Azula's Journey

The Voices

"Azula......Azula......"

"Who's there?" Azula asked, desperately peering into the darkness. "What do you want?"

"You know who I am....face me child!"

Azula whirled around, nearly stumbling back when she saw the apparition behind her. "G-Grandfather Azulon."

Fire Lord Azulon narrowed his eyes as he studied her. "You are a failure Azula, a disgrace unworthy to bare my name. My father's legacy has ended....because of you!"

"No!" Azula cried, clenching her fists and dropping to her knees. "I fought for the throne! I defeated my brother! But that water tribe peasant got in my way!"

A warm breeze swirled around her and a gentle hand caressed her cheek.

"Azula....look at me."

Azula's head shot up when she recognized the sound of her mother's voice. "Go away mother."

Ursa reached out to her daughter, a longing expression etched into her features. "Come to me Azula. You shouldn't be alone. Come home to your family."

Tears ran down Azula's face as she stared at her mother. "Stop acting like you care! You have a new family! A new daughter! Zuko! You've always thought I was a monster! You never loved me!"

"Azula, you know that's not true." Her mother replied gently. "I love you. I always have and always will, Azula."

"Liar!" Azula screeched. She sent a blast of fire at her mother only to watch as the image faded and her blue flames disappeared into the darkness.

"You lack the control you once had. It's a shame to see such power wasted on someone who's proven to be a disappointment."

Azula's eyes widened as Fire Lord Ozai appeared before her. She dropped to her knees, bowing respectfully at his feet. "I'm sorry I failed you father, but I'm going to make things right. I'll take back the throne and free you. I am still your loyal heir."

"It's too late for that Azula!" Ozai snapped angrily. "My bending is gone! Your brother has taken the throne! I trusted you to protect our nation and you lost everything! At a time when I needed you to be strong, you were weak! Now you will be punished for your failure!"

Azula stared up at Ozai from on her knees, fear spread across her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. "No! Father please! I've always been loyal! Give me one more chance! I won't fail you again!"

Ozai ignited a flame in the palm of his hand. "You will learn the consequences of failure Azula, and pain will be your teacher."

"Father no!" Azula screamed as her eyes widened at the sight of Ozai's arm shooting forward towards her face, flames bursting forth from his palm.

On instinct she bowed her head to shield her face and squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the burning flames to hit her skin, but they never came. Slowly, Azula opened her eyes and looked up.

Zuko stood before her in his royal robes, the Fire Lord's crown perched in his topknot. His gaze was soft as he extended his hand towards her. "The time for fighting has ended, Azula. Let me help you learn to view the balance of the world as I have come to understand it."

"You can't help me Zuzu." Azula replied bitterly. "Why would you want to?"

"You're my little sister, Azula." Zuko told her. "I'll always be here for you."

Azula shook her head. "You can't help me! No one can help me! Just leave me alone!"

Azula staggered to her feet, clutching her head as she stumbled away from her brother. "You're not real! None of you are real! YOU'RE NOT REAL!"

Azula shot up in her bed breathing heavily. She whipped her head around only to find the familiar dark corners of hut. No images of her family, no fire, no pain, just the familiar darkness.

"Azula...."
                                   "Azula...."
                 "Azula...."
"Azula...."
Azula clutched her head as the chorus of voices whispered in her mind, begging her to listen. She had to get out of here, she had to get away.

Azula scrambled from her bed, dashing for the door in her bare feet as she desperately tried to outrun the voices plaguing her mind.

"Azula...."
                                     "Azula...."
                  "Azula...."
"Azula...."
The sound of the leaves crunching under her feet echoed through the forest, but the voices only grew louder the farther she ran. Unable to see through her tears, Azula found herself at the edge of the river. Her feet slid in the mud left by the outgoing tide and she collapsed onto her knees with a loud sob.

"Azula...."
                                     "Azula...."
                  "Azula...."
"Azula...."
She looked down at the water's surface only to see the images of her family appearing and disappearing as they all fought for her attention.

"You are a failure!"

"Come home Azula!"

"You are weak!"

"Azula, let me help you!"

"Stop it! STOP it! STOP IT!" Azula screamed, gripping her hair in her fists. "WHY MUST YOU ALL TURN MY MIND AGAINST ME!? WHY!?"