A Different Kind of Dragon

On a mountainous path, a horse-driven carriage was heading to its destination. A suited man with a hat and glasses was riding the brown-furred equine. Everything was normal. It was a bright, sunny day. The man looked to be traveling on rocky and grassy terrain.

The horse got startled when it saw a bush rattling to its left. "Huh, what is it?" The horse startled and stopped moving.

Rising out of the bushes were some thugs dressed in black punk-like clothing, they had bright hair colors, and some of them brandished melee weapons. The leader, a punk girl with red and black hair. She wore a glove on her right hand, and there was a black star marking on her right eye,

There was a plump man with a chain and a curved hook that was bald. Another skinny man with a bright yellow spiked mohawk, a younger boy who had white hair with black tips, and there was an average looking man with huge gauntlets.

The girl stepped to the horse and looked at the man riding it. "Hey, old man. We want to appropriate the package inside that carriage,"

"That's right! And don't make us wait!" the fat man added.

"Shut up, Cannonball!" she said. "Look don't make this hard for anyone, just give us the package, and we'll be on our way."

"W-wait… b-but!" the man on the carriage muttered. The skinny figure walked to the back of the carriage, opened the back door, expecting the package to be inside. But instead he saw a fist flying into his face and he rolled away.

"Your package is a knuckle sandwich!" Hen, Chun, Natsu, Toph, and Happy were inside the carriage. The male Earthbender rubbed his fist after he punched the skinny man.

Toph sighed as she stepped out of the carriage. "You really *do* need to work on your one-liners." Hen carried Natsu out of the carriage and threw him on his back. Natsu's face was green and his cheeks puffed while he was groaning.

"I still can't believe it, he thrashed Azula, but he's instantly put down by a moving carriage?" Hen said.

Chun knelt down to Natsu to try and help him. "We've got to help him, he looks really sick!"

Happy hovered in front of her. "Natsu is always like this inside transportation…"

"Um, excuse me!" the red-haired thug leader yelled. "But where is the package!?"

Hen stretched his arm. "Oh the package is somewhere else, but you got us. Surprise!"

Toph cracked her knuckles. "But trust us, you're going to wish you hadn't found us." Toph looked at their numbers. "Five against Three… and Happy." Toph said.

"Hey!" Happy exclaimed.

"What do you think, Volcano Top?" Toph said, smirked at Hen.

Hen threw his right fist into his left hand. "I love those odds." He glanced back at Chun. "Hey Chun, make sure Natsu doesn't hurl. Toph and I won't take too long."

"Try not to bury anyone alive you two." Chun said.

Toph and Hen stood on the ground. "No Promises!" They both sang.

The red and black-haired girl growled. "Get them!"

The man with the huge gauntlets ran to Hen while the skinny grunt focused on Toph. The skinny man had taken off his backpack and a yellow magic seal appeared and it transformed into a giant hammer with spikes jutting out of it. "You kids made a mistake!" he sprinted to Toph, but she shifted her foot and a pillar crashed into his gut and because of his skinny frame and he crashed into the gauntlet man and they fell over each other while Hen smirked at them.

Hen formed an evil smile. "Hey, have you guys played. *Hot Potato*?"

"Potatoes sound good right now…" the skinny man said.

"Get off me!" the gauntlet man said, while his magic weapons were covered in a red glow.

Hen stepped back. "Well dinner is served!" he threw his open hands forward, a wave of lava formed into a rolling sphere of lava. The men on the ground were panicking as they were paralyzed with fear. "HOT POTATO!" there was an explosion on the path.

Both men were comically panicking and rolling on the dirt to try and put out the flames. The flames were absorbed by Chun, she had an unimpressed look. "Hen, what did I *just* say?!"

"You said not to *bury* them alive, they weren't buried were they now?"

Chun groaned. "Ugh."

The young girl who led the group shivered and looked to the younger boy in a black suit next to her. "Well, do something!" the boy was surrounded by a black outline. A white magic seal flashed in front of him. Soon after, the entire group, including Natsu and Happy were hovering high over the ground.

"Why are we moving again…?" Natsu groaned, sensing his motion sickness returning. Toph, Hen, and Happy were struggling in the air. Natsu's cheeks puffed and his face turned blue.

Chun looked at the young boy as she floated. She slowly swung her arms and sparks formed in her fingers. "Chun, what are you doing?" Happy asked.

"I'm going to break his focus!" the sparks danced along her arms. "I'll only jolt him enough for him to release his hold on us." She pointed two fingers to the boy and the weak lightning had struck the boy's forehead and his eyes grew wide and he fell to the ground and unconsciously lay on his back. They all landed on their feet; accept for Natsu who hit the ground with a thud.

"Okay, that was annoying!" Toph said.

The girl looked at the fat man who was the last person besides her of her group. "W-what are you waiting for?" but before he could attack, he sank into the ground and he couldn't pull himself back out.

"Sorry," Toph said, "But we've got to get this over and done with quickly. We're due a big celebratory feast back home and I don't want to miss it."

Hen ran to the girl. "That's enough!" the girl had taken out a magic whip, with a red glowing color, she cracked the whip towards the Earthbender.

She only just missed the ground he stepped on. "Haha, those guys were kinda useless, but I gotta say, up close…" he shifted the ground beneath her, making her lose her balance. Hen was then right in front of her face. "You're kinda cute." She blushed for a second, then she swung her whip at him. She hit his arm and it made a small scratch.

"Hehe, you think so, well why don't you join me, imagine the money we'd make together." She asked with a seductive smirk.

Hen suddenly loosened his stance. "Tempting but-" the girl was suddenly blasted by a large ball of purple fire, and was separated from her whip as she flew back.

"I think that's enough flirting for one day," Chun said, her eyes became sharp as she slowly approached the girl.

"Hehe, hey relax Chun we already wo-" however a line of purple flames had shot past him. He noticed Chun's eyes were glowing green for some reason. "Won…?"

"Whoa… those are the green eyes of jealousy!" Happy said.

"Jealousy? What?" Hen asked.

Chun menacingly looked over the girl who was positively petrified. "If I catch you flirting with him again, then I'll… well, maybe I'll just show you." Chun roared and bright purple flames shot from her mouth right above the girl. Her eyes were shifting as she couldn't stop looking at Chun's menacing figure. "Do you understand?"

The leader of the thugs turned white. "Yes… understood…"

"Whoa, Chun can be really scary, just like Erza." Happy said.

"Well, it must be those Fire Nation instincts kicking in," Toph said.

Happy pointed an accusatory paw at Hen. "No, its cause Hen is a dirty cheater!"

"I didn't cheat on nobody, plus I don't even have a girlfriend!"

Natsu suddenly got up. "Gah! Where are the bad guys!?"

"We took care of them; seriously you getting sick so often is getting to be a problem." Toph stated.

Chun walked over to him. "Are you okay, though?" her nice side quickly returning.

Natsu smirked. "Haha, of course."

"Well just to make sure." Chun lit a huge flame in her hand and brought it up to Natsu's face. Needing no permission, he sucked the purple flames into his mouth. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel Awesome, your cotton candy fire is delicious!"

"C-cotton candy?" Chun questioned, tilting her head in confusion.

Hen had slowly walked to her. "Chun are *you* okay?"

Chun huffed and folded her arms. "Yes, Hen… yes I am!" she said in a tone that hinted at her feeling the opposite.

The earthbender smiled. "Haha, okay! As long as you're good!"

Chun turned around and purple fire had comically surrounded her. She calmed down and let out a defeated huff. "Whatever, let's just bring these guys into town."

Toph then patted Chun on her shoulder. "Eh don't worry. Boys might be dumb, but he'll get it soon."

Chun kept her arms folded and turned away from Toph. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You can't lie to me you know?" Chun remembered that Natsu told Toph about her blindness and her ability to tell if someone can lie.

Chun awkwardly rubbed her arm. "Uh…"

Toph chuckled. "Ah don't worry, as I said, he'll get how you feel eventually." Chun looked down. "Don't get me wrong, I'll Happy and I will still make fun of you two for it."

"I should have stayed with Wendy…" Chun said with a groan, her eyes becoming squinting lines.

The man on the carriage looked scared. "Who are you, people!? Those thugs have been bothering everyone on this route for weeks! And you beat them like nothing."

"Who are we?" Natsu said. All of them had shown their Fairy Tail marks to the man. "We are Fairy Tail!"

"And looking at this, I'm sure Lucy and the Avatar made it to Clover Town by now, so our distraction worked." Hen said.

Chun leaned on the wagon. "So this is what life is like for you guys?"

"Please!" Toph started. "These days are easy, so you better enjoy it cause the time will come where we have to deal with some huge threat, and we'll all have the fight of our lives. This happens like once every month or something."

Hen chuckled. "Then we need to get stronger, haha! Chun you too!"

The firebender nodded, "Definitely!"

"How do you think Aang and Lucy are doing?" Happy asked.

Appa landed in Clover Town with Aang and Lucy on top of him. Aang had leaped off and lightened his fall was a cyclone of air forming below his feet. "Alright Lucy, throw the package to me!"

"Okay!" She lifted the package which was a thick rectangular object tied in brown paper and black string. "I don't know why thugs would come after this." She tossed it off Appa and Aang caught it.

"Who knows, but I'm sure Natsu and the others did a good job of keeping the thugs distracted."

Lucy though had a different idea of how things went. "Who are we kidding, those poor souls must be in the hospital by now…" She climbed down off Appa.

Aang handed the package to Lucy. "You hand it over to the guy, I'll stay here and keep Appa company."

"You're taking it surprisingly easy."

Aang shrugged. "Well Porlyusica's orders, besides I'd like some downtime for once."

As she entered the house, there was a hooded figure that was spying on them from behind a couple of bushes. Aang had looked towards the bushes, sensing someone was there, but the figure quickly turned behind a nearby tree to get out of his line of sight. Aang shrugged his shoulders and stroked Appa's fur.

The figure threw off his hood, revealing himself to be Kobu. His hair was messy and he hid away. "*Oh, this is just great! So not only do I have to run away from the council, but I have to avoid **them.***"

He continued to hide behind the tree while he listened to their conversation. "Aang?" Lucy's voice questioned. "What are you staring at?" he scratched his head.

"Oh sorry, I guess I thought I saw something, but it's probably nothing." he leaped back onto Appa and made a small cyclone to help Lucy onto Appa. "Appa yip-yip!" the bison roared and took off into the sky.

Kobu watched them fly and he turned away. "*I just have to keep out of sight.*" he covered his hood and he returned onto the path he was walking on. "*This is hopeless. What can I even accomplish out here?*"

*...*

Up in the air, while sitting on Appa, Lucy looked back, watched the sky behind her. "Do you think they've all been caught?" she asked absent-mindedly.

"Azula and the others you mean?" Aang questioned, as he held Appa's reigns.

Lucy replied with a nod. "I know it has only been a day, but what if they are still out there, causing trouble?"

The Avatar turned his head to her. "I'm sure we'll be fine, I'm pretty sure they caught that other Fire Nation General. It's Azula that would be harder to catch. She is pretty crafty."

"But I'm sure they will catch her, right?" Lucy asked, sounding unsure about what she said.

Aang shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe, but she was able to organize a coup to overthrow the Earth King, then again she had help." Lucy had gasped. "But I wouldn't worry, she won't be dumb enough to try something not after how Natsu beat her. Plus, she's likely all by herself now, we'll find her or the knights will, I'm sure."

While the day continued, Azula was still inside the abandoned storage building. She was standing on her feet, performing her typical Firebending techniques, but without letting out any flames. She slowly swung her arms and she backflipped, while she was in the air, she remembered Natsu's roar. This broke her focus for a split second.

From her backflip, she leaped onto the wall and ran for several seconds. ***"I'm all fired up!"*** she gasped and kicked off the wall and slid after landing on her feet. Azula was panting, her eyes were wide for a second. "*Seriously... Why did I hear-?*" ***"You've had this coming for a long time!"***

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she yelled, immediately turning back, firing a sharp blast of fire in her direction. When she saw nothing, she fell to her knees and clenched her fists. "*Great... someone definitely would have heard that! I've got to get out of here*."

Before she could contemplate her next move, the metal door on the side of the old warehouse opened. The sunlight hit Azula's face and she shielded her eyes for a second. She saw the silhouette of the figure in front of her, the shape was recognizable to her. She stood up and glared right at the person. "What the *hell* are you doing here?!" She asked with a growl.

A week had passed, and the sun had set long ago. Most were preparing to turn in for the night. Coming back from a huge job was a huge team from Fairy Tail. It consisted of. Aang, Natsu, Happy, Katara, Gray, Lucy, Sokka, Toph, Wendy, Carla, and even Gajeel. They were triumphantly walking back to the guild. "Finally, this job is done. Now I can sleep for a week." Sokka said.

Gajeel chuckled. "You barely did anything, weakling."

"He's right, Sokka." Happy added.

"HEY, like you're one to talk. What did you do!?"

Happy smugly folded his arms. "You forget, I flew Natsu around. Can you fly Sokka?"

Sokka angrily pointed at Happy, but no sound escaped his mouth. Toph laughed. "Ha, he's got you there!"

Lucy had eyed the Fairy Tail mark on her hand. "I just hope Hen and Chun were alright without us."

Gray shrugged off her concern. "I'm sure they are fine. If anything it was probably boring for them."

"Hey, something has been on my mind," Katara said. "We haven't seen much of Erza, or even Zuko for that matter."

"Maybe Zuko's cheating on Mai." Happy casually said, this earned him a splash of water to the face.

"Be serious for once."

Carla flew in front of all of them, "Now that you mention it, some things have been weird around here. Even that old firebender has been acting odd."

"You mean Iroh?" Wendy asked.

Carla nodded. "Old man has been drinking less tea than usual." Gray said.

Sokka groaned. "We just stopped the Fire Nation a week ago, what could it be this time?"

Toph had her arms folded. "It could be Jellal related for all we know." despite her blindness, she could feel everyone staring at her. "What? Erza and Jellal were close, right? It's possible."

"Hey, we all just came back from a job. We should save our worrying for when something *actually* happens." Aang said, trying to quell the tension.

"AYE!" they arrived at the main entrance before the main doors where they were met with the sight of Erza, Zuko, and Makarov waiting for them.

"WE'RE BACK!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Hoho, you've finally come back! And not a moment sooner." Makarov said.

"Wait, what is he talking about?" Carla asked.

Zuko nervously scratched the back of his head. "Well, while you were gone, a few changes were made."

"Gajeel, Hen will be living with you from now on." Erza said pointing at him.

The Iron Dragon slayer flinched at this. "Huh!? Now the brat has to live with me now!?" he complained.

"What about Chun?" Wendy asked.

"She will be rooming with you at Fairy Hills." Erza revealed.

"Really, Yes!" Wendy cheered. "Now we're roommates!"

Sokka walked forward. "So, is that all you came to tell us?"

Makarov chuckled. "No, because we are about to introduce Fairy Tail's newest member."

"So soon?" Katara asked. "We just had Hen and Chun join us last week."

Happy excitedly hung in the air. "I wonder who it is!? Maybe I should offer them fish?"

"Yeah, and I'm sure you'll scare them right away after that." Toph dryly said.

Natsu had caught a whiff of a curious scent, and it immediately made him scowl.

"Well don't keep us waiting!" Lucy said. "Who is it?"

They all opened the door and they saw a lone figure sitting at a table with a glass of water in front of her, a gold Fairy Tail emblem was on her right hand.

Both Katara and Lucy made loud gasps with Happy making the loudest gasp. Gray's reaction was far more vocal.

"What?! Her?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?" He angrily asked.

Turning around in her seat was none other than Azula who looked at them was a scowl on her face. Natsu immediately took a step forward. "AZULA!" he screamed.

"Yes, that is my name, you pink haired idiot." Azula replied. "You want the whole town to know."

Aang wasn't sure of what to make of what was happening. "Uh... I'm very confused."

Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, Katara, Toph, and Sokka all took battle stances. Aang shifted into a more avoidance stance while Lucy hid behind him. Wendy was surprised while Carla protectively stood in front of her with an angered expression.

Happy cowered and ran to Natsu. "The crazy girl from the Fire Nation has returned for revenge!" He comically cried as he hid behind Natsu's leg. "Natsu, get rid of her!"

"I'm sorry, but Gajeel is one thing, but Azula *can't* be trusted!" Katara said.

"Finally." Gajeel said while smirking. "I'm going to get my match with the spoiled princess!"

Erza had slammed her hand on one of the tables in order to get their attention. "All of you, Stand down. Azula is our newest member, so could you treat her as such?"

"Uh, that's going to be a strong *no*." Sokka said. "This is a woman who, and in no particular order: Hunted her brother, shot her uncle with fire, shot Aang with lightning, chased us all over the Earth Kingdom, ruined our invasion plans, nearly made us fall into boiling water!" Sokka pulled out his sword. "And while I'm doing the recap, didn't she try to destroy our guild about a week ago!?"

Aang, Lucy, Wendy, and Carla made their way to Zuko. "Uh, Zuko why is Azula suddenly sitting in our guild?" Aang asked.

"Look, I'm not exactly 100% thrilled with this either," he responded. "But we agreed it would be for the best."

"Best for who, Zuko?" Lucy asked. "You of all people know how she is like."

He scratched his head and turned away slightly.

Erza then voiced her opinion. "I am very much, well aware of what Azula had done in the past and I don't fully trust her yet, but we decided this would be best so we can keep a better eye on her, just to make sure she doesn't hurt anyone."

"And you didn't think of calling that Lahar jerk to deal with her?" Sokka asked.

"Ohoho you'd like that wouldn't you?" Azula said with a sarcastic laugh. "But alas, I'm here now. Get used to it."

Natsu stomped to her table and punched it hard, making a crack spread through it. "There ain't no way! I can't work with someone I don't trust!"

"Oh, what's the matter?" Azula asked in a sarcastic tone while performing an eye-roll. "It's not as if you're being asked to marry me."

"EW!" Happy cringed. "Just the thought of that... makes me sick."

Azula stood up to meet Natsu, "Besides. If it's any consolation, I'm not happy about this either. As far as I'm concerned, this guild is nothing more than just a worthless squabble of peasants!"

"SHUT UP LOSER!" Natsu yelled with orange flames surround him.

"OR WHAT?!" Azula yelled back with blue flames surrounding her. "I'll put you down *right here*!"

They both bashed their heads together. "Fine with me!" Natsu snarled. "Looks like you haven't learned your lesson you brat!"

"Like you could teach me anything, you pathetic child!"

They both growled at each other. A blue and orange friction-spark is fired between them as their faces were less than an inch apart. Their respective flames were flaring up behind them.

"This is not normal!" Sokka exclaimed.

As both Natsu and Azula were growling and shouting at each other. Wendy only remained intrigued by the young firebender. "*I wonder if there is more to Azula? She doesn't look as bad as they say."* She thought.

Carla noticed Wendy's intrigue and she immediately gave her a serious look. "I know that face, Wendy! You are not to come within seeing-distance of that girl."

Aang had managed to pull Natsu away from Azula, though it wasn't without difficulty. "Look, can you try not to provoke him," Aang said looking at Azula.

"And I should listen to you because? I can take care of myself, Avatar!"

"Okay, so let's pretend we really have lost our minds and are actually doing this." Katara started. "Where is she going to sleep? Because I'd prefer not to sleep with one eye open tonight."

"You're not on my list, water peasant. So I wouldn't worry if I were you?"

"You have a list!?" Happy fearfully gasped.

Azula let out a smirk. "That's right, and you just made it, furball." She had a blue flame growing from her palm.

Happy sweated profusely while his pupils shrunk. "NATSU!" he ran behind Natsu again, hoping he'd protect him.

"And I've established that none of you have a sense of humor. Sad really."

Gray folded his arms. "What's sad is how you got your butt kicked, now you're here joining the guild you supposedly hate."

"There is nothing 'supposed' about it. I do hate this guild. It is beneath me."

"So why are you here!?" Natsu angrily growled. Aang was still holding him back.

"I wouldn't want to bore you with the details."

Erza stomped her foot, ending their conversation. "Azula will be staying with me, for the foreseeable future."

"Are you insane!?" Sokka asked. "Like seriously, are *all* of you insane!? Azula found some merchant and hypnotized you with some dark magic, didn't she?"

Azula kept her arms folded while she kept her signature smirk. "Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. And the beauty is that you'll never know."

"YOU SHUT UP!" Sokka exclaimed. A red, anger tick flashed on his forehead.

Makarov sighed. "Right, let's all calm down. You'll talk more about this in the morning."

"*I don't believe it, now she is going to be in our guild."* Lucy thought with a scared expression. *"Why is this happening…?"*

Aang stood next to Zuko as they watched Erza and Azula leave. "Uh Zuko, I know we trusted you and everything… but seriously? Azula?"

Zuko let out a sigh. "We talked about it after Lahar left."

***Flashback***

Inside Makarov's office, he stood with Erza, Zuko, and Iroh. "So, why have you called us here, Erza?" Makarov asked.

Erza took some time before she spoke. "I would like to request that Azula join the guild."

Zuko had gasped while Iroh stance had hardened, he put the cup of tea he was drinking back on the table and kept his eyes closed. "You know Erza I thought for a moment you were being serious." Zuko said.

"I am serious." Erza clarified.

Zuko planted his hand on the table. "Then let me be serious in my answer. *Absolutely not*!"

Iroh played the mediator in the situation. "Calm yourself, Zuko. At least let her explain herself."

"It will be better, if Azula joins us, then the New Magic Council won't be able to find her as easily."

"I'd argue we *want* the council to find her." Zuko countered.

"Say they do find her." Erza started, as she was creating a scenario. "They take her in and they ask her questions about Aang and the others. I can imagine Azula would be more than happy to let go of that information if that puts us in a corner." Iroh did slowly nod at Erza's reasoning. "Plus, I don't trust the New Magic Council. The last thing we want, is them learning about your world."

Zuko sighed. "Okay, I get your reason. I don't trust the magic council either, but you're asking us to… trust Azula…?"

"It will be better that way. We can keep an eye on her, instead of running the risk of her roaming Earthland freely. She could run into a dark guild, or worse."

"I agree." Zuko turned to Iroh who kept his arms folded. "I am not happy about the fact that we may need to keep an eye on her. But it is for the best if we want to keep the council or anyone one else from finding out where we come from."

He leaned back onto the wall with a defeated sigh. "We're really doing this."

"Besides, Zuko. If you really wish to save your country from those who are abusing it, then you should start by mending your own family." Erza said.

"We were broken from the start, Erza. No way we can be 'one happy family' at this point."

"Well, I think we can all agree my brother is well beyond redemption," Iroh said. "I'm sure it will be worth it if we can at the very least; prevent Azula from becoming just like him."

"I'm still not completely convinced."

Erza put her hand on Zuko's shoulder. "If Aang and his friends were willing to give you a second chance, then why shouldn't you for your own sister."

Zuko thought about it, and Erza did make a point. At worst they'd have to fight her again, and he was sure that Makarov, Erza and especially Natsu wouldn't make it easy for her. "Fine, it looks like we're all in agreement."

Zuko had finished explaining everything to Aang about the situation with Azula. "Right I get it, maybe it was for the best. But still, we've got to keep an eye on her. No doubt that everyone, when they get here tomorrow, will be more than shocked to find Azula a part of us." Aang sighed. "There's no easing into this is there?"

"Though would you mind reigning Natsu in a bit?" Zuko asked. "I feel like those two are definitely going to fight again."

"I'll try, but Azula really likes to push everyone's buttons doesn't she?"

"It's what she does. She isn't going to reform overnight, unfortunately."

"Assuming she does reform at all," Aang said. "But this seems like the best plan we could have for her. But... everyone in the guild is *not* going to like the idea, you do know this right?"

"That's what I am afraid of."

The morning after, the eventual fallout from Makarov's announcement would fully set in. "***WHAT!?***" that was the screaming from most of the others in the guild who were involved in the Battle between Fairy Tail and the Fire Nation.

Hen and Chun were watching from their table with Chun's eyes wide. "I'm dreaming, I have to be!" Chun said. "No this is a nightmare... Azula is here?! A part of Fairy Tail?!"

Hen looked to her table. "Don't worry, she comes near us, I can bury her alive for ya, pretty sure I can take her."

"N-no... if she bothers us... then we'll both deal with her..." Chun said, with a slightly timid expression.

"You sure? I mean this is kind of huge that Azula is now in the same guild."

"Yes, I am sure. After all, I am trying to get stronger, and I don't want to hide behind you and Natsu forever."

Hen smiled. "Well I've got your back, so

Mai, Ty Lee, and Suki were standing in front of Erza. "You sure you thought about this?" Mai asked. "Ty Lee and I were friends with *her* and look how well that turned out." they all watched Azula sitting in her corner by herself.

Suki also added her voice. "She's powerful, crafty, how do we know she's not planning anything."

"That is why I will be keeping a close eye on her." Erza clarified.

Azula got up and walked to them. "Yes, I have a baby sitter and even my own curfew. Isn't that just swell?"

Ty Lee tensed up, Mai sensed this and stood in front of her and shot her glare to the former Princess. "If you try anything-"

"Yes, like I haven't heard that threat a hundred times in the last 12 hours... all of you peasants are all the same."

"She's serious Azula!" Suki said. "We heavily outnumber you!"

"Considering how our last encounter went, I didn't think you'd be the one making threats, Fan Girl," Suki growled. Azula turned her back. "Look as far as you are concerned, I don't have much to gain from trying to attack you all, not that I could. So why don't all of you ingrates just-" she suddenly felt numerous pricks in her back and she had fallen to the ground. "Ugh!"

Ty Lee had chi-blocked Azula and stood tall behind her while she stood with a shaky stance. "Ty Lee! Azula wasn't going to attack anyone." Erza said.

"U-um sorry... I think...?"

"Oh, you're all just *loving* this aren't you?" Azula asked while sprawled on the ground.

"I AM!" Natsu yelled from across the room.

"Nobody asked you!" Azula screamed. "So, are you all just going to stare at me or will somebody help me up?"

"You should ask nicely Azula," Erza said.

Azula had sent a glare to Erza. The fact that they were trying to recondition her infuriated her, but this was better than the alternative. "*Please...*" she asked with a very clear hiss. "...Can someone help me up?"

"Hmm, still not convinced," Mai said. "Try asking again, but more sincere." she couldn't help but smirk at seeing Azula lie helplessly on the ground.

"Forget it, I am no one's dancing monkey! You know what? I'll help myself." she tried dragging herself back to her table but a small hand stretched down to her. Azula looked up and noticed it was Wendy.

"I-I can help you up if you want." She offered. Erza smiled at Wendy's actions, it was a start, but maybe it would go a long way to maybe reforming Azula.

"NOOO!" Ty Lee suddenly scooped up Wendy in her arms and away from Azula. "Wendy is too pure for the likes of you."

Azula managed to shakily get to her seat. "So what? You think I'd corrupt her...?" she already knew their answer when they suddenly fell silent. "I suppose I should have expected that."

She then turned away from everyone. "*Me joining this pathetic guild, what the hell was I thinking!*"

***Flashback***

"What the *hell* are you doing here!?" Azula was glaring at the figure who had opened the side door to the warehouse she was hiding in.

Makarov only smiled and waved. "Howdy!"

"Wait, you're the guild's master!" Azula turned her back to him. "Are you here to gloat? Or maybe you're here to finish me off. Is that is?"

He raised his palm. "Neither of those, your brother asked me to look for you."

Azula turned her head halfway to him. "What? Why would he do that?"

"Why wouldn't he?" Makarov asked. "Isn't it like an older brother to care for his younger sister?"

Azula turned away again from him. "In case you haven't noticed, we're not a close-knit family."

Makarov let out a sigh. He foresaw that Azula wouldn't make this very easy. "I have a question."

Azula sat down on the ground and crossed her legs. Once again, her back to Makarov. "Then ask, it's not like I have anywhere to be right now."

"When you look back at everything, what were your own reasons for hunting Aang and his friends?" Azula then turned her head, halfway to him. "What did winning your war mean to you? What were your own goals to accomplish? What was it that you were trying to do?"

"You're asking quite a lot of questions old-man."

"They are all the same. Who are you? What kind of person do you tell yourself you are? And is that the same kind of person that exists in your heart?" Azula hardened expression softened slightly. "I understand that he is your father and you have an obligation to him, but had there ever been a moment in your life where you voiced your own opinion to him or disagreed with him? Were his wishes your command?" Azula thought back to when Ozai had rejected the notion that both of them were going to rule together. And even got mad when she felt she was being treated like Zuko. "Because if that is the case, then for all your abilities and power, you are nothing more than his puppet. But I don't get that impression from you, Azula. I don't think you're as bad as you try to be."

"You sound like my fuddy-duddy uncle." Azula turned around to face him but remained seated on the floor. "If you have a point to make, then make it."

"There is no reason for you to completely surrender yourself to darkness. Come with us, join Fairy Tail."

The second Makarov suggested this, Azula had chuckled before it broke into laughter. "You're joking! This is some kind of joke isn't it!?" she continued to laugh as she took a breath. "W-why in Agni's sake would I join that squabble of peasants?!" she finally calmed down. "You know what, I'll give it to you, old man. You managed to make my day."

Makarov looked at her with a serious expression. "There is great value found in the time of one's own company; but a lifetime of complete and total isolation is a fate no one should endure, not even you."

Azula smile from the laughing quickly faded, her eyes grew wide when she saw that Makarov didn't even fathom a smile. "You're serious? You weren't kidding?!" Azula stood up. "You are aware I'm the one who sent that army and that group of benders after your guild, correct?"

His eyes closed and he looked down. "Yes, I am well aware."

"Really, then I am certain that my brother and the Avatar must by now have told you of my actions back in our world; hunting them all over the Earth Kingdom, overthrowing Ba-Sing-Se, imprisoning my so-called friends after they betrayed me..."

Makarov slowly nodded. "I know, they told me."

"And I was also the one who shot the Avatar in the back with lightning, and nearly killed him."

The eyes of the Fairy Tail guild master turned bright yellow as he glared right through Azula. "I know!" an energy ripple was sent through the entire warehouse, shaking the entire building. Azula had shivered, she thought the whole building was going to come down on top of them. "A despicable act that I will never completely forgive!" Azula had taken a step back, after sensing that power, she really did fear he really did come to finish her off. She was surprised when she saw the glow in his eyes fade. He seemed to calm down as well. "But for me, letting someone so young and full of potential fall into the darkness when knowing I could have done something to prevent it, is something even more unforgivable."

She calmed down from her own fear and was even surprised to see Makarov extending his hand to her. "I cannot guarantee a complete redemption for you, I can only point you to a door that leads out of the shadows, you have to be the one to open it." Azula's entire body was shaking, she really did take in everything that Makarov told her. "Will you open that door, Azula? Will you step out of the darkness and into the light? Or forsake it and remain where you are?"

Azula could feel the tears building up in her eyes, she instantly shook her head, rubbed her eyes and looked to Makarov who still had his hand extended. She slowly reached out for Makarov's hand, accepting his very unlikely offer.

Snapping out of her thoughts, she took a look at the gold Fairy Tail emblem on her right hand. *"Out of the Darkness and Into the Light, huh?"* she scoffed after remising about her encounter with Makarov. *"I have no idea what I was thinking."*

While Azula was deep inside her own thoughts, she turned around and noticed Mira walk to her table with her usual cheery, and warm smile, with a circular tray of different drinks on one hand. "Can I get you something to drink, Azula?"

"Uh, just water, I guess." Mira had put a cold glass of water on her table. "Thanks."

Reaching for the glass, Azula's eyes suddenly grew in shock when a cleaver sliced into the table between her hand and the glass. Hesitating to look up, she did see Mira glaring at her with red eyes. "I don't care what the master says. If you try anything to hurt Aang, Zuko, Natsu or anyone else in this guild; you'll answer to me!" She was surprised, but she looked at Mira.

"I suppose I've earned that, not that I expected any of you peas- uh *people* to trust me. Fine I understand."

Mira's glare turned back to her usual smile. "Glad we have an understanding." She left Azula by herself at her table.

Azula lifted her hand over the cleaver and picked up the glass of water. After eyeing her own reflection, she let out a sigh. "*My own goals huh?"* she eyed the number of shenanigans going on in the guild, despite her presence. Many of which included, Cana's drinking, Gajeel and Hen arm Wrestling. Natsu and Gray fighting each other. Lucy getting teased by Toph. Suddenly she didn't feel as lonely as before, but she didn't dare go up to them to try and socialize... at least not yet.

"*This guild may be more interesting than I thought.*" after her thought, Wendy noticed her glancing in her direction and the younger girl gave a happy wave to her. Azula awkwardly waved back before turning away. She then took a look at her clothes that were still torn and messed up from her battle with Natsu. "*Firstly, I have to clean myself up."*