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RonaldM40196867: Thus is only chapter 2. There's a long way to go before even considering something like that.

61394: Well, we can only hope I can do it justice then.

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The feast hall was abuzz with activity, but Yue remained aloof from it all.

Rows of tables had been set up, upon which the delegates of earth, water, air and fire sat talking and laughing. Yue was sat on a high table above it, next to her father. On the right hand side of the room, a special table had been laid out for all the 16 year old boys of the tribe- those born at about the same time that Avatar Aang had moved on. One of those men, after all, was about to learn about his life-changing destiny. Yue knew all about those, she just wished she knew what hers actually was.

Abruptly, the doors at the end of the room swung open. An announcer rushed in, sweating.

"Presenting Fire Lord Ozai!"

Yue looked up sharply.

The Fire Lord was a handsome looking man, much younger than his brother, with long hair fastened into a topknot and a goatee that brushed against his collar. He regarded the room impassively.

Like Hakoda, two teenagers trailed behind him. Like Sokka and Katara, they were a girl and a boy. The girl looked a lot like Ozai, and had brilliant amber eyes that seemed to drill into Yue even from across the room. The boy looked older, and shifted his gaze around nervously, fidgeting with his clothes.

Ozai walked to the centre of the room and addressed the high table where Arnook sat.

"My apologies for the surprise visit," he called. "But when we heard the new Avatar was being told his destiny, well, that's history. The chance to witness it, to be part of it was irresistible."

Yue narrowed her eyes, trying to ascertain whether she was imagining the slight sly tone of his voice. Ozai bowed extravagantly.

Yue nodded and smiled politely. It was expected of her, after all, but she also decided that Ozai seemed genuine. It did seem odd that he had seemingly sent his brother and then come separately with his children without telling anyone, but maybe it was a last-minute thing.

Arnook cleared his throat, remembering the necessary formalities for greeting a fellow head of state.

"Yes, well, thank you. Welcome, Fire Lord. Your presence was unexpected, certainly, but not unwelcome. Please, sit."

"Thank you," Ozai's eyes glittered. "I appreciate your hospitality, especially on such short notice. I would also like to offer my services."

He gestured around the room, particularly at the table with all the prospective Avatars sitting at it.

"The Avatar will need training," he said grandly. "I should like to offer them the use of the finest firebending master in my Kingdom."

He paused.

"Just as soon as we settle who that is, of course."

A ripple of polite laughter spread through the room. Ozai nodded and then moved to take his seat. Without him the conversation slowly resumed. Yue just picked at her stewed prunes. Her mind was not really on the food.

Ozai's offer to train the Avatar was not unique, nor was it out of the ordinary. Every nation was obligated to provide a great master of the bending arts to train the Avatar, in order to make sure that the master of the four elements could do their job of keeping the peace as well as possible. For example, the water tribesmen whose responsibility that would be was Master Pakku, one of Arnook's closest friends and advisors and a powerful waterbender. He was sat next to her father now, discussing something or other. Maybe the Avatar's other two masters were here too.

She looked up and caught Sokka's eye. The Southern boy- Prince? Did they even have Princes in the South? Whatever Sokka was, he looked surprised at the eye contact and hastily averted his gaze. Had he been staring?

His sister immediately leaned over him, gestured in Yue's direction, and said something which caused Sokka's face to go bright red. Yue had to suppress a giggle. She forced that right down- it would be unseemly to just randomly burst out laughing for no reason in public- and pointedly averted her gaze from the southerners' spat.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the doors banged open again. Men in blue furs stood at the threshold. Their leader had a huge grey beard. Slowly, they began to file into the centre of the room as people fell silent. Yue felt a strange sense of anticipation come over her. Finally, the moment was at hand.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Four Nations!" The lead sage called. "Sixteen years ago the Avatar came to our city! For fifteen years we have kept their identity hidden, in order to allow them to have a childhood free from the pressure of their role and to make sure that we had selected the right person. I am happy to confirm that we are sure we do know who the Avatar is, and it is time for them to leave their life behind."

He paused.

"It is vital that the Avatar learn the elements in the correct order. So first, they will travel to the Earth Kingdom. Once they have mastered that element, then they will proceed to the Fire Nation, where Ozai's master will teach them firebending. Finally, they will take up residency in an Air Temple, and once they have mastered Airbending- and thus all four elements- they will be ready to take up their duty as the Avatar."

He took another step forward- past the table where the young men were gathered. He didn't even give them a second look. Yue's eyes widened.

"The Avatar is come," he announced. "And they are touched by destiny." His eyes travelled upwards, and Yue realized with a thrill that he was looking at her.

Oh no.

Oh yes?

I can't bend!

I could learn.

I'm not even a bender at all! Not even a waterbender!

Is it even possible to miss that?

Thoughts raced through her mind, fast and confused and panicky, as the Sages kneeled.

"Long live Avatar Yue!" He called. The room gasped and collectively swivelled to look at her. She did her best to look completely impassive, trying not to notice Iroh's gasp of realization, Sokka's jaw hitting the floor, or the impassive amber eyes of Firelord Ozai boring into her. The Firelord was not smiling.

Tui and La, she thought. I'm the Avatar. I'm actually the Avatar.