The Fire Prodigy {ATLA}

{12}: Azula Always Lies

So far, the life of Fire Nation fugitives hiding in the warm and sunny Earth Kingdom shores wasn't so bad. Iroh and I had decided to make the most of our exile, and had just spent the entire morning walking on the beach and collecting the prettiest seashells we could find.

"Look at these magnificent shells! I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come," Iroh said with a smile, as we returned to our small rental room, where Zuko had stayed sulking, per usual.

"We don't need any more useless things! You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!" Zuko complained.

"Oh come on, Zuko. These tiny shells won't take up much space," I said, picking a small pink one and giving it to him. "Here, you can have this one. It looks like a peach."

"Oh, how adorable," we all turned to look at her; someone whose voice we could only hear in our worst nightmares. "Hello, brother. Uncle. Peasant girl."

"What are you doing here?" Zuko asked her bitterly.

"In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions. Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

"Azula, why are you here?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

"That is Princess Azula to you. My brother may be comfortable treating you as his equal, but let's be clear that you and I are not equals," Azula spat back to me. I could see Azula had come in her usual charming manner. You know she was a handful as soon as you realize that Zuko's more pleasant.

"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh asked, trying to defuse the situation.

"Hmmm... must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point. I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home," she said, pausing as she noticed the ruling silence coming from our side of the conversation. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."

"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment," Iroh assured her.

"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula yelled back at him, before returning her attention to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."

"Father regrets? He... wants me back?" Zuko sounded incredibly surprised, but I knew he was also suspicious.

As well all should be. Whenever it came to Azula, Zuko and I had a motto that we would always repeat: Azula always lies. Why would we believe anything different right now?

"Azu--Princess Azula, we wouldn't want you to waste more of your valuable time here with us. I suggest maybe rescheduling the meeting to another time?" I said, earning a look from Azula.

She looked indifferent as she spoke. "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."

That night, I could tell Zuko was beside himself. All this time, he wanted nothing but to hear he was welcome back to the Fire Nation, to his family. He'd spent all this time chasing after the Avatar to try and get his father's approval, and all of a sudden, Azula barges in and offers him just what he wanted. I knew he would be excited about it, but Iroh and I shared the same aversion. It all seemed so... Easy. And easy had never been the style of the Fire Lord.

"We're going home! After three long years, it's unbelievable!" Zuko said.

"It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything," Iroh said with a frown.