Chapter One – 3 Months

-was to be whisked up on a white horse and led to many misadventures, a prince who is helplessly and madly in love with me, our lives intertwining forever in a balance of opposites. He did come, somewhat, on a dragon, and-

Twing!

"Lasagna's ready," she said to herself, opening the microwave with a thick, wool cloth. She kept on reading her book as she chewed on her dinner.

-said that even though he knew I hated him, he would still protect me even if it took his life. I couldn't hate him as much as I wanted to. His green eyes pleaded at me, saying to give him a second chance. I didn't."

Her voice was morose.

"Without his chance given, he forced it out of me…and I obliged. I fell in love with him. His uncharacteristically gentle smiles, the way he hugs me, the way he would press light kisses on my forehead if I shriek because of my nightmares," she sighed, tears starting to form. "When I finally accepted him, forgave him, gave him my heart and soul, he disappeared."

She was crying now. The man in front of her, face wrapped in bandages frowned. He definitely knew who the girl was talking about. And without a second though, he caressed the crying girl's face with his bandaged hand, rubbing her lips, bitten and chapped because of the cold-

"Mail delivery!" a man outside her house called. Who in hell's existence would send a package at 3 in the morning? She stepped to the door and opened it, giving him a few bills for having to send the package at such a time of day.

She sighed. Her pet, a lively German Sheppard nudged her leg. She opened the letter.

Rena Beckingsdale

You might not know me; actually it would be a surprise if you did. But I send this to inform you that we need you. I cannot reveal to you what we need you for, because it is highly confidential.

Meet us in the middle of the Chastace Park tomorrow exactly at midnight, along with the things you would bring on a 3-month trip to a foreign country.

Fire

Fire? Who would name their child 'Fire' of all names?

She thought this as a prank, usually the boys of her neighborhood thought that this was funny, she begged to differ.

"But…if it were real, it would be pretty cool if this 'Fire' guy were serious, wouldn't it? But then…it could be a kidnap trap. For ransom, although there would be no one to pay for my return," she grinned at her pet. "To the attic! We're going on a little trip!"

Unknowingly for 'Fire', little miss Beckingsdale took 3-month trip to a foreign country to heart. One huge baggage that went up until under her chest stood in all its striking, blue beauty.

Her loved bundle of brown and black went up to her with his favorite squeaky toy, his leash and his bowl.

"Of course you're coming, you silly dog. I would die without you beside me for 3 months!" she stated happily, hugging the broad shoulders of the over-grown pup. "Onto the mission!" Unfortunately for her, her baggage didn't quite fit her small door.

In the middle of Chastace Park, which is actually small forest in the middle of the neighborhood, she found a ticket to Egypt, along with a translations book.

"I guess we'll be going to Egypt-" But before she could do anything, she, along with her things and her pet disappeared into thin air.

She woke up on…a ship?

"Kozu!" she yelled and sighed in relief as a wet tongue licked her face. "Where are we?" the dog's tailed stopped wagging and his eyes drooped upward as if telling her he doesn't know. "Well then, let's start sleuthing," she said, her trademark grin apparent.

She tiptoed to the door, Kozu by her side, and near-silently opened it. She dashed outside to the open-aired part of the ship.

"You're up already," a smiling voice stated. But because she was startled, she turned around to create a blast of air to the man's way. She saw him get up and rub his head. "I never thought I'd actually find one already intoned to her abilities as you…" the smile reached his eyes.

"Abilities?" she asked, head cocked to the side.

"Ever heard of airbending?" the older man asked.

Her eyes glinted. "Only since I was born! It's a series and a movie! Although the movies sucked…but still! OF COURSE! I LOVE PRINCE ZUKO!" she stated, arms wide open and a huge grin upon her face.

The man laughed. "I see. Would you join me for dinner?"

"Dinner?" she asked.

"Yes, you were asleep for quite some time," he chuckled at the memory. "It took Lonato quite a while to carry you to your bedchamber. You're quite a fussy sleeper."

"I am not!" she screamed in denial. "I just…it's just…even when I'm asleep I'm attuned to my environment. He-llo? Master assassin right here?" she joked to hide the fact that her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"I should never get on your bad side then," he played along. "And my name is Wang," he stated before opening the door to the main hall, where many people, mostly clad in red and black metal armor were eating.

A tall, well-built teenager approached her.

"I'm Pedro," he said, his smile probably wide enough to gulp down his steak. "And you must be Rena. Wang told us you were asleep for a long time. Nothing's wrong right?"

She shook her head. "Everything's fine!" she gave her most brilliant smile. "I'm Rena," she said to the table, and a few shouts and replies of 'hellos' and 'hi's' and 'welcomes' were heard.

Pedro then spoke up again. "This little kid is Nuri, and this is Nash," Nash gave her a gentle smile behind his glasses. "And you're Rena! Have you heard why we're here?" she shook her head. "We're benders. Meaning-"

"Sho Avathar ish really, you know, rheal?" she asked with steak inside her mouth.

Pedro laughed. "It seems that way. Apparently Wang and Lonato have been watching us for some time. My feat in twirling some rocks had them convinced I was an earthbender."

"So, who's who?" she asked after gulping her dinner.

"I've known Nash since he went into my school. You're an earthbender, right?" Pedro asked. He simply nodded, going back to reading his book. "Quiet fella he is, never really talks."

While the 2 guys started a trivial conversation about pomegranates, she looked towards the 10-year-old girl. "Something's the matter," the girl said suddenly. Rena shook her head. "You don't have to lie to me," the girl persisted. Rena smiled.

"Something's always wrong. I just have the willpower not to complain about it," she stated ambiguously.

"But there is a difference between complaining and admitting," she said, no trace of emotion on her face.

"Then I guess my time of admitting I have problems have long gone," the older girl said with a sullen smile.

Suddenly, next to their table stood Wang and Lonato. "We must tell you something."

The two men led them to a small hall, consisting of target dummies and many different kinds of weapons. "I am sorry to have taken all of you here without your permission, but we must act on haste," Wang said, face looking apologetic. "You are benders of your own element, and we were given orders to find you and train you. Our leaders have found a way to move through parallel universes, but we cannot predict when the pathways will open up again.

"You will be taught the ways of bending and considered citizens of our world, no discrimination whatsoever. But as we are all human, I would understand if any of you would like to go back to your world, probably uninterested in the things you can do with your talent."

"I guess learning my element won't hurt," Pedro said, his grin ever present on his face.

Nash nodded his head. Then then looked at Rena.

"Do you even have to ask? I get to se Fire Lord Zuko, for crying out loud! Why would I decline?" They all laughed at her statement, smiles on their faces.

"How about you, Nuri?" Wang asked. She gave him a reluctant smile and nodded. "This is the ship's training hall. You may use it as you please." With that, he left the room.

"Cool!" Pedro spoke up and headed towards the katana by the far end of the room.

Rena sat beside Nuri. "I don't have to be a genius to know that you're nervous," the older girl said.

"I'm not nervous. I'm…disappointed. My family won't come searching for me, that's why…I'm like this," she said, her face blank as a stainless piece of paper. "I'm the 3rd daughter and 7th child of a family that would marry their child off to gain a hotel chain. I'm the last child of 7 children.

"I'm just sad." Her blank eyes held no emotion. Then Rena's heart lurched out to the girl, realizing something she should've realized the moment she met her.

"I'm sorry," she said, hugging the younger girl in a scared manner, hoping the contact won't be frightening. "I should have realized this sooner." Nuri smiled at the silent understanding. "I understand owning scars," Rena said, which made the little girl's eyes widen.

Nobody told her this was because of an accident.

Author's Rambles:

I know this story seems so cliche or it's another girl who wants to be able to bend the elements so makes a parallel universe story, but trust me when I say it's not. At least to me. I don't know how much of a spoiler it is to say this but this story is a little dark. I've already written a few chapters ahead, simply because I want to see how it is when it's been laid out, and I kind of like it. Avatar itself has its own dark and mature themes, so I guess a story like this would not fall out of the Avatar universe. It's gonna be a long one, and I'm terribly sorry if it gets a little slow sometime in the middle. Or the end. Or the beginning.

I know Avatar: The Legend of Korra will be out, but I won't include the characters from said series. Why? Because in all honesty, I started this story before I even knew there was going to be A: TLK. I already have made all of the characters so editing...all...of them will be quite a feat (because if I do that, I'll definitely rearrange the whole plot). I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I know it's not much and everything seems to be in a rush - I apologize if it seems that way - but everything happens for a reason! So this has a reason as well. :D