Chapter 1: Air

Aang fidgeted nervously within the group of hundreds of Airbender children. The others around him remained still and their faces vacant, like there was nothing to worry about, but most of them had done this for years, so it was much easier for them now. Not completely easy but easier than him and the other younger children. It was his first year, at the age of 12, but although he knew that it was next to impossible that he was chosen, he knew there still lingered that one chance he was; Aang tried not to think about that.

He glanced behind him hoping to maybe find his best friend, Anya, who was also 12, but it was too overcrowded and there was no way to spot her. She was like his sister and he had protected her all his life, even when she complained that he shouldn't. Right now main worry was more for her than for himself, he couldn't imagine what he would do if she was the one picked. He couldn't-wouldn't sit and watch her live through that horrible nightmare. But there was no way to stop it from happening, so all he was left to do was hope and pray to all the spirits that she was spared.

The hushed murmur that had swum through the crowd ceased as the Head Monk stepped up to the podium. Aang turned to the front and prepared to listen. "Thank you all for being so patient, now let's begin shall we," the Head Monk declared and commenced the reading of the history speech.

Aang didn't hear much of it, actually more like he chose not to hear much of it; the speech was something he'd heard since he'd been able to talk. He ignored it, trying to sort out the best possibilities in his head. By time the speech was over and the Head Nun had taken her place up at the podium, Aang had almost convinced himself that Anya and he were going to be perfectly safe, but even he knew that it was a slim possibility.

"Hello to all of you, I wish the best to you all, but we must go through this choice for a good reason," she explained her required good luck speech.

Good reason my bum, Aang scoffed inwardly. Killing off 23 children, with only one survivor is not in any possible way 'good'. But that's how we are to survive, it's what the Capitol thinks will keep balance, so it's the way things have to be. "So, with that it's ladies first," the Head Nun continued.

She stuck her hand in the glass bowl, and pulled out the first name of three girls. "Caitlyn Tyron," she called out, trying not to seem upset.

Aang watched as Caitlyn, 13, walked proudly, or as anybody in her position could, up the steps to stand next to the Head Nun. He couldn't have felt more respect for this girl as she stood there head held high, no tears in her eyes, even though she knew that this was the first step to her death. That certainly was a very hard thing to do.

The next two girls were called up; he didn't know them very well, Cyra Wakefield and Elaine Carrie, both 16. Cyra had cried the whole trip up the stairs, along with people that could only her family, it was heartbreaking to see. Elaine was trying not to cry but ended up just bursting into sobs and had been taken into the City Temple, to 'regain her composure'. Aang felt selfish for feeling relief when Anya's name wasn't called, it was another year she could life a healthy life while other girls died.

He let out a pent up breath when he watched the Head Nun moved solemnly over to the bowl with the boys' name in it. As she called out one boy's name, Evan Taleyard, he could feel the tension began to lift in the group of boys around them. Once again he felt relief-still selfishly- but with two more boys to be chosen he couldn't let the feeling completely overwhelm him.

Another boy went up, his heart began pounding, filling his ears and shaking his body. This was it the last name of his first year. Closing his eyes and listened, "The last tribute for this year's Hunger Games is Aang Kozyra."

As he opened his eyes, he saw the group split in half to create a path for him. At first he couldn't get his limbs to move, stuck in his place, his body refusing to move. Stiffly he was able to half shuffle/half walk through the small path, feeling the sad gazes against the back of his head. His mind felt numb with shock, as he walked towards the other five tributes, this was crazy.

The rest passed in a blur and he followed like mindless zombie, too in shock to realize what was truly happening. As he sat down inside the conference room where tributes were to say goodbye to their loved ones, he looked up to see the kind face of his mentor/father Gyatso. His gray eyes were shining with tears and he tried to smile, but his lips quivered with emotion. Aang quickly pulled him into a hug, letting the fearful tears pour from his eyes. "I believe in you Aang, you will survive," Gyatso whispered, voice quavering.

"I know Gyatso, I'll try," Aang replied. Gyatso's grip tightened as if to say 'not try, you will'. The two sat together barely talking, waiting patiently in a loving silence between a father and son. Too soon for comfort the tributes were asked to leave and come to meet their mentor's. Aang fearfully joined the line of tributes and continued on his death path.

A/N: So, I noticed I totally forgot the mentor's speech, sorry about that, but for now I'm gonna leave it, if you would like to have the speech I can include it. Also, within reviews it would be super wonderful if you guys could give me suggestions on what shippings should be in the story. Thanks! I hope you like it, PLEASE review, its greatly appreciated:)