The Wild One

She always stood out from the crowd from the color of her hair to the way she acted.

However, she became an assassin who was bounded to no rules.

She did what she wanted when she wanted.

When she meets Prince Zuko and is at first forced to travel with him, she will find that sometimes it can be a comfort and a blessing to have rules and some stability.

When Prince Zuko meets her, he learns that she is no ordinary teenage girl and that she is truly a "wild one."

Chapter 1

On an island not far from the Northern Water Tribe or the Fire Nation border, lived a yellowed eyed teenage girl with a stubborn streak that was bigger than the island. She had frizzy, curly, out of control blue hair that met her shoulders in the front and her butt in the back. She hid her unconventional clothing under dirty robes as she walked through town. This girl was Athea, a trained assassin who cantered her services to anyone she felt deserved it or paid the most. She was also very familiar with the concept of being an outcast as she has been one since she was born. Her mother was from the Fire Nations and was the youngest daughter to the general who was second only to General Iroh and whose grandfather was a Fire Sage. Her father on the other hand was from the Earth Kingdom and was an earth bender who was a gentle giant and a farmer. It was a forbidden love and Athea was the first result of it and a set of bending twins were the second result of it. Her parents were eventually killed by the Fire Nation.

So why didn't she high tail it to her relatives? Simple, she just didn't quite fit in no matter where she went or who she hung out with. She came to the resolution a long time ago to be herself, do what she wanted when she wanted, and not care what others thought of her. Because of this, she became and untamable wild child that no one wanted, but that was just find with her, really.

Today was supposed to be an ordinary day. Athea walked through town, a place visited frequently by members of the Earth Kingdom and neutral lands. Ironically, on the other half of the island, there was illegal trade, people looking for assassins, hunters, and spies, and, oh, there was trading with the Fire Nation. Athea went there every other week to visit the pub to see if anyone has requested her services or wanted to see her. However, for some strange reason, a Fire Nation ship was stationed at the dock as a group of Fire Nation soldiers came through the forest that bordered the other half of the island.

"What is going on?" Athea mumbled to herself as everyone ran and panicked. Princess Azula of the Fire Nation exited the boatvand thousands of Fire Nation soldiers entered the island.

"Listen up, this is Fire Nation territory now!" Azula shouted and Athea rolled her eyes at the cold hearted princess. "Any rebellion and we might just burn this place to the ground." She walked of to one of the high ranking soldiers. "This is your new mayor." Protest threatened to comeo ut from the citizens as Athea decided to take a perch on a tree. After Azula did what she had to do, she found Athea with Ty Lee and Mai. "Come down and bow down before your princess."

"Sorry honey, but I bow down to no one," Athea replied.

"She can kill you," Ty Lee said and Athea shrugged.

"I'd like to see her try." Athea replied.

"Something tells me that you don't know what Princess Azula can do," Mai said.

"Oh, something tells me that you just might be underestimating me, oh miss bending blue flames and lightning," Athea replied. Azula launched an electricity attack at Athea and she calmly dodged the attack by moving ever so slightly so Azula would miss. "From the look on your face, I take it not many people can dodge that."

"You're the infamous Wild Assassin," Azula commented. "Bounded by no rules or loyalties."

"Ooh, you're actually good at this game!" Athea exclaimed while purposely being annoying to Azula. "What do you want?"

"I want to become Fire Lord," Azula replied. "But in order to do that, my father needs to die and my brother needs to be out of the way."

"Sorry, assassinating royalty will cost ya a nation and a half," Athea commented with a grim look on her face.

"What? You don't think you could be royalty in a fight?" Azula asked as she tried to taunt Athea.

"I'm just choosing to be lazy, 'zula," Athea replied. "Nothing personal, really."

"Come with us," Azula ordered.

"Ah, nope, don't wanna," Athea replied and she was soon taken prisoner and thrown into her town's jail. "Bye, bye, have a nice trip! Tell everyone I said hi!" As soon as she was left alone, she scowled and thought of what would be the best action to pursue. She decided she would at least wait until the princes left before breaking out and grabbing her weapons before hopping on the next ship off the island. Athea sighed as she thought about her twin siblings who were under one of her aunt's care in Ba Sing Sa. One of the was an earth bender, a blue straight haired boy, and the other was a fire bender, a curly black haired girl, and both had to keep their bending hidden, especially the fire bending. However, after being served free food, horrible and small rations of food but food none the less, she decided she would wait further and exercise as she tried to think of what to do next. She had many ideas, but none of them seemed good enough to her.

A week later Azula had left for good and Prince Zuko, a banished prince, landed to refuel his ship and restock supplies, unaware that the island was now a Fire Nation Colony. Iroh heard word about Azula keeping a prisoner on the island that wasn't allowed to leave the island ever, which was strange for the princess to do, so he wandered off to investigate. He came across the jail house and found Fire Nation guards complaining that the prisoner was super annoying and noisy. He passed by them easily and found Athea. He recognized her eyes to be of a dear old friend's of his back in his Fire Nation glory days. The girl was definitely related to one of the general's of the Fire Nation Army.

"What is a girl of Fire Nation eyes doing here as prisoner of the Fire Nation?" Iroh asked.

"The princess had her undies in a knot because I wouldn't do what she wanted because I didn't feel like it," Athea replied. "How do you know of part of my roots?"

"Your eyes are practically the same as an old friend of mine back when I was a general in the army," Iroh said. "Why would my niece want you? What does she want you to do?"

"She wants me to kill the Fire Lord and keep Prince Zuko away so that she can be Fire Lord," Athea replied. "Told her that it would cost her at least a nation and a half and that I didn't feel like doing it. I dodged her attacks too, so she wasn't too happy with me."

"Impressive, you wouldn't happened to be the Wild Assassin that is rumored to have the power and ability to take down a whole army, would you?" Iroh asked.

"Yep, that's me, General Iroh," Athea replied and Iroh had an amused look in his eyes. "What sort of plot are you cooking up?"

"Oh nothing, just wondering how much of good idea it would be to get you out of here and traveling with my nephew and I," Iroh replied with a smile.

"That depends, what sort of traveling are you two doing?" Athea asked.

"My nephew is trying to find the Avatar to restore honor and to be accepted by his father again," Iroh replied and Athea rolled her eyes. "What?"

"That's stupid, seeking acceptance and the opinion of someone who clearly wants nothing to do with you unless it would benefit himself," Athea replied. "He should be seeking acceptance from himself, no one else. Everyone else will fail you at some point, on purpose or not."

"Sounds like you are quite the wise and self-reliant young lady," Iroh said with a smile and Athea blushed. "What is your name? I will talk to my nephew at once and we will come to see if you'll take me up on my offer."

"Will I get my own bed that's comfier than a regular prison cell and will the food be better than the food here?" Athea asked.

"Why yes, of course, young one," Iroh replied. "Now your name dear."

"Athea," Athea said. "My name is Athea."

"Uncle!" Zuko yelled as he came down the steps in the jail house. "Why are you in such a disgusting place? We're finished getting supplies and..." He stopped and looked at Athea who noticed his scarred face. "...who's she?"

"Well now, isn't this a royal treat? What's next? Fire Lord Ozai going to show up and visit me next?" Athea asked.

"Seems as though Azula has taken interest in a person and decided not to throw her into the Boiling Rock." Iroh said. "Zuko, meet Athea, the Wild Assassin! Apparently Azula has plans to kill your father eventually and to keep you at sea even longer!"

"What?! We must warn father," Zuko replied.

"Relax, pretty boy, I highly doubt he has anything to worry about, yet," Athea said. "Now your uncle here said he would talk to you about getting me off this island and traveling with you." Zuko blushed at being called pretty boy. He hadn't been referred to that since before he got his scarred face.

"That depends, will you be my prisoner? What use will you be as a prisoner? And will you help me find the Avatar?" Zuko asked.

"Depends, will the conditions be better on your ship? Do you mind that I don't take orders and will do my own thing if I want to?" Athea asked. "Oh, and what are you going to be paying me for helping you find someone who has been missing for a hundred years?" Zuko twitched in annoyance as she showed no respect to royalty at all.

"You will have your own room, access to tea, Fire Nation food, top quality food, a nice bed, and you'll be off the island," Zuko replied. "It is my ship and I can put you into the hands of my father with an assassination plot in tow if you disobey my orders. You will have free range until you disobey orders."

"Alright, if you get my swords and my pack that is hidden in a cave a mile from town and bring them here, I will come with you," Athea said. "It's boring being locked up and you're the most interesting pair of people I have come across this year."

"You sure about this, uncle?" Zuko asked.

"Yes, besides, she does have Fire Nation roots and could come in handy should we have an attack on the ship or on you, Prince Zuko," Iroh replied.

"Then let's go get her stuff," Zuko said. "Wait here."

"Aye aye captain!" Athea replied with a smirk as she saluted Zuko. Iroh and Zuko left while Athea laid in her bed to doze off for a while. Zuko had an easy time tracking down Athea's place as he had excellent tracking skills from trying to track the Avatar.

"Why do you have such an interest for her, uncle?" Zuko asked.

"She's in there because she back talked your sister AND dodged her lightning attacks, which is pretty impressive seeing as she's your age." Iroh replied. "I also was able to recognize that she is related to a friend of mine who was a general who ranked second to me which means she's also probably related to a Fire Sage."

"So she's a fire bender?" Zuko asked.

"I'm not sure," Iroh replied. "But if she is not cool to our touch and if we cannot feel an eternal flame towards her chest and belly, then she's not a fire bender." He coughed and looked at Zuko as he got Athea things. "Shall we go to our new friend now?"

"She's not my friend, uncle," Zuko said. "And I'll hold you responsible if she ends up bringing the death of us."

"Of course, Prince Zuko," Iroh replied and they left for Athea. Athea was waiting for them in the guard house as she ate lamb chops with a bunch of guards knocked out on the floor. "How did you get out so easily? Seems as though you didn't need much rescuing."

"I picked the lock because they forgot to feed me, so I helped myself," Athea said. "Fortunately, the Fire Nation Guards the princess left were pretty easy to knock out. You want some lamb chops? I think there's tea in the back, some wine, and some beer too. I got water. Fighting intoxicated can get you killed, it's best to be at your best."

"We got your stuff, now stop stuffing your face and come on before I chain you," Zuko replied.

"Well aren't you the grumpy one," Athea said as she got up and took her back and twin set of swords from Zuko.

"I'm not grumpy!" Zuko exclaimed.

"You keep telling yourself because your behavior and actions tell us otherwise," Athea replied as she followed the Fire prince out the door and onto his ship. She bunkered down by Iroh and Zuko's rooms on the ships. Zuko shut the door behind his uncle as she got settled. "Nice ship."

"Are you a fire bender?" Iroh asked.

"What? What gave you that idea?" Athea asked as Zuko reached out and touched her chest. She slapped him and held her chest. "What was that for? You pervert!"

"I was just trying to feel if you had an eternal flame burning inside of you like a fire benders do," Zuko replied as he rubbed his face. "Forgot that it's inappropriate to check a girl for fire bending powers and that you were a girl." He was hit again.

"Do I look like a boy to you?" Athea asked.

"Ow! That hurt!" Zuko exclaimed as he almost blew up fire in Athea's face.

"I hope it did! I am a girl and don't go touching people's boobs without permission!" Athea replied. Zuko turned red from embarrassment.

"Now, now children, let's not fight," Iroh said. "Why don't we discuss bending and our new guest's origins as we learn more about each other over some tea?"

"Tea?" Zuko and Athea asked.

"Yes tea, now I'll go get us a pot while you two youngsters settle down and chat about whatever youngsters chat about these days," Iroh replied before unlocking and exiting the room.

"So, um, what do normal teenagers talk about anyways?" Athea asked as she sat on her new bed.

"No idea," Zuko replied. "I read a few books about it so that I would be able to indentify with others better during some lessons."

"And what do they say?" Athea asked.

"They said that girls like to talk about shoes and shopping and sports is a popular male topic and the most popular thing for a guy and girl to do when together by themselves is kiss," Zuko replied. "But I'm not kissing you."

"And I'm not talking about shopping and shoes," Athea added.

"Good because that stuff is boring," Zuko replied and they sat in silence until Zuko spoke up again. "How did you become a skilled assassin at such a young age?"

"I had to do what I had to do to survive," Athea replied. "At first, I received training in exchange for me cleaning and cooking for an entire dojo and academy and then it was to protect my brother and sister until I could get them to my brother's family to live safely and happily. My family didn't like that I was a wild child, well with the exception of my parents and maybe my siblings, but my parents died when I was little."

"Sounds like you had it tough," Zuko said and Athea nodded.

"But I've had a lot of fun even if people don't approve of me," Athea replied. "I've been to so many places and have seen so much with my jobs."

"Why did you choose to come with us and become my prisoner?" Zuko asked and Athea shrugged.

"Because I felt like it, it's not something I've done before," Athea replied. "I like trying new things and I like going off on the slightest whim, life's more fun and interesting that way."

"What about having structure? What about having support?" Zuko asked and Athea shrugged.

"Never thought much about it after my parents died and I got my siblings somewhere they could be taken care of properly," Athea replied. "I suppose when it's just you, you learn to be self reliant and you become your own structure to rely on."

"What about honor? What about rules?" Zuko asked.

"Why do you need rules? You should be free to make your own decisions and honor comes through whatever moral standards you set for yourself," Athea replied.

"I don't understand," Zuko said.

"Rules, regulations, that made it awkward for the two of us at first," Athea replied. "That's why you're searching for the Avatar and I bet that's how you got your scar too." Zuko looked away from her as she was being a little too skilled at looking into things. "And that's why you immediately told me that you wouldn't kiss me." Zuko blushed and Iroh entered the room with tea.

"So, have you two become friends yet?" Iroh asked.

"Doubt it," Athea replied.

"No," Zuko replied.

"So, Miss Athea, mind telling us about yourself? We'll talk about ourselves too, if it will make you feel better." Iroh said and Athea nodded.

~end of Chapter 1~

Next time on "The Wild One":

Athea talks about her past to Iroh and Zuko.

Also, a blinding light reveals that the Avatar has returned.

Stay tuned for more!

Me: my first non-Pokemon fanfiction story to be published on the site! I love Zuko 3

Zuko:um... *blushes*

Iroh: so this is what being on a commentary is like! Would you like some tea?

Me: um, sure

Athea:how did you come up with me?

Me: a dream

Athea: T.T

Zuko: anyways, pokelover0ash does not own anything except for Athea.

Keith: trust me, you'll be happy about that

Me: *throws a pot at Keith*KEITH! Get back to the Pokemon headquarters! You don't belong here!

Keith: aw, you know you love me

Me: that's besides the point, now GO!

Keith: =( fine *leaves*

Zuko: who was that?

Me: oh that was a Pokemon Ranger, completely unrelated to you or the world in which you belong in.

Athea: so if you want to know more about me, stay tuned!

Me:and if you want to see how Athea and Zuko will work out in this with romance and friendship, stayed tuned!

Zuko: Wait, your pairing me up with someone romantically? How dare you!

Me: no bending on commentary at the authoress! And I'm the writer, I can do whatever I want! Besides, there are THOUSANDS of people who have you paired up with their own OCs, with Mai, with Katara, Sokka, Aang, and so on =)

Zuko: O.O

Me:alright, before we go, I will give the viewers some details about my new OC Athea and then it's off to the next chapter!

Name:Athea

Bending:none

Appearance: wild yellow eyes, untamed frizzy curly long hair like Merida in Brave except blue instead of a reddish brown, average height, curvy hips, and small-medium bust

Occupation: Assassin

Skills:sword playing and fighting, ninjutsu, lock picking, martial arts, spying, sneaking around, weapon specialist, cleaning, cooking, gymnastics, acrobats, etc.

Family:Father from the Earth Kingdom, Mother from the Fire Nation, Great Grandfather (Fire Sage), Grandfather (one of the old generals in the Fire Nation army), Aunt Leah (Earth Kingdom), Ai (sister), and Bae (brother)

Pairings?: Zuko x Athea (ZuThea or AKo)