Book I, Act VII: Back to Square One, Chapter V

Edited by: Bieverdog AO3: GalavantingGoose

Book I, Imbalance

Act VII: Back to Square One

Music: An Impossible Crime, Legend of Korra OST / Dead Melodies & Beyond The Ghost - At The Foundry Gates

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccm6fnlSURw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeH4yM9zORk

Chapter V

After that day, Azula barely remembered what happened. Maybe she had fallen asleep crying. She didn't know anymore; she couldn't remember, for she had lost track of time. She spent her time between nightmares. With difficulty, she could distinguish the real ones from the others, for they had become almost indistinguishable. She felt pressure in her eye like it was about to pop out, though she didn't feel pain. In the distance, she could hear voices that were becoming louder. She tried to listen carefully and froze when she distinguished her mother's voice.

She saw as her mother pried her eyes open with a tool, leaning down to examine her. The doctor stood behind her reading his notebook. "Doctor, the patient does not seem to have been affected by the procedure. We've tested before. Everywhere you look, she still has no noticeable changes in her behavior."

He looked stolid, going through the papers. "It is possible that the procedure went wrong. We will have to try again. The problem is that I still can't find the cause. If we don't know what went wrong, we won't be able to try again."

"Is it possible that it has some delayed effect?" Her mother turned to him.

He flipped through the pages, searching with his finger. "Hmm... Let me confirm this. Patient B23 had a delayed reaction. Weeks later, it took effect. The safest thing to do is to wait. In the meantime, keep her well monitored. You should inform me as soon as possible if you notice any change in her condition."

"Very well. I will keep you updated. Should I keep the sedative doses at the same level?"

The doctor stood pensive behind her mother, his hands behind his back. "Give her a lower dose. In the meantime, we will continue with the normal treatment. Last time, it gave good results." As the doctor turned around to leave, her mother took a syringe.

Azula's eyes widened in fear as she tried to stop her, but her body did not move an inch. "Mother, no... not again. You– N-no."

"Shh... It will be alright." She felt the pinch of a needle, saw her mother walk away, and again felt her body fall into an abyss.

She felt like she was floating in the midst of darkness. Everything at her eye level was consumed by it. Above her, she could see a flash of light that seemed to flicker. She squinted her eyes, and she fell. A warm light now filled the room. She knew the place: Ember Island's theater.

She sat there as the only member of the audience; and before she could even react, the red curtain parted in two as the lights dimmed. She could smell the scent of fresh rainwater, the sounds of the crickets on a quiet night. A room had been recreated on set–her dorm room from the academy just as she remembered it, though it was skeletal. There were only three beds with their respective desks. A door creaked open as three actors appeared on scene, their faces covered with masks; but recognizing them was no hard task, for the masks were of their faces, only they had black holes for eyes.

A small girl with a ponytail looked down at a corner. "I don't like this idea, Azula..." Ty Lee's voice resonated ethereally across the theater.

"Yeah, let's just say it's not one of your brightest plans." Mai's actress had crossed her arms as she looked straight at the Azula on stage.

"Relax, girls; I've got it all under control." Even though she couldn't see any emotions behind the masks, her gleeful voice told enough. She remembered; it had all been so simple.

"That's what you always say, then you get us into trouble."

Azula placed a hand on her hip. "Someone sounds like they're afraid." Her mockery didn't sit well with Mai, she knew; she thought she always knew how to get to her.

Mai sighed, sitting on her bed. "I am not! I don't want to go to detention again."

"Mai, I didn't picture you as a coward. Fine, suit yourself. Let's go, Ty Lee." Azula climbed over the window, and Ty Lee reluctantly followed.

"Ugh, Fine. Wait for me." As Mai went after them, the curtain closed, and the stage lights turned a dim dark blue. The sounds of a tranquil night echoed louder. As the stage was presented again, the three girls were sitting atop a rooftop under the bright light of a full moon.

"Now that's more like it. Okay, listen up! We'll take the roof and climb down to the gardens; we make sure no one sees us first–there shouldn't be many watchers making rounds– then we head straight into the academy to the headmistress's office. We'll only need a few minutes there, and we're out, as simple as that." Ty Lee eagerly raised her hand.

Azula sighed. "Yes, Ty Lee?"

"Why don't we try entering her office from the gardens?"

"Because we'd need to break something. She'd notice someone was there. We have to do this quietly."

Her friend gave her a thumbs up. "Quiet. Got it."

The girls quietly walked atop the roof, trying to find an easy way down. Azula went first, for she had found a balcony that could give them an easy way down. Azula, partly nervous and eager to get things done, slipped, her fall only prevented by Mai's timely intervention with a knife throw, giving her a platform to stand on.

"I'm glad you've been practicing with those knives."

"You're welcome." She couldn't see it, but she remembered the proud smirk on Mai's face that day.

It all was going according to her plan, as they had managed to safely reach the gardens unseen. They made their way into the academy, sneaking through the hallways–not cleanly, for they had a few close calls–but they'd made it. She slid the door to the headmistress's office slowly, her friends following closely behind.

"Be on the lookout; we'll have to get out of here fast if someone comes this way."

Mai guarded the door, leaving it cracked open as she peeked outside. "Okay, what are you looking for anyway?"

"Something that would make a gossiper blush." Or at least that was her Plan A as she remembered. Everybody had secrets, but she hadn't expected that type of luck.

As she carefully looked on her desk, she shuffled through dozens of trifling letters, already becoming impatient.

Ty Lee held up a folded piece of paper like a trophy. "Ooh! Found something!" If she only knew, maybe she did realize later.

Azula snatched it and read it quickly. "I hope she's ready to get another job; her career here is finished."

"Why are you so mad at her anyway?" Even though her friend was happy to help, she remembered the worried look on her face when she victoriously read the letter.

Azula huffed. "She gave me a nine out of ten on my firebending test." Fate is such a twisted thing, she thought. She looked back on the pettiness of her actions, but her acts ended up causing a greater good than she could've imagined; or at least, that's what she wanted to believe.

"But… isn't that a good grade?"

"Father got all tens. What will he think if he sees that?"

"That you have… room for improvement?"

Mai looked around nervously. "Can we just get out of here, please? Let's not get caught. My mom's letter wasn't very nice last time."

As the trio fled from the scene unnoticed, they returned to their room, celebrating one of their few successful tricks. It was a mere laughing matter for her; the headmistress deserved it. The next day, she turned it in to the deputy headmistress; she even gave herself a pat on the back for a job well done.

The day after that, she woke up to a commotion outside. Ty Lee was still asleep, and Mai was looking out the window. She looked out to see the headmistress being dragged by soldiers as other students had gathered around to watch. "Looks like I need to pull out my mochi stash after this." She was thrilled. Not only had she succeeded, she had also managed to humiliate her. She urged Mai to follow, and they both went to witness the spectacle first hand.

The teachers tried to shield the girls from watching, but it was already too late for that. "Girls, go back to your rooms! Now!" The teachers still tried desperately to herd the girls inside; but now that most of the scene had transpired, they did so with moderate success.

Azula smirked to one of the girls. "Hey, what's going on?"

The girl looked at her in surprise. "Haven't you heard? They'll hang her tomorrow; she's a traitor."

Watching the memory, her heart dropped; she felt it as intensely as that day. She never wanted to, never intended to do that.

"I thought we just sent them to prison."

"Not traitors like her." Another girl from the crowd replied with disgust.

The rest of that day was fuzzy in her mind. All she remembered was that they went back, sat silent for hours, and never told Ty Lee. She was afraid when she was recalled from school a week later. Perhaps she'd been found out; so, she tried her best to calm her nerves. Couldn't say she did a great job hiding it. Her father met her first as the servants unpacked her things, and he waved them away.

Her father closed the door behind him. "If I had known the academy was being run by a traitor, I would never have sent you there."

She looked down, clenching her fists so tight she cut herself. She couldn't hold it anymore. "Father… "

Ozai looked at her. "What's wrong?"

"I-it was me… I found that letter… It was my fault, and now she's–" Tears fell from her eyes, and he wiped them and held her chin.

She tried to look down, but he looked at her straight in the eye. "Fault? Why do you cry, daughter? That was not a fault; that was a benefit to the nation. You should be proud of yourself. Your new headmistress told me. I'm very proud of you."

Azula sniffed, wiping her tears. "But–"

Her father held her hand. "No 'but's; you are a Princess of the Fire Nation. If she were left unchecked, she could have twisted you and the other students against our great cause. Do not feel for them; these traitors have nothing but hate for us. I'll tell you what: why don't you come with me, and I'll make sure the Fire Lord rewards you personally for your act?"

He walked beside her as they neared the throne room. As they entered, they saw that Azulon was obscured by the flames. She bowed as soon as her father did.

"Ozai, why have you requested an audience at such short notice? Is this about your task?" He sounded impatient; perhaps it wasn't the best time.

"Father, I have been working on the plan you had entrusted me with, but the purpose of this audience is different. You see, it is about your granddaughter: she has done a great service to the Fire Nation, and I thought you should know since she was the one who discovered the traitor in the Royal Academy." The Prince gestured towards her.

"Is that true? Come closer." She got up, making her best attempt to confidently walk towards him. Stupid of her to believe he wasn't just a man.

With the words already on her mind, she gulped. "Yes… I uncovered the traitor's secret and brought it to the deputy headmistress when I had the chance."

"That's very commendable. I congratulate you, Azula. If only more of our countrymen were like you." It felt more like a wish than a heartfelt compliment.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty." She bowed with her head, taking a few steps back towards her father.

"You've raised a fine daughter, Ozai."

Her father smiled. "Each day, she grows to be more like her grandfather… Father, I couldn't help but notice that there will soon be a spot available on the council. It would be an honor if you'd allow me to serve beside you and my brother."

"Azula, you can leave now. I believe we've already talked about this, Ozai." She walked away without looking back but with her ears alert. She hid near the entrance as she saw her father kneeling.

"I know your concerns, Father, but I'm ready now; I've been preparing for this. Besides, who better than your own son to help you rule our nation."

She could see Azulon rise from the throne, the flames climbing higher. "So, this little charade was just a ploy so you could beg before me to get a better position?"

"Nothing of the sort. I will always do as you command me to do, Father; I only have your best interests in mind." Her father bowed lower, his head touching the ground.

"Enough! It is getting late. I will consider this, if I consider it at all, in the morning. You are dismissed."

The lights faded and the fire extinguished instantly as the curtains rolled; and darkness took over again. Soon, the smell of strong tea and ink invaded her senses. Voices echoed from beyond, single words indistinguishable from sounds until the lights reignited, the red curtain opening. Now they were at the palace. Two small actors dressed like her and Zuko sat at a table, in front of them a feeble old man. Their masks were a twisted parody of their faces, cracked and with void for eyes. Like a machine, the actors sprung to life.

The teacher left his cup aside, and he closed Zuko's book. "Now can you please tell me which strategies Fire Lord Sozin implemented to defeat the Air Army? Prince Zuko?"

Her brother looked around the room for the answer until his eyes finally settled on the teacher. "Uh, the… Blazing Sweep?" She facepalmed as she watched, and the old man scratched his head.

"...Are you sure?"

Her actress could answer with her eyes closed. "Ugh! It's so easy: a coordinated, surprise attack on all of their temples enhanced by the power of the comet."

"Excellent, Princess, but please let your brother answer next time–"

She thought: Zuko never learnt his lessons, always made a fool out of himself in class. Good thing I rarely saw his firebending classes.

"Hmph… He would only get it wrong again," she muttered as Zuko glared at her.

"I insist you let him try regardless…"

She rolled her eyes. "Okay, whatever."

The teacher settled in his seat. "What measures did the navy take during the start of the war against the northern savages?"

Zuko rubbed his forehead. "Let me thin–"

"First, they cut off access to the Southern Water Tribe with a full-scale blockade along the Home Islands and Earth Kingdom waters. They had superior numbers at sea, but our fleets were vastly more technologically advanced. We forced them to take the fight to us, destroyed their navy, and coerced them into neutrality."

"Why do you always have to interrupt me?! I knew that one."

The Princess laughed, gesturing mockingly at her brother. "Oh, Zuzu, stop pretending; you can barely even firebend."

"Princess, I must insist that you cease interrupting your brother; otherwise, I'll have to ask you to leave."

Azula scoffed, smirking at the teacher. "Oh, tell that to my father's face."

The color drained from his face. "I– You wouldn't…"

"I'll come running and sobbing to my father, and you'll be packing your bags… if you're lucky."

"Stop it, Azula." Zuko grabbed her arm.

She shook him off, glaring at him. "What? We're royalty. Father said we could do what we wanted."

"This isn't what he meant. You can't go around doing this to all of our teachers!"

"All of your–" The teacher almost fainted, and he silently gathered his things.

She crossed her arms. "You only say that because you're jealous! Admit it."

"What happened to you, Azula? Why do you have to take it on me all the time? Has father told you to–"

You are what happened to me, that's what. If it wasn't for her meddling and you, I'd be home, she mentally spat.

The actress laughed, almost to tears. "Oh, please; like he even cares about you. He doesn't even mention your name anymore. He never wants to hear how bad you did at your firebending practice or your studies. Believe it or not, I'm trying to help you improve, brother; but you make it so difficult."

"You don't mean that…" Zuko looked down. She remembered his glassy eyes.

"You see? What are you going to do? Cry, Zuzu? Go run to mother. It's what you always do, isn't it? Instead of facing your problems like a prince. Father is right about you."

"I hate you!" The boy ran off to the side of the stage crying. She laughed, and the old man stared at her apprehensively. The remaining actors on stage unnaturally froze in place before the lights dimmed again and the scene changed.

"Princess, the plan is in motion," the rough voice of a soldier echoed.

"Good. Remember: you leave my dear brother to me. I'll handle him." The stage lights lit, revealing herself, the soldier, and a narrator.

"And so, the Princess thus declared. Commanded by her father, she rushed to meet her brother. A dark plan she had schemed for a gift she had dreamed. Lured by hopes of family, they would find calamity. Nary a word was said, for her men were in dread. Onto the ship the Prince and General walked. Sensing something amiss, they balked. But they were much too late; they had eaten the bait. Triumphant, the princess returned. Her captives they burned." The scenes unfolded across her eyes along the words of the mysterious narrator, but… it didn't happen like that… or did it? She was uncertain, her mind still stuck on the burning body of her brother and uncle. She kept looking at the fire, and now she stood before the Fire Lord, the flames of the throne raging before her.

She knelt. "Father, I have done as you asked; the traitors are no more."

Her father walked calmly through the flames towards her. "I always knew I could count on you. Finally, our family has been cleansed; the succession of the crown falls finally in the right hands. Now I have no use for you." His unsympathetic tone caught her off guard.

Her eyes widened, and she looked up. "What? B-but I have always been loyal to you."

His voice became distorted. "Did you ever think you could one day be Fire Lord? You'd destroy this nation! You are nothing but a tile on my board." He walked toward her.

She fell on her back as she pleaded with one of her hands. "Wait! No!"

The Fire Lord glared maniacally at the girl. "You think I can't replace you? You were the spare before you showed talent. Now I am having second thoughts. But I am a merciful man; I'll allow you to live, even give you a parting gift. Anything beyond that is not guaranteed." Her father held her actor's face with both of his hands. He looked at her for one final moment before setting her on fire.

Azula covered her ears, unable to hear the screams of desperation until the lights faded. Now they were barely lit, the pale, bluish light flickering. She focused her eyes on the stage, now a metal block with a barred door. Behind it was as dark as the room itself, until two pale, cracked hands grasped the bars. Out peered a scarred face with broken, golden eyes staring directly at her. It froze her to her core, and she closed her eyes. She opened them to see through the steel bars an empty theater. She turned and ran to her bed, crying.

And she awoke to see cold, brown eyes looking at her calculatingly. "The procedure was successful. Please return the patient to her room for further observation."