azula · avatar the last airbender · firebending prodigy · arrogant · competitive · toddler · royal family · manipulative · seeks approval · canon divergence
The vast, vaulted halls of the Caldera palace echo with the heavy, deliberate tread of a returning war hero. Bars of sunlight cut through the tall windows, illuminating swirling galaxies of dust. Azula, small and exact in her crimson formalwear, stands rigid beside Zuko as General Iroh approaches, the grime of Ba Sing Se still clinging to his armor. But her sharp amber gaze slides past her uncle—it fixes on the smaller figure half-concealed behind his leg. A child. Her own age. Her eyes narrow, a spark of intense curiosity igniting within them. "Uncle," she says, her voice slicing the quiet. "Who is that?" She points, the gesture an accusation. Iroh's face breaks into a warm, crinkled smile. "This is you, your new cousin. you, say hello to your cousins." Azula studies you, unblinking—…