Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ Misguided ( Chapter 37 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Light-Eco-Sage 
Avatar is owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, not me!
Non Anime: Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Fantasy / Martial Arts / Romance / Supernatural / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 02.02.2013 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.2K | Visits: 479 | Status: Work In Progress
Avatar is owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, not me!
Non Anime: Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Fantasy / Martial Arts / Romance / Supernatural / Angst | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 02.02.2013 | Pages: 1 | Words: 2.2K | Visits: 479 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter XVIIL: Misguided
For several moments, the two only stared at each other. Then Sho remembered his father’s words that, while the world was a much safer place, you could never be too careful around strangers. He moved slowly, being careful not to make any sudden movements, and began to reach for the Bison whistle concealed in his shirt with one hand, and his staff with the other hand.
“I don’t want to fight you.” The woman said, watching his hands drift towards the staff. She took in his obvious Fire Nation features, but also his clothing which showed he was most definitely not from the Fire Nation. “Who are you? You’re not Fire Nation.”
“I’m half Fire Nation.” Sho said cautiously after several moments.
“Half? Then, you must be…” The woman paused. “Are you one of the Avatar’s children?” She asked.
“I am.” Sho said cautiously.
While Azula’s calm face never betrayed herself, on the inside, she was celebrating. She had been waiting for years for one of the Avatar’s children to separate themselves from their father, but all the little brats seemed to be quite fond of him, despite the discord that should have been present among them. As she recalled, there were two Fire Nation children, two boys: one of them being the child of her cousin. She searched back in her memory, trying to remember the brat’s name. Nera has certainly gushed a lot about the child during the three years that she had him, but Azula had tuned her out for the most part. Finally, she was able to remember a name that seemed possible. “You wouldn’t happen to be Sho, would you?” She asked.
Sho’s hand, which was still raised in preparation to grab his staff, instantly fell to his side. He was disarmed that she would know him, after all, the Avatar had many children, and lots of people had trouble remembering one from the other. He had been confused with Toshi, his brother from the Fire Nation, more often than he could count. “How did you guess my name?”
Azula allowed herself another mental celebration. This couldn’t have gone more perfectly! Not only was she in contact with one of the Avatar’s children, but it was also the only one that was related to her! “Of course I would know you, Sho.” Azula said, injecting as much love as she could into her voice without over-doing it. “We are family, after all.”
“Family?”
“Yes. Your mother is my cousin. I am your second cousin, but you can call me ‘Aunt’, if you want.”
Sho remembered what he could about his mother’s family. He knew that his mother was cousins with Firelord Zuko, and had many other cousins. So, he realized that it was fully possible that this woman would be related to him. But he still had to be sure. “Who was my mother’s famous grandfather?”
“Avatar Roku, of course.” Azula answered instantly.
As last, Sho relaxed around her. He couldn’t possibly imagine that any of his relatives could be dangerous. This was because he had never been told of Azula. Everyone who knew her was very reluctant to talk about her and, for the most part, they pretended that she never existed. The only evidence that Azula left of her existence were the faded scars on Aang’s back and Zuko’s stomach.
“Now, tell me, young one… what are you doing out here alone in the wilderness?” Azula asked, sounding as concerned as a mother even though she had no feelings for him of the sort.
“I can take care of myself.” Sho answered. “I was… thinking.”
“That’s a dangerous thing to be doing in these parts. The Anti-Bending movement is active here.”
“They wouldn’t dare attack me, unless they want their little movement obliterated.” Sho said. “And what about you?”
“I’m not a Bender.” Azula lied, shrugging. “They are no danger to me.”
“They are not a threat to me, either.” Sho said. “As soon as they see that I’m an Airbender, they will know that my father is the Avatar. He ignores them right now because they do not cause any trouble and are not violent. If that changed, or if any of his children got hurt by them, he would destroy them in a second.”
“Oh, yes, I agree. There are few positions safer than being the Avatar’s son.” Azula said. “But then why are you walking out here, alone, in the wilderness, with such a sad look on your face?”
“Because… it’s complicated.” Sho said.
“We have time.” Azula said. “What kind of aunt would I be if I could not help out a relative in his time of need. What is troubling you? I’ll help you, if I can, and you can just think of it as fifteen years worth of advice.”
Sho hesitated before speaking. He had never said out loud all that was bothering him to another human soul. All of the feelings made him feel like he was hurt and shamed, especially his love for Ammy.
“I… I overheard my brother and cousin talking the other day…” Sho began. “My eldest brother… he’s my father’s child with his wife and he’s an Airbending prodigy. I never really minded how much better he was than me before, because he was always there to help me if I was struggling with a move. I heard him telling our cousin that our father was going to make him the new head of the Air Nomad nation after he steps down to concentrate on his Avatar duties.”
Sho paused. “Anil is a good person. It’s not that I think he’ll be a terrible leader. It’s just that… I’m worried that my father may have disregarded his other children in searching for his heir because…”
“Because Lady Katara is not your mother?” Azula finished.
“Yes.” Sho said shamefully. “Everyone tells me that I’m being foolish, that Anil really is the best person for the job, but I think I should have been given the chance to prove that I’m a leader as well.”
“But that’s not all, is it?” Azula asked.
“Um… no.” Sho said, choosing his words carefully. “I’m in love with someone… but I know that my father and family will never approve. I’m too scared to tell her how I feel because the reason we can never be together is something that I cannot change.”
Even though Azula was getting bored with listening to the boy’s woes, she forced herself to keep up the sympathetic act. Sho was nothing like Azula. He would not fall into Azula’s plans willingly. The only way she could snare him was by making him believe that she really did care for his well-being and that her suggestions for how to deal with his problems were the best ones. She began making mental calculations about her plan, plotting exactly what to say to get Sho to do what she wanted without making him suspect that she was using him in her grand plan to tear his family apart. “What’s so bad about this love?” She asked.
“I… I can’t say.” Sho said. “I don’t want to. It’s too hard to admit out loud. If I do, it will be that much more painful.”
Azula nodded with pretend sympathy. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t press the issue.” She said. “My dear, do you want me to help you with your problems?”
“Of course! If there is a solution, I have to try it!” Sho said.
“The solution is for you to take your brother’s place as your father’s heir.” Azula said.
“But…”
“Listen, dear boy, you may not realize it, but strong noble blood flows through your veins. Not only are you the Avatar’s son, but you are also one of the people in line for the throne of the Fire Nation.”
“Rather distantly.” Sho corrected.
“Royal blood is royal blood.” Azula said. “You have been born with the right to rule, and it is very unfortunate that your father cannot see that, and instead gives the position to a son who does not have such an impressive heritage.”
“But everyone treats Katara like a princess.” Sho said.
“I knew Lady Katara before she married your father.” Azula said. “She married into power, but there is not a drop of noble blood in her veins. Marrying the Avatar and coming onto power cannot compare to the centuries of grooming that the Fire Nation put into their royal family. Anil may be the son of the Avatar as well, but he is also the son of a peasant. You have the most grooming to become the new leader of the Air Nomads.”
“But…” Sho began.
“And there are certain privileges that world leaders are entitled too.” Azula said. “Just look at your father. Did you know that he married his wife in secret because he knew that the other nations would not approve of his marriage to her? Once they had said their vows, there was nothing any of them could do to overturn the marriage. His power kept others from dissolving the marriage. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“You’re saying that… if I became the leader of the Air Nomads… I would have the power to marry anyone I wanted without having someone come along and dissolve our marriage for being immoral?” Sho asked, sounding more excited.
“Exactly.” Azula said with a smile.
Sho was enraptured by the mental image of himself, on his wedding day, staring into the glorious, glowing face of his bride, the woman he loved. He did not care if others disapproved. He did not care if her illnesses made it impossible for them to make love or for her to bare children. All that mattered was being with her and loving her with all of his heart, and she loving him back.
“How? How can I become the heir?” Sho asked, desperately. “Father has chosen Anil, and he will not change his mind, unless…” Sho trailed off, his smile fading. “I’m not going to kill Anil!”
“Oh, no!” Azula gasped with fake horror. “No, I would never ask that you kill someone! Death is not the only reason that someone would not make a good leader. All you have to do is prove that you’re a better Airbender then Anil.”
“How?”
“Defeat him in a duel.” Azula said. “Your father will see that you are the better Airbender, and then he will come to see the other qualities that make you a good leader.”
“But… he’s a prodigy…” Sho said. “How can I ever defeat him?”
“Just because he’s a prodigy does not mean that he is undefeatable.” Azula said. “Trust me, I know.”
“Okay… I’ll try it. But…” Sho paused. “I’m still learning the 35th level of Airbending. I’ll need to Master Airbending myself before I can stand a chance against him.” What Sho did not know was that he had no knowledge that there was another level of Airbending, a level that both Aang and Anil knew of and had Mastered. Like Aang, Anil had learned the secret of Airbending after he’d received his tattoos. Anil didn’t even know that there was a 36th level until after he got his tattoos, and he didn’t learn the technique for many years after that. “I only need a few more weeks to Master Airbending, and then… I’ll try.”
“You take your time, and only face him when you are ready.” Azula said. Azula swallowed her disgust and pulled Sho into an embrace. “I’ll be praying to the Spirits for your success, young one.” For once during this conversation, she wasn’t being entirely untruthful.
“Thank you for the advice.” Sho said, pulling out of her embrace and beginning to walk away at a swift pace, feeling better than he had in weeks.
Azula smiled to herself as he walked away. “Let the games begin.” She said softly, letting a small chuckle escape her lips.
LES: Ahh… it’s so good to be writing crazy-but-not-psychotic Azula again. And it’s so fun to give her the personality disorder that my mother constantly misdiagnosis’s me with. Antisocial Personality Disorder happens to be exactly what Azula has, both in the show and in my story. Antisocial Personality Disorder does not mean that a person is shy or introverted. APSs operate under the delusion that they are the only ‘real’ people, and that everyone else is merely pawns to be manipulated. On the outside, they are charming and nice, but on the inside, they are plotting how to get what they want out of you without any regards to your feelings as a human being. It describes Azula perfectly, so that’s what she has.
For several moments, the two only stared at each other. Then Sho remembered his father’s words that, while the world was a much safer place, you could never be too careful around strangers. He moved slowly, being careful not to make any sudden movements, and began to reach for the Bison whistle concealed in his shirt with one hand, and his staff with the other hand.
“I don’t want to fight you.” The woman said, watching his hands drift towards the staff. She took in his obvious Fire Nation features, but also his clothing which showed he was most definitely not from the Fire Nation. “Who are you? You’re not Fire Nation.”
“I’m half Fire Nation.” Sho said cautiously after several moments.
“Half? Then, you must be…” The woman paused. “Are you one of the Avatar’s children?” She asked.
“I am.” Sho said cautiously.
While Azula’s calm face never betrayed herself, on the inside, she was celebrating. She had been waiting for years for one of the Avatar’s children to separate themselves from their father, but all the little brats seemed to be quite fond of him, despite the discord that should have been present among them. As she recalled, there were two Fire Nation children, two boys: one of them being the child of her cousin. She searched back in her memory, trying to remember the brat’s name. Nera has certainly gushed a lot about the child during the three years that she had him, but Azula had tuned her out for the most part. Finally, she was able to remember a name that seemed possible. “You wouldn’t happen to be Sho, would you?” She asked.
Sho’s hand, which was still raised in preparation to grab his staff, instantly fell to his side. He was disarmed that she would know him, after all, the Avatar had many children, and lots of people had trouble remembering one from the other. He had been confused with Toshi, his brother from the Fire Nation, more often than he could count. “How did you guess my name?”
Azula allowed herself another mental celebration. This couldn’t have gone more perfectly! Not only was she in contact with one of the Avatar’s children, but it was also the only one that was related to her! “Of course I would know you, Sho.” Azula said, injecting as much love as she could into her voice without over-doing it. “We are family, after all.”
“Family?”
“Yes. Your mother is my cousin. I am your second cousin, but you can call me ‘Aunt’, if you want.”
Sho remembered what he could about his mother’s family. He knew that his mother was cousins with Firelord Zuko, and had many other cousins. So, he realized that it was fully possible that this woman would be related to him. But he still had to be sure. “Who was my mother’s famous grandfather?”
“Avatar Roku, of course.” Azula answered instantly.
As last, Sho relaxed around her. He couldn’t possibly imagine that any of his relatives could be dangerous. This was because he had never been told of Azula. Everyone who knew her was very reluctant to talk about her and, for the most part, they pretended that she never existed. The only evidence that Azula left of her existence were the faded scars on Aang’s back and Zuko’s stomach.
“Now, tell me, young one… what are you doing out here alone in the wilderness?” Azula asked, sounding as concerned as a mother even though she had no feelings for him of the sort.
“I can take care of myself.” Sho answered. “I was… thinking.”
“That’s a dangerous thing to be doing in these parts. The Anti-Bending movement is active here.”
“They wouldn’t dare attack me, unless they want their little movement obliterated.” Sho said. “And what about you?”
“I’m not a Bender.” Azula lied, shrugging. “They are no danger to me.”
“They are not a threat to me, either.” Sho said. “As soon as they see that I’m an Airbender, they will know that my father is the Avatar. He ignores them right now because they do not cause any trouble and are not violent. If that changed, or if any of his children got hurt by them, he would destroy them in a second.”
“Oh, yes, I agree. There are few positions safer than being the Avatar’s son.” Azula said. “But then why are you walking out here, alone, in the wilderness, with such a sad look on your face?”
“Because… it’s complicated.” Sho said.
“We have time.” Azula said. “What kind of aunt would I be if I could not help out a relative in his time of need. What is troubling you? I’ll help you, if I can, and you can just think of it as fifteen years worth of advice.”
Sho hesitated before speaking. He had never said out loud all that was bothering him to another human soul. All of the feelings made him feel like he was hurt and shamed, especially his love for Ammy.
“I… I overheard my brother and cousin talking the other day…” Sho began. “My eldest brother… he’s my father’s child with his wife and he’s an Airbending prodigy. I never really minded how much better he was than me before, because he was always there to help me if I was struggling with a move. I heard him telling our cousin that our father was going to make him the new head of the Air Nomad nation after he steps down to concentrate on his Avatar duties.”
Sho paused. “Anil is a good person. It’s not that I think he’ll be a terrible leader. It’s just that… I’m worried that my father may have disregarded his other children in searching for his heir because…”
“Because Lady Katara is not your mother?” Azula finished.
“Yes.” Sho said shamefully. “Everyone tells me that I’m being foolish, that Anil really is the best person for the job, but I think I should have been given the chance to prove that I’m a leader as well.”
“But that’s not all, is it?” Azula asked.
“Um… no.” Sho said, choosing his words carefully. “I’m in love with someone… but I know that my father and family will never approve. I’m too scared to tell her how I feel because the reason we can never be together is something that I cannot change.”
Even though Azula was getting bored with listening to the boy’s woes, she forced herself to keep up the sympathetic act. Sho was nothing like Azula. He would not fall into Azula’s plans willingly. The only way she could snare him was by making him believe that she really did care for his well-being and that her suggestions for how to deal with his problems were the best ones. She began making mental calculations about her plan, plotting exactly what to say to get Sho to do what she wanted without making him suspect that she was using him in her grand plan to tear his family apart. “What’s so bad about this love?” She asked.
“I… I can’t say.” Sho said. “I don’t want to. It’s too hard to admit out loud. If I do, it will be that much more painful.”
Azula nodded with pretend sympathy. “If you don’t want to talk about it, then I won’t press the issue.” She said. “My dear, do you want me to help you with your problems?”
“Of course! If there is a solution, I have to try it!” Sho said.
“The solution is for you to take your brother’s place as your father’s heir.” Azula said.
“But…”
“Listen, dear boy, you may not realize it, but strong noble blood flows through your veins. Not only are you the Avatar’s son, but you are also one of the people in line for the throne of the Fire Nation.”
“Rather distantly.” Sho corrected.
“Royal blood is royal blood.” Azula said. “You have been born with the right to rule, and it is very unfortunate that your father cannot see that, and instead gives the position to a son who does not have such an impressive heritage.”
“But everyone treats Katara like a princess.” Sho said.
“I knew Lady Katara before she married your father.” Azula said. “She married into power, but there is not a drop of noble blood in her veins. Marrying the Avatar and coming onto power cannot compare to the centuries of grooming that the Fire Nation put into their royal family. Anil may be the son of the Avatar as well, but he is also the son of a peasant. You have the most grooming to become the new leader of the Air Nomads.”
“But…” Sho began.
“And there are certain privileges that world leaders are entitled too.” Azula said. “Just look at your father. Did you know that he married his wife in secret because he knew that the other nations would not approve of his marriage to her? Once they had said their vows, there was nothing any of them could do to overturn the marriage. His power kept others from dissolving the marriage. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“You’re saying that… if I became the leader of the Air Nomads… I would have the power to marry anyone I wanted without having someone come along and dissolve our marriage for being immoral?” Sho asked, sounding more excited.
“Exactly.” Azula said with a smile.
Sho was enraptured by the mental image of himself, on his wedding day, staring into the glorious, glowing face of his bride, the woman he loved. He did not care if others disapproved. He did not care if her illnesses made it impossible for them to make love or for her to bare children. All that mattered was being with her and loving her with all of his heart, and she loving him back.
“How? How can I become the heir?” Sho asked, desperately. “Father has chosen Anil, and he will not change his mind, unless…” Sho trailed off, his smile fading. “I’m not going to kill Anil!”
“Oh, no!” Azula gasped with fake horror. “No, I would never ask that you kill someone! Death is not the only reason that someone would not make a good leader. All you have to do is prove that you’re a better Airbender then Anil.”
“How?”
“Defeat him in a duel.” Azula said. “Your father will see that you are the better Airbender, and then he will come to see the other qualities that make you a good leader.”
“But… he’s a prodigy…” Sho said. “How can I ever defeat him?”
“Just because he’s a prodigy does not mean that he is undefeatable.” Azula said. “Trust me, I know.”
“Okay… I’ll try it. But…” Sho paused. “I’m still learning the 35th level of Airbending. I’ll need to Master Airbending myself before I can stand a chance against him.” What Sho did not know was that he had no knowledge that there was another level of Airbending, a level that both Aang and Anil knew of and had Mastered. Like Aang, Anil had learned the secret of Airbending after he’d received his tattoos. Anil didn’t even know that there was a 36th level until after he got his tattoos, and he didn’t learn the technique for many years after that. “I only need a few more weeks to Master Airbending, and then… I’ll try.”
“You take your time, and only face him when you are ready.” Azula said. Azula swallowed her disgust and pulled Sho into an embrace. “I’ll be praying to the Spirits for your success, young one.” For once during this conversation, she wasn’t being entirely untruthful.
“Thank you for the advice.” Sho said, pulling out of her embrace and beginning to walk away at a swift pace, feeling better than he had in weeks.
Azula smiled to herself as he walked away. “Let the games begin.” She said softly, letting a small chuckle escape her lips.
LES: Ahh… it’s so good to be writing crazy-but-not-psychotic Azula again. And it’s so fun to give her the personality disorder that my mother constantly misdiagnosis’s me with. Antisocial Personality Disorder happens to be exactly what Azula has, both in the show and in my story. Antisocial Personality Disorder does not mean that a person is shy or introverted. APSs operate under the delusion that they are the only ‘real’ people, and that everyone else is merely pawns to be manipulated. On the outside, they are charming and nice, but on the inside, they are plotting how to get what they want out of you without any regards to your feelings as a human being. It describes Azula perfectly, so that’s what she has.