Letter to the Reader

Dear Reader,

You've made it this far, thanks! In the small blurb I'm allowed by , I mentioned that this fic is designed for the young adult reader. True to my word, it is. I've rated it M for various reasons, but the most obvious is the amount of graphic violence in this novel. If that bothers you, then I suggest you to turn away from this fic. But if you are tired of dreaming in the A:TLA universe without facing the realities and consequences of a century long war…. then I encourage you to continue down to the first chapter: The Captain immediately.

This fiction is based on canon events found in the cartoon series. It is technically an AU because of some important history and mythology I have created to supplement the A:TLA storyline. I have also added characters and/or portrayed existing characters in a more realistic and (more often than not) cynical manner. The Gaang will remain relatively unchanged; I will warn you that the Gaang hardly makes prominent appearances until the conclusion of the novel (which, as of 6/26/11, is still in editing).

This fic revolves around two characters I have created. While I realize this may put many readers off initially, I promise that neither character is your run-of-the-mill Mary Sue/Marty Sue nor will my primary OCs be subject to godmoding (ridiculous abilities/invincibility). You have my word.

The storyline of the fic is based off a concept I dreamed up nearly two years ago. I loved the idea of the Avatar mastering all four elements, but I wanted to see more characters with additional bending abilities. I created the concept of the four Acolytes, each a master of two of the elements, to aid the Avatar/ control the Avatar. While this idea may not seem very unique, the implications of it are astounding. The Acolytes are not like the Avatar; they have no idea that they carry the gift until they have aged into their 20's. The Acolytes are also not bound to the duty of saving the world; as you find out in this fic, the Acolytes can easily be corrupted by the war torn world around them…

If you have any questions/concerns/disagreements about my fic while reading it, please leave a review. Every bit of praise and criticism improves my spirits and writing!

I sincerely hope you enjoy my fic.

Elite Fanfic

The Captain

The damp, dim confines of the pirate ship were morose at best. The half rotten supporting beams of the ships skeleton creaked and groaned with every swell of the rolling ocean and the hull of the ship itself leaked seawater like the eyes of a crying child. In the middle of the cramped under-deck, an old, corroded cage was secured amongst a host of random assortments: crates, sacks, tools, clothes. In the cage, a young woman, no older than 20 years old, lay limp, seemingly unconscious. Her clothes had nearly been all stripped off; only simple undergarments remained. Her dark, wavy brown hair looked distressed. Dried blood was smeared across parts of her hair in fashion that looked like someone had painted her hair with dark red paint. She was fit and tone and her skin shown with a tan normally associated with one of the two Water Tribes. Even while unconscious, her facial features were sharp and defined as if she was somehow fighting an internal battle within her mind. For a moment, she stirred, but was resisted by her restraints. The trapdoor to the under-deck suddenly swung open and Kynthia's emerald eyes flashed open.

Instantly, Kynthia could feel them revolving around her cell, much like water swirling around an obstruction. It was impossible for her to see them; her vision was clouded with fresh blood, clothing the ceiling at which she could only stare with untouchable crimson drapes. Kynthia tried to roll over on her side, but it was impossible. Squinting through the blood and feeling the spiking pain on her wrists, Kynthia could follow the rusty chains of the irons on her wrists up to the bars of her cage. Her ankles were likewise bloodied and bond in the same fashion. Completely immobilized, spread eagle underneath the deck of the commandeered Northern Water Tribe patrol boat and as the pirate crew argued over which "piece of her" each pirate wanted for their own pleasure, Kynthia felt foolish for not eliminating them earlier.

"I don't think I've ever had one this young before…" a pirate sneered, slowly walking around the cage. Kynthia knew he was staring at her scantly clothed midsection without even seeing his eyes.

"I want to touch her hair… smell her hair… I want it!" a twitchy voice imitated from a dark corner in the hull. Kynthia felt revolted.

"Back off, Taft, she's mine."

Kynthia had at this point summoned enough tears to temporary free her vision. She swiveled her head around and immediately felt disgusted at the sight of the pirates huddled around her cage like animals.

Barbarians… low lifes…

"I want everyone topside immediately. Prepare to make camp and Taft, take her ashore."

"Yes, Captain!"

"Aye, Cap'tn."

"Y-yes… sir."

The shuffle of feet filled the room as the pirates quickly attended to their orders. As the last footstep disappeared above the hatch door to the upper deck, silence filled Kynthia's ears. She could still feel the Captain's presence, but couldn't turn her head and see him.

"I know exactly who you are. These… simpletons have no idea of your worth or appeal," the Captain calmly said. He slowly made his way to the cell door and unlocked it with a click. Kynthia tried to make out his face; the blinding sun through the floor boards silhouetted the man against the dark, damp, and bleak surroundings of the under-deck.

"I have a proposition for you."

The Captain's voice was cunning and as smooth as silk. Kynthia gut clenched, unconsciously sensing the man's intentions.

"All you would need to do to earn your freedom," the Captain whispered, now kneeling next to Kynthia's head, "is pleasure one man instead of many…" The Captain's breath, smelling of rotten fish and spoiled meat, fell like a blanket over Kynthia's face. She felt the man's slowly touch her inner thigh and start to move upwards.

Relax!

Kynthia mastered her immediate reaction to pull away and thrash. Calmly and slyly smiling, she connected her deep green eyes with the Captain's yellowed ones and gave him a provocative eyebrow raise. The Captain leaned in, only a couple of inches from Kynthia's face, and said exactly what she expected him to say.

"So, my princess, what is your decision?"

Kynthia quickly reared back and slammed her forehead into the Captain's nose. Through her own pain and disorientation, she could feel the bones and cartridge in the Captain's nose fracture and rip. The Captain reared away, spraying warm blood over Kynthia's face and prisoner clothing. The hatch flew open at the Captain's roar and Kynthia could see, to her delight, a look of shock and astonishment on the faces of the few crew members crammed on the stairwell leading out of the under-deck.

"My people will make sure all of you will be dead before the sun sets on the horizon!" Kynthia yelled with a sneer. She saw the crew look at her, fearful, and quickly back to their bleeding Captain.

"BACK TO YOUR POSTS!" the Captain roared, sopping up his blood with the sleeve of his ragged jacket. Kynthia heard the crew scamper as she kept her eyes directly on the Captain. The hatch shut with a boom. There was an uneasy silence as the Captain furiously gazed down upon Kynthia's grinning face. With a roar, the Captain connected the inside of his foot with Kynthia's skull, sending the young woman back into unconsciousness. Swearing under his breath, the Captain climbed the stairs out of the under-deck, blood still dripping from his face.