A lone man walked toward the guardsman. Hey! You there! He called out to him. Sorry but visiting hours are over. He said. You'll just have to stop by tomorrow.

The man smiled- no smirked- at the guard. Oh no, sorry i'm not here to visit, i'm here to pick someone up.

Oh sorry. May I ask who exactly? He asked warily. something about this guy was off he was sure of it.

The man's smirk changed into a pleasant smile as he answered. I'm here for Princess Azula.

The guard pointed the tip of his spear at the man and glared. No one is allowed to visit her, let alone take her out of here, Fire Lord Zuko's Orders. He growled.

The man's smile dropped now replaced with a glare of malice. If you want to remain breathing I suggest that you let me in there. He threatened.

I am going to ask you once: Leave the premises. He said pointing the spear up at the other man.

The man grinned evilly. I was hoping that you'd say something like that. Then in one fluid movement he punched the guard in his stomach, then followed up with a punch to his face knocking him out cold.

Know this fool: You only remain alive because you were only following orders- You had no choice. He looked over at the spear- which he had dropped when he was punched in the stomach- and grinned. Extending his hand and splaying his fingers he watched as the weapon flew into his hand. He examined the weapon for a moment before snapping it with his bare hands.

Dropping it he added. But your friends might not be so lucky.

Grinning, the man walked into the asylum.

Groggily Azula opened her eyes and stared into the darkness for a moment trying to focus.

The drugs that the doctors had given her to suppress her bending was doing it's job and then some. Her mind was a jumbled mess, her vision was blurry, and for some reason she could hear something pounding against her wall. It was like a thudding sound accompanied by moans of pain.

Hmm I wonder what could possibly be making so much noise in the dead of night... It sounds like someone's trying to escape. She chuckled deliriously at the thought. Who would be crazy enough to try and escape from here? She laid her head back for a few minutes dismissing the thought, then a small poke of light in a see of darkness caused her eyes widen. The sounds coming from outside her room had stopped suddenly and without warning.

Slowly the door to her room began to open bathing the room in torchlight. Azula's eyes shut instinctively protecting her eyes from the bright lights.

A gasp could be heard from where she knew the door was. It was male in tone and sounded as if it was one of her age.

Princess Azula? It said shocked.

Yes. She groggily answered. That is me.

Spirits, you look awful princess.

Azula opened her eyes ignoring the light and glared at the man standing before her.

What did you just say? She asked silent fury hidden behind calm composer.

Nothing princess Azula. He says standing straight up at attention.

Here Azula finds that she can now see her visitor. He was a weak looking man with only slightly defined muscles, his hair was a dark brown, his eyes were a lighter shade of brown, and his clothes were in tatters- no doubt from the fight on the way here, no one but ZuZu had visited her since her incarnation almost three months ago- he was handsome even she had to admit that. Suddenly Azula had a thought and a dark one at that.

Why are you here? She asks apprehensively.

Princess Azula of the fire nation, he knelt, I am here to free you. If that is what you want. He said respectfully.

Azula cocked her head feeling much more awake than she was before. Oh really? How do I know that you wont just kill me?

Because I want the same thing you do- Revenge. Azula finished for him.

Yes the avatar nearly got me killed during the war and now that it's over I am jobless. His tone only grew more enraged as he continued Azula noted.

Now I have the power to fight back, but I hope to reinstate you as the fire lord so I may return to my old life. He finished looking up at her and grinning wickedly.

Free me. She commanded coldly.

He stood up and tore the restraints with ease.

How did you do that? Azula asked a twinge of fear in her voice.

He looked at the restraint and said: I Have built something- something amazing- it grants me increased strength, speed, and agility, they are in this. He tears his shirt of with one hand revealing another shirt below it! This shirt glowed with a slight blue tint and seemed to be tight against his body.

That explains how you got in her she says taking a step forward- and lurching now that the initial fear response was gone. Her face was inches from the ground when suddenly she stopped falling.

An arm wrapped around her and pulled her to her feet.

Princess are you alright? He asks concerned.

I'm fine. She replied tersely shrugging him off her and taking another step, which caused the world to spin again. Azula leaned against the wall to regain her balance and felt her arm being lifted over his shoulder. She opened her mouth to tell him off but he cut her off.

Azula I know ho much you don't like showing weakness, which is why I knocked out possibly killed every guard that got in my way- which was probably all of them. He grinned at his own false-joke and Azula huffed. Just get me out of here. She replied tiredly.

Fire Nation Royal palace 2 1/2 months ago.

Zuko you need to choose: me or the meeting?! Zuko's wife Mai yelled pointing at herself then the door.

Mai I can't make that decision you know that. Zuko the Fire Lord and husband of Mai replied gently.

Yes you can Zuko. Mai said softer now.

Mai please don't make me choose. He pleaded.

It's too late Zuko you already have. She said coldly then walked out the door stiffly.

Zuko wanted to call out to her but couldn't he simply couldn't.

He took a shaky breath and went inside to the meeting.

Present day

Prince Zuko? His butler knocked on his door which interrupted Zuko's sobs.

This had better be important. He said shakily.

It is sire. Your sister princess Azula has escaped.

WHAT! Zuko roared.

Author's note: And so Azula's rise to power begins next chapter we open up with Zuko screaming at anything that so much as breathed. So you may b e wondering about Mai leaving. Rest assured this becomes important in the later chapters as spoilers pairings will be zutarra, oczula, and a new thing I made up called tyang. Until next time true believers.