Azula grimaced. What a dreary, creepy domain she now found herself in, sky darkened with thick clouds. A single, small halo of light glowed near the top of an old, gnarled tree, the only real notable feature of this realm. The tree itself appeared to have been planted upside down, with its roots twisting towards the sky instead of into the ground. Little more than an endless void filled with fog surrounded the small patch of land on which the tree sat, while great stone pillars stretched upward from the fog, reaching like grasping fingers towards the sky. How dismal. Would it kill one of these ancient spirits to live in a grand palace?

She made her way towards the tree, keeping on guard. A cold chill crept down her spine, carving through the confidence she steeled herself behind. That chill trembled when she noticed a giant wolf spirit lurking through the fog some distance behind the tree. Different from the wolf in Forgetful Valley, but it stopped to stare at her all the same. She frowned at the beast and continued towards the base of the tree, where the entrance to the temple below awaited. Everything about the Spirit World perturbed her. No matter. Once she was free of it, she would never return.

The steps that led beneath the tree spiraled downward through a darkened tunnel of earth and roots. Azula descended into shadow, igniting a flame in her palm to light the way. On and on the staircase led, until finally it emptied into an underground cave far below ground. Nothing but rock, earth, and weeds everywhere she looked. Certainly no spirit.

"Knock, knock," she said, as she made her way farther into the cave. "I don't suppose anyone is home? No?" Silence. "What a shame. I guess I'll have to take a look around myself."

A dark figure moved somewhere above her. Azula didn't look at it, merely watching its shadow in her firelight, waiting. The shadow crawled along the cave wall with a chittering of numerous insectoid legs. Slowly at first, until rushing forward with a sudden swiftness that brought itself face-to-face with her in an instant. Azula immediately let her expression fall blank and empty. The white face staring back at her featured red lips and gray markings around its eyes, attached to a long, centipede-like body that coiled up towards the ceiling. Its beady eyes stared at her, watching closely.

"Ah, a human comes to visit my domain," the spirit said, in a hauntingly smooth voice. "It's been quite some time since anyone other then the Avatar has come to see me." Its face abruptly sank back into its body and replaced with a new face—a wolf's face, snarling and snapping at her. When Azula's expression didn't change, the original face returned. "And you know my tricks, it seems."

"Of course," she replied, retaining her empty demeanor. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't." She blinked at the insectoid spirit, moving her eyes lazily across it. "So, you are Koh. You certainly are an ugly spirit, aren't you? No wonder your mother disowned you."

"Ugly, you say? Hmm, perhaps a different face for your liking?" The pale face changed into that of a young woman with long dark hair. Koh stared at her a moment longer, glaring intently. "No? Then maybe..." The woman's face vanished, replaced with a hissing serpent. "This one!" Again, no change in emotion. Koh changed faces again, this time to an old man. "Very diligent, human."

"I am perfect, didn't you know?"

"So boastful, I see." The spirit turned from her and began crawling back along the cave wall. "But that confidence will only help so much. Now, tell me, why have you come?"

"I read so much about you in the great Spirit Library, I simply had to come see you for myself." Azula knew Koh would never believe such a feeble excuse. That wasn't the point. No, she had to test him first, get to know how he reacted. Only then could she get what she wanted.

"Oh, surely now, you can lie better than that," Koh said, hanging the upper half of his body away from the wall to stare at her. This time, his face became that of a young boy. "No one visits me for the mere of pleasure of it. No, it's because they want something. Tell me, what is it you want?"

"I want something you possess. Something quite valuable."

Koh eased a small sigh, and began crawling farther along the cavern wall. "Ah, I am afraid you are mistaken, poor human. I have nothing of value, and even if I did, why would I give it to you, hmm?"

"Oh, you do," she replied. "There is something here I want, and I think you know what it is."

Koh flitted down from the wall in an instant and brought his face directly in front of hers. They stared at each other for a long moment, both with blank, featureless expressions. Now was as good a time as any. Azula allowed the moment to draw out another few seconds, and then...

She smirked.

"Yes, there, now your face is mine!" the spirit declared, with a cackling laugh. He moved in close and brought several of his chitinous legs up to the corners of her face. "What a lovely one this will be to add to my collection. So young, and beautiful, and..." He gave a firm tug at Azula's flesh, but nothing happened. He frowned, and tugged again. Still nothing. His own face switched to that of a blue-nosed baboon, twisted with a scowl. "What is this? Your face... Why can't I take your—Aaaahhghh!"

The Face Stealer reeled backwards with a horrid shout as lightning coursed through his body. His faces began switching rapidly, from one to another, until finally he fell backwards to the ground, legs twitching.

"I learned quite a lot in that Spirit Library. This isn't a face you can steal, Koh." Azula pulled her smoking fingers back and curled her lips into a wider smirk. "The one type of face beyond your reach."

"Ah, I see now." Koh righted himself and skittered along the wall. He breathed a raspy groan, turning his default face towards her. "Yes, that is why you've come to my domain. My brother gave you this body, that face. Now you come to retrieve his essence."

"My, you are observant, aren't you?"

"What else did he offer you?" Koh asked, crawling swiftly up to the ceiling. He remained there briefly before dropping back to the floor. "He must have offered you more, for you to be helping him now. Ah, let me guess..." A second later, he was staring Azula in the face again. "He's offered you a way out of the Spirit World."

"Yes, and I'm not going to allow some overgrown sow bug to stop me," Azula shot back. Bright blue flames ignited in her palms. "Tell me where his essence is and I won't roast you."

A throaty chuckle grumbled out of Koh's throat as he skittered away into the shadows. "Oh child, not even the Avatar could kill me. What makes you believe you're capable?"

Her gaze narrowed. "I'm far more lethal than any Avatar."

"Hmm, perhaps." The Face Stealer paused, and crept back into the light. "Still, there is no need for violence here. I'm certain we can discuss this. How do you say, like civilized people?"

"Right, because you're so civilized." The flames in her hands burned larger. "Just tell me where this essence is so I can leave already."

"Oh, foolish human. You have been tricked."

Azula hesitated, softening her flames. "What are you talking about?"

Koh's face switched again to the young woman with dark hair. He came closer, glaring. "Do you not wonder why Sen needs you, a human, to help him?"

"Because he's trapped in a prison, obviously."

"If that were the only reason, he would have convinced another spirit to set him free long ago. No, it's because you are a human." Koh crawled around the cave floor, circling Azula. He wrapped around her, as though a serpent coiling his prey, numerous clacking legs reaching out to encapsulate her. "He has had many other humans attempt to break him free in the past, but all have failed. You are merely his latest attempt."

Azula turned to follow the spirit as he circled her. While he coiled close, he never touched her, leaving enough space for her to move. "What does my being human have to do with it?"

"When our mother stole Sen's essence, she altered it, to make it more difficult for him to enter the physical world," Koh explained. "That way, even if he did escape his prison, he would still be trapped within the Spirit World. The only way for him to enter your world is for him to obtain a physical body himself."

"What do you mean? Couldn't he make his own body?"

"No, he cannot inhabit one of his empty shells. In order for Sen to leave the Spirit World, he must merge with a human essence, within their physical body." Koh uncoiled and crawled in front of her again. "You, for example."

"Wait..." Azula narrowed her eyes, taking a moment to process the information. "You mean to tell me that once I free him, he'd possess me, in order to enter the physical world?"

"Not just possess. Become. You two would be as one, and you as an individual would cease to be. You would not simply die. Your existence would be erased." Koh offered a quiet chuckle as he skittered away, his face changing back to the default pale, gray-eyed version. "So tell me, human, are you still so eager to free my brother?"

"That lying, slimy little..." Azula scowled, rage surging through her newly restored body like wildfire. The flames in her hands erupted, towering above her palms. The audacity of that wretched spirit, thinking he could trick her! "Of course I'm not going to free him now! Which means, I suppose I won't be needing his essence anymore."

"Ah, but I will give you his essence."

Azula quirked her brow. "Wait, why? What use for it would I have now?"

"The essence of an ancient spirit is pure, concentrated spiritual energy. Chi, as you humans call it. If you were to take it for yourself and absorb it, for example..." Koh coiled around her once more. "You would become far more powerful than you ever dreamed."

Azula extinguished the flames in one of her hands and pressed her fingers to her chin, thinking. "I'll admit, that does sound enticing, but what's the catch? I hardly believe you'd give it away for free."

Koh sighed, and uncoiled himself. "I have no attachment to keeping Sen's essence here. As long as it isn't used to free him, it doesn't matter where it is. All I ask is that when you absorb it you do so in his presence. I want you to mock him. Let him know that he shall never overcome his transgressions, and will never be free."

"Well, that's simple enough," she muttered."I suppose it would be fun to piss off an ancient spirit. Even so, that doesn't help my other problem. I'm still trapped here in the Spirit World. I need to return to the physical world."

"You requires only a little patience," Koh stated. "Events are in motion for great changes to both worlds."

Azula rolled her eyes. "Would you stop with the cryptic riddle speak and just explain what you mean?"

"I mean the spirit portals."

Her brow furrowed. "I read about those in the library. They've been closed for ten thousand years. What about them?"

"There is a man of your world's Northern Water Tribe. He has mediated many times into the Spirit World, and has shown himself to be a true friend of the spirits." Koh crawled his way back to the ceiling, slowly, methodically. "He intends to open the portals, and rejoin both worlds together."

"I thought only the Avatar could open the portals?"

"There is a new Avatar in your world. She is but a girl right now, but someday she will grow up, and the Water Tribe man will use her to open the portals. When that happens, you will be able to travel freely into the physical world again."

Azula paced along the cave floor. A new Avatar? How long had she been here in the Spirit World? Forty years in Wan Shi Tong's Library, but how long in the Fog of Lost Souls before that? If the old Avatar was dead, was anyone she had known still alive? Frustration bubbled into her throat. By the time she returned to the physical world, so much would have changed. "That will take more time."

"What other choice do you have? Unless you'd prefer giving yourself to my brother."

After a moment's pause, Azula huffed a deep sigh. Koh was right. She had no other choice. "I've been in the Spirit World this long, I can wait a little longer."

Koh skittered in front of her, bringing his gaze close once again. "So, we are in agreement?"

"Yes," she replied, hardening her gaze. "Now show me to this essence."


Azula emerged from the fog in front of the tall stone spire. She stood there, staring at the sealed door with glowing glyphs. A grin slashed across her face. Oh, this would be entertaining.

"At last, you have returned." Sen's voice echoed from all around her, booming with anticipation. "I nearly feared you had failed."

"Please," she said, with a flip of her hair. "I never fail."

"Do you have it, then?"

Azula reached inside her sleeve and pulled out a small vial, in which floated a feathery wisp of light. Sen's essence, glowing so brightly she had to squint her eyes, unable to look directly at it. "Right here."

"Excellent! Bring it here. Press it to the doorway, and I will be free."

She glanced at the vial for as long as she her eyes could manage, before returning her attention to the doorway. "Such a remarkable thing, this essence of yours. There's so much power in it."

"Yes... it is very ancient," he said, with subtle caution buried in his tone. Azula still hadn't made a move towards the door. "Now give it to me. What are you waiting for?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing at all." Azula reached towards the top of the vial and tugged the cork off the opening.

"What are you doing?" Panic surged in Sen's voice, as Azula grasped the glowing wisp between two fingers and lifted it to her face. "No, stop!"

"Koh sends his regards, by the way. He wants to let you know you're never getting free from your prison. As for me, well..." She gave one more smirk, and let the essence fall to her forehead. Bright white light exploded outward and engulfed her, burning away the surrounding fog.

Sen's voice echoed with wild, panicked fury, thundering through the void in every direction. "No!"

When the light died away, Azula staggered, legs wobbling to maintain her balance. Faint wisps of steam billowed from her clothing, as though she had been singed with fire, but she wasn't injured, wasn't weakened. No, far from it. Her fingers trembled, body vibrating with levels of energy coursing through her the likes she hadn't experienced since under the red sky of Sozin's Comet.

With a wicked grin, she shifted into a bending pose and thrust her fingers into the air. A towering pillar of blue flames erupted into the sky, far larger than anyone should be able to bend. Her smirk curled wider. She continued into a basic firebending form. Each shot of flames exploded from her body with unparalleled destructive force, every strike a cataclysmic inferno under her command.

"Now this feels incredible!" A pleasant cackle erupted from her throat as she continued bending. She couldn't get enough of it, how amazing it felt! So much power!

"This betrayal of yours will not go unpunished, Azula!" Sen's voice boomed so loud that the prison spire began to shake. "You will answer for this!"

"No, I won't. You're stuck in there, and soon I'll be back in the physical world where I belong." She looked to the door, lips twisting into a mocking grin. Without wasting anymore time, she jumped into the air with her arms and legs pointed straight at the ground. Four streams of flames jetted beneath her and rocketed her into the air, as though flying. "So long, spirit. We won't meet again."

"Azula!"


9 Years Ago...

Korra stared at the spirit portal before her. Her body ached so much she could barely stand, but she didn't let it show. She stood firm, unflinching. She was the Avatar, after all, and had just overcome the greatest challenge of her life. Defeating Vaatu and her uncle, Unalaq, had been no easy task, but she had done it. Now came the moment to end this entire ordeal, to close the portals and separate the two worlds once again.

Tenzin turned from the portal to look at her. His gaze was stern, but also caring, and contemplative. "Now that you're bonded with Raava once again, are you also reconnected with your past lives?"

Korra glanced back at him a moment, before letting her own gaze drop sadly towards the ground. "No. I think that link is gone, forever."

"I see." Tenzin eased a brief sigh, and looked to the portal again. "Why don't you close the portals, and we'll go home."

With a small nod, Korra walked up to the portal and stretched out her hand. As her grasp neared the glowing orb of light, she paused, relaxing her palm. "Maybe I shouldn't."

Tenzin pushed his eyebrows together, giving her a curious stare. "What do you mean?"

Korra pulled her hand back and looked down at her fingers. "What if Unalaq was right when he said the Avatar shouldn't be a bridge between the two worlds?" She clenched her hand into a fist. "What if Avatar Wan made a mistake when he closed the portals? What if humans and spirits weren't meant to live apart?"

Korra turned away from the portal and looked behind them. In the distance, Bum-Ju fluttered towards Bumi, carrying a stick in his mouth. When the dragonfly bunny spirit reached his new friend, Bumi gave him a gentle pat on the head. She watched the two a moment longer, and returned her focus to Tenzin. "Well, what do you think I should do?"

Tenzin came forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think you should trust your instincts. There is nothing else I can teach you. You are the Avatar. Whatever your decision, I support you."


Azula poked her head above one of the rocky crags surrounding the two spirit portals. She had been watching for some time now, waiting until the entire fiasco ended. It had taken her ages to find this location without any sort of map, and by the time she had arrived, an army of dark spirits had been attacking a small group of humans at the central tree. The events that followed had been quite strange, but she had seen many strange things during her time in the Spirit World. Nothing much surprised her anymore.

Now, she prepared herself. Her eyes focused on the girl wearing a Water Tribe jacket. This new Avatar didn't look like much. Then again, the previous Avatar had looked like even less. Azula knew better than to underestimate such an opponent. If this Korra, as she had heard the Avatar being called, made a move to close the portals, Azula would have to strike.

Moments later, Azula relaxed. Korra didn't close the portals. Rather, she and her team left the Spirit World through the southern portal and disappeared. Azula waited a moment longer and leaped over the surrounding rocks. Wasting no time, she sprinted towards the northern portal. Finally, after so damn long, she would be free again. As the light of the portal engulfed her, she grinned. Time to see how the world had changed.


Present Day...

Anraq sat straight in his seat, staring wide-eyed her. "That's... I don't even know what to say, Azula. I had no idea you'd been through so much."

"Yes, it really was a whole ordeal." Azula had since moved away from the desk, now leaning against one of the posts on her bed with a deep sigh. She looked away from him, her gaze empty and distant. "If I never go back to the Spirit World, it'll be too soon."

"So that's why you're still so young..." Anraq muttered. "Or look so young, rather. And why your bending is so powerful?"

Azula nodded. "Only now I think Sen wants revenge on me for betraying him, and he's using Shin Tsang as a means to do that. Normally I wouldn't worry, but this is a special circumstance. He wants his essence back, but I don't think he'd stop there." She swallowed, slowly looking down at herself. She raised a hand, clutching it against her chest. "He gave me this new body of mine. I think he could take it back. I don't want to give it back. I don't want to be trapped in the Spirit World again, or erased from existence. I just want to live."

Anraq stood from his seat and made his way towards her. He stood behind her, hands resting against her shoulders. "We won't let him get to you, Azula. Whatever it takes, I promise."

"Thank you, Annie," she said, with a slow nod. Moments later, she felt Anraq's arms wrap around her from behind, holding her tight. She stiffened in his grasp, eyes widening. "What are you doing?"

"I'm giving you a hug."

She turned a glance over her shoulder to look at him, brow furrowed in puzzlement. "Why?"

"Because it looked like you needed one," he said, meeting her gaze. "Is that alright?"

"I don't need—" Azula started to pull away, but stopped herself with a silent gasp. What was she doing? She had spent so much of her life being cold and distant that her first instinct was to push him away, just like she did to everyone else. This was Annie. She didn't need to remain guarded around him. She trusted him. This lowly, sweet, pathetic man. She actually trusted him. No doubt she was only setting herself up for more pain. No doubt she would regret it. She didn't care. Easing a heavy sigh, she sank into his embrace, and his arms tightened. "Yes. Yes, this is... alright."