A/N: I had a feeling so peculiar that this pain would be for evermore. Love and be loved. Read… and review!
Where You're Going
[Winter 146 AG]
Ty Lee arrives a day too late. She returns to a broken home in Honan Bay and as she steps through the wide open doorway, her first assumption is that they'd been robbed. There's shattered glass and the bookshelves are overturned. Everything of value is gone, and Ty Lee is uncertain of what to make of any of it. What's more is there is no sign of Azula anywhere. She wonders if her wife has left. She feels hurt and doesn't understand.
No one has told her the story of the Butcher of Honan Bay. The people marching on the Sisters of the Forest' home in search of the monster they desperately sought to slay. She doesn't know any of this. All she knows is that she left a few days earlier and when she returns now, her wife is gone and their home is in ruin.
She is picking through the remains, searching for the box of mementos. Her most precious, personal item is nowhere to be found. She suddenly hears voices in the distance. They grow closer. She rises and goes to the door, each step fraught with anticipation and anxiety. She steps out of the home and hears the lowly whispers of women drawing closer.
It is the last thing she hears before a bag covers her head and she is dragged away into the forest.
Ty Lee is in her 60's now, but she can still scrap with the best of them. Which is why it's so surprising that her assailant is so adeptly keeping her at bay. Her body is pulled by someone of equal or greater strength, countering her smacks and blocking her blows, until, after a few more seconds, they toss her onto the ground. Ty Lee is surprised to find she can rip the bag off of her head. She looks up and finds the familiar red eyes of her former leader.
"Lomin!"
"Shhh!" The brunette advances towards her friend, putting a hand up to cover her mouth. "The others can't know that I found you here."
Ty Lee pulls her hand away and whispers, "Others? Who else is here? How did-"
A rustling of branches and twigs alerts the women, who quickly slip away, deeper into the labyrinth of the forest. When they know they're safe, Lomin groans low.
"Listen, there's a battalion here. They're looking for you and Azula. You need to come home. Kyoshi calls to you."
"What's going on, Lo? How did they find us? Where's Azula?"
Growing annoyed and hostile Lomin whispers to her as they circle the perimeter of the home, hiding further away. "If she's not with you then who knows. Maybe someone else got to her, I don't know!"
"What do you mean? What happened? I can't leave her here if she's in trouble!"
"I know! Don't you think Suki and I would want to help you? I know you and Suki have been squatting in your old place, by the way, you did a shitty job hiding it. And why wasn't I invited? Not the point, sorry. But fucking shit, Ty. We want to help her too."
"Help her? What the Yue is going on? How do they know we were here?"
Ty Lee comes to a stop and Lomin turns to face her. The red eyed, shorter friend shakes her head.
"Listen, Ty. Whatever happened here, I know it's not true. Just, uh, keep that in mind."
"What happened here?"
MANHUNT CONTINUES AFTER 'DRAGON EMPRESS' ESCAPES EARTH KINGDOM AUTHORITIES OUTSIDE OF HONAN BAY: "AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WOMAN"
A 61-year old known murderer eluded Kyoshi Warriors and other Earth Kingdom police forces after revealing herself to the village of Honan Bay, nearly seven years after disappearing from the lost island of Linlhao.
Azula of Caldera has successfully avoided arrest and prison time for nearly forty-five years. Her most recent stopping ground appears to have been Honan Bay where she went by the name of "Yasuko." The former Dragon Empress, of infamous criminal enterprises after the conclusion of the 100 Years War, allegedly incinerated an innocent man in the village — leaving not even the bones behind.
Aang,
I am writing to you on my last day of freedom on this Earth. Perhaps as the last act of my own free will. Tomorrow morning I will turn myself in to authorities at my home of Kyoshi Island. By the time you get this letter I will already be under their intense interrogation.
We had a good connection, you and I, in our limited time together. I always felt like we were kindred spirits. I don't know if you'd call us friends, but I imagine I was as close as one can get in their life to the Avatar. Perhaps you feel differently and do not care to hear me out. Nonetheless, you are the most powerful force alive. I must ask this, even knowing it will be a fruitless effort.
I am asking you, begging you, to please intervene on Azula's behalf. I have been at her side for more years than I can count anymore. She does not kill indiscriminately, not anymore. The rumors of her killing that man in cold blood are grossly exaggerated. I am sure you already know but he had killed his own daughter the night before. A teenage girl. A 13 year old girl, who Azula was teaching how to firebend.
She was a girl. A little girl.
Her fire was extinguished and Azula acted out of passion. Please understand. Please do what you can to help her. Please.
Your friend,
Ty Lee
'THE GHOST OF LONLHAI,' WANTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF THE AVATAR'S FAMILY, TURNS HERSELF IN
A woman wanted for the attempted murder of the Avatar's family and a multitude of other crimes, has turned herself in according to Kyoshi Island leader Bashan.
Ty Lee of Caldera has been wanted for nearly seven years after a showdown in the Southern Water Tribe where she incapacitated and nearly killed the Avatar's son, daughter, and wife. Also known as 'The Ghost of Lonlhai,' Lee is a known associate and was previously on the run with Azula of Caldera, the famed 'Dragon Empress.'
To: Ty Lee of Caldera, Ty Lee of Kyoshi Island
CC: Azula of Caldera
Greetings Mrs. Ty Lee of Caldera, and Mrs. Azula of Caldera,
We warmly greet you and hope that this letter finds you well!
One of the founding, critical virtues of the Cabbage Corporation is truth. True to oneself and to those around you. We have made every effort over the decades to remain true to our founding ethos. With that in mind, we have always tried to remain true to the word of our founder, the since departed Lee Gan-Lan. It is the truth that our former founder, and now his son, Lua Gan-Lan, seek: a true connection, a true belief, a truth for the world to know the story of our business and your immeasurable impact on it.
We have spared no expense to contact you. This letter serves as our latest in our semi-annual efforts to reach out. We would love to speak with you about what is owed…
Hou-Ting,
I will be brief and not mince words:
Ty Lee of Caldera must be tried by the Earth Kingdom for her countless human rights violations, or extradited to the Water Tribe so we may do it.
Conscripting the woman back into her old battalion of Kyoshi Warriors is not a punishment — it's a glorified retirement party. This is a thinly veiled effort by your government and your reign to shield the powerful from justice, and I for one…
— Letter from Southern Water Tribe Chief Sokka to Earth Kingdom Queen Hou-Ting
[Late Winter/Early Spring 146 AG]
Zuko,
How's Druk? Bakunawa misses his brother dearly. I believe he misses the simpler days when they were free and unburdened. When they could roam the skies without a care in the world.
He's not the only one.
I have finished mediating between Sokka and Hou-Ting. Playing peace keeper was easier when we were younger. When the enemy was obvious and blatant (like having a scar on their face for example haha). Today's warfare is … much different. It's harder. More secretive. The bad guys aren't in plain sight. They conceal themselves and strike when we aren't looking. I long for my youth and cling to the memories in ways that I know you can relate to.
I'm delaying the bad news. Sorry about that.
Ty Lee will remain on Kyoshi Island.
The compromise you may be wondering?
In exchange, if and when Azula is found, she is to be extradited to the Southern Water Tribe with haste. They've traded Ty Lee's freedom for Azula's head on a pike.
But seeing as how you weren't part of the agreement, it would be wise for the Fire Nation to hurry up and find its prodigal daughter.
Until we meet again on the skies - you atop your red Druk and I atop my blue Bakunawa. Where we may all be free.
With love,
Aang
Mom,
For the life of me, I will never, ever understand why you choose to hole up on Mallard Island. It is as far East as you can go without going West! Without actually arriving at the vast open, blankness of the Great Sea. If the conspiracy theorists are right and the Earth is flat, I imagine the edge isn't much further than you've gone.
In any event, Zafou beckons you to return. We would love to have you come back and visit. My Airships can come to pick you up even, if you so desire!
— Letter from Suyin Beifong to her mother, Toph, to be delivered & read by their intermediary, a librarian in the village named Wara
[Early Spring 146 AG]
Their boat rocks to shore, finally coming to a stop at the partially restored remains of a once proud port. As it does, Sokka, nearing 62 years of age, sets to work on securing it to the harbor. His hands are not quite as nimble as they once were, but he has two helpers beside him in his wife and their only daughter, Hana. They have arrived quietly at their destination of the Lost Island of Lonalhi.
"Hana, can you? Tighten?" He asks her and the 17 year old girl sets to work without needing further instruction. He mumbles, "Thank you."
The three of them disembark. They wear warm parkas and protective masks around their face, both for the cold as well as for the dangerous gasses that still to this day emit periodically from the wasteland that is the obliterated island. Suki keeps a pair of fans in her waistband and Sokka tightens the baldric around his shoulder for his 'space sword.' Hana, a vision of beauty as a late teenager with hazel brown hair, shining blue eyes, inordinately tall, with moderate breasts and underdeveloped muscles, and she carries a bō with her. The family does not expect a fight, but Sokka insists that they be armed when out in the world.
"Whose this other boat, Dad?"
The family has arrived for the annual pilgrimage to pay their respects to the island. Every year, on the anniversary of its destruction, Sokka makes a journey so he can feel a physical connection to it. It's one thing to approve paperwork and send scientists to evaluate the land, but it's another thing entirely to be present in it, be around it, walk the grounds and remember the lives that were lost.
"They're either here to study the gas or pay their own respects. It's not uncommon." He explains.
The trio walk across the restored dock and solemnly traverse the empty streets of the once proud holy land, careful to not step too loudly for fear of waking the dead. Hana approaches the statue that Sokka had put in. It was built off-island and then Earth Benders brought to the island and planted it in the center of the village. It is of a water tribe villager reaching out towards the southwest, off in the direction of Wolf's Cove. There is a matching one at Wolf's Cove now, reaching out towards the Lost Island. It is a reminder for all of their failure to protect the people of Lonlahi.
At the base of the statue is a shrine that Sokka had built himself. It features a longsword, titled Moon's Veil, grown brittle with age, exposure to the elements, and the lingering effects of The Destruction. Nevertheless, it is lodged into the ground alongside a plaque, emblazoned with the faces of two individuals with a brief description.
The Last Line of Lonlahi
Tapisa (left) and Meng Shou (right) of Lonlhai Island are remembered as 'The Last Line.' When Lonlahi faced its destruction, they stood as the defenders to try and hold back the fires of their enemies. While most of the island still perished, Tapisa and Meng Shou's valiant sacrifice allowed for several families to still escape. The Southern Water Tribe honors their memory with this memorial. The blade before you belonged lastly to Tapisa but had been passed down through multiple generations of defenders of Lonlhai.
Chief Sokka,
The Free Bird has been spotted, according to our friends in the park. We are moving to collect.
Yours Truly,
Vernak
— Postcard from the town of Fuquan, outside of Omashu
A vagabond of the worst kind walks into the Crooked Rooster Pub. It's not the most distinguished pub in the world, but it is definitely a pub. Which means it has four walls, a roof, warm protection from the cold, and alcohol. The woman who ambles in keeps her head on a swivel, careful to observe her surroundings, even despite her age and destitute nature. She smells vaguely bad, as she's learned to keep relatively clean to avoid too much attention. Nonetheless, her clothes are ragged and she looks worse for wear. She takes note of the men and women present and takes a seat at the bar in Fuquan.
"What're you havin?" The bartender asks.
She checks her pockets for the loose coin she has and counts it. She looks back up and asks, "Can I get a double of cactus?"
"You got it."
She sits in silence as the pub goes about its business and the hum of the night life reverberates. It's a familiar ambiance for her, both of her lifetime but especially the last few months. She's homeless and wandering the Earth, in search of enlightenment. She'd killed a man, left her wife and most of her worldly belongings behind, and then, without an explanation or understanding of why, the fire that had accompanied her throughout her entire life was gone. Azula felt lost in despair and wallowing and didn't know where she could turn to for help or guidance. She was too ashamed to go back to Ty Lee and too scared to try and make contact anyway. She's looking for any kind of sign from Yue or even Agni of what to do.
"Hey there, Sweet Cheeks. What's a hot, young thing like you doing here?" A woman's voice speaks to her.
Azula turns with surprise to see a young girl approaching her. She must be in her twenties, if not younger. She has black hair, dark skin, bright blue eyes, a tight body, small breasts, and a wide grin as she approaches the elder woman. The young girl is joined by a friend who has tan skin, blonde hair, large breasts, and looks timid at best. They both come and stand on either side of Azula, who suddenly shrink into herself.
"Here you go." The bartender drops off her drink, she deposits the coin, and he returns to the rest of his patrons.
"Whatcha drinking?" The talkative girl asks as she leans against the bar.
Azula narrows her eyes at the spry small one. She turns over her shoulder and looks back at the buxom, shy blonde girl. She turns back to the blue eyes beauty and replies, "What do you want? I don't have any coin, girls. Be gone."
"Oh, we're not looking for money." She says, a hand caressing Azula's shoulder. "Me and my girlfriend here are looking for an older Mommy who can teach us a thing or two."
Azula can't deny being aroused by the pair, but she recognizes it as a ploy of some sort. She looks around the bar one last time then faces forward. She reaches out, lifts her double shot of cactus juice and downs it. She keeps her eyes closed as the liquid warms her throat and then lungs. Her whole body warms up. She gathers herself and remembers all of her old battles. Her first real fight in many years, and for the first time in her life without her bending. She thinks about chakras and an old man telling her to 'pick it up' when she felt defeated.
"Alright!" She shouts above the chatter. "Before we get started… does anyone want to leave?"
There is silence. A myriad of undercover police officers and soldiers sweat as they prepare to fight a living nightmare. No one replies or moves. Azula has her answer. She turns to the two decoy girls who are still standing beside her.
"Go on, girls. Get out of here before you get hurt."
The two early 20 something's look at each other and then run for it. As soon as they do, the men advance on their target.
Too late though, for she is prey no longer.
UNDERCOVER STING GOES WRONG AS 'DRAGON EMPRESS' FLEES SCENE WITH NUMEROUS INJURED, BAR DESTROYED
The famed crimelord Azula of Caldera, better known as 'The Dragon Empress,' fled with a trail of defeated police and soldiers in her wake, and a partially destroyed bar earlier this week, the Fuquan Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The sheriff's office is now trying to locate the fugitive woman, the release went on to add.
The Special Investigation Bureau of Omashu's deputies set up the operation in an effort to capture the Dragon Empress, the Republic Times' reports. Undercover agents posing as female prostitutes met with the suspect around 11 PM the day before last, according to sources close to the situation. Reportedly, the 'Dragon Empress' defeated all attackers without use of fire or lightning.
"While the transaction was occurring, the suspect revealed that she was aware of the operation. A physical altercation broke out and the suspect escaped police and military forces. The suspect then fled the scene and due to high speeds and the aforementioned physical altercation at the bar, deputies lost sight of the suspect."
Po Boh,
Thank you again for your continued support for Azula/Asuna. I urge you to continue offering her amnesty in light of the latest news from Fuquan. Perhaps now more than ever she will seek something familiar, somewhere that she can feel safe.
If she should ever make her way back to Lanxi, I hope that you will have her. Thank you.
Best,
Ty Lee/Ty Lin
[Spring 146 AG]
Hou-Ting,
Thank you for your most recent correspondence. I feel most honored by it. I feel it is relevant to mark that in my near 30 years as Chairperson for the Council of the Elders, and in conversation with our village elders, it is the first recorded written correspondence to come directly from the Royal Family. A historical moment for my position and, more importantly, our village.
It is so historical, in fact, that it makes me wonder. What has the Crown ever done for Lanxi? Our port supplies copious taxes through the trade done with us. We have not concerned ourselves with the political games of the city, so why does the Crown concern itself with the views of ours? You, Queen Hou-Ting, have never been to Lanxi, never even sent a representative. Why should we be beholden to your whims?
The answer is that we shall not. Your petty politicking with the Water Tribe is of no concern to me or my village. The woman in question, Asuna of Lanxi as she was once known and whom was my predecessor in this position, is as much a traitor to the Earth Kingdom as you are. She left an indelible mark on our people and she will be welcomed back here without fear of recourse for as long as I am the Chairperson.
You will have to remove me from my station before our stance will change on Azula of Caldera.
Sincerely,
Po Boh of Lanxi
LANXI CHAIRPERSON FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM POWER, QUEEN OF EARTH KINGDOM OFFERS STERN WARNING TO SYMPATHIZERS
In a stunning political development, soldiers from Ba Sing Se marched into Lanxi, located in the middle-southeast of the Earth Kingdom, and forcibly removed Po Boh from his position as the Chairperson for the Council of the Elders. Po Boh had held his position for nearly 30 years and overseen a vast economical boom for the village during his tenure.
Sources say that the removal was due in large part to a private disagreement on the village's stated and public support for wanted criminal Azula of Caldera. Replacing Po Boh is the most senior member remaining on the Council of the Elders, an older gentleman named Roland.
Ty Lin,
I never wrote back to thank you for your letter. It was a necessary nudge in the right direction and a reminder of where my ethos lie. Asuna the Coward helped make Lanxi what it is: A Dragon of the South Sea. Her reign and her time with us was short but an undeniably important time. I will never forget it.
While I may no longer be the Chairperson, rest assured that Lanxi will never act against Asuna. Roland, as you will recall, was also a friend of hers. Our memorandums on her amnesty remain hanging throughout the village and our people understand the importance of this matter & the secrecy of it. Most of our young adults never met Asuna, or were alive when she was with us. Yet they heard from their parents and their grandparents the legend, passed down through generations. And as such, she will always have a home in Lanxi — and so will you.
Sincerely,
Po Boh
[Summer 146 AG]
Ty Lee,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. Mai sends her best and I want you to know that we miss you.
So much so that I am requesting your presence at the Palace. I have made a request to Queen Hou-Ting and your leader Bashan for a temporary release for you to come to Caldera and spend a few weeks with us. Mother is eager to meet her daughter-in-law before it is too late. I concur with the idea that she has lived a long life and the time she has left on this Earth is precious and few. Her 82nd birthday is approaching and I think your meeting her, with clear eyes and transparency, will make for a most excellent gift.
There are many, other matters for us to discuss in-person. Things we would not want wandering ears or eyes to overhear or read.
Please consider the offer. I have much leverage over Hou-Ting and plan to extract it. If you do not wish to come, simply deny the request when the time comes. We all hope to see you soon.
Love,
Zuko
[Late Summer 146 AG]
On Ji,
I hope my letter finds you with the wind at your back. It has been many years, far too many. From all that I have been able to gather from my forced retirement on Kyoshi Island, the Southside has never been better.
I come to you to ask a favor. You wish to tell the story of my wife. I wish to have her story told - to change the narrative, as it were. I believe we can help each other. I can tell you everything - every detail that you're missing (to an extent anyway). You, in turn, can write and publish her truth.
You and Jin will have to come to Kyoshi, unfortunately. I am not approved to leave the Island, but I am permitted to host guests. Perhaps later this summer, you could…
— Ty Lee letter to On Ji of Ba Sing Se
[Fall 146 AG]
Ty Lee,
I want to thank you again for coming to visit with us in the Palace. I have known you since you were just a girl, but after our few weeks together I feel like I finally know you as a woman. The surprise I had when you were present for my birthday was unlike any I can remember.
I did not get a chance to discuss this with you while you were here. I couldn't work up the courage to say the words. So like a coward, I now write them to you.
I fear that I will never see my daughter again. I will never have the chance to speak to her myself. It's possible you may never see her yourself either. But if you do find your wife, will you please share something with her on my behalf?
Please tell her that I am sorry. Share this letter with her so she may know that I have lived my life regretting most all of my decisions in raising her. If I could start again, with her and Zuko, in some remote place, away from the Palace and the throne, I would've thrown it all away. I would've found some way to reach her and not estrange her.
Please, Ty Lee. When you find Azula, because I know you will: tell her I loved her, even if I never showed it. Please.
Yours truly,
Ursa of Caldera
[Early Winter 147 AG]
Master Bau,
The Unbroken did not live up to her name. A new fellow, named "Zase," broke her quite easily actually.
The fire bender defeated her in combat and staked his claim as the War Lord of Yu Dao. She has been removed from her position, but I do not believe she has been slain. Like the dragons in the sky, no matter how much we hunt her she just will never die.
I will do my best to make this serve our interests in the Northern Water Tribe, even without The Unbroken.
Sincerely,
Unalaq
[Late Winter/Early Spring 147 AG]
Yasuko,
I do not expect you to support me but I hope you can understand: I have welcomed Zirin back into my life.
She came to me nearly dead. Battered and bruised. A powerful bender had beaten her to within an inch of her life and then expelled her from Yu Dao. She is broken, and I will try to fix her. I will heal her, as I have done so many times before because, no matter how much I may try to pry myself away, I can not quit her. I love her with my entire soul and am stoutly devoted to her.
We can discuss this in-person or in writing, with or without her, as much as you please. But know that I will not change. As you have said before, I now say to you: I will face the wrath of fire for her.
Love,
Ukuyi
[Spring 147 AG]
"CASE NUMBER: 09/10/147/0407
Incident: Attempted petty theft
Reporting Officer: Police Officer Shalor
Date of Report: [Redacted]
Around the time of 2320 hours on [redacted], Police Officer Shalor was completing his nightly roves in the unloading docks section of Torappu Village in Huashi. During his rove he overheard the sound of hushed conversation including the voice of an Unidentified Male saying, "Just pull a little harder. We're almost there." Officer Shalor approached the matter quietly from the south. When Officer Shalor arrived he found three (3) individuals working in unison to steal a crate of Cabbage Corporation property. Officer Shalor then spotted two (2) Unidentified Males and one (1) Unnamed Female. Officer Shalor continued to listen in and observe as the unidentified persons worked carefully in an effort to seize the crate.
Officer Shalor then announced his presence and stepped out into the open where he could be reasonably seen. Officer Shalor issued an order that the three individuals cease and desist. The two unidentified males did not comply with orders and began running away. Officer Shalor advanced on the scene. When the Unnamed Female realized that she was alone she too attempted to flee on foot.
Officer Shalor pursued them and subdued the Unnamed Female by performing a Class 5 takedown. At this point the Unidentified Males escaped the scene without apprehension. Officer Shalor called for backup but no additional officers were able to locate the runaway Unidentified Males.
Over the course of the next hour, Officer Shalom attempted to get a name for the Unnamed Female. Initially the Unnamed Female told Officer Shalom that she was "Azula of Caldera" and "the world's most wanted woman." Officer Shalom then called for Police Chief Fonar to report to the scene to ascertain the veracity of the Unnamed Female's claim.
Chief Fonar arrived on scene at 2358 hours. The Unnamed Female continued to purport that she was "The Dragon Empress" and asked Chief Fonar if she would be extradited to the Southern Water Tribe or held in the Earth Kingdom. The Unnamed Female, being dark of hair, gold of eye, small height, and approximate age, matched the description of the wanted criminal Azula of Caldera. Chief Fonar administered a field test to the Unnamed Female asking her to produce a blue flame to prove her claim. The Unnamed Female claimed that she had lost her bending inexplicably over a year earlier.
Given her inability to produce the blue flame and general distrust for the nonbending Unnamed Female, Chief Fonar advised Officer Shalom to book the Unnamed Female on petty theft charges. Since she would not provide a real name, she was booked as an anonymous person.
Officer Shalom, Chief Fonar, and the Unnamed Woman departed the scene at 0047 hours.
[Fall 147 AG]
Azula had been wanted the world over. When she finally was captured with no way to escape or fight her way out, no one believed who she was when she told them. The irony was not lost on her.
When her partners bailed on the shipment and left her to be detained, Azula had to face full responsibility for the attempted theft of the contents, which totaled several hundred yuan. As such, with it being over five hundred, it was considered a more serious offense and she was ordered to spend six months in prison. It wasn't as bad as she might've once expected. Three square meals a day, a roof over her head, political games to play with the other prisoners. It was a taste of a life that was almost hers at one point, and it was not all positive.
Azula walks out of the prison a free woman but with old ghosts haunting her. During the solidary time in the Earth Kingdom prison, she was revisited by the nightmares that once occupied her every night. The caged bird, trapped as the flames and smoke built up, finally saw what it meant again to be trapped.
She walks out into the sunlight after six months in prison. She enters into a foggy memory that wiped out all the good, to fill it with the terrors of her life.
[Late Fall/Early Winter 147 AG]
If Azula has learned one thing on her wayward path of floating about the world the last few years, it is to spend the winters in the Earth Kingdom, specifically the airy desert regions. Her time in Lonlhai had desensitized her to the cold and a few years away from it made her realize just how fucking unbearable it is to live through. So as the winter approaches, she finds herself gravitating back towards the Southeast parts of the Earth Kingdom, in particular she has found relative anonymity near Chameleon City. It's a hundred miles or so south of Ba Sing Se, and a couple hundred miles north of Lanxi, so it's a territory that is new to her but feels familiar.
She's been able to find work under the table at a home goods store. It's not worthwhile, but it does get her coin in her pocket to afford meals. She spends her days lifting heavy objects, talking about gardening, consulting with local construction workers on how to best build homes and such. It's a great way to pass the time until sundown, when she moonlights as a steel cage fighter. They're typically reserved for Earth Benders, but Azula convinced them to let her try and, after defeating a handful of lower tier fighters without any bending skills, they finally started making her a regular. It's not easy for the 62 year old woman to keep up with the benders, but she keeps after it knowing that the coin is good.
Most nights after her fights those construction guys from the shop invite her out to get drinks in celebration of her wins, or in memorandum of her losses. They go out and usually someone is buying rounds for everyone, stretching out that precious coin a little further for her. What's more, they're all lightweights compared to her, or so she thinks. They take a few shots and are done, she can tank them and keep rolling. Until she's consumed so much that she blacks out and wakes up in an alleyway or on a park bench or sometimes alone in a hotel room.
On this particular night, after a successful win where she slugged her opponent across the jaw, she wanders home from a drunken escapade alone through the streets of Chameleon City. It's dark and the lamplights provide a low, hazy glow that melds into her blurred, drunken vision. Azula is older and her eyesight isn't what it used to be, although she won't admit that to herself, let alone any of the acquaintances she lets get even halfway to arms length away. All of these factors mix together to form the perfect storm for when Azula looks up and sees a vision before her.
She looks in the glass reflection of a store front and sees a woman she has not seen in decades: her mother, Ursa. She stops and stares, not believing what she sees. The woman has not aged a day since Azula last saw her in Hira'a. Ursa looks at her with sad eyes and disappointment. Azula tries to rationalize. She tries to ground herself.
"You're not real. You're just in my mind." She whispers to herself, swaying in front of the glass.
Ursa shakes her head.
"I'm so sorry, Azula. You deserved better."
Azula shuts her eyes and shatters the glass.
When she opens them again she is staring up at the ceiling of a motel room. She sits up and checks her surroundings. Her knuckles are not bloodied but they look bruised. She's not sure if those bruises are from the fight the night before or from punching the glass. She had just been standing in front of the window a moment ago, but now she is lying in a bed. She debates whether she had seen the apparition or if she had simply dreamt it. Had she hallucinated her mother, something she hadn't done in 45 years, or had her mother truly appeared to her as a last gasp to speak to her, like her Uncle Iroh had done. She rests her head back on the pillow and mumbles to herself.
"What the fuck happened last night?"
FIRE LORD ZUKO'S MOTHER PASSES AWAY, LOCAL LEADERS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT
Fire Lord Zuko shared that his mother, Ursa of Caldera, passed away peacefully in her sleep last night via press release from the Palace.
Funeral arrangements are still being planned, he said.
Fire Lord Zuko asked for sympathizers to donate to The Moon Flowers Daughters Center, an organization that improves the lives of those suffering from domestic violence by connecting them with resources, in lieu of sending flowers.
"My family and I said goodbye to our matriarch, our beloved 83-year old mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ursa," he said via press release.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of support from city leaders and others. A selection of quotes can be found below:
Aunt Ukuyi and Aunt Zirin,
I write this letter with fraught filled, shaking hands. While I may address you both, the message here is intended more for one of you than the other. It is not a secret that we have not spoken in over three years. Despite my efforts to put space between us, you have pursued me — in writing and in my dreams.
Aunt Ukuyi tells me that you have "changed." She says that you are "improving." She says you are better than you were before and that your near-death experience woke some deeper respect for life and living within you.
I want to believe it.
And I think I'm willing to try seeing it for myself.
I am willing to meet with you for a meal. Perhaps we could all become a family again. Maybe we can move forward from our past. It will depend on if you've truly changed as Aunt Ukuyi says you have. However, there is some thing I will need assurance of, from both of you. If you can not both make this promise then I will understand, but it will drive a wedge deep between us. My condition;
You will help me find and rescue Azula of Caldera. Should harm comes to her at the hands of either of you, I will never forgive you and you will never hear from me again.
Please write back to confirm if my terms are agreeable.
Cordially,
Yasuko of Lanxi
[Spring 148 AG]
'DRAGON EMPRESS' BIOGRAPHY SHOOTS TO TOP OF BESTSELLERS LIST TWO WEEKS AFTER RELEASE
On Ji of Ba Sing Se, a civilian with no historian or writing background, has found herself among a group of the Republic Times' bestselling authors after penning a definitive biography of one of history's most enigmatic and powerful figures. The biography, titled "The Last Dragon: The True Life of Azula of Caldera," has unexpectedly climbed to the top of the best selling lists just two weeks after its release.
For nearly four years On Ji lived with Azula of Caldera while she was in hiding, using a fake name, in the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, allowing her a unique and unparalleled look into the secret life of the deposed princess. On Ji, originally from the Fire Nation colony of Tanoshi Island but who has spent most of her life in Ba Sing Se and claims it as her home instead, crafted the biography over twenty years using her first hand experience, piecing together news articles, historical documents related to the Fire Nation Princess, as well as interviews from Azula's friends, family, lovers and adversaries…
[Mid-Spring 148 AG]
BOOK REVIEW: "THE LAST DRAGON," BY ON JI OF BA SING SE
As small boys and girls most of us are often not privy to the inner lives of the royalty and well-to-do people of the world. In essence, we are told to "get lost," never knowing where we're going in navigating and imagining the world these powerful people exist within. The young boys and girls will often sob to their parents, who sometimes write letters to the editor. But this small girl grew and grew, abandoned her homeland, moved across the world, fell in love, and welcomed a stranger into her heart and her home, all to find out that stranger was the most wanted woman in history. On Ji turned herself into a writer and she talks out a book called "The Last Dragon: The True Life of Azula of Caldera," which says, "come here, come here," to all the small boys and girls, eventually concluding with, "Welcome to where you're going."
But by this time, the reader has spent four years, from the Winter of 124 AG until the Fall of 127 AG, with Azula of Caldera in the Southside of the Lower Ring of Ba Sing Se, and they will never see the 'war criminal' the same way again unless they are an accomplished fantasist or thinks On Ji lies.
There were cries of indignation from the Earth Kingdom dignitaries and supposed 'experts' in military secrets when condensed excerpts of the book appeared in Sandy Views magazine. There was a summons from Earth Queen Hou-Ting that made front pages across the kingdom. When Chief Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe called it 'baseless and factless' there were charges by the public that the highborn were trying to "repress and intimidate" the civilian from Ba Sing Se. The notable silence from the Avatar and Fire Lord Zuko has only served to stoke the fires of speculation amongst readers. The publishers doubled the first printing and On Ji began receiving media interview requests from around the world...
[Mid-Summer 148 AG]
Suyin,
I'm writing to you now to let you know that I'm headed for Zafou. Don't bother sending those stupid Airships of yours - I won't be here to take it. I'll be traveling on foot, like I used to when I first started my metalbending academy. I might even take a detour or two. Take a visit to Avatar Island and such. There's something beautiful about being lost in the world. I miss the rush of it all.
Anyway, I'm not sure exactly when I'll arrive. Hopefully not much later than Spring of next year. We'll find out. Talk to you soon.
Love,
Mom
— Letter from Toph Beifong to her daughter, Suyin, as transcribed by their intermediary, the village's librarian Wara
[Late Summer/Early Fall 148 AG]
'I wonder how Avatar Asuna died? Did she go with grace? At the hands of some war lord or king? Betrayed by her friend or lover? Slaughtered by the fire, or earth, or water of some lucky bender? In her sleep? Did she face it valiantly? Was she ready when it came for her?'
'Am I capable of the same? If I surrender, they will kill me. But perhaps I can embrace it? Finally able to walk hand-in-hand with Death.'
Azula doesn't even know where she is anymore. It's late on the summer night as she walks through the village of some forgotten Earth Kingdom town. She knows she is near the North Fenna Mountains. The Misty Palm Oasis is just on the other side, if she could go over them. For now she wanders the streets, lost in thought.
If she could start again, from the very beginning, she would've done things differently. She would've found a way to be with Ty Lee sooner. She wouldn't have trusted Zirin. She would've kept herself, her real self and her true self, alive. She would've done it all. She would've found a way.
It has been nearly two years since Azula last saw Ty Lee. It's been almost ten years since she left Lonlhai. It's been even longer since she snuck through the window of Ty Lee's bedroom on Kyoshi Island, since she's been to Ba Sing Se, Republic City, or anywhere in the Fire Nation. She can only faintly remember Lin's face, if he's even still alive. After all of her time wandering the world, alone, not even her blue fire left to her name, she feels she has finally reached the end. The end of her patience, the end of her self-preservation.
'It's time. For the end. To finally walk with it, hand in hand.'
Azula stops. She looks around the dimly lit streets. A man sits on his front porch a few feet away. She approaches him and asks with apprehension a question.
"Sir?" She gets his attention. "What's the nearest port?"
"Hmmm?" He realizes she's talking to him and puts away the book he is reading. "Well, where ya tryna go?"
She thinks about the closest places where she could meet Death.
"Kyoshi Island. Or perhaps Wolf's Cove, if that's closer?"
He knows the answer without having to think for more than half a beat.
"Well, you're only a day or so away from Lanxi. They've got a huge port — I reckon it's the best in the world, and certainly the best east of Gaoling."
'Of course.'
The port she developed. The power house that she built.
'Of course it ends where my life restarted.'
"Thank you, sir. I'll be on my way."
He bids her farewell. He picks back up his copy of The Last Dragon.
"You go get where you're going."
A/N: This chapter's OST is "Hurt" by Johnny Cash.
Love always. Azula forever?
Notorious