A/N- This is the first Avatar fic I have posted. If this gets confusing don't worry, a lot of the back story is explained through flash backs.

Prologue- The End

Katara woke up in total darkness her head exploding with pain. She reached up and felt a deep gash across her forehead oozing blood. Gritting her teeth, the water bender sat up and bended water from the air in order to ease the suffering from her wound. Katara laid back down on the cool metal floor and closed her eyes trying to focus her fuzzy mind on remembering how she ended up in such a dark place.

Before the water bender could gather her thoughts, a metal door opened bringing in blinding white light. Katara covered her eyes as two men dressed in fire nation uniforms hurried in and yanked her tired body roughly to her feet. Katara staggered and fell again landing painfully on her shoulder. Without remorse the two soldiers lifted her under the armpits and dragged her along the metal floor. She slipped into unconsciousness again by the time they left the cell.

The water bender awoke with a sharp, painful kick in the ribs. The young woman felt her rib crack and she recoiled in pain.

" KATARA!" she heard a familiar voice yell her name. As her vision began to become clear she realized that she was in a room full of people. Her older brother Sokka was screaming her name.

The young woman gritted her teeth and stood shaking to her feet taking in the grand unfamiliar settings. With dread, Katara realized that she was in the Fire Nation Palace surrounded by soldiers.

" Katara, Are you alright?" called Sokka but his sister didn't hear him. Her eyes were fixed on the wall of blue flames and the young woman sitting behind it. After everything they had fought for, Azula sat with the Fire Lord crown fixed on her topknot.

Suddenly, the prior events flooded Katara's mind as she locked eyes with the former princess, she hung her head in bitter shame. She had cost Zuko the Agni Kai and possibly everyone the war. She closed her eyes trying to block out the memories.

" Make way for the new Phoenix King!" a voice shouted. Katara was shoved roughly out of the way as a wave of soldiers and banners cut through the crowd.

Ozai came into the throne room surrounded by his many soldiers The King appeared to be a picture of health. Katara felt a lump rising in her throat as she pondered Aang's fate.

Azula descended from the throne and bowed low " Congratulations on your victory father."

The Fire Lord looked nothing like she did before the Agni Kai. Her hair and appearance were back to normal and up to royal standards. Katara wasn't fooled though, she knew madness still lived deep underneath the surface.

" Rise my servant," said the Phoenix King.

Azula obeyed her father without hesitation. Ozai turned to his prisoners and loyal subjects. He raised his muscular arms and roared. " The Avatar is dead!"

The soldiers and servants roared with joy and victory. Katara wanted to scream or cry but her entire body had gone into shock.

" His weakness of mercy doomed him and I reigned supreme," he gloated followed by deafening cheers. Ozai raised his hand calling for silence and the noise instantly ceased.

" Before we began our celebration of victory we must first punish those who tried to stand in our way of glory."

Katara found herself being shoved towards the Phoenix King along with the rest of the prisoners. She struggled to keep the tears for Aang inside not wanting to give Ozai the satisfaction.

A strong arm wrapped around her shoulder. Katara looked up to see Sokka trying to smile for her and be brave but failing miserably.

" It will be alright Katara, " the older boy whispered but she could hear the uncertainty and fear in his voice. He was lying.

She risked a glance to Sokka's left only to discover that he was using his other arm to support an unconscious leaning figure.

"….Toph?" Katara gasped her eyes widening. She looked up at her brother "….Is she--"

" No," replied Sokka quickly reading his sister's mind. He shook his head sadly " But if she doesn't get help….."

" Shut up!" a guard yelled punching Sokka hard in the back of the head.

The young man stumbled but did not fall. He took his place back in the row and stood tall.

The Phoenix King walked along the line staring at each of the prisoners " Who is your leader?" he commanded. " I will deal with the Avatar's second myself, the rest will be sent to Boiling Rock…for life.

Silence.

Ozai laughed " Don't you all step forward at once." He turned to his daughter " Azula, find the Avatar's friends."

" Yes father," said the Fire Lord falling into stride behind him.

" …Katara," whispered Sokka, " Once you get to Boiling Rock, find Toph and Suki, then escape…..I'm going to take the blame."

" Sokka no!" Katara hissed trying to talk quietly as possible . Meanwhile Azula and Ozai inched closer by the second. Katara finally felt hot tears pouring down her face as she tried to imagine the horrible sacrifice her brother was about to make.

" I have to, " the young man whispered back.

Katara clenched her fist. She wasn't about to let Sokka or anyone else suffer for her mistake. Just as the young man motioned to step forward, Katara extended her arm in front of his chest and beat him to the punch.

She stared straight ahead standing in the path of Ozai and Azula " I'm their leader."

" Katara, no!" yelled Sokka but guards were already dragging him and the others back.

Ozai stared down coldly at the water bender " Is this a joke?" he sneered. " This little peasant girl is the Avatar's second?"

" Yes, now get on with it, " snapped Katara staring darkly at Azula " I don't have all day."

Katara saw the hand coming down on her but she did nothing to try and stop it. When Ozai's fist connected with her face it felt like she had been struck by lightning even though he only used brute strength. She hit the ground with such force that the water bender temporarily blacked out.

" KATARA!" screamed Sokka " OZAI, YOU FUCKING COWARD DON'T TOUCH HER!" The guards were having a hard time restraining the enraged warrior.

The Phoenix King raised an amused eyebrow " Who is that boy?" he asked Azula.

" ….Her brother," the Fire Lord said simply.

Ozai nodded, a malicious grin spread across his face. " We'll have to keep him around for the activities now won't we?"

" Yes father, " replied Azula obediently but her eyes were on Katara who was still crumbled on the ground. Ozai missed something that passed across his only daughter's face. Was it sadness….remorse even?

" Pathetic," spat Ozai crossing his arms " Stand her up."

Soldiers immediately came and pulled Katara to her feet. Blood poured from the water benders mouth and down her chin. She whispered something that no one could hear.

The Phoenix King moved closer in order to hear her " Are you going to beg for your pathetic life now?"

Katara shook her head grinning from ear to ear and spat blood in his face. The prisoners roared with laughter even though they knew she would pay dearly for the insult. Ozai reached out and grabbed the young woman by her throat wiping blood off his face furiously.

" Bring me a whip, NOW!" he yelled choking off the water bender's air supply. An instant later a servant handed the Phoenix King a leather whip. The king unraveled it and lit the whip with bright orange flames. " Turn her around," he snapped.

The guards forced Katara to turn her back towards the angry king. Ozai raised the flaming whip as the guards held Katara tightly and Sokka screamed in the background. The water bender squeezed her eyes tightly trying to brace herself for the impact.

"…..Father don't !" Azula suddenly pleaded just as he was going to bring the whip across Katara's flesh. The room suddenly became very quiet.

Ozai turned to his daughter " What did you say to me?" he demanded.

Azula's eyes widened, she opened and closed her mouth but no words would come forth.

Ozai handed the whip to one of his men and clasped his hands behind his back " You dare embarrass me?" he snapped " Over a peasant?!"

" No father."

" Did you think you were smarter than me Azula?! I know about all the nights you've snuck off to visit this disgusting Peasant, betraying your father and your country!" he yelled. " Don't tell me you love her, love is pathetic!"

" ……I don't love her father, " Azula replied her eyes expressionless.

" Prove your loyalty to me Azula, punish her," he hissed holding out the whip to her.

Azula turned her head away from it " ….No," she whispered.

Ozai grabbed his daughter by the arm " Do it now or I'll show you what suffering really is," he threatened. " I'll have you tossed around my army like a common whore and then you'll be banished until you can track down the next Avatar, NOW DECIDE!"

Azula showed no emotion as she took the whip from Ozai lighting it with blue flames. She reeled back and struck the water bender across her back multiple times.

Katara felt her back explode with pain. Nothing else besides her mother's and Aang's death could come close to the pain that ripped through her. The pain never stopped it continued and continued.

Azula dropped the whip on the ground and bowed to her father. She dismissed herself and then disappeared behind a wall of blue flames. The soldiers let Katara fall unconscious to the floor a puddle of blood gathering underneath her. Sokka was still screaming her name but he received no response.

" Take them away, " Ozai commanded " Prepare the celebration."

Azula stared through the blue flames as soldiers carried the broken water bender away. A single tear slid down her face.