So Azula's husband is an OC who knew. The upcoming fanfics I'm submitting all came from a vivid dream thus my author name. My mother is amazed at how I come up with ideas mid-sleep and keep a notebook by my bed. I also forgot to mention Book 4: Air will be 3 parts, Exodus, Out of the Ashes, and Water and Fire is Air.
I do not own ATLA but I do own my vivid dreams
Book 4: Air: Exodus
Prologue part 3
Azula held her composure when she saw everyone she hadn't laid eyes on since Sozin's comet, The Solar Eclipse and Boiling Rock. Azula examined each person in attendance. Ironically, Ty Lee was dressed in her Kyoshi warrior uniform only the makeup was absent. Toph, the blind earth mongrel, had grown taller and curvy with lean muscles. Katara, the water peasant, was in a cerulean traditional natural healer garb. Sokka had grown a soul patch and was fully clad in water tribe robes. The Avatar Aang was more of a shock; he had grown taller than Katara. Uncle Iroh was more brawny than chubby. Mai had become more like a lady, but not to be underestimated. Her brother Zuko's demeanor was that of a Firelord.
The eyes of the guest scrutinized her. Zuko walked toward Azula, eyes fixed on her and signaled Aang to come with him. Azula didn't especially want the bald monk near; she almost killed him. Aang took hold of her hands and closed his eyes; tattoos glowing brightly. He nodded his head to Zuko in approval. Zuko took a harsh look at his sister and embraced her tightly, so much so that she felt her injured ribs. "Azula", he said with a welcoming tone, "I didn't know what happened to you."
Azula was taken aback by this man before her. Was he really Zuko? Not a hint of animosity or anger. In fact, the guest seemed suspiciously pleased to see her even Mai, who she fought not long ago. This was all happening too fast. Azula sat down slowly, watching the body language of the entire party to get a hint of what was going on.
All in attendance had discussed their lives and where they've been. Aang and Katara had talked of their wedding plans. The couple blushed when Ty Lee asked how soon they would make airbender babies. To everyone's surprise, Toph nonchalantly announced she was engaged to a nobleman, whom her parents betrothed her to. Sokka was training to be a water tribe soldier and strategist, though it was almost difficult to understand the young man with his mouth full. Ty Lee was in Capital City on temporary assignment to train the guardsman in chi blocking. Mai and Zuko are of course Firelord and Firelady. They talked of peace among nations and rebuilding cities that were destroyed. Lastly, Uncle Iroh had rambled on about his famous tea shop, "The Jasmine Dragon". Azula never knew how many types of tea existed until she had a conversation with him. Everyone was being so courteous. No one talked of the oppression and atrocities committed by her. This made Azula feel more uneasy. She felt like they were grooming her before putting her to death. Azula's paranoia resurfaced as she pushed away her meal and rose up from the table. "Do you all think I'm stupid!" she shouted, "This is how you plan my farewell, with light conversation and a meal!"
A hush came over the room. Katara wanting to keep peace approached Azula. "It's all right"
"Stay away from me! Have you all forgotten who I am and what I've done to all of you?"
"I told you this was a bad idea", whispered Toph to Sokka.
"I heard that earth mongrel!" barked Azula.
"Are you sure that was me? Or was it the voices in your head Crazula!" said Toph with a comeback.
Sokka gave Toph a fist pound and laughed, "Nice one!"
Azula gritted her teeth and banged on the table. "Listen I don't want all of this!" she yelled pointing at the feast, "I just need to speak with my brother before I get the death penalty!"
"Death penalty?" responded Zuko "Is that what you think? I would not have made provisions for you if I were going to kill you."
"You're the Firelord now. You can make any decision at the snap of your fingers and the nation will be happy to oblige."
"Azula—"
"Spare me any speeches about nobility, family or honor because the only family I have is my daughter Xiourong."
Uncle Iroh, realizing the intensity in his niece's demeanor, ushered everyone out of the room except for Azula and Zuko. Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose sighing deeply. "This feast was done in your honor to welcome you home."
"I don't have a home here! Anyone will surely recognize me and have me killed. Do you want my blood on your hands?'
"Where are you getting these crazy accusations?"
"Throughout your whole life I've made sure you would fail at everything you do. Now you want to be generous toward me. What's your ulterior motive brother?"
"There is none. If you want to live your life on the run, fine. If you want stability for your child…my niece, I'll make sure you have it."
"Like you made sure I was committed to an insane asylum."
"That was different. You needed help then."
"And what kind of help do I need now dear brother?"
She almost seemed impossible to talk to. His sister was affected by the palace walls. She developed a hard shell that made her unreasonably obstinate. Zuko beheld Azula's eyes they weren't cold like before, but were fixed on anxiety. He had to stop talking to Azula like he was Firelord. The only way to turn this conversation around was to assume the role of big brother. "The Avatar saw something in you that had changed. You don't have to hide anymore."
Azula had interpreted that Zuko was calling her weak. She stood her ground; fingers faced toward him in a lightbending stance. "That's it! I challenge you to an Agni Kai! We're long overdue for a rematch!"
"I'm not going to fight you."
"Then I'll have to match both eyes!" she hollered.
Azula went to lightbend but nothing happened. Zuko shook his head. "Toph was right this was a mistake."
"What did you do to my firebending?"
"They have been eclipsed by the darts injected in you. The effect is temporary."
Azula was losing her sanity once again. Why couldn't she calm down and finish her mission of giving Zuko the information? Azula's mind raced rampant with thoughts. She was fighting a peaceful and subdued man. The guards could have destroyed her at any time, she knows this now. Azula had planned all wrong. Just then, Azula found she was unable to speak. Zuko laid a hand on her shoulder. "My niece is evidence that you have loved someone. I will protect you. As Firelord, I promote peace and eradicate destruction, no matter what madman tries to rip you away from me."
Those words overwhelmed Azula. Despite all of the malicious acts she committed against her brother, he offered her a safe haven. Azula had learned one thing about her emotions that they were like wildfire; they would come fast and without warning. Her breath quickened into hyperventilation. Tears dropped from her eyes creating a small puddle.
"Azula are you okay?"
She looked at her brother as her breath quickened so violently, she held her chest. Zuko was in shock. He became flustered, unable to speak. He managed to call out, "KATARA!"
The waterbender burst through the room not being too far behind. Azula graduated to getting winded with her legs now shaking. Zuko held Azula firmly close under her arms. Katara had a pouch and water-bended its herbal contents. She pulled out a teacup pouring the mixture into it. "Here Zuko heat this up."
Zuko had done as she instructed. Katara had opened Azula's dress in the back and water bended the tea out of the cup. She put the cup in her side pouch and applied the herbal concoction on Azula's back. Azula's lungs felt warm and relaxed. Azula glanced at her brother's concerned face, as she was getting treated. Zuko had courage and strength that Azula could never master. Katara finished her treatment and Azula's breath had normalized. Azula with a trembling hand caressed her brother's face. Before she passed out she whispered, "Zuzu"
