"Madien, wake up" An old women softly tugged on the bender's shoulder as she was currently asleep.

Katara woke up hearing those words. She slowly got up, and was ordered to bathe. Her hands brushed against the silk bedsheets. Such an odd but amazing feeling. It was very different from the fur and wool back home, and it did feel nicer then sleeping on the ground. She liked the luxury in the palace there was no denial on that.

After her arrival, she was escorted into a room by one of the guards. They alarmed her to rest since tomorrow would be a big day for her.

She didn't plan to rest, but the moment her body touched the soft bedsheets she knocked out.

The women untangled her ties that secured her braids as Katara entered the bath. "What is your name?"

Her golden eyes looked at the brown skinned girl, "Zhilan," She answered softly. Her fingers continued to brush her wavy hair.

Katara was in thought. She couldn't help but wonder how exactly she was going to do it. How was she going to sneak pass all guards and find information to help end this war. She also had to take in consideration of the prince. She had to stay for a while til she finds her answers.

Soon after her bath was done, she was given a red dress to wear. She picked up the dress, and saw its details. It had gold outlining, and was an off the shoulder sleeves. "Zhilan?" Katara questioned grabbing the servant's attention. "I like this dress, but I was wondering if I can have blue ones,"

The women walked towards her as she helped put the dress on, "I don't know if that's a good idea. The blue symbolizes the Water Tribe,"She explained detailed on how it can anger the firelord.

"It doesn't have to be blue, it could be a very light shade where many can miss that its blue," Katara explained as the servant fixed her hair.

"It will look nice with your eyes," She mumbled softly, "I'll try to see if its allowed," The women smiled as the bender squealed and hugged her servant, "But, for the meantime, this dress will look perfect for today's ball," The women squealed in excitement as Katara giggled at her charisma.

Meanwhile with the prince who was currently pacing around his room was interrupted by his uncle. His uncle who he viewed more as father took a seat on the bed, and was ready to release his words of wisdom. "Zuko this selection would be great,"

The prince shook his head in disagreement, "Once those girls see my scar, I know many would leave," He announced.

The old man placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder, "Zuko you are handsome with or without the scar," He stated firmly before fixing his hair by ruffling it.

The prince had recently returned home with Iroh when the FireLord had called for them. It was a shock to the prince and the general, but listened to the orders that they received.

Zuko was glad to be back home. He missed the area where memories of his mother surrounded the palace. He had hope just the news of him targeting the Avatar would be enough to get on his father's good side. And, according to the guards it did. His encounters with the avatar was good enough to prove that he existed, yes it was more desirable if he actually caught the monk but his father already knew that it would be a difficult task for the weak prince.

Iroh, on the other hand knew that his brother had other plans. Especially when the idea of the Selection being taken place a week after their arrival. The firelord left Iroh in charge of finding the perfect princess for his son, but he knew that his brother will still try to force his inputs on the selection. Iron vowed to not let that happen because he knew that his nephew deserved the chance to find someone he loves that fit all criteria, and not someone that will be a puppet to the FireLord.

"The welcome ball won't start for another couple hours," Zuko informed him and waited for his uncle to leave his room.

Soon after, he took off his clothing and replaced it with his blue mask and black attired. Zuko isn't gullible. He was happy but he knew that his father wouldn't want him to return. He had something in mind, and Zuko wanted to know what it was.

He swiftly entered his father's chambers where his desk was spotted full of papers. He saw the room empty as a smirk appeared on his face. The firelord had a long meeting that just started it.

Zuko walked toward the brown table and skimmed through the pages. Many were plans of battle, and counter. There was nothing that he was of any use to him. He continued on looking around the room, but nothing was found. The door soon opened as Zuko hid in swift motion.

He spotted his sister Azula enter the room. She looked side to side before she walked towards their family portrait. His golden eyes followed as she took down the painting and a hole was spotted.

He leaned closer quietly and spotted a box. Azula grabbed the box, and placed the painting back. She took her steps out to the door while Zuko jumped out in front of the painting. He stared at his childhood. Moments where he was actually happy, moments where he didn't have a scar, and moments when his mother was still with him.

"Have you seen the prince anywhere?" Zuko heard one of the royal guards ask among themselves. He leaped out of the window, and climb onto the leaves that would eventually lead him into his room.

He knew that whatever the FireLord has planned it was in that box that Azula took.

"Its time," A guard opened the door while Zuko kicked the mask under his bed. He nodded, and ordered them to leave.

He changed his attire into royal clothing. The servants had to make new ones since the last time he had been here his clothes gotten smaller.

Iroh walked in ready to take him into the great hall. "You ready?" He questioned as he waited for his nephew to lead the way.

Zuko did as his uncle followed right behind him. The two walked in silence as they headed to the room where all girls would be at.

Katara was following the guards who were talking about the firelord. She heard them whispered about a plan. That got her full attention as she knew she would have to find out.

She listened atently but stopped as they arrived to the hall. The guard directed her to walk as they turned and headed out. The waterbender continued to walk in but noticed she was the last of the twenty girls to arrive.

They all looked at her with their eyes observing every aspect of her appearance. She looked away knowing why they looked at her. She was different from them.

In every way, she was different. From the color of her eyes to her skin tone. One girl approached her with short brown hair that was curled and pinned back with a dragon pin. Her dress was flowy and fitted tightly on her waist.

"Katara?" The girl questioned as her purple colored eyes looked at the waterbender.

The bender squinted her eyes, "Do I know you?" She questioned as the girl took a step closer.

"Do I look that different with paint?" She asked herself but loud enough that Katara's eyes widen at the realization who it is.

Taken by surprise, she hugged the warrior, "It's nice to see you again," Katara exclaimed as giggles escaped both their lips.

"How did you get in?" Suki questioned curious of course.

She bit her lip, "I'm an orphan in Ba Sing Se," Katara stated. The warrior caught on about what she meant. She wasn't as shock to realize that she would be here. It made sense since their last encounter the boy from the Water Tribe explained that their goal was to defeat the firelord.

Since there split from their encounter Suki had been channeled to join the selection to send out information for her fellow Kyoshi warriors.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the General gather everyone's attention. "Welcome girls," He started off with a smile. He contiuned on explaining everything and more about the selection.

Iroh had declared there would be no tolerance of any rules broken. He made clear of what exactly was going to happen:

"We are in the palace so these rules most be followed,"

"No one is allowed outside the walls of the palace without the Prince or a guard with them,"

"We have a set curfew at 10pm,"

"No relationship that isn't with the prince permitted and can lead to out of the selection if broken,"

"No one is allowed to roam the palace without being accompanied by someone in the royal staff or family,"

"Prince Zuko has a max of 2 months to pick his bride but he can choose to end it earlier,"

"No badmouthing, fighting or sabotage of one another is allowed,"

"All classes with Li and Lo must be attended,"

The water bender felt a bit overwhelm upon hearing each rule. She looked over at Suki who gave her a half smile and held her arm tightly.

"You have all signed to followed this— so getting that out of the way, I introduced you girls to my nephew Prince Zuko," The general looked over as the Prince stepped out from the door.

Katara held her gasp as she finally got to see his scar. When Aang had described it, she assumed it was a line scar, but now that she sees it, she realized that he was burned.

Could it be from training? She questioned herself as the prince made his way down the grand staircase. His hair was shaggy but gave him an attractive look. She couldn't help but admit that he was good looking.

"Don't tell me you fell in love already," Suki teased while the bender rolled her eyes. The warrior noticed that look in her eyes as she too had the same one when she had met a certain boy.

"Don't be ridiculous, I will never fall in love with those kind of people," Katara explained as Suki raised a brow unsure of what she meant. They continued to talk, but soon interrupted as the prince walked towards them.

"I hope you two enjoyed your stay so far," He stated montone. Suki nodded as she began to introduce herself.

"I'm Lady Suki, and this is my friend Lady Katara," She explained as the prince looked at the bender.  A small courtesy given from both girls.

The first thing he noticed was her eyes. Such a clear color like the blue sky. She stood out compared to the others who simply had golden eyes or brown. "Well, hi," The prince greeted awkwardly at the bender.

She refrained from smiling as she nodded, "Evening Prince Zuko," She greeted as he shook his head.

He ruffled his hair, "Just call me Zuko," He insisted while Suki took a step back noticing that he was mostly interested in her friend. "You are very different," He stated bluntly.

Katara furrowed her brow, "Is that a bad thing?" She questioned confused.

"N-no," He exclaimed as his hands move to demonstrate his point. "I meant it as a good thing. Its cause you stand out more in my opinion," He fumbled over his words and tried his best to explain himself.

Katara placed a hand on her lips trying her best to not laugh at how adorable he looked when flustered. "Its okay, Prince Zuko, I understand what you meant," She insisted while he looked at the ground.

"Do you want to dance?" He questioned at the mention of music being played in the background. Katara shook her head as it was now her turn to be flustered.

"I don't know how to," She explained while a smile appeared on his lips.

He extended his arm out, "I'll show you," He assured as she took his hand and took a step closer to him. The two leaned closer as he guided her across the room, "You're not bad at all," He commented impressed as she had a sly smirk.

"What can I say, I'm a fast learner," She teased as a small giggle escaped from her lips. He looked back at her as he chuckled at how witty the girl was.

"You do know how to make an impression," He teased back as she shrugged.

"I try," She remarked as he rolled his eyes as he was liking her personality. One can tell that she was stubborn and loved to tease, something he didn't see quite often. Yeah, Mai was stubborn but she is the kind to not take a joke. Ty Lee loved being chirpy and enthusiastic, and not that there wasn't anything wrong with that but he found it somewhat annoying at times.

From the other side of the room was the princess speaking to her friend, "Mai you are supposed to be the one dancing with my brother," She complained as she gave the girl a dirty glare.

"It seems he's interested in her," Mai stated not really interested in the situation that was happening infront of her. She crossed her arms and took a seat as she looked away from the two.

"How can you let a peasant dance with your future husband, do something," Azula ordered while Mai remained seated.

She turned and looked at Azula straight on, "You do know that I'm only doing this because I'm scared of what you are capable of doing to my uncle," She admitted and got up from her seat.

Azula on the other hand rolled her eyes. If Mai wasn't going to intervene then she was. She walked towards the two, and coughed grabbing their attention.

The brown skinned girl released her hands from his, "Stop dancing with this peasant, and go speak to the other chosen girls," She commanded as Zuko turned to his sister.

"Azula back off," He whispered before giving a small smile to the bender, "I'll see you around," He excused himself as he left to his uncle's side. He continued the rest of the night speaking to the other girls. None of them caught his attention like the brown haired girl with the blue eyes did.

All other girls were pretty bland if he had to be honest, but there was a couple that seem nice and genuine. He did know that he had to give them all a chance that's what's meant to happen in this selection.

After the ball, the prince had shared his farewells as he exited the room with his uncle by his side. "You should rest, tomorrow is the induction speech,"