Chapter 2

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Chapter 2 After returning to what was left of my ship, I ordered my soldiers to round up everyone who worked at the resort. I should destroy them all for giving Iroh and Zuko a safe place to hide, but I will hold off for now. They may come in handy, especially if I offer a little added incentive. I created a poster with images of Iroh and Zuko. Then I stepped from the ship and addressed the gathered employees of the resort, holding the poster high above my head. "Anyone who harbors these two traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!" I announced, rattling the poster for extra effect. The crowd let out a gasp. Good, just the kind of reaction I wanted. They fear me and they fear Father. It is now only a matter of time before the fugitives are firmly in my grasp. I consulted with my advisers, two wise old women, Lo and Li. They sat in lotus positions on either side of me as I contemplated my next move. "When tracking your brother and uncle, traveling with the royal procession may no longer be an

option," Lo stated. "It may no longer be wise," Li added. "If you hope to keep the element of surprise," Lo and Li said together. Wise words indeed. The pomp and grandeur of this huge ship, this royal procession with all its luxurious trappings, are my birthright. But in this case they may serve as an early warning signal to Zuko and Iroh that I am close at hand. Two individuals traveling light will have stealth, secrecy, and speed on their side against all this dead weight. If I want to catch my prey I must be agile and nimble. I must change my approach. I will leave all this behind. I need to enlist the help of a small, fast, elite team of operatives whom I trust completely. We will move swiftly and silently, and trap the fugitives when they least expect it. It's time I visit some old friends and recruit them to this all-important task. My first stop in the search for my team was a circus. I was looking for an old friend from childhood. Ah, there she is. It's been years since I've seen her, but she looks the same. Slim, athletic, and full of

energy. She is working as an acrobat in the circus. What a dreadful waste of her talent—it is a disgusting, unpleasant place. What could she possibly see in all this filth? But it doesn't really matter. The next phase of her life, in which she serves her nation and her Fire Lord, is about to begin. I am sure of it. "Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?" I ask politely, knowing the answer. She turned and looked right at me. "Azula!" Ty Lee exclaimed excitedly. Then she untwisted herself out of the pretzel-like pose she had been in, and bowed respectfully to me. Even though we are old friends, it is good that she knows her place—and that she realizes exactly who she is dealing with. "It's so good to see you, Azula!" "Please don't let me interrupt your… whatever it is you're doing," I said, glad that she was so enthusiastic to see me. She will prove to be a valuable ally. Ty Lee went back to her stretching as I wondered what she was doing here among the smelly animals and circus performers. She is, after all, the daughter of a nobleman, and she attended the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, just as I did. I'm certain her parents would not want her to end up in a horrid place like this.

"Ty Lee, I have a proposition for you," I said. "I'm hunting a traitor. You remember my old fuddy-duddy uncle, don't you?" "Oh yeah, he was so funny!" Funny! What could she possibly find funny about that pathetic old man? My face tightened. Sensing my displeasure, Ty Lee quickly and nervously added, "I mean, what a shame he's become a traitor." Good. She knows when she's crossed the line with me. "I would be honored if you would join me on my mission," I continued. "Oh, I would love to, really," Ty Lee replied. "But the truth is, I'm really happy here. I love this life." I was not expecting her to say this at all, but I don't show my surprise. Her mind will change soon enough. "Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me," I said, knowing that she eventually would. Ty Lee bowed. "Thank you, Azula," she said respectfully. "Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show," I said sweetly. "Um, yeah, sure, of course," said Ty Lee, as a look of confusion crossed her face.

Later that evening I entered the circus tent for Ty Lee's performance. I was shown to a private area, and was seated in an elaborate chair that resembled a throne. Proper respect for the princess of the Fire Nation. I was pleased to see it. The circus master came hurrying over to me and bowed. "We are deeply honored to have the Fire Lord's daughter at our humble circus. Please tell us if there is anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable." "I will," I replied. I watched Ty Lee perform with confidence, high up on a tightrope. With the palm of one hand planted on a board that was balanced on a cylinder, she lifted her body straight up, her toes pointing toward the top of the tent. It is good to know her remarkable skills have not dulled with time. If anything, they have improved. "Incredible!" I exclaimed to the circus master. "Do you think she'll fall?" "Of course not," he replied, without taking his attention away from Ty Lee. "Then wouldn't it make things more interesting if you removed the net?" He looked at me, obviously shocked by the suggestion. But I could see that this useless circus