I know things may seem a little different in this story, for those of you who don't know Shandrey and comp. But I promise its all still 'Avatar' stuff. And thank you to the ONLY two people who reviewed last chapter; Tsukikage1213, Realfanficts. Enjoy!

Chapter Five

The Fire Goddess

"Katara, there's no real easy way to say this…so I'll just say it. The Day of Black Sun was over twelve hundred years ago." Katara began shaking her head. "I think you've traveled forward in time, the year is January 14th…..2020." Katara and Shandrey simply stared back into each other's eyes. Katara understood but refused to accept the idea, it was simply insane.

"What?"

There couldn't be any easy way to explain it. How does one tell someone from centuries past that they just traveled through time without overwhelming them with a cornucopia of techno-babble? The answer eluded Shandrey most effectively. Katara continued to tense with each passing second, she began to fill Shandrey with fear that another outrage might ensue.

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to say it any other way," said Shandrey regretfully. Katara's mouth hung open. She shook her head in disbelief. Was she just supposed to accept that everyone she's ever known was gone and gone for good? Shandrey leaned forward and held her shoulder. "I'm sorry…" Katara yanked herself out from under Shandrey's grasp.

"Don't touch me!" She cast a suspicious look at Lee then snapped her gaze back to Shandrey. "I don't know what's going on with you Yue, but I'm not in the mood to be jerked around. Just leave me alone." She jumped out bed and walked past them both toward the balcony. Shandrey rose to her feet.

"Katara wait-"

Katara wheeled around. "HEY!" Shandrey and Lee's eyes moved over the room as they heard low squeaking coming from the pipes hidden behind the walls. Katara held a dangerous look in her eye, like an animal backed into a corner. She balled up her fists, taking complete control of her element. "I don't know what's going here, or even where 'here' is, but we both know there's more than enough water running through these walls for me to bring this whole building down!" Shandrey backed up, her hands outstretched calmly. "Just stay away from me." She released her control of the water around them and left the room for the balcony. Lee walked up behind Shandrey and held her arms softly.

"Do not be discouraged, I for one am not surprised by her behavior." Shandrey however was still in slight shock by Katara's display of power.

"You saw that didn't you?" she whispered.

"I did."

"She wielded such control, with so little concentration. There's so much about my bending I've mastered, and so much that remains beyond me. What I could learn from her..." She turned in place and tilted her head up to him. "The only problem is she won't talk to me."

"Understandable, I would have a difficult time coming to believe what you said. But Katara is a sensible person I gather, and will not be able to ignore the modern advances of our time for long. Eventually she will have to accept the truth." Katara let her balance give way and leant against him.

"Yes but….she doesn't belong here. And I have no idea how to manipulate time, Moira neglected to cover that with me. How are we supposed to send her back?"

"You will find a way."

"Oh Lee don't patronize me," she whined.

"You know me Shandrey; I do not give undue credit. Now if you permit me I will speak with her." Shandrey arched a brow.

"She thought you were going to attack her, Lee. You really think she'll be more inclined to talk to you rather than me?"

"That remains unclear, but I will try." She closed the gap between them even more so but placed her hands on her hips.

"I wish you would put this much determination into our marriage from time to time. And not running off for weeks at a time." He smiled down at her and moved her aside; they're hands brushing against one another.

"I….am an exceptional husband, and remember my policy concerning undue credit." He began walking away. Shandrey, a grin on her face and her arms still at her hips, took a few steps after him.

"Oh yeah? What's our anniversary?" Lee stopped in place, not saying a word. For a moment it seemed that Shandrey had him stumped.

"We were wed on July 17, 2018, at precisely 3:14 p.m.; there were only twenty-four guests present, it rained during the beginning, and the priest had a piece of lettuce stuck in his teeth." Shandrey rolled her eyes. "Care to try again?"

"Oh get out here," she mumbled. Standing straight and erect Lee continued on. She watched him with crossed arms. He almost seemed pompous at that moment, perhaps the feeling of being victorious for a small moment. Shandrey smiled as she thought of him; maybe it was his quirks that attracted her the most.

-----

Katara stood on the balcony of their room overlooking the pool down below. She found that no matter what she looked at, it captured her attention as well as her imagination. The city around her looked as though it were made of light. Even the pool below caused her to think beyond what she knew to be common. Bright lights below the surface illuminated the waters for its users. Her eyes roamed onto the children in the shallow end, laughing and splashing one another. Despite her situation, Katara was unable to resist the smile that spawned. If it was one thing that she never tired of seeing it was the happiness of others. She didn't care what others thought of a feeling like that, who would dismiss it as nothing more than whimsical sentiment.

Katara was suddenly struck by memories of her and Aang, the day he introduced her to the wonderful world of penguin sledding.

"I have to ask you something," said Aang in a hushed voice.

"What?" asked an intrigued Katara.

In a normal, even excited voice, Aang answered, "Will you go penguin sledding with me?"

Katara arched an eyebrow. "Uh….sure, I guess."

Katara laughed to herself. Who would ever say that? After being frozen for a hundred years, who would want to go penguin sledding? Of course he had no idea how much time had passed, but come on….it's funny. She became aware of a presence to her side. With a gasp she noticed Lee now standing beside her. Without the children taking notice, Katara pulled a whirling sphere of water from the pool below.

"I beseech you," said Lee looking skyward. "Stay your attack."

"I told you to leave me alone," she snarled.

"And yet you must talk, you must talk to someone or you will not know peace." Katara narrowed her eyes.

"How can I find peace here, this isn't my home….this isn't even my own time." Lee glanced at her.

"So you accept Shandrey's words as fact."

Katara pointed inside. "That woman is Yue, I met her yesterday. I don't understand why you both deny this? Where were you by the way when I met her?" Lee smiled and shook his head. Katara's face hardened, she turned the sphere to solid ice. "Don't laugh at me! You want to talk? Then talk, give me some answers."

-----

From within the room Shandrey raised her brows and took sighed deeply. "Well done Lee, now she's taken you hostage."

-----

Lee faced her. He opened his arms and using his powers levitated his sword out of his waist band and lowered it to the ground. Katara's eyes gradually widened as she witnessed the action. Still she held the ice ball aloft and ready for combat.

"My name is Leonidas Moristu, the one you came to know as 'Yue' has been long dead for many centuries. My wife, Shandrey, bears such a striking resemblance because she is 'Yue' reincarnated. It is a complicated story." Katara lowered the sphere, she took in a deep breath and stood beside him.

"Where am I?"

"This is the city of Paris, within a country called 'France'."

"Do you and Shandrey live here?"

"No, our home is much farther east. However we were here for a gathering of sorts, soon it will be time for us to return home." Katara looked out at the starry night sky.

"Home……does such a thing even exist for me anymore?"

Lee rotated his eyes to glance at her. "Your home is never far from you. It is where your heart truly lies, it is timeless and always there to welcome." She brushed away a tear which had leaked out of her eye.

"That's easy for you to say. How many times have you been torn from everything you knew and loved? How many times have you suddenly woken in the presence of a complete stranger?...How many times has it dawned on you that you many never see your friends and family again?" She rubbed her arms from the chilling breeze.

"A great many." She twisted her head in his direction. She trained her eyes to his. There azure hue shined in the moon light and there was something else; a sincerity and an honor not found in many people. Katara could see the loss he felt and the love he felt for Shandrey. He would die eating hot coals for her.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Perhaps we both of us presumed too much. There is nothing to forgive, only ignorance. Four years of peace have been a blessing, but it was not meant to last." At the risk of sounding the least bit selfish Katara tugged at his arm.

"And me?" she asked. "I was a part of something before I left. My friends…..my family, they're all counting on me. I have to get back." She now looked at him with imploring eyes. "Can you help me?"

"We will do what we can." His answer, though not very comforting, would have to suffice for the moment. Katara turned her gaze back to the pool.

"How is it possible?"

"I beg your pardon?" asked Lee.

"The lights, under water. How is fire able to light under water? And how are those children swimming during such a cold season?" He smiled as he looked down at the family.

"The water is heated, and the lights are encased in a glass case which is waterproof. They run off of an energy source called electricity." Katara shook her head, it was begin to throb.

"This new world is filled with so many things, I wonder how will be able to keep up?" She they looked at one another and Katara, for the first time since they had met, smiled. He motioned back toward door.

"Come, it is cold. And if you will permit my presumptuousness, I believe you owe my wife an apology." Katara nodded, just as cautiously as ever she retreated inside with Lee.

Of course Nayia was given a bed but she couldn't sleep, how could she? Over and over she tried communicating with Lee but to no avail. She searched her room from top to bottom in the hope of finding whatever was blocking her thoughts, nothing. Either it was elsewhere she couldn't reach or someone was managing it on their own. Picking the lock was out of the question as there was nothing to pick. Her side of the door bore nothing but a two inch thick plexiglass window.

Nayia leapt off her bed and with a furious growl flipped it onto its side. Since Mifune had left her alone it seemed like she had been cooped up for weeks. A mild form of cabin fever was beginning to set in, though all out dementia was still a long way off. She fell against the wall and slid down to a sitting position. Nayia remembered what she told Mifune, that Lee and Shandrey would come to rescue her. But the more she thought about it the more she began to convince herself that it was unlikely borderline impossible. They had no idea that she was missing, she had no way of contacting them, and it would be weeks before they realized that her letters stopped coming.

She ran her hands through her hair, letting them linger on her scalp for just a moment. Nayia had turned her room into a mess but that only allotted her a small amount of relief. Suddenly her door opened, Mifune stood just before the threshold. She slowly rose to her feet while giving him a suspicious glare. He told her to exit the cell by silently stepping aside. Nayia of course had no intention of going with him or doing anything he said. However if she left her cell it may be possible to contact Lee, thus she stepped forward. Upon stepping outside she saw that Mifune was not alone. Ring stood nearby, her expressionless face as stony as ever.

She turned away from them. "Come."

"I don't think so," replied Nayia defiantly. Ring didn't move or reply to Nayia's disobedience, the red stone around her middle finger however pulsed.

"You know who she is," said Mifune. Nayia said nothing. "You know she is not to be trifled with."

"Drop dead Mifune," snapped Nayia.

"In time perhaps." Without warning he backhanded her across the face. She stumbled backwards, using the wall to maintain her balance. She looked back at him while holding her stinging cheek. "Defy me not." She held back her tears.

"I hate you." Her words were calculated and sincere.

"Good, hate keeps one alive. I look forward to the day you act on your hatred."

"Enough." Ring's soft and bone chilling voice broke their argument. She sent Nayia a fleeting look then turned back to the hall ahead. "You will come with me." Nayia yearned to yank one of Mifune's swords from his waist, using on both her captors, and escape. However there something about Ring that made it clear that a simple stabbing wouldn't do her in for good. Ring began taking successive steps down the hall, never bothering to make sure her charge was following behind as instructed. It was either stay in Mifune's presence or join Ring it what would undoubtedly be a quiet walk. She could hardly stand to be near Mifune thus Nayia chose the latter path.

Nayia was surprised by the dwelling in which these people stayed. Many times it reminded her of Chinese palaces of the most extravagant luxury. There was gold in almost every nook and cranny. Silk tapestries hung from wall, many of them depicting scenes from centuries past. As they walked several servants would pass by, each time quickly moving up against the wall and bowing as Ring passed.

"Guess you're a…..a pretty important person around here," said Nayia weakly. Ring did not respond. "I've heard stories-rumors really, who are you…really?"

"I am a chevalier of Hotaru."

Nayia skipped slightly as in her distracted view of another tapestry her feet tripped. "And what is that?"

"In time……..all in time." That was the last of Ring's words for the duration of their journey, which continued on for at least half an hour.

'Where could she possibly be taking me?' Nayia wondered. Her question was answered when they reached the entrance to a smaller hallway. This passage, however, should not be taken for its size; it boasted decorations and lavishes besting everything Nayia had yet seen. But Nayia's attention wasn't on the décor; her eyes were mesmerically drawn to the other end. Instead of a door blocking the way, a wall flame guarded the entrance. She swallowed hard as her mind sifted through the morbid possibilities to come.

"I go no further."

Nayia shot an incredulous look of shock at her. "And what about me? Am I supposed to walk through fire?!"

"You will not be harmed. Continue on, now." Nayia stayed put and folded her arms.

"And if I don't?" Ring stepped closer to her. She raised her open hand until it was eye level with Nayia. Several sparks issued from the shining red gem. Nayia swallowed hard.

"Many things could happen if you do not." Nayia was a temple of defiance, even towards her own family and friends. But just as Mifune said, a battle with Ring could be utterly unwinable at this time. Ring lowered her hand and slowly left Nayia to continue on her own. Slowly, perhaps even a dead slow, Nayia approached the wall of cascading flame. The strange thing about it was that no matter how close she got, Nayia never felt the rising heat. It was as if the fire was no more than an illusion. She now stood directly before it; still she felt no excessive heat. Nayia then closed her eyes tight and took a bounding step through. It was an odd sensation, like a strong gust of wind was pushing back against her. When she finally breached the other side Nayia's hair was slightly frizzed. Absently she reached up to fix it while her eyes roamed over the room she'd entered. It was octagonal with ornate torches set within each corner. Then Nayia saw the centerpiece of the room.

Carved out of the wall was an enormous Fire Nation insignia, within the carvings a roaring fire continually raged upward. It was so massive that the various torches scattered throughout were little more than filler. It was then that Nayia also noticed a chair and within it an occupant. They sat before the large wall carving, the occupant unmoving. Quickly Nayia dashed over and saw a young woman sitting limply before the flames. Her eyes were glazed and a great deal of color had left her skin.

"Hello?" The woman slowly turned her eyes up at Nayia. "Are you okay?" The woman tried to reach up at Nayia but she could only twitch her hand. Nayia took her trembling fingers and rubbed them gingerly. "Don't worry; I'm going to get us both out of here." If she could, the woman grew even creepier by a slow shaking of the head.

"Save……...yourself…."

"Save myself? From what? There's nobody else here." Her glassy eyes returned to the boisterous flames.

"H-Ho…..Hotaru…" Nayia arched a brow.

"There must be some sort of mix-up with you people. Hotaru is dead; she has been for centurie-"

"AHHH!" Suddenly an invisible force jerked the woman right out of the chair. Nayia gasped loudly and jumped back about ten feet, loosing her footing in the process. The woman now stood before the fiery carving, arms spread wide and eyes bulging.

"W-What's happening?"

The woman began twitching horribly.

"THE FIRE GODDESS LIVES!" Jets of red light began pouring from within the carving. They swirled overhead and around both the woman and Nayia like a chorus of poltergeists. Nayia crawled away along the floor as far as she could until she came in contact with the wall. The dozens of ribbons of light moved about randomly like paper in the wind then suddenly melded together as one and converged on the woman before the carving. They twisted into a point drove into her back, making her arch and writhe. Nayia slowly climbed up the wall until she was back on her feet. Finally the light disappeared completely within the woman and her eyes glowed with a solid red hue. This went unknown to Nayia as she continued to see only the woman's back. Tactfully, the Star Crystal guardian approached her with a hand outstretched.

"Um…..are you okay?" Her arms slowly lowered to her sides and she turned in place. Goosebumps, shivers, nausea; these were but a few of the many sickening sensations Nayia now felt as she gazed into the pair of glowing red eyes. "What's happened to you?" No answer. "Who….are you?"

"I am Eternal Flame." The voice was feminine but there was also a distant echo resounding in the foreground. "I am the Fire Goddess. I am Hotaru."

"That's impossible!" Breathed Nayia. Hotaru curved her host's lips into a smile.

"All things are possible. The scope and extent of my power cannot be denied."

Nayia breathed hard. "You expect me to just believe you?"

"I do not abide by illusion, nor do I demand it of any mortal. Only that you believe what you see and know to be true." Nayia tried to say her fast pacing heart with a hand to her chest. To absolutely no avail.

Not surprisingly Lee had been assigned the task of packing their belongings for the return trip home. Shandrey and Katara sat together on the bed talking of Shandrey's past life.

"You look so much like her," said Katara. It was true, staring at her even now Katara had difficulty in finding a difference. "Her sister couldn't have been more than six years old when I met her."

"I would've definitely taken her for a sister rather than the one I ended up with," replied Shandrey. Confusion crossed Katara's face. "That's a long long long story. But enough about me, I want to know if you wouldn't mind telling me about Aang. I've read so much about him." Katara paused, flushing somewhat. Both turned when they heard Lee drop several items he was carrying. Shandrey jumped and rushed to his side.

"What is it?" He placed a hand to temple, wincing from some sort of inexplicable pain.

"N-Nayia….she is troubled."

Nayia desired to leave more than anything but the fiery door was now starting to give off actual heat, hinting that stepping through might be a bad idea. She stared at Hotaru with a face holding both fear and wonder.

"You demand these people worship you?"

"The dominion and greatness of the Fire Nation must not be elapsed! All will know of its power for all time. Through me the Fire Nation shall rise again to its former glory, as a beacon of light in a world set astray and shrouded in darkness."

"If you really are Hotaru, then you're way behind your time. After all this time what could you possibly do?"

"I shall show you." Nayia then knew no more.

----------

From Nayia's perspective everything had suddenly gone white, and all was silent. When she finally did awake she found she was no longer in Hotaru's presence, nor was she sent back to her cell. Instead, she was slumbering on a large round cushion in a room filled with many others. She quickly sat up and found Mifune sitting up right on another close by, deep in meditation.

"Mifune!" He opened his eyes. "What's going on? What happened to me?" He turned his gaze to her, keeping her in suspense. "What happened to me?" He turned back to his own space, appearing as though the news was hurtful to pass on. "Answer me!"

"Now we are both of us slaves."

"What are you talking about?"

"The day you discover a means of escape I hope you will share that knowledge with me, so that I may feed my blade to Hotaru's supercilious tongue. Until then we are both bound to her…… chevaliers."

I didn't really want to end it here but I figured I made you guys wait long enough for it. So I hope you enjoyed it anyway. Also just in case, Chevalier is pronounced (Shi-Val-Yeah) I know it looks weird and some people have a hard time figuring it out. Laters!