Fire Lord Zuko took a seat next to his beloved Fire Lady Mai to await the processions of today's events. Today was to mark the 10th anniversary of the end of Sozin's 100 Years' War. The world had flourished peacefully and thanks to Team Avatar and the Kyoshi Warriors, Zuko was even able to find his lost Mother, Ursa, who now sat on his left. The beautiful woman of 44 softly stroked her son's hand as he took his seat.
The procession kicked off with the lighting of the peace candle, an artificial golden torch that was on display in the middle of the Fire Nation capital's square. Afterwards, Iroh took the stand to speak on behalf of the Fire Nation following him was the Earth king, next Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe and finally Avatar Aang on behalf of the Air Nation.
"That was a great speech, Aang," his wife, Katara, stated when he left the stage and the festival began.
"Thanks, I was really nervous," he said with a slight smirk.
Despite being a full grown adult, Aang still had the quirkiness of the little kid Zuko met ten years ago.
"It's ok, the crowd loves you, you're the Avatar, remember?" reminded Suki as she hugged her husband, Sokka.
"Yeah, thanks to you the world's all balanced-out! Get it?!" Everyone, but Suki stared at him with blank facial expressions.
"Never mind".
Fire Lord Zuko chuckled a bit.
"If only your sister was here…" Ursa said mostly to herself. Zuko glanced in his mother's direction.
"You know the deal with her," he said.
Ursa sighed deeply. "I know," was her reply.
It had been six years since Azula's release from the Boiling Rock Mental Facility and six years since Zuko or anyone else last saw her.
Six years ago…
"Welcome, Your Highness," the warden said as Zuko and the Fire Lady stepped onto the island.
"I received your message, Warden. Where is she?" Zuko asked.
According to the warden's letter, Azula had made great progress in the past two years. Her hallucinations ceased and her mental physicians reported a drastic reduction in violent lash-outs and better anger management. Yet, Zuko was unconvinced. He had to see his sister for himself.
"You made wonderful timing, Lord Zuko. The princess has just been released from her last session for the day.
"Good. Take me to her".
The Fire Lord and Lady followed the warden into the huge facility. The place brought back vivid memories for them both. They climbed two flights of steps to a much nicer area of the building and finally stopped in front of an all white room, surrounded by glass. The room was much larger than the cell Azula was first thrown into at the beginning of her sentence. There was a cozy looking cot with a blanket in the middle of the room where Azula sat with her back to the door. A decent upgrade from the plank she once lied on.
Zuko took a deep breath and reared his shoulders back as he prepared to enter the room. He suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulders.
"Are you going to be ok?" asked the love of his life.
Zuko gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course, if she's changed as much as everyone claims, there's nothing to worry about, right?"
"Ok, be careful," Mai said as she kissed his cheek.
The warden opened the door to let Zuko inside.
"So, looks like things are better, huh?" he said to Azula's back.
His sister quickly spun around as if startled.
"Didn't expect to find you here," she said with a soft chuckle.
Zuko shrugged. "Well, who's the better one to give you the news?"
Azula wrinkled her brow. "What news?" She questioned.
Zuko grinned. "Unlike Dad, I think you deserve a new start. Now that you're free from him, I think that you can actually live a decent life, so after today, you will be released from this place and you are welcome to live with me and Mai in the palace".
Azula looked back at the Fire Lady, who kept her same stone-face, as Zuko searched his sister's face for some type of relief. Her expression remained serious. "I doubt Mai would like that".
"What? No! She doesn't mind," he lied. Mai expressed very strongly against his sister's release last night.
"Don't lie, Zuko, it is not really your element. How's Ty Lee?" Azula changed the subject.
"Huh? Oh, she's fine. She travels to the palace from Kyoshi Island from time to time".
"Hmm…" was all Azula said as she stood and walked towards Zuko.
"Thanks".
Azula never made it back to the palace. Upon obtaining her freedom, she denounced herself as princess as she gave the Fire Lord her well-known hair pendant and joined a small crew's ship headed west of the Boiling Rock to Nooneknowswhere.
"Do me a favor and give that to Ty Lee. She'll understand," said the former princess of the Fire Nation.
The Fire Lord did as he was told. Ty Lee, upon receiving the pendant, immediately burst into tears.
"She told me the only way, she would give me this was over her dead body".
Now so many years later, Zuko couldn't stop thinking about his little sister. Was she still alive? Was she plotting against him? Had she really changed? He had so many questions. Yet, his real motive for wanting to pursue the former princess was for help.
Since the war, the Fire Nation was split severely. Many people did not appreciate a former traitor becoming their Fire Lord, while others only wanted peace. The problem had gotten so bad that Zuko feared a civil war within the nation. Azula would know what to do. Despite her sometimes sadistic ways, his sister was a hell of a ruler. If anyone could reunite a nation, it was the girl in blue.