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“She’s wrong, you know. I never lost my fear of her.”
Ty Lee’s own words echoed in her head. She ran quickly to the courtyard, but was too late. Appa was flying away with Zuko and the others on his back. She squinted against the sun. Maybe it was her imagination, pretending she could see when she knew she couldn’t, but she thought she could make out Azula. Appa quickly flew far out of view.
Team Avatar was on a mission to find out what had happened to Zuko’s mother. Just the previous day, Azula had escaped and managed to find something that convinced Zuko that bringing her on the journey was a good idea.
“She escaped because of me.” Ty Lee spoke to herself in her room. She recalled chi blocking Azula when they had let her speak with Ozai. She hated the thought of what they had talked about. But the memory of Azula springing out of her seat… Completely bound in a straight jacket, unable to bend, and yet the look on her face was enough to fill Ty Lee with dread.
That was when she struck her, almost out of primal instinct, like her body knew who Azula was. Zuko pushed her away, saying that she posed no threat. Ty Lee looked at her hands as if they had a mind of their own. Then that night, Azula was able to escape as she regained the ability to move. It was her own fault that she was able to do so.
Ty Lee sighed. She made sure her outfit was on straight before leaving her room. While she had gotten used to wearing the uniform of the Kyoshi Warriors, it was nice to be wearing her familiar pink clothes.
Walking through the streets of the capital, she looked around at the people of the Fire Nation. Ever since the war had ended, Ty Lee often found herself thinking of how the people may have changed. It was obvious some wished that the Fire Nation was still in control, as obvious by the recent battle at Yu Dao. But even still, there were whispers in the shadows that Ozai should still be Fire Lord.
Ty Lee ended her walk and made her way back to the palace. Entering the courtyard, she spotted Iroh sitting at a small table, drinking tea.
“Iroh!” She excitedly waved and ran over. He looked up at her voice and grinned. Iroh’s smiles could always light up the darkest room, she thought.
“Ty Lee!” The elderly man said. “It is good to see you! I thought you had joined the Kyoshi Warriors?”
“I kinda took the day off,” she said, rubbing the back of her neck.
“Well perfect!” Iroh gestured to the other side of the table. “Come have a seat and drink some tea with me.”
Ty Lee sat cross legged on a cushion across from Iroh. He took the pot and poured her a cup. She took it gently.
“How have you been?” She asked, taking a sip. Her eyes widened. The tea was amazing, but she had forgotten how well Iroh’s was.
“Oh, I can’t complain,” Iroh said. “After all, I am acting fire lord until Zuko returns from his mission.”
Ty Lee coughed on her drink. She set it down, wiping her mouth. “Is something wrong?” Iroh asked.
“It’s nothing.” She tried to forget the feeling of dread that had just welled up inside her.
“Nothing?” Iroh repeated. “It was something enough for you to spit out my tea!” Ty Lee laughed.
“It wasn’t your tea.” Her face became serious. “It’s just… Azula.”
Iroh went silent, stroking his beard. “Of course. Her being out and about has everyone worried. I spoke to Zuko about it, but he insisted on bringing her along.” He paused, then changed his tone. “But why should that worry you? She’s miles away now, as well as in the presence of the Avatar.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t be worried,” Ty Lee replied. “But when I think of Azula, I can’t help but feel afraid.” She wrapped her arms around her. “Everything she has done, to me, to Mai…”
She remembered the day Azula had come for her, asking to join her in hunting Zuko and Iroh. Ty Lee declined, liking the work she had in the circus. She could be who she wanted to be, do the things she wanted to do. But Azula didn’t take no for an answer. She nearly burned the entire tent down, just to force Ty Lee to join her.
She shook the memory from her thoughts. “And now she’s just out? Zuko needs her for some mission and everything’s forgiven?”
Iroh sighed. “You must understand, Ty Lee. Zuko is a determined man. And he has hope to find his mother, something he never thought possible.”
“I understand.” She had to think what she might do if she were in Zuko’s place. “But I’d rather Azula be locked up where she couldn’t hurt anybody again.”
“You and me both.” Iroh chuckled, sipping his tea. “Maybe as acting fire lord I could order them back and lock her away.”
Ty Lee laughed. “Yeah, that would show her.” She finished her tea with Iroh, and headed back to her room. The sun had gone down, and she stood on her balcony overlooking the city.
Iroh was right. There was no need to be afraid. Zuko and the others would make sure that she didn’t do anything. After all, if anyone knew Azula better than Ty Lee, it was her brother.
But there was another feeling that she couldn’t shake. The dread that had been creeping on her for the past few days. Azula was out there. She was not in prison, able to do whatever she wanted.
Maybe one day, Ty Lee’s fear would subside. After enough time, the memories might dissolve. But as she looked into the darkness of the night sky, she shuddered.
Azula was out there, and Ty Lee was afraid.