I do NOT own Avatar

Chapter Two - Agni Kai, Banishment, & Masking

"Please, Father. I only had the Fire Nation's best interest at heart. I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!"

Reyna was horrified by the sight of the fire duel.

Prince Zuko was standing right in front of his father, Fire Lord Ozai.

Whatever Reyna had expected, this was far from it.

In her time, Agni Kai's were limited for only teachers to test their students. Now it seemed like the best way to solve any conflict was to do so by violence. Still, it pained her to see that this was what her beloved nation had become: The Breeding ground of war.

Reyna herself had stolen a set of armor from the armory. (Yes, Avatars are not supposed to steal, but this would surely count as an exception.) She had positioned herself right next to the door, in case it got too rough and she could slip out.

The uniforms themselves were different from the ones in her time. Back then, soldiers only wore their armor in council meetings. They were less threatening then. Now, it was all black and dark red. The helmet had spikes and a skull stone mask that slipped over the opening for the face. Reyna wore it all, and it hardly weighed her down.

(AN: Please note that these thoughts are in the very back of Rayna's head. Since she's watching the Agni Kai, her main focus is on Zuko and Ozai. Ok, back to the scene)

"You will fight for your honor."

Rayna's eyes widened under the mask as the Fire Lord began to advance towards his now-kneeling son.

"I meant you no disrespect." Zuko looked up, tears streaming down his face. When he spoke his voice quivered. "I am your loyal son."

The prince's words were meaningless towards the dictator. "Rise and fight Prince Zuko!"

Zuko did not rise. He stayed on his knees, his gaze back on the floor. "I won't fight you."

"You will learn respect," Ozai growled. Zuko pushed himself up on his knees and hands."And suffering will be your teacher."

Reyna closed her eyes right before hearing the young prince scream. Terror filled her and, even though she wore a set of armor, she could feel herself shaking. If this was the leader of the Fire Nation, the one who was overseeing the war, then as far as Reyna was concerned, the world was doomed.

Reyna had sprinted from the duel ground as fast as her legs could carry her.

Far from the psycho Fire Lord.

Far from the crowds.

Far from the scarred prince.

As soon as she arrived back at the kitchens, she was bombarded by questions.

"How did it go?"

"Why are you dressed like a soldier?"

"Who won?"

Reyna didn't answer any of them.

"Pipe down you young whippersnappers!" Shouted a raggy voice. Everyone became quiet. Chad came out of the crowd and took off Reyna's helmet. "It'll be fine young-ling. Just you wait and see. I believe everything will end perfectly for the young prince."

The next day it was announced that Prince Zuko would be banished from home… unless he captured the Avatar. Only then, could he return and reclaim the throne.

As soon as Reyna heard the news, a thought struck her.

He had to find the airbending Avatar.

Reyna also needed to find the airbending Avatar.

If he had survived a hundred years, then he could give Reyna insight on going back to her own timeline.

Her plan was flawless.

Except one thing...

She had to find a way to get on his ship.

Fortunately, the servants of the royal family were supportive of her plan.

"If you want to go explore the world beyond the Fire Nation, who are we to stop you?" said Linu, handing her a bag full of supplies. Reyna hugged Jaru as he sniffled.

"I don't want you to go." Reyna smiled.

"Don't worry little buddy." He told him, ruffling his obsidian hair. "We'll see each other again." That brought him some comfort.

After saying goodbye, Saire led Reyna (again dressed like a fire nation soldier) to the doc. There, Prince Zuko's ship was gathering supplies for the long journey. There were several soldiers who were apparently signed up to go along with the prince. Hopefully there wasn't a list.

Reyna took her helmet off and turned towards Saire.

"Thank you." She told him.

He smirked. "No. Thank you for making my life interesting."

The two chuckled.

Reyna placed the helmet back.

"See you."

Reyna nearly got in without being questioned.

Key Word: Nearly.

"WHO ARE YOU!"

Reyna froze.

Slowly, but surely, she turned around, and found Herschel face-to-face with the banished prince.

Prince Zuko.

"I said, who are you!?"

Zuko had changed dramatically over the course of a single day. He was completely bald, except for a high ponytail of jet black ha. He was now dressed for battle. White wrapping covered the left side of his face, where the burn scar must have been. His fearful expression had been replaced by one of anger.

"Answer the question soldier!"

Thankfully, someone came to her rescue.

"Prince Zuko," Said an older, rounder man with gray hair (that reminded Reyna strangely of a younger version of Chad). "This soldier is here to join you on your voyage. You should be pleased to have help."

Zuko glared at the man. "I don't need help. What I need is the Avatar!" Then, the young prince walked away, muttering curses under his breath.

(Reyna had to bite her lower lip to stop herself from laughing. Oh, sweet irony.)

"I apologize for my nephew." Said the man, turning to Reyna. "He was not always this angered."

Reyna started to formally bowed in thanks.

"No need to bow to me. After all, we have a long journey ahead of us."

He started to walk away, but Reyna made him stop by saying, "Then let me thank you verbally."

She realized her mistake too late.

"Ah, so you are a young woman. For a second I thought you were a young man."

Reyna started to open her mouth to speak, but the man continued before she could.

"Don't worry. I will not tell my nephew. But may I ask for the name of a lovely young lady?"

Reyna had to do a double-take.

She had her helmet on, he couldn't see her face.

Then it hit her.

If this man was Zuko's uncle, then that means he had to be Ozia's brother.

"M-my name?" She asked. "I-it's… ummm."

Iroh chuckled. "If you want, I will go first. My name is Iroh."

Even if she had only met him a few moments ago, Reyna had already started to form a bond of respect for the retired general.

As he started to walk up the ship's ramp, Reyna called out to him.

"Reyna!" She shouted loud enough for only him to hear. "It's Reyna."

She might have used a tad bit of airbender to make sure no one else heard her speak.

Especially Zuko.

Iroh smiled. "It's an honor to meet you, Reyna. I hope that the voyage helps you find what you're looking for."

And with that, Iroh continued to walk until he was fully on the ship.

Reyna couldn't help but smile. Maybe her time here would be fine after all.

"COME ON! WE HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE FIRE NATION BY SUNDOWN!"

Or not.

Hey benders/nonbenders! I have not fully finished writing the next chapter, but I'm almost done!

Also, I'm going to try publishing a new chapter each week, starting this weekend. Sometimes it might be longer, but hopefully that won't happen often.

Random Facts

1) Reyna hates water

2) Zuzu, the nickname that Azula uses, is a Czech girl's name that means "Graceful Lily"

3) Mai is the only known character in ATLA to use nail polish

Chapter Song

"Up and Up" ~Coldplay

Once again, thank you. You have no idea how happy I am that people are actually reading this!

Please review to let me know what you think and how I can improve.