Hello! This is my first Avatar story so I hope you'll enjoy. You don't need to know the fandom to enjoy it though.

"Your brother Zuko is a failure."

The tall flames flickered eerily on the walls, the only light in the otherwise dark hall. Azula was proud to be summoned, proud of her skills and ability to serve her father. Though sometimes she wished she had a normal father, one to whom she was more than a tool. A valued tool, and able, but still no more than Ty Lee or Mai were to herself.

Then she thought of the people her father had shown her once, people of the lower caste, living in dirt and eating garbage scraps. She was far better than that, she knew, a royal. Power and honor were her birthright and the world belonged at her feet. She vowed once again to never disappoint her father, that someday she would be him.

But some part of her almost envied Zuko's failure. An ungainly child, he had been a constant disappointment, and Ozai had simply shoved him away. Zuko didn't have to prove himself, didn't have to push himself for fear of failing her father's "tests". Not that she'd trade it. End up like him, alone and dishonored?

And yet, Iroh had chosen to go with him. Despite Zuko's disgrace, their uncle had gone with him, protected him. Iroh had never much cared for her; in fact, even her mother… it was always painful to remember the day she had overheard her mother asking what was wrong with her. Her daughter. It was just about the only thing that still hurt. That was the day Azula realized her father was the only one she had, the one who she must become.

"I have a new mission for you."

She looked up at him, careful not to offend or spark his paranoia. She saw his hard face, indifferent to her brother's fate. She bowed her head in acceptance.

"Yes, father."

This will be a two-shot and I've already got the second part written, I just need to edit it. I'm going to camp for the next two weeks but I promise to post as soon as I get back. I know everyone says it but reviews really do help, even just saying "good job" means a lot. See you soon!