Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender or Teen Titans. I own only the ideas/situations/plots that I have placed the characters in and any OCs. Important notes are at the bottom.

Fractured Minds
Chapter 9: Shifting Fortunes

The Fire Nation, Boiling Rock Prison; Early morning

Warden Goji

His hand was frozen in mid-air above the door, he wasn't sure why the warden wanted to see him this morning, it was unsettling to say the least. He took a calming deep breath and knocked.

"Come in, Ji." With a moment of hesitation he stepped into the spacious office and stood at attention.

The warden waved him to a seat. "None of that formal nonsense. Tea?'

All he could do was nod at the warden's offer, he was sure that he'd throw up if he had to speak. Once a steaming cup of tea was set on the table he watched the warden sit and take a sip of his own tea.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you in here."

"Yes sir." Ji congratulated himself for speaking without a shake in his voice, now if he could just get the rest of his body to obey.

"I'm retiring in two weeks and for the past month I've been deliberating over my replacement. Do you have any suggestions?"

Why's he asking me? Surely he isn't thinking of...no, no, don't be stupid. I was transferred here two months before the war ended. I was part of the former fire lord's military. The same fire lord that I have to feed three times a day. With this at the forefront of his mind Ji spoke, "Ronin. He's calm under fire and put a stop to last week's riot single handedly."

"Ha," Of all the possible responses that he knew the warden could have given to his suggestion, a snort wasn't one of them. "He's too green for running this place. He may have been warden material for the capitol's prison but the Boiling Rock is were the hardened criminals are sent."

"Hmm...what about Su?" At the warden's flat look Ji shrugged. "I have no other suggestions."

"Modest, keen intelligence, a competent and advanced firebender, and leaves others with a healthy respect in the aftermath of tricky situations. Not to mention experienced with the fickle nature of royalty," Ji was staring open mouthed at the warden, whom was smiling, "Congratulations Warden."

After the warden's announcement and once the last of the papers were signed making Ji's promotion official, he left his future office with a permanent smile on his face. Nothing could possibly bring me down today.

Midday

Ji was white faced as he frantically re-counted the prisoners in the exercise yard but no matter how many times he did, he still came up short. I just had to jinx myself. "Tei, Su!" At his shout the two guards came running. "Initiate lockdown."

"What why?" It was the larger of the two guards that asked. Before Ji could tear into Tei, Su grabbed his arm and pulled him along. "Obviously a prisoner is missing."

It wasn't long after those two had left before Ji waved over Ronin. "Where's Ozai?"

"He should be in the yard..." Ronin trailed off as his eyes swept the yard but after a couple of minutes Ronin begin looking in earnest for the former fire lord. White faced and shaking he turned back to Ji. "We need to go check his cell."

The two took off running for cell block B as if they were being chased by a rhinoceros boar. Four minutes later they entered through the doors and tore past the guard on patrol. "Hey what-"

He stopped as Ji and Ronin threw open Ozai's cell door. Ji wasted no time and ran to the other end of the row of cells to the emergency bell and pulled. He rang three times in short succession.

"Ronin what the hell man?" The guard was confused and walked over to the shaking guard captain. He wanted to be sick, Ozai's cell was empty.

"Ji, what's going on?" The guard whom was supposed to be patrolling the cell block winched at the warden's tone. He did not want to be in Ji's boots just then.

"Warden, Ozai is missing."

"Great spirits! Ji, Ronin, and you," The warden pointed at the guard who jerked at this but stood at attention. "All three of you are to assemble three twelve man squads and search this place from top to bottom. Every storeroom, broom closet, and laundry room."

All three of them saluted and took off at a run as soon as the warden was finished issuing orders. The warden released a frustrated breath and quickly went to help get blocks F and G locked down. Great this is just what I needed, two weeks before retirement. Fire lord Zuko isn't going to be happy about this.

The Fire Nation, Obsidian Island; two hours after the attack

His face was a blank mask as he gazed at the destruction around him. There were chunks of stone and blackened wood everywhere, the stench of smoke clung to the vegetation, and pools of melted flesh dotted the ground. It was as he turned away from the destruction that his eyes saw the bright yellow rock amidst the debris. As he moved closer to exam it, a spark of recognition passed through his mind. A smirk played across his lips as he scooped the device up.

"Admiral Kozen," He waited for the Admiral to turn to face him. "I leave the clean up to you. I've uncovered evidence of foul play and must report back to the Fire Lord."

He didn't wait for acknowledgment as he had very little time to waste. It was time to go forward with their plans. But first, he had a little bird to torture.

Kyoshi Island

Suki felt as though everything was spiraling beyond her control ever since the attack. The village elders wanted her to step down and nominate a different warrior to lead but neither Zu or Dai would accept the position until Suki offered it to them. They'd said as much when elder Kintosi suggested that at the island summit; even the other groups' commanders threw their support behind her.

As if it wasn't bad enough that her sex life was dragged through the muck, the other village elders proceeded to assail the decision to create a statue of Raven as they weren't their to witness her defense of the port town. And lastly they questioned her decision to allow Gar and team Black Magic to help said port town to rebuild. It was a very trying island summit.

All she had wanted to do after the grueling three day summit was cuddle with Ty until early morning patrol would separate them. But it wasn't meant to be when she glimpsed Katara standing on the outskirts of the village. She was tired, hungry, and in no mood to put up with whatever it was that the waterbender wanted. As her and her two lieutenants drew closer to the waterbender she was reminded why, Zu was her best friend,"Just say the word and I'll knock her lights out."

"Me too."

She smiled weakly at the both of them. "I appreciate the thought guys but I'll handle it."

When they finally reached the waterbender, Zu and Dai slowly continued past her, Suki had stopped a couple of feet away. Unfortunately for the other two warriors the waterbender waited until they were out of earshot before addressing their leader.

"When Sokka told me you were pregnant, it was the happiest I could ever remember seeing him. For a while after our mom died I was afraid that I would never see him truly happy again, until he met you." Katara held up a hand to stop her from speaking. "And then when the twins turned three he told me that he left you. At first I was shocked but he never could fool me. The moment I saw his face I knew it was you. You were responsible for the break up even if he was the one who broke it off. Believe it or not I wasn't upset, not really, I was amazed at how you put up with him for so long. I was content to leave you alone but then I saw you with Ty Lee. Still you had every right to pursue who you love."

At the astonished expression on her face, Katara laughed. "In the South its not an issue. But in the North well...this is another reason why there are two water tribes."

"Anyways like I said, I wasn't upset but then I learned about the laws on Kyoshi regarding people like you; they make sense. It seemed to me like you just strung my brother along to satisfy Kyoshi's laws. That is why I was angry with you. I apologize for making your life difficult, I had no right to do that." She watched as Katara began walking away.

"Katara wait," When the waterbender's attention was on her, she asked, "What brought this on?"

Katara's smile was disarming and wistful. "Raven. She's made me rethink some hardwired opinions that I had. I had thought that you'd just used Sokka but when I thought back to the family get togethers, you were happy at first but over the years I saw how miserable you became. You were finally starting to accept that which you denied about yourself. But even then you stayed with him until he let you go. My anger was misdirected and misplaced, its society's fault that this all happened. You're a person who's been forced to live in denial, shame, and self-loathing; no one should have to live that way."

She raised a disbelieving brow. "I can't forgive everything but I can be civil with you for Sokka's sake."

"I think that's my line." They both broke out in laughter at that. The two of them felt at ease in the other's presence for the first time in a long time.

"So how long will you and Aang be staying?" The waterbender flinched at the question.

"Toph expressed her desire to meet team Black Magic after Raven mentioned them. Aang and I planned on continuing to Republic city but Jinx complicated matters."

"What?" She was unsettled at hearing both Jinx and complicated in the same sentence.

"Apparently she can bend earth and air." If anything she was even more disturbed at the waterbender's revelation.

"And Aang offered to train her." At Katara's nod, she released a weary sigh. "On the bright side, you can do an assessment on Reina and Zhaji's waterbending."

After the attack and the Summit she mistakenly though that they could relax...the morning after she returned with Elder Kintosi, Gar wanted her to call a meeting in the dojo. This is how she found herself standing white faced, watching as Gar transformed into a hulking creature and easily wrestled with Big M, Kyd, and X.

"This is what Monsieur Mallah is, a silver back gorilla. Capable of snapping you in half like a twig. Mallah is no simple minded animal, he's smart and the jar of Grey-matter's mode of transportation; translation he's trained to to take a hit. If ever you find yourself faced with him, attack from a distance and don't let him hit you." As Jinx finished Gar landed a hit on Kyd, he was sent flying into the wall on her left, she felt his impact in her bones, he lay unresponsive on the ground.

"Any questions?"

"Why is this relevant? Its not like this Brotherhood is here or anything." Suki suppressed the urge to growl at the new girl as she stepped away from the wall and gestured to Jinx to let her handle this. "Its not relevant."

There were sharp intakes of breath from the assembled warriors and one deep grunt from Gar at her statement. Suki locked eyes with him then with Jinx before her attention returned to the warriors. "And it may not ever be relevant. But I would rather we know what to look out for then be caught off guard. I would rather be able to assist the Dragon Lady and her friends if the Brotherhood does show up then be yet another helpless non-bender that they have to protect."

Suki's eyes found the new girl's. "So sit down, shut up, and pay attention. It may just save your life one day."

"Continue the lesson, Jinx." With that she stepped back to observe the rest of the demonstration.

Earth; Undisclosed Location.

He was dizzy and nauseous as he tried to shake the disjointed images from his mind. "Where am I?"

"You are no longer a prisoner of the Boiling rock, Ozai." Ozai jerked his head in the voice's direction and couldn't make sense of the sight that greeted him. An unnerving gray object was floating in a jar of luminous green liquid and was attached to a column that give the gray thing the illusion of having teeth. Agni what did the guards put in my food this time.

"You were not drugged."

He jumped out of his skin and started looking around, in an attempt to find the origin of the voice. He refused to believe that it had been in his head. Before long he gave up. "Why am I here?"

"You've survived a battle with a god like being. Very few can claim a feat such as this." This voice was like dust and paper to him but unlike the other voice, he spotted the wizened old man sitting in one of the room's corners.

"What do you want from me?" He sighed in resignation. I guess there's no use in demanding answers as I am at their mercy. He let out a mirthless self-deprecating chuckle. "I'm afraid that you've wasted your efforts on rescuing me. I'm not the same man that I once was."

"Very humble of you to admit your short comings." A shudder traveled down his spine upon hearing the woman's unusual voice, he felt a little weak kneed just then. It also jogged a faint memory in the back of his mind but he pushed it way.

"We can help you regain your firebending and your throne." He viciously clamped down on the rising hope that burst forth at that strange gray object's words. "Our assistance has a price.

"Naturally." When he felt the tug at the corner of his mouth, he did little to stop the grin's spread, "No price is too high. I'll do anything you say so long as you can deliver on this bold claim of yours...and allow me the pleasure of killing my worthless offspring."

He watched as the people, who were his allies for all intents and purposes, leave the room with very pleased expressions. I suppose they expected me to resist them. They'll soon learn that the Phoenix king is no fool.

Capitol of the Fire Nation; the Royal Palace

Fire Lord Zuko,

The attack on Obsidian has been dealt with. However the unusual manner in which the two creatures disappeared, troubles me. It...it was reminiscent of the way that that Raven woman made you and lady Mai vanish. Now I know you were uncertain about her before but you said that I needed to provide proof. I have found among the rubble a device. The same device that I saw in the woman's possession. In light of what we know about her abilities I believe that she had a hand in what happened.

I'm returning to Crescent Isles to detain her. I will torture the information out of her if I must. I hesitate to suggest my theory, knowing as I do how touchy the subject of your sister is, I theorize that Raven's offer to help your sister was false. Her true objective was the attack on Obsidian.

If this attack was her intention and doing, I fear that your family maybe in danger and well, I think she's done something to your Uncle. I implore you, keep him under guard at all times. I would be able to focus on my task if I know you are safe Lord Zuko. I fervently hope this is a misunderstanding but if it isn't...
I was further distressed to spot a messenger hawk pass by us a few days ago. It came from the direction of the Boiling Rock. Now that I'm thinking on it, Raven could have orchestrated the attack on Obsidian while she broke your father out of the prison. Rest assured I will get answers out of her Lord Zuko.

General Shen

Fire Lord Zuko,

Your father has escaped. Its like he simply vanished into thin air. Admittedly it was only during the midday head count while the prisoners were out in the yard that we learned that he was missing. My replacement immediately had two guards initiate lockdown while him and another guard ran for Ozai's cell. His cell was empty and the door was intact. There was no trace of him. We even questioned the other prisoners including any whom were in contact with your father in the last few days. He was still inside the prison when the early morning head count was conducted.

I had the prison searched from top to bottom before I send this hawk to you, after all I didn't want to alarm you and then find him elsewhere in the prison. Further more I sent other hawks to all ships and ports to be on the look out for him.

Warden Goji

"Captain Rojo." His voice was level but as he turned to face the captain, she saw the rage in his eyes. "I want two full contingents of guards watching my uncle's every move. He's no longer allowed outside of his wing of the palace and if he attempts to leave. You are to confine him to his rooms where he will then remain under lock and key at all times. Send Gozan to prep an airship."

She bowed low and left at a run. As soon as he was alone the letter from the prison was a pile of ash. First I will get her to scream and then I will teach her what the wrath of a firebender does to skin.

If any of my older readers went back and read the new chapter 1, do you remember that reviewer I mentioned, Tuora? Well they wrote a ATLA and TT crossover. Called Kiss the Devil, and it is a Raven & Azula fic. Its shaping up to be pretty interesting, go check it out if you want to. Its not like I could possibly hold chapters hostage or anything, after all that's kind of old hat and would do more harm than good...I'm not going to withhold anything honest.