Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.

A/N: Hey people. This is my first story, so I hope you guys like it. I wanted to thank a few people real quick who have helped me with this story. LunaChaos and ParaibaOcean, akitawitch, girlunderglass, and Growly from DH, and my friend here . Thanks guys. The first chapter is dedicated to you. Now, on to the story.

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The sun rose slowly over the horizon. His shift was almost over after hours of outer wall guard duty. The Fire Nation army hadn't attacked the walls for weeks. The silence of the opposing army made his comrades and him a little more uneasy everyday. He knew it was only a matter of time before the firebenders went after the "impenetrable" walls again.

All quiet over there, Lei?"

Startled, he turned towards the voice. Seeing who it was, he bowed and replied, "Yes, Captain Phong."

The captain responded apprehensively, "Keep a close watch on the wall until your relief arrives. The air feels
strangely...unsettling."

"Yes, sir."

Phong nodded and continued along the wall. Lei sighed. To think, he thought his days would be easier with the Avatar in Ba Sing Se. Turning to look towards his home, he felt the stones beneath his feet vibrate. He stood in place for a moment. Not feeling the ground tremble again, he shrugged and walked the rest of the way to the edge of Ba Sing Se.

He loved his home more than anything and had joined the army to protect it. He would do anything to protect this great city. Every time he gazed at its beauty, his eyes would light up. From the monorail to the University, this city amazed him everyday.

He glanced down as he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. The light from the sun was not yet bright enough for him to see easily, so he was forced to squint his eyes. He saw what looked to be five or so individual shapes, with what looked to be helmets of the Earth Kingdom's army, atop their heads. Two of the shapes moved in motions that appeared to be earthbending movements. As the two finished, Lei felt the vibrations, which he had passed off as imagination due to fatigue, once more. This time though, the tremors felt stronger as if the wall beneath him had grown weaker.

Turning hurriedly to his superior, he saw Captain Phong looking grimly down to the foot of the opposite side of the wall. The captain turned to him, yelling for him to blow the horn to warn the city. Lei rushed to follow the orders. Reaching the horn, he blew as hard as he could. The sound of it resonated around Ba Sing Se before it was cut short as the outer wall of the impenetrable city came tumbling down.

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As soon as Mayumi felt the thunderous sound of warning shake the walls of her home, she knew her good fortune had ended. Running towards the north gate with the other panicked inhabitants of Ba Sing Se, a million thoughts flashed through her mind.

She had come to Ba Sing Se to start anew. A place where no one knew of her past, and no one cast pitying glances towards her whenever she walked by. She was an orphan, both of her parents having died during an invasion of her village. She had been very young then.

Although the townsfolk pitied her, no one could afford to take her in. She survived by working, with food as her pay. If she were lucky, some of her employers would let her sleep in the hay in their
barns. When she was fourteen, two years ago, she decided to leave her home. She had heard of the wonders of Ba Sing Se and wanted to try her luck in the grand city.

When she arrived, she was awestruck, not having expected it to be so large and wondrous. Again having to work for food, she was able to acquire a steady job, thanks to a soldier by the name of Lei. She saved as much of her money as she could. Eventually, she was able to make enough for her dream. A small, though successful, flower shop on the streets of Ba Sing Se. Lei would come by every now and then to check on her.

She had had the shop for almost a year. Then, came the sound that she had feared. The horn not only signaled the fall of the great city, but of her dream as well. Now, she was running for her
life. Through the stampede of fleeing people, she spotted a small girl who seemed to be lost. Making a sharp detour, she swiftly picked up the child and continued running. She felt the terrified girl's arms wrap tightly around her.

The north gate came into view, making the weight on her heart lift a little. Maybe she could make it. Maybe her dream wasn't completely destroyed. She felt a sharp pain in her back. Looking back and down, she saw an arrow protruding from her back. She felt a warm substance flow down her, as she grew dizzier with each step.She knew she couldn't give up just yet. She had to get the girl outside the wall.

She saw a small group of people her age ushering people out of the city. Two seemed to be Water Tribe, one seemed to be a blind earth girl, and the last had the markings of an airbender with a small, furry animal on his shoulder.

Somehow knowing she could trust them, Mayumi used the last of her strength to bring the child to them.

As she collapsed, she asked them to take care of the girl. As her eyes grew heavier, she hoped the girl would live a better life than she herself had. She wished the child a life with no regrets. Her one regret was not telling him how she felt.

Softly she said her last word, "Lei…", as her lids slide shut, blocking her eyes from the image of Ba Sing Se falling to the Fire Nation.

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Princess Azula strode calmly through Ba Sing Se. The streets were littered with the fallen of both sides. The Earth soldiers had held her army off as long as they could, allowing many of Ba Sing Se's citizens to flee. Not all had made it though. She had plenty of prisoners.

She looked up as a young soldier ran up to her.

Bowing, he began his report, "We've suffered a few loses, but it appears the Earth Kingdom has lost more. However, the Earth King and the Avatar appear to have escaped, your highness."

Seeing the princess's expression, the soldier flinched.

Hurriedly, he finished his report, saying, "We did manage to apprehend one of your targets, your highness."

Eyes flashing in impatience, she asked, "Well, who is it?"

At the soldier's signal, a few others stepped forward, leading an older man. The top of his head was bald, and time had not been kind to his rather rotund stomach.

Azula's eyes gleamed evilly, "Why hello, Uncle. It's been a long time."

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The meanings of the names are:

Lei--Thunder

Mayumi--true bow(archery)

Phong--wind

Hopefully you see why they have those names.