AN: My first stab at Tyzula, and at a long fanfiction.
Chapters: 42.
Ships: Azula x Ty Lee with a Zuko x Toph subplot.
Beta: FanfictionVillainess
Warnings: Mild violence, a bit of harsh language, mild sexual content bordering on limes and dark themes of slavery and abuse.

"Don't kill her." Those words stun the soldiers present. "Stop gawking. I said don't kill her and I mean it."

Azula speaks clearly to the brigade of soldiers that are gathered in the governor's house. One of them clutches the Earth Kingdom girl by her braid, the other holds a sword to her palpitating throat. The room is dimly lit, the sun slowly setting over the Earth Kingdom mountains. Azula is on a futile mission with her bored companion sitting in the corner waiting for either blood or drama, and this Earth Kingdom girl is waiting for her fate.

It is a dull mining town. Azula simply has been passing through on her way to do much more important things. But here she is, robbed, and about to spare the life of the girl who robbed her. All because of the peculiar way in which the Earth Kingdom girl did it.

The strike came out of nowhere, so calculated. And the way she moved was almost like that of an airbender, or perhaps a waterbender, although Azula has seen neither in her life. The last waterbender of the Southern Tribe died when Azula was a newborn, and the last airbender died a hundred years ago. But there was something about the motions on her toned, tanned arms that made Azula think that perhaps she was lucky enough to have stumbled into the avatar.

"She stole from you," General Chan, the wielder of the blade, protests.

"I don't care. When I tell you not to kill her, I mean put the sword down before I gut you with it, General Chan," Azula continues calmly and he moves the sword away from the ruffian's throat. "There. Was that so hard?"

The Earth Kingdom girl looks up at Azula with her wide innocent eyes. Azula's far-less innocent eyes drift lower and examine the curves of her body, hating the rush of heat there is in her body, and then she quickly peels her eyes from her captives breasts. The Earth Kingdom girl seems baffled in the manner of a small animal or cute child, but clearly she is Azula's age. The age of the Avatar, the strategist in Azula notes, but she walks forward, the soldiers nearby fluttering away from her in a panic, and helps the girl to her feet.

"Thank you," stammers the Earth Kingdom girl as Azula examines her closely. Almost as if she is going to eat her; there is something desiring in her golden eyes. "How I can I repay you?"

Azula is rather intrigued by the girlish voice. She seems unnerved by the fact she was about to die, save from slightly shaking hands and stumbling words. The princess has seen people lined up for execution before and usually, they tend to cry. But not this girl. Hm. Perhaps she has just seen too much.

"Show me how you did that," Azula purrs and the Earth Kingdom girl tilts her head to the side like a kitten. It is almost cute but Azula steps back and crosses her arms.

"You mean... the... the chi blocking?" the Earth Kingdom girl asks quietly and Azula shrugs, then nods. The Earth Kingdom girl nods feverishly and moves into a demonstration.

Azula studies the motions as the Earth Kingdom girl goes through them with a very unhappy soldier. She watches the jabs, tries to memorize the locations. This girl is beyond useful and General Chan was about to slaughter her. It displeases the princess, but she supposes that the Earth Kingdom is ridden with barbarism.

"I'm keeping her," Princess Azula declares and the Earth Kingdom girl studies her closely. She does not seem to know what to say. "She can join me on my quest to find my brother."

"Are you sure that's wise, princess?" General Chan inquires uncomfortably, glancing between the petty thief and the crown princess.

"I will tell you what is wise," Azula replies sharply and he bites his tongue. She flickers her eyes up and down the Earth Kingdom girl's body again and then nods. "What's your name?"

"Uh, Ty Lee," the Earth Kingdom girl says, offering a grin. She smiles, which Azula finds funny. She is a strange girl, certainly.

"Well, I'm Princess Azula and this is Mai," Azula says slowly, purring. General Chan has no idea what she is doing and he does not like it. "You're going to be our slave."

"Uh, okay," Ty Lee says in her girlish voice and Azula blinks slowly. She did not expect such an amicable reaction to slavery.

"That's it?" Azula asks and Ty Lee looks at her, clearly confused. Azula sighs and supposes this is what she is going to work with. "Alright, come on."

One Month Ago

Azula walks through the palace cautiously, carefully, wondering what is happening. The advisors of her father are in a frenzy and Azula rolls her eyes. Her Nation's leaders are a very feeble crew, save for her father.

She pushes past them, trying to force her way to the throne room. And she succeeds, letting herself in and seeing her father in the middle of an audience.

"Azula," Ozai says and she flinches slightly. "Come sit. You can help me with this."

It is unexpected but undeniably pleasant. She strides across the room and sits at her father's right hand smugly. She is sixteen and already completely prepared to take the throne when the time comes, and incredibly grateful that over five years ago her brother was banished for disgracing the family.

"What's happening, father?" Azula asks as she admires how he makes such grown men grovel. The people in front of them have their lips touching the floor and it brings an almost sexual pleasure to Azula.

"The rebels have taken out our major fortress near Ba Sing Se. And, to make matters more interesting, your brother is now one of them," Fire Lord Ozai says and Azula's eyes flash. She knew Zuko was a traitor but she never imagined him joining the rebels.

Zuko was sent out after the Avatar. He was two when the last Avatar died; a waterbender by the name of Hama. She died in prison before Azula was born, and the Avatar before that died when Fire Lord Sozin killed off the airbenders. Fire Lord Sozin defeated an Air Avatar, Fire Lord Azulon a Water Avatar, and Fire Lord Ozai will defeat the Earth Avatar. Azula supposes that leaves Fire to her, but she assumes the fire Avatar will be on her side, not the other way around.

And therefore she is stunned that Zuko has stopped searching for the Earth Kingdom girl or boy and joined the rebels. Maybe he got bored. Maybe it was Uncle's influence. Azula has no clue but she does not like it either way.

Either way, Azula thinks that something will have to be done. She holds the audience with her father and studies those who speak very closely. It is almost possible to pretend she is Fire Lord as she watches and occasionally, when appropriate, interjects.

After the day is dealt with and the information gathered, Fire Lord Ozai turns to his daughter and says, "I have a task for you."

"Yes, father?" Azula purrs, wondering if she should bow or not. She decides against it.

"I want you to go retrieve your brother before he gets me into more trouble with the rebels," Fire Lord Ozai growls and Azula nods slowly.

It is not exactly what she imagined doing with herself. But she heard the reports of the destruction of important weaponry, soldiers and the collection of intelligence the Fire Nation could use. And so she nods once more and agrees. If this is what it takes to prove her loyalty to her country, it is what she will have to do.

"Prepare your things and train. It will be a difficult journey."

Mai sighs as they walk back to the governor's mansion they are staying in. This inconsequential town is boring to both Mai and Azula, and they now have the company of a slave amongst the handful of soldiers who have been accompanying them on their quest to find Zuko and Iroh.

"So, we have her now?" Mai asks as if Ty Lee is not there. Ty Lee simply watches, her mouth tightly shut, and waits to figure out what these girls want.

Obviously the princess has sinister intentions. And her companion has the most grey aura Ty Lee has ever witnessed. But she is moderately excited to go on this adventure; her life has not been pleasant since the Fire Nation invaded. Her parents are both dead, and from three cities away. She joined the circus, then was arrested, then wound up living in a mining town making a meager living as a waitress who did occasional street performances on the side.

The Princess of the Fire Nation enslaving her might be the most fortunate thing that could happen, as terrible as that is. Not to mention she is one for excitement... as long as it does not get her killed. She plans to cooperate.

"Yes, we have her now," Azula replies to Mai and Ty Lee glances between them. This is beyond complicated and confusing. Ty Lee was never incredibly smart. But even she can tell that there are some unspoken words of criticism between Mai and Azula. "And it's my decision."

"Your father will be so pleased when we show up with a new pet." Mai pauses for a moment and laughs faintly. It is the most halfhearted laugh Ty Lee has ever heard. "Do you remember when you tried to bring home that stray cat."

"It scratched me." Azula turns to Ty Lee. "Don't scratch me or I'll have my father drown you like that cat."

Ty Lee makes a small squeaking noise and Mai laughs, this time more genuinely.

They finally reach the governor's mansion and settle into Azula and Mai's shared room. Ty Lee looks at the suitcases and the table with shining blades laid out on it. A stack of papers are sitting on the antique wooden table in the corner of the room. The bed looks plush like nothing Ty Lee has slept in before.

"I'm going to ask you a few questions," Azula says as Mai starts organizing the blades that are basked in sunlight from the window. The princess gestures to the bed and Ty Lee hesitantly sits down.

"Of course, princess," Ty Lee says and Mai squints at her for a moment. She does not seem to believe that Ty Lee is willing to play along.

"Are you an earthbender?" Azula inquires, studying her closely. It would be fate if she were the Avatar; Azula can only hope that she is the Avatar. It would explain her compulsion to spare a life instead of watch it be wasted.

"I can't bend at all. That's why I do the chi-blocking," Ty Lee replies blithely and Azula sighs. Figures.

"Well, it's an intriguing talent. Where are your parents?" Azula asks, sitting down in an armchair hastily reupholstered in red over green fabric. She crosses her legs and clasps her hands on her lap, her back straight and her gold gaze puncturing Ty Lee's essence.

"Both dead," Ty Lee explains and Azula slowly nods. "I've kind of bounced around. I worked in a circus for a while."

Mai laughs again. Azula smirks faintly, a cold twist of her lip that makes Ty Lee uneasy.

"What was your act?" the princess inquires and Ty Lee licks her lips.

"I did contortionism and acrobatics."

"See, Mai, she is useful," Azula says, turning away from Ty Lee to face her best friend since childhood. Mai simply shrugs.

"She's useful if she sides with us." Mai shrugs and returns to her knives.

Azula sighs. Ty Lee wonders if there was ever something romantic between them; they certainly act like it. Then again, Ty Lee is the kind of person who has a multitude of friends but none of them are very close. These two seem to have intimate knowledge of each other, simply from the way their eyes meet, amber and gold.

Ty Lee always found Fire Nation women beautiful. Perhaps it is just the thought that looking Fire Nation means you will be treated better, but the ink black hair, light skin and eyes the color of precious metals is somewhat glamorous. Everyone Fire Nation has too much Earth Kingdom mixed in here in the colonies to have such features. It is exotic, much like when Ty Lee saw a waterbender with tan skin and blue eyes. A brilliant cobalt hue, the man had, and chiseled features.

"You will side with us, won't you?" Azula purrs, her gaze on Mai but her face pointing at the profusely sweating Ty Lee.

"Mhm. I don't... think I have a choice," Ty Lee squeaks and Azula gestures at her as if her point is proven.

"What do you know about the rebels?" Azula asks and Ty Lee knits her eyebrows together. She looks completely confused. "Go on."

"No more than I've heard. Sometimes they get executed. This is a really drab town in the middle of nowhere. The rebels are usually closer to Ba Sing Se," Ty Lee says sweetly and Mai rubs her lips together. She looks as if she wants to say something, but she remains silent.

"My brother has joined them," Azula says and Mai makes a choking sound. "We're on a mission to collect him and regain what was stolen from the Fire Nation."

The room is silent. Mai shakes her head slowly but does not protest Azula.

"Can I ask you a question, princess?" Ty Lee inquires and Azula slowly nods. Mai rolls her eyes. "Why did you save me?"

"That's for me to know and you to find out." The truth is, Azula has no idea. When she saw the knife going to the thief's throat, her stomach had the sensation of burning. Her chest felt like it was imploding. And she had a rush of nerves that both made her happy and frantic and angry.

Something in her was telling her that this Earth Kingdom pickpocket had a part to play in this war.

Or so Azula tells herself.

Two Weeks Ago

Azula seeks out Mai first and foremost. She will need all of the help she can get on her quest to regain what her father has lost. And she does not trust these soldiers as far as she can throw them, no matter how many medals they brandish at her.

She arrives in Omashu unannounced, but quickly there is commotion. Everyone who is anyone wants to see Princess Azula, but all she wants is to collect her friend and set off to find Zuko, Uncle and the dignity of her father.

"Have you come to kill me?" inquires Mai with a small sigh. Azula smirks; she missed her.

It was typical of father to give governorship of a city to Azula's only friend's father. Singling his daughter out, removing distractions from making her into a weapon of war. Perhaps she is gathering Mai for selfish reasons beyond just someone more competent than soldiers to follow her on her journey.

"Only if you piss me off," Azula replies as she offers a halfhearted hug. Mai still smells the same as she used to. Slight twinge of regret, slight sensation of her stomach twisting.

"I'll try to avoid that," Mai replies, offering what could pass for a smile. Azula steps back and examines her closely.

"You look good. Paler than usual, if that's possible. A little... sickly. But good."

"If you say so, princess. So what is it you need?"

"Is it a crime to visit an old friend?"

"I said, what is it you need? You don't even talk to people if you don't want something from them."

Azula thought she was in love with Mai for a while. That was right before father had her sent away. She thought she loved her because there was nothing to gain, and that did not matter. But love is a lie. It is not something Azula thinks she will ever manage to experience.

"I need you to join me on my mission," Azula spits out and Mai takes a deep breath and nods.

"Count me in. Anything is better than the monotony. And the cold," Mai says, shivering in example. Azula smiles faintly with relief in her chest.

"You remember my brother?"

"How could I forget?"

Azula, Mai and Ty Lee leave at daybreak. Ty Lee is exhausted, Mai twice as tired, and Azula abuzz. Mai thinks Azula did not go to sleep last night at all, and Mai does not blame her. Mai kept worrying that she would wake up and the slave girl would have broken free of her chains and strangled Mai and Azula in their beds.

And Mai knows that Azula has no grand plan with her prisoner; she has the hots for her. That is the only logical explanation for Azula's illogical explanation, and Mai finds it vaguely disturbing. But, then again, maybe Azula does have some grand plan. Mai would not put it past her.

They have only made it three miles when they are attacked. It starts with a boulder rolling directly at Mai, but she dives out of the way and plunges several projectile knives into the chest of the earthbender who tried to kill her. The soldiers accompanying the three girls start an immediate battle with the onslaught of rebels.

Azula glances at her Earth Kingdom slave girl and slashes a single blue flame that breaks the chains around her wrists. Mai rolls her eyes as Azula hits a man about to slash Mai with a sword with a bolt of lightning. The clearing smells like burnt flesh as Azula takes down two more rebels. They clearly are not expertly trained.

One throws a punch at Azula and she does an aerial flip over his shoulder, running a nail across his neck as she passes him, and then finishing the bleeding, gasping man off with a whirlpool of azure fire. She glances up at the slave girl and sees that she is taking out the rebels going after her.

Azula watches as she strips the bending from the earthbenders and it fascinates her. It is at that moment that a chunk of rock goes flying at her and nearly hits her in the ribs. It disappates in an uncontrolled blast of red fire that Azula cannot imagine coming from her controlled, elite soldiers.

And then she hears a shriek of terror from the Earth Kingdom girl. It was her. She was firebending. Azula swallows her rage and finishes off the woman who nearly broke Azula's ribs with rock, and soon the rebels are defeated with no casualties to the Fire Nation.

"Put the shackles back on her!" is the first thing Azula orders after the smoke clears. General Chan immediately obeys, latching them on.

Azula walks to Ty Lee, who is shaking, looking about to vomit all over her shoes. Mai catches her breath and joins Azula, looking on. Her hands are still smoking with a small amount of fire; clearly she is a pitiful excuse for a firebender.

"You lied to me. You said you couldn't bend at all; that's firebending!" Azula looks livid, her golden eyes flashing as Ty Lee gasps for breath in fear. She somehow manages to control the flames on her hands and bursts into hysterical tears.

The symbol of optimism in the trio is now crying and crying and crying. Azula walks to her slowly before Mai can hold her back, and kneels beside her. They both are on the floor of the ship and Azula rubs Ty Lee's back. It is a gesture of kindness; the carrot instead of the stick. Azula thinks she will make more progress with feigned sweetness.

"I've always had to hide it. I lied because I lie to everybody," Ty Lee whimpers, rubbing her eyes. "My father was an earthbender and so was my mother so one of them... one of them had an affair, okay? I'm not trained in it and I always use my acrobatics and chi-blocking and I try to control it and..."

"You shouldn't have lied," Azula says, clenching her fists. She is not one to go back on her word, and she knows she has the feeling that Ty Lee has an important role in the war, but she does not like to be lied to or treated like a fool. "This is the end."

"Wait," Mai interrupts and Azula's eyebrows shoot up. "She's been pretty fucking useful, princess. I'd lie in her position too. Can you imagine being a firebender kid to two earthbending parents in an occupied town? Maybe you could teach her to control her firebending."

Azula hesitates. "You were just adamantly against taking her with us to use her gift for ─ chi blocking is it? ─ yes chi blocking. Why are you on her side now?"

"She didn't have to fight with us," Mai offers with a shrug. It likely means Ty Lee wants to exploit them for something, but Mai can see the value in an Earth Kingdom ally. Particularly one who can also firebend.

"It's only because I saved her," Azula snaps and Ty Lee weakly nods. It is only because Azula saved her life.

"But what if you train her?" Mai turns a palm up and Azula makes mental note to analyze her flip in opinion later.

Mai has a strong point. If Azula were to train her new Earth Kingdom accomplice, she could go leaps and bounds further. Ty Lee is her slave after all, and Azula is well within her rights to teach her basic bending on top of the chi blocking and the acrobatics she keeps talking about.

This is something her father has done for the army. Sparing lives to train enemies to fight for him. Azula thought she would do it for the chi blocking, but the lying about her bending is repulsive. Azula does not like to be lied to, even if she may be a compulsive liar.

"I'll train you," Azula offers finally, knowing it is the wise choice. She can always kill her later if she has to, she supposes.

And she is still trying to figure out why she saved her. There has to be some reason. Some reason that Azula did something like that impulsively.

Oh, she is selfish.

"Thank you, princess," whimpers Ty Lee.