So uh, hi! Since I'm watching Avatar from the begining, I've decided to write this along with it, so that I don't lose steam or anything. Hope you enjoy it. Oh, just to clear stuff up, this will be in first person just for this chapter. Well, maybe. I haven't decided yet. But uh, yeah, enjoy?
Oh I also don't own Avatar, just my OC. =3

Book One : Water
Chapter One: Agni Kai

Stepping out into the arena, I heard the crowds jeering. Flames were sky high all around me, I felt the heat. It comforted me just a little. Pat,pat,pat, my footsteps were quiet as I went to take my place. My mother always told me that I walked like an airbender, light and quick, barely skimming the earth.

I looked on, out in the crowd, trying to see her or my father. A part of me wished they were here to see this spectle, the other part wished they weren't incase I wouldn't come out alive. Kneeling, I glanced at my only friend here, as she placed the towel over my shoulders.

I looked into her eyes and I could tell she was scared for my life. In all honesty, I was too. But I would never admit that. My breath came in short spasms, as the adrenaline took over. It was almost time.

The signal was given, and I turned around and faced my fate. My red eyes met the cold ambers ones of my opponent, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Our eyes bore into each others, as we got into stance. Poised and ready to strike. My heart, it hurt.

It was then, at the moment in time, I felt sorrow and wondered, "How did it come to this?"

*Flashback*

"I can't believe this. It's been to years. Two god damn years since he's been gone and I'm still suck here!" I looked up at the girl who came storming into the courtyard. She was annoyed, not angry. I could always tell when she was angry.

"Come and tell me all about it." I said, patting the empty spot next to me as I fed the koi. She came, and sat down, still annoyed. "I can't believe Father wants me to sit here while Zuzu gets to gallavant around the entire world looking for the most chased after fantasy" the amber eyed girl fumed, saying his name as if she ate something foul. I shot her a bemused smile.

"What's this? You'd rather be banished and sent on a wild goose chase rather than stay here in a nation that loves and honors you? You do realize that we're going to go to war ourselves eventually Azula. Just enjoy this peace while it lasts." I shrugged, throwing the last bit of food in the koi pond before turning to fully face my best friend.

"I suppose you're right. I mean Father does love me more, he must have more important missions set up for me to take on. He does trust me the most" Azula drawled, playing with her blue flames. "I have to admit, the palace has been quiet...pleasant since Zuzu's been banished." she smirked, throwing me a side look. "I wonder how Mai feels, not having her 'boyfriend' around" she continued. I tried not to let my emotions show. I knew better.

*End Flashback*

It's funny, even then, I knew this day would come.

"Get your head out of clouds before I make you fall back to earth" Azula snarled, throwing me a punch. I dodged, barely getting out of the way in time. She screamed in frustration and threw more kicks and punches, all which I was dodging, but with each flame that flew past me, I felt the after sting. It hurt.

"Fight like a firebender you wench" More blue flames. I decided to give her what she wanted. She always was like that, always getting what she wanted. I slammed my palms together as I put my weight on my left foot and swung my clapsed hands, forming a whip. It flew around and almost knocked her off her feet. She may be a prodigy, but I learned from the best.

'Pay attention', I thought to myself as more of her lightning flames shot at my face. I barely had time to duck. Another round flew at me, I countered with my own. I couldn't keep this up for much longer, I knew I had to do something. Taking a deep breath, I took my stance, planting my feet firmly on the ground. If I was to get out of this alive, I needed to give myself the best possible chance.

Azula took her own stance, and began throwing balls of blue flames at me, each one more vicious and hotter than the last. I pushed them away, blocking with my forearms, forcing me to jump backwards, almost out of the arena. My arms were stinging. Lightning always stung, but I tried to be brave. I needed to get out of here, out of this alive.

"I have you now. I'm going to make you wish you stayed loyal to me." Azula snarled, making my blood run cold. It was now or never. Her fingertips began to crackle and out came the biggest lightning bolt I've ever seen her do. More than ever, I wanted to run. I wanted to run to her, grab her legs and beg her to forgive me. I always did that, and she always forgave me.

'Not this time' I took my stance once more, my eyes determined and cold, as it flew towards me. "I'm not going to lose to you Azula, not now, not ever, not anymore" I shouted. I heard the crowd gasp as I caught her deadly attack, spinning it around me. I watched the color drain out of her face. No one, except General Iroh was able to reflect the lightning. But there was a difference in this, in us. While he reflected, I grabbed on to it full forced.

I threw the bolt back at my foe. She threw herself out of the way just in time. Kick, punch, kick, punch. My onslaught was brutal. I never once stopped until I stood over my fallen friend, fists ready. "You think you've won?" she sneered. "Do it, if you think you've won." She was taunting me, like she always did. "No." I simply stated. The drum sounded, making it official that I claimed this victory.

"I don't know what happened to you Azula, or where you went wrong. I don't know if I'll ever forgive you. But I do know this : I'm not staying. I can't stay with you." I turned my back on my once very dear friend. I knew that there was no turning back after this.

"You'll regret this." I heard her scream. I winced at the sound of it. It hurt, to know that I betrayed her. But I knew I couldn't be with her anymore. As I walked down the steps, my eyes met cool grey ones, devoid of any emotion. 'They never change..'

"You are making a stupid mistake, I hope you know." Mai spoke. I never liked her voice. It was always so dull, so boring, so...dead. I shot her a look. We never were fond of each other, only tolerating the other's company because of our once mutual friend. "Whatever, do what you want. I'm not going to save you from the consequences." she muttered, walked towards Azula. I couldn't help but wonder what that meant.

Turning around to continue my decent towards the crowd, my eyes widened in complete fear. My eyes caught the look of death from the one man that terrified me the most. "Lord Ozai.." I murmured. He always frightened me. Everyone was, of course, but my fear was irrational. Something about him made every part of me scream "danger". Looking directly into his eyes, I knew that this meant.

Punishment was to come.