Disclaimer: Avatar: The Last Airbender, belongs to their respective owners.
Iroh remained stone-faced as he watched the men haul the supplies and goods onto the cruiser. Things had not developed as he had imagined - whom else could imagine, that the Jewel of the Royal Family would end up getting banished for a simple prank gone wrong. He knew, his brother was hard yet not to the limit that he would challenge Azula to Agni Kai. The young girl was skilled but Ozai was much more older and experienced - even compared to someone of Azula' skill. Thus, it had been. Azula had lost, her arm had been scarred - as it tried to shield her face. While she avoided getting her face burned, it did end up with her pristine form being marked - something as a perfectionist she would hate. Still, Iroh was determined to not allow Azula to go alone into exile. She was barely a young woman and wouldn't last long alone, after having spent years as pampered royalty. Especially during a time of war. So, he had called in some favors and men whom were eager to sail and explore the world - instead of fighting and possibly perishing on some unknown lands.
Despite the seriousness of everything. Iroh found it ironic, that they were preparing to set sail on a sunny and bright day. What nobody would imagine, was one young girl - around Azula' age to be searching and running through the port. As she was asking back and forth from people, for the location of the now, former Fire Princess. Luckily though, she got an answer from one dockhand and burst out into running - along the pier edge, towards one old and outdated ship in particular.
"Hello? Hello! I am looking for Azula! Princess of the Fire Nation," spoke Ty Lee, as she soon enough spotted a familiar figure of General Iroh. "Please. I need to see her."
Iroh for his part, looked over the young teenager and soon recognized her as one of Azula' friends. Thus he pointed her towards the bow of the ship, where Azula would be. Ty Lee for her part, nodded in reply and quickly rushed onboard and past the crew. Towards the figure of Azula, whom had her back to Ty Lee. "Azula? I heard what happened. Are you okay?"
Stood on the bow of the ship, the former princess Azula was still trying to get to grips with the events of the last few days. How could this have happened? How could her father banish HER, the princess and his preferred child, over such a minor offence? How would she get by without her room and the servants at the royal palace? And what kind of future could she have, now that her father had disinherited her from the throne? Then the familiar sounding voice came from behind, and Azula turned around to see none other than her old friend Ty Lee stood there.
"Ty Lee?" Azula asked, looking at her with despondency and surprise. For a moment, the arrogant and haughty persona cracked as it had been by her banishment, was down, and Ty Lee would see herself looking at a confused and broken-hearted teenage girl. Then Azula's usual personality, tainted as it was by bitterness now, reasserted itself.
"I've just been cast out of the royal palace and am to be exiled from Fire Nation lands very shortly. So yes, I'm feeling wonderful today." she replied while narrowing her eyes and crossing her arms, with sarcasm so obvious a deaf person would be able to hear it. Ty Lee would be able to see the burnt skin of her left hand, where she had tried to protect herself from Ozai's firebending - though covered up by her robes and bandages as much as possible. "Have you come here to gloat? To mock the fallen princess?"
Ty Lee smiled in reply, when she heard Azula' voice and wasn't dismissed out hand at that. It was nice to see her again, all things considered. Although her smiled went away, once she heard the typical Azula' reply to her situation. But when Azula had asked if she come to gloat, it was then that Ty Lee got her bearing back. "You know I am not that type of person Azula. I would never mock or gloat. Your my friend," she said, although how that relationship had been balanced was different thing. There remained a moment of silence, as Ty Lee played around with her long braid, before she got the courage to speak out her words. "I wanna come with you!"
Azula raised a skeptical eyebrow at this question, mostly out of genuine surprise at that. "You want to come with me? Why? What do you think you'll gain from it? And while I'm on the subject, why do you still want to be my friend? It's not as if there are any perks to gain from associating with me anymore." Azula didn't believe in the concept of human goodness. In her experience, everyone was out for themselves and would happily use others if they thought they could get away with it.
"So? I wasn't sure you were the Princess either, back when we both were learning in the Royal Academy for Girls," quipped Ty Lee, as she was something of an airhead and didn't know the reality - until Mai had outright told her once. "As for why. Why not? What else am I going to do in the Fire Nation by myself? Azula. Look I didn't spend seven years, being your friend just to watch you leave away to who-knows-where."
"So yes, I wanna tag along, since you are my best friend. And friends don't abandon each other. No matter what. And before you ask, I doubt my parents will take notice. They have already six others, I doubt they would mind if one of their dolls was suddenly gone..." she added and for once in her life Azula would see something rare in her eyes. Namely irritation and almost anger. From the eyes whom couldn't even drown a cat-fox. Indicating subtly that Azula wasn't the only one with parental issues. Right before her mood soon returned to her cheerful self. Although she didn't mention to Azula that she planned to run off to the closest circus that might actually take her. Or something similar. "Also. I planned on going to see the world anyway. So why not with you?"
Azula looked away as she considered Ty Lee's words for a few seconds, until she finally let out a sigh. "Well, I can't think of a good reason not to bring you along. So fine, you can join me if you really insist. Although I can't promise anything good will happen, since I don't even know what I should do now."
"Hey. Anything with you around is bound to be interesting," replied Ty Lee, as she quickly gave Azula her usual hug and quickly as possible ran off to fetch her stuff.
Azula let Ty Lee hug her, feeling her heart inexplicably quicken as a result of the contact, before the other girl left and Uncle Iroh came over. "She does honestly see you as her friend, Azula," commented Iroh.
"Yes. I can't get my head around it. I can understand her being my friend back when we were both younger, because she didn't know who I was. But why now, when she knows that I'm disgraced and disowned?" she asked in reply to his statement, trying to sound indifferent, but unable to keep the curiosity out of her voice.
"Well. It seems to me, you seem to have a best friend, who isn't going to let titles or trouble stop her. From what I heard, it didn't before," replied Iroh. The man almost seem to understand, compared to Azula. Iroh, the one other person besides her brother, whom wouldn't have she'd any tears if she got kicked off. Yet surprisingly, despite everything - the old general had been the one to offer Azula a way. A way into banishment that didn't involve getting dumped onto the first piece of land that wasn't claimed by Ozai. A way to make due, despite now having nothing to her name and likely for years, she wouldn't have any clue about his motivation for doing so. Despite how she had thought of him or acted around him.
"I just don't understand it at all." Azula said after sighing and shaking her head, before she looked at the old man. "What about you, uncle? I know that you're the one who arranged for me to have this ship. What I want to know is, why?"
"Why not? You are literally heading out into the vast world. A ship is the best way to travel," he replied, in his usual jovial mood. That seemed to almost mirror Ty Lee without the energetic hugs added. "Can't I care for my niece every once in awhile? We are family after all."
'It is easy for you and Ty Lee to act like this is no big deal,' thought Azula. After all they hadn't been cast out of Fire Nation high society. She wanted to give a snappy reply of that nature, but after the surprise that had been Ty Lee choosing to stay, such words weren't coming easily to her. That and being somewhat nice to the person ensuring her safety was a fair price for keeping her lips sealed for now. "And just where are you planning to take this floating heap of scrap metal?"
"Heh. That is up for you to decide. I am merely along for the ride," replied Iroh, in his usual way. Showing that despite being banished, she did have a way of keeping herself occupied. She had a ship and complete freedom to the world. Although before that could happen Ty Lee soon returned with a backpack on her back.
"Ready to set sail, Captain," said Ty Lee - giving a mock salute for her at that. The former princess allowed herself the luxury of a small chuckle at Ty Lee's words, before she gave Iroh another confused look.
"Do you really mean that? I'm the one in charge of this ship?" she asked her uncle, but it was the ship's helmsman who answered.
"Those were the General's orders."
He was slightly deferential to her. Azula's eyes momentarily lit up as she thought about what she could do with a ship to command, but she soon had to shelve those ideas. This crew had signed up to see the world and stay away from the war - she likely wouldn't be able to convince them to fight for any reason other than self-defense. Still, she had to admit that this was better than nothing. She could go wherever she wanted and the crew would do as she wanted, within reason. That was power and if nothing else, Azula loved having power over others. The former princess took one last, long look at her former home, not knowing when or if she'd be able to return. Then she turned to the helmsman.
"Once this ship's ready to depart, set sail to the nearest friendly port in the Earth Kingdom. I'd rather not overstay my welcome in the Fire Nation. I will be retiring to my cabin, and am not to be disturbed unless it's an emergency," she ordered in a stern voice, traces of the old Azula reappearing. "You're the exception to that last sentence, Ty Lee."
Those words would be uttered to the other teenage girl in a sweeter tone while giving her a smile, before Azula began to head below, eager to see the 'specs' for this ship in question - including the quarters. Ty lee smiled in reply to that statement, while Iroh soon enough helped finish stocking up their supplies for the trip ahead. It would be a long journey and they had almost no idea, when they would be returning. Still it was something and they had a destination in mind at least.
Meanwhile below, Ty Lee would be following after Azula to her cabin at that - looking around the place and finding it somewhat...dour and too gray for her taste. "So. I hate to ask about this 'zula. But where can I bunk in this place?" she asked - as their entire crew consisted of the usual old or very young sailors and one experienced Captain, uncle Iroh and two young teenage girls at that. Leaving Ty Lee to bunk with either Iroh...or her.
"You can sleep in my room. It'll almost be like that sleepover we had with Mai back when we were children," Azula answered as she soon enough entered her quarters, her home and the like for who knows how long. It was much smaller than her bedroom at the Royal Palace and decorated far less ornately, but it would have suited a junior officer in the Fire Nation Navy and the bed would be comfortable. Plus there would be room to squeeze in a mattress for Ty Lee.
"Iiiih! Thanks Azula!" replied Ty Lee, as she hugged Azula once more in her usual way.
This time, Azula was more on guard and she returned Ty Lee's hug after a moment's hesitation her heart beginning to feel warm again. The moment broken when soon enough the ship rocked forward and both girls nearly fell over each other as it jolted and then set sail. Ty Lee managing to catch herself before she fell over and onto Azula. Now it had happened - Princess Azula was now officially banished from her home as her vessel turned and began to leave the Fire Nation. Her soon sitting down on the edge of the bed, taking a moment to sigh before she looked at Ty Lee.
"So, how did your family react when you told them you were leaving?" Azula asked, wanting to take her mind off what had happened to her - although the reply she got was...not what she may have expected. Since Ty Lee' smile went almost crooked at that, the only thing that seemed to pop a hole in her cheerful attitude. Something even Azula' snarky attitude hadn't managed to do in years. As Ty Lee almost resembled Mai' expression - face in perfect order yet eyes wishing something. As she sat down next to Azula and her mood completely deflated.
"They didn't care either way. I had once asked them, what would they do if I say...oh I don't know...ran off to join the circus? They didn't barely bat an eye or speak a word. When you have six sisters who are almost similar dolls, it is quite easy to not miss out if one breaks. Make an excuse if one goes missing and say we had five or four or seven," she replied - for once spouting actual venom and hate at that. "So, their reaction to me going to sail around the world with the Princess? Have fun."
"Well after what's happened to me, I can see why you might be upset. I mean, my mother always cared for Zuko more than me, and then she just... vanished. And as for dad..." Azula concluded that sentence by looking at her burnt hand. Then she looked back up at Ty Lee, and her voice took on a cheery tone. "It's a pity you didn't mention that stuff earlier, because I might have been tempted to burn your parents' house down."
"Nah. It is fine. Just getting away is plenty enough for me," replied Ty Lee, although she did crack a smile at her joke, despite how direct it sounded. As she soon enough took a look at Azula' bandaged hand, trying to get a look on how wide the burns had been, when it had happened without touching it directly. "How...bad was it?"
Seeing that Ty Lee wanted to look at her injury, Azula pulled up her right sleeve. The hand and forearm were both completely bandaged. "It doesn't hurt as much as it used to. Although...I don't feel it much either, when I touch something with it. Sometimes it's like it's not even there."
Ty Lee looked saddened at the sight, as she reached over to gently touch it. Despite her touching a burned mark, her hands and fingers worked rather delicately around the area. Almost like she was handling a precious gemstone - which in a way, Ty Lee saw it as that. "I see. I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you..." she sighed, before she let go.
Azula flinched when Ty Lee reached for her burnt arm, not particularly happy with being treated so delicately, as if she was weak, but she didn't move the arm out of her reach. "Oh, I doubt there was anything you could have done. And truthfully, getting banished was the worst part."
"Maybe, I could have done something," replied Ty Lee, sighing in reply - and letting go of her hand at that. "So Azula. What now? Where are you going to go? Or what are you planning to do now?"
Namely, while they had an entire world to them - a good portion of it was slowly coming under the control of the Fire Nation. So either way, they had to avoid both the Fire Nation now and it's enemies - while also trying to find a reason or way to something with their new life. Azula was silent as she considered the question. Then a look of determination mixed with a bit of petty revenge appeared on her face as she gave her answer.
"You know what I wouldn't mind doing? See my father deposed as Fire Lord. His plans humiliated and him beginning for mercy. I'm not just saying that out of a desire for revenge, although that's certainly a factor. If someone else takes my father's throne, they might be willing to overturn my banishment, and I can go home," she explained - happy to have someone like Ty Lee around for this moment, since she was loyal and a good listener at that.
"Well. The only one for that position might be Zuko. Hmm. I guess. If Mai can tease him over," chuckled Ty Lee. Then her eyes widened in surprise - as her thoughts caught up to the first portion of her declaration. "Your dad? Wow. Okay. Hmm. Okay. But who could be strong enough to do that? Alongside getting past his armies, assassins and guards?"
"It was just a thought, Ty Lee." Azula said, her expression becoming neutral again. "I don't think there are any benders in the world who would be willing or able to fight my father and all of the Fire Nation too. Perhaps the Avatar could...but the Avatar hasn't been seen since before this war began. There are times when I've wondered what happened to him or her."
"Hmm. Well. Why not search for him?" offered Ty Lee as an idea - throwing out 'dumb' thoughts as usual, although this one had more meat to it than her usual ideas. "I know it sounds like chasing raven-geese around. But it might give us something to do in the long-run. I mean, we got years ahead of us anyways..."
Namely, she didn't want to say it out, that since they were banished they had all the time in the world to go on this mindless search - within reason of course, as she doubted there would be a 'Two-Hunred Year War'. Although, it was a better idea than simply trying to take down the Fire Lord by themselves - with no support or aid from anywhere, beyond what they had on this ship.
"And just where would we even begin searching for the Avatar?" asked Azula - holding back her desire to roll her eyes and Ty Lee' usual antics. "There's been no clue of his presence for over a century and the Fire Nation's had plenty of time to search for him since then. Surely you'd expect him or her to have done something during that time? The war and all. For all we know, Fire Lord Sozin could have found a way to get rid of the Avatar for good when he wiped out the Air Nomads all that time ago - and he merely played stupid to not turn the Avatar into a symbol. Still, I suppose it would give us something to do. Though I'm not too optimistic about our chances."
"Well. Better than simply waiting around for your dad to win the war and make it impossible for you to be anywhere," replied Ty Lee. It wasn't an extreme case, but it might be a possibility. Since if she was banished it might extend to any region or colony that was under Fire Nation control. "C'mon Azula. I know we can solve this mystery. You're the smartest girl I know. Think...if you were a powerful bender, yet wanted to hide - where would you be? If I were me, I'd hide in plain sight. The numerous Air Temples had been taken and cleared. What if he is living in one right now? Nobody would think to re-check these places, would they?"
"Ty Lee, I know I'm a powerful bender, I don't need to imagine that," humored Azula with a hint of smugness, while grinning at her friend's claim that she was the smartest girl she knew. As both of them would soon enough take a look at the map of the world - filled with the colonies, 'current' fronts and still intact centers of resistance like Ba Sing Se and Omashu. "If I wanted to hide from my enemies, I would choose either a place I wouldn't expect my enemies to look - as you so wisely suggested - a fortified location surrounded by allies I could rely on to protect me or a place where I could blend in with the crowd to avoid detection. On that logic, the most obvious place is Ba Sing Se, which just so happens to be on the other side of the world. The Northern Water Tribe, it's even further afar...or the Air Temples as you suggested, due to them being 'empty'."
"So, if we're going to go on this wild goose-hog chase, we can start off searching the old air temples," concluded Ty Lee, giving the map another lookover. "The Western Air Temple's the closest to us right now. Shall we begin there?"
"Sure. That could work. I don't think that the Avatar might be in some of the cities though," said Azula. "Because otherwise people might have noticed him. Or he would have likely done something to stop the advance of the Fire Nation."
"Sweet. It's like we're going on a scavenger hunt across the world..." giggled Ty Lee.
"You're like a little kid at times." Azula said with an almost fond smile, before she got up from the bed and left the room to search for Iroh.
As expected the acrobatic girl was lying on Azula' bed, stretching herself on it like a fox-cat - when she finally returned from giving out her orders as little as they were among their small crew of people. One might wonder in such a case was she a person or a cuddly animal at that. "Oh? Back already?" she hummed, seeing Azula back so soon.
"Yes, it really didn't take much to persuade my uncle." Azula replied as she sat back down on the edge of the bed, looking down at the other girl, her eyes lingering on her back a bit. "If I were in his shoes I would have questioned such a plan quite thoroughly, in order to ensure my time and resources weren't being wasted. Still, I suppose we don't exactly have much to lose by doing this. Not like the Temples are guarded or patrolled anymore..."
"Perhaps he is just trying to be nice and help you get your groove back?" offered Ty Lee as an explanation. "Plus. I think he knows what kind d of girl you are. You are too smart and perfect to be wasting anything without a good reason. Sooooo. Want me to do your hair?"
"Well, seeing as I don't have my handmaidens to do it for me, I might as well see what you can do for it. Just try and do a decent job."
"When have I ever done a bad job?" teased Ty Lee, as she soon enough got her hands on Azula' hair - after fetching a brush from her bag. Since Azula had been without proper care for some days after her duel, Ty Lee almost immediately ran into some tangles. "Wow. This needs some work..."
"If it's giving you trouble, show it no mercy." Azula ordered, sitting back and letting Ty Lee work. "I find that discourages further defiance."
"Azula. I doubt your hair is doing this because it is defying you," chuckled Ty Lee, as she pulled on one tangle that also yanked Azula bit. "Plus. If I pull too hard, you might end up getting hurt."
Without much to work with, Ty Lee decided to keep it simple and nice. As she brushed out her hair out and then simply pulled it into a ponytail. It didn't require much and would keep her hair in place and out of her eyes. "Da-da. What you think?" she asked, getting her a mirror to see.
Azula didn't say anything in response to Ty Lee's work immediately, still a bit sore when the other girl pulled on her hair while trying to untangle it. Although when it was all done, Azula looked at herself in the mirror Ty Lee provided her with. "Well, it's not awful," said Azula. Coming from her, that meant that Ty Lee had done a decent job with it. Though of course, Azula wasn't going to say that...not yet at least.
Author's Notes: It has been awhile, huh. Never imagined returning back here, or to this genre of all things. Either way - gonna try and crack my knuckles on some fanfic again. It surprises me that F&M is as popular as it had been written in 'not optimal conditions' to speak.
Still - I have improved and grown. If you are eager for some Avatar stuff and more legible writing, I am here. This fanfic itself is an 'adaptation' from an RP me and a friend had done so. So enjoy.
(Also every main character gets a boost to their canon age by 2-3 years - because damn be Nickelodeon, make it somewhat realistic and not grown soldiers beaten up by kids)
Review and all, if you want.