Hey guys, this is my first every story. I sat on this idea for a while and am pleased to now begin it. If you like it, makes sure to follow and favorite, and reviews are always appreciated.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender except Qin and her mother.

Prologue: The Nightmare

The young man stood in front of the curtained doorway, taking deep breaths in an effort to calm himself down. Dressed in a formal Fire Nation Crown Prince robe, he was shaking slightly. Clearly, the breathing didn't help much.

I put my hand on his shoulder, and he spun around, instinctively dropping into a bending stance. When he saw it was me, he relaxed and smiled.

"Oh, it's just you Qin. You really shouldn't sneak up on me like that." he said.

"Just me? I am offended, Prince Zuko. Clearly travelling with you for years means nothing…" I pouted.

"No, that's not what I meant! I just meant that it's you, as in one of my closest friends!" hurriedly said Zuko. I snickered.

"Well, I could forgive you, if…" I drawled.

"If?"

"You could address me with the title you made up for me."

Zuko groaned but he was smiling.

"Okay, Master Inventor, I ask your forgiveness." He gave an exaggerated bow, and I laughed.

"Of course, Prince Zuko. There is nothing to forgive. We are friends, after all." I said in a wise tone. "Anyways, what's wrong? I thought you would be bouncing off the walls in excitement. You're home after all, after capturing the Avatar. You've done something that the past 3 generations of your family have not."

"I don't know. I am happy, and excited. It's just … I'm nervous. What if Father just kicks me out? What if he banishes me again? What if he doesn't want me anymore?"

I grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him slightly. "You listen here, Prince Zuko. You need to get those stupid thoughts out of your head. Of course your father wants you back; he's you father for Agni's sake. You're practically a legend, finding and capturing someone considered to be the last remaining threat to the fire nation. If he doesn't want you back, he doesn't deserve you and I'll kick his ass."

Zuko smiled slightly and extricated himself from my grasp.

"Thanks Qin. I can always count on you to keep my head straight. And for your information, I don't 'bounce of the walls'. It's not princely."

I laughed, and as I was about to respond, we heard trumpets blaring in the ballroom.

"Good luck. And I'm happy for you, Zuko. I really am. You deserve this."

I rarely called Zuko without his title, so when I called Zuko just Zuko, we both understood the implication of importance. He smiled and turned to face the curtained doorway.

"Now announcing, Crown Prince Zuko!"

The curtains were raised and out stepped Zuko to thunderous applause. As I peeked through the raised curtain, I saw Zuko slowly approach his father and sister, sitting at their thrones. The Fire Lord's throne was obviously more elaborate and taller than either of the two flanking him.

Zuko, when he arrived, he kneeled in front of his father, and the Fire Lord sat there quietly, staring at his son. Waiting a few moments, he stood up, and approached Zuko, who was still kneeling. The room was quiet and waited for what Fire Lord Ozai would do.

"Rise, my son. You have restored your honor by capturing the Avatar, something that even your grandfather and I have not been able to do." Ozai spoke, his voice booming. "You are no longer banished, and I reinstate you into your rightful place as Crown Prince, by my side."

Zuko rose, and smiling, said "Thank you, Father."

Fire Lord Ozai smiled, and both sat in their respective thrones, and as applause rang out in the ballroom, Ozai raised his hand, and everyone quieted down.

"I thank everyone for their enthusiasm with the Crown Prince. However, according to my son, he is asking me to pardon a friend of his. This young woman willingly left the Fire Nation to help Crown Prince Zuko in his pursuit of the Avatar, despite common knowledge that she could not return to the Fire Nation without the Avatar. During the long years that Crown Prince Zuko and this woman spend on the ship, she has shown extreme promise, and has developed many new weapons for the Fire Nation, such as the Hand-Held Glaive Launcher and the 5-in-1 Catapult shot. I ask Lady Qin Long, daughter of Generals Long and Feng to step forward."

As everyone turned their head towards the curtain once again, I stepped forwards, and approached the Fire Lord. My heart was pounding, my stomach felt like I swallowed 30 butterflies, and my knees trembled as I approached. I heard every start whispering

"She made all that?

"Pretty impressive to do so at her age."

"She probably had to; I mean that limp of hers would probably make her a liability."

"I feel bad. I can't imagine how much it must have hurt when she got it."

When I heard the whispers about my limp, I ignored it. I withheld my emotions from showing on my face. I was used to drawing the attention of others with my limp. My left leg was horribly burned when I was six years old and resulted in my limp. I had a cane made, but I didn't like using it. I only used it when my leg acted up, and now was not the time to look weak. As I thought about it, my mind wandered to that day. I felt my breathing hitch, and I shook my head to clear it. I would not be reduced to a blubbering mess in front of everyone important in the Fire Nation. I could not risk my leg seizing up now, so I pushed those thoughts away.

As I arrived at the foot of the thrones, I awkwardly bowed, with my forehead touching the ground and my left leg hampering me.

"You may rise, Lady Long. I thank you for going on the voyage with my son to help him catch the Avatar. Despite knowing what would happen if you left, you left regardless, and played a decisive role in the war. Very soon, we will be able to wipe out the Earth Kingdom, and then the Northern Water Tribe will be the last remaining obstacle in the Fire Nation's way." stated the Fire Lord.

"I serve to please the Fire Lord." I recited and rose.

When I rose, applause rang out in the room. Though it was not as loud as the applause that met Zuko, I didn't mind. He was the Crown Prince after all. The next words that the Fire Lord spoke snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Now, let the celebrations begin!"

The people let out a cheer, and I was soon swamped by the nobles and military commanders that were at the party. I felt uncomfortable surrounded by so many people, but I tried to answer everyone. Soon, however, I felt overwhelmed, but then my mother stepped forward.

"Now, now, why don't you let up on my daughter. She had a very tiring voyage across the world, and I definitely do not appreciate my daughter being swamped by questions."

My mother was a commanding figure on a normal day, but in her general's uniform, she was downright imposing. Standing at a staggering 5'11", she was taller than normal women, and her figure was slim, but everyone could tell that she was strong, with muscles rippling across her arms. She had raven black hair and slightly darker than normal skin, due to her time fighting in the Earth Kingdom. Her eyes, however, were what most people noticed about her first. They were gold, yes, but they were flecked with an assortment of various colors, such as flecks of amber, black, and even a few splatters of purple, a very rare color in the Fire Nation.

As soon as she appeared, everyone made way, and I gave a bow. The last time we met was not the greatest encounter, and I swallowed nervously, desperately hoping that I won her approval. She was the only person whose opinion mattered to me, and my drive throughout my trip across the world was made solely so I could make her proud. I was also wary because I still did not know what kind of day she was having. Everything depended on whether she woke up normally, or not. Due to the anxiety, stress, and grief of losing most of our entire family in the war, my mother developed a second personality of sorts. It stripped everything good about her and left all her negative attributes behind. I still had nightmares, where she chased me down hallway after hallway, throwing fireballs and cackling as I fled.

Thankfully, it seemed like it was one of her good days, and when she saw me, she smiled.

"Come now, you don't have to bow to me Qin. You're my only child, and one that I haven't seen for several years. Let me take you around, and you'll regale me of your tales."

And so, she took me by the arm, and we strolled around the ballroom, talking with the people there. It was an entire whirlwind of faces and people, and I was happy. Finally, my main goal has been fulfilled: pleasing mother. I was pretty sure I was glowing with happiness, practically skipping throughout the room. However, as we talked with more and more people, something stirred within me. Try as I might to pinpoint what this feeling was, I only was able to understand that I was discontent.

"I should be happy. I made my mother proud, the Fire Nation proud, even the Fire Lord praised me. Why am I not fully happy?" I grumbled to myself.

I evidently caught the attention of mother, who frowned at me as we walked away from Admiral Chang and his wife.

"Are you okay Qin? You seem a bit pale…" my mother asked.

I forced a smile on my face and replied "It's nothing, really. I'm just not used to so many people is all. Just tired."

Mother continued to frown at me, evidently aware of the lie, but said nothing about it, and pretended to believe me.

"Maybe go out on the balcony and get some fresh air? I know several years with less than 40 people on board is quite a difference from the masses of people here. I'll join you later, just want to catch up with some acquaintances."

I nodded and proceeded to make my way to the balcony. Several people tried to approach me, but when they saw that I wasn't looking good, they just let me pass by.

"Is she okay?"

"She looks a bit pale."

"I heard that her leg still gives her trouble; maybe it's hurting?

"Probably just tired. I mean, 3 years at sea and now she has to face everyone important from the Fire Nation."

I practically burst out onto the balcony, taking deep, gulping breathes of fresh air. It was dusk, with some light remaining from the sun, but it already set. The courtyard was lit up with lampposts, and the fountains were too, giving the appearance that the water was glowing. I sighed, and just leaned on the balustrade, taking in the view. I'm finally home. I just couldn't believe it; I was finally home. I would attend school probably, and graduate eventually. I would work on my inventions, patent them, maybe get married and retire.

I frowned. I haven't really given a thought about marriage, but I was 15; my mother would surely try to arrange a match soon. As much as I hated the fact that I couldn't choose who I married, I didn't want tension between my mother and I again. I just fixed them, and I want to keep it that way.

"Why?" A voiced croaked out to my side, and I spun around, spooked because I didn't notice anyone there.

Chained by at least 20 odd chains, the figure was held completely immobile, chained to the floor and walls. The figure in question was young, no older than 12 or 13, wearing tattered and dirty orange and yellow clothing. He was bald, with arrow tattoos on his heads and hands. He was covered in bruises and a few burns, and probably had sores where the chains held him in place.

"What?" I asked.

"Why did you betray all of us? You said you were my friend, an ally. Why did you lie?"

"I'm sorry, but I don't know you. Who are you?"

"Right, pretend we don't even know each other. That'll absolve you of your guilt." He snorted.

I was confused; was I supposed to know him?

"After everything we've been through, after all our adventures and time spent with us, you want to pretend you don't even know me!?" the boy shouted.

"I- "

"Ah, Qin. I see you've found the Avatar. I was quite surprised when we all found out the Avatar here was so young-looking. Makes you wonder how he pulled it off…"

I turned around and there stood Mother, rubbing her chin in thought. Then she turned to me.

"So, Qin. I was wondering how exactly you caught him. Your report wasn't exactly the most detailed."

"I…" I started "I don't remember. I don't even remember meeting him, much less his name."

"His name is Aang."

I turned to peer past mother, and saw Zuko with the Fire Lord, approaching us.

"Ah, General and Lady Long. I see you've already found him. Lady Long, are you alright? You don't look well. And I overheard that you don't remember anything?" asked the Fire Lord.

I stood there, furiously trying to remember everything, but I couldn't. It's like those events never took place. I could only remember to when Zuko had yet to be announced, and our talk. Everything before that was blank.

"I don't remember, my lord. I'm sorry, but I really don't know anything. I'm trying to remember, but I'm just drawing a blank." I said.

"Maybe you should go see the palace physician after the event, dear. You really look pale and unwell. You're also sweating and shaking, which is troubling to see." said mother, and indeed I didn't notice that I was sweaty.

"What's the event you spoke of mother?"

"Oh, it's just about ready. Just look at the courtyard."

I turned, and somehow the courtyard was filled with Earth Kingdom peasants, and even a few Water Tribe people here and there too. They were all huddled at the back, with a line of Fire Nation soldiers facing them, standing quietly. One looked up at the balcony to the Fire Lord, and he nodded. Wordlessly, they soldiers attacked the peasants, with swords and fire, while the peasants tried to flee, but only met the tall walls at the end.

I gasped, and Aang started to struggle against the chains.

"No, please stop! Qin, stop them! You can't let them do this! Please!" Aang cried out, struggling against the chains futilely.

I merely stood there, shocked at the massacre that was taking place. I wanted to move, to yell, to scream to stop, but I couldn't move. I was frozen, and all I could do was watch with horror, as the people below were slaughtered. There were men, women, and children, and none of them were spared. I felt ill, and it only was worse when the smell of burned human flesh. I wanted to throw up, but I held it in, knowing that it would be unseemly to throw up in front of the Fire Lord.

"Look at them so pathetic. And they thought they had a chance!" Ozai laughed, and to my horror both Zuko and mother were chuckling along with him. I was shocked; how could they laugh? These innocent people did nothing wrong except have the misfortune of being born elsewhere, and they were laughing?

Soon a scorching sensation hit my leg, and I collapsed I agony. My leg felt like it was on fire again, burning and stinging and hurting so bad. I wanted to scream out, to cry out. The pain was horrible, and I couldn't do anything about it. I tried to call attention to myself, as everyone else was too busy laughing at the slaughter below, but I only managed to let out several whimpers of pain.

"How could you let this happen Qin?!" Aang screamed "You said the innocent would be spared and protected, not slaughtered like cattle! It's all your fault!"

Mother simply turned and laughed again "Not a single one of them are innocent, Avatar. They are all Earth Kingdom or Water Tribe, there are no innocent. Not even one of those fools deserve mercy."

"Yes Qin, you really outdid yourself. And as much as it pains me to say it, he's right. If you never betrayed the Avatar, these people wouldn't have died. It's ALL. YOUR. FAULT." stated Zuko.

Try as I might to keep myself from showing my pain, my limit had been reached. My leg was hurting worse and worse, something I didn't even know was possible. I barely heard everyone as black spots danced in my vision. My very being hurt knowing that I was the only person to blame for everything that transpired here. I screamed.