Updated: August 7, 2010. Please note, none of my subsequent chapters have been updated but I implore you to stick with it! My writing does get better! It's not atrocious, but it's not perfect either. Give my other chapters a chance if you like this one :-)

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Water, earth, fire, air... Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the fire nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them. But when the world needed him most he vanished.

One hundred years passed, and still there was no sign of the Avatar's existence. Ever still, young Prince Zuko trekked on in search of the Avatar, wanting nothing more than to restore his honor. With him traveled his Uncle Iroh, a wise and elderly man who spent his time teaching Zuko the art of fire-bending. With him was also his lifelong companion, Ashlynn, a young girl who had dreams of freedom and peace.

Chapter 1

It was midday, the sun was visible, and yet she was still chilled. The cool air nipped at her ears, forcing goose-bumps to surface her skin instantly. Ashlynn stood at the edge of the mechanized boat and watched the water and ice saunter by. She sighed, sorrow and the desire for freedom clouding her emotions. For too many years she'd been dragged around by the fire nation. She wanted out. What use was she to them?

Nearby Prince Zuko paced back and forth, stressed and angry. The dark ponytail that sat atop his shaven head waved back and forth as he stomped about.

Ashlynn could tell he was impatient and becoming desperate for a sign of what he was searching for. Ashlynn ignored him for the moment, and forced herself to concentrate on the ice and water. It was then that she noticed an abnormal increase in the water's speed. There had been a disturbance nearby.

"Uncle, look!" Zuko cried vociferously. He jabbed a finger up at the sky, and his eyes lit up as a light reflected within his pupils.

Ashlynn looked up towards the sky in the direction Zuko had pointed. A thick beam of light had shot out into the highest clouds of the soft azure sky.

Zuko's uncle, Iroh, merely nodded and continued drinking his tea without commenting on the sudden occurrence. He stroked the thick tuft of aged hair that hung from his chin absent-mindedly. He neatly sat his porcelain teacup onto the table in front of him when he'd finished taking his fill of tea.

"My search is over... that has to be the Avatar!" Zuko turned back to stare acutely in his Uncle's direction. The gold in his eyes had turned almost fiery with desire and determination. The amount of obsession he fabricated was comparable to that of a bull when confronted with the color red.

"It could just be an ordinary light my nephew, don't get worked up over a possibility," said Iroh. He lifted his teapot delicately and poured the hot liquid into his cup, and smelled the sweet aroma it emitted, allowing the warm steam to caress his face.

Ashlynn rolled her eyes in annoyance as Zuko balled his hands into fists. Small flames erupted from the core, yet left his fists unharmed. Knowing Zuko as well as she did, she figured he was simply anxious to finally grasp what he'd been searching for. He was more afraid of failure, than anything.

"Head toward that light!" Zuko commanded with such ferocity that some of his fellow crew members flinched in fear. When the ship veered towards the light he began to pace about the boat again in a feeble attempt to remain calm.

Ashlynn gripped the rim of the boat tightly and forced herself to stare deeply into the sapphire waters below her.

Hours crawled by tediously as the ship sailed silently through the open waters. The sky gradually grew darker, and the water became steadier. The sun was low in the sky, turning the heavens into a mixture of calm pinks and oranges. There wasn't a single pearly cloud that dappled the atmosphere, and not a single bird interrupted the serenity that emanated through the area.

Ashlynn felt jaded after gazing at the lackluster element of water for so long, and had taken up leaning against a cold wall on the exterior of the ship. She listened intently to all the sounds about her. Iroh was slurping his tea eagerly, almost like he'd only just discovered it. Zuko stood at the rim of the ship and impatiently strummed his fingers on its edge. Several crew members were chattering incessantly nearby, though nothing they said could be discerned.

Iroh set his cup gently upon the wooden surface before him once more, and sighed with satisfaction. He ran his tongue over his wrinkled lips a few times until he had gathered the remaining taste of tea that lingered around his mouth. He looked up at his nephew, and frowned when he noticed that Zuko was still entirely rigid- save for his relentless finger tapping. "I think I'll head to bed now. Zuko, whether you are right or wrong, I think it best you do the same," Iroh forced out before he released a massive yawn.

"I am right," Zuko snapped. He whipped his head around to glare angrily at Iroh. His ebon hair spun around with him and whacked the side of his face, yet he didn't even blink in response. His head twitched to the side, and his ponytail instantly fell back into place.

"Your family has searched for the Avatar for a hundred years. No one's found him, Zuko! I would not get your hopes up," Iroh warned him coolly. He stood up and sauntered off towards the door that led to the interior of the ship. He opened the latch on the door, but was stopped by a fleeting comment from Zuko.

"Did their honor cling to the mere discovery of the Avatar ?"

Iroh simply shook his head, and disappeared behind the steely gray doors.

"I think I'll turn in for the night as well," Ashlynn stated simply. She hurriedly rushed after Iroh, wishing to end the awkward silence that clung to the air that separated her and Zuko. Much to her dismay, Zuko swiftly closed the distance between the two of them and grasped one of her snow-white arms roughly. His touch was warm, and left red markings in its wake. Ashlynn turned about to gaze up into his brilliant eyes, but he dared not force eye contact between the two of them

"Stay- just a bit longer," he pleaded under his breath. His warm breath was visible through the cold air, and it escaped through chapped lips. He kept his pale head turned away from Ashlynn, either out of shyness or pride.

Ashlynn sighed as she pondered his request. Typically, it was unlike him to beseech her company. Once upon a time, he wanted nothing more than to be in her presence- but in recent years all he cared about was the Avatar. With reluctance, she agreed to stay by his side.

Ashlynn awoke to the glimmer of the beams of light that shone down upon her ivory skin. She shielded her eyes with one hand as she attempted to adjust to the bright light. She retreated to the nearest formation of shade, where she worked her way into full consciousness.

The first thing she heard was Iroh's matured voice muttering something about fire-bending to Zuko. She paid no attention to them as she acknowledged the fact that she was cocooned in a thick, woolen blanket. Her fair skin, which was adjusted to the warmth that enveloped the country she used to live in, was shielded from the harsh cold of the South Pole. Her mind slowly began to drift off to the previous evening.

Zuko hadn't dared to utter a word to her after requesting her company. They stood together in unrefined silence. Yet, Ashlynn knew her presence was enough to keep the stress in his mind at bay- that her company was enough to keep him content. It had always been that way.

Currently, the golden sun hung at its highest point in the azure skies. The raw power of Fire Benders sat at its highest peak when the sun was, in turn, elevated at its peak. So, Zuko had taken advantage of the time of day, and had begun to train with his Uncle. He excelled at his ability to bend flames, but that hardly stopped him from improving. In addition, Iroh was always willing to teach him further.

Several hours creeped by slowly before a disturbance nearby made itself apparent. Zuko was the first to spot the fire navy signal that burst upwards off in the distance. There was no doubting that it was an older signal from a retired ship. Not only was Zuko's ship the only one in the South Pole, but it was discernable through the make of the flare.

Ashlynn ran to Zuko's side as he snatched a telescope from the nearest crew member. Ashlynn squinted as she tried to see what Zuko saw. His mouth hung open slightly as peered into the telescope, trying to find what he hoped, what he was sure was there.

"Wake my uncle, I've found the last air bender. And be quick about it! I see his hiding place." Zuko thrust the telescope back into the arms of the man he'd originally robbed it from.

Ashlynn looked between the two of them, and tugged the telescope free of the man's newfound hold on it. She peered through it and was surprised to see one miniscule village far off in the distance. She pulled the telescope away from her face, and turned to look at Zuko. However, he'd already begun to walk towards the interior of the ship. Without an apology, she handed the soldier his telescope and ran after Zuko.

"They're an innocent tribe, Zuko. Don't harm any of them!" Ashlynn pleaded as she charged after Zuko. She let the iron door that marked the entrance of the interior of the ship slam shut behind them. She followed Zuko down the hallway as he stomped towards his quarters.

"They're holding the Avatar. I'll do what's necessary," he stated sternly. He didn't turn to face Ashlynn as he said this.

"Necessary? Do I have to follow you out there just to be sure you don't harm someone?" she fumed in response, wishing Zuko would take a moment to face her and talk like he was somewhat civilized.

"You'll only get in the way," Zuko smirked. Apparently, the idea of Ashlynn accompanying him was absurd and humorous, in his mind.

"Get in the way? That's never been a problem bef-"

"Silence!" Zuko interrupted her, sparks flying from his fists. Now, he chose to stop in his tracks, although he still chose not to face Ashlynn. Through gritted teeth he spoke once more before departing from the ship, "You will stay here, where it's safe, and you will do as you're told without argument."

Ashlynn watched with disbelief as Zuko turned and walked away from her. She shrieked with frustration, and it echoed through the interior of the ship. She knew Zuko could hear it, yet he still refused to listen to her. With a defiant 'hmph!', she marched back outside.

Only a few minutes had passed before the ship docked at the small, snow-built village. Over the years Ashlynn had grown used to the cries of the innocent and it was almost impossible to find fire nation folk who would show mercy. This was one reason she did not mind being with Iroh and Zuko. Iroh was wise and caring- traits that carried a great influence on Zuko. Ashlynn took comfort in knowing he would only threaten the villagers, as opposed to causing actual harm

Ashlynn walked to the edge of the boat, eager to see what events would transpire once Zuko departed from the ship. The prince and his soldiers had already set foot upon the snow by the time she surveyed the scene.

The small group of villagers stood in a tight and huddled group before Zuko. Only one village boy clad in sapphire-blue clothes and armed with a single spear put up a fight as Zuko demanded they give up the Avatar. It was a poor fight though; the boy wasn't exactly what could be considered a real threat.

Then, a different boy came forward. He wasn't like the other members of the tribe. Every member of the Southern Tribe wore the same navy-blue clothes, and wore the same snug moccasins. Most had brunette hair, and they formed a clump of blue-and-brown in the distance. The boy that had stepped forward stood out like a sore thumb. His clothes were mostly red, and he appeared to be entirely bald. All he carried with him was a single staff that stood taller than he.

Ashlynn knew that he was the Avatar. "A mere boy..." she whispered to herself, and smirked.

Quite unexpected, indeed.

Zuko and the Avatar began to converse after several moments. They weren't within earshot of Ashlynn, but she knew their conversation hadn't gone well when Zuko shot fire at him. Following the threat was a small battle between fire and air. The villagers cowered in panic and fright.

The Avatar paused to say something to Zuko. As far as Ashlynn could tell the Avatar had made a proposition. She could see that whatever he had said was agreed to, because after he'd finished talking the guards put him in chains and escorted him back towards the ship.

Ashlynn swiftly ran over to Zuko as he strode up onto his ship, followed closely by his soldiers. They kept the Avatar close to them, and Ashlynn eyed him curiously. She peeled her eyes off of him, finally, to ask, "So, what's the plan?"

"We're taking him to my father. We're finally going home," Zuko responded soberly, and for the first time in a long time he made eye contact with her. She saw hope flash through his eyes. Yet, her own heart sank. Though she'd lived with the Fire Nation all her life it wasn't exactly a place she could call home.

A command was made for the Avatar to be placed within the ship's prison, and his staff was to be brought to Zuko's room. He had some kind of notion that it would make an honorable gift for his father.

Ashlynn's curiosity got the better of her, and instead following Zuko like a loyal, respectable friend she followed the Avatar and the guards that were leading him to his prison on the ship. She ran right beside the boy, and walked with him. He smiled broadly at her, and his eyes shut as he did so. He seemed almost too friendly. Ashlynn could hardly believe that the Avatar looked no more than eleven, or twelve.

"I'm Aang!" The Avatar's grin remained plastered to his face as he introduced himself to Ashlynn.

She felt confused, and slightly taken-aback at his sociable exterior. She forced a quizzical half-smile at him and spluttered, "I'm Ashlynn."

Aang giggled, and finally looked away from her. His laugh was loud and obnoxious- exactly how a kid's laugh should've sounded. He stared up at the back of the helmet of the guard that walked in front of him. "I bet I could take you all down with my hands behind my back!" he boasted confidently.

With that, he blew a gust of air out before him, sending the guard in front of him flying towards the end of the tunnel. In addition, Aang was flung backwards into the soldier behind him. The back of that guard clashed with a wall, and he was momentarily dazed. Aang took the opportunity to stand up and run. Ashlynn did nothing to stop him.

However, she did run after him, despite his quick speed. By the time she was back on deck he was well out of sight. She did not bother looking for him though; she knew he'd gone to regain possession of his staff. In that room Zuko would be waiting for him.

Ashlynn growled with stress and ran after Zuko's quarters.

She didn't know what she was going to get out of chasing the Avatar. She didn't want to capture him, and she didn't want to help Zuko capture him. Yet she felt a strange impulse that forced her to follow him. Maybe it was because after years of nothing, no excitement, something had finally happened and she did not want to lose it. She ran these thoughts through her mind, and stopped playing them as she reached her destination. Her attempts had been proven too slow, however, for the door was already locked from the inside. She could hear the sounds of an angry Zuko and a defenseless air bender coming from its interior.

"Zuko!" Ashlynn shouted, and punched the metal door with a single fist. She kicked the door next, grunted, and ran back out to deck. She knew she had to help the Avatar. She knew what'd happen if Zuko killed him.

On deck Ashlynn didn't see either of them, but moments after her arrival on deck she was knocked to the floor as Zuko fell upon her from the sky. She groaned as the side of her face collided with cold mineral that made up the ship. Zuko was quick to lift his weight off of her, and she rolled over as soon as he did.

Nearby the Avatar had fallen as well. However, he'd regained possession of his staff. Aang was equally swift and gaining a standing posture once more, and he quickly opened two twin fans within a compartment in his staff. He thrust his staff outward, and sent a gust of wind at Zuko. At the same time, Zuko thrust several fireballs in Aang's direction. The two elements combined, and withered away instantly.

Zuko was persistent, however, and continued to thrust fire bolts at Aang. Aang would twirl his staff about, causing instant dispersion of Zuko's relentless attacks. Aang's reactions were beginning to slow, however, and it was only a matter of time before Zuko gained the upper hand.

Ashlynn stood up and ran after Zuko in desperation. "Zuko! Do you have any idea what could happen if you killed him? Leave him be!" Ashlynn attempted to shove Zuko as she yelled at him, but he quickly side-stepped away from her and thrust more fire at Aang.

"I'm not trying to kill him!" Zuko roared back at Ashlynn. He was furious that she'd interfered, and was livid from Aang deflecting every one of his attacks. When he gained a single second, he glanced over at Ashlynn and thrust his foot out at her. He struck her in the gut, and she plopped to the ground once more, stunned.

Ashlynn wrapped an arm about her waist and moaned in pain. She was shocked, and almost hurt that Zuko could turn his attacks on her, even for a single second. Zuko had shot her a single apologetic glance, but it wasn't enough to make up for the cramping in her gut. Aang, however, distracted her for the moment.

"Appa!" he shouted gleefully as he stared up at the heavens.

Zuko paused his attacks to perceive what Aang's random phrase could've meant. He followed Aang's gaze up at the sky.

Ashlynn did the same, and was surprised to see a massive, white beast headed right for the ship. If she didn't know any better, she would've said it was a sky-bison. Its fur was a creamy color, and it had a brown stripe across its back that formed an arrow at the top of its head. It had six legs, and released a deafening roar. How could it possibly be a sky-bison? They were extinct.

Zuko refused to stay distracted for long. He focused his attentions on the Avatar once more, and began to assault him with flame once more.

Again, Aang showed quick reflexes and fought off the sudden wave of flames. Yet he was not quick enough, and soon his staff was knocked clear from his hands, which bore strikingly blue arrows on the tops. Zuko shot off one last powerful blow of fire, which hit Aang square in the chest. He was knocked right off the ship and into the water. Zuko smirked, pride from his success taking over.

"Zuko! Are you insane? You don't think, do you? If you killed him he-" Ashlynn stopped when she noticed the water below begin to illuminate. The water emanated a brilliant white light that almost seemed to hum and vibrate the waters around it.

From above, Aang's name was being shouted by a fellow female who sat atop the would-be-sky-bison, one who was most likely from the water tribe.

The Avatar slowly ascended from the water. His tattoos, which were not only on the tops of his hands but could also be seen atop his bald head, and eyes glowed fiercely. A shield of water surrounded him, and as soon as he landed on deck he used it to his advantage. He shot the water out in all directions without hesitation.

Ashlynn screamed as she got hit with the blast, and was thrown to the floor along with the rest of the soldiers. The side of her face collided with the chilly metal once more, and she was almost certain her cheekbone would bruise. She coughed involuntarily as she gazed up at Aang, who had ceased his attacks.

The Avatar collapsed to the floor after another moment of his hovering. The glow that stretched out from his tattoos and eyes disappeared after a few seconds as well.

The flying animal, which was undoubtedly a flying bison, landed on the ship. Sure enough, a female from the water tribe dismounted the bison and ran over to the Avatar. She was followed by the same male that had single handedly tried to defend his village from Zuko's interrogation.

Ashlynn stood up and trotted over to the girl who held Aang in her arms. She was wary of the water tribe boy, who threatened Ashlynn with his choice of weapon- a boomerang. Yet, that didn't scare her so easily.

"Stop right there and don't you come any closer," he warned as he rose his weapon higher above his head. He was more than prepared to strike if that's what it took to protect the girl and the Avatar.

Ashlynn respectfully backed down, and even took a few steps back. She stared up at the boy, pleadingly, but he merely frowned at her in response. He licked his lips in anticipation, and took a single second to glance over at Aang and the girl.

"I dropped my staff," Aang muttered. He stretched a weak arm out in the direction where his staff lay, unscathed.

The water-tribe boy averted his gaze between Ashlynn and Aang a few times. He hesitantly lowered his boomerang, keeping a watchful eye on Ashlynn, and then swiftly ran after Aang's staff.

While he was distracted, Ashlynn scanned the ship for any sign of Zuko. She bit her lip, worriedly, as she noticed he wasn't anywhere to be seen. What if he was hurt? She looked back at the water-tribe girl, who was thoroughly distracted by Aang. She seemed to have a caring and understanding heart. Surely there'd be no hurt in trying…

"Please, miss, let me come away with you three," Ashlynn pleaded. She knelt down on her knees in hopes that she might not look nearly so threatening. She put her palms flat upon her thighs, and stared hopefully at the young girl. She did seem any older than Ashlynn was.

"Why? What makes you think we can trust you?" The girl's vibrant blue eyes bore into Ashlynn's. She pulled Aang closer to her, as if she was worried Ashlynn might try and attack him, even at a distance. Did the girl think Ashlynn could bend fire?

The water-tribe boy stepped in front of the girl defensively and stared ruthlessly down at Ashlynn. He held Aang's staff out in front of him, pointed at Ashlynn accusingly. "You! Leave my sister alone," he demanded fiercely.

So, they were siblings. Perfect.

Ashlynn shook her head disappointedly and stood up. She ignored the boy as he jabbed the air between them with Aang's staff. She turned around and saw that the fire nation soldiers had risen and were regaining strength as they marched to take back Aang.

"Stop! Let the Avatar go," Ashlynn directed. It couldn't hurt her to try and see if they'd listen to her.

"With all due respect Lady, but you do not command us," one soldier replied respectfully.

Ashlynn frowned at the sound of the formal name she'd gone by in the past. She'd been out of Fire Nation country for years, and still the soldiers and members that recognized her insisted upon calling her 'Lady'. If she was Lady to them, then why didn't they listen to her orders?

The water-tribe girl, who was no longer clinging to Aang, stood up and held her arms out before her. Her wrists twisted about, and her fingers seemed to grasp the air before her. Water that had spilled onto the ship earlier rose into the air as she did this, and the soldiers began to seem uneasy.

"A water bender!" Ashlynn gasped in surprise. Water benders were rare, as far as she knew.

She moved out of the girl's way as she shot the water out at the soldiers. Her work was sloppy, but she didn't deserve to be judged harshly- after all, she was probably lacking experience and a real teacher. The soldiers were quickly covered in a thick ice that bound them to the ground.

The girl then helped Aang board his flying bison. The water-tribe boy followed behind the two of them. He didn't so much as glance back at Ashlynn or the Fire Nation soldiers.

Ashlynn ran up to the water bender and grasped her wrist tightly before she climbed up onto the sky-bison. "Please, let me join you!" Ashlynn begged as she gazed up at the young girl.

"No, you're fire nation," she said, yanking her wrist free. She glared angrily at Ashlynn, and it seemed as though for a moment she was going to kick Ashlynn to the ground. Yet, she didn't, and simply continued her way up onto the bison.

"I said leave her alone, Fire Nation scum!" the brother ordered, and struck Ashlynn in the stomach with Aang's staff. The blow, surprisingly, was a soft one.

"Wait, you guys! Let her come. Trust me on this- she's okay," Aang said, and smiled down wearily at Ashlynn from atop the bison.

The brother gaped up at Aang, shocked and speechless. He looked between his sister, Aang, and Ashlynn multiple times, waiting for someone to protest.

"Aang, she's from the Fire Nation. We can't bring her along!" the sister spat wretchedly, and hardly offered so much as a glance in Ashlynn's direction.

The water-tribe boy beamed up at his sister. "Finally, something that makes sense around here!" he articulated. He threw Aang's staff up at him, and Aang caught it in his delicate, tattooed hands. The brother started to clamber up onto the bison, but Aang stopped him.

"No! You guys don't understand- She's not dangerous," he declared, and he thrust his staff at the boy. It was more of a gesture than an attack, since he didn't touch the boy.

"Fine, Aang. Whatever you say," the boy exclaimed sarcastically. He knocked Aang's staff out of the way, and finished climbing up onto the bison. He seated himself in the back of the brown, leather saddle that was strapped to the beast, and said no more.

Aang smiled down at Ashlynn, and motioned for her to come and join them. She stared up at the two water-tribe siblings for permission, but they avoided her gaze entirely. She bit her lip, and looked back at the ship. The soldiers had begun to unfreeze one another with the warmth of their fire-bending abilities. It was now, or never. So, she gripped the thick, creamy fur of the sky-bison, Appa, and pulled herself up into the saddle. The water-tribe siblings moved away from her instantly. Yet, she was able to sit contentedly, even if she was unwelcomed by them.

The bison accelerated into the air, and began to fly away from the wreckage. Ashlynn turned back, and looked down at the ship. There, among the whole mess, she finally spotted Zuko. She gazed down at him sadly, and he looked back up at her. Even from a distance she could read his face. At first, he appeared to have a hard time recognizing her. She peered up at her from behind the raw, red skin of the scar that plagued the left side of his face. As sad as she was to leave him, she knew it was time she abandoned him.

She'd been his prisoner long enough.

Author's Note: This marks the first of my editing my Fanfiction. I apologize for when you, my readers, stumble across the point where my chapters haven't been recently updated. I promise, though, that I'll be editing all of them. I hope this chapter was easier to read, and flowed better than the previous chapter. Thanks for reading- stay tuned for more!