I don't own ATLA. Rated T because of some violence in upcoming parts

The Spirit of Progression

I.

Crossing the threshold of the throne room, and walking past the columns holding the ceiling, Azula was self-confidence itself. She approached the flames which separated the Fire Lord from the world below, seeking his father, the new master of the land of the Fire Nation.

Being the daughter of a Fire Lord had its certain advantages. While Ty Lee was often ambushed by moronic children, and even got her long braid pulled by them, Azula was completely safe. When it came to her, even the boldest boys wouldn't dare to cross that line since Ozai's coronation.

Boys are stupid, Azula thought. Especially Zuko and his foolish uncle. The only exception I can name is dad. I don't understand why boys are in charge! This is another thing which has to change.

Azula halted in front of the throne, and she looked through the wall of flames, and tried to spot her father. But Ozai's form remained hidden in shadows.

"Azula!" The man's deep voice was to be heard at once. "Why are you standing where the worthless nobles and other pests do? Come to me!"

Azula's lips pulled into a smirk, and the only reason why she didn't break into a run while climbing the few stairs leading to the throne was pride. She felt that kind of behavior was beneath her. Thus she moved towards the fiery barrier with slow, yet confident steps, and with an elegant movement of the hand, she waved at the blazing fire.

Other girls ask for a puppy, she mused, but no pet can be compared to fire. It's way more loyal, and you don't even have to feed it, at least not with food.

To demonstrate her skills, she bent the flames to create only a narrow hole in their thick mass, which was nevertheless fairly enough for her to walk through it safely. She nearly chuckled, feeling the nice warmth of the fire tickling the bare skin of her arm.

In the meantime, Ozai stood up, to greet his beloved daughter. The tallish man with long, black beard and hair was wearing a long, silk robe. The luxurious garment would've been inevitably swallowed by the flames if Ozai would have tried to do the same trick which Azula did.

"You're speaking the language of your element in a magnificently natural way, my daughter! Such a bond between you and fire is rare, even among accomplished bending masters. You are very talented" said Ozai, flashing a proud smile at Azula, while the girl stood in front of him, and bowed her head, with respect to the protocol.

"I know" answered Azula simply, and she obeyed when her father insisted that she should've sat in his lap. She turned her head, and looked through the flaming obstacles once more.

The princess of the Fire Nation imagined that people were standing behind that wall of fire. Nobles, officers, politicians, clerks, mere filthy peasants… Each of them looking at their master with respect rooted in the dark, nutritious soil of fear.

No matter this was the best place she's ever been to, it was not enough. She wanted to experience that respect someday.

"And hopefully you also know that a woman's duty is not to fight, according to our traditions. And while we are more wise and reasonable than those senile old men at the Northern Water Tribe… the convention is nonetheless living. And it is more of a prohibition, when it comes to a member of an important family, I'm afraid" said Ozai nonchalantly.

Azula looked at her father, with fear glimmering in her amber eyes. It was not that hard for her to figure out the hidden meaning within Ozai's words.

"Father… I think you're wrong".

Ozai winced, and he knitted his brow. He couldn't tolerate anyone contradicting him, and no one had the guts to do so, save his own daughter. Therefore Azula was prepared for the worst.

But there was nothing, not even a single slap in the face. Ozai was waiting silently for her daughter to explain herself.

"I have to learn how to fight! I really am talented" the girl said, and she turned around in order to be able to look into Ozai's relentless orbs. "And I love you, father. I know you have enemies all around. I swear I'd never be one of them. When everyone else had turned against you, I'd still be on your side. In that case, a good bender would be useful, right?"

Ozai raised a surprised eyebrow, understanding that his daughter was completely serious.

"You are maybe too young to understand this" said Ozai with a sigh ", but there are other methods of gaining and preserving power besides violence. For example creating formal connections with others. I'm talking about family, for instance. In our kingdom, blood is traditionally a strong bond…"

"Do you know how the komodo rhinos are tamed?" Azula interrupted him. Yet another thing no one else dared.

"Of course I do" answered Ozai, raising his voice, which set off the alarm inside of Azula. "What is this all about?"

"The world" said the girl, gesturing towards all over the place "is populated by rhinos. And I think rhinos should be treated as such. If they behave well, they should be rewarded. On the other hand, if they fail to obey… then they should be treated the same way every stableman treats rhinos. Using pure, brutal force".

"Spectacular metaphor, but I must assure you, I know how to be a Fire Lord…"

"I apologize" said Azula perplexedly, and she tried to gather her thoughts. "I didn't want to be impolite. But the point is that it seems to me you want to treat rhinos as if they were dragons. But the two species are not the same. Even the female dragon is a greater beast than the male rhino, no matter how magnificent that rhino is. A dragon… cannot let a rhino into its lair!"

Ozai's eyes widened, understanding that Azula figured out his intention which he hasn't even voiced yet. That he did agree with one of the most influential politicians of the Fire Nation to the engagement of the man's son and Azula…

"Just imagine a world, father, where the dragon did that" Azula carried on absentmindedly. "The rhinos would be convinced they were dragons, so they'd jump down from high places because they'd think they could fly. This wouldn't be a good world, not even for the Rhinos".

"Noble families have fine young sons" said Ozai, desperate to sound convincing. He's become a bit tired of Azula's games by now. "I'm sure there will be someone who'd… fit your high expectations".

"Well that is exactly the problem. There's no one" said Azula, and shook her head violently. "All of them are rhinos. They may wear shiny, sparkling scales on the outside, but beneath the armor they reek and have parasites".

"I really do hope you understand that it is not you who'll make the decision" said Ozai strictly.

"Of course" Azula shrugged carelessly. "I already told that I love you, and I don't want to cause trouble. I know such marriage would be useful. It'd silence some sad excuses for human beings at the royal court".

Suddenly Azula slid off Ozai's knee, and she stood there, staring at her father with a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"I'm going. Mai's mother invited me over to have tea" she said, recalling the woman's expression, after Azula had 'accidentally' dropped one of her two-hundred-year-old porcelain cups. She had gotten her tea in a wooden mug ever since. "Father…?"

"Yes?" Ozai said, and he seemingly tried to ignore the fact that her daughter had forgotten to ask his permission to leave.

"I hope you know what dragons do to rhinos".

Ozai thought about that. Dragons used to rip rhinos apart, and eat them. He knew that. Of course he did.

So, this is part one of this three-shot. Also my first ATLA fic published in English, lol... Hopefully not the last :)

It was originally one longer story, but I decided to cut it into pieces mainly because I've been too lazy to edit it all at once, lol ^^

Now, as long as I know that Azula fics can be quite a dead end, I really do hope you'll find this interesting. Also, some reviews would do nicely! I'll try to put up part two on Friday