The Prince of the South-

Avatar Aang lost the 100 year war and now, nearly eighty-three years later, the world is still trying to find a way to cope with all the devastation it brought. Phoenix King, Ozai, -notoriously known and remembered as Ozai The Frightful- got his wish and now the his Fire Empire rules over the majority of the whats left of the nations. As the 'greatest' nation in the world they belittle and exploit those they can and whoever does not bow are likely to die. There are new laws set in place, and if you wish to keep your head you must abide by them. Bending is a gift, one of which you must you to serve his supremacy, The Fire Lord, Hiroshi Sato, however you can.

The air nation is completely wiped out.

The Earth Nation, once the greatest in world, is now separated into many different colonies. Divided, they cannot bring themselves to fight against such a great tyranny.

The Water Tribes are greatly divided as they war with one another about ideas of liberty often. They strive only to protect themselves and those they hold close to them from a common enemy. That, a name, and an element is all they share.

But even divided, The Fire Empire finds things about them to fear. They are a strong people. The North has the spirits on their side, and lately, they've been getting out of hand. The Southern people of tribe are strong often hotheaded and impulsive, but their army is quickly gaining in numbers and strength.

Fire Lord Sato fears that it won't be long before a rebellion begins. What better way to get rid of the problem than to join it?

They are strong people, and it is said that the man who calls himself 'Chief' of the South, bared himself son unlike any other. Hiroshi is eager to find out why. He arranges a marriage for The Prince of South and his daughter, Princess Asami, but it seems there more to the south than either of them bargained for and more to prince than would ever be imagined.

All things LoK and AtLA belong to the honorable and fantastic Bryke and not me. *sadly*

Warnings: This story carries with it mature themes. This story is VERY VERY AU and will not follow most of the rules for avatarverse created by the show.

Prelude- The Fire Lord's Death

As the Chief's son, and only child, Korren was granted the honor of sitting to his father's left during his first council meeting, and for every meeting that would be held after that. He was only eight then, but even so young, he knew what it meant and what would be expected of him for that moment on. It meant Korren would indeed be Chief after his father. From the moment he took that seat, he would be expected to prove himself a worthy successor even more so than anyone before him as the decision was made after a year long debate between the High Council -the main leaders of the tribe- and The Elders. It was decided, finally. The members of the high council could not go against the word of the Chief and the Elders, no matter how much they despised it. The news was indirectly made public when Korren's mother packed away all the little water tribe dresses that was sown for him by the women of the tribe and gave them to girls who would happily put them to greater use. Then, she cut his long, girlish hair right above his chin and tied back into a warrior's wolf tail. She dressed him in the clothing of boys still in warrior training, and called him Korren instead of Korra. Suddenly instead of sending her daughter to the healing hut with the other girls in the mornings, she was sending her son to practice his water-bending forms with the other boys his age. It was a strange transition for his mother especially, but it's what Korren wanted. He fought and kicked hard for it, and now it's what the elders were allowing him to do. What was she to say against it? Only a Father could lift his hand to his son, but Tonraq would not. This wasn't something they could spank from him, but even if it was, was it right to do so? This is why the debate lasted a year long. It hard and strange topic to address, there were no rules laid for them, no one they could ask to help them...Some of the tribes men believed there was a dark spirit haunting the Chief's child, and they told Tonraq they'd pray for him.

With a proud grin Korren took his seat beside his father. The council hut was full of the head of households, and their first born boy who would take their place after them. Korren received scowls from some of the men, and blank stares from boys around his age. Suddenly there was a whisper, but before Korren could process what was said, there was another, and another, and another. Suddenly the entire hut was buzzing. The people of the Southern Water Tribe liked to gossip and talk without making much sense. That much Korren knew. So even though the talk was of him, he tried not to make slight of it the best he could. A prince does not let word hurt his pride. Yet, as the hut continued to buzz, and get louder by the second, Korren found it extremely hard to ignore the feeling of shame swelling in his chest. He could hardly go anywhere without being noticed by someone, glanced at, talked about. At first it was fine, because after all he is the Chief's offspring, and people were meant to talk about him, but not long after people began to treat his name as an insult. The women were shameful enough to stop speaking, or at least lower their voices when he approached, but the men were as shameless as they were brave. It didn't matter if Korren was there or not, they'd talk about him nasty-like regardless.

The loudest man in the hut to speak was called Griff. He had grown with the Chief, and was nearly as strong and as thick. He was appointed the role of teaching traditional water-bending forms to Korren privately, so that he'd catch up with the other boys quickly by the members of the high council and the elders. Teaching the Prince was meant to be an honor, but Griff quickly refused saying he would not train a woman, no matter how much she looked like a boy.

"You see, Tomare?" Griff called out. Standing, he threw a wicked finger at the Prince, who sat red faced and shaking beside his father. "Now you see it with your own eyes, do you believe it? Tonraq is letting his daughter be his son."

Tomare was a man just a big as Griff and Tonraq, with a long braided beard that fell down onto his chest. "I see it," Tomare said. "If that's the case, why don't we train all the women? Put swords in their hands at least? Bind their hair and have them fight for us while we reside to the healing huts and sow and cook. Wouldn't you say?"

"Oh, you might as well!" Another called out. "This thing is a mockery of man. Our Chief mocks his manhood!"

"Enough." The great Chief of the South commanded. With a weary sigh he rubbed his eyes and shook his head. "Just- Enough. Sit down, We can discuss Korren another day. The elders and I have decided. The decision is final. I have not asked him to come so that he may feel more shame." No one was really sure of how the Chief felt about his new son, though there was rumor spreading about the tribe saying that he prayed to the spirits every night to fix Korren... Korren couldn't say for sure if he believed it. His father stopped refusing him a long while ago. Now they only real scowling he ever received was when he messed up something simple.

Griff answered his chief with a huff and a deep grumble. Eyeing Korren he said, "We know you wanted a boy Tonraq, and we're sorry for your misfortune, but binding Korra's hair and calling her by a different name will not make her a boy."

"Who will want to marry her while she is like this?" Tomare said. "Think of her future. A man will not want a woman who steps out of place."

"I'm a boy!" Korren argued, but his voice was too soft to travel well over the noise. It was as if he said nothing. He frowned and buried his head in his hands wanting to hide somewhere dark, somewhere he could not be seen.

"She throws a tantrum so you let her do as she pleases-"

"This is Korren's choice. Would you deny your Prince his right to choose?"

"You talk of not teaching her shame Tonraq, the whole village is ashamed for you. This is disgraceful, I will not follow a chief who calls his arm a leg!"

"Then go North!" Korren screamed as loud as he could. This time, his voice was loud and shrill enough to get their attention. He held his breath as all eyes turned to him. Suddenly he felt smaller than before, but he screamed for attention- and now it was had to say something.

He puffed out his chest, and tried to sound deep and stern like his father. "If you will not follow my father because of me, then go North. Take your things and go, but leave your first born here so he can suffer the dishonor you have brought to his name. You will go North and abide by my uncle. Would you like that Griff? Uncle doesn't call his arm a leg."

Griff became quiet and slowly sank back into his seat. "No." He said. "No one wants to go North."

"Then you will bow to your Prince."

Griff bared his teeth and tightened a hand around the sword that hung from his waist. Though it was meant to be a threat, Korren did nothing but bare his teeth back. After all, he was only a small boy without any real training, and Griff was a man more than twice his size. Prince or not, Griff could kill him if he wanted to. "I will bow to no woman!"

The uproar began again. No one defended Korren, only argued over who was more upset about him. Tonraq stood then and called for silence. "Enough! Korren's title will be discussed another day. That is not why this meeting was called. All you need to know is that my child sits where my child should. You will show respect or you will go North." That was all it took to silence them. After shared looks of disagreement, they all sat.

Tonraq voice was deep and stern. Korren figured that's why it was easy for people to listen to him. You have to demand attention and respect if you want it. There is no other way. Touching his throat, Korren sank further into his seat. His voice would never be that deep or stern. He could not demand respect with a voice like his. Tonraq sat back down as well.

"Korren, as you practiced..." Tonraq said, urging his young son to start the meeting.

Korren gulped and sat up straight once again. "Fire Lord Azulon II has died-"

"Oh come on! Boy or girl, a child is a child! I will not listen to a child!" Griff said. Korren clenched his fists. Tonraq growled for Griff to be quiet.

"He will not learn if he does not practice."

"It's her first-"

"Let him talk! We went over this. Korren!"

Korren started again, "Fire Lord Azulon II has died. It's merely been a fortnight since he's followed his mother and grandfather, but already they're getting ready to anoint their new Fire Lord-"

"It's usually done right after the cremation! Why are they waiting so long? Can you answer that Korren?"

"They're having a moment of silence to commemorate Azulon's passing. My father thinks there's more to it, that they're waiting to see if we'll attack!"

"It's probably a ploy." Tonraq said, knowing the men would not listen to his boy any longer than they had. "They're waiting to see if anyone is brave enough to defy their laws in their moment of silence."

"I say we do-" A man named Barse said. "Without a Lord, they have no one to command them into battle. A moment of silence is the same as a moment of weakness."

"We will not get this opportunity again, Chief." Griff said. "Ozai The Frightful passed and Azula's grief lasted months. Your father did not attack then, no one did, and that's when they were most vulnerable. Azula passed and Azulon's grief lasted nearly as long. Still, we did nothing. The Fire Empire thinks we're weak. They think we cower under them. The Southern Water tribe is not weak. We have to take whatever opening we can get, they will not see it coming."

The men hooted in pride and agreement. Tonraq sighed. "Not if that's what they want us do..." Korren spoke before his father could. "Then my father will be responsible for leading you men to your deaths."

Griff scowled at him. "Let men speak Korra!"

Korren huffed, "No-no." Tonraq said. "He's right. What if it is what they want? Will we give it to them? We're risking everyone's lives for war we are unlikely to win. We simply do not have enough trained yet. Who will rally with us when we are out numbered? The Earth benders?" There was moment of laughter that followed, mostly by the younger boys who had just heard the stories of how 'wonderful' and 'strong' earth benders once were. Korren did not laugh. "Fire burns the same whether they grieve or not. An army of just Southerns is not enough. We will not attack them."

"We could always ask the Northerners to lend the men we need. Could we fight against The Fire Empire then?"

The men in the hut scowled at the mention of the North. "No Korren! Your uncle will not help us. Not without a price."

"Well, can't we pay?"

"The Northerners are not like us, Korren. They only care about power and spirits. Your uncle Unalaq will do nothing for this tribe's people. He will offer no help." Korren truly did not understand. They were all apart of the same tribe, just from different sides. How different could they be? "And the North will not welcome a union with them any how. We will do more damage to ourselves as one than to the Fire Empire."

"So what do we do then?"

"We protect our people first. Moment of weakness or not, we will not win an attack against them-"

"But if we did-" Korren insisted.

"Then what? The world will be thrown into yet another chaos. It's best people live and suffer under their order than die by our madness. You learn to worry of your people first. We cannot help everyone else. It's been a while since the Fire Empire has bothered the Water Tribes. We will let them have their moment of silence in peace. We will do nothing."

"And if they come for us, I suppose we will submit then?" Griff said. "It's best to kill the problem before it gets to us. The world ruled itself once. It can do so again. The world doesn't need The Fire Nation to keep order."

"The South does not submit. If they come, we fight, but will not fight against them otherwise."

"But it's the only chance we'll have, when Hiroshi is crowned-"

"We will do nothing. Our people come first. Right now, the North is more of a threat to us than the Fire Benders, we barely have enough men to defend against them. Let us think of that first." Griff and few others grumbled against the chief's ruling before sharing glances. Korren did not know what this would mean for the tribe, but his father was Chief, and if he thought it was the best choice then it probably truly was.

Chapter 1- Prince Korren

Korren never liked those moments before a battle. There was always an eerie not silent sort of silence that lingered about him and his troops. It was always too dark and too still, though they had torches set about them, and the moon would provide enough lighting as well. The wind howled furiously, and the cold bit at his bare cheeks. Sometimes they'd wait for hours before any sign of danger came about, by then his toes would feel like ice themselves, frozen and wet in his boots from standing in the snow so long. If he listened closely, he could hear the sounds of owls hooting in the distance or maybe a the caw of a raven flying up above where the leaves of the trees became too thick to see through.

The fight would be against Northerners, as it always was. They are said to be cowards who hide behind their walls and spirit portal. Tonraq, had lived there once when he was a boy, with his brother who was now the Chief there. He said the Northerners focused more on the spiritual side of bending whereas the Southerners focused on the physical. Man against man, it was never much of a challenge, yet they always came back to start more trouble. Their chief's a relentless man. Whatever he wanted from the south, he would risk all his men to get. Tonraq said it was power and control he wanted since he didn't agree with the way southerner's lived headstrong. He didn't like the name the south was giving to water benders -not that it mattered much. The world divided did not care of other nations were doing. Still, The Northern Chief persisted they change their ways, babbling on about balance, ying and yang, push and pull, spirits...The war began when Southerners refused to live by Northern tradition. That was years ago though, and now the feud threatens to transcend into another generation.

Korren didn't care much about what they wanted from the South. They are wicked people who'd happily slaughter the entire tribe if it meant getting what they want, then they'd talk of peace. As of late, they were becoming bolder and crossing over into southern territory again. "This won't happen when I become Chief." Korren muttered under his breath. "I'll kill Desna with my own hand if it means no more war." Desna was the Northern prince set to be Chief after his father. And by laws of vendetta, Korren's enemy.

"Hush up Korren," Griff said. "Killing Desna would just make it worse."

Korren huffed, "Yeah- yeah, we'll see..."

Suddenly he felt it. A shift in the air. Korren's fists clenched and his stance automatically became defensive. The air around them whooshed, and became heavy. In the distance there was a big blue glow approaching. Korren had to squint to make out what it was. As it came nearer, it became clear it wasn't one big glowing blob approaching rapidly towards them, but many, nearly a whole army of them. Large, frightening things. "Spirits..." Korren said.

This was new. It was always men who came to fight in the battles, never spirits. Korren didn't even know of spirits fighting in human feuds. Korren began to bend the water around him as the came closer. Around him, his men began to chant their battle cry. Which was similar to a wolf's howl. Korren tried to chant along, but the fear of what was coming gripped him to tightly for him to find his voice.

The spirits that approached walked on two legs like a man, only hunched over, with all four of their arms dragging in the snow. Their eyes were yellow, and large, talking up most of what should be their face. When they opened their wide mouths to shriek, the had no teeth, but a long tongue that wailed around furiously. There was a strange scent coming from them, like something rotting.

It made Korren dizzy, but he forced himself to hold his ground against them. They clashed finally. Man against spirit. Water against unearthly powers. His tribes men fought just a viciously as they were taught to, but within a few moments, the ground beneath them was slathered with red and twitching bodies that begged for death to take them.

Korren fought hard as well, using only the most deadly of forms he was taught to try and ward them off. They all proved useless. The spirits were simply too big and too powerful. With a swing of their arm, they knocked down most of the men. They charged towards the southern troops, passing through the bodies of unsuspecting men, leaving them looking like half spirit half man and gruesome. They screamed and fell. The pain of the fusion proving too great for them to handle. Korren made a sharp jab at one of the spirit creatures. Hard ice impaled it body, and from the wound yellow goo gushed. It fell twitching, but that was only one, there were still many more hurling towards him.

With a deep breath, Korren stopped bending water and focused on the ground around him. As he willed it, it began to shake. He didn't mean it to disturb what was left of his men as well, but it did and few of them fell over, giving the spirit creatures the upper hand for a moment before they stumbled as well. Korren made a gaping hole in the earth, the heat from lava could be felt from it. Korren wasted no time pushing himself to the limit. He forced as many of them into the hole as possible with the help of his men. One of them shrieked loudest, and soon they all began to retreat. Korren bent the earth shut and watched them run.

Had it been a man, they would run after them, to see to it no one who challenged the southerners survived. But these were not men. So Korren let them go, and prayed it would be long before they returned.

It certainly wasn't a long fight, less than an hour at least, but his muscles were sore, and physically he felt drained, like he would fall over at any moment. Bending earth always did that to him. It was hard and difficult element to control and mold. It was even harder to separate into pieces and it was so heavy. He stumbled a bit as he looked for his father in the mess of blood and men.

Tonraq usually wasn't hard to find, he was a big man, and he always fought with both hands engulfed in ice sharp enough to serve as swords. More than half the troop laid on the floor before him. Most of them would die, Korren already knew, but he would have to find his father before he could worry for them.

The North won this time, and with strange tactics. Just when the Southerns had one upped them...

Korren found his father laying in a pool of blood. His face half his. The other had was blue with a large yellow eye taking up most of it and shaped strangely. Half his mouth was missing teeth. His right arm was not his, instead a long glowing blue limb that had three fingers. Same for his right leg. His chest had a gash that spat yellow mixed with red liquid from his chest.

"He's going to die." Barse said. "No man can survive this." Korren told himself warriors do not cry as he picked up his father and slung him over his back. Tonraq was heavy, and Korren was already feeling weak, but for his father, he would do anything. "What do we do now, Chief?" Barse asked.

Korren looked in the direction the spirits ran and shook his head quickly. "There are too many wounded. We protected our people first. The fight is over for tonight. We go back to the tribe and discuss what to do there."

-X-

It wasn't unusual for Korren to come home bloody when he was a boy, but often times, that blood did not belong to him. It belonged to whatever poor soul was brave enough to test his patience. Korren was Tonraq's boy, and his short fuse proved it so. He had a temper and an anger just as nasty as his father's. Also like his father, Korren never backed away from a fight, even when it was evident he'd lose. He held his fists up and took his beating if fate be it so, but never would he walk away without trying. Losing only made him lash out even more, and made his tribe-mates laugh at him harder. He's always had a fierceness in his eyes. His fists would always clench at the first sign of trouble and his anger was unpredictable and sometimes lacking in restraint. But these were all the qualities that he would need to grow into the a man as great as his father. His face was always bruised. He's lips were always torn, and dripping blood. He'd limp back to his home with his clothes torn into shreds, bloody, or simply missing all together. His hair was just as long as the other boys' but would get pulled so often when he fought it became necessary to keep it cut short -too short for a warrior's wolf tail that meant unfortunately, but his father assured him, it's not the tail that makes the warrior, it's how well he fights and protects his tribe men.

Korren fought well, hand to hand or with bending. He needed to if he was going to prove anything to his father and the elders. And also, he was necessary he be able to protect himself, as his mother wasn't always there to break apart his fights. Korren fought and defended even better when it was learned he could will earth the same way his tribes men willed water. And if he tried really hard, the smallest flame would appear in his palm, but fire was even more difficult to control than earth so calling upon that gift was forbidden by his father, not that he cared to much. Fire was destructive like it's nation, and it was weight lifted from his shoulders not have to associate himself with it. They would call him the new Avatar of the new age, if that word meant anything anymore, but it's been nearly a hundred years since the world has seen an Avatar. So, talk of one was instantly knocked off as folly. The word no longer meant anything special. Korren was just strange. Stranger than he was before that is. They way his voice was too high for a boy was strange. The way he was smaller than the other boys his age was strange. They way he changed his name from Korra to Korren was strange. They was he screamed, so high a shrill, when titled incorrectly was strange. Everything about him. Most of the villagers stayed away, though by right, he was their Prince and he should be respected. The boys his age were cunning enough to get away with their faux-ignorance. They there were to bow to Korren, but instead they punched him when they could get away with it, and full on warred with him when there were no adults around to stop it.

By the time Korren was to be considered a man by the laws of nature, he was going off into battle with his father and their troops. He excelled far quickly, and was soon far more advanced than the boys he trained with. He had already graduated to the title 'warrior' and given his wolf's armor when they were in their final year.

That was one thing no one could deny about him- he'd make a strong Chief, perhaps a even stronger one than his father.

Now he's a man. Nearly twenty three in age and he's still coming home covered in blood that wasn't his. It was a two week march back to the tribe. By then Tonraq's heart was barely beating, but Korren refused to bury him along with the others. Not until he was sure he was dead would he bury his father.

He collapsed when they finally made it back. Falling with his father atop him. He heard his mother's scream, and moment later she was by their side, along with other women of the tribe. The weight of his father was off his back in a moment.

"Korren! Korren!" His mother called. Her worried face was the last thing he saw before his vision clouded and he was out.

-X-

"Korren," The voice was soft and tender and loving. "Korren, wake up now. We have a problem. We need you to wake up." Korren responded with a groan. He felt weak, and stiff. His muscles ached as he tried to move them.

"Chief," A different voice called. "You have to get up." Korren's eyes cracked open to Barse. He was in his tent. Back at his home. Laying in his bed. He all seemed so strange at first. A moment ago he was in the woods, fighting against blue monsters that threatened to take his life. Now he was home, sore and dizzy.

His mother was a small lady with a childish face and two long braids going down her shoulder. She was prone to worrying, especially about Korren, since he was such a strange boy. Often she hovered, and tried to protect like a mother does.

"How long have I been asleep?" Korren asked suddenly panicked. He began to sat up, but then he remember Barse was in the room, and his breast wrappings would show if he did, so he stayed down, under the covers.

"Nearly a week. We were beginning to worry we'd lose you too." His mother said, hugging him tightly.

"And father- is he..."

"He's in the healing hut, with the other wounded. Many have already died. They think he's next, but you know him. Always fighting."

Korren frowned then growled, "Then do not call me, Chief!"

"You need to be while he is wounded. Get up, we have a problem." Korren tightened the sheets around his shoulders before he stood. His legs wobbled a bit and his muscles protested but he pushed himself to find a shirt and and pants.

"Hold them off for another minute." Senna said. "We'll be out soon." Barse gave a single nod and left. Korren let his sheet drop and stumbled around his room in search for clothing.

"You can't just put on anything Korren, you have to look like Chief, or at the very least a prince." She protested. She pushed Korren sit down while she searched for a royal blue overcoat for him, and the matching pants. Korren tugged on a plain white shirt underneath and allowed his mother to help him dress. He never liked being naked for long.

"What's wrong? Who's so important I need to dress up-"

"Be respectful Korren." His mother scowled him. "We haven't had a visit like this in a very long time. We can't have them attack us on account of your attitude."

Korren understood without having to be told directly. His mother hated uttering their name. The Fire Empire. It's been over ten years since the fire nation knocked on their door. They only stop by to check up, make sure the water tribe was following the rules. Sometimes they'd take some benders to help serve in the fire nation, other wise that was it. Korren never understood why the didn't stay to control the water tribe like the did in the earth nation, but he liked to joke that fire doesn't like water- or the cold.

This was probably just another check up. And if they showed that they weren't plotting against them, and were loyal to the Fire Lord, they would leave in just a few weeks. And then Korren could meet with the elders to discuss the spirits monsters they encountered. Hopefully, by then the Chief would have healed up nicely.

However, it wasn't just fire nation troops Korren faced with when he emerged from his tent. It was the Fire Lord himself. His entire tribe stood in just a few feet away from his home, frightened and some shaking. Around them stood fire nation guards, dressed in their traditional red and black attire, and masks that made them look face less.

"There he is," A voice called from the crowd of his people. "That's the Chief. That's him!" The Fire Lord wasn't hard to spot. Surrounded by many guards and wearing his hair up in a bun that was tightened with what was his crown, a small ring of metal craved to look like fire and painted red and gold. He dressed in red and gold robes that dragged through the snow as he walked. Fire Lord Hirsohi was a fat man, with a thick mustache and heavy glasses that rested on the tip of his nose. He didn't look like a fearsome Fire Lord at all. More like a fat fool playing pretend. Korren bit back his chuckle. He had an incredibly round face that would an unreadable expression. Korren supposed his face was meant to strike fear into his heart, but instead he just badly wanted to laugh, despite the seriousness of the situation.

"Prince Korren." Fire Lord Hiroshi said, when he laid his eyes upon the Southern Prince. Korren bowed best he could, to show his respect, though he believed the Fire Tyrant deserved none. His people's protection meant more than his personal hatred for the man. "You may rise boy," Hiroshi said. "I wanted to meet with your father directly, but I hear he is wounded and will soon no longer be with us." Korren screwed up his face. Barse! He refused to believe his father was nearly dead. Tonraq would get better soon. It was a huge sign of disrespect to say otherwise. "Shame, isn't it. No matter, I suppose you will do. You're to be the Chief next right? You're the one I want to discuss." Korren stiffened as the Fire Lord held out a hand towards him. "Well, don't be shy now boy. Shake. I won't burn you." The Fire Lord laughed at his own morbid joke.

Korren clasped hands with his begrudgingly and gave him a stern shake. The Fire Lord held on tightly and pulled him close, placing his other hand on his shoulder. "I've heard very good things about you. So, I've come to make you an offer. Join me, won't you?" Senna held on tightly to her son's arm as The Fire Lord began to pull him away.

"No!" She cried. "You bring him back!"

Hiroshi laughed as one of his men pried Senna off Korren and slapped her in the face. "Women," He said as Korren watched in horror. "So protective and foolish." Then he turned to Senna and said, "This business is between men. You'd do well to say out."

-X-

Prince Korren hoped to never have to see the inside of a fire nation ship, but here he was. Sitting in a hunk of metal and coal, with The Fire Lord sitting across from him with a strange smile plastered across his face. It was very dark, as the only source of light came from a fire burning in the corner. Beside it sat a young woman, dressed in nothing but a robe. She sat with her legs crossed and her hands clutching tightly to the small piece of fabric covering her. Her face was overcast by her hair.

Korren was sure this was all a dream. He must have hit his head harder than he thought. The smell of the tea being poured for him was strong enough to burn his nose. Still, he picked it up and took a sip. It was bitter.

Fire Lord Hiroshi's smile turned into a laugh as Korren made a face at it. "Don't like Fire Nation tea much?"

Korren shrugged, "It's bitter." Hirsoshi nodded. "I'm sure you didn't come to ask me about your tea making skills so..." The girl by the fire let out a snort like chuckle and shook her head.

Hiroshi scowled out her, and then ordered his guards to leave. Strange. He would leave himself mostly unprotected with the Prince of the South. "Do you know you are breaking our laws Korren? By titling yourself a prince you are proclaiming royalty, which is illegal and punishable by death."

"My dynasty has been around longer than your laws."

"Ah, yes. I've heard about the Water Tribe's many Chiefs. I know all of them. Even the ones that existed before you split into two groups."

"Enjoy Water Tribe history much, Fire Lord?" Korren asked. The Fire Lord nodded.

"Oh, yes. It's fascinating. Such a strong people. Always held your own. It would be a real shame if something were to happen to that tradition."

Korren grumbled at the threat and lifted the bitter tea to his lips once more for another sip to keep himself from crossing any lines with the him.

"So you're here to punish me?"

"Punish?" Hiroshi laughed. "No no. I did say I have an offer for you didn't I?"

"Why would you want to offer me anything?"

"Because I admire strength. And ambition. From what I've heard you have both. You're more famous than you know. Stories for your strength traveled all the way to the fire nation." Korren stiffened, and rubbed his chest where his breasts where safely hidden way. His heart thudded away in his chest.

"Stories like..."

"Like how you could take down a whole Northern army if you wished. Like how you are the strongest in your tribe. Like how your enemies shiver at your name. Korren. It means gleaming you know and you certainly are."

Korren relaxed a bit in his seat. Slowly, he forced himself to chuckle along with the Fire Lord. "Those are just myths. I believe my strengths have been exaggerated as they were passed about."

"I don't think so, Korren." A moment of silence passed between them. Korren found his eyes shifting back to the young lady who sat by the fire. Her hair just as black as night and her legs pale as snow...Why the hell was she just sitting there?

"I can make you a Prince you know." Hiroshi said suddenly, pulling Korren from his thoughts.

"I am a Prince." Korren argued.

"A real Prince," Hiroshi corrected. "By law, a real Prince. A Prince of the fire nation. Worshiped, loved, next in line for the throne. I have not bared myself any boys. I only have one. A girl. Useless thing she is. She can't even bend."

"I've heard of your daughter. Forgive me, I'm not good with foreign names. What is she called again?"

"Asami," Hiroshi said. "Would you like to marry her, Korren? It would be her honor and mine. A strong water tribe boy and the honored fire nation princess. It would be a match unlike any other."

Korren nearly choked on air. His face went red. "Marry? What- no- I mean - I...No!"

"I know it's sudden, but the water tribes are strong and so is the fire nation. A union by marriage would make us unlike any other."

"No!"

"I would think before you refuse, Boy!" Hiroshi growled. "How old are you? Twenty two? And you're not married. I'd say yes if I were you, otherwise, I can't promise you you'll walk out of here with a head. You've broken the law, and so has your tribe by acknowledging you as a prince. That's an act of treason I'm giving you a chance to redeem yourself. To save your people, you wouldn't be so selfish to let them die now would you?"

Korren was quiet. Protect your people first, he was taught. But is a marriage between him and the tyrant's daughter going to protect them? Or only hurt them more? Besides, he was lacking certain parts he would need to make the marriage legal. How do you tell the Fire Lord no and still protect your people?

"I need to talk with the elders." He said rising.

"Sit down!" Hiroshi snapped. Korren slowly sank back into his seat. "This is your choice Korren. Not your elders. Perhaps you need to see her first? That's fair isn't it? I wouldn't force you to marry an ugly girl. Asami, come here!"

The girl sitting in the corner rose at the command, and strutted over to her father. Asami.

"The prince is having some trouble deciding. Show him your body." The Princess couldn't have been any older than sixteen, seventeen maybe. Her face was still young and her golden eyes still held some innocence. She dropped her robe, revealing her body to Prince Korren, who's dark face was hot like fire by now. She was beautiful of course. Her breast not too large or too small, her nipples pink and perky. Her stomach flat and unmarked. Even the curls between her thighs were gorgeous.

She fiddled with her hands nervously as Korren's gaze traveled about her. "Well," Hiroshi asked, pushing his daughter onto Korren's lap. She fell right into him with a whimper. "Perhaps you need more convincing. Shall I hang your mother instead, or maybe those elders you love so much?"

"No!" Korren gaped. "No, I-I'll...I'll have to talk with the elders first, it's-."

"Father-" Asami whimpered. "Let him. It's his tradition."

Hiroshi growled. "And it's my tradition not to be left waiting. What is your answer Korren? I do not take disrespect lightly." Hiroshi created a small flame in the middle of his hands. Protect your people first.

"Okay," Korren said hastily. "I'll marry her. Just do not hurt my people." The flame was gone in that instant. Hiroshi's strange smile returned.

"Good then. Asami be grateful, someone wants to marry you." Asami's golden eyes were sad in Korren's lap. She nodded and thanked him dutifully. Korren nodded, and carefully rose, setting the naked princess on her feet.

"You'll be married tomorrow night. The sooner, the better."

-X-

Senna wrapped her arms around her boy in a tight hug the moment he was free of those fire nation scums. "Oh, I was so worried. Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Korren shook his head, and pulled away to wipe tears from his mother's eyes. "Are they leaving soon? You still haven't said anything to the elders about what happened. What if the Northerners attack while they are here?"

"I don't think they're leaving, Mom." Korren said. "We have to worry about the North later. "

A shiver of fear ran down Senna's spine. "What-"

"Tell the other women to help you plan for a wedding. I have to go talk to the elders."

Senna stood there shell shocked for a long moment before she understood and once she did, she fell down to her knees in teary sobs. Korren wanted to get down there and cry with her, but he was a warrior, and warriors do not cry.

"We'll have this conversation later..." Korren said, walking away. "Just- start preparation."

-X-

"Don't you think you should know her a little bit first?" Tomare asked once the news was revealed to the few men who resided in the council hut to talk about the arrival of the Fire Nation. There was a long moment of confused silence. Then Tomare was the first to speak.

Griff grunted, "Know her? The fuck does he need to know the bitch for? I didn't know my first wife when we got married."

"Yes, but you married a water tribe girl. The tribe raised her, you knew her intentions before you married her. What does Korren know of this girl's intentions?"

"What could she possibly want? You didn't see her. She's quiet, dutiful, timid. It's her father that wants something." Korren frowned, and leaned back in his seat.

Carswell was one of the eldest elders in the room. He held a shaky finger up in the air and proclaim, "Power. We are strong. The Fire Nation are afraid. They will burn us from the inside."

"Mmm, or maybe they just their name merged with ours. More territory, more men for the army, more power. I don't think they want to destroy us. Hiroshi likes water tribe tales."

"Which is why he would be eager to kill us, the Fire Lord who brought the great water tribe to an end. He'd be a legend rather than just another fire lord after Azula. They might even title him the new Phoenix King."

"He also said he needs a boy in his bloodline."

"You are not a boy Korren," Griff said. "Not even if you call yourself one."

"What are you going to do when you marry her? Then apologize? They'll kill us all for sure." Barse said.

Korren sighed and buried his head in his hands. His father would know what to do. " Not physically, no. I do not have the parts. I'm something though." He said using what little strength he had to shift the earth under Griff's feet causing him to stumble. "Maybe when she learns of what I am, she will want to keep me."

"And what are you Korren? Other than fucking weird?" Barse chuckled.

"The avatar?" Griff laughed. "Impossible. Those things don't exist anymore."

"I'm something..." Korren mumbled. "Whatever it is, maybe she'll think it's special and spare us."

"So you plan to tell them then?" Carswell asked. "That you are just a strange girl is boys clothing."

Korren huffed. He did not like being called a girl. "Not until I absolutely have to. Until then, I'll just marry her..."

"And pray the spirits give you a dick to fuck her with..." Griff said then he fell on his ass as Korren lifted the earth under his feet and slammed it back down.

Okay. End Chapter 1.

What do you guys think of this?

If you want more to this story, I'm going to need comments. So please, please do so. I worked really long and hard on this.

Also if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Till next time

*Flies away*