Hey guys, this is the first book of the stranded series, following our main character Selene. I wanted to explore the lOK as well so I wrote stranded out of time. Because I have most of the chapters ready for this book, I decided why not. Although, I don't know why I posted that one first but yk. Anyway, enjoy. So yes, this is the beginning of Selene story. If you read the first chapter of STRANDED/ out of time, I highly suggest you read this. Also just btw I have the next chapters ready for ROAD TO REDEMPTION, STRANDED: out of time, this one, and my main baby: Daughter of Fire.

BOOK ONE: WORLDS AWAY

CHAPTER ONE: STRANDED

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Selene stood erect as usual, her hands clasped tightly behind her back. Her face was a porcelain mask of the stoic expression she adopted ever since she had been training to be Fire Lady, but behind it she was worried. Deeply worried. She was there in the war room, and saw exactly what had happened. Truthfully, it was nothing. Zuko had done nothing wrong when he spoke out against the plan, her plan, she thought as her stomach clenched. She didn't know the firelord would take it that far, to sacrifice his own people. Where she was from, that was never heard of. However, the fire lord had seen it as an offense enough, and told him he must fight an Agni Kai to regain his honor. However, she didn't know who he would be facing off against. She was not a firebender and it had been her plan. So…

Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Zuko walk onto the platform, in the traditional agni Kai robes. Or lack thereof, she thought, noting his lacking shirt. He shrugged off the vest and faced the door from which his opponent would come. He didn't look worried, and why should he be. He was a proficient firebender, his skills surpassed many generals on the war council. However, something inside her stomach was twisted. Something told Selene this wouldn't be as easy as it seemed. Something bad was coming.

As if on cue, his opponent emerged from behind a wall of flames. At first, Selene didn't recognize the silhouetted figure. He was tall, a well sculpted man, and strong from the looks of it. Whoever this was would give Zuko a run for his money. However, it wasn't until she noticed the fear on his face did she realize who it was.

Her breath hitched in her throat. It couldn't be, could it. She peered at the flames, seeing the Fire Lord emerge from them. No, he wouldn't, she desperately repeated in her mind trying to convince herself. Yes, he was a wicked man, but, not that wicked. She turned to her right, looking to the princess who stood mirroring her expression. She noticed the widening of her eyes, a very slight movement before they narrowed again. But, it was all the conformation Selene needed. She turned back to the scene unfolding, seeing Zuko pressed to the floor in a deep bow.

"I'm sorry father, I meant no disrespect," his panicked voice begged as the man grew closer. The firelord didn't seem to care for his sons groveling, and stood, looming over him.

"Stand and fight my Zuko," he commanded his son. Zuko however, did not move from his downward position.

Selene gritted her teeth, fight Zuko, her mind said as if trying to reach his. However, he didn't move to fight, only tilted his head to his father, eyes full of tears. Weakness, Selene seethed at him. How could he, now of all times.

His father seemed displeased by his weakness, and knelt down to be level with his son. "You will learn respect Zuko, and suffering will be your teacher."

Selene barely had time to register his words before his flame engulfed palm made contact with the left side of the boy's face. Time stopped as she gaped with utter horror. She felt her heart beating, throbbing, angrily in her chest.

Thump,

She heard the sound of sizzling flesh followed by a scream.

Thump,

Being in the front row, the smell hit her fairly quickly, sending her mind into a dizzying blur.

Thump,

She saw the prince crouch against the floor, hands cupping his face.

Thump,

She saw Ozia step back as if reveling in his son's pain. "Fight prince Zuko!" he commanded of the boy hurled in a ball. Zuko however did not move, and this seemed to cause Ozia further anger.

"Fight or die."

Thump,

Selene stared in horror, her mind unable to comprehend this. It couldn't be happening.

Thump,

Ozia raised his arms, moving them in circular movements. Selene had seen it before when she would watch Azulas training. "No!" She screamed, all other sound leaving her ears but the crackling of his lightning.

Thump,

Her boots hit the ground harshly as she launched herself of the platform she and the other royals where standing on.

Thump,

She hit the ground, rolling infront of the prince. Ozia wouldn't hurt her, he couldn't. It would start a war with her father, her people. A war he wouldn't be able to win. However, the lightning had already left his fingertips and was hurling towards Selene.

Ozia saw his lightning headed towards Selene and panicked, unable to stop what was coming. And that was war.

Her eyes widened with shock, but quickly narrowed again. She brought her hands infront of her, crossing her forearms to form a shield.

Crack, the lighting hit her arms, sending jolts of electricity through her. For any other person it would have been deadly, but Selene wasn't any other person. She was the daughter of Ras AL Ghule, child of the gods and heir to the demon. She clenched her teeth, forcing herself to fully accept the energy. She could feel its power flowing through her veins and moved her angry eyes to meet Ozias' shocked gaze.

The room went silent as the firelord began the Katta they all knew to be the lightning form. No one had seen it coming, and they held their breaths in fear. They saw the young prince, hands cupped to his face and sobbing in pain. His pain that would soon be over. The saw the lightning leave the firelord's finger tips, shooting towards the… girl.

There was a girl standing there, her hands held in a protecting x blocking herself from the inevitable attack. They didn't know who the girl was, but all the nobles had seen her around. She was the youngest member of the firelord's war council, and many rumors flew around as to who she was. Everyone was aware the firelord favored her, but they knew not why. And, here she was, placing her body infront of the deadly blow meant for their prince. Whoever she was, she was truly a brave soul, they thought as the lightning hit her body, cracking as the energy was absorbed fully by the small girl.

Only, she didn't fall down, or even shake. Instead, as the electricity crackled on her body, she turned a hateful gaze to the man who had administered the attack. If the room hadn't been silent before, it was now. It was as if every noble had stopped breathing, their hearts no longer beating. They saw the girl stand, wearing the lightning as armor. She faced their souvenir, a fearless anger in her eyes.

"I am Selene al Ghule, daughter of Ras al ghule and heir to the demon." The words settled over the crowd like a blanket. For, they all knew the rumors of the man who had been a dear friend to firelord Sozin. They called him Ras the immortal. It was told he led an army of demon worriers. Looking at this girl, surrounded in lightning, suddenly all these legends seemed so much more real.

"I need no one to defend my honor, especially one as honorless as a man like you Ozia," her voice was laced with venom.

The firelord stared aghast at her. How dair that insolent child. "It is smart to anger your one ticket home." He said, seething. "Do this and you will never be able to return to your pressouse people." Ozia truly didn't know if he could lock the portal, but he knew he had three months to figure out how to.

"Your sons crime was against me and I pardon him, fire lord Ozia," She send before the lightning diminished from her body, leaving her utterly exhausted.

"Foolish girl," he yelled engulfing his fist in a red flame. However, he was aware of the eyes of every noble on him. He sighed, relinquishing the flame in his palm. "But know you will never see your people again," he said before he turned around and walked back into the flames from whence he came.

--

That was three years ago, and, he had held to his word. Selene had been unable to return to her people. Which was why she was here, drinking her banana onion juice in the western air temple.

Only a master of all four elements could open the bridge between worlds. So, that's what she was determined to do, master all four elements. Then, she was sure she could return to her people.

AN: I hope you enjoyed. I will go into her backstory as well as the story of her people, chapter three of four I think. You may be wondering wth is going on so just wait. So, stay tuned. Love you! Please REVIEW! Don't worry not all chapters r this short. Only like the first one of LOL.