Life can be funny sometimes. Just when Azula thought she had lost everyone and everything, had nowhere to go, here she was at the old woman's house, sitting by the pai-sho table.
The old woman sipped his tea once again, what is up with old people and tea? a part of Azula wondered. The other part of Azula took in her surroundings. Even at her state of despair, she wasn't foolish enough to completely trust this woman. But, the house and the owner himself seemed quite harmless and plain. The room only had a mattress and a few small unpacked bags in the corner, indicating that she was a traveler. Other than that, there was the table and two earthen cups filled with tea. Azula hadn't touched hers.
"Do you want to go first?" The woman inquired, looking at the Pai-sho board and back at Azula.
"Let's get straight down to business," Azula replied, her voice authoritative, "what do you want?"
"Oh, fire and ash how rude of me! I forgot to even introduce myself!" She then bowed to her with her right hand in a fist and her left palm facing the other hand. "Greetings Princess Azula of the Fire Nation! I, Tai a member of the White Lotus, am honoured to meet you."
Azula returned the gesture. She had heard about the White Lotus but had never met a member. She had heard rumors about how some of the finest benders were part of that society.
"The Order of the White Lotus is an ancient and formerly secret society that transcends the boundaries of the four nations, seeking philosophy, beauty, and truth. We are devoted to sharing ancient knowledge across national and political divides. We have assumed the task of protecting and supporting the Avatar, having done so for Avatar Kuruk and now for Avatar Aang.
"We are aware about the tension between you and the Fire Lord and consequently the escapade of the only other heir." Tai said as she gestured towards her.
Azula nodded.
"I have approached you as a messenger from the White Lotus to deliver the proposal of teaming up with the Avatar to help him end the hundred-year war."
Azula took in a sharp death.
She was at the crossroads of her destiny.
Should she agree to join the Avatar, betraying her Nation, her father and her ancestors, throwing away everything she has worked for in her life?
Or should she refuse to join them, closing her eyes on the family who helped her when no one would, throwing away the chance to be better and living up to the name as a monster?
But then the true face of her Nation, the so-called glorious Fire Nation, flashed in front of her.
The screams of the mothers, the pleads of the fathers, the cries of the orphans caused due to the war.
Death of the couple who showed Azula a true home, and death of poor little Iza who showed Azula kindness.
"Iza please... help me... it hurts so much..." Recalling her last words again brought Azula to the brink of tears.
Tai sat calmly in front of her, letting her take her time for her decision.
How could Azula refuse to join and betray her nation, her true nation? How could she close her eyes on the suffering of her people and turn her back on the TRUE leaders of the Fire Nation?
Azula took in a deep breath and declared, "I'm willing to join the Avatar and end the war."
Tai smiled and nodded.
"Well, that makes three in the family." She chuckled.
Azula's eyes widened. "Are Zuko and Uncle with you?"
She nodded and said, "As of now, only Grand Lotus Iroh is present in our camp. It was him who insisted on this proposal. The others were, well, skeptical; they didn't have pleasant encounters with you in the past. They only saw eye to eye with him when they all accepted that they would rather have you as an ally, than an enemy."
Azula looked down in shame. She had belittled her Uncle on countless occasions, yet he gave her another chance; even if it was for the purpose of not having to deal with her as an enemy. She made a mental note on apologizing to him; to Zuko as well. They would never forgive her, but atleast they would know.
"Word is, Avatar Aang and his team, including Prince Zuko, will be joining us soon.", Tai continued, "in fact if we leave early tomorrow, we may be able to meet them on our way."
Azula nodded and thanked her.
After changing into some clean clothes supplied by Tai, and finally drink her tea which had gotten cold, Tai let Azula sleep on the mattress while herself sleeping on some blankets in vain to Azula's protest. She thought about pointing out Tai's age into account during their silly argument, but quickly dismissed it for the possibility of implying the wrong message.
Her dreams were full of bleeding bodies, a helpless little girl and lots of fire.
Azula woke up early the next morning. She quickly took a shower and having nothing to pack, decided to wait outside. The morning air was cool and refreshing with Agni lighting up the sky in a gentle orange behind the clouds. Azula threw her head back slightly and took in a deep breath to calm her nerves. The idea of meeting Zuko and Uncle Iroh both dreaded her as well as excited her. As for meeting the Avatar and his group of friends, well, maybe if she hadn't shot lightning at the Avatar, things would be a little easier.
Azula was snapped out of her thoughts by a croaking sound in the distance. It was a squirreltoad.
Azula thought about it. Really thought about it. She looked back to see Tai still in her deep slumber.
Well, a bit of practice can't hurt.
The squirreltoad was sitting on the wooden fence. It croaked again when Azula stood near it but didn't move.
It hit Azula then. What would she even say to all of them? 'Hello! I decided to go all goody-goody and turns out my father was as sane as a Phoenix fanboy. Oh and by the way sorry for almost killing you several times.' definitely didn't sound like a great option.
What would I normally say?
"Listen, Avatar." Azula folded her hands and raised her head, "I can join your group, or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice. … I mean not really. No umm… off course it is your choice but I didn't really mean it. But something unspeakably horrible may happen to all of you and I can help prevent it…" she said to the squirreltoad. "I mean," she continued, "I am considered pretty good at firebending. Well, you've seen me, you know when I was attacking you. Oh well, maybe I should have apologized for that first. Oh and also for almost killing the Avatar and ending the cycle, yeah I'd read about that in scrolls and- anyway I'm good now. And well letting me join comes with other benefits as well, like I know everything about my father's most trusted men. And no doubt after my leaving he got more people to well, replace me…. and I can also uhhh… teach the Avatar lightning bending, if he's willing."
The squirreltoad croaked at her. Angrily.
"Well, what's your answer?" Azula demanded.
The squirreltoad hopped on her head before hopping away.
"Hey, come back! I'm not done practicing!"
"Wow, this is going terrible.", commented Tai.
Azula quickly turned around and covered her shocked expression by folding her hands and raising her chin as if she was the most gracious and elegant princess in the entire world.
The squirelltoad found the perfect time and opportunity to hop and sit on her head.
"Good morning, Princess Azula." Continued Tai barely able to contain her laughter.
"Morning." Azula replied her chin still high ignoring the little nuisance croaking it's heart out on her head.
"We need to leave now."
"If that is what suits you best."
Tai almost choked unable to contain her laughter, nodded and made her way out.
Azula facepalmed the moment she was out of her sight.
That day and the next few days were full of travel. They had left Fire Nation and entered Earth Kingdom and much to Azula's dismay, entered Ba Sing Se. She was back where all of this started. While travelling with Tai, she saw a lot of refugees, all of different nations, broken hearted at the state of this part of the Kingdom now. If it was the worst place of civilization before, it was somehow even worse now.
Because of her, Azula bitterly thought, I was the one who conquered it and caused all of this. Ruining more lives.
Tai and Azula made their way to another part of Ba Sing Se. Agrarian zone, Tai had mentioned. Azula could see the various tents set up as they neared the camp.
"Well, welcome to old people camp." Tai chuckled.
But Azula was focused on something way more important. At a distance she could make out her brother walking towards the camp, not along with the Avatar, he was nowhere to be seen, but along with his friends, the girl Azula imprisoned in the Boling Rock, and King Bumi who was… not with great terms with her either.
But even though there were a lot of people who would rather not see her now, Azula couldn't help but smile as she saw her big brother Zuzu.