Blades and Fans

The Crossroads Part 1

Zuko's head hung heavy as his body was dragged through the city. His mind was still reeling and trying to comprehend what just happened. The images of Smellerbee's and Longshot's glassy blank stares were still lingering in his mind. He could barely feel the stone fingers that dug into his arms, bruising his skin. He could feel his ankles getting cut as he was dragged along. But soon the rough tile stone that he was being towed across became damp and cold like he was in a cave.

Then with a sudden thud, his body was thrown to the ground as his wrists were restrained behind his back. "Now this is a pathetic sight," an amused chuckle was heard as Zuko began to stir back awake. His gaze rising to meet a set of golden orbs in the dark room he was brought in. "Hello Zuzu, miss me?" Azula smirked as she knelt down to meet his eyes.

"Azula?!" Zuko groaned as he tried to shift to his feet but his body was still very much limp. "What are you doing here?! Where am I?!" he said through gritted teeth.

"Well if I'm not mistaken I asked you a question first," she reached out and grabbed Zuko's face, her sharp nails pinching his cheeks as she lifts his head to keep facing hers. "Didn't father teach you respect, or did he give you that scar for nothing?" she said dragging her index finger along the bottom of the burn around his eye.

Zuko yanked his head trying to pull free from her. But Azula's fingers only dug harder into his skin keeping his head in place. "Tisk, tisk, tisk, so rude," she smirked before finally letting her brother's head drop from her grip. She dusted herself off as she stood back up.

Zuko groaned as his face dropped. He then shook his head trying to get rid of the dizziness he felt. When his vision began to clear further he saw as he was surrounded. Dai Li agents were standing at attention around him with one holding him down. And at his sister's sides, Longshot and Smellerbee stood motionless as if awaiting orders. They both wore the same blank glassy-eyed expressions he saw when they attacked him.

Noticing his wide-eyed expression and shock, Azula smirked and walked over to the two freedom fighters. "Surprised huh?" she asked as she pinched their cheeks with no reaction from the two teenagers. "The Earth Kingdom or Ba Sing Se specifically, has a fascinating way of dealing with dissenters and rebellion. If they sense a whiff of weakness, they simply snatch up and brainwash any that they believe can ruin their perfect way of life," Azula said with disgust. "Turning them into nothing but tools... you could barely call them human anymore."

"Upset you didn't come up with the idea first?" Zuko snorted at her.

"No... it is revolting," Azula answered before turning back to her brother. "They turn the men into nothing but canon fodder and the women... nothing more than sexual slaves to fulfill their wants and desires," she said as her fingernails cut into Longshot's face, but he still did not move.

"It's just more proof that the Fire Nation is right," Azula said before kneeling back down to her brother, releasing the freedom fighters from her grip. "These people are nothing but slaves to a pathetic puppet king, whose being controlled by an even weaker man," she answered making the Dai Li agents glance at each other after hearing her words, but they remained at attention. "The Fire Nation will bring them all freedom and prosperity... and you could be a part of it..."

"What?!" Zuko said in confusion.

"Come now Zuzu, don't tell me I'm wrong. You've lived among them you know I am right," she said their eyes locked together.

Zuko could not deny she was right. And him seeing what the Dai Li must have done to Smellerbee and Longshot. It was inhumane, but that doesn't mean that justifies the deaths he had witnessed. The villages that were torched in the name of the Fire Nation.