You’re right that azula was never power hungry. I think other than being the best, the most important thing to her was being loyal to their father and the fire nation. Over the series, she told Zuko numerous times that he can’t be a traitor to the fire nation, and that was something she put above all I think
Yes, exactly! Which makes her stark contrast to Zhao, the Chaotic. Just look at Azula and Zhao's reaction when they WIN something:
"I am... a legend now! The Fire Nation will for generations tell stories about the great Zhao who darkened the moon! They will call me Zhao the Conqueror! Zhao the Moon Slayer! ZHAO THE INVINCIBLE!"
"We've done it, Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se." / "Don’t worry brother. I’ve found the perfect person to leave in charge. Someone who will execute the Fire Lord’s will mercilessly and without question.”
Azula conquered a city with no blood nor weapons but her wits, but it's NOT her will she wants to be executed but her Father's, the Fire Lord.
Had Azula been power hungry, she would've prompted epithets for herself like Zhao did. And had Zhao been lawful, he could've talked about what his victory means to the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation, as a mission had been fulfilled (Azula didn't even stay to rule Ba Sing Se). Even in the Royal Plaza when Azula declared herself as "clever" and "beautiful" she was asking credit, and craves praise and attention for her excellence and include proudly how her brother Zuko fought by her side and regain his honor and status.
"Your Princess Azula, clever and beautiful, disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's Capital. In Ba Sing Se, she found her brother Zuko, and together they faced the Avatar. And the Avatar fell! And the Earth Kingdom fell!
Azula's agents quickly overtook the entire city. They went to Ba Sing Se's great walls. And brought them down! The armies of the Fire Nation surged through the walls and swarmed over Ba Sing Se, securing our victory.
Now the heroes have returned home! Your princess, Azula. And after three long years, your prince has returned, Zuko!"
Note how Azula emphasizes on teamwork and "we/our" pronouns. She's all about teamwork and purposefully aimed leadership.
"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle. But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you? It's not too late for you, Zuko. You can still redeem yourself. [...] You are free to choose."
Zuko was not a traitor to Azula, thus she saw her worthy of a second chance in condition of proving his loyalty. As we see above, she works for the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation not her personal glory. She delayed the Dai Li agents arrival on purpose, because Zuko had to prove - had to make a choice in which she would act upon later (and to make him comfortable enough because she knows he has every inclination to side with her - she just has to make sure he would).
Zuko's return to the Fire Nation happened for plot purposes, but Azula was Zuko's best chance to go home both because of her lawful alignment and her (complicated) love for her brother.
They already introduce to us the selfish, power hungry rival to Zuko into Zhao, thus they can't make a repetitive foil into Azula, she has to be different. Azula started out trying to capture Zuko as she was ordered by her Father, then changed her deal to offer him "redemption" if he proven his loyalty by cooperating with her to defeate the enemy.
Azula, in fact, was a foil similar to Zuko, not opposite, because both share the same goals/properties; gain love/approval from their father and lead the Fire Nation to victory (hell even Ehasz' concepts for an Azula redmpation was similar to Zuko's). Which is why they fought as a real team against Aang and Katara in Crystal Catacombs. The siblings who were seemingly at each other throats from the start of series made an equal power team to Katara and Aang who share a strong bond, this instant teamwork is telling that Azula and Zuko understood each other. And Azula rather was happy when Zuko choose her over Iroh and fought by her side. She done a lot of smiling during that fight.
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