Naya and the Last Airbender

i. The Beginning

A picture of Naya is below

Six years ago...

           NAYA knew she was far from ordinary.

Lord Ozai frequently exasperated this fact at dinner. That was every night. He never failed to make an offensive comment about the girl that made his devil-child, Azula, snicker in response. And nobody could defy him. Although he was still a prince, he had undeniable power over Naya and her family.

Naya was well aware of her place in the Royal Palace. Really, in the Fire Nation. Fire Nation subjects were scarily discriminatory, and often made remarks about her complexion whenever Zuko and Naya would go into the heart of the kingdom.

Luckily for Naya, there were five people in her life that didn't see her as a freak. She was forever grateful for her mother, father, Zuko, Iroh, and Ursa. They never commented about her mixed-heritage. She was treated like a normal human, which was all she ever wanted.

Zuko often grew frustrated with anyone who made comments about her. He picked fights with kids that spit at her or call names. Naya tried to stop him, that it wasn't worth it. Zuko never listened. He only grew angrier as the years progressed, while Naya grew more indifferent to the remarks.

Mom and Dad made Naya proud of where she came from. The Fire Nation was breathtaking, with bamboo and fire lilies that decorated the land that thrived from the sun. Her father managed to convince her that not everyone there is malicious. Mom also told stories of the icy, yet majestic, tundra she grew up in. Naya recognized the beauty in both places, even though they were completely opposite settings and cultures.

Maybe that was why The Fire Nation despised her so much. The minute the rumors came out about a 'crossbreed' living in the Palace, Ozai quickly shut them down, saying how he would never disrespect his nation like that. Azulon, however, didn't mind Naya staying in the palace. He knew a part of her was Fire Nation blood and that's what matters. Even more so, her father was like his third son.

"Naya!" Zuko exclaimed, grabbing the black-haired girl by the shoulder. "Are you daydreaming again?"

"Yeah, sorry. What is it you want to show me?" Naya asked, placing the rose she found on the ground. She watched the prince who stood before the fountain in his garden. He got into a fighting stance with a determined look on his face.

He jumped up and swung his leg, kicking a lengthy flame into the air. Naya watched in awe, retaining what he was doing so she could practice later. She was known in the palace to be a talented Fire bender, right along Azula. She had a true passion for bending, something that nobody,  not even Ozai, could take away.

Naya clapped for her best friend, who looked proud when he landed on his feet. "That was great, Zuko. Hopefully, you can kick Azula's butt with that trick."

A smirk grew on the Prince's face. "Oh trust me, there's more where that came from."

Zuko continued to kick in the air. Anyone could see he was kindled with passion.

Naya clapped her hands when he finished showing her the moves. Zuko breathlessly walked up to her with a smile on his face.

"I bet to can't do better, " he said.

Naya rolled her eyes. "You wish. You know I'm just as good as your sister."

"As good as me?" A voice scoffed. Naya and Zuko were both caught off guard by the ear-splitting voice. "You can only dream of being on my level, you mutt. The only thing you do is dirty the Fire Nations bloodline."

Zuko jumped up at the sound of her words. Of course what she said hurt Naya, but she didn't show that. Zuko was the one who expressed how they both felt. And he was furious.

"Don't talk to her like that, " he growled. His fists were clenched at his side and small flames sprouted from them.

Naya got up and gently grabbed his hand, knowing to well that he would lose if he picked a fight with his sister. Azula was dangerous. The last thing Naya wanted was for Zuko to get hurt when standing up for her.

"Get lost Azula, " Naya snapped.

The princess cackled at the words. "You want me to leave? You're an embarrassment to my Nation. I think we know who's the one who doesn't belong."

In a matter of seconds, Zuko was on top of Azula. Naya yelped and tried to pry her friend off of his sister in fear that his father would find him. Azula clawed at his face as he pulled on her hair.

"Zuko stop!" Naya cried.

"Listen to that freak!" Azula shouted underneath him. That was not the smartest remark. Zuko grew angrier.

He continued to throw fists at Azula for what felt like hours.

Then, a stern voice sounded through the garden. Zuko immediately stopped what he was doing at the sound of his mother. Azula sat up with a smirk, knowing that her brother was about to get in trouble. Zuko stepped back and aligned himself with Naya. She quietly grabbed his hand and rubbed it with her fingers.

"What on earth was going on here?" Ursa questioned.

Azula, still facing us, smiled menacingly. She turned back to her mother, most likely with teary eyes and a quivering lip.

"Z-Zuzu attacked me!" She cried. The emotion in her voice was sickening.

"Zuko, " Ursa chided. "You know better."

"Azula was making fun of Naya! She was saying horrible things!" Zuko protested.

Ursa looked over at Naya, who was standing slightly behind Zuko. Her hand was still in his.

"Is this true?" She asked, her voice growing softer.

"Um..." Naya glanced over at Azula, who was giving her a look. Naya gulped. Zuko nudged her. "Yes," she said meekly.

Azula groaned and threw her arms in the air. Ursa rolled her eyes. "Young lady, you're coming with me."

Ursa walked past both Naya and Zuko. Azula followed behind, but not before latching onto Naya's arm. The princess got close to her ear.

"You are dead," Azula uttered, making Naya regret saying anything.