Hey guys!

Back with another chapter! Very excited to see such positive feedback thus far and hope the story progresses to your liking.

Today's installment is going to be...intense to say the least. I think most of you know what's coming but no spoilers yet!

Let's take a look at reviews

TheProductiveProcrastinator- I intend to expand upon certain ideas and friendships I never got to in the first story. And you know everyone loves Iroh haha

Mattheus Bezerra de Lima- You're very on point here. My interpretation of a healthy Azula/Zuko dynamic is that they compliment each other and cover each other's weaknesses. You are also correct in that healing takes time and so it will for Azula, especially in this scenario. I am using elements of the Promise comic and those events did happen before this story though it will be vague hints. As for Team Avatar you'll have to wait and see ;)

GNTR96- Thank you as always, my friend. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well

UnOriginal2Tall- Be the person Uncle Iroh knows you can be as the meme goes. And you already know what's coming with Ozai

Guest- Good to be back! Inject it all into your veins xD

haytsun- Uh well to clarify there is no incest in my story and Azula/Ty Lee is not a pairing here. But I hope you enjoy the future romance I have cooked up for Azula

The Rhombus- Indeed, my impression here is to leave people with the idea that the initial part of Zuko's reign is a bit unstable. He's such an about face from the previous 100 years of Fire Lords, he's bound to run into opposition. But he still needs Azula. Pacing is always is always key in these stories as you know, especially for what comes next.

abracursix- Good to see you back! I think you'll find this go around between father and daughter will go much differently.

Thank you to all who have reviewed. We're just getting started and the best has yet to come.

Anyway, on with our story!

Chapter 3. Interrogation

Azula woke up the next day feeling much like she had for the previous few weeks: sluggish, lethargic, and apathetic. In other words, the new normal. Unlike during the war the princess was not having any sort of nightmares that wrecked her sleeping. However, that did not mean her sanity was any better than it was back in those days. If anything, it was worse.

She shifted in her bed, glancing sideways to see if the hallucination of her mother had returned to haunt her but as of now there was no false spectre to be seen. At least he could be thankful for that. That aside, there was little positivity in her life at the moment.

There was no way to tell for sure but judging by the light of sun streaming through her window, it was well past early morning. Thinking back to her glory days, Azula recalled how she rose with the sun each day, spent two hours training, ate a solid breakfast, and then ordered her servants to pamper her for another hour or so before beginning the day. That had truly been the peak of her prowess. It seemed like such a long time ago now.

What I wouldn't give for the Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe to attack us right now. It would give me something to do. Take my mind off this other nonsense.

That wasn't strictly true. She had promised one crucial thing right as the war ended: to assist her brother in ruling a country that would struggle adjusting to its new place in the world. Zuko was still quite green as a ruler, the conflict over the Yu Dao colony had shown that. Even so, the prospect of attending council meetings and other such necessities to keep the Fire Nation afloat no longer appealed to her for the moment.

Frustration surged, knowing full well that laying around all day did not accomplish anything. She also owed it to Zuko and was quite lucky that he did not invoke the full breadth of his powers to summon her by decree. Given this fact, a small strain of guilt passed through, an emotion still quite rare for her to experience. It also made the situation quite maddening.

Why could she not break out of this slump? Why were the hallucinations continuing? Where did the loss of pleasure in anything besides sitting in her room all day stem from?

This isn't me! She thought to the heavens. I am Princess Azula of the Fire Nation for Agni's sake! I should be out there teaching those bumbling fools in the council what for!

And yet, she wasn't.

Just then there was a knock on the door. Azula made no motion to get up from the warmth of her covers but answered with her usual response, "Unless you're Mai, Ty Lee, or breakfast don't bother."

Surprisingly, the door opened anyway revealing a male guard who bowed low upon entry.

"My apologies, princess. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Clearly you did given that I ordered no one come in unless you were one of the three things I mentioned. You do not meet any of that criteria."

"Your highness I would not have entered were it not urgent."

Azula was half tempted to sit up and shock this man with a bit of lightning for continuing to be a pest. But as the second most powerful person in the Fire Nation that meant there was only reason he had disobeyed a direct order. She could already guess.

"The Fire Lord requests your presence in the gardens. He said he would give you time to get dressed but insisted you come down as soon as possible."

Of course he did, the princess inwardly groaned.

"Very well. Tell him I'll be down shortly. Dismissed."

The guard wasted no time in obeying, leaving Azula alone with her thoughts, pondering just exactly what Zuko wanted.

She could only hope it would be worth her while. Few things were these days.

After taking the necessary steps to look somewhat presentable, Azula found Zuko in the gardens standing by the pond where the turtle ducks tended to congregate. It was a bright, sunny day but not too hot. The ideal weather for this time of year.

"You used to love feeding those," she spoke aloud indicating her presence.

Zuko turned to acknowledge her.

"I still do sometimes," he admitted. "Though I don't do it the way you usually did."

Her brother's joke caused a dramatic eye roll.

"We were kids, Zuko. No need to dwell on it now. Why did you choose here of all places to meet?"

She searched his eyes to ascertain if there was a hidden purpose to this conversation and sure enough he didn't meet them, though his body posture betrayed no anxiety.

"I thought it would be nice to get outside for a change. For both of us, actually. Figured you could use the fresh air."

"Very thoughtful of you but you're still a bad liar, Zuzu."

The Fire Lord put up his hands defensively.

"I'm not lying. The subject matter is just...delicate."

"Well you can get it over with and tell me. I have other things to do."

Azula knew talking to the Fire Lord that way, despite the fact that it was her brother, was unwise. But it didn't erase the black mood that was now a permanent fixture in her disposition. She was tired, empty, and constantly irritated. Her luck ran out, however and this time, Zuko lost some of his patience and pushed back.

"Really? Like staying up in your room all day? Don't believe for one second I'm going to accept that excuse. This is important and I need you to listen."

He had never played the 'Fire Lord' card on her before but he was dangerously close. Azula deemed it wise to play along for now.

"Okay. What do you need us to talk about?"

Zuko sighed, his posture also indicating irritability and stress. Nevertheless, he didn't beat around the bush.

"It's about mother."

"What about her?"

"I was talking with my uncle last night-"

"Oh, the master of tea and bad jokes has arrived?"

"-and we were discussing the situation," Zuko continued, ignoring his sister's barb. "And we came up with a plan to try and find her. For real this time."

"And what makes you think such a thing is possible? If we haven't found any new information about her whereabouts by now I doubt we ever will."

"Dad," came the simple reply.

"In case you haven't noticed Zuko, dad won't talk to you. So what makes you think this time will be any different?"

"He won't talk to me but he might talk to you," the Fire Lord explained. "If we can get a new lead to go off of, we can set out together to try and find her."

Azula hadn't realized this was the grand plan that her brother and uncle came up with but her first instinct was to stay a mile away from it.

"No," she said flatly. "I'm not going anywhere near him."

"Azula…"

"Don't 'Azula' me. If you put me in a room with our father I promise I will emerge thirty seconds later with a charred corpse in my left hand."

"Hear me out," Zuko asked, gesturing. "Dad won't talk to me because he doesn't respect me and he never has. It doesn't matter if I'm Fire Lord, the Avatar, or whoever. But he would pay attention to you, the person who used to be his star pupil."

"'Used to be' being the operative phrase here," Azula countered. "I'm not daddy's little girl anymore. He probably hates me as much as he hates you."

"True, but you also know people, Azula. You know how to play them and learn what makes them tick. I'm not…"

"Ruthless enough?"

Zuko hesitated as though he didn't want to agree for the fear of offending her.

"I didn't want to use that particular word."

"It's okay to say it. I know what I was and what I still am."

"You're not-"

"I'm not hellbent on dominating or destroying everything around me," Azula said bluntly. "But manipulating people into doing what I want? It's a talent I still carry and can use any time I want. Face it, Zuko, you know what I'm capable of even now."

The Fire Lord eyed her carefully, as golden orbs gazed into each other. For a brief moment in time, it harkened back to the days where both of them heavily mistrusted the other. When sibling sabotage had been rampant and their fighting constant. But as soon as it came, it was gone.

"Azula, one of these days you have to stop thinking of yourself as a monster," Zuko finally responded. "But more to the point this is something we have to do. We need to do. Without closure on our family issues, it's going to haunt us for the rest of our lives. We can find her. But there's nothing we can do until father gives up her whereabouts."

That was a statement the princess could not argue with. As much as she had been denying it, the root of her troubles stemmed from the very hallucination she saw almost daily. The woman that had been their mother.

The old part of her psyche- the one that distrusted everyone and told her that emotions were a sign of weakness- argued against this. Even now, it was an extremely difficult habit to overcome. However, rationality, pragmatism, and even a small bit of affection for her brother won out in the end.

"Alright, Zuko. I'll do it. On one condition. You trust me to go alone. No guards, no uncle, no precautionary safety measures. I'm going to do this my way."

Her brother nodded though there was some trepidation on his face.

"Okay. I'll issue orders to the guards to ensure no one stops or questions you...not like they would anyway. You can go at night so fewer people see."

"No, I'm going to go this afternoon," Azula corrected. "If what you say is the key to our quest then I'm not wasting another minute."

Zuko shrugged.

"Have it your way. But I want you to promise me one thing, Azula; don't kill him. No matter what he says or how he might try to get underneath your skin, he has to stay alive. He's no good to us dead."

The princess supposed she could give him that much, although she couldn't swear to not going to serious lengths to get the necessary intel. However, she had a plan for that as well.

"I'll never understand that kind of high minded attitude you carry, Zuko. But you are the Fire Lord after all. Your wish is my command."

She bowed low in a playful way which caused her brother to smile just a tad (Agni knew he rarely did so these days) but the lines of worry were still etched across his brow.

"Very well. There's no council meeting today. So feel free to report back around dinner."

Azula took her leave and mentally began to make preparations. She could sense the energy and drive returning to her once more. However small it was, it was better than nothing.

Though no part of her rejoiced in the upcoming reunion with the man she once called 'father' it felt exciting to do something real and significant again. Because Zuko was right. She did know people and how to get what one desired from them.

And by Agni, she was going to see this through.

True to her word, Azula made her way toward Capital City Prison in the middle of the afternoon, taking the beaten path down to the Fire Nation's now most secure, high profile prison. After the war ended, Zuko shut down Boiling Rock and released all of the political prisoners save for the actual homegrown thieves and murderers. To compensate Mai's uncle for the loss of his position, he gave him command of the facility within the capital which made this journey all the easier. Though a hard man, he would not bite the hand that fed him. And sure enough, there was no trouble upon entry. The guards only acknowledged her with their customary bows of deference.

The place was just as dreary as she remembered, with only the light of the day to assist in making it slightly less depressing. Torches on the walls still gave it an eerie glow and the smell left little to the imagination while cracks in the stone walls indicated that some upgrades were needed in the near future. Truth be told she had not attended enough council meetings as of late to know what the budget allowed for. Idle thoughts were only that: idle thoughts.

Azula found it ironic that the last time she had been inside this ruin was the night she decided to follow Zuko on one of his visits to Iroh when the old man was a mainstay here. Little did anyone know that choice would affect her entire future, for the very conversation that occurred that night paved the way for the seeds of her own change of heart. It seemed like an entire lifetime ago as though it were a distant dream.

This is real, she reminded herself. And the man you're about to speak to is very much so as well. Stay focused.

Even in his weakened, powerless state Ozai would not hesitate to turn the tables on her and exercise what mental abilities he still possessed. It would not do to lose one's cool in the face of an enemy that could do little harm other than taunt and sneer.

She rounded the bend and came upon the cell her father was currently imprisoned in. Irony struck again as Azula realized this was the same cell Iroh had been housed in. Wondering for a moment if that was something Zuko ordered, she shoved it aside and allowed the guard to open the steel door.

Sure enough, Ozai was there, though he was vastly different from the last time the princess had laid eyes upon him. The all powerful firebender that nearly killed her, Zuko, and Katara in a dramatic battle was by now a shell of his former self. His hair was matted with dirt and grime, the long goatee equally as unkempt. A once muscular frame was significantly reduced and the only clothing he wore could be equivalent to a dark red potato sack. He sat on the cold, stone floor barely moving as though he were an old, predatory spider.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen, she couldn't help but laugh to herself.

Tempting as it was to gloat to the former despot, Azula kept her focus on the task at hand. Namely outwitting this chained beast and getting on with her life.

However, it was said beast who spoke first as the door closed behind them and she approached.

"Well, well…" came the familiar silky tone which was a bit rusty from lack of use. "Do my eyes deceive me or has my daughter decided to come and pay me a visit?"

Azula remained silent as she took the stool on the side and sat down on it, barely five feet from her target. He could not be allowed to dictate the terms of this little meeting.

"Was the Fire Lord too busy? Is that why he sent a traitorous lacky to do his dirty work?"

"You may know why I'm here," Azula cut across getting straight to the point. "You may not. Either way it doesn't matter. The point of this visit isn't for a family reunion I assure you."

"Perish the thought," Ozai said with a wicked smile. "But I think I can guess the reason."

"Good. So if you don't mind, tell me what I want to know and I'll be on my merry way."

Azula, of course, had no illusion that her father would tell her anything. At least not right away. The trick was pushing the right buttons. True to her prediction, the former Fire Lord did not answer but instead appraised her up and down.

"It's not as simple as asking, dear daughter. When one asks for information, they should expect something in return."

"Indeed. Which is why I won't be roasting you to bits once I have what I need. You can thank me later."

But Ozai only laughed, dry and horrible as his golden eyes gave a malicious gleam.

"Tell me, did the welp have to force you to come here after I wouldn't tell him where his beloved mother was? Really, Azula you're wasting your talents. It makes this situation all the more regrettable."

"There is nothing in the past two years that I regret," she shot back. "Except for not leaving you sooner."

Azula briefly felt her temper rising but managed to bring it back down. This is precisely what he wanted: to control the dialogue between them to his liking. She would not give him the satisfaction. It was time to play a certain angle.

"You and I both know you can't ignore or bully me like you do with Zuko. Whatever it is that has you believing I'm going to kiss your feet is sadly mistaken. I can do this all day."

"Agreed," Ozai nodded. "It is one of the many talents so distinct within you, Azula. Such a shame it can't be put to better use."

"The same could be said for you. But you're not going to goad me into a philosophical back and forth. Our mother has been missing for eight years now and she seems to have vanished without a trace. By the same token, we know she's alive somewhere within the Fire Nation. It would be in your best interest to tell us the exact location."

It was mostly a lie. She and Zuko had no idea if their mother was in the Fire Nation or even still alive. Even so, the suggestion she knew more than she let on was a better front than nothing at all.

"Again, I ask: what could I possibly gain from acquiescing to your demands?"

"This is not a bargaining chip," Azula spoke dangerously. "It is merely a chance for you to avoid a worse fate than the one you currently live in. That is what there is to gain. You won't heed Zuko, but I can guarantee you will heed me."

Ozai gave a sardonic chuckle.

"You seem so sure of this."

"I am sure of it. Do not underestimate me, father," she spat. "Either way I'll get what I want. You just have to decide if your compliance will be painless."

Again, the man called 'father' did not flinch but eyed her with intense, even eager curiosity. The gold in his eyes was practically oozing with malcontent.

"There. That is what I enjoy most about you, Azula. The utter ruthlessness, the raw cunning. Traits that make you who you are. And the best part? I only needed to give you a little push."

The princess narrowed her eyes, unable to stop herself from indulging in his whims.

"A little push? What you see is your own doing. It was the daughter you trained to be a cold blooded killer that eventually turned against you. Everyone did in the end."

"You can hide behind that feeble excuse all you want," Ozai countered. "I may have forced an intense training program and gave expectations, but they were almost always met, Azula. You are not some sort of ordinary commoner. The cold blooded killer wasn't merely created by my hand; it's who you are."

"There's no point in trying to psyche me out," the princess deflected. "There's nothing you can hold over me now. Or Zuko."

"Except that's not true. Otherwise, why would you be here? I have long known that you and your brother seek to find your mother but really, I'm doing you a personal favor. It's better not to know."

A smirk was playing on Ozai's lips and Azula attempted to quickly discern what he was going on about. This chess game was reaching its climax and if she did not have her pieces in place she might never attain the necessary information. He was trying to provoke her into asking more.

"This drivel bores me," she told him bluntly. "Whatever anecdotes or false advice you have for me I'm not interested. I'm going to pry this little tidbit from your brain. It's only a matter of time."

"Yes, it is a matter of time," her father told her, and by this time he wore a very evil grin on his face. "That you finally learn the truth about everything. I'm attempting to save you from it."

"Don't ever pretend that you ever cared about anything except yourself," Azula said, betraying her frustration.

Ozai now looked positively gleeful as he carried his momentum

"But this isn't about me, is it? No, this has everything to do with you, my daughter. I've seen the longing in your face whenever my ex wife is mentioned. How jealous you became when Zuko curled up in the arms of his mother, the woman who thought you were nothing more than an animal that deserved to be locked in a cage."

He laughed again, before continuing.

"Do you really want to experience that again, Azula? A world where your precious mother returns to your life only to ignore you completely when she finds out her baby boy has become the new Fire Lord. Go ahead...flip that coin."

By this time, the princess was seething with rage and worked desperately hard to control herself. Heat increased within the palms of her fists.

Lies, she told herself. He always lies

But his words rang deeper than that. They weren't just lies...they were fears. Ones that she dreaded above all else.

Realizing he had gotten her, Ozai pressed further, licking his lips in a very unsavory fashion.

"Tell me. How does it feel to be subservient to an inferior who was the favorite of the person you hate the most? Do you honestly believe that he's fit to rule? What-"

He was cut off, almost literally as Azula shot out a hand through the bars and closed her sharpened nails around his throat, murderous intent lurking inside of her eyes.

"One more word, and I'll break more than just a promise today. Go ahead...flip that coin," she mocked.

Ozai wasn't sneering or laughing now as true fear entered his eyes for the first time, though he remained stock still despite his inability to breathe. In an expression of raw anger, Azula clasped tighter around his throat and threw him roughly against the wall with an enormous shove, causing him to fall to the floor in a coughing fit.

Hacking and wheezing, the nearly fifty year old man struggled to raise himself back into a sitting position. He had definitely lost some of his gusto as evidenced by his change in tone, which became much more unctuous as opposed to outright taunting.

"You haven't disappointed, daughter," he said through gasps of breath. "Which is why I'm going to tell you what you want to know."

Azula frowned, not at all buying this sudden change of heart. It still took most of her restraint not to kill him right then and there.

"What's your game?"

In the hallowed darkness, she could see the awful smile return to her father's face. No doubt he had some kind of planned malice in mind.

"You misunderstand my intentions. There is no game, Azula. Only the truth and you are ready to know that truth. And it will set you free."

This was just getting annoying. She had wasted enough time indulging in this mental war.

"Your candor is much appreciated," the princess told him. "Care to elaborate?"

"There is a secret chamber in the palace, one of many I kept over the years. In the west wing, third room on the left, there is a picture of our national symbol on the wall. Only firebending can open it. Once you do, there is a passageway that leads down to the chamber. Directly in the center, there is a red and gold chest, unlocked and unspoiled. Inside, you will find what you seek."

The instructions were too specific to be some kind of trap. She knew from years of exploring that her father kept these secret hiding spots in and around the palace. This was one unfamiliar to her. Whatever his intentions, the reward outweighed the risk.

"All I needed to hear. Good bye."

Azula turned to leave but not before one last parting remark from Ozai.

"Tell me, daughter. Do you really believe Zuko to be a capable ruler? Is he truly fit to wear the crown upon his head?"

She ignored him, knowing full well her father's words were nothing but deceit and falsehoods. But there was one truthful part of that conversation: he clearly wanted her to find what was inside that room. And she intended to.

I've already wasted enough time here, she thought to herself. That conversation went on far too long

Closing the steel door behind her, Azula went on her way, leaving the man she once called 'father' to rot forevermore inside his confines.