Well, hello fellow readers.

I won't bother with any suspense. The sequel to 'Catalyst' is here. It's writing was a lot slower than I expected, real life and all that, but I figured it was time to release it.

The updates won't be weekly I'm afraid, probably once every couple weeks or so but still consistent enough.

For anyone who hasn't read the first fic I strongly recommend you do so to get a sense of what's going on.

One more thing to clarify- this is going to diverge a lot more from the canon. There was a comic most of you know of dealing with finding Zuko and Azula's lost mother but I'm taking a slightly different approach here. Whether or not people like it is yet to be determined but I hope it's a winner!

Anyway without further ado, TheWasp1995 presents:

Mother's Love

Chapter 1. Two Years Later

A quiet pall hung over the Fire Nation palace, which was odd given that it was the height of summer. But the strange melancholy lingered, noticeable to anyone who was forced to live or conduct business inside. The sun was still hovering about the skyline, though the majority of its life-giving rays had already settled behind the walls that were once an active volcano. For most firebenders, it marked the end of the day- perhaps a quick supper and a nightcap before the rising of the next day. This was not so for the Fire Lord and his council.

A group of eight sat at an elongated table, backs upright, posture rigid and disciplined. They were men of talent and experience, their devotion to the Fire Nation second to none. All had varying degrees of beards and hair colors, but they were chosen for a reason: to represent the interests of their country and the Monarchy.

There was a small cough from one of them but not a soul dared to speak for it would violate the protocol set by generations tradition before them. In the dark gloom of the throne room one could barely detect a difference from even a couple years prior but the changes were subtle if one cared to look. Gone were tapestries and monuments to Sozin, Azulon, and Ozai. The deadly hint of flames licking the edge of the throne were nowhere to be found. Though the atmosphere was less than idyllic, fear was no longer an emotion found within the high ranks of the general staff.

But all the same, tradition was tradition. And no one uttered a word until permission was granted.

Suddenly, the backdoor opened revealing a young man, barely eighteen years old, the vigor of youth and energy upon his features. He wore long, sweeping robes of dark crimson and yellow, a crown of gold adorned atop of his top knot. He was tall, over six feet and handsome to any woman who gazed upon him. By far his most distinctive feature was an angry red scare on the left side of his face, a mark that had once defined him more so than his own birthright. But no longer. He was Fire Lord Zuko, the formerly banished prince who represented an era of new hope and prosperity for the world and his people.

"I apologize for my tardiness," he spoke politely, gesturing to his ministers. "Lady Mai required my attention on a delicate matter. At ease."

Zuko felt it best to neglect the fact that the 'delicate matter' was his longtime girlfriend engaging him over improvements to the Imperial Palace which were currently being resisted by the head of the interior design who was more traditional in his view on architecture and decoration. Far from wanting to tear everything down, Mai simply felt it was a good idea to brighten up their new dark and dreary home which he found humorously ironic given her own gloomy disposition. But there was little time for that now, there was much to discuss regarding the country's domestic affairs.

"No need to apologize, sire," one of the men replied. "We understand the first few years of a young Fire Lord's time on the throne can be fraught."

General Shino, one of the few men from his father's staff deemed trustworthy enough to keep around. The man was loyal almost to a fault, but his mind was extremely keen.

"My Lord, shall we commence the meeting? We are still one member short."

Zuko sighed, knowing full well that this would happen. The past few months council gatherings had been rather difficult for one simple reason: his sister, the Princess Azula, had stopped showing up.

"This is the third week in a row the princess has been absent," spoke the head of economic development, Ozawa. "I am beginning to feel concern for her well being."

"As am I, Minister Ozawa. But I cannot force Princess Azula to attend these meetings."

"You are the Fire Lord, sire. She would have no choice but to attend if you gave the order."

It brought up a tricky dilemma, one that Zuko had scarce idea to tackle given the sensitivity of the situation. Since the end of the minor dispute with the Earth Kingdom over the former colonies, Azula had steadily withdrawn from daily palace life to the point of staying in her room for nearly days on end. Occasionally she would venture out to train or have a spa day but even those were becoming less frequent. Politically, it was also a thorn in his side as Azula was head of his council and he required her input on most if not all major decisions.

On the one hand being Fire Lord required a firm hand and proper expectations. He was the ruling monarch and as such had to show strength and the willingness to undertake tough judgements. He could not allow people to manipulate or walk all over him. On the other hand, he had also promised his sister that their newfound relationship would be one based on mutual respect and affection, not their old power struggle. But given Azula's penchant for doing things "her way" that proved to be difficult at times. Up to this point he had only been forced to play the 'Fire Lord' card a few times, and those instances were mostly in jest. The current cause of Azula's troubles was far more sensitive and he needed to treat it that way.

"I appreciate everyone's insights on this matter. But I will not force my sister to come to council meetings at this current time. She still has my full confidence and I will speak with her directly."

No one objected and Minister Ozawa bowed his head, however Zuko knew there was lingering doubt within many of his council, which was understandable. He wasn't sure what to do with Azula himself, but he would be the one to solve the issue. Taking a brief glance at the table in front of him, he gestured towards General Shino.

"We will discuss what we can given the princess's absence. I would like the latest updates on the uncaptured rogue elements of ex-Fire Nation military."

"Certainly, sir."

Zuko began to listen to his generals and ministers as they briefed him on the latest within the country he had now ruled for almost two years. Things were not smooth thus far and he feared for both the Fire Nation and his sister.

Agni only knows how she must be feeling right now


High above in the Imperial Nation palace, a princess was in distress. Except this one did not need physical rescuing, rather she was her own captor.

Azula gazed outside and watched the sunset, almost oblivious to all else around her. There was something distinctive about the sun in the Fire Nation; daylight lasted the longest during summer months but more so it was symbolic for its people as a whole. Like the sun itself, its power was a microcosm of what drove firebenders across the land. That will and ambition to achieve a goal and accomplish it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

At least that's how it used to be. For the Princess of the Fire Nation, no such inspiration filled her now. The truth was, things hadn't been quite the same since the war ended. Far from the passionate, competent, ambitious person she once was, a dark hole of apathy and indifference slowly gripped her like an iron vice- cold and steadily suffocating. The phrase 'a warrior without a war' came to mind referring to those who's greatest attributes were lost when not in the heat of battle. But Azula was so much more and everyone knew it- attractive, cunning, master of intrigue, politically shrewd, and head of the Fire Lord's council to boot.

In the aftermath of the war, Azula had hoped that devotion to rebuilding the world and to her brother's rule would provide enough sustenance to reestablish herself. But that proved to be premature thinking. At the conclusion of the conflict with the Earth Kingdom, life settled into a boring routine that the princess found herself eschewing in favor of absolutely nothing at all. Training seemed to hold no purpose if there was no battle to fight, and all the luxury afforded to her as a member of the royal household could not satisfy the soul as it once could.

Wearing only a robe, the dignity and pose of even a basic topknot thrown to the wayside, she continued to gaze outside of the window as the shadow deepened over the quaint houses of the Capital City, a shadow close to reaching the palace ready to consume all light before it…all light that still existed within her heart.

Azula knew there was something wrong and despite the effort to push away any deep-seated feelings over the subject, there was no denying the source of her downward slide.

It's her. This has always been about her. And it's never going to stop.

"You are halfway correct, my daughter. Yes, it is about me. But it is also about you as well."

Azula sighed, barely acknowledging her hallucinations by now.

"You're as cryptic as uncle sometimes," came her bored reply.

"Nothing about how you feel about me is cryptic, Azula."

"Isn't it?" Azula retorted. "One moment I feel nothing but loathing for you and the next I'm falling on my knees wishing for forgiveness."

A sad smile crossed Ursa's face.

"Forgiveness? For what transgressions my dear daughter?"

Azula gave a hollow laugh.

"Are you playing the fool, mother or merely seeking to assuage my wounded heart? How many times have I lied, cheated, stole, and killed over the years? If you knew what I've done there's no way you'd be able to stand there and look me in the eye."

"I am a part of you, Azula. Everything you've done, I am well aware of."

The princess rolled her eyes.

"Ah, yes. How could I forget? The usual 'I am your conscious' bit. But make no mistake, mother," she said deridingly. "I am not so completely insane that I believe the illusion in front of me is actually real."

"Why speak to me at all then?"

There was a pause and for the tiniest of moments could see her entire array of emotions spread out in front of her. The resentment that still burned her on the inside, the desperation for the kind of affection only a parent could give combined with the raging battle over to admit this out loud or bury it deep within.

"Just leave," she whispered.

The hallucination of her mother gave a solemn look.

"You and I both know that's not possible."

Azula turned around, eyes blazing with anger, old feelings of rage returning.

"Then what will it take then?! What will it take for you to finally go away and let me have my sanity?!"

"You already know the answer to that question."

Just then there was a knock on the door and the phantom vanished from the room in the blink of an eye. Azula tried to compose herself, feeling the strain of her lungs from the shouting they had just endured. She could almost guess who was on the other side.

"Azula?" came a muffled feminine tone.

"Come in, Ty Lee."

Her best friend entered, colorful Kyoshi ensemble and all. It wasn't long after the war ended that the first of many assassination attempts occurred against her brother and extra protection was needed. Suki and her warriors were more than happy to take up the call. Ever since Ty Lee joined the group the girls had all learned how to block chi and thereby becoming even more formidable. Though she would never admit it, Azula was also glad that her friend was back in the Fire Nation palace. A lone bright spot in a dark palace. But there were some things not even Ty Lee's sunshine could fix.

"Are you okay?" she asked, voice full of concern.

"Fine. Why do you ask?"

The former circus acrobat shook her head.

"Azula, you haven't left your room in almost three days. You eat all your meals in here, you never venture outside…."

"Is there a point to this lecture?"

"I'm not trying to lecture you," Ty Lee backtracked softly. "I'm just worried about you. Everyone is including all the generals…"

Azula snorted.

"Come on Ty Lee, you can't honestly believe the generals actually give a damn about my well being."

"But we do," the Kyoshi Warrior said pointing to herself. "Myself, Zuko, Mai, and Suki. We're worried." She sat down next to Azula on the comfortable bed and took Azula's hands in hers. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

It was a mark of how much she truly cared for Ty Lee and their friendship that Azula didn't brush her off. Still, admitting to recurring visions of her long lost mother was not a proposition she wanted out in the open.

"It's complicated."

"You know you can tell me anything. I won't tell a soul."

If it were anyone else, the princess wouldn't have believed them. It wasn't anything against Mai and Zuko, but Ty Lee had the ability to read her like no one else did. And the look on her face said it all.

"You heard me before knocking on my door, didn't you?"

"Some things but not all of it was clear."

There was an awkward silence between the two girls as though waiting for the anti-climactic resolution to finally be spoken aloud.

"You're seeing her in your dreams again, aren't you?" Ty Lee gently prodded. "Your mother."

"Not dreams. Here in front of me as if she were physically present. Just like-"

"-when you broke us out of jail," the former acrobat finished for her. "When she appeared to you in the middle of the warden's office."

"Yes," Azula reluctantly admitted. "These 'visions' largely stopped after the war ended, but in the last three months they've returned and in the last week or so they've become even more…frequent."

"How often?"

"About once a day, at least."

Azula got up from the bed and walked over to the window, unable to steer her gaze away from the last specs of sunlight that dotted the city. She didn't even bother to fix the increasingly unwinding topknot that was currently lopsided on her head.

"Azula, if these visions keep coming you have to tell Zuko."

"You know something, I really don't."

"He would want to know," Ty Lee encouraged her.

"So, he can throw me into the nut house? No, thank you. The Fire Lord has enough to concern himself without having to corral his mad little sister."

Ty Lee recognized when Azula was being willfully stubborn, a trait that carried over from her less than savory days of being a cold blooded killer. But that was no longer the case. In front of her stood a lost, angry, confused royal who current lived without purpose. In her time of knowing the princess, the best way to reason with her was to simply be as logical and precise as possible.

"Azula, the council has noticed your absence and they are suffering because of it. Zuko doesn't want to make any major decisions without your input. And with things as unstable as they are right now, he needs his sister more than ever. The nation needs you."

Sighing, she tried one more appeal.

"He wants to find her as much as you do. He wants his mother back. Your mother."

When Azula spoke, it was the sound of someone defeated and tired.

"We've tried everything. Sentries, army wide searches, informants. No one knows where she went or if she's even still alive. And our deposed father remains as silent as the grave as to her whereabouts. It's a fool's errand, Ty Lee. There's no sense in retaining false hope."

Ty Lee absolutely hated seeing Azula like this. To see a person she admired and looked up to so utterly without cause or hope was demoralizing and uncomfortable. It was similar to seeing a wounded tigerdillo, pride and dignity forgotten. In years past, she might have begged her friend to reconsider her words or undertake a vain attempt at cheering up. But she was older now, wiser and this was not the moment to argue with an Azula that clearly had no intention of changing her mind about anything.

"I understand," she said sadly. "Can I get you anything? It's almost past dinner time."

Azula shuffled back to her bed and plopped down.

"Just tell the kitchens to send up some fire noodles. I'll be content with just that."

Ty Lee bowed and left, softly closing the door, leaving behind a quiet, darkened room with the light completely extinguished. Azula simply laid there staring up at the darkened ceiling.

She didn't even bother to light up a candle.


And there you have it folks. Azula is still struggling and Zuko's grip on power is a tad brittle at the moment. Definitely wasn't going to make this easy for them haha. New update in a couple weeks!

~TheWasp