Chapter Text
Azula's second day of class was abysmally dull.
Her lectures were standard. The sages had already taught Azula most of what was said. Azula wouldn't have even bothered to take notes if it weren't for the non-bender with perfect scores in Zuko's class.
But her Dad would undoubtedly be checking Zuko's scores compared to the rest of his class come year's end. And Azula couldn't have anyone outdoing her.
Even if it meant her classes were infinitely less productive now.
Barring one.
Combat class. Hosted at the end of the day. The headmistress would pair students and have them fight in front of the class. Any weapons were allowed. The headmistress would judge, and afterwards she would give tips on any flaws she saw in the two students' fighting styles.
Most of the students were...
Pathetic.
Utterly pathetic.
It was almost funny.
Azula sneered, sitting at the edge of the ring with the rest of the class. She grumbled. "Agni, even poor Zuzu can put up a better showing than this."
Two girls. Lower noble families. Nothing else to say.
Mai raised a brow. "Zuzu?"
Azula scoffed. "My idiot of a brother. He's utterly incompetent..." Azula paused, furrowing her brows. She added almost as an afterthought. "Mostly."
Her mind flashed back to the fight back in the monsoon. Months ago. The only time since birth that Zuko had done something nearly impressive.
And then Zuko had ruined it by refusing to fight her. At every turn. For months. No matter how Azula tried to coax him. Or how angry their father became.
Zuko always refused, every single time.
It was... weird.
Annoying. Pathetic. Insufferable.
And just... weird.
Azula ground her teeth, shaking her head at the thought. She muttered. "Whatever, the point is my imbecile of a brother is still better than this."
Raizu snorted. "Yeah, the competition here is less than the boys' side." She scoffed. "Hong and Peijing are the only ones that are worth anything."
Azula smirked. "I already have a plan for those two." Azula tilted her head as she heard Headmistress Pearl call up the next two competitors.
Pearl said. "Hong and Ty Lee step up."
Raizu snorted, "This'll be fun."
Azula smirked. She watched as the two girls stepped up. Hong took a firebending stance. Practiced and well-balanced. Not perfect, but not terrible either.
Ty Lee took a stance... with her fingers pointed out.
Azula sneered. "Seriously." She rolled her eyes. "She's actually going to try and tickle her opponent to death. I've never heard of that tactic before."
The other girls laughed, and Ty Lee blushed, and shrank in on herself a little. The headmistress ignored the crowd's giggling and began the fight.
Hong and Ty Lee's match was standard; the first few seconds played out the way most of the fights had started. Testing the waters and circling each other.
Hong was a good fire bender. Stable and strong.
Ty Lee was good at being agile and flexible. She was good at dodging.
She wasn't good at much else.
Especially when all her pokes ended up doing was drawing a few confused glances from Hong. A few laughs and giggles from the rest of the class.
A few frustrated and embarrassed looks from Ty Lee.
Raizu shouted. "Hey, Ty Loser. Try crying. Maybe she'll slip on your tears." A few more girls laughed. Raizu chuckled, "Agni, she's awful." Raizu sneered. "Grey-eyed freak. I knew it. The rumors about that psycho must be half-baked if this is what he's related to."
Mai's lips twitched downwards slightly. A few of the surrounding girls even looked at Raizu in surprise. Raizu didn't care; she had that confident look.
The kind that was arrogant and growing by the second.
Raizu sneered. "What. You know I'm right."
Mai said flatly. "No, actually. I don't." She narrowed her eyes. "What are you trying to say?"
Raizu grinned. "Maybe that psycho isn't as big a deal as all the boys are making him out to be." Raizu scoffed. "Maybe he's just a non-bender."
Mai frowned.
Raizu smirked. "And maybe, that's all he is. Just look at his sister." Raizu scoffed as Ty Lee got knocked back. "If this is all she can do. He can't be much better."
Mai's brow twitched subtly.
Raizu grinned. "Maybe, if I fought him, I'd win. Unlike the idiot boys who can't even beat a non-bender. I'd win. And it wouldn't even be close."
Mai said flatly. "You're right. It wouldn't be close." She said. "You'd lose in ten seconds, flat."
Raizu's smug expression fell into a scowl. She glared at Mai. Her mouth opened, and her teeth bared for an insult. But before she could, Azula intervened.
Azula asked. "Who are you talking about?" She glanced at Mai and Raizu, a tad irritated that she couldn't watch the comedy playing out before her. She asked. "What non-bender? And what do you mean, none of the boys can't beat him? Are they stupid?"
Raizu smirked. "Exactly." She said. Mai scowled. Raizu ignored her and said. "But for the last two years, he's been the top-ranked student of the boys' class." Raizu scoffed. "Seriously. They had two years and still couldn't figure out how to beat him. It's pathetic. If it were me, I would've won by now."
Mai grumbled. "Or you would've lost so many times you gave up."
Raizu growled. Mai rolled her eyes.
And Azula perked up, tilting her head curiously. "So the top student isn't Chan or Goju?" She asked, tilting her head. That was news to her.
That must be who her brother was talking about at dinner last night. The one that would actually be a problem. He was talking about the non-bender...
How pitiful. Was Zuko really that pathetic that he wasn't confident about defeating someone with zero bending to speak of?
It was pathetic.
Azula scoffed. "Maybe my brother's class isn't as competitive as I originally thought. If none of his competitors can beat a non-bender.” Azula smirked. “He'll fit right in."
Raizu grinned. "Exactly."
Mai's jaw set slightly. She said nothing.
Azula tapped her chin idly. Watching the fight idly. She asked. "What's his name?" She said. "Not like it'll matter, but I might as well know about him."
She normally wouldn't care. Much less care enough to look into anything. But since Zuko was in the boys' class. She might as well cover all her flanks.
Azula heard Raizu snort. "His name's Ty Shuk. He's Ty Loser's older brother."
Azula's lips twitched downward. Well, that was disappointing. Not a glowing first impression so far, considering Ty Lee had just been thrown to her butt without throwing a punch. Only dumb pokes that didn't do anything except annoy and pester.
Azula scowled. This dumb girl's brother couldn't be that much better. Could he? That was impossible.
She didn't buy it.
She wasn't interested. Sounded like a waste of time.
Mai said flatly. "They say he's a prodigy."
Azula stiffened, and Mai continued. "Never lost. Never gets less than perfect on written exams. They said he doesn't even use his weapons anymore because he said it got boring to win that way."
Mai frowned. "They also say he broke another student's arm last year. Goju, I believe."
Raizu scoffed. "By luck." She sneered, "If it were me-,"
Azula mumbled. "Raizu, shut up for a second." She said, and Raizu closed her mouth begrudgingly. Azula tapped her finger, her eyes narrowed.
Prodigy.
They said Ty Lee's brother was a prodigy.
Azula grinned. "Change of plans. I'm becoming a top-ranked student by the end of the week." She chuckled, "Prodigy... how cute."
The boy's academy must not know what a prodigy actually looked like.
Azula was a prodigy. She was a prodigy that came around once every hundred years. The sages said so. Her father said so. Even her grandfather admitted it.
Azula was a prodigy.
Not some non-bender that was a little good at taking written tests.
And the first thing she'd do after taking over her class was prove it.
Azula smirked as she watched Ty Lee lose the fight.
And somehow Azula wasn't surprised.
Agni, this girl was reminding Azula more and more of Zuko with each passing second.
Azula sneered. "Well, while I highly doubt this Ty Shuk is as prodigious as you paint him out to be, Mai, I do feel a little sympathetic. I’m sure he must be dreadfully tired." Azula sighed and shook her head. Her lips curling upwards. “Carrying all that dead weight around.”
Ty Lee heard her. Azula made sure Ty Lee heard her. Ty Lee flinched, looking down at her feet like that would suddenly make her useful.
The class chuckled and gave a round of pity applause for the two combatants. Even the Ty Lee idiot, who did nothing of use and had nothing of substance to offer.
All Ty Lee could do was poke. Like tickling her opponents to death would someday work. It was pathetic, absolutely and utterly pathetic.
Azula scowled. Barring the two talents, Mai and Raizu, whom Azula had already claimed as her own. This entire class was disappointing.
Hong was okay. Sure. Decent even.
And Azula could only assume Peijing wasn’t pathetic, considering her status as second ranked.
But the rest were mediocre. Average or worse than average.
And Ty Lee was awful. The worst of all. Might be useful in getting information on her brother, but that was it.
There was nothing of worth attached to Ty Lee.
And as for Ty Lee’s brother, Ty Shuk. The 'prodigy.'
Azula smirked.
Well, she was certain the boy's title was woefully misplaced. Albeit through no fault of his own. The imbeciles at the academy simply hadn't seen an actual prodigy before.
A real one. One like Azula. So they latched onto the next best thing and claimed Ty Shuk was a 'prodigy.' It wasn't the boy's fault; it was a simple mistake.
Azula would correct it, of course. But still...
A simple mistake.
It was a mistake.
That was Zuko's first thought when the headmaster called Ty Shuk and Kaiga to fight each other.
It was a mistake. Pairing those two together.
Because it wasn't close.
The fight wasn't close at all.
Kaiga growled as he reared a hand, flames burning under his palms. Every time he finished a move, fire would explode from his palm in a large burst.
Kaiga was trying his hardest. It was obvious.
Ty Shuk wasn't.
"Hey, Kaiga, congrats on your growth spurt." Ty Shuk chuckled and tilted his head out of the way of Kaiga's blazing palm. The fire exploded so close it grazed Ty Shuk's cheek. And yet Ty Shuk still grinned. "Now you can be taller and weaker than me." Ty Shuk snapped his leg into Kaiga's knee. "Good for you."
Kaiga grunted and nearly fell. He growled and tried another palm strike. Ty Shuk jumped to the side, letting Kaiga's fiery palm explode and hit nothing.
Kaiga snarled, "Screw you!" He snapped, swiping his palm outward. Fire exploded after his fingertips, chasing Ty Shuk. Ty Shuk flipped back, springing off his hands and feet until he was out of range. On the edge of the ring. Kaiga took the opportunity to jump back to his feet, recovering. Keeping his distance just in case Ty Shuk tried something.
Kaiga took a few heavy breaths. Eyes narrow. He growled. "Come on," Kaiga stood defensively. Waiting. His hands burned in preparation.
Kaiga sneered. "This won't be like last time, psycho."
Ty Shuk rolled his eyes on the other edge of the ring and said. "Yeah, sure it won't." Ty Shuk sighed and sat down on the ground, legs crossed. "And what's different from last time, again. You got a little taller and have spark rocks for hands now."
Ty Shuk rested his elbow on his knee. Ty Shuk glanced away boredly and sighed. "Idiot. You think that's gonna change anything? You were smarter as a non-bender."
Ty Shuk picked at the dirt lazily, glancing towards the edge of the ring. Not even bothering to look in Kaiga's direction. Kaiga stopped, frozen still.
Ty Shuk yawned.
Kaiga lunged, blinded by rage. He snarled, fire blazing in his palms. His eyes venomous, he closed the distance like a bull-toad seeing red.
Kaiga reared his open palm back and aimed to bring his burning palm down on Ty Shuk's head in a bomb of fire. Ty Shuk continued picking at the dirt.
Ty Shuk snickered and grabbed a handful of dirt, tossing it in Kaiga's eyes. Kaiga cursed, momentarily blinded. He swung blindly, missing Ty Shuk.
Ty Shuk grinned and planted his hand on the ground. Ty Shuk flipped over and swung his foot over his head, driving his heel into Kaiga's nose.
Kaiga cried out and stumbled back, dazed, tears in his eyes and blood dripping from his nostrils. He swung again, his fiery explosion hitting nothing.
If anything, the flames blinded Kaiga more.
Kaiga cursed. "Ty Shuk!" He roared, trying to get the dirt and tears out of his eyes. Ty Shuk's knee snapped into his head, and he stumbled.
Kaiga blind-fired his next attack, the flames bursting into a cloud of flames that was as blindingly bright as it was a chance to get away and make space.
Dust and smoke kicked up in the aftermath and smothered the ring.
Kaiga jumped back and hid inside the depths of the new smokescreen, furiously, hurriedly rubbing dirt and wetness out of his eyes. He rushed to clear his vision. His muscles twitched in paranoia, itching to snap out at the first thing that moved.
When Kaiga finally got his vision unobstructed again, the little cloud of dust and debris that had covered the ring was already dissipating.
Ty Shuk was gone.
Kaiga couldn't see him.
Everyone else could.
Zuko watched, stunned to silence as he saw Ty Shuk standing behind Kaiga, back to back. Ty Shuk rolled his eyes and smirked, moving in sync with Kaiga.
When Kaiga looked left, Ty Shuk leaned right.
When Kaiga looked right, Ty Shuk leaned left.
It was like Ty Shuk was hiding in Kaiga's shadow.
Kaiga couldn't see him. No matter where he looked.
Kaiga probably never would have seen him. The only reason he noticed was that Ty Shuk grinned and whispered in Kaiga's ear. "Hey, I think I found him."
Kaiga's eyes widened, and he snapped his elbow back. Ty Shuk dodged it and kicked the back of Kaiga's leg. Kaiga fell to his knees. He growled.
Ty Shuk snapped his fist into Kaiga's jaw.
Kaiga staggered to the side, dazed. He tried to retaliate with his other hand.
Ty Shuk knocked that out of the way and punched Kaiga in the side of the head again. Kaiga staggered and fell, dizzy and trying to get up.
Ty Shuk sighed and took a step forward.
Headmaster Yusa's stern words came from the sidelines. "That's enough," Yusa grumbled through clenched teeth, "We've seen enough. Both of you."
Ty Shuk sighed. "Oh, come on, headmaster. Kaiga still had a little more in him."
Ty Shuk didn't even blink; he leaned to the side. Kaiga's blazing palm shot past his head, and the fire exploded, missing Ty Shuk's face by mere inches.
Ty Shuk rolled his eyes. "See." Ty Shuk grinned and grabbed Kaiga's wrist, harshly turning Kaiga's palm so it was facing the sky.
Ty Shuk threw his legs over Kaiga's shoulder and pulled the giant into a triangle choke. Kaiga's eyes widened as he fell to a knee.
Kaiga growled as Ty Shuk's legs squeezed, and oxygen suddenly became scarce. Kaiga's free hand, burning, reached towards Ty Shuk's leg.
Ty Shuk sighed, "Don't do it, Kaiga," Ty Shuk said, and Kaiga flinched. His blazing palm an inch from Ty Shuk's leg. Kaiga's bloodshot eyes widened.
Ty Shuk's eyes were like a hawk's. Ty Shuk had Kaiga's wrist in his hands. Ty Shuk grinned. "I'd hate to get expelled on my second day back."
Ty Shuk twisted Kaiga's wrist.
Kaiga's bloodshot eyes widened momentarily in pain and panic. The class flinched. Headmaster Yasu shouted, "Don't you dare, Ty Shuk!"
Kaiga's head dipped. And Ty Shuk rolled his eyes, "Monkey feathers, relax, I was just kidding." Ty Shuk said, as Kaiga's blazing hand, still hesitating to grab Ty Shuk's leg, suddenly went limp. The fire in Kaiga's palms sputtered and died out.
Ty Shuk hummed. "See."
Ty Shuk pushed Kaiga off him.
Kaiga slumped to the ground. Already out cold.
Ty Shuk stood up. "I wasn't actually gonna break his arm. I just needed to distract the idiot until he passed out. I only needed a couple of seconds." Ty Shuk smirked. "Thanks for the help, by the way, Headmaster. Your voice made him hesitate."
The headmaster's jaw clenched.
Ty Shuk either didn't notice the headmaster's ire or didn't care.
Zuko would bet the latter.
Ty Shuk glanced at the headmaster and asked idly, and utterly shamelessly. "So, since I won," Ty Shuk asked point-blank. "Can I go home early?"
Headmaster Yasu's teeth ground together, and he muttered. "You can stand back with the others and shut up, or I can give you detention again, brat."
"Bitter old man," Ty Shuk muttered, rolling his eyes and moving towards the ring's edge. He stood off to the side, a bored and lazy look on his face.
Ty Shuk glanced over, noticing Zuko's stare.
Ty Shuk huffed. "Hey, Prince. You ever gonna not stare at me?" He asked, and Zuko stiffened. He looked away. Zuko gulped. He couldn't help it.
Even if he wasn't still adjusting to the fact that Ty Shuk even existed.
In Zuko's first lifetime, Ty Lee apparently had a brother, and either never bothered to mention it, or Azula never bothered to listen.
Even if it wasn't for all of that.
Zuko still would have stared.
Because the way Ty Shuk fought, it was weird. Familiar. Zuko couldn't put his finger on it. He just... just couldn't figure it out. It was strange.
It was uncomfortably familiar.
Zuko glanced away and muttered, "Sorry."
Ty Shuk narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. He sighed and went over to a spot by the nearby tree in the courtyard. The class gave him a wide berth.
Headmaster Yasu looked like he was about to pop a blood vessel. But the headmaster eventually decided to move on. Yasu said, "Someone help Kaiga up."
Zuko watched the other students help. He listened idly, surprised to see Chan walk over and say. "Hey, prince. You saw the freak fight? What'd you think?"
Zuko stiffened, "Does it matter?" He asked.
Chan scoffed. "No, but I'm curious." Chan glanced at the swords on Zuko's back. Chan touched the hilts idly. “Your sister is a prodigy too, right? You think she’s better?”
Zuko scowled and pulled his swords away from Chan’s reach. Zuko huffed. “Azula, she…” Zuko hesitated, frowning. He thought back to the fight.
Ty Shuk had been impressive. It was obvious he was leagues above the rest of class. The comparison wasn’t close.
But still…
Zuko had seen Azula master lightning at 14. Summon blue fire before that. Kill the avatar, and conquer two cities that had stood unconquerable since the war began.
And even when Azula was only seven.
She had already mastered forms of Sozin Style better and more proficiently than Zuko had. And Zuko had two lifetimes to do it.
The comparison was just… different.
Ty Shuk was skilled, but Zuko had met skilled fighters in his first life. He’d been friends with a couple of them. Ty Shuk was talented.
But Zuko couldn’t imagine him doing the things Azula could do. The things Azula had done in Zuko’s first life.
Azula was a prodigy.
Even if the others in class called Ty Shuk one as well, the only image that popped in Zuko’s mind when he heard ‘prodigy,’ was her.
Zuko said quietly. “Azula’s better.” He said. “She’s a prodigy. She does everything perfectly. Including fighting. It’s… different. I can’t imagine her losing to anyone.”
Katara had been the only exception. She’d won. But that was at Azula’s worst. On the day of the comet. After Azula had cracked.
Here. In the academies, when Azula was still sharp and unburdened by mental issues. Zuko couldn’t see it. Even if it was Ty Shuk…
Zuko just couldn’t see it.
He couldn’t see Azula losing.
Zuko stiffened as Chan whistled, “Damn,” Chan said. “So she’s cute and talented. Sounds like my type.”
Chan smirked, “You sure you can’t introduce me to her? I promise I’ll be gentlemanly.”
Zuko blinked. Eyes wide. Not sure whether to be uncomfortable, thinking about Chan trying to court Azula, or fearful for Chan’s safety.
Zuko thought about it briefly.
And decided fearful was the right choice.
Zuko said slowly, “no…” Zuko shook his head. “I don’t think I’m willing to do that.”
Zuko wasn’t willing to send Chan to his death. Zuko didn’t exactly like the guy but no one deserved to face Azula unprepared.
Chan for his part, just rolled his eyes. “Man, that sucks, dude.” Chan sighed. “Why’d you have to be an overprotective brother and crap…”
Zuko blinked. Overprotective brother… no. That didn’t sound right.
It was Chan Zuko was trying to protect. Chan didn’t understand that.
And he never would. Because before Zuko could explain, Chan’s lips slowly curled up. “But fine,” Chan said, “As long as you’re not lying and she can actually knock Ty Fuck-face down a peg, all is forgiven. I’d pay to see him get his ass kicked when joint exercises finally roll around.”
Chan glanced at Zuko and raised a brow. “You’re not lying, right?”
Zuko frowned. “I’m not.”
Chan smirked. “Good.” Chan flicked Zuko’s swords. "Also, you actually know how to use these, or are they just for show?"
Zuko scowled, shifting his swords away. "Of course, I know how to use them." Zuko said. “I trained with them… recently.”
Zuko didn’t actually recall the exact time he’d trained in this lifetime. Over a year ago by now probably. But still, Zuko knew how to use his dual Dao blades. He was a master swordsman, thanks to Paindao.
Zuko’s gaze idly drifted towards Ty Shuk. Zuko's eyes narrowed slightly, focused on the weapons at Ty Shuk's waist.
Two sickles. One on each hip.
Untouched through the entire fight with Kaiga.
Zuko asked. "Does he know how to use those?" He asked, nodding towards the weapons on Ty Shuk's waist.
Chan looked over at the sickles and scowled slightly.
Chan glanced away and scoffed. "What do you think?" He said. "The asshole stopped using them in his first year. Said he got bored with easy victories. Wanted a challenge.”
Chan glanced at Kaiga, who was slowly waking up. Chan grumbled under his breath. "I'd say the prick was being arrogant, but he hasn't been wrong, so..."
Chan scowled and muttered something under his breath. Zuko glanced at the ring, watching as Kaiga finally woke up. Kaiga stood up dazedly.
Once Kaiga finally seemed to get his bearings. His face turned red, and he glared at Ty Shuk.
Ty Shuk raised a brow. "What?" Ty Shuk huffed. "Want me to nurse your ego too?" Ty Shuk smirked. "Remember our deal. You’re my ride to and from school now."
Kaiga gnashed his teeth. Only moving away when the headmaster told him to step to the side of the ring so the next students could start their match.
Headmaster Yusa said. "Zuko and Sen Mao."
Zuko stiffened. He felt Chan smack him on the back. "Good luck," Chan smirked. "Try not to stumble and stab yourself with those, Prince."
Zuko glanced back and huffed. He stepped across the ring from Sen Mao. Sen Mao was a kid from the colonies, a lower-ranking noble.
Zuko sighed and unsheathed his swords.
The headmaster raised a brow. "Are you sure you want to use those, Prince Zuko?" He said. "It's seen as... unbefitting. Of royalty to use weapons."
Zuko frowned, glancing at the headmaster.
The headmaster sighed. "A true firebending master wouldn't need weapons. And as a prince, you'll be expected to be a firebending master one day."
Zuko scowled, right. He forgot about that. Weapons weren't exactly seen as conducive in the royal family. Only Lu Ten used them, and apparently, Uncle had used a sword back in his general days. But Ozai, Azulon, they both say weapons as crutches.
A true fire bender wouldn't need them.
That was the general consensus of the Fire Nation.
Zuko looked around. None of the fire benders were holding weapons. Because holding one meant you were a weak fire bender, as Zuko had been.
But Zuko wasn't weak anymore. He knew true firebending. He was a master.
He just couldn't prove it without word getting back to his family.
So he sighed. And slid his swords back on his back.
Zuko stepped into Sozin Stance. "Fine." He sighed. "Let's just do this."
Zuko highly doubted he'd need his swords for this anyway.
Mai had done what her father asked, a lot sooner than she anticipated.
Tryouts were convenient. Mai thought as she watched the rest of the class step up. Sparring. They'd usually have a couple of rounds in front of the class at the end of the day, so the headmistress could correct their forms and give any advice.
Before Mai went to school yesterday, the first day of the new year. Her father, Ukano, had asked her to try to make friends with the princess. Saying it would be a good way to build connections with the Royal Family. Mai had said she'd try her best.
She had been lying. She had actually planned to sit back and let the princess do whatever she wanted. If Mai found an opportunity to naturally befriend the princess, that would be easier. Less clutter. If she couldn't, then she wouldn't. That was it.
Mai didn't have to go back to Yu Dhao until Summer anyways. When the academy let out. She lived in the dorms. She'd just make up an excuse that it was too difficult or the princess didn't want any friends.
Her father would be disappointed, but nothing Mai couldn't handle.
That was the plan.
And then, if her father really still wanted her to try.
Mai would look for an opportunity to befriend the princess in the fall season.
That was the plan.
But then the princess had actually put on tryouts.
For friends. On the first day.
And Mai figured that was as good a chance as she was ever going to get.
So now she stood next to Azula and the class's top student, Raizu. The two were watching the current students fighting in the ring. They were okay.
Kind of boring. The two girls. One from a lower noble family. One from a bit higher up the ranks.
Very dull.
Raizu had fought her opponent already and won.
Mai had done the same.
Most of the girls in class had already fought.
Azula was waiting for her turn.
The headmistress eventually called for her. "Azula and Peijing. Step up." Azula smirked and stood up. Peijing glanced warily from the sidelines.
The two entered the dirt ring where sparring took place.
Headmistress Pearl said. "Give the standard bow."
Peijing put her fist to her palm and bowed her head.
Azula smirked and did the same.
Headmistress Pearl said. "You may now begin."
Peijing took a breath and settled in her stance. Sozin Style. A style Peijing as good at. Good enough to become second-ranked in class. She waited.
Azula sneered and moved into her own stance.
Mai's eyes widened as Azula tucked her hands behind her back. The class and even the headmistress reacted similarly.
Peijing's eyes widened the most of all.
Azula leaned forward and sneered. "What's wrong?" She asked. "I'm ready."
Peijing's eyes twitched. "Hey, princess. What do you think you're doing? Is this a joke?"
Azula smirked. "No. I just heard you were second place here." She tilted her head and sneered. "So I decided to give myself a challenge."
Peijing ground her teeth and set her jaw. Her eyes simmered. "Fine." She growled. "Don't blame me if you get hurt, princess. I won't hold back."
Azula snickered. "Like that'll matter." She tilted her head out of the way as Peijing punched out with a quick burst of fire. Azula shifted back, perfectly balanced and poised to dodge every attack by the millimeter. Peijing ground her teeth and kicked.
Azula slipped to the side and snapped her foot into Peijing's head, knocking the girl down. Peijing cursed and rolled to her feet. She attacked.
Azula sneered and let the attacks fly past her. Never moving more than she had to. Every movement was practiced and balanced to perfection.
The fight...
It wasn't close.
And it was exactly what Mai had been worried about.
Mai sighed. "Great..." she said. The reason Mai hadn't been eager to befriend the princess in the first place. The reason she'd been willing to put it off until next semester if she needed to was that she'd heard a rumor at the last noble dinner her father dragged her to.
A troublesome rumor.
The princess was a prodigy.
And Mai already heard enough rumors about the last prodigy. It was hard not to. Even in the girls' school, word traveled. Mai had heard of him for the last two years. And it got old quickly.
Ty Shuk. A non-bender.
Always got perfect scores.
Never lost. Didn't even need his weapons to win. Barely ever got hit.
They said he was a prodigy.
And last year, he broke another student's arm right before finals. And got himself suspended into the New Year's break. They said he didn't even hesitate when he did it. One moment, he had the boy's arm in his hands. Next, he broke it. Just like that.
No remorse. No pity or second thoughts.
They say he didn't even blink.
They said he was a psychopath.
That was what Mai heard about prodigies. That's why she hadn't wanted anything to do with them. And yet here she was, watching another prodigy.
Fight the second rank in class with her hands behind her back.
Mai mumbled, "Of course... She's one too..." Mai resigned to her fate. She'd already attached herself to Azula. As per her father's wishes. "A prodigy."
Mai was stuck now. As Azula's friend. Albeit she highly doubted that Azula was using the correct definition of 'friend' in that regard.
Mai had a feeling she was going to be acting more as a glorified bodyguard than a friend. At least until the princess learned how to be less egotistical...
If she learned to be less egotistical.
Going by the way Azula still had her hands behind her back, and was taunting Peijing, kiting the furiously humiliated girl around the ring.
It wouldn't be any time soon.
Raizu smirked. "I know right..." Raizu said, leaning her elbow against Mai's shoulder. Mai glared and shook it off. Raizu wasn't deterred; she snickered and kept watching the fight. If it could even be called that. Raizu grinned. "Isn't it great?" She said.
Mai frowned, glancing at Raizu. Mai didn't get why Raizu was so happy.
Mai could already tell that Azula was better than Raizu. Stronger. Raizu, for as good as she was, couldn't beat Peijing with her hands behind her back.
Azula could. And eventually, whenever Azula decided it was time to take top spot. Raizu wouldn't stand a chance. The most she might be able to do is make Azula work for it. That was it. And yet Raizu didn't seem to mind all that much. She grinned.
"A prodigy." Raizu sneered. "A real one this time. And now she's on our side."
There was another prodigy, but unlike Raizu seemed to think, Mai wasn't so sure this one was going to be any less troublesome than the last.
Zuko was right; he didn't need his swords. Sozin Style was enough. In the same way, it had been enough to handle Ruon-Jian with only Sozin Style.
It wasn't... as difficult. As Zuko expected it to be.
Nothing really compared to fighting Azula.
Weird... Zuko thought as he helped Sen Mao up. Zuko frowned slightly, trying to hide it. Sen Mao wasn't a terrible fire bender. Better than Zuko used to be. It was just... different. Compared to the other fights Zuko had been in. Fighting Sen Mao...
Fighting Ruon-Jian...
Maybe even fighting Goju or Chan wouldn't feel the same.
It would just feel like practice.
Zuko sighed and walked towards the edge of the ring. Kaiga and Kei Lo congratulated him. Chan and Goju even seemed a little impressed.
Zuko stood to the side and waited. Watching. Goju and Chan fought their matches next. Their fights were pretty good. Better than a lot of the others.
But they weren't... it was just...
It was fine...
It was nothing compared to Azula.
Zuko glanced away and waited for the headmaster to end the class. He waited.
Ty Shuk said. "You're bored, aren't you?" And Zuko stiffened. He glanced to his left, stilling under the weight of grey eyes that felt far too observant.
Zuko shivered. He didn't know why, but it felt like being under a looking glass.
Ty Shuk smirked. "Hey," he asked, "I've been wondering. Why didn't you just use those swords? You looked more comfortable with them out."
Zuko flinched, glancing away. "You heard the headmaster," Zuko muttered. "A true firebending master doesn't need weapons. At most, it's seen as acceptable for them to pick up weapons as hobbies after they've mastered firebending."
Zuko grumbled a little, annoyed, "But I'm not a fire-bending master, yet," Zuko said, "So it would be seen as unbefitting if I use them now. That's all.”
Zuko glanced at Ty Shuk. Curious about the boy's reaction.
Ty Shuk didn't say anything for a while. Ty Shuk tilted his head.
Ty Shuk blinked. His grey eyes lingered on Zuko's face. Ty Shuk smiled slightly. "Interesting..." he said as the headmaster ended class.
Ty Shuk walked past Zuko.
Ty Shuk grinned. "You're not a good liar, Prince." He said, and Zuko froze. His body turning to ice, he snapped his eyes towards Ty Shuk.
Ty Shuk smirked and continued walking. To the edge of the courtyard. Leaving the academy at the end of the second day.
Zuko stiffened as he heard Chan say. "Wow. You were talking with the psycho? Brave."
Chan scoffed and headed out with the others. "Word of advice," Chan said. "Don't try to lie around the prick. His freaky eyes will see through it. They always do."
Zuko said nothing; he wasn't actually paying attention to Chan's words. He was still thinking. It was familiar.
Talking to Ty Shuk was familiar.
Ty Shuk's demeanor was intelligent and confident. A knowing confidence that bordered on arrogance. It was familiar.
It was uncomfortably familiar.
Zuko remembered it. The name of that feeling. He'd felt it watching Ty Shuk fight. Ty Shuk fought light-footed. Like Ty Lee or Aang.
But that wasn't it. There was more.
When Ty Shuk fought, he made it look easy.
Just like Azula.
Just like Ty Shuk.
Ty Lee watched Azula fight Peijing. The second rank in class.
No, fight wasn’t the right word. Peijing was being picked apart. Easily. And Azula hadn’t removed her hands behind her back yet.
She made it look easy.
Just like Ty Shuk.
Eventually, Azula defeated Peijing. To the shock and awe of the rest of class. Headmaster Pearl called the match.
The rest of class clapped and cheered. Even Peijing, bitter as she was, looked to hold a modicum of reluctant respect towards the princess. Their princess, the princess of the Fire Nation, was a prodigy. A true prodigy.
It wasn’t a question anymore.
Ty Lee was the only one not clapping. She stared. In shock more than anything.
The princess noticed. Azula glanced towards Ty Lee. Azula’s golden eyes gleaming with a predatory luster. She sneered. “Well, what did you think?” Azula asked, strolling forward. She leaned closer and whispered, “You look shocked, how was my performance?”
Ty Lee stiffened, fighting not to take a step back. Azula held her hands behind her back and scoffed. “I heard your brother fights without weapons to give himself a challenge. As if that’s hard.” Azula rolled her eyes. “So I figured I’d do something similar.”
Azula grinned. “So tell me…”
Ty Lee flinched, shrinking under Azula’s golden eyes. Under the weight of the class that had been dismissed yet no one was willing to leave the courtyard.
Azula smirked. “How do I compare to your brother?”
Ty Lee gulped, clenching her fists slightly. She recalled the match. Azula had picked apart Peijing without even trying. Abusing Peijing’s wounded pride and short temper to bait the girl all across the ring. It wasn’t close.
And still…
Ty Lee didn’t doubt Azula was a prodigy anymore. It was true. Azula made fights look easy, the same way Ty Shuk did.
And still…
Ty Lee murmured. “Princess, Azula… You were amazing…” Ty Lee said. And Azula rolled her eyes, like that was obvious.
It was only when Ty Lee said, ‘But…’ that Azula’s demeanor shifted. Her eyes narrowed icily. And her lips curled down in a snarl.
Ty Lee flinched at the sight. Azula’s color…
Was a sharp and icy blue.
Like lightning.
Ty Lee looked away, and murmured quietly, hesitantly, nervously, yet honest. Ty Lee whispered, “I- I can’t see it,” she said. “I- I mean no disrespect, princess… I just… can’t see it.”
Looking back, that was probably the moment. The moment Azula’s face twisted into a thunderous expression. That was probably the moment.
Ty Lee gulped, ”I can’t see you beating him.”
That was probably the moment Ty Lee sealed her fate, and assured her first year at the academy was going to be a terrible one.