Avatar: Awakened Gamer

Chapter 109




***
Sokka rode atop the Nyla, his hands grasping June's sides as she carefully rode. He was a little perplexed why she would do something like this? Sure, he had the time, but she was being too careful, making sure that Nyla didn't run too harshly.

'Why the hell was she being so careful?'

Sokka was perplexed… and he didn't like not knowing something. But he shook his head, deciding to dismiss such thoughts for now. If for some reason June decided to attack him, then he was prepared. That was all that mattered and other options which wouldn't cause him harm wasn't important right now.


"Are you okay?" June asked suddenly. "There is no pain anywhere, right?"


"No, I am okay," Sokka looked around, wondering why she was acting like this? Then a terrifying thought hit him.

'Wait? Have her yandere tendencies developed further?!'



***
Azula stared at the big walls of Ba Sing Se in front of her. They were nothing more than an obstacle in her path. 

She, Ty Lee, and Mai were acting as refugees entering the big safety of the walls in a ship. 


Azula confidently walked out of the ship, with her friends following not long behind her. 


I came, I saw, I conquered. 


Those were the words best used to describe the current Azula. Ty Lee was so caught in the atmosphere that she had a huge smile on her face. Yelling out 'We are here to take over!' was probably something she might do, so Mai kept an eye on her.


"When Kuzon isn't around, her atmosphere is really weird," Ty Lee whispered to her friend.


Mai frowned. She remembered Azula being quite bad when they were kids, but ever since she met Kuzon, he seemed to bring out the best and worst in her. Also, it was clear she tolerated him beyond what she would a normal subordinate. He always left and came back whenever he wanted.


'But in a certain sense, the change in Azula when Kuzon wasn't around could also be attributed to him.'

As they walked through the street, the face Azula had on made Mai's skin crawl. That innocent look was something that made even her, who had known the psycho princess for many years feel like she was just an innocent young girl. 


"Ah, excuse me," Azula innocently ran towards a woman with a child in her arms. The woman had a kind face and regarded Azula with a smile.


"Yes, young lady, can I help you?" She asked, and Mai's heart dropped a little.

'What is she going to do? Does Azula have the heart to use a woman and child for her benefit? She hasn't said what her plans were, but with how things have been going lately, I want to leave this group. Azula no longer holds the Fire Lord's favor, and my family might suffer because of that.' - Mai contemplated logically. 


If she didn't know for a fact that Azula would chase her to the ends of the world, Mai would have left a long time ago. Also using good people like tools left a bad taste in her mouth.


"Yes, I was wondering if there are any good tea shops in Ba Sing Se?" Azula asked politely. The smile on her face was thin, and her appearance which was quite beautiful would make anyone fall to her charms.


"I saw Azula practice that smile so much in front of the mirror," Ty Lee, like always, stated the facts that Mai didn't like knowing. "It was kind of sad," the circus girl added as her lip slightly turned upward. "Very awkward, and kinda creepy too."

"Shut up, before she hears us," Mai muttered.


"Ah yes, I know some good tea shops," the woman with the child answered happily. "The Jasmine Dragon recently has been gaining a lot of popularity."


"Oh, is that so?" Azula smiled, but Mai felt like something had clicked in her friend's mind. She took out some coins and handed them out to the woman. "Think of this as my thanks. Have a nice day."


'Hm? That's it? I thought she was going to do something more to the woman and child. Maybe I am a little too biased on this.'


Memories of Azula burning an apple atop her head brought Mai bile up her throat, she wanted to throw up, but couldn't. 

That was when they were kids, what about now? 

Watching Azula's back as she walked through the streets. Mai swallowed her saliva, feeling her throat a little dry today. 



…
Ah… so that's why?

As soon as they found the tea shop named Jasmine Dragon, Mai felt everything click into place. A young man with a burning scar toward one side of his face, and his chubby uncle were serving customers tea.


Azula had an unreadable expression on her face. The smile seemed genuine at first look, she even seemed happy, like a sister who had met her long-lost dear brother. 


But of course, this was Azula they were speaking about, the word 'Sibling Love' didn't even exist in her dictionary. Mai was worried she might kill Zuko right now. 


Zuko who just finished handing out some teacups suddenly turned and his eyes met with Mai's. But as he caught sight of Azula too, his eyes widened. His body froze in place. 


"Dear brother," Azula called out. Her voice is casual, sweet almost. 

Zuko cringed, and Mai could understand why. She too was having the same problem. A vicious Azula didn't bother to hide what she thought about people she didn't like, and that was scary. But a sweet Azula… that was downright terrifying.


What was her plan? Has she gone crazy?


Mai had thought such things countless times. She no longer had the unprecedented support of her father. But even when news of her father's dismissal came around, Azula was calm. 


She walked toward the shocked Zuko with a smile on her face. "Hey, brother, shouldn't you be happy to see your dear sister in such a long time?"

The people in the tea shop started murmuring, Zuko finally came to his senses and acted calmly. "Let's talk in the back."

His fleeting gaze landed on Mai a couple of times, as they all went toward. In a small dining room, Azula and Zuko sat opposite each other. 

Ty Lee and Mai were standing by the side, while Iroh came and served everyone tea as if this situation didn't concern him at all. After getting everyone some tea, the old man went back to serve the other customers.


"I heard father disowned you," Zuko started, smirking, trying to get a rise out of Azula. Usually, she was the one who would get a rise out of him, but the tables have turned.


"Oh, that's a little too far-fetched. But he did essentially say that I am out of the succession line for now and if he has new children, then they will become the next Fire Lord."


"What?!" Zuko exclaimed in shock, and couldn't believe his ears. His father had pushed Azula away! Also, what is this about new children? He wasn't someone in the loop for these kinds of news. 

But Zuko never thought, not even in his wildest dreams, that his father might have another child, possibly children.


"A -Anyways, why are you here?" This time, the Fire Prince was ready, taking regular breaths and had his guard up to defend himself in case of a sneak attack.



Azula smirked, her eyes were like that of a snake that had caught its prey. "...What do you think about killing father?"