Disclamier: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender, nor the Search comics.
Sorry for the long wait and enjoy :D
Azula was no stranger to rage and anger. She felt it everyday. But she calmed it down, because then she couldn't conjure the blue flames. And then she couldn't have beaten all of those worthless people.
But she still felt it everyday, and it made her frustrated. She just wanted a free day without anger, but that would cause her firebending to dwindle. Azula couldn't let that happen. She had to prove to everyone that she was better. Stronger. More powerful.
Also more tired.
"What do you mean Azula? Just speak normally for once! I'm getting headaches from your riddles!" Zuko pinched his nose and took a deep breath. Azula smirked.
"But that would take all the fun out, Zu-Zu. I can't let that happen. Oh, no. Not at all." Azula drawled. "Besides, this is almost over. I'm making sure it lasts longer."
"Come on, Crazy. Don't make me force it out." Toph cracked her knuckles threateningly.
"As if you could." Azula shortly said. "Remember, Zu-Zu. I'm your guide. You don't want anything to happen to me, would you?"
Zuko growled and looked at the wolf footprint. "Sokka, do you have any idea where it's going?"
Sokka, who grinned with pride and stepped forward. "Of course! Back in my village, I'm the best tracker! I once tracked a sea lion with babies!"
"It was ten meters away from our house." Katara said. "Anybody could have seen it."
"Be quiet, Katara! Zuko asked me!" Sokka crossly said. Katara sighed and crossed her arms, as if waiting for something magnificent to happen.
"It seems like Wolfy went back into the forest." Sokka stood up and faced the others.
"Genius, I would have never figured that out." Toph drily said.
"But you're bli- oh, right." Sokka stopped himself in time.
"We can't afford to waste anymore time." The Avatar started walking to the forest. "We might have a chance to gain good distance if we leave now."
Zuko gave Azula a stone hard stare. Zuko was desperate, but he didn't show it. But Azula could spot it.
"Time to go, Zuko." Sokka followed Aang into the dark forest.
The forest seemed brighter, to Azula's eyes. It didn't have the looming, dark trees, but more greener and prouder trees. The grass was a light evergreen, making the sun sink into it.
"The forest seems more brighter." The Avatar voiced her thoughts. "It's nice."
"You think everything is nice, Aang. Every even those evil monkey-dogs." Sokka said dejectedly.
"But they were fun to play with! Don't you agree, Zuko?" Aang protested.
"Whatever, Aang." Zuko absentmindly replied, his thoughts somewhere far away.
"See! Even Zuko agrees with me!" Sokka grinned. "Beat that, all powerful Avatar!"
Those seemingly harmless words stabbed Azula.
You know he didn't mean it, Azula.
"Shut up." Azula growled, rage surging through her body.
"What did you just say to me?" Toph spun around to Azula. "Did you just tell me to shut up? You little-"
"No!" Azula rolled her eyes. "Why would I talk to a mindless noble like you?"
Toph angrily opened her mouth, but something interrupted her.
A singing voice echoing in the trees around them.
"Did you hear that?" Zuko jumped. "What was that?"
"It was someone singing." Katara frowned and looked around the forest. "Somebody near, I think."
Azula's heart stopped. That voice it was familiar. Very familiar. She froze, staring straight ahead, her head zooming with plans and possibilities.
It can't be.
No.
No.
"Azula, do you know what it is?" Zuko carefully eyed her. Azula snapped out and clutched her head.
"No! Go away!" Azula screamed.
"Azula!" A wave of cold water splashed over her, and she gasped with shock. Katara had her palms faced up, her face determined.
"You filthy peasant!" Azula roared. Her hands lit on fire, her body trembling with the most unpressed rage.
"Azula, calm down!" Zuko tried to grab her hands, but Azula shot a bolt of lightning at him and he fell to the ground.
"She plotted against me with you people! Tell me the truth! How did she know? What did she bargain you with to plan my downfall?" Azula screamed. She had to know. It was eating her alive.
"Calm down, Azula!" Aang airbended a ball straight to Azula but she ducked it. Then her feet were stuck, glued to the ground.
"Let me go!" Azula shrieked, now hysterical. "You wanted to destroy me! Let me go!"
Zuko stood up, wincing as he rolled his shoulder. "Azula, what's going on? Do you know the voice?"
"No! No! She's here! With him!" Azula tried to free herself, but Zuko and Sokka had grabbed her hands, preventing her to bend.
"Mother?" Zuko asked.
Azula grinned madly. "Who else, Zu-Zu?"
Then the singing voice appeared again, but this time closer.
"Aang, what do we do?" Katara tried to pin point where the voice was coming from, but it was hopeless.
"Just-just stay alert." Aang said, holding up his hands, ready to defend.
"That's unwise, Avatar. She wouldn't dare to show herself here." Azula drawled. Aang faced her with a confused expression.
"What do you-"
But then something jumped from the forest, making Zuko and Sokka drop her arms in alarm and surprise. Azula quickly burned the earth off her feet.
"What are you kids doing here?" A man with short, dark brown hair glared at them with unflinching golden eyes. Fury rose and Azula laughed mirthlessly, causing the others to all glance at her.
"Why, hello, Ikem." Azula drawled, her heart dropping. This game was going to end. But she kept up the facial expression. The man narrowed his eyes at her, trying to remember her face.
"Who are you?" he uncertainly asked.
"Don't play games with me, you pathetic creature." Azula snapped. "You know perfectly well who I am."
"Fine, Azula." The man growled. His eyes scanned the crowd, and rested on Zuko's for a second longer before returning to Azula.
"How's your father?" he smugly said.
"He failed his task, so he's no more useful." Azula waved her hand dismissively. "I think we both know why I am here with my brother and his friends."
"Brother?" Ikem frowned and looked at Zuko, who was speechless.
"Don't jump to conclusions, Ikem." Azula coldly said. "He's just another person."
"No. She'll be most displeased to see you." Ikem shook his head. "Why did you bring him here, Azula. You know she didn't want any part of this."
"Sometimes voices are disobeyed. Of course you would know all about that, wouldn't you, Ikem?" Azula smirked. Ikem seemed to be holding himself from jumping at Azula and snapping her neck off.
Not that he would.
"Where is she, Ikem? Don't lie."
"Hold up, wait!" Sokka interrupted, his hands up in the air as if he could stop the conversation physically. "You know this man?" he asked Azula.
What a dim witted person.
She didn't reply to give Sokka her answer.
"But how do you know-"
"Ikem, what's taking you so long?" A light, but elegant voice entered the small clearing. Zuko let out a gasp and stumbled back. Ikem turned around with a pained expression.
"I can hear voices? Do we have guests?" The pleasant woman's voice drifted closer. Azula's heart was pounding, her palms clammy. She was going to come.
Any second.
Then she could destroy her.
Her feet itched to go forward and burn that useless man.
"It's alright. Just some lost travellers." Ikem desperately lied to the forest. The other voice laughed.
"I'd better direct them. You're hopeless." Then a figure with long brown hair stepped into the clearing.
The reactions were instant.
A fury that Azula had never felt before rose in her as she looked at the familiar golden eyes. Her pale, long hands slapped her mouth as the woman looked at the strangers. Zuko's good eye widened and he stammered for words. The Avatar, Katara and Sokka all turned to see what Zuko's reaction was.
"Ikem, is it-" The woman turned to Ikem.
Ikem nodded, glaring at Azula.
"Hello, Mother." Azula spat out. "Long time no see."
Ursa dropped her shaking hands.
"Azula."
It was going to end!
To be honest, this didn't exactly turn out the way I wanted, but I had writer's block for ages. But I hope it turned out okay, even if I didn't like it.
Again, if you have some criticism, don't be afraid to tell me!
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! :)