Chapter one:
An acrobat's remorse:
It had been about 4 years since the end of the 100 year war, when Avatar Aang had defeated the treacherous Ozai. Zuko took the throne from Azula and Ozai and became Fire Lord, with Mai as his Fire Lady.
Katara and Aang had gotten together, Sokka stayed with Suki, and Toph was "just friends" with The Duke. Peace was spreading around the world and the GAang could rest peacefully…except for Ty Lee.
Ty Lee was a skilled acrobat who studied the art of chi blocking. She was also Azula's friend…at least, she had been Azula's friend…until the Boiling Rock incident. Ty Lee's aura had become a dull pink since the end of Sozin's comet. Remorse. Sure she was happy on Kyoshi Island, she had made tons of new friends but somewhere in her heart she felt empty…ruined.
Right now, Ty Lee was sitting under Ursa's favorite tree in the courtyard, the one near the turtle-duck pond. Ty Lee stared into the empty pool of clear liquid, her reflection showed another than her own. Azula. Ty Lee sighed and looked up at her newly acquired friends, Aang, Sokka, Katara, Toph, and Suki.
Ty Lee couldn't help but feel worse than Mai usually was right now, her life was great yes, but it didn't feel entirely complete. A piece was missing to the puzzle. "Hey, I'm going out to town for a little while, that okay? I just need to get up and…stretch a little." Ty Lee said, plastering a fake smile on her soft featured face. "Okay, sure. Hey, while your out can you get some food too?" Katara asked, looking somewhat guilty for asking Ty Lee to do her errands. "Of course, no problem at all, I might be a little late though." Ty Lee said, turning to walk away.
Trying to act a little bit casual, Ty lee broke into a run and sprinted to the very gates surrounding the palace's grounds. Ty Lee turned to the right and dashed of that way, towards the prison tower. Ty Lee flashed her pass to the guards outside and walked down the damp, poorly lit winding corridor until she reached Azula's cell.
It was guarded by Imperial firebenders and Ty Lee had a little more trouble getting in, but after a little persuasion she managed to enter the dark cell. It looked like most of the cells did but it was a bit brighter and there was a full cot in the corner of the enlarged cage. It was still a pretty bad living condition though.
"Azula, it's me, Ty Lee." Nothing but silence filled the already depressing atmosphere. "Azula, please talk to me. I need you in my life…I'm alo-" before Ty Lee could finish her sentence, Azula's lithe frame came rushing forward, face pressed against the cold metal bars. "What could you possibly want with me? Nobody even remembers…or knows if I'm still alive!" Azula screamed eyes wide and crazed and strangely glassy. Ty Lee gave her a look of concern. "No one ever remembers the psychotic one in the family! They just leave her to rot in a cell…to live the rest of her life in cold isolation!" Azula's voice was now barely a whisper as she finished her sentence. Tears fell to the floor in a subtle quietness and shaky breaths broke the long past silence. "Azula, I…I'm so sorry I left you all those years ago. I never meant to hurt you." Ty Lee shook her head in regret, sorrow washing over her.
"Of course you didn't. You just wanted to see how long it would take to make me crack. Well, congratulations, you succeeded." Azula said, her biting sarcasm stung Ty Lee. "Just leave me alone! I don't need anyone else…I'm alone in this world!" Azula turned her back to Ty Lee, looking over her shoulder, her eyes were venomous now. Ty Lee persisted. "No, Azula. You aren't alone. You have me…you have everyone on your side." Azula loosened a bit, her shoulders relaxing.
Ty Lee reached into the separated part and laid her hand on Azula's shoulder. No reaction, that was good right? "Ty Lee, why do you even try? I'm a lost cause." Azula said, releasing a passive sigh. "Because I know that you're not." Ty Lee said, pulling Azula's back to the steel bars and embracing her friend. "Ty…I'm so ashamed of myself. I should never have locked you up because of one little outrageous burst of anger. I'm so, so sorry." Azula said, her hands hesitantly latched onto Ty Lee's arms as if they might just disappear. "Don't worry, 'Zula. I'm not going anywhere. In fact, I'm going to get people to help you." Ty Lee said, smiling into Azula's back.
"Lady Ty lee, your time is up." A guard looked in through the slit in the door. Ty Lee nodded and turned back to a worried Azula. "I have to go now, but don't worry; I'll keep coming back even if they ban me from doing so." Ty Lee said, confidence in her voice. "But…" Azula began but was cut off by an unexpected kiss to the cheek. It was light but loving. "I'll be back. Trust me." Ty Lee said, pulling away from the former princess's face.