Rumble!
The sky above Omashu rumbled loudly, streaks of lightning filling the sky like a pile of maggots crawling. Dark clouds gathered in a spiral; the air was extra fierce today.
"Such winds... And that rumble I heard faintly... This storm is not naturalistic... And the only one who can do this in my mind is... Blood Moon Norrak," Zuko said with clenched fists as he watched the sky, his hair moving fiercely from the wind.
The show of power in Zuko's eyes and his past encounters with Norrak caused Zuko to clench his fists in disgust, finally coming to the realisation that he could never pay the humiliation back now or in the future.
Iroh hummed a rhythm to himself as he twirled a teaspoon in his cup, warm tea in his brewing pot, and he took a smell from the pot. Iroh let out a satisfied sigh before looking at Zuko.
"Zuko, you do not have to keep comparing yourself to others. Your journey of finding the avatar ended, and you found the answer. You realised you were not a mere tool in your father's hand," Iroh said with a smile, his palm resting on Zuko's back.
"Uncle..." Zuko muttered to himself, his eyes turning somewhat wet. Though he knows that what his uncle says is true, the thought of not having either parent anymore still stung his spirit a little.
Even Azula... Does she even really consider him family anymore? She might even want to kill him in her mind. Zuko sighed as he thought of his little sister.
"And Zuko, comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone goes through something similar, after all. Everyone wishes they had something they don't possess," Iroh comforted Zuko, the sadness clear on his face.
"But it's your job to push past that desire, and to realise that your life does not revolve around wanting to be something you are not," Iroh finished speaking, turning to walk inside their tea shop.
Zuko closed his eyes, and his lungs expanded as he took in a deep breath. An invisible weight fell from his shoulders, and Zuko's dark eyes brightened, even if it was a tiny bit.
"Uncle is right. My life does not revolve around the throne, around chasing something that only brings me pain, and sure not about becoming a tool of my fa- Ozai," Zuko muttered with a firm tone, clenching his fists as his face turned determined.
"Uncle, thank you for your guidance! I really am, but I have now realised something... I need to take my father down by my own hands, even if that means killing him." Zuko turned around, bowing as his hair hid his eyes.
"Zuko..." Iroh turned around with surprise, his tone low as he looked at Zuko. Then his lips turned up as he noticed the determination in Zuko's eyes.
"I will be leaving to go back to the Fire Nation... I need to stop Ozai before Sozin's Comet! If he is not taken down before that... It would be catastrophic," Zuko said, and Iroh nodded in understanding.
"Well, I also taught you everything I know... You even surpassed me in some areas... I guess you can do it if you put your mind to it," Iroh commented before opening the tea shop's door, stepping inside.
Swoosh!
Crack!
Zuko caught a pouch of Fire Nation currency, filled with many copper pieces and some silver pieces mixed in the bag. Zuko looked at his uncle with gratitude before turning to walk away.
"May the spirits bless you on your journey," Iroh muttered as he watched Zuko's back disappear.
[Sun Warrior's ancient city...]
In a massive open space in the ancient city, Azula's airship was opening its door, with Azula coming outside the airship. Her appearance was different from before.
For instance, her hair was not in a bun, but let down from the back, with two long bangs going down the sides of her temples. Her lips were a blazing red, her lipstick shining, and her golden pupils looked more vibrant and alive.
Azula wore a dark burgundy skin-tight shirt under a bright red dress that split on the right at the waist, allowing her thigh to peek through. But sadly, under the dress, she still wore dark and baggy pants, with her shoes being red.
In Azula's hair, a blue three-pronged headpiece was, with a bright yellow flame in the middle. Behind Azula, Mai walked out from behind, her steps light and soundless.
"That purple attack in the distance... It must have been him, because they are the only ones outside of Iroh and Zuko to know this place still exists," Mai said with a thoughtful look, to which Azula grinned.
"Is the place for our Agni Kai ready?" Azula asked with a voice full of patient excitement and a hint of obsession. Mai looked at Azula, and she nodded her head.
For some weird reason, Azula decided that when Norrak and his group arrive. She would challenge him to an Agni Kai, the risks of losing still the same as in Omashu.
In Azula's mind, when Norrak loses the Agni Kai, he will become Azula's husband and her King. Norrak will also begin to follow and do as Azula says down to the T. Mai doesn't think that will happen, even with her new sub-bending.
Not to mention the purple light that exploded in the sky. This must be related to Norrak, and if that was an attack he could randomly create, Mai doesn't think Azula would win.
"Yes, the Agni Kai arena has been created by the Fire Nation soldiers still under your control, and the sun warriors," Mai said, and Azula nodded as she continued walking into the arena.
A few minutes later, I was walking towards the place. Azula and Mai arrived at the prepared arena. Where a massive clearing with a circular area hundreds of meters in width and almost a thousand meters long was.
The arena was higher than the floor with stone slabs, resembling almost a Perfect Cell's arena during the Cell games. The difference was that the radius and size were much larger.
"You know, I find this ironic. You, Azula, the future Queen of the Fire Nation, want a waterbender to become your husband and King," Mai spoke up suddenly, an amused look on her face as her lips slightly turned up.
"It is kind of ironic now that you said it. But in the end, what matters is that Norrak is not a weakling like the rest, and certainly not a goody two-shoes judging by the number of Fire Nation soldiers killed," Azula replied with a smirk, her hand under her chin in a thoughtful look.
"Oh, and Mai. I see that you broke up with my Zuzu. It isn't because you want Norrak, right? Because I will allow it, since you will become his concubine," Azula's words caused Mai's cheeks to heat up.
"But make no mistake, I am only allowing that because you are loyal to me, and because he does not seem satisfied with a single woman. Such a greedy man~," Azula muttered, her tone filled with annoyance and amusement.
"... You are merciful, my great Queen Azula," Mai said with a sarcastic tone, though the worry and tension in her eyes vanished.
_______________________________________________________
Mai is on the train! Also, comment on what you think about Azula's changed appearance. Due to her training with the dragon, and the increase in her Chi and physical strength, her height actually grew a few inches.
From five feet to a staggering five feet four inches! Which will increase to five feet 9 inches when she turns 21. The bust will also increase, along with every girl in the harem. Since they will be mature.
I plan to keep the harem just these girls: Katara, Ty Lee, Toph, Mai and Azula. And if I am feeling somewhat devious, I might even add 1 more girl, but not June, since I plan to leave her for Zuko.
Which girl would you like to see in the harem? No guarantees, and no Ursa; that would be strange.
Leave a power stone!