A Best Laid Plan

by A_Total_Kate_Astrophe

Summary:

Azula knows Admiral Zhao's invasion is doomed to fail, but she has a plan to use it to win a victory for the Fire Nation. All she needs is her stupid brother, a boatload of lies, and the pretty princess of the North. It'll be easy, just as long as she can keep a lid on any unanticipated, inconvenient feelings.

Chapter 1: Forewarning & Suspicion

Azula waited in the twilight of the setting sun. Much of strategic manipulation was about timing, so she knew the value of waiting, but she'd been waiting fourteen years for this. Now, though, it was time for her to exert herself upon the world. To show everyone what a true princess of the Fire Nation was capable of. She’d waited long enough, she could stand a few more minutes in the dark and cold. 

The pirates were waiting too, Zhao had paid them handsomely for Zuko’s murder. She didn't deign to think it an assassination, Zuko wasn't consequential enough for that. Unfortunately for her, she needed Zuko alive, and she doubted anyone else would put a stop to it. Uncle certainly wouldn't, as he decided to take a nice long and leisurely walk on the night of Zuko’s killing. She'd be suspicious of the act if Iroh had a single cunning bone in his body. Knowing the man, he probably thought a walk in the winter-chilled dusk would be pleasant. 

It appeared as if Iroh’s departure was just what the pirates were waiting for, as not ten minutes after he left, three pirates stole aboard the ship, quiet as the night. They were equipped not with swords, knives, or the other standard tools of violence, but hooked ropes. Curious.

Her curiosity rose as a dinghy filled with barrels and two more pirates sidled up to the starboard side. She didn't have to wait long for the answer, though, as one clumsy pirate fumbled a barrel, nearly dropping it overboard.

“Careful with the blasting jelly!” One of them whispered. Ah, death by explosion. A fitting end for a prince of the Fire Nation. Under different circumstances, she would have liked to watch the ship go up in smoke, but as it was, Zuko’s demise would have to wait. 

As they made for the main bulkhead door to the ship, Azula figured she’d waited long enough. The murderers had arrived with the murder weapons. Azula gracefully leapt from where she'd hidden on the upper deck and landed behind the pirates, who were focused on opening the squeaky door quietly. She landed perfectly, not making a single sound, to them it'd be as if she appeared out of nowhere. Intimidation, when done well, was 50% theatrics.

“I'm sorry to disappoint, but the only one who gets to kill my dear brother is me.”

The pirates jumped. She made sure to project her voice, both to startle the pirates, and– The squeal of an internal door sounded through the ship. Good, Zuko was aware. 

“If you’d like to do the honors, girlie, I sure won't turn down the help, but we've got a job to do!” He still spoke in a whisper despite their broken subterfuge. 

Azula didn't have to feign much boredom when she replied. “Sadly, I need Zuko alive. It's a shame though, I would have very much liked to see the fireworks.” She said, nodding toward the barrels. “But lucky for you, I would also like for you to live. I will be speaking with your captain and it just wouldn't do to have five dead crew members hanging over our negotiations.”

“Now listen here girlie! I don't know who you think–” The pirate started before the clang of metal interrupted him. Zuko sprinted out of his ship, fire ready in his hands.

“Pirates! Followed me all the way here to settle the score!?” He spat, stepping into a fighting stance. He might have passed for intimidating if not for the fact he was in his pajama robes. Hilarious.

It appeared as if he'd latched onto the first thing he saw and hadn't yet realized she was there. His situational awareness was as awful as she remembered. “Now now, Zuzu. Not even a greeting for your beloved sister? After all these years? I'm hurt.” She let sarcasm bleed into her tone, there was nothing Zuko or anyone else could do to hurt her. She was untouchable.

Zuko whirled from the pirates to face her, his eyes going wide. “Azula! What are you doing here? They’re working for you, aren’t they!”

“They’re not. Not yet, anyway.” She responded neatly. “They were hired by Admiral Sideburns to kill you. And to think,  I came all this way to save your life. You could be a little more grateful, you know.”

“Hey!” One of the pirates shouted, apparently their leader and not fond of being ignored. “You two! After the girl. I’ll deal with the royal twerp!” He pulled a knife from his boot and rounded on Zuko, the other two turned to Azula, unarmed save for their ropes and blasting jelly. She was pleased that he had recognized her as the greater threat. 

The bigger one sprinted, lunging for a grapple while the other started spinning a hooked rope over their head, ready to loose it when the opportunity presented itself. Their attacks were pitiful. While the blasting jelly present made firebending foolish, it still only took basic hand-to-hand combat to defeat them. The one barreling toward her was easy to trip, hitting the deck hard. 

She turned and side-stepped just in time to avoid a metal hook to the head. Azula grabbed the rope as it sped past her. When the pirate tried reeling the rope back in, she tugged on it hard, pulling the pirate stumbling forward off-balance. She leapt upward and tucked into a forward flip, kicking her leg out and bringing it down hard on the top of the pirate’s head. He hit the deck unconscious. 

The big pirate had gotten back up and saw what she had done to his crewmate. He looked upon her with an appropriate amount of fear. He was hesitating. Those that hesitated, failed. She taught him that lesson with a quick round-house kick to the face, sending him to the deck, out cold. 

Two fighters, size disadvantage, no bending. It took her eight seconds. She could have done better, she scowled. Not good enough.

She brought her attention back to the matter at hand. Zuko and the lead pirate were still engaged in their little fight. Zuko apparently didn’t have the wherewithal to not blast fire near barrels of explosives, so she needed to step in quickly. Azula stepped right in between the two, pushing both of them apart. “Your little feud ends here. We’re all going to play nice and no one will get hurt. Right?” She leveled a glare, moving it between Zuko and the pirate. 

The pirate looked to his unconscious crewmates, Zuko just glared back at Azula. Neither moved to restart combat, though. At least they had some sense. She focused on the pirate, who still stood on guard.  “You will bring us to your captain. I have a proposition for him that I believe will leave everyone satisfied.” She leveled a false grin at him, leaving plenty of menace in her eyes. He paled slightly, she knew the look. It was the look of someone who didn’t want to find out what would happen if they refused the Princess of the Fire Nation.

 

---

 

Lo and Li had taught Azula to use whatever resources she had at her disposal, and to never discount anything or anyone as useless. She may have her reservations about the latter, but today, that advice had yielded her a crew of filthy pirates. An unbecoming escort for their station, but just the escort needed, one that could smuggle Azula and Zuko into the icy fortress city of Agna Qel'a. 

As it turned out, it was an easy deal to strike. The pirates had recently lost their ship, a story she quite enjoyed, hearing Zuko's bumbling part in its destruction. Since he wouldn't have need of it anymore, it was easy to barter away Zuko's ship. It was monstrously out of date, practically an antique, and the pirates were just about to blow it up, so it would've been lost anyway. The ship also had a royal writ which would allow them free resupply at any Fire Navy base. It would be easy for the Fire Navy to either recapture or sink it, so those pirates wouldn't be on the sea for long. Of course, she gave the pirates her solemn vow that she wouldn't put out the word about them. Their fate would really have been their own fault for falling for her lie, although she was an excellent liar.

Zhao had also stupidly paid the pirates up front for Zuko's murder, a job she had to talk them out of completing even though they already had their gold. Azula understood the desire to end Zuko, but luckily for him, he was useful for her scheme. 

And family or whatever.

She had however made sure to strike her deal and launch their ship in short order. She didn't want any useless uncles on her mission to disrupt her plans or confuse Zuko beyond his baseline befuddlement. Luckily, Zuko had been so caught off guard by her appearance he hadn’t realized Iroh’s absence until they were well underway. Her plan involved herself and Zuko in Agna Qel’a, no unnecessary baggage.

As it turned out, smuggling royals of a hostile power into the fortress capital of the Northern Water Tribe was the easy part. The hard part was going to be keeping Zuko well behaved. The Avatar was in the city and Zuko was frothing like a badgerhound that caught the scent of a harefox. 

"I don't understand, Azula. What are you doing here? What are you scheming!?" Zuko's voice had dropped since they last saw each other.

"Straight to the point Zuzu? Not a word of welcome for your beloved sister? After all this time? I'm hurt, Zuzu!" Azula deflected with feigned offense. They were still on the deck of a ship surrounded by pirates, so it would be foolish to lay out the details of her plan where the crew could hear. The pirates would sell Azula and Zuko out in a heartbeat if they thought they had leverage, but Zuko wouldn't let this go easily. It had always been best to distract Zuko by getting under his skin. She decided to throw in a third 'Zuzu' just to make sure he got agitated. "After all I did to save you from pirates? Even you shouldn’t be rude like that, Zuzu. I do hope Uncle has been continuing your etiquette lessons, but it seems he has been quite lax in his duties. Unsurprising, really."

"Quit calling me that! Maybe after three years you should have grown up! ”

"Oh Zuzu, I have! I have blossomed into the meek, respectable young woman mother wanted me to be!" She announced, her words dripping with sarcasm. "No Zuko, I've grown into the kind of cunning, respected princess that the Fire Nation deserves. You, on the other hand, have only seemed to have grown up in the most literal sense. Your temper is as short as ever."

Zuko ground his teeth and his scowl deepened. Azula was getting off track, she needed Zuko annoyed, not furious. She just indulged herself a little in mocking him, since she hadn't been able to do it to his face for so long.

Controlling her impulses, she continued seriously. "I was serious about your etiquette, Prince Zuko . You have to be on your best behavior when we meet with the Northern Chief."

"What!? Why are we– What are you planning? And why would I help you? The Avatar is right there in the city, I need to capture him! I have to restore my honor!" Zuko was definitely agitated. Time to set the bait.

"Because Zuzu, you just have to do one little thing for me, for your Nation, and you'll be welcomed back with open arms, no slippery little Avatar necessary."

"What!?" He exclaimed again. Really, Zuko needed to expand his vocabulary. All his anger and bravado fell away at once. He sounded disbelieving, but with an undercurrent of hope. "I can come home?” Zuko was hers.

"Yes. With my plan, we can score an even bigger prize than just the Avatar. All you need to do is make a good impression on the Water Chief, I will handle the rest. I hope you can manage that."

Zuko looked displeased at that, but at least he was considering it. Azula would make sure he accepted his new role. Convincing Zuko of anything always took persistence and force, but she knew she had him.

Zuko would bend to her whims. The world would bend to her. She was a roaring flame that could not be contained,  any who stood in her way would be reduced to ash.

As father said, ‘The world cannot control you if you control yourself. And if the world can’t control you, you control the world.’

 

---

 

“Princess Yue, the Chief requests your presence in the throne room.” Aloru, one of the palace servants informed her, before ducking back into the hall. Aloru hadn't waited for Yue’s response.  It was expected of her, so of course she would be there.

Not that it really mattered. She would have happily left her conversation with Nulliya, wife of Chief Surrada, who led one of the North’s outlying villages. She was… long winded. Yue heard others call her things like vapid, and boring, but Yue tried to see the best of people, since most only focused on the worst. She didn't particularly enjoy idle chit-chat and gossip with the wives, sisters, and daughters of influential men in the North Pole, but it was one of her only duties as princess. However, it was expected of her far too much for Yue’s taste.

Luckily for her, the throne room meant something exciting to sit in on. 

Yue sighed and offered a small apology to Nulliya about cutting their talk short, even though it had gone on far beyond the time these chats usually took. If she made it there quickly, she might catch a few moments with her father before the audience. ‘A princess doesn't hurry, she doesn't run,’ she had been taught, but Yue toed the line of that particular lesson here.

She slipped through a rear entrance to the throne room. Her father was in terse, quiet conversation with Sanu, captain of the Palace Guard, and Master Pakku. Not wanting to interrupt her father, she approached Ranoq and Panraluk, two of her father’s Personal Guard. They stood at ease beside the throne plantform, chatting casually, with their spears held in the crooks of their arms.

“Do either of you know what this is about?” Yue asked, keeping her voice low.

“No.” Panraluk said, curt as he always was to her. The older guard barely paid her mind, but she hadn't expected anything from him.

She turned to Ranoq who shrugged. “No idea, but it's got Sanu and the Chief tense, so it can't be great.” He then flashed her a small smile, “But we’ll find out soon enough. No sense in worrying.” 

“Thank you, Ranoq.” Yue was certainly worrying, because a glance back at the Chief and his advisors proved Ranoq right. All wore serious expressions. She turned, gave a quick nod to Ranoq, and headed over to her father. She made sure to wait a polite distance from the group, too far to overhear the quiet conversation. She didn't have to wait long though, as her father gave a few final words before dismissing the other men. Master Pakku went to take his seat and Captain Sanu left the hall through the back. 

Her father turned around and regarded Yue, some of the tension bled from his expression. He offered a small smile before wordlessly stepping in for a quick hug. She felt some of her tension melt away at the embrace before he pulled back. She still wasn't used to being the same height as him, but he still had the same solid presence as always. 

“Hi dad.” she started “what's going on?”

“Messengers from General Fong.” He replied, his expression hardened. “It sounds like serious news, they needed to report directly to me.”

War news. Yue didn't know of General Fong, which meant he was probably Earth Kingdom. Fire Nation don’t parley with their enemies. If an Earth Kingdom general had swallowed his pride enough to ask for aid, that meant his situation must be truly desperate. Acute unease rose within her, likely her father had drawn the same conclusion. Her father had turned to kneel at his seat on the raised dias and Yue moved to join him. 

She knelt to her father’s right, the seat traditionally filled by the Chief’s wife. It had been two years since it became hers, as his closest living family member. A pang of grief, softened by time, shot through her each time she sat there. Master Pakku knelt to her father’s left, the seat of his most trusted advisor. 

Soon after they sat, Captain Sanu returned with only six Palace Guards; a modest show of trust. As they filed in, Ranoq and Panraluk took their positions on either side of the throne dias and the Palace Guards took their positions along the sides of the hall. Sanu called all guards to attention and eight spears snapped to vertical, though Yue knew only about half needed them. The subtle subterfuge of hidden waterbenders could make the difference in a sudden attack, but that was unlikely from Earth Army messengers. 

Her father nodded to Captain Sanu, who with two other waterbenders, melted away the great ice door to the throne room, the water being bent away into large ice cauldrons on either side of the throne dias.

Two figures entered, clad in heavy winter cloaks, flanked by two more Palace Guards. They wore their hoods up, but their faces were revealed. Not uncommon from southern peoples, as few were used to the northern cold. They were young, as most army messengers were, and one had a searing scar across his face around his left eye, a mark of the war too many wore, warrior and civilian alike. They gave shallow bows, improper for their station, but Yue figured manners were the first casualty of war.

Her father spoke clearly through the hall, using his official ‘Chief’ voice. “The Northern Water Tribe welcomes you. You have traveled far to reach us with this urgent message. Please, relay the words of the honorable General.”

The shorter of the messengers stepped forward speaking, as loud and clear as the Chief had. “Greetings, Chief Arnook. Our message is dire and urgent, but we did not come on behalf of General Fong. Our deception was necessary, as it was unlikely we would have otherwise gained an audience in time.” Unease spread through the room with the words. Yue was surprised at the feminine voice coming from the speaker, she sounded young too, likely younger than Yue herself. 

Yue looked to the boy who stood next to her. He stayed behind the girl and kept his stoic expression, clearly allowing her to take the lead. This would have confused Yue longer if the girl had not then taken her hood down, a move the boy soon repeated.

Captain Sanu pulled nearby water into a whip, the guards leveled their spears, ready for imminent attack. A servant, Aloru, ran to fetch more guards.

Top knots. Fire Nation. 

In half a breath, Master Pakku had leapt into a waterbending stance, and bent the ice of the floor over the feet and shins of the fire nationals, freezing them in place. They hadn't attempted any move since lowering their hoods, looking as though they expected, and accepted, the restraints. It was unlikely an assassination attempt, since they had chosen to reveal themselves, but everyone was still on high alert. 

From her right, Yue could see her father had tensed, clearly unhappy with the turn of events, but he retained his composure. Taking her cue from him, she comported her face to neutrality. With stoic coldness, the Chief demanded. “You are unwelcome in these halls. Tell us, what purpose does this infiltration serve? Your fates hang upon the answer.”

As if on cue to emphasize the threat, a dozen more warriors rushed into the hall just then, weapons at the ready. They moved to surround the interlopers, several readied bending stances. 

“We bring warning of an imminent attack on Agna Qel’a.” The girl paused, looking grave. “As we speak, a fleet of Fire Navy ships, commanded by Admiral Zhao, is steaming North. My brother and I only just preceded him, we believe the fleet will reach the city by tomorrow afternoon.”

Shock spread through the room. Yue’s heart thundered in her chest. If what the girl said was true, the war was coming to Yue’s home. Despite the ever present cold, Yue broke out into a sweat and her breathing came quick and shallow. An attack. Tomorrow.

For her whole life, the war was something that happened out in the wider world. Warriors, ships, and sailors wouldn't come back. Pleas for aid would come from the Earth Kingdom, even once from the Southern Tribe. Fire Nation prisoners were paraded down the canals of the city. The war was ever present, but it had never come to her home. Until now. Until tomorrow.

Her heart sank. A whole fleet, an invasion force, would bring its violence upon the people of Agna Qel’a. An attack meant casualties, it meant destruction and ruin. Homes would be destroyed and families broken. And only that if they won, to lose meant subjugation. To be conquered by the Fire Nation meant bearing their demands, bending to the Fire Lord. Yue’s heart filled with dread at what this attack would bring to her people. 

She took a shuddering breath. This is what the Water Tribe’s warriors prepared for, trained for. At the outset of the war, Agna Qel’a transformed into a fortress. No attack had made it into the city in the hundred years since. Only once had an attack made it past the outer walls, but it didn't penetrate their deeper defenses. She trusted the brave men who would fight for them. Her people were as safe as they could make themselves.

A thought struck Yue then, that this Admiral Zhao might try to capture her and use her as leverage against her father, to force his surrender. Her father’s love for her and his people were both great, and she didn't know if he could make the decision to choose the Tribe over his daughter. But to Yue, it was an easy choice. Her people had given her everything, she lived in luxury because of them. Her people loved her and she loved them back. She was their princess, and she would sacrifice anything for them. If that meant imprisonment, if that meant death, she would gladly accept her fate, without hesitation, if her people retained their freedom. It was a burden carried by every warrior that fought for their Tribe, and Yue too carried it with pride. With a grounding breath, resolve settled in her heart alongside the dread.

“Why,” her father spoke, breaking her reverie, “would you betray your people for us?” Her father clearly felt the gravity of the threat, but caution and curiosity shone through his tone.

“We do not betray our countrymen. It is Admiral Zhao who has misled his subordinates and betrayed the Fire Lord.” The girl said, as if that made any sense. “We have come on the Fire Lord’s behalf.” Further confusion rippled out through the warriors who surrounded the pair. 

In the ensuing pause, Master Pakku spoke. “These are some bold claims, girl . Did you seriously think we would believe you?” He turned to the Chief. “Arnook, you must see this as the strategic misdirection that it is. They claim an invasion comes from the sea, so it must be coming over the ice. They've already proven that they will lie to manipulate us.”

Before the Chief could address Pakku’s claim, the girl interjected. “You may easily send scouts to confirm the danger of Zhao’s fleet, it truly isn't far by now.  Zhao’s invasion was organized and launched without Fire Lord Ozai’s approval, whereas the royal diplomatic mission was planned and approved by the Fire Lord. You must understand the breach in protocol, we had to reach you before Zhao’s invasion.”

“What royal diplomatic mission?” Queried the Chief.

“Us.”

Silence hung over the room again, hanging off the girl’s words.

“Allow me to introduce ourselves, I am Princess Azula and this is Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. We are here to negotiate peace.”

 

---

 

Yue rushed through the streets. Likely at an improper pace, but proprietary meant nothing in the face of the oncoming threat. She had to tell the Avatar.

With Master Pakku busy, Aang wouldn't be out training, so the next best place to look was the small house lent to them for their stay in the North. It was near the palace, so she didn't have far to run.

Sokka wasn't likely there. He usually spent his days in the Northern Capital exploring the city or training with the warriors. Underneath the panic about the coming invasion was a quiet pang of disappointment that he wouldn't be there. As always, whenever her feelings for Sokka surfaced, so would the guilt. Her engagement hung heavy over their time together and weighed on Yue’s heart. She had tried to push Sokka away, tried to end all those conflicting feelings, but all it took was one easy smile, one dumb joke, and her heart would start tumbling all over again. 

She schooled herself as she approached the building. There were greater problems than her romantic turmoil. War was coming. Yue hoped the Avatar could save her city, her people.

They needed a miracle. 

Yue rapped on the imported wooden door, and she didn't have to wait long before it opened. Katara stood on the other side.

“Oh, hi Princess Yue.” she greeted, but Yue’s worry must have been evident on her face because Katara’s expression dropped and she asked. “What’s wrong?” 

Yue didn't want to repeat herself, and the doorway was not the place to be discussing grave matters, so she just replied. “Is Aang here? I need to speak with him, and it's important you hear this as well.”

Katara allowed her entrance, and the princess stepped inside. There, she noticed Aang chasing Momo around the central room. He held a tiny hat in his hand and it appeared he was in the middle of trying to convince Momo to wear it. Once he saw her though, he stopped and gave a wave with his empty hand and exclaimed. “Hey Yue!” 

“SOOOOOKKA!” Katara yelled out at one of the bedrooms. “YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS HERE!” Heat crept onto Yue’s face at Katara’s tease, and her heart was now pounding for reasons beside the imminent attack. Her stomach lurched. She shouldn't feel so pleased, she was betrothed to Hahn.

Through the pelt hung doorway Katara had addressed, Yue heard a dull crash followed by some muttered cursing. Then, Sokka stumbled through the doorway, door flap swung wide.

“Yue!” 

He burst into the room with his tunic and hair both loose and messy. Sokka was handsome when his hair was up in his wolf tail, but down like this he was sort of… pretty? Yue liked it. Creases of a pillow imprinted on his face betrayed that he had just been sleeping. Yue wondered for a moment at how he could still be sleeping even though it was nearly noon, though she shouldn't have been so surprised. Despite knowing him for only three weeks, she knew it was just like him to do that. Yue smiled. 

In defiance of everything plaguing her heart and mind, Sokka was still able to pull a smile out of her. And when Sokka saw her smile, he smiled back, and Yue’s own smile grew in turn. 

It was then that she noticed Sokka was also not wearing any pants, and her blush deepened and she looked away.

“Euch!” Katara retched. “If you two are just gonna make goo-goo eyes at each other, then I'm gonna go keep Appa company. Or better yet, I'll go rinse my eyes with seawater! At least then I can cleanse them of that image!”

Embarrassed by her obvious feelings and reminded of the other people in the room, Yue turned her attention back to the room and back to her purpose. “We received a warning. A Fire Navy fleet is on its way to the city. They said it will be here tomorrow.”

“An attack!?” Sokka exclaimed. Katara paled and Aang’s expression grew serious. 

“The Prince and Princess of the Fire Nation delivered the warning themselves. They said the Admiral is bloodthirsty and aggressive, that he launched this invasion against the Fire Lord's orders.” Yue explained, still disbelieving the situation herself. 

“Zuko?” Growled Katara. “He’s here?” 

“You sure it was him?” Sokka asked. “Scarred face, bald with a ponytail, perpetual scowl, always angry?”

“He did look like that, but he didn't seem angry, just serious, though he didn't speak much.” Yue clarified. “All he did was tell of his personal experience with Admiral Zhao, how he’s violent and egotistical.”

Sokka laughed “Of course it’s Admiral Sideburns!” Yue was momentarily distracted by the sight of him tying his hair up as he spoke. “We’ve had the displeasure of a few run-ins with him. He's definitely bad news.”

Katara countered “But so is Zuko, I don't know what he's trying to pull, but it can't be good if he’s involved.”

“Actually,” Yue said. “It seemed  that his younger sister was leading their mission, she did most of the talking. It was quite strange. She said they were there to negotiate peace.”

“That's absurd!” Katara interjected. “If she’s related to Zuko, there’s no way she’s here for peace.”

“I don't know.” Aang said, joining the conversation. “In my time, Fire Lord Sozin and his sister were always at odds with each other, even back to Roku’s time. Maybe the princess isn't like Zuko at all? She could genuinely want peace.”

“If they are at odds, then why would they be working together?” Sokka asked. “I don't trust them.” 

“Why not?” Aang countered. “They came all this way to deliver their warning. Why would they undermine Zhao’s invasion if they really had bad intentions?” He sounded hopeful, and for the first time since Yue broke the news, he smiled.

“My father has dispatched scouts to confirm the oncoming fleet, and some to look for an army if this is just redirection like Master Pakku suspects. He seems to be giving them some cautious trust. Although he does have them confined to guest quarters under guard until their claim can be confirmed, but the Prince and Princess seem confident it will be.”

“I won't be able to sleep with Zuko in the city.” Katara said, looking to the airbender. “I'm worried about him trying to kidnap Aang in the night.”

“I say we trust them for now.” Aang said seriously. “Zuko’s saved me from Zhao before, so there is some good in him.” He gave another optimistic smile. “Maybe his sister's just the kind of good influence he needs!”

“I don't know Aang, this whole situation stinks.” Sokka warned. “There's gotta be some sort of trick or a catch. I just want you to be ready for when they spring it on us.

“Sokka, if there’s any chance for peace, it’s worth taking.”

With that sentiment, Yue wholeheartedly agreed.

 

---

 

Zuko paced around the sitting room. He had been pacing for hours. It was annoying Azula, but she had to be there to make sure he didn't do something rash, like kidnap the Avatar and flee over the icy tundra. Zuko never was one for planning, just one of the many reasons he would have made a terrible Fire Lord.

The Palace Guard brought them to lavish guest quarters and placed under guard. At least the rooms were richly furnished, as befitted their station. If she weren't playing nice to win the Chief’s favor, then the meager 8 guards wouldn't hold her for 8 whole seconds. Plus, they had windows that looked out over the city, and she was proficient with propulsive firebending and climbing. How these people survived a hundred years of warfare was baffling.

The city itself, though, was quite impressive. Agna Qel’a, a whole city carved of ice. She had read about it of course, she knew many facts about it; when it was founded and by whom, dates of historic events in the city, the layout of the city, mapped in the years preceding the war. But reading about it and experiencing it were two different things entirely. The sun had set, but many of the buildings glowed from within, the ice leaking light into the night, making the whole city shine with a soft blue glow. 

But she wasn't there for sight-reading, she was there for business. During the meeting, she made sure to take the measure of the people she would be dealing with in the coming days. First and foremost, Chief Arnook seemed the picture of a tribal leader; he was straightforward and honorable. He would be easy to anticipate and easily manipulated. Good.

The waterbending master, Pakku, was exactly the kind of self-important fool she expected of the Northern Water Tribe. He believes his mastery in bending made him wise and correct in his beliefs. There was little that could sway such a fool and he was definitely against her. Not so good. 

Lastly, Azula was intrigued by her Northern counterpart. She had read rumors of the spirit-touched princess, although that could be chalked up to tribal superstitions. The savages likely saw any abnormality as a gift or curse from a spirit, when the actual reasons would be much more mundane. Patches of rough, scaly skin? Not an untreated medical condition, but a curse from a fish spirit! Uncanny accuracy with a throwing knife? Not years of hard practice, but a blessing from a wind spirit! Aesthetic beauty and white hair? Not just a strong bloodline and an uncommon trait, but… a snow spirit or whatever. They probably thought snow was beautiful.

Yue did not speak during their whole audience with the Chief, but still followed the discussion with rapt attention. Azula’s instincts warned her there was more to the princess than a pretty face, and Azula trusted her finely honed instincts. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

Zuko, finally tired from all his agitated pacing, flopped disgracefully onto a fur couch. The manners of a teenage prince. Hopefully he knew how to comport himself better around others.

“What are we doing here, Azula?” He asked again. He'd asked a lot since they started their journey together, before revealing themselves to the Water Chief, and he sounded as if he didn't expect an answer this time either. However she felt she’d tortured him long enough. Now that he was known to the Chief and the Water Tribe, there was little chance he would try to run away from her plot, and so she had little reason to keep the details of it from him for any longer. That didn't mean she couldn’t prod Zuko along the way.

“We are waiting. Or would you like a more specific answer? You are sitting quite improperly on that couch and I am humoring my annoying older brother.” He certainly didn't act older, though.

“What are we waiting for !?” He groaned.

“The invasion dum-dum.” Azula relented, finally giving him what he had been asking for. “We're going to stop it.”

Zuko sat up straight on the couch, or at least straighter. “Why are we stopping the invasion? Why does father want peace all of a sudden? I don't understand.” It sounded like he was trying his hardest to figure it out, his little brain must have been working overtime.

“Father doesn't want peace. He wants the Northern Water Tribe, and that's just what we will give him.”

“How are we going to conquer the Water Tribe by stopping the invasion? It doesn't make any sense.”

“Zhao’s invasion is doomed to fail.” Azula explained, as if to a child, which she reckoned was still technically correct.

“How?” He demanded. “He's put together a huge invasion force, the biggest I've ever seen! The Northern Tribe doesn't stand a chance!”

“Yes. He has amassed the largest naval invasion force since Admiral Yai for the initial invasion of the Southern Tribe. One hundred and twenty four Empire-class battleships and one Sovereign-class dreadnought, carrying 5,375 sailors, 8,452 soldiers of 4 battalions, 284 komodo-rhinos, and 96 fire tanks, to be precise, and Zhao has doomed them all because he is an arrogant idiot.” 

Azula’s spies in Zhao's fleet had managed to get her a complete manifest alongside the detailed timetable for the attack. Someone in that fleet knew how to organize their plans and it certainly wasn't Zhao. She just hoped that Zhao kept to the listed schedule, but she didn't worry. She was born lucky, after all.

“He decided to attack in winter when the days are shortest, especially this far north, minimizing our advantage with the sun. He thought attacking near a full moon was a good idea, giving the waterbenders the advantage at night, which again, is longer now more than ever. He has completely ignored the Avatar’s presence in the city, a dangerous, unpredictable element. But most blatantly egregious, is that he plans to attack a city full of the most formidable waterbenders in the world from the sea . He has handed the Water Tribe every possible advantage! Why any of the commanders in his invasion force decided to join this foolish attack is beyond reason.”

“Those… are good points.” Zuko said, sounding like he's only just considered them. Why was the officer corps of the Fire Nation military filled with men when none of them seemed to actually think before charging head-long into danger. Azula sighed. At least the Fire Nation had the advantage since neither the Earth Kingdom nor Water Tribe allowed any women into their fighting forces. She would rectify their backwards views on gender as part of their post-war enlightenment.

“Just put a stop to it, then. You still have the authority to order Zhao to stand down.” Zuko said, bitterness swelling at the reminder of the loss of his honor and with it, his authority.

“Zhao and his invasion are still useful. He is the threat that hangs over their head, he will instill fear in the people. When we defeat the admiral and halt the invasion, we will be lauded as heroes.” Azula said, feeling pride at finally being able to reveal her scheme. “That will help us get what we want from the Chief, and once he gives you the key to the North, the whole Water Tribe is as good as ours.”

“Me? Give me what?” 

“The princess, Zuzu, it's easy. You marry the princess, father an heir to the Northern throne, then we kill Chief Arnook and install you , dear Zuzu, as Chief. It's practically bloodless!” Azula grinned proudly.

“I– What!?”

“Everyone gets what they want. You get a pretty wife, all our soldiers get to live, and we get the Northern Water Tribe. The plan is perfect! ”

Chapter 2: Invasion

Notes:

Rumors of my death were wildly correct. (I got better)

She rose long before dawn.

Azula read that winter days grew shorter the farther north one traveled. The Royal Library of the palace held many books regarding the turnings of the world, its histories and peoples, its nature. At the time, she hadn't quite believed the tome. It was on global seasonal variations and the effects on international agricultural yields. She read it at the age of nine.

She thought she knew better, as an exemplary firebender, she rose with the sun, lived in the sun, and rested with the sun. In the Fire Nation, near the equator, the sun was a constant, her constant.

According to her strict sleep regimen and impeccable internal clock, she roused at the same time as always, but the sky remained dark and cold. That anyone would choose to live in these conditions, let alone a whole people, baffled Azula.

In the faint light of the setting moon and the coming dawn, she practiced her katas. The darkness didn't matter, she practiced with her eyes closed anyway. She needed her firebending to be perfect that day.

When she felt the stirring in her bending that presaged the sunrise, she sat facing the window to meditate, cupping in her hands a small blue flame, to honor the ascension of the sun to the seat of its ultimate power, a new day. A day that would be recorded in the annals of history. Zhao’s invasion.

Late the previous night, she was summoned by Arnook. His scouts had confirmed the invasion force and they made their plans. Azula was sure the Chief wouldn't withhold the information from his people, but she didn't leave that up to chance, she had her pirates spread the rumor before they left, right as she was informing the Chief. She needed the city strung taut with apprehension, with worry, with dread.

Fear was the best lever to maneuver and manipulate people. Azula knew fear was the strongest emotion and it was the easiest to stoke, at least for her. Now, with Zhao’s unwitting help, she spread fear throughout the entire city, and when she relieved that fear they would reward her with gratitude. She needed that gratitude, so she needed the day to go perfectly.

It would, because she would make it so.

Azula let out a long exhale and extinguished her flame to end her meditation. Zuko was stirring and she didn't want to meditate through whatever distraction he made. As it turned out, that morning brought more passive-aggressive brooding. Unsurprising. Azula sat sharpening her nails with purposeful unconcern for his childish behavior.

Zuko hadn't reacted well to her request of ‘one little thing' involving several minor decisions like who he would marry, his having children, and where he would live and what he would do for the next several decades of his life. Azula didn't know why he was so upset. He was a prince, those things would always be decided for him.

He knew better than to argue with her though. Her plan was already in motion and if he foiled her plot he would never be accepted back home again. She didn’t have to voice that threat though, he knew her well enough. Even Zuko wasn't that dumb.

“Prince Zuko, Princess Azula, your breakfast.” Announced one of her guards, or her escort as they were deemed now that some trust was established. The guards escorted a servant bearing a tray of dishes. Azula was relieved to see dishes of fish and meat. She was quite particular about her food and worried that traditional Water Tribe fare would be repulsive and strange. She had heard horror stories about stews of pickled sea prunes and noodles with raw squid. She approached breakfast with caution, both for her personal taste and in case anything was poisoned. She would wait for Zuko to taste a dish before trying it herself.

She was swiftly rewarded for her patience, both in knowing what to avoid and in getting to see Zuko’s face visibly contort in disgust as he bemoaned. “Who pickles fish?” Noted. Gross.

Once they had settled on a dish comfortably similar to komodo chicken, it was clear to Azula that he wanted to say something. She ate in silence until he was brave enough to speak, which he eventually did with his signature insight. “The invasion is today.”

“First of all Zuzu, ew. The next time you open your mouth while chewing, I will reach in there, grab your whole tongue, and incinerate it. Secondly, duh.”

Zuko rolled his eyes at her, but he dutifully finished his bite before continuing, exasperated. “What are we doing today? You know, for the invasion.”

Once her claim had been confirmed, she and Arnook spoke about how to handle the invasion. “The Chief has had waterbenders cleaving icebergs from the ice sheet since the scouts reported back. They’re making the waters difficult for larger ships to navigate.” Azula had to admit, under such short notice, they had prepared quite the defensive battle plan. “It will only serve to delay the fleet, but it will give us opportunity to strike.” She and Arnook had developed a plan the previous night. Well, it was her plan since the beginning, but she led him through it until he thought it was his idea.

“Us?”

“Yes, us. While the Fire Navy ships are struggling to navigate dangerous icebergs, we will be joining an advanced strike team that will plunge straight to Zhao. I will deal with him once we fight are way up the command tower.”

“You want us to fight our own soldiers?” Zuko seemed affronted and troubled. Poor Zuko.

“Zuko, every one of those soldiers is prepared to give their life for the Fire Nation, for their Fire Lord, and by extension us. They are sworn to serve us however we see fit. If they are injured or killed by our hands, then they served their duty with the utmost honor.”

“What happened to ‘all our soldiers get to live.’” Zuko retorted, appalled.

“There are nearly fourteen thousand soldiers and sailors involved with this attack. Even if we suffer a hundred casualties, 99% of our forces remain unharmed, that’s practically all of them.” Azula explained. “They would certainly suffer worse under Zhao, who would sooner die than retreat. So to save the whole, we must hurt a few. Really, Zuzu, it would be immoral not to.” What would mother think, Azula lecturing Zuko about morality.

He wasn't comforted. “We can reach Zhao without hurting anyone! We don’t have to do this.” 

“It's not just about getting to Zhao, Zuko. We also need to be seen fighting for the Northern Water Tribe. We're going to be surrounded by the best, and therefore most respected, waterbenders of the North. They will spread word of our deeds and be a voice in our favor with the Chief, not to mention you’ll need their support when you're in charge.” She shouldn't be surprised, Zuko was always the soft one, of course he wouldn't see what they needed to do. “We’re trying to overcome a hundred years of antagonism and mistrust. That won't happen easily. That won't happen without sacrifice.”

Zuko wore his conflict on his face, the scar accentuating the scowl. He needed to get over those reservations, fast. After all, the invasion was today.

 

---

 

The mustering grounds were a frenzy of activity, the busiest Yue had ever seen.

The cleaving crews were just returning after a long night creating jagged icebergs to cut into Fire Navy ships, the men looking thoroughly exhausted. Hopefully they'd at least get a few hours rest until the invasion arrived. The benders working the water lock gate looked similarly haggard, but a flurry of ships and skiffs were being brought in and out, so they were going to be busy a while yet. The warriors in the first defensive wave we're preparing to head out.

Despite living in the city for her entire life, Yue had only visited the mustering grounds once or twice. It was a place for war, not a place for women, especially a princess, but it seemed arriving with the Avatar was an exception. Aang and Katara were talking with her father. Sokka was still preparing on the sky bison’s saddle.

“But Chief Arnook, we’ve fought the Fire Nation before! We even faced Zhao before too! We want to help, why won't you let us?” Katara seemed agitated, and Yue couldn’t blame her. It was always frustrating to be sidelined and told you couldn’t do anything to help. “Is it because we’re just kids!? Is it because I'm a girl!? I can fight! Master Pak–”

“No, Katara, no.” Her father mollified, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Right now we have our best men and our best defenses in place ready for everything we know is coming. What I fear most right now are the threats we don't know about. I am not foolish enough to place all of my trust in the prince and princess of the Fire Nation. But I trust your experience and I want you here to respond to the unexpected.”

He turned to Aang with a warm smile. “Being able to adapt to change is an important part of waterbending. Even if he tries to hide it, Master Pakku is very proud of your progress.” He looked over to Katara. “Both of your progress. I can think of no better people suited to the task than the two of you.”

Katara preened at the praise and Aang beamed at the Chief and bowed, “Thank you Chief Arnook. We’ll do our best!”

“WAIT!” Yue turned to the source of the yell, Sokka clambering down Appa’s tail. He was wearing face paint of black, white, and gray, traditional Southern war paint. He looked striking and would have looked fearsome if he didn't wear such a dejected look on his face. “The two of them? What about me!?”

“I have a special mission for you, Sokka.” He responded. “I want you to protect my daughter.” He looked to her then, a glimmer of fear, not of a chief, but of a father, darkening his gaze.

Sokka’s disappointment faded in the blink of an eye, replaced with a bright grin. His eyes darted over to Yue. Butterflies burst in her stomach right along a shock of discomfort. Did her father suspect their feelings? He was the one who betrothed her to Hahn, so why had he done this? But one look at her father told her he was completely unaware of her emotional turmoil. Now she had to weather the anxieties of the invasion on top of keeping her conflicting feelings at bay. Yue smiled back, but she knew her thoughts showed on her face when Sokka’s expression fell a bit.

He turned back to her father. “You can count on me. I’ll keep Yu– er, the princess safe! Uh, sir.”

“Thank you, Sokka.” He said, before stepping up to Yue and enveloping her in a tight embrace. Without letting go, he told her. “I couldn't bear to lose you, Yue. Stay in the palace. Stay safe. If anything happens–”

“I’ll be fine, dad. But please, you stay safe too.” She said, returning the hug just as fiercely.

“What are those two doing here?” She heard Katara say, pulling the group’s attention to the two figures clad in red and black armor standing with a group of warriors. The prince and princess of the Fire Nation were readying to fight their own people for the Water Tribe. It was clear that the other warriors didn't trust the siblings and they kept to themselves as well.

“Those two are going to try to end the invasion before it can begin,” her father said. “If the advanced team can get them to the admiral’s flagship, they can try to wrest control away from him. It’s our best hope to stop the invasion before he can do our people any harm.”

“So they're helping! Aang said, brightening. “See? They might not be so bad after all!”

“Aang, you've gotta see that they're up to something!” Sokka reiterated. “Zuko’s been chasing us around the world for months, but suddenly he's all goody two shoes? I'm not buying it!”

“And Aang, we don't know anything about the princess. She could be just as bad as Zuko.” Katara warned. “We could be walking right into a big trap.”

Sokka, Katara, and Aang had told Yue many of the stories of their travels, many of those tales involving the hounding prince. She could see the Zuko they described in the prince she saw, but something seemed different. For one, he wasn't trying to kidnap Aang. He seemed more reserved than the angry zealot of her friends’ stories. Perhaps his little sister was a good influence on him.

Yue didn't know what to make of princess Azula. She wore battle armor, she was bold and assertive, she was precise and observant, and she seemed to take charge over whatever situation presented itself to her. She defied all of Yue’s expectations of a princess. She was striking in a way she didn't know a girl could be.

“I understand your reservations about those two, but they put themselves at our mercy to ask for peace. I believe the pains and risks they took in coming here have earned them a modicum of trust.” The Chief said. “And they are our best hope of ending this invasion and finally having peace after so many years of war. I know that trusting them is a risk, but it is a risk worth taking.”

As Sokka and Katara geared up to continue their argument, a wave of tension spread across the mustering grounds like spilled ink, quelling all conversations. It only took a look upward to find the cause. Black snow fell from the sky.

“Soot and snow.” Sokka explained, his tone quickly dropping to serious. “Fire Navy ships are nearly here.”

Even though he spoke quietly enough that only Yue, her friends, and her father could hear, the warriors began barking orders and ships were readied to set to sea. While none in the North had seen a sight like this in decades, they all knew what the sign meant.

Zhao’s invasion had begun.

 

---

 

Black snow fell from the sky. Zhao clearly had a veteran of the Southern Raiders with him to suggest it, maneuvering upwind of the target ahead of their strike. It was good for demoralizing the already battered and weakened South. Of course against the heavily fortified North, all it served to do was cede the element of surprise. Idiot.

Azula admired the North’s overnight efforts. The approach to the city was littered with large chunks of glacial ice, of varying size, the largest being twice the size of the Empire Class Battleships currently trying to navigate them. While the prows of Fire Navy ships were reinforced to cut into ice sheets, the sides were not so lucky. As ships tried to push icebergs away, the ice hidden beneath the dark waters easily cut into Fire Navy hulls. Several ships were already taking in water and the Water Tribe hadn't committed a single warrior to battle. The Northerners had some barbarian cunning, it seemed.

Sooty snow streaked past them as the waterbenders propelled their skiff forward at breakneck speed. The maneuverable skiffs wove around the scattered icebergs with practiced ease, making it all but impossible for the Fire Navy sailors to fire on them.

Zuko was tense, their earlier conversation still not sitting well with him, be would do what he needed to, he would do what his Nation required of him. He would do anything to come home.

In a blink, the blurs of blue-white ice transformed into the black iron hulls of the Fire Navy as the forward strike team raced for the flagship.

The Sovereign-class dreadnought was easy to spot, the largest ship in the fleet, the largest ship ever to cross the seas. That such a marvel of Fire Nation engineering was commanded by the likes of Zhao was a travesty. The ship deserved better.

“Get ready.” Said the leader of the Water Tribe warriors. He hadn't offered her his name and Azula hadn't asked. However, they had gone over the layout of the ship, what to expect, and their plan of attack. It had been clear he hadn't wanted to include her or Zuko, but it didn't matter. By the end of the day, he and everybody else in his Tribe would hail her as a hero.

They didn't slow as they approached, the skiffs speeding on a collision course with Zhao’s flagship as waterbenders bent seawater into an ice ramp on the edge of the ship. The deck of the skiffs slicked into ice right as they crashed headlong into the ramps, their momentum carrying them up the ramps. The expert waterbenders of the north glided up unto the deck with ease, and though she had never skated on ice before, Azula’s impeccable grace and athleticism meant she had no difficulties. Zuko on the other hand would have flown into the sea if a waterbender hadn’t caught him as with a water whip as he fell.

The scene on the main deck was chaos. It was clear that no one had expected the lightning, surgical strike, embedded as they were in the middle of the fleet. The Water Tribe warriors made good use of the surprise by pushing or pulling many soldiers and deckhands off the sides of the ship, plunging them into the freezing, deadly sea.

But in short order, the deck was painted in the orange light of fire as the Fire Nation soldiers started fighting back. Quick as lightning, Azula moved in to join the fray. She didn’t bend, keeping to physical combat only. She wanted to save that particular surprise for later in the day.

With her sharp situational awareness, she scanned through the melee. Known to the Water Tribe and blending in with the Fire Nation, she freely dashed between fights, finding ones where she could tip the scales. A few quick jabs on one soldier, tripping another in the middle of a firebending technique, breaking a soldier’s lunging spear. Each time, she delivered a victory to the Water Tribe warriors, earning her some respect. She made sure that by the end of this battle, no warrior could claim she hadn't fought with them, fought for their Tribe.

She was pleased to see Zuko fighting alongside the Water Tribe warriors, confusion evident on the soldiers’ faces as to why a firebending boy in Fire Nation armor would be fighting against them.

The battle for the deck was short. Between the surprise strike and Azula’s expert influence, every Fire Nation soldier and sailor was either immobile, unconscious, dead or overboard. She made special note of the faces of every warrior that fought alongside her in this battle. When this was over and the Water Tribe securely yolked, she would make sure those warriors paid for each of her countrymen that they killed.

There were barely three breaths after the deck was secure when one of the bulkhead doors was wrenched open, screeching, and the wildfire rush of the battle continued, all of them plunging into the ship, fighting their way up the command tower. Between the surprise strike, Azula’s insider knowledge, and the clear influence of Zhao’s incompetence, they broke onto the upper platform in short order.

He stood there, surrounded by several lieutenants, and a crowd of soldiers, frantic at the sudden battle on the decks of their ship.  Zhao didn't seem afraid though. His simple math told him he stood among thousands of the Fire Nation’s best military men and women against only a handful Water Tribe warriors and two teenagers. Zhao likely never thought beyond simple arithmetic, so he was completely unaware that he was horribly outmatched.

“Well Prince Zuko, it seems rumor of your kidnapping paid you more honor than you deserve. I always knew you’d turn traitor.” He spoke with the calm of a man in control, likely for the last time in his life. “But you, Princess Azula, this is truly a surprise.”

Zuko grit his teeth at the insult, but didn't say a word, just as Azula had instructed him. She had to weave her lies between the fiction she sold the tribesmen and the story they would have to give the Fire Navy. It was a far too delicate situation to let Zuko spoil.

“Zhao. Your reputation truly doesn’t do you justice. You’ve managed to plan, organize, and execute the largest mistake in military history, all under the nose of your Fire Lord. If you had bothered to consult my father about your plans, he would have put a stop to this farce before you put any of his subjects in danger. ”

Anger seeped through his body and posture with every word, but his mask of calm control remained. “That’s Admiral Zhao. You should know, your father promoted me himself. The Fire Lord invested me with the authority to make history,” his voice dropped to a venomous sneer, “and I intend to make full use of that opportunity.”

“And you use the resources provided to you by the grace of my father to try to kill his son and foil his plans for the North. As for that promotion, you've been touting, you've been an admiral for, what, a month? Three months ago you were nothing but a captain. How does an up-jumped attack dog like yourself ascend to such heights so quickly, I wonder? And I’m far from the only one.”

“The Fires Lord recognizes talent and achievement, princess, a prodigy such as yourself should know that.” Zhao retorted, sidestepping the attempt on Zuko’s life.

“I now believe those ‘achievements’ to be inflated far beyond their reality. I remember the reports that you captured the Avatar, Zhao. So explain to me why he is now walking free in the city before us?”

“That was the work of the traitorous Blue Spirit–”

“Ah, a spirit freed him. Of course.” Azula cut him off, taking joy in the low growl it earned her. “And what about the river expedition you launched where you destroyed all of your own boats in a fit of rage?”

“That’s not how that–”

“Enough Zhao! The Fire Lord does not tolerate failures, of which you have undoubtedly proven yourself. You are clearly unfit for leadership. You should resign with what scraps of honor you have left, because if my father has to sully himself in dealing with you personally, it won't be a demotion or a dismissal. It will be an execution.”

“You arrogant little girl. Fire Lord Ozai wouldn't send the likes of you to deliver his messages. He would summon me and tell me himself.”

“I doubt it, Zhao. There are over thirty admirals in the Fire Navy and you the least consequential. The only reason my father didn't inform you of his plans and put a stop to this invasion is simply because he forgot about you. I had to remind him of your name.”

Zhao’s rage was barely restrained, now. “I will not let you stand in the way of my victory, of history! Get out of my way before I make you!”

He was backed into a corner, but apparently needed to be lead by the hand to his only way out.

“And how do you intend to do that, Zhao? I'm still your sworn princess.”

“I challenge you to Agni Kai!”

 

---

 

A platform was raised in the middle of the city, between the great carved pillars. Here, the princess and the admiral would fight for the fate of the city, of Yue’s people. The duel was set for sunset, a tradition, and the crowd grew as an orange glow overtook the cool blue of the sky. It felt like a bad omen.

The duelists knelt on the platform, heads bowed and facing away from each other. At one end, the prince conferred with a new figure. Her father told her the portly, older man had appeared in the wake of the invasion force searching for his nephew. He didn’t seem like the fearsome general who besieged Ba Sing Se or a man who had nearly become Fire Lord, just an uncle who cares for his family.

She stood with her father and her friends near the center of the platform as the crowd drew together to watch the spectacle. The energy was tense, her people scared for their families and their city. The few Fire Nation soldiers and officers that were allowed to escort Zhao to the duel stood at his end of the platform, projecting an aura of arrogance and superiority.

“I still don’t trust it. It’s gotta be some sorta trick” Katara grumbled.

“But what if it’s not Katara?” Aang asked, “Would you rather just let Zhao attack?”

“There’s gotta be some sort of angle we’re not seeing here. What do they get out of stopping their own invasion?” Sokka said, continuing the same argument they have been having since the prince and princess arrived.

Yue didn’t know what to think. All she knew was that right now, there were over a hundred Fire Navy ships loaded with siege weapons and soldiers ready to attack her home, and her people were afraid. If this could give them some hope, then it was worth it.

The Chief rose to the center of the platform, the crowd around them quieting in anticipation. Her father, announced to the gathered crowd, “My people, this traditional fire duel between the princess and admiral of the Fire Nation carries a great weight. Should the admiral win, he will be free to continue his invasion on our city. If the princess wins, she promises the start of diplomatic talks of peace." 

The silence was heavy over the assembled Tribe. The immense size of the invasion force scared people, some warriors even whispering at whether they could have repelled it at all. But what really shocked people, was the potential end to the war older than living memory. The moment the Princess had suggested peace negotiations yesterday, rumor had surged through the palace, flowing out into the city, swirling and mixing with the fear of invasion. There were skeptics, many like Sokka and Katara, but in hushed whispers and between worried glances, another emotion quietly rang out through her people, a final, bone-weary relief. A hope for the grinding, oppressive war to finally end. 

“We have accepted and will uphold the terms of this duel.” Her father continued, speaking with all the gravity of a man gambling with the fate of his people. “By my honor we will accept the outcome. May the spirits of moon and sea guide us on the path to peace.”

He then backed off of the platform, out from between the fighters before shouting a terse “BEGIN!”

At once, both Azula and Zhao stood, the flags draped over them falling to the ground. It became very apparent that these duels were fought without armor, shoes, or as it turned out shirts. A strange thrill shot through her at the sight. She was just unused to girls having a warrior’s physique, so of course her attention was drawn to Azula’s well defined form and exposed midsection. She must have been cold with so much bare skin, so Yue’s own body felt heated. In sympathy, perhaps.

Zhao advanced, launching fire at the princess with rigid stances, strong motions, and clear intent, however Azula simply retreated, dodging and blocking attacks that Zhao threw at her. As she refused to attack, Zhao grew angry, starting to push forward more aggressively, pushing forward onto Azula’s side of the platform. As he marched forward, Azula gave ground easily. She wore a focused expression, but one without any of the emotion clearly painted across Zhao’s.

“What is she doing!? Is she just gonna let him push her off?” Sokka exclaimed.

Azula answered as she was backed all the way to her end of the platform, Zhao closing the distance with each thrust, each bout of flame. The princess finally launched her first attack and the crowd around them exclaimed in shock. Zhao’s fire burned the angry red and orange of the Fire Nation, but unlike any firebending anyone in the North had either seen or heard of, Azula’s burned blue, the color of Water Tribes. And, as it became imminently clear, the princess was the far better fighter.

Zhao was put on the defensive immediately as Azula pushed forward. Where Zhao had attacked with solid forms and powerful thrusts, Azula used graceful, flowing motions. While the her motions held much of the power and decisiveness of firebending, she moved like a dancer, precise, fluid, and powerful. Yue was entranced.

When Zhao reached his end of the platform Azula stopped her assault and spoke. “Give up now, Zhao. You cannot beat me. You’re invasion is finished. You have failed.” She gave him a wicked smirk. “Your invasion will be a footnote in the histories they will write of me.”

Zhao roared at that, launching a retaliatory barrage, punctuating his responses with fire. “You arrogant,” punch, “spoiled,” kick, “brat!” He brought his hands together sweeping them toward the princess, “I will not let you stand in the way of the end of the waterbenders!”

Azula dodged and deflected each gout of flame as they approached. “Well if that’s how you feel,” her smirk hardening into something vicious, “then you’ve left me no choice.”

Azula kicked backwards, launching herself into a flip that brought her all the way to her end of the platform. As Zhao stood his ground, uncertain at this turn of events, Azula planted her feet and started weaving her hands through great arcs energy collecting at her fingers. A shout rose behind her, a plea to stop, the royals’ uncle the only one to recognize what she was about to do.

Unfazed, Azula completed her form and a bolt of lightning shot from her fingertips, across the platform, and into Zhao. The thunderclap echoed through around them, stunned silence coming from the crowd.

Zhao’s form fell to its knees, smoke rising just off from the middle of his chest. A precise shot, right to the heart. It took a moment for his eyes to glass over, for his face to slacken, before his body finally slumped over.

Yue was horrified. She had never before witnessed someone die in violence, but what truly sickened her, were the overwhelming cheers rising from the crowd, her people. All for a girl who smiled as she killed.

Notes:

Welp, it's been a while...

I made no promises on a schedule and that remains true. I'm gonna try to get back into writing regularly, so hopefully it'll be less than a full year until the next update, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I do want to say thanks to everyone who's commented, as you guys are why I couldn't let this fic die like the rest of my unfinished projects. Like a trusty boomerang, it keeps coming back to me (and giving me a concussion).

Until next time! (hopefully within this calendar year)

Notes:

Ahoy! Thanks for reading!
This is my first fanfic/first big writing project to actually go anywhere, so any comments or feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Updates will probably be slow/inconsistent since I recently started a full-time job that leaves little time or energy for writing, but I'm so eager to see this fic through. Since this is my first real writing project, I still need to figure out a workflow to get words to page, edited, and posted, but I'm getting there.
I hope you enjoyed it and that you'll stick around to see these girls fall in love and maybe even hold hands!