Warning this chapter contains parental abuse, some readers may want to skip the flashback at beginning if that topic is triggering
"Mom?"
I could hear my voice echoing through the walls. Under the dimness of night I saw a figure move in the shadows.
"Mom? Mom is that you?"
The figure stepped forward revealing a pale and sickly woman,
"I don't have time for this (Y/N). Where is your father?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen him all day."
"He must be stuck in those godforsaken war meetings again. Now (Y/N) have you been making friends with the Firelord's daughter like I told you?"
"Yes mother just like you wanted. But she's kinda scary sometimes... her brother Zuko is really nice though! Could I spend more time with him instead?"
"I didn't tell you to make friends with him you idiot. Can you even listen? God sometimes I wish we never had you. All you do is complain."
"I'm... I'm sorry mother. I was being selfish. I'll be better I swear!" Tears ran down my cheek.
"Stop crying you pathetic little rat!" She slammed me onto the ground bruising my skin.
"Mom... please. I can be better!"
"You will never amount to anything (Y/N). All your good for is getting into trouble. Your job is to be friends with the Firelord's daughter so he promotes your father. You know what? I'm getting a drink. Don't leave your room and don't get into any more trouble. Do you understand me?"
"Yes mother."
"(Y/N) WAKE UP!"
My eyes flashed open,
"What's going on? Where's Zuko?"
"We're invading the Firenation today sleepy head! Get your head in the game." Toph argued crossing her arms.
"Sorry, I had a nightmare. But I'm ready now."
I walked over by Sokka and Katara who were observing a cloud of fog gathering on the water,
"Oh no. Sokka, do you think the fog will delay the invasion?"
"No, that is the invasion!" Sokka exclaimed.
Watertribe boats reached the shore. I watched as Sokka and Katara greeted their father. I turned away, I didn't have time to feel sorry for myself.
Soon, the beach was filled with Earthbenders and Water tribe warriors ready to fight against the Firenation. I sighed motionless, dredged with feelings of awkwardness.
I could feel people look at me strange after they saw my clearly Firenation dress.
I looked over at Fai, who Toph had trapped in a stone cage the night before,
"At least I'm not the only one whose out of place."
I wondered where Zuko was. No... I don't care about him anymore.
I stood away from the others. I ignored them, I didn't even listen to what they were saying.
It was like my mind was somewhere else. Somewhere far far away.
"Mom? Mom is that you? Mom please get up. You know I'm leaving with Zuko today."
"Leave me (Y/N). Go on that ship and never look me in the eyes again. You don't deserve my pity. You remind me to much of myself, weak and pathetic. When I was your age I used to be so stupid. The world was so simple, I trusted everyone. But you know what happens when I trusted your father? I ended up with you. What a fool I was."
"Mom... lay down please you're scaring me. Have some water."
"Go (Y/N) maybe you can make something of yourself after all. I'm sorry I could never manage to do anything. I see now I'm a worthless woman. I'm sorry you have such a poor excuse of a mother."
I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw Aang,
"Hey (Y/N) are you alright?"
"Oh umm yeah I'm fine just kinda zoned out for a second."
~
The crowd sat down on the beach enjoying some soup. I sat with the gaang awkwardly. Sokka nervously stood next to me with scrolls in hand looking like he was going to faint.
"Don't worry, you'll do great." His father said reassuring him.
Sokka stepped onto the stone stage in front of everyone,
"Good morning everyone!" Sokka said before clashing onto the ground.
He recollected his dropped scrolls and continued,
"Umm so as you know, today we're invading the Firenation. I mean I know you know that because otherwise why else would you be here? Ha-anyway!" He opened one of his scrolls and placed in on a wooden board to show us, "the Firelord's palace is here. Ahh nope ah wait it's here..." he flipped the scroll until it landed on the correct map, "and ahh there's an eclipse today and Aang's gonna fight the firelord and the firebenders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us! Except for I guess (Y/N) so umm sorry about that. And ahh I'm sorry let me start at the beginning, Katara and I discovered Aang frozen in an iceberg now I didn't like Aang at first but I grew to love him overtime then we went to the Southern air temple where Aang used to live. We met Suki whose a Kiyoshi warrior-"
"Wow when he says beginning he means beginning." Katara whispered.
Sokka continued until finally his father went on the stage to stop him,
"Thank you Sokka.. it's okay why don't you take a break. Let me just clarify a few points for everyone. Today is the day of Black Sun and I want to thank you all for your self sacrifice and your courage. There are two steps to the invasion a naval stage and then a land stage. To gain sea access to the Firenation capital. We have to get passed our first major obstacle.. here, the Great gates of Azulon. Next we hit the land and we hit hard, we must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to royal palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin."
"Excuse me the boulder is confused isn't the point to invade during the eclipse, when the firebenders are powerless? "
"The eclipse only lasts 8 minutes, not enough time for the whole invasion, and the royal palace is highly guarded by firebenders. So that's where will need the eclipse's advantage the most. When this is finished, the Avatar will have defeated the Firelord. We will have control of the Firenation capital and this war will be over!"
The crowd erupted into applause and cheers.
~
Everyone suited up and prepared for battle before emerging onto the ships. I held a sphere that the Watertribe warriors let me borrow for when my bending became useless.
Before we could pass the gates of Azulon, we had to enter submarine ships Sokka designed so we could remain undetected. Each moment we grew closer to the capital I grew more weary,
"What if I see Zuko? I can't bare to look him in the eyes again. Not after how far I've come."
I turned my head the waves of the ocean circling my mind,
"I accomplished this on my own. I accomplished everything on my own. I'm not letting anyone scare me because I'm not weak anymore. I never was weak everyone just said I was. I am (Y/N) and I'm not letting the chance of looking at some stupid prince scare me after all I've been through. I'm done being a supporting character in my own life. I can't give up, I have a whole nation to prove wrong."
~
We landed on the beaches of the Firenation. My job was simple, deflect as much fire from the benders as possible. Around me, tanks and benders fought the Firenation with all they had.
I could feel the heat of embers in the air as the Firenation soildiers ran to befend their capital. I didn't focuse on the other fighters or loud clashes, just the flames.
I could feel the heat in my touch as I disemboweled each flame blazing toward my allies. Sparks grew flustered in the air as I overtook them. I took satisfaction in the Firebenders that recognized me, shocked at how powerful I'd become. Determination flooded my veins and took control.
I saw the Avatar fly away on his glider to the royal palace. As soon as Aang ended Ozai this would all be over.
I began to combine the soildier's flames into great blazes which I shot back at them. I created a wall of flames around some soldiers, leaving them subdued and unable to advance.
I wasn't going to let myself lose, no matter the cost.
To be continued...