Roles Reversed

A/N: I was very happy to see that feedback on the last chapter! You don't know how much your guys' reviews mean to me! Seriously, I literally claw at the screen and go "Feed me…" Anyways, enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter Two: Bending, Royalty and Turtle-Ducks. Oh My!

Two years had passed, two years of living in the palace. Two years since the first princess was born. Two years of trying to protect that very princess from her own father's lust for power. It seemed so long, but it was only two years. The young princess sat alone, once again hidden from the world. She had never been outside the palace, her mother had made it a point that she must be protected; she just never made it clear of what she needed to be protected from.

Azula's father had given her a small, stuffed to dragon. She sat in her room with it, carrying on a small conversation with it. Most people call it cute; to see a little girl talk with her toy, but others who spite the Royal Family would call it out to be mental. She lay on her stomach, the dragon positioned across from her, its marble eyes looking into her amber ones. The young princess grinned.

"Zuzu's a really good firebender, did you know that? He promised he would show me one day!" she looked at the dragon and smiled, waiting for a response. After what seemed like a minute, she nodded.

"You're right, Fang, I should practice! Then maybe daddy will be proud of me!" The toddler smiled and sat up, putting her hands together, she concentrated. "Hmm…" Nothing came out of her palms, so she brought them closer to her face; closer and closer, until her face was nearly buried in her palms. Her hands sparked, causing her to jerk her face back in surprise. The princess grinned, concentrating harder on the heat in her hands. There was another spark, but this time, it made a small flame. Oh boy! She had to show someone!

Disobeying her mother's orders, she ran out of the room to find her father. He would be so proud! Sprinting through the halls, she ran into a sturdy figure. Looking up, she saw it was her uncle. He would be proud too if she showed him her new trick, right?
He smiled down at her and lifted her up to be at his level.

"What's the hurry, little one?"

She grinned "I'm going to show daddy my new trick!"

"And what's that?" The old man's smile widened.

The two-year-old's face turned stern and serious "I can show you. But you have to promise you won't tell mom or dad until I show them too."

The General chuckled "I promise."

"Okay!" The child grinned as Iroh set her down. She cupped her hands together forming a rather large flame for someone thrice her age. The general's eyes widened in surprise, a child usually doesn't until they are Zuko's age, and that is with teaching. This is amazing! How did this child learn to bend?

"That is amazing, Azula! But tell me, who taught you," asked her uncle.

Her grin widened even more, stretching from ear to ear "No one!"

He smiled and picked her up "We must go show your father now, hm?" The toddler nodded with excitement as the man carried her to his brother's quarters. Hold her in one arm; he used his other to knock on the door. He chuckled, receiving a rather grumpy reply "Brother, your daughter has something to show you."

With that, he heard the movement of a chair and footsteps until they stopped as the door opened. He looked at his daughter, taking her from his brother's arms and setting her down. "What is it that you wish to show me, Azula?"

"I can firebend, daddy!"

He was rather surprised at this exclamation, but quickly hid it for the sake of the child "Really now; can you show me?"

"Of course, dad," the child grinned, cupping her hands together once more, producing a flame that was twice the size as the one when she showed Iroh. Her display was truly amazing, she was improving very quickly. But what was most surprising about her flame, was that it was slightly blue at the bottom. No bender had ever produced a blue flame, not even the elite Fire Sages. So much power at such a young age, it was mind boggling to imagine that she will be even more powerful as she ages.

Ozai's eyes widened. "That is amazing." He started smiling. She'd be a great weapon, unlike Zuko; she wasn't soft. But her blasted mother was in the way… Until her mother was gone, she couldn't really be used. But that doesn't mean her training can't begin. "Azula, what do you think about starting to train soon."

The toddler's smile widened "Really? I can start training!" She wrapped he arms around her father tightly. "I'd love it, daddy!"

For the rest of the day, she ran around the palace showing everyone her firebending. Each time she demonstrated, her flame had grown slightly larger. She finally saw her mother by the turtle-duck pond and ran over smiling. "Mommy!" she said coming over and sitting beside her.

Ursa smiled at her daughter, the sun was beginning to set. It was about the time that she allowed Azula to be about the palace alone. She pulled her daughter into a hug "How was your day, Azula?" Azula smiled at her mother.

"I learned a new trick!"

"Oh? Who taught you this 'new trick'?" asked Ursa.

Azula held up the stuffed dragon that she lugged with her throughout the palace, showing every general her firebending prowess. "Fang did, mommy!"

Ursa smiled more "Would you mind showing me this new trick of yours?"

"Nope!" Azula said. By this time, Azula did not need to bring her palms together. The young girl held out her hand, producing a flame twice the size of her hand. Ursa's eyes went wide in surprise; just like everyone else's. Azula closed her hand after almost a minute, extinguishing the flame that danced along her palm. She looked up at her mother who pulled her close.

"I am very, very proud of you, Azula." This was great! Her mother and her father were proud. Her training was going to start soon and then she could make them even more proud! Ursa smiled at her daughter, "Would you like to feed the turtle-ducks with me?" Azula nodded happily.

And there they sat, for almost an hour of peace. That peace was obviously disturbed when Ozai had decided to come over. "Azula," he said "I would like to present you to your grandfather."

Ursa's eyes widened. No… Ozai couldn't corrupt her. Not this young. "Why?" asked the woman.

Ozai looked at her "Because; she is a princess who is of two years of age. The entire palace has been talking about her bending. It is about time her grandfather Azulon sees it."

Ursa sighed, knowing she wouldn't win this battle. But she will protect her child from him as much as she can. Zuko will be fine; he has Iroh to counteract his father. But without Ursa, Azula almost had no one, "Fine." Ozai nodded, grabbing Azula's hand and leading her to the throne room.

Once they entered, Azula was in complete awe. Surrounding the throne was her grandfather's flame, nearly lighting the entirety of the dark room. "Father," started Ozai, bowing. Azula saw this and thought she would do the same. "I have brought her to you, would you like to see a demonstration her bending?"

"Yes, Ozai," was the booming reply that echoed throughout the room. Ozai then nodded and looked to his daughter who took the hint and stood, walking closer to the throne. She was quite perceptive for a two-year-old. She then cupped her palms together, knowing she would need to make a big flame to impress the Fire Lord. She concentrated just as hard as she did the first time she made her flame. In seconds, an almost giant flame erupted from the young girl's hands, causing Azulon to have the reaction of every man she showed her prowess to.

When Azula felt she had let her flame go long enough, she had closed her hands, once again extinguishing the flame. Azulon was truly impressed. "Your daughter, the first daughter of the Royal Family, has a talent that hasn't been seen in a bender. Her strength one day may rival a dragon, her fierceness even my own. She is to start her training for battle. Although, because she is a woman, she may never be used; it is only essential the she become an elite bender."

"Yes, father." was Ozai's reply.

Azulon looked at his son and granddaughter once more before stating "You are both dismissed." Ozai nodded, grabbing Azula's hand once more and leading her to her bed.

He tucked her in quickly, and she closed her eyes. He was about to leave the room until he heard her rustle in the sheets slightly. "Goodnight, daddy," said the toddler. His eyes widened slightly, he had forgotten how young she truly was; a mere child. But this was an issue for another day.

"Goodnight, Azula," and with that, he left the room. This may have been one of the best days of her life, her defining moments. But it was also the day the entire palace – maybe even the world – had forgotten she was only a child.

A/N: I know, it's starting to sound like "Oh, this is just Azula's normal childhood from the show. But it will change as time goes on; especially when training starts. Anyways, I hoped you all liked this chapter. Read and review!