Blue Fire 火 Tyzula

VI. City

The great city of Ba Sing Se.

A city no general or admiral from the Fire Nation had ever been able to conquer. Not even Azula's uncle, Iroh.

But the Princess would be the one to rewrite history this time around.

She had kept three of the Kyoshi warrior uniforms from their last encounter with them, which served as the perfect disguise to be let within the Earth King's very own palace, under everybody's noses.

A genius plan that amazed even Mai and Ty Lee.

''In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi Warriors!'' The Earth king greeted the three of them, as they walked full costumed towards the palace entrance.

''We are the Earth King's humble servants.'' Azula said with a cunning stare after bowing before the King.

''Look Bosco! The Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us! Aren't you excited?'' He said to his huge pet bear who rested near his throne.

''Please step forward. I'm very grateful to have you as my new personal bodyguards. It's been a difficult week for me you see... My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me.'' He continued saying as he sat on the throne.

''It's terrible when you can't trust the people who are closest to you...'' Azula replied.

''Yes, yes it is... But I do have good news to share. As we speak, the Council of Five is meeting to plan an invasion of the Fire Nation this summer, on the day of a solar eclipse.'' He said proudly.

Azula's eyes slightly widened in shock upon hearing this, but she quickly hid it.

''Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan.'' Azula replied.

Ty Lee and Mai looked discreetly at each other, amazed at how Azula remained completely unfazed and in character even after hearing about the future invasion of their hometown.

They tried to do the same and masked their worry.

...

Minutes later, the three girls were already settled in their new chamber inside the Earth palace.

Azula took a well deserved hot shower in the bathroom, while Mai and Ty Lee took their heavy Kyoshi makeup off in the dresser.

"Have you noticed that Azula has gotten ten times more cold blooded and calculating ever since we were kids?" Mai asked Ty Lee as she wiped her mascara off.

Ty Lee suddenly felt saddened by the truth in her comment.

"Yeah... I guess she has." She replied.

"I don't know if it's inspiring, or scary." Mai said.

The brunette took a moment to respond.

"Maybe it's both. Sometimes the same thing can be two things that seem opposite at the same time... Like a paradox.'' She said.

Mai stopped wiping her mascara off and looked over at Ty Lee with raised eyebrows.

Ty Lee tried explaining further.

''Just like good and evil! They both coexist within everyone, we just have to learn to accept-''

"Oh please Ty, not some of your spiritual blabber today, I'm not in the mood." Mai said cutting her off, as she continued struggling to take the heavy mascara off her face.