Shadow and flame: The Dark Avatar's Reign

fall of Earth's strongest gem

"Seizing power today is a matter of life and death," Azula said coldly to the Dai Li agents, her voice unwavering and sharp. She paced back and forth, her fiery presence filling the room. "This coup must be swift and decisive. The Earth King and each of the Five Generals must be taken out simultaneously."

Her eyes burned with a dangerous intensity. "Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government. If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all... I will snuff it out immediately." She paused, letting her words hang in the air like a threat. The room fell silent, the weight of her gaze enough to freeze anyone who might even consider defying her.

A Dai Li agent stepped forward, his voice hesitant but respectful. "Princess, if I may..."

Azula turned on him, her expression as cold as ice. "What is it?"

The agent swallowed nervously. "What shall we do about the monster locked up here?"

"Monster?" Azula asked, intrigued, her eyes narrowing as she studied the agent.

"Yes, Princess," the agent continued, trying to steady his breath. "He was a suspected Fire Nation spy who was captured and brought here. We believed him to be a threat."

Azula's thoughts instantly shifted. A spy? A threat? She couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity. "A Fire Nation spy?" She repeated the words with a cold edge. "Tell me more."

The agent continued. "I don't know much, but... all I know is that he burned down a village of non-benders and was captured in the aftermath. The Dai Li has kept him locked up ever since, though we've never fully interrogated him."

Azula's mind began to churn with possibilities. The mention of firebending—especially in a village of non-benders—piqued her interest. Her hand tightened around her arm as she gave a cold smile, an almost predatory gleam in her eyes.

"Take us to him." Azula's voice was low, but there was no mistaking the command. The agent nodded, an uneasy flicker crossing his face.

"At once, Princess."

Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee were led through the winding corridors of Ba Sing Se's secure prison, eventually brought to a secluded, heavily guarded cell. The walls were thick, and the air felt heavy with the secrecy of the place.

Azula remained silent, her eyes narrowing as she observed the security measures. The mood was tense.

"Talk about secrecy," Ty Lee said, her usual cheerfulness dimmed by the oppressive atmosphere. "Was this really necessary?"

Azula turned to her, her voice cold as she responded, "The more hidden, the more dangerous it must be." She paused, her gaze flicking to the agent guiding them. "Isn't that right?"

The agent, a member of the Dai Li, nodded stiffly. "Apologies, Princess Azula. This was to ensure he could not escape."

"Is he really that dangerous?" Mai asked, her tone flat, though her sharp eyes took in the seriousness of the situation.

The agent hesitated, then answered. "He came here as a child."

Azula's eyes narrowed, a flicker of interest passing across her face. "A child, you say?" She glanced at Mai, then back at the agent. "Interesting. A child who could firebend to such great levels."

With a subtle tilt of her head, Azula gestured for the agent to continue.

The agent nodded and, with a few swift motions, began to use earthbending to manipulate the layers of thick, reinforced doors. There were multiple layers—each one designed to be an obstacle in case of escape—yet the agent worked with an unsettling familiarity, guiding the group deeper into the maze of the prison.