Azula's Recovery - Avatar: TLA

2.2 - Ty Lee

Zuko's idea to track down Azula and bring her home had come as a shock to everyone. He'd broached the subject with her and Mai over tea just like this, asking for their opinions.

Ty Lee hadn't known how to react. The last time she'd seen Azula was when she was in the asylum. And before that, during her betrayal at the Boiling Rock. That day had been so intense, everything had just happened so quickly. Ty Lee still had nightmares about  it...

When Ty Lee and Azula saw Mai fighting the Fire Nation guards and helping Zuko escape...they had been shocked. Mai and Zuko had broken up, and Ty Lee new that Mai had been devastated about it. Yet...there she was fighting desperately to help him get away. Ty Lee had been terrified. Azula seethed beside her and she knew that this could only go badly for Mai. Despite her skill with her knives, Mai stood no chance against Azula's rank as Princess and military commander of the Fire Nation.

As the two girls stood there, facing off, Mai sealed her fate when she said, "I love Zuko more than I fear you..."

Azula's face had contorted with such rage and in her mind, Ty Lee saw what would happen next: Mai would throw her knives, perhaps even making a lethal shot, but Azula's lightning would kill Mai immediately, or her fire would burn her painfully to death. They would both end up dead, and Ty Lee couldn't let that happen.

Mai had been her friend since childhood, through the good times and the bad. And Azula, well, Ty Lee had mixed feelings about her, but they had been through so much together. No, Ty Lee couldn't let them do this. 

In a split second, Ty Lee took in the situation: Fire Nation guards standing everywhere - all of whom would be loyal to Azula. Then Mai: holding her knives ready to fight, but even if she stopped or...killed Azula, the guards would take her and she would be executed. No, this can't be happening, she thought. Ty Lee took in Azula, and the lightning began to form. 

Ty Lee moved. 

The quick jabs sent Azula plummeting to the ground. She didn't wait to think about what she'd just done. She ran to Mai and tried to run, desperate though she still knew the situation was impossible. It hadn't mattered, and they'd been surrounded and taken captive immediately. But now, as Ty Lee sat there next to her friend, she was glad she had done what she did.

Mai looked over to her, and seemed to be thinking the same thing.

"I never thanked you for what you did for me that day," Mai said evenly, "So...thanks."

Ty Lee beamed, "Anytime Mai." She threw her arms around her for a quick hug, despite Mai's protests.

"So, Zuko. I know you didn't want any of us around her at first, but we can't just avoid her forever," said Ty Lee, returning to the conversation.

"The plan was to let her readjust to life back at the palace first. Katara has also suggested Azula meet with a wonderful woman from the Northern Water Tribe who specializes in illnesses of the mind. I think it might be good for her to talk to someone about the things she's going through and her feelings. It certainly helps that the woman is a waterbender, so if things go south..." Zuko didn't finish the thought.

Ursa was staring sadly at her tea, "This is all my fault."

"No–" Zuko started when Mai cut in.

"Lady Ursa, please. You can't take on all the blame for this. We all played our part, as did Ozai. Right now, we need to look to the future, to try and get past this."

Ty Lee barely held in a smile, Mai sounded like a politician. Though Mai had always claimed she didn't care for such things, she was a natural when it came to living in the royal court. Her family had lost their position, and while Ty Lee knew Mai liked the relief from the pressures of her role at court, she knew her friend felt...lost without the rules and rigid structures. 

Ty Lee had found it completely freeing to leave the court, first for the circus, then with Azula and later with the Kiyoshi Warriors. Mai had enjoyed being able to pursue her own passions, but Ty Lee knew her friend. Mai got bored easily, and while court wasn't always the most interesting place, it was unpredictable enough to keep Mai interested. Ty Lee had always thought how no matter what Mai said, she was simply meant to be Lady of the Fire Nation. Her perfect words, flawless education, sharp mind, and of course her fighting ability made her a formidable opponent in every way, and would make her an incredible leader. If only she saw it too...

Ty Lee nodded, returning to the conversation, "I have to agree with Mai. I can't imagine how hard it is for you Lady Ursa, but Zuko's right. Azula just needs some time and support." 

She hoped she sounded more convincing than she felt. Deep down, Ty Lee was already thinking about tracking down the circus again and suggesting they tour the earth kingdom - far, far away from the Fire Nation and Azula.

What would Azula do when she saw Ty Lee again? And Mai? Would she go crazy and start shooting her lightning and fire at them? Ty Lee doubted Azula would allow herself to ever be chi blocked by Ty Lee again.

Kiyi interrupted her thoughts, "Well I don't want to see her again. She's mean and scary and wants to hurt Kiyi." She hugged her little doll tight to her chest.

Noren put an arm around her, "We would never let her hurt you, little one. You don't have to be afraid. Besides, you always used to say how much you wanted a sister..."

"Yeah a nice one! That I could play with and have fun with. Not her," Kiyi crossed her arms defiantly and sat grumpily.

The rest of them laughed, and Zuko placed a hand on her shoulder, "Maybe one day you two will be able to play together, although Azula can be pretty competitive. She'll probably find a way to play 'dolls' even better than you."

"Hmph," Kiyi said indignantly, "Maybe."

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