The door to a prison swung open as a man covered in armor entered the cell. His harsh voice let out a cruel laugh as those golden eyes settled on an old man's weary face. The old man had fought for so long but had lost hope of every escaping. The man's triumphant and maniacal laugh echoed through his ears that hung in defeat, he spent his entire life withering away in this cell, unable to fight back. As he lifted his tired eyes to meet those of his capturer, they ignited with an idea. He released a surge of fire from his hands engulfing his tired body, and just before he faded into ash, he let out a faint smile – something he hadn't done since he was 12.

An innocent laugh of a young girl bounced of the glaciers as she pulled down a pile of snow onto her unsuspecting brother, knocking him to the ground in defeat.

"No fair! You can't use water bending, that's cheating!"

She laughed again amused by her brother's attitude when it came to loosing. She turned around to see Gran Gran and her mother behind her.

A smile stretched across her childish face as she let out her excitement – "Mummy, mummy did you see what I did?"

"Yes I did sweetie", a kind and gentle laugh escaping her mouth. She turned to Sokka who was dusting the snow of his parka. "Sokka, why don't you take Gran Gran to see your watch tower."

Sokka ran with excitement over to Gran Gran, dragging her behind him. Her mother knelt down holding Katara's arms. She gave her a big hug as tears fell down her face.

"Mummy why are you crying?" the confused little girl asked.

"I know you're still very young sweaty, but with the state the world is in right now…" she stopped herself before saying anymore – after all, she was just a child and it was too soon for her to have to face the horrors of war. "With the state of the world right now, we can't afford to waste anytime" she continued trying to hold back the tears.

"What's wrong mummy?" Her sweat voice questioned again.

"You are a very special girl Katara. Most people, like your brother and me, aren't able to bend, but some like Gran Gran and your father are able to bend water…"

"And me!" the little girl interrupted in excitement.

"Yes you too" the mother continued as she brushed the little girls hand behind her ears, "other people of different tribes can also bend an element like earth, fire or air. But there is only ever one who can bend all four, and it is that persons job to use their gift to help keep balance in the world – and that person is you Katara." The mother held back her tears and the thought of the dangerous task ahead for her little girl to have to deal with.

Katara's young blue eyes stared at her mother in confusion.

The mother laughed as she thought back to when she was deeding Katara as a baby and she sneezed, blowing the food she was holding all over her Parka.

"I have always known what a special girl you are. I love you very much, and one day you are going to change the world".

From then on her life would never be the same. She spent years with her father and Gran Gran learning how to control water, becoming a master of her own element. Gran Gran taught her about healing, whilst her father taught her how to use her opponents energy against them during a fight – Katara didn't understand why she had to learn this right now but in time she would understand.

Tears fell down Katara's face as she held her father tight. His arms surrounded her, comforting her as her body shook with each cry she let out. His gentle lips kissed her forehead as his voice broke from holding the tears back – "I love you Katara – you don't need to cry, I'll be back before you know it". His thumb wiped away the tears that fell on her face. "We'll see each other soon enough".

Katara drew in a breath as she nodded. She knew he was lying to make her feel better but she didn't care – she wanted to hold on to the delusion as long as she could, she wanted to stay strong like her father had taught her to be. She knew that once he ships left the docks to face the Fire Nation ships, they didn't come back.

He looked her in the eyes as he said, "you have grown so much Katara, I am so proud of how far you have come. My little girl has become a strong, brave woman. I am sorry that I will miss your 14th birthday, but I will be back for the next one".

She held her eyes close, trying to get rid of the tears – "you promise?"

He let out a reassuring laugh – "I promise".

All the men waved goodbye again to their families as the ships pulled out to sea, never to return again.