Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender or Teen Titans. I own only the plots/ideas/situations that I have placed the characters in and my OCs. Important notes are at the bottom.
Fractured Minds
Chapter 16: Are the Lie of Illusions
"So much wasted potential" The white dragon's putrid breath swirled around her as it spoke. "My, how the mighty have fallen. You trust them so easily, it makes me sick."
Liquid splatters onto the ground all around her as the dragon circles. The illumination that glints off its scales is fleeting and the darkness in its wake slithers to and fro. In one flash she sees two gouges running the length of its belly, the next flash shows her the blood flowing freely between the grayed edges of its white scales; tiny black and blue arcs dance across the dragon's entire lower body.
"Why do you hesitate? Is it the soft spoken Starfire? That overconfident waterbending half-breed? Or maybe its the Shadow Walker?"
She can hear the power, strength, manipulation, fear, pain, and suffering in its voice. It is her father's voice. And at one time, it was the same for hers.
"Oh yes. It is the Shadow Walker. She's the one that makes you so easily like your worthless...mother. How can you trust it? Remember trust is for fools." The heat was stifling and each breath tasted like smoke, black, thick, and destructive. She can't help but to breath it in.
In the distance, the ground quakes, and a harsh howling wind sweeps the smoke away. The black dragon laboriously claws its way out of the crater that it made. Its right wing dragging along behind it and a gaping hole where its left had been; fragments of bone jut from it. As the black dragon draws near, bringing its unassuming calm, she has the urge to meet it half way.
She is content to watch it struggle. Each spasm of tortured muscles, the trail of blood, and pained whimpers is heartening to see. She wants them, both dragons, to suffer. To experience her state of being for once.
"I do not seek to change or control you." Her voice is kind once more. But it doesn't sound like her mother. She is thankful and at the same time wants to kill the dragon for this, she's only seen the apparition of her mother once and it too has rejected her. This hurt is familiar though it is a pain she's accepted as a part of her life, its never hurt more than in this moment.
"And for that I thank you." The dragon's huff of breath comes across as fond to her. She is reminded of Sokon the stuffed dragon that her mother made for her. Rage, hot and searing, bursts in her chest. It takes more effort then she has to hold it back.
"Don't hold onto it. Release it."
The rage spills fourth in the form of Dragon's breath. Azure fire spirits dance all around them but as more fire joins them, the dance is turned into a frenzy. One by one the spirits kill each other off. Like fire, rage is a flash flare and is easily overcome by stronger, more damaging emotions.
"I-I just wanted her to love me, isn't that how its supposed to be? Instead it was Zuko. He got everything! Her coddling! Her bedtime stories! Her love! All I got was her contempt!" And like everything else in her life, her tears do not stop as she wishes they do, instead they come faster. Her rage is rekindled as she's wasted enough tears on her mother.
"You know what mother? You can have your precious Zuzu and your love because I. Don't. Want. It."
"Yes! That's what I want to hear."
Her muscles are taut and her movements are slow as her eyes narrow to slits, they shine like molten gold as they fall upon the white dragon. "I chose the soft spoken Starfire," The white dragon hisses menacingly, "I chose the overconfident waterbending half-breed." Now the white dragon is keening as the gouges along its belly weep blood anew, "I chose the Shadow Walker."
The black dragon pounces upon the white as it surges towards her. The white dragon's teeth snap closed on thin air an inch before her face. With an agonizing grunt the black dragon heaves the white one up and tosses it into the ether. The black dragon gazes at her in question.
"I don't recall choosing you."
"You've chosen balance. We shall trouble you no more. But this was just the beginning." The black dragon's muscles tense in preparation to follow after and thrash the white one, it gives her one last glance. "Farewell Azula."
Titans Tower, 10:00 A.M.; Infirmary/ Day 20
Unlike the many violent and abrupt awakenings she's had before, this one was gradual and pleasant. And for the first time she felt at ease and had no desire to escape. It was a novel experience to say the least. Although the straps keeping her firmly in place on the bed were irritating as the thin gown she was wearing offered little protection from the restrains.
"I hope we don't make a habit of meeting like this often, princess Azula." She recognized the waterbender's confident drawl. As she glanced about yet another room that she didn't remember entering, she spotted the waterbender approaching her bed. The waterbender's clothing was irregular, form fitted pants and a bizarre tunic with an even stranger series of symbols repeated across the entire front of it.
"If there is one thing that I know my dear brother wouldn't hesitate to do, and I'd like to think I know him well, he has already stripped me of my titles. So there is no need to patronize me." She says, watching the waterbender closely as she reaches her bedside.
"I wasn't." She doesn't like the calculating look that spreads across the waterbender's face. "I was sent to kill you during the war. But the night I planned for, someone else had beaten me to it. There you were, defenseless and wounded, but I turned to leave. Then I heard the crying, turned back and saw the extend of the injuries. I found high concentrations of a Seishin-tekina doku in your blood when I healed you."
"Why are you telling me this?" She tries to move away from the waterbender's hands but the straps seem to constrict as if they had a mind of their own.
"I'm not going to finish the job." To reinforce her point, the waterbender swiftly releases the restraints and then steps back. "I'm telling you this because of the reason why I accepted the assignment; to stall for time. If I was on the job, no one else would be sent."
Azula shakes her head and tries to sit up but a wave of dizziness forces her to stop. "Why?"
"Because you're the reason I received any training for the waterbending arts at all. Your father had me trained in secret with the captured waterbenders from the Southern Water Tribe to one day give you first hand experience in fighting a waterbender. Though during a training session there was a monsoon and the subsequent flash flood killed a lot of people, I was counted among the dead. In a round about way you're the reason I wasn't disgraced, exiled, and or killed when my waterbending was first discovered." She had no idea how to feel about this. Even more so when the waterbender added, "And even if you insist on looking down at me for my breeding and the waterbending, you aren't the first firebender I've had to deal with who thought that; you certainly won't be the last either.
So princess, may I check you over for any additional injuries?"
She nodded but she felt detached from the action. And then, "What happened after the monsoon?"
"Well," The waterbender swirled a steady stream of water through the air above her and slowly lowered it, the glowing water was warm. "I washed up on Krazai with no memory of who I was and sword master Paindao took me in. I worked in his forge for a couple years.
Then one night there was a fire, it spread quickly and I was helping the evacuations for the people trapped in the sector where the fire started. There was an inexperienced firebender trying to keep it contained, he wasn't powerful enough. I was caught in the resulting blast and thrown clear to the beach. Thankfully it was high tide and I landed in the water. And then this surge of power hit me and my memories came rushing back.
Of course, despite being instrumental in putting the fire out, the townsfolk wanted me out. I wasn't about to stay when I wasn't wanted. Paindao though, he didn't care and arranged for me to travel to the Northern Water Tribe. He said I should find out if I can heal or not."
The waterbender fell silent as she moved the water from Azula's chest to her right arm. Azula saw the waterbender frown and mumble something under her breath. "What is it?"
"The extensive scarring on your arm has been replaced with another set of scars but they're the strange symbols that appeared on you and your father. But the weirdest thing is they have active amounts of Raven's chi running through them."
The waterbender saw the alarm on Azula's face and rushed to reassure her, "It's benign as far as I can tell and not nearly as dangerous as the high fever you've had for the past three days. And the thrashing was pretty bad from what Starfire told me; that's way you were strapped down."
"Starfire told you?"
"Ha," The water was pulled away and sent to a tub on the far side of the room. "You have a hell of a kick, it broke two ribs and the explosion that happened later; broke even more bones. Thankfully the moon hadn't waned too much and I could still subconsciously heal my wounds. I just barely got out of that tank," Azula followed the waterbender's pointing finger to the aforementioned tank. "late last night. Yeah I was told. I'm Zen by the way."
Azula gave her a quizzical look, complete with a raised brow. "In all the excitement I don't believe we've been properly introduced. But then again you don't need an introduction, princess."
"Just call me Azula." She said calmly. But the words that left her mouth next were painful to say, saying it out loud made it permanent. "I'm not a princess anymore."
"I have some news that might cheer you up, Azula. You have been invited to join everyone for breakfast, if you feel up to it." Zen's easy going attitude was infectious and she found herself agreeing to breakfast with the others. "Very well."
A winning smile was Zen's response and then she was being presented with a bag that contained her own set of unusual clothing. She was too preoccupied with investigating her attire to see Zen's smile transform into a wicked grin, eyes alight with mirth.
"What is this?" She asked voice full of bemusement.
"I can help you with that if you want?" Zen had to fight back her giggles as Azula handed the article of clothing over.
"What is it?"
"Its like a breast band only a thousand times better." Zen's amusement died a swift death as she noticed Azula had gone tense. Zen gestured for her to hand the bag back over and after Zen had it, she shifted the clothes around.
A moment later she pulled out another piece of clothing. "You put your head through here and your arms through both of these loops here and pull it down over your breasts, no assistance required. I'll wait outside."
"One last thing. Just press your hand to this plate," Azula glanced toward the doorway and saw the slight discoloration on the wall to the right of the door. "when you're finished."
As the door closed behind Zen, the tension in Azula's body drained away. In her mind she knew that Zen had most likely already seen the extent of her scars but it was a relief that the waterbender had picked up on her distress. She released a breath and dressed as quickly as the strange clothing allowed.
After wrestling with the 'breast band' she paused before pulling on the black long-sleeved tunic with a roughly rendered creature on its front, and studied the new scarring on her right arm. The symbols that Zen mentioned started on the back of her hand and ran the length of her arm, stopping where arm became shoulder. The symbols reminded her of her calligraphy lessons; intertwined elegant spiraling loops, smooth continuation from one set of lines to the next, and broad strokes for the singularities.
On a whim she flexed the muscles in her arm and a surprised gasp escaped her as she'd felt nothing, no pain of any kind. Instead a wave of lethargy settled in her bones then it was gone. That was better than the aches and tautness from before. I suppose that's one more thing I'll have to thank Raven for.
Upon exiting the Infirmary she saw that Zen had been joined by Starfire. And she was once more reminded of Ty Lee as she was engulfed in a bone crushing hug. "Friend Azula I'm glad that you are well."
"Me too." She said when Starfire had released her and stepped back.
"Will you be joining the Breaking of the fast?"
At her nod she watched a wide smile spread across Star's face. "Glorious."
With that she was practically dragged by Starfire into an elevator. The ones on the airships shook horribly and she often preferred taking the stairs. This ride, however wasn't unpleasant and was mercifully short.
As the doors slid open she resigned herself to more dragging from Starfire but a loud siren rang throughout the tower. Flashes of red lights heralded the arrival of Cyborg and Robin; she was strongly reminded of her brother when she had first met him.
"Star its the H.I.V.E Five rejects." It was Robin who spoke as he passed them. She saw Star nod in his direction and then take off after the two of them. The siren was still blaring as the three of them reached the end of the hallway.
"What's the siren for?" She asked Zen, who held up a finger signaling for her to wait. The siren and the flashing red lights stopped a moment later.
"It will be easier to show you, come on," Zen waved for her to follow, "There's probably news coverage already."
She was confused but followed Zen to the opposite end of the hall and into a very large room. With even larger floor to ceiling windows that looked out on the ocean and the city beyond it. Her attention was immediately captured by the appearance of moving pictures that obscured the view of one of the windows.
"Zen try channel 6 their news crews are the most reckless ones. They get the best vantage points too." The sound of Raven's voice had her eyes scanning the room, trying to locate the speaker. Raven was to her left and was currently making breakfast.
"I'm not worried about him." Zen scoffed in Raven's direction. She saw Raven's brow raise. "Azula wanted to know what the siren was for."
Violet eyes locked with hers, she was shocked to see that Raven had forgone wearing the hood of her cloak. She saw a smirk on Raven that sent a chill down her spine as those violet orbs were once more focused on Zen. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"Have I mentioned how much I hate that." Zen said and lobbed a cushion at Raven. The cushion was halted mid-flight by the shadows and then it was flung at high speed toward the waterbender. A muffled smack proceeded an indigent squawk from Zen.
"Once or twice. There's a club you can join, see Star about membership, but any and all complaints are completely disregarded and ignored."
"Anyways," Zen viciously jabbed at the remote and suddenly the moving picture was alive with screaming people. "This is what the siren is for."
She'd unconsciously walked toward the u-shaped couch during their conversation to get closer to the moving picture. "This is Gus Acker bringing you another live session of clash of the Titans."
Right as the reporter finished Cyborg flew past him. It looked like Cyborg was being skipped across the surface of a lake rather than concrete. Cyborg finally came to a stop on top of some poor sucker's convertible.
"Ooh," Acker winced at the sight, "I hope they opted for the 'Cyborg landed on my car during a scuffle with the H.I.V.E.' policy. 'Cause normal insurance isn't going to un-crush that metal pancake for less than 80 grand."
"Alright E.T. your ass is mine." The lights on his entire body flash red and his left arm reconfigured into a large canon, larger than his normal fare. He leveled it at the giant blue-green alien rushing forward. "Target locked; hit percentage 100, firing now."
His grin was terrifyingly wide as a net shot from the canon. The giant alien swatted the net aside and kept rushing toward Cyborg or would have if the net hadn't latched onto his skin. A strange hum filled the air as the giant alien crashed face first to the ground mouth open in a silent scream, muscles spasming.
"Remember this the next time you losers want to rob a bank this early, I don't play nice on an empty stomach."
"Chalk up another win for the Titans and just in time for a heart healthy breakfast too." The reporter turned back to the camera with a wide grin on his face. "Join us later for a recap of this morning's excitement and a statement from the JL involving the tragedy that befell the city of-"
And as suddenly as the pictures were there, they were gone. She felt a immense haze of loathing, exactly like the lethargy from earlier, wash over her. And like before it was gone just as quickly. It was jarring and did nothing to help her confusion.
"We don't have benders here. But some of us are unlucky enough to be born or exposed to situations that leave us with unusual abilities." Raven's voice drew her attention from the windows, a voice tinged with faint aggravation. So much so that the wall behind Raven had a crack running from the ceiling to the floor. "My friends and I, use our abilities to help and protect people. We protect them from those who've chosen to use their abilities for other less benign purposes."
"You're the good guys then?" She didn't noticed the way Raven carefully placed several steaming pastries on a platter nor how stiff Raven's every motion was, for at that moment she heard an echoing shout of, "Alright waffle time!"
"Yes we're the good guys."
"What are waffles?" Her question was directed to Raven, it was not Raven whom she found a inch from her face. She had to fight down her instinctive reaction of setting him on fire for his proximity.
"How," She saw his blue eye narrow. "can you not know what waffles are?!" He wasn't shouting, but it was like she'd offended him egregiously over some kind of food.
"Ah," She tilted her head to the side, "most be some kind of peasant food. Its sounds positively dreadful."
"You're joking right?"
"Seriously what are waffles?" She was unprepared for him to collapse into a pile of dramatic tears and start wailing 'WAFFLES' at the top of his lungs.
"Friend Azula ignore him. He is afflicted terribly by the loving of food." Another wail of 'WAFFLES' rose from the pitiful mess that was Cyborg.
"Quit yer belly aching and sit down." Zen said from her seat at the bar, already devouring what Azula assumed were waffles. Almost instantly the waterbender was joined by Cyborg whom was stacking pastries on his own plate.
"Come Friend Azula before he eats them all."
Moments later found them all seated along the bar and somehow she wound up sitting in between Cyborg and Zen. She was then served by Cyborg who stacked four waffles onto her plate.
"The only way to truly enjoy waffles is to drown them in syrup." He didn't phrase it as a question as he held up a container that was filled with a molasses like liquid. She nodded and watched as the syrup was poured over the waffles. Then he turned to his own and drowned his.
"Give me that or I won't let you win our Super Starship Racers 2 rematch."
"Ooo 'et e 'in?" His words were too undecipherable for her to understand them, Zen however, had no trouble, "Not if you don't give me the syrup."
"Ere." He passed Zen the syrup then continued shoveling the waffles on his plate into his mouth with gusto.
She turned back to her own plate mildly disgusted at his lack of manners. She was still not sure about 'waffles' but they did look awfully good that, and her stomach was growling. Her first bite was divine as the sweetness of the syrup combined with the buttery taste of the waffle. After that first taste she dug into her waffles with a relish. As she ate the last bite and contemplated licking her plate clean, to her utter mortification, she happened to notice movement at the edge of her vision. When she looked up she saw Raven slowly pouring herself a cup of tea. "Pretty good aren't they?"
"They weren't horrible." She saw the corner of Raven's lip twitch.
"Did something I say amuse you or was it something I felt?" Her smile was wide as she saw the brief flash of surprise steal across Raven's face.
"I used to have the same sentiment about waffles." Before she could say anything more Raven vanished into thin air.
"Is she avoiding me?"
"Nah." She leveled a glare in the half-metal man's direction. His smile was unrepentant. "She likes to meditate on the roof in the morning."
She frowned at this but otherwise remained silent as she wondered what was planned for her. It was odd that she wasn't being herded off to the nearest holding cell or that containment room.
"Oh yeah. Raven told us that you won't have any trouble controlling your bending anymore and said to tell you that you have free reign of the Tower. Except for the restricted areas."
"She could have told me herself." She mumbled quietly under her breath but was surprised when he started chuckling, "Don't take it personally. She asked me to explain what happened inside her head to you."
"Raven said there was underlying issues and that Slade really did a number on her." His voice was harsh as he practically spit out Slade's name like a bullet shot from a gun.
"Let's move this conversation to the couch. It'll be more comfy."
"Raven's powers are tied directly into her emotions. The more she feels the more power that's unleashed. She's gotten better at controlling both of them but right now her control is completely shot. Not only did her mind irreparably damage your father's mind but whatever Slade did in Rae's mind also damaged hers. It doesn't help that she also shielded you from the brunt of the attack. Hence your new tattoos." As he said this she looked at her arm trying valiantly to hide the panic in her eyes as she did so. The sleeve of the tunic was glowing bright red as the symbols appeared.
"What does it mean?" She said not sure how to react to what he was telling her.
"Most likely that a bond between your mind and hers has formed. One that will allow you to experience snatches of her emotions. It could even let her read your mind." He shrugged and added as an afterthought, "This kind of bond works both ways though. So its possible that you could even read her mind."
"That's comforting." She said fighting to maintain a calm outward demeanor.
"If you're worried that she'll influence you or take advantage..." He trailed off, debating with himself if he should say anything or not. "You didn't hear this from me but Raven isn't meditating on the roof right now, she's wallowing in self-loathing and cursing her existence. She never intended for you to get caught up in her attack."
She was speechless at his revelation. The memories of Raven's life that she experienced filled her mind to the brim but not the images, it was the emotion's that Raven felt during them; Rage and self-loathing.
Their hatred is palpable and presses down on her like a physical presence. She is already aware of their decision. But the woman's hatred shines through the rest. It cuts sharp and hot like super-heated metal. She does not linger nor does she wait. She simply disappears from the Watchtower without a sound. Their hatred follows her and it will never leave her.
As the foreign sensation of emotions that don't belong to her fade she finds that this supposed bond isn't as daunting as she thought. "Thank you for telling me. I should probably return to my room."
She is surprised when he says. "You could always hang out with me and Zen. And watch me kick her ass at Super Starship Racers 2."
"If I must." Her small smile took the sting out of her tone. Is this what its like to have people in your life that care?
"I heard that tin man."
Her smile grew a little wider as Cyborg pouted at the waterbender.
A couple hours later and she was witness to the truly spectacular sight of a grown man whining."No fair you're cheating."
"I said I'd let you win but I never said anything about how many races I'd let you win." Zen said with a grin plastered on her face. It was not a nice one either.
"She does have a point." She would be lying if she said she wasn't enjoying this.
"Why is everyone always so mean to me." He grumbled good-naturally as he thrust the controller at Azula. She stared blankly at the strange device in his hand.
"Well then, princess, why don't you try to beat her?"
"I've no idea how to play this game." Other then a slight tensing of the muscles in her shoulders, she ignored his unintended jab.
"Oh really?" She did not like the tone of his voice. "Then why were you so intently focused on our hands while we played? Why have I seen you shadowing our movements on that controller," He gestured to the device in question that was suspiciously laying on the couch not far from her. "for the last couple of races?" His face was pathetic and so miserable. His face is half-metal. How can he possibly make it look so...
"I accept your challenge but only one race." She saw him immediately perk up when she agreed to the contest. She shook her head and cast a glance at Zen, the waterbender had this air about her.
"I do not wish to be coddled." Her words had a fire spreading in dark blue.
"As if Azula."
"FIGHT!" And at his shout their showdown began.
Minutes later a string of curses spilled from the waterbender's mouth like water from a broken faucet. "Fucking hell. Y-you beat my highest score...in one race."
"Way to go princess."
"I'm not a princess anymore." She said as she tossed the controller at him with a little more force than necessary. He dodged her projectile with no trouble.
"Once a princess- gah." A water whip hit the back of his head and sent him flying across the room.
"It's for the best that you don't finish that sentence mister." Zen's voice is disturbingly pleasant but incongruous with her actions. As the waterbender's focused narrowed to the stunned Cyborg, Azula left the room. She'd had enough of this farce, she needed to know if this was real or a terrible delusion conjured up by her mind. If none of this was real, she wasn't sure that she'd survive when reality came knocking...
Titan's Tower, Noon; the Roof/Day 20
'Mistress-' She was violently cut off as a shadowy fist smashed into her stomach.
'I don't want to hear it Rage.'
Their mistress was understandably upset.
'Mistress you know as well as we do that no one escapes the Pit without something to show for it.'
'And whose fault is that?!' The gathered emotes flinched, none more so than Red whom the most venom was directed at.
'Actually it was her idea to create the bond in order to ensure the best outcome for Azula. The bond simply ties your minds together.' She was as nervous as Red was as their mistress's black gaze pinned her in place.
'I didn't peg you for a glutton for punishment, we have learned that you are not above being shut out like the others.' The emote recoiled at this and a whimper escaped at the mere notion of being shut out again.
'Please mistress it was the only way to protect Azula's mind and to grantee that our mind would stabilize at a faster rate.' Courage met their mistress's gaze and held it until their mistress looked away. 'I know.'
The gathered emotes were taken aback at how broken she sounded. It was surreal for their mistress only ever treated them with disdain or detached coolness. No one was brave enough, not even Courage, to attempt to approach their mistress. They would wait for her to speak, it was the least that they could do for her.
'We did what we had to. But do any of you have any idea of what this could do to her. To us. We could already feel her emotions but now, we'll feel everything, she'll feel everything. We'll see into her mind, she'll see into ours. But of course the cherry on top of this is the repression of her memories in favor of ours. She's going to know everything about us.'
'I can't think of how that's a bad thing.' Like with Courage, Affection withstood their mistress's scrutiny.
'It is when I-'
"I want to see them."
Raven's eyes snapped open and it took her a moment to orient herself. When she did her eyes found Azula. The firebender was leaning against the wall, gold eyes calculating and piercing, no longer were they hollow. Her bones weren't as prominent as they were when she first arrived at the Tower. Her face was the most drastically changed, it was more alive, more alluring but still guarded, still cold.
Raven tilted her head to the side, waiting to see if Azula would elaborate. She wasn't waiting for long. "I want to see the places from your memory."
"Fair enough."
Before Azula could blink a bone deep chill washed over her and the first thing that came into focus was a dark underground chamber, a very familiar chamber; one that had Raven's birthmarks flaring brightly across her skin.
"Welcome to the old library." She said with a flat toneless voice as well as a blank face to go with it.
Seishin-tekina doku is Japanese for 'spiritual poison'. Also I was highly amused at the scene with the different kind of bras (I'm making a big assumption that the fashion in ATLAverse has yet to invent decent bras), and yes Azula is wearing a sports bra.
If you are wondering about what that strange creature on Azula's shirt is that would be a bat. She is totally wearing a Batman shirt.
One last thing I have not taken Calligraphy lessons and I am not an expert so please address all complaints of authenticity to: someone who has the time to research these things properly.