When father had so cryptically summoned us to his chambers, Zu-Zu had pestered him non-stop with questions. 'What's going on? Are we in trouble? Did something happen? Will mother be there?' While I'd expected Father to admonish him or at least appear irritable, he instead revealed a small smirk but said nothing more.
Had my eyes deceived me? Had he truly just smiled? For him to be in such a good mood that even Zuko's incessant mewling couldn't get under his skin, caused even I was curious as to what exactly he had in store. Following dutifully behind him, we eventually came before a massive doorway, of which two guards were stationed out front. Noting our arrival they each grabbed a handle and granted us entry, before closing the door behind us.
Upon entering father's chamber, I spotted Ursa seated with her hands in her lap and eyes closed. Hearing our approach, she revealed a smile and bowed her head respectfully toward Father. Zu-Zu ever the mother's boy, hurriedly gave her a hug before darting away and taking his seat beside me. Perhaps sensing my judgment, he stuck his tongue out at me and crossed his arms in a pouting manner.
Jeez, I hadn't even said anything. Snickering at his embarrassed face, my attention was rather abruptly drawn to the entrance of a strange figure. He possessed dark skin, a large mane of black hair, a strange sigil inscribed on his arm, and most notably a pair of blood-red eyes that seemed to carry with them the very desire to see it shed.
I'd snuck into many a war meeting, observed the Imperial Fire benders that clung to fathers' side, and seen soldiers return home from the battlefield. There was no mistaking it, the air he exuded was that of one who'd taken a life. How? He was clearly no older than I and even Zu-Zu hadn't yet experienced combat, let alone killed someone.
Before I could consider things further, the bizarre boy dropped to a single knee prompting Father to exhale a plume of flame,
"I do not wish to drag this out any longer than it need be. Azula, Zuko, I'd like you to meet Vlad. He's a child I rescued from the clutches of the water tribe during my mission 9 years ago. Fire Lord Azulon has given me leave to assign him as your aide. From here on out he will remain by your side unless I require his services."
Zuko and I glanced at one another in clear confusion. Based on Ursa's reaction she had been kept in the dark as well, her gaze alternating between her husband and the mystery child he'd managed to raise in the palace without her knowledge. Surely, he wasn't father's bastard. Father was many things, but an adulterer he was not. Besides, looking at the boy there was nothing about him that resembled the Prince. Let alone a fire-bender.
"Vlad, your orders from here on out are as follows, my words are to remain above all else. Azula and Zuko are to be the future of this nation, and you are to ensure they can grow and achieve all they should. What we spoke of earlier still takes precedence, but for the sake of appearances, you're to fulfill your duties to the best of your ability." Rising to his feet, Father had clearly allocated all the time he was willing to give this introduction.
Footsteps abruptly halting, he addressed not only the aide but Zuko and I as well.
"I should mention that while Vlad is your aide and will remain at your side, he is not your toy. As for you Vlad, control yourself, for now, your time to shine will come."
A small smile tugged at my lips at Father's warning. Clearly, that was directed at me. He didn't even care how I treated Mai and Tai Lee, yet he was clearly marking this boy as off-limits. How interesting. Also, what did he mean by 'control yourself Vlad', and 'keep up appearances'? Father was scheming something; I could feel it. And that boy knew what.
Like that, father's figure disappeared as the chamber's door closed behind him. From beside me Ursa was still intently staring at the aide, her expression grim. That is until an enthusiastic Zuko leaped to his feet and swaggered on over toward the boy.
"I am Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. You can address me as 'my Prince', or 'Fire Master Zuko'. Follow me well and if you're lucky you may one day earn yourself a position in my ranks." Placing his hands on his hips and holding his head up high, Zuko patiently awaited the aide's response.
Unfortunately, I burst his bubble by interrupting his little act. With the grace befitting a real royal, I rose to my feet and approached the two.
"More like Fraud Master Zuko. Dear Zu-Zu, you're so cute when you pretend to be someone important. It's Vlad, right? Ignore my brother, he's only a prince in title, and even that's debatable. Just call him Zu-Zu as I do. As you know, my names Azula. I don't feel comfortable hearing my name out of the mouth's strangers, so you are to address me as Princess."
"Very well, Princess Azula. Your father speaks highly of you and I trust you won't disappoint." Ignoring my brother, the aide gave me a slight bow of his head. I'd be lying if I said his words hadn't taken me aback. Me... disappoint him?
"Heh, I wouldn't hold your breath. If there's one thing Azula does, it's disappoint. It would seem that you've heard of us and our exploits. Pray tell, what words of praise did father have for his Eldest Son?" Before I could rebuttal, Zuko had piped up from the sidelines, causing me to roll my eyes in annoyance.
"I must say, I don't recall Lord Ozai offering any words of praise toward you. In his description of you, I believe the key points were that you're talentless, lack a backbone, and sully his name." Vlad's casual words caused Zuko's air of confidence to combust upon itself. While Zuko had frozen in a state of shock, nearly on the brink of tears, the aide remained none the wiser.
It was then that Ursa jumped to her feet, and rushed to Zu-Zu's rescue. Raising a finger toward Vlad, she admonished him.
"Mind your words, boy! How dare you slander my child before my very eyes! Ignore his words, Zuko, they are merely lies."
"I apologize, but who are you supposed to be again? The Prince asked me a question and I answered. How exactly are you angry at me for telling the truth? If you don't believe me, go ask Lord Ozai yourself." Tilting his head in clear confusion, the aide's gaze alternated between Ursa and the crying Zuko.
In a surprising turn of events the seemingly ever-peaceful Ursa, drew her arm back and swung it with all her might toward the boy. A moment before it made contact with his face, his eyes began to glow with a dangerous light and I swear the temperature plummeted. Perhaps sensing the danger, Ursa halted her arm mid-air.
"Listen, I'm only going to say this once. If you would like to keep that hand, then I suggest you get it out of my face. Out of instinct alone, I almost killed you. Please learn to control yourself. Also, Prince Zuko, my words weren't meant to make you wallow in self-pity. If anything, they were supposed to make you strive to improve yourself. " Closing his eyes, to calm himself back down, Vlad released a visibly cold breath that left a trail in its wake.
I couldn't believe my eyes. The woman who hated me so was currently trembling in fear before someone. It had me seeing stars. Was this a dream? Slowly withdrawing her quivering hand, Ursa seemed at a loss for words. When had she been so openly disregarded and disrespected? Even I dare not blatantly challenge the woman.
Breaking the tense atmosphere was a sharp sniffle and abrupt push from Zu-Zu as he broke out of his mother's embrace. Wiping the tears from his face, a newfound fire appeared to burn within his eyes.
"It's fine mother, he's right. If that's truly what Father said, I'll just have to prove him wrong! Do you hear that Azula? I'll have Father singing my praises soon enough! Then we'll see who the real prodigy is."
Staring at Zuko's face which appeared to radiate sincere determination, I was at a loss for words. After a few moments, I gave a small smirk.
"That's cute, but you'll be chasing my shadow for the rest of your life brother."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(POV Vlad)
It had been about a week since my introduction to the Prince and Princess, and I must say, their lives were much more lax than I had expected. For the most part, I followed them around whilst they played games, tormented one another, and trained. According to Lord Ozai, until he found a way to take the throne, playing along with my role as an aide, my utmost goal was to ensure Azula's safety.
Though he possessed two children, it was quite clear who the favorite was. A blind man could see that. Despite being the eldest Zuko was clearly lacking to his sister, and it seemed Lord Ozai had given up all hope in the boy. A shame, really. But orders were orders. He was certainly a brat, but I found his innocence refreshing. Was I like him at one point?
My moment of reminiscing was interrupted as an elbow dug into my side. Opening my eyes, I was met by a frowning Azula and quickly standing to attention, I gave her a slight nod. This only seemed to deepen her frown.
"My god, you're stiffer than a board. I swear even Mai is more fun than you. Why is it that all you ever do is sit in a corner and watch us?"
"I'm following my orders, nothing more, nothing less." Tugging at the collar of my suffocating servants' garb, I casually answered her inquiry.
"This is exactly what I'm talking about. Where's that fun side of you I saw when Ursa raised her hand against you? And speaking of orders, I know Father has something planned, but what exactly do you have to do with it? I've never seen him place importance on someone like he does you. Why is that?" Sighing, Azula's eyes suddenly took on a scheming glint.
Glancing behind her at the two girls who seemed to be in their own world, I shrugged my shoulders.
"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about. As for Lord Ozai, his plans are beyond me. All I need to do is fulfill my role. Which for the time being, is getting to know, and watching over you two."
Seeing her roll her eyes and click her tongue in annoyance, I couldn't help but smirk. It was then that Zuko and his mother appeared. Giving me a look, I followed behind her as she skipped toward the duo. Mai and Ty Lee hung back, watching the scene from a distance.
"Mom! Can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game."
"I am not cartwheeling."
"You won't have to, cartwheeling is not a game. Dumb dumb."
"I don't care. I don't wanna play with you."
While the brother and sister bickered back and forth, Ursa's gaze was transfixed entirely on me. Since our first encounter, it seemed I had left a sour taste in her mouth. While she hadn't once spoken to me, her eyes said what she was thinking. Glaring at me in a mixture of distrust, and fear, she didn't even appear to hear her children's exchange.
I didn't exactly blame her. For her distrust and fear were well placed. Ozai hadn't spoken much of her, so clearly her importance was negligible to him, which meant she was unimportant to me. I did, however, dislike her acting as if I was corrupting or endangering the Prince and Princess somehow.
"We are brother and sister. It's important for us to spend time together. Don't you think so Mom?" Clearing her throat, Azula asked the woman a question again, breaking her trance-like state.
"Yes darling, I think it's a good idea to play with your sister. Go on now, just for a little while." Forming a stiff smile, Ursa ruffled Zuko's hair and began to depart. Though, not before throwing a worried glance at both her children.
Grumbling to himself, Zuko stomped passed Azula and I toward a waving Mai and Tylee.
"You know, you're the only other person I've seen her look at with such fear in her eyes. I think she might hate you more than she hates me. And that's saying a lot. I wouldn't worry too much though, she wouldn't dare mess with father's pet." Azula stated, patting my shoulder as though consoling me.
Slowly following after Zuko, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, stifling a laugh at her words.
"Excuse me? You think that woman hates you? Sure, she fears and distrusts me. But more specifically she fears and distrusts me around you two. If there's one thing I know, it's disdain and hatred, believe me when I tell you that woman's eyes hold neither of those things when looking at you."
Coming to a complete stop, Azula stood in stunned silence, staring at me as if I'd grown a pair of wings. What was her problem? Waving my hand in front of her face, I managed to snap her back to reality. Lowering her gaze, she hurriedly brushed by me, and toward the trio in the distance. Had I said something wrong?
While I contemplated why her mood had shifted so drastically, I watched as the group prepared to play a game of hide-and-seek. It seemed Azula was definitely not all there as she failed to find any of them after a good 30 minutes. Not that she seemed to even be looking. Finally growing bored, Zuko left his hiding spot behind a tree and ran up to the husk-like girl.
"You can't be serious right now, it's been like an hour! Why'd you ask me to play games with you guys, if you were just going to waste everyone's time?" With an accusatory finger, the boy yelled at his sister.
Azula's entourage left their hiding spots as well at the ruckus, while not as irate as Zuko they clearly had some questions regarding her behavior as well. Head lowered toward the ground; the Princess gave a small laugh. Walking toward a tree, she grabbed an apple from one of its branches and placed it atop Mai's head.
"Oh, you want to play a game. Then, I've got one for you. A-Alright Zu-Zu, here's the way it goes. Now, what you do is try and knock the apple off the other person's head. Like this." Visibly trembling as she spoke, nothing about Azula's demeanor put me at ease.
With a wave of her fingers, a large blast of fire was launched toward her unsuspecting friend. The moment the flames left her grasp, I saw regret and confusion fill the Princess's eyes as she tried and failed to change its course. An equally confused Zuko could hardly even react as his schoolboy crush prepared to be incinerated.
It should be alright if I intervene right? I mean, Lord Ozai only said I couldn't reveal my blood-bending. A split second after the large fireball left Azula's hand, I dashed to the side and inhaled deeply, before exhaling a plume of freezing cold air. My torrent of cold air billowed forward, covering the ground in a layer of ice, before colliding with the flame and extinguishing it.
"Princess, I think it would be best if this game were played at another time, perhaps when you're in better shape." Crunching the ice beneath my feet, I checked Mai for any burn wounds, before releasing a sigh of relief. If Azula had burnt or killed her friend here, no doubt she wouldn't have forgiven herself. Who knows what it would have done to her psyche?
"T-thank you." Stuttered a frozen Mai while giving me a deep bow.
Nodding, I turned around and approached Azula. From behind me, I could hear Zuko and Ty Lee gushing over Mai, making sure she was alright. At the same time, Zuko began shouting at and reprimanding his sister for her games going too far.
"You could have killed her Azula! What were you thinking? Prodigy my foot, how could you lose control like that?!"
The prodigy in question appeared at a loss for words. Struggling to explain herself, her gaze alternated between Mai and her own hands. When I stopped before her, Azula raised her head to look at me with grateful eyes. After a moment's thought, I decided to return the gesture and patted her shoulder as if consoling her.
"If your mind is in turmoil, then so too is your bending. I'm unsure what's going on with you, but I suggest you work through it. In the meantime, I'll be here to ensure you don't hurt yourself or anyone else." Speaking in a tone only she could hear, I turned my attention to the sound of hurried footsteps.
"Zuko, Azula! Come quick! Your Uncle Iroh has sent us a letter from the war front."