Soliel awoke to a strange pounding in her head. Every movement, every breath caused her pain. What's wrong with me? Why am I in so much pain? She tried to sift through what had happened but her memory remained clouded. I was up on the mountain training...or was I was with Mara, I can't really remember...what was I doing? Soliel tried to sit up to gauge her surroundings but an alarming pain shot through her abdomen halting any movement. She groaned and then heard scuttling and the voice of a woman.
"Stay put miss, you've not enough strength to be moving about!"
"Where...where am I?"
"Why don't you lay down? There you go nice and easy...you're at the Fire Palace in the infirmary."
"Fire Palace? What?"
"Oh my that head injury of yours is more prominent than I thought. The Fire Palace, where the Fire Lord lives dear, and where all the nobles bicker of business."
"Fire Lord! Thats impossible, what am I doing int the Fire Nation? I demand to speak to whoever's in charge at once!"
"Imperious now aren't we? You'll get to see the Fire Lord soon enough, but first those wounds of yours need time to heal."
Soliel laid her head back on the cot. What on earth am I going to do? How did I get here? There must be some misunderstanding...what would these people want with me? Footsteps echoed through the halls as a group of men approached the room and knocked loudly on the door.
"Now who could that be, I hope it's not more wounded..."
A large man framed the door way and entered the room.
"Onigata, we've come to take the prisoner to the Fire Lord."
"You can't be serious! She is in no condition to be moved, let alone seeing the Fire Lord. Her wounds are very deep, your men must of set on her like a wild boar to inflict that much damage!"
"Injured or not the Fire Lord demands her to be brought to the throne room immediately."
"At least let me put some clothes on the poor thing, she's still in her bindings and covered in blood!"
"It doesn't matter what she looks like, she's a prisoner and an enemy of the Fire Nation!"
Soleil's head swam as she was pulled to her feet. The guard placed shackles around her hands and pushed her forward. I'm not even sure I could fire bend in this condition, hopefully I won't need to... The cuffs were cold against her feverish skin and bit into her as they were clasped on. Her body wanted nothing more than to collapse where it stood, but Soliel would not give in and pushed the pain from her body. Delay would not help her plight nor incline the Fire Lord to be merciful.
"So Prince Zuko, you've finally managed to capture one of the Avatar's companions. Let's hope, for your sake, nothing goes awry shall we?"
Zuko balled his fists but merely nodded towards his father. Azula was leaning casually against a pillar studying her nails, yet he was certain she listened to every word they said.
"Guard bring forth the Water Tribe girl!"
Just as Soliel was beginning to take in her surroundings, she was dragged away and thrown to her knees before a great wall of flame. Zuko stared past the flames at the crumpled heap on the floor. She was dressed in white bindings that could hardly be called white since they were drenched in dirt and blood, and had a large bandage covering her entire midsection. Her hair fell in a thick, messy braid across her shoulder. He watched in wonder as the girl began to move gingerly. She slowly pulled herself up into a kneeling position and continued to stand. I refuse to be seen as weak! I have faced far greater trials than this! As the girl stood up she kept her head lowered, out of reverence or defiance he couldn't tell but wondered at her stupidity. Fire Lord Ozai stood and waving away the flames walked down toward the girl followed by Zuko and Azula. He made a careful circle around her studying her inch by inch. Soliel was hard pressed to keep from shivering under his gaze, she felt as if he was a vulture circling his prey. Zuko stepped down from the platform and looked at her. His eyes went wide as he realized that this girl was not in fact the Avatars water bending teacher. Ozai came and stood near his son, and placing his hands behind his back, he called out to the girl,
"Look at me!"
Soliel raised her head her eyes, burning bright with the injustice of her situation. Zuko felt his heart stop as the girl eye's locked on the Fire Lord's. She was thin and willowy, her body held the natural grace of a dancer yet was obviously powerful. Her skin was fairer than that of the Earth Kingdom yet not so pale as the Fire Nation. As his eyes roamed over her he felt his cheeks grow warm as he took in her well endowed curves barely covered by her bindings. Her full breasts and round hips were enough to make any man drool and to top it all off she had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. They were a cerulean blue, but rather than swirl like the sea they flashed like Azula's blue fire. Ozai moved forward took hold of the braid resting on her chest and pulled the tie away. A mane of chestnut waves broke free and fell past her shoulders and down her back. Zuko had never seen such wild beauty before and felt as though he was standing in front of a goddess, albeit a very dirty and beat up one. He studied the bandage wrapped around her midsection, She's wounded, and its pretty bad from the looks of it. She shouldn't even be able to stand with all she's been through. Azula broke the trance that had settled over the room with a voice as cold and threatening.
"She's not the one."
"What did you say Azula?" asked the Fire Lord still looking the girl over.
"She's not the Avatar's water bending teacher, she may have the same color eyes but she is not who we are looking for. Zuzu has failed yet again..."
"Perhaps, but she still might be valuable to me in a different manner..."
Ozai ran his hand down the girls face, his eyes full of desire for the young woman standing before him. Soliel, realizing what the Fire Lord was insinuating, moved her head away and snapped at Fire Lord's fingers to keep him from touching her again. Ozai's eyes filled with fury as he slapped her face causing her to stagger back a few feet.
"You will show me some respect!"
"Respect is given to those who earn it not those who demand it."
"How dare you speak to me in such a matter!"
"How dare you abduct me as another and then decide to keep me when I have done nothing wrong! I demand you return me to my people at once!"
"I will be the one giving orders here wench!"
He hit Soliel again drawing blood from a cut above her shoulder. She did not even flinch as Ozai stood nose to nose glaring at her. I could melt his face off here and now and he would never have known what hit him. But Soliel quelled such murderous thoughts remembering her vows as a Sun Warrior. This man had made no attempt on her life, not yet at least, and until he did she could not lawfully kill him. Zuko looked over the girl's broken and bruised body. From the looks of it she fought every inch of the way to the palace. The guards sure did a number on her, she's most likely running on adrenaline to not feel the pain of her injuries to continue fighting to such an extent. That bandage is covered in fresh blood, the wound must have reopened when she was hit.
"I was inclined to show mercy but seeing as how you lack any humility I have no choice but to teach it to you. You will learn humility by dying a most degrading and dishonorable death. Had you shown me the respect I deserve i might have been inclined to keep you alive."
"I would rather die than remain beholden to you! You crave death and violence and seek to destroy all that is good and right in this world! I will die proudly having defied you!" Well at least in death I can live amongst the Spirits, I'm sure I can convince the council to let me live in the Fire Realms with my father...
"Perhaps, father, a more degrading punishment would teach this witch her lot in life?"
Soleil's head shot up...the princess' voice was filled with hatred she could not understand.
"What would you suggest Azula?"
"She speaks of death fondly, and there is nothing more dear to a zealot than martyrdom. So her punishment must be to live, and to spend her life doing that which is horrifying and can never be erased. A label that would forever bring shame and therefore humility... A title such as a concubine."
Soliel felt the strength drain from her body...A concubine? Death surely would be a welcome respite.
"Concubine? Would you really expect me to take this witch under my care? She would search day and night for a way to kill me. I have far too much to see after than her every move. Perhaps if she were not so venomous but there is murder in her eyes."
"I should not have ever thought her worthy to serve you father, but one below you. She clearly detests the Fire Nation and all it stands for, so what fate could be worse than to be beholden to one of the ruling class and possibly conceive a fire bender child?"
Azula smirked as her father made his way back to his throne. Everything was working for her advantage, although it was unexpected. The girl would be given to a noble man or general of high rank, then she would declare her "love" for the man and marry him. With her husband having a concubine to fulfill his desires she would be free to rule the Fire Nation as Fire Lord. Her brother would never be allowed to return home now that he had failed again leaving her as her father's heir. Oh Zuzu you never stood a chance... The Fire Lord however had misread Azula's suggestion and instated his own.
"A fine idea daughter. You Water Witch will serve as a concubine and personal slave to Prince Zuko."
Zuko felt his face drain of blood while Azula stood in total shock at having been misunderstood, she kept her composure and managed a victorious smirk. No matter, Zuzu has always detested the use of concubines and I never give up a chance to humiliate him, not to mention how Mai will respond to being one-upped by a savage. Zuko's eyes flew to the girl and was surprised to see her body falling to the throne room floor. The exhaustion from the ordeal coupled with the shock of the Fire Lord's declaration was too much for her and her body could not ignore the pain nor her injuries any longer.
"Where do I put these bandages Onigata?"
"Right over here dearie."
"She's certainly needed a lot of bandages hasn't she?"
"Yes, the poor thing has endured more than any young girl should have. First being taken from her home, beaten and battered by the soldiers and now made concubine to the Fire Lord's son? I should never be able to bear such burdens!"
Onigata placed a cool rag over Soliel's forehead to help bring down her temperature.
"My she has had a fever for the past three days and nothing I do seems to help in the least!"
"Perhaps she's a fire bender don't they always run hot?"
"Don't be silly dear, this girl is a water bender didn't you see the color of her eyes? they're the prettiest blue you ever did see!"
"Oh, but she doesn't look Water Tribe...are you sure she's not Earth Kingdom like me?"
"No Nataka, she's definitely Water Tribe, the Fire Lord himself said so."
Soliel could here the voices swirling around her but could not put the sounds into words. The harder she tried the greater her inability became. Finally she gave in allowing her spirit to simply exist. Within that moment she felt a familiar rush and realized that she had transported to the Spirit World. That's strange I've never just popped into the Spirit Realms before I always have needed an anchor or time to meditate...
"Hello Soliel, its good to see you again."
"Goddess Fortunata!"
"Ugh please refrain from formalities! It's Fate, dear, just Fate."
"Did you bring me here?"
"You're father asked me as a favor to him. He's been worried sick about you, said he had a bone to pick with me...I told him though that I don't..."
"control the future you just see all the possible choices. Yes I know. Tell me Fate...why am I here? Am I dead? I'm not too keen on my surroundings my body's pretty bent out of shape...I can't really grasp all that's going on."
"Agni sent for you, he thought your healing might quicken if you visited the Spirit Realm."
"Is it really that bad? He'll get in trouble with the other gods again if they find out i'm here."
"Don't worry about those pushovers, i've got them swept away in a game of bets that'll run into the next generation!"
"Still betting our devotion I see. You haven't changed a bit."
"Glad to hear it, now you on the other hand aren't exactly the little sprite that used to run between the fires of Hades are you?"
"A lot can happen in 100 years..."
"It hasn't been that long has it? My oh my time flies when you're having fun doesn't it."
"Where's father? I'm sure he didn't bring me all this way just so I could talk to you."
"Where do you think he is? You have been gone too long sweetie, are you forgetting your way around this place?"
"No, I think I can manage. Thanks Fate."
"Now there's something I don't here everyday! Good luck love, you look like you're gonna need it!"
Soliel wandered through the realms crossing over the Plain of the Dead and across the Dryad lands. After avoiding a few gods and goddesses in the Hall of Deities, Soliel made her way into the Fire Lands where Agni, her father, resided. She came to the great doors made of flaming iron. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and willed them to open. There was no bending in the Spirit Realm except for the gods and their patron element. Because Soliel was Agni's daughter she had the ability to bend flame and therefore was the only other person who could open the great doors. With a groan they slowly gave way. A narrow path led through a sea of flame and molten earth and metal, most would have thought they had stepped into Hell itself, and in a sense that was true, but to Soliel this was her second home after the Sun Mountain. She walked the path she had skipped on as a child and came to the throne room of Agni, where the Sun god lay fast asleep in his throne of gold.
"Well, isn't this just great, i come all the way here just to see you and what are you doing? Sleeping!"
" What?...Who's there? Soliel!"
The Sun god rose from his thrown red robes billowing out behind him. He was larger than any human standing nearly 8 feet tall. He had jet black hair and golden eyes even purer than those of the Fire Nation. His skin was like porcelain disrupted only by the massive red dragon that covered his entire back. It appeared as a tattoo but when looked at closely you could see that it was not ink but scales that formed the dragon. "I've been so worried! How are you feeling, are your injuries healing, if only i could have stopped them! I would show them not to mess with my daughter!"
"I'm ok Baba, I am much better, it all feels like a dream really..."
"I'm sorry Soliel, so terribly sorry...but...there is nothing i could have done...This is not what i wanted for you."
"It doesn't really matter what you wanted, this is what happened and there is nothing we can do to change it. Am I going to live here with you? Have the gods finally agreed to grant me immortality?"
"I'm afraid not my dear, they still refuse to acknowledge you as my heir. But about this whole catastrophe...I went and asked Fate what options we have. She told me very little but assured me that as long you go along with Zuko you will be fine."
"Go along? That was Fate's advice? Boy oh boy no wonder she needs to make bets to get devotion! Does she realize what she's saying I do? How am I supposed to get the gods to let me into the pantheon if I'm too busy pleasing a hormone raged teenager?"
"Why must you be so bent about becoming a goddess? It's not a walk in the park!"
"You know why I must! I want nothing more than to be here with you! I don't belong in the Mortal World, we both know that."
The Sun god calmed his anger and looked thoughtfully at his daughter. She was a wonder for sure. Never had he seen such mortal beauty nor such strength of will. She burned against any injustice and fought for those who could not fight for themselves. Her fire bending was only rivaled by the Dragons and himself and yet she held no pride of the matter. She reminded him of his beloved...especially her eyes. They were gray blue at one moment and the next a brilliant cerulean, always churning with one emotion or another. Agni pulled away from his thoughts with a sigh,
"Soliel trust me on this just go along with what he says and does, don't ask too many questions or put up too much of a fight. This will all turn out for the better if you do. The main thing is to make sure you stay with Zuko and not get passed off to someone else. If you end up with another man well then there is not much hope for you ever seeing the Sun Nation again."
"You mean I just give up? Throw away everything I've worked so hard for? I'm not sure I can do that, no matter what Fate says."
"I never said give up, just make sure that you're not running too fast, at one point or another he'll need to believe he's caught you even if he hasn't."
"Whatever, I may not even make it through the night and whose to say he'll even want me once he sees my scars-like you've said, I've got some pretty serious injuries."
"Don't worry I've asked Thaltali to take care of it."
"You asked the goddess of Adultery and Passion to fix up my scars! You're really not giving me a lot to work with here!" Agni chuckled and moved back to his thrown, she may look like his passive Air Nomadess but she had inherited his temper and fighting spirit.
"Easy does it now. No need to get all fired up about it! Like I said we want you to stay with Zuko and then everything will fall into place."
"I'm finished with Zuko! I haven't even met the guy and I'm already sick of him! There is no way i am going to be his concubine! I'm going to the Dragon Lands to visit Rhan and Shaou. Ill deal with this later."
"Later will come sooner than you think. You can't run from your problems Soliel, you have to face them and only then will you find how to rid yourself of them."
"Why do I feel like everyone here is against me.."
"It might seem that way, but we're on your side. It's not going to be easy."
"I know, father, nothing ever is for me."
Soliel turned waked back through the doors and out into The Wood Between the Realms. For once in her life she wanted to be a normal girl. Not half Air Nomad half Sun god. The Dragons were a lot like herself existing part of the time in the Spirit Realms and the other part in the mortal world. She was certain if she could just be allowed to embrace her immortality fully, all her problems would be solved. She desperately hoped that either Rhan or Shaou would be there. She knew that their advice would be given out of concern for her and not a selfish or "best for everyone else" kind. They had practically raised her and taught her everything she knew about bending and fighting. They had made her into who she was and she would never forget their kindness and devotion as long as she lived; and so far that equaled 117 years.
The Dragon Lands consisted of tall volcanic mountains teeming with small vegetation and caves. Green was everywhere and the air hung around her like a sticky mist. She smiled as she allowed her eyes to turn reptilian. She was now able to see all the Dragons hidden among the crags and caves. A few were beside the river, small ones hopping between bushes. She looked toward the tallest mountain and felt a familiar presence. She ran towards it passing hundreds of Dragons who merely watched her go. As a child she would have stopped and spoken to the older ones, joked with other dragons and played with the young, but today she had no such leisure. She was here on Fate's time, not hers. So when that goddess determined she had enough time it was back to the real world for her. Soliel began climbing up the cliffs stopping to rest here and there panting from the exertion. I must really be wounded. This has never taken so long. Ubuntu a small forest dragon Soliel was particularly close too flew up and landed beside her.
Silly Soliel! Help is needed so ask for it! No help no succeed!
Soliel smirked, the dragon's speech was still broken no matter how long she had spent tutoring him.
You know I hate to ask for help, but it seems I'm uncommonly weak so I would appreciate a lift.
I lift you up you talk to me?
Yes Ubuntu, I'll talk with you.
The dragon lifted her up and spoke of all he had done that day while Soliel constantly corrected his speech.
Here you are up up on mountain. Bye bye dragon girl bye bye!
Dragon girl. That had been her nickname since before she could remember, starting here with the dragons and following her into the mortal world once she had become a Master Dragon fire bender. The nickname would probably follow her when she died as well. Soleil waved and then turned toward the opening of the Masters' lair. Taking a deep breath she walked into the cool shadows of the cave. Various treasures outlined the passage way, murals telling stories of the days when dragons roamed the earth rose floor to ceiling on every side. Soleil stopped before a great mirror, it was magic and showed a person who they truly were, or wanted to be. Reptilian blue eyes stared back at her and the image began to swirl and soon Soliel's true form was visible. Her eyes retained their dragon form but were surrounded by gold. Her forehead held a single red jewel that matched the one in her navel. Her hair was still brown but now it seemed to burn like fire and she wore red flowing robes as befitting the daughter of Agni. This was her immortal form, her inner goddess, who she was destined to be.
"Soliel?"
Soliel shook her head, many a person had been enchanted by that mirror and chose to sit gazing at it making them easy prey for a dragon. Vanity was the quickest way to failure. Moving away from the wall she headed further into the cave. Soliel hurried down the remainder of the corridor and into the main chamber where the dragon lay on heaps of invaluable treasure.
"I thought I sensed your spirit child, how is it you have come to us? Weren't you banned from the Spirit World as your father was banned from the mortal?"
"Well technically I was only banned from becoming immortal, they didn't say anything about the Spirit Realm..."
"Still finding ways to stretch the rules I see. And you've been to visit your father?"
"Yes, actually I didn't come of my own will, he sent for me."
"Then you didn't simply come for a friendly visit...there is purpose in your eyes"
"No, I came to ask for your help. I've gotten into a bit of trouble and well..."
"Are the gods angry with you?"
"No, well I don't think so."
"Then begin your tale for I tire of the gods. For all their power and wisdom they are little more than mortals whose state has been glorified."
Soliel smiled and moved to lay at the dragon's side.
"You see I've been forced to become a concubine for the Prince of the Fire Nation..." She began her story starting from the day of the hunt and ending with her visit with Fate and Agni. Shaou listened carefully to the young Sun Princess not saying anything until she had finished.
"So here I am, lost and confused as to what I am supposed to do."
"That explains why the mountain has been so silent lately, for much has happened. What do you want to do Soliel? How would you wish to handle this situation"
"I want to run, run as far and as fast as I can. I want this all to be a terrible dream and to wake up back on the Mountain safe as if nothing ever happened."
"Well you've already explained quite clearly how that is impossible, so what do you plan to do?"
"I don't know. Everything is so confusing, I had it all planned out, step by step. I was going to find my brother bring him to the Sun Nation and teach him everything I know about fire bending. We were going end this war and bring peace to world. Then the gods would realize that my proper place is with them and everything would be hunky dory. But now I'm stuck at the one place in the world my brother would never go, the Fire Palace."
"Perhaps there lies your problem and in turn your answer."
"What do you mean?"
"You have sought to control that which cannot be controlled. Look to the people of the Water Tribe of whom you were mistaken. They are people of change and live to adapt. Do not fight your surroundings but learn to use them for your own purposes. A wise warrior will reconcile his current standings with what he wants in the future and bring balance to his mind. Do you understand what I have told you?"
"Yes Master, I think so. Please let my people know I am alright and that I have not abandoned them and that I shall return to them one day."
"I will dear one."
Soleil turned tear-filled eyes to the great dragon and threw her arms around it's neck.
"Goodbye Shaou I already miss you."
"We'll be together again soon."
With that Soliel turned and ran from the cave and into the blinding light. Ubuntu was waiting and as soon as he saw her began babbling nonstop. Well it seems its all up to me now, look out Fire Nation, here I come.