Welcome to Chapter One.

Boiling Rock. A dormant volcano, flooded with boiling water (hence the name) and occupied by the most elite of fire nation warriors, guarding the most dangerous fire nation criminals.

It was burning behind her.

Azula laughed wickedly as she hovered over the inferno. The true fire lord had returned. And the time had come to find her supporters.

She breathed deeply, and then released blue flame through her fingertips, propelling her into the sky and away from the island. She had a long flight to the fire nation.

She laughed again, remembering the guard who had helped her escape. He had been useful, very useful, but she could not have afforded to trust him. She could trust no one.

Then she stopped. And reversed direction.

She could not return to the fire nation. She could not return to her father – even he had failed and become the Avatar's prisoner. She would have to build her own empire, from the ground up.

The reign of Azula, Phoenix queen, had begun.

A letter from fire lord Zuko to Avatar Aang:

Aang,

Hey Aang, Zuko here. Well, I know we promised to write often after you left the capital for the North Pole, but we never did get around to it did we? I figured you ought to know how things have been going though, being the Avatar and all.

How are things with you? Has the water tribe been treating you well? Learn any new waterbending tricks? How are Katara and Sokka? How does Appa like the snow?

I got a letter from uncle the other day. He says all things are well in Ba Sing Se. Some of the refugees are finally moving out of the city, and he believes the influence of the Dai Li has been removed, hopefully for good. There's still no news on the whereabouts of the missing earth king – I don't suppose you know where he is?

My father's been behaving himself a lot better lately. He still won't tell me where my mother is, but I think I'll get it out of him eventually. He doesn't curse out the guards anymore, and he's even talked to me a few times without screaming, but he won't look me in the eyes.

Now I don't want you to be alarmed when you read this next bit of news, but being the Avatar you need to know.

Yesterday I received news that the Boiling Rock prison has burned down. Nothing is left but ashes. Apparently a new shipment of prisoners arrived last week and found the building in its current state. It seems there were no survivors.

As you know, my sister was being kept at Boiling Rock. I don't think escaping the flames would have been easy, but I wouldn't doubt the possibility that Azula could have started this fire. Just to be safe, I have alerted all fire nation solders to be on the lookout. I advise you to be equally wary.

Though, again, don't be too alarmed. There is a very slim change that Azula escaped.

Other than that disturbance, I think the fire nation is beginning to come together again. Families are happy to see their sons, brothers, and husbands finally return home. Perhaps the destruction of Boiling Rock can be for the better; after all, it was a large symbol of fire nation cruelty.

I hope to hear from you soon! Tell everyone I said hello!

-Zuko

The Sun Warriors hadn't reacted well when she demanded their service. Dishonorable traitors. They were firebenders. They should be loyal to the fire lord.

She had taken care of the Sun Warriors. Now their city was hers and hers alone.

The dragons weren't as easy. She couldn't get them out of their caves, and she suspected they had escaped, as the caves probably let out somewhere far away. But no matter. She had conquered her new capital city. Her empire had taken root.

Azula paced back and forth across her new palace floor. She scowled, accepting that she would eventually need supporters, although she could not trust them. She would have to put her faith in the weak, those who could never defy her or best her.

She needed solders. She needed an army. Then she would take back the throne.

A letter from Avatar Aang to fire lord Zuko:

Zuko,

Hi Zuko! Great to hear from you! I'm so sorry I forgot to write, we've been so busy up here.

I've been fine, so has everybody else. Master Pakku (though I like calling him grandpa Pakku) has taught me so much more about waterbending – I think I know enough to be a master myself now! And yes, Appa loves the snow! And everyone loves Appa, of course!

Everything is going great. I don't think the water tribe was affected by the war as much as the fire nation – probably the biggest issue is no one knows what to do with themselves! After a century of war, I guess it's hard to think about anything else.

It was good to hear about your father! I'm glad he's improving.

I wasn't sure what to think of your news about Boiling Rock. I don't know the extent of Azula's power, because I never did fight her head on much. I talked to Katara, and she doesn't think Azula could have escaped. But she is pretty sure it was Azula who started the fire, and I agree with her.

That is a really horrible end. I'm really sorry Zuko, I know she was your sister.

Also great to hear that things are improving in the fire nation! Things in the earth kingdom have been shaping up too. I got a letter from King Bumi awhile back. He said he's gone back to Omashu, and things are going good there.

Everyone says hi back! We miss you Zuko!

-Aang

The time had come to leave.

Azula remembered what the guard had told her about the rebellions. These were the solders she needed: strong, many, and loyal to the fire lord. But they would not find her hiding away in this lost city, no, she had to find them.

She had already prepared plans for her take over. After she gathered troops, she would march on the capital openly, not in a cowardly sneak attack, like the Avatar. Then she would reclaim her throne and imprison Zuko, as he had imprisoned her.

Then she would rebuild the fire nation, better than her father ever could have, and once again firebenders would conquer the world.

Then she would be the Phoenix Queen.

The time had come to begin.

Off to Omashu.

Hope you liked it! Thank you sunbaby2012 for my first review! More to come soon!

~Martes