AVATAR

Legend Of The Dragon Hearts

Sequel to The Young Lady Of Legends. Rebels seek to restore Ozai to power, and need a certain Priestess named Emma. She has no idea the rebels are hunting her, but will Zuko - her soul-mate - let them do it? And will he be with his Emma at last? ZxOC

O~O~O~O

A.N.: Hey, did everybody watch The Legend Of Korra? What did you think?

"I'm the Avatar, and you all gotta deal with it!" XD

O~O~O~O

CHAPTER TWO

The Winds Of Change

O~O~O~O

"Wait!" I called, and reached into the pocket of my robes, pulling it a scroll folded and sealed. I handed it to Azula.

"What's this?" She asked me, taking it.

"A letter for Uncle. Please give it to him." I replied, and she nodded. I knew that she would give the letter straight to Uncle when she saw him.

I watched as my sister and her friend walked up the gangplank, and onto the ship, which set sail almost immediately after.

O~O~O~O

Azula's Diary:

As I stand on the deck of the ship, right at the bow, and stare out at the horizon we are heading towards, I can't help but take a moment to write in this thing…what am I supposed to write, anyway? We have been at sea for a full day now, and will be reaching the rendezvous point for the airship that will take us to Ba Sing Se. Thanks to the wonders of lighter-than-air travel; it's only going to take us another day to get there, whereas by sea it would take a fortnight. Just another advance in technology, I guess.

At least we aren't using technology for war, anymore. It seems that everything I see is a reminder of the kind of person I used to be. I don't know if I still am that person or even if I'm going to be able to change…I guess I should just wait and see…but, I'm not terribly patient…just ask my family (or anybody else, for that matter)…

In my pocket is the letter my brother wrote to our Uncle Iroh. I wonder what it says. Part of me is tempted to read it, but I am still trying to gain back both my brother's and Uncle's trust, and so I think I'll leave the letter as is. Who knows, maybe Uncle will let me read it afterwards? Unless it's something weird, like something Zuko should be talking to Dad about, but Uncle will have to do, since Dad was in prison. I'm still not sure how I feel about this.

Sometimes I wish Mum was here.

I don't know why, but it's like I've only just realised how empty it feels without Mum. I know that she always liked Zuko best, but I guess some part of me always hopes that she loved me too.

People are always saying that all parents love their kids…but, sometimes I'm not sure they're right. After everything I've been through, I'm yet to see that.

Umm, Azula out? How do I end this thing? Why am I even writing in it? Aurgh…

O~O~O~O

Azula's P.O.V:

"Milady, we are about half a day away from Ba Sing Se." The airship's captain, Han-Sei, told me, a day after I'd made my journal entry.

"Thank…you…" I said, nodding to him. "Umm…and, good job, you know…? Flying us through that storm just now…yeah…"

"You're welcome," Han-Sei replied, sounding just as awkward as I felt. "I mean…thank you…uh…" He rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

I sighed. Being nice was…not easy. This was one of those times I wanted to 'relapse', as Lui-San would put it, but I resisted the urge to fall back into old habits, and just smiled and said: "Keep up the good work!" I left the control room very quickly after that.

Once outside, I leaned over the railing, and glanced at the storm clouds behind us. A slight breeze ruffled the sides of my fringe I kept loose, and I frowned. Why did I feel like the storm we were leaving behind wasn't over yet?

O~O~O~O

"Do you know what Ty-Lee would say if she were here?" I asked Mai, as we sat in the train. It was the following day, and we were heading into the Upper-Ring of Ba Sing Se.

Mai gave me a half-smile. "What would she say?" She already knew.

In unison, we both said, in a perfect imitation of our other best friend: "Doesn't this place just bring back great memories? !" We smiled at each other.

I added: "If by memories she means dressing up as the Kyoshi Warriors and taking over the city…"

"And getting to play with a giant brown bear." Mai added.

"I find it strange that it's just…a bear." I admitted. "I mean, that's completely exotic…"

"Other-worldly." Mai agreed.

We looked out the window at the Middle-Ring of Ba Sing Se.

"Thank goodness I'm more grown-up now." I muttered, seeing signs of the city still in need of repair. I thought about the Crystal Catacombs beneath the city, where the turning point in our battle had taken place. I could still remember the way Zuko and I had turned against Uncle, and how I'd shot Aang fatally with lightning. I could still see the tears in Katara's eyes, and hear Emma's scream as she failed to protect her friends…

Mai looked at me, but didn't say anything. I knew she was thinking about that time too, though…

But, probably for a different reason. I wasn't entirely sure she had gotten over my brother just yet…we both knew that this was still an edgy topic, though. The old me would've probably given her grief about it which, if I remembered correctly, I had done in the past.

Emma was still a topic none of us actually talked about, not even when my brother wasn't around. In fact, I hadn't heard him mention her at all, although apparently for one time he'd, very calmly, said that a drawing of Emma was shorter than she was in real life.

I didn't know how to react to what Zuko was going through, so I thought it best to just ignore the little voice inside of me that told me that it was all my fault…

O~O~O~O

Iroh's P.O.V:

"We need some more Ginseng tea at table eight!"

"This tea is simply delicious!"

"That will be three gold coins, please."

"The kid at table three's throwing pots again!"

"Can I get some more Jasmine tea, please?"

"Have you been here before?"

"No, but I'm definitely coming back!"

"Please wait a moment, and I'll find you a table."

"That won't be necessary."

"More tea, please!"

Ah, this was music to my ears. I walked out of the kitchens, and handed a tray of Ginseng tea to one of my assistants, who scurried off to table eight.

I had worked very hard on the day of Sozin's Comet to take back Ba Sing Se, and reclaim my beloved tea shop. I was fully intending to spend my retirement serving tea and playing Pai-Sho, preferably in that order. I was quite content to stay in theEarthKingdom– I liked it here, and it was peaceful. During the war, things I'd really sought were my daily peace, and a place to call home. Thanks to my nephew; his soul-mate and the Avatar, I was finally able to achieve those things. If only my nephew's soul-mate had not been lost, then all would be perfect.

I often spoke to Karai about these things, when she came in to see me and have a cup of tea, and she and Jee would try (and fail) to defeat me at Pai-Sho). Kai, her children, her Uncle Jee, and the other former members of Zuko's crew, had moved back to Ba Sing Se with Tai-Lung, Jin and Aiguo.

Jin had moved to the Upper-Ring of Ba Sing Se with Aiguo and Tai-Lung, the latter whom had made it his top priority to do something about the state of the city. He had started with reforming the Dai-Li, which now acted more as police officers, and was closely monitored by Tai-Lung – their new leader.

Kai had decided to come and visit me by herself today, and was sitting on one of the counters, watching the customers and commenting to me on my lack of sleep.

"You have dark circles under your eyes that make you look like Hei Bai." She accused me, her brilliant scarlet eyes piercing into me. "I'm the one with twins under seven months, and you are lacking in sleep – something is seriously wrong with this picture, Iroh." She took a sip of her tea.

I chuckled. "Somehow, I don't think Aima and Jet would keep you awake at night, Kai. They are such little angels." They really were – children are so adorable at the age they were at!

Kai nearly choked on her tea. "Huh, yeah right – maybe angels with black wings." She shook her head. "At least they're not old enough to bend, yet…"

"Have they showed signs of being benders yet?" I asked her.

She nodded. "Mmhmm. Even if they hadn't, I'd've known it anyway. It's in their blood to be powerful Firebenders." She looked away, and I understood what she meant. I wisely decided not to press the subject any further, but I noticed the warm way with which Kai spoke of her twins, and I smiled.

Shakol, one of the charming young ladies who works at the front door, approached me. "Sir, your niece and her friend have arrived." The Northern Water Tribe-born woman smiled, her sea-blue eyes sparkling.

I looked past Shakol, and saw Azula and Mai standing at the front of the Jasmine Dragon, Azula looking slightly mystified by the atmosphere, and Mai wearing her trademark 'I-don't-care' look.

I smiled even wider, and went to greet them.

O~O~O~O

Azula's P.O.V:

I looked up, and had to bite back a gasp. What is that…? ! That…hideous thing…is headed right for me! Oh, wait, it's just Uncle…

I allowed myself to be hugged by him, as did Mai, and she glanced at me over Uncle's shoulder. Her eyes narrowed.

I nodded. "Uncle, what are you wearing?" I asked him.

Uncle drew back from Mai, and held out his arms, showing off his new purple and lilac robes, complete with a strange-looking hat. "Do you like it? It's the latest rage in Omashu at the moment!"

It was?

Mai and I exchanged a glance. We weren't sure what to say to this but, just then, a new voice said: "It looks absolutely hideous, doesn't it?"

Mai and I peered past Uncle, to see a very short Fire Nation girl with her hands on her hips, though she was smiling. Her ruby eyes sparkled.

Uncle turned around, with a wounded expression on her face. "Oh, Kai, how could you say that, after Omashu's King himself approved of it?"

Ah-ha…

Kai shrugged. "He's not my King – I have no King." She added, and then smiled at Mai andI. "Welcome back to insanity, Azula." She added. "You too, Mai."

I smiled back at her, appreciating that she felt comfortable enough to make digs at my sanity. "Glad to join you in it, Kai."

"It's my first time." Mai said with a completely straight face.

"Costumes are optional." Kai replied, seriously.

I looked at Uncle, who still looked hurt. I sighed. "Oh, Uncle, you look fine. How about you teach me how to make that special blend of tea?" I suggested.

"Well…" Uncle brightened. "It's supposed to be a secret, but you are family, after all!"

O~O~O~O

Later that day, I was sitting out on the balcony with Uncle Iroh, who had just defeated me at Pai-Sho for the eighth time. I was never going to make it into the Order Of The White Lotus. Apparently, it was good for me to lose at something.

Mai had gone shopping with Kai and Jin, but I thought that now was the perfect time to give Uncle the letter from Zuko.

Uncle opened the letter, and read it silently. I watched his face carefully, and saw when he started to look worried. He finished reading, and rolled the scroll back up. He placed it on the table in front of us, and poured some more tea.

"So, Azula, how are things back home?" Uncle wanted to know.

I shrugged. "They're okay, I guess…I'm learning how to be a better person, Zuko's learning how to run a country. Neither of us is sure what to expect…I mean, Zuko's only sixteen, and he thinks he can do a better job as Fire Lord than Dad?" I stopped, and clapped a hand over my mouth. "Wait, let me rephrase that…" Uncle waited patiently, always with the endless calm that he seems to have. "Okay, what I mean, is that…I think Zuko's doing too much by himself. Mai's trying to help him, but he doesn't seem to accept her help as much as he should. The Avatar is supposed to be helping him, but he's gone off somewhere for some reason. I don't know and I don't care." I sat back and crossed my arms. "I don't think Zuko's supposed to do this on his own…I think there's a reason the Fire Lord's supposed to have a Fire Lady…" I trailed off, and muttered: "Sometimes I wish he'd just fall back in love with Mai, then they'd both be happy…"

I didn't realise Uncle had heard me, until he cleared his throat and said: "Love is a complicated emotion, Azula. When you love someone, it causes you to do things you wouldn't normally do. Take your Mother, for example…" I looked at him. "Ursa's actions on the night of my Father's death were quite out of character for her." I had never heard Uncle speak about this before, and I was suddenly fascinated to know more. "But, she did it out of love, not just for Zuko but for you as well. The trauma it would have caused you…you cannot begin to comprehend, Azula." Uncle said gravely.

I nodded silently, trying to absorb this information.

"There are many different kinds of love." Uncle went on. "There is love for family, and love for friends. There is love for your nation, or for your home. There is my love for tea." He smiled, but then went on with: "And, there is perhaps the most dangerous love of all – romance. To fall in love with somebody is both thrilling and terrifying. It's when your life is intertwined with someone else's for all eternity. Falling out of love is a very hard thing to do, and losing somebody you love is just as hard." He sighed. "When I lost my wife and my son, I realised the importance of holding on to what was important in life. Sometimes you can, and sometimes you can't…" He looked away into the distance.

"Uncle, does all this have to do with Zuko's letter?" I asked him, wondering how the topic of conversation had got on to this. Oh, right, I'd suggested Zuko should marry Mai…

Uncle blinked, like he'd just come out of a deep sleep. He said: "I don't know, Azula. Maybe it has everything to do with it, and maybe nothing at all."

I groaned. "Spare me the proverbs, Uncle. I know that Zuko hasn't gotten over Emma yet."

Uncle nodded. "That is completely true, Azula. Zuko's heart has been broken, and it will take him a long time to heal from it."

"It's not a good state for our leader to be in." I pointed out.

"It was out of his control." Uncle replied smoothly.

I sighed. "Yes, control…if I hadn't lost it on that day…"

Uncle looked thoughtful. "Perhaps it I true, Azula…however, I believe that all of this was predetermined by a decision Emma made long ago…by coming into her full Priestess powers easily, she determined her own fate through that. She made her choice, and her choice was to save the people she loved – namely you and your brother." He smiled at me.

I allowed myself to smile back, a little. "Yes…I suppose…we're all free to choose our own fates…" I sighed again. "Sometimes I wish we'd both chosen a different one, though…"

O~O~O~O

Iroh's P.O.V:

I stood on a hill, on a small island surrounded by the ocean. The sea surrounding the island was calm but, further in the distance and on all sides; the weather was turbulent and stormy.

I stood my ground. I had been to this place many times before – every night it was the same dream.

As I looked up, a bright light shone through the eye of the storm, and six shapes formed from the light, and began swimming in and out of the water. As usual, I couldn't make them out. I saw that they were all different colours, though – a blood-coloured red; deep blue; a forest green; yellow, like the sun; amethyst purple and black as pitch.

The light was bright, and yet there was something familiar about it.

Then, a voice I had not heard before, either in my dreams or in real life, said to me: "The six forms are the keys…"

The six forms are the keys? What did that mean…?

I knew two things were for certain, though. One, Zuko was having just as strange dreams as I was, and so too was Zhu. And two…

There was a storm coming…a big one…

Then, just as before, the dream faded away into a blur of colours…

O~O~O~O

I awoke, to find that it was nightfall, and that I was alone on the balcony.

I chuckled softly. "I must have fallen asleep after my niece left, but…it was a very sweet nap…" I stretched, and then stood up.

Just then, I sensed movement on the roof above the balcony, but my instinct was to not react to it at first. Something was warning me, however, that danger was fast approaching.

I turned around quickly when somebody landed almost soundlessly on the balcony behind me, and lashed out with a lightning-fast punch that was easily caught. Whoever was suddenly attacking me was trained.

I jumped back, assessing the situation.

My attacker was a young man, probably in his twenties. He wasEarthKingdom, with short dark hair and light green eyes. I wasn't sure who he was…a former member of the rogue Dai-Li, maybe?

Just as I had made this assumption, something strange happened to my body – it was like I had suddenly lost the ability to move…no, that wasn't right. I could move, but I was no longer in control of my movements.

A familiar voice from behind me said: "Do it now, Hsuing!"

The green-eyed attacker nodded, stepping forward quickly. I couldn't do anything to stop him when he sharply struck the back of my neck but, as I was blacking out, I heard him say: "Shakol, stay here and wait for her…"

"Of course." The Bloodbender replied.

O~O~O~O

Karai's P.O.V:

"What's for dinner tonight, Uncle Jee?" I asked, poking my head into the kitchen, where he and our cook, Jyoong, were busy putting ingredients into a large pot on the stove.

My Uncle turned to me with a smile. "Your favourite, Kai – Wasabi-Horseradish-Chilli-Pepper Curry."

I grinned. "Excellent – just make sure you've got enough normal chicken-rice for the kids." I reminded them. I know enough to know that it's better to slowly get your kids onto these sorts of things.

Jyoong nodded. "Did you want to go round up everyone?"

"Okay." I agreed, and turned around. "EVERYONE!" I yelled. "DINNER'S ALMOST READY!"

"Kai," My Uncle sighed. "Jyoong could have done that." In other words, he wanted me to actually physically walk about and round everybody up.

I rolled my eyes, which are so much like his. "Understood, Sir!" I saluted, and went of in search of Jin; Aiguo; Tai-Lung; Ai; Dao-Ming; Smellerbee; Long-Shot; Daniu and the rest of what I now referred to as…my family…

For the twenty-three years of my life, I've never actually known what a family truly was. Now, what with Aima-Jee and Jet-Lee, and everyone else as well…I was starting to feel a little more secure in my life. All it had taken was a chance meeting with that complicated girl, Emma, whilst onboard Zhao's ship, and then my entire life changed, for better and for worse. It was amazing how many lives had been impacted by all this…by this…world war…

Just then, movement on the street outside the window caught my eye, and I leaned over to see a man carrying another man through the streets. How the smaller man was able to carry the other man was anybody's guess, since the other man was quite a bit larger than him. He was old, and was wearing a set of purple and lilac robes…familiar robes…

I narrowed my red eyes, unable to believe what I was seeing.

Someone was kidnapping Iroh – how dare they!

I hoisted myself up onto the window-sill, and then swung myself out. My Four-Flavour Curry was going to have to wait – it looks like the world war's not quite over yet…

O~O~O~O

Azula's P.O.V:

Mai and I walked into the Jasmine Dragon, to find it uncharacteristically quiet. We exchanged a glance.

'Where's your Uncle?' Mai mouthed.

I shrugged, but narrowed my eyes. Neither one of us dared to speak – it was as if we were suddenly on guard, like we knew something was about to happen.

Mai suddenly gasped, which was quite unusual for her, and perhaps it was that which alerted me to something being wrong. Maybe that's why I ducked out of the way, just as in time to avoid the cold, sharp steel of Mai's dagger.

I jumped back, and felt my heart pounding in my chest as I looked up at my best friend. "Mai, what are you doing? !" I hissed.

"It's not me!" Mai sounded slightly worried, which was when I realised that she really wasn't doing this…well, she was, but… "Azula, I can't control this…somebody's controlling me!"

I dodged Mai's next flurry of attacks. "What? How is that…?" Just then, it hit me. No, not a stiletto (thank the spirits) but the answer. "Bloodbending…" Katara had told me about this, when I'd enquired whether she knew a prisoner named Hama. Bloodbending was the ability for strong Waterbenders to control people by bending their blood. It was sadistic and horrific, even by my standards…and, somebody was using it on my best friend! I looked around, but couldn't see anybody. "Show yourself, Waterbender!" I ordered, blocking and then dodging as Mai was forced to attack me directly. I looked at her. "What do you want me to do, Mai?" I asked her quickly.

"If you need to knock me out, then I suggest you do it now." Mai replied, raising a particularly pointy-looking throwing star.

I nodded, and whoever was controlling her suddenly made her evade all my movements. "Stand still, Mai!" I exclaimed.

"I'm trying!" She said, impatiently.

"Well, you're obviously not trying hard enough!" I rolled my eyes. "Even Katara had more inner-strength!"

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Mai replied darkly.

I was finally able to jab her in the side of her neck, and she fell forwards, into my arms. As I laid her out on the carpet of the Jade Dragon, I looked up. My eyes darted around quickly, seeking the source of this attack. Who would be attacking me?

What was going on?

Just then, I realised that I might be the next victim of this Bloodbending and, sure enough, I suddenly felt my body freeze up. I realised then and there what had made it so impossible for Mai to fight back, as I was forced to my knees, my head touching the carpet.

Feet walked towards me.

"My, my, my…" A familiar voice said. "You don't have to bow to me, Azula…"

I gasped, feeling a mixture of confusion and anger welling up inside of me. I knew straight away who my attacker was. "Shakol?" She allowed me to raise my head and look at her. "What do you think you're doing?" I asked her.

Shakol was a tall Water Tribe woman with the body of a warrior, despite Northern Water Tribe women not being allowed to fight. She kept most of her dark brown hair short, with two bits of fringe on either side of her face, tied up twice.

She smirked at me. "It's not what I think I'm doing, Azula…it's what I know I am. Trust me, this is for the benefit of everybody…you'll see…"

"No, I won't…" I muttered, trying to dredge up every ounce of my inner-strength, in order to overcome this Bloodbending ability. I then felt the familiar powers of my Priestess abilities inside of me, welling up inside every muscle in my body. I let the energy flow over me, as my hands began to glow gold, and then I cried: "No, I won't!"

I was up in an instant, and kicked out, catching Shakol by surprise. My foot connected with her stomach, sending her flying into a wall. She was on her feet as quickly as I'd been, though, and lashed out with ice spears created from the water of the pond outside.

I dodged them all, and fought back with my blue fire, which she was able to somehow dodge.

"As I would have expected from the Fire Nation's Princess!" Shakol sounded, for some reason, highly impressed by this, even as she sent a barrage of water at me that I had to jump over and, she was waiting for me. "And, a Priestess at that! Only another Priestess could stand up to my Bloodbending!"

"What did you do with my Uncle?" I asked her angrily, pushing off from a wall behind me, and aiming for her with a fire-infused punch.

Shakol grabbed my wrist, and instantly redirected my flames, to set fire to Uncle's tea shop. That was when I realised that her hands were glowing dark red. She wrenched my arm behind me, and I felt it break. I cried out – a cry that was cut off by Shakol kneeing me in the stomach, very hard.

I doubled over as I fell, and landed hard on the edge surrounding the fountain, with blood on my mouth, and my arm twisted out at a horrific angle.

The flames from Uncle's tea shop were reflected in the waters, and that was when I remembered that Mai was still in the building…no! NO!

I tried to get up, but found myself un-physically restrained by Bloodbending again.

The last thing I heard before I blacked out was Shakol's voice saying: "Trust me, Azula…you'll thank us for this one day…"