(AN) If any grammar problems and stuff, please tell me!
By the way, please review! Constructive comments strongly encouraged, so please review, then I'll update :)
I do not own Avatar nor Percy Jackson and their ideas.
Lobsters, crab, abalone, shark fin... All kinds of delicacies was served on the table. A family of four crowded around the table, savoring the dishes. I watched them from the backyard, leaning towards the house, taking in the aroma, my saliva dribbling down the side of my mouth. My stomach growled, and I clutched it, longing for the food before me.
"Azula!" the father called me. I ran up to my foster father.
"Yes father?" I said in a controlled voice, although my eyes kept darting occasionally to the dishes on the table.
"Get me a newspaper quick, or you'll have a nice little meeting with my whip" he threatened, venom dripping at his words. He poured the money into my cupped hands, as if I was a beggar.
"Thank you father" I bowed as I quickly receded the room. I took the make-up box on my way out and quickly dabbed my wounds and bruises with make up before scurrying out of the house.
As I walked, I breathed out puffs of white smoke into the air, shivering under the thin layer of my coat that isn't designed for warmth. Rather, it was designed to cover my welts, wounds, bruises etc. I accidentally scratched open a healing wound at my hand in an attempt to huddle against these thin layers of fabric. But I did not wince, not a little bit. I rubbed the reopened wound as I thought about the first time I entered a formal dinner
It had happened the day before. My foster-brothers had caught a cold and my foster parents were in a really bad mood. Everytime they saw me, they stared into my eyes with deep disgust and hatred, like I was the one who made them catch the cold. Then, they will always take out the whip, my nightmare. By the time it was time to go to the dinner, I was covered in wounds and bruises. Caking make up over my face, my parents ordered me to wear long sleeves shirts and gloves that hugged my little frame so tight that it hurt. I cried out, but immediately shut up with a slap on the face. The make-up artist looked at me sadly, but she didn't say anything. And she reapplied my make-up. We drove in this big car of my parents' to the dinner place. There were a lot of adults bustling about, chatting with each other and generally having a fun time. All kinds of delicacies were on the tables, spread out, a wonderful mix of the different aromas from the different types of food. My stomach immediately growled. A pudgy man knelt down before me and said, "Are you hungry?"
My stomach answered for me by growling. I sheepishly smiled. He returned a warm smile and patted my cheek. He accidentally patted my wounds, so I winced, receiving a glare from my father. I saw worry flitter across the man's face before he took my small hand, and led me to where the foods are. I jumped and tried to reach the utensils, but I was too short. The man carried me on his shoulder as he helped me take whatever foods I desired. Then he gave me the plate and led me to this boy at a dark and isolated corner of the room. He looked like he was surprised, though I'm not sure why. He haven't even spotted me. He looked around at his surroundings like he did not expect to be here.
Then after the surprise wore off, his face looked very gloomy and depressed. He had eyes that reflect death. His hair was gelled, making his hair look spicky. He has a scrawny figure and big and black clothes. He is about 12? 13? I am not good at telling people's age. He was looking at the ground as he held a knife in one hand, making him look very dangerous.
"Hello um-"
"Nico" he didn't even look up and extended his hand. I took it and shook like how I've seen the adults done.
"Hi Nico"
Only now he looked up. His eyes widened for a moment, then he asked, "What's your name?"
"Something... Then Zinthos" I'm not sure about my first name. My foster parents refers to me in a lot of names. Brat, rascal, idiot and a couple of others I could not remember. I shyly looked at the ground and took sudden interest in my shoes.
"Never mind, you don't have to tell me. I'll call you Azula" he smiled warmly at me. "So, how are you?"
"Fine, I think" I walked to a table and sat down, savouring the foods. Nico was quiet, watching me as I chewed on the food. It was rather unsettling. I was about to reach for my drink when I accidentally spilled it onto Nico. I thought he was going to slap me like what my father will do, so I quickly took out a hankerchief and cleaned Nico's clothes and muttered apologies, bracing myself for a slap. But it did not come. Instead, Nico put a hand on my shoulder and said, "Never mind, I'll clean up myself"
I looked up and nervously said, "You are not going to slap me?" by now, I could feel my father's glare on my back, like it was laser, cutting through my small figure.
.
"Why would I?" Nico seemed genuinely surprised. I looked at him wide-eyed. I must be really lucky today to meet two so nice people, Nico and the pudgy man earlier. Then Nico did something that surprised me. He wrapped his arms around me and embraced me in what I heard people call a 'hug'. I snuggled into his chest and decided that I liked being hugged. I've only been hugged by one other person before. That person had been my savior. Maybe Nico will save me from my foster parents. He pulled away quick, blushing. Then out of instinct, I crawled beside him and I sat on his lap, leaning against him as we talked. Nico asked about my past. When I've finished talking, he looked at me sternly and made me promise to leave my family. I nodded at him. He started to walk away. I saw a tear falling from his face. I tried to run after him, but once we reached the shadows, he was simply gone.
Then, I was jarred to the present when I heard footsteps behind me. The newspaper stand is at a deserted place, so usually it is very uncommon to have people here, so I grew suspicious. I took a few twist and turns, but the footsteps never left me. Then it quickened. I knew something was wrong. I broke into a sprint, but it was no use. Whoever it was behind me, is obviously faster than me. I did not dare to look back, but I heard the footsteps becoming louder and louder. Then, a hand grabbed my shoulder. I tried to squirm from this person's grasp, but to no avail. This person has an iron grip. Another hand clamped on my mouth as I tried to scream. I thrashed wildly as I was dragged into the bushes. Then, something hit me on the head, and I blacked out.
I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings. I was tied to a chair on a hill. A big and burly man was talking in a gruff tone to someone on the phone. I could not figure out what he was saying. He wore a parka and long pants. His hair was a mess. Although only his back was facing me, he still looked intimidating. I shuddered to think how scary it would be once he turned his attention on me.
I struggled once more against these ropes. Even though I was ties to a chair and could possibly die, I felt weirdly happy. This was the first night in years that I did not get beaten. But the downside was that I was awfully hungry. At home, I could at least get a stale bread.
The man turned to face me. He was not as intimidating as I thought. He seemed like he was bored out of his mind. He leaned down towards me and said, "Speak" as he held out the phone.
"Idiotic brat! Is that you?"
"Father?"
"You bothersome child. You're a waste of time and money. When we reach there, you'll wish you were never born"
"Y-yes father!"
The man's face morphed into a quizzical expression as he heard me stammer into the phone. Then he took the phone back and said a few words, before slipping it into his pocket.
"So lass, what is your name?" he asked as he picked his fingernails with his knife.
"Azula" I replied.
"So what is your age?"
"10"
"Azula, eh?" he turned to face me "You seem a little small for your age. Why are you so afraid of your father?"
Father said I should not tell anyone, or he'll whip me to hell. I shook my head, indicating that I would not tell. The kidnapper raised an eyebrow, but did not press on the matter.
I sighed and licked my lips. I realized that there were blood on them. My lips were cracking. I looked down at my coat. As my hands were tied behind me, I cannot grab my coat closer to myself and snuggle in them. Cold air seeped in as I shivered terribly.
I tried to think about my real parents, but they had died so long ago in that car accident. I don't even have a vague idea of how they looked like or even their names. All I know was that they died in a car accident when I was 4.
After my parent's death, I remembered the cruel nanny that took care of me. She buried me under trash as she stole the money and left. I remembered her cruel sneer as my cries were muffled by the cloth she wrapped around my mouth. Then, after she left, I tried to climb out, but I was pinned under the weight of the trash. I tugged at the fabric at my mouth and somehow managed to get it off. I screamed and thrashed. Then, I felt the weight on me lighten. Sunlight peeked in and a face covered it immediately.
A skinny looking guy pulled me out. He seemed older than me by no more than two years. He had elfish looks and seems really hyperactive. But I could see that he was angry now. Then, he burst into flames. Literally. I saw rage, hate and worry boiling in him. I didn't know what came over me, but I did a series of motions, and a really strong gust of wind was directed at him, extinguishing the flames. I threw myself onto him and hugged him while I wept. He seemed relieved somehow.
"Come with me. We better have a shower, or we'll stink this whole town up" and with that, he led me to the orphanage.
At the orphanage, the other orphans where mostly older than me. But it was not long before I was adopted. The guy who rescued me, which I learned later was Leo. He was actually a very cheerful and funny person, though he sometimes had a screw loose. He like to fiddle with little stuff in his hands. Leo and I were sad that we had to part. I pecked his cheek, and left crying.
When the family came, I could tell that they were very rich. I heard them saying something about having to save their reputation, but I didn't know what that meant and didn't care. They were very nice to me outside of the house. But once I enetered their house, they turned into devils. They completely neglected me and abused me at will, while treating me as their personal slave. They did not want me there, but I was their evidence that they are not a heartless family. They probably did some unforgivable things before. If they were to send me back to the orphanage, their reputation will be tarnished.
That couple, is my current foster parents. Then unknowingly, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up to seeing my father exchange money with the man. Then he turned towards me and stormed his way up.
"Why you little brat!" he shouted, slapping my face.
"Father I'm so sorry! I'm sor-"
"You should be thankful that we came, fool!" he shouted as he grabbed his whip from his wife.
He raised the whip, but I was already sprinting for my life. He chased me downhill, screaming profanities at me. Then, the road stopped at a cliff. I slipped but managed to hang onto the cliff.
"Help father!" I screamed desperately I dangled hundreds of metres in the air. He did not even blink as he crushed my fingers under his foot.
Suddenly, I felt myself unable to control my own body. I was like a ghost. I know everything, but I cannot do anything. Swirl of snow supported me, stopping my fall, and raising me up to the cliff. I saw the family. My face took on an expression of absolute hate as The snow the carried me deposited me on the road and mashed together. I turned into a million spikes, then it started turning in circles, like a tornado. It shot towards the family. I saw the whole family's eyes wide in fear as the stared at the tornado of spikes. My mind was roaring with hatred for this family. I allowed my body to do its job. Before I knew it, they were utterly disfigured. As for my father, he was nothing more than a pile of ashes. I used the lat of my energy and sunk their corpses into the ground. Then I blacked out.
In my dream, I dreamt of a bald man with beard and a arrow over his bald head, pointing downwards. He wore clothings with designs that reminded me of air and wind. Behind him, millions of people stood, wearing designs that either represent water, earth, fire or air. The man before me smiled. He opened his mouth and said in a raspy voice.
"A half-blood of the eldest gods, shall reach sixteen against all odds, a demigod's life sealed by grief, Olympus' fate in the hands of his"
I wanted to ask what he is talking about. But I could not speak, and the people in front of me where disappearing row by row. Soon, everything faded.
My dream shifted. I heard cries and pleads as a bunch of evil looking people dragged a bunch of women, men and children. The ones at hostage were trying to free themselves. Some where trying to cut the chains that held them hostage with water, and others were having rocks appearing out of the ground randomly, trying to trip the evil people dragging them. But whenever they tried to struggle, the kidnappers will shoot fire at them, leaving them groaning in pain or unconscious. The ones who were not held hostage desperately pleaded the ruthless people to let them go, but their efforts did nothing. They were dragged to this clearing. A teenage girl walked to this clearing, the rest of the kidnappers cleared the path for her. She walked haughtily, and was obviously the one in charge. She radiated power, as even her subjects seemed to shake in fear upon her appearance. Her eyes were golden. A smirk was evident on her face as she raised both of her hands with blue flames dancing on them and brought them down like she was a leader, guiding the flames downwards. Flames hit the struggling people, setting them on fire. The screams filled my ears and the smell of burning flesh rushed into my nostrils. Blue flames laughed a laugh crazy enough that would have made Kronos afraid. Before I saw worse, I woke up.
I was on a bed. There were two boys beside my bed, both had black hair, both were skinny, and both wore worried expressions, but one radiated death, while the other just looks elfish. Then I realised.
"Nico! Leo!" I screamed as I literally jumped onto their laps, surprising them. Leo shrieked like a little girl while Nico was trying to hold back a laugh. I hugged them together fiercely. When I pulled away, both of them were blushing furiously. Maybe it was because they were not used to hugging each other. Then they looked at each other and skid to the far end of my bed, then sat on their corner of my bed.
Nico seemed to be grumbling about something, but Leo was as usual, a hyperactive kid, even for a ADHD kid. He bounced on the bed and was busy shooting out questions faster than a machine gun. I clamped Leo's mouth shut and pinned him down on the bed to keep him from moving. Then I realised what I was doing. I blushed and crept off.
As I crept off, I had a headache. The scene of the car accident flashed through my mind. I did not see my father, but my mother held my shoulders and said "Blow the whistle after your blessing dear, and remember that I'll always love you"
Then, Leo sat up. He tugged my pants, and looked at the clock. We have to go. To where exactly, I had no idea. I locked eyes with Nico and he nodded. Then, I suddenly felt terribly exhausted and fell over. I groaned, holding my head in pain. Nico grumbled under his breath then shouted to Leo to get some cup to me. I grabbed the cup and sipped its contents. It was... My mother's home-baked cookies! I could not remember how I knew that, but I recognised it. Melted butter cookies from mother. Then the car accident flashed through my mind. I remember feeling ever so helpless. I remembered Mom's last words. "Blow the whistle when you have my blessing. Remember that I always love you and will try to help you as much as I can" A warm thumb wiped my tears away. I had cried.
"Are you ok?" Leo asked.
"I'm fine" I whispered "Let's go"
As we walked out of the house, I was greeted with an amazing view. There was a big strawberry farm, canoe lake, rock wall, archery place, stables etc. but the feeling this place gave me was really depressing. Like everyone knows that a disaster is going to strike and no one can do anything about it.
Then, a centaur came out from the big house and got the campers, satyrs, dryads and just everyone to prepare. There are some buff people setting traps, others getting ready catapults. Soon, all of them are in battle armor and in formation. Some people where busy running around, providing juice boxes and wiping their sweat. Even Nico and Leo got on armor. Thankfully, I did not have to fight.
Then, a green eyed boy approached the centaur. They exchanged a few words and waited. I ran to a run down cabin with a "11" imprinted on it's side. I hid inside the cabin, shutting out the images of the fire balls. It reminded me of my dream. Then, when I looked up, I saw Nico battling a horde of snake women, but he was already very tired. Suddenly, my body reacted on its own accord. I sprinted to him at an impossible speed, then jumped, doing a front flip in the air and a wall of blue flame crashed upon the ranks of snake women. They immediately exploded in dust. Nico stared at me, stunned. I put my hands on my knees and panted. How the heck did I do that? Nico cradled my head and gave me something to eat. I immediately felt energized. He gave me a questioning look, but did not ask as he went into battle.
I sat on the ground. Was I... Was I the heartless girl with blue flame? The one from my dream? Am I a monster? I looked up and saw Leo surrounded in fire, setting his enemies on fire as he engaged them. But his flame were red. I lowered my head. What am I?
After the battle, the centaur galloped over, with the green-eyed boy on his back. The green-eyed boy hopped off the centaur's back and said, "I am Percy, and this is Chiron. Who are you an how the heck did you do that?"
"I am Azula" I said. "And as for the second question, I don't know"
Then, a pink puff of smoke surrounded me. When it cleared, Percy stared at me, his jaw practically hitting the ground. The other guys around looked at me googly eyed. Chiron cleared his throat and said "You are the daughter to Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty"
"My momma is a goddess?" I widened my eyes at him. "So I'm a demigod" I concluded. "So Percy, what is going on?"
Percy just stared at me and muttered "Uhh... Mm?" I walked over to his ear and screamed "Percy? Hello?" I heard a few snickers behind me.
"Wah waah?" Percy stuttered.
"What is going on Percy? Why is everyone so... Weird?" then Percy came to his senses.
"You look... Gorgeous" Percy stated.
"Anyone's got a mirror?" I asked. Then a whole lot of boys offered me their mirrors. When I looked into the reflective glass, I saw a girl different from what I've gotten used to. I saw myself without bruises, cuts or wounds or any injuries, although there was no make up. The person staring back at me was one I've never seen in a long time. My hair was falling down my shoulders, dark as a moonless night. My fringe was pinned to the side, slanting across my forehead. My shoe changed to a flat soled and black shoe. I wore a black dress that is so dark it seemed to suck all the light around it. A small jacket rested on my shoulders, it's edges also knitted with silver fur. My face had no make-up, but my clothing enhanced my black coloured eye. My lips twitched into a smirk. I looked like the queen of the
"So that's how I look" I nodded approvingly. "Awesome!" I jumped around. "I thought Aphrodite was into pink, thank goodness! If I have another pink clothing, I'd be real life barbie doll!" I thought about the mass of pink my foster mother always asks me to wear. Just thinking about her makes my blood boil now.
"Wow. This is totally the first time a Aphrodite child hated pink" Percy commented.
Chiron led me to the big house and showed me the the orientation film, while Nico, Leo and Percy shared stories about me. Aphrodite was my mother, so the car accident... The four classic elements. Water, earth, fire and air. Hmm... I have to train. Whoever that hit this camp today is not going to relent. So I have to play a part in saving this camp.
I walked over to the canoe lake. I could hear three people coming over. I opened my palm and a whistle appeared. I put it to my mouth and blew with all my might. At first, no sound was made. Then, four figures appeared. 2 girls and 2 boys. They seemed familiar somehow.
One of the girls had a tan skin and blue eyes. Her black hair was tied up in a bun and she had two loopies hanging in front of her face. She wore a blue dress that looks asian. To be honest, all of them looked asian. A pouch was hanging on her waist. She looks only 16, but she gave me a motherly feeling.
