The group looked on in horror at the sight that laid before them. The group at first said nothing as they looked upon the great city of Omashu. Or at least what USED to be the great earth kingdom city of Omashu. Now, the once great city laid in the hands of the Fire Nation. The outer walls now made of cold metal. Factories from within the city pumping out smoke into the air, and a big flag bearing the Fire Nation symbol on it could be seen above the entrance to the city. Looking at it made Azula's stomach twist and turn. She felt like throwing up. Maybe once upon a time Azula would have been thrilled to see a great city like Omashu in the iron grip of the Fire Nation. But THAT Azula died a long time ago. THIS, Azula seen the Fire Nation for what it truly was. She knew better then to see the once great and free city of Omashu being enslaved by the tyranny of the Fire Nation, as a good thing.
"I can't believe it." Aang finally said. "I know the war has spread far but Omashu always seemed…..untouchable." "Up until now it was. Now Ba Sing Se is the only Earth kingdom stronghold left." Sokka said. "This is horrible…but we have to move on." Katara said as she went to stand next to Aang.
"No. I'm going in to find Bumi." Aang said strongly. "Aang stop! We don't even know if Bumi's still…." Sokka stopped himself from finishing his sentence. Aang turned around and gave Sokka a glare. "What? If he's still what?" Sokka hesitated for a moment before answering. "Around."
"I know you had your heart set on Bumi but, there are other people who can teach you earth bending." Katara told him. Aang looked away and back at the city. "This isn't about finding a teacher. This is about finding my friend." "And how exactly do you propose you're going to do that? It's not like we can just walk in through the front gate like last time." Azula pointed out. "Don't worry, I know another way in." Aang told her as he went towards Appa. The group flew on Appa towards the city and flew low to avoid detection. Aang had taken them downwards to a small chunk of ground to stand on where a grate was.
"A secret passage?! Why didn't we use this last time?!" Sokka asked as Aang used his staff to pry the grate open. When it did open, sewage water shot and went everywhere. "Does that answer your question?" Aang asked him as he went in. As the siblings went in after him, the stench that hit them was unbearable. Azula immediately began to gag as the smell was worse than all of Sokka's dirty socks combined. As they walked through the sewage drains, the flow of raw sewage came mercilessly. Aang used his air bending to push the sewage out of the way and Katara used her water bending to do the same while Sokka and Azula were left at the mercy of the sewage water. Azula lost count of how many times she threw up.
After what felt like an eternity of torture, the gang found an exit through a manhole cover. After Aang made sure the coast was clear, he and Katara exited the sewers and went onto the street level. "That wasn't as bad as I thought." Katara said. Sokka and Azula then crawled out of the sewer and onto the street as they were covered from head to toe in slime and sewage. The slime obscuring their vision and the smell probably reaching the noses of everyone in the entire city.
Suddenly the two of them were blasted with water, washing away all the slime and sewage from them. Aang then used his air bending to quickly dry them off from the water. As the two siblings stood there, it took them a moment to notice the tiny octopus looking creatures stuck to their faces. Sokka and Azula both let out a horrified scream as they began trying to pull and pry them off. "THEY WONT LET GO!" Sokka screamed. "GET THEM OFF!" Azula shouted as they began to flail around desperately trying to pry the creatures of their faces.
Aang quickly pushed them both against the wall. "Stop making so much noise! It's just a Purple Pentapus." Aang explained. The Pentapie began wiggling, causing the two of them to freak out. Aang simply rubbed his finger on one of the ones on Sokka. The little creature let out a noise as if it were laughing and released its grip on Sokka. Sokka rubbed his skin where the creature was and did what Aang did with the other one. As Azula did the same, she noticed how the suction cups left behind little spot marks on their skin.
"Hey!" They heard someone callout as Sokka and Azula finished getting the Pentapie off of them. Turning to look, they seen three Fire Nation guards approaching. The group acted fast to hide Aang so he could use some of his clothes to hide his arrow like a hat. "What are you kids doing out past curfew?" The man asked. "Sorry, we were just on our way home." Katara explained and the four of them walked away. "That was too close." Azula whispered to Katara. "I know." Katara whispered back. "Wait, what's the matter with them?" They heard the guard callout. The group stopped knowing fully well that they were talking about Sokka and Azula and the spots on them. Azula looked at Katara nervously as all it would take was for them to get a good enough look at her face and it would be game over. They were lucky enough that they were able to hide her bow underneath her black cloak.
"Umm they have pentapox sir." Katara explained nervously as they turned back to the soldiers. The man in front approached Sokka and Azula to get a closer look at them and Azula felt her heart racing as the man looked at her. This was NOT a good time to be recognized. "Uhhhh it's highly contagious." Katara explained to the guards. Suddenly an idea clicked in Azula's mind and Sokka got the same idea too.
"Uuugggghhhh it's so awful, I'm dying!" Sokka moaned. Sokka and Azula began moaning in pain and started coughing, doing their best to act like they were sick. "It hurts…it hurts!" Azula wailed as she began gagging and making herself throw up. "Hey, I think I've heard of pentapox! Didn't your cousin Chang die of it? We better go wash our hands, and burn our cloths!" the soldiers yelled as they ran away. "Thank you sewer friend." Aang said to the pentipie in his hand. "That was WAY too close." Azula said as she sighed in relief. "Yeah, I know." Katara said as the group walked on.
The group ran through the streets and alleyways and came to a flight of stairs that led up to some restricted areas and metal walkways. The group hid behind some metal sheeting as some troops walked by. "Let's find Bumi and get out of here." Katara told everyone. "Where would they be keeping him?" Sokka asked. "If I were to keep a master earth bender like Bumi prisoner, I'd put him someplace where he would have no possible hope of escaping. Someplace made entirely out of metal where he couldn't bend." Azula told them. The group came out of their hiding spot and walked down the walkway.
Suddenly, as they were walking the sound of something big moving could be heard and the group stopped dead in their tracks. They looked up to see down the curved wall, boulders that came from nowhere, heading straight for a small group of people walking by down below them. Aang thought fast and used his air bending to stop the rocks and send them flying to the side. It caused a massive amount of noise and drew the attention of the people down below. "THE RESISTENCE!" One of them called out. With no hesitation, another one from the group down below stepped forward and flung her arms outwards and fired a dozen arrows straight for Aang. Aang barely had time to dodge out of the way.
As the others ran back the way they came to escape, Azula took a moment to stare at the arrows that were fired. They were not normal arrows. They were small. Not the type you fire from a bow but the type you throw with your hands. The type that only a master knife thrower could use. Someone like…no it couldn't be. Azula shook her head clear of her thoughts as she ran to catch up with her friends. Their pursuer having climbed up the ladder to give chase along with some guards. Katara dealt with the guards easily enough with her water bending, sending them off the platform to the ground below. Their main pursuer would prove harder to shake. She thrusted her arm forward and fired more arrows. Katara formed an ice wall to block them but that did little to deter her. As the others continued running to escape the girl, Azula looked back over her shoulder to look at her. The girl was familiar… VERY familiar. The way she ran and threw her knives…it couldn't be could it? As the others kept running Azula stopped and got into a fighting stance. The others noticed and stopped running and stood where they were, a few feet behind Azula ready to jump in and help.
The girl threw more knives at Azula and Azula swiped her left arm to the side, swiping the knife away with her fire bending. She got back into her stance and saw how the girl in front of her stood in shock and confusion. The girl stood there not doing anything as her shock seemed to grow as she looked at Azula as if she realized who she is. Azula took this time to get a good look at this girl….it WAS. Azula couldn't believe her eyes much like the other girl couldn't believe hers. Everyone stood where they were in silence as the two girls locked eyes and didn't look away. Suddenly, the ground beneath them started to move and quickly sunk sending them underground before the two girls could speak a single word. The group fell through a tunnel until they hit solid ground. Upon landing, the four of them were surrounded by what looked like a mix of earth kingdom citizens and soldiers.
Five minutes later
After some explanations and introductions, it turns out that these people were the resistance in Omashu. Aang had thwarted their attempt to assassinate the wife of the governor. As the man who seemed to be in charge to some degree led them to the main room of the resistance hideout, Aang asked the question on all four of their minds.
"So is King Bumi with you guys? Is he leading the resistance?" Some people turned to look at them at the mention of Bumi's name. The man's face became angry. "Of course not! The day of the invasion we had readied ourselves for battle. We were prepared to defend our city, to fight for our lives and fight for our freedom. But before we even had a chance, King Bumi…surrendered." The man explained. Azula became confused as she looked at the saddened face of Aang. She turned back to the rebel leader. "What do you mean he surrendered? I barely know the guy and even I know that doesn't sound like him." Azula asked. "The day of the invasion I asked King Bumi what he wanted to do. He looked me in the eye and said….I'm going to do, nothing! Then he just laughed. It doesn't matter now. Fighting the Fire Nation is the only path to freedom, and freedom is worth dying for." The resistance leader explained.
"Actually there's another path to freedom. You could leave Omashu. You're directing all your energy to fight the Fire Nation. But you're outnumbered. You can't win. Now is the time to retreat so you can live to fight another day." Aang told them. "You don't understand. They've taken our home, and we have to fight them at ANY cost!" the man said back. "I don't know Yung. Living to fight another day is starting to sound pretty good to me." One of the other men said. "Yeah, I'm with the kid!" Another said. Soon enough everyone began whispering to each other in agreement for Aang's plan to retreat from the city. Yung realized he was outvoted and caved.
"Fine…..but there are thousands of citizens that need to leave. How are we going to get them all out?" Yung asked. "Suckers!" Sokka suddenly said. "You're all about to come down with a nasty case of pentipox." Azula immediately realized what he was thinking.
30 minutes later
After gathering enough pentipie and having everyone use them to cover themselves in spots, Sokka explained further what they should do.
"The marks make you look sick but you've got to act sick too. You've got to sell it." Sokka explained. An old man then came walking by slowly. Moaning in fake pain. "Now that's what I'm talking about." Sokka said. "Years of practice." The man proudly said. "Alright everyone, into sick formation!" Sokka shouted as everyone got ready to move out and put their plan into action. Aang started walking off. "Where you going Aang? Aren't you coming with us?" "No. I'm going to find Bumi." Aang told her. "I'm going with you." Azula said. "You too Azula?" Katara asked. "Someone's gotta keep him outta trouble." Azula lied. She had her own personal reasons for wanting to go with Aang. "Try to keep up." Aang said as he used his air bending to jump onto the roof tops and Azula used her fire bending to propel herself upwards to follow Aang.
After they were a good distance away, Aang dropped down into an ally. He stood still and looked up at Azula in the ally and motioned for her to come down. Azula jumped down and Aang spoke before Azula could ask what he wanted. "So why'd you lie?" Aang asked which surprised Azula for a moment. "What do you mean?" Azula asked. "I saw your face when we fought that girl last night. You didn't choose to come with me to help me find Bumi, did you?" Aang asked. Azula let out a sigh. She was getting sloppy. "No, I didn't." Azula confessed. "Who is she?" Aang asked. Azula crossed her arms as she looked upwards towards the palace at the top of the city. "Someone who I haven't seen in a long time. I'm not leaving until I do." Azula explained. Aang smiled. "It's okay. I understand. Do you know where she is?" "Yeah I got my suspicions." Azula said with a smirk as she looked back at Aang. "Go. Go find your friend." "I will. Good luck finding Bumi. Let's meet back up here later!" Azula said as she ran down the alleyway and Aang went in another direction. Azula drew her bow and decided that it was finally time to put her new archery skills to good use as she made her way to the palace as quick as she could.
2 hours later
Azula made her way to the palace with one goal in mind. Nothing was going to stop her. Azula already had a plan on how to get inside, remembering from the last time they were in Omashu the secret passage that led into the prison cells. She remembered exactly where the exit was and went straight there making sure to be careful and to take her time to avoid being caught. Reaching the spot, she carefully looked around to make sure no one was in ear shot before turning her attention to the wall. She looked carefully at the bricks until she found what she was looking for. A brick that was differently colored then the rest. The color difference was very slight but still there and Azula pushed it, activating the mechanisms in the wall causing the wall to reveal the secret passage.
Azula used her fire bending to light the way. The cave was exactly as she remembered it, dusty and neglected. The way behind her had closed, so she didn't have to worry about a guard finding it and investigating. One less thing to worry about. As she made her way to the other end of the tunnel, she thought about the girl she was after. It had been years since she had seen her and quite honestly she never thought she would ever see her again. Even though the fortune teller Aunt Wu had told her that she would reunite with her, she still wasn't sure if it would actually happen. Yet here she was, going to see her once again after all these years. It almost didn't seem real to her. She was also preparing herself for one other thing. Her first kill. Azula had never killed anything before today but she was very aware that today she would most likely have no choice but to. Azula took a deep breath as she mentally prepared to draw blood with her bow as she tightened her grip on it.
Azula reached the end of the tunnel and took another deep breath as she prepared to do what she was about to do. She knew that as soon as she did this there was no going back. The sound of the wall opening would be loud and it would draw the attention of some of the guards. She would need to be fast with her bow to take them down quietly. Setting the bow down she used her now free hand to push the brick to make the wall open like before. She quickly picked up her bow and put out the fire in her hand to ready an arrow. As the wall came down it caused some damage to the interior of the cell. The Fire Nation had implanted metal on the walls of the cells and the wall moving had caused the metal to fall apart, making a lot of noise. 'This is it. No going back now.' Azula thought as she entered the empty cell.
It was mostly how she remembered it from the last time they were here. The only difference was the metal interior. She readied her bow as she heard the sounds of approaching footsteps. "What in Agni was that?!" Someone shouted as they approached the door and took out some keys. Azula pulled back the arrow and braced herself for her first kill. 'It's him or me!' Azula shouted in her mind. As soon as the door opened Azula released the arrow, sending it flying through the air and straight into the guard's heart. The guard was shocked and took a few steps back as he looked at his murderer before falling down. Azula stood for a moment, stunned at what she had just done. She killed someone. Azula stared at the lifeless body for a few moments before drawing a deep breath, then releasing it. 'It had to be done. It was him or me.' Azula thought to herself as he regained her composure. She walked up to the body and dragged him by his feet into the cell to hide him. She then grabbed the arrow and pulled it out from the body and readied it for another shot. She also grabbed his keys so she can come back this way as an exit. After closing the door to the cell, she made her way down the hallway and to the rest of the palace.
Azula carefully navigated around the halls, going through hallway after hallway, and checking room after room as she looked for her target. The girl from the night before. The one who she hasn't seen in years. Bringing down everyone in her way who she couldn't sneak past. Making sure to hide the body in an adjacent room each time. Each time she was forced to bring down a guard, Azula took a deep breath. Each time it got a little bit easier but Azula questioned whether or not it was a good thing.
'This palace is huge! How am I supposed to find-' Azula's thoughts were interrupted by the feeling of a hand that slammed against her left arm and cold metal was placed against her neck as she was then slammed into the wall, hard. As Azula stood against the wall with the knife placed against her throat, she realized that the person she was looking for had found HER instead.
"Hello Mai….it's been a long time." Azula said as a grin formed on her face at the sight of her childhood friend Mai. Mai's eyes were filled with rage as she stared at the long thought dead princess. "Drop the bow!" Mai ordered. Azula smiled slightly before dropping her bow to the ground. "Who are you?!" Mai said with powerful venom in her voice. "You know the answer to that. It's ME Mai. I'm alive!" Azula told her. "Azula is dead! I was at her funeral!" Mai said as she pressed the knife harder against Azula's throat. Azula could see the pain and sadness in her old friend's eyes.
"My death was, greatly exaggerated." Azula told her. "This isn't funny! How…? Why….?" Mai asked as her hands began to slightly shake and tears formed in her eyes, her tears threatening to escape. "Mai." Azula put her left hand on Mai's right one, as it shook the knife held tightly in her grasp. "It's really me. Look at me." Mai looked into Azula's eyes as a tear escaped. "It's your friend. It's really me." Azula and Mai looked into each other's eyes. Mai dropped her knife as another tear fell down her face. "Az…..Azula?" Mai asked. Azula said nothing in response. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Mai in a hug. Mai stood in shock for a moment before squeezing Azula back. The two reunited friends stood there in their embrace as Mai cried into Azula's shoulder.
After a while, Azula broke the hug to look at Mai. "Ya know, I don't think I've ever seen you cry before Mai. But now that I have, I gotta say. You got an ugly crying face." Azula joked. Mai stared at Azula in silence before slapping her hard across the mouth. Azula stood quiet as she held her hand to the part of her face that was slapped. "Okay, I deserved that." Azula joked. Mai's face reverted back to its angry glare. "I said this isn't funny Azula! I want answers!" Mai told her. Azula raised her hands in defense. "I know, I know. And I will give you those answers, but not here." Azula told her as she picked up her bow. Mai let out a deep sigh. "Follow me."
One minute later
Mai led Azula to her room and locked the door. Mai then turned to face Azula who stood in the middle of the room. "Alright, I want answers. How are you alive? Where have you been all these years? And…what in the world are you wearing?" Mai asked that last question with confusion. Azula let out a deep sigh as she was reminded how she didn't look good in blue.
"I'll just get right to the point. My uncle staged my death, so I could get away from Fire Lord Ozai." Azula said simply. Mai crossed her arms. "Go on." "My uncle took notice of how Ozai was treating me. How he was trying to turn me into a weapon of mass destruction. My uncle wanted to get me away from all of that. So he arranged for me to go and live overseas with an old friend of his. Her and her grandchildren, in the South Pole." Azula explained. "The South Pole? You've been in the South Pole all this time?" Mai asked surprised. "Living with the Water Tribe, yes." Mai stayed silent for a moment as she took this all in. "So you've been in the Water Tribe all these years…..I see." Mai said. Mai took and released a deep breath. "There's just one thing I don't understand." Mai looked Azula in the eyes. "Why didn't you say goodbye? I mourned for you…..me AND, Ty Lee…..for all these years…and you weren't even dead…..why didn't you say goodbye?" Mai asked. Her fist clenched as she spoke, anger, pain, and sadness clear in her voice.
Azula let out a regretful sigh. "I wanted to. I really wanted to, but I couldn't. The less people that knew, the better. I wanted to tell you but I couldn't risk it. I'm sorry Mai." Azula explained.
A tear went down Mai's face as she took all this in, a small smile formed as she spoke. "I missed you." Azula smiled as Mai went up to her to give her a hug. "I missed you too. It's great to see you Mai." The two reunited friends stood there in each other's embrace for a long moment before Mai broke the hug. "I just have one more question. Why are you here? Please tell me it's to kill me." Mai said with her normal tone and attitude. Azula let out a chuckle as her old friend returned to how she always remembered her as. "I'm traveling with the avatar. We came here looking for King Bumi so he can learn earth bending."
"Avatar huh? Sounds like you've made some pretty interesting friends since you've been dead." Mai joked. Azula rolled her eyes. "After what happened last night, I came here looking for you. I wanted to see you." "I figured as much." Mai said. Azula let out a deep breath. "Mai…..come with me. I know I have no right to ask this of yo-" "I'm in." Mai said, cutting Azula off. Azula looked at Mai a bit surprised. "Wait what?" "Anything to get outta THIS dump." A smile slowly formed on Azula's face and a laugh escaped her before she spoke. "You haven't changed a bit Mai." Azula joked. "Can't say the same for you though." Mai said back with a smile. "Growing up around a lot of positive people did that to me." Azula said….Mai smiled. "I assume you have an escape plan?" Mai asked. "Of course I do, follow me."
Three minutes later
Azula led Mai back to the cell blocks, carefully avoiding any guards along the way until they reached their destination. "Why are we headed for the cell block?" "There's a secret passage that leads out to the city. I found it when we first came here." Azula explained. "You got arrested, your first time here?" Mai asked. "Blame the avatar." Azula joked as they arrived at the cell they wanted. "Alright here we are. This'll be loud so we'll have to hurry." Azula explained as they went inside and Azula went to the wall to the loose brick. "Uhhhhh, Azula?" "Yes?" Azula asked without turning to look at Mai. She knew what had gotten her attention. "Did you KILL our guards?!" Azula took a deep breath and hesitated before responding. "It was him or me Mai. I had no choice." Azula explained with a certain bit of sadness in her voice. Mai said nothing as she watched Azula's fist clench at her sides. "Close the cell door. We don't want anyone following us." Mai again said nothing as she went and closed the cell door. Azula pushed the brick, making the passageway open. Mai put a hand on Azula's shoulder. "You okay?" Azula looked at Mai and gave a small smile. "I'll be alright." She told her as they went down the tunnel.
2 and a half hours later
"Are you sure he's gonna meet us here?" A very bored Mai asked, twirling one of her knives. "Yes, this is the spot. Just be patient." Azula told her. Mai groaned in response. Azula rolled her eyes. Eventually Aang arrived atop the king's pet Flopsie. "Ah finally. I see you found the kings pet while you were at it. Where's Bumi?" Azula asked. Azula took note of Aang's sad face before he answered. "We looked everywhere. We couldn't find him."
"I'm very sorry Aang." Azula told him as he slid off of Flopsie. "It's okay. So this is your friend?" Aang asked as he looked at the girl behind Azula. "Aang, this is Mai. My friend from childhood. Mai, this is Aang. The avatar." Azula said, introducing them to each other. Aang went over to Mai and extended his hand. "It's nice to meet you." Aang said as he and Mai shook hands. "Pleasure's all mine." "We should go before someone else turns up." Azula suggested. "Right. Hop on everyone." Aang said in agreement as he went to get back on Flopsie. Azula used her fire bending to help her get on Flopsie's back. She then extended her hand to help Mai get on. "So where are we going exactly?" Mai asked. "We're gonna catch up with the rest of the resistance." Aang said. "The resistance?" Mai asked. "You ever heard of pentapox Mai?" Azula asked her with a smug smirk. "That was YOU?!" Mai asked, not being able to contain her surprise. "I was involved. I can't wait for you to meet Katara and Sokka." Azula said. "Who?" Mai asked. "They're the grandchildren of the woman I was sent to on the day I left. Their like family to me. Me and Katara even have a little motto. Friends by chance, sisters by choice. We're very close." "You definitely sound like it."
30 minutes later
As the resistance camp became within sight. The group slid off of Flopsie and walked down the rest of the way. When they approached, Sokka and Katara got up from their camp fire and approached them. "We looked everywhere. No Bumi." Aang told them. Sokka looked behind Aang and Azula to see Mai. "Wait a second, isn't this the girl who attacked us last night?" "I presume your Sokka?" Mai asked. Sokka raised an eyebrow. "I am." "Azula who is this?" Katara asked. Azula smiled. "Guys, THIS….is Mai." Sokka and Katara's faces lit up upon hearing that name. "YOU'RE Mai!" Katara said as she extended her hand for Mai to shake. "Azula's told us so much about you, it's wonderful to finally meet you!" "Pleasures all mine. It's Katara right?" "Yes, I am." "So you're the 'sister by choice' Azula won't shut up about?" Azula elbowed Mai hard in her side, which caused Katara to let out a chuckle. "Yeah, I am." Mai rubbed her side as she and Azula glared at each other.
Suddenly, Yung approached them. "We have a problem. We just did a head count." "Oh no, did someone get left behind?" Katara asked. "No. We have an extra." He said pointing over to a small baby boy laughing while holding on tightly to a very frantic Momo who was trying to get away from the young boy. "TOM TOM?!" Mai shouted in shock. "You know him?" Azula asked. "He's my brother! You guys kidnapped him?!" Mai accused. "Hey don't look at us! We didn't do anything!" Sokka said, putting his hands up defensively. Mai let out a sigh and went to her baby brother. "Tom Tom, let go of the lemur." Mai said as he picked him up.
8 minutes later
The group sat around one of the dozen campfires made by the resistance. Tom Tom chased Momo for a bit before stopping in front of Sokka and Katara. Falling down on his butt, he took notice of Sokka's club and picked it up to play with it. Sokka grabbed the handle and yanked it away from the baby. "NO! Bad fire nation baby!" Tom Tom became upset and started crying. "For the love of Agni Sokka it's not like its sharp." Azula said annoyed and unamused. Mai gave Sokka a death glare that Azula would bet all the money in the world would be powerful enough to strike Ozia down dead where he stood and Katara smacked Sokka across the nose. "Oh alright." Sokka placed the club in the boys lap and Tom Tom began playing with the water tribe weapon. Katara smiled at the baby boy. "Oh you're so cute!" Katara said, kissing him on the cheek. "Sure, he's cute now. But when he gets older, he'll join the Fire Army. You won't think he's cute then. He'll be a killer." Yung told them. "Over my dead body!" Mai said. Azula would have chuckled or at least smiled, but she had her mind on other things. Something Katara took notice of as she picked up the baby and held him close.
"Hey Azula, you okay? You're being kinda quiet." Azula stared into the fire as her silence continued as if Katara had said nothing. "Azula you okay?" Aang asked. Azula closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. Exhaling, she opened her eyes and returned her gaze to the fire before speaking. "I killed people today." She said simply. Yung and Mai's faces stayed neutral while everyone else's turned to shock. "What?" Sokka asked in horror. Azula was about to answer when Mai spoke up for her. "It was when she came for me. She snuck into the palace, and had run in's with our guards. It didn't end well."
"Azula….." Katara said sadly as she put a comforting hand on Azula's shoulder. Azula looked at her sister with a small smile. "I'm fine Katara. I'll be okay, really. I knew what I was getting myself into when I made my way into that palace. I prepared myself for that moment long before I fired that arrow." She told her. Katara looked at Tom Tom, who had started to fall asleep, and then looked back at Azula with the same smile Azula had. "If you ever want to talk about it, I'll always be here for you." Katara told her. "I know. Thanks Katara."
Suddenly, the sound of a screeching animal could be heard. Everyone looked over to the source. "A messenger hawk!" Yung said in surprise. Aang took the message inside the hawk's satchel and read it. "It's from the Fire Nation governor. He thinks we kidnapped his children. So he wants to make a trade. His children…for King Bumi!" Aang's eyes widened in shock as he read the last parts of the note.
The next day
Everyone stared off into the distance at the city of Omashu as everyone prepared to head to the city to make the tradeoff. The resistance, being long gone. Having packed up their camp and started their trip south. Aang walked down the hill towards Appa and the others. "You do realize we're probably walking right into a trap?" Sokka asked. "We're not. My father wants us back. He wouldn't risk anything happening to us." Mai said. Azula put a hand on Mai's shoulder as Mai held her brother who was sleeping in her arms. "Are you ready for this? You don't have to stay with us." Azula told her. "If I go back there, I'll die from the boredom." Mai looked at Azula with a smirk. "Besides. You're not getting rid of me THAT easy." Mai joked. Azula returned the smile. "There's more to it than that, isn't there?" Azula asked, Mai looked away. "I knew it. I know it's been a very long time since we've seen each other but….you can talk to me." Azula told her. Mai looked at Azula and then gave a small grin. "I do HAVE, personal reasons. But I'd rather not talk about them right now." Mai confessed. Azula took her hand off of Mai's shoulder and reached around to her other shoulder and pulled her in. The two gave each other a smile. Azula had a feeling she already knew what that reason was but said nothing. "It's a new day. I've got a good feeling about this." Aang said with hope in his voice.
1 hour later
Everyone stood where they were instructed for the tradeoff. At the very top of the city where construction was being done for a giant metal statue of Ozai. "As if his ego wasn't big enough as it is." Azula mumbled as she looked at it while everyone waited for the governor to arrive. Eventually, Mai's father arrived. To his right was a woman who Azula guessed was his wife. To his left, was a face that made Azula scowl. Zhao. Behind them were a handful of elite fire benders. The sound of a crane moving was heard above them and looking up they saw a crane moving a metal coffin like box with Bumi inside. There was a perfect square hole for his face to stick out so he could breathe. Bumi laughed as he was lowered down behind the governor. "Hi everybody!" Bumi shouted. The governor glared at everyone. "My children! NOW!" He shouted. "I'll handle this. Give me the baby." Azula said. Mai handed Tom Tom to her and Azula approached Mai's father to hand him over. As she approached, the governor's face widened in realization and recognition. 'Seems like I've been recognized.' Azula thought as she approached.
The man spoke as she came close and his face turned to scornfulness and disappointment. "So. The rumors are true. You really ARE, alive." Azula smirked. "Sorry to disappoint you." She said with a smug grin as she handed the baby to the man's wife. "Well well well. How interesting to see you here, Princess Azula. How have you been?" Zhao asked her with an arrogant smile. Azula gave Zhao a hateful glare. "Choke on your own spit Zhao." Azula said as she walked away. As she reached her friends, the governor spoke again. "What about my daughter?! Hand her over to me!" He demanded. Mai stepped forward and spoke. "No dad! I'm not going with you!" The faces of Mai's parents widened into complete shock and disbelief. "What did you say?!" Her father asked. "I said, NO!" Mai shouted. Mai had always been the quiet obedient child. The 'speak only when spoken too' type of kid. Azula had met Mai's parents before a few times and each time it was clear they valued their political careers above all else. In all honesty, a little smile formed on Azula's face as she was a little proud of Mai for finally taking control like this.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Mai's father shouted in rage. "Isn't it obvious father? I'm taking something the both of you denied me my whole life. Control!" Mai told them. "Mai, please." Her mother said. "Think about what you're doing. If you do this, you will become a criminal. A traitor! Is this REALLY what you want?" Mai's mother asked her, trying to get her daughter to see reason. Mai was silent for a moment before she gave her mother her answer. "When Azula gave me the offer to join her…..I realized in moment, that I had something that I never had before. Something you never gave me or let me have. A choice. THIS, is my choice!" Mai said strongly. Azula smiled proudly as she listened to Mai's speech. 'I knew it.' Azula thought to herself.
"I'm not going with you. You can have Tom Tom. But I'm not staying." Mai told them. Her mother looked horrified while her father looked enraged. "I've heard enough of this nonsense! The deal's off!" Mai's father shouted. The crane lifted Bumi's metal box back up. "Whoa! See you all later!" Bumi shouted as he was lifted away. "Bumi!" Aang shouted. "Guards! Destroy the avatar! And bring me my daughter!" Mai's father ordered. "I'd like to see you try!" Azula shouted as she got into a fighting stance, and the governor's wife made a run for it with her infant son.
Aang rushed forward, using his air bending and raising his glider to prepare to make a move for Bumi. Zhao leaped forward and tried to blast Aang with fire, but Aang used his bending to leap over and make jumps of the construction site to fly up to Bumi with his glider. The guards charged at the group and a line of them blasted fire with full force. Azula blasted back with a wall of blue fire, stopping the guard's blast dead in its tracks. "We need to get outta here!" Katara said as she readied her water pouch. "Way ahead of ya!" Sokka said as he blew into the bison whistle to call for Appa.
"Men! Focus your fire on the avatars friends! The princess is mine!" Zhao shouted. The troops then ignored Azula and focused all their attention on Katara, Mai and Sokka. Azula and Zhao stared each other down with glares that could kill a man where he stood. Azula made the first move as she stepped forward and shot a stream of fire at Zhao. Zhao deflected the flames and fired back at Azula. The two of them fired back and forth at each other with Azula dodging or deflecting all of Zhao's attacks, as the elite troops fought Katara and Sokka while Mai confronted her father.
"I have to say Zhao, I'm surprised you're not in a noose after your little stunt at the North Pole!" Azula mocked. She seemed to have struck a nerve as Zhao's face filled with rage. "I almost was!" Zhao shouted but then his face turned into a sinister smile. "But after I told you're father about how his daughter was still alive, he changed his mind. He's given me a chance to fall back into his good graces if I bring him you!" Zhao explained. Azula's blood began to boil at the thought of being brought back to that monster. "That's NOT gonna happen!" Azula shouted as he fired another blast at Zhao. The blast hit Zhao and sent him to the ground but Zhao got up quickly to resume the fight. However, Zhao suddenly had a look of shock on his face. Azula looked behind her when she realized that something was missing. The sound of fighting going on behind her. Turning her head around, she saw all the solders either pinned to the ground with Mai's knives, or unconscious. Azula noticed how Mai's father was pinned to the ground with ice. Katara and Mai ran up to stand by Azula. "I can take the three of you by myself!" Zhao shouted in rage. Before Azula could make a mocking remark, Zhao was struck on the head from behind by a familiar boomerang. Knocking him out cold and sending him to the ground.
Looking off to the side, everyone saw Sokka flying in on Appa. "Time to go everyone!" Azula shouted as they ran over to the bison and jumped onto that saddle. The group flew away from the scaffolding as they looked for Aang. "Look! Down there!" Mai shouted. Everyone looked to see Aang going down the mail shoot on Bumi's metal coffin. "Sokka, get us closer!" Azula shouted, as they got Appa right alongside the mail shoot. Aang tried to use his air bending to launch them onto the saddle. Everyone got up to try to catch the metal box as it flew through the air. "I got em! I got em!" Azula shouted as she managed to get a grip on the box. However, horror would sink in as she realized she was the only one who managed to get a grip and the momentum of the coffin's movements through the air. Its weight would send her flying out of the saddle along with it.
"AZULA!" She heard Katara scream as she fell out of the saddle. "AANG! CATCH ME!" Azula screamed as they fell. Azula used her bending to launch herself towards Aang. Aang caught her and they landed on another mail shoot. "Are you okay?" Aang asked Azula. "Yeah, I'm fine. A little shaken up, but I'll be okay." Azula told him. "Uhhhh Aang?" Azula said as she looked forward and realized they were fastly approaching the end of the shoot. Before either of them could do anything, Bumi jerked his head upwards and a giant rock came up, shaped and angled just right, to allow the coffin to slide upwards. Aang used his air bending and Azula used her agility to jump off and land as Bumi's metal coffin. It slid upwards into place. "You could earth bend this whole time?!" Azula shouted in confused rage. "Well, they didn't count on my face." Bumi told her with a smile.
"I don't understand! Why didn't you free yourself?! Why did you surrender when Omashu was invaded?! What's the matter with you Bumi?!" Aang asked in anger. "I'd like to know that myself! You let your own city be taken by the Fire Nation without a fight. How could you be so cowardly?!" Azula shouted in frustration. "Both of you, listen to me! There are options in fighting called Gin. It's a choice of how you direct your energy." Bumi explained. "I know! There's positive Gin when you're attacking and negative Gin when you're retreating!" Aang told him. "And, neutral Gin! When you do NOTHING!" Bumi told Aang with a grin.
"There are three Gin's?!" Aang and Azula asked unanimously in confusion. "Well, technically there are eighty five. But let's just focus on the third. Neutral Gin is the key to earth bending. It involves listening, and waiting for the right moment to strike." Bumi explained to them. "That's why you surrendered isn't it?" Aang asked. "Yes. And it's WHY I can't leave now." "So THAT'S it. You're playing the long game." Azula said. "Exactly!" Bumi told Azula. "I guess I need to find someone else to teach me earth bending." Aang said sadly. "Your teacher will be someone who has mastered neutral Gin. You need to find someone who wait's and listens BEFORE striking." Bumi told him. Suddenly Momo came out of nowhere and jumped on Azula's shoulder. "Oh hey Momo! Where'd YOU come from?" Azula asked as she rubbed the bottom of Momo's chin playfully. "Momo's mastered a few Gins himself!" Bumi said. Momo screeched at Bumi as if he were offended, which made Azula giggle. "Goodbye Aang. I'll see you when the time is right. Same to you Princess Azula." Bumi said before using his bending to make himself fall backwards and push himself back up the mail shoot. All the while laughing and snorting the whole way up.
After he went up, the other's arrived on Appa. "Let's go Aang." Azula told him as she put a hand on his shoulder. After getting onto Appa, the group was gone. Aang and Azula explained their conversation with Bumi as they flew out of Omashu. "So then. Where we headed now?" Sokka asked. "I'm not sure. I guess we'll just search the Earth Kingdom for a teacher." Aang said as Omashu left their sight. "Actually, we'll have to make a detour. Take us north east." Mai said. "Why? What's to the north east?" Katara asked. "An old friend." Mai simply said. She then looked at Azula. "You owe HER some answers too." She told her. Azula immediately knew who she was talking about.
2 and a half hours later
Mai walked through the circus until she found who she was looking for. A girl balancing herself perfectly upside down on just her pointer fingers. "It's been far too long Ty Lee." Mai said as she looked at her old childhood friend. "MAI!" Ty Lee said in surprised joy and excitement. Ty Lee got up from her finger stand to give Mai a hug. "It is SO good to see you!" "It's good to see you too." Mai said back with a smile. "How have you been?" Mai asked. "Oh so wonderful! It's SO great here!" Ty Lee said joyfully. "That's great to hear." "So how have YOU been? It's a year, since I've seen you?" Ty Lee asked. "It sure has. And I've been good. But unfortunately, this isn't a cordial visit. I'm here because I have something to ask of you." Mai confessed. Ty Lee's face turned to surprise. "Oh! I see. What is it?" "Surly by now you've heard stories about the avatars return?" Mai asked. "Well….yeah of course. Everyone has."
"I'll just get to the point. As of recently, I've begun traveling with the avatar. I came here because I wanted to ask you if you could join me." Mai said simply. Ty Lee's face once again turned to surprise. "OH….I see." Ty Lee hesitated before continuing. "Look, Mai. I know you have your reasons for doing what you're doing. And I would LOVE to help but…..the truth is, I'm REALLY happy here. I mean, my aura has never been pinker!" Ty Lee explained. Mai let out a sigh. "I was afraid you'd say that. Sure I can't change you're mind?" Mai asked. "I'm afraid so." "Not even for an old friend?" A new voice said off to the side. Ty Lee turned her head to the right to see who was talking and let out a gasp as she saw that the voice belonged to someone very specific.
"WHA…..WHA…..HOW…WHA….?" Ty Lee barley managed to say as her shock and confusion completely took over. "It's her. I've been through it already, it's REALLY, her." Mai told her. Ty Lee looked at Mai in disbelief before looking back at an old friend that she had long since thought dead. "Az…Azula?" Ty Lee asked as tears began to form in her eyes and her legs began to slightly shake. "Your eyes don't deceive you, old friend. I'm alive." Azula said as she extended her arms to the side to offer her old friend a hug. Ty Lee couldn't contain her emotions any longer and sprinted up to Azula and wrapped her in a tight hug. Azula hugged back wrapping her arms around Ty Lee tightly as Ty Lee cried into Azula's shoulder. After what felt like a few minutes, Ty Lee broke the hug to look at Azula.
"I….*Sniff*…I don't understand…..How are…how are you….You died!" Ty Lee barely managed to say through her tears. "I know you have a lot of questions. But let's go somewhere private first. I swear I'll answer all of your questions. Do you have your own tent here?" Azula asked. Ty Lee slightly shook her head for a moment as she pulled herself together. "Yeah yeah. It's this way. Follow me."
Ty Lee led Mai and Azula to a tent that was her own private tent. Mai stayed outside so Azula and Ty Lee could talk alone. The two of them went inside, Ty lee stood opposite of Azula and the two of them stood in silence for a moment. The both of them soaking in how real this was. Finally, Ty Lee spoke. "Alright….You've been alive all this time. For all these years…..the years I've spent mourning YOU...and you weren't even dead….where were you? Where did you go? And why? Why did you leave? Leave without saying goodbye?" Ty Lee asked, forcing herself to keep calm and maintain her composure. Forcing the tears back as she looked upon the woman who she once called her friend. The woman who she thought for years was dead up until now.
Azula let out a sigh. 'I thought the first time was hard.' Azula thought to herself. "It was all my uncle." Azula started. Ty Lee seemed to have pulled herself fully together and crossed her arms. "I'm listening." "My uncle saw how Ozai was raising me. He saw how I was being trained, to be a monster. A machine for war and nothing else. He wanted to help me. My uncle reached out to an old friend of his, and together, they arranged for me to go and live with her and her grandchildren. In the South Pole." Azula explained. "The South Pole?" Azula nodded. "Yes. I've been living in the Southern Water Tribe all these years. My uncle wanted me to have a chance to grow up as a normal child. So he had me sent far away. And as for not saying goodbye…..I wanted to. I really did, and I was going to. But-" "The less people that knew the better." Ty Lee said cutting Azula off. "Exactly." Silence filled the tent. Silence so loud it could be heard for miles by men who've been deaf their whole lives. Thankfully, it only lasted for a short few moments as Azula let out a deep sigh.
"I'm sorry Ty Lee. I'm sorry I've hurt you. I'm sorry you had to spend years thinking I was dead. I'm sorry I didn't say goodbye. I'm sorry I wasn't a good friend to you. I'm sorry for so many things. I hope one day you could forgive me for all of it. But right now, I need your help. And I know I have no right to ask you for that, after what I put you through. But…..But I thought of you every day. You AND Mai. I understand if you don't want to help me. From what you've told Mai, you're really happy here in the circus. If you don't want to leave I won't force you. Me and the others are leaving tonight. We'll be staying to watch your show. All I ask is that you think about it." Azula told her. She then left the tent before another word could be said.
Later that night
Everyone sat down in their seat's as the show began. The show so far was what anyone would expect from a circus. Clowns, exotic animals, jugulars. Eventually, the event the group was waiting for finally arrived. Ty Lee's performance. "It's about time." Azula mumbled. Everyone watched as Ty Lee performed her signature acrobatics across the tight rope at the top of the circus tent. Azula and Mai smiled while everyone else was awe struck. "I hope she doesn't fall." Katara said a little concerned. "She won't." Azula said confidently as Ty lee leaped from platform to platform, balancing herself on just her hands. As Ty Lee contorted her body in ways not thought possible, Azula thought back to her days in the palace. When she would watch Ty lee do backflips and cartwheels, and how Azula would never get the hang of it. Azula chuckled as she recalled a time where she pushed Ty Lee after she did a perfect set of backflips after Azula tried to do some herself, only to fall flat on her sorry butt. 'Good times.' Azula thought to herself as she watched the show.
"How is she doing that?!" Katara asked looking both amazed and at the same time disturbed by how Ty lee moved her body. "Like I said. Not a single bone in her body." Azula said. Not taking her eyes off Ty Lee. "I kinda always thought you were exaggerating." Katara said causing Azula to laugh. "Nope. Not a single word."
After the show, Azula went to Ty Lee's tent. She took a deep breath before going inside. Ty Lee was sitting in front of a mirror. She didn't turn around to look back at her, or even lift her head up to look at Azula in the mirror's reflection. "You did great tonight. Everyone loved the show." Azula said. Ty Lee said nothing. "You know, you're just as flexible as I remember. You really haven't changed a bit." Azula said with a small chuckle. Ty Lee still said nothing. Azula stood in silence for a few moments and she could swear that if silence could make sound the entire circus would become deaf. Azula let out a sigh. "Me and everyone else are leaving. It was really nice seeing you again, after all this time. Have fun with the circus. When this is all over, I'll come see your next show." Azula said. She turned towards the exit, but just as she touched the fabric…
"Azula." Ty Lee said, causing Azula to stop right in her tracks. Azula turned to look at Ty Lee. "There's not going to BE, another show." Ty Lee said. "What do you mean?" Azula asked. Ty Lee stood up from her seat and took off the ceremonial crown prop she wore for her performance and hanged it up on a hook. "I've been thinking. Even throughout the whole performance I was thinking, and I've made a decision." Ty Lee turned to look at Azula, tears forming in her eyes. "I wanna come with you on your travels." Ty Lee said as a tear ran down her cheek. Azula stood where she was for a moment with a big smile on her face and tears of her own forming in her eyes. The two girls approached each other and wrapped their arms around each other in a tight hug. The two of them stayed that way for what felt like an eternity. "I missed you so much!" Ty Lee said as tears of joy flowed down her face and she squeezed Azula tightly. "I missed you too." Azula said as she squeezed Ty Lee back. Eventually, Azula broke the hug. "Come on. Let's go introduce you to everyone." Azula said. With that, the two of them left the tent.