Spiritual Meetings

…

…Chari was in an abandon temple. She prepared some candles around a circle. She stood in front of the circle and took a bag of spices out of her belt pouch and then started chanting in another language. She tossed the spice in the circle and it erupted into red cloud.

Chari waited as a demonic face appeared before her. "Why have you called me again?" The spirit asked darkly.

Chari felt her heart quicken, but stood firm. "I need your assistance again." She said calmly.

The gravity seemed to deepen, the Spirit narrowed it evil red eyes. "And what assistance do you require?" It asked.

"I have lost the genie's bottle." She said. "I need to know how to find it again."

"You have already given your soul to us on the eve of your death for the last favor." The Spirit said. "What are you willing to give us now?"

"What do you want?" Chari asked.

"An altered arrangement." The Spirit said. "If you get the genie, you must them to defeat the Avatar."

"But genies can't violate the Spirit World." Chari protested.

"What rule can't be broken can still be bent." The Spirit said coldly.

Chari was flummoxed. "But how-"

"If you will stop interrupting." The Spirit snarled, causing Chari to wince nervously. "Much better." It said coldly. "When you confront the Avatar, you will wish a great sleep to come upon her. It won't harm her. But it will neutralize her. Then you will take her away to be hidden so the world will fall into disarray. But if you fail, you will belong to us immediately."

Chari hesitated. "I accept." She said.

The Spirit let out a hissing sigh; the room of the Temple glowed purple. Chari felt a cold sweat break out about her. An object like a wand appeared in the middle of the circle.

"With this relic, you will find the genie's bottle." The Spirit said. "Then you will find the Avatar and do as you have been told. Don't fail."

There was a whirlwind as the spirit vanished, the candles went out and the circle vanished. Chari panted. Then she took the wand in her hand, it vibrated with power.

Then her fear was replaced with dark pleasure.

The Swamp…

Azula and Ty Lee were strolling through the plains; Ty Lee was enjoying the air and land and sky. Azula was more aloof, eyeing her surrounding with disinterest. Suddenly she froze.

Ty Lee noticed Azula's motionless pose. "Azula, are you alright?" She asked.

Azula blinked as she focused up ahead. "I sense something." She whispered, eying a forest swamp to their left. "It's over in the swamp. I think we should check it out."

"OK." Ty Lee whispered. "But can you give us a means to travel through it."

Azula smirks. "Your wish is my command."

...

A boat moved through the swamp under the trees. Ty Lee sat in the front, scowling. This wasn't a place worth sightseeing, and the smell was awful.

Azula sat in the back, her golden eyes observed everything. The water was dark and foul smelling, the trees were large and bloated out most of the sunlight. And there was...something.

She didn't know what it was, or why she and Ty Lee were here, but she sensed something calling her from somewhere in this...swamp.

Ty Lee looked back at Azula. "Did we have to come here?" She asked.

"This is a spiritual place." Azula said. "I feel something here. I need to find out what it is."

Suddenly the boat stopped and a light as bright as the sun blazed in front of them, lighting up the swamp. Ty Lee closed her eyes and cringed. Azula stood firm, ready for battle.

Then a creature appeared amidst the lights. It was a Serpent, but levitated in the air and glowed with an unnatural light.

Azula sensed that this being was a spirit. Though she couldn't explain it, she knew that he wouldn't harm her and that she shouldn't harm him.

"Greetings Azula." The Spirit said gravely. "I'm Zerbo, guardian of this swamp."

Ty Lee opened her eyes and eyed the Spirit. "You're a spirit?" She asked carefully. "What do you want with us?

Zerbo cocked his long neck and eyed Ty Lee with his snake eyes. "Azula came to me for help." He said. "I answered her call."

"Hold it." Azula stated irritably. "I didn't call anyone for help. And why would I need it?"

Zerbo looked Azula with his yellow reptilian eyes. "If you didn't want help, you would not have come here." He said. "And I can help you."

Azula was confused. She didn't call him. She didn't even know of this Spirit.

"There are many ways to communicate." Zerbo said. "Though you didn't know me, you called for help."

"OK." Azula conceded. "What do I need help with?"

"You are lost." Zerbo said. "You have changed a lot since the Great War. Your hopes and dreams are gone for good. Even if you could get them back, you don't even know if you still want them."

Azula glared. "That's non-sense." She declared. "You think I don't want the Fire Nation to rule the world?"

"Do you?" Zerbo asked carefully.

Azula opened her mouth to argue, but stop. Deep down, she really wasn't sure. Her old life and goals were long gone. Even if she could become Fire Lord of the World, she wasn't sure she wanted it anymore. But what else was there?

"You have a long journey ahead of you, Azula." Zerbo said kindly. "You need to find your path."

"How do I find it?" Azula asked.

"Think of your brother." The Zerbo answered.

"Zuko?" Azula exclaimed. "What does he have to do with anything?"

"He was lost once." Zerbo said. "But he found a path. Why do you think that is?"

"Cause he joined the Avatar?" Azula guessed.

"That was part of it." Zerbo clarified. "The Fire Lord Ozia and his forefathers brought destruction and suffering to the world. The Avatar keeps balance in the world. By joining the Avatar, Zuko help restore peace to the world."

"So you're saying I should have joined the Avatar?" Azula asked. "He is long gone."

"Avatar Aang is gone but his legacy is still around." Zerbo said. "Anyone can be a part of that legacy. Even you."

"How do I do that?" Azula asked.

"By serving others." Zerbo said. "That's what we are all meant to do."

"I'm a genie." Azula retorted. "Serving is what I do."

Zerbo silently glared at Azula with his reptilian eyes.

Azula cringed under the glare. "You mean serve without this genie rule in place."

"Yes." Zerbo said. "I will leave you now to consider this wisdom. Farewell." The spirit vanished.

Azula stood there dumfounded. Ty Lee observed the situation silently for several seconds.

"Are you alright, Azula?" She asked at last.

"I'm fine, Master." Azula said at last. "Let's leave this place."

Ty Lee nodded.

..……

The Boat soon reached the edge of the swamp. Exiting the boat, Azula waved her hand and cause the boat to vanish.

As they both continued silently, Ty Lee eyed Azula. "Azula."

Azula glanced over to Ty Lee. "Yes, Master."

" I wish that you will tell me the truth." Ty Lee said. "And I wish that you won't lie to me."

Azula froze and glared at Ty Lee. Her magic stirred in her- preventing her from telling any lies or half-truths. "What do you wish to know?" She asked coldly.

"If I wished you free, would you still have your magic?" Ty Lee asked.

"No." Azula answered. "I would lose my magic and be mortal like anyone else."

"Do you want to be mortal again?" Ty Lee asked.

Azula began to shake in agitation. She didn't want to answer it, but Ty Lee wished for honesty and Azula had to grant it.

"Yes." She grated. "Being a slave is unbearable. I would rather be a mere mortal then a powerful slave."

Ty Lee eyed Azula sympathetically. "Why are you upset Azula?"

Azula grunted. "I hoped that if I earned your trust, you will wish for my freedom, but now it isn't going to happen?"

Ty Lee eyed Azula. She didn't trust Azula. But still… "What were you planning to do if I release you?" She asked.

"I don't know." Azula said bitterly. "I have considered restarting the war, but I don't think it will happen. And as Zerbo said, I probably don't want it anymore."

Ty Lee was silent. "I won't lie to you Azula." She said simply. "I don't trust you. I see potential in you. But I don't trust you."

Azula looked down. She was a slave and had no say in any matter.

"What do you want to do now, Azula?" Ty Lee asked.

"I don't know." Azula said. "You decide."

"Lets go to the next city." Ty Lee said smiling. "I think you'll like it."

Azula frowned, wondering what she was getting at.

...…

To Be Continued.

Chari will soon be back to cause trouble for Azula. The scene of Chari's deal is based on a scene from Disney "Frog Princess", though communicating with devils is found in different types of fiction.

Zerbo was just something thrown in to help Azula find her way.

Also, for those who think this might be an Tyzula, its not. They have a bond, but that's it. No romance.