Chapter 7: Chapter 7

With all the rumors swirling around the new rising star of the Fire Nation, Crown Prince Zuko felt some apprehension at the coming meeting. But uncle Iroh had insisted for at least a courtesy visit to Colonel Xing.

 

Annoyingly and understandingly, the colonel was almost never in his new residence. The noble’s quarters were a considerable distance away from the closest training grounds, and the 11th Regiment was assigned to a few hours away from the Imperial City. That meant that Zuko had to spend a good chunk of his morning traveling out of the city with a small retinue.

 

He’d announced his visit a day beforehand, of course. It’d be unwise to interrupt the colonel’s work. So it was no surprise as they reached the regiment’s training complex, Zuko saw a welcoming party. The hardened men and women in full armor standing stock-still at attention was intimidating enough, but somehow the boy in the middle of that group doing likewise almost made Zuko pause mid-stride. He radiated a confidence that was different from his sister. There was a surety in himself, but without much of Azula’s sense of superiority, and none of the Fire Lord’s mild contempt (at the very least) of everyone around him.

 

“Crown Prince Zuko,” the boy with the hard gaze greeted sharply, sharp enough to elicit a wince. “We are honored that you have made time to visit us.” A cacophonous crash of metal on soil rose to the air as the officers of the 11th Regiment dropped to their knees.

 

Zuko had to admit, it was very, very unnerving to receive the reception. Colonel Xing and his commanders displayed nothing but respect, if not for him, then for Zuko’s station. He sensed none of the underlying condescension or pity that many of his father’s advisors and even the palace guards did. These soldiers gave no judgment, no resentment at the prince’s presence.

 

It was…elating for his spirits. Zuko stood straighter, and adopted a bit of the royal sternness that his father and sister so easily wore.

 

He managed what he thought was a suitably regal nod. “Colonel Xing, officers. As you were.”

 

They rose as one, their gaze never directly meeting his. The boy colonel saluted again before he spoke. “What can we do for you, your highness?”

 

“I’ve only come for a short tour,” Zuko replied, repeating his uncle’s suggestion. “Much praise has been given to the 11th. I would like to see for myself the might of its valiant warriors.”

 

Was he laying it too thick? Maybe he should tone it down a bit…

 

“We are grateful for the opportunity, Prince Zuko,” the colonel declared, and then turned his head ever so slightly. “Captains, begin the drills. Mozi, with me.”

 

“Yes colonel,” the officers confirmed sharply, ignoring the fact that they had been given commands by someone about a decade their junior. 

 

Zuko was maybe starting to see the appeal of superior authority…

 

Xing shifted to one side and ushered the prince in. “If you’ll follow me, your highness.”

 

While he had done publicity tours of domestic forces, seeing a renowned force being put through its paces was something else. These men and women going through spear and firebending drills weren’t trying to put on a show to please the visiting prince; they were doing so because they were ordered to. Zuko could even tell who the newer recruits were because they were drilling out of genuine fear of their commanding officers. Even his escorts from the palace were showing signs of intimidation.

 

These men and women were far more precise and economical in their movements. The spearmen jabbed and twisted their spears with swift ruthlessness, while firebenders blasted out flames with a harsh grace that the prince envied. What made everything even more awe inspiring was the near silence these soldiers operated in. There were no warcries or expressive yelling. They might have been grunts and panting, but nothing was consciously being vocalized.

 

An image flashed past the prince’s mind, of a dozen of these spearmen advancing in silence and jabbing their speartips through Earth Kingdom soldiers. Zuko suppressed a shudder at it.

 

“As you can see, my prince, the recruits are still a little rough around the edges,” Lieutenant Colonel Mozi explained, “but given that we have a few more months, we will have these soldiers ready to serve the Fire Nation in time.”

 

Zuko tried not to stare at the man and blink. This was ‘rough around the edges’? What did properly trained look like, then?

 

Then he saw the veterans of the 1st Battalion, and Zuko understood the difference. And then he felt a bit sorry for the enemy.

 

He toured through the facilities and the soldiers, managing to nod and offer brief replies to the commentary provided by the lieutenant colonel. Colonel Xing himself kept mostly silent, preferring to glare death at the batch of troops currently on display.

 

With the tour over, Zuko was ushered into the colonel’s office, both for a break as well as to facilitate private conversation. With Mozi and the palace escorts left waiting outside, the two teens were the only ones in the room.

 

“Your troops are impressive, colonel,” Zuko praised as he took a seat and accepted a bowl of tea. “I can see why many speak so highly of you and your regiment.” He tried not to frown as he uttered that sentence.

 

“I’m glad that they think so,” Xing replied. 

 

“My uncle told me of the hardships you and your regiment endured all this while,” Zuko said, clumsily shifting the conversation. “I am sorry for the losses you have gone through-”

 

The other boy interrupted with a dismissive wave of his hand, though his voice took on a harder edge. Was it the mention of the hardships or uncle Iroh that caused it? “It is of no consequence, your highness. The 11th will rebuild, and will continue to serve the Fire Nation.”

 

Zuko nodded, and then seized the opportunity he so obviously created. “On that topic, I’ve been told you served as the regiment’s strategist before this.”

 

The colonel’s stiff pose softened, and the beginnings of a wistful smile threatened to form. “It was…unofficial. Colonel Lidai and the other officers humored my suggestions and found ways to make it work.”

 

“Is that so…” For a moment, Zuko hesitated, but eventually he managed to fit in the right words. “If you would not be too troublesome, could you explain to me some of the stratagems you’ve…suggested that had worked? As crown prince-” 

 

No matter how much father and Azula disliked his position. 

 

“-I should educate myself on military matters.”

 

That somehow caused Xing to smile with some warmth, and the colonel bowed in his seat. “It would be my pleasure, Prince Zuko. I can work out a schedule for you if you wish?”

 

“Don’t let me interfere with your work,” Zuko replied with what he hoped was a placating smile. “I can come by when you have the time.”

 

“As you wish, your highness. Since we have the time, is there anything in particular you’d like to delve into? I can have my officers bring in the relevant reports.”

*****

 

“Colonel, you’ve go-”

 

The soldier’s hurried message was drowned out by the scornful voice of a princess. “Is this where his office is?”

 

Ren turned her head in time to see the doors fly open as the teenage royal entered Xing’s office, a scowl marring her otherwise pretty face. The poor private trying to warn them quickly melted out of vision as Princess Azula scanned the people in the room with a wrathful glance, before zeroing her sights on Xing. She didn’t even deign to notice her brother in the room.

 

“There you are.”

 

The officers shot up to attention and saluted the princess, but she didn’t seem to acknowledge any of them as she strode towards Xing like she was about to gut him.

 

Prince Zuko tried to intercept her. “Azula? What are you doing he-”

 

The princess though simply sidestepped him, never straying from her goal. “Not now, brother.”

 

“Your highness, what can I do for you.” 

 

Ren winced at the boy’s unfazed politeness. She really should’ve taught him how to read a girl and get on her good side.

 

Peeking upwards despite her bowed head, Ren saw Princess Azula’s eyes narrow. Yeah, his stoic mask was definitely one of the worst approaches to this situation. “You can start, colonel, by clearing out the training yard for us.”

 

Once more the captain winced, and this time it was a sentiment shared by the other officers. How badly did Xing beat the princess that she would hound him three days later?

 

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Xing though twitched in surprise. “Now, princess?”

 

“Yes. Now. This time, I’ll not be caught by surprise.”

 

The colonel gave Prince Zuko a glance, who in turn gave a resigned nod. Xing then glanced at Mozi. “Move the recruits from Yard B and reschedule the day’s curriculum.”

 

As Mozi all but fled the room, Princess Azula whirled and stormed out, pausing only to turn to Xing once more. “Well, are you coming?”

 

Ren, the captains and the prince followed after a clearly annoyed Xing and a clearly infuriated princess. It was almost comical, if not for the very real possibility that her little brother might actually say something to further enrage the princess and earn himself her father’s wrath. When they reached Yard B, the still-vacating soldiers scampered to safety at the sight of the royal leading their colonel to the center of the grounds.

 

Princess Azula slipped smoothly into an orthodox combat stance. “We will fight again, colonel. This time I will not be caught off guard, nor will I go easy on you.”

 

Xing regarded her almost dumbly for a moment. Once more Prince Zuko tried to intervene, though it was the colonel that stopped him by answering first.

 

“As you wish, princess,” he answered wearily, and then he straightened, leaning back a little with his arms lowered. 

 

Ren’s jaw dropped, and she heard Kai gasp. Xing’s using that against the princess? “Is…is he trying to murder her?” Rufen whispered aloud. For a moment, the officers collectively thought of rushing in to stop the duel, even if the boy’s hands and feet were not wreathed in flames; Non-bending soldiers had used the colonel’s moves to lethal effect during night raids.

 

The prince, understandably confused, looked to the officers with mounting concern. “Murder? What’s with that stance?”

 

Mozi let out an exasperated sigh. “It’s…dangerous, your highness. But hopefully…” And boy did he emphasize that word. “...the colonel knows what he is doing.”

 

The princess shot forwards with a cry, opening with a standard Lunging Dragon punch. Xing dodged the jet of flame along with the fist that followed alongside it, to Ren’s horror, by leaping straight inside the punch to swing a knee up the princess’ chin.

 

Thankfully, she was nimble enough to disengage back, aborting the brutal sequence of hits that might have followed if she’d turned aside or blocked like many earthbenders had done. She used a tornado kick to force some distance between her and Xing, though he crouched under the gout of fire rather than negate or dodge it. 

 

He closed in instantly with a knifehand jab that forced the princess to abort her own winding punch. Displaying her much praised brilliance, Princess Azula did not take the opening to Xing’s torso and instead went for a swift backhand around the back of his head. Once more Xing’s sequence was foiled, and he had to improvise with clawing strikes to her neck and chest. A swift kick rebuffed that, though he in turn retaliated with a kick of his own.

 

Ren watched as the two young teens fought, uncaring that her jaws had dropped in amazement. “Spirits…” Ping mouthed in astonishment. Both combatants were locked in a flurry of attacks and counterattacks, meeting aggression with aggression.

 

Only the fact that he kept his flames off told Ren that the colonel was doing at least a minimum of keeping the duel non-lethal. Not that the princess was holding back much, either. Her more traditional moves might be more showy, but she utilized it effectively, and it was clear she was trying to wipe the floor with Xing. 

 

The princess was keeping up with Xing, even forcing him back occasionally. She somehow saw past his feints and baits, though in many cases was unable to exploit them. Understandable, considering her orthodox foundation, but still very impressive. Slowly but surely though, it seemed that Princess Azula was adapting to Xing’s style and breaking the mold of conventional firebending.

 

“She’s trying to put him into a position for a Diving Hawk Kick,” Mozi realized aloud.

 

At that, Ren squinted a bit and it suddenly became very obvious. Princess Azula’s counterattacks were aimed at keeping Xing low and far enough for her to deliver a decisive downwards kick. She was being subtle about it, but not subtle enough that experienced spectators couldn’t figure out the pattern being created. At least her opponent shouldn’t notice it though.

 

Xing was working towards an endgame of his own, though Ren couldn’t figu-

 

“Oh, spirits,” Weikong gasped. “He’s going to try and tackle her.”

 

Ren’s face, and that of her colleagues, snapped towards the captain. “You’re joking,” she said, then turned back to the fight, and then saw the way Xing always seemed to coil back a little, his arms ready to draw back…

 

“Fuck.” 

 

“Do we intervene?” Kai asked. “We intervene, right?”

 

“What’s going on?” Prince Zuko asked, just about starting to panic. “Why do we have to intervene?”

 

As they hesitated with an answer, Ren spied the princess successfully evading a stomp meant to break her ankles and replied with a furious punch into Xing’s chest. He actually leaned in to take the flaming hit before it reached its full strength, and let himself get pushed back instead of trying to resist the blow. Then the captain realized that the explosion of flames and smoke briefly obscured the princess’ vision.

 

It was enough for Xing to get into a familiar crouch…

 

“Xing! No!”

 

Neither combatant heard Ren’s panicked cry. 

 

Princess Azula was pulling into a standard defensive stance as she awaited her opponent’s next move. 

 

She should’ve kept moving, kept defying standard firebending practices. The girl should be already diving forwards or away, not priming herself to dole out more counterattacks.

 

Xing lunged through the dissipating smoke, catching the princess off-guard. Her arms were batted aside with savage sweeps before Xing fired a punch aimed to cave her face in.

 

Or should have been aimed that way.

 

Thankfully, the boy seemed to still have the presence of mind to remember not to kill the princess, and his fist instead filled the space beside Princess Azula’s head. From where Ren was watching, it seemed like a spectacular column of blinding flame erupted from the back of the princess’ head.

 

Xing pulled back into attention, while the clearly stunned princess blinked her wide eyes several times. Ren was smart enough not to so much as smirk at the girl’s dropped jaw. 

 

The two of them kept at the pose for a few comical seconds before Xing finally chose to speak. “I hope this is enough, princess?”

 

Argh. Stupid boy. Kai and Weikong groaned, while Mozi simply pinched the bridge of his nose. Even the prince had recovered enough from his shock to wince.

 

Princess Azula snapped out of her daze and stared at the colonel with incredulity, rage and… Confusion? Then some of her regal composure returned, and she merely nodded as if nothing had happened.

 

“That…is a satisfactory performance, colonel.” The princess glanced at the officers, and then to the other not-too-discreet soldiers around the training yard. “Come, back to your office.”

 

“As you wish, princess.” As Xing led the way, Ren caught the flash of a scowl on the princess’ features, one filled with rage and hatred and…

 

Oh. “Ohhh…” she exhaled softly, feeling a grin tugging at her lips.

 

“‘Oh’, what?” Kai asked, to which Ren simply grinned even more. “Nothing, nothing.” The captain made to follow after her colonel and the princess. 

 

She caught the cute prince’s gaze but merely offered a sweet smile at him. “It’ll be fine, your highness. Well, it should be. I think.”

 

Ren almost broke into giggles when the princess later announced that, to ensure that her patronage was well invested, as well as to study firsthand the importance of logistics and strategy, Princess Azula would be personally attending to the 11th Regiment’s rebuilding. The princess would also follow along the regiment for the first two months of its campaign, to observe their performance.

 

And when she learned what Prince Zuko was doing, she ‘enrolled’ herself in the same lessons, regardless of what her brother had to say on the matter.

 

It looks like Xing would have to be put through a crash course for socializing with girls.

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