The Hardest Choice (malereader x avatar)

Book 2: Chapter 2

-Y/N POV-

I walk down to the docks of the town. I reach it as soon as possible, but it still has probably been several hours since Iroh wrote that note. As I get close I notice a few scuff marks here and there, along with some charred places. It's a little suspicious, but I doubt it was anything more than a scuffle between some sailors. I continue walking until I reach Azula's ship. It's easy to find due to it being the only true warship in the port. Several sailors were hauling cargo onto the ship in preparation of their departure. One of the soldiers on the ship sees me making my way to it and questions me on who I am. I give a fire nation salute to him before responding.

Y/N: I'm Y/N L/N. I would like to speak to Azula.

The soldier shrugs and tells one his fellow sailors to get Azula. We stand in awkward silence as we wait for Azula. Several minutes later Azula walks down the platform to meet with me on the ground. She is wearing her Armor, as well as a Royal hair piece. She looks much more mature than the last time I saw her, close to four years ago. Despite being only 14 and 5'3, she carries herself in a manner that strikes fear into her crew, which doesn't go unnoticed by me. Once she gets a few feet from me, she finally speaks.

Azula: Ah, Y/N, it's been so long! It's good to see you again.

Y/N: I'm happy to see you as well, princess. I trust Iroh and Zuko have made it onto the ship safely?

Azula: No, actually. When I spoke to them earlier they said that they needed to take care of something important. I thought you would have gone with them.

Y/N: I wasn't with them because I was taking care of something, did they mention where they were going?

Azula: [Smirking slightly] They didn't. All they said was that they would meet up with us soon, but they were quite vague.

Y/N: That's weird, I have no idea what they needed to take care of. Do you mind if I come with you until we meet up with them?

Azula: [Smiling] I would love that. I'll fill you in on what we're doing later, but if you'll excuse me I need to finish my training. Unless you'd care to join me?

Y/N: If you want to get embarrassed I would be happy to.

Azula: We'll see Y/N. Come with me.

I follow Azula onto the ship. It is a massive vessel, one of the flagships of the Royal Fire Nation navy. I make note of the layout of the ship, but there are so many turns and distracting things that I soon give up. Azula soon leads me into a room near the bottom of the ship. The room was built with walls primarily of iron. The floor was also made of metal, but had protective padding to it. The room was not very tall, maybe 10 feet in height, but was very spacious. Azula tells me to get ready and we move into our positions. It will be like an Agni Kai, but only until the other taps out. It was time to find out how much better the prodigy had become since I last saw her.

Azula made her move quickly, sending a small fireball in my direction. I easily dodge before sending a sweeping kick toward her. Azula jumps over it and toward me. We're now in close combat, so I send a punch at her face followed by a right hook towards her ribs. She dodges the first hit but gets hit by the second blow. I hear her exhale sharply as the hit knocked the wind out of her.

I try to follow up with another hit, but she ducks under it and uppercuts me. I feel my teeth gnash together as my jaw becomes numb. She then scratches me with her nails on the forehead before sweeping my legs out from under me with a kick. I fall onto my back but roll away before she can land another blow. I move away from Azula as we catch our breaths. This time I'm the first to make a move. I move my feet into a more stable stance before unleashing a torrent of fire from several kicks and punches.  I only stop once I become tired and look to see the damage I had done. Azula was lying against the wall with her hand on her head. She was covered in sweat and was bleeding in some places.