Blue Fire 火 Tyzula

XIII. Throne

Azula was escorted alongside her father in their respective palanquins towards the royal port on the shore, where the biggest war ship in the Fire Nation awaited for the both of them.

Sozin's comet had already been spotted by the capital's astronomer near the Earth's surface and it would be the closest to during sunset.

That meant, the firebenders would withhold the utmost power during that time.

It had been three days since the events at the boiling rock, and the Princess had barely been able to sleep ever since.

As soon as she had a minute without distractions, her mind would usually take over and compulsively replay the momment back at the prison when Ty Lee had quite literally, stabbed her in the back.

''Come on slowpokes! Faster!'' Azula yelled to her palanquin bearers as the irritation of not being able to stop her obsessive thinking took over her.

The bearers quickened their pace and finally descended the palanquin to the ground.

Ozai walked out of his palanquin and went up the stairs into the top of the platform, where his most high ranked soldiers and the fire sages waited for him.

All of the capital's citizens stood bellow, dressed in red robes, awaiting for the Firelord's declaration.

Azula quickly got out of her palanquin when they finally reached the platform and bowed before her father in one knee as well.

''Sorry I'm late, father. Good palanquin bearers are so hard to come by these days. So, is everything ready for our departure?'' She asked him.

Ozai faced the ship in front of him, giving his back to Azula in a quiet tranquility.

He already had a better plan for his most lethal weapon.

''There has been a change of plans, Azula.'' He told his daughter.

''What?'' Azula asked in surprise.

''I've decided to lead the fleet of airships to Ba Sing Se alone. You will remain here in the Fire Nation.'' He commanded.

''But... I thought we were going to do this together.'' Azula replied worriedly.

''My decision is final.'' Ozai replied with superiority.

Azula got up in disbelief of her father's behaviour towards her.

''You... you can't treat me like this! You can't treat me like Zuko!'' She told him with frustration.

''Azula, silence yourself.'' Ozai scolded her with his back still turned to her.

''But it was my idea to burn everything to the ground! I deserve to be by your side!'' She continued complaining, feeling her unfair treatment.

''Azula!'' Ozai angrily yelled back at her sending shivers down Azula's spine.

Azula knew, there was no way she could disrespect her father. She quickly stopped talking and bowed her head in submission.

''Listen to me. I need you here to watch over the homeland. It's a very important job that I can only entrust to you.'' Ozai told her with seriousness.

''Really?'' Azula replied in disbelief.

Ozai finally turned to her daughter.

''For your loyalty, I've decided to declare you the new Fire Lord.'' Ozai said.

Azula's heart skipped a beat, and she widened her eyes.

''Fire Lord Azula..?'' She said with skepticism.