ATLA: Azlua

As Azula approached the airship, the captain, his face etched with worry, hastened towards her and kneeled with a nervous tremor.

"Status report," Azula demanded coolly, her voice slicing through the tense air.

"It appears Prince Zuko and his friend have damaged the remaining airships. Repairs will be needed," he replied hesitantly, avoiding her gaze.

"That's former Prince. How long will the repairs take?" Azula's tone was sharp, her impatience palpable.

"20 minutes, but that's just for this airship," the captain answered.

"You have ten. Fail this, and I'll kill you myself. Notify me in the courtyard when it's done," Azula commanded, turning away dismissively.

Reaching the courtyard where her duel with Zuko had unfolded, Azula noticed the extinguished fires. She sat in the center, adopting a meditative pose, and ordered everyone to leave her undisturbed.

"Zuko... he was almost stronger than I was!" she thought, her teeth gritted in frustration.

"No! Focus, Azula. What did that disappointment of an uncle always say? 'Firebending comes from the breath.'"

Taking a deep breath, she allowed the energy of the comet to flow through her, exhaling slowly. A blue ring of flames manifested around her, pulsating in sync with her breathing, growing and shrinking.

Zuko's firebending had been different — more fluid, hitting harder with simplicity. And his redirection of her lightning... Uncle must have taught him that. Their movements, they reminded her of waterbending.

Traditional training had always emphasized aggression, overpowering the opponent. Yet, Zuko had moved with both offensive and defensive fluidity, a style that seemed impossible unless he had learned something new.

Azula extinguished her flame and took a different stance, recalling Zuko's movements with precision. She felt an immediate change; her firebending was not only stronger but more malleable. Yet, something felt off, so she shifted her stance again, this time lighter, mimicking the Air Nomad style she'd seen from the Avatar — quick, sharp, barely touching the ground.

The fire around her danced like a serpent, or more aptly, a dragon.

"Dai Li, construct a thick wall," she ordered.

Seconds later, agents emerged and erected a wall as formidable as the walls of Ba Sing Se.

Azula focused, condensing the flames into a small comet in her palm. Just then, Ty Lee approached, poking Azula's cheek playfully.

"What'cha doing?" Ty Lee asked with a grin.

Azula shot her a glare but soon sighed. "My father once showed me a technique that involved condensing one's flames. If I've done it right, this wall should crumble. I've never succeeded before. Be warned, if I mess up, this entire area might explode."

"Aw, are you warning me because you care?" Ty Lee teased with a mischievous smirk.

"No. I am merely stating the facts," Azula retorted, narrowing her eyes.

"I'll stay. I'm sure you'll do it," Ty Lee said, her smile unwavering.

Azula's eyes widened momentarily, then refocused intensely on the wall. She inhaled deeply, ran forward, and with a fierce yell, hurled the compressed fireball. A thunderous boom echoed as the wall disintegrated, the ground beneath melting and bubbling from the heat.

"See, told ya you could do it," Ty Lee chimed in, still grinning.

"Of course, I could. I'm not incompetent. Did I not order you to stay at Molten Island? Never mind, call Mai; we're going to Ba Sing Se," Azula said, a grin breaking her usual stern demeanor.