Author's note: So, the story basically begins immediately after the last episode. I'm just trying to set up the scene in the Fire Nation palace, I promise there will be more soon.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar:The Last Airbender. All of the characters belong to Mike and Bryan.
Chapter 1: The Palace
The setting sun shone through the wide windows of the Fire Nation palace, prolonging a beam of light that lingered through the corridors of the now free nation. The ceilings held high, emblazoned with bright and lavish banners that held true to the Fire Nation colors. The palace, for once, was peaceful. In a way, it felt like the entire nation was sighing; finally relieved from the previous oppression and tension that the supposed "Pheonix King" laid upon them.
Light footsteps seemed to reverberate through the long, empty hallways. The Avatar made his way down the right wing of the Fire Nation palace, his expression confused and tired. 'I can never seem to find my way around this place..' he thought as he stopped to peer through a large, spacious window. He took another glance at the poorly made napkin-map that Sokka had drawn shortly after the group had finished dinner. 'This doesn't make sense!' Aang thought, 'I didn't even see a statue of a platypus bear! Or.. what is that thing?' The drawing of the supposed statue seemed to resemble an animal, or a horrid, randomly placed scribble.
When sun had fully set, it became hard for the Avatar to make out the almost useless map. Suddenly, he noticed footsteps coming from the end of the right wing's hallway.
Glowing light appeared from a lamp that a young maid's woman was holding at the end of the hallway.
"Avatar Aang?" she called out.
Aang stared in the direction of the young woman, and immediately straightened up to smile at her.
"Oh uh, hello! I was just admiring your.. plants," he said nervously. "Actually, I—"
"Are you lost?" the woman asked as she giggled at Aang's immediate, embarrassed reaction. "I would be most honored to guide you to your room – it's not far, just across Lady Katara's suite."
Aang nodded towards the woman, and began to follow her through the maze-like hallways.
'Suite?' Aang thought to himself.
The two walked down a lavishly ornate hallway, finally stopping at a wide wooden door, engraved with intricate Fire Nation designs. "Do you have your key, Avatar Aang?" the woman asked.
Aang nodded, and thanked the young woman for her assistance. She walked down the hallway gracefully, humming a low tune. Aang took out the golden key he had acquired from the new Fire Nation king, longfully glancing at the door across the hallway, before entering his room.
"Whoa.." he said as he entered the large, bright room. Inside, was a large, circular bed that only seemed to take up a fraction of the suite. There was a large table, and full-wall windows with lavish curtains that hung, draped along the sides.
"I could probably fit a million Appa's in here!" his voice echoed through the room, as he began walking towards the large dinner-like table, noticing the scroll left on his desk. He unraveled the tie, opened the scroll, and read the beautifully written message.
Aang,
Attached is a map of the palace that Zuko gave each of us after you left. It's a pretty big place, so just bring it with you if you ever get lost. We're having breakfast in the courtyard tomorrow, the one just outside of the left wing; you can find it on the map.
I'm so proud of you, Aang. You really are a truly powerful bender.
I miss you,
Katara
He hadn't forgotten what had happened that afternoon – Katara's seemingly sudden change of heart, and that unexpected kiss. He blushed at the thought of it, at the thought of her.
"She misses me.." he whispered to himself, smiling. Aang slowly turned towards the door of his room, contemplating whether or not he should knock on her door; she was just across the hallway.
The moon shone through the balcony window, and Aang yawned as his hand reached the door of his suite.
'Tomorrow,' he thought, 'I'll figure this out tomorrow.'
It's so short! I promise there will be more than one character in the next chapter. I don't want to jump right into everything just yet. Please review!