Ch 1: The Imposter

Azula shivered in the dark, trying to ascertain her location and how she got there. Suddenly a chill ran down her spine as a voice reached her ears.

"You are in the dragonbone catacombs, princess Azula" The voice was serpentine and harsh, hissing out the words through raspy breaths.

Suddenly the torches began to light one by one along the stone walls of the catacombs. Lighting the murals which depicted the story of the Kemurikage spirits. The very same spirits she had been impersonating before she'd disappeared two years before.

Azula shot up, looking for the source of the voice but found nothing but the pictures on the walls. She looked up at the mural, running her hands across the cool stone, following the storyline.

She reached the end panel, there was an unlit torch, she narrowed her eyes and sent a spark to the torch but it would not light. She huffed and walked closer, gasping when she stepped into the dark and saw them…

"The Kemurikage…..N...no" She breathed as the figures glided around her at an inhuman pace.

"Yo...you're not real," She said pressing her body against the cold wall and away from the spirits.

"You are the imposter here" The voice hissed, it was coming from one of the Kemurikage.

"You have impersonated us and now you must pay your penance," They said as she sent sparks of lighting at them in vain as it went through the spectors and caused no harm.

"I've been haunted by worse things than you! If you're going to kill me….DO IT! " She ground out through gritted teeth.

"Now now, they didn't come all the way from the spirit world for that," a familiar voice said as a familiar figure walked toward her.

"Uncle Iroh?!" She gasped, eyes wide.

"Hello Azula," He said softly before giving her a hug. It was the sort of hug she'd longed for since she was a child, though she only stiffened at the contact.

"Azula, my friends from the spirit world have agreed to spare your life if you pay them penance," He said looking at his niece seriously.

"You're not real, I'm clearly hallucinating or having a nightmare" She spat, crossing her arms.

"I'll wake up soon enough" She added.

Suddenly she was thrown back several meters, a Kemurikage spirit standing over her menacingly as she rubbed her shoulder, where she landed and coughed roughly as the air returned to her lungs.

"You impersonated us, terrorized children and tried to harm your own brother. Your ancestors have done much harm to the balance of the Earth and it stops with you. The heavenly spirits have shown us your true destiny and we will allow you to fulfill it, however, you will pay your penance first" The spirit said forcefully.

"You will pay your penance or you will come to the spirit realm and you will not have as pleasant an experience as you may think. You will have many lessons to learn in this life yet and you must learn them in the harshest of ways if you do not pay your penance" The voice was even more menacing.

She noted that her uncle was next to her now.

"You must listen Azula. Your parents failed you and I'm sorry for that and you never let me get through to you, I am sorry I did not try harder but I will try now" He said solemnly looking in her eyes with conviction.

"What do you want?" She was angry, her eyes wild.

"Azula, you will help your brother defeat your father and bring peace to the United Republic" The old man stated

"I will not, besides father is in prison" She hissed.

"No, Azula. Your father was broken out of prison last night. He was taken by a group known as the Phoenix King's Guard. They mean to put Ozai in power again by using an energy vortex provided by an approaching comet to restore his bending. They say that the comet may give him powers that rival the Aang's. This comet only comes to Earth every thousand years and will be ten times more powerful than the comet known as Sozin's Comet. You will finish healing your wounds child and you will help your brother and the Avatar bring peace" Another voice had spoken. It came from the shadows. It was serious.

Azula looked up in shock as she met the eyes of someone she'd only seen in paintings.

"Gre..great-grandfather So...Sozin" She breathed, sliding up the rock wall. She stood but felt her knees weaken in awe.

"You will not follow in my footsteps on Earth, you will heal your inner wounds and help herald in peace and the safety of the United Republic. You will stop your father and his followers, they are aided by an ancient spirit called Kaitsu, he is even older than Koh. Kaitsu was imprisoned by an avatar many lifetimes ago and wants to help stop the next incarnation. He was the one who informed your father and his followers about the comet. During the last visit from the comet, the Earth was set out of balance by a catastrophic event, the early Earth benders were almost wiped out" He said forcefully as she looked on in shock.

He reached out and took her hand roughly. Suddenly she found herself in a green clearing surrounded by forest on all sides, she glowed blue.

The spirits surrounded her, it was a dark night but she was bathed in moonlight in the spirit realm.

"The…..spirit realm" She whispered.

"Yes Azula, when you fully heal your mind and soul, you will be able to come here at will, just like me" Her uncle Iroh's spirit chuckled.

She had tried to reach this place many times during her treatment on Turtle Island. She'd checked herself into treatment of her own accord just after disappearing from Zuko.

The asylum Zuko sent her to was a horrible place. Guards took liberties touching her body though that stopped early on when she sent one to the grave when he took his touching too far. It was a place where she had been neglected and tortured.

She was told of a place called Turtle Island by her grandmother Ilah in a dream. She followed the instructions given by the spirit in dream time and found the giant lion turtle. There she found Guru Pathik already waiting for her. He said that he was meant to help her. There were a few benders from all of the nations seeking treatment for mental illness from a Guru Pathik and his assistants, gifted spiritual healers.

She had stayed for two years and then had been released and proclaimed healed by the guru and his assistants after a rigorous trial. When she was out, she didn't know where to go so she headed home. One moment she was in the family graveyard about to fall asleep at her grandmother's grave and suddenly she found herself in the catacombs ... and now she was in the spirit realm.

Her treatment with Guru Pathik included meditation and spiritual therapy and though she was able to do some very good healing work on herself, including different modes of meditation, opening and attuning her chakras and yoga, she had never been able to reach the spirit realm.

She had always hoped to speak to her grandmother, Azulon's wife who had taken care of Azula and doted on her as a child. Ilah was a beautiful and good woman. She believed that each person had an equal amount of good and evil inside therefore she tried to instill love and compassion into Azula's heart and it had worked. However, her early death deterred her efforts and Ozai's insistence to have Azula near to him and Ursa 's fear of the child allowed the darkness in her to take over.

Ilah was the reason Iroh had been such a balanced man, even Ozai was able to let his light side shine more often when she was alive, however, her death sent him on a spiral into darkness, one he was never able to return from. He had spent a week locked in his room after his mother's death, even Ursa was not allowed in his chambers while he mourned his beloved mother.

Ilah also kept her husband Azulon in the light, however, he too succumbed to darkness when his beloved died of a plague she'd contracted after visiting an orphanage. She had been the only person Azulon had ever truly loved. Though he did love Azula, she was almost a replica of him in the female form, their baby paintings were indistinguishable. It was his love for Azula that made him choose Zuko as a sacrifice for Ozai's punishment.

Azula's mind returned from its wanderings and suddenly she felt so tranquil in that moment, in the spirit realm, the voices that once haunted her were gone and she could think clearly. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of tranquillity provided by the spirit realm.

"Why do you still linger on thoughts of conquest? You're so used to them, aren't you? You have moved past it spiritually, now it's time for your mind to catch up" One voice spoke as she looked up at the moon, she could feel the peace radiating from it.

"I...it was supposed to be my destiny" She responded softly.

"No…..it was the destiny your father wanted for you, my foolish second son never outgrew his darkness. My little love, your destiny is much bigger than conquest, it is to preserve the peace and help save the avatar" Azula's eyes shot open as she looked on in awe at the beautiful face she'd only remembered from paintings but she knew it was the younger face of her beloved granny whom she knew very well.

"Gran...Granny" She breathed.

"Hello, my beautiful child" Ilah hugged her granddaughter's spirit and held her. Azula held her grandmother and sobbed harshly while holding the woman.

"Granny I...I...mi...missed you so much...I...I was so sad when you left us" She was sobbing while her grandmother stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

Azula sighed softly into her grandmother's shoulder and furrowed her brows as she noted a necklace around her grandmother's neck.

She looked into the woman's eyes and suddenly her memory triggered a thought.

"You...you had blue eyes…..crystal blue….I remember" Her eyes widened in shock as she looked at the woman. Realization washed over her.

"The….water tribe….are you from the water tribe?" She breathed.

"Yes my child, I was from the Northern Water Tribe, I was a princess. Azulon, your grandfather came to our kingdom on a raid and was injured. I found him while I was out hunting with my brother. He was so handsome and very hurt so I healed and saved him. While I nursed him back to health in secret, we fell in love and I ran away to the fire nation with him. He was a prince and I a princess, therefore, we were allowed to marry and that is why the fire nation stayed out of the North for so long. However, I was forced to assimilate into the fire nation, leaving my heritage behind. Even my own children did not know of my origins and each time I gave birth I prayed that they would be firebenders as I was warned that any water bending children would be thrown into the sea by Sozin. When my daughter was born, between your uncle Iroh and your father, she opened her crystal blue eyes and I was so afraid. She was so tiny and so helpless, she was a waterbender I could feel it and so could the fire sages. Your great-grandfather ordered her thrown into the sea. Thankfully one of my nursemaids and her husband who was one of the most trusted royal guards risked their lives and faked throwing her into the sea. Instead they took her from the palace and gave her to my brother who had no children and so my daughter Yulah went on to be wed to Arnook who became chief of the Northern Water Tribe." Ilah smiled down at her granddaughter as the girl examined her necklace.

"Your grandfather Azulon carved it for me when he asked me to marry him, he was young and we were so in love, he asked my brother for help since he didn't understand the custom. He was so kind and loving as a husband." Ilah looked up at the moon with a smile.

"My beautiful grandchildren" Ilah whispered.

"Your cousin is the moon spirit, Azula" She added.

" I did not know when I visited the Northern water tribe that I had come face to face with my own sister and my niece, the moon spirit." Iroh added softly. Azula noted that she'd forgotten her uncle was with her.

"Wha…?" Azula did not know of princess Yue or of how her brother had visited the Northern Water Tribes but it was a story for another time.

"I'm sorry I failed you Azula, I wanted to help you, just like Zuko but I failed. Now I will help you undo the damage your father has done to you." Iroh spoke softly, smiling at his mother

Azula's thoughts took her to a memory of her father holding her as a toddler. He was not gentle or caring, he held her as if she were an object and spoke to her with force.

"You are strong, you will be a leader and a conqueror. You will not let love weaken you" He bit out in her memory.

She shook her head remembering how her father used to treat her after her grandmother Ilah died, he instilled fear in her and it hardened her from the time she was small, he taught her to reject her mother's affection and to compete with her brother, to terrorize others with fear.

"He was wrong to do this to you Azula. I am sorry I was not there. I am sorry my son hurt you. I love you Azula" Her grandmother hugged her and then began to fade away.

"I must return to your grandfather now Azula, we will meet again. Be strong and fight the darkness" Azula reached out as her grandmother's spirit faded.

"N...no nooo!" She panicked but suddenly she was floating in a pond on her back, the water was soothing, silvery and cool.

She noted the water rippled, her gaze lifted and she saw a girl, she was young, her hair was white, she had dark skin and Azula noted that she and the girl had the same smile. The girl was dressed like a waterbender but she was clearly a spirit.

"Who are you?" She asked in awe, noting the relaxation in her voice though she felt as though it should come out more forcefully.

"I'm Yue, I am the moon, we are cousins. Ilah and Azulon were also my grandparents" The woman smiled.

"Hmp" Azula huffed noting the strange feeling going through her body.

"You feel it don't you?" The girl said smiling

"Feel what?" Azula was surprised at how tranquil she felt.

"The fear, it's leaving you, draining into the pool. All of the madness, fear, and anguish your father gave you is draining from you. The moon is healing you. You have healed your mind but the latent energy remains, now it is being drained." The spirit smiled at the princess.

"You're a child of the sun and the moon. The legends say that the first spirits of the moon and the sun were in love and that the other spirits were so jealous of their love that they were separated. Then the ocean and moon spirits went to the Earthly realm so that the moon could see her beloved's shine each day, like our grandparents…..grandmother went to the Fire Nation, Sun and Moon together as they always have been. You are a gift from the moon to the sun. You are being healed because you have a part to play in the union of the sun and the moon on Earth, again, it is in you. You and the avatar will save the United Republic" Her smile was soft and loving.

"Hmmp" Azula raised an eyebrow noting the feelings of bliss she felt, her body felt so good, too good to be concerned with the words of the spirit woman.

"You will see, your heart will open now that the fear is gone. You are made of love, remember your heart chakra lesson with the guru" She smiled at Azula.

The princess did not register the words, she was too busy drinking in the feelings of tranquility as the pain and fear oozed out of her.

"You will feel more and more tranquil as the days go by Azula, as your heart opens. If you ever feel lost or afraid come and find me in the sky. I love you my cousin, the girl with my smile" Yue kissed Azula's forehead and she was gone.

Azula felt herself floating in the air and slowly drift down, soon there was grass under her. She sat up and crossed her legs.

Suddenly her uncle was in front of her. "Azula, you have a large part to play in keeping the peace and strengthening the United Republic" He looked on at her, she was tranquil and her soul was already healing.

"You will need to help protect your brother and the water benders, they are our people too," He said as Azula looked on at him.

"My grandfather, your great-grandfather sought out to kill all of the airbenders in order to stop the avatar and another, similar plot is brewing. They are planning to break the cycle by eliminating the water tribes and then killing Ang while he is in the avatar state. They are also planning on killing Zuko in order to take full control of the fire nation " Iroh studied his niece to gauge her reaction.

"And why should I care?...I mean they won't succeed so I don't need to worry about it. " She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned noting a slight pang in her chest as she let the words out. It had been like a reflex for her, reacting that way but she was changing. She remembered her trial with the guru and relaxed letting the love flow in and the fear flow out.

"I…." She felt so strange, she did care. She felt strange when she thought of the water benders being killed.

"I….I feel so sad" She said wiping her eyes.

"I don't want them to die...gr….granny's people….." She breathed as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"That is compassion, given to you by the moon and accepted by you due to all of your hard work and training with the guru," Iroh said gently.

"This…..I …...I am not weak for letting love in" She whispered as tears rolled down her eyes. Repeating the words that her guru had said to her over and over.

"Yes Azula, love makes you stronger than you ever have been" He said putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Let the emotions in" he said softly.

She nodded and clutched her chest. Breathing steadily after a few moments.

"Now now, I know I have taught you to let your emotions in" A familiar voice called out chuckling.

"Gu...guru" She said looking up at the man who helped her heal.

"Welcome to the spirit realm Azula, I am happy to see you here. You are now ready to fulfill your destiny" He said softly.

"You are a good person inside, you love your brother and you will fulfill your destiny" He added.

She nodded "I never wanted to hurt him. He….after granny died and grandfather too and mother left, he was all I had...But….but I had to be better than him...fa...father said...He said love was weakness." She cried as she let the tears roll down her cheeks, sniffling and sobbing.

"I'm sorry" She cried, it was not like her to apologize but the emotions that flooded her were strong and she didn't have the voices brought on by the pressure and anxiety.

"You are already healing," Iroh said comforting his niece.

"We must return to the realm of the living now Azula and you must go to Zuko and ask for forgiveness" He was watching her as she looked up at him from the ground

"Do not worry Azula, I will see you again soon, remember, do not let your mind become stormy again, accept the tranquility" and with that the Guru was gone.

"He'll never forgive me, he'll throw me in the cell father escaped from" She whispered as tears rolled down her cheeks.

"No, Azula, I have already spoken to him, he loves you no matter how much you try and push him away. Come on now, it's time to return" Iroh took her hand and suddenly she was back in the catacombs.

She woke quickly as the embers from the torch above her singed her clothing, the smoke hit her nostrils.

She rose slowly, holding her head in her hands. "That had to be a dream" She muttered holding her head.

She was pulled out of her daze by a hissy breath coming from the darkened corner where the last mural panel stood.

"Fine, we'll go see Zuzu and pay penance," She said raising an eyebrow at the spirits depicted on the panel.

She squinted as she looked across the tunnel to the opposite wall, there were no torches on that side. She picked up one of the torches and looked on ins awe as she followed the storyline on the mural.

"Not a dream" She quipped to herself as she reached the end of the mural.

"Interesting isn't it" Azula turned around and froze as her uncle brought her in for a hug.

"You see this mural tells the story of the Sea Dragon, born of the sun and the moon. It is said that she would take the form of a woman who could bend both water and fire" He motioned to her.

"That can't be me, I wouldn't know the first thing about water bending, besides. Wouldn't that have been my aunt Yulah, her mother was the moon and father sun" Azula looked on at the panels in awe.

"No Azula, look at the panel, the Sea Dragon has yellow eyes. Yula and Yue had blue eyes. You are the first female from the line of Ilah and Azulon with yellow eyes. See the blue dragon learns fire first and the fire is blue like water then she learns water" His smile was soft as she realized what this meant.

"Here, this belonged to my mother, your granny. I found this in a box of her things, it was carved by your grandfather Azulon, for whom you are named. Granny wants you to have it." He handed Azula a necklace with their water tribe family insignia on it. She noted that it looked like the one Yue wore. It was the sign of their shared matrilineal heritage.

Azula and Iroh made their way through the secret chambers to the castle, she noted they were the ones she'd used as a child to escape to the cemetery. Her secret place, she would cry for Ilah and often fall asleep on the grave.

"Hmp, still no guards" She huffed noting her brother's lack of security in the most vulnerable areas in the palace.

"No wonder they were able to free father" She huffed before being led by her uncle to the area where the Kyoshi warriors were.

"Iroh," One of the painted women said.

"Hello Ming Xiu, the princess has returned home from exile" Iroh smiled as the woman nodded and went to inform the rest of the guards.

"My princess, Hanako will be your personal guard," another Kyoshi warrior said as she presented a woman to Azula.

"Do you bend?" Azula asked cooly.

"Yes my princess, I bend Earth," She said proudly.

"Good, be sure to have my gowns pressed and left ready for the morning. I'll see you in the morning uncle" She said as she stalked away in the direction of her brother's room.

"Bu…" The Kyoshi warrior started.

"Thank you, Hanako" Azula cut her off with a sweet smile and words of thanks. The girl huffed and made her way to Azula's bedroom to fetch her gowns.

"Now to find Zuzu" she whispered with a smirk.