Chapter 2: a new partner

Azula needed to be patient. The one guy who could be convinced to help her, or more likely forced into helping her, was still hiding from his boss. Eichi silently made his way to his tent with an empty bag, while Azula watched from a nearby tree. Scrounging for supplies wasn't as successful as she wanted, she didn't have much time left before they returned from the search. But she believed she had what she needed.

Eichi entered his tent and immediately started packing. He was so focused which made this all too easy. He was wearing some kind of poncho now, most likely a disguise. After a quick peek to make sure no one was facing towards the tent, she snuck down and entered. She couldn't use firebending, that would give her away, but she didn't need it anyway. She approached his bed and quickly as a flash covered his mouth and injected him with a syringe full of medicine. "Sorry just in case you were a bender" she said with a sly smile as she smashed his head against the bed frame.

She had to carry him on her right shoulder to make the least amount of sound possible. She tried to use her left arm as little as possible but she had to deal with the pain when necessary. She sprinted as fast as she could out the back and carried him away.

It took about twenty minutes for Eichi to wake up, his head clearly in pain from the way he struggled to lift it off the ground.

"Good you're up" Azula said leaning against a tree

Eichi tried to get up but his hands were tied to a tree "huh I see the tables have turned, you know you got me into some trouble with my boss" Eichi said in a strangely calm way "so what is this revenge, I try to help you with your emotional issues and now you're mad"

"Actually no, I want you to tell me where Jia Lisha is" Azula said standing strong "I could force it out of you, or you could just tell me right now and save me some time"

Eichi said nothing for a moment, looking at her skeptically "you want to find Jia Lisha" he asked as if this was a foreign concept "YOU…. want something"

"What's that supposed to mean" Azula snapped

"I did a little research before I let you out of that cage, and sad to say you're not a very complicated person" he said "you never want stuff"

"What, yes I do…have wanted things"

"Giving someone what they want out of you, doesn't count. Getting what someone else says you want, doesn't count" he said in a similar fashion to their last discussion

"I see what you're doing and it won't work a second time" Azula said, cutting him off.

"You mean it won't cause you to shoot fire at me, oh what a shame" his voice was full of sarcasm and wit "if we can be serious for a moment, why do you want to see Jia Lisha all of the sudden"

Azula pulled out the file and showed off the torn piece of paper. This clearly got her point across as Eichi seemed to ease up and started to chuckle "amazing sight wasn't it, the power to get whatever reality you wanted regardless of your past" he said with pride "but you didn't answer my question, why do You want to see Jia Lisha"

Azula pondered this for a moment, she couldn't take too long or that could make her look indecisive "power, what other reason is there" she said the first thing she could think of, it was the main reason for all of this, right? "If Jia Lisha truly has the ability to alter reality than I can force her to transform it into a version where I am Fire Lord and the wars victor"

He gave her a strange look, a look she had seen many times before. In fact it was a look she had on her face many times, the look of someone figuring out a bluff. Why did he have that look, she was being serious.

That jerk actually started chuckling "Hmm you're going to force a spirit to change reality, how exactly, are you gonna intimidate her with your grand position of a former princess" he was clearly trying to infuriate her. But she was the one in charge this time and wouldn't compromise the mission. "And ugh how does Zuko factor into all this"

That hit hard, but Azula knew the answer "if reality is indeed reset then all of Zuzu's mistakes will be irrelevant" she answered unsure of her own words "and I suppose when I am fire lord having a smart brother for me to torment wouldn't be so bad, maybe I'll even have his scar fixed". She knew Father would hate this concept, but she was alone and had to do this herself.

"And your father, mother, uncle, cousin, avatar, waterbenders, earthbenders, etcetera" Eichi continued, he actually seemed to be diverging from interrogation and seemed genuinely interested in her plan

Azula was completely lost for words, a feeling new to her. "My family will have to be…. Altered yes" she shouldn't be this hesitant, this was all true and needed to happen. "But they will be there. As for all the others I…." there was a moment of hesitation "plan to have a series of horrific atrocities happen to them one after the other, they will endure endless suffering and shame for standing against me" she said what she expected she'd do, the truth was she hadn't put much thought into that part

"Doesn't sound like previous 'mistakes' will be irrelevant" Eichi said, making more of an effort to get under her skin. But she didn't capture him to have a therapy session, she captured him to find Jia Lisha and complete her mission.

"If we're done here I would like to continue" Azula said growing impatient "now tell me where to find Jia Lisha" she said fidgeting with a pristine blue flame in the palm of her hand.

Eichi nodded "we have a meeting location near the capital city, that's where all her followers give their requests and witness reality's rebirth" he said calmly as if he were talking to a friend and not a captor. "But they don't tell you where it is unless you agree to help them, Oh Wait" he said gesturing to himself "well we better start moving"

Azula raised an eyebrow at him "hmm refusing to tell me the precise location so I won't leave you for dead, you are an excellent strategist" she said with a hint of respect. Azula pondered a few strategies of her own. She could bring him with her and possibly use him as a hostage or bargaining chip if necessary. She could torture him until he gave her the precise location. Or simply dispose of him right here and try to find it on her own. But she apparently had a deadline to meet and couldn't afford to search the capital city aimlessly.

"Fine" Azula continued. She pulled him up and gestured for him to move forward

"What no, you shall do exactly what I say and be exactly where I want you to be" Eichi said mocking Fen

"Don't get me wrong, if you betray or disobey me you will suffer the consequences" she hissed at him making sure she got her point across. Eichi didn't seem to react that much, but he did keep his mouth shut and that's what mattered. Azula stopped in her tracks "wait could your friends use one of these to find me" she said holding up the device

"Oh they can and they will, if they care enough" Eichi said strolling along the path "like I said, not really supposed to use those"

They made their way to Capital city, now that Konietzko army base was in sight Azula figured it would be about a two day journey.

Even though they left before Eichi's people were scheduled it was possible they had a faster mode of transportation. All the more reason to cover as much ground as possible.

Azula's stomach started to rumble, she didn't realize she hadn't eaten since before she was captured. They needed to get some food, but of course nothing is that simple. Since it was more than a full day since her escape from Zuko she couldn't risk being seen by any military personnel. If Zuko managed to send a messenger hawk even a couple of hours after she slipped away then the people at the palace would have been informed by now and informed all military personnel throughout the nation. But it was possible small villages might be safe. And there just so happened to be one within view, and it was midday so no one in the military should be outside the base.

Azula could convince others she's a regular peasant easily, she had been trained how to act like everything else. But she couldn't do it with her royal armor on. Recognizing someone's face is hard when you're not looking, but recognizing clothing or symbols is much easier.

She hesitantly removed the pin from her headpiece and let her hair down. This wasn't right, she shouldn't be hiding her identity. These people should be honored to serve the princess of the fire nation. But she knew that for the moment it was necessary and it wouldn't take long. She needed to find some kind of cloak to cover her armor with, something that didn't look too out of place.

If the device could show her the present then it should show her where to find what she needed. After taking a look around to make sure no one was watching she pulled the device on and turned the dial to the present, it immediately showed Zuko eating his lunch. "What" she said, turning the device off and on again. It just showed her Zuko again, this time their mother was joining him. "What's wrong with this thing" she said shaking the device

"Kid, when set to the present it shows you what you want to see the most," Eichi explained. He smirked as if this was something she should have figured out by now. "The past is whatever you're looking for, but not the present"

"That's ridiculous" Azula said denying his claim

"You're holding a magic projector thingy and yet you're throwing around words like 'Ridiculous'" he said smirking

"Fine, maybe you can find us some clothes and food," Azula said, offering the device, her voice sounding cold and calculated.

Eichi suddenly stopped smiling and backed off "no, we'll just find it ourselves"

"That'll take to long" Azula said

"Get that thing away from me" Eichi said sounding more harsh

Azula was not going to take any more of this nonsense "No, you're going to turn this on and find us some foo…"

"KID I SAID GET THE DAMN THING AWAY FROM ME" he said in a much harsher and rude way

This man actually had the audacity to stand up to her, to tell her what to do. He didn't get the idea that he was her prisoner and needed to do what she said. She wouldn't take this. She gave him a glare that would make a platypus-bear back down "I am truly sorry" she said with sarcasm "I didn't realize you were leading this operation" Eichi rolled his eyes "wait you're not, well I certainly didn't realize you were powerful enough to keep me check". She started to see a hint of fear in his eyes, it was something "No, well then I am a tad bit confused. If you refuse my orders again, what exactly is keeping me from ending you. Even with one arm I will easily overpower you" she said as she set the device in his hands.

Eichi frowned at her as if he were disappointed at best. He twisted the dial all the way to the right. The image wasn't food or clothing, it wasn't of any crazy ambitions or weird scenario, but it was of a small cottage most likely in the earth kingdom based on the surrounding landscape. The image changed to what she assumed was the inside, an old woman was doing the dishes. She seemed very tired and overworked, her hands were quite clammy as if she'd been doing that for a while. There wasn't much in the cottage, just a bed and a table. There were several jars filled with mostly copper pieces and a few silver ones. Eichi was taking a nice long look, his eyes were perfectly focused on the moving picture. Eichi finally broke his focus, turned the device off, and gave it back to Azula. There was a moment of silence.

This was interesting but not helpful, clearly Eichi couldn't use the device for their current problem any better than she could. "Ok since you've been so helpful so far we shall…" Azula said with sarcasm before getting cut off

"Here" Eichi said, taking off his poncho "take it" he said offering it to her.

"It's too small, some of my armor will show" Azula said, she wasn't sure what her argument was but felt the need to be assertive

"Not enough for people to get too suspicious, it'll help" Eichi said, nodding. After a brief hesitation she accepted the poncho and put it on. He was right, it covered enough of her armor that most people wouldn't stop to think about it or stop to investigate.

Azula entered the town, the people didn't seem to focus on her too much as she got their food. Eichi had to stay behind, leaving him alone was a risk but bringing him in public where he could reveal he was a prisoner was a bigger risk. She got them as much cheap food as she could carry, it would last them way longer and it couldn't be worse than prison food.

It was still pretty terrible though.

She finally made it back to Eichi after a good ten to twelve minutes. She expected him to look like he attempted some kind of escape or even struggled but he looked like he barely moved. "Ah you're back" he said standing up and immediately pulled the restraints apart "you suck at knot tying just letting you know". After a moment of shock she tossed him some food, they still had a ways to go and he would need plenty of energy.

"Who was the peasant woman in the moving picture?" Azula asked. Eichi was still her enemy, and to control your enemy you have to know them. And she couldn't deny that it sparked her interest.

The look on his face, she didn't intend for it but she may have just found his weakness because he finally looks vulnerable. "My wife… well she was, a long time ago I mean" he didn't look at her when he spoke, he seemed to be having a flashback or something "I…I lost her"

"Correct me if I'm wrong but she is still alive" Azula said rolling her eyes

"There are a lot of ways to lose someone kid" Eichi said

Ten or fifteen comebacks went through Azula's mind. Wow how cheesy. Hmm don't suppose talking like that is what drove her off. Well from the time I've spent with you I can see why. But she couldn't say any of them, she couldn't explain it but it was like she didn't disagree with him. Her mind went back to Zuko and how she drove him off, she quickly shook off those thoughts.

After a few more hours of travel the sun was starting to set and traveling all night would be more of a hindrance than an advantage. "Get some sleep, you'll need it," she said. Azula had to make sure he was in a deep sleep before she could get any rest. After she tightened his restraints he started to doze off, he was clearly used to sleeping in weird places.

Humans never take less than an hour to go into a deep sleep, so Azula had some time to kill. She peaked at the strange device a few times. Finally curiosity got the better of her, she made sure Eichi was sleeping hard enough not to notice her and snuck off a few feet into the woods.

She turned the device on and twisted the dial to the left and a moving picture started to form.

Azula was laying on the cold ground sleeping in the cold, she was laying a little farther away from the others. Zuko appeared within the frame and put a blanket over her. Azula didn't remember this moment obviously, but she knew it was the night right before she yelled at him and accused him of not wanting the throne. She couldn't help but wonder if Zuko regretted trying to make her comfortable after that.

She twisted the dial further. Zuko was pushing her on a wheelchair towards the palace "I've asked the palace staff to prepare your old bedroom. I'd like you to stay there instead of the institution. You'll be guarded every minute of the day of course, but it'll be more comfortable for you". Just another moment where she didn't consider how much Zuko was thinking about her, what would make her the most comfortable. There was no denying he did it a lot, he showed care for her even when it wasn't in his best interest; in fact most of the time it was against it. The memory continued to her breaking out of her straight jacket, shooting lightning in his direction and making a break for it

After a moment she just tossed the dial as far to the left as she felt like it. It ended in a moment she couldn't quite remember, mostly because she was two, but something seemed special about it. Two year old Azula was stumbling along the palace gardens, she had recently started running. Four year old Zuko had approached her and held a stuffed fire ferret in front of her and shook it to get her attention. Mother was standing in the doorway watching this unfold. Azula eventually ran to grab the fire ferret but Zuko set it on her head. She took it off and shook it around a little. She dropped it and gave Zuko a hug. That was it. That was why this moment was special. This was the first… this was the only time they ever hugged. The realization of that was flat out disturbing. They've been siblings for seventeen years and they only hugged once before she could talk; granted they were never siblings of the year but there was no way of putting it that didn't sound ridiculous.

Azula turned the dial all the way to the right. Zuko was laying in his bed sleeping. She wondered if this was the same Zuko who gave her that blanket, or that fire ferret, but she couldn't be sure. Experiences change people, it's not crazy to think Zuko could give up and move on with his life. The very last thing she did to him was stab him in the back and reject his help, something that usually gives people the idea you don't want them in your life. And that was the message she was trying to send out right? Then why did it feel so wrong. Maybe … just maybe she was wrong….NOOO no she couldn't think about that. She watched him for a moment, she wondered if she looked the same as Eichi did from earlier. She placed her hand on the dial but didn't turn it off just yet. She took one last look at Zuko "good night Zuzu" she said before turning it off.

She returned to her spot and figured Eichi was in a deep enough sleep for her to get some rest. She had trained herself to only stay asleep for short periods of time when needed. She had a lot on her mind, once she was done with this what would her family think if they found out they were altered. They'd understand, they'd believe her when she said it was for the best right? Finally she started to doze off and drift to sleep.

There was a crackling sound. Azula woke up, she wasn't in the same spot. In fact this looked like where she set up camp right before she was kidnapped and sucked into all this reality changing nonsense. She turned and saw her Mother tending to a campfire, there was a griddle set up right above it with some koala-sheep burgers on it. Mother was also setting up some bread and toppings.

"Hey look who's up" a familiar voice sounded, she saw her brother offering her his hand

"Hey come on like you haven't dozed off from mom's campfire songs" Azula didn't mean to say that. She was in a dream. And once again she had no control over what she said or did.

"I like them" a familiar perky voice sound. Azula turned to see her former best friend Ty Lee sitting on a log across from them. She was dressed in her typical pink clothes and had that classic smile on her. One Azula hadn't seen in a long time, she wouldn't admit it but she really missed it.

"Of course you do" Azula snarked at her

"Hey kids, do you want ketchup or mayonnaise on your burger" her mother shouted. Ketchup, Mayonnaise, wait what's mayonnaise.

"Wha, who puts mayonnaise on a burger" Zuko quipped, shaking his head. Something strange she hadn't noticed before was that Zuko still had his scar. Come to think of it, he had it in her last dream. As if this wasn't some crazy alternate universe but just themselves acting differently.

Zuko suddenly noticed Mai waving to him from the tents and gesturing for him to come over. He tapped Azula's shoulder "sis, can you cover for me"

"Don't think I can do that" she said with a sarcastic smile "mother, Zuko is dishonoring you by knocking up his girlfriend" she whispered with a small laugh

"Hey, not funny," he said, gently punching her shoulder. Azula held her hand out and gestured for him to go ahead "Thanks Azzy" once again Azula was infuriated by that nickname. Yet the smile on his face felt nice. She actually felt like she smiled at that moment between them, not just her dream form.

"Azula" Ty Lee asked, she looked scared of something "do you smell something". Azula sniffed the air a little, she definitely smelled something. The air on her legs became cold. She looked down to see a horrifying green fog engulfing her legs and working its way up.

Azula coughed and waved her arms around trying to disperse the gas. Finally the fog disappeared, and she was alone. "ZUKO" she called out but there was no longer a tent "MOM, TY LEE" she said horrified. She got up and heard a crumpling sound under her foot. She was standing on a piece of paper, she picked it up and unfolded it. It was a contract with her signature on it.

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in the side of her head like she was stabbed…then again…then again…then again…

Azula started blinking as she felt sunlight in her eyes, the sharp pains still happening. There was a bluejay stork attacking the side of her head. She threw her arm to the side and singed its feathers, the bird flew away before she could do anything else. She felt the side of her head, there was a little bleeding but nothing serious. She checked her surroundings, she was back at the spot where she fell asleep.

"Morning kid, how'd you sleep" Eichi said

She slept past sunrise. How could she have made such a mistake, Eichi could've been one hundred miles away by now. But he was still here, that was actually pretty suspicious. He could have easily escaped and rejoined his gang, captured her again, and been on his way to Jia Lisha. But he stayed, he definitely had an agenda she wasn't seeing. She had to be smart though, if she wanted to figure him out she may have to give him a little more freedom so she can see what he does. She'd expose his intentions.

Azula approached Eichi and untied his hands "ugh this isn't he part where you kill me is it" he said with the same sarcastic wit she expected by now

"No but I suppose after you stayed put, I trust you to stay" Azula said putting her lying abilities to good use

"Azula you're an excellent liar, probably the best I know, but that was a load of shit" Eichi said somehow seeing through her like she was made of glass

"No really, I fully trust you" she lied again, this time trying to seem less stressed and more believable

"Azula you have the worst trust issues I have ever seen, you don't even trust yourself"

What in Agni was that supposed to mean. She trusted herself, why the heck wouldn't she trust herself she was the most capable person she knew.

"But I won't complain that my hands are free, so let's keep moving," he said, patting her on the shoulder. On second thought maybe this whole 'Freedom will expose his intentions' plan wasn't worth it. He was a prisoner who acted like they were in a friendly buddy adventure from peasant community theater shows her mom dragged her too as a kid. They only had one and a half more days of travel but she might not be able to put up with him that long.

Thank you for Reading, Please Review!