I know, I know... I've got too many stories going, but this was just too good an idea to pass up. Anyway, here's the prologue to my latest story. I don't believe I'll be putting more up until maybe the end of this month (perhaps sooner if I'm able to get what I need faster). I thought I'd give you guys a taste of what I've been writing for the past month and hiding away from everyone but my co-author. lol. So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the characters. I only own Kala and the few OCs I may add in to spice things up.


I awoke with the sun, just as I always did, just as all the other palace servants did. I was a prisoner in the palace, never allowed to leave unless it was with the Crown Prince. That only occurred when we were children, however, when the royal family would travel to Ember Island. All things considered, I was very fortunate to be serving within the palace. As I said before, I was a prisoner, taken from my family in the Southern Water Tribe when I was only a small child. My job in the palace was to be the personal servant to the Crown Prince, who was only a year younger than me. I was his friend, and one of the few people in the palace who thought he was worth something. Even his father, Fire Lord Ozai, believed his son to be a disgrace. I knew they were all wrong, though. Prince Zuko was more than he appeared to be, he was merely a kinder spirit than what his father expected.

"Kala, are you up?" a gentle voice asked softly, shaking my shoulder.

It was the voice of the woman who'd been like a mother to me since I'd come to the Fire Nation, Zelia. She was a middle-aged woman with long, sleek black hair and brown eyes. She had a slender form, which allowed her to move easily through the tight spaces servants must be aware of. She wore the crimson robes all servants were expected to wear, as did I.

"Yes, I am," I answered quietly, sitting up in my cot.

I ran my fingers through my light brown hair, trying to work out any knots that had accumulated in the night. Zelia chuckled as I reached for a comb to work out the rest. After tying my hair up in the traditional Fire Nation manner, I donned my own servant robe and slipped on my black shoes. I ate a small breakfast in the palace kitchen before running off to Prince Zuko's room, as I knew he would be arising soon, if he had not already. As I neared the doors to his room, I found that I had been correct. The door was slightly ajar, signifying that I was allowed to enter. Nonetheless, I knocked lightly on the door. The guards glanced at me as the door was opened by the Crown Prince.

"Good morning, Kala," he greeted with a smile. I bowed to him.

"Good morning, Prince Zuko."

I spent the day with the Prince, just as I did every day. I never minded having to be his company. In fact, I rather enjoyed it. Prince Zuko and I were close friends, had been since I was brought to the palace. He was my only real friend and I feared his younger sister, Princess Azula. She had a servant of her own and I often felt sorry for the poor girl. The day with Prince Zuko was much like any other. We walked through the courtyard, fed the turtle-ducks and talked about whatever came to mind. Zuko spent much of the day training his Firebending skills. As a Waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe, I was forbidden from using my skills. I only worked with water when I was alone, and only in small amounts. I couldn't allow the guards or any of the royalty know I was a Waterbender. The Fire Lord would have had me locked away, or worse, killed. That afternoon, there was a meeting in the War Chamber, which Prince Zuko wanted to enter.

"Let me in!" he yelled. The guards did no such thing. At that moment, General Iroh, the Crown Prince's uncle, came forward.

"Prince Zuko, what's wrong?" he asked. I bowed humbly to him. General Iroh was another kind soul of the Fire Nation, just like Lady Ursa, rest her soul.

"I want to go into the War Chamber, but the guard won't let me pass."

"You're not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring." I chuckled quietly, covering my mouth with my hand. General Iroh smiled at me.

"If I'm going to rule this nation one day, don't you think I need to start learning as much as I can?" Prince Zuko asked, trying to persuade his uncle.

"Very well," the general answered, "but you must promise not to speak. These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know? And Kala can't join us. You'll have to wait out here, my dear."

"Yes, sir," I answered with a bow.

"Thank you, Uncle," Prince Zuko said and the two of them walked into the War Chamber.

The two guards posted at the door stared down at me and I averted my eyes to the floor. As guards, they had a higher position than me and I was to behave as such. I merely sat on a nearby bench and waited for the meeting to be over and for Prince Zuko to return. After a while, I could hear yelling, and it sounded like the Crown Prince. I couldn't tell what he was saying, but I doubted this would be very good. I knew little of War Chamber etiquette, but speaking out never resulted favorably. Soon after, Prince Zuko and General Iroh left the War Chamber and I stood, bowing to them both. The Prince walked past me and I looked up questionably to the general.

"He's upset. Go talk with him. I'm sure you will be able to cheer him up," he said with a smile and a wink. I smiled up at him and bowed once more.

"Yes, General Iroh," I answered and ran after Prince Zuko. I found him where I usually did if he ran off, the turtle-duck pond. He was throwing small pebbles into the water, watching the surface ripple with each one. "Prince Zuko, what's the matter?"

"It's nothing important," he answered, tossing another pebble into the water. Watching the water ripple made me wish I could practice my Waterbending.

"You're upset. That's important."

"I spoke out, but that general's idea was wrong." I didn't dare ask what the plan had been. I was a servant and knew better than to ask those kinds of questions. "I'll be participating in an Agni Kai at dusk." I gasped quietly. I knew what an Agni Kai was, a fire duel. Prince Zuko would be facing another Firebender to settle the dispute.

"Zuko," I whispered with concern in my voice, breaking out of my formal speech.

"I'm not afraid of that general. I'll prove I'm right! Will you come to watch?" His question caught me by surprise.

"What?"

"Come and watch my duel," he repeated. He seemed excited now, anticipating the upcoming fight. I nodded slowly.

"If that is what you wish, Prince Zuko." The Crown Prince smiled at me and lightly pushed my shoulder, knocking me off-balance where I was kneeling.

"You don't have to be so formal about it."

"I'll try," I answered with a small smile.

That evening, at dusk, I gathered with the other spectators to watch Prince Zuko's Agni Kai. General Iroh had seen me as I was entering and beckoned me over to him. Upon his insistence, I joined him to watch the duel from the very edge of the ring. There were only a few feet separating the dueling ring from where I was standing. I could clearly see who Prince Zuko's opponent was and I covered my mouth with a quiet gasp. Princess Azula stood on the other side of General Iroh with a cruel smirk on her face. I turned my gaze back to Prince Zuko, wishing I could have warned him of the danger he was about to face. The two opponents stood and turned toward each other, the cloth falling from their shoulders. I could never forget the look of pure shock and fear that crossed Prince Zuko's face as he realized who he was to fight. The gong sounded and the Fire Lord began walking forward.

"Please, Father, I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn," Prince Zuko called, pleading for mercy from his father. I knew the Fire Lord didn't understand the meaning of mercy.

"You will fight for your honor," he answered harshly. Prince Zuko dropped to his knees, bowing to his father.

"I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son."

"Rise and fight, Prince Zuko." The Fire Lord continued to advance.

"I won't fight you." His father was now standing only a foot or so in front of his bowing form.

"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher," Fire Lord Ozai answered harshly.

Prince Zuko looked up and I could see the tears on his cheeks. His father lifted his hand to deliver the blow. I turned my head, unwilling to watch the display of cruelty. A tear fell from my eyes as I listened to Prince Zuko's anguished scream. The match was declared and the area was soon cleared. Prince Zuko had been taken away to tend to his burn. Less than an hour later, Fire Lord Ozai declared Prince Zuko banished and his only chance at redeeming himself would be to find and kill 'two halves of the same whole', as it had been described to me by Zelia.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"It means he must search for the Avatar," my motherly-figure answered.

"The Avatar is only a legend! He doesn't really exist!"

"Two halves of the same whole. What do you take that to mean, Kala?" I thought for a moment.

"There are… two people?"

"That's right. There are two legends surrounding the Avatar. The Prince must discover which is the truth, if either is, and carry out his mission."

That night, long after the sun had set, I stole away from the palace. I let my hair down and changed into the attire of a typical Fire Nation girl. My crimson shirt had a halter tie at my neck, but covered much of my torso. I also wore a pair of maroon pants and my black shoes. Gathering the few belongings I owned, I found not only Prince Zuko, but General Iroh, at the gates leading to the bay.

"Zuko," I hissed from the shadows. He turned to me, shock expressed in the one eye not covered in gauze and bandages.

"Kala, what are you doing here?" he asked

"I wish to serve my prince, and help my dear friend." General Iroh smiled at my words. From then on, I devoted my life to aiding Prince Zuko in his search to restore his honor.


I hope you enjoyed the prologue of "Call My Name". Please tell me what you think of it so far.