#crazy how ozai honed azula to be a weapon of the sharpest type

[all-inmoderation]

Whenever we talk about the impact of the Fire Nation’s imperialistic culture I always think about this:

This. This, one instant is so striking to me. 

And it’s because this part in The Crossroads of Destiny was supposed to be Aang’s moment of triumph. It was the culmination of all of his hard work, painful losses, being used & experimented on, and mental evolution since the beginning of the season that was supposed to finally manifest as his awe-inspiring Avatar Spirit in the finale battle. 

And it’s like,,, he does? He does invoke the Avatar Spirit and for that one moment, everyone, the other characters in the show and the viewers, are reminded of the power and the unearthliness of the Avatar. Even the Dai Li and Zuko, whose sole missions in that entire fight had been to incapacitate Katara and Aang, pause and even step back to stare in reverence at this spirit. Even though they’re on opposite sides.

And we all think Aang’s luck is going to last, that he is going to finish his transformation into the Avatar State and sweep the floor with the bad guys to save the day while they’re all distracted by his power. Because, who wouldn’t be, right? No one, none of the other characters would think to make a move while the souls of a thousand lifetimes activated within a twelve-year-old, right? Even the thought of it would be sacrilegious. 

But then this happens:

And of course it’s Azula who does the deed, accomplishes the mission. She’s the only one who is stone cold enough to actually go through with it. And it’s because in the face of the Avatar Spirit, all Azula sees is a target. The Fire Nation/Ozai’s way of upbringing taught her that the only “all-powerful” force worth respecting is the Fire Lord, thus she is so far-removed from her spirituality that she’s able to achieve the unthinkable and literally kill the Avatar (or so she thinks).

I just think it’s amazing, that one instant of Aang hovering in midair to dropping on the ground like a fly is such a jarring transition from the awed pause we all had taken at the Avatar State, watching it is like being electrocuted by Azula along with Aang. It takes my breath away. And I never cease to be amazed at Azula’s gall, lol.