ATLA: Azlua

Rebellion Finale part Three

Azula stood on the metal scaffolding beneath the blimp, the heat of the fires below swirling around her as she assessed the situation. Across from her hovered Avatar Aang, the elements swirling around him, his expression grim with barely concealed anger. The tension in the air was palpable, and while Aang tried to appear commanding, Azula could see the strain in his posture. She smirked, noting the bags under his eyes, the tremor in his voice. He was still grieving the loss of his friend—vulnerable.

"Azula," Aang called out, his voice sharp with venom, "you've broken the treaty! Leave now, or else."

Azula's smirk widened as she cast a glance toward the Earth King, who stood trembling in a small hot air balloon beside Aang. "I've broken no such thing!" she retorted, her voice smooth and filled with mock innocence. "That sniveling coward over there broke it first!" She pointed toward King Kuei with disdain, her golden eyes flashing. "Besides, how can I leave these people? My people! They have asked for my help against the tyranny of the Earth King. Who am I to deny their cries for freedom?"

King Kuei, visibly trembling, found the strength to respond, though his voice was shaky. "This civil war is... Earth Kingdom responsibility! You have no claim here!"

Azula's lips curled in a sneer, her gaze piercing through the Earth King. Before she could respond, Aang's voice cut through the tension. "I don't care whose fault it is," he declared, his eyes blazing with anger. "The fighting stops here."

Azula raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking between the Avatar and King Kuei. A thought occurred to her, a way to turn the situation to her advantage. She could see Aang was tense, but still trying to maintain his moral high ground. Aang would never side with her outright, but she could turn his need for peace into a victory for herself.

"Avatar Aang," she began, her voice taking on a more measured, diplomatic tone, "I understand your desire for peace, and I respect that. But there is something you're overlooking."

Aang narrowed his eyes, wary of her manipulation but still listening. "What are you suggesting?"

Azula's smirk returned, more calculated this time. "I have no desire to claim these lands for the Fire Nation. That's not my intention here. My people—the people of the former colonies—deserve a say in their own future. They are not Earth Kingdom citizens, and they refuse to be under the rule of King Kuei any longer." She let her words hang in the air before delivering her proposal. "What if there is another solution?"

Aang, King Kuei, and the soldiers below all seemed to hold their breath, waiting for her to continue.

Azula raised her chin, her voice dripping with false magnanimity. "Independence. A fifth nation. These cities do not belong to the Fire Nation or the Earth Kingdom. Let them govern themselves. That way, neither side claims victory, and both get what they want."

King Kuei's expression twisted in shock. "A fifth nation? That's impossible!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief. "You can't just create a new nation out of thin air!"

Azula's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "It's not impossible," she countered smoothly. "There's precedent for it, though on a smaller scale. And we're not talking about entire regions—just a few cities. It's the most peaceful resolution. You, King Kuei, get to maintain the integrity of the Earth Kingdom without surrendering land to the Fire Nation. And I ensure my people have their freedom."

King Kuei's eyes darted toward Aang, seeking his guidance. "I... I will defer to the Avatar."

Azula rolled her eyes subtly at his cowardice but kept her composure. She turned her gaze back to Aang, watching carefully as he weighed her words. Aang's face remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—hesitation, perhaps.