ATLA: Azlua

Subtle Changes

At the break of dawn, Azula stands in the center of the training grounds, absorbing the sun's rays, hoping to tap into the well of chi that once surged through her during Sozin's Comet. As she stretches, the memory of that overwhelming power flickers in her mind—an elusive force she's been attempting to reproduce.

She signals for five expert Firebenders to encircle her. The morning air is charged with anticipation as she locks eyes with each of them, observing the subtle shifts in their muscles and the tension in their breath. With a nod, they simultaneously thrust forward, unleashing a barrage of flames from all directions.

Azula reacts swiftly, conjuring a protective sphere of blue flames that envelops her. As the fire subsides, she sprints forward, using her hands to effortlessly part the flames in her path. In a flash, she forms a fire dagger, slicing across the metal armor of one opponent who attempts to backstep but falls victim to her precision.

The remaining four unleash focused blasts of fire, but Azula, like a serpent, dodges and weaves through each attack. She takes down another, then another, but an uneasy feeling lingers—an indescribable void in her mastery. Undeterred, she shifts into an offensive stance, pressuring the last two opponents intensely.

A sense of impending revelation pulses within her as she feels on the verge of grasping something extraordinary. But just as victory seems within reach, she takes down the final opponent. Her intense thoughts are interrupted by the sound of clapping. Hiroshi approaches, applauding her prowess.

"Incredible. I knew you were a prodigy, but I didn't realize how much of one you actually were," he remarks, offering her a towel to wipe away the sweat. However, Azula remains absorbed in her thoughts, determined to refocus on her training. She struggles to grasp the elusive inspiration that seems to slip through her fingers. Her concentration is disrupted as Hiroshi gently holds the rag to her face. Surprised by the unexpected touch, she attempts to push his hand away but only briefly makes contact before he places the rag in her hand. Stepping back, he readies himself in a bending stance.

"I may not be a bending prodigy like you, but I am sure I can help you grasp whatever it is you're trying to understand," he declares confidently. Azula wipes her brow and tosses the rag aside, smirking, "You sound confident, so many others acted the same until they realized the real difference between genius and the rest."

They take their stances, Azula raising her two hands in front of her. Hiroshi mimics the standard fire-bending form. She fires three focused blasts, finishing with a kick. Hiroshi responds defensively, swiftly blocking each attack. Changing his stance, he attempts to off-balance her with a low blow followed by body shots. Azula, frustrated by her unfamiliar movements, tries to regain her previous style. But something feels wrong, and her body, on instinct, starts mimicking Zuko's movements. Wide-eyed with realization, Azula almost has it.

Hiroshi, noticing the small changes in her facial expressions and bending style, grinned as he kicked his efforts into high gear. Azula closed her eyes, letting her body take control as her movements flowed like water, effortlessly dodging each attack and even counterattacking. However, as she tried to execute a final move, she fumbled and tripped over her own feet. Hiroshi, quick to react, caught her before she could fall.

"Did you realize what you wanted?" he asked. Azula tried to speak, but she was shocked by the words that wouldn't come out as she panted rather disgracefully. Yet, that was the furthest thing from her mind. She understood what was wrong. Gritting her teeth in frustration at the thought of his style being superior to hers, she had no choice but to agree. On an instinctual level, her body had already started to mimic Zuko's movements. While she hadn't been able to copy it completely, her mind had begun formulating tweaks and adjustments to suit her build and integrate it into her own style. However, her contemplation was interrupted as Hiroshi cleared his throat.