Princess Azula

Azula: (to her men) My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame on all of us. You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family; I understand. But I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down. Dismissed.
Captain: (respectfully) Princess, I’m afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship in to port before nightfall.
Azula: I’m sorry, Captain, but I do not know much about the tides. Can you explain something to me?
Captain: Of course, Your Highness.
Azula: Do the tides command this ship?
Captain: Uh… I’m afraid I do not understand.
Azula: (condescendingly) You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in. Do the tides command this ship?
Captain: No, Princess.
Azula: And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?
Captain: (nervously) No, Princess.
Azula: Well, then, maybe you should worry less about the tides who’ve already made up their mind about killing you and worry more about me, who’s still mulling it over.

**********

‘Almost’ isn’t good enough!

**********

Azula: Hello, brother. Uncle.
Zuko: (accusingly) What are you doing here?
Azula: (arrogantly) In my country, we exchange a pleasant ‘hello’ before asking questions. Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?
Zuko: (furiously) Don’t call me that!
Iroh: To what do we owe this honor?
Azula: Hmm… must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point. I’ve come with a message from home. Father’s changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He’s heard rumors of plans to overthrow him—treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. (Her voice and face soften.) Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home... Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news.
Iroh: I’m sure your brother just needs a moment to—
Azula: (interrupting him angrily) Don’t interrupt, Uncle! (addresses Zuko) I still haven’t heard my thank you. I am not a messenger. I didn’t have to come all this way.
Zuko: (with shocked and quiet disbelief) Father regrets? He… wants me back?
Azula: I can see you need time to take this in. I’ll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.

**********

Zuko: You lied to me!
Azula: (smugly) Like I’ve never done that before.

**********

You know Father blames Uncle for the loss at the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?.

**********

Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord. (Menacingly) There will be no place left to hide.

**********

You're right. The royal procession is dead weight. If I want to catch my prey, I must be agile....nimble. I need a small, elite team. It's time to visit some old friends.

**********
Azula: Ty Lee, could that possibly be you?
Ty Lee: Azula! It is so good to see you!
Azula: (smiling) Please, don't let me interrupt your... (raises an eyebrow, searching for the right word and failing) whatever it is you were doing... Tell me, what is the daughter of a nobleman doing here? Certainly our parents didn't send us to the Royal Fire Academy for Girls to end up in... (a slight note of contempt in her voice) places like this... I have a proposition for you. I'm hunting a traitor. (Looking at her wrist a bit absent mindedly) You remember my old fuddy duddy uncle, don't you?
Ty Lee: Oh yeah. He was so funny.
Azula: I would be honored if you would join me on my mission.
Ty Lee: Oh...I...uh...would love to, but the truth is, I'm really happy here. (Smiling serenely) I mean, my aura has never been pinker! Azula: I'll take your word for it. Well, I wouldn't want you to give up the life you love just to please me.
Ty Lee: (bowing slightly and clasping her hands in a gesture of thanks) Thank you, Azula.
Azula: Of course, before I leave, I'm going to catch your show...

**********

Circus Master: We're deeply honored to have the Fire Lord's daughter at our humble circus. Uh...tell us if there is anything we can do to make the show more enjoyable.
Azula: I will... Incredible. Do you think she'll fall?
Circus Master: Of course not.
Azula: Then wouldn't it make it more interesting if you removed the net?
Circus Master: (concerned) Uh...the thing is...the performers...
Azula: You're right, you're right. That's been done. (After a short pause) I know. Set the net on fire.
Circus Master: Of course, Princess.
Azula: Brilliant, just brilliant! (She looks back down at the Circus Master) Oooo, what kind of dangerous animals do you have?
Circus Master: Well, our circus boasts the most exotic assortment...
Azula: (cutting him off) Release them all!

**********

I have a mission (she puts her hands on Mai and Ty Lees shoulders) and I need you both.

**********

Governor: You've come to Omashu at a difficult time. At noon we're making a trade with the resistance to get Tom-Tom back.
Azula: Yes, I'm so sorry to hear about your son, (she crosses her legs in front of her) but really, what did you expect by just letting all the citizens leave? (She stands, suddenly angry, and looks down upon him) My father has trusted you with this city (she makes a slashing gesture with her left hand) and you're making a mess of things!
Governor: (prostrating himself) Forgive me, Princess.
Azula: You stay here. (Mai and Ty Lee stand up behind her) Mai will handle the hostage trade so you don't have a chance to mess it up. And there is no more "Omashu". I'm renaming it in honor of my father, the City of New Ozai.

**********

Mai: You brought my brother?
Aang: He's here. We're ready to trade.
Azula: (to Mai) I'm sorry, but a thought just occurred to me. Do you mind?
Mai: (turning to Azula): Of course not, Princess Azula.
Azula: We're trading a two year old for a king. (She turns to Bumi) A powerful, earthbending king? (turning back to Mai) It just doesn't seem like a fair trade, does it?.

**********

It's not just Zuko and Iroh anymore. We have a third target now.

**********

Azula: Mom, can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game.
Zuko: (emphatically) I am not cart wheeling.
Azula: You won’t have to. Cart wheeling’s not a game, (under her breath) dumb dumb.
Zuko: I don’t care. I don’t want to play with you.
Azula: We are brother and sister. (her voice becoming sickly sweet) It’s important for us to spend time together. Don’t you think so, mom?

**********

Azula: If Uncle doesn’t make it back from war, then dad would be next in line to be Fire Lord, wouldn’t he?
Ursa: (disappointed) Azula, we don’t speak that way. It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn’t return. And besides, Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health.
Zuko: How would you like it if cousin Lu Ten wanted dad to die?
Azula: I still think our dad would make a much better Fire Lord than his royal tea loving kookiness.

**********

Azula: You waste all your time playing with knives. You’re not even good.
Zuko: (getting up, his cheeks flaming) Put an apple on your head and we’ll find out how good I am!
Azula: (getting up and walking over to him) By the way, Uncle’s coming home.
Zuko: Does that mean we won the war?
Azula: No. It mean’s Uncle’s a quitter and a loser.
Zuko: What are you talking about? Uncle’s not a quitter.
Azula: Oh yes he is. He found out his son died and he just fell apart. (leaning against a nearby pillar) A real general would stay and burn Ba Sing Se to the ground, not lose the battle and come home crying.

**********

Ursa: Your father has requested an audience with Fire Lord Azulon. Best clothes, hurry up.
Azula: Fire Lord Azulon. Can’t you just call him “Grandfather”? He’s not exactly the powerful Fire Lord he used to be. Some one will probably end up talking his place soon.

**********

Ozai: And how was it Great Grandfather Sozen managed to win the battle of Han Tui?
Zuko: Great Grandfather won, because…. (struggling)
Azula: Because even though his army was outnumbered, he cleverly calculated his advantages. The enemy was downwind and there was a drought. Their defenses burned to a crisp in minutes.

***********

(whispering to Zuko) You’ll never catch up.

**********

Azula: (in a sing-song voice) Dad’s going to kill you. Really, (turning to look at him with a leer) he is.
Zuko: Ha-ha Azula. Nice try.
Azula: Fine, don’t believe me, but I heard everything. Grandfather said dad’s punishment should fit his crime. (imitating Azulon) “You must know the pain of losing a first born son, by sacrificing your own!”
Zuko: Liar!
Azula: (coming and sitting on his bed) I’m only telling you for your own good. I know, maybe you could find a nice Earth Kingdom family to adopt you.
Zuko: Stop it, you’re lying. (holding his blanket for security) Dad would never do that to me.
Ursa: (Entering the room) Your father would never do what to you? What is going on here?
Azula: (innocently) I don’t know.

**********

Zuko: (slightly panicked) Where’s mom?
Azula: No one knows. Oh, and last night, Grandpa passed away.
Zuko: Not funny, Azula. You’re sick. And I want my knife back, now.
(He grabs for the knife, but she dodges and holds the knife out in front of her, taunting him.)
Azula: Who’s going to make me? Mom?

**********

Aang: Alright, you’ve caught up with me. Now who are you and what do you want?
Azula: You mean you haven’t guessed? You don’t see the family resemblance? Here’s a hint. (In an imitation of Zuko’s voice.) I must find the Avatar to restore my honor. It’s okay. You can laugh. It’s funny.
Aang: So what now?
Azula: Now… Now it’s over. You’re tired and you have no place to go. You can run, but I’ll catch you.

**********

Azula: (To Aang) Do you really want to fight me?
(Suddenly Zuko bursts in from an alley between the Avatar and Azula. He tumbles off the ostrich horse he is riding, and lands in a crouching position.)
Zuko: Yes, (he stands and throws his straw coolie hat away) I really do.
Aang: Zuko!
Azula: I was wondering when you’d show up, Zuzu.
Aang: (laughs a bit) Zuzu?
(Zuko faces Azula, but his arms are outstretched both towards her and towards the Avatar on his other side.)
Zuko: Back off, Azula! He’s mine!
Azula: I’m not going anywhere.

**********

Well, look at this. Enemies and traitors all working together. I’m done. (she raises her hands in a false gesture of surrender) I know when I’m beaten. You got me. A princess surrenders with honor.

**********

War Minister Ching: (walks up and sharply raps the periscope) Please, the drill’s metal shell is impervious to any earthbending attack.
Azula: (condescendingly) Oh, I’m sure it is War Minister Ching. But just to be on the safe side…(in commanding tone) Mai, and Ty lee, take the earthbenders out!

**********

(Turning fto Mai and Ty Lee) Let’s go ladies.

**********

Follow them, the Avatar is mine. (Azula races off after Aang, while Mai and Tai Lee pursue the others)

******

(holding out a clump of Appas white fur) My, my, you're easy to find.
(tosses it aside) It's really astounding my brother hasn't captured you yet.

**********

Suki: What do you want with us?
Azula: (mockingly) Who are you, the Avatar's fan girls?

**********

No avatar huh? (shrugs) Well that's ok, any friend of the Avatar, is an
enemy of mine.

**********

Afraid of fire I see. That's good, you should be!

**********

(contemptuously) Don't you know that fans just make flames stronger?

**********

In Zukos dreams, a figure kneels upon the Firelord's throne-mat, behind a screen of golden flames. Rows of fire nation soldiers genuflect towards the throne and they bow towards Zuko. Clad in the raiment and crown of the Firelord, his serene face is without scar or blemish. As he sits impassively, two sinuous dragons, one blue and one red, slither down nearby pillars to address him.)
Blue Dragon: (in Azula's voice) It's getting late. Are you planning to retire soon, my Lord?
Zuko: I'm not tired.
Blue Dragon: (drawing close to his face) Relax, Fire Lord Zuko. Just let go, give into it. Shut your eyes for awhile.
Red Dragon: (in Iroh's insistent voice) No, Fire Lord Zuko! Do not listen to the Blue Dragon. You should get out of here right now. Go! Before it's too late! (both dragons are poised to either side of Zuko)
Blue Dragon: Sleep now, Fire Lord Zuko.
(Both dragons disappear. The throne room is swallowed by inky blackness, and the four pillars crumble and fall into the void. As the room falls dark, the soldier's armor collapses to the floor, empty. Zuko searches the darkness, eyes wide with distress. Two golden eyes appear, then the face of the Blue Dragon, which closes rapidly.)
Blue Dragon: (in a rising voice) Sleep, just Like MOTHER!!

**********

(Three Kyoshi warriors walk past the troops toward the Earth King. As they approach him he begins to address them.)
Earth King: (formally) In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi warriors.
(All three drop to hands and knees, pressing their heads to the ground. When he finishes, they raise their heads, and we can see that Suki is none other than Azula in disguise. She is flanked by Ty Lee and Mai, similarly dressed in the garb of the Kyoshi warriors.)
Azula: (her voice is steady, her eyes cool and deadly) We are the Earth King's humble servants.

**********

Earth King: (turning serious) It's been a difficult week for me. My most trusted advisor, Long Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me.
Azula: (smoothly) It's terrible when you can't trust the people who are closest to you.
Earth King: But there is good news. As we speak, the Council of Five is meeting to plan an invasion of The Fire Nation this summer. On the day of a solar eclipse.
(Azula's eyes widen slightly at these last words.)
Azula: (feigning enthusiasm) Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan.
(The three girls exchange glances)

**********

We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls... I'm talking about conquering the whole Earth Kingdom... For a hundred years the fire nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside. But now we are on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves... From the inside we're in the perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key is the Dai Li. Whoever controls the Dai Li, controls Ba Sing Se.

**********

Katara: Thank goodness you are here Suki. Something terrible is going on. The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city. I just saw Prince Zuko and his Uncle! (Azula's eyes snap open at this news, and she smiles) We have to tell the Earth King right away!
Azula: (rising to her feet) Oh, don't worry. I'll be sure to let him know.
(Katara stands dumbstruck as she realizes who "Suki" really is.. Ty Lee rushes forward with a series of acrobatic flips, striking at Katara's shoulder as she flips behind her. Katara, in the midst of bending water from her reserve, falls paralyzed to the throne room floor. She lies helpless in the pool of water, as the three of them gather around her.)
Azula: So, Zu Zu's in the city too. I think it's time for a family reunion.

**********

Azula: (outraged) What is this about? Your agents show up in the middle of the night and drag me down here? You will not treat a Kyoshi Warrior this way! (struggles against her captors)
Long Feng: (in a sinister voice) But you are not a Kyoshi Warrior, are you? (rises from his bench) Princess Azula of the Fire Nation!
Azula: (stops struggling) What do you want?
Long Feng: I want to make a deal. It's time that I regain control of Ba Sing Se. And you have something I need.
Azula: Oh?
Long Feng: The Earth King's trust.
Azula: (warily) Why should I help you?
Long Feng: Because I can get you the Avatar.
Azula: I'm listening. (both smile wickedly)

**********

(To the Dai Li) The Earth King and The Council of Five do not trust the Dai Li. They imprisoned your leader, Long Feng. Soon they will turn on all of you, and eliminate you. Seizing power today is a matter of life and death. The coup must be swift and decisive. The Earth King, and each of the five generals, must be taken out simultaneously. Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government. If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all, I will snuff it out. That is all.

**********

Have you met the Dai Li? They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that is so Firebender, I just love it!

**********

Azula: You're so dramatic. What, are you going to do, challenge me to an Agni Kai?
Zuko: (angry and determined) Yes! I challenge you!
Azula: (smiling mockingly) No thanks.

**********

Long Feng: Now comes the part where I double-cross you. Dai Li, arrest the Fire Nation Princess. (The Dai Li do not respond. Long Feng turns to them, frowning, and points at Azula) I said, arrest her. (looks back and forth at the agents and loses his patience) What is wrong with you?
Azula: It's because they haven't made up their minds. They're waiting to see how this is going to end.
Long Feng: What are you talking about?
Azula: I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing. So you had to struggle and connive and claw your way to power. But true power...the divine right to rule...is something you're born with. The fact is, they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that thrown and which one is going to be bowing down. But I know. And you know. (Long Feng begins to sweat. His face is full of hesitation and uncertainty. Azula sits on the Earth King's throne and crosses her legs.) Well?
(Long Feng is now truly frightened. Beads of sweat roll down his face as his mouth hangs open, speechless. Azula stares at him cold and intently. Long Feng closes his eyes and drops his head, realizing that he has lost. Long Feng steps forward and bows before Azula.)
Long Feng: You've beaten me at my own game.
Azula: Don't flatter yourself. You were never even a player.

**********

I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle, but Zuko, Prince Zuko...you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?... It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself... I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day. This glorious day in Fire Nation history. And the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have your father's love. You will have everything you want... You are free to choose.

**********

Azula: We've done it Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se.
Zuko: (regretfully) I betrayed Uncle.
Azula: No, he betrayed you. Zuko, when you return home, father will welcome you as a war hero.
Zuko: But I don't have the Avatar. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?
(Azula stands up and places a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Zuko looks at her sadly.)
Azula: He doesn't need to Zuko. Today, you restored your own honor.

~ Karen

No, you’ve miscalculated!! You’ve should have feared me more!!

~ Ronyell Coaxum