Its sunset the sky is filled with smoke from a fire nation attack on a small village.
"Well that was fun." Said soldier #!
"Yeah but Strife did the most damage by far." Said soldier #2
"I'm just following orders." Said Strife "I take no pleasure in destroying innocent lives."
"Come on Strife this town had weapons getting ready to attack our guard post." Said soldier #1
"I guess you're right." Said Strife "But still I would have liked to seen more proof."
"They had weapons what more do you need?" Said soldier #2
Strife walks off but before he can get too far a scout delivers a message. The letter reads that Azula wants Strife to escort her, Mai, and Ty Lee from Omashu to Ba sing sei. Strife takes a fire nation tank and heads to Omashu.
"Ty Lee you look like your about to burst." Said Azula
"I am with excitement." Said Ty Lee
"What for?" Asks Mai
"Strife is the one coming to escort us." Said Ty Lee "I haven't seen him since we were kids."
"Well let's hope he gets here soon." Said Azula
Strife arrives in his tank and Ty Lee about knocks him down as soon as he gets out.
"Dang some one is happy I'm here." Said Strife
"Yeah I thought she was going to explode if you didn't get here soon." Said Mai
"Okay we can move out now." Said Azula "I'm sure the avatar is heading to Ba sing sei."
"And we're just going to waltz right through the gate no questions asked?" Said Strife
"No, the fire nation has created a giant drill that's going to bust through the wall." Said Mai
Out of no where a stone comes flying by and nearly takes Azula's head off. They turn to see a child that looks to be about eight ready for another attack.
"That was stupid." Said Mai
"I'll teach you a lesson." Said Azula getting ready to launch a lightning attack
"No Azula." Said Strife grabbing her wrist "He's just a small child."
"He's an earth bender." Said Azula "Now let go and I will let this slide."
"Kid get out of here." Said Strife
The kid nods and runs off.
"I should have your head for that." Said Azula
"If the fire nation is down to killing kids then I quit." Said Strife
Strife turns to leave and is met with a fire blast to his back; Strife is knocked unconscious and left barely alive. He wakes up and finds himself in a bunker with Omashu refugees.
"You're awake." Said a woman "I'm Sakura, thank you for saving my brother."
"My name is Strife and it was no problem." Said Strife
"Wow your strong I've never seen anyone take a hit from a fire bender and live." Said the boy
"Well it's not something you want to go through twice." Said Strife "So Sakura you helped me even though you know I'm with the fire nation."
"Not anymore." Said Sakura "Princess Azula banished you after you took that shot."
"I see." Said Strife "The girl in pink what happened to her."
"She wanted to help you." Said Sakura "But Azula would not let her, she had tears in her eyes."
"I must get to Ba sing sei and save her." Said Strife
"I don't think Azula would hurt her." Said Sakura "She could have done the same thing to her if she wanted."
Strife thanks Sakura and her brother and heads out to Ba sing sei. Strife heads to a shop in a small town and gets some new clothes.
"This is a fire nation suit." Said the clerk "Where did you get it?"
"From a soldier." Said Strife
"Did you kill him?" Asks the clerk
"He was already dead." Said Strife remembering his exile
"Well good luck to you stranger." Said the clerk
Strife heads out into the forest and continues his journey to reach Ba sing sei. Just as Strife stops to fill up his water canteen he hears voices coming from the river.
"Good Aang you're really getting the hang of water bending." Said Katara
"Yeah but earth bending is a completely different story." Said Toph
Strife heads down to the river and starts to fill up his water canteen when he is hit by an uncontrollable water ball.
"Sorry about that." Said Aang "I'm still new to this."
"It's alright I got my canteen filled faster." Said Strife
"Wow that's a lot of stuff." Said Aang "Where are you headed?"
"I'm heading to Ba sing sei to save an old friend from the fire nation." Said Strife
"Well would you like to travel with us?" Asked Aang
"Are you sure it wouldn't be a burden?" Asked Strife
"Not a big of burden as Sokka." Said Toph
"I heard that." Said Sokka "You know I help out around here too."
"Okay so you're only half worthless." Said Toph
"Listen you." Said Sokka annoyed
"I'm kidding don't get all bent out of shape." Said Toph
"Alright I'll travel with you guys." Said Strife
"Good these are my friends Katara, Toph, Sokka, and Momo." Said Aang
"That mark on your head you're an air bender right." Said Strife
"He's also the avatar." Said Katara
"So where are you from?" Asked Sokka
"Well I was from the fire nation." Said Strife
"The fire nation." Said Sokka
Sokka readies his boomerang and the others get into their bending stances.
"Don't worry I'm a fire bender but I was exiled." Said Strife
"Exiled?" Said Aang "Why did they exile you?"
"Well I was suppose to escort Azula to Ba sing sei but a kid tried to kill her using earth bending." Said Strife
"Kill her?" Said Sokka "You're joking right."
"Well she tried to kill him but I stopped her and let him get away." Said Strife
"That was brave." Said Katara
"Yeah but when I quit I turned my back and she shot me." Said Strife
"So who are you trying to save?" Asked Toph
"Ty Lee." Said Strife "I really care for her and I know she's not as bad as people think."
"Yeah but with Azula controlling her." Said Toph
"That's what scares me." Said Strife "I'm scared she'll try to leave and Azula will kill her."
"Well we'll help you get to Ba sing sei." Said Aang "But I think we should stop and rest for the night."
The group of five makes camp and will head for Ba sing sei in the morning their journey has just begun and the road to Ba sing sei has many dangers.