Greetings everyone: This is a story I have been working on for quite some time and I am sad to say it is still unfinished. However, due to my impatience with myself I would like to go ahead and publish a little of what I have written. I would also like to add before you begin: this does not feature any Avatar characters; however, it does take place inside the walls of Ba Seng Se with brief allusions to Avatar characters we are all familiar with. If any of you feel that this story should not be published inside the Avatar section, please let me know and I will move it. Thank you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy reading all of yours.

Inside the Great Walls: Dreams, Hope, and Love at First Sight

"Where did they take her?" A young boy of about sixteen cried out. MIRA…MIRA!" He fell on his knees, crying as he scanned the myriad of tunnels in the dank and horrid cavern for some sign that she was there. "Why? Why did I take my eyes off her? "I LET THEM TAKE HER!" he slammed in his fists onto the damp floor. Suddenly, a terrified voice called out to him, "AJIT!" The young boy let out a rage-filled scream as he jumped up from the floor and began pursuing the voice, his heart racing as he ran down the cold dark tunnels toward the voice of the woman that he loved so deeply. He turned down one of the few illuminated tunnels. The light, which came from the crystal lanterns along the wall, gave the tunnel an eerie green glow. He felt his thoughts leaving him as he ran down this ghostly corridor, he could only think of her. Suddenly, he caught sight of her surrounded by a group of guards dressed in long green robes. "MIRA," he cried seeing his beloved being forcibly led down another tunnel. He became blind with passion and he mindlessly charged at them. Two of the guards abandoned the girl and stood, ready to face the young man. Ajit quickly drew a small dagger he had hidden on his ankle as he rushed toward them, only wrath was visible in his dark brown eyes. The two guards assumed a stance of great unbending strength and, through a series of motions, commanded the Earth to send a mirage of stones hurtling toward the boy (Just a note for the reader, in this world there exist individuals, known as benders, who possess the ability to manipulate one of the four elements—i.e. Earth, Air, Water, and Fire; so if the reader so desired to assign a name to the craft of these two guards, it would be known as Earth-Bending.). He skillfully dodged the projectiles and ran up to one of the guards, cleverly diving toward his feet and severing his Achilles tendon. The guard screamed from the pain and fell to the ground, his leg now completely useless. Ajit did not bother with the other guard, but instead quickly regained his footing and continued running down the corridor. He didn't make it far; the guard he had neglected sent another rock flying toward the boy's head. It struck him, and he fell to the cold floor, unconscious.

When he awoke, he was in a daze. He found everything blurry as he attempted to take in his surrounding. "AJIT!" a concerned voice called to him. He recognized it immediately and quickly looked in front of him. There she was, Mira, seated across the room from—a strange suspended ring dividing them. There was just enough light for Ajit to see the terror that now filled her deep cerulean eyes. "Mirra," he cried with a voice filled with uncontrollable emotion. He desperately attempted to run toward her. A look of horror began to flood his countenance when he realized he was completely encased in stone—his sanity was becoming jeopardized as he began to realize he could not free himself. He felt a small pulling pain in his left leg, then his right shoulder, he felt foot beginning to cramp up.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH…I can't take it, I can't take it, I can't…" His thoughts were replaced by a beautiful singing voice. He concentrated on the calming words of Mirra's lullaby, he felt himself becoming relaxed.

"Thank you Mirra," he said after he had regained his composure. "Are you alright, did the guards harm you?"

"No, I'm fine…Just a little scared." she said in a timid voice. It was just bright enough for Ajit perceive the terror in her deep cerulean eyes.

"I'm sorry Mira. I am so sorry. I promised myself that I would not back down, that I would never let anyone hurt you—and I failed."

Before she could answer, two guards walked into the center of the ring that separated them.

"What the hell do you want?" Ajit said in a bitter tone to the guard who was now facing him. The guard remained silent.

Suddenly, a funny feeling began to overcome Ajit. It was a warm, calming feeling. His eyes became relaxed and slowly went out of focus. He saw a bright light pass in front of him. Then, everything slowly went black