It was the deepest night, Azula slept but she was wide awake and aware of herself. Maitri's and Lao's instructions were starting to work, by now she could follow her own dreams with full awareness but not quite control them yet. Yet, however interesting that ability might be it was not the reason she was doing it. She had changed strategies, instead of trying to call out her father the moment she saw him she started attempting to build a silent yet strong connection. She could see him and sense his painful nightmares, was he reliving the moment the Avatar defeated him the way she used to relive the day she was defeated too? As soon as she was able to clearly see him she started performing the exercises she learned and practiced while awake. She used all her power, all the Mother's power, to send him as much peace and comfort as she could. Slowly, she began seeing a change. Instead of turning around her lay peacefully, with a small smile on his face. This went on for several nights, she just calmly and joyfully observed him. Though still pained by his fate she was proud she could help him in at least this little way. Finally, she couldn't resist going the next step. She called him out:

"Father. Can you hear me?"

No reply, but he stirred for a bit.

"Fire Lord Ozai!" This time a reply came, one she wasn't prepared for.

"Mom."

How could he possibly see... her grandmother Ilah died in childbirth, he only knew her from pictures and stories. Then it started to make sense. She had not only used Guan Yin's power but also imagined herself as her. Was it possible that her father was now seeing the goddess in the image of his own mother?

"No dad, it's me, your daughter."

"Azula!? ... How? Where are you? Where am I?"

"You're dreaming dad, but don't worry, it's real. I'm really here now, I can see and hear you."

"How is this possible? I thought you were..." his incredulity was audible, perhaps he was about to stir awake. Azula had to prevent that and hold fast to the connection. In her hand she held the figurine as firmly as she could.

"Imprisoned and insane? Sadly yes, but I escaped and found allies. They taught me this, taught me how to reach out to you."

"So why I'm still in this cell and not on the throne?" his tone was suddenly impatient and sharp.

"I need time dad. The whole world is against us now, even the Fire Nation. But I wanted to bring you some aid and comfort at least."

"I had never expected this from you Azula." for a moment she hoped he meant that he never expected that she would have this power to reach out to him but something in his tone disturbed her to the core.

"Expected what?"

"That you would be such a disappointment. Losing against Zuko and then losing your mind. I thought I had taught you better, taught you to be strong."

"And I have always listened to you, obeyed everything you ordered me to do, spent every moment becoming a better fighter for your cause."

"So why did you fail? I trusted you."

She could barely bare it, her worst fears were becoming true. But she had to act:

"Why did you leave me alone, I needed you and you needed me. Together we could have defeated both Zuko and the Avatar but you chose to go alone and leave me behind! Why? Answer me!"

"How dare you talk to me like this? The Avatar was mine to deal with and it was your duty to defend the Fire Nation while I fought him and you failed in that. I thought you were strong but I was obviously wrong."

"Dad, please... I have relied on you all my life, I was just so lost without you."

"Excuses, you are beginning to sound like your brother."

"I swear I'll make it right dad, just please, trust me."

"How can I trust someone who lost their mind? You brought such shame on me."

"Please dad, I'm sorry, I really am. Please, forgive me! I'll make it right somehow, I'll redeem myself! I'm your loyal and loving daughter. Please!"

He didn't answer her. She called louder but he remained stoic. She tried calling him out again and again but to no avail. Finally, she felt herself being moved by some other force. She woke up with tears in her eyes.

"Avida, wake up." Jhana said. The room was mostly dark but outside the window twilight was slowly beginning to stir.

"You had a bad dream friend, a very bad one from what I could hear. Sorry if I scared you now but I couldn't let you suffer from some nightmarish vision. I heard you were calling your father, was he in pain?"

As she heard her friends last words she felt the overwhelming urge to cry and to never stop crying but looking at her friend and her caring and concerned eyes reminded her of the fact that she wasn't alone now, that she would never be alone again and that there was hope for her in this world.

"I need to talk to Lao."