Yo everybody! I know, I know, I should be working on one of my stories rather than this. But over this summer, I've had number of story ideas pop into my head, mostly a lot of Avatar ones. And that's what I spent a great deal of my summer working on. So I had decided to combine them together into a collection of little stories for your enjoyment. Now, if anyone wants to take these ideas and use it to create their own work, just ask.
Now I will be updating this from time with new story ideas. I certainly have a few others that are nearing completion and will be up within the comings days.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender nor do I own any of the other universes featured in crossover story ideas.
"It is a beautiful night," the Lord and Master of Republic City said, staring out from a balcony atop the tallest of city's buildings. "A shame it must be bogged down with politics."
"As you say my Lord," a servant replied. "The Lahmian delegation is waiting for you my Lord."
The Lord looked away from the city, glancing at the lowly servant standing there. "Then let us not keep Neferata's daughters any longer."
The servant bowed. "As you wish my Lord," he said before turning to the chamber doors.
While the servant opened the double doors female warriors clad in black and green with white and red masks emerged from the shadows of the dimly lit room. The Lahmians were claiming that they wished to discuss forming an alliance. Of course, it was just as likely that this was planned to be an assassination attempt. Only a fool would blindly trust a Lahmian.
The doors were opened and the Lahmian delegation entered. Six pale yet stunningly beautiful women, clad in the finest clothes and jewelry. Flanking the group were ten more masked warriors. They stopped once they reached the center of the room, kneeling down before the Lord of the so-called 'Kingless City'.
The leader of the group, a gray eyed, auburn haired woman raised her head up. "We bring you greetings from Queen Neferata, Lord-"
A hand was raised, cutting her off. "I know it is not your style, but let us skip the pleasantries and formalities of the Court," the Lord said. "As you can see, we are not in the Court this night. So simply say what you want and what you have to offer so I can decide and be done with this annoying matter."
This caught the Lahmian off-guard for a moment. The Lahmians lived and breathed, so to speak, the aristocratic world. They could navigate the seas of court politics with the skill of a mariner traversing the waters of the ocean. Though they were more like sharks than anything else which is what ultimately made them dangerous.
Trusting them completing was outright dangerous as they could easily begin manipulating the secret court of city in their favor, gaining more and more power until the city was their plaything. But at the same time, refusing them could be just as dangerous. Their Queen could come to see the secret rulers of Republic City as a threat, manipulating things outside the city against them.
As always, treading carefully through the politics of their society was paramount.
The Lahmia quickly regained her composure. "All we ask is for is place within the city for a coven of our Sisterhood as well as place within your Court," she answered. "As for what we have to offer, we have brought with us many treasures from our Queen as token of respect for a young Progenitor that has accomplished so much in such a short time."
The Lord studied the woman carefully, searching for any signs of deception while contemplating the offer. What they wanted was relatively small compared to what others had asked, but again these were Lahmians and were far more politically devious than most others. As to the treasures, perhaps there would be an interesting item or two among the useless baubles and trinkets.
Neferata was not one to give valuable gifts away.
"Very well, I accept your trinkets," the Lord finally spoke. "However, there are number of rules you must abide by if you are to live with the city."
The Ruler of the City turned away, gesturing for the leader of the Lahmians to follow as they moved towards one of the tables in the room. Upon the table sat a full map of Republic City with a number of marker pins piercing the paper. "As you can see, others have been allowed to set up their own domains within the city just as you will be allowed to," the Lord explained. "These domains are private places. Neither you nor your sisters are allowed to enter the domains of the others just as they will not be allowed into yours'. In addition, this city is neutral ground. Any fighting or plotting against other groups within the city will not be tolerated."
"Then there are the rules of the city itself." The Lord turned from the map to the Lahmian. "While you are more than welcome to feed among the people, it is paramount to remember that we on this city desire anonymity. Excessive death and disappearances are… well let's just say it's frowned upon. So when you feed, it's wise to reframe from draining them completely."
A servant approached the pair, bowing low. The Lord reached out, pulling back the man's hair and collar revealing a tattoo of a winged serpent coiled around a fireball. "Those who bare these marks are my servants and they are off-limits. If one disappears or turns up dead, I will be quite angry."
The Lahmian nodded. "Of course, who wouldn't be?"
"Finally, I must know every member of your Sisterhood that you are bringing into the city. And every time you wish to bring a new member into this city, you must come to me for approval," the Lord continued. "Also, my approval must be received before the Blood Kiss can be administered on someone within the city. All of these rules are to maintain the status quo here in the city. We don't need word of our existence to escape to the masses. I'm sure that you are quite aware of the ancient wars and how they turned out. Needless to say, any violation of these rules will be punished harshly."
The woman bowed. "As you wish, your Lordship. We will abide by the rules of the city."
"Good," the Lord replied with a nod. "I will have quarters prepared for you and your entourage until you have chosen your domain."
With a gesture, another servant stepped up to the pair. "If you would be so kind as to follow me, I will show you to your quarters," she said, bowing her head low.
The woman gave a slight nod in response and servant led the Lahmians and the warriors that had come with them out of the room, followed by nearly all of the servants. Once they were gone and the doors closed, the Lord let out a bored sigh, returning to the balcony.
All of the remaining warriors disappeared into the shadows, leaving the room. Save for one. The lone warrior pulled off her mask, revealing her young, pale face. "Tell me Ty Lee, how did you think that little meeting went?" the Lord asked.
"Well… I am a little surprise that you accepted them into the city so quickly," the girl admitted. "I mean the Lahmians are…"
"Devious vipers?" her master replied. "Of course they are. I am no fool. At the very least, Neferata wishes to keep an eye on me and this city, at the most, she sees me as a potential threat or rival and wishes to remove me. Either way, things are becoming interesting."
"Then what are you going to do about them Azula?" Ty Lee asked.
For a moment, Azula was silent as resumed watching her city. She had ruled Republic City since its creation fifty-eight years ago, though for twenty-six of those years, she, Ty Lee and a few others had wandered the world, in search of forgotten lore and treasures, leaving another to rule in her stead.
And yet despite all the years on this world, she was still as young and beautiful as ever, just as Ty Lee was.
Azula raised a hand and snapped her fingers. The lone servant girl approached her and held up her arm. Her master opened her mouth, revealing two fangs before biting down on the offered wrist. The girl let out a moan of pleasure as Azula drain some of her blood, nowhere near enough to kill the girl, just enough to satisfy Azula's hunger. Afterwards she licked the two puncture wounds, her saliva rapidly healing the marks. Having fed her mistress, the servant left the chamber.
Her personal servants were among the only mortals that knew the truth history of Republic City's founding and that vampires were not myths.
Azula had been as instrumental in city's construction as those who laid down the first bricks. Of course, few knew this. As far as the masses were concerned, she did not exist which was exactly how she wanted it. She was quite content with ruling the city from the shadows.
After all, should they find out about her and true rulers of the city, the people would rise up, not just here, but in the entire world to cast out of the city and destroy them. Sure, they were stronger, faster and all around better than humans, but they were far more numerous. Years of studying the history of her fellows as well as her own experiences taught her one thing above all else, humans are surprisingly resourceful creatures that are more than capable of defeating beings far greater than themselves. Only a fool would underestimate them, something that Neferata, Vashanesh and countless others had long forgotten.
But she would never make that mistake.
…Again.
Regardless, Azula knew that she was in a truly precarious position. She was the thirteen and youngest person to have drunk the Elixir of Life, the potion that created the First Vampires and the Progenitors of the Vampire Race. However, it had not been her choice to drink the Elixir. Vashanesh, one of the original Twelve Vampire Lords, had forced her to drink the last vial of the Elixir during her time in the asylum as a part of his plot to conquer the world. Not long after that she had broken out of the asylum after feeding on a dozen or so people there and killing more people there in a delusional frenzy. Then she managed to sneak aboard a merchant ship, draining the crew one by one until the vessel beached itself on, of all places, Kyoshi Island.
Azula shook her head, turning back from her reflections on the past. It disgusted her just how insane she had been back then. But she had long conquered her madness and had since thrived like never before. She had spent years studying and learning, not just the history of her kind but other skills and arts as well. From the dark magical arts of the Vampires to her firebending abilities to more mundane arts, Azula had honed her abilities far beyond what she had ever previous believed possible and would continue to for as long as she existed.
"What I have always done, watch them and strike when the need arises," Azula finally answered. "Should they choose to strike; they will not find me easy prey."
A stance she had chosen to take when other vampires began to creep into her city. At the time, her powerbase had been rather weak which is what invited them in and had she tried to aggressively confront them, there was a danger of the more organized group would band together to destroy the young upstart. So she had started allowing other vampires into the city, provided that they obey her rules. For the most part, they accept this though some plotted behind her back to dispose of her and take everything she had built for herself.
But that was a part of their inherent predatory, selfish nature and to be expected.
In fact, the meeting with the Lahmians had been more of a show than anything else. She had long decided to allow the Lahmians into the city. It had just been a ploy to gage what they were really after.
However, Azula's musings were cut short when two warriors, a male and female, entered. Both were clad in similar uniforms of black and dark green, the attire of the Warriors of Kyoshi. While the woman's uniform was exactly the same as other female warriors but with a gold headdress and without the mask, the man's clothes consisted of a long coat and pants. Strapped to the man's back was a sheathed sword while he held an object wrapped in cloth.
"The Strigoi beast is dead," the male warrior said, throwing the object while pulling back the cloth.
Azula glanced at them for a second before glancing down at the object. The head looked vaguely human but its ears were pointed, its teeth were sharp and needle-like and a number of small horns dotted its hairless head. "Good," she said. "I trust the body has been disposed of."
Both warriors nodded. "Yes. Only the head remains," the woman answered.
Republic City's ruler turned back to her balcony and the hundreds of buildings below. "But there's something else, isn't there?" she commented.
"The new Avatar has come to the city."
Azula leaned onto the railing of the balcony. The announcement was simple despite the gravity of what meant and how it could affect the delicate power balance of the city's shadow court. "Oh? Then they must be seeking out your nephew," she said, her tone belying the full scope of the matter.
The man tensed while the other two women gave him questioning glances. "Yes, I know that your nephew is living here just as I know that you have been protecting him from anyone or anything that would seek to harm him," Azula continued.
"You…you…" the warrior uttered.
The lord smirked in response. "Rest easy Sokka," she said, giving an offhanded wave. "I have no interest in him or in stopping you from protecting him."
Despite her words, the three of them eyed Azula with a mixture of worry, concern and suspicion. "It would be rude not to personally welcome such an esteemed guest to our city," Azula proclaimed. "Have the new Avatar brought to me."
None of them made any move to carry out her orders. Azula had expected that. "Relax. I have no interest in harming the Avatar," she dismissively added. "I simply wish to meet them. So go and fetch the new Avatar."
Korra yawned as she laid down on the bed. She had finally reached Republic City, the home of Tenzin, after weeks of traveling from the Fire Nation. Of course, she still had to find him and that wouldn't be an easy task. Republic City was one of the largest cities in the world. Finding a single man here could be difficult.
"I've had to do worse before," she mumbled, pulling the blankets over herself.
She put out the oil lamp on her nightstand and closed her eyes, beginning to drift into sleep…
Suddenly, a hand grabbed her by the throat and pulled from the bed, slamming her on the ground. Three lamps lit up, illuminating the room. Standing over Korra were four female warriors clad in black and dark green leather armor and upon their faces were white masks with various crimson designs. Three of them held the lanterns while the fourth continued to pin her to the ground.
They were the Kyoshi Warriors.
Long before she had been born, the Kyoshi Warriors had modeled themselves after their namesake and one of Korra's previous lives, Avatar Kyoshi. They were formidable warrior-maidens that had helped Avatar Aang end the One Hundred Year War, though they also bore the stigma of betrayal. During the final year of the war, a group of the Warriors had turned traitor, aiding the Fire Nation in conquering the great city of Ba Sing Se. But those traitors had been killed and the honor of the Kyoshi Warriors restored.
However, fate would not be kind to them and their people. Several years after the war ended, the terrible plague ravaged much of the southern Earth Kingdom, starting at Kyoshi Island itself. The entire island was wiped out, save for the Warriors themselves. Something, perhaps the spirit of Avatar Kyoshi, saved them from death. With their families and friends dead, they set fire to the island and left, unaware that while the plague had not killed them, they were carriers of the disease. For months, the plague ravaged the southern provinces but ultimately it would die out.
Afterwards, the Kyoshi Warriors seemed to have disappeared, for there was no sign of them until five years after Republic City first emerged. They came to the growing city, offering their services as a police force for hire. Those neighborhoods and districts that could afford them received the greatest protection from crime. From what she had heard, they tirelessly and ruthlessly hunted down anyone that dare commit a crime in place that they protected.
"Avatar Korra," the one holding her down said. "You will come with us."
Korra pondered her words for a few seconds. "I don't think so," she replied an instant before she breathed out a blast of fire.
But the warrior pinning her down was fast, far too fast, pulling her head back. "That was unnecessary," the warrior said, unleashing a series of lightning fast jabs on the Avatar with the index and middle fingers of her free hand.
Those few taps cased a numbness to spread into Korra's body. She tried to breath out more fire only to find that her bending no longer worked. The warrior lifted Korra back up to her feet. "Your ability to bend has been temporarily blocked. Any further-"
Korra headbutted the warrior, causing her to stumble back as their mask flew off. The Avatar let out as gasp, her eyes widening as she stared at face that had been hidden beneath the mask. Before she could react, Korra found herself slammed against a wall. "I grow tired of this," the Kyoshi Warrior hissed.
The skin of the Warrior's face was stretched back, a pair of fangs in her mouth and glowing red eyes, giving her a beastly appearance.
"What are you…" a horrified Korra uttered.
Her only answer was a fist…
Korra groaned as she regained consciousness, her head throbbing. A cloth bag sat on her head, obscuring her vision while her hands and legs were bound. Suddenly, a hand pulled her up and set the Avatar on her knees before pulling the cloth off.
She was in some kind of private study. Rows of shelves lined walls, each filled with books and tomes, some old, others utterly ancient. Behind her was a set of large double doors with two of the Kyoshi Warriors standing guard while directly in front of the young Avatar, stood a young woman on a balcony overlooking the city below. It was then that Korra realized that she was in the tallest building of Republic City. "Greetings Avatar," the pale woman clad in black and red said as she turned to face her. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am the lord and master of this city-"
"Hold it!" Korra exclaimed. "First off, what kind of welcome is this? You kidnapped me and tie me up!"
The woman nodded. "Fair enough. Untie her."
One of the women behind her knelt down and cut the ropes binding her. Once she was free, Korra stood up, rubbing her wrists. "Second, this is Republic City! It was founded under the idea that the people here would be governed by an elected council, not ruled by a lord, a duke or a king. I have no idea what you're trying to pull lady, but there's no way that you're the ruler of this city."
The woman laughed as she started to approach the young Avatar. "Do you really think that 'democracy' actually works?" she asked. "A thousand people have a thousand beliefs. It's impossible for that many people to come to a consensus on anything. They will fight and squabble over pointless matters, accomplishing nothing. Truth of the world is that the masses need individuals to lead them, even if they don't realize it."
"But the people want democracy! That's why they founded this city!" Korra countered.
"Did they? Or perhaps I and your predecessor, merely arranged for it to be created," the woman arrogantly commented. "And perhaps I created the council to appease the masses with the idea of democracy and control over how the city is run while providing me with a nice public face to deal with all of those dull administrative chores."
Korra didn't like this woman. She had this air of aristocratic arrogance. Those kind of people always got under her skin. Nor did she believe this woman's claims. "Why have you brought me here? And just who are you?"
"Because you are Avatar and you are visiting my domain," she replied. "A guest of your stature demands a personal greeting. As to whom I am, I assume you know the story of your predecessor and how he ended the war."
Korra nodded. "Of course," she said.
"Then you already know who I am."
The young Avatar couldn't believe this woman! She had to delusional or something. None of what she was saying made sense nor was even possible! "What?" Korra exclaimed, voicing her bewilderment. "What are you talking about? That doesn't make any sense! If you had been involved in that you'd be an old woman or dead. But you're as young as me!"
"I think I liked your predecessor more," the woman said, dismissing her words. "For all his faults, and believe there were many, he had manners and could listen without interrupting." She paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. "Tell me, what do they say about Fire Lord Zuko's sister?"
Korra blinked her eyes in confusion, wondering what that long dead girl what to do with any of this. "Azula? She went insane and died years ago in an asylum," she answered.
"Indeed I did," the woman replied. "Of course, I've long since learned that dying and ceasing to be are two very different things."
"What are you talking about?"
"I am Azula," the woman proclaimed. "And yes, I died in that asylum. My heart stopped beating long ago, yet here I am."
Korra shook her head. "That's impossible," she said, growing more convinced that this woman was utterly insane.
Azula, the woman, whoever she was, smirked. "Hearing that from the Avatar of all people is quite funny. Your predecessor wasn't narrow-minded," she commented. "When he learned about all of this, he took it in stride. It's a shame that you aren't as open-minded. But it is high time you learn that there are more things that hide in the dark corners than what the masses realize. And these things that are beginning to return to the world you know, Avatar."
"Hm… Well, good luck with that crazy lady," Korra said, turning to leave. "And don't worry about me, I'll show myself out."
The two Warriors standing guard raised their arms, barring her path. Korra looked back at Azula, ready for fight. But the woman waved her hand, wordless commanding the two to stand down. "Very well Avatar. I brought you here merely to welcome you to my city. I will not hold you any longer," she said. "But be careful where go at night. There are those who would be quite eager to kill the Avatar, or worse."
Korra continued to eye her suspiciously. "Is that a threat?"
"No. A warning," she replied, a grin spreading across her face. Korra took a step back, gasping in shock. "There are far worse things out there than I"
Just like that one Kyoshi Warrior, her face had transformed into a monstrous visage. The Avatar could only gap in fear. What were these women? "Take her back to her room," the woman ordered before Korra could say anything.
A hand struck the back of her head and darkness consumed Korra once more.
"She's quite a rude one, isn't she?" Azula commented, watching as her servants carried her away.
"I prefer to think of her as high-spirited."
She let out a snicker. "Of course you would, Old Man," she said, turning to the voice. "So what brings you to my abode?"
The spirit of Avatar Aang stood before her. Though he was not in the form of the old man he had been in his final years, rather he was in the form of the young boy that had bested her and her father. It was said that spirits could appear as they did at any point of their lives, from youthful child to withered elder. "There have been rumblings in the Spirit World. Something is coming," Aang said, worry and concern etched in her face. "Something terrible."
"And you want me to keep an eye out in case someone within my city is helping bring what you fear to this world," she replied. "Something I have been doing for years already."
"And?"
"And while there are many of my kind plotting here, most of those plots are against me. They want to kill me and take over the city," she answered, wandering over to one of the bookshelves. "So why don't you return to the Spirit World and leave watching over this world to your successor."
She pulled out several books before putting them back in different places. The entire shelf slowly moved forward. Once it stopped, Azula effortlessly pushed it aside, revealing the passage to her true private study. "Azula, we've been through a lot but I like to think that in the last years of my life, we developed a mutual respect for one another and the ability to work together despite our past," Aang said, stopping her as she stood at the threshold. "You know that I would not have come here unless things were truly as bad as they are. Something terrible is coming and Republic City is one of places tied to it somehow."
Azula glanced back at him. "And what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Keep an eye out for anything suspicious and help Korra anyway you can while she's here."
The undead woman waved her hand at him dismissively. "Fine, I will help her. Now leave. I have little desire to see face from my days among the living."
"I trust the meal was you satisfaction, my love."
"Yes," she purred, licking the blood from her lips. At her feet was the body of a young girl, drained completely of blood. "Such young blood… much better than the paltry meals we managed to find while we were traveling." "And do not think that I have forgotten about you, my beloved."
She offered her arm to her love, cutting her wrist with one of her sharp fingernails. Greedily, he drank up the offered blood. Once satisfied, he pulled his head up and the two kissed, their bloody tongues dancing together.
"I love you," she whispered to her ghoul and mortal lover, tracing the scar on the left side of his face.
"And I love you Mai," Zuko, the former Fire Lord replied to his undead wife as he held her.
"Soon, we have our vengeance against her," Mai uttered. "As she destroyed our lives, we will destroy her unlife."
But before Zuko could respond, Mai glanced over at the end of the alley. "The Warriors are coming. We must leave before they find us."
With that, the two disappeared into the night.
As you can see, this is another Avatar/Warhammer Fantasy crossover, featuring a little of Vampire: The Masquerade. Now, Vampires are my not favorite of supernatural creatures (that position belongs to werewolves), especially after the bastardization they received from Twilight, but the Vampire Counts of Warhammer and the universe of Vampire: The Masquerade are among some of my favorite things.
Now this idea is actually attached to two stories. The obvious one being a story set during the events of the upcoming Avatar series while the second one is set several years after Avatar, with the turning of the half-mad Azula and all the devastation of she caused before being stopped.