Here goes my second shot at fan fiction. I know I haven't finished my first story yet, but I had a bit of an inspiration for this one and wanted to get started. Enjoy and review!

An excerpt from the private notes of Shou Wèi, fire nation solider and prison guard of Boiling Rock:

一 We received a new prisoner today – and a special one too: the fire lord's own sister, Princess Azula! I've heard the stories, of course. She is the first female firebender in our nation's history. The best in the world, they say, excluding her father. I got a glimpse of her as she was escorted to her cell. She was unlike any woman I had ever seen, she almost radiated power! They had her surrounded, about twelve earthbenders holding her in chains of solid rock: even her mouth was covered and gagged!

How powerful she must be! I can't wait to meet her!

二 Today I pulled some strings and got to give the princess her food. There were another three earth benders in her cell, and when I brought in the tray they began an extensive process for feeding her, first removing the gag from her north and then feeding her one bite at a time. How dishonorable: our own princess being fed like an incompetent child, by foreigners nonetheless! I'm supposed there aren't riots in the street against this new fire lord and his friend the Avatar. No wonder he was banished for three years, just look at how he treats his own sister!

三 It looks like I will have more difficulty speaking to the princess than first imagined. She is kept under constant guard night and day – rotated on every hour – and her gag is removed only twice a day for eating. I hope they more her to a lower-security area soon, otherwise I could never get the chance to talk with her!

四 A few weeks have passed, and the princess was moved to a new cell. I have been to see her, but they won't allow me ample time to talk. She is held to the back wall of her cell with metal. It is molded around her legs and arms, but her face is left uncovered. The warden tells me another earthbender did the job, some child who can bend metal.

That seems unnatural to me. Where is the power of the fire nation when a mere child can destroy our machines with her bending?

I am also told the princess is kept on a drug, supposedly is should keep her from bending. How powerful a bender she must be that they would not trust the power of a drug to keep her at bay! And how dishonorable a nation, to keep a prize as her chained so? I know I shall not stand for it!

五 Today we spoke for the first time! She does not say much, I believe it is the drug which causes her to be less aware.

I traded shifts with one of the guards – they only have one on her now, I suppose they thought the chains and drugs were enough to keep her back for now.

I told her how much I admired her, how powerful she was, and all of the stories that were told about her. She smiled at me too – I think she enjoyed being reminded that she was still the princess. I told her how dishonorable her brother was, and how she was the rightful heir to the throne.

Then the next guard came and I had to leave. But I'll be back tomorrow – and the day after. I shall find a way to return her honor.

六 There is a horrible rumor floating around: that the Avatar is coming, and he will take the bending out of the princess. What dishonor! Power such as what Azula has is not for the Avatar to take away! I shall find a way to stop this if I can.

七 I spoke with the warden today. He would not confirm the rumor about the Avatar, but he did not deny it either. However, he did let slip that a rebellion of fire nation solders has begun, both in the fire nation and the earth kingdom. It seems I am not the only one still loyal to the true fire lord.

The warden would not give me any more details. But I told Princess Azula what I had heard, and she seemed pleased, although she remained ever silent. I told her I would find a way to get her out of this prison. I told her one day she would be the fire lord, and I, her loyal servant, would do everything in my power to return her honor

八 The princess has spoken! Every day she had been getting stronger. I knew she would find some way to resist their drug. As I knelt before her this morning and began to speak she interrupted me, "What is your name?"

Her voice was cruel and cold. Her words were powerful, even in her weakened state. I was much in awe. I told her: "My name is Shou Wèi; I am your loyal servant." She smiled at me coldly, and then listed many things she wanted me to bring to her. I immediately obliged. She described to me in detail her plan for escape, and my role in it. She says within a few days she will be ready to bend, and I must be prepared when the time comes.

Soon I will restore the princess to honor!

九 We shall escape tomorrow. Her plan is simple: I will create a diversion in the west wing of the prison while she burns through her bonds. As soon as she is free I will go to meet her, and we shall leave while the guards are distracted. Then we shall find the leader of the rebellion. Azula is sure that with her help the solders will conquer the Avatar.

十 We leave tonight. Soon, honor will be restored.

The journal ends here. These pages were rescued from the fire that destroyed the Boiling Rock Prison. It is believed Shou Wèi did not survive.

More to come! Please review!

~Martes