Avatar: The Last Airbender – Porn Story: Beautiful Dawn – Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Silent Lies

Firelord Zuko and his betrothed, accompanied by the Avatar and his cast, stood on their toes with a hesitant stance on an unknown that was facing them. Though it was plainly obvious that some did not desire a visit with Azula, they knew in their hearts that it was a question of selfless sacrifice. A single airship had been assembled for their departure, one that was once used in the war. Though it was a foreboding war relic, it was efficient enough just to maintain a landing on the Boiling Rock.

It was better than having a measly war balloon.

With Zuko at the head, the whole group entered the ship. Many a member were reminded of somewhat distant memories inside these hunks of metal, but none were more distracting than what was ahead of them. Murder was not an uncommon occurrence, even after the war had ended.

But what did Azula have to do with it? Zuko found himself internally agitated with his lack of judgment on the situation. He knew that Azula had the heart to kill. He knew that very well.

But why after the three quiet years she had spent there? Did it have something to do with his unexpected visit? Did it falter her stability?

Why was the warden’s urgent message so bland? If it was so significant, he should have included the details.

But he let it slide, just on the basis that he would find out very shortly. On an airship, the distance from the Royal Palace and the Boiling Rock was a small one. The agonizing wait would only last for a mere hour or so.

Zuko and Mai stood next to each other, but their silence resonated a feeling of separation between them. It was not that Zuko did not love his betrothed; it was just that he had a lot on his mind. He had once thought that Azula would be out of his life as a misery.

This was, in itself, completely unexpected.

Mai laid a petite hand upon his masculine shoulder and kissed his cheek. She gave him a stern eye of concern, but he could not hold her gaze. He understood that she maintained a devotion of detestation at Azula, but it was different for him. Azula was his sister, his sibling. Just on blood itself, he had to love and respect her, despite all that she had done to him. In his troubled state, he desired to believe that he too could learn to forgive his younger sister as his mother did.

But one side of him told him that she did not deserve exoneration. She was cruel, heartless, merciless. She was the matron of repugnance in the Fire Nation, at least, that was how he saw her.

But his uncle and mother pleaded for her liberation. She was just a child herself, barely seventeen. She was too vulnerable there. The many faces of prison were of crude, old slobs that probably dreamt of seeing her naked. They perhaps saw her as something they could never have, and probably never will.

But she was strong. She could fight even the hardest aspects of life. She had a vigorous fire, one that kept her alive all those years.

But she remained silent. She kept everything to herself. She was indeed, a woman of many secrets.

Had that silence been the key to her madness? Could she not hold it inside any longer?

Had she finally let go?

He shook his head lightly, releasing himself of his doubt. He peered over to his right and noted light conversation between the members of his posse.

How could they be so calm under all of this stress? Zuko found himself sweating profusely as his nerves smoldered. His view then altered to the blue sky. The clouds were pristine and calm as the airship whipped through them aggressively.

The day itself reveals nothing. No foreshadowing, no menacing colors, just a gentle, warm day.

Perhaps the spirits are at peace with the world.

But Zuko was anything but.

Within a short time, the clouds lost their stunning white luster. The smoke escaping the Boiling Rock was scorching as the airship descended into it. Zuko’s eyes wandered around the bubbling water, remembering how hot it really was.

Even a cooler could not withstand its massive temperature levels.

He was instantly brought back to his memory here. He recalled two clever escape attempts, one that both he and Sokka had turned down. He felt a pang of pride with the thought that the young Sokka had finally been reunited with his father and Suki.

But those were just distant memories. Azula was a more important figure in his life, not that he wanted her to be.

Exploring his world around him, the ship landed smoothly with a somewhat shrilling creak. The exit ramp descended with a grunt, and the crew climbed down with a sigh of relief to be off the thing.

Too many memories, it seemed. It was never best in the unstable society to bring back the war, even in the minutest way.

Shadows loomed over them in an ominous stance. The perimeter was wider than it appeared in the air, but the distance from the front gates of the prison was not all that far. It was a benefit that the warden was expecting them, rather, they would have settled for backspace parking and an ongoing trek. Within a matter of about five minutes, the red doors of the front gate stood above them, lavishing the dense heat that swirled around the bodies and souls of the inhabitants. Zuko stepped forward with a high head and the surrounding guards bowed in their respect to him. He smiled approvingly as they then led him and “Team Avatar” to the warden’s chamber. With a thundering knock, the door to the room promptly opened with a cackle on its hinges.

The warden, as Zuko remembered, was more or less, a wise, pompous ass, but he was Mai’s uncle and despite his hardened feelings for him, Zuko still displayed a twinkle of respect in his eyes. The warden was aging with dignity, only with a few wisps of gray hanging upon his head, despite his years. He smiled warmly at his niece in acknowledgement of her presence, but gave Zuko a cold, pestering glare, a token of his lingering doubt over the Firelord. He then welcomed the rest of the crew, remembering a certain blue-eyed male as an imposed guard.

But his mind was elsewhere, that much was obvious.

Zuko, with no apparent intention of waiting, spoke first, “What is the meaning of this?” He flashed the scroll with a slight temper, “and what does it have to do with my sister?”

The warden exposed a small, but noticeable grin upon his face. He glowered at the Firelord again, but continued, “I blame my scribes for that error, but that is all behind us now,” he lied, “Moreover, as for your sister on the issue, you will have to ask her.”

“What are the details?”

“About three hours after you and your mother left the Boiling Rock, an assassin, presumably male, murdered the guard on night duty for Princess Azula. The guard had been stabbed. His throat was slit. Based on the inflicted wound, we were easily able to classify him as right-handed, which, of course, is not much to go on. The keys to Azula’s cell had been tampered with, as he did unlock her chamber with them. The details of what occurred in there are of discrepancy, but one thing is well noted.”

“Go on.” Zuko urged the warden tentatively.

“For one,” he hesitated, as if afraid of his own words, very unusual for the generally arrogant warden, “Well, I hate to be the one having to tell you this, milord, but this may sound odd…”

Zuko gestured him to continue with a pleading, but stern grimace.

The warden gulped audibly, “Princess Azula was found completely nude in her stall. Her clothes were strewn around her.”

Zuko could not help but be alarmed. His eyeballs widened with the warden’s words, but he answered boldly, “So, what of her?”

“She was outwardly upset, screaming and crying like a child, but she would not reveal anything.”

“So, did she request my presence?”

The warden shook his head, “No, she remained silent when I interrogated her over the ordeal. I just assumed that perhaps you could get her to talk. You are her brother, after all.”

Zuko nodded with displeasure, “Where is she now?”

“She is waiting for you.”

Their eyes met, “Then lead the way.”

The grim-faced warden turned and faced his door. He opened it with a painless mumble, and gestured the team forward with his massive hand. The interrogation chamber was only a room or two down on the left from the warden’s office. “Team Avatar,” excluding Sokka, seemingly marveled at the order and strictness of the place. Their eyes wandered openly, each noting the bland red-brown walls and the rusty luster that surrounded them.

An abrupt stop. The warden allowed two guards, both female, to open the door in front of them.

Hands tied down to a hard, wooden chair, Azula’s amber eyeballs were hard to miss in the solitary space. She stared in front of her, eyes never wandering to her sides.

So, Zuko is here after all.

Her brows were deeply furrowed as she met her brother’s identical eyes. She ascended with a grunt but the binds upon her hands kept her glued to the stiff chair.

More bondage. What is it with people trying to keep me down?

Are they still afraid of my power?

Zuko entered the small space with a precarious pace, lessoning the gap between the siblings by about five feet. Azula shifted her head as far back as she could and attempted to avoid his gaze.

Zuko closed his eyes for a brief period and cross his arms authoritatively, as if he were scolding a child.

And I am not a child’s plaything, Zuko. I will have you reminded that I almost had you killed.

But you left me.

Left me for better things and brighter days.

You left me to rot away, forgotten.

Why have you returned into my life again?

Wait…

Does he know?

Does anyone know?

My secret…

Chan.

“Azula,” he said with an almost affectionate tone, “I know prison life has been a pain, so the warden offered my presence to you. Instead of speaking with him, you can speak with me.”

And what, in all honesty, makes you believe that I am interested? You can stop with that childish, pestering tone. I know what you really think of me. It is not as if you truly care. The warden summoned you just because he was pissed off.

He is a shallow man, just like you.

Just like all men.

Chan…

Is that man inside of me shallow too?

I do not know what to think anymore…

Azula let it quit with an abrupt sneer. She nodded her head, remembering what Zuko had told her, though it was not as if she had accepted his terms.

“First off, did you see or hear anything of pertinent relevance to this case? Anything in particular?”

Oh, I heard a few things, Zuko. Just a scuffle and nothing else. Not a scream, not a sound at all.

As her thoughts raced with answers, she herself stayed absolutely unvoiced. This was her silent torture in response to her brother’s wickedness.

I want to see you angry, Zuko. That perfectly conformed Firelord with an uneasy tick.

Zuko growled with her silence, but maintained his posture, “Azula, think back, think about someone other than yourself for once.”

Other than myself? You gag me with your putrid tone! I am compassionate enough to consider others in my life!

I…

Love someone…

At least I think I do…

Chan…

Azula felt her body shiver with her perturbed nerves on edge. Her blood curdled as she recalled her night with Chan. She went against herself, followed lust instead of love.

I bargained with him…

I made love to him…

He conquered me in the most unimaginable way.

He took my precious innocence…

The only stronghold I had left after three years in prison.

I have nothing left…

“Answer me.” Zuko snapped. It eased Azula out of her daydream. Her eyes widened as her lips quivered. Tears fell without one moment of hesitation. As much as she detested crying in her brother’s eerie company, she found that her dispute over her loss gripped her like a firm hand. She released a stifling moan, her grounded arms flailing with the pressure of the binds that held her down.

She just wanted a taste of freedom. No more words, no more questions.

A gentle, reassuring hand placed itself upon her tense shoulder. With blinded, teary eyes, she looked into her brother’s dominant eyes. He smiled with a warm pat to her back, and although the gesture was odd, but soothing, she could not help but be infuriated by it.

You are not an illusion this time, Zuko…

But if you cared about me enough to give me this kind of treatment, why did it take you three years? Rather, why did it take you seventeen years? You never loved me, you were incredibly jealous of me. I was greater, stronger, and better than you in every way. I understand that you still hold a grudge, that much is obvious, but your advances at sympathy have not the desired effect on my behalf.

I will never warm up to you. You took my throne…

Much like Chan, who stole my innocence…

But I love him, do I not?

Why can I not see you in the same way?

You are my brother. We are of a common flesh.

Why do we allow it to divide us this way?

Why question this, girl? You know the answer to your insane riddle. Zuko does not desire your affection; rather, he just wants to be in full knowledge of everything.

Feel confident in keeping your secrets, girl.

Die with them…

“Azula.”

The sound of her name snapped her out of her thoughts. Zuko backed away from her with a clenched fist, but his iron hand was not directed at her.

He detested her voiceless air more than anything at a time like this. He wished not to have to be the one to prod into the sexuality of the matter, but he pushed on with her full attention.

“I know this will be uncomfortable for me to ask, as a male, but why were you naked in your cell? It is somewhat odd, don’t you think?”

But it was not my fault! I did not do it on purpose…

It was an accident…

Yes, an accident.

It was Chan that did it. He came to me…

He tamed me…

“Let it be known that someone finally conquered you…

“Remember that.”

Should I tell him? Is that what Chan wanted of me?

Is that what Father wanted of me?

I obeyed Chan…

I obeyed Father…

And with that obedience, does it include my own brother?

“It was…” Azula stuttered, afraid of the first words to escape her mind.

Do I love him?

Protect him…

Die with your secrets.

Her eyes wandered sporadically around the room, shaken and bloodshot with fear. She saw too many faces, too many memories.

It hurts…

The eyes, more this time!

Why have they returned?

I broke my vow of silence like a sin…

She radically clenched her fists and fought through the binds, but as hard as she tried, her attempts were outwardly futile. The chair levitated with her weight as uneven, shrilling gasps were emitted from her lungs. Her teeth tightened in a menacing growl as droplets of spittle watered her lips.

She was ravenous again.

No!

No!

She breathed a tremendous amount of air and expelled it with a merciless blue flame. Almost as if she was suffering a seizure, she flung around wildly, to the chair’s voiceless protest. With her weight, she sent it flipping backwards. A crack reverberated off the walls of the tiny chamber.

Bones against stones.

At least I protected Chan like my child of fire.

He is safe, now…

Because I love him?

And her world went black…