Chang Ai [ENG] [zukaang/ zuko x aang fanfic]

Chapter XIX: Sozin's comet [pt III: Into the Inferno]

Sozin's comet flew through the earth's atmosphere, already breaking through the earth, the hot fireball quickly flew through the sky and warned everyone what was about to happen, those with the power to control fire felt its power absolute flow through them to commit their follies, attacks and spread fear making people want to hide in the shadows. Team Avatar, without Aang, continued with their initial plan, now Zuko and Katara were flying in Appa towards the Fire Nation's domains, both ready to confront Azula and fight him.

"Zuko, don't worry. We can defeat Azula" the waterbender told him, she had already noticed the state of concern in the latter one, but it seemed that the more they talked about it, more nervous he got.

"I'm not worried about her, I'm worried about Aang" Zuko replied with a more serious tone than usual and although he seemed to be focused on his mission, inside he was starting to lose his mind. Despite his internal anxiety, he noticed the sudden discomfort of the girl next to him "what if he doesn't have the guts to face my father?" his voice was firm now, but that question made it clear to the waterbender that he was scared and feared, Katara's expression became firm, she looked at him differently, almost agonizing. Zuko shifted his gaze to Katara, the wind was blowing hard, ruffling their hairs, if it was a moment to be honest, it had to be now "and... what if he loses?"

"Aang won't lose, he'll come back" Katara told him with a serious look on her face, she was so sure of herself that he even believed in her own words. Zuko looked at her for a moment before looking away towards the horizon "he has to come back"

The firebender looked at her and then looked back at the horizon, a small relief invaded him as soon as he heard the confidence with which Katara was speaking to him, but at the same time, he could not help feeling a bit of jealousy or perhaps it was anger that It was building up inside him, not that he did not believe that Aang would not come back, he had trusted his life to the little monk but he did not trust his father, he knew perfectly well that the man would do anything, ANYTHING to be able to win that war and the very idea of losing Aang made his stomach turn, this was going to be quite a long journey.

In the Fire Nation palace, Azula was being cared and cleaned by her maids before her coronation as the new Fire Lord begins; however, when a maid offered her some cherries, she spat out a cherry seed, believing it to have been a pathetic attempt to murder her.

"Hey, look at this, what am I holding?" Azula asked the maid who was holding the cherry bowl, showing her the seed in the palm of her hand.

"A cherry seed, princess" she replied as she lowered the cherry bowl to get a better look at the seed.

"Exactly and what day is today?"

"It's the day of your coronation" she said, lowering her eyes and turning her head away from the fearsome princess sight.

"Yes, it is" Azula said while staring at the cherry seed "please tell me why, on the most important day of my life you have decided to leave a seed in my cherry" she added as she threw the seed against the maid forehead.

"It wasn't a decision; it was just a small mistake" she replied.

"Small? what if I hadn't felt the seed in time?" Azula asked angrily, the other maids stopped their tasks to look at the scene that was happening in front of their eyes.

"I supposed you've drowned?"

"Yes, then you already know the seriousness of your crime."

"I understand, princess" the maid said as she bowed in front of her with fear "please forgive me"

"Oh okay. Since it is a special day, I will show you a little mercy" Azula said, the maid smiled in relief but her smile faded upon hearing the following words from the princess "you're banished, please leave the palace immediately" the woman put down the cherry bowl on the floor and left the room, Azula turned her gaze to her other two maids "what are you looking at? my feet need to be scrubbed and make sure you clean well between the toes" she added while holding the brush "I don't want my first day as a Fire Lord to be spoiled by poor feet hygiene"