The sky was black. Roots forcing her legs against the moist ground. Azula's vision was slowly returning. A young child stood in front of her; raven hair framing the girl's smirking face. Azula's arms shook as the roots started to crawl up her arms. She tried to reach out to the young girl as she walked closer, but she couldn't budge,
"It's okay," the girl smiled, touching Azula's cheek. Her hands were wet. They smelled of metal. A small handprint stained Azula's face as the girl pulled her hand away, "He would be proud."
Azula tried to respond to the girl before she was lost to the darkness, but roots crawled down her throat, only allowing a whimper to escape. The roots tightened around her body. Dragging her into the dirt; burying her alone in darkness.
"Daddy?" She could hear the girl call in the distance. Her voice shook as she spoke. Azula thrashed around trying to escape from the roots that surrounded her. Tears streaming down her cheeks. She couldn't see anything; hear anyone; no one was going to help her. Azula took a deep breath, accepting her fate. She opened her eyes, finding herself safe in bed.
She was still in her room. No forest. No roots. No little girls.
It was nothing but another nightmare, she thought. Great.
They still came to her every night. The same thing, shown in different ways.
She hung her head in her hands as she wiped the tears from her eyes. It was pathetic that she would be crying over something so ridiculous. Her hands combed through her long hair as she got up. Azula looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes were red and puffy; what a mess. Azula grabbed her brush from her desk and slowly ridded the knots from her hair,
"So long and annoying," Azula sighed, looking away from herself and out her window. It was barely light outside, she would have to goto school soon. Azula had spent the weekend trying to get a hold of her small friend. Ty Lee hadn't talked to Mai or her since the last time they spoke at school. Ty Lee didn't usually hold grudges. She never could resist messaging them after a date. Ty Lee would always spam them with texts, making sure they knew every last detail of what happened. Instead she sent nothing. Regrettably Azula could admit she was very worried something horrible had happened to her. Mai had tried to go over to her house on sunday but Ty Lee's demon sisters refused to let her in. Pretending they didn't know she existed.
Azula put her hair up into a topknot, making sure the part was perfectly centered; bangs framing her face. She sighed, it was perfect of course. Normally she would be happy, but it just felt empty. She stared at herself in the mirror, double checking no hair was out of place before ripping out her hair ties and letting her hair fall to her shoulders again. Azula looked at herself through the cracks in her hair. She could see a shadow looming over her reflection in the mirror. Staring down to her,
"What a mess," A dark voice whispered in her ear, causing her to rapidly turn around. Nothing was there, no shadow, no one. She was alone in her room. Slowly she turned back to the mirror only to find herself,
"Azula! Mai is here!" She could hear Ursa call from downstairs. Azula quickly shook her head and pulled her hair back into her topknot. She changed into jeans and a t-shirt. Quickly throwing on her jacket as she picked up her backpack and ran downstairs. Ursa tried to say something before she left, but Azula rushed by her. She didn't even give her the chance to open her mouth.
"Took you long enough," Mai complained as she propped the door open for her,
"You're usually here later," Azula said, excusing herself as she climbed into the car,
"You're usually up before the sun, I thought you'd be ready" Mai said,
"I don't want to talk about it." Azula sighed. Things were silent for a minute before Mai turned to her friend,
"I went to pick up Ty Lee but her parents said she isn't feeling well." Mai said in a move somber tone,
"Something must have happened," Azula stated, crossing her arms over her chest,
"Obviously," Mai rolled her eyes, "If she doesn't text us back by the end of second period, I'm going to her house and making sure she's okay."
"Need help?" Azula asked,
"Maybe when I get back," Mai smirked, finally starting the car. They didn't say anything else to each other during the ride. Azula kept finding herself spacing out, watching the houses, and the other passing cars. She ended up staring at herself in the rearview mirror. She sighed, still not satisfied with how her hair turned out. Something was off she could feel it, if only she could just figure it out,
"Azula?" Mai said, snapping her out of her thoughts. She hadn't even noticed they had arrived at school. She turned to her friend, who was looking at her with slightly concerned eyes,
"I'll see you later," Azula sighed, climbing out of the car before Mai could say anything else. The halls much like the parking lot were completely empty. Some of the classroom doors were opened, showing different teachers preparing for their morning classes. It was honestly annoying getting to school so early, but she hated the idea of getting to class after Sokka. Maybe she was being a little bit of a child but she found it funny the way his face looked when he would walk in to realize someone else beat him to class. He acted like it didn't bother him even though it very clearly did. He was never a very good liar. It was kind of cute.
Cute? She thought, stopping dead in the middle of the hallway. She was being ridiculous again. Azula shook her head as she continued to her classroom. Mr. Everett jumped slightly as she walked into the room,
"I-i wasn't expecting you this early!" He smiled, waving at her from his desk, "Good Morning!"
"Good Morning Mr. Everett. Apologies for the inconvenience. My ride dropped me off earlier than expected today," She said, sitting quietly down in her seat,
"It's no trouble! Feel free to come in whenever you like," He insisted before returning to grading papers,
They sat in silence as they waited for the rest of the classmates to show up. Azula stared at the clock, it was 7:45, Sokka could be here any second now. She tapped her pencil on the table as time slowly passed by. She let her mind wander, thinking of Ty Lee. What if she was hurt and her parents hadn't even bothered to notice? Almost right on que her old friend slid into the classroom, snapping her from her thoughts. He was slightly hunched over, out of breath,
"Goddamnit," She heard him mumble as he looked at her, "How early do you get here women!"
"I don't see how that's your business Sokka," She smirked, tapping her finger to her chin, "Not my fault you're late."
Sokka glared at her in response. He was quick to greet their teacher before plopping down next to her,
"One of these days Azula, one of these days," Sokka signed,
"You'll what? Finally beat me at something?" She taunted, "That seems very unlikely,"
"But not impossible!" He said, determination gleaming from his eyes, "You'll see,"
"Sure I will," She nodded,
"And when I do, you will finally admit we were best friends," Sokka smirked, "and you liked it!"
"Hard to admit something that's not true," She said, looking down at her books. She could see his face fall into a glare from the corner of her eye. He looked away from her, mumbling to himself. She could tell what she said hurt him. Regret pooled in the back of her throat, but she swallowed it, refusing to give in. There was no point, she reminded herself.
No point.
"The fact that you even consider it is humiliating," A voice crept behind her, sending goosebumps down her back. She quickly turned around but the only thing behind her was an empty desk. She had to be imagining things. Clearly it was because of these stupid nightmares, pleaging her mind. Azula took a deep breath.
She wasn't crazy.
Once father was back everything would be fine. Everything would go back to normal, he would know what to do. He always did.
The school day was as boring as usual, especially now that Sokka refused to engage in their usual friendly banter. Ty Lee still hadn't replied, Mai was most likely at her house right now, sneaking in through her windows regardless of what Ty Lee's parents said.
Azula walked through the hallways, listening to the groups of kids talking around her. Almost every group mentioned Ty Lee,
"I heard Ty Lee is skipping school because it didn't work out with Chan." Someone said, making Azula stop in her place next to him,
"What? I heard from Chan's friends they went all the way?" The girl next to them added,
"Seriously? I thought she was better than that." They replied, making Azula's blood boil,
"I heard spreading rumors ensures you will end up alone for the rest of your life," Azula finally said, causing them to all jump in surprise. Clearly they didn't notice her standing there, "Best you learn when to shut up, yeah?"
They all looked at her for a second in shock. Unable to move they just nodded in their place,
"S-sorry!" One of them finally managed before they all scattered away from her. Azula sighed as she continued to her next class. People around her started to give her weird looks as they whispered back to their friends. How annoying.
Mai wasn't back by lunch. Azula found herself standing in the lunch room alone. Chan and his friends were luckily not in attendance. While she did want to beat the crap out of him for possibly hurting her friend, or at the very least spreading rumors about hooking up with her. She knew it would be better to wait for Mai to get back with more information.
Azula bit her lip as she looked over to where the loser gang was currently sitting. They were all laughing and smiling. She bit down on her cheek. Of course she could go over there and demand to sit down, but it would just be awkward. She couldn't fit in with them anymore, even if she tried,
"Why would you even want to," A voice whispered in her ear, she didn't bother to turn this time. She just shook her head before looking back to the loser table. Zuko locked eyes with her before she could look away. She tried to turn around and escape but before she could he was already making his way next to her,
"Hey…" He said awkwardly, "Where are Mai and Ty Lee? I haven't seen them all day."
"Thinking of trying to flirt with Mai again Zuzu?" She signed, looking at her nails, refusing to look up to him, "Grow a pair and ask her out already,"
"What! No!" He defended, face quickly turning red, "I was just worried. People are saying some awful shit and I haven't seen either of them all day."
Azula sighed, finally making eye contact with her older brother, "Mai went to go check on Ty Lee, she hasn't messaged us in days. She didn't even show up to school today!"
"Is she okay?" He asked. She could see the concern in his eyes, he was always so empathetic,
"I don't know, idiot!" Azula retorted, "Do you think Mai would skip school and risk her parents' wrath if we knew she was fine!"
"Jez, Okay sorry! I wasn't trying to be- I don't know," He sighed, making Azula give him a questionable look, "I was going to ask if you wanted to come sit with us, even though I'm sure that's a no"
Azula looked back over to his table, everyone was still talking to each other, but she could see Sokka's eyes on her. She clenched her fist and sighed, trying not to seem so defeated, "Hard no, obviously."
"Azula wait-." Zuko started,
"See you later Zuzu," She cut him off, walking back into the hallway. A few people were lingering about, but no one bothered her as she made her way to Mr. Everett's classroom. Hopefully he wouldn't mind her eating lunch there. He was sitting at his desk, typing something onto his computer. He clearly hadn't noticed she was standing there,
"Mr. Everett," She said, making him jump. She should really work on not scaring him everytime she enters his classroom,
"Azula! Hello! Sorry I wasn't expecting you," He coughed,
"Sorry for the interruption. I was wondering if I could eat lunch in here, I won't be a bother I promise," She asked,
"Oh- uh I suppose that's fine!" He smiled, "I actually would enjoy the company!"
"Thank you," Azula nodded before taking a seat. While they didn't talk as she ate, it was still nice. It helped her feel less alone. Not that it mattered. At the very least she didn't need to sit next to Chan, or Sokka for that matter. At this point she didn't know what was worse.
The time ticked by. She spent most of her class time spacing out, barely remembering anything the teachers said.
It wasn't until the end of last period when Mai finally came back. She was never one to rush but she found herself running through the halls trying to find Azula. She found her friend placing her books neatly in her locker. Mai didn't wait to be noticed instead she slammed Azula's locker in her face,
"Hey! What the hell- Mai?" Azula said, turning toward her friend. She was shocked to see Mai so enraged, "What took you so long?"
"Is that really what's important," Mai snapped, "Look Ty Lee told me everything. After their date Chan forced himself on her! Pinned her in the back of his car and put his hands all over her! Luckily she was able to run away but-"
Azula didn't let Mai finish. Instead she slammed her backpack into Mai's arms. Quickly making her way towards the parking lot.. There wasn't football practice today, she had to be quick before Chan left. She wanted to be surprised, but she wasn't. Chan had never been one to accept no for an answer. His father was the same way, so cocky and arrogant.
Mai was quick to follow behind her friend as she busted through the doors leading to the parking lot. She spotted Chan. He was sitting on the hood of his car across the parking lot, surrounded by a few of his friends. Mai could tell Azula saw him too, she had picked up her pace, not caring who was in her way. Zuko was unluckily talking with Sokka when Azula slammed into his shoulder. She kept moving regardless, it was like she didn't even notice it happened,
"Hey- Azula! What the hell!" Zuko said starting his way toward her,
"Don't," Mai said, putting her arm out in front of him. She shoved Azula's backpack into Zuko's arms,
"What the hell is going on?" Zuko insisted, looking back and forth from his sister to Mai,
"Payback," Mai put blankly as she watched Azula march up to Chan's car, alerting him and his friends,
"What do you mean payback? You don't mean Azula's going to try to fight them? They'll kill her-" Sokka insisted trying to follow after her,
"I wouldn't worry about it," She stated, grabbing his arm and pulling him back, "Now shut up and stay put."
Azula stood in the middle of Chan and his two friends. She recognized both of them from the football team. The one behind her had longer hair that fell on their shoulders. The one that stood to her side didn't seem to have hair at all,
"Damn you were right! She is obsessed with you." The bald boy chuckled, walking closer to her,
"You thought I was lying?" Chan chuckled nervously as he slid off of his car. He walked up to Azula, towering over her, "So… What's up Zula?"
"Ty Lee's not here today." She glared up to him, making him take a step back, "You know anything about that?"
"No idea! Maybe she was having trouble walking?" He smirked, looking to his friends who chuckled in response. He placed a hand on Azula's shoulder, looking her in the eyes, "We did have a lot of fun on our date. Not that you would understand."
"I think Ty Lee would disagree," Azula said, narrowing her eyes on him. She could feel the rage in her stomach growing,
"Please Zula! I didn't do anything she didn't want-" Chan started to say, his classic smirk still plastered to his face. He was quickly cut off by Azula slamming her fist straight into his cheek. Making him lose balance and topple over onto the ground.
"Good. He needs to pay for such disrespect." She could hear the voice whisper again as she stood over Chan. She watched his hand slowly reached to his cheek as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth,
"You bitch," Chan finally spat out. He pushed himself off the ground, immediately lunging towards her as soon as he reganded balance. Azula was quick to step out of the way. She waited for him to pass by her before she slammed her elbow directly into his back. Chan made a loud groan as he fell back to the floor. His two friends finally decided to react. The bald one attempted to swing his fist in her side. Azula quickly grabbed his arm before he could hit her. She twisted it until tears dripped from the corners of his eyes. Chan's long haired friend tried to come up from behind her. Azula however was much faster, and quickly gripped harder on the bald boys wrist, throwing him into his friend. Both of the boys skid against the concrete floor. She saw the long haired one try to get up. Before he could she slammed her foot onto his back. Pushing him deeper into the ground, making him scream in pain.
Meanwhile Chan had been attempting to crawl away and abandon his poor friends. Azula turned and walked back over to him, grabbing his collar and slamming him against his own car,
"You- cr-azy-," He started, quivering under her, "You're worse than your father!"
"Thank you," Azula smirked, slamming her fist back into his face, making him groan and whimper in pain. She found her reflection in the car window. The dark figured was behind her, surrounding her vision with darkness,
"He deserves to die for his arrogance," The voice sounded so familiar. She raised her fist and slammed it into Chan's face. Over, and over, and over again. She didn't care about the screams from the people around her, or the fact that several students had run to get teachers. Chan had failed to take her warning seriously. The voice were right, he needed to pay.
The figure behind her came closer. They were smirking as they placed their hand on her left shoulder, "Excellent work Azula,"
She let go of Chan's collar, watching him fall to the floor. His face was bruised, covered in blood. She turned to where the figure had been, but they weren't there. Her smirk faded as words echoed through her ears, "I'm so proud of you"
She looked back down to Chan, he was whimpering on the floor. Blood pooling out of his mouth,
"I-m sorry, please st-top-" He trembled, "Y-ou win."
Azula looked down at her hands, they were stained with red. Her arms were shaking as she tried to look back to where Mai had been standing. Instead of her friend she found darkness. The cars around her turned to trees. The air was infested with fog. She quickly looked back to where Chan was laying. Instead of Chan she found a little girl stood before her, hands covered in blood.
The girl stood over a managed corpse, staring straight at Azula. She smiled as she walked up to Azula, grabbing her hands and interlocking their fingers together. It made Azula's body tremble, tightening her fingers around the small childs hands,
"He's proud, we did good." The little girl smiled staring up at her with hopeful eyes. Azula could feel tears stream down her face as the girl turned to smoke, leaving her alone in darkness. She closed her eyes covering her face with her hands and falling to the ground,
"Azula!" She heard a dark voice call out behind her, but she didn't budge,
"Azula!" They called out again, the voice was closer this time,
"Zula! Come on!" Sokka yelled as she finally opened her eyes. His hands were on her shoulders, he was shaking her, "Jesus christ Azula!"
She stared up at him blankly, he looked so worried. She looked around to find Mai and Zuko trying to calm down the teachers, who were screaming furiously trying to find out what happened. She looked over trying to find Chan, only to realize Sokka had moved her away from him, letting the school nurse try her best to fix his bloody face,
"What were you thinking!" He asked, shaking her attention back to him. He lifted up one of her hands. Both of her fists were bloody and bruised, she could barely move her fingers without pain surging through her hand, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," She said as confidently as she could manage, pulling her hand away from him,
"Are you really? I had to pry you off of him to stop you from killing him!" Sokka said frantically, "You were practically catotonic, its like you didn't even understand what was happening Azula!"
"I said I'm fine. You can stop pretending to care now." She finally snapped, climbing up onto her feet,
"Really Azula? Do you always need to be like this?" He asked with an irritated groan, "You're clearly not fine!"
Before she could respond to him a tall man burst through the crowd of teachers and students. He stood tall, glaring down at her,
"Azula Kouen, my office. Now." He demanded, pointing towards the school. Azula didn't say anything she just nodded and started to walk towards the building. Sokka attempted to reach out for her but she was quick to shrug him off, leaving him behind as she walked into the school.
Sokka stood there staring at the pool of blood Chan had left on the ground. He would be lying if he said Azula hadn't scared him. She looked like she had completely lost her mind, unable to tell what was really happening.
"Why would you encourage her!" Zuko yelled to Mai, snapping Sokka to their conversation. Zuko was still holding his sisters stuff despite everything that had happened,
"He tried to rape our best friend! He deserved it!" Mai yelled back,
"Azula could get in serious trouble for this Mai!" Zuko replied, towering over her,
"Don't act like the caring brother now! You haven't tried to contact her in years!" She replied, glaring at him before stomping away. Mai ran into the school building as Zuko walked down to where Sokka was still standing,
"Do you think they'll press charges?" Sokka managed to ask, his fists clenched. Zuko didn't respond to him, he just stared blankly on the floor. Neither of them knew what to do next. Sokka was finding it impossible to think clearly. All he could see in his head was Azula as she sat shaking on the floor repeating over and over, "He's proud of me."
Thank you for being patient if you're still following the story! I hope you enjoy the chapter :D