eddieow - Tumblr blog

eddieow · 2 years

Text

More than you deserve

@eddieow

I have no excuses for how incredibly late I am. After some hectic weeks, I finally found time to finish this. I hope you enjoy it :D

And again, I'm really sorry for the late gift.

In the open yard of the Fire Nation Palace, she watched the guards help get the furry beast ready while Katara gave them instructions. However, the person she was looking for had yet to arrive. A general sense of concern filled the entire Palace. Servants, guards, and even visitors could anticipate that a tragedy was to come.

Whispers spread across the Palace, and then the rumours leaked into the Capital, like the plague. By now, everyone had heard the Princess' condition did not fate well. Visitors from all noble families came to ask about her daughter, about what could have caused such a malady. Not only nobles came inquiring after her, but Fire Sages, and a myriad of physicians, and healers, all eager to tend to the Princess' illness so they could earn the gratitude of the Fire Lord, and maybe a favour or two. Every day they came, and every day every single one would say the same: the chances of the Princess getting better were scarce. As her mother, it was her responsibility to receive all of them and listen to either their subtle condolences or discouraging words.

The Fire Lord wasn't in the Fire Nation. He had been required in his newly formed United Republic of Nations, and he took his family with him. As always, he had left Iroh as interim regent, and as such, the man busied himself with the most immediate problems of the Nation. So it was all up to her to take care of her daughter's issues.

The beast’s low growl made her look back at the yard's entrance, where a tall Water Tribe man stood cradling a squirming bundle in his arms. His handsome features contorted in a determined expression. He kept glancing back, though, as if lingering for someone else, unwilling to leave alone.

Ursa walked towards Sokka, putting a gentle hand on his bare arm and taking a glimpse of her granddaughter. She was a precious little thing, an identical copy of her mother in every regard, with such powerful lungs that gave her away as a Firebender the moment she was born. Sokka turned his head at her, acknowledging her with a nod.

"Are you certain you want to take your child all the way to Republic City? We could look after her just as well, I assure you".

Sokka shook his head, closing his eyes as if trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing.

"We still don't know what could have gotten her so ill. The healers said it could be contagious, and even Katara thinks it's better not to take chances," he let out a shaky sigh. "She would agree".

Ursa nodded.

“Then you better hurry. The faster you get to Air Temple Island, the faster you two will be on your way to the North Pole”.

Ever since Azula had fallen sick, Sokka had not spent a day away from her, only leaving her side to check on the nursery where their baby was. Azula had not seen her child in weeks, first out of fear of getting her ill too, and then, after a relapse, because she did not have the strength to hold her or even stay conscious.

The last time she was awake, she went missing for a couple of hours, the whole staff looking everywhere until a maid found her in one of the inner gardens. A fever struck her right after that. Azula mumbled and whispered nonsense words for what seemed days, falling in and out of consciousness until one morning she didn't wake.

That had been a week ago, and things were not facing any better.

Master Katara had been summoned then, and she came as fast as she could.

Having his sister by his side appeased Sokka, if just for one moment. Katara managed to restrain the fever but, after long healing sessions, she gave the same verdict as the others: Azula might not make it.

And Sokka broke.

He dismissed everyone out of their shared chambers in the Fire Nation Palace, even Ursa. He went missing all night, just leaving his sister to look after his family. Later she would find out why.

He came back with a grim mood and a countenance of fierce determination. He had a plan.

It took them less than some hours to gather everything they would need for the journey. They had planned to stop by Republic City so that they could leave the baby in the care of the Air Acolytes, whom Katara trusted with her life. And then, they would go to the North Pole.

Ursa had heard, more than once, the story of Princess Yue. How she had been saved as a baby, and how she had become the Moon Spirit afterwards. And she had also heard how Katara saved the Avatar's life with her healing abilities and water from the Spirit Oasis.

The plan was simple, and their long friendship with their sister tribe would help them. But time was not on their side, and if they didn't manage to fetch the Spirit Water and be back within a few days, Azula would definitely not make it.

Her daughter had been ill for months now and weaker by the day.

Oh, my child, she thought, let’s see if luck is on your side. Now we can only wait.

She sighed and followed Sokka.

Ursa stood aside quietly while Katara climbed on the bison’s back and stretched to take the baby, who fussed around until she found a sweet spot on her aunt's arms, still dreaming.

Sokka glanced back again, pain filling his mesmerizing blue eyes.

"She'll be fine," Ursa found herself saying, her words meant to ease his worry. "She has endured worse, Sokka, and she has you now, you will save her."

He shut his eyes tight. "Don't leave her alone, please, she might be scared and run again if she wakes when no one is there." He pursed his lips and finally turned at her, locking his eyes with hers. "If she wakes and asks for her..."

Ursa smiled at him and cupped his left cheek with her palm, reassuringly. "I'll tell her where you and your baby went," she said, trying to soothe him with her soft voice and her warm caress. "I'm her mother, Sokka, there is no better person to look after her than me."

He didn't seem less worried. "I just hope we managed to get back on time." She withdrew her hand slowly, it was like he hadn't even noticed her touch.

Ursa winced.

"You will be. Now, get on that bison and let me take care of my daughter."

He didn't say anything, just climbed on the bison's head and gave the palace one last look before taking the reins and ordering the beast to ascend.

She waved at them and followed their shape with her eyes until they were far beyond her sight, blending with the grey clouds that seemed to match everyone's mood these days.

Ursa took a deep breath, still feeling the tickle sensation of Sokka's unshaven cheek against her palm, warmth spreading up and down through her arm.

She shook her head and composed herself. Mentally preparing to walk back to the palace and talk to more visitors, repeat the same news about her sick daughter and accept their pitied looks and words.

Let’s see if they make it. She doesn’t have much time.

When the maid approached, calling her name and breaking into a sprint to catch up with her on her way to her private garden, she expected the worst.

The girl hadn't said a word; Ursa didn't give her the time. Instead, she rushed to her daughter's chambers upon seeing the apprehension of the maid's gaze. All sorts of thoughts crossed her mind among them, how would he take the news.

What she didn't think of, though, was finding her daughter sitting up, still in bed, but looking as regal as possible. And more conscious than she had been in weeks. She was pale, breathing in and out slowly, controlling her movements not to exert herself and let it show how weak she truly felt. But Ursa saw past that mask, noticing her lips pursed, her limbs strained, and the slight tremble of her chest every time she inhaled. She knew Azula had to be in pain, those small signals proving her right. Ursa put her hands to her mouth, gasping.

"It is good to see you too, Mother," Azula said in a husky voice, a natural result after days without speaking.

And then, she realized they weren't alone. Another maid and the doctor's assistant were pacing all around the room, and the palace's physician was gathering his tools, having finished the examination.

"Why didn't anybody tell me? I should have been here when you woke up." Regret filled her words. She turned to the man still crouching over the nightstand beside Azula.

"Lady Ursa," he started, nodding at her respectfully but not meeting her eyes, "I came as soon as I was told the Princess had awoken, our most immediate concern was to check on the Princess and I didn't have the time..."

"I asked them not to," she said, closing her eyes, and then she smirked a little. "I didn't want to worry you. They already told me how dutifully you have been taking care of your sick daughter since my husband left."

Ursa hid a wince. Azula had always been able to make her lose her composure, even as a child.

"How is she?" Ursa asked, addressing the doctor instead.

"Better than I had expected. Her heart rate isn't as dangerously slow as before, I will need to check her blood pressure over night, but her lungs still seem to be causing trouble. We shall keep an eye on it," the old man lifted his lips in a lopsided grin. "Master Katara's healing did good to you, Princess, but you are still forbidden to leave the bed. Whatever disease you caught, it compromised your immune system badly. If you catch a fever again, you might have a relapse, perhaps worse than the previous one."

He then bowed to the Princess lightly, who moved her hand, dismissing him for the time being. He had already said all those things to her, and she was to expect him within a few hours. Azula said nothing when, after drinking some concoction the physician had given her, she saw her mother go after the man and speak to him. She would have tried to eavesdrop on their conversation, but she felt a heaviness in her heart draining what little strength she had left.

The first thing on her mind after opening her eyes was them. She was lucky one of her maids, Yu, was there, or she would have got out of bed looking for them. As the three women helped her tuck in bed for the night, she glared at her mother, and decided as soon as morning came, she would do as she had planned.

"I'll make sure she follows your instructions, Ryo," Ursa said, walking the man to the door. "I am grateful for all your dedication, and I apologise for my daughter's behaviour. You know her, she hates looking anything but in control."

The man smiled again but lowered his head before speaking. "I'm trying to do my best, but I'm afraid my efforts won't be enough. I went through every book, document and register I could, nothing there fits with her symptoms. It can't be a plague or a family disease. I feel as lost as a novice." He pinched the brink of his nose and sighed.

Ursa lowered her head, shoulders dumping. "I know you're doing your best, but things like this tend to happen. I've heard of people dying out of the blue. If you think Katara's treatment worked, then maybe I should send a message and tell them to return..."

"Please. Don't do that," he said quietly, meeting her eyes. "There is a big chance she’ll be in need of that Spirit Water. I was serious about a relapse, the last one kept her out for far too long and Waterbending healing must have helped her. But if it happens again... I'm not sure if she will wake up again." At the absentminded expression on Ursa's face, the doctor reached her shoulder with a firm grip. "Have faith, Ursa. Your daughter counts on you."

The doctor left, leaving Ursa alone with her thoughts.

Azula was soundly asleep by the time Ursa sat on the chair, which she had claimed as hers during those endless hours watching her daughter sleep.

As hours went on, Ursa dozed off. The doctor came back and noticed her patient's temperature had increased at some point, nearly high enough to cause a seizure. An assistant was called immediately, and after an hour or two, the doctor told Ursa if Azula didn't wake by morning, they would be unable to do anything to help and that Azula was lucky he had come when he did, or she wouldn't have made it.

"She really is lucky," Ursa murmured, as the doctor left and she took her seat beside her daughter. Watching over her sleep once again.

Azula, to everyone's relief, woke up with the sun.

She was weaker than the night before, shivering even when she was wrapped in warm blankets, and the sun illuminated the room.

Ursa left her side when the doctor and the maids came. She went to her own chambers to change clothes and get some sleep. She had lunch with another noble lady and her young daughter, who was about Kiyi's age. She thought they would make good friends, and they arranged to introduce them when she returned from her trip with the Fire Lord.

As had happened the day before, one of the maids came to her, and Ursa rushed back to Azula's chambers. But what she found was even more surprising than what had happened yesterday. The bedroom was now full of people. The maids, the doctor and his assistant, a Fire Sage and an attorney, all of them stood still surrounding Azula's sickbed.

Her daughter was leaning on a handful of pillows placed against the headboard, too weak to stand her own weight but still trying to look as the dignified Princess she had always been. Ursa approached hesitantly.

"Azula? What is the meaning of this?"

It was the attorney who answered.

"In the light of her still unknown illness and other recent events, Princess Azula had summoned us as witnesses of her will. As a member of the royal family, she has deemed it necessary to make this of public knowledge."

Ursa's distraught expression didn't go unnoticed. She saw compassion in the eyes of the attorney when she passed beside him to sit by her daughter's side. It was Azula herself who answered the question in her mind.

"Do not fret, mother, it is a preventive measure if worse comes to worst." They locked gazes for a moment. A million words passed between them and, when Azula looked away, Ursa felt a twinge of fear.

Ursa leaned closer to the bed, close enough to stroke her daughter's hair—she had always loved her hair—and softly asked. "How did you get this sick, my child? How come? I still don't understand."

Azula didn't flinch away. Instead, she answered in the same measured tone. "You know very well what caused my illness, mother."

Ursa stiffened, subtly enough not to drag attention to herself, and then she listened.

The Fire Sage, who also acted as scribe, wrote down her every word. Azula—given the short time she'd had—had thought wisely on the hows and whos. Of course, most of her heritage as a Princess of the Fire Nation would go to her family, belongings, properties, hers by right, and a stipend for life from her personal fortune to Sokka and their daughter. Her niece was named, as well, jewels and books for the young Crown Princess. Her sister, her brother's wife, her husband's sister, the Fire Lord, her closest friends, and even maids were named, all part of the Princess' will, but her mother.

Before Ursa could speak, Azula resumed her speaking.

"It is my wish to receive the funeral rituals of the Fire Nation. My body will burn in the sacred fire as tradition dictates, here in the Fire Nation Palace that once was my home," she raised a jerky hand to the blue betrothal necklace Sokka had carved for her years ago. It felt as if it had been in another life. She wondered where he would be. If she would ever see him again.

When it was apparent Azula had finished, Ursa raised her voice in a hesitant question. Azula dropped her hand and kept going, she wasn't finished yet.

"Afterwards, you will provide my husband with a copy of this document. Aware him I wish my ashes to be spread in the South Pole, as it is traditional in his homeland."

When it was apparent Azula had finished, Ursa raised her voice in a hesitant question. "My daughter," she started. "Is it you have forgotten about your mother? You've named most of your loved ones already. Did I do something to fall out of your grace? Or is it you still resent me, after all this time?"

Ursa waited, patiently analyzing Azula's reaction. To her satisfaction, she met her expectant eyes and responded.

"Believe me mother. You will get more than you deserve." She raised her chin, her hoarse voice long gone. "For my mother, I have prepared something special myself," Azula didn't tear her gaze apart, challenging. "My chambers will pass to her. She will have full control over the fate of my wing of the palace. If she wants to turn it into a ballroom or make it her own resting place, it will be fine with me. I know she always felt attached to this place. Even before my illness. It will be hers as long as she stays away from my family."

"Azula! Do you realize what you are saying!" Ursa exclaimed.

Azula didn't stop. "I also want her to have two special chests stored by her garden, where she receives her visitors, they are in her gardening storage." She spoke matter-of-factly. Her words took more effort than she had anticipated, she didn’t complain. "Among the contents of the chests, you will find a warranty deed of the quality of your ingredients, mother, as well as a receipt in your name and promissory notes belonging to many of the people you have given money to.” Ursa saw confusion take over the maids' expressions. The Sage and the Attorney exchange a glance, and the doctor only frowned, puzzled. Azula ignored them all. “They contain enough ingredients to prepare dozens of concoctions, the ones you are famous for. I made sure to supply you with just the very best. You will be able to provide months worth of scents, contraceptives, medicine… even poison."

This time, Ursa didn't need to see her surroundings to know everyone had gone dead silent, finally realizing what they were witnessing.

Even the scribe had stopped writing. Stunned.

"Have you got any idea of what you are implying, Azula? Whatever you are scheming against me, I deny it. How could you think such things of your own mother? Listen to yourself, you are delusional! I have cared for you all this time! Even back then when you brought your child to this world!"

Azula's hard look made her feel defensive. Her eyes reminded her so much to another, to the man who she had called husband once.

"Am I even implying something, mother? I am no coward, and I'm certainly not afraid of accusing you directly. You, Ursa, have been poisoning me, your own daughter, for months. You induced an early birthing and then took advantage of it to make my illness look as a result of it. Oh, and you have been accumulating considerable capital through usury, but that’s not her nor ther right now.”

Before anyone could utter another sound, Azula started again.

“Isn't it curious how nobody could guess what was wrong with me? How could they, when they didn't know what they were dealing with? You made sure I was treated for a post-pregnancy fever, not poisoning. And you have a history with them, mother. Have you forgotten your last day in the Palace, all those years ago?"

Ursa had recoiled from her daughter. Lips parted and a deep frown soured her regal, and still beautiful features. The damage had been done, and now she could do one thing only.

"Dismissed! All of you. Princess Azula is delusional. Her fever is provoking this. I will look after her from now on." All of the people in the room remained still, startled from the things they had just heard. Ursa couldn't put up with this right now. "Didn't you listen? You are dismissed! Get out! NOW!"

Everyone left in haste. Utterly aghast for the sudden accusation

Ursa glanced back at Azula, who didn't shy away, trying to look as unyielding as she could.

"You have no proof, Azula. Nobody will believe in the words of a woman whose rationality has been affected by fevers."

"Perhaps you are right. But I don't need everyone to believe me, for I know the one person that matters the most will. And you know he will not buy your lies."

Ursa felt her heart pounding inside her. Blood drained from her face.

"What?" she uttered in a small voice. Azula smirked.

"Turns out, you're a better liar than I could ever be." A shiver ran down her spine, leaving her dizzy, but her mind was clearer than ever. "You somehow fooled us all, even that blind Earthbender. Even me" Azula took a deep breath. "For years you've been planning how to get rid of me. At first, I thought you considered me a threat to my brother's throne or that I was scheming his doom. And I was stupid enough to try to get on your good side. Sokka told me how caring and motherly you were toward everybody, that you just didn't know how to

approach me. But, for some reason, I felt the more I tried the more you pushed me away. And it only worsened when I married Sokka" Ursa was now looking at her with dread. A hand covering her mouth. "You were always too cold, too distant. I really convinced myself that I was the problem.”

"Azula, I-"

"I told Sokka, '' Azula said. Cutting her off. "That's why we left for the Soth Pole. He knew I needed time away from everything. He was right. It did me good to be away from it all,” she chuckled lightly. "I told Sokka, '' Azula said. Cutting her off. "That's why we left for the Soth Pole. He knew I needed time away from everything. He was right. It did me good to be away from it all,” she chuckled lightly. She recalled the feeling of her daughter clad safely in her arms, looking at her with her bright golden-like eyes. She remembered Sokka's loving eyes when she told him the news back then in the South. His joyful smile had made her heart flutter in bliss when he realized they were going to be parents. His utter excitement had appeased her own fears to the point she wound up keen to meet their child, too.

“But then,” Azula spoke after a while, “I let Zuzu and Kiyi talk me into visiting you. They told me you had been asking about me a lot. And I accepted to come because I wanted my child to be born here. Selfish, I know, but Sokka agreed and promised to be by my side at every moment." Her shoulders slumped, tiredness taking over her. She felt exhausted already. However, she strengthened herself and hardened her voice. "And now you have forced him into leaving me. He took my baby with him and, even if it pains me, I know it was the right thing to do."

"I didn't force him into anything, Azula. I don't know what you are talking about." Her voice one pitch higher than normal.

"You didn't, huh? Let me get this straight for you. You poisoned me because you wanted me dead. Because you are jealous, mother."

Ursa didn't reply. They hold a long, tense gaze before Ursa let out a nervous laugh.

"Oh, child. You've lost every sense of reality."

"Have I? Didn't you steal hair and blood from me to create a poison specifically for me that conveniently had no cure? Didn't you recommend herbs and teas during my pregnancy to ease birthing, even though you forgot to mention they could cause miscarriage or induce early birthing? Didn't you wait until my health was at my lowest to spill poison into my medicine and blame it on my condition? Or maybe did you forget you grew close to Sokka back then when your husband died and tried to make a move on him right after his memorial, only for him to ask you for your blessing to marry me the very next day?” Azula's death stare and his blunt words struck her to the core, as hard as lightning.

"H-how do you know that?" Ursa blurted out, unsure.

"He told me," Azula said, shrugging. "By the time that happened, if I recall correctly, I was already suspicious. Even if I didn't want to, I was. I should have listened to my guts back then, but I wanted you to love me, mother. That's what I always wanted. But the moment I stood between what you desired and you, you tried to kill me".

Silence filled the room. Azula let her words sink in. She knew her mother was thinking about that day, too. Right after Noren died, Ursa was devastated. She mourned his death the proper amount of time, keeping a grieving widow’s facade all along, but she was already planning her next step, how she would get him. What she never considered, though, was that Azula would stand in her way, bewitching him, and she expected Sokka to fall for her, too, even less.

The memorial of the first year of her husband's death arrived, and she was determined to make something happen. Ursa had waited for years, and it was time to say the words she had been keeping to herself, at last. A few drinks of the strongest liquor she could get were enough to encourage her. She knew she wasn't drunk, but the flash of pain his rejection gave her made her wish she had been. Where his voice once had been pleasant and inviting, now was cold and firm: he made it clear he didn't feel the same way.

She got back to her chambers, ablaze with anger.

The liquor didn't last nearly enough for her liking, but that allowed her to keep her mind clear. Instead of drowning her misery in alcohol, she plotted a new scheme in the dark of a night of an early Fire Nation autumn.

The following morning, her sourness hadn't gone completely. For her youngest, Kiyi, her attitude seemed understandable, for she thought her mother was mourning Noren, too. Ursa had been avoiding everyone all morning, staying in her chambers with her daughter as her only companion.

By the time she was getting ready for dinner, though, he came to her. She felt a glimmer of hope when she saw him there, but it died as soon as he spoke. Sokka told her his intentions, pointing out they would leave before dawn, and he wanted her to be the first to know.

As promised, they left before sunrise, but Ursa wasn't there to see them go. A couple of months later, her son and daughter travelled to the South Pole for their wedding. They asked her to come as well, but she shook them off, saying she had caught some sort of seasonal virus.

The day she heard the news, she went murderous. She stayed up for days, plotting plan after plan and lie after lie until she came up with something. She needed to have them back in the palace, so she started her ploy. Playing the caring mother wasn't difficult. She inquired after her daughter pretty often, making sure they noticed her worried frown, letting out a sigh here and there, and telling everyone how much she missed Azula and how sorry she was for not being by her side at the moment.

But Azula had found out, and she couldn’t allow it. She needed to act fast.

"You have no proof, Azula. Only a bunch of events you think are connected, and your word." Ursa carefully rose as if challenging her daughter to do something. "Who are they going to believe? The Fire Lord's mother, who only ever tries to keep her family together? Or her sick, mad sister?"

"I'm not mad. And I told you, I don't need everyone to believe me. Just him." Azula moved upwards a little, tiring herself in the process. "As for no proof? Remember the chests I mentioned before? I had been wary of you for a very long time. It couldn't be a coincidence I presented the first symptoms right after I took your tea. I had a guard follow you; he saw you handing gold to some currier. A few extra coins and he spilt the beans. He said he was going to fetch some ingredients for you, many of them quite rare and expensive. I felt paranoid at the time, so I had them intercepted before they could reach you. I wanted to show you the contents of the chests myself, to see your reaction, and perhaps expose you right then and there. But I felt worse with each passing day. And when I woke up that morning, I knew I didn't have that much time. So I went to your garden, to find out if I was wrong to believe you were hiding secrets from us. Everyone knows you sell all kinds of concoctions to anyone willing to pay. I recalled seeing you go in and out from that place. I went through your gardening stuff, and what I found almost made me vomit.”

Ursa clenched fists, knowing full well she was referring to the dozens of handkerchiefs stained with Azula’s blood. The one’s she thought she’d been keeping locked safe. Constant nose bleeds and bloody bruises were her first symptom. Ursa administered the doses just the right amount to make sure Azula’s health would drop little by little, buying herself time to collect the rest of the ingredients she needed. Her plans had been working smoothly and now…

When she thought of Sokka her heart raced. She felt her world crumble around her just thinking about what he would say, how he would look at her if he discovered the truth.

If he chose to believe in Azula’s words…

She stopped herself, now wasn’t the moment to fret. She focussed her attention on Azula again.

"Let's stop playing, shall we? It’s your word against mine…"

“In that, you are mistaken” Azula breathed in and out with difficulty, it was getting harder and harder to speak. “The guard who saw you can confirm my words. And I just had a bunch of other people listen to me blaming you. Even if you manage to prove yourself innocent, there will be rumours, and Sokka will learn of this sooner or later.”

“You didn’t have time to sign the document, Azula. It's worth nothing” Ursa spat.

“Say what you say, Ursa. Whether they decide to make it valid or not, it does not matter. The damage is done” A coughing fit took over her, leaving her dizzy afterwards. “Zuko will make sure to fulfill my last will, I know it, if not for me, for Sokka and our daughter.” Her voice was hoarse, just above a whisper. Ursa smiled.

“Zuko will never doubt his own mother. All I need is to have him on my side, I don’t care about what everyone else might think”

“Not even my husband?” Azula raised her brow, sarcastically. “My brother might buy your lies, maybe even the nation, but not Sokka, never him.”

Ursa swallowed hard, glaring daggers at her. She felt years of accumulated rage flooding her senses, pushing her boundaries until she finally snapped.

“You should have died weeks ago,” she hissed, seeing red. “Your doctor was right. Sokka’s damn sister is good, you owe her your life. You owe your life to the person who despises you the most, isn’t that ironic?” Ursa laughed humorlessly. “The same woman you tried to kill once, saved you because she’s pitied you; because she’s better than you” she got closer to the side of the bed, facing Azula directly. “You don’t deserve that. You don’t deserve him.”

“And you do?” Ursa ignored her,

“I will do anything it takes to help him realize his mistake. Marrying you was only that, a mistake. I’m here to open his eyes to the truth, he will finally see me.”

“No, he won’t,” said Azula bluntly. “The only thing he will see is what he already suspected. He will see you as the desperate, pathetic woman you have become” another fit of coughing wracked her, Azula fell on her side, holding her weight with her elbow.

Ursa saw her struggle to regain air. Azula had a hand pressed against her chest and her eyes were closed tightly, leaning over her left side. Ursa didn’t move, she just stood there until her daughter’s breath stabilized. Her regal posture was long gone, and her pale face betrayed her true state, she was about to lose consciousness yet again. Ursa fought a smile.

“Look at you,” she said in a condescending tone. “You call me pathetic, but you can even breathe, let alone firebend” every word was full of venom, now, no more pretending. “You have relied on your fire for too long. You bewitched Sokka with it, the same way you did with your father. You, a prodigy, are nothing without your fire, Azula. And I will not allow you to do more damage to the ones I love with it, I give you my word. On my honour.”

Azula wanted to answer, to say something and make her leave, but before she had the chance, Ursa lifted a hand. “Save your breath, child. If you speak again you may fall unconscious any time, and I cannot say whether you’ll awake or not the next time”. Ursa turned away and left the room, her mind set on the next plan, getting rid of the evidence.

Azula watched her go. A sense of relief washed over her. It didn’t matter what happened, she had done her part, now it was all up to Sokka.

The relief she felt was replaced with another shiver, and she knew her mother was right. She felt her eyelids heavy, and her vision was blurry, clear signs that she would soon drip into unconsciousness. She thought of Sokka, of her child. She wondered if he was thinking of her, if they were taking care of her baby. With the last of her strength, she uttered softly “Come back, Sokka.”

And she drifted into the darkness.

52 notes · View notes