The Legend of Percy: Book 2 - Through Grief

10. Ember Island Distractions (Apollo Kids Vs. The Girls and Zuko...?)

A/N: Merry Christmas to you all of you that celebrate it, and to those that don't, hope this time is equally filled with love and good spirits! This chapter was slightly delayed, due to both me not writing as much having a busy holiday season and also wanting to post on Christmas. It'll should continue to be consistent enough, but not necessarily be weekly. Thank you and my love goes out to all that are reading this.

Azula leant against the railing of the boat, facing away from their destination. They were on their way to Ember Island.

She was doing her best to remain passive and in control with her arms crossed, but she was feeling weak. And what was worse, she drained and numb. Ty Lee was standing next to her, looking forward towards the island, in one of her endlessly positive moods that seemed to be trying to counteract the downer mood that the whole group found themselves in.

"I'm so excited to spend the weekend on Ember Island. It's going to be great to hang out on the beach and do nothing."

The gymnast held her hands behind her head to mimic lazing about on the beach.

Zuko kept shooting Azula looks, and she felt disgusted that they seemed... pitying. But in all honesty, she couldn't really find it in herself to speak up about it. She was just so shattered.

Her brother stood up from where he was seated next to a gloomy Mai.

"Doing nothing is a waste of time. We're being sent away on a forced vacation. I feel like a child."

He walked over to one of the side railings, thankfully away from her.

Azula turned around, clenching her hands on the front railing of the boat. She desperately watched the water lap at the bow, trying to count in her head. The princess disregarded the concerned look she received from her bouncy friend. She responded, trying to keep her voice as level as possible.

"So Dad wants to meet with his advisers alone, without anyone else around. Don't take it personally."

But that was the thing, Azula had to take it personally. Her father had said so, directly. This was her punishment, and it was eating away at her. She couldn't find it in herself to think about all that had happened. The only reason she got away without being burned was because she'd scarred that man for dishonouring her. Worst still, she felt like she deserved that punishment, and that that would've been better than this.

She'd always thought that her father would never treat her like Zuko, but he was banished. Was this 'forced vacation' not just a step in that direction?

You should've captured Percy. You had plenty of opportunities. You should've just married Junsik. Made the Fire Lord proud.

Azula felt Ty Lee sidle closer to her on the railing as her sharp nails had dug holes into it. She realised she'd drifted out of the conversation. That really wasn't like her. Well, it wasn't like who she wanted to be, nor who she used to be.

"Azula?" Her friend asked softly.

"Yes." She bit back, sharply, although Ty Lee didn't react poorly to it.

"I asked, doesn't your family have a house on Ember Island?" Ty Lee asked in a very worried voice.

"Oh, yeah. We used to come every summer when we were kids." She responded, looking towards her friend, appreciative of the topic change.

"That must have been fun!" She said, brightly.

"That was a long time ago." Her brother cut in, sourly.

The princess remembered that long time ago. Azula saw her mother's face in the water, distorted by the crashing waves as they approached the shore. She shook her head, digging her nails into her palms, as they docked onto land. The beach houses looming over her, unable to cast their huge shadows in the light of the midday sun.