Azula tugged at her chains. A futile effort. The chains didn't budge, no matter how much she flexed or twisted her wrists in attempts to wriggle free. With a tired sigh, she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes. How pathetic. They kept her chained in the cargo hold of this airship like some kind of animal. Or monster. She couldn't break free, she couldn't save herself. She could not escape her inevitable fate. Sooner or later, they would arrive at their destination, wherever that was, and Shin Tsang would rip Sen's essence from her body. After that, she could only guess. One way or another, the Spirit of a Thousand Faces would want his revenge.

How had this happened? Even with all her careful planning, all her power, she had still fallen and become a prisoner, helpless and alone. Yula drifted into her thoughts, causing enraged heat to burn into her cheeks. Azula had given that woman everything. Power, authority, skill, a good life for her and her family. So why had Yula betrayed her? Did she truly believe Azula weak, unfit to rule? Or was there some other reason? Had Yula ever been loyal at all?

Fear. Manipulation. The two primary aspects of Azula's entire personality, which she had honed to such perfection. For years, she had utilized them both to dominate and control, to get her way, to triumph. Why, then, did her life blow up in her face every time she relied on them? First with Mai and Ty Lee, so long ago. Those two had been her friends. Or at least, as close to friends as someone like her could ever have. Keeping them in line had always been so easy. Fear. Manipulation. Always enough. Until it wasn't. In the end, they had still betrayed her.

And why? Because they had felt more powerful emotions than fear. For Mai, her love for Zuko. For Ty Lee, her loyalty to Mai. Azula had lost them both in a short few seconds, because the fear she had instilled within them hadn't been strong enough. Such a thing had been incomprehensible to her back then. How could anything be stronger than fear? How could she lose control? How could anyone have the courage to turn against her?

From a young age, Ozai had taught her that power would be enough to triumph, that making people afraid of her would keep them in line. For so long, she had believed it, had never even questioned it, because for so long it had been true. For so long, it had been the only thing she ever needed. Had that all been yet another of her father's abusive lies? As far as she had seen so far, relying on fear and manipulation, no matter how useful, only ever ended in failure.

Yula.

Azula had caused that woman so much pain, instilled the worst kind of fear in her, expertly manipulated her into serving the Fire Nation. Yula had taken so much after Azula, learned all her lessons, hardened into a fierce, merciless woman capable of inflicting fear of her own unto others. She had become the perfect student. Too perfect. Just like with Mai and Ty Lee, fear hadn't been enough to keep her in line. Not through love or loyalty this time, but ambition. Yula's ambition to rule, to show her strength. Once again, fear had lost. Once again, things had blown up in Azula's face.

Love. Compassion. Kindness. Were those really the pieces she had been missing this whole time, all throughout her life? She'd taken that approach with Annie. What had begun as a simple test to learn if creating loyalty without the use of fear, cruelty, or manipulation was truly possible had blossomed into something so much more. So much stronger. Her efforts should have failed. She'd expected them to. Expected to waste her efforts. In spite of those doubts, she had succeeded. Annie remained loyal to her. He actually liked her, and not because she had forced him into it. He liked her because he saw something good in her.

Azula scoffed at the thought. Good? She had never been good. So then why did Annie think she was? Did he really see something in her that she couldn't? He must. Why else would he have stuck by her all this time? If that were the case, what did that mean for her methods? For her entire way of thinking? She had never used fear on him, never manipulated him beyond getting him to the Fire Nation, and yet of any associate, companion, 'friend', or anyone she had ever had, he cared for her the most. She cared for him, too. She trusted him, more than she trusted herself sometimes.

Cold panic knotted into her throat, as her thoughts swam with the revelation. Why did she feel like that about him? She shouldn't feel that way about anyone. She couldn't. She'd just end up getting hurt again.

Or would she? Fear, manipulation, cruelty. Those led to failure and betrayal. Compassion, kindness, love. Those led to... loyalty? Caring? No, that couldn't be right. Could it? Had she been going about things all wrong her entire life? Was that what had led her to this predicament now, chained up like a monster, on her way to suffer at the hands of an ancient spirit?

Azula smacked her head back against the wall and tightened her fingers in her hair. Why couldn't the answer be simple? Why couldn't she figure it out? She didn't know what the best choices were, or how she should have done things. She didn't know if she should change. If she even could change. Throughout her entire life, she had caused so much pain and misery to others. That was all she really knew how to do. What if she did try to change, and she only made things worse?

Then again, how could things get any worse? More than likely, she would never have that chance. In a few short days, her life—her entire existence—would be over. No one was coming for her. No one was going to save her. Who would want to?

She really was alone.


"So, that's what happened," Zuko said, stroking a hand along his beard. "I had assumed it must have been something related to the Spirit World, to be keeping her so young, but I never imagined anything like that. To think she had been trapped there this whole time. To have actually died, and come back..."

"Yeah, I know, it's a lot to take in." Anraq tightened his arms around Druk's backside as the dragon continued soaring through the sky. As amazing as flying atop a dragon could be, it could also be equally terrifying at top speed.

"I cannot begin to understand what she's been through." Zuko eased a sigh, bowing his head. "If only she had let me help her back then, perhaps none of this would have happened. She has suffered so much through her life, first at the abuse of our father, then at my own inability to give her the care she needed, and now this whole spirit mess. We have to find her. We have to help her."

Anraq nodded. "I know, I couldn't agree more. Question is, how are we going to find her?"

Zuko gave his dragon a gentle pat on the neck. "Druk is an excellent tracker. We should be able to find Azula eventually, no matter where they've taken her. We'll need to stop soon for rest, though. Even dragons get tired."

Indeed, they had been flying for most of the day, ever since breaking out of prison. Not that they could have remained in the Fire Nation. Capital City was far too dangerous right now. Yula would have the entire Imperial Guard out looking for them, not to mention any Sun Warriors she had in her command now. Once they found Azula, they wouldn't be able to return. With this betrayal and shift in power, Azula was no longer Dragon Empress. There might not even be an empire anymore.

Druk landed outside a small mountain village and lowered himself against the ground, so his passengers could disembark. Zuko jumped down and gave his dragon another friendly pat. "Good boy, Druk. Go on and find some food. We'll meet you back here in the morning."

Anraq followed close behind, watching as the dragon took off into the skies to hunt. When the great crimson beast disappeared into the clouds, he turned his focus towards the village in the distance. "Where are we now?"

"Hira'a," Zuko replied, leading the way down a small dirt road. "It's where my mother grew up. Not a large town, but it's quaint, and homely."

"With all due respect, Lord Zuko, do you really think it's smart to waste time here?" Anraq questioned. "I mean, I get the need for rest, but the longer we take, the more at risk Azula is. If Shin Tsang gets her to the Spirit World..."

"I understand the worry," Zuko said. "I'm worried too, but the three Spirit Portals in this world are a good distance away, and from what I saw when we flew by the royal airfield, they didn't take the Dragon's Wing. That means they're likely transporting her with a normal airship. Even the closest portal, the one in Republic City, is a few days away in that case. Druk is faster than any airship. We'll catch up before they can reach any of the spirit portals."

"I guess that makes sense." Anraq thought a moment, holding a hand to his chin. "But what if they aren't planning on using a spirit portal?"

Zuko turned to him with a curious stare. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, the winter solstice is only a couple days away," he explained. "I'm not sure how much about the solstices you know, but during that time the line between the Spirit World and physical world becomes blurred. It could be possible for Shin Tsang to do something to Azula then, without needing to enter a spirit portal."

"Hmm..." Zuko stroked his beard, eyes narrowing. "I suppose that is a possibility. Even so, we should still be able to catch up in time. I promise you, Anraq, we will find her."

"I hope you're right." Anraq rubbed his fingers against his forehead, and breathed out a lengthy sigh. Spirits, please don't let them fail. He couldn't lose someone he cared for. Not again. "If anything happens to her..."

Zuko hummed softly, glancing at Anraq out the corner of his eyes. As they made their way through the entrance of Hira'a, he offered the other man an inquisitive gaze. "You and my sister have become very close, haven't you?"

Anraq stiffened, a sudden knot of apprehension sinking into his gut. "Uh, well, I guess... I mean, not close close. Just... We're friends, and I care about her. It's not like we're... you know. I mean, I'm her bodyguard, so I'm supposed to be protecting her, and... yeah." Oh dear spirits, what was wrong with him? Bumbling like a teenager with a schoolyard crush, and in front of Lord Zuko, of all people.

Zuko offered an acknowledging nod, as he turned onto the next street. "You know, I'm glad she has someone like you."

Anraq blinked. "You are?"

"Indeed. Azula has always been troubled, to put it mildly." Zuko slowed his pace, letting his gaze wander around Hira'a, watching the passing villagers go about their evening business. "For a long time, whenever I used to think about her throughout the years, I always felt like she could have turned out differently if she had a positive influence in her life. Someone she could depend on. I had my uncle, and he's a large reason why I turned out the way I did. Azula never had anyone like that. Ever since she came back, I've tried to be that person for her, but there's too much history between us. Too much bad blood. She doesn't trust me, and I don't think she ever will. You, on the other hand..."

Zuko paused, looking to Anraq with a stern expression, and yet at the same time caring. "I've seen how she is around you. She's different. Azula has always been so cold and cruel, but whenever I see her with you, I see something else. I see her calm, and at peace. I see her genuinely happy. I don't think she even realizes it herself, or at least I don't think she'd admit it. She cares about you, she trusts you, and I know you feel the same."

Anraq swallowed, and gave a slow nod. "Yeah, I do. To be honest, I never would have imagined feeling that way about her when I first came here, but she's not at all like I expected her to be. There's a good side to her, I know there is. I've seen it."

"I know, I've seen it, too," Zuko said. "I just don't think Azula sees it. I think she's become conflicted, much like I used to be. With a little help, I think we can guide her onto a new path. A better path. I think we can finally give her the peace she deserves."

"I'll help her however I can, sir," Anraq insisted. "Azula means a lot to me. As a friend, and... Well, I care about her."

Zuko smiled. "I know, Anraq. So do I."


Yula folded her arms, as she stared down at the crowd of people wearing sun-shaped masks below her. She stood atop a raised platform, while the others had gathered together in front of her in the audience chamber of the royal palace. Perhaps eighty individuals, altogether. Quite the sizable group. Understandable, how they might have become a threat to Azula. To her, they were nothing.

"Is this everyone?" she asked, glancing at the man next to her on the platform.

"Yes, Fire Lord." The man named Ishida gave a respectful bow. He was second in command of the Sun Warriors, next to Shin Tsang. "This is the entire might of the Sun Warriors. After helping rid us of Azula and her empire, we are yours to serve."

"Good. This announcement will only take a minute." Yula returned her focus to the crowd below. They all watched her closely, waiting to learn why they had been called here. "Welcome, Sun Warriors. As you may have already heard, Dragon Empress Azula has been deposed, her empire is no more, and I will continue leading the Fire Nation as your Fire Lord."

The Sun Warriors broke out into cheers and applause. How pleased they must be, now that their goal of separating the Fire Nation from the Dragon Empire had reached fruition. A shame that their victory would be so short-lived.

"This is only partially true," she continued. The Sun Warriors paused their celebration, ripples of confusion and concern murmuring through the group. "While Azula is now out of the picture, I plan to continue what she started. Not as your Fire Lord, but as your new Dragon Empress."

"What?" Ishida turned a shocked glance towards her, eyebrows lifted high. The crowd below her broke out into shouts and jeers. "Fire Lord Yula, you can't do this!"

"Oh, I most certainly can," she stated, narrowing her eyes into a cold glare. She met the angry, hateful looks emanating from the crowd with her own glare of disgust. "It's time for the Dragon Empire to expand. Before long, the entire world will know just how strong I am. The Dragon Empire is the greatest nation in history, and there is no one who can stop me."

"You're wrong!" called one of the Sun Warriors.

Yeah!" another answered. "We can stop you! Right now!"

The crowd turned hostile, advancing towards her platform. The firebenders of the group ignited flames in their hands, or shifted into fighting stances, ready to put a stop to Yula if she didn't back down from her desire to continue the empire. She didn't flinch

"Yes, you Sun Warriors would pose a problem if left unchecked," she said, with a disdainful sigh. "In order for my plans to progress, you must all be removed from the equation. That's why I've invited you here now. If you notice, the floor you're standing on isn't made of tile. Rather, it's made of copper. I had it replaced a couple days ago."

The crowd paused, glancing down at their feet. As they discovered, the floor indeed shined with a distinct coppery glow, rather than the same tile as the rest of the palace. Yula paced across her platform, safely out of reach of the copper floor below.

"For those of you less educated folk, you should know that copper is one of the strongest conductors of electricity in the world." She turned towards the crowd, bringing two fingers forward. Lightning sparked at her fingertips. "Allow me to demonstrate."

The entire crowd shrieked, recoiling in immediate terror. Several near the back attempted to flee through the chamber doors, only to find that they had been locked from the outside.

"Wait, no!"

"Fire Lord Yula, have mercy!"

"Please, don't!"

"Somebody stop her!"

When her lightning finished charging, Yula pointed her fingers at the floor. "Goodbye, Sun Warriors."

The bolt blasted straight into the copper floor, instantly surging a wave of electricity throughout the entire chamber. Screams of agony erupted from the crowd. Their clothing singed, their skin fried, as lightning sizzled into their bodies. Yula did not relent. Rather than fire a single bolt, she maintained a constant stream of lightning from her fingertips, as long as her chi could manage. Within moments, the screams silenced. Only once the last of the Sun Warriors finally collapsed lifeless to the floor did Yula allowed her lightning to dissipate.

"You... you killed them..." Ishida took a step back on the platform, staring at her in horror. "You killed them all!"

"Yes, I did," Yula stated, turning her attention towards the cowering man. "It's amazing how simple it was, and after Azula spent so much time afraid of you."

"Please... please don't kill me! I have a family. A wife, and a son..."

Yula stepped towards him, clasping her hands behind her back. Her expression never wavered. Cold, stern, unyielding. "Don't worry, Ishida. Vow to serve me, and you can live."

Ishida dropped to his knees and bowed, placing his forehead against the ground. "Y-yes, Fire Lord Yula. I promise!"

"Ah, ah, ah." Yula wagged her finger at him. "Try again."

"Dragon Empress," he corrected, with a quiver in his voice. "I vow to serve you, Dragon Empress Yula."

She smirked. "Much better."


Yula marched through the palace, her new golden cloak billowing behind her. Now that she was Dragon Empress, her simple Fire Lord robes no longer sufficed. Instead, she had adorned herself with Azula's imperial armor, and Dragon Empress robes. Much more fitting for her new position. Of course, this was a small step in advancing her goals. There was still so much more to do.

As she rounded to corner, she came face-to -face with a middle-aged man dressed in the red and gold armor of the Imperial Guard. She recognized him as Han, captain of the guard. He greeted her with a respectful bow.

"Ah, Captain Han, is everything prepared?"

"Yes, Empress," he said, straightening out of his bow. "The Dragon's Wing is prepped and ready for departure."

"Good. I want a squad of Imperial Guards ready to leave within the hour."

"Yula!" The call came from farther down the hall, frantic and desperate to grab her attention. Yula looked over Captain Han's shoulder, noticing her mother, Jaya, running towards them. "Yula, we need to talk!"

Yula sighed, rolling her eyes. "We really don't. I'm a little busy right now."

Jaya didn't stop. She approached her daughter with a panicked stare, eyes wide and quivering. "What is this I hear about killing an entire roomful of people?"

She flinched, narrowing a glare back at her mother. "Who told you that?"

"Does it matter?" Her mother took a step closer. Tears glistened in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "What did you do?"

"I executed traitors, Mother. That's what I did." Yula met her mother's stare with a stern scowl. "Treason is punishable by death, in accordance to Fire Nation and Dragon Empire law. All I did was carry out the sentence myself."

"Honey, this has to stop!" Jaya pleaded. "You can't just go around killing people who disagree with you!"

Yula's insides burned with defiance, heat raging into her chest. "I don't need to do anything you tell me! I am Empress now. I'm in charge. I'll do whatever I have to, to make sure things stay that way. If that means getting rid of people who would threaten the nation's stability, then so be it."

"Yula..." Jaya took a step back, slowly shaking her head. Her eyes shifted with disbelief, tears finally rolling down her cheeks. "What is wrong with you? What happened to that sweet girl I raised?"

"She's dead. I'm not sweet, or nice, or weak. I'm the Dragon Empress, and no one is going to stop me."

"Honey, please," Jaya uttered, wiping at her eyes. "You can't do this. I can't... I can't let you do this."

"Oh, really? What are you going to do about it?" Yula hardened her glare and leaned closer to her mother. When her mother remained silent, she scoffed. "That's what I thought. Captain Han, escort my mother back to her room. I want her confined there and under guard at all times. When you're done, meet me on the Dragon's Wing. I want to catch up with Shin Tsang by tomorrow."

Captain Han shifted a nervous glance between the two women, and moved forward to take Jaya by the arm. "Yes, Empress. This way, ma'am."

"Yula, please!" Jaya struggled against the captain's hold, but he guided her away with a firm grip. "Stop this!"

Yula turned from her and continued down the hall. "Goodbye, Mother."