Hey guys! Still writing my Harry Potter Fanfic but I'm going to try another realm out. I recently got hooked on Avatar and I had to write about it. So here's my newest story, no flames please, and if there's something I missed, please message me. I don't own the series except for my OC. Thank you and remember to read and review!

Prologue: Asuka

It started with a duel. Not that she wanted to be banished, she was forced by the Fire Lord himself to leave the homeland. Her banishment was to prevent an outcry of other lower class Fire Nation, but in the end, it wouldn't stop his demise. She felt the manacles around her wrists, tight, and bounded; imprisoned by fear. She had done what wasn't expected from her, to lose an Agni Kai to a very important figure in her government, in doing so, she was banished. She refused to be struck down and, in defense, defeated her opponent. Of course the opponent cried foul, and due to her father's influence in the government, the girl, Asuka, was imprisoned and now was facing banishment, at the recent age of thirteen years old.

Asuka was spending her last day on Fire Nation ground in a prison cell, contemplating what the rest of her life would be. Running from roof to roof, just for shelter and food. It wouldn't be that different from her days living in that orphanage in the Fire Nation colonies, and she was fine relying by herself. At times she felt more at peace with herself alone rather than surrounded by people she knew. She found peace even in this dark and damp prison cell with only rags to keep her warm. She was not ashamed of what she did, she felt right. Everyone urged her not to rebel against the orders but she didn't care, this person was made of the same flesh as her, she was human as well as her. Though when you strike the Princess of your nation, you kind of ask for banishment on a silver platter. That or death. Asuka craved her freedom though, if that meant standing up for herself against a feared prodigy, than she would stand her ground. She ran her hands on the bars of her cell and felt the cold metal pressed against her skin and smiled, knowing that she would leave soon. That's until she heard the door that lead to her cell open with a loud creak. An older man with rich red robes and a large figure stood in the entry way. He had the trademark Fire Nation facial hair and long hair tied on the top of his head. Asuka knew who this man was, after all it wasn't every day the Dragon of the West visits a nobody in a jail cell.

"General Iroh, sir?" she spoke with a surprised tone. Even though they'd never met, she could tell he wanted something from her. Reading his expression expertly, like a professional. His eyes were that of a worried expression, and somewhat anxious and nervous; Asuka didn't know that an honored general of the Fire Nation could ever be nervous about anything.

"Asuka? Am I right?" he asked, she politely nodded her head. "I believe we can help each other out in a mutual alliance."

Asuka glanced at Iroh with her violet eyes that were curtained by her ebony hair. She motioned him to continue.

"I am aware of your situation and I would like to help reverse your punishment for your crimes. I heard you're an excellent firebender as well as a master in acrobatics and gymnastics, plus a few martial art skills you're required to learn in school, and I would like to utilize you in a journey, if you would accept."

Asuka looked puzzled at the older man, "You could've chose any girl or even better a boy for this journey of which you speak of, so why come to me? Why am I the one whom you want? What do you want of me?"

Iroh knelt down to face Asuka eye to eye, "My nephew, Prince Zuko, is like you. Both of you are capable of great things yet let something stand in your way. He being to bold and outspoken, while you need to learn to trust and obey."

"This does not help your case, that you come here to insult me." Asuka turned away.

"Then listen," he gently pulled her face facing him once again, "He has also been banished."

Asuka was shocked but didn't let it show in her face, "On what charge."

"Disrespecting his father, and refusing to fight him in an Agni Kai, showing shameful behavior"

Asuka looked on the stone floor in front of her and remained silent lost in her thoughts.

"We will be searching for the Avatar, if we find him, then we will take him here and Zuko's honor will be restored and you will be granted back into the Fire Nation as a heroine and will be free to live wherever you want."

Asuka remained silent for a moment, "The keyword you speak is 'if'. You don't give me a guarantee, sir, how am I sure this will work? How do you not know that the Avatar isn't dead?" She looked at him with a cold stare.

Iroh looked down, "There's no way to know for certain, but if there's a chance then it is better to come with us rather than running through this world alone as a child. If you come with us, we will supply you with shelter, food, bed, and proper clothing. I am assembling men loyal to me and you would be a welcome addition to our crew, someone Zuko's age to help him with training, should you agree."

Asuka eyes lowered down to the ground once again, not trusting his somewhat kind words, but was not sure if he was creating a folly for her to fall into since he was the Fire Lord's brother. Iroh raised himself from the ground sighing in disappointment.

"If you change your mind, at dawn, there will be a small ship in the Fire Nation's shipyard should you want to join. I wish you luck on whatever decision you make." He bowed to her and left as quietly as he came in.

Asuka contemplated the predicament in her mind as her eyes fluttered off into a dreamless sleep.

Just before daybreak, a guard unlocked Asuka's cell and woke her up. It was the day her banishment began, and where her new journey laid before her would bring. As Iroh said the small ship was there at the Fire Nation shipyard as he had said in his proposal, and there was also a ramp leading up to the top. Gladly she took her first steps aboard her new life and made it. Iroh was standing talking to one of the men when one pointed her out. He turned around in surprise and a large grin spread across his face. Asuka smiled softly as she politely bowed to him as he did in return.

"Welcome aboard, Asuka, I had a feeling you would come. I have a fresh change of clothes and materials in your room, if you would follow me."

They both went below deck to the crew quarters where, across Zuko's room, was her room. There was a small cot and some clothes laid out for her in the room as well as the Fire Nation flag and a place to meditate in front of a dragon art piece. Iroh left Asuka to her room as she changed in to a wrapped red shirt and dark red pants that stopped just below her knee. Under it she had white socks and black flats, as well as a golden tie around her waist that dangled two pieces of ribbon down to her feet.

After she was dressed, she couldn't help but enter the prince's quarters. He laid in his bed, sound asleep, with a large bandage around his left eye. Asuka felt sorry for the prince, she had heard what happened to him. To be burned by your own father was shameful. She slowly closed his door, and felt the boat shake as it left the dock. So the Journey begins, thought Asuka as she climbed on the deck to watch her home disappear right before her very eyes.