Before she'd turned six, Tanya had earned herself a reputation.
That year news had been abound that this year's Crouching Dragon Tournament was the one to watch.
The Crouching Dragon was an annual event where the firebending children of nobility and other influential figures battled it out in mock duels to demonstrate their strength. While it seemed barbaric to Tanya to make children blast jets of fire at each other for entertainment, she at least understood the unspoken reason behind it.
In this country skill at firebending was valued higher than anything else. Higher nobility boasted of bloodlines that had never failed to produce firebending children, and the achievements of firebending masters were celebrated far more than that of doctors, engineers, or non-bender soldiers.
There was a direct, strong correlation between one's skill as a firebender and the respect afforded to them, so of course the political elite would be chomping at the bit to show off their progeny as a future firebending master at the earliest opportunity.
Azula, the granddaughter of Firelord Azulon, and a prodigy who'd awakened to her firebending at the age of four, had been relentlessly training under the finest tutors the imperial court had to offer for the past year, and this tournament would be the first public demonstration of her exceptional skill.
At age five she was now able to compete in the tournament's youngest age bracket, alongside many children who'd only just discovered their abilities, and public opinion was that she was expected to dominate it.
Rumour had it that she was daring, focused, and utterly ruthless when she had a goal in mind. It was clear that Prince Ozai intended for this tournament to be her debut into high society: a demonstration of the natural talent members of the royal family were blessed with.
So Tanya was slightly concerned that she was being entered as well, and into the same age bracket no less.
As representative of the fire sages, High Sage Ignis was granted a seat amongst the high nobility at the tournament and other such political events, and as such reserved the right to enter a contestant of their own.
The fire sages rarely entered the wards in their care into these sorts of events due to their notoriously lacklustre performances, though it seemed they had higher expectations for Tanya.
The High Sage had plundered the High Temple's already strained budget to hire a luxurious palanquin equal to the kind the nobility used, which he and Tanya now sat in as they were transported to the tournament grounds. Judging by the ever-growing noise of the crowd outside they must have only been a few minutes away.
"Remember your breathing Tanya." Ignis advised in his usual monotone manner. "Breath is the core of firebending. Many allow the pressure of the crowd to break their nerves and shallow their breathing, weakening their flames. Whatever happens you must keep your breath deep and steady."
"Yes, High Sage." Tanya dutifully replied, bowing her head slightly in acknowledgement and respect. Though she held little love for religions in general, she held a deep appreciation for a clear and efficient chain of command. "I will represent the fire sages to the best of my ability."
"You will represent us by winning Tanya. I expect nothing less than absolute victory."
A slight frown tugged at the corners of Tanya's mouth. "Sir, given the political importance of Azula's entry into this contest, might it not be wise to allow her the ultimate victory? Prince Ozai is an influential man, and has made no secret of his intention to use this tournament as a way to formally introduce his daughter to the public. Assuming that I could beat her, would doing so really be wise? It could turn the royal family's ire against us for years to come."
Ignis snorted disdainfully. "Bah! What of it? Ozai has no respect for the importance of the sages! At every turn he scorns and mocks us. Perhaps knocking his precious progeny down a peg or two will remind him to show respect to Agni every once in a while."
Warning sirens started blaring in Tanya's mind. Not good! Not good at all! This sounded eerily like a personal vendetta: exactly the kind of spite-fuelled drama that was a nightmare for any human resources manager.
The fire sages wanted to embarrass Prince Ozai and his family for nothing more than petty vengeance, and as their tool for doing so the royal family's retaliation would surely be directed at her too! Relationships with influential individuals could make or break a person's career, and the Fire Lord's family were the most influential people in the world! Souring any chance of a positive relationship with them was a fine way to guarantee an eternity stuck as a common footsoldier on the front lines.
"We need you to win Tanya." Ignis continued, unaware of her inner turmoil. "People have begun to forget the old ways the longer this war drags on. They forget to show the spirits the respect they are due, and us the respect we are due as their spokespersons.
Today you will prove that even a peasant child like yourself can defeat those of noble lineage through the spiritual guidance and teaching of the fire sages, and the people will see proof of our importance once again. For it is right and proper that the sages should guide the people in their…"
Tanya zoned out as Ignis launched into another ramble about the importance of spiritual guidance, and her mind quickly kicked into overdrive to work out a solution to the problem she'd found herself forced into.
Had this been what the fire sages had intended for her when they began her training almost four years ago? To become a poster child for their bid to become relevant to society again?
How irritating! This was the political equivalent of being between a rock and a hard place: unable to act without making an enemy of a powerful institution that could drastically change the direction of her career.
Was it possible to win the tournament without making an enemy of the royal family? Unlikely. What information she had gathered about Prince Ozai painted him as a militaristic man with high expectations for his subordinates and a very results-driven mindset. All admirable traits in Tanya's opinion, but ones that sadly worked against her in this instance.
He would not be content with Azula trying her hardest and failing: not when much of his daughter's future success could hinge on this first impression to the public. He wanted a clear victory for his daughter. Nothing less.
Was it possible to lose without being cast out of the temple by the fire sages? Also unlikely. A hundred years of war had left more orphans than the nation could handle, and it was not in the interests of the war effort to publicise information about the struggles these orphans faced.
Ignis could kick her out with just a word and nobody would make a fuss. Without their backing Tanya's already limited opportunities for the future would be greatly diminished.
That left but one option. Tanya would have to force a tie between herself and Azula. Not a solution anyone would be happy with, but the sort of concession that could be grudgingly accepted by all parties under the right circumstances.
The sages could boast about how, through their enlightened training, Tanya had been able to match a prodigy of royal blood trained by the best tutors money could buy, and Prince Ozai could still introduce his daughter as having come first place in her age bracket.
Oh it would still be a sour disappointment to all involved, but wasn't that always the case when people allowed petty grudges to dictate their actions?
There was just one problem. Winning was something Tanya could do. Faking a loss was harder, but achievable. But faking a draw? And in such a way that nobody in the audience spotted her deception? That would take some serious precision.
What she needed was a strategy. The only way this would work was if she left as little to chance as possible, and that meant she had to use all the time available before her age bracket began to figure out how Azula fought.