Devin stared at the cold, hard, metal ground. A light struggled to seep through, barely lighting the dark room. Slowly, Devin's hand slid against the ground, reaching her tattered clothing. Devin sniffed the air of the damp room, nearly choking on the putrid aroma.

"How do they expect someone to live like this?" Devin questioned aloud.

Surveilling her surroundings, Devin noted a grungy, uncomfortable bed; the mattress stuffed with hay. Every inch of her cell was covered with unbendable metal.

Here, she had spent many nights, looking for a possible way of escape. It was useless. No matter how hard she tried, Devin's bending had no effect on the prison's walls.

Although Devin had nothing to earthbend, she still practiced her form daily. Her usual bending routine consisted of vigorous exercise and muscle strengthening.

Devin rose from the ground, struggling to stand. The prison didn't offer medical care, considering prisoners of war didn't deserve to be treated with such respect.

Warily, Devin forced her legs to lift high, and jogged in place. Devin ignored the searing pain and continued to work. When finished, Devin, exhausted, fell onto her unwelcoming bed.

Harsh, hasty footsteps passed outside Devin's cell.

"Dinner will be provided in the yard tonight," a guard instructed. He moved onto the next cell to spread the news.

Dinner in the yard? That's a first. What's going on?

Devin slid onto the floor next to her bed. Carefully marking, Devin added another piece of hay amongst the myriad number of others. Since her arrival, Devin tracked the number of days she had spent in her prison by aligning hay beneath her bed.

"One more week, and it will be a year." In this year, Devin had seen little sunlight and made no progress towards escaping. Her reminiscing was interrupted by the door to her cell opening.

"Prisoners," a guard shouted. "Meet in the center of the yard. Tonight a little entertainment shall be provided!"

Stepping outside, Devin's eyes struggled to stay open as the inviting, warm sun beamed down upon them.

"That's right," another guard ordered. "Step this way! You're all in for a real treat!" Devin slowly made her way towards the center, the cold metal pressing hardly on her feet.

A large, bulk man approached the prisoners, entering between the two guards. He wore a long, shaped, black beard and a red robe with a Fire Nation symbol upon it.

"Hello inmates!" the man yelled. "For those of you not familiar with my face, I am your warden."

Devin's blood boiled. After all her time in this prison, the warden finally decided to reveal himself. Part of Devin wished to attack the warden for treating these prisoners so unfairly. The other part told Devin although her efforts would be valiant, they would also be worthless.

"I know, I know," he smirked. "You must have multiple questions: Where you are? Why you don't get fed frequently? What's going on with the war? Well, I'm not going to answer any of them." His eyebrows raised. "Tonight, we've decided to be kind and provide you with some entertainment. Please welcome, Lord Susumu's son, Prince Daichi!"

Devin's mouth opened, agape with awe. The Crown Prince of the Fire Nation? In a prison?

Devin ogled at the Prince as he stood in the door way. Daichi's brownish black hair was loose and shaggy, passing no father than his shoulders. His brown, almost black, eyes were dark, and filled with hatred.

Devin looked around the room, glancing at a few of the other girl teenagers. They seemed to be swooning. However, Devin was sickened by the sinister prince; her past experiences in Omashu left her in the most dire of circumstances.

Stunningly, Daichi moved towards the group of prisoners, gliding perfectly along the way. Every movement was equal to a graceful swan's.

"Bow before your prince," the warden demanded. Only a few people fell to the floor immediately; the majority of them fangirls.

Devin couldn't understand it: what was so great about him? Quickly, Devin determined she hated the arrogant, pompous prince no matter how devilishly handsome he was. Devin didn't need a reason to hate him, she just did.

"Bow! Bow before your ruler!" the warden fiercely snarled. "If you don't bow you shall suffer the utmost serious consequences!" More people fell to the ground in fear.

"That's right! Fall to your knees," Daichi snickered with a small laugh of satisfaction soon afterwards.

Devin remained standing. A few other fearless men stood with her.

"You think you can stand and defeat me with your little outbursts?" Daichi snarled. "Your efforts mean nothing; the war is ending and the Fire Nation with rightfully claim the victory it deserves! Go ahead and hope! Wait! You don't have any hope! We've taken it all away, haven't we?"

Tempted to charge the egomaniac, Devin controlled herself and remained calm.

"Nothing's going to change! Your little avatar hasn't come back! We probably killed him! The water tribes have been completely destroyed, just like the Air Nation two centuries before them. Earth will be next! Fire is the dominant element!"

The once valiant men were sold; they believed hope no longer existed and fell to the floor.

Devin, unable to be convinced, stood unchanged.

"And then there was one!" Daichi scowled. "Guards bring her to me! Right here!"

Guards grabbed both of Devin's arms. "The rest of you rise! Prepare to witness what will happen to those who defy the Fire Nation's rule!"

Struggling to break free, Devin could not alter the guard's grip. Everyone gave her worried glances as she was dragged to the prince. The fangirls stared with envy.

"Put her down," Daichi commanded. "Men, you know what to do."

Devin shot Daichi a furious look, and all of his confidence instantly disappeared. He recognized her green-blue eyes.

One Year Earlier

Devin stood outside, minding her book cart. It was another typical day in the great city of Omashu, now ruled by the Fire Kingdom. Although business was slow, she didn't mind; she could use the time to read a book.

"Prince Daichi is coming! Everyone prepare to bow to show respect!" many citizens shouted before his arrival.

Devin nearly shrugged her shoulders. A prince? What could be so wonderful about that? Devin, easily distracted, attempted to organize her cart, but soon found herself reading. Once reading, Devin was not easily disturbed; grasping her attention was difficult.

Several rows of guards began marching down the street, neat and orderly.

"Announcing the arrival of Prince Daichi!" one guard shouted. Everyone fell to their knees, but not Devin. Devin remained, her mind still in her book.

Behind the rows stood Prince Daichi, surrounded by more guards. One guard had caught Devin's lack of attention for the prince.

"Hey! You there!" the guard yelled. "Bow down before your prince!"

Devin's focus lightened a bit with the guards bellowing.

"Listen to me!" the guard demanded. Quickly, a fireball appeared hurling in the air towards Devin. Vastly emerged in her book, Devin failed to notice the fireball approaching her.

"OUCH!" Devin screamed, alarmed by the hot heat. Now, she payed attention.

"Holy Snickerdoodles!" Devin snapped. "What are you doing? That book was just becoming rather interesting! Now I don't know what happens!"

The guard seemed somewhat alarmed. Now, the whole parade of soldiers had stopped. All were staring at Devin.

"Well, uh, what w-were you d-do-doing ignoring the prince?" the guard questioned, trying to be brave. However, any attempts of brevity instantly failed, Devin had scared the guard.

"What's happening over here, guard?" Daichi questioned, moving from his circle of protection.

"S-she's not listen-nin-ning, sir!" the guard informed.

"Not listening? Well, that can easily be fixed," Daichi grinned. "Bring her over here!"

The guard beckoned his coworker to help with Devin. Both soldiers grabbed Devin's arms and dragged her to Daichi.

"Let go of me!" Devin screamed.

"Well, well, we're a feisty one, aren't we?" scolded Daichi. "How shall I punish you today? Maybe a form of embarrassment is in order, or you could follow and complement me throughout the whole day. I know! I'd like you to--" Daichi stopped.

Looking into Devin's eyes, he lost his trail of thought. Instantly, Daichi was mesmerized by Devin's looks: her short, red, curly hair and deep, green-blue eyes.

"Come out to breakfast with me," Daichi finished.

Dumbfounded, Devin ogled at the prince; was he really that daft? She wasn't about to fall for an inconsiderate jerk. Rather than speak, Devin remained silent to irk the prince.

"Not talking? I like it. You're playing hard to get," Daichi smugged. "Your not like the other girls, are you? Any other girl would date me in the blink of an eye. But no, you wouldn't do that. I like my women feisty. And that curly hair, it's so red! Like fire! You're strong! You must have breakfast with me, I won't except no for an answer."

Devin raised her head, a look of hatred in her eyes.

"I hate eggs," Devin responded.

"That's okay, sweetie. We'll find something else."

"Eggs aren't the only thing I hate."

"What?! Are you rejecting me?" he asked, worried. "No one rejects me, Prince Daichi!"

"What if I am?"

"You little rat! What are you thinking? Who would refuse this opportunity with the crown prince? I am one of the most handsome and powerful men in the world!"

"I'm not a shining badge for your armor."

"That's it! Guards! Get her away! Kill her, or better yet throw her in prison! Yes, let her rot!"

Before Devin had any chance to respond, she was out cold; someone had knocked her unconscious.

Devin awoke in a metal prison cell with a splitting head ache. She reached to the back of her head, it was covered by a large bandage.

"What happened?" Devin stared around her new home, wondering when she would escape.

One Year Later

"It's you! You're the one that rejected me? Me!" Daichi explained. "Guards! Take her to my chamber immediately. " The fangirls gasped with jealousy.

Devin glanced at Daichi, surprised. The guards hauled Devin to the prince's room.

"Bow you worthless prisoners!" the warden yelled. Swiftly, the prince exited.

Out of fear, everyone fell to their knees, but this time a few remained standing. The fangirls remained standing, as if saying 'I'll go back to your chamber with you.'

Taking off her maggoty prison clothes, Devin slipped into a long, green dress. The fabric seemed aged, yet durable. Soldiers forced her to change according to the prince's command. Devin emerged from her changing room, and sat down at the table where dinner was to be served.

Typically, Devin would refuse and attempt to escape, but every corner of the room was guarded. There was no possible exit.

Daichi entered the room, now wearing comfortable, evening attire. He took his seat across from Devin.

"Hello. What was your name? Oh, Devin, was it?" he snickered. "So nice of you to join me."

Devin remained silent, staring at her empty plate.

"Still not talking? That makes you even more appealing. I see a year in this prison hasn't changed any of your ideals. It's a good thing I'm still just as fabulous and flawless."

Devin was furious. How could any human be such a insensitive bigot?

"See Devin, you're not like the other girls. Sure, they're a lot of fun, but, you, you're different. That's what makes me you so great! You make it hard for me. I enjoy a challenge; it can be fun not getting everything you want, like I usually do. No need to worry, though, I eventually get everything I want."

Sickened, Devin was tempted to punch Daichi in the face; she was not a man's worthless possession. Owning Devin was not an option.

"I imagine you're hungry considering all the gruel they feed you. Let me fix that. Arata, tell the chef to bring out dinner."

"Yes, sir," Daichi's personal assistant agreed.

"You do look lovely, Devin. Your hair still burns that fire red. It really goes nicely with that green dress. Oh, that dress must look familiar, considering it is famous and all."

Devin stared at the green dress. She couldn't recognize it.

"It is the dress the famous Katara wore after the end of the past war. I thought it suited you well; she was just as stubborn as you. It's a shame she didn't listen as well as you. We easily fixed that, and it helped us take care of the avatar."

Curious, Devin almost asked about what really happened with Katara. She was neglected of the opportunity when Arata brought in their food.

Two silver platters, covered by large lids, were wheeled out to the table immediately. Arata place the plates upon the table, and lifted up the lids. Eggs. Unstable disgusting white-yellow eggs.

"What are you pulling?" Devin snarled, aggression forming in her voice.

"Look Arata, she can speak!" Daichi explained sarcastically. "I just know how much you like eggs, because that is the only food you will be eating for a long while."

Glancing at her new diet, Devin became disgusted.

"See, I'm kind of like these eggs; right now you hate both of us, but that will easily change. You will continue to live at this prison and receive eggs and only eggs. I will return every week, and we will continue to discuss your faults, and my strengths. Soon, you'll love eggs, and more importantly me. I'll see you next week."

Devin was chaperoned back to her cell where she received another pair of clothes and her first plate of eggs. Lovely.

Disgusted by her encounter with the prince, Devin crawled into bed, hoping for a nice, long rest.

Throughout the week, Devin became hungrier as the eggs continued to come. A large pile of them sat in the corner, an aroma unpleasant aroma emerging from the rotting food.

Devin's cell door opened, it was time for some sunlight in the courtyard.

As Devin emerged from her cell, she received angry looks from the other inmates. Some of them were jealous, and the others sympathetic. Devin sat, leaning on the outside of her cell. Soon, a prisoner came beside Devin and confronted her.

"Listen, what the prince did to you the other day was harsh and hypocritical. It wasn't fair in the least," he consoled. Devin stared into his dark brown eyes. "I want to help you."

"Thanks, but there's nothing you can do about it."

"Well, actually, I think I can. With all this extra time I have perfected the ancient art of metal bending. I plan on escaping tomorrow night. Come with me."

Devin almost wanted to cling to the stranger in happiness; finally, a chance to escape!

"I'm in. Tell me what I must do."

"Here's what we do--"

"Wait, what's your name?" Devin interrupted.

"Katsu.: