Azula was on her knees in front of the Avatar, with two guards at either side to make sure they were prepared for anything she had planned for them, although they weren't needed, but the 'United Council of The Elements' were not taking any chances, what idiots.
It had taken two years of therapy to get through to her with the help of Aang, it wouldn't have worked without him, at least she was sure of it. Her therapy started off terribly because those idiot doctors in the mental institute had no idea how to 'help' her in becoming better, they gave her medication that only made her feel worse, useless therapy sessions that had made no progress whatsoever, if she could firebend at that time then she would've killed the lot of them, but she couldn't since her chi flow was disrupted and therefore blocked. It was a nightmare to be in that white room with a straight-jacket, facing all of her nightmares, her mother being the prominent one, and she was sure she was becoming even more insane due to that place alone.
She was losing her mind, even then she could admit that to herself but that all changed one day when Aang came. He didn't like her then and the only reason he even came for a visit was because it was a favour to the Fire Lord, whatever that meant. He noticed her condition and decided to stick around longer to see how she was treated, how her therapy went, if she was getting better, boy was he surprised.
On the first day Aang was there to see her therapy sessions Azula went completely insane, thrashing, screaming, crying, everything a mad woman was capable of, although even to this day she couldn't really figure out what made her lose control of herself so much, maybe the sickening medication, maybe the wasteful talks with the doctors, maybe realizing that she had failed so badly and that she was in too deep to get herself out, maybe it was all those things but the result was still the same, she was nothing.
She didn't have a purpose anymore, she was the perfect princess that conquered Ba Sing Se without any casualties, a feat not even the most pristine Fire Nation generals could pull. She was a firebending prodigy, not even Zuko could beat her, alone anyway. She was many things but a failure wasn't one of them, that was then. Losing to Zuko because of the water peasant was the last straw in the balance of her psyche, her mother never loved her, Mai and Ty lee betrayed her, she was just a tool to her father, those were all the catalysts that spelled her downfall. Agni, everything was so clear in hindsight, how could she not see it?
From the day she lost control in the institute Aang took it upon himself to participate in her well being but Azula could easily see that he was doing this more for Zuko then herself, such selfishness.
She never liked anyone giving her pity and the Avatar was no different. She made his visits a nightmare, hell in the first few weeks when he started to come she would attack him when she could. It was a rough start because she refused his help, she refused anyone's help. Aang never gave up however and made it his mission to actually get to know her, Agni it was such an awkward experience. It started off slow, simple questions here and there, but gradually he would ask tougher questions, mainly about her past. She NEVER trusted anyone to know her, they could betray her, so it was safe to say that she rejected all his attempts. After a while Aang ordered the doctors not give her the medication anymore, which was the only thing she actually appreciated from him, she guessed that's when the minuscule amount of trust started.
For months he would come visit her and make sure she was comfortable, by the sixth month of his visit she was free of her straight-jacket. They started to interact more but she was still mentally unstable and often had relapses, that's when Aang started truly healing her. He wanted to unblock some her chi flow so she could have access to her firebending, although that was a stupid idea he told her that he trusted her enough to do this, stupid moron. When he touched her head something unexpected happened, his hand started to glow and she immediately felt a lot more calmer, it was a strange feeling really but it was a wonderful sensation none the less. Aang theorized that since her mental instabilty was the reason for her chi being blocked then in helping her chi flow he would also be helping her mind in the process. The sessions continued and in less then a year, her chi flow was back to normal and the nightmares stopped, not completely but it was good enough.
From there on their therapy started to get easier and Azula found herself doing something she vowed never to do, telling someone about her past. It was so horrible, reliving all those memories but Aang helped her every single bit of the way and never showed any discouragement to anything she said or did, he was just too nice for his own good, not that she was complaining.
Aang's pity quickly turn to admiration for the fallen princess, her upbringing was truly terrible, favouritism between parents, that never ended well. After one year her relationship with Aang was closer and more open, they would talk about anything they could to each other and that allowed for more trust and understanding.
Zuko's first visit wasn't a happy one but he didn't stop when he heard, from Aang, on the good progress she was making. She didn't trust Zuko at first but it changed overtime. She even asked him on one occasion why he would even visit someone who tried to kill him and he replied, " Because you're my sister, even after everything. Our parents weren't perfect and neither were we. I failed in my role of a big brother and I'm sorry." She didn't even know how to reply to that. How do you reply to that? After everything she had put him through she didn't expect that from Zuko and that's why she didn't believe what he said until Aang confirmed Zuko's care for her. It was awkward being around Zuko at first, so much bad blood between them but Zuko never stopped in trying to help her with the healing.
She soon became so much better and trusting that by the time Mai and Ty Lee came over, the latter apologising profusely and begging her not to throw their friendship away, she forgave them and apologised for putting them in such a predicament to choose, shocking the hell out of the two, even to this day that was a very funny memory. She even made amends with the rest of the gang, although Toph seemed to be the only one acting like she didn't try to fry them on occasion.
Her mother had returned but their relationship was still in progress, she didn't like Ursa yet but she didn't hate her anymore. As soon as Ursa returned from her banishment she immediately wanted to know how Azula was doing. The mother felt guilty for not properly being there for her own daughter and had been trying to make up for it ever since, for the past two months.
Everything seemed to be working out for Azula and she had been deemed, by Aang, stable enough that she didn't need therapy anymore, but things didn't last long.
Although Zuko was willing to forgive her past, other nations still wanted her head for her crimes. Zuko fought for her life every step and it was agreed that she would be allowed to live, without the ability to firebend. Zuko tried to change that but in the end the verdict was set. She was fine with it however, firebending used to be her only will to live but overtime she lost a need for it, she hadn't even used it after Aang unlocked her chi. She didn't want a life of constant battle, thanks to Aang, all she wanted was a life of peace. So now here she was, in the Fire Lord's chambers, with friends and family present, awaiting her fate.
"The judgement has been set. For the price of your life you must lose your firebending. I'm really sorry Azula," Aang said sadly. He didn't like this, not one bit. Azula had changed so much and people were still sticking to the past, he felt this was too unfair.
Azula gave a small smile in response. It didn't matter anymore, "It's okay Aang."
Aang approached her and then closed his eyes to concentrate. The guards parted her robe to expose part of her chest, and a little cleavage, so Aang can perform his task. Aang's tattoos started to glow and when he opened his eyes they were also glowing. He put one hand on her forehead and then the other on her chest.
"I'm sorry Azula," Zuko said remorsefully, he tried his best.
"Thanks for trying Zu Zu," Azula said smiling warmly at him, the nickname used to be used in distaste, but now it was more of an affectionate jab.
Zuko smiled softly at her but his heart still ached at the sight.
Ty Lee was sobbing on Mai's shoulder.
"It's going to be okay Azula. We'll be here for you when it's done," Ursa said as tears fell down her face, taking away someone's ability to bend was the same as taking a part of their soul.
Sokka, Katara, Suki and Toph all kept quiet, they felt like this was more of a family moment.
"I'm not about to die," Azula said rolling her eyes.
"Get ready, it will feel strange," Aang said then the glow started to increase until it covered both Aang and Azula.
Azula felt strange, like she wasn't really here, like she was floating. The process didn't hurt, it just felt out of the ordinary. She felt light headed, she couldn't really put it into words but she couldn't think of anything coherent. Her vision was red at first but then it started turning blue, All seemed to be going as planned until the strange floating sensation increased dramatically, like she was flying at top speeds into the sky. Her vision started to slowly turn violet and now she felt like she was plummeting to the ground at an unstoppable speeds.
"Is that supposed to be happening?" She heard her mother's voice ask.
"I'm not sure but out of all the people that Aang took bending from I have never seen something like this," that was Zuko, he actually sounded worried.
She heard rumbling and panicked voices.
"Somethings wrong!" Ursa said.
"Aang! What's going on!" That was a frightened Ty Lee.
Those were all the voices Azula could hear before her vision was engulfed in a blinding white light and her ears were met with the loudest screech she had ever heard. Her head was pounding, her ears felt like they were going to bleed, her heart was hammering a hundred times per second. When she couldn't take it anymore that's when her vision turned black and there was only silence.
"...Princess Azula...? Princess Azula?" A voice called gently and for a moment Azula thought she was dreaming. She felt exhausted, like she just didn't want to wake up. She kept her eyes closed and tried to put her thoughts together. She was in the process of losing her bending. Was it finished? Did Aang do the job? She couldn't feel anything on her forehead nor her chest. Her body felt momentarily numb.
"Please wake up princess, you are needed," that same voice continued and Azula groaned in protest. She felt like lead damn it! She slowly, groggery, opened her eyes and was met with an unexpected sight. She knew she was in her room because it looked exactly the same as she remembered it, nothing out of place, did they actually replace that mirror? Well she figured she would be here sooner or later. Maybe they put her here to give her time to recuperate before they sent her back to the 'white house'?
"Ah! You're awake! Good morning princess," Azula looked to the person who had greeted her and was met with a servant girl, bowing her head.
"Good morning..." Azula was a bit confused. How long was she out? Last time she checked it was night time when the process of taking her bending started.
"The Fire Lord would like to have an audience with you," The girl said.
"Can't Zuko wait? I'm really tired," Azula said then flopped back to her sleeping place on her bed, she was tired, Zuko could understand that.
"Prince Zuko my lady? He isn't here," the girl said in confusion.
"What do you mean?" Azula asked raising a brow at this girl. Did she just call Zuko...prince?
"He is still in his banishment. Fire Lord Ozai requests your presence immediately," the girl said, still confused on the princess's behaviour.
Azula bolted from her bed and just stared at the girl. Zuko banished? Fire Lord Ozai? What in Agni's name was going on here?
"Firelord Ozai?" Azula asked in trepidation, she must be hearing things, right?
"Yes, best we not waste time my lady," the girl said and clapped her hands, in walked a number of maids.
"Let's get you ready," the girl said.
Azula was too shocked to do anything but allow them to tend to her. Zuko was banished again? Her father was Fire Lord again? How long was she out for? How much has happened? How could she miss it all? She didn't know what to feel about this. On the one hand her view of Zuko had changed a lot, she saw him more as a brother now then before, he did so much for her when anyone else would've let her rot, so to find out that, in a sleep, her father somehow retained his power over the Fire Nation and Zuko had been banished again was a little nerve wrecking. She didn't idolize her father anymore, she meant nothing to him and that notion wasn't going to change any time soon but she still feared the man, especially since she didn't have her bending anymore...or did she? She could feel her chi flow and the inner flame within her. The maids were done tending to her and when she looked in the mirror she gasped. She looked no older than she did...two years ago! She had seen her reflection many times, even yesterday, and she didn't look anything like this! She looked fourteen again. This didn't make any sense. She was sixteen now, she knew she wasn't supposed to look like this, it's not like she had discovered a fountain of youth or something.
"Please princess, I implore you to make haste before Fire Lord Ozai loses his patience," the girl said nervously.
Azula was a bit torn in actually going to her father but she knew if she didn't go to him then he would soon come to her, which would be fatal. She straightened herself and made her way to the Fire Lord's chambers. Her heart was hammering. So many thoughts running in her head, possible punishments for failing, torture, or was he just waiting for her to wake up to kill her himself, she wouldn't put it past him. She approached the door to the chamber and the guards situated at either side of the door opened it for her to walk in. When she made her way inside she immediately viewed the similar scenery, the red fire, the familiar shadow of her father.
"Welcome Azula," Ozai's voice boomed from all around her.
"Father," Azula addressed wearily. What was this man planning for her?
"...I'm surprised to see that you're not bowing to me," Ozai said curiously, Azula seemed a bit...off.
"You summoned me here father," Azula continued, ignoring the fear that had risen in her heart.
Ozai decided not to think too much of this and just continued with the real objective, "Yes, as you know the Avatar has returned.l"
Something about this seemed very familiar and Azula was starting to get a bad feeling.
"Even though I had sent your brother to capture the Avatar he has acted irresponsible and I have deemed your Uncle and brother traitors to the Fire Nation. You are to capture them on sight and to kill the Avatar if an opportunity arrives. I am assigning this mission to you my daughter, Azula, princess of the Fire Nation" Ozai said.
Those words. She remembered those exact words been spoken to her more than two years ago and upon getting a closer look at her father she could see he looked exactly the same as he did that time. Could he fire bend as well? Aang took his bending away right? Judging by the fire surrounding him and not even touching his body she guessed he could.
"Will you take the mission?" Ozai asked after a pause. Something was definitely wrong with Azula.
"...Yes," She was buying herself some time to figure out just what on earth was going on here and agreeing to her father's terms would at least give her a start.
"Good, you may leave," Ozai said and watched his daughter leave his chambers.
She looked around herself. She wasn't being arrested, she wasn't being tortured, she wasn't being scolded and she definitely wasn't being killed right now. How? The father she knew would torture her at any mistake and she messed up royally when she lost to Zuko in the Agni Kai. This was so confusing. Zuko was banished... What about her mother? What about Mai and Ty Lee? What about Aang? She made her way to the palace gardens and stopped one of the maids there.
"Have you seen my mother?" Azula asked the woman.
"No princess, I can't say I have," the woman said.
"Are you sure?" Azula asked with a frown.
"Certainly my lady. Lady Ursa hasn't been seen here in Years, ever since Azulon's death," the woman said.
Azula paused. The pieces where slowly falling together and Azula was dreading where the conclusion was leading up to. She looked fourteen again, Zuko was banished, her mother hadn't been seen in years, ever since her grandfather's death. Alarm bells were ringing in her head. She just needed to know one more thing.
"What about Mai and Ty Lee," Azula asked in trepidation.
"I'm not sure I know any...Oh! Those two girls! Why I haven't seen them ever since you were just little children. You were all so cute together my lady," the woman gushed with faraway look.
Azula rolled her eyes but at least her suspicions were confirmed. Somehow she had come back to the past and she was reliving her days as the oh so perfect Fire Nation Princess. How is this possible? It couldn't be possible! This had to be a dream. She quickly pinched herself and hissed in pain. Nope, she wasn't dreaming this up.
"Are you alright princess?" the woman asked worriedly.
"Yeah I'm fine...?" Azula looked at the woman curiously.
"Yes?" The woman asked when she realized Azula was staring at her way too long.
"What's your name?" Azula asked curiously. The woman looked at her in shock and Azula had to refrain herself from rolling her eyes again, was she really that bad that people where surprised when she asked them for just their names alone?
"It's Maya," Maya said in shock. Azula never asked for anyone's name, especially if they were maids.
"I'll keep that in mind," Azula muttered then made her way back to her room. She went inside her room and immediately flopped on her bed. It was as if she was doing things all over again, well she was but she still couldn't believe it. How did this happen? Maybe it happened during the time Aang was taking her bending, people were panicking for crying out loud. If that was the case then why did it happen? Was it just a stupid mistake? An illusion? Or did this mean something else? A second chance maybe? Azula knew all too well that if she was indeed repeating time then she had the advantage of knowing what the future held, well their future but her present, she thinks. She could fix her mistakes because she knew what to expect, she didn't know everything but she knew mostly about her past failures.
"I could maintain my rule on Ba Sing Se," she mused, and she could, she would be better prepared for all possible scenarios and help the Fire Nation rule the world. No one would be able to stand in her way and she could now easily crush anyone who could oppose her because she knew how things would play out. She looked at her reflection in the mirrior. The same face, the same golden eyes, the same lips, the same hair, all belonging to the unstoppable Fire Nation Princess, she could be untouchable again. She sighed. That wasn't who she was anymore, thanks to Aang. With his help she was able to see all of her mistakes and misgivings, and there were a lot of them. She had caused so much pain then and it seemed that fate had somehow deemed her worthy of a redo. She didn't know where to start though, right now people would run at the very mention of her name, yeah even she could admit that she was just that scary. Nobody would trust her, Zuko didn't like her here, Aang didn't know her, Sokka and Katara still hated the Fire Nation, Toph...well you never knew with her, and her mother was still banished. So much to do and she was starting to get a headache. She decided to stop overloading information into her brain and get some much needed sleep, it didn't take long for the land of dreams to claim her.
AN:Let me know what you think. I do not own Avatar.