyneed,paystriplethegoingprice,andleaves.Someonespitsloudlybehindher,butshedoesn'tlookback.

Later,shesnarlswithhelplessfuryasherlightningchokesandcollapses.Againandagainshedrivespainfulblastsintothecliffs,ignoringthereboundingsparks.Sheimaginestheholloweyesofthevillagersandthewordonthetipsoftheirtongues.

(monster)

Sheincineratesthememorywithanexplosionthatgougesintorockandsendsarcsofchainedlightningupherarms.Afaintsoundsqueezespasthergrittedteethassheliftsherhandtotryagain,butherexpressionremainsclosed.

Shemustbeperfect.

Theworldneedshertobe—

"That'senough,"Sokkasays,forcingherwristdowntoherside.Astraysparkleapsbetweenthem,searinganangryredmarkintohisskin,buthedoesn'tsomuchaswince.

"Theydon'tcareifyou'resorry,"shesaysabruptly.

Hegivesheraninscrutablelookbeforesaying,"Don'tbestupid.You'renotsorry."

.

.

Forthefirsttimeinweeks,KataralooksAzulastraightintheeye,makinghernervesbuzztensely.

Flatly,shesays,"You'reamonster."

Azulaalmostrecoils,butthelongyearsofpracticeholdeveryexpressivemuscleheldperfectlyloose.Thehammeringofherpulsegivesheraway,butshedoesn'tknowthat.

"AndsowhatifIam?"shesays,challenging.

"You'rehuman,too."KatarapressesacoolhandtotheelectricburnsstripingAzula'sforearms."Youcouldstandtobehumanalittlemoreoften."

Shewatchesinsilenceasthehealingsetsin.

.

.

.

.

Reign

.

.

(reign)

.

.

Herlieutenanthoversoutsideheroffice,makingsurethatnoonecancatchaglimpseofthelineofDaiLiagentswaitingtospeaktotheGrandSecretariat.

"AgentLu—Lu,listen,"Linsaysurgently,takinghisheadinherhands."Comeon.Thinkabouthome—focus!"

Theyoungmanstaresblanklyintospace,eyesdilated,andseemspuzzled."MadamSecretariat?"

"Yes,that'sme,"shesays,lettingherselfsinkbackintothechair."Lu.Fightthis."

"Anythingyouwish,ma'am,"Lusaysobediently.

.

.

"Almosttheentirewarcouncilisours,"Tozaannounces,steppingintothedarkenedroom."We'llhavethenumberstofighttheloyalists,ifitcomestothat."

Zukolooksgrimasheoffersthegeneralaseatandteacup."There'sbeenenoughdeathonourshores."

"Certainly.Yoursisterisunfit,"Tozasayswithaderisivesnort,swirlinghisginsengoolongtea.

SomethingabouthistonestrikesZukoasstrange,butheonlyshrugsandsays,"She'stheAvatar,"asifitexplainedeverything.

Asifitexcusedanything.

"Ifshehadnotbeen,"hemuses,"perhapsshewouldhavetakenthethrone."

Theyshareamomentofsilentunease.

.

.

"TellthegeneralI'mbusy,"Lingrowls,barelyliftingherheadfromherdesk.Theedgeofasheafofreportsisimprintedintohercheek.

Arustleofwhispersatthedoor,then:

"KingBumi'swithdrawnhisforcesfromtheoffensive."

Atfirst,she'snotquitesurewhatitmeans—shewasnevermeanttorunakingdom,forspirits'sake—butasthesleepclears,Lin'smouthnarrowstoaflatline.Shemightnotknowwar,butsheknowslaw,and..."That'streason."

There'sapolitepausebeforeherlieutenantsaysdelicately,"General,mayIhaveawordwithmycommanderinprivate?"

Thedoorclicksshut.

"There'snoplaceforacivilwarhereandyouknowit."

"BumihasnorighttoturnontheEarthKing,"shesaysstubbornly.BaSingSehasneverprofitedfrommaniacsrunningamok,andtheEarthKingdomshouldbenodifferent."Ifhegetsawaywiththis,theothercity-stateswillfollowsuit."

"Thecity-statesarevassalinnameonly,andtobehonest,thelastoffensivedevastatedourtroops.Theonlywaytohandlethispeacefullyis—"

"Oh,forcryingoutloud,dowhateveryouthinkisbest."

Asthedooropensagain,LinthinksbrieflythatthiskindofdelegationwaspreciselyhowtheEarthKingbecamesuchapowerlessfigurehead,buthavingneverwantedpowerinthefirstplace,shecan'tbringherselftocare.

.

.

"That'senough,JooDee.Pleasecomebacktomorrow,"Linsaysquietly,openingthedoor.Thetwitchyyoungwomansmilestoowidelyandbows.

"Yes,Minister."

Linwaitsforthesoundofherfootstepstofadebeforepunchingthemetalwall,whichcrumplesinwardwithathunderousbang.Herlieutenantcoughsdiscreetly.

"ShallIsendthenextonein?"

Shepinchesherbrowandscowlsatthebuildingheadache."Sorry.Yes."ThewallapologeticallysmoothsitselfoutasanotherJooDeeshufflesin.Sheflicksonhersmile.

"HowcanIhelpyouthiswonderfulday?"

.

.

HuntingdownthemembersoftheCopperPieceBrigade,LongFeng'scollectionofspies,voluntaryorotherwise,isstartingtoconsumehertime,butasthenewsspreads,theoppressiveatmospherearoundBaSingSebeginstolift.Sheknowswithoutadoubtthatit'sworthit.

Nowcitizensareinformingontheinformers,bringingyearsofsuffocatingfearupintothelight.AftertheDaiListartarrestingLongFeng'sspies,peoplealmoststopflinchingatthesightofwide-brimmedhats.Lincouldn'tbemoreproud.

Nowtodosomethingabouthim.

.

.

"Backagainsosoon?"LongFengdrawlsidly,notdeigningtoacknowledgeherwithsomuchasaglance.It'sfinebyher.Ifhedaresmeethereyes,she'llhithim.

"You'velost,"Linsaysflatly."Completely,utterlylost.Youcrawledupfromnothingbytearingdownthepeoplearoundyou—butyou'llneverbeanythingbutapieceoftreasonous,murderingscum.You'reworsethanFireNation."

Histonebarelyshifts,butshecantellshe'shitasorespot."Isthatso?"

Linstaresathimandresiststheurgetogrindherteeth."Perhaps,"sheallows,"you'renotscum.Perhaps,somewhereinthedepthsofyourblack,cowardlyheart,youstillcareaboutBaSingSe."

Atlast,hisemotionlesseyesflickuptohers.

"Tellmehowtoreversetheharmonization."

LongFengsmiles.

"No."

.

.

TheFireNationisstillreelingfromthebattleforthecapitalthatleftentiredistrictsleveledbyearthbenders.TheymakeapublicspectacleofexecutinganotherbraceofEarthArmyprisonerseveryweek.

WhenFireLordOzaisetslightningtearingthroughsixmenatonce,thecrowdscreamsitsapprovaltothesky.

Everyonewaitswithtremblinganticipationforthedaythecloudswillburnredwithcomet-fire.ThesmokerisingovertheEarthKingdomwillblotoutthesun.

.

.

Lin'sstandingintheinnercourtyard,takingawell-deservedrefugefromthepaperwork,whenthewindpicksupunexpectedlyandateenagerfallsfromtheclouds.

"Youragentswerecompromised,"Azulasayscasually,asifshehasn'tjustdroppedoutoftheskyonapaperglider."Whatdoesitmean?HesaidsomethinglikeTheEarthKinghasinvitedyoutoLake—"

Beforehermouthcancloseuponthelastsyllableof"Laogai,"Lin'salreadymoved,asharp,decisiveslashthroughtheair,fingersclosingonherwindpipe.

"Don'tsayit."

Azula'sunguardedexpressionispriceless,iffleeting."You?"

"Yes,"shebitesout,"andhalfofmymosttrustedagents."Wewereweak.Iwasweak.

SurpriseandfuryvieforamomentonAzula'sfacebeforethetensionvanishesandLinstepsaway."ItakeityoucapturedLongFeng?"

Linfrowns."Whatfor?"

"Don'ttrytokeepmeinthedark.Iknewhewasanuntrustworthysnakefromthebeginning,"Azulasaysuneasily,herbackprickling,"and...somethingTophsaid.Butshecouldn'thaveknownaboutyou."

There'ssomethingtensebetweenthem,athousandthingsleftunsaidandsocursedlyhopeful.

Well,Lintellsherself,thereisn'tanythingstrictlyunnecessaryinjustsaying,"Iwasgoingtojoinher,fightinthewarwiththearmy.LongFengdisagreed."

Azula'seyesturndagger-sharp,flickingoverthescarsonherjaw."ThatwasbeforeIwasborn.Allthistime?"

"Itwouldn'thavemadeadifference,"Linsays."Itwasn'tlongafterthatwegotthebadnewsfromthefront."

Sheremembersbrushinghermother'sdeathofflikewater,returningtohernewdutiesasDaiLi.Herordershadseemedathousandtimesmoreimportantthananythingelse.

Peoplewhisperedabouther.There'ssomethingdifferentaboutLinnowthatshe'sanagent.Herownmother,andshestandsonwatchlikenothinghappened.Notevenwearingmourningcolors.

Azulawatcheshersilently.Atherside,herfisttightenssoharshlytheknucklespop.

.

.

Crack.

Beforehecanevenregistershe'senteredtheroom,AzulapunchesLongFenginthenosesohardthatbloodspatterstheironplating.

"That'sforkillingme,"shesays,steppingforwardashegaspsonthefloor.SheletsLongFengcatchhisbreathbeforedrivingitoutofhimwithawell-aimedkickinthestomach."Andthat'sfortryingtokillmeagain."

Sheseizeshiscollarandpinshim,unresisting,tothewallwithonehand.Theothergrazesthelineofhisjawcontemplatively.

"IshouldgiveyousomethingforLin,"Azulasays,fingersflashingwithblueflamebareinchesoverhisface.Tohiscredit,hedoesn'tturnawayastheairshimmerswithheat."Threelines,wasn'tit?Imighthavetotryafewtimestogetthespacingjustright,andeventhentheblisteringwillruinit."

LongFengstaresbackathercalmly."Wonderful,isn'tit?"hesays,notstruggling."Knowingyou'reincontrol—thatI'matyourmercy?YoucoulddoanythingandIwouldn'tbeabletofightback."

Hereyesnarrowasshecatchesthedriftofhiswords.

"Imaginehavingcompleteloyalty,"hesays,startingtosmile."Youwouldn'tbeabletoresist,either."

Noonecouldbetrayher.Nomorequestioninghermotives,justadorationandclean,immediateobedience—anything,anythingatall.

Sheimaginesproud,strongLinbowingtothisbureaucrat,andLongFengsmirkingashetouchestheparallelscarsonhercheek.

Herstomachcrawls,sosheshutsthethoughtoffwithavengeanceandseizesthetrailingthreadofLongFeng'sinferiority.

"Icanseeyourwholehistoryinyoureyes,"Azulasays,voiceassteadyandinsinuatingasherpalegoldeyesgazingintohis."Youwerebornwithnothing,soyou'vehadtostruggle,andconnive,andclawyourwaytopower.Buttruepower,thedivinerighttorule,issomethingyou'rebornwith."

Thatflareofjealousyisunmistakable,buthesaysnothing.

"Lookatyourself,"shesays.Condescensiondripsfromeveryword."Amansodelusionalhehadtocreateafollowingofpuppetstojusttoflatterhisvanity."

"Ihadpower,"hehisses,composurecracking."Icontrolledeverything—Ihadher."

"Ifyouhadbeenworthy,youcouldhaveearnedherrespect—herrealloyalty.Butyouweren't,"Azulasays,somethingdawninginhermindwiththeunerringinstinctofabornmanipulator.

(they—are—mine)

(thisistheonlyplaceyoucanreallyhurtsomeone)

"YouneverhadLin.Onlyhershadow,becauseyouaren'tcapableofcontrollingmorethanthedeadshellsofthingsthatusedtobepeople."

Shereleaseshimsuddenly,cuttingoffhisretort."AndI'lltakeawayeventhat,LongFeng.I'llfindyourpuppetsanddestroyeverylastone.Theyrespondtocommandssoeasily,theywon'tevenrun."

Thatgetsagenuinereaction—hispulsehitchesintoalmostpanickedflutters."You'reinsane,"hesays,darkandfurious."Youmonster."

"Youalreadykilledthem.I'donlybefinishingthejob,"Azulacorrectslightly.Shegiveshimherbesttoo-widesmileandisrewardedwithaflinch."Asfortheprideandjoyofyourcollection...I'llsaveherforlast."

.

.

Thehighgeneralisinararetalkativemood.

"ThelineofSozinhasruinedtheFireNation,"Tozasays."Yourfather,yourgrandfather,yourgreat-grandfather—even,now,yoursister.Wepayfortheirmistakeseveryday."

Theprincefrownsdistantly."Iknow."

Tozaleansbackinhischairwitharazor-thinsmile."Ithinkit'stimethereinsofpowerpassedtomorecapablehandsthanthethrone."

Theuneasyfeelingcoalescesatlastintothesharp,bitteredgeofkillingintent.

Abendershapesandreactstothechiaroundhim,readingmaliceinthecoilofairandheat,orthelayoftheland,butnoteverythreatcomesfromtheelements—Toza'snonbenderbodyguardsstandinZuko'sshadow.Withaneffortofwill,heresiststheurgetoturnaround.

"Youreffortswereamusing,atbest,"thegeneralsays."ButwithOzaidistractedandthemilitaryundermycommand,you'renothingbutalegacy.Ourcountrydoesn'tneedaLordanymore."

Zukoturnshisteacuponthedesk,watchingitgrowcold.Finally,withoutfacingtheoldgeneral,hesays,"Iwasn'texpectingthis."

Tozalooksathimwithpity."Youshouldn'thavetrustedme."

"Ineverdid."

.

.

"They'redead,"Linsnarls,pacingoutsideLongFeng'scell."Brainwashingwasn'tenough?Didyoudecidetohaveuskilledifyoulost,sonooneelsecouldcontrolyourpersonalarmy?"

Lookingathisfrozenexpression,Linsays,"Youdisgustme,"andthemaskcracks.

"Never,"hesaysquietly."Iactedforthegoodofthecity—fororderandcontrol.TheAvatarisbehindthedeaths.Youcan'ttrusther."

"Azula'sdonemoreforthiscityinafewweeksthanyoumanagedinyears.I'mnotlisteningtoyourlies,"shesays,andturnsasiftogo.

"Wait,"LongFengsays,inalowvoicethatcouldcarryleagues."Icanremoveit.Lin.Please."

.

.

"Ididn'tenjoythat."

Underthegazeofthesun,Azulafeelslikeasmall,dirtyspeck.

"Ishouldn'thavetakenitthatfar.Iwouldn'thave,"shesayscarefully."Ijustneededareaction."

Linfoldsherarmsoverherchestandlooksather."Andyouthoughtthebestwaytodothatwastothreatentokillpeople?"

"Iwaslying!"shesnaps,unabletohelptheangryheathazeshimmeringaroundherhands."Iknewhowtohurthim.Iknewhewouldbelieveme."

"You'reconvincing."Tooconvincing,shedoesn'thavetosay.

"I'm...I'mgoodatfindingwhatpeoplefear.Iknowithurtswhensomeonetakesyour

thingsawayfromyou."

Irritationandmistrustsparkinhertone."Peoplearen'tthings."

"Iknow,"shesays,meetingLin'sunbreakablegreeneyes.

Toboththeirsurprise,herheartbeatringswithtruth.

.

.

"Inevertrustedyou,"Zukorepeats,warilytrackingtheswordsmenoutofthecornerofhiseye.

"Isthatso?"thegeneralsaysthoughtfully,leaningforward."Seemslikeyoudecidedtogivemethebenefitofthedoubt,orIwouldn'tbestandinghere."

"You'dbetterbewillingtostakeyourlifeonit,"hesays,andsomethingshiftsinhisvoice,somethingcoldanddeadly,brimmingwithbluefire."Morethanyourlife—yourdream.Themomentyou'redead,yourallieswillturnononeanotherandteartheFireNationapart."

"Beasthatmay,Idon'tthinkyou'reinanypositiontothreatenme,boy."

Andthereitis.Tozadoesn'ttrusthissupportersanymorethanhetruststhethronetoleadtheFireNation:ithastobehimincontrol.Noonecanmartyrthemselvesfortheirownsake,meaningZuko'sintheperfectpositiontothreatennow.

"You'rewrong."Withmorecalmthanhefeels,hesays,"Ican'tgiveyoutheantidoteifI'mdead."

.

.

"Whatdoyoumean,theNorthernenvoyleft?"Azulaasks.Somethinginhereven,pleasanttonesetstheentireroomonedge.Thegeneralshufflesinhisseat.

"Somethingaboutthedeathtoll,Avatar,"hesaysapologetically."HiselderswithdrewhimandtheNorthernsoldiersalmostimmediately.They'renolongerunderourcommand."

"Howunfortunate,"shesays,furiouslyrecalculatingthechancesofgettingbackinto

theFireNationwithoutafleetofwaterbenders.

"Hewantedtoleaveyouthis,"thegeneralsays,slidingasmallwoodendiskacrossthetable.

TheWhiteLotustilegazesupatherinnocently.

.

.

Zukorestshisuncle'stinofginsengoolongtealeavesontheedgeofthetableandsays,"TheyusedtopoisonthedaughtersoftheEarthKingtoguaranteetheirloyalty.Perfectlysafe,ifyoudrinktheantidoteregularly."

HighGeneralTozastares."You'rebluffing."

"Believewhatyouwant,"hesays,fightingtoholdhisvoiceatthatslow,predatorytoneheassociatessomuchwithAzula."Butyoushouldreconsideryourdecisiontobetrayme."

"ThesonofOzai—anychildofSozin'sblood—hardlydeservestorule,"thegeneralsays,standing.BehindZuko,handstightenonswordhilts,buthesilenceshissurvivalinstincttofocusonthethreathecanfightwithwords.

"Youturnonme,andyou'resigningadeathsentence:notjustforyourself,butfortheentireFireNation."

"Perhaps.Whydon'tweletthespiritsdecide?"Tozasays,unrelenting,butZukodoesn'ttense.Everythingdependsonthesteelofhisresolveandthehesitationinthegeneral'seyes.Gettingoutaliveisworthnothing.Regaininghissupportiscrucial.

"I'mtheonlyonewhocanrestoretheFireNation,"heanswers,notlookingaway."I'llcarrymyforefathers'sins,andourcountrywillfinallybefree."

"You'retooyoung,"Tozasays,almostdisdainfulbutforthefaintcalculatinglooklingeringoverhisface."Thefirstassassinwillcutyourairydreamsshortinthespaceofaheartbeat."

Inreply,lightningleapsoverhisfingers,bathingtheroominsearingbluelight.

"I'mnotweak,"theprincesays."Atyourhandoranother's.Iwon'tdiebeforeI'vebroughthonorbacktotheFireNation."

.

.

.

.

Root

.

.

(root)

.

.

"What'shetryingtotellme?"Azulademandsoutofnowhere,startlingtheadvisertotheGrandSecretariat.SheholdsaPaiShopiecebetweentwodelicatefingers.

"Perhapsit'satokenofunrequitedlove,"hesaysdryly."Thelotuspieceisknownforitsuncannyevasive—"

"IknowhowtoplayPaiSho,"shesnaps."Don'tplaydumb.You'reobviouslyWhiteLotuswiththatpedigree.NoonemakesitthishighinBaSingSewithoutlineageorconnections,andarealnoblewoulddieofshameifhehadyourskintone."

Hefrownswarily,butdoesn'tdenytheaccusation."I'lloverlooktheinsultifyou'repolite."

"IfmyunclewantedtosendamessagebywithdrawingtheNorthernWaterTribe..."

"AndOmashu,andhalfoftheneighboringcity-states,"headdslightly."Perhapsyou'renotaware,butthere'snolongeranalliancewiththepowertoinvadetheFireNation."

"Whogavehimtheright?"Azulasays,expressionturningdangerous.

"TheWhiteLotusexiststopreservebalancewhentheAvatarcan't."Hemeetshereyeslevelly."Idon'tknowwhatyou'replanning,butthiswarwillnotendwithanotherinvasion."

Azula'sgazeturnscold."Tellthatoldfoolthatheshouldfearhisbrothermorethanme,"shesays,sweepingfromtheroom.

.

.

"Earthbending'snotaboutknowingwhereyou'regoing.It'saboutknowingwhereyoustand,whereyou'vecomefrom—andyoucomefromtheearth,"shesays,stompingafootintothedustystoneforemphasis.AzulacanfeelthewaythechiofthelandpullsLindownintoitself,solid,rooted.

Herownfeettracetheground.Whenshestrikestheearth,shefeelsthegroundrejectherenergy,thereflectedvibrationsrunningpainfullyupanddownhershin.Herheelbruises.

"Don'tfightit,"Linsays."Stopfidgeting—sinkyourstance."

Ordinarilyshewouldcomplainaboutthebarbaricformsofearthbending,butstandingnexttoLin,whoseelegantbodysomehowholdsthestrengthofmountains,Azulaonlygritsherteethandtriesharder.

Afterwhatseemslikeagesofrepetition—breathein,breatheout,horsestance—withnothingtoshowforhereffort,Linputsahandonhershoulder.

"We'lltryagaintomorrow.You'realmostthere."

Azulaalmostsnaps,"Almostisn'tgoodenough,"butsomethingmakesherhesitatelongenoughforLintopullherinside.

.

.

Walkingdownthelongcorridorstowardstheguestwing,Azulamissesastep,causingLintoturn,silentconcerninhereyes.

"It'snothing,"shesaysquickly.

Inhersuite,shecurlsupunderthesheetsandremembersnightsinthePalace,alonebutforthestarlight.

"Toph?"sheasks.

Novoiceorimagecomesthistime,onlyabrushofwarmth,likeasilverythreaddescendingfromelsewhere.

.

.

"Reversingtheharmonizationisonlythebeginning,"Linwarnsquietly,leaningagainstthewallasiftodrawsolidityfromthestone."LongFengtoldthetruth.There'sonlysomuchwecandotohealthedamage."

"Evennow?"Azulasays.

"...Ikeepseeingthelamp,hearinghisvoice.Nightmares,"Linadmitsquietly.

Azulapullsanarcofpurewaterfromthegutterandletsitdanceoverherpalmforamomentbeforeshesays,"Ithinkwecanhelp."Shepausesandlooksatherhand:thepockmarkedscarofanarrow'sbite,andthemorerecentelectricburnschainedupherforearmsinslow-healingred."I...Ishouldsay,shecanhelp."

Eveningfindsherhoveringoutsidetheinfirmary,feelingoutofplace.

OneofLin'sagentsliesonhisstomachasKatarapresseswater-wrappedfingerstohistemples,cautiouslyflowingwiththemurmurofhischi.Hismindisariverafteraflood;sheseeksoutthemud-cloggedpathwaysandmakesthemrunclearwiththoughtagain.She'snotsurewhattomakeofthequiveringneedlesarrangedpreciselythroughanarrayofpointsalonghisspine,butTyLeeonlysmilesandpromisesitwillhelp.

Linlooksalmostworntoashredwithworryandgrief,butwhenshelooksintoeachofheragents'cleargreeneyes,theatmosphereoftheentireroomeffortlesslyriseswithhersteady,poundingrelief.

Azulacloseshereyesandclingstothatfeelinglikealifeline.

.

.

"IthoughtI'dfindyouhere,"TyLeesays,hoppingupontothePalace'shighestterracottaroof,seeminglyheedlessofthetreacherousfooting.Moonlightslipsoffthetiles.

Azulafrowns,butmovesherglidersothatTyLeecansit."Whatdoyouwant?"

"Idon'tneedtowantanythingfromyoujusttotalk,doI?"shesayslightly.

Icameupheretobealone,shedoesn'tsay,becausewhenTyLee'ssmileloosenslikethat,likeamaskslippingoff,herpresenceisbearable.Morethanbearable.

"Goaheadandtalkatme,then."

Hergrayeyestakeonastrangelyseriouscast."Ifeellikeyou'retheonewhowantstotalk,Azula."

"Notlikely,"shescoffs,butTyLeeletsherreplydriftpastherasifshedidn'thearitatall.Thewindbrushesacrosstheroofsintheirsilence.

Wordsforcetheirwayoutofhermouthbeforesheevenrealizesthey'rethere:"Didyoutrustme?"

"I'vealwaystrustedyou."

"Evenwhenthecounter-attackcame?"

"Iwasafraid,"shesayssoftly,"butIknewyou're—you'resmart,Azula.Youdon'tletemotionsgetintheway.Youwereforcedto...letthemdie,becauseifyoufoughttheFireLordyou'dhavestoppedeverything.Itwasn'tyourfaultyoucouldn'tfindhim."

Azulagoesstill.

Uncertainly,shesays,"Azula?"

Withoutanotherwordsheseizeshergliderandsnapsthewingsopen,butTyLeegrabsherwrist."Wait!"

Hergoldeneyesflashwide,starkagainstherpaleskinforthebarestinstant,asAzulaturns.

Inasplitsecond,shejerksTyLee'sarmsbehindher,wrenchinghershoulders,andpinshertotheroof.Akneeinthebacknumbsherfromthewaistdownbeforeshehastimetoscream.

"Iwasn'tforcedtodoanything,"Azulasaysharshly,herbreathragged.Herhairfallstangledfromherbun,brushingthebackofTyLee'sneck."Ididn'tcare.Iwantedthemtodie."

"Azula,"shesays,trembling,"you'rehurtingme."

"Didyouexpectanythingdifferentfromme?"Shedoesn'tloosenhergrip."Andyou'rewrongaboutsomethingelse.Ididfindhim.IfoundOzai."

Herhandsarepainfullytightagainstherskin,burninghotalongherwrists.

"ThenIpatheticallylappeduphisapprovalasifI'dforgotteneverythinghe'ddone—becauseofeveryoneinthewholeworld,evenyou,TyLee,he'stheonlyonewhocouldeverbeproudofme,"shesaysbitterly."Maybeyoushouldaskyourselfwhy."

"Iknowyoumightnotseeit,butyou'vecomesofar,"shesays."Youdocare.Youcaresomuchithurts.AndIamproud."

Withasharpmotion,Azulapusheshertotheedgeoftheroof,stillpinioningherarmstightbehindher.

It'salongwaydown.

"Youdon'ttrustmenow,"shesays,eyesgleaming."Youknowyoucan't."

TyLeetakesaslowbreathandlooksawayfromthedrop."You'reconfusedandafraid,andyou'rehurtingme,"shesays,"butIstilldo.Iknowyoucanbebetter."

"You'reafool,"Azulabreathes.

"Everyonesaysthat.ButI'mnot."

HerburnedwristsmoaninagonyasAzulareleasesherandstumblesgracelesslytoherknees.

There'saheavysilencebetweenthem.Afteramoment,TyLeeoffersherthehandsorecentlytwistedandwrenchedbehindher.

She'salmostcaughtoff-guardbythesuddenmovementasarmslockaroundhershoulders.Withastart,sherealizesAzulaiscrying,thicktearspouringsilentlydownherfaceandsoakingthebackofhershirt.

"Pleasedon'tdothatagain,"TyLeesays.

"I'msorry,"Azulasaysintohershoulder,almosttooquietlytobeheard."I'msorry.Idon'twantto...Ihatethis.Idon'twant..."

She'sneverapologizedtoanyonebesidesherfather.

"Don'tlookback.I'llbehere,"TyLeesays.

"Youshouldn'tbe."

"Idon'tcare.Ipromise."

Hertearsdon'tstopforalongtime.

.

.

"Aren'tyougoingtotellKatara?"Azulaasks,hoveringoutsideherroomasTyLeeslowlypaintsherscaldedskinwithaloe.

Sheshrugs."Idon'twanthertobemadatyou."

Herdismissiveattitudesparkssomethingfurious."Sheshouldbe.Youshouldbe.Youcan'tletme...youcan'tletsomeonehurtyouandjustsmileatthemafterwards,likeit'snothing."

TyLeelooksather.Shedoesn'tsmile."Iknowit'snotnothing.I'mstrongerthanyou,andI'llproveit.Butrightnow,youneedyourarmsandlegs.YouneedKatara.Icanwait."

Despiteeverything,Azulamanagestomeethercloud-grayeyeswithoutflinching."Iwon'tbetrayyourtrustagain.IswearitonwhateverhonorIhave."

"Iknow."

Andthen,onsomestrangeimpulse,Azulaliftsonehandandbringswatertorestovertheblisteredskin.

"Ithoughtyoucouldn'theal,"theacrobatsayscuriously.

AzulathinksofTyLeeextendingaburnedhandtothegirlwhohurther,andsomethingsurgesunbearablyinsideofher.

"Icannow,"shereplies,andthewatercastsshadowsinsoft,soothingblue.

.

.

"Theearthisyoursubordinate,notyourenemy,"Linsays."Bestrongwithfirmness,notaggression.Control,notanger."

Shegesturesuncompromisingly."Again."

Azuladoesn'tthinkofhowshetreatshersubordinates,becausethelasttimeshe

tried,therecoilpunchedamassive,discoloringbruiseintoherfoot.

InsteadshethinksofLinandthewayheragentsinstinctivelygravitatetowardsher.ShethinksofLin'srawvoicesayingyou'resafenowyou'refreethankthespiritsaftertheysentthelampsspinningcounter-clockwiseandtheveilspeeledaway.

Bestrong,shethinks,sinkingintoherstance,andthesouloftheearthrisesuptomeether.

.

.

Theentireworldopens.

Sheisamountain,avalley,thesolidstonebeneathherfeet;rootedandengulfedintheunimaginablyhuge,slow-cyclingspiritoftheearth.Evenwhensheripscrestsoutoftherock,bitesdeepdownintotheskinoftheworld,itstaysthesame,steadyandlong-suffering.Itfeelswelcominginawaynothinghaseverbeen,noteventhelightestwhite-silkfire.

"That'scalledfindingyourcenter,"Linsays,amused,evenwithoutAzulasayingaword.

.

.

LinstopslookinglikeTophafteranotherweek.

AzulacanstillseetheBeiFongwrittenintotheplanesofherdaughter'scheekbones,butsherealizesthere'ssomethingdistinctlyLinaboutthem,andthey'renotthesamepersonatall.Athermostsolemn,there'sawickedmischiefinToph'sunseeingeyes;Linholdssternmelancholythereinstead.

Evenso,thefeelingthatcomesoverherinLin'spresenceisthepreciselysameaswalkingside-by-sidewithTophthroughtheshadow-heavyPalacecorridors.

.

.

ZukodropsatinyglassbottleintoToza'spalm.

"You'llforgivemeifIneverdrinkwithyouagain,"thegeneralsayswryly,fingersclosingaroundtheantidote.

Afterapause,theprincesays,"...No.IfIevertrytokillyou,it'llbeafairfight."

SomethingcynicalsettlesinToza'seyes."Haveyoulearnednothing?Thereisnohonorhere."

"Ifyoureallybelievethat,thenthere'snohopefortheFireNation,"Zukosays.Hefrownsathim."I'mnotafraidtodowhatmustbedone.Butwithouthonor,wecanonlyenduplikemyfather."

Tohissurprise,thegenerallaughsshortly."Well,well,thecrownislessuselessthanI'dthought,"hesays,inavoiceheavywithsarcasm."Perhapsyourmisguidedidealsofnobilityarewhatthiscountryneeds."

"I'llproveittoyou."

"Ilookforwardtoit."

.

.

"Thecometiscoming,"Sokkasays.

Insteadofsayingsomethingsarcastic,Azulaasks,"Whatdoyouthinkweshoulddo?"

Hiseyebrowlifts."Youfeelingokay?"

"Fine,thankyou."

"Aren'tyousupposedtobeallbossyand'Bowtome,miserablepeasant'andhaveaplanallwrittenoutalready?"

Sheshrugs."Aftertheeclipse,eventhemostofmiserablepeasantswouldhaveahardtimebelievinganythingIsaid.Mostofallyou."

It'sasclosetoanapologyhe'severgoingtoget.

"TellthegeneralsIlied.Ithinkthey'llbehappytoincludeyou."

Andthat,Sokkarealizes,onlyhourslater,washerconfession.

.

.

(withouthonor,wecanonlyenduplike—)

Ozaimissedhiscalling,Tozathinksbitterlyasthewarcouncilclaps.Hestandslikeanactorbaskinginhisowngloryuponthestage,blindedbythefootlightstoanythingbuthimself.

HewondersiftheFireLordissopowerfulhecanalreadyfeeltherageofthecomet,unimaginablyfaraway.Perhapshisinnerfireisalreadyhummingwithpent-up,furiousenergythatcanonlybeexpendedinthemostgrandioseofatrocities.

Tosearthefaceoftheearthtocharcoal—whatmonstrousvengefulspiritswouldbesetupontheFireNationthen?

"Aworldreborninfire,"thegeneralmurmurs,andshakeshishead.

.

.

Sokkapuzzlesoverthesealedbluescroll,addressedtohiminadelicatescriptthatdefinitelydoesn'tbelongtoHakoda.Still,ithashisnameonit,sohebreaksthewhitelotussealwiththeedgeofhisboomerangandleapsaway,half-expectingabomb.

Paperspillsoutofthecasinganddriftstothefloor—paperstainedwithsomethingthatlookssuspiciouslylikeblood.

Sokkagulpsandinchesforward.

Leaninginforacloserlook,herealizesit'snotblood,butscorchmarksonamapoftheworld,radiatingoutfromthecoastoftheEarthKingdomintothemainland.

Theotherscrapofpaperlookslikeit'sbeentornfromasetoftechnicalblueprints;hecanseetheskeletalribsandfinsofamassivewarmachine,andtheimageofanairshipinthecorner.Ashetucksitunderthemap,hereadsthecrampedwritinginonecorner:

Theywillburnitall.

.

.

Shestartstofeeltheairburningaroundherwhenshe'snotpayingattention.

Herchiripplesfitfully,asifyearningforthecomingfire.Sozin'sCometcallstoheracrossunimaginabledarkness,likethesuntremulouslyreachingoutfrombehindtheeclipse.

Shecouldgrowdeliriouswiththispower,shethinkshungrily.Powernotseenforahundredyears—whatagift,tobealiveandstrongenoughtograspthisfallingspark.

HerabilitytosensethechiofevenanearthbenderaspowerfulasLinbeginstofadebehindthehazeofherinnerfire.SokkaandTyLeebarelyregisteratall.

ThisiswhySozindecidedfirewastheonlyworthyelement,Azulawarnsherself,waitingtenselyfortheglowofthedistantcomet.

.

.

Azuladriftsdownthewrongcorridor.Bamboogrowsthickaroundher.Theairhumswiththevoicesofsilentlives,familiarasthecrackleoffireinherhands.

Experimentally,shetriestofirebend,butnothinghappens.

Amonsterlungesfromthethicket,pinninghertohergroundunderitsmassiveclawedfeetinthespaceofmoments.Ithowlsintoherface,lowandtortured,andshecatchestheimageofadesertedshrinerisingfromafieldofash.Notamonster,aspirit.

Defiled.Desecrated.Home,itsayswithoutwords,shakingher.It'snothuman,butshecanatleastreaddesperatefuryratherthanblood-lustinitsmanner,soshe'sperhapsmoreflippantthaniswise.

"It'snotmyforestandIcan'tmakeitgrowagain.Gobothersomeoneelse."

World-Spiritprotects,itinsists.

She'shadenoughmakingpromisestospirits."Look,whoeverdidthisisprobablynoone.I'mnothuntinghimforyou,andyou'renotleavingyourshrine.Theseedlingswillgrowstrongintheash.That'swhathappensinwar.Letitgo."

Butshe'smisunderstood,sherealizes,seeingfrustrationflickeracrossthespirit's

face.

Protect,itsnarls,andshecatchesthehintofafuturefire.Animage:asecondsunimpossiblyhugeinthesky,paintingthecloudsbloodred.Aworldturnedtoash.

.

.

"I'mgoingtostophim."

Andsuddenlytheuniversefallsclearandsimpleintoherlap,everythingasitshouldbe.Thisiswhatshewasborntodo.Nottorevengeherselfonherfather.Notevenprotectpeopleshedoesn'tknowanddoesn'tcareabout.

Ifnothingelseiscertain,sheatleastknowsthis:heiswrongandshehastostophim.Sheneverrealizedhowgooditfeelstoknow,truly,thatshe'sright.Theentireworld,spiritandhuman,standsbehindher,butevenifitdidn't,rightissomethingbiggerthanher,biggerthantheworld.

(monster)

No.

I'mnot.

Shestandsonthatsolidground,asrootedasanearthbender,andfeelswithbeautifulclaritythehummingpurposeinherchi,dancingunderhercontrolagain.Itseemssoeasynowtoreach,pull—

Herlightningsplitsthesky,boldwhitesearingafterimagesintoherlaughingeyes.

.

.

AzulafrownsatSokka'sdrawing."Itlookslikeatadpole."

Heswatshergood-naturedlyandcries,"What?No,it'sanairship—can'tyouseethetailfins?"

"Thoseareeyes."

"No!...okay,Iseeittoo."Hedeflatesforamoment,butcarrieson."Thetadpole's

tail—that'sfire,don'tyougetit?That'showthey'regoingtoburntheEarthKingdomwithouthavingtosetfootontheground."

Elegant,shedoesn'tsay,knowingitwon'tbetakenwell.Instead,shesays,"We'renotgoingtobeabletodestroyanentirefleetofairships,especiallyifthecrewisrunningoncomet-fire.Andiftheysplituptocovermoreground..."

"Butyouhavelightning!"Sokkasayseagerly."Allwehavetodoisgetyoucloseenoughandyoucantakeouttheirenginesinafewseconds."

Shesmilesbitterly."IfOzaiiswiththem,IthinkI'llbealittlebusy."

.

.

"Theseairshipswouldn'thappentobemadeofmetal,wouldthey?"Linasks,fightingasmile.

.

.

.

.

Ignite

.

.

(ignite)

.

.

ThereareenoughspiesintheFireNationtodestroyittwiceover,Azulathinksdarkly,lookingatthebattleplansspreadoutbeforethegeneralsoftheEarthKingdom.Thoughadozendetailscontradictandtheybarelydescribetheentiretyofthecominginvasion,eachpieceofinformationspeaksofanetworkofspiesandtraitors.Shedoesn'tenvyOzai.Lethimkeephisnestofvipers.

Lookingoverthetable,Sokkaturnsintoanentirelydifferentperson,asifhecan'tseethegeneralsbehindhim.TheopulenceofthePalacenolongerseemstocowhimashetalks,chainsofreasoningflyingshutter-fastacrossobservations,smoothingoutthecontradictionsandformingnewconclusions.

Azulanotices,too,thatwithoutLin'spresence,noneoftheCouncilofFivewouldgiveapeasantboyfromthesouthamoment'sthought.Ifanyofthegeneralsaretemptedtoexchangepatronizingglancesnow,they'rebeingsuppressedbyLin'sseriousexpression.

WhenSokkafinallymarksthreeislandswithalookofcertainty,there'snolongeratraceofdoubtintheroom.

"Threeseparatefleetsofairships,"Azulasays,impressed."NorthernWaterTribe,theouterEarthterritories,andBaSingSe."

GeneralHowwhisperssomethingthatsoundslikeanincredulous,"Theycallthewesternkingdomsourouterterritories?Spokenlikeanimperialist."Azulapretendsnottohear.

"Itmakessense,doesn'tit?"Sokkasays."Theywantpaybackfortheeclipse."

"AndOzaiwon'tbeabletoresistthechancetosucceedwherehisbrotherfailed,"Azulafinishes,tappingafingeragainstthedotmarked,withendlesshubris,TheImpenetrableCity.

Sokkalooksalmostamused."Yourfamily,"hesays,"isweird."

.

.

"Theywon'tsendtheirnavythistime,"ChiefArnooksaysgrimly,placingthescrollbeforehiscouncil."Perhapsourmostadvancedwaterbenderswillbeabletofightthesemachines,butundertheinfluenceofeventhefaredgesofSozin'sComet,wewillbedestroyed."

Murmurscascadeamongsttheelders.

"Youhaveasolution?"

Arnookinclineshishead."Brothers,intimesofneed,wecannotfightalone.Wemustopenourgatestooutsiders."

Concernedfrowns,thoughPakkuonlyfoldshisarmsexpectantly.Tohisleft,thechiefhuntersighs,"Whathaveyoudone?"

"OnlywhatImust,"Arnookreplies,mildtonebrookingnoargument."Theyhavecomefarandatgreatrisk.Welcome,friends."

Thecouncilchamberstirs,asifwithafaintbreeze,astheforeignersenter,splashingstrangecolorsintotheblue.

"Thankyou,ChiefArnook,"saystheAirNomadattheirhead,bowing.

Athisside,lookingmorecontentinwhitethanhe'severbeeninred,standsIroh,theDragonoftheWest,whobowsandsheepishlybreathesflamesoverhiscoldfingers.

.

.

Herlightningflashestrueagainandagain.Shedoesn'tneedtodrawdivergencesintheairanymore;theenergyflowswithoutthoughtoreffort.Shecankillfasterthanreflex.

Shepicturesthescenarioinhermind'seye:theslowbeginningofasmirk,anintakeofbreathforthefirstexplosionoffirebending—inthenextinstant,hurledbackwiththelightning,onelastexpressionofsurpriseonhishard,angularface.

Therockshattersintosuperheatedfragmentswithhernextstrike.

"Hedoesn'tstandachance,"Katarasays,half-approvingly,half-concerned.

"No."

"Areyouafraidoffightinghim?"

(killinghim)

AzulaquietlyconsiderstheterriblestrengthofFireLordOzaistandingbesideher,rememberstherefinedgoldofhiseyes.And,intheend:jealousyandpridetogether.Thelastandonlythingshe'severwantedfromhim.

"Myfather,"shesays,acknowledgingtheirconnectionaloudforthefirsttimeinages,"wouldneverallowhimselftobekilledbyme."

Shebelievesitwithsomedeepanddesperatefaith.Ifhecannotdiebyherhand,Azulacanaimtokillwithoutatraceofguilt.

.

.

"Whatdoyoumean,youwon'tkill?"

Sonamlooksattheincredulouselder."Weofferyououraidononlyonecondition,"herepeats."Weunderstandcold.YoucannotleavetheFireNationsoldierstodieoncewehavedestroyedtheirairships.Youwillbringthemoutoftheocean,andtheywilllive."

Intheexplosionofdebatethatfollows,hestandsascalmandunyieldingasthefaceofthesteel-graysky.

.

.

"Youfightwithaboomerang,"Linsays,oneeyebrowraised.

Sokkabristleswithdefensiveness."Hey!OnceIknockedoutAzulawithit!Andit'ssharp!"

"I'mnotgoingtobaby-sityou,"shesays,matter-of-fact."Ifyoucan'tholdyourown,

you'renotcomingonthismission."

"IamawarrioroftheSouthernWaterTribe,"Sokkasays,glaring,"andjustbecauseyoudon'tknowhowtouseaboomerangdoesn'tmakeituseless."

Insteadofretaliating,though,Linconsidershimwithcalmeyeslongenoughtomakehimsquirm."Keepit,"shefinallysays."Theunexpectedisalwaysthebestweapon."

Andthenshetearsthesteeltableinhalfwithherbarehands.Dustsettlesasthepiecesfalltothegroundwithamuffledclang.

"They'llneverseeuscoming,"shesays,toSokka'shorrifiedexpression.

.

.

"We'llmeetthemoverthewater,"Azulasays,tracingthepathofOzai'sfleet."I'lldrawhisattentionfirst.Thenyou'llbefreetostarttakingtheairshipsdown."

Katarafrownsatthediagramsuncertainly."Theyseemalotweakerthanthebattleships."

"Youwon'tbeonthewaterandyouwon'thavemethistime,"Azularemindsher."Don'twasteyourtimeonthehull.Gostraightfortheengines.TyLee,don'tletanyonestopher.Anddon'tfallofftheside."

Theacrobatgivesheralook."Ineverlosemybalance,"shesays."Youshouldbemoreworriedaboutyourself."

"Ifourtimingisright,we'llreachthembeforethecometcomes,"Azulasaysconfidently."Eventhen,afully-realizedAvatarfightingafirebenderinthemiddleoftheocean?I'llbefine."

.

.

SokkafinallypullsAzulatotheside,asifhetrustshernottokillhimforhisinsolence.

"Don'tletmysistergethurt,"hesays,pushingherintothewallwithhispresence."Iwon'tforgiveyou."

Shebrieflyconsiderssearingthehandsoneithersideofher,justenoughtoblisterandpeelangry,shinyred,butletsthethoughtgowithaneffort.Instead,Azulameetshiseyesandsays,"She'llbesafe.Youhavethreesecondstogetoutofmyspace."

Sokkatwitchesbackwards,butdoesn'tlookaway.Quietly,hemutters,"Thanks,"andvanishes.

.

.

Ozailooksdownontherowsofhispeople.Behindhim,hisairshipawaitsitsleader.

"FireLordOzaiisnomore.Justastheworldwillbereborninfire,Ishallberebornasthesupremeruleroftheworld,"heannounces,asheletsthecrownfallintoaFireSage'shands,forgotten.HestepsintothemantleofthePhoenixwithaslowsmile.

Hisgrandfather'scometwaitshungrilypastthehorizon,readytobringtheworldtoitsknees.

"It'stimeforthisworldtoendinfire...andforanewworldtobebornfromtheashes."

.

.

"We'retoolate!Thefleet'salreadytakingoff!"Sokkasays,stumblingovertheridge,butLinrollshereyes.

"Thenwe'retakingoff,too,"shesaysflatly,beforemakingahard,solidmovementwithherarms.

Sokkascreamsinasmanlyawayaspossibleastheearthbucksbeneaththem,launchingthemthroughtheair.

.

.

BeforetheNorthernWaterTribe'sicewallsareanythingmorethanadistantglimmeronthehorizon,theskysuddenlyflasheswithredsilk,likeautumnleavesonthearcticwind.

VengefulghostsofthelastComet,thecaptainthinksforasuperstitiousmoment;butthememoriesofacenturypastcannotstopthepresentglory.

Fireballslancethroughtheskyastheairbendersshiftlikeaflockofsparrowkeets,lettingtheattackspassfluidlythrough.

"Theycan'tbethathardtohit!Concentrateyourfire,"thecaptainsnapsintotheintercom.Throughthewindows,hecanseesomethinglikearedstarburningbrightinthesouth,andhisinnerfireroars."TheCometishere!"

BeforeSozin'sComethastimetolenditsstrengthtotheirflame,theglidersareuponthem.

Behindhim,hehearstheawfulscreamoftearingmetalastheturbineschokeonsuddenlydisobedientintakes.Theairshiplurcheswithaterriblegutturalnoise,andbeginstofalloutofthesky.

.

.

"Wait!"Sokkayelps,asLinstartsrippingthroughthehullwithmeasured,deliberatemotions."Ihaveabetteridea!"

"Hm."

Abareminutelater,thedoorofthemaincontrolroomexplodesinwards,thencrumplesintotheshapeofawoman.Armoredinmetal,Linpunchestheclosestfirebenderwithasteel-wrappedfist;thefloorcurlsaroundhimlikealivingthingashefalls.

Abrilliantplumeofflamesplashesoverherback.Withahissofpain,Linsendsthesuperheatedmetalrocketingawayfromher,pinningtheengineertothewall.Thelastsoldierfindshimselfboundhandandfootwiththerestofhermakeshiftarmor.

"That'showit'sdone,"Linsays,dustingoffherhandsasSokkacrowswithdelightandtakesthewheelandpushesabutton.Theintercomcrackles.

"Attentioncrew:thisisyourcaptainspeaking.Everyonepleasereporttothebombbayforhotcakesandsweetcream.Wehaveaveryspecialbirthdaytocelebrate..."

.

.

Thecometbreaksopentheskyandtheroofoftheworldbleeds.

"Oh,"Azulasays,hervoicesoundingfaintinherownears,drownedoutbyherownpoundingheartbeat.Herveinsrushhotandstrong,singingwithavoicelikeacloudofarrows.

FromherseatonAppa'shead,TyLeelooksbackwithwideeyes."It'sweirdtosay,butthecometactuallylooksbeautiful."

"ToobadtheFireLord'sabouttouseittodestroytheworld,"Katarasays,atthesametimeAzulasays,"Itis."

Thetwogirlsglanceateachother,startled.

.

.

"That'salotoffire,"Linsaysfaintly,handstighteningtofistsascomet-fireragesfromtheairships,ignitingthedrylandofthewesternEarthKingdom."Wedon'thavetimetosabotagethemall."

"Ihaveanidea!Airshipslice!"Sokkacries,eyesalight,andjamsthewheeltothesidebeforeshecanstophim.

Theyrunfortheirlivesovertheroof,notsparingaglancetowardsthesecondsunstainingtheskyredastheairshipstartstofallapartbeneaththeirfeet.Hemakesthemistakeoflookingbackatsteelbeamsandplatesbucklingandscreams,"We'renotgoingtomakeit!"

"Shutupandjump!"sheorders,takingonelaststepandbracing.

"We'retoofaraw—aaaaaagh!"yellsSokka.Theplatebeneaththemhurlsthemacrossemptyspacejustasthemetalscreamsandtearsaway.

Foraterriblemomentheseesearthburningfar,farbelowhisflailingfeet,andthentheylandwithacrunchwhentheroofmakeswayfortheminawaysteelshouldn't.

Linrollstoherfeetwitheffortlessgraceandstartspryingthehullfromtheairship'sskeleton.

"Whatareyoudoing?"Sokkasays,strugglingtostayonhisfeetastheshiplistsandbeginstofall.

"Nextone!"shesaysinreply,andanotherlurchhurlsthemthroughtheairtowardstheroofofthenextairship.Butthistime,thehatchopensbeforetheycanland,revealingaseaofmenacinghelmets.

Withajerk,Linslamsthedoorshutongraspingfingers,theclangalmostloudenoughtodrownoutthescreamsofpain.Themotionthrowsoffhertiming,andshedoesn'treactfastenoughtobendtheroofastheylandonunyieldingmetal.

Lincollapseswithabitten-offcurse,breathdrivenoutofher,justasthehatchfliesopenagain.Sokkabarelyhastimetoseethecoiledstancesandopenpalms,andwithoutthinking,helungesandyells,"Down!"Firepassesbehindthemasheleaps,slips,falls—

Sheseizeshiswristwithonehandandslapsherotherontothehullastheytumbledownthesideoftheairship.Bloodfliesfromherfingersastheyscrabbleforahold,collidewitharowofsharp-edgedrivets,andfallawayfromtheside.

Theyfree-fallforaneternity.

.

.

Lincan'tquitesilenceherscreamwhenherlegbreaksonimpact.HergriponSokka'swristtightenssomuchthathecriesoutashedanglesprecariouslybelowher.

"Don'tletgo!Butmaybejustloosenupalittle,"hegulps,lookingdownatthedizzyingdistancepassingbeneathhisfeet.Linignoreshimandtriestokeephershoulderfromwrenchingitselfoutofthesocket.

Soldiersrunoutontothewalkways,armordiscardedtofightLin'smetalbending,forcinghertoreachblindlyforthenearestweapon.Withherremaininghand,Lintearsasupportfromtherailingandusesittoknockamanoverboard.Thestripofmetalholdingthemcreaksdangerouslyastheystarttoslidedown,towardstheterrifyingdrop.

"Nononono!"Sokkasays,voicejumpingseveraloctaves."Don'tdothatagain!"

"There'snothingelsetohitthemwith,"Linsnaps,clenchingherteethhardaroundthepainthatlightsinhershoulderasSokkaswingsinhervicegrip.Shesilencesthepartofherthatwantstocollapseintoashiveringheap,andbendsthelipofthewalkwayupjustenoughtocradlethematitsveryedge."Spirits,you'reheavy—What

areyoucarrying,rocks?"

"Ohyeah!Iforgot!"Sokkasays,andLinhissesashetwistsinhergrasp,glancesup,andswings.

Anarcingboomerangknocksamanovertherailingandthrowsofftheothers'aim.Brilliantcolumnsoffirelashintotheairabovethem,onlytocutoffsharplyastheweaponcomeswhistlingback,crackingtheirheadsfrombehind.

Soldiersandboomerangfallfromthewalkwaysasmorefirebendersgatheroneithersideofthem.Sokkawatcheshisprizedweaponrecedeintothedistanceandmoans,"Idon'tthinkBoomerangiscomingback,Lin."

"Thinkagain,"Linsays,swingingherfreehandtoseizethetinyconstellationofearthshecandistantlysensewindmillingthroughtheair,andpulls.

EventhesoundofSokka'soutragedvoicecrying,"That'snothowyouthrowaboomerang!"can'tstifleherrushofsatisfactionasthescrapofbluesteelcutsthroughtheapproachingsoldiers,sendingthemhurtlingdownthroughthesky.

.

.

"Upyoucome,"thenorthernersays,pullingthesoldierfromthefrigidoceanwithanexpressionofdistaste.Withbrisk,ungentlemotions,hepurgestheseawaterfromthefirebender'slungs,ignoringthewayheswaysandretches.

"You...barbarian,"thesoldiergasps,lookingatthesinkingwreckofhisairship,swarmingwithblueboats.

"You'rewelcome,"hesnaps,andturnstobendanotherfigureinredarmorfromthedepths.

Thesouthernhalfofskyisstillablaze.Comet-firefillshisveinswiththepowerofahundredsuns,despitethebittercoldthreateningtofreezehischiinitstracks.Hetakesasteadyingbreathandstrikes—onlytowatchhisattackvanishmereinchesfromhisfist.

Anairbenderstepslightlyoutoftheskyattheedgeoftheboat.

"Don't,"shesays,ashewhirls,acomet-fueledfireballexplodingfromhishand.

Shedoesn'trun;instead,herfeetwedgefirmlyintothebowassheforcesherhands

apartinasharpmotion.Thistimehecanheartherushofairvacatingthespacebetweenthem,shreddinghisflameinaninstant.Theskinofhishandtearsunderthepressureandbeginstobleedjustastheairrushesbackinwithacrack.Thewaterbenderlaughsashepullsanothersoldierontothedeck.

"Behave,orwe'lltossyoubackin,"hesays."Aroundhere,theOceandoesn'tlikeyourkind."

"Wewilldonosuchthing,"saysthewoman,butinherdetachedgrayeyes,heremembersthewayshesuffocatedhisflame,andwondersifshecoulddothesametoaperson.Theshiverthatpassesthroughhimcomesonlypartlyfromthebiteofthearcticwind.

.

.

Onapatchofexposedrockalongthecoast,ex-GeneralIrohhimselfhandsoutdryblanketsandcupsoftea.HeturnsdownchallengesofAgniKaifromFireNationsoldierswithanindulgentsmile.

Despitehisauraofrecklesscalm,thecrowdtrembleswithtension,asemberssmolderbeneathash.EveryfirebenderispainfullyawareofSozin'sComethangingabovethemlikeablade,butequallywaryofthewatchingairbenders.

Thecommanderoftheairshipfleetshakeshiswayfreefromtherestraininggripoftwowarriors,steamrisingfromhissoakedclothes."You'llpayforthis!IchallengeyoutoanAgniKai,youspirits-cursedtraitor."

"Let'snotfight,"Irohsays,shakinghishead,buttheothermanlooksfurious.

"You'reafoolandworse,acoward!Everyoneknowsyou,DragonoftheWest,"hespits,givingthetitleavicioustwist."Thelegendaryfailurewholiftedthesiege."

"Thesagessayitisbettertobearindignitythanrushintodestruction.Butyouareyoung.Perhapsafterafewmoreyearsyouwillunderstand,"Irohsays,smilegrowingmoreforcedbythesecond.

"Don'tbotherhidingyourcowardicewithmeaninglesswords,"hesays,pressingharder."Yourownsonwouldbeashamedofyou,ifyouhadn'tlethimdie."

Thecrowdfallssilent.

Irohturns.Withcalmformality,hebowsatthewaistandsays,"Iacceptyourchallenge."

"Finally,"thecommandersays,baringhisteethinapredatorysmile.Somethingshiftsimperceptiblyintheair,liketheprickleofanticipationbeforeathunderstorm,asthesoldiersstepaway.

"You'llwanttomovefurtherback,"Irohsayslightly.Fromnowhere,alowflamecracklesaroundthespaceclearedaroundtheduelists,liketheriverofflamebeforethethrone,asiftoremindthemurmuringcrowdexactlywhosegrandsonheis.

Pakkusniffs."Oldman'sjustgettingbored,"hesays,watchingasthecliffsuddenlyexplodesintoaninfernotorivalthecometabove.

"Don'tmindme,"Irohsays,astheringoffirerisesandfallswithhisbreath,perfectlycontrolledevenasitragestoterrifyingheights."Whenyougettomyageyou'llneedtowarmup,too."Idly,hewhirlsahand,andlightningflashesthroughhisfingers.

Thecommanderturnspale.

.

.

Azulabreathes.

Withouttakingherglider,sheleapsfromthesaddle,propellingherselftowardstheairshipfleet.Columnsoffirerushtowardsher,onlytobeengulfedbywhiteflameslikewrithingclouds.

Theenginesareseveraltimesbiggerthanher,butforalltheirsize,Azulaforceschainsoffireblaststhroughthewhirlingblades.Thesuperheatedsteelcracksandbreaks,sprayingshardsintotheair.Shedodgeswithadefttwistandfinishesthejobwithanexplosionofblue-whitefirehotenoughtomeltthroughthehullandignitethefuellines.Thelividmetalflashesovertheoceanwiththeintensityofstarsasthewaveofblacksmokeroilsoverher.

ImperialFirebendersswarmtheouterdecksoftheadjacentshipsandhurlcomet-fireather—fireballsthatblazelikeminiaturesunsandstreamlikecoilingdragons,eachseethingwithwild,furiousenergy.Shekickshardtosoarabovethem.Thescorchofthecometwarmsherback,andsheshivers.

Baskingundercomet-fireislikepassingundertheOceanSpirit,butwithoutthemind

oftheOceandraggingherunder.Thepowersearingthroughtheconduitofherbodybendstoherwill—hereispowerwithoutprice,withoutlimit.Hersarethehandscradlingpureintensitylikenoother.

"Whereareyou?"Azulasayshungrily,scanningtheroofoftheairship,butOzaidoesn'tcome.

.

.

.

.

Ashes

.

.

(ashes)

.

.

Mailetsherneedlesfly.Arainofsteelblades,bluntedforpractice,slashforwardwithsomuchforcetheysinkinch-deepintothewood,dottingthehumanoutlinewithsilver.Shedoesn'tstoptoadmireherhandiwork;herredcloakwhirlsasshechangesdirection,crossbowssnapping,theboltsthuddingintoanothereffigy'sthroatinsequence.Herthinfingersfindthrowingstarswithoutbreakingskinandahalf-dozendiskswhistlethroughtheair,theirarcingtrajectoriesconvergingtoasinglepoint.

ThepommelofhersleevedaggerslipsintoherpalmasMaistepsaroundtheclearing,takinginthecarnagewithapracticedeye.Shestoopstomoveaneedleafewinchestotheleft,measuringthedistancewiththumbandforefinger.Perfectionisboring,butherstationdemandsnothingless,soMaitwiststhebladesfreeandbeginsagain.

.

.

"Thisisunlikeyou."

"I'mnotyourgamepieceanymore,"Maisaysquietly,ahintofwarninginherotherwisenoninflectedtone.

Herfatherbowshisheadinacknowledgment."Apiececanloseonlyherlife;aplayercanlosetheentiregame.Becareful."

"I'malwayscareful,"shesays,shiftingjustenoughtomaketheoutlinesofherhiddenbladesvisible."Idon'tneedyoutotellmeanything."

.

.

Mailooksalmosthappywhenshemeetshimagain.

"You'renotbleeding."

"Nicetoseeyou,too,"Zukosaystiredly.

"Itoldyou.Poisoninghimwasagoodideaafterall."

Alinespreadsflatoverhisexpression."Idon'twanttotalkaboutit."

Hereyesnarrowforasplitsecondbeforeherfacelosesallemotion."Fine.Thenwewon'ttalkaboutit,"Maisays,turningaway,andZuko,cluelessasever,takeshericysilenceforagreement.

.

.

Zukoletshisheadsinkbackintothecushions,wearytothebone.

"You'renotthinkingofdoingsomethingstupidlikegoingaftertheFireLordyourself,areyou?"Maiasks,outoftheblue,andheflinches.

"No,"hefinallysays,meetinghergaze."DefeatinghimisAzula's...no,theAvatar'sdestiny.Icouldn'truletheFireNationwiththatonmyhands."

Maicloseshereyes,asifcountinghisheartbeatsthroughthecheekpressedtohischest."I'mgladyoustillcareaboutyourstupidhonor,"shesays.

Zukofrowns,then,fightingdownanobjection,butshecontinues,deadserious,"Ishouldhaverememberedhowimportantitistoyou.YouknowIwouldhavepoisonedhimmyself,ifyou'dasked."

Distantly,hesays,"Neverforgetwhoyouare,"withanairoffondmemoryandasmile,andallofasudden,sheknows.

"You—utter—idiot,"shebreathes,sittingupsoshecanstareathim."Youdidn'tpoisonhim."

Zukoonlysmirks,atleastuntilshepuncheshiminthechest,thenchangeshermindandkisseshimharder.

.

.

"I'mcountingonyou,"Zukosays,havingdecidedlongagothathonestywasthemosteffectivewaytodealwithShen."Thingsaregoingtobehardafterthecomet."

ThecaptainoftheHomeGuardonlyshrugs."PrinceZuko,we'renotgoingtofightourpeopleforyoursake."

"They'remypeopletoo.I'mnotaskingyoutofight,"heanswers."I'maskingyounottofight."

"Silentlysupportyourcoup,youmean,"hechallenges,moretohearZuko'sresponsethananything.

"ImeanthatwhentheFireLordmeetshismatchonthedayhetriestoburntheworld,"Zukosays,clearandserious,"Idon'twanttobeexecutedasatraitorfortakingthethrone."

Thissonwillnotkillhisfatherforpower,hemeans.

Finallythecaptainsmiles,thoughgrimly,andsays,"Wecanarrangethat."

.

.

MaifinishesattachingToza'sinteltothemessengerhawk'sleg,atthispointnolongerbotheringtopassitthroughtheWhiteLotusfirst.ShefindsitamusingtodelivermessagestotheWaterTribeboyratherthanAzulaherself;theexiledprincessprobablyfumeseverytimeapeasantopensconfidentialinformationsheknowsisreallymeantforher.

Butthisisthelast,mostvitalpiece—theFireLord'sexactlocationsonthedaysleadinguptotheflightofSozin'sComet,frompalacetostaginggroundstoBaSingSe.Thecoordinatesvanishintothesky,leavingMaistandingaloneonthecaldera.

Shewatchesitgowithasmallsmile.

.

.

"Whatifhecomesback?"Zukoaskssuddenly.

Maidoesn'thavetoasktoknowthatthethoughthasbeenhauntinghimformonths:thegrimimageoftheFireLord'striumph,Azulalyingbrokenathisfeet.Shedoesn'tadmitthattheideafrightensher.

IfnotAzula,thenwho...?

"Don'tworryaboutit,"shesays,althoughshehasaveryclearbackupplaninvolvingthereclusiveFireLady...thatZukowouldprobablyobjectto."Destiny,remember?"

"Whatifwe'rewrong?"

"We'renot.Azulaismorethancapable."

Zukolooksaway."Butif...Iwouldn'tknowwhattodoanymore."

Inthetimbreofhisvoice,MairealizesthatiftheFireLordkillshisdaughter,Zukowillstrikehimdown,nomatterwhathishonorsays.

.

.

Hebreathesdeeplyandthemeditationflamesrespond,pulsingupanddownwiththeflowofhisenergy.Ifthey'reflickeringmorethanusual,hetriesnottonotice.

IfAzuladies(thecandlestrembleasifinahighwind),then—

"Hey."

Hejolts,reflexivelyunsheathinghisswordsinasingledeadlymotion.

Maiglancesatthebladeathercollarbonewryly."Remindmenottosneakuponyouagain,"shesays,asmetalscrapesaudiblyacrossthewristshebroughtuptoguardherneck.

"Sorry,"hesaysquickly,steppingback."Youcaughtmeoffguard."

"It'sthecomet,"Mairemembers,checkinghercutsleeve.Thesteelbracerunderneathisundamaged."JustwhenIthoughtnonbenderscouldn'tgetanymoreinvisible."

Zukoglancesup,unthinkinglyturnedstraighttowardsSozin'sComet,alreadyfullof

nervous,yearningenergy.

.

.

Zuko'sexpectingwordfromLanziontheirplansfortheFireLady,butthescrollonthetableisn'tfromhim.HebarelyneedstounrollitbeforeherecognizesMai'sflawlesshandwriting.

DearZuko,I'msorryyouthatyouhavetofindoutthisway,but...

Theshockhitshimlikeaphysicalblow,reverberatingthroughhisentirebodyandforcinghimtocollapsebonelesslyintothechair.Ashereads,hishandsstarttoshakeuncontrollably.

"Whatareyoudoing?"hewhispers,eyeswideningwitheveryword."No."

Butheisstillawarrior—theBlueSpirit,sharpassteel—andthoughhisthoughtsarecloudedwithequalpartsfearandanger,hisinstinctssingtrue.

Follow.

Hethrowsthescrollasideinfavorofhisswordsandmask.Butbeforeheleaves,hegrabsthescrollasanafterthought,sothathecanquoteitinMai'semotionless,butsecretlysheepish,andverymuchaliveface.

.

.

Maithanksthespiritsforwhatcouldcharitablybecalledaforgettableface.Ormaybethecaptainreallydoesn'tcareforhissoldiers.Eitherway,noonerealizesshe'snottheownerofherstolenarmor,atleastlongenoughforheratleasttostashitinasecludedcornerandvanishintothedepthsoftheimperialairship.

HerchancewillcomewiththeComet.Untilthen,allshecandoiswait.

.

.

Sozin'sCometbreaksjustoverthehorizon,somewherebeyondthesesteelwalls,andeventhoughhecan'tseeit,Zukoshiverswithcertaintyunderhisarmor

disguise.Mai'scrispwordsshineblackonwhiteinhismemory.

ForgettheAvatar'sdestiny.Sozin'sCometistheelementofsurpriseIneed.I'mnotsorry.

.

.

MaispendsalongtimecontemplatingtheImperialFirebendersstandingguardoutsidetheFireLord'sdoor.Shesitsmotionlessintheextensiveventilationsystem,vitaltobothsealedairshipsandassassins.Herclothesareheavywithwater,forwhatmightbeacrucialmomentofprotectionagainstcomet-fedfire.

Finallyshedecidesnottobotherwiththematall,andcarefullyinchesthroughtheceilinguntilshe'spoisedoverthedoor.Withasilentapologytoherknife,sheusestheflatedgetounscrewthepanelsconcealingthelockingmechanism,thenwedgestheruinedbladeintothemostimportant-lookinggearsshecanfind.Itwon'tholduptoadeterminedassault,butallsheneedsisafewmomentstoescape.Maicanstrikeinseconds.

Ifittakeslongerthanthat,she'llprobablybedead.

She'sabouttocreepintotheceilingoftheroyalchambersthemselveswhen,tohersurprise,thedoormechanismsstarttocreakopen.Metalgrindsmetal,teethcrushingherbatteredknifetoshards,andthehatchswingsopenwitharattle.

No.It'stoosoonforhimtoleave.

Maiglancesthroughtheairshaftandfeelsherheartstop.It'sZuko,wearinganarrogantmaskashe'sforcedthroughthedoorwaybyImperialFirebenders.Steelcuffslockhisarmsbehindhim,helpless.

Atthefarendoftheroom,thepresenceofPhoenixKingOzaiturnstolookonhissonwithpitilessgoldeyes.

.

.

"Ineverdreamedyoucouldbesofoolishastoreturnattheheightofmypower,"hedrawls,inavoicelikecoilingsmoke."Whatbringsyouhere,Zuko?"

"Ican'tletyoudestroytheEarthKingdom,"hesays,stumblingforward,faceshining

withdesperation.Histonequaverslikeachild's;evenhissubmissiveposturebringstomindthenightoftheirAgniKai."Please,Father,reconsider—"

"Letme?"Ozaisays,amusementsuddenlygone."YoudareimposeuponthewillofthePhoenixKing?"

"No,Father,Ididn'tmean—"

"Youshouldhavestayedinwhateverbackwateryouwerehiding,"Ozaisaysflatly."I'veheardenoughofyourpatheticmewling.Guard.Killhim."

Zukotakesadeepbreath,asifsavoringhislastmomentbeforetheImperialFirebender'sbladecurvesup—

—andtwistsinaplumeofbreathedflame,makingthemanstumblebackward.Meekfacadedroppedinaninstant,andhardlyhandicappedbythewristslockedbehindhim,Zukokicksinanarcingcircle,sweepingthesoldiers'feetfromunderthemwithawaveofcomet-fire.

Ozaiaimsablastoffiretowardshim,aspreciseasanarrow'sstrike,butZukotakestwostepstothesideandbody-slamsanImperialFirebenderintothepathoftheattackwithoutflinching,evenastheman'sscreamsringout.

Zukotakesthemoutquickly,beforeOzaicanconsiderkillingallofthematoncewithadevastatingareaattack.Hewouldratherswallowpoisonthanadmitthatpartofhimwondersifhisfatherisimpressed,atlast,byhisferocityandskill.

ThesoundofmenfallingcoverstheclangofapaneldislodgingbehindOzai;therushofsearinghotairdrownsthesoundofcloth—Maiflitsoutofthewall,handsfullofneedles,andthrows.

Plinkplinkplink.

HalfofherbladesricochetharmlesslyoffthePhoenixKing'snewarmor.Theotherhalfsinkintohisarms,back,andlegs.

Ozairoarsinshockandpain,andturnswithdeadlyspeed.Hedoesn'tneedtoaim;firearcsoutofhismouthlikeabrilliantocean,wavesofdevouringflameexplodingovertheentirebackoftheroom.

"No!"Zukoyells,thewordtornbrutallyfromhisthroat.

Mai'sscreamsofagonyreachacrescendo,thenfallintoterrifyingsilence.

.

.

"Youwereafooltochallengeme,"Ozaisays,outlinedlikeagodbeforetheconsumingfire."Didyouthinkyoucouldkillme?IamthePhoenixKing."

"Mai,"Zukorasps,somethingcoldanddeadlysolidifyinginhisstomach.Thefirecastsshadowsoverhiswhitefaceashestandsamongsttheincapacitatedsoldiers.Hefeelsstrangelylightandunafraid.Bloodrushesthroughhisveinslikelightning.

Zukoknowshecankillhisfathernow.

"I'lldealwithyoumyself,"Ozaisays,lookingathisImperialFirebenderswithdisgust.Bloodyneedlesfalltothefloorwithlightclinksashestepsforward."IthinkImightevenenjoythis."

"Metoo,"Maisays,half-charredbeyondrecognition,anddrivesherlastneedlesintohisneck.

.

.

"Youidiot."

"Me?Howcouldyou?"

"Ileftyoualetter."

"Asifthatwassupposedtomakemefeelbetteraboutyoursuicidemission!"

"Itwasn'tasuicidemission."

"Youalmostdied!"

"Ididn't."

"Lookatyourself!"

Maidoesn'tgetthechance,becausewhateverreserveofstrengthwaskeepingherstandingsuddenlypetersout,andshecollapsessoundlesslytotheground.Zukorushesforwardsandfallstohisknees.Theskinisalreadypeelinginsheetsfromherarms;herblisteredfaceweepsbloodandclearfluid.

Rememberedagonyradiatesfromthedeadpointoverhislefteye,andhecurlsoverherbody,worldshrinkingtotheslowinhaleandexhaleofMai'slife.

Atthatprecisemoment,theouterwallexplodesinabillowofscorchingheat,metalglowingred-hotastheroomopenstothesky.

.

.

"Staybehind,"Azulasays,flattonebrookingnoargument,soTyLeeandKataradotheonlyreasonablethingandignoreher.

KataramakesanicebridgefromAppa'sbacktotheairshipwhileTyLeeandAzulasimplyjump,preternaturallycomfortableintheair.Assheruns,theicemeltsandcoalescesintoasinuousringaroundher.

Theroomsmellslikeacridmetalandburningflesh.Cloudsofsmokeobscureallvision,butTyLeeturnspaper-whiteandrunsforward,yelling,"Katara!Yougottahelpher!"

"Youdon'tknowifit'ssafe,"Azulasays,andformomentTyLeelooksfurious,butshewavesahandandthewindmovesaroundthemlikealivingthing,thecloyingsmokecarriedaway,revealingtheaftermathofabattlefoughtinfire.

Themanonthefloortwitchesdefensivelyoverthebodybeforehim—no,he'saboybarelyolderthanher,Katararealizes,wearinganexpressionofdisbeliefsheknowstoowell,asTyLee'swordspassalmostunheededoverhishead.

"Zuko,shecanheal,she'ssafe,she'safriend—"

"Leave,"hesnarlsinavoicethatdoesn'tsoundhuman.

Katarastopsshort,uncertain.Thewaterglovesaroundherhandswaver."Zuko,right,"shesayscarefully."MynameisKatara.Icanhelp."

Hedoesn'trespond.

Kataratakeshissilenceforacceptance.Shereachespasthisunresistantarmstohoveroverthegirl'shand,andsays,"She'sgoingtobefine.ThisiswaterfromtheSpiritOasisattheNorthPole,"pullingoutPakku'sgift.Thewaterleapseagerlyfromtheflaskwithamindofitsown,glowingmoon-white.

Don'twasteitonFireNationscum!snapsavoice,onlytobesilencedbyadifferent

thought:No.FireNationscumisexactlywhoIshouldbehealing.

Sheholdsthedyinggirl'sfingerslightly,sothatthroughthesoftlyglowingwater,hecanseethewayskinknitstogetherandinflamedfleshreturnstonormal.

Withagreateffort,Zukosays,"Thankyou,"asifthewordsweredredgedfromtheoceanfloor.

.

.

Azulastandsatadistance,takinginthestillformsoftheguards.There,crumpledinarmorandsilk,liesherfather,piercedascleanlywithneedlesasonecouldask.

Sheclenchesandunclenchesherhands,forcingdownascream.

Whereismydestiny?

"Fightme,oldman,"shesnarlsathiscorpse,kickinghimontohisback,onlytostumblebackwardsasOzailunges,handsclosingaroundherneckbeforeshecanblink.

No.Ididn'tsense—

Azula'sthroatcloses,somethingcrunchinginhertracheaashervisionthrobsblack,buteventhensherealizessomething'swrong.Hecanboilthebloodtoherbraininamoment,orseverherheadfromhershoulderswithathought—whyisafirebenderundertheComettryingtostrangleher?

Waterexplodesbetweenthem,forcingherfathertoreleaseher.There'snotawispofsteamastheystand,soakingwet,Azulaclutchingherthroatandtakinginlungfulsofair.Shedoesn'tmove.

"Yourfireisgone,"shesays,disbelieving.

.

.

.

.

Embers

.

.

(embers)

.

.

Azulagigglesunevenly.

"You'reworsethandead,you'repathetic,"shesays,shakingherhead."Howdoesitfeel,Daddy?"

Hesnarls,lungesforward—andshecanseenowtheslownessofhismovements,someessentialvitalpowervanished,likeawarmachinewithitsenginescutoff.Shedoesn'tevenneedTyLeetodartforwardandpunchthenerveclustersalonghisside,droppinghiminstantly.

"Coward!Youcouldneverfacemeatfullstrength,"hesays,evenashecrumplestothefloor.Azularollshereyes.

"Someonedid,"shesays,glancingoverthearrayofgleamingsteelburiedintoOzai'sflesh.She'sseenTyLeeinactionmorethanenoughtimestorecognizethechakrasandchipathways,eachskeweredwithanobsessiveprecisionshe'sonlyeverseeninoneotherperson."Lookslikeyouwerebeatenbyanonbenderwithmoreneedlesthansense."

"Iresentthat,"croaksMai.

.

.

"Don'tmove,"thewaterbendersays,witharefreshinglackofprattleandfuss.HerpaleblueeyeskeepflickinganxiouslytoAzula.

Maidoesn'tprotest,mostlybecauseeventhethoughtofmovingsendspainscreamingthroughherravagednerves.SheletshereyesdriftshutwhileherfreehandfindsZuko'sandtwists,hairpinbetweentwofingers.Thecuffsopenwithan

embarassedclick.

Hishandsarestillshakingastheytightenaroundhers.

.

.

LookingdownonOzaiisastrangeoccurrencethatsetsherheadspinning.Heisweak...weakerthanher.Shecouldreachoutandtouchhim,andhewouldbepowerlesstostopher.

(anything—anythingatall)

"Youshouldknowbetter,"shesays,almosttoherself.Ozaitenses.Theyunderstandeachothertoowell.

Azuladoesn'tplaywellwithweaklings.

.

.

"DoyourememberthedaysIwouldtrainforhours?Youwereneverhappy,"Azulasays,outoftheblue.Shestandseasy,nonthreatening."Almostperfect.Alwaysthatalmost.Almostisn'tgoodenough."

Ozaisaysnothing,onlywatcheswithwaryeyes,likeananimalbeforeapredator.

Thisisyournaturalplace,filth,somethinginhersnarls.Anotherpartofhersquirmsinsilentdiscomfort.Sheignoresit.

"Thisisjustice,"saysUrsa,somethinghungryinhergaze."Forus,mylove.Forourfamily.Fortheworld."

"Father,I'mperfectnow,"Azulasays,feelingthewarmweightofhermother'spresencebehindher."Blinkandyou'llmissit."

Withoutasingleoutwardsign,herchisplits.

.

.

Seagullswhirloverhead,shadowsdancingoverthewhitesandofEmberIslandlikeemptyspacesinAgni'sgaze.SheknowsinstinctivelythatshecanfeelthisandZukocan't,soFatherisproud.

PrincessAzulaputshersmallhandinherfather'sandlooksupathimradiantly.Ozaioffersthatliltingsmilemeantonlyforher.Fathershouldsmilemore,shethinks,butthethoughtpassesliketheshadowofagull'swing.Sheloveshim.

Azulaglancesbackattheleglesscrabtwitchingwhereshe'dleftit,thenupatherfatherforpermission.Hismouthquirksupslightlyasshedropshishandtolookforarock.

Thesurfroarsbehindthem.

.

.

"Azula!Stop!"

.

.

Lightninglancesthroughtheair,ablue-whitekillingthought,ascorchedpathofionsandplasmaleadingstraighttoOzai'sheart—perfect,atlast.

Acrackleofimpact.Theentireroomisilluminatedinstark,glowingblue.

.

.

Kataradoesn'tstiflethescreamthattearsfromherasthehostileenergycrashesthroughhers,watervaporizingoncontact,themomentofresistancestretchingintoaneternityofactinicdeathragingaroundher.

No.Sheistheocean,andthetideknowswhentorecede,steppingbackward,dancing.Lightningsuddenlypassesthroughwaterclearasglass,likeademonfillingitsvessel,blue-whiteclawsunsheathedandscrapingmadlyatthetranslucentwallsofitsprison.

Katarastandsunderanarcofglittering,boilingwater,carryingthelightningforasinglelivinginstant.

Thenthemomentumofthatexhilaratingpowercomescrashingdown,theunstoppablerollingtsunamitearingoutofhercontroljustasshewhirlsanddirectsthelightningoutintotheatmosphere,destroyingtheneighboringairshipwithadeafeningexplosionofsuperheatedsteamandelectricity.

SothatwasthecalloftheComet,Katarathinkslight-headedly,herhandstremblingasifdisbelievingthepowerthey'dchanneled.Sherememberstobreathe.Theairisheavywithhissing,steamingmist.

"No,"shesays,herownvoicesoundingsotinycomparedtothecryofthelightning."Notlikethis."

Thewatervaporbeadingontheceilingdripsloudlyintotheirsilence.

.

.

SomethingpoisonousrisesinAzula'sthroat,whisperingrageandmurder.

PeasantgirlfoolenoughtodefytheAvatar,theSpiritoftheWorldinallherglory,howeasyitwouldbetobrushheraside,justagossamerveilbetweenherandjustice,perhapscrushherbonesagainstthefarwall.

Zukoinacorner,palewithshock.Killhimnow,takethethrone,youdeserveit,takeittakeittakeitFireLordAzula—thenkillthewitnesses,sinktheairship,sendittotheoceanfloorandnoonewillknow—

Apromiseisonlywords,TyLee.

.

.

"Whatdoyouthinkyou'redoing?"theAvataranswers,voicecold,buttremblingwithsomehiddentension.

KatarastandsinfrontoftheFireLordandsays,"Whatyoucouldn'tdoforme."

ThespecterofYonRhapassesbeforetheminaheartbeat.

.

.

Ursacrossesthesandandgripshardenoughtobruiseherdaughter'swrist.Thejaggedrockfallsfromsuddenlynervelessfingers.

"Mom!You'rehurtingme!"Azulasays,twistingaway.

Shedoesn'twaitforanexplanation.Witheyeslikebronzeblades,Ursasaysquietly,"Youmaybestrongerorsmarterthanit,Azula,butnothinggivesyoutherighttotormentahelplesscreature.Nowcomebacktothebeachhouse.You'regrounded."

WhenUrsaisn'twatching,FathergivesAzulaalookthatsays,Yourmotherisafool.

.

.

Azulastandsverystill,thenreachesonehanduptoprythewarmfingersoffofhershoulder.

Ursa'slongblackhaircascadesaroundher,softandsweet.Inherear,shewhispers,"Mylove,don'tlistentoher.Youneedme.Youneedthis."

"Youarenotmymother,"Azulasays,somethingbreakinginherheartassheturnsawayfromUrsa'ssad,beautifulface.

Theapparitionvanishesinashowerofembers.

.

.

Distant.Azuladoesn'tseemtoregisterthewaterdrippingintoherhair.

"You'reright;I'mnotyourmother,"Katarasays,mouthmakingafirm,determinedlineasthesoundofhervoicedragsAzulabacktosolidground."Idon'twanttobe.Ijustdon'twantyoutodestroyyourself."

Azulablinks,asifcomingoutofatrance.Suddenlyshelooksverytired,asthoughtheweightoftheworldonhershouldersisonlyjustnowmakingitspresenceknown.

"Getawayfromhim,"shesays,andwhenKatarahesitates,Azulasighs,"I'mnotgoingtokillhimnow.Don'teverleaveyourbackopentosomeone—somethinglikehim."

AsKatarastepscautiouslyaway,mindingthewordnow,Ozaidrawls,"I'mflattered

thatyouthinkI'mstillathreattoyoulikethis."

"Ididnotgiveyouleavetospeak,"Azulasays,voiceutterlyemptyofwarmth.Hefallsintoapoisonous,calculatingsilence.

.

.

"Whatareyoudoing?"Zukoasks,lowandoutraged,glancingbackattheunconsciousformoftheirfatherinthebackofAppa'ssaddle."Leavinghimaliveisonlyaskingfortrouble."

Azulalooksatthemurderinhisheartandsearchesforwords."Mercyisthemarkofthegreat.Patricidewillturneveryoneagainstyou,"shesays.Sheletsherselfsmirk."Don'tworry.YoucanmurdertheFireLadyoncewegetback,ifyou'resokeentoshedblood.Inventsomechargeoftreason."

Intothesilence,sheadds,"Ididn'tthinkso."Somethingsneverchange.

TheywatchSozin'sCometvanishintothevastnessofspace,andtheterribleresponsibilityofpowerpassesawayfromthem.

.

.

Armedguardsbeginappearinginunexpectedplaces,brandishingauthorizationfromthehighcouncilbutotherwiserefusingtoexplaintheirpresence.Theylinethestreetsoutsidegenerals'andadvisers'homes,andevendareblockadeasectionofthePalaceitself.

"Ourapologies,FireLady,butwehaveourorders.Foryourownsafety,pleaseremaininthewestwing."

Shestopsshort,looksatthesoldiersforalongmoment,thenturnsaroundwithoutanotherword.

TheCourtbeginstowhisper.

.

.

Azulastands,readytostriketerrorandobediencefromthegatheringcitizens—mostlycivilians,butthetell-talearmoroftheRoyalProcessionandHomeGuardfeaturesominously.ShestopswhenZukograbshersleeve.

"Icanhandlethis,"hesays,andmeansit.

Reckless,well-meaningZuko,whotriggeredanAgniKaithefirsttimeheopenedhismouthinawarmeeting...adifferentZukostandsnow,andjumpseffortlesslytotheground.Aspearflickersthroughtheair,buttheprincebarelyevenlooksbeforehisswordsflashinandout.Thebladeclattersuselesslytothegroundbeforehim.

Despiteherself,AzulaturnstoMai,wholiesflatonherback,glowingwaterpooledoverherruinedface."Aren'tyouworried?"

Mailooksalmostsurprisedbythequestion,thenturnshergazestraightuptothedarkeningsky,notevenbotheringtoobserveZuko'sconfrontationwiththecrowd."If...can'thandleafewloyalists...doesn'tdeservethethrone,"shesayssimply.

Azulawatchessilently.Shecan'tquitefighthersurgeofenvywhentheentirecrowdslowlybowsinobeisancetotheFirePrince.

.

.

ZukoalmostbringsMaitotheroyalinfirmary,butatheruncompromisinginsistence,shewalkshomeunaided.NotthatanyonewouldbelievehercapableoffightingtheFireLord,butthere'snoreasontotriggeraccusationsoftreasonbecausetherightpeopleinthePalacenoticedherburns.

"I'lldowhatIcan,"Katarasaysquietly,lookingatthevaststretchesofinflamedflesh,"butIcanonlydosomuch.You'regoingtoscar."

"...notvisible,that'sfine,"Maisayscalmly.TyLeemoanssomethingaboutherperfectskin,butit'sZuko'squicksilverflashofgriefthatsheturnsto."...don'tregret."

"Youreallydon'tthinkAzulawouldhavedoneit?"Zukoburstsout,furious.

Mailooksdirectlyathimandswallowstosoftenherthroat."...notyoursister.TheAvatar.FireNation...morethanenoughreasonstofear.Don'tbe...indebttoher."

Zukofrowns,instinctscatchingsomethingwithheld."Youlethimlive,"hesayscarefully.

"Ithought,"shebegins,closinghereyes,"...askhimaboutyourmother."

.

.

AzulareleasesAppa'sreinsandturnstotheonlyotherfigureontheskybison'sback.Onelastbattle.

"Youcanstoppretendingtobeunconsciousnow."

Ozaiopenshiseyessullenly.Fatheranddaughterregardoneanotheracrossthewindsweptspaceascrestingwavespassbelowthem.

"Youwon'trecover,"Azulafinallysays,danglingoneofMai'sspentneedlesbetweentwofingers."Custom-designed,hollowgougingtipsloadedwithacid.There'snohealeronearththatcanrestoreyourbending."

"Gloating?"hesays,thesingleworddrippingwithamasterfullevelofscorn.

Azulashrugs,carefulnottolethistonebotherher."Youdon'tneedfiretobedangerous.IthinkMaiandTyLeedemonstratethatratherwell.Perhapsyouthinkyou'lldoevenbetternowthatwe'reunderestimatingyou."

"Andyouthinkyoucandisabusemeofthatnotion,"hesays,amused."You,threatenme?"

Shetakesamomenttoobservehimbeforesaying,"ThecrownoftheFireLordbelongstoZukonow."

AshadowofdistastecrossesOzai'sfacebeforehesnaps,"Whatofit?"

"Anattackonhisterritoryisanattackonhimself,tobeneutralizedwithoutpity.Isthisnotwhatyoutaughtus?"sheasks,tiltingherheadwithfalseinnocence.

Heglancesaheadtothepointofherwordsandsneers,"TheAvatarisarelic,thesuperstitiousimaginingsofthepast—"

"No.TheAvataristheSpiritoftheWorld.Iholdthedivinerighttoruleallthings."shesayssoftly.Herinstinctstrikeswithcalmassurance."Thisisthetruthyoufearedeversinceyouwereyoung."

Ozaiturnschilling."Don'ttalkaboutthingsyoudon'tunderstand,mydaughter."

Thetoneherchild-selfwouldhavecringedtohearalmostmakesherapologizebeforeshecontrolsherself."Somethinginmeisyourdaughter,"shesaysdistantly,lookingatthegauzycloudceilingabovethem."ButIhavehadthousandsoffathers,thousandsoflives."

"Yetyouchosetosparemylifeinafitofsentiment,"hesneers."Evenwithallthepowerintheworld,youarestillweak."

"Oh?Didyouthinkthisanactofmercy?"sheasks,leaningforwardtotouchthewoundatthebaseofhisneckwithdeliberatesuddenness,andhedoesn'treply.Shesinksintohermemoriesofthemirrorworld,mimickingthatunnervingtiltofthehead.

Thisisthebestkindofgame:alieshefullybelieves.ShetriestoembodythedisconnectbetweenKoh'sfacesandtheshadowmindshapingtheirwords.Azulacannotbehisdaughternow;herpalefeaturesandgoldeneyesmustbeashelltoholdsomethingancientandterrifying,avengefulgodtobeobeyed.

Azulawhispers,"Youaremortal,butI?Ihavepassedthroughmillennia.Ihavebeenworshipped.Thisisthethroneyousoughttousurp,OPhoenixKing,ruleroffigmentsanddelusions!Theentireworldisminebybirthright.Thepeopleuponitareanextensionofmywill...andyouthoughttoclaimthemasyourown."

Shestepsback,tryingtogaugetheeffectofherwords—hiswords,reframed—throughhispulse,thendecidesitdoesn'tmatter.

"Isentenceyouinthenameofmyself,theSpiritoftheWorld.Youareanexilefrompowerforever,"shesayscoldly."Solive.Plotandconniveasyouwish...butknowthatIhaverevokedyourrighttorule,andnothingwillkeepthethroneinyourhand."

Ozaistartstolaugh,slowandmocking.Eyesgleamingwithviciousmirth,hesays,"Youaremylegacy,myimmortality.Youcannotrenounceme.Mychildrenarethetwomostpowerfulforcesintheworld,andyouthinkInolongerreign?"

"Westoppedbeingyourchildrenalongtimeago,"Azulasays.Shesaysitquietly,withoutdefensiveness.Inthesamedeliberatetone,sheadds,"Ifyourtongueuttersanotherlie,Iwillcutitout."

Andthen,becausehisfaintderisionhasbeenneedlinghersincethemomentheopenedhiseyes,Azulajerksherfingersonce—justtomakehimcryoutasthewaterinhismouthsuddenlyturnstorazor-sharpice.Bloodspurtsfromhismouth,dribblesdownhischin,andseepsintohisrichredrobes.

Finally,thetelltalehumoffearsingsclear,briefandimmediatelysilenced,asOzai

doublesoverandspitsbloodfromhislaceratedmouth.Thestainisdark,almostblack.Azulaonlysmiles.

.

.

ThestreetsoftheCapitalseemtostretchtoaccommodatethecolorsoffournations,gatheredtoobservethepassingofoneeraandtheriseofanother.Civiliansstarewide-eyedatstrangely-dressedvisitorswhostarerightback.

"Hey!Hey,you!"yellsaFireNavyrecruit,runningtocatchuptotherobedwomandriftingthroughthecrowd.Theairbenderturnsguardedgrayeyesuponher,somethingshiftingdefensivelyinherstance.

"Yes?"

Shestrugglesforwords."They,uh,mycaptainsaidthattheNorthernersweregonnaletusdie.Andthatyoupeopleweretheoneswhoarrangedtherescueboats."

"Alllifeissacred,"thenunreplies,insteadofconfirmingtherumor.

"Imean,ifitwasmeIwouldn'tgoofflookingthroughicewaterformyenemies,'costhey'rejustasliketokillme—Wait,that'snotwhatImeantatall,"theFireNavyrecruitsays,bitingherlip.

Thewoman'sfacewarmswithamusement,andsherealizestheairbenderisn'tthatold,really.It'sjusttheweirdhairlineoverthetattoothatgivesherthataliengrandmotherlook.Closeupandsmiling,theAirNomadlooksalmosthuman.

"WhatImeanis...thanks.Forsavingus,"shesays,extendingonearmoredhand.

Thenun'sbluearrowfillsherpalm,cuttingacrossthesteel.

.

.

Azulafallsintostepbesideherbrother,hercloakbrushingthemarblefloor.Thedarkbrowncolorsuggestshumility,distancesherfromtheFireNation,andcutsoffthefamilyresemblance,allwithoutdeclaringallegiancetoanynation.

"Afteryou,"shesays,withaplayfulsmirk,asZukostepsintothelightandthegazeofthousands.Theplazaroarswithapproval.

"Please.TherealheroistheAvatar."

Thesuddenoutpouringofadorationalmosttakesherbysurpriseasshewalksforward.They'reonlycheeringbecausetheythinkyoudefeatedOzai,sheremindsherself,butwhensheseesLinsmileather,standingtallevenoncrutches,herspiritsleapanyway.

Zuko'svoiceisloudandconfidentasitbreaksoverthecrowd,speakingthewordsthatgenerationshavelongedfor.

"Today,thiswarisfinallyover."

Thewaveofsoundisdeafening,fillingthestreetslikealivingthing.Theentirecity,theentireworldseemstolaughandweepanddancetogether.Thesharpbordersbetweennationswaverasstrangersembraceoneanother.

Zukodoesn'tlethisaddresslastmuchlonger,inordertocasthiscoronationinthesamebreathasthemomentofthepeacedeclaration.HekneelsbeforethepresidingFireSage,andthecheeringturnstoreverentsilence.

Thedeadlyboltofjealousyshe'sexpectingdoesn'tcome—onlyasubtle,crawlinghungershecanpushawaywithathought.Azulaevenmanagestosmileasherbrotherstands,thetwistedgoldflamecatchingthesun.

"AllhailFireLordZuko!"

.

.

"AllhailAvatarAzula,"shewhisperstothenight,totastethewords.LyingonthePalaceroof,shelooksintotheskyofherchildhood,cradledbythejaggedcircleofthecaldera.Everyotherskyintheworldhasthewrongstars.

Shedoesn'tevenfeelsurprisedwhenahandgripstheledge,followedbyapinksleeveandthegirlit'sattachedto.TyLeewavesasifinterruptingherbroodingisasnaturalasbreathing,andtoher,perhapsitis.

"Dreamsarefunnythings,"shesays,withoutpreamble."Savingtheworldwithyouwasalotbetterthanstayingwiththecircus."

"Savingtheworld,"Azularepeats,rollinghereyes.

"It'strue!"Alittlesofter,sheadds,"Everyone'sproudofyou,youknow."

Azuladoesn'twanttothinkaboutthemomentwheneverythingstoodsocrystalclearinthemist,whenallsheneededtodowasturn,engulfedinlightning,andsay—

(apromiseisonlywords)

Insteadshesays,"Almostisn'tgoodenough."

"Maybe,"TyLeesays,givinganeasygoingsmile,"butsincenoone'sgoodenough,itdoesn'tstopusfrombeingproudofyou.We'retryingtobehuman.Notgoodenoughisnotthesameasnotgood."

Azulafrownsandhugsherknees,notsurewhattomakeofherwords,andfinallydecidestoputthemawayforthetimebeing."Whatarewegoingtodonow?"sheasks,thewequietlyinserted,analmost-questionhangingtoocasuallyintheair.

"We'llfigureitoutlater,"TyLeesays,sealingthealmost-questionawaywithgratifyingnonchalance."Butifyou'renotbusy,wantarematch?"

She'sbrieflypuzzledbeforehermemoryoffersthescentofaloeandthewords:I'mstrongerthanyou,andI'llproveit.

"Icouldhurtyou,"shewarns,standingup,butonlyhalf-reluctant.Theotherhalfofherisalreadystirringherchitolife,coiling,eager.Theacrobatonlylaughs.

"I'dliketoseeyoutry.Don'tholdback."

It'sbeenmanyyearssincetheyracedoverthewallsoftheFireAcademyforGirls.Theyfallintotheoldgamewithgratefulfamiliarity,thoughthistimethestepsarefistsandblossomsoffire.Azulafindsherselfsmilingattheleapingflames,evenwhennoneofthemsomuchassingeasinglebouncingbraid.Herarmgoesnumbandshewhirls,onlytoseeTyLeeskipawaywithawidegrin.

"Toldyounottoholdback,"shesays.

Thenightenfoldsherringinglaughter,andthedancecontinues,choreographedinsilkenwhiteflameandshadowsinstarlight.

.

.

.

.

end

.

.

.

.

Epilogue

.

.

.

.

Thankyouforreading,friend.Itmeanstheworldthatyoucameallthiswaywithme.

Aftersomedeliberation,theEpilogue,

-Radiant-

hasbeenuploadedasaseparatestoryforreasonsconcerningflow.

s/9218515/1/Radiant

.

.

.

.