Book I - Act 3 - Ch 1

Edited by: Bieverdog

Book I

失衡

Act III: Peace and Tranquilizers

Chapter I

Azula's eyes struggled to adjust to the harsh, flickering light while the high-pitched buzzing disoriented her. Her head spun with terrible throbbing pain. Instinctively, she attempted to massage her temples, but the cold chains binding her upright to a stretcher bolted to the floor prevented any relief. The metallic scent of iron filled the air, and the door to the room clanked open, revealing a man carrying a worn leather bag.

"Good day, princess," the stranger's voice echoed calmly and measured through the small chamber.

"Wha– Where am I?" Her senses still hazy, Azula squinted as she tried to orient herself, her vision disrupted by the blinding lights. She tracked the sound of footsteps, her gaze following the shadowy figure toward the door. As the man stepped into the light, dragging a chair with him, Azula noticed his wrinkled face and void eyes, his long, plain robes nearly touching the floor.

The man sat down, and Azula stared at him expectantly, her frustration growing as he ignored her question. His face remained impassive. "I only ask that you answer some questions. I'm sorry for the restraints, but we couldn't leave it to chance now, could we?" He retrieved a small notebook from the bag, his fingers trembling slightly.

Azula's desperation intensified, her eyes darting around the room, seeking any sign of emotion or acknowledgment from the man. But his unwavering stoicism only heightened her sense of helplessness, and she could feel her anger simmering beneath the surface.

"Who are you?" Azula’s eyes narrowed, attempting to discern the man's features, partially obscured by shadows.

"That's not important, princess. What's important here is you. So, let's begin." His tone remained unchanged, betraying no emotion.

"Let me go at once! I command you!" She rattled her chains, her voice filled with anger and desperation, her eyes flashing with fury.

He sighed, continuing in the same dull tone. "I'm afraid I can't do that. I suggest you answer my questions. I hear you've been calling for your mother; why is that?" The man's face was a mask, his eyes dark, cold, and unyielding.

"Where is my father?!" Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps as she desperately tried to wrest control of the conversation.

"Please answer the question. It will be best if you cooperate--"

In response, Azula spat in his face, her eyes alight with defiance.

The man wiped away the saliva with a disgusted grimace and, without hesitation, jabbed a syringe into her arm. She jolted her head back, feeling the thick substance spreading through her veins, her vision blurring and hearing distorted once again.

His voice sounded distant, like a fading echo. "This will help you be more cooperative."

Azula closed her eyes, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Her hands prickled, and she fought to stay conscious.

"So, let’s see… Why do you call for your mother?" And Azula opened her eyes. In her blurred vision, she saw her mother now sitting where that man was, wearing that stranger’s robe, and looking concerned.

Azula's voice trembled, her words laced with fear and anger. "I know what you want from me! You want to drag me to that place again; you fear me!"

Her mother scribbled something on a pad as she stared at Azula expectantly.

She gritted her teeth, defiance burning in her eyes. "You won't stop us! Father will find me; and when he does, not even Zuzu will be able to help you."

"Interesting… Continue, please." Her voice sounded off; it was hollow and distant.

"What twisted illusion have you created now?

Her mother put down the book, eyeing her inquisitively. "Why does your mother make you feel this way?"

"Shut up, you treacherous liar! When I get out of here, you'll have a scar to match your precious Zuzu's!"

A polite smile curved on her mother's lip. "I see…" She continued scribbling. "I hear your mother loves you very much. Have a good day, princess."

Azula's heart raced as the metallic door clanged shut, then the lights soon flickered off, plunging the room into darkness.

"Leave, leave, leave! All you do is leave, leave, leave…" Azula tried to hold back the tears, attempting to maintain a facade of strength. Her voice quavered as she whispered, “I won’t let you see me cry.”

Despite her efforts, a soft sob escaped her lips. She couldn't tell where she was, couldn't see anything other than the stained padded walls, could only feel the cold steel pressing against her body. There was no one there. Alone. Friendless. Forgotten. There was only smothering silence suffocating her in the darkness.

The smoke from the fires below blinded Zuko's sight. The fighting had erupted into a cacophony of flames and shouts of agony that rose from people struggling to escape the soldiers' onslaught.

"We have to stop them! Now! Get us closer to the ground." Zuko pointed to a clear rooftop.

Aang squinted. "I can't see a thing, Zuko."

"Forget it; I'm jumping!" His voice was resolute.

"Zuko, wait!" His friend called, but it was already too late.

Ignoring Aang's plea, Zuko jumped down to a roof, softening his landing with a burst of fire. The smoke made distinguishing the people from the soldiers difficult, so he guided himself by the sudden flashes of bent fire. Soldiers lay burnt on the ground while their comrades stood around them, bending flames blindly at the panicked crowd.

Zuko made short work of the soldiers, knocking them back with a sweeping kick of fire. He extended his hands to the soldiers trapped between the walls and the crowds frantically trying to escape.

"Stop! I order you to stop!" Zuko shouted to no avail. The throng flooded over him, ignoring his words. The shoving and trampling slammed him to the ground. He flailed blindly at the air and the clothes of each passerby. He couldn't breathe. Every second felt like an hour.

After the people had scattered, Zuko gasped desperately. Lying bruised on the ground, he could only force his aching body to breathe. He opened his eyes to the shrieks of the people and a boy's calls for his mother as people ran amok. Between the flashes of fire, he could barely see his friends in the distance.

A soldier caught in the chaos bent fire, pushing everyone aside. The boy could only gape in horror as the flames engulfed all around him. Zuko couldn't watch, couldn't listen to the boy's screams. A caressing hand of fire, then pain and blackness.

Zuko looked up glassily as the boy's screams of agony shattered his mind. He looked bewilderedly around him. Singed soldiers and civilians alike limped away from the chaos as others lay still on the street in agony, fire and smoke enveloping it all.

He crawled over to the little boy, who wailed in pain. He couldn't meet his eyes. The boy's faint screams slowly diminished until there was only the sound of crackling fire. Zuko rose slowly, feeling a lump in his throat. He had barely noticed the veil of smoke had turned thin. There were muffled shouts behind him. When he turned around, Aang was there, looking at him in shock. His friend stood still, staring at the boy. "Zuko, what… Katara! We need help over here!”

Katara ran to them. Kneeling in front of the wounded child, she tried to heal the boy, whispering soothingly, but her hope gave way to desperation. "Come on… Come on!" Her eyes began to fill with tears, her efforts futile.

He barely heard Aang's voice, filled with concern. "There has to be something we can do, anything!” He got up, his eyes vaguely looking around at the destruction. His friend looked his way. “Zuko? Zuko!" He just kept going, walking through the palace gates in shock.

He only heard the muffled marching of soldiers outside the gates. Colonel Mak ran to him, grabbing him and saying something he couldn't understand. And before Mak ran off, his guards arrived. The Lieutenant helped him inside the throne room, Mako closed the doors behind him, and he stood there with his head pounding.

All his ministers were waiting, but it was as if they didn't exist. He walked to the stairs and sat there, staring at the ground. As the seconds ticked, the ringing in his ears faded, and he returned to reality. Imperial Secretary Jing stood before him, holding his shoulder. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you alright? The city is under control…"

Zuko mumbled, still dazed, "...Huh? What…"

Jing’s voice was laced with concern. "...Largely through the efforts of Admiral Chan, My Lord.”

His voice was weak. "What... How did this happen?" Zuko clutched his head.

“Oh, it was a tragedy, Your Majesty. The soldiers had come expecting their payments. I reassured them that you’d address their concerns soon, and they waited… However, when news of your journey to Ba Sing Se reached the public, they grew restless and tried to make their way into the palace, demanding answers.

It’s disheartening to see how this new treaty has been misunderstood by some. But now that you are here, we can restore order and ease their concerns. We just got news that Admiral Chan has already made significant progress in quelling the unrest.”

As Jing explained, he backed away. He rasped a bare whisper, "I need to… lie down a bit."

As Zuko's vision blurred, he felt lightheaded before collapsing.