The End: 15 Years
The Beginning: Day 1,596
Azula sits in the dark room. It's scary. I'm old. I'm not supposed to fear the dark. It scares her anyway. She could light a candle or open the curtains, but the fire scares her too. What if she knocked over the candle and burnt something? What if she couldn't stop the fire from her hands?
She hears muffled voices growing louder as they walk by. Then, the voices drift father and father away. Some fear her. Others pity her. Azula just wants to be their friends. The doctors said she got better. What was it that was wrong with me? She clutches her head. Sometimes, bright lights or sharp noises hurt her head so much. It makes her want to cry, but she won't cry. Not anymore. She's a big girl now, and Mother never cried.
One day, she's going to be helpful. Zuzu has been the best older brother ever. Every week, he visited her in her special room. No one else did that. Mai saw her a few times. Ty Lee would do it most weeks. Zuzu never missed her once. It makes her feel happy. He forgave her, so she wants to help him. She wants to be a good little sister.
She remembers things about the courts. The doctors said she kept her cunning mind. Maybe Zuzu could use her as an advisor? He is such a good Fire Lord. All the kingdoms like him too because he's nice to them. For a hundred years, the Fire Nation attacked the other countries. Zuzu stopped it because he didn't want anyone else hurt.
Azula nods. Zuzu is smart, so that is a good idea. Not hurting people is good. She killed only one man in the last month after all. Just one! It made her cry, but no one can know that. She must be a big girl. He wanted to hurt Zuzu when her dum dum was visiting her. Azula knows Mother would've protected Zuzu, so she blasted him apart with lighting. It was so scary. She didn't know she could still do that, but Zuzu said she shouldn't do it for fun. Like fire, lightning hurts people if she isn't careful, but that man wanted to kill Zuzu. She will hurt anyone who wants to hurt him.
Now, Azula decided she'll be the most careful bender ever. She doesn't want to hurt anyone, even the bad people. Still, Zuzu can never be hurt. She will do anything for him.
The door opens.
Azula smiles. "Zuzu! I missed you!"
He smiles back to her. He wears the robes of the Fire Lord and the crown too. It makes him look so strong. "You can see me any time. I told you exploring is fine if you stay with the guards."
"But…" She points outside. "What if a bad man tries to hurt me or if I lose control? I don't want to hurt anyone. Never again, but I know I will if we wants to hurt you. If I stay in here, then even the bad men are safe from me."
He extends his hand. "Wanna take a walk? Just me and you."
"Sure!"
She wraps her arm around his elbow. Together, they leave her room and walk through the palace. She waives at the people even if they look afraid. Zuzu said being nice to people is good, so she will be nice to them. She remembers all these halls. She ran down them when she was a little girl and went exploring.
He leads her to a little courtyard with a pretty pond. She stops as her mouth hangs open. She points at the pond and giggles. "Look," she whispers. "Turtle-ducks. They're babies."
She tugs at him arm as she pulls him next to the water. The babies quack and swim around their mother. Azula sits down and watches the happy family. Zuzu sits next to her.
"We're still looking for her."
Azula's shoulders slouch. "Will Mother like me?"
"Yes." He holds her hand. "You're a nice person, and you're getting better every day. You're using Mother instead of Mommy. Soon, you'll be your devious self again. I'm sure."
"I am better."
"Azula, we both know you're… a little too young still."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
The princess sees his smile and knows he isn't unhappy with her. She leans on his shoulder and watches the babies swim. Two footsteps walk to her. She turns, ready to protect Zuzu. Oh, it's Mai!
"Hi!" She waives.
Mai nods, but her attention is on the bundle of clothes in her arm. She looks so tired. They say giving birth is the hardest thing ever.
"Is that…" She points at the bundle.
Zuzu nods. "Yeah, that's our Izumi."
Azula stands up and tip-toes to Mai and her niece. She looks at the newborn's face. It's so… squishy. "Hi," she whispers. "You're going to be so happy. Zuzu might look grumpy, but he's super nice. Mai might look irked and bored, but I know she will always love you. Oh, I'm your aunt, but I want to be your friend."
Mai raises her eyebrow. "Will you drop the baby?"
"No."
Carefully, Mai places the baby in her arms. Azula acts careful, super careful. She cradles the baby in her arms. She's holding a part of Zuzu, a new and living person.
"I never thought I'd have more of a family, then Mai became my sister. Now, you became my niece. I thought babies were icky and annoying, but you're nice."
She sits back down by the turtle-duck pond. The baby sleeps soundly in her arms. "One day, I'll show you this pond and tell you about turtle-ducks. Did you know they have a mom too? Mommy turtle-ducks will do anything for her babies just like your mommy. It took me a long time to learn that about my mother. I hope you'll be smarter than me."
The baby wakes up and grumbles like Zuzu would on a bad day. Mai takes the baby from her arms, but she doesn't look angry. Instead, she walks away with the child.
Zuko sighs. "I won't ever give up on you, Azula."
She blinks. "Zu… Zuko?"
"Yeah?" His voice turns serious.
She keeps perfect eye contact.
"I'm thankful for everything you've done. I was a burnout. I gave everything to… Father." She spits out his undeserving title. "You're putting me back together, not because I'm a tool. You're doing it because I'm your sister."
He nods.
Azula looks at the sun, the undying fire. She beams as she's gifted with its warmth.
"Thanks for being my brother, you big dum dum."