A/N: Finished revising! Yes! I hope I can keep this up because that would be awesome. Thank you for the lovely reviews and favorites and alerts and you guys are awesome! So, I present to you chapter 2. Please review when you are done so that I may show my mom that I may become a happy puddle of happy goo. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the thoughts in my head and the OC's it invented.

Previously on Events Unexpected…

"Prince Iroh, only son of Fire Lord Inzei, you have come here to be crowned as official Crown Prince to the Fire Nation. Do you take the oath to serve your people and your country in times of war and peace? To uphold justice in your rule and punish those who would take power and contort it to suit their own needs? To dictate when your leadership is necessary and to listen when it is not? To-"

A large bang resounded from across the courtyard.

The guards brought the figure forward and forced it onto its knees. The first thing Korra noticed about the person kneeling before them was the sleek black hair. Two long jet bangs hung down just past the hidden jaw line. The rest was carefully pulled back into a formal topknot held together by a small golden crown with three points, the central one sticking up further than the others. A crown identical to the one held in the hands of the fire sage.

The girl lifted her head and met Inzei's eyes without even a flinch. She stayed silent, observing those before her for a few moments, giving each person before her a piercing glance. Iroh and Tenzin shared the same awestruck expression. The sages looked outraged but knew to stand down. When the girl's eyes met Korra's, she felt a shiver run through her. The power and intensity behind the molten orbs of gold, was astounding. So enraptured was Korra, that she didn't make the connection until the girl spoke up.

"My name is Kaji. I am of Agni's lineage by the blood of Princess Azula, Commander of the Fire Nation's armies during the reign of Fire Lord Zuko. I hereby challenge Prince Iroh to an Agni Kai for the right of the Fire Nation throne."

The courtyard had gone completely silent. There was not even the sound of fabric rustling in a breeze or from a slight movement of the wearer's body. Everyone in the space was stone still, holding their breath, waiting to see what would come next. Some wanted to question the validity of the statement. Others wondered whether they were about to witness an Agni Kai for the throne.

Korra couldn't take her eyes off of the finely sculpted face with its sharp nose and piercing eyes. Kaji had turned her attention back to Fire Lord Inzei so Korra could just barely make out the end of one golden iris.

Kaji then turned her head to pointedly look at Iroh. He frankly looked like he would have rather been anywhere else. The guards had been so shocked by Kaji's proclamation that their grips had loosened and their arms had fallen back to their sides. Kaji took the opportunity to rise and address the stunned young prince.

"Do you accept my challenge of Agni Kai?" her voice was gentle but stern.

"I-I," Iroh couldn't seem to get his vocal chords to work.

"He will not!" Inzei seemed to have composed himself the fastest. "Your claim is absurd. You have no proof that you are of Azula's bloodline."

"Come now, if my appearance doesn't say it all then what will it take to convince you?" a smirk spread through the full lips, painted crimson as blood. "Perhaps this."

Her right hand moved up, lifted by its wrist before she snapped it open palm up and a small blue flame came into existence a few inches above her splayed fingers. Korra's breath caught in her throat. Tenzin's audible gasp and Inzei's step back were enough indication that she wasn't the only one struck dumb by this girl yet again. The smirk Kaji wore only grew at their wide eyes. Korra, along with everyone else, knew that cerulean flames were very uncommon, even among the master firebenders. In fact, the last known person to have mastered them was the late Princess Azula. The others on record had also all been directly linked to the bloodline of the Fire Lords. There was no questioning Kaji's claim, not with her blazing blue fire wiggling around her fingers.

"This- you- you have no right to challe-" the head sage began only to be promptly cut off.

"I have the right. I am of age and of the bloodline. Princess Azula may have lost her title for a few years but she was fully reinstated and became renowned for her military prowess and aide in keeping order during Zuko's reign. There is nothing that you can do to discredit my claim," Kaji smoothly stated, as though a passing remark about the weather.

The sage glowered but couldn't find anything to say. The nobles' hungry eyes were soaking up the chaos. They were leopard-sharks waiting for the first piece of meat to be thrown. Korra could see it in their eyes. They were reading the situation, calculating which candidate for the throne they would support. The courtyard was still once more, a tense silence that permeated through the air and penetrated each of their hearts. Kaji stood tall and waited for the Fire Lord's inevitable surrender; Inzei stood, sweating, knowing he was at a disadvantage but having faith in his son; Iroh didn't know what to do so he remained kneeling, facing the girl who wanted his crown; Tenzin reminded himself to breathe and decided that it was for the Spirits to decide who would be victorious; Korra stood as a statue, enraptured by Kaji's tight-set jaw, her piercing eyes, her painted lips set in determination.

"I accept," Iroh's voice shattered the silence. Many visibly flinched, the moment's emotions held taught for fear of overflowing.

"Iroh!" Inzei's voice dripped with disapproval.

"I have to do this Father," Iroh stood tall, towering over Kaji with his own natural build and the added height of the stairs. "She has the right and I must defend my title. It is my first test; to see if I am worthy of the Fire Nation."

"…" Inzei relented albeit grudgingly.

"I will face you Kaji of Agni's blood," Iroh directed his comment to her. His voice was ice cold and caused Korra to shift away ever so slightly. Kaji seemed unfazed, staying where she was, head held high and back ramrod straight.

The nobles all gathered into the covered hallways. Those in front gripped the banisters where there were some or leaning against columns where there wasn't. Iroh took his position on the side closest to his father, Tenzin, Korra, and the fire sages. Kaji moved with the grace of a predator, the muscles in her arms straining and then relaxing as she flexed her fists. Iroh turned to face away from his opponent. Kaji's steps grew smaller until she came to a halt at the far end of the arena.

The fighters turned in unison as though by some invisible, inaudible signal and took up their stances. Iroh chose to sink into a low horse stance, his side to Kaji, right arm extended out, left in a guard position by his chest. Kaji sunk lower into a fall-away, putting most of her weight into her back leg. Her left hand extended, right hand hovering in a block over her head. Their breathing slowed and then matched.

Iroh was the first to attack. His left fist flew forward as he took a wide step and sent a giant fireball in Kaji's direction. She didn't move until the flames were almost upon her. Her back leg kicked out and she dropped into a roll. Her foot erupted into azure flames as it swung up, cutting Iroh's flames in two. He growled under his breath. Kaji's smile had not fallen. She picked herself up from her crouched position and readied her hands once more, left in front of right, fingers open. Their distance had closed somewhat leaving a few yards separating them. Iroh closed the distance with a quick run, leveling one hand to the ground and spreading a wall of flames to his side, protection for any attack that might have been directed to him. Kaji answered his advance with a move similar to his own, running the opposite way of him and dragging her own wall of flames to her left to ward off his attack. The burst of heat that came from the two waves crashing into each other was so intense that the front line of the crowd was forced back to avoid minor burns. Korra felt her eyes moisten after the shock but refused to blink lest she miss a second of the duel.

Iroh had been blown off his center a bit so he rolled to his side to regain his stance. Kaji jumped on a jet of her own flame and landed with her back to Korra. Her left side was covered in soot, but she was otherwise unharmed. Her feet shifted into a front horse stance. Bringing her arms in two outward circles, she gathered a massive amount of blue fire between her arms, holding it against her chest. Her feet sank into the ground leaving small furrows into the sand. When she brought her arms forward and unleashed the stream of flames it was as though the whole world had suddenly become blue. Before Korra's eyes; the nobles, the courtyard, and the buildings surrounding them were painted as though they were swimming in a deep sea. Iroh's pupils dilated at the massive wave coming at him. His mind seemed to freeze, trying to think of a way to survive yet coming up blank. At the last second he dropped into a ball and covered himself in a sphere of his orange flames. The blue wave of destruction passed him and was deflected slightly by the counterclockwise spin of the orange fire.

Korra lost sight of Iroh behind the barrage of Kaji's attack. The last thing she had seen was him ducking into a circle of flames that covered his body. She felt afraid for him, and yet, there was a strange thrum in her chest. A sort of warmth spreading through her as she saw Kaji pull out of her dropped stance; a warmth that had nothing to do with the flurry of burning chi that was still tearing through the Agni Kai arena. She shook her head to clear away the feeling and to give her eyes a break from all of the sudden bright lights.

A gasp from the crowd brought her attention back to where a very battered, but still alive, Iroh was getting to his feet. His clothes were either singed or burnt to crisps. A large portion of his shirt was gone exposing the flesh beneath, slightly pinkish from the high temperatures that had surrounded him. His pants went only to his knees, the right going a bit further down. He still retained one of his boots, the other only hanging to his foot by a strip. His eyes shone with anger and a hint of something else. It isn't fear, Korra tried to tell herself, but who in their right mind wouldn't be afraid?

Kaji had taken her usual pose, rocking back between her back leg and her front. Her arms moved up and down with the sway of her hips. Her breathing was a bit shallower than it had been before, but soon it leveled out. Iroh stumbled over his torn shoe, or perhaps a hidden injury, and took up a shaky front stance. His face was set in determination, lips drawn in a pale line. He knew that he would have to finish Kaji with this last move. He wouldn't be able to hold on much longer. Kaji seemed to know his exact thoughts. The first few fireballs he sent her way, she didn't even block. Instead, she wove through them with careful footwork. Iroh could feel the burn in his muscles. Black spots began to appear in the corners of his vision.

Inzei couldn't watch how badly his son was losing. It had nothing to do with honor or Iroh's skill anymore. He was simply a worried parent looking upon his child; his child in pain; his child fighting to simply stay up; his child being beaten. The Fire Lord's fists were white from being clenched so hard. He wanted to avert his eyes; he wanted to command for the Agni Kai to be ceased; he wanted to gather his boy in his arms. Instead he forced himself to stand stoically. Iroh would not appreciate a blow to his integrity. If he was to lose, he would lose with courage and grace.

Tenzin narrowed his eyes at Kaji's back. The girl fought like none that he had ever seen. Her fire was hot with the intensity of a blue star, outshining even the sun. Her shoulders held no tension until the last second before unleashing her barrages. She moved like a waterbender, not quite with the lightness of airbending, when evading Iroh's strikes. Win or lose, and he was starting to see the apparent outcome, he would have to ask her about her tutelage.

Iroh gasped for air. His whole body felt as though it was on fire and not in a good way. His lungs filled to their capacity and still came up short. His arms could barely keep in front of him. Taking one last steadying breath, he centered his emotions. His arms began the sweeping motions that would channel the electric current through his body. Lightening had become a sort of mainstream ability for firebenders over the years; however, his family still retained an ancient power in their lightening strikes that held no rival. With another twist he sunk his hands into his side, gathering the static energy from his stomach into his finger tips. With a mighty roar he struck his connected index and middle fingers forward and released a streak of livid white lightening.

Korra's eyes widened as the beam began moving in her general direction. She knew the blast was not meant for her, but the message didn't seem to reach her stomach which was in knots. The lightening moved with ferocious intensity and yet it seemed to be coming in a sick sort of slow motion. Korra's eyes flicked to where Kaji was standing. The girl hadn't even twitched a finger. The lightening was right on top of her and she was in no way reacting. Korra felt her heart stop. She didn't know why but she didn't want the girl to be hurt. It sent a cold feeling down her spine to think of the injuries that she would sustain if the electricity hit her.

Kaji watched the lightening come to her. It was truly splendid. There were only two people she knew that had lightening that could match and, perhaps, surpass it. The first was her master and grandmother, Azula. The second, well, she smiled to herself, they will soon find out. Iroh's attack had reached close enough to give the dramatic effect she desired. Her wrists flicked in two small arcs, sweeping in harmony with her hips. Once she felt the familiar power fill her center, she extended her connected middle and index fingers. With an explosive crackle, scorching purple lightening jettisoned forward to meet Iroh's own white electricity. The two arcs met in the center of the arena with such an explosive contusion, as cannot have been described. The light that was produced was so brilliant that those who didn't look away had their corneas slightly seared and their retinas permanently damaged. The buildings and surrounding landscape disappeared behind the suffocating blanket of white. The thunder produced from the two separate blasts and the collision caused a small streak of blood to come from both combatants' ears. For the rest, it simply left a loud ringing in their heads.

It took a few moments for Korra's eyes to adjust to being open, though she had closed them before the two blasts. She could hear nothing and her surroundings were spotted with black, blue, and red splotches. It was frightening at first. She hadn't even realized that the blast had floored her until she laid her head back against the cold tile floor. Her foot was caught on one of the stairs and throbbed dully with pain. She waited for a few moments before attempting to pick herself up. She supported her aching back on her elbow then turned and caught herself with a palm to the floor. Her knees came next. Korra silently cursed as a flash of pain ran up her leg from her foot. The ankle had been twisted in her fall. She blindly swung her arm around her until she came into contact with one of the pillars that held up the roof over her head. She pulled her body up and testily placed her weight onto her uninjured foot. Her eyes had somewhat adjusted and she was picking up shapes. The arena was behind her so she twisted her good foot so that she was leaning against the support of the pillar and able to turn.

The field was hazy, whether it was from her eyes still adjusting or from sand billowing in clouds, Korra did not know. All she knew was that there was a dark shape standing among the billowing particles of earth. The sand settled at about the same rate as Korra's eyesight improved. The curtains covering the shape had finally come to rest on the ground once more. It was then that Korra caught her first glimpse of Kaji since the deadly lightening blitzkrieg.

Kaji's hair billowed freely, having come undone from its pristine topknot. She appeared to be holding the small crown pin in her hand. A slight trickle of blood ran down from her shoulder to her fingers and then dripped to the dirt below. The shirt she had worn was mostly intact, except for the hem which was singed off, though its blood orange coloring was now much paler. Her belt lay in pieces of black fabric under her feet. Her pants had lost their flare bottoms and clung to her mid-thighs. The shiny boots she had worn were now covered with dust to the point that the original color had even been lost under the brown film. She stumbled back a few steps but maintained her footing.

The rest of the sand had settled. Korra gazed in wonder as small shards of glass started to rain down over the combatant's head. Kaji brought her hand up to shield her face from the tiny pricks brought about by the sharp particles. Korra turned her head to gaze across the arena to where Iroh had stood. At first she couldn't make him out and, for a few short and dreadful seconds, she thought he had been completely obliterated. Her breath let out in a sharp sigh when a clump of beige that had been blended with the ground groaned and moved into a more comfortable position. A small tuft of black hair was visible now, indicating that its owner was in fact still intact.

"Do you forfeit, Prince Iroh?" Kaji said after she had regained some semblance of control on her breathing.

There was an audible grunt from the fallen prince. His vocal chords, along with everything in his body, refused to serve their purpose and therefore he was left with no answer. It was answer enough for Kaji. She turned on her heel and came to stand before the stairs. Her eyes momentarily glanced at Korra. Korra immediately felt a rush of blood come to her face and covered it with a scowl while she pretended to examine her injured ankle. When she glanced up through her, now even messier, hair, Kaji had already turned her attention to Fire Lord Inzei.

"I have won the Agni Kai. I believe that means that I now have the right to be heir to the title of Fire Lord," the last bit was said as more of a statement than a question.

Inzei, who had also been thrown inside of the outcropping building, staggered up from his slumped position. His eyes flickered first to the triumphant gaze of the girl before him, then to the field of battle. It seemed that he too missed the Prince's presence. His eyes widened in fear.

"He's alive," Kaji said to quell his fear.

"Thank Agni," Inzei breathed. He had seen his son shift onto his back indicating that he was very much still alive. He believed his eyes more than Kaji's statement. Having made sure of his son's well-being, if it could even be called that, Inzei finally acknowledged Kaji's presence.

"I have won," she stated simply.

"I know," Inzei replied gravely.

"Do you recognize me as your heir?"

"I do."

"Then crown me."

Inzei turned to the stunned Fire Sages. They had all at some point lost their 'fish hats' and were frantically trying to find them. More than a few probably wore them to hide that they had more hair on their faces than on their heads. Inzei cleared his throat to get their attention. "It appears there will be a slight modification to the ceremony."

Inzei then turned back to Kaji. "You will forgive me a few moments to make sure my son gets to the healing ward."

Kaji nodded her head though it was clearly not a question. Inzei stepped off of the dais and walked to his son. On the way, he spoke to some of the guards who ran off, most probably to find a healer or a gurney.

Korra slumped down into a sitting position, resting her aching body against the column behind her. A worried and much frazzled looking Tenzin came out of the shadows of the hallway. His eyes met hers and she gave him a small smile of reassurance. He then took in the surrounding mayhem that was unraveling. The nobles were clamoring amongst each other, some in excitement, others in awe; about the sudden change in the future monarchy. Already the men were sizing up the young woman who had just won the right to the throne. The men openly spoke and threw approving or conniving glances. The women hid their gossip behind ornate flowered fans. Kaji herself was still standing before the stairs, looking unsure as to whether to go down or await the Fire Lord's return from her position. In the end, she made no move to leave.

The gurney came to take Prince Iroh to the section of the palace where a team of doctors awaited to take care of his wounds. Inzei was coming up to stand in his original position by Tenzin for the new crowning ceremony.

"Kneel," prompted the head sage. Kaji took a knee, her back turned to the sage and facing the eager onlookers. "The crown you have in your hand is one befitting a princess. Do you wish to use it instead? It is of the same design."

Kaji spared a glance at the small crown digging into her delicate pale flesh. The scarlet of her blood stained two of the tips and some of the base. "No, I wish for the crown that would have been given to Prince Iroh had he won."

The head sage bowed his ascent and beckoned for the others to bring forth the gold piece. Kaji let their old gnarled fingers run through her silken hair, pulling it back into a topknot. They wound a deep red ribbon around the ebony strands. The crown was then ceremoniously held above her head.

"Kaji of the blood of Agni," the sage began the speech once more. "Do you take the oath to serve your people and your country in times of war and peace?"

"I swear," Kaji proclaimed, loud enough for those in the crowd to hear, her eyes flickering across their faces.

"To uphold justice in your rule and punish those who would take power and contort it to suit their own needs?"

"I swear."

"To dictate when your leadership is necessary and to listen when it is not?"

"I swear."

"To be true to the Fire Nation and its people above all else?"

"I swear."

"Then, by the divine power given to us by Agni and as his voice on this plain, we proclaim you, Crown Princess Kaji of the Fire Nation!" the head sage boomed.

"We proclaim you!" the rest of the sages chanted in unison.

The head sage slipped the crown into Kaji's topknot. The nobility clapped politely before coming out of the perimeter of the arena to line the field before the newly acclaimed Crown Princess. Each line presented their family name and what they offered to the nation before giving a deep bow. Kaji returned each bow with a tilt of her head, acknowledging their rank as high nobles and yet as lesser beings than herself. When all of the nobles had presented themselves Tenzin help Korra amble up the steps to face Kaji.

Tenzin tilted his head, "I hope your reign is prosperous and full of peace." His veiled message was not lost on her.

"I thank you for your faith," Kaji replied in a level voice, returning his nod with one of her own.

"…" Korra suddenly froze. Being so close to the mysterious new girl was extremely intimidating. "I-"

"What's wrong Avatar, catfish got your tongue," the whispered snide remark rolled off the girl's tongue in perfectly punctuated syllables. Korra blinked before turning quite red on her cheeks.

"I wish you luck Crown Princess Kaji," she managed to utter.

Kaji bowed formally, bending even her waist. Korra was about to return it in kind but felt a cool hand against her shoulder. Kaji was keeping her upright. "No need for you to bow to someone as lowly as I, Avatar."

With that the procession had come to a close. All of the bystanders flooded out of the Agni Kai arena and back to their respective homes. The gossip was already spreading like wildfire and would soon reach the rest of the city. Tales of the mysterious, fierce-eyed girl who had taken the crown from the prince would be the topic on everyone's mind. Kaji was taken into the main building of the palace to fill out the official paperwork that came with her newly acquired position and, later, to meet with the Fire Lord and discuss her official duties as his heir. Tenzin assisted Korra into hobbling over to the nearest fountain where she healed her twisted ankle. They then located their guide, Panties-in-a-Bunch, and were promptly escorted to their guest quarters. Korra hadn't even noticed that the sun was setting until she flopped onto her bed and fell asleep staring out her window and remembering two glinting golden eyes.

P.S. Please review. Chapter 3 is done but in need of revision and chapter 4 is on the way. Reviews make me right faster.