Previously…

Azula finds an unlikely airbending teacher in her bison's past life brought to life in the spirit world, and discovers the threat of a powerful unseen foe. The spirit of war, Murugan helps the group to find the spirit of darkness and ask for her help. The dark spirit agrees to hide them while they're in the spirit world, and Azula begins her training. With the help of Aang, Azula is able to learn the basics of airbending, and attempts to form her first true friendship with Sokka.

Prelude of Fire

Book 2: Self

Chapter 25: Convergence

Night before the Summer Solstice, 98 AG

Iroh tossed in his sleep. He could hear the sound of a fire raging, and wood cracking in its heat. He could even see the light flashing against his eyelids. He knew he was dreaming on some level, but the fire felt as real as it had the night it had taken his wife. He woke up, calling out her name. The air was cold, and he saw the fire wasn't just in his dreams.

The water tribe had been having a feast to celebrate the upcoming summer solstice. If Azula and Sokka were okay, they would be coming back in two days.

Ever since Azula had been sucked into the portal to the spirit world, the pole had been surrounded by a blizzard. No one knew exactly what it meant, but they all knew it wasn't a good sign.

The long night had began, and now there would be nearly no daylight until winter. Piandao was awake, sitting next to him. The fire lit up the old swordsman's face.

"I'm guessing the Sun you were calling was not the one that gives us light?"

"No it wasn't. The fire reminded me of her."

Piandao nodded. "It's not easy losing someone you love, no matter how long ago it was."

"No. It isn't."

"Who did you lose?" A voice said behind them. Iroh turned to see Katara. She took a seat next to them.

Iroh didn't bother to ask why the girl was up so late. She was scared that her brother wouldn't come back.

"My wife. She died in an accident."

"What happened?"

"A house fire. She was trapped inside."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be. And you don't need to worry. I won't let you lose your brother, Katara. If they don't come out, I will go and find him and my niece myself."

"Can I go too?"

"That would be up to your father. I won't risk his daughter after he and his people helped us."

"I knew you would say that. Please, you know my dad wouldn't let me."

"Then you should respect his decision." Piandao said.

"I'm sorry, Katara, but it's your father's choice, not mine."

"I just want to make sure he's okay. You've been there haven't you? Do you think he'll be okay?"

"I'm sure he'll be coming back. My niece is very smart. There is nothing she couldn't handle."

Azula wasn't sure if she could deal with this. When she woke up she sat in her bed staring around her room for nearly an hour trying to piece together who she was and why she was her. Luckily she thought of this happening again, and had written short notes of major events. She was in the spirit world, and had been for nearly half a year now. She was mastering airbending with the help of Aang, a former avatar who was killed in the genocide. Somehow Aang was been given a human form when his new reincarnated self, a flying bison, crossed into the spirit world. Sokka was here too, and over the months the two boys had became the first true friends she ever had.

Now, after so long, she having visions again. But why was she? What was so special about Jora that it was worth tearing Azula's mind apart with memories that weren't hers? Was this the last, or were they beginning again? She knew no answer would come to her. No one knew what it was. Not Avatar Roku, not the time spirit Aevum, not the face spirit, and not even the spirit of dark knew. Azula had asked some of the wisest and most ancient beings in the spirit and human world, and none of them had a clue about what she was going through.

The thought made something click. She had asked everyone who might know what the visions meant, and none of them did. That told her what was happening has likely never happened before. If that was true, then it probably wasn't linked directly to being the avatar. There may be some other way she and Jora were connected… but how? Azula got up and went to her desk. She jotted down everything she knew about Jora, and any connection they shared, but nothing seemed to connect her to her past life but herself. Was she still missing something?

A knock on her door made her jump from her seat. She remembered her situation, and felt dumb for getting scared.

"Azula?" Aang called behind the door.

Azula went to the door and opened it. Aang and Sokka were both standing there.

"What is it?"

Aang and Sokka shared a confused look.

"Are you okay?" Aang asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because we're supposed to be leaving soon. You went to your room to pack, but that was over an hour ago. What have you been doing?" Sokka said.

"It's hard to explain."

"Is it important?"

"I don't know." She said truthfully. "It feels like it."

"Avatar stuff?" Sokka asked.

Avatar stuff was the rather uninspired name she had given to things that happened to or around her that she didn't understand. It seemed to be fairly common, enough to warrant the use of a name.

Azula nodded. "Visions, strong ones. I thought they were done, since I haven't had any since before going to the South, but I just had another, and it was even worse than the ones before."

"I never had any visions of past lives. I had a few dreams, is that what you mean?" Aang said.

"No, I've had the dreams, these are much more vivid. Don't worry about it, I'll deal with it myself. Sorry for taking so long, I'll finish packing."

Sokka nodded and left. Aang stayed behind. Without asking, he started helping her pack what few things she had. The three had become fairly close, so it didn't bother her too much, but she was curious.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, just thought you could use the help."

Azula knew he wanted to say something, but she didn't press him.

Sokka was waiting in the main hall. When Azula and Aang arrived, the castle began to melt into smoke, and it sank into the ground. The strange ever-changing sky returned, and the mountains floated above them like clouds. The smoke returned, and formed the spirit of darkness in front of them. Like always she only wore a small layer of dark smoke that clung loosely to her slightly less dark skin. She had only visited them a few times every month throughout their stay, and Azula noticed the fourth time that the spirit looked slightly different. Sometimes her nose was a bit bigger, or her eyes were a different color, but she always looked attractive. Not attractive in a pretty way, but attractive in an uncomfortably sexual way.

"You are leaving the spirit world now?" She asked.

Azula nodded.

"I can take you to where you need to go to leave, but the area there is dangerous. If you stray too far, I may not be able to help you."

"Okay, so stay close. Sounds easy, as long as you don't fly or anything like that." Sokka said. "Can you do that?"

The spirit ignored him and twirled her hand, and a dark portal opened up in front of them.

Azula looked at the spirit, silently asking if it wanted them to step through it. The spirit nodded, and Azula stepped through. For a brief moment the darkness around her seemed so dense that she felt like she was suffocating in it. The feeling lasted as long as a single step, and then faded as light returned. Azula coughed. She hadn't expected the feeling. She heard another cough, and looked back to see Sokka, then Aang. She look back ahead, and the spirit of darkness was looking down at her.

"What's wrong? Can't handle a little darkness?"

"Just a bit of a surprise." Azula said honestly. She looked around. They were in the dead forest where they first arrived in the spirit world.

"Hurry. There is danger approaching."

Azula pulled up Sokka, who seemed to have inhaled some of the smoke. With Aang's help, they got him to his feet. The smoke faded from his mouth, and he took a deep breath.

"That stuff sucks." He said.

"I know you get hungry, but try to control yourself next time." Azula said.

The three followed the spirit towards the center of the forest. Smoke covered the space around them in every direction. Azula figured it was to cloke them from possible danger. The spirit moved fast, but they were able to keep up. Azula actually took the time to practice using airbending to enhance her movement. It was effective. The wind seemed to push and lift her up, making her almost run too fast at first. After a few minutes of keeping it at a good pace, she decided to stop. If she got used to moving with airbending, it would make her rely on it to run. She would rely on her own body, until she needed the extra boost.

After half an hour of running, the group stopped so they could rest. The spirit told them to hurry to recover, and went to look out for danger. Azula leaned against a tree. She was always a decent runner, but something about the forest seemed to suck the strength from her. Aang and Sokka were both really tired, so she knew it wasn't just her. The effect was there when they first arrived, but now it seemed to be stronger. She thought before it was just the spirit world itself, but now she realized it was only the forest.

"What's wrong?" Sokka asked.

"What? I didn't say anything."

"No, but you have that, 'I'm thinking about something I don't want to think about' look on you."

"Is that a thing?"

"Yeah." Aang said. "You do it a lot when your meditating."

"Why are you- nevermind. You feel the same thing I do, right? The tiredness?"

"Oh good." Sokka said, drawing a questioning look from Aang and Azula.

"What? I thought it was just me." He explained.

Aang looked back at Azula. "What about it?"

"I think it's the same thing that's killing the forest. It's doing the same to us. If what Murugan said to us was true, then its source is at the portal between our worlds."

"You think it's dangerous?"

"I don't know. I felt it before, but it wasn't this strong, and we're still a ways from the center of the forest."

"Does Dark know anything?" Sokka asked.

The spirit formed next to Azula, and waved for them to follow. The spirit began to lead them towards the center of the forest. "The avatar is right. The source of death is coming from our destination. I've talked to other elder spirits about what is happening. We believe the two worlds are tearing apart."

"Is that bad?" Sokka asked. "Wouldn't that just mean we'd be separated?"

"It would be catastrophic for both our world and yours. Our worlds share energy that flows and maintains a balance suitable for our existence. If that flow of energy is disrupted, all life will suffer."

"You think it's the work of the thing that killed the forest spirit?" Azula asked.

"Yes. It wants to destroy all chances of us opposing it."

Aang sat up. "So what do we do? We have to stop it, right?"

"Yes. It will not be easy. To cure the damage to the connection we will need to overpower the corruption with enough energy to counteract the negative effects it has produced as well as terminate it's source."

"What does that mean?" Sokka asked.

"It means we have to burn it off like a tick." Azula said. "But how?"

"We will need to send as much energy through the portals as we can, from both sides. For the spirits it will be easy. While there is strife here, every spirit reveres the balance, and will help to maintain it. The humans will not be persuaded so easily. Our energy will collide with theirs and react to create enough power to, as you put it, burn away the corruption."

"How long until our the connection is cut off?"

"We've been observing the wound for a time, and based on it's rate, it is likely the solstice after the next will be the last before the connection is severed. However, that will also be when the corruption tainting it will be most vulnerable."

"Just like a tick." Azula said. "The more blood it takes the easier it is to find and burn."

"The spirits will do our part. As the avatar you will need to convince every nation to help. We will have one chance to save the worlds, and if we fail, it will mean the end of everything."

"Then we won't fail. How do we send our energy through the portal."

"Seek out the lion turtle. He will show you how to channel your energy." The spirit stopped.

"We're here."

Azula recognized the clearing, though it was a bit darker than before.

"Where's the portal? Last time it was a bit hard to miss."

"It will open soon. Within minutes. The trip back may be unpleasant."

"We'll be fine."

The spirit nodded, then faded to smoke. The three were left alone. Azula waited for the portal to open, and while she was Aang approached her.

"Hey, Azula?"

"Is this about what you avoided earlier?"

Aang nodded.

"I was wondering, when all of this is done, can you bring me back here, to the spirit world?"

"I can, but I don't know if you'll still… come back. For all we know the only reason your here is because of some weird avatar magic. Dark already told us that a reincarnated spirit aren't affected by the spirit world like you were."

"I know that, I didn't mean for me, exactly."

"Then for what?"

"Well, I know this is a big favor to ask, but I think it's reasonable all things considered. I want you to help see if there's any way to bring airbending back. There's tons of spirits here that might be able to help. I don't want my people's way of life to be gone for good. Even if you can't bring back airbending, maybe you can try to teach people some of our traditions, just so we aren't completely forgotten."

Azula thought about the request. She suspected Aang would ask her something along those lines since she first saw him. It was her people who had committed the genocide, and as the avatar she was responsible for maintaining the balance. The question was justified then, and now that she had learned airbending from him, it would be cruel to deny the request. That normally wouldn't have stopped her, but now thinking about declining made her feel… something. Aang had helped her, despite having every reason not to. She made up her mind.

"I'll try. I promise. I doubt I'll be able to do as much as you hope, but I will do as much as I'm able to."

"That's all I'm asking for."

"Thanks for teaching me, Aang. I know it couldn't have been easy for you."

Aang bowed. "I'm happy to. I'm glad I was given the chance to do something that mattered."

Azula bowed in return. The moment she raised her head, she felt a hot sensation rush through her mind, and a pull on her body. An explosion of wind drowned out any noise. She saw Aang being pulled up into through the air, and saw him enter into a portal like the one she had been pulled through half a year ago. She resisted the force, and looked over at Sokka. He wasn't being affected by the pull at all, and would never be able to reach the portal himself. He recognized the problem as well, and reached toward her, but the gale blew him back. Azula tried to reach, but the pull stopped her from moving closer.

The wind blew harder, and Sokka was pushed back even further. Azula used her free hand to spray a jet of fire behind her. The force allowed her to stumble closer to him, but not close enough. Sokka struggled to close the distance, fighting back the wind. He reached behind and took out his boomerang. He hit it against the ground like a pick, and used it to pull himself forward. Azula felt the pull from the portal grow stronger. She knew she wouldn't be able to resist it much longer. She stopped her fire, and instead used airbending to pull as much air toward her as possible. The wave of air blew herself back, but it also gave Sokka the boost he needed. He jumped with the wave towards her and reached. Right as the portal began to pull her up she felt his hand grab onto hers. They both held tightly as they were pulled through the portal.

The moment she went through, Azula felt something she hadn't last time. The burning in her mind grew from unpleasant to completely unbearable. A bright light flooded her mind, and a memory struck through her like lightning.

54 AG

Jora stood between Lee and Uan. In front of them was a field of what would normally be beautiful grass, but now looked like nothing but foreboding to the them, as they knew it would be stained with blood before the day was over. Jora looked behind her. They had over five hundred men. Most were earthbenders, but many were simply brave men who had never seen a real battle. She didn't want to think about how many of them would never see another day, but she wondered anyway.

She gripped her sword. It was one Lee forged, and it fit her strangely well. She looked to Lee, who smiled. She smiled back reflexively, but both of their expressions returned to concern again quickly. She looked at Uan. His expression was much more warrior-like. He had been raised around war, unlike Lee and herself. While he didn't look excited, it was closer to that then fear. She and Uan had been in battles before, but this wasn't just a battle. The three of them would be taking on the most powerful firebender in the world, Fire Lord Azulon. Uan and Jora had already faced Azulon's brother, who was more than a match for either of them, and Azulon was said to be even more powerful.

A faint rumbling came from across the field. Jora looked back. A sea of red began to spread over part of the horizon. As they neared the rumbling grew louder, and became clear that it was the sound of marching. The soldiers stopped about five hundred steps away. Their masks made the army look even more terrifying. Jora had only ever ambushed and fought the Fire Nation when they were unprepared, and usually unarmored. The masks made them look inhuman: a soulless mob which only purpose was to fight. It would only make them easier to kill.

A sound came from behind them. Jora heard a few yells, and she looked back at the noise. The noise was the flap of wings from a huge blue dragon. The beasts wings came down again as it passed over them. They stretched as far as a hundred men, and the wind it caused passed over her men violently. It landed in front of the enemy army, and lowered it's head. A lone figure stepped off it, and it returned to the sky and settled on a cliff overlooking the field. The figure, which must have been Azulon, began walking towards them. Jora looked back at her men.

"Don't charge until we give the signal, or until they do, but be ready to at any moment. They may have the numbers, but we have the strength to win." She said loudly.

Jora walked toward Azulon. Right behind her Uan and Lee followed. He stopped halfway toward their army, and they met him there. He was younger than Jora imagined, maybe fifty or so. He wore a dark crimson robe, and had an amused look on his face. If Jora didn't know any better, she'd assume he was an innocent man enjoying a good view. When he spoke, his voice was grave, but not threatening.

"You must be the avatar I've been hearing about from my generals."

"I am." Jora said.

"You've caused a lot of headaches for me. I'm curious, you are supposed to be the good side, correct?"

Jora didn't answer. She didn't know what he was talking about or why it mattered. Lee and Uan stayed quiet as well.

"I'll take that as a yes. Let me ask then, if you are on the side of good, why do you resist our movement? You must have noticed our colonies are thriving. In every town we take control of and expand, poverty drops, crime is reduced, and after things settle, even the previous occupants are happy. That is what I have done. And how do you, the avatar, keeper of peace and balance, respond? You burn them to the ground. You send children and women away terrified, if they even get that luxury. How many innocent people have you killed, I wonder?"

"Ironic coming from the people who killed an entire nation." Lee said.

Azulon looked at him with a surprised look. "You are the spitting image of your uncle. What is the nephew of my good friend Rho'Rin doing fighting against his own?"

"Don't talk about my Uncle like you cared about him. My father told me what you did. You killed him and his entire family."

"I did what I had to do. I believed then that the avatar cycle would be broken with Sahren. If I knew it wouldn't have been I'd have offered to train him under my wing instead."

"My Uncle's son was the avatar?"

"Lang never told you?" Azulon glanced at Lee's sword. "Not a bender? Your parents must have been devastated. I'm surprised they even raised you, knowing them."

"They didn't. They abandoned me. I guess compassion isn't something the Fire Nation values."

"Not to those two. They were colder than my father, and that's saying something."

"Enough with the small talk." Uan said. "What did you want to say?"

Azulon looked at him, then Jora. "I offer you a choice, avatar: work with me, and help me expand the greatness of my nation as peaceful as possible, or don't, and have this day be remembered as a bloody one."

"No. Your people killed my parents, and your brother killed my husband and tried to kill my child. I'll never stop killing as many as you as I can."

Azulon smiled. "So that's where the source of your violence comes from. Revenge… that's not a value many avatars hold. Then here's another deal to resolve things peacefully, you face me alone, and our armies stay out of it. If you win, my army will leave. If you lose, they slaughter every person you brought here."

"I'll agree to that on one condition."

"Which would be?"

Jora nodded to Lee and Uan. "They fight with me."

"Three on one? That's hardly fair, especially since one of you is the avatar." Azulon looked to his left, at the cliff his dragon sat on, then looked back. "How about two on three?"

Jora looked at the deep blue dragon, that was staring at them. She had a feeling it could both see and hear everything they did.

She looked at Uan and Lee, then Azulon. "Can you give us a minute to discuss?"

"Of course." Azulon turned and walked a few steps away.

Jora turned back to Uan and Lee. "What do you think?"

"I don't know." Uan said. "Dragons are the stuff of legends. Could we win against that?"

"We have to accept." Lee said.

"Why's that?" Uan asked.

"Think about what will happen if we say no. He could send the dragon to attack from the air at our force and it could seriously injure hundreds of our men without them having a chance to touch it. If we can't beat the Fire Lord and his dragon then we've already lost, and everyone we led here will die anyway. His offer is suspiciously generous, but we don't have a choice but to take it."

Jora nodded. "I agree with him."

"That's good and all, then, but who's going to take on who?"

"I'll deal with the dragon." Lee said.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm likely the least capable here, but a dragon's flight completely counters Uan bending, and Uan and I alone couldn't take Azulon. If I can at least distract it enough to give you two time to kill him, then you two can help me finish it off."

"Can you survive against that beast?" Uan asked.

"'That beast' was beaten into submission by the man you and Jora have to face. Keep that in mind. As powerful as that dragon must be, Azulon is the real threat."

Uan stroked his chin. "That's not a fun though. Fine, let's do it."

"Good luck." Jora said to Lee. "Let's go."

The two nodded, and they approached Azulon.

"You've decided?" He asked, turning around.

"We have. We'll accept your deal." Jora said.

"Very well. My men already know of the situation, I'll let one of you go and explain to your men. Just remind them if even one of your soldier charges, the deal is off, and I will have my dragon attack them."

Jora looked at Uan, he nodded and left. The three stood waiting for him to get back. Jora had to fight the growing urge to attack the Fire Lord.

"How did you know my Uncle?" Lee asked.

Azulon looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "He was a childhood friend. One of the few men in the world I saw as equals. He was perhaps the greatest firebender I ever knew besides myself. His brother, your father, was good as well, but not on the same level as his elder brother. That really got under his skin too. He married a very skilled bender just in the hopes of having a prodigious son. That's why I was so surprised to notice you aren't a bender. It must have really angered him to learn that he ran from home to protect someone like you."

"You think bending skill is the only thing that makes a good warrior?"

Azulon frowned. "Don't confuse me for a fool like your father. Even the most powerful bender can lose to a nonbender. Skill makes a warrior, not inherited power. I'm sure you both know that well."

Uan returned, and Azulon put his hand in the air and snapped his finger. The dragon leapt from the cliff and glided towards them. Azulon stepped back and removed his cloak. He wore only a pair of trousers, and gold bands on his arms just below his shoulders. He turned back to face them, and his dragon landed. The ground shook and broke beneath its weight. Its four foot claws dug into the earth, keeping it from sliding from it's fast landing. The beast was much larger up close. Jora guessed it had to be at least a hundred paces long. It's mouth alone could easily fit all three of them. Azulon whispered something in its ear, then walked to his right. Jora walked to her left, following Azulon, and Uan did the same. The dragon glared at them, but didn't attack.

"So, you leave Karack to him? A smart plan. I suppose you think you two will take me out quick enough to help him. A good strategy. Perhaps the best in your situation, but I'm afraid there's a problem. Your plan depends on you two being able to handle me."

Jora didn't say a word. She drew her sword, and Uan prepared his stance.

"That's right. The time for talk is over." Azulon said.

He dug a foot in the ground, and drew his hand up. A quick orange light sparked on his palm, and a sea of fire exploded toward them. Jora brought up her sword, but a wall of earth rose before her and blocked the attack. Fire rushed from all sides of the wall. Uan punched forward, and the wall shot forward. A slice of fire cut the wall in half, and an explosion blew the two halves apart. Azulon stood untouched.

"Uan!" Jora said while crouching down.

"Got it!"

She felt the ground beneath her shake, then it pushed her forward. She flew towards Azulon, her sword aimed at his heart. Shackles lifted from the ground and grabbed his feet and hands, rendering him motionless. He opened his mouth, and a flash of light blinded her. She felt something hit her from the side, and she landed hard on the ground with a chunk of earth. Uan had knocked her off course and saved her life. She felt the heat from the attack, but by the time she looked, there was only smoke. The shackles of earth that held Azulon glowed, and then a burst of fire shattered them all. Azulon stooped low and swept up a wave of fire with his feet. Jora jumped to dodge it, and she lept towards him. He twisted around the attack and got behind her. Before she could react he grabbed her wrist and put his hand on her neck. He swung her into the ground, and her sword sank into the dirt as she fell. The ground beneath her shook, and then she felt herself being pulled back. She landed behind Uan ten feet from where she had been. She grabbed her sword from the chunk of dirt and wiped it off.

Azulon smirked, then sent another torrent of fire towards them. Uan lifted another wall, and held it so the fire wouldn't break through. Jora heard a familiar shrieking noise. Uan recognized it as well, and brought up another wall. The shriek got louder, and the wall exploded. Jora held her arm up to block the tiny flecks of debri, which hit her hard enough to pierce her skin in dozens of places. Dust blocked her view. A light quickly appeared, and a jet of fire broke through the dust and hit Uan in the chest. He roared in pain and was thrown back. Jora ignored the urge to look at him, and keep her eye on Azulon. He used his fire to leap closer to her. She slashed at him with her sword, but he dodged it easily. She kept her eyes locked on his, and he did the same. He tapped his leg, and released a ring of fire which forced her to jump. He brought up his leg so fast it looked like a blur. She felt it smash into her side, and she was sent crashing hard into the dirt. She struggled to get back up, and felt a sharp pain in her side.

Jora looked back toward Azulon. He took a step toward her, but the ground beneath his foot opened. He nearly slipped in, but fire burst from his foot, and pushed him back up. He turned to Uan, and jumped toward him. Uan sent a boulder toward Azulon, but Azulon knocked it off course with a ball of fire. Azulon landed close to Uan, and quickly twirled to the side to avoid another chunk of dirt. He opened his palm, and a torrent of fire leapt out toward Uan. Uan barely had enough time to lift a defense, but the fire broke through and sent Uan sailing through the air.

Jora reached Azulon and stabbed at his back. He turned and knocked the blade to the side and slammed a flaming fist into her side. The stabbing pain exploded, and was complemented with the new pain of burning skin and muscle. She dropped her weapon and fell to her knees. A swift kick to her fresh wound knocked her down and onto her back. She felt blood flow down her throat and she choked coughing it up. Azulon stood over her. He ducked suddenly, and a chunk of dirt flew over him. Jora looked back at Uan. He was just barely standing. His chest had a bright red scorch mark on it, and a more than a few layers of skin had been burned away. Azulon sent another bright ball of fire at him, and Uan winced as he summoned two pillars to block the attack. He punched them toward Azulon, who in return knocked them from the air with his own attacks. Azulon punched forward, and sent a huge stream of fire towards Uan. Uan lifted another wall, and struggled to hold it. With his free hand, Azulon began summoning tendrils of lightning, which connected and grew larger and larger until he threw his hand forward and released it. Jora tried to scream a warning, but choked on the words. The lighting coiled through the air, and pierced the wall and hit Uan. A thunderclap exploded in her ears, and a flash of light blinded her for a moment. When she opened her eyes, Uan was smoking, and his chest was charred black. He swayed, then fell to the ground.

Jora tried to crawl toward him, but Azulon walked toward her. She glared at him, praying for any sort of strength that could allow her to kill him. He knelt down, and pulled her up by her chin.

"It's not too late to join me. I should tell you now, I have airbending scrolls hidden deep in my palace. I could help you become stronger than you could ever imagine. Imagine a world, ruled by the Fire Lord and Avatar both. We could create an era of peace and progress greater than the world has ever seen. The war could be over in the span of five years, and by the time you're old the world will be better than anyone could imagine. Or you can keep fighting progress and cause more and more unnecessary death."

Jora stared into his eyes, then spat blood into his face. He dropped her, and calmly stood and wiped off the blood.

"If that's what you want. The next will be a waterbender, they'll be easy to find. Hopefully they'll be smarter than you."

Azulon summoned fire in his hand. Jora shut her eyes.

"Good riddance, Avatar."

Jora heard a yell, she looked up, and saw Lee running toward Azulon with his sword aimed at his throat. His clothes were singed in a few places, but he looked fine. Jora wanted to tell him to run, to at least save himself, but she couldn't. She was too weak. She could only watch as Azulon spun around and kicked the blade out of Lee's hand into the air. Azulon grabbed him and slammed him to the ground. He caught the sword as it fell, and swung it into the ground, straight through Lee's shoulder. Lee yelled in pain.

"You stay there, I have plans for you." Azulon said.

Azulon turned back and walked towards Jora. She knew what was coming. She looked past him at Lee. He was looking at her, trying to pull the sword out of his shoulder, cutting his hand while doing so, causing the sword to become slick with blood, and making the task even more impossible. They'd lost. Even if it had been all three of them, they stood no chance against Azulon, and he had known it. Everything he had done and said was just mocking them. Jora locked eyes with Lee, knowing it'd be the last time she could. She felt a shake in the ground. She looked up, and her hope faded. Azulon's dragon landed next to her. It circled around, and stopped next to Azulon, blocking her view of Lee, though she thought that was ultimately for the better. She didn't want for him to see her death.

"I'm afraid Karack has a bit of a nasty appetite. I promised him at least one meal today, and I accidently burnt your friend, so you'll have to do. This is farewell for good, Avatar Jora."

He walked away, and she saw the dragon move in closer. She shut her eyes, and felt the hot breath sting her skin. She could hear the beast open its mouth. In her last moment, she felt a sudden calmness, as if she was floating. A warm feeling spread throughout her body and mind. The feeling got warmer, growing hotter faster and faster each second until it felt like her insides were on fire. The feeling stopped, and the floating did too. A coldness gripped her, and to her shock her body hit the ground with a crunch, and her thoughts faded.

Azula awoke from the vision as she hit the ground hard, but luckily a foot of snow cushioned her, preventing any serious injury. She realized that she knew who she was, even after the vision. Maybe it was because she had seen Jora's death, and the visions would finally stop. There was no time to waste thinking about that. Azula picked herself up and looked around. She was in the middle of a blizzard, and the sun was nowhere to be seen. Azula conjured a ball of blue fire in her hand. The fire helped some, but the color made it hard to see. She switched to her normal fire, and it helped some. A large figure laid next to her, a bison. She ruffled it's fur.

"Sorry Aang… Okay that's too weird. I'm going to stick with Zara."

Azula found Sokka nearby. He was unconscious, so she pulled him toward Zara to help him stay warm. She brought him around to the bison's stomach, and tucked a leg over him. Azula looked back, in the distance she saw a light. She made her own brighter and began walking towards them, being careful to remember where Zara was. The light must have been Iroh and the others looking for her and Sokka. As she got closer she saw three figures. One was her uncle, the other was Piandao, and another was an middle-aged man she had never seen, but looked faintly familiar. Her feet dragged through the snow, but suddenly her foot hit something, causing her to almost trip. She brought her fire down, and looked at what it was. What she saw confused her so much she began to think she was hallucinating.

The three reached her. Iroh said something and put a jacket on her. The stranger called out for Sokka. The person Azula was looking at opened her eyes.

"Jora?"

Azula watched Jora look up to the one who called her name, and Azula did too. Both stared at Piandao for a moment, then Azula saw past his aged appearance and realized at the same time as Jora who he was. Jora and Azula both said the name, confused, but sure it was him.

"Lee?"

A/N: I've been going back and updating some older chapters, I might have to put the story on the back-burner while polishing them. Shouldn't take too long, but that depends on how much I change. This story is constantly evolving as I go, so a few little things need to be tweaked. Overall though I'm honestly shocked at how smooth it's gone considering how radically different it's playing out than I thought. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯