AN: So, this is a revamped version of the original story. It will have a more adult and dark theme. In this story, the Avatar is thought to be dead. The belief is that Avatar Roku died in the avatar state. The Air Nomads are still around and the Southern Water Tribe was decimated. there were only a handful of survivors.

As for characters ages:

Zuko, Sokka, Yue & Suki - 23

Katara, Azula, Mai, TyLee - 21

Toph & Aang - 19

Other character ages will be added later on when they appear in the story.

In the beginning...

Water. Earth. Fire. Air.

Her grandmother used to tell her stories about the old days. A time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only the Avatar could stop the ruthlessness of the Fire Nation. But when the world needed him, he vanished. A hundred years passed and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the Great War. Seven years ago, her father and the men of her tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the fire nation. Leaving her and her brother to look after their tribe. Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that they cycle is broken. But she hasn't lost hope. She knows the Avatar will return to save the world.

Eyelids flutter lethargically as her vision spirals in and out of focus. The metal room echos with the sound of shifting chains and her labored breaths. A dry cough forces its way past her lips and her body shudders violently in retaliation. Katara presses her forehead deeper into the cool metal floor as she tries to piece together how long she has been in captivity.

"Drink, waterbender," a gravelly voice echos as a ladle of water is shoved into her face. Averting her gaze, she angles her head away from the offering earning a scuff at her defiance.

The ladle twists, dumping water onto the metal flooring beneath her knees, "Should you change your mind," the soldier laughs as he pulls the long ladled spoon from her cage.

Silently she watches as the water pools between her bent knees, mixing with the other fluids that contaminate the floor of her suspended cell. Normally she would be surprised at the sheer carelessness, but she supposes it is the trust they hold in the chi blocker's ability that allows for such bold and reckless behavior. A dry sigh escapes her, passing through cracked lips. Every time she swallows she can feel the raw burn in her throat. She needs water but she is far too stubborn to accept it from them.

She wonders briefly if Sokka and the others managed to escape. If he managed to escape. She did not care what happened to her, so long as the others were able to flee from the attack. The end to this war did not hinge on her survival. She chuckled darkly to herself. No, the world would continue on even if there was one less waterbender in it. But without him in it, all hope would be lost. Suddenly there is a rough jerking motion, the metal cuffs around her wrists dig into the irritated flesh. Another jolt has her cage swaying and she twists her fingers to grip around the chains that hold her arms suspended, trying to relieve some of the pressure.

Alarms sound. The clattering of boots against the metal grated flooring and orders being barked out told her all she needs to know. They have finally made port in the Fire Nation.

Taking deep breaths she begins to flex her fingers. Weeks without use has caused them to stiffen. The bones and tendons crack and snap as a tingling, prickling sensation dances across the skin of her hands. Her eyes drift back to the fluid at her knees and she wonders if the effects of the chi blocker truly worked on her. Slowly she begins to circle her forefinger around, trying to move the liquid somewhat and she can feel the exhaustion seeping into her bones. The water ripples several times before jerking to the call of her finger. Her feline eyes narrow as a small smirk settles across her lips. She hurriedly motions her hands upward, bringing the fluid to float before her. She parts it with ease before she swiftly jerks her arms backwards. The liquid follows her command as it seeps into the sleeves of her tattered parka and wraps around her forearms beneath like bracers. With a clench of her fists the liquid hardens and freezes there, hidden to all.

While in captivity she has heard the soldiers murmuring about the fate of all those imprisoned on the ship. If there is one thing she knows to be true, it is that she will not see it past the docks.

It is only moments later that two soldiers come to her cage. She hears the twisting of gears and watches with a firm gaze as her cage is lowered to the ground. One soldier steps up, unlocking the door before yanking the chain towards him. As he un-cuffs each of her hands they fall to the floor with a resounding thud. A deep sigh escape her and she can feel the blood rushing through her arms, all the way down to the tips of her fingers.

She slowly looks up at the soldier as he reaches down for her hands, "Wait—" the other outside the cell pauses, looking at the floor, "what happened to all the water?" His eyes snap to her accusingly, fists coming to life with fire. The other soldier begins to shift into a defensive stance but she is not afraid.

"I was thirsty," her voice cracks after weeks of silence.

Both make a disgusted face and soon relax, fire leaving their hands, "Disgusting fuck," the one before her snarls as he snatches her wrists and begins to fasten the manacles around them. He hauls her up with force and pushes her out onto the walkway.

"Move it!" The other snaps as his hand lands between her shoulder blades, pushing her forward.

As they force her through the ship, she makes sure to note how many prisoners were from the resistance. None so far resembled her brother and thankfully none look like him.

They make their way out of the belly of the ship and step into the light of day. Her eyes squint and she blinks repeatedly as she tries to adjust to such a harsh exposure. Her cuffed hands come of to block out the light and it is then that she hears him.

"Katara!" Her eyes widen as she drops her hands to see a young Water Tribe warrior struggling against his captors.

Blood pounds in her ears, almost silencing everything around her, "Sokka—" she breathed out, taking a step closer.

He struggles against the soldiers as they try to contain him. Shifting roughly, he digs his foot into the dock and swings his head back, knocking one of them square in the nose. Sokka takes advantage of the man's sudden stunned behavior and bolts for her.

He reaches out to her, "Katara!" and she reaches back, but to no avail. Hands are on them both, pulling and tugging at their bodies, forcing them apart.

Tears swell in her eyes as she screams for him, kicking and thrashing like a raged moose lion.

"Let go of me!" He yells with such ferocity that it shakes Katara to her core. This is not how it will end. He will not die here. She will not let Sokka fall to the mercy of the Fire Nation.

Before anyone could register what was happening, Katara summons the water beneath her parka and forces the soldiers from her. Dropping and spinning on her heel, she swipes the legs out from under them while coating her fingers with water stilettos. A swift flick of her wrists and blood surges from their necks. All that can be heard are their gargling pleas for life. Turning quickly she charges for Sokka, her fingers twitch and she can hear the roar of the ocean behind her.

"Sokka duck!" He drops to the floor as she surges forward, arms cycling around her body. The water follows her movements and slices through the rows of soldiers around them. Before anyone could regain their composure, the water floods the dock in a tidal wave as she commands a stream to pull Sokka to her side.

"Katara, you're alright!" His voice is panicked as he his eyes scan her body for injuries.

Feeling weighted down she sheds her parka, leaving her in nothing but her tunic and fur trimmed leggings.

"Gather the others," she yells, freezing his manacles before slicing through them. Her eyes catch sight of a small merchant ship, enough for the prisoners. Sokka catches sight of it as well. He nods, running off and yelling at the others. But Katara is no longer focused on him. The soldiers clustering together up ahead has her undivided attention. Water begins to swirl around her as she settles into her stance. Long tentacles emerge from her element and she begins to lash out as each soldier approaches. The water engulfs the flames as they try to penetrate her rotating shield but she knows she cannot hold them off for too much longer. She averts her gaze to check on her brother's progress and notes that everyone is running towards the ship.

With a guttural yell, she arcs her arms from her chest outward, balls of water forming before they engulf the head of each soldier. With a clench of her fist all orbs of water freeze dropping the men and women on the deck like ostrichflies.

Quickly, Katara runs for the boat. She pushes people in the small crowd with urgency onto the boat, "Hurry! Come on! Get on the boat!" She yells before bringing forth more water and freezing each prisoners set of cuffs. Shattering noises echo in her ears as she locks eyes with Sokka.

She must have that look, one of finality, because he is running towards her with every ounce of energy.

"Don't you dare—" pulling water between the vessel and the dock, she begins to push them out to sea.

"Tell dad I love him Sokka!"

"Katara!" He tries to lung from the boat but hands grab at him, keeping him in place.

"Katara!" She can see his tears and she wishes she had held him one last time.

"I love you Sokka! Never forget!"

"Don't do this!" He yells as the boat continues to drift further away.

"Don't come back for me! Tell him to focus on his training! Tell him he no longer needs me. I've taught him all that I know."

Tears gather in her eyes at the thought of never seeing them again, "Katara!"

The sound of boots vastly approaching from behind her forces her to creat a massive tidal wave. By the time it settles, the ship is no longer in view.

"Goodbye Sokka."

The world around her begins to swim, a darkness encroaches on her vision and she feels weak. But it does not matter. By the time she feels their hands on her, Katara's world is shrouded in darkness.

"What do you mean the prisoners have escaped?" her tone cool and sharp. Golden eyes narrow as manicured nails dig into the flesh of her palms.

"Apologies Princess—"

"I don't want your apologies or excuses, Captain. I want action. Retrieve the prisoners or don't bother coming back."

"Yes Princess," he bows profusely before scurrying away.

Her eyes hone in on the crumpled body at her feet and she uses the toe of her boot to roll it on its back. She clicks her tongue as she takes in the singed clothing, fresh burns and greased hair.

"So this is what managed to subdue an entire unit of elite firebenders?" she mutters to herself.

The soldiers are lined up behind her at attention and she is quick to spin on her heel, eyeing them with distain.

"Pathetic," she sneers as she begins to make her way to the palanquin.

"Load that peasant onto the cart!" she orders.

"Yes Princess Azula!" the soldiers yell in unison.