Warning:
This chapter contains torture, violence, and disturbing material uncharacteristic of this fic. While it does play a role in the plot, future chapters will summarize the events of this one. If you are easily disturbed or have triggers of any kind, do not read on.
Seriously, this is not going to be pleasant material.
Chapter Seven: A Dark Turn
Katara got out of bed and quickly dressed. Ever since Aang and the others had gone off on one thing or another, everything had fallen to her. She was, sort of, the representative of the Avatar. That was why she had to go to a war meeting.
As she dressed, she heard a knock at her door. With a sigh, she looked up. "Who's there?"
"I'm sorry to disturb you, ma'am." said a voice. "I'm here with your outfit for the war meeting."
Outfit? Was there some kind of special outfit you needed to go to war meetings? It wouldn't have been the weirdest thing Katara had seen in Ba Sing Se. Quickly putting on her clothes, she made for the door. "One moment."
She opened it and saw a Kyoshi Warrior on the other side. Then she saw who the Kyoshi warrior was. She opened her mouth, but before she could move Azula sprang. The Princess slammed her down and forced a rag over her mouth.
Katara struggled to get free, even as her vision began to face. She tried to bend her waterskin, but it was empty. The last thing she saw before her vision went black was Azula smirking.
Katara woke up. She was cold, very cold, and she couldn't see anything. She was lying on something, something metal, and her hands and feet were bound in a spread eagle position. Whatever it was she was lying on was incredibly cold, the hairs on her neck were standing on end. She struggled, but they held her tight.
Her mouth was so dry. Then she felt someone grab her blindfold and pull it off. Azula was sitting next to her. "Hello, water peasant."
Azula. "What... where am I?"
"Somewhere where no one will find you. Not today anyway." said Azula, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs.
"Let me go!" snarled Katara.
"Has anyone ever actually let you go when you said that?" asked Azula. "I doubt even Zuzu is that naive."
"When I get out of here..." said Katara.
Azula shrugged. "You won't. I've already seen to that. This isn't the first time I set this up, after all. Just the first time I did any questioning." She cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Now, last time, I got around to some basic information. You grew up in the South Pole. Your name is Katara. I know you're a water bender.
"This time, I think we'll try for better information.
"So, tell me something I don't know."
Katara glared at her. "Why should I-"
And then Azula fired a lightning bolt. It hit Katara in the stomach and agony coursed through her. She screamed as she strained, her body spasming.
"Oh, and if you don't tell me something I don't know about you, I'm going to torture you." said Azula. "Ordinarily I wouldn't use such inefficient methods, but, all work and no play you know."
Katara recovered. This was... this was horrible. Zuko never did anything like this. But everyone had to be looking for her now. She had to stay strong for Aang and the others. She pulled herself as high up as possible.
"I won't-" she began.
Azula shot her again, this time in the leg. Katara screamed as loud as she could. Maybe someone would find her if she made enough noise. "Help! Someone, please help-" Her voice was broken off as Azula shot more lightning.
"You know, I enjoy your screams." said Azula, leaning in so their faces were inches apart. "Maybe I'll enjoy them more if I work at you a bit more."
Before Katara could respond, Azula put a hand to her stomach. The pain coursed through her. Her vision went blurry as she thrashed. Katara tried to speak; she had to make this stop!
No, no she couldn't betray Aang. But... but Azula hadn't even asked her anything.
"You know," said Azula, "I learned this variety of lightning especially for you. You should be more appreciative. All those times you interfered with my schemes, it motivated me to do something special for you.
"Lightning is the most lethal of all fire techniques. It takes immense focus and clarity of mind to use it to kill someone. But to fire it at a low enough voltage to merely torture instead of kill?
"That takes a very special kind of skill. Would you like me to demonstrate it again?"
"What..." gasped Katara, sweat dripping from her brow. "What do you want?"
"Do I need to repeat myself?" asked Azula. "I suppose peasants of all cultures have never been quick on the uptake."
A flash and more pain. Katara screamed herself hoarse.
"Tell me something I don't know." said Azula.
She had to stop this. "My Mother's name was Kya!" cried Katara, feeling tears in her eyes.
"Really?" asked Azula.
Then the lightning came again. Katara felt her skin burning. She sobbed. "Why did... why did you..."
"You stopped." said Azula. "I'd really love to hear more."
"My Gran Gran was from the north pole!" screamed Katara. "She was originally betrothed to Master Pakku!" Then came the agony again. "I was... I was telling you what you wanted..."
Azula put a hand across her mouth. Her eyes were peering at her, and Katara realized just how insane this person was. She wished she was back with Zuko he... he'd never done anything like this, and he'd needed information.
Azula didn't want anything.
And now Katara was having trouble breathing. She struggled.
"Shh. Context, Katara. I wanted context." said Azula. "Who is Pakku?"
Katara brought everything she knew about Pakku to mind. "He... he's a waterbending master. He taught me waterbending." Azula raised a hand. "PLEASE DON'T!"
Another flash and more agony. Azula was torturing her for fun. She didn't care about any of this. But as long as Katara was talking, she wouldn't be hurting her.
"When?" asked Azula.
"When I went there with Aang!" said Katara. "Please... stop!"
"Hmm, no." said Azula.
More pain as yet more lightning shot into her.
"Now," said Azula "why don't we start with another story."
Katara said nothing. Azula was going to torture her again no matter what she did. If she stayed quiet, she'd at least keep some of her dignity.
"You know," said Azula, "I've practiced on you before now. I didn't ask you any questions then. Didn't even take off your blindfold. I even killed you several times.
"I know exactly what your limits are. If you talk, I can promise you there will be pauses between what I'm doing to you. If you keep up this pointless defiance, well..." She raised her hand. "Let's find out."
And the lightning hit her. Katara remained silent as best she could. She tried to stop from screaming. Tried to keep control. Azula would run out of energy, or she would have to stop before Katara died.
But it didn't stop.
Instead, Azula lowered the intensity of the lightning so that it was just a dull pain. Then she'd increase it again, then lowered it. It happened at random. Soon Katara couldn't control herself anymore. She screamed and screamed, and Azula's smile widened.
She couldn't take this anymore. She had to stop this. "I'll, I'll talk..."
Azula halted the lightning. "Go on."
Katara searched through her mind for anything to say to satiate her. "My Mother died when I was very young. The Fire Nation, it raided our village and Sokka and the men were out fighting. But I ran to find Mom, and there was a man there and-" And then she howled as Azula shocked her again.
"Could your story be more boring?" asked Azula with an exaggerated yawn. "You really should try to keep me interested, Katara. It could be very bad if you bore me."
"I'm begging you! Please! Don't..." gasped Katara. "let me think of something! I won't be able to think of anything if you keep..." A sob came from her lips and she broke down. All of a sudden Katara couldn't speak at all, she just sobbed. Tears fell from her eyes, her entire body in agony. She had minor burns all over her. "I'll tell you anything you want to know, please, just don't... don't hurt me anymore..."
Azula leaned in. "Hmm, you've told me a great deal. But I'm not sure I've heard anything I can use. Keep talking."
Katara forced herself to think. "I... My brother and I were raised by my dad, Hakoda! He taught Sokka and I all kinds of thing and then-" Azula raised a hand. "Aah! I didn't! I didn't stop talking! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bore you!"
Azula lowered it, and Katara breathed in relief. "I know. I'm just keeping busy."
"The men of the Southern Water tribe left!" said Katara. "They left to fight in the war! Sokka and I were left to care for our tribe!"
"You, you're two children?" said Azula.
"Yes... I..." Katara couldn't think. "so are you." It just came out, it was the first thing that came to mind.
Azula brought up one leg and slammed it down onto Katara's stomach. She spat out blood from the strike. Azula drew up the leg and set it onto Katara's throat. "Because you're an uneducated peasant I'll let that one slide."
She drew the leg back.
"Then why..." gasped Katara.
"Force of habit. And don't interrupt me." said Azula. "I may be the same age as you. But what you lack is the divine right of kings. I am a Princess of the Fire Nation. What title do you have that compares?"
Katara kept silent. She didn't want to be hurt again. And then Azula shocked her again, and she realized she was supposed to answer.
"Well?" asked Azula.
"I... my Father is the Chief of my Tribe!" said Katara.
There was another shock.
"And you think that makes you my equal." laughed Azula. "You pitiful thing. I almost feel sorry for you.
"Almost."
And then she fired lightning again. And she didn't stop. Katara didn't want to die. Not like this. Not here! She had to say something, anything, to make it stop!
"Please... please stop. I... I'll answer any questions you have just... just stop hurting me please..." said Katara.
"I'm sure you will." said Azula. "The thing is, I'm mostly here for my own entertainment. That and settling a grudge against you. So unless you can find anything really helpful to tell me, I think I'll just stick with the lightning."
Katara stared at her. Until today she'd just thought of Azula as another enemy. A very dangerous one. But... but why would Azula hate her this much. "What did... what did I do to you?" She had to know. What could have...
"A great many things." said Azula. "Most of them today." She shocked her again, and then she just kept on doing it. "Now, it's been fun. But I'm beginning to get tired of your screams. So I think I'll just increase the intensity of my lightning, little by little until you die." She was already doing it. "Do you have any last words."
Katara didn't want to die! She couldn't die! She had to stay alive, so she could help the others! "I... I can tell you about Aang!"
Azula halted her lightning. "Aang? Who is that?"
"The Avatar!" cried Katara. "I can tell you about him. I know all his fighting techniques, all his weaknesses. Just... just please don't... please stop..."
Azula halted. "Hmm, alright then. You have my attention. Tell me about Aang?"
"He... he isn't very good at earthbending." said Katara. "It is the opposite of his normal style. Aang likes to keep moving, with his airbending. Earthbending requires staying steady."
"Mmmhmm, so that is his weak point. What about water?" asked Azula.
She was betraying Aang. The Avatar. Like that old man who betrayed Haru. No, no, Azula would kill her if she didn't. Aang would understand, wouldn't he? "Water... water... he's good at water. Very good. Not as good as me I... Pakku called me a master."
"Well I suppose one can be a master of anything." mused Azula. "It doesn't make it an accomplishment. So tell me, where do you think the Avatar stands in comparison to yourself?"
"I... I'm not really sure." admitted Katara. "I've mastered all of the basics, and I... I know the advanced forms. Aang is pretty good at all the basics and he's working on the advanced but..."
"But what?" asked Azula.
"He has to focus on earth as well, so he doesn't have as much time for practice as me." said Katara. "I... I've also been practicing constantly since I was little."
"Hmm, and his earth teacher." said Azula. "Who is she?"
"She is... her name is Toph Beifong." said Katara. "She's blind, but she can see by feeling the vibrations in the earth. She... she'll find you!"
"Maybe." admitted Azula. "But she isn't due to arrive in Ba Sing Se for another few hours. I can reset the loop before she and your little friends arrive."
"What..." Katara didn't even know what she meant.
She talked to Katara like they had been enemies for years. Azula stood up and walked a ways away. Without speaking Azula pulled off her shirt and shed her robes to reveal only her underwear. "Now, I've gotten all the satisfaction I wanted out of your pain. I think I'll move on to the next part."
As Azula shed the rest of her clothes, Katara realized what she had planned. This... this couldn't be happening. Not like this... "Please... please I'm begging you, I haven't... I've never..."
Azula grabbed Katara's shirt and ripped it from her. Pressing herself against her like a predator, Katara screamed as Azula ripped her clothes off roughly. Her hands ran over her injuries, pressing her fingers over them.
Then she stopped. Katara looked into Azula's eyes, hoping to see something. Something other than sadistic joy. But there was nothing.
Nothing at all.
"They..." Katara tried to stay strong. "They won't let you get away with this."
"Don't worry." said Azula. "Once I've had my way with you, today will end and you won't remember anything. Which means I'll be able to do it over again to you whenever I want.."
A few hours later, Azula walked out of the cell she'd had fashioned. The Dai Li Agent who had created it was dead now, no one would know where even to begin to start looking for Katara. Not that it mattered.
Azula left her sobbing in her cell, having taken just about everything. And her friends would not find her before the day was over. Looking up at the starts, the Princess of the Fire Nation stretched and smiled. "Well, that was fun. Time to get back to work."
"It makes me sad when you torture innocent people, Azula."
"Shut up, Mother."
Author's Note:
Well, this took a dark turn quickly. Thus the title and warning.
Azula is a depraved individual, unfortunately. Coldblooded torture is not beneath her. Neither is rape. So it was inevitable that she would resort to both.
I considered skipping this chapter. But the point of a Groundhog Day Loop is to track the characters development. In this case, Azula begins as a more evil person than usual in these fics. So I have to show how far she is willing to sink.
I could have just said that Azula did this to Katara in the text. Or left it vague. But then the events would lack all punch.
For better or worse, this is who Azula is.