Epilogue: A Few Weeks Later

Azula was sitting in a chair in the courtyard of the Asylum, contemplating things. The Sun, the grass, and the air were beautiful. She had regained much of her strength. Her caretakers were wonderful. They were kind, sensitive, and very helpful. She was occasionally plagued by nightmares and hallucinations. But they were rare and far between.

A nurse approached her. "One wishes to see you."

Azula was tense. "It's my brother again?"

"Yes."

Azula sighed. "He may come."

The nurse left. Azula sat in her seat, trying to stay composed. She knew her brother had wanted to see her. But her caretakers discouraged it. She was relieved. She couldn't face him after her humiliation. But she knew she would have to deal with this sooner or later.

The nurse emerged into the courtyard. Then Zuko came in view. He walked towards Azula.

Azula's heart fluttered. Her brother wore simple clothes and had his hair hung down. He didn't look like a Fire Lord.

"Hello, Azula," he said awkwardly. "How are you doing?"

Azula scowled. "Maybe you should ask my doctor."

Zuko stayed calm. "He says you're doing well."

Azula scowled. "I heard you're Fire Lord, but you aren't dressed like one."

"I thought it best,"

Azula wasn't impressed. "Your concern for my well being is touching."

Zuko sighed, took a seat, and waited.

"Why are you here?" Azula asked coldly.

"I came to see you,"

"Why?" Azula demanded.

Zuko hesitated. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Azula groaned. "Not again."

Zuko frowned. "Again?"

Azula sighed. "When I became catatonic, I had dream or hallucination of some kind. I found myself in a place where nothing made sense. I was chased by this Dark Queen in a veil. I also met you, the Avatar and the others I didn't consider friends."

Zuko frowned. "What were we like?"

"More or less the same, except the animals could talk."

"Animals talk?" Zuko exclaimed.

"I told you, things didn't make sense in that place," Azula snapped. "Animals can talk, eating food can change your size, and I fell down a deep hole and wasn't hurt. Anyway, you and the others claimed I was trapped in a lie and had to see the truth."

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "Truth?"

"They said that I was wrong," Azula said with a groan. "I didn't want to believe it, but... I eventually considered it. They said I had to face the Dark Queen. When I did, I defeated her and she was me."

Zuko frowned. "What do you mean, you?"

Azula scowled. "She had my face. It was like fighting a mirror image. She was basically everything wrong in me. After I defeated her, I woke up in the asylum."

Zuko was silent, processing this strange adventure of his sister's.

Azula suddenly blushed. "I'm such an idiot."

"What do you mean?" Zuko frowned.

"I told you what I saw while I was lost and broken." Azula covered her eyes. "I'm so pathetic."

"No you're not," Zuko assured her. "You've been through much. I had to go through much before I was willing to accept that I was wrong."

Azula frowned. Then her eyes widened. "I think you said that, too, in my dream."

Zuko considered that. "I'm starting to wonder if it was more than a hallucination."

Azula snorted. "Seriously?"

"Yes. I see too much symbolism in it to be a mere dream."

Azula just scowled. "Or maybe you're just seeing symbolism in a dream."

Zuko sensed a growing tension between him and Azula. "I think I should go now."

"Probably a good idea," Azula growled.

Zuko got to his feet. Then he hesitated. "Can I see you again?"

Azula snorted. "You're the Fire Lord. Your word is law."

"But is it alright with you?"

Azula was about to say no, but paused. "Sure."

Zuko smiled. "Thanks. I'm glad you're doing well."

"Sure," Azula sighed.

As Zuko left, Azula frowned, considering what her brother said. Was her hallucination more than the illusion of a broken mind? While much was random and illogical, other things had been real messages. She glanced to the side and froze. She thought she saw a thin glowing creature in a tree, grinning at her. She blinked and then she saw nothing.

She sighed and lay in her chair, contemplating her adventures in that strange but wonderful land.

...

The End

…

Author Note

Well that is officially that. Originally I was going to make this longer and fluffier, but Loopy777 advised against it, saying it was a distraction from the main story- which was Wonderland. I still wanted to show an aftermath with Azula recovering and reconciling, so I reduced it to an epilogue.