AN: This is a Post War AU. This story was inspired by dove1593, lotusunset, and dickard23. The story starts about a year after Sozin's Comet. This story ignores The Search. Well I'm not sure if I will implement Ursa into this story, time will tell. This probably won't be an incredibly long story, but it will be satisfying. Hopefully? Lol.
Story Legend
"-" Conversation
'-' Thoughts
'italics' flashback
'italicized word' emphasis
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. It belongs to Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I do however own the few OC's this story will have.
Azula paints vividly, from broken dreams and endless nightmares, to heartbreaking scenes of a monocarpic, hopes locked away never to be freed. All her paintings join together arbitrarily to tell a story, no one has ever dared to read. The story of Azula... Azula the Fallen.
- The Sapphire Prodigy
THE WHITE CANVAS
CHAPTER ONE
MID JULY 101 AG
"I don't know what else to do, Aang."
"Zuko, we will figure something out."
"I swear she's trying to drive me crazy, this is all part of some elaborate scheme to steal the throne again."
"Sounds like you've been practicing that line."
"Unfortunately, yes."
It's been a little over two months since Azula returned to the palace. It was a very hard decision for Zuko to make. The world wanted the Fire Nation princess's head on a platter, but Zuko couldn't bring himself to toss her to the dragon's pit. She may have been crazy, but she was his sister.
At least that's what he told himself when he noticed that she wasn't active. She arrived in the capital silent as the stars, and only Agni knows how unnerving that was. He tried to make her as comfortable as possible, but it felt like a lost cause. Doctor Wong said in her remaining months in the institution she was very quiet and only spoke when she deemed it necessary. During that time, she grew an affinity towards painting which was a breath of fresh air to the staff at the institution. Odd pictures and near silence over endless wails of inhumanity; it was a no brainer.
"Zuko, it will be alright. Maybe she's still adjusting?"
It takes that long to adjust? Zuko knew his sister had issues but he figured that maybe she would try to talk it out. Hell, he expected insults and snarky comments but this was something else.
"I hope so, I'm not sure if I like her being so withdrawn all the time, it doesn't suit her. She's not the sister I used to know."
"My Lord?"
"Yes Xia."
"Your guest have gathered in the dining hall for lunch."
"Thank You. And Azula?"
Xia shook her head sadly, she felt sorry for the princess, she was beginning to look too skinny for her taste, but they couldn't force her to eat. Xia instead left a bowl of assorted fruits for the princess hoping she'd at least eat them. The princess needed serious help, the asylum could only do so much.
Zuko sighed.
"Cowpig!"
"Sokka, that's rude."
"Down Snoozles."
The dining hall of the Fire Nation palace had undergone some changes in the past year. For one, it was far more colorful than it had ever been. The walls were adorned with pretty pictures that showed incredible talent. Well, that was one way of viewing the palace as colorful, you could look at the Four Nations literally seated at the table. At the end of the table was Zuko with Aang, and Katara to his right respectively. On his left sat Mai, Toph, and Sokka.
A variety of dishes were brought out by the palace servants. Aang was delighted to not have to constantly explain he was a vegetarian here. Sokka couldn't help himself so he reached across the table to grab the Spicy Cowpig dish, only for to be chastised by Katara for his lack of manners.
"I'd like to thank you guys for coming here." Zuko was desperate for help at this point. He sent out letters to his friends about two weeks ago. Azula's psychological withdrawl was a big problem. Aang made a good point and it could be a phase, but he was impatient. He just couldn't stand to let this fester any longer! Two months was long enough.
"We're here whenever you need us Zuko. Besides I think the Acolytes will be fine without me for the moment."
The past year was problematic for Aang. Between handling international affairs and rebuilding the Air Temples with Air Acolytes, he was beat. But Zuko was his friend and he needed him.
"No problem Sparky."
Life since the end of the war had been kind of boring for Toph Bei Fong, the blind prodigy earthbender. She needed something to do besides teaching metalbending to a bunch of kids.
"Thanks guys."
"So, what's up Zuko."
Sokka wouldn't say it aloud, but ever since this morning when he saw the princess walking down the hall with a paintbrush and some paper, he has been dying to know what was going on. The crazy princess paints?
"It's Azula-"
"I knew it! She's up to something!"
Sokka was certain whatever Zuko had called them here for, dealt with her. He was right of course, but not the way he thinks.
"Sokka, don't jump to conclusions."
Katara had mixed feelings about the firebending prodigy. She was the only one outside of Zuko to witness her complete breakdown. Whatever ill-feelings she had towards her, became somewhat motherly. Something was clearly wrong with her.
"Wait? Where is Azula?" Katara was concerned. Shouldn't she be here for lunch too?
"She's in her pavillion, she told Xia she wasn't hungry, again."
"I thought you said she didn't eat breakfast?" Aang was also concerned. He knew most people found his concern for her bewildering, she did nearly kill him with lightning. But peace starts with forgiveness. He already forgave Azula for her war indiscretions. Despite public opinion, nobody is born with that kind of cruelty. He already knew who to blame.
"She didn't. I guess she doesn't find nourishment important right now?" It really worried him. She wasn't underweight, but she would be if she kept this up.
"That just proves she's crazy and up to something!"
"I almost wish she was up to something."
"Sokka, that's not nice!"
"Mai!"
Mai was almost disinterested in Azula's progress. She couldn't lie and say she had been happy to have Azula back home, but a small part of her was curious about Azula's silence. She watched the princess for a while when she first returned, but all she ever did was ignore everyone, paint, and sleep. It was pitiful. She hadn't even practiced her bending, at least not to Mai's knowledge.
"Look, I know you guys don't care about Azula, but she's my sister. My baby sister. So far she hasn't tried to kill me, but she hasn't done much of anything since she came here. I'm not sure which is worse."
"So Sparky, you're upset because Spicy Princess ain't burning down your throne."
"Toph, it would be easier to deal with conspiracy, than this depression she's showing everyone."
"Depression?"
"Yes, Katara. Ever since Azula came home she's kept mostly to herself. She responds to certain things but mostly by either shaking her head or nodding." Katara wasn't sure how to respond to that, so she busied herself observing her surroundings having not noticed the paintings adorning the walls.
"Zuko, these paintings are beautiful."
"Azula drew them."
Sokka's head shot up and he along with everyone else began observing the walls. There was a variety of different types of paintings, among the paintings were: turtleducks, sparkling seas, tropical climates (likely inspired by Ember Island), wildflowers, and an abstract of broken glass?
"I like firelillies, but aren't they red? She painted one blue." Aang noticed on one of her paintings she drew a cluster of firelillies and colored one a dingy blue.
Zuko shrugged.
"Azula started painting in the asylum, I guess that's her way of coping. Most of the time she's quiet, a few days ago I overheard her asking Kari to bring her some new painting utensils, but nothing other than that and maybe a few basic needs."
Mai wondered if Zuko ever really paid attention to his sister when they were children. Based on his view of her recent painting excursions, clearly not. Zuko only paid attention to what was important to him. Lately that list included: his mother, his sister (guilt), his nation, and she isn't certain but probably that geisha whore.
"Zuko, Azula painted at Royal Academy when were kids."
"What, really?"
Mai rolled her eyes. "We each had to partake in an extra-curricular activity. I chose shuriken, Ty Lee chose Tai Chi, and Azula took up painting."
"She never told me." Mai shrugged, it wasn't like she had a reason to. They weren't close after she returned from the Academy.
"I didn't see any paintings when she came home." Zuko was skeptical, Azula painted when they were kids? Wasn't she too busy with her firebending?
"Maybe she hid her paintings. I can't picture Ozai as a guy who enjoyed the simpler things." Katara really couldn't picture Ozai as anything other than a tyrannical bastard. In light of Azula's breakdown she managed to piece together a puzzle. Azula must of had a bad childhood. It didn't help when Zuko told her about his conversation with Ozai about Azula's mental collapse. Ozai didn't give a damn.
Sokka was perplexed. Azula drew all of these? Azula did leisure activities? He had to admit they were very good. He honestly thought she spent her time plotting and planning to kill Zuko in his sleep. At one time, he thought she ate little children for breakfast. He still didn't quite see how any of this applied to them.
"I don't get it. What exactly are we supposed to do?"
"I was hoping for some ideas?"
"Well the Kyoshi Warriors watch over her as well, right? What have they said about this?"
Sokka flinched at Aang's inquiry. Ever since Suki and the warriors came to guard Zuko, he and Suki hadn't been seeing eye to eye. Not that any of that was his fault, her attitude did a complete three-sixty on him a few months ago. He was beginning to grow suspicious.
Aang eyed Sokka apolegically, while Katara patted his arm for support. It was almost common knowledge that there was trouble in paradise for Sokka and Suki. Unless constant arguing, and doors slamming, and muttered curses were a new way to keep a relationship going. Zuko eyed Sokka warily with an unknown emotion before responding.
"Suki told me the same thing. She's quiet and unresponsive." Zuko wasn't certain if he should detail that any further. It was an uncomfortable topic with Sokka and Mai in the room.
Mai's face remained unchanged, hiding her unseen wild emotions. She supposed she couldn't really be angry. She was the one who requested for the Kyoshi Warriors to defend the palace. Assassination attempts were no joke, and at the time she needed a good team of trained warriors to defend Zuko. It may have possibly backfired on her.
"Somebody should talk to her."
Toph wasn't sure what advice to give. Maybe if someone took the time out to talk to her, maybe she would be willing to come out of her silence.
"But who? I'm her brother and she clearly isn't trying to talk to me!" Who wants the pressure of facing the fire princess?
"I don't know."
Aang doubted she wanted to speak to him, he was responsible for her father's demise. He wasn't sure how she'd react to Katara, Toph made it clear with the suggestion it wasn't going to be her, and he couldn't see Sokka talking to her.
While Zuko and the others were finishing up with lunch, Azula was finishing a new piece. It was magnificient! She spent hours going over the finer details, and now it's all coming together.
Dipping her brush into a bowl of black paint, Azula began stroking lightly across what appeared to be many chains apprehending minature blue flames. It was much harder to draw than it sounded. She didn't draw the fire in the way fire would normally look. The flames were scarce and appeared to be dull. The chains in the picture were far more vivid.
The chains were clumped messily across a stone flooring of grey tiles and the flames peaked up through them. In the right corner of the painting, was a window like object with a glimmer of sunlight peeking through. It gave sustenance to the painting, a deeper meaning. Azula wasn't exactly sure why she decided to include it in the painting, but it felt right.
Azula placed her paintbrush down and moved back to observe her painting. Deeming it above satisfaction, she immediately rang for Xia, before moving to wash her hands of lingering paint. In the weeks after her return to the palace, she slowly developed a cordial relationship with Xia, her hand maiden. Xia, appeared to be all about more than just her work, she seemed to careabout Azula's welfare. Azula wasn't quite sure what to make of her kindness (she ate the fruits she left) but it was convenient. She supposed she was trustworthy enough to be allowed to handle her pieces. Approximately ten minutes later, Xia entered the princess's pavillion.
"Yes, princess?"
"Xia, could you hang this painting out in the garden? It needs to dry in sunlight."
Azula wasn't really worried it would be seen by Zuko. But it would be nice if he didn't see, he already asked too many questions about her silence. Azula scoffed mentally. She wasn't depressed! She made a "breakthrough" like her doctor said. So what if she liked quietness, she was just fine, mostly.
"Certainly, princess."
Xia picked the painting up as carefully as possible and made her way back towards the main palace area to the garden. Azula had set a table up not too far from the pond for her paintings to dry out on sunny days. Xia had just made it to the entrance of the garden, when she spotted some of her Lord's guest lounging about.
Katara approached her.
"Hello Xia."
"Lady Katara."
"It's just Katara, Xia."
Xia smiled somewhat uncomfortably before moving towards the table to place the painting down. Katara followed her, in turn gaining Sokka and Aang's attention as well. Toph had left the dining room with Mai for some reason.
"What's that?"
"The princess has finished another art piece and it needs to dry." Xia carefully smoothed the painting out so it would dry neatly, before turning and making her way back into the palace. Katara frowned at the dark images. Sokka glanced down at the painting.
"That is creepy."
Aang stared at the painting sadly. He wondered if these paintings described how Azula felt on a daily basis. The paintings in the dining hall were not half as worrying as this one. It's very likely she gave Zuko the more "normal" one's to keep him off her. Well maybe that's a bit farfetched, Zuko called them here to help Azula. But still...
Katara was sure that this, if not her former insanity in the asylum was more than enough evidence the princess needed an intervention. But how to go about that when she wasn't exactly cooperative?
Sokka glared at the painting. Honestly, he was starting to understand what Zuko meant. If she was in the midst of a conspiracy this would be easier to deal with. 'She's clearly depressed, but what are we supposed to do about it?'
And then Sokka had the craziest idea, but maybe it wasn't entirely crazy but it was a warm distraction from the bullshit with Suki.
"You guys, I think I should go talk to her."
"Let me see if I understood this correctly. You want to go talk to Azula?" The thinly veiled insult to his intelligence was duly noted.
Zuko was flabbergasted. After lunch he went to meet with his council on the trade agreements for the post-war reparations. Surprisingly, that went well. Usually his councilman were determined to find ways to one-up his decisions, but lately they've managed to work together. He was all set to enjoy the rest of his day and maybe spend some time with Suki. He most certainly did not expect to come out to hear Sokka be the one to volunteer to talk to Azula.
"Yeah, me."
Sokka found himself glaring at Zuko. And just what exactly was he trying to imply? He was just as good (if not better) than the next person.
Katara found herself glaring at Zuko as well. Her brother was more than capable of handling the task. It was really no different than anybody else taking a chance with Azula, and yet Zuko made it seem like he was a bad pick.
Zuko was certain this idea had fifty shades of "no" on it but he'd bite. He supposed in a way he owed Sokka. Technically he was the cause for the poor man's woes lately. "Alright, if that's what you want to do. I guess."
Katara, ignoring Zuko, turned to her brother in concern. "Sokka are you sure you want to do this alone? I mean, I could come with you." Katara wasn't scared that Azula would harm her brother but she wasn't sure if Sokka should go by himself.
Sokka shook his head. "Naw, I'm good. She's already withdrawn, too much pressure would just make her anxious."
Aang was slightly shocked, but smiled his approval. "That's great Sokka. Maybe she'll listen, we should hope for the best."
Mai and Toph stood in disbelief. "Well Snoozles, I'll write your will."
Sokka glared at Toph, "My will? I'm not going to die! And-hey-wait a minute! You can't see!"
Toph could have died of laughter. Mai just shook her head.
"Well, good luck with that."
"Thanks, Mai."