A/N: I hope you enjoy our first chapter. We now introduce another two characters to our story. This chapter was brought you by: Albedineity.

Disclaimer: We do not own AtLA.

Azula could remember every time someone cared enough to visit her while she was imprisoned. It wasn't the oh-so-mighty Fire Lord Zuzu. No one apart from one person bothered.

Each time, it was Ty Lee.

She kept count and scratched it into the floor with already broken fingernails.

IIIII I

It stood out, though it was barely noticeable. Dried blood covered the tally, each month renewed.

Every time, she rambled on about the past and regrets. Azula wasn't sure what to make of it, but it was a good distraction from the constant Noise in her head. The Noise insisted on the wrong, it said that it will end. Lies.

Her voice was soft, pleading. She said that she was sorry, that it wasn't Azula's fault. She still told her how she was the beautiful, powerful princess. Ty Lee, of course, didn't know the detail of her descent into insanity. She didn't know about how her betrayal affected her.

"And what is a young lady like you doing here?" the lanky man looked down at her with pity. She liked to pretend it wasn't condescension in people's eyes.

Ty Lee forced a grin and fixed her sleeves of unnatural, green colour. She dismissed her discomfort - she had to, if she ever wanted to find her.

"Just wandering around this place. I don't suppose you would know the way to the closest pub or inn?"

The man mentally assessed her, before his eyes settled on her chest. "Sure thing, lady. Follow me." His footsteps echoed in the silent alley, soon to be followed by Ty Lee's. After few minutes, the man slowed down and turned his head, "How old are you, anyway? Don't wanna feel too guilty."

"18."

He nodded, before gesturing to the inn to his right. Ty Lee gave a half-hearted smile and walked towards the 'The Golden Bear' inn.

It wasn't a huge building; in fact, the opposite. The grey bricks formed an unimposing cube. As she reached for the handle, she could feel cobwebs gathering under her hands. The inn-keeper wasn't too impressive either. Hanging on his a thin thread around his neck was a plaque labelled 'Manik'. Flickering through yellowed pages of a leather-bound book, he could have been as good as asleep. Not that Ty Lee could blame him, 06:00 wasn't a usual hour for daily activities.

Ty Lee cleared her throat, "Uh, hello! Could I ask if y-" Manik raised his finger and pointed to the book in his hands. Ty Lee fell silent. She shuffled on her feet, before noticing an emerald couch near a fireplace. Strangely, it looked new to contrast the surroundings. She settled onto the couch and started staring at the peeling wallpaper. It would be a while until he stopped doing whatever it was.

As the heat brushed against her skin, she relaxed. The wallpaper was grey, peeled in some places. Fitting with her mood. Months of searching for Azula were fruitless, but the local gossip was quick-spread and she was sure that it was her this time. Who else would fight a beast with such ease and indifference? It could be someone else. It also could be Azula. She hoped it was the second option.

Finally, a male voice reached her hearing, "What were you saying?"

Quickly, Ty Lee stood up and faced Manik, "I'm searching for a... friend. Do you think you've seen her? She has dark hair, probably messy, golden eyes and she's very, well, demanding."

He furrowed his brows for a while, but chose to stay silent.

"Did she pay you?" Ty Lee asked with a sigh.

Silence.

She reached for her pocket hesitantly, and took out a pouch full of coins. She spilled roughly more of it on the counter.

"Please?" Manik leaned forward a smirk forming on his lips, but otherwise impassive. With a frown, she emptied half of the pouch.

"Go up two floors and find a room 14. That don't mean you can stay there though."

Thanked politely, Ty Lee sped up to floor 2.

Aang groaned and writhed in sleep.

The darkness hurled at him, threatening to swallow him at any moment, its fangs smiling morbidly at him. Fire leaked from its mouth. The tenebrous shadows were chased away by sudden light, blinding him.

Aang.

The calm, yet stern face of Avatar Kyoshi materialized before him, followed by her body in the usual combat clothing. Her lips didn't part, but the words came from her direction. Aang stumbled towards the voice.

The world is in danger again. You have to save it, the stakes are colossal.

Her eyes narrowed, piercing an arrow through Aang's mind.

You will know what to do when you wake up.

Aang didn't have time to think about how unfamiliar the words sounded, how unlike the warrior Avatar they were. A sharp jolt, and he was staring at the ceiling with the words "The world is in danger" imprinted on his brain.

A creak accompanied the opening of the doors. Ty Lee took a deep breath, and gingerly pushed them open, revealing a person, shrouded by sulfur grey aura, hunched over a few scrolls scattered on the wooden floor.

It was unmistakably Azula. Her hair, though scattered and spilled across her shoulders, gleamed darkly, reflecting her aura. She was veiled in crimson clothing, torn in many places. Most importantly, her pale fingers tapped the floor in a pattern, sending mild azure sparks flying in random directions.

Ty Lee's body was made of stone, and she couldn't move herself. Mai told her about finding her, so many times. She said that it will be dangerous. She said that she will hate her. There was no way in which she could have denied it, and she was now sure that Azula will send her away, kick her out, and hate her so much. She wet her dry lips, not decided whether speaking up would be worth it or not.

"I know you are standing in the doorway. I know who you are."

Stupid, Ty Lee scolded herself, of course she would hear you.

Her feet, though rooted into the floor, found enough strength to tremble.

"Azula. I've been searching for you," her voice came our small, nearly unnoticeable. She tried smiling, at least for herself, to no avail. She had time to think about the former princess in the 5 months she spent searching for her. Azula, the cruel, unforgiving, insane former princess. And yet, Ty Lee wanted to come back. She always did - she forgave with ease, it was like second nature to her. She justified Azula's actions to the point where she couldn't see anything wrong with her.

"Hmmm. Of course you were. The pathetic puppet you are. I hope you don't expect me to greet you with open arms." Ty Lee inwardly cringed at the harsh words, but gathered enough courage to step in.

"You don't look very well."

Azula stopped examining the scrolls and turned around to face Ty Lee, "Shut the doors," after she complied, she continued speaking, "No, I don't. I'm not. My current mental state isn't why you came here."

"No," Ty Lee slowly shook her head, "but you really don't." After a moment, she added with haste, "If you want me to, I will leave."

The firebender narrowed her eyes, and simply said, "Spirits."

"What do you mean?"

"You wanted to know why I don't 'look well,'" she rolled her eyes, "Now go, as you said you would."

Ty Lee bit her lip and turned away from Azula. It went better than expected. At least she didn't kill you, "As you wish, princess."

Azula ignored the last part of the sentence. Princess.

Manik was waiting for her.

"So, you want another room?" he leaned back, waiting for her response. He was extremely sure of himself.

"I'm not paying more. Which room is empty?"

"I said that you won't stay if you don't any more money."

Ty Lee grit her teeth and flipped her body over, so she was standing on the counter. She held out her fists,manoeuvring them and hitting him repeatedly until he slumped. She held Manik by his neck and repeated her statement, "Which room is empty?" Joining the Kyoshi Warriors had certainly boosted her acrobatics.

He stammered for a few seconds, before coughing up, "32."

Satisfied, Ty Lee let him go, jumping down onto the wooden boards. The fireplace still crackled with mirth. Humming to herself, she went to the specified location. If she waited a few days, there might be a chance for approaching Azula again, and with that the possibility of rejoining her. She regretted ever letting her go.

But history can't ever be erased.