Like yes, I think it would be good if Azula got a redemption arc because she is also a traumatized teenager and she deserves a chance, but. the thing is.
The last time we see her in the comics she had formed a girl gang to pretend to be ghosts and kidnap a bunch of Fire Nation noble’s kids. But like, they didn’t hurt the kids- they just stuck them in a bunker and they were a little freaked out but mostly bored?
And when Zuko figures it out and is like ‘yo what the fuck’ she goes all “AH, Zuzu, you see I have a new goal!!! I am no longer trying to dethrone you and take the mantle of Firelord!!! This convoluted girl-gang-ghost-kidnapping thing was in fact part of my devious, genius plan to fulfill my destiny of making YOU into a better Fire Lord, by which I mean a Fire Lord who is more like ME, so I will kinda be Fire Lord, but also not!”
And Zuko has an angst about it a bit but then he’s just like “Wait, that’s stupid, now that you’ve told me that I’m just gonna not do what you would do so I can go back to like, reforming tax law or something.” and that’s what he does so Azula and her girl gang disappear into the mist in their matching outfits, because again, they are pretending to be ghosts.
And honestly, I think that is a good career for Azula. Just constantly making disruptive but ultimately harmless scooby-doo-esque schemes with a bunch of disgruntled lesbians she broke out of a mental institution as a way to unhelpfully help her brother while still being ~Evil~. I imagine by the fourth hairbrained plot where she kidnaps their baby half sister in order to teach her lightning bending and maybe have a hair braiding circle with the girl gang that Zuko will have a dedicated ‘Azula’s on her bullshit’ squad consisting of him, Mai, Ty Lee, and Suki and all of them will view it as a nice getaway from the mundanity of regular politicking. Occasionally Ursa will tag along to make sure Azula and her girlfriends have enough snacks. imo this is Azula living her best life.
Ursa, walking into the throne room with a box of custard buns: Zuko dear, Kiyi didn’t sleep in her bed last night- there’s an artistically ominous blood spatter on the mirror and her toothbrush is missing, I assume it’s Azula. Could you give her these when you find her? They’re fresh, so don’t take to long.
Zuko, pretending he’s not thrilled for an excuse to miss the incredibly boring social event that was supposed to be happening at the Palace that night: Oh, yes, sure, thank you mom. Mother. *ahem* *reaches up to pull the special ‘Azula’s On Her Bullshit Bell’* *Ty Lee and Suki appear fromt he shadows in their kyoshi gear*
Ty Lee: Yay, mini vacation!! I’ll get Mai!
Suki: I’ll go check the secret passages closest to Kiyi’s room, she’s probably just holed up in the grave yard again. We should really do a sweep of the empty tombs and like, iunno, put locks on them or something.
Zuko, shrugging: Not like it would stop her. Besides it’s easier to find her this way. Hang on I just have to check if Iroh wants to give her anything I think he got some of the jasmine she likes.
~Meanwhile~
Azula: Kiyi, just what do you think you’re doing here? I specifically told you i would be kidnapping you next weekend.
Kiyi: Yeah but there’s a stupid party tonight and neither me or Zuzu wants to go so I thought I’d come hang out in your club house instead.
Azula: It’s not a clubhouse, it’s a lair.
Kiyi: Sure. I brought snacks but we can’t eat too many because mom made you custard buns. I left some of my old hair ribbons outside in the graveyard so they’ll probably find us soon.
Azula: ….. I have really been craving custard buns…. okay you can stay but when they come you have to pretend I kidnapped you so Zuko realizes networking parties are stupid.
Kiyi, already flopping on Azula’s bean bag chair and pulling out her snacks: k