Hello everyone. I have been so nervous biting my nails about publishing this Fanfic, but I'm finally doing it. This particular story is Azula-centric. It will take place six years after the war and then go into the past.

*The first draft you may have noticed there were some grammar issues. To be honest, I didn't want to psych myself out, so I posted without editing. This update includes some grammar touch ups. So without further ado I give you the story.*

I do not own ATLA and thanks to co-writer Michael DiMartino I can write a fanfic based on his cliffhanger ending.

Book 4: Air: Exodus

Prologue part 1

The wilderness had been cruel to the young woman and her six week old baby. Marauders took her an entire week off course. The resources she acquired were stolen by thieves. Exhaustion had pilfered her ability to sleep and taken a hold of her now blistered feet. Her hair had begun to unravel and wave in the heat. She held a restless baby in a sling under her cloak. She weakly nursed her child with what little nourishment her starving body produced. She tried to hush the cries of the now hungry infant, but to no avail. Her breathing was shallower with each step. Like a soldier, she carried on.

The smell of cedar and embers hung in the air; she had arrived at the Firelords palace. She was here; the plan had suddenly materialized the moment she set foot on the grounds. What would she say? How would she even begin to explain herself? The armed guards stood at the entrance. She drew a map in her mind of how to penetrate their forces. The palace hadn't changed much since she left. She knew every hidden entryway, for she made sure that it was built. The young woman wasn't looking to sneak in, but to be noticed. She stepped toward the gate, baby in tow. One of the strong guards stepped forward. "Madam, you cannot go in there unless you have business with the Firelord."

She took a step back hair over her face. She nuzzled the baby's rosy cheeks and whispered sweet words in its ear; the baby cooed in response. She swaddled the baby in the blanket and handed it to the guard. She retreat a step back. The guard looked in pity at the small round amber eyes staring at him. The higher ranking officer moved forward on his mongoose-lizard staring down at the guard in disgust. He looked to the young woman shouting, "You can't leave your infant here!"

Within a flash, gold light surrounded the young woman. She turned quickly, gold embers emanating around her hands. The guards were amazed. They had never seen such firebending as this. The high guard shouted, "Get the infant to safety!" The guard holding the baby slipped away into a secret passage.

The guards as they have been trained to do stood their ground. They created a barrier of fire. She stepped back covering her face, all but a smile for the men to see. She created a gold tunnel of fire that ascended ahead, to protect her, as she ran up the stairs. With a wave of her hand, she manipulated the fire to burst open the large oak doors. "INTRUDER!" called out the High Guard.

She entered the palace. More guards and foot soldiers surrounded her. They began to waterbend, which shocked the young woman, but she was prepared with her mission heavy in her mind, she wasn't deterred. She pointed one hand out gathering the energy in her stomach; she followed the flow of energy out to the right arm. The waterbenders froze the young woman; they stood back patiently. The ice cracked as blue lightning burst through, irradiating over her body. The guards created frozen arrows meant to pin the woman. She ran through all of them blocking each would be pelt. Suddenly, a boulder emerged from the ground. Her legs nearly grazed it. As she flipped over the rocks, time slowed when she landed on the ground. Without warning, she was encased in a rock prison. The young woman's smile confused the guards. She balled up her fist creating fire, hitting the rock prison as it crumbled. Pillar after the pillar the earthbenders tried to use to stop this woman. She dodged each strike, until one pinned her from below to the ceiling. The young woman's clothes became tattered, scarring her belly. She hit the stone pillar repeatedly, but nothing came of it. She became enraged breathing blue fire at the earth-benders. The pillars sank back into the ground. She was almost at the throne room. All was injured but her spirit. She felt a sharp object hit her neck, then another hit her back; she arose with determination, but another hit her arm. She tried to fire-bend, but was doused with water. She had become weak; her legs shook as her limbs turned into rubber and gave way. She was awake but unable to move. The world was a blur. She felt two pairs of calloused hands drag her. She hadn't any idea where she was going.

Firelord Zuko sat in the throne room with Firelady Mai holding their hands tightly, calmly breathing, holding a tiny gold bracelet; the fire in front of them growing stronger with each breath. Their concentration was broken when the curtain separating the throne chamber, tore open. The men hauled in a body of an almost lifeless woman. Zuko rose up from his seat to see the disturbance. The main guard, who was of Water Tribe stepped forward and spoke up quickly, "Your highness we caught this woman trying to sneak into your throne room. She gave us a healthy challenge Milord. What do you propose we do with her?"

"I would like to see the face of the intruder." ordered Zuko.

They pulled back the woman's hair. Zuko collapsed backward in shock, nearly stepping into the meditation fire. The emotions within him violently stirred. He couldn't believe his eyes, "Azula?" He whispered.

The guards looked at the woman in disbelief, "The missing princess!" they exclaimed nearly dropping the weak Azula.

Zuko collected himself as best as he could, "Do you believe it was an assassination attempt? Did she bring any accomplices with her?"

"No, sir, we proposed that she came on her own accord. Primarily, for the reason of her traveling companion."

"Who did she bring with her?"

One of the smaller Earth Kingdom guards stepped forward. "I have been informed by The Imperial Guard that she… brought…an infant Milord.

"Azula is a mother?" he murmured. He couldn't believe his sister was here in the palace. What was more Azula was a mother. All of the questions of the where's and why's invaded his mind. However, he was concerned for his safety and that of his wife Mai. For now he would have his best guards looking after his sister. Mai, unexpectedly, pleaded with her husband to speak with Azula. She insisted that seeing Zuko could send her into a tailspin or cause her to have another mental breakdown. Zuko agreed and kissed his wife on the forehead. He knew better to tell Mai to be careful lest he get the 'I was independent before you' speech. He didn't show it, but he was apprehensive about Mai seeing Azula's baby. He hoped that it wouldn't remind her of the one they lost not long ago. He had never seen his wife so quiet and out of touch. They have a silent agreement never to talk about their son's traumatic death.

Mai's heart was beating fast. Why did she volunteer for this? Was she truly ready to face her former friend? She hated Azula with a passion. She hadn't seen her face since Boiling Rock. Mai couldn't believe her former friend imprisoned her. Perhaps Azula changed now that she is a mother. No, Mai thought, Azula was a manipulative, cold monster. Yet, Mai, for the life of her couldn't understand after all the bad crimes Azula committed, how did she get a baby? Maybe she stole it. She was so occupied in her thoughts that she hadn't realized she was at Azula's bed chamber. Mai shook her head and exhaled deeply. The guards standing in front of her bowed as she put her hand on the knob. It was now or never.

Azula was in the bed sleeping. Mai sighed with relief, good; she wouldn't have to talk to her. She stepped closer to the bassinet hearing the baby fuss. She uncovered the baby, who was sucking on her small fist. The infant's tear laden amber eyes were like Azula's, but that's where the similarities ended. Mai surmised this is what the father of the newborn looks like. The child wailed in discontent while its face turned red. For a moment, Mai questioned herself. Dare she hold this baby? Her motherly instincts couldn't take the agony of the baby's crying. She picked up the child cradling it in her warm arms. She held the baby's head gently. The baby smelled wonderful and was so soft and gentle. Mai's stomach began to turn. How could Azula give birth to such innocence and beauty? For now, Mai wanted to hold her niece or nephew close. She sat in a nearby chair and rocked it gently. The babes' tiny hand tugged at Mai's breast ravenously. She held the infants hand at a distance. The babe became dissatisfied and began kicking its small feet in a tantrum. Mai calmed the infant, patting its back. The newborn's tiny eyes widened at the new figure, who wasn't her mother. Mai had giggled a little at the gesture. It had been a while since Mai showed any emotion. She inadvertently found herself humming. Yes, this is what she wants for her future, though her heart ached at losing her son to illness. For a brief passage of time Mai was gratified.

Mai began to look at Azula. Her former friend wasn't the same. Worry lines had captured Azula's visage. The usual perfectionist had tangled long tresses. She was wearing earth kingdom tattered robes. The only thing of value was a necklace that looks to be water tribe, which she recognized to be a token of engagement. Her signature nails were much shorter. Could Mai entertain the idea that Azula had changed? Or was this life on the run? Just then, Azula stirred moaning. Whether Mai liked it or not her questions would be answered.