The Firebender

Chapter 11: Just a Phase

Water, Earth, Fire, Air

Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all four elements could stop them but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my cousin and I discovered the new avatar. An airbender named, Steven. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Steven can save the world.

August 17, 1245

Two days later and Steven and I have come to an agreement that, in my misguided anger, that Ruby is a loyal member of the team and I should treat her as such. I know, just a few weeks ago I was ready to get rid of her. Some of you may be asking (and by some of you I mean the imaginary readers in my head) why the sudden change in heart, Connie? Well, she's still a firenation scum but she's honestly the most human one there is.

Well; she kept her promise and taught Steven how to firebend, she's an amazing cook, Sapphire seems happier than ever (I think she's still crushing hard), Amethyst doesn't annoy me as much when she has Ruby to entertain her and Ruby won't admit to this but I know she talked to Steven and convinced him that I was truly sorry. So, maybe she isn't as bad as I thought she was.

I just wish Pearl would see it that way.

Connie slid her journal closed with a soft sigh before sliding it under its normal place, under her bed. Her dark brown eyes glanced outside where Steven and Ruby had finally finished their three hours of intense training. They have been working harder than usual, for time is running out.

Their past plan to attack on the day of black sun had already failed them and the Firelord was already making plans to destroy the earth kingdom completely. If that happened, it wouldn't take long for them to knock out the water tribes.

Connie frowned, clenching her fists together tightly. "…I have to get stronger." She whispered softly to herself, snatching her space sword from where it hung above the window ceil.

Every day she watched Steven and Ruby train and everyday she watched them get stronger. Even Sapphire had secret training sessions at night when the moon was at its brightest, thinking that no one had noticed. Heck, she's even caught Pearl and Amethyst wandering around late at night. She didn't know what they had been doing in the abandoned basement in the western air temple but from all the grunting and frustrated exclamations, she was sure they were training hard.

Connie was already confident in her swordsmen ability but she had to admit that having Ruby, a bender who rarely uses a sword, catch her off guard was a warning sign all on its own.

She cast a longing glance to Steven who was waving a goodbye to his trainer and her cousin before probably retiring for the afternoon. Things between them were still a little tense and their conversations awkward, contrasting to their normally easy flowing ones. Connie wanted him to trust her again, but she also wanted to be prepared for the war that was soon to come.

"…that can wait I suppose," Connie mumbled as she took three long strides to the door. "But for now, I have to get stronger,"

"He's getting better," Sapphire said softly, a smile in her voice and on her lips.

Ruby nodded enthusiastically, wiping her mouth clean when some juice from her apple splashed on her upper lip. "Yeah, he's really getting better at controlling how much energy he wants to put into his blasts."

"Not that," Sapphire interrupted calmly, catching Ruby's surprised expression. "He's getting better at listening to you and taking your word for it. Ever since he turned fourteen a few months ago, he's been going through this 'I know everything' phase. For the most part we've been patient but when I saw him arguing with you about firebending I knew it was coming back again,"

Ruby relaxed, letting out a soft chuckle as she leaned against the tree behind her. "I had a similar phase when I was younger but mine was much more rebellious." She snickered, imagining the good days when she and Jasper still got along; this was before Jasper and Lapis had a thing, so it was even better and there was no arguing.

They were just kids being kids back then.

"It's a funny picture, little Ruby playing pranks on the notorious Yellow Diamond and actually getting away with it," Sapphire smirked, hinting softly. "I wouldn't mind hearing about that,"

Ruby made a face. "Prank my mother, are you kidding me? Jasper and I were afraid to even walk down the hallway that led to her bedroom when we were children. We never dared to cross her, our father made a point of reminding us of that," Ruby scratched the back of her neck. "There was this one thing though," She trailed off, thinking if it was a worthy tail to tell.

Sapphire made herself comfortable in the spot where she sat across from the firebender and smiled. "Let me here it,"

Ruby chuckled, flushing at the sudden attention from such a pretty girl; she shook her head of such thoughts and when her blush faded she opened her eyes, she grinned. "Jasper was probably seven so I had to be six and Lapis was eight."

"This was before Jasper and Lapis were dating—"

Sapphire raised an eyebrow, a soft smile on her face. "I knew it, Jasper saved Lapis from my water-whips one too many times," She said more to herself than the firebender.

Ruby chuckled. "Anyway, we were a pretty good trio of friends. Lapis's mother was paying ours a visit for something, probably economically, and our mom told us to keep Lapis entertained until they were done talking,"

Six year old Ruby quickly undid the neat tie that was so tight it almost blocked her airflow. "Why'd we have to wear these dumb things every time mom has fancy company over?" The small child huffed, snatching the tie off completely and tucking it into her grey pants pocket.

Jasper, a year older, plopped down beside her younger sister on the grassy knoll that overlooked the ducks in the pond. "Better not let mom catch you with that off, she'd locked you in the ice cellar,"

Ruby rolled her eyes before sitting up straighter, a soft smile rising to her face. "Hey, is that Lapis? It is Lapis, hey, Lapis!" She called out to the older girl who was dressed in the proper firebending dresses for a young princess; Ruby wasted no time in running to her.

"L-lapis is here? Wait, Ruby, you can't just!" Jasper tried to stop the younger girl but for a short person, she could run really fast when she wanted to. "Dang it," She huffed, running behind her ignorant little sister.

Ruby finally came to an abrupt stop when she saw who was accompanying her close friend. It was Lapis's mother, Celine (queen of the firenation capital that was a far way from where they resided), and Yellow Diamond herself; her mother's frown was as prominent as always.

Jasper let out a sigh of relief when Ruby quickly recalled her manners and dropped to a well managed bow. "It is nice to meet you again, Queen Celine and Lady Lazuli," She gave a soft look to her mother before cowering at the intense gold eyes. "Mother,"

Jasper followed her younger sister and bowed, also addressing the royals as such.

Yellow Diamond, not going a day without pointing out a flaw pointed to her youngest daughter. "Ruby, where is the tie that is supposed to be wrapped around your neck? Did one of the maids forget to put one on you?" Her glare turned cold, ready to punish the servant who was stupid enough to forget such an important piece.

Ruby, recalling a similar incident when one of the maids forgot to clean her shoes for the family photo, quickly revealed the dainty tie that was in her pocket; now crumbled. "N-no, it was too tight and the guests left so I assumed. I'm sorry—"

"…you're lucky I consider Queen Celine and her young princess Lazuli as family," Yellow Diamond spoke with ease, waving her hand of the subject. "Don't let this mistake happen again," Her cold eyes looked down at the cowering child.

Ruby could only nod, thanking Avatar Rose for sparing her life.

"Now, the queen and I will be speaking in my office about some personal matters we must attend to. In the meantime I want you two to keep princess Lazuli company," Yellow Diamond announced. "You kids have fun," The statement came out cold on her lips.

Lapis, the one year eldest of the two, broke out into an un ladylike laugh when the adults were out of sight. "Now that the adults are gone, let's have some real fun!" The short haired princess jumped gracefully on the stone wall that kept the ducks from getting out, smirking down at the younger kids. "I believe last time we left off at who is brave enough to steal the Firelord's crown?"

Lapis was going through what some parents called, the rebellious phase. She had been for some time and it was normal for kids to go through this, there were only two problems with it. Lapis had been in the phase for five months and—

Ruby cheered, climbing onto the tall wall with less grace but waving her arms wildly when she made it to the top. "Yaya, I can do it! I'm the bravest person in the world!"

…she was dragging poor little Ruby into it as well.

Jasper licked her lips nervously, torn between stopping this and looking cool in front of her crush. "…guys, mom will kill us,"

"Hear that Ruby?" Lapis wrapped an arm around the younger girl. "Sounds like your sister isn't as brave as you are…"

Ruby made chicken noises in the background.

"I'm not chicken!" Jasper nearly shouted, almost scaring the ducks.

Lapis smirked. "Then prove it, you don't have to steal her crown but how about you snatch one of those dumb flags she keeps hanging in that hallway we're not allowed in,"

Ruby frowned, her adorable chubby face scrunching up in worry. "That's the flag they used when they concurred the air nomads; that means so much to her,"

"If you're scared then stay here," Jasper said, gathering the courage. "But I'm getting that flag, watch me; I'll prove that I'm brave!" The eight year old exclaimed before running into the house.

Lapis smiled, motioning Ruby to follow. "Come on before we lose her!"

Ruby, also wanting to prove her bravery, ran behind the older kids. Her short legs didn't help her keep up as much as she wanted and she found herself dragging behind in the race. So when she turned the corner and saw Jasper swinging a flag in the air and Lapis cheering, she was sure that she had missed something.

"Told you I could do it," Jasper said, smirking at the attention she was getting.

Lapis grinned. "Nice, I wish we had a painter just so we could capture this moment,"

Ruby nodded in agreement before she took in the rare site. The hallway they had avoided for years held multiple war flags from concurred villages, armor her father said only memorable warriors like Blue Diamond wore and a few old photographs of her mother when she was their age. She was one of the prodigy firebenders and the youngest to go to war.

Ruby shivered. "…no wonder she's so cold, she never had a childhood,"

"Jasper, no, the flag!" Lapis exclaimed.

It all happened so fast, Ruby recalled. She was too busy looking at the old keepsakes that she hadn't seen Jasper raise her fist in victory, her older sister was a good firebender but she had problem with control and it was showing now. For when she shot her fist up, she also shot out a large flame that caught the flame on fire.

But that wasn't what had Ruby and Jasper gawking, it was the fact that Lapis who was supposed to be a princess of a firenation tribe was gathering water to stop the fire. Gathering water, more like she was waterbending nearby water from the vases.

The hallway dimmed once again as the flame was put out.

Ruby gasped. "B-but, you're one of us! Are you like, the Avatar or something? Did Rose die, why am I always the last to know!" The child exclaimed angrily. "This always—"

"Rose is still alive Ruby," Lapis spoke softly, sending a shy smile to the hyper child. "…and I'm really a waterbender, I'm sorry," She apologized, but Ruby saw the blue eyes glance to her sister when those words came out.

Lapis looked down. "I was originally born in the Northern water tribe but when the firenation tried to ambush us, they took me and a few others my age. I was saved by Queen Celine and since she couldn't have children, she decided to make me hers," She blinked away tears. "Her husband had passed a few months and she thought it was the perfect time to announce the arrival of a new child,"

"I don't think she knows my true origins, just that I was a baby who was being sold into the firenation."

Ruby nodded. "She doesn't know you can bend either?"

"No," Lapis scoffed. "I learned about this a year ago and I kept it from her, she'd probably kill me if she knew. She thinks I'm a non bender right now anyway and I think she's proud of that because her husband was killed because of bending. She rarely uses it around me,"

"What is going on here!" A loud voice shakes the walls, causing them to go white when they see Yellow Diamond and the Queen coming down the hall. "I came down here to show off my medals and you kids are using this as a play ground, Jasper! What is the meaning of this, why is my flag burned and on the ground?"

Jasper paled, glancing at the flag she had dropped when Lapis bended and to the menacing eyes of her mother. "…uhh…"

"Lapis!" Ruby squeaked out, getting a glare from her sister and an uneasy one from Lapis. "Lapis, I, I dared Lapis that she wasn't brave enough to come down here and steal your flag. She must have gotten excited because she accidentally shot a flame but them Jasper thought fast and threw some water from the pot on it," She bowed. "Forgive me,"

Yellow Diamond flicked her gaze upon her eldest. "Is this true?"

"No," Jasper also bowed, shocking Ruby. "I dare Lapis to steal the flag, Ruby is just trying to save me. It's my fault,"

Queen Celine shot a worried look to her daughter. "You firebended?"

"…I guess so," Lapis shot a small smile to the two sisters who lied for her protection.

Yellow Diamond nodded. "That flag was a piece of trash, and," She pointed to Lapis gleefully. "Your daughter is a firebender, I was starting to get worried for a second; you should be proud Queen Celine,"

The queen frowned. "I suppose, but Lapis I do not want you to firebend ever again unless you are alone. It is not fit for a princess in our Nation, we'll leave the fighting to the men,"

Lapis nodded.

Yellow Diamond sighed. "I suppose I must punish you now. Jasper, two hours in the freezer, you know the deal,"

"Ma'am," Jasper nodded.

"Lapis you go too, I rather finish your punishment now than later," The queen announced.

Lapis grinned, also bowing. "Ma'am,"

Ruby was sent to her room while her comrades were sent to the freezer. She had been there a few times in her life, mostly when her dresses went 'missing' and she attended dinners in her comfortable fighting clothes; her mother despised being made a fool in front of company.

So, when the halls were empty and an hour had passed Ruby headed to the freezer that was in the cellar in their basement. She knew how lonely it was and she and Jasper always promised to visit each other halfway when the punishment was over, just to talk through the door and sneak food.

Ruby, three fire cakes in her hands, used the ladder to peer through the frosty window. She was met with Jasper and Lapis leaning against the cold wall, holding hands and conserving what little heat they had.

Having a feeling she wouldn't be wanted, Ruby took her snacks and ate them on the way back to her room.

Things were different between Jasper and Lapis after that day, no matter how many times Jasper denied it Ruby knew it was true. They would share longing looks, hold hands more than they needed and most of the time they only hung out with each other.

Ruby didn't mind though, Peridot was always a second option when she got bored.

"Lapis is really a waterbender?" Sapphire asked, surprise in her voice but not on her face. "How has she managed to hide it for so long?"

Ruby shrugged. "No clue, but I have a feeling my mother knew Lapis wasn't really the queens daughter. She knew Lapis was from a different nation but she just didn't know where, I think that's what they were discussing that day. But when she was deemed a firebender they stopped having their monthly meetings, I always found it weird,"

Sapphire nodded. "You didn't feel hurt, when they stopped hanging out with you?"

"Nah," Ruby shrugged. "I saw Jasper all the time at home and Lapis grew less appealing when I finally got over my crush on her. Which was the same day I saw them holding hands in the cellar," She frowned. "And I guess Peridot was pretty cool to hang out with, she always worked on these cool inventions and let me have some,"

"I'd love to hear a story about little Peridot," Sapphire hummed. "I can't really imagine her being a down to earth person,"

Ruby nodded. "Well believe it, but I'm all storied out for now and should head to bed," She offered to help the waterbender up, smiling softly at the taller girl. "…I wouldn't mind hearing something from your past," She suggested.

Sapphire smiled softly. "I do have a few stories,"

Sorry for not writing in a while but I've been busy with life. I am changing Lapis to the chi girl and Peridot the weapons master due to popular demand and it seems right. I'll change it in the chapters later, I hope you liked this flash back and I'll see you guys later.