Summary: This story takes place just after the incident on The Boiling Rock. When Mai and Ty Lee escape from prison, will they be accepted with open arms by the Avatar as allies to end the war? Or will they be rejected for their past crimes?

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or anything pertaining to Avatar besides the plot to this story.

Author's Note: Hope you enjoy! Reviews are greatly appreciated!

I need a catalyst

To rekindle the flame

That once burned within these fists

Where defeat remains

~Cursive

The Introduction

MAI

The cell was dark and dank, with stale air that burned my throat and lungs whenever I took a breath. The metal tainted the air and left a bitter copper taste on my tongue, which was dry from lack of water. My hair was down along with my head, and it blocked my view of the prison cell walls. It had long come undone from it's usual style, and was as limp and lifeless as ever.

My mind was still intact enough to keep track of the days, as well as my surroundings. Only a week had passed since Azula had Ty Lee and me imprisoned for betraying her- and the Fire Nation, in respect. We were imprisoned on the same island where we had raised our blades and our hands against her, The Boiling Rock.

I only knew Ty Lee was held here as well because of the bits of whispered conversation I could catch between the guards as they passed by my cell. Such predictable words they spoke of her. How beautiful she was, how friendly and cheerful despite her situation. It made me smile every time I heard her name, remembering how she had taken down Azula to spare me.

Though brave, it was a foolish act. Ty Lee had humiliated Azula. As angry as she had been at me for betraying her first, it was nothing compared to her feelings towards Ty Lee as she lay immobile and crippled on the ground in front of everyone.

I was lucky that I had been given assembly with Azula first, before she had gotten her hands on Ty Lee. Ty Lee had risked her life for me, so I found it my place to take on the full blunt of Azula's wrath.

After Azula was through with me, she left The Boiling Rock. Left Ty Lee untouched, and me to tend to my wounds. The pain had been… incredible, but when the guards confirmed that Ty Lee was unscathed, I knew that I would never grow to regret my actions.

The burn marks on my body would forever remind me of my choices.

Author's Note: I am so very excited to be starting a new story! And about Avatar, no less! I have just finished watching the entire series, since my friends and I are going to cosplay Avatar for the next major anime convention in the city!

I am going to play Mai! She is my favorite character besides Zuko. This episode was my favorite with her, and it gave me many ideas for a fan fiction. This chapter is relatively short, only because it is introductory. I mean, the chapter wont be that long… but I will update often to make up for it!

I hope you enjoyed it, and continue reading! PLEASE REVIEW!