Earth Kingdom Chronicles Collection

by The Tale of Aang; Azula; Toph; Sokka; Zuko; Katara (retail) (epub)

  It’s working! I’m slipping into the Avatar state! I feel more powerful than I ever have before!

  BOOM!

  What’s that? What hit me? Oh, no. The bridge, it’s crumbling beneath my feet. … I’m falling. …

  I could hear Katara’s voice drifting softly through the darkness. Then I felt myself slowly waking up. In my mind I saw a glowing band of golden water soothing me, restoring me.

  When I finally opened my eyes, I was stretched out on Appa’s back, flying away from Ba Sing Se. Katara kneeled over me, healing me with her Waterbending. I hugged her and we both started to cry. She told me that Iroh had helped us escape. I guess some people will still surprise me after all.

  When I sat up, I saw that Sokka, Toph, and the Earth King were with us. The Earth King looked down at the city and sighed.

  “The Earth Kingdom has fallen,” he said solemnly.

  Everything was my fault—again. What if I had made a different choice? What if I had been able to give up Katara the first time, cleansed my chakra, and gained control of the Avatar state? Maybe the Earth Kingdom would now be free. Maybe Azula and Zuko would be defeated. Maybe the war would be over.

  But it isn’t. I have to find a way to make all this right. I just hope I can find the strength to figure out how. …

  Chapter 1

  My name is Azula. I am a princess of the Fire Nation. My father is Fire Lord Ozai, leader of the most powerful nation on Earth. Soon he will rule all the nations—Fire, Earth, Water, and Air. They will fall under his iron grip once my work is complete. Then, in time, I will succeed my father to the throne of the Fire Nation and become the next Fire Lord.

  But first things first. My task at the moment is to track down my uncle and my brother and return them to the Fire Lord for the punishment they deserve. My uncle Iroh is a traitor and a coward. Oh sure, once he was considered a great warrior, but when he ran from the battle of Ba Sing Se, he let control of the Earth Kingdom slip from his grasp. For that he has been banished from the Fire Nation for life.

  And what of my beloved big brother, Zuko? He is a failure, total and complete. My father said so just recently when he assigned me this task. Of course I already knew: Zuko’s been insufferable since we were children—a weak, whiny boy who never actually grew up. Whenever things didn’t go his way, he would go crying to our mother—until one day she was no longer there to protect him. He would never stand up for himself, and he certainly never stood up to me. He’s been afraid of me since I was nine years old, and that’s just the way I like it. I’m fourteen now, and I could destroy him with just one look. And to think that he’s next in line to become Fire Lord! The very idea makes me laugh.

  I know Zuko’s older than me. But Iroh is older than HIS brother, and Iroh’s cowardice and incompetence rendered him unworthy of the throne. And so it was my father, Ozai, who became Fire Lord. Well, history has a strange way of repeating itself. I believe that once again the younger sibling will ascend to the throne of the Fire Nation when the time comes. I will be the next Fire Lord, definitely not my useless brother.

  Zuko was banished from the Fire Nation for disrespecting our father. He has since been searching for the Avatar, to bring that little pest back to Father and eliminate any threat to the Fire Nation’s plan for world domination. But, of course, Zuko has failed. Time and again the Avatar has slipped through his fingers, and Zuko now runs and hides in disgrace with our uncle. But he cannot run forever, and he certainly cannot run from me!

  My father has supplied me with a beautiful ship, a Fire Nation royal sloop, to be precise—and I am nothing if not precise. The ship is filled with the luxuries befitting a princess, and is crewed by Fire Nation soldiers at my command. A great warrior and leader deserves nothing less.

  As the magnificent ship approached the port where Iroh and Zuko had last been seen, I addressed the troops who gathered on deck.

  “My brother and uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame on all of us. I understand that you may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family, but I assure you, if you hesitate in your duty to me and to your country, I will not hesitate to bring you down.”

  I can feel the fear spreading among them like a plague. Good. I like it when people are afraid of me. Frightened soldiers are obedient soldiers. They will obey my every wish, or they will know my wrath. Trust me. They don’t want to know my wrath.

  “Dismissed!”

  As the troops hurried off to their posts, the ship’s captain, a spineless little weasel, came scurrying up to me, muttering some gibberish about how the tides wouldn’t allow him to bring the ship into port before nightfall.

  I know just how to handle this poor excuse for a soldier. “I’m sorry, Captain,” I said with extreme politeness, “but I do not know much about the tides. Can you explain something to me?”

  “Of course, Your Highness.”

  Weakling. I’d love to get rid of him. But then who would steer the ship? “Do the tides command this ship?” I asked him.

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  Of course you don’t. You have no idea how close you are to vanishing in a flash of blue flame. “You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in. So again I ask you: Do the tides command this ship?”

  “No, Princess.”

  He seems to be catching on. Good. “And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?”

  “No, Princess.”

  I see the sweat bead on his forehead and his neck muscles tighten. He is afraid of me. “Well then, Captain, maybe you should worry less about the tides, who’ve already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me, who’s still mulling it over.”

  At this point the nervous man won’t even make eye contact with me. “I-I’ll p-pull us in at once, Your Highness,” he stammered, swallowing hard.

  Smart man. I’ll let you live. For today, anyway.

  Once we docked I made my way to a resort where our intelligence indicated that Iroh and Zuko were hiding out. Ha! Do they really think they can hide from the Fire Lord, or from me?

  As I approached their thatched hut on the beach, my stomach turned. Fugitives hiding out in luxury—how perfect.

  I moved silently to the hut, then peered through its window. There was Iroh, beaming with pride over his worthless collection of seashells. This was the once great warrior of the Fire Nation? The “Dragon of the West”? What a joke!

  And there was my sweet brother, throwing a temper tantrum because he had to carry his own bags. Poor little prince: so spoiled, so pitiful. But kind Azula has a surprise for you both.

  “Hello, Brother; Uncle,” I said, stepping into their hut.

  “What are YOU doing here?” Zuko cried, moving swiftly into an attack pose.

  My, my, what a brave warrior, ready to defend his vacation hut. But so rude! Zu-zu needs to be taught a lesson in manners. Zu-zu. He hates it when I call him that. “In MY country we exchange a pleasant ‘hello’ before asking questions,” I said. “Have you become so uncivilized so soon, Zu-zu?”

  “Don’t call me that!”

  So predictable, my brother.

  “To what do we owe this honor?” Iroh asked coldly.

  Zuko masked his fear with bluster, Iroh with his stoic manner. But I know they both fear me. As well they should. “Must be a family trait—both of you so quick to get to the point,” I said. “I’ve come with a message from home: Zuko, Father’s changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He’s heard rumors of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots.”

  I think Zuko is intrigued by my “news,” but he’s showing me nothing of what he feels. This next bit should get him, though. “Family are the only ones you can really trust,” I told him in my most sincere tone. “So what I’ve come to tell you is this: Father regrets your banishment. He wants you to come home.”

  I’m still not getting a reaction from Zuko
. Is he trying hard to be brave, or is he just stupid?

  “Did you hear me?” I asked impatiently. “You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news!”

  “I am sure your brother simply needs a moment to—”

  “Don’t interrupt, Uncle!” I snapped. “I still haven’t heard my thank-you. I’m not a messenger. I didn’t have to come all this way to deliver the good news.”

  Zuko’s eyes are glazed over. I believe he heard me, but he looks as if he’s stunned. I admit I must have caught him off guard, but—

  “Father … regrets … he wants me back?”

  Ah, there’s the hope and relief I was looking for. The fish has taken the bait. Why did I even think this would be a difficult task? He is clearly mine. Now I just have to finish playing my role. “I can see you need time to take this in,” I said. “I’ll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.”

  I left the hut and hurried back to my ship. There is much to be done to prepare for my dear brother’s return. After all, it’s not every day that the prince of the Fire Nation boards a ship heading home for a “hero’s welcome”!

  The next morning all was ready. I lined my soldiers up on deck. They have their orders, and each one had better follow them to the letter. I’m waiting in my quarters. Is it possible they won’t show? I don’t think Zuko can resist the idea that Father has forgiven him, but I can’t be too sure just yet of what he will do.

  At that moment, one of my soldiers knocked on the door to tell me that Zuko and Iroh were approaching the ship. I hurried up to the deck.

  As Zuko and Iroh stepped onto the gangplank leading up to the ship, I flashed them a big smile. “Brother! Uncle! Welcome!” They are here. This is all too easy. “I’m so glad you decided to come!”

  As Zuko stepped onto the deck I gave him a big hug. Then I bowed oh-so-respectfully to Iroh. That’s when the captain stepped up to me and asked if we were ready to depart.

  “Set our course for home, Captain.”

  Once again Zuko’s eyes glazed over, lost in dreams of his homecoming. “Home,” he mumbled to himself.

  The captain turned to his crew. “You heard the princess!” he shouted. “Raise the anchors! We’re taking the prisoners home—” The captain suddenly stopped, realizing his mistake.

  PRISONERS! You incompetent fool!

  Iroh looked at me with daggers in his eyes. He didn’t trust me from the start, and now he knows the truth. But Zuko is so in love with the idea of going home that he still hasn’t realized the meaning of the captain’s words.

  The captain turned toward me, looking for understanding and forgiveness. “Your highness, I-I-”

  But I ignored him. Right now I have a more immediate situation to take care of.

  “Run!” Iroh shouted. My uncle sent a few of my soldiers overboard with some Firebending.

  But poor, deluded Zuko couldn’t believe his little sister had betrayed him. He charged right at me, rage burning in his eyes. “You lied to me!” he shouted.

  How can you be so naive, big brother? Always expecting people to behave the way you would like them to behave instead of looking at the world the way it really is. “Like I’ve never done that before,” I said smugly.

  He really should know me by now. Oh, he’s so angry! He may actually get up the nerve to attack me.

  And he did. Zuko threw all he had at me, unleashing a Firebending barrage. Impressive, but nothing I couldn’t handle. He’s far too emotional and unfocused. I easily sidestepped or blocked each of his feeble attacks. I saw no need to strike back … yet.

  First I’ll just have some fun.

  “You know Father blames Iroh for the loss at the North Pole,” I taunted.

  Oh, Zuko is furious! How delightful! His feeble attacks amuse me, and I can’t resist continuing. “And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar.”

  That one’s sending him over the edge! He’s even trying to kick me, just like when we were little. And just as I was then, I’m faster and better than he is. I’d almost forgotten how much fun this is.

  “Why would Father want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?” I said with a smile on my face.

  Look at him, screaming with all his helpless fury. There! He’s overextended himself. Time to end this little charade.

  I struck him with a series of swift Firebending jabs, far too fast for him to defend himself. Then I drove him back to the deck, where he lay sprawled, powerless to stop me. Now I will end this with a blast of lightning!

  But as I unleashed a powerful bolt of blue lightning, Iroh redirected the blast away from Zuko and the ship. The lightning bolt slammed into a nearby mountain. THOOM! The force of the blast caused the deck to explode into a thousand fragments, and sent me flying off the ship and into the water.

  Iroh! I should have gotten rid of him immediately when I saw him yesterday. Father surely would not have mourned the loss of such a traitor and coward.

  My soldiers dove from the burning ship to save me, but I did not require saving. “Forget about me, you fools,” I told them. “I am perfectly capable of swimming to safety! Go stop Iroh and Zuko!”

  But they were too late. By the time the soldiers swam back to the ship, my tiresome brother and uncle were gone. I have failed in my first attempt to capture them. But no matter. First my incompetent crew will pay dearly for this disaster, and then I will resume my search. I will bring those two back to Father. Of that I have no doubt—but perhaps I need a different strategy for my next step.

  Chapter 2

  After returning to what was left of my ship, I ordered my soldiers to round up everyone who worked at the resort. I should destroy them all for giving Iroh and Zuko a safe place to hide, but I will hold off for now. They may come in handy, especially if I offer a little added incentive.

  I created a poster with images of Iroh and Zuko. Then I stepped from the ship and addressed the gathered employees of the resort, holding the poster high above my head.

  “Anyone who harbors these two traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!” I announced, rattling the poster for extra effect.

  The crowd let out a gasp. Good, just the kind of reaction I wanted. They fear me and they fear Father. It is now only a matter of time before the fugitives are firmly in my grasp.

  I consulted with my advisers, two wise old women, Lo and Li. They sat in lotus positions on either side of me as I contemplated my next move.

  “When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with the royal procession may no longer be an option,” Lo stated.

  “It may no longer be wise,” Li added.

  “If you hope to keep the element of surprise,” Lo and Li said together.

  Wise words indeed. The pomp and grandeur of this huge ship, this royal procession with all its luxurious trappings, are my birthright. But in this case they may serve as an early warning signal to Zuko and Iroh that I am close at hand. Two individuals traveling light will have stealth, secrecy, and speed on their side against all this dead weight.

  If I want to catch my prey I must be agile and nimble. I must change my approach. I will leave all this behind. I need to enlist the help of a small, fast, elite team of operatives whom I trust completely. We will move swiftly and silently, and trap the fugitives when they least expect it.

  It’s time I visit some old friends and recruit them to this all-important task.

  My first stop in the search for my team was a circus. I was looking for an old friend from childhood.

  Ah, there she is. It’s been years since I’ve seen her, but she looks the same. Slim, athletic, and full of energy. She is working as an acrobat in the circus. What a dreadful waste of her talent—it is a disgusting, unpleasant place. What could she possibly see in all this filth? But it doesn’t really matter. The next phase of her life, in which she serves her nation and her Fire Lord, is about to begin. I am sure of it.

  “Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?” I
ask politely, knowing the answer.

  She turned and looked right at me. “Azula!” Ty Lee exclaimed excitedly. Then she untwisted herself out of the pretzel-like pose she had been in, and bowed respectfully to me. Even though we are old friends, it is good that she knows her place—and that she realizes exactly who she is dealing with. “It’s so good to see you, Azula!”

  “Please don’t let me interrupt your … whatever it is you’re doing,” I said, glad that she was so enthusiastic to see me. She will prove to be a valuable ally.

  Ty Lee went back to her stretching as I wondered what she was doing here among the smelly animals and circus performers. She is, after all, the daughter of a nobleman, and she attended the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, just as I did. I’m certain her parents would not want her to end up in a horrid place like this.

  “Ty Lee, I have a proposition for you,” I said. “I’m hunting a traitor. You remember my old fuddy-duddy uncle, don’t you?”

  “Oh yeah, he was so funny!”

  Funny! What could she possibly find funny about that pathetic old man? My face tightened.

  Sensing my displeasure, Ty Lee quickly and nervously added, “I mean, what a shame he’s become a traitor.”

  Good. She knows when she’s crossed the line with me. “I would be honored if you would join me on my mission,” I continued.

  “Oh, I would love to, really,” Ty Lee replied. “But the truth is, I’m really happy here. I love this life.”

  I was not expecting her to say this at all, but I don’t show my surprise. Her mind will change soon enough. “Well, I wouldn’t want you to give up the life you love just to please me,” I said, knowing that she eventually would.

  Ty Lee bowed. “Thank you, Azula,” she said respectfully.

  “Of course, before I leave, I’m going to catch your show,” I said sweetly.

  “Um, yeah, sure, of course,” said Ty Lee, as a look of confusion crossed her face.

  Later that evening I entered the circus tent for Ty Lee’s performance. I was shown to a private area, and was seated in an elaborate chair that resembled a throne. Proper respect for the princess of the Fire Nation. I was pleased to see it.