Azula Pov(a few hours earlier)
"Come on Azula we're going to be late to the festival!" I still couldn't belive she'd talked me into to doing this. Personally I'd rather just spend the evening alone in my study but if it was Ty lee asking I knew I wouldn't be able to say no. So here I was flying over my kingdom with her right behind my head as headed to what I hoped would be the highlight of her year. As we flew over the forest countless number of spirits of all shapes and sizes could be seen converging to the open meadow where the festival was being held.
"Hold on Ty lee I'm about to land" I feel her grip tighten on my horns as I suddenly dive downward gaining speed with every second. As I got closer to the ground many spirits panicked and scattered no doubt thinking this was there end, but right before I hit the ground I flapped my wings with all my might as I pulled back sending massive guts of wind before finally landing. Ty Lee was off instantly.
"That was mean Azula you could have warned me you we're going to do that." I couldn't help but chuckle as I shifted back into my human form.
"Sorry but at least we're here now" Her cheeks puffed up with anger but as I led her into the heart of the festival all the anger vanished and was replaced with her usual child like innocence. multiple stalls and vendors were placed all around the portal that would soon open letting both spirits and humans wander the worlds for a time. Some spirits or humans take this chance to take a year long vacation knowing full well that once closed the portal can't be opened until the next year.
And this will be my only chance to find a healer in the human world to treat Ty lee. I'll only have a few hours to find one and get back though, which means I can't stay with Ty lee all night.
I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice that I was alone. Knowing her she must have seen something and been to excited to wait for me.
"Well she can't have gotten to far." luckily for me dragons had an excellent sense of hearing and smell so after a couple moments of concerting I managed to pick up her sent and voice even among the hoards of people.
Pushing past all the people in my way and through a couple booths I finally manage to find her holding a giant bag of unknown yellow food and wearing some silly red mask she'd no doubt bought with the bag of gold I'd given her. As I made my way to her I saw a group of young men move in on her. She was surrounded before she knew what was happening but from what I could see they were just talking. Although from they way they kept looking at one another and moving in place I could tell they wanted more then to just talk. And I was proven right when their leader suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulling her in making her scream. Fire rolled over my arms as a savage and gutteral roar escaped my throat when I saw this. forgoing all kidness I put all my strength into my wings before pushing up and dive bombing two of the men erasing all distance between us.
"You have exactly three seconds to release her or I'll personally see to it that you become nothing more than ash!" Upon seeing the look in my eyes two of the young men fled the scene leaving their leader still holding Ty Lee with a smug expression on his face.
"Now I don't see why the three of us can't have a good time, I've heard dragons are pretty fiery in bed but I think I can..." a whistling sound filled the air. Then from out of know here a dart hit the man square in the neck. Instantly his body went limb and he collapsed to the ground and I rushed to Ty lee while looking for the shooter. But In my entire life there was only one person I knew with that good of aim.
"Didn't think I'd catch you here Azula, always thought you hated events like this not that I can blame you." Following the sound of the voice I found one of my... well Ty lee's friends Mai leaning against one of the booths as usual looking bored and sullen. Ty lee at hearing her old friend rushed over to her and gave her a hug which Mai accepted but didn't return.
"What can I say she wanted to go and I didn't have anything else to do." As soon as she finished hugging Mai I gave her a quick smack to the forehead.
"I thought I told you not to leave my side tonight. I knew something like this would happen." I would have proceeded with my rant but after seeing the look in her eye I couldn't bring myself to do it.
"Just don't leave my side again alright?"
She gave me a quick nod and then proceeded to head to a nearby booth containing spirit wine leaving Mai and I alone.
"So tell me Azula hows her health lately?"
"Lets just say if I can't get my claws on a lot of spirit water and a human healer tonight she won't live to see next years festival."
"Oh" we stand in silence for a moment as we taken in the seriousness of it all.
"Well then when the portals open you cross into the human world and I'll look after Ty lee for you."
That's perfect now I'll have all the time I'll need to get what I'll need and Ty lee will still have a fun festival with a friend even if It's not the friend she really wants.
"Then untill then lets keep our favorite girl entertained until I have to make the journey." As the hours passed we partook in all the festival had to offer. From the hot springs that cleansed the body and spirit to the tournament of warriors untill finally it was time for the portals to open. Everyone was gathered around the portal and watched as the solid orb of light transformed into a giant pillar of energy and the first of the humans made their way into our world.
I pulled Mai aside without Ty lee noticing and gave her my instructions.
"Make sure she has fun tonight but be careful she doesn't over do it and bring her back to the palace by morning I'll be back as soon as I can."
"whatever you do be back by the time the portal closes." I heard as I moved through the groups of spirits heading to the human world. As I went I grabbed a cloak off a passing costume rack and finally passed through the portal where on the other side another festival was in progress. After taking a look around I couldn't help but smile as I was in one of the water tribes the perfect place to find healers. But first I had some water to find, good thing I did a bit of research and found out exactly what forms the ocean and moon spirits had chosen and exactly where to find it. I made my way to a deserted alley before removing my cloak and freeing my wings as I flew up into the sky as I searched through the smells until I found the smell of two ancient spirits. After that it was childs play to swoop down and grab a large jug emptying it before flying past the village and through a small gap flying sideways to squeeze through until I found myself in some large and open oasis. I could sense the spirits nearby but for some reason their presence was very weak.
That's good I wouldn't want to fight two of the oldest spirits alive.
I could also sense a nearby human, a young women but it looks like she was asleep under the nearby tree. So with nobody around to stop me I pulled the jug over to the spring and began to fill it with water.
"Damn looks like I'll only be able to carry one jug, it's not much but it should be able to help Ty lee at least, now I just need to find a healer." Just as I filled up the jug I heard a rapid heart beating caused by sudden movement no doubt that girl just woke up.
"You there! stop what you're doing and return the water." Judging by her tone she would no doubt either try to fight or scream but I didn't have the time for either so with little movement I sent a massive blue fireball from my hands but was actually surprised when I didn't hear a scream but the sound of fire being extinguished.
Hmmm my fires not that easily extinguished she must be pretty strong.
"Seems I won't have to look pretty far for bender, you there how strong are you?"
"I'm at the Top of my class" the girl says still in a fighting stance.
"That's good, now be a good girl and come with me" I knew getting a bender to come back with me but if we wound up fighting I'd no doubt kill her. I was proven right when instead of obeying me she sent a ice spear straight at my head which I easily avoided and snapped in half at the last moment.
"You've got spirit girl but I don't have time to play with you. Now you and I are going to leave here but whether it's painful or not is entirely up to you." I start to walk to her letting my fire engulf my arms to intimate her. But as soon as i was halfway I felt my instincts kick in and when I looked at the portal I could see it was starting to close.
"Damn looks like I'm out of time but I'm not heading home empty-handed" In an instant my flames fully engulf my body unleashing my true form. In a moment I grab the jug and capture the girl as she tries to flee and then I was in the air heading straight for the portal. The girl tried to escape so I gave her a little squeeze to stop that holding most of my strength back to make a point but not to fully harm her.
I'm cutting it a bit close but at least I got everything I came here for.
Just as the portal was closing I push forward and pass through at the very last second. As I did so I saw a bald-headed boy no doubt the avatar staring at the girl trapped in my claws with an expression of surprise, sadness and anger but the last one seemed to be directed at me for some reason. But that was soon forgotten as I flew over my kingdom and to my palace where I would somehow convince this girl to heal Ty Lee... but how?
As soon as I landed I placed both jug and girl on the ground as my servants rushed to my side.
"Take this jug to Ty Lees wing and take this girl to my chambers and tell no one that she is here."
They nodded as they rushed to their task carefully lifting the jug and carrying the girl off into the palace. Which left me alone to try to come up with some sort of plan as I went to find the one person that might be able to offer some wisdom. Not surprisingly I found him in the kitchen preparing a cup of tea.
"Ah hello my queen, I take it you finally found yourself a wife?"
"Excuse me?!"
"I saw your maids carrying a young women to your chambers not to long ago. I assumed you two had a rather passionate and exhausting night in the human world and brought her back to rest before claiming her as your bride." I couldn't help but notice the amusing tone in his voice, I honestly couldn't tell if he was serious or having fun with me.
"Sorry to assume but she's the healer I found. Although I must admit she interests me."
He smiles before taking a sip and letting out a content noise as he savors his tea.
"Well then why don't you win her heart? The portals are closed for the next year so you'll have plenty of time... that is if she doesn't already have somebody waiting for her. I've heard it's quite common in their tribes to have an arranged marriage lined up for young women."
"Well I'll deal with that later now I need to know how I'll convince her to help cure Ty Lee. The portals are closed so I can't get another healer and I wasn't exactly polite when I retrieved her."
I waited as he pondered this for a moment before looking to me.
"I've learned in my long life that if you really need someone to help it's a good idea to simply ask politely and explain your reasons to them. I'm sure the young woman will help if you tell her your reasons and don't threaten her."
That's all! Just ask her! she tried to kill me over some water... but I guess I did kind of start it with my fire.
"That could work if nothing else." With some sort of plan in mind I went to my chambers to check on the girl. When I opened the door I was nearly killed by a flying blade of ice. After dodging I saw she was standing on my bed and bending water from two nearby flower pots
"I don't know why you kidnapped me but I won't die without a fight!"
With one hand I closed the door and with the other sent a blast to surround her.
"Kill you? Oh now I need you alive and if you'll calm down I'll explain why." I tried to sound as not scary as I could but as it turns out even if I try to sound nice I still sound mean. She sent a hip of water to capture my hands but I easily heated it up untill it evaporated into steam. Using her surprise to my advantage I push forward and close the distance and tackling her knocking her onto her back as I capture her hands with mine heating my palms to evaporite all water. As i looked her in the face I couldn't help but notice that she was actually quite beautiful.
"Now will you listen to what I have to say... miss...?"
"Katara" she said finally managing to look me in the eye before turning away a blush on her face
"Well Katara I apologize If I was unpleasant when I brought you here but you see me friend is suffering from a curse and I needed spirit water and a healer to cure her and I was running out of time when I took you."
"Took me!? You threatened me, stole our sacred spirit water and then kidnapped me!" She screamed into my face.
I was very tempted to just hurt her to make her lean her place but I knew if I did so she'd never help me. So I thought of another way.
"Yes well as a spirit myself that water is mine to use how I please. And as for your abduction I apologize but I was on a bit of a time limit so I didn't have time to be polite and if you remember I did give you the option to come without a fight. But If you wish I'll offer you a deal that benefits us both."
She was still angry but she'd realized I was in full control of this situation.
"What kind of deal?"
"Become my bride" I realized what I said moments after realizing how it sounded. Imediatly she started to thrash about only for me to tighten my grip on her.
"What!"
"Listen, it would only be for appearances only. As queen of the dragons I have legions of suitors lined up hoping for my hand but I've yet to find someone worthy. Your only job will be to stay by my side during events to show I was spoken for but really you'll be healing my friend."
"And what do I get out of this deal? It sounds like I'll be doing all the work."
"As my bride you'll have access to all that my palace has to offer including to its libary which holds nearly all recorded history along with teachings on bendings lost to the ages. If you play your part then when the portal opens in one year I"ll let you leave with whatever knowledge you want along with enough riches to make you queen of your own kingdom."
A long time passed as she thought about my offer. And really what else could this human want? I'm basically giving her everything you could ever want.
"So if I can cure your friend and be by your side during public events then you'll let me leave in one year with whatever knowledge i choose no matter how valuable?"
"I swear as queen of the dragons."
"And what if I can't cure your friend?"
That question caught me off guard. I'd prepared myself for the day when Ty lee might die but I was putting my hopes in this girl so I refused to imagine that what ifs.
"Let's hope we don't have to find out, so then Katara do we have a deal?"
"Yes although I really don't have a choice in the matter."
With that settled I picked us both up and before she could stop me I grasped her hand and focused my flames down to her wrist and arm. She cried out when I marked her and when it was done I let go of her arm which she immediately put her water on to heal. When the water fell from her arm I saw that along her arm was a blue dragon coiling all the way around her right arm it's head on the back of her hand.
"And now it's official, from this day onward you are now my bride."