Avatar: The Last Airbender belongs to Nickelodeon.

Today was the day.

Zuko stood in horror, staring at his slowly approaching opponent. This wasn't right, this wasn't what was supposed to happen. He wasn't supposed to duel his own father. "P-please father… I only had the Fire Nation's best interests at heart! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!" His words were ignored entirely as Ozai continued to get closer. "I meant you no disrespect! I am your loyal son!"

Ozai showed a face of endless contempt and malice. He was disgusted by what he saw as cowardice in his son. Still, Ozai gave him a chance to prove he wasn't a complete disgrace. "Rise and fight, Prince Zuko!" Ozai barked.

"I won't fight you!" Zuko replied, tears streaming down his face. The boy wished he could turn back time, go back to when their family cared about each other. Back when he had his mother to shield him from this torment. But he didn't. This was his mistake, and it was him that had to accept the consequences.

Mai couldn't believe what she was seeing.

She knew something was up when her parents dragged her to a mysterious and unexpected royal event, but seeing how excited Azula was put her on edge. She couldn't have expected to see Prince Zuko, her crush and semi-friend, begging his father for mercy.

Despite the rumors that the nobles passed around, nobody had any idea as to why Zuko was being punished. Still, nothing could justify a thirteen year old boy being forced to duel the Fire Lord himself.

Maybe it was because she could never get over her crush, maybe she knew how messed up this Agni Kai was, maybe she just hated herself more than usual today, but she couldn't help herself as she pulled a set of throwing knives from her robe. They were a gift from her uncle, who somehow convinced her suffocating parents that she would need to be able to defend herself during trips to the Earth Kingdom.

The young girl gripped her knife, shaking. She began to feel sick as she realized what she was about to do. Never before had she wished she'd had Ty Lee's oblivious life instead, but after today it would be a regular feeling.

"You will learn respect." Ozai boomed. " And suffering shall be your teacher."

Up in the crowd of onlooking generals and royals stood Iroh. He knew what was happening now would forever damage his nephew, and could do nothing but shield his eyes from the atrocity and wish he could be down there with Zuko. But Zuko's screams of anguish never arrived. Instead came a pained grunt from Ozai as he collapsed. The retired general looked over to his niece, who seemed even more shocked than he. Iroh looked on as his brother removed a small red knife from his leg.

"Wait, I recognise that knife…" the Fire Princess said, beginning to recognize who had interrupted the greatest day of her life. Before Iroh could question her, a voice boomed from below. "Who dares strike the Fire Lord!" Ozai thundered.

Before anyone could attempt to place blame, Mai pulled away from her parents, shoving her way through the crowd to help the defiant prince. She ignored her mom's cries, and swiftly stepped onto the arena.

Mai grabbed Zuko and pulled him to his feet. "C'mon Zuko you big dork! You have to fight him!" She begged, knowing it was the only option. She shook him, trying to bring him to his senses.

"N-no…" The distraught boy responded, " I can't… Can't fight my father…" Before Mai could try to convince him once more, Ozai stood again. He was no longer annoyed, no longer disgusted, now he was enraged. The FIre Lord grabbed his son by the arm and forced him down to the hard arena floor. Mai squeaked in terror.

"It seems my son is not the only child that knows no respect." Ozai said, looking towards Mai's parents and Azula. Zuko tried to lift himself up. After all, if there was one thing he was good at, it was being a target of his father's frustration. He was the one that was responsible for this Angi Kai, he couldn't let Mai get dragged into his punishment. The prince's efforts were stopped when Ozai raised his boot and stomped down on him. Zuko felt his ribs crack, but he fought his emotions and refused to make a noise. Ozai turned his attention back to Mai.

"What was it I was saying before?" Ozai asked, already knowing the answer. "Oh yes, the two of you have failed to learn respect or honor." The Fire Lord set his hand on Mai's head as if he were going to comfort her. Mai remained tense, not sure what was happening. Then Ozai's hand got hot, then she began to scream. The nobles began to turn away, unable to stand the sight of this torture. None could stand to look at what was happening, not even Azula. Zuko was unable to look away, wishing he hadn't been too weak to stand up for himself before.

As Mai's screams echoed throughout the arena, Ozai looked down towards Zuko, laughing. "You shall learn through suffering."

Four Days Later…

Zuko looked back on that day endlessly, always imagining what he could've done instead. But right now he couldn't do that. He had to focus on the future. The prince walked to Iroh, who stood by the ship's door.

"She's outside," The old man said, already knowing why Zuko had come to him, "I thought a little bit of fresh air would be good for her. Maybe it'd help you too." He said, trying to nudge Zuko in the right direction. The boy looked conflicted.

"I shouldn't." Zuko replied. "It's because of me that this happened. She shouldn't have to look at the one responsible for ruining her life…" He finished, unable to ignore his guilt. He refused to believe that he was anything less than fully responsible for what happened in that chamber, from when he stupidly spoke out against the general to being too weak and emotional to fight his father.

"Prince Zuko, you cannot blame yourself for what is out of your control. Besides, that girl stood up to the Fire Lord for you, I think she would greatly appreciate if you were there for her." Iroh put his hand on his nephew's shoulder. Zuko smiled. It was small and brief, but it was genuine. The prince nodded and stepped out the door.

The deck was almost entirely empty. The only two people there were Zuko and the scarred girl. She leaned on the side of the ship, looking out at both the glimmering ocean and the Earth Kingdom in the distance. She still had bandages covering where Ozai had hurt her, and she looked far more grim than ever before.

"We know the Avatar was an Air Nomad." Zuko said, hoping for Mai to respond. "We've already set course for the Western Air Temple. From there, we'll check the remaining temples for him." Mai remained still, refusing to turn around and talk to him. "If that fails, then we shall scour the globe for him, he cannot hide forever." Zuko felt as if he was talking to himself, but continued on. "I swear to you, even if it is the last thing I do, that I will find the Avatar. I will restore our honor, and I will bring you back home, no matter the cost." Zuko said with his fist raised before falling silent.

After what felt like forever, Mai swiftly turned to him, immediately embracing him like her life depended on it, before finally whispering into his ear. "Thank you…"

With that the two began their long voyage, unaware if they would be at sea a week or a century, but hopeful either way.

That's it for my first Avatar fanfiction. Let me know if you think I should write more in this AU or leave it as a One-Shot. If I made any errors or could improve anywhere please let me know, and if there was anything that you though was particularly interesting or good, I'd like to hear that as well.