I was surrounded by the sudden cold as I splashed into the water. It soaked my thick blue clothing. The water, once my closest friend, was now preventing me from breaching the surface, pushing me farther and farther down. I swam desperately, begging my water bending to work, but I was so far down. I could see the Southern Water Tribe's boats above, their wooden bottoms floating above. I could see my father's figure, distorted by the waves and the steadily gaining distance between them.

A fire nation ship had come out of nowhere, and despite being one of the strongest water benders in the southern pole, a single blast of fire had me plummeting into the treacherous depths of the ocean. I let out a gasp, inhaling only water, attempting to gain even the slightest amount of air in my lungs. I willed my arms to work, pushing upwards, but nothing happened. My heavy winter cloak was betraying me, coaxing me downwards into the inky abyss. I watched my father jump in after me, but even with open eyes, he couldn't see this far down through the murky water. I tried to shout, getting yet another mouthful of salty water.

Slowly, my eyes began to shut, and I let the cold and the water lull me to sleep.

I dreamt of my family. My brave beautiful mother, who had died protecting me and my younger sister from the fire nation two years ago, by claiming to be the last water bender in the south pole. My father, who was leading a navy into the head of a fire nation attack.

Then my two younger siblings, Sokka and Katara. I was going to miss them growing up. I thought I might get to see my sister get engaged, see Sokka ask for someone's hand. I thought I was going to be a mother, an aunt, and a grandmother. I thought I might get to see the earth kingdoms, the northern water tribe, maybe even an air temple. All of that was cut short by the cold heartless army of the Firelord; by people who only wanted world dominance.

I didn't want to die yet. I could sense the moon and the ocean spirit watching me and I sent them a quiet prayer in my dream, asking them to spare me, so I could get back to her family.

They answered.

I shot up, nearly knocking heads with a man. I dug my fingers into the soft blankets around me and snapped my head around quickly. "Where am I?"

"Stay calm my dear. You have washed ashore. You are in my home."

My gaze turned to the pot-bellied greying man next to me. He seemed concerned, but my gaze snapped to his clothing.

"Fire nation!" I hissed, standing up, only to immediately regret it as my head swam and my knees buckled. The man hustled across the room and grabbed my arm, trying to get me to sit back down.

"No! Let go of me!" I flicked my free arm, bringing water up and over my head and using it to snap him in the face, leaving a red mark.

He didn't attempt to fight back as I backed up into the corner of the room. The man was blocking the door.

"My dear, I am not going to hurt you. My name is Iroh."

"I know you, you're that war general!"

I held the water whip in front of me, trying to appear threating

"My dear, do you believe in the spirits?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Of course. What does that have to do with anything?"

Iroh sat in a chair next to the end of the bed I had been asleep in. If he was fire nation, why wasn't I in jail?

"I was meditating about a week ago on my nephew's ship when I came into contact with the water and moon spirits. They told me about a girl, a member of the water tribes, who would soon wash ashore in my country town. They wanted me to help her. Keep her safe and protected."

I let the water slowly fall. "I sent a prayer to them, to spare my life."

Iroh smiled. "I guess we are meant to be friends."

I looked at him cautiously. "My name is Avalan."

Iroh frowned. "The name gives you away as water tribe. If you are to hide as a fire nation, you will need a new name," He scanned me. "Enyo."

I raised an eyebrow. "The spirit of embers?"

"You know your spirits. I'll give you a deal. I'll hide you as my goddaughter, and you will have to sail with my nephew and I on our hunt for the avatar. When my nephew succeeds, I promise you, I will return you to the water tribe? Do we have an agreement Avalan?"

I thought quickly. This man could be my only chance at survival. I nodded. "I think you mean Enyo."