Naya and the Last Airbender

v. Back to the Past

WE approached the guards with moans and groans. If I didn't know what was going on, I would be horrified.

Katara and I were side by side at the back of the crowd. Dozens of Omashu natives approached the Fire Nation. The soldiers were terrified and scattered away. Everyone continued forward since the guards didn't do much. Their faces were only struck with horror as Sokka closed in on a group of them guarding the main gate.

"Plague!" One screeched. The loud sound of drumming sang through the city. It was a warning to the elites and to the rest of the Fire Nation.

The gates slowly opened. I glanced around to see the people's eyes light up. It was a chance at a new life. Eventually, they would return to their homes, but for now, it was time to find somewhere away from the Fire Nation. It hurt to think that so many people were on the run from my nation, including myself.

"How did you know that girl from last night?" Katara asked me as we exited Omashu. We were able to stop the act once we grew further from Omashu.

"Her name is Mai. I grew up with her because she was buddies with Azula and she had a crush on Zuko," I said with an eye roll.

"Oh," Katara said. "I only think of you as my sister now so sometimes I forget you come from the Fire Nation, let alone the Royal Palace."

I pursed my lips and nodded, my mind moving from the present to the past. Since my friends kept me preoccupied these days, I was always able to distract myself from the terrors of my childhood. But now that I saw Mai, I couldn't help but think back to those times. She and I have a lot of history. Unlike Azula, there was once a time we were even... friends.

But like most good things in my life, that eventually came to an end.

+

NAYA and Zuko were training in the garden. It was finally the first sunny day in a week. The Fire Nation was usually dry, but there were always prolonged periods of rain. The next time that would come again would be in a few months or so.

The two children decided to rejoice in Ursa's beautiful garden. They always practiced there, away from the training rooms. Azula and Ozai were usually there, and neither of the children wanted to be near them:

Naya jumped up, spun around, and kicked out flames from her foot. The Prince watched in awe as his friend elegantly displayed such raw talent. Something that would never occur with him.

"I don't get how you can do that," Zuko said angrily. He crossed his arms and turned away from the tanned girl. "You and Azula are way too good at fire bending, especially for girls."

Naya snapped her head to the boy. "What's wrong with being a girl? Are you mad I can kick your butt?" She asked with a grin. She nudged the Prince and he shunned away at her touch.

"Even I can beat you up, Zuko," Mai said as she approached the two. Naya smiled at her friend and gave a high five.

"Okay, I get it. I'm weak. You're not the only people who tell me that," he grumbled.

Naya rolled her eyes at the Prince. He had a tendency to overreact and get jealous.

"So how are you guys doing? I know I haven't been here in a while," Mai asked and sat down by a tree.

Naya continued to throw punches in the air. Zuko also sat next to Mai and watched the girl practice. Calling her exceptional would be an understatement.

"Not much. We've been cooped up inside because of the rain," Naya told breathlessly.

Mai and Zuko talked as Naya threw flames around. The girl only wanted to prove herself to them. She wanted to show the Fire Nation that she was capable of being a good bender. She wanted to be a respectful subject, despite the amount of hate she's received for being from the Water Tribe as well.