On a snow-capped mountain, several hundred feet up a jagged, treacherous path there was a hidden cave. The wind blew so hard that nothing could survive on the slopes for long, and it howled through the passageways - the noise near deafening.

But there was far worse than the rushing gales, the threat of frostbite from the bitter chill or even the potential drop to a rocky doom. It was said that inside the mountain something massive slumbered. A being of terrible power that no man could stand against and live.

People spoke only in whispers when they told the tale of the dragon.

Claws like swords, thousands of razor-point teeth, scales harder than any armour and flame-breath so hot that not even ash would remain.

Most people would regard going up against such a mighty beast as insane at best, suicide at worst. Sokka was not most people.

He stood before that cave, the shrieking in his ears and a burning torch to light his path. He'd forgone his wolf's head armour. It would only slow him down, and mobility would be vital.

In his right hand he held his black sword, a magnificent weapon. It had proved itself the better against cold steel, and Sokka had hopes of its worth against dragonscales. They were notoriously hard to pierce, but if anything could do it, it was Space Sword.

He nervously swung it from side to side, steeling himself. The meteorite sang as it scythed through the air. He glanced back down the broken path leading away from the cavern he'd travelled up. If he did this, there was no guarantee he'd return.

Was it better to die a hero than live a coward? Probably not. But there was more at stake than just his reputation - he'd heard dire tales.

Livestock were often the first casualties to a dragon, even creatures of unimaginable power had to eat. But at the same time as angry farmers gave reports of eaten sheep, rumours had circulated about missing people.

Though it was more than likely said persons had been barbecued, Sokka wasn't going to stand idly by and allow a man-eating monster free reign. What if it went after his sister next? He'd never live with himself.

Resolve firmed, he stepped forward into the gloom.

The tunnel into the mountain was smooth, any jagged edges worn away by the passing of time. The torch barely pierced the dim pall, but it was just enough to see by.

Occasionally he stepped on things that crunched beneath his feet. He chose not to look down and see what they were, just in case it upset him.

The tunnel weaved slightly, twisting here and there. Time lost all meaning in the murk of the mountain's heart. It was just him and the rock, endless steps into the darkness.

Eventually the passage widened into a huge room. In the middle of it stood a large hoard of glittering golden objects. Sokka couldn't believe his eyes as he stared at the massive pile. It was wealth beyond his imagination. Lords and kings would weep to behold it.

Greed overtook him for a moment. Abandoning his careful creeping, he strode confidently, surrounding himself in gilded coins and precious jewels. He picked up gem-studded chalices and candelabras. So caught up in the abundant richness was he that his very purpose had been forgotten.

That was when the fire rained upon him. Blue flames rushed through the air, landing before him. Hot air rose from the blaze, searing his unprotected skin. Space Sword clenched tightly in his fist, he whirled around to face the dragon.

Only to pause, staring in disbelief at the figure perched up on a throne.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you stealing was a crime?" The figure asked. The voice was cold, mocking and most of all - feminine.

This was not part of the plan. Was she a survivor of a kidnapping by the monster? One of the missing persons he'd heard about? What was she doing just hanging around for?

"Um. Hello? Miss, it's not safe to be here, there's a dragon in these parts. Uh, well, you know that already I guess. But still, you should leave before it comes back." Not the friendliest of starts, but he was rather shocked. Also she had shot fire at him, it appeared.

The girl didn't move, reclining in her throne with all the grace of a queen. Her golden eyes bored into him - there was something curiously unnerving about them.

A trickle of fear appeared in the back of his mind, instinct honed by years of hunting (and being hunted by) a variety of dangerous animals. This situation was definitely off, somehow.

She blinked long and slowly. The warning in his head intensified and then it clicked. She had slit pupils.

"Oh dear…" He mumbled, all of the pieces falling into place.

He barely had a moment to ready his sword before there was… movement. It was difficult to comprehend, but one moment there was a girl and the next there was just blue.

Brilliant azure scales shimmered in the flame's light. Sokka's torch had dropped to the ground and burnt out, but her warning shot still remained. He gulped, staring up past the wall of muscle into a snout, smoke pouring from her nostrils.

A serpentine smirk sat upon her lips, which peeled back to reveal rows of perfectly white and very pointed teeth. Space Sword slipped from his fingers as he collapsed to his knees.

It had been folly to think he could challenge a dragon. The mountain would be his tomb. His family would live in fear of this beast forever. He was a failure.

"What's the matter, has your spirit broken already? A pity." The words were loud and unbearably smug.

He snarled, rising to his feet. He was Sokka, son of Hakoda, and would not bow down and die! He swiftly snatched up his fallen blade, preparing himself for oblivion.

"Ah, there's fight in you yet. Good, I prefer to play with my food."

Sokka charged, screaming a war cry. The dragon regarded him for a moment, before slapping him aside with a tail flick. It was like being struck with a sledgehammer.

Sokka wheezed, clutching at his ribs. The beast flapped her wings idly, a puff of blue flame escaping her mouth.

"Come on, get up," she ordered.

Sokka staggered to his feet, freeing his boomerang from its sheath. He cocked back his arm and let loose, the steel blade whirring through the air. It struck the dragon on the snout, bouncing off her scaled ridges.

Undamaged though she was, she roared in anger at his arrogance that he'd dare strike her. Lashing her tail, she breathed a plume of fire. He hurriedly dived behind the treasure hoard.

The ground began to shake around him, coins falling from the pile and landing on top of his head. He glanced up to see the long neck of the dragon.

A hand enveloped him, claws as long as his forearm clutching around his waist. Though the beast was clearly capable of crushing or impaling his body, he was instead lifted through the air.

Great amber eyes peered at him from his perch in her palm.

"Speak, peasant. Do you have a name?" The dragon demanded.

Sokka blinked.

"Uh, yes? It's Sokka," was his rather confused reply. "Do you?"

The dragon snorted, a column of smoke escaping her.

"You have the honour of addressing Princess Azula."

"Princess? How can a dragon be a princess?" Sokka questioned.

He was lowered to the ground again, the huge bulk suddenly vanishing, replaced with a woman smaller than him.

"Neat trick," he offered.

Azula took no notice of his remark, returning to her throne. He stared around for a moment, before shrugging.

"Uh. Well, it was nice meeting you, I guess?" He floundered. How do you thank someone for not eating/incinerating/crushing you?

"Yes, I expect it was. But you're not going anywhere," the girl told him.

"I'm not?" That was news to him. He had every intention of getting the hell out of there, reputation be damned.

"I've decided to keep you," she glanced around the cavern. "Agni knows I could use the company. Gold doesn't talk."

"Most people prefer that I don't talk," he remarked, rather bewildered.

"I see. Well, you'll learn when to be quiet soon enough," with that ominous statement, she rose from her seat and beckoned to him. "Come."

Sokka glanced longingly at the entrance he had come in through. Maybe if he ran fast enough… the image of claws, teeth and flame ran through his mind. Sighing in defeat, he followed after Azula.

He'd known he might not return home but he didn't think it would be like this.