"You are not joining this," Sokka exclaimed with anger in his voice. They were currently camping inside the Fire Nation but in disguise. "Katara would be put in danger if she gets close to Zuko," He reasoned while Katara looked at her brother in despair.

"Zuko doesn't know how you or I look like. Only Aang, we should be fine," The waterbender tried her best to convince her older brother, but it didn't seem to work. "The only description that Zuko gave out is that we were from the southern water tribe, and one of them is a waterbender. Aang and I discussed that I would say I'm from Ba Sing Se, the land known for refugees."

Sokka was undecided, but he knew that deep down that this was the only solution to overthrow the FireLord. "If we are lucky, maybe we can get the prince on our side," Aang mumbled to himself remembering the time where Zuko helped him escaped back when he was in disguise. He once told him, that maybe they could be friends.

"Katara, what if you end up winning this selection," Sokka stated with his arm crossed. He knew how much she valued her future and the thought of having a family. "Aren't you worried that you might end up falling in love with Zuko,"

She remained silent. The thought of love didn't come to mind. How can it, when they were in the middle of a war. Aang, on the other hand, spoke up for her, "Be serious Sokka, she isn't gullible enough to fall in love with Zuko. He's from the Fire Nation," He spat. A sense of jealous enranged in his blood.

"Don't worry," She ignored Aang's comment. "Besides, I signed up a couple days ago. And, I received the acceptance letter," Katara announced as she showed the white scroll.

Sokka rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms, "What was the point of telling me if you already signed up," He exclaimed.

She looked down at the scroll, "I wasn't asking for you permission. This must be done," She stated firmly as he took the scroll from her hands, and read it:

Dear Madien Katara,

You have been accepted to participate in the Selection. You among other nineteen girls would go through challenges, and meet the prince. The orders are to appear at the palace. No need to pack as the clothes are already provided.

Reading further below are guidelines or any questions regarding the selection. Please look over these, and abide by them.

"It says that you aren't allowed outside your room past eight," Sokka read one of the rules before he continued on reading the others.

"Well, maybe during those hours I can look around to see if theres anything that could help," Katara reasoned and nodded confidently. "Meanwhile, you two would continue on finding an earth bender teacher for Aang,"

"Who's going to help Aang with his water bending?" Sokka asked while Katara got up from her sitting position and looked inside her bag that was currently on Appa.

She returned with pages of detailed practices, "These should cover the two months that I would be gone,"

Aang accepted the pages as his eyes skimmed the detailed sheets that she written for each day. He admired how prepared she was. It was one of the amazing talents he liked about Katara. "It says you should be leaving right away," Sokka finished reading the scroll as he got up.

They all went on Appa. The palace was a fair distance to their current location, but with Appa they knew they would arrive in no time.

The ride was silent, and it troublesome the bender. She was having internal thoughts of Sokka's words. She possibly couldn't fall for the prince. He was the son of evil Fire Lord. She remembered hearing news around the village. They circled around the return of the prince.

She never met the prince in person. The only description she got was from Aang who wasn't detailed about his appearance. She remembers the stories Aang told with his encounters with the prince. Katara and her brother had met Aang a few weeks back but they had stayed off the grid to help  the avatar as both Katara and Aang spent their time practicing waterbending. They managed to stay unnoticed thanks to their disguise. They were all wearing earth kingdom attire while Aang had covered his arrows and allowed his hair to grow back.

This idea was initiated by Sokka who insisted on the change ever since Aang had told him about Prince Zuko. The prince who always managed to find the avatar. Luckily for them it has worked since they haven't actually encountered Zuko. Only rumors throughout nations have revealed that the Avatar has made friends with two WaterTribe.

"Aang stop here," Sokka ordered as the avatar stopped on an empty land. "I'm going with Katara, you stay here,"

Aang shook his head, "I want to go too," He admitted while Katara sense her brother wanting to roll his eyes. He was still upset about the whole thing. Katara sent him a sympathetic smile and wrapped him in her arms. She really hoped leaving the group won't cause any problems.

Sokka had insisted and made it clear that he is capable of watching over Aang. The air bender wasn't fond of the conversation because he didn't like to be referred as a child. Katara emphasized how important it is to stay focus and practice his bending.

"You have to stay with Appa." Sokka stated firmly while he began to walk leaving behind his sister. They couldn't risk someone seeing Appa as he was always difficult to hide.

She abruptly followed behind him. The tenison was thick, and she was beginning to feel guilty. "Sokka," she mumbled playing with her fingers nervously. It was unlike him to be so quiet and serious— Sokka rarely acted his age.

He interrupted her, "I don't want to talk about it," He said while she brought her arms close to her chest. "Let's just spend these last moments together,"

They continued to walk past the village as up ahead was the palace. Many thoughts arose in her mind as she couldn't help but feel doubt.

She couldn't back out now. It wouldn't make sense for her to do so. She made a promise to a Kiyoshi Warrior who they befriended. She promised that they will stop the fire nation.

And, Sokka seem to have a soft spot for her so, she knew they would meet again. It would be nice if they did, and because of her Sokka has stopped with his sexist remarks.

"We are here," Sokka announced as they were now surrounded by guards. They looked at Sokka suspiciously while a tall man in a guard outfit spoke up.

"Who are you?" He asked.

Katara stepped forward showing the scroll to the guards, "I am one of the selected girls," She explained in further detail. The guard ordered for the general to come at once.

The door opened revealing an older women, "We must first fill out the paperwork before your even allowed to join the selection," She explained motioning the two to follow her inside, "I am Li," She introduced as she walked in front of the siblings, "We will head into one of the studies," She explained as Katara looked around the halls.

She never pictured the inside of a palace but the bright gold trims and deep red color furniture kept her distracted as the old women talked.

The halls were covered in big portaits of the family and old monarchs. "This specfic one is Zuko," The women informed pushing them inside a room, "He allowed us this space to talk and consent to a few things.

Sokka raised a brow confused but taking a seat onto one of the chairs. Katara remained silent as the women began to go in depth over the rules:

You will not leave your room past curfew. Guards will be patrolling the halls.

Do not speak to the royal family unless you are spoken to.

Also courtesy and bow when you come to the presence of the royal members.

Wandering around the halls is forbidden unless occupied by the prince.

The princess will partake in some of the lesson and teachings. You shall respect her.

In the presence of the Firelord you look calm and stay quiet. Even if he speaks to you— you remain silent.

Anything the Prince says is final.

You must do everything he says. And by everything— anything he wishes.

"Hold on a second," Sokka stood up feeling upset by the last rule. He was struggling the whole time to contain himself. He knew this would be a bad idea from the second Katara had mention it, "The Prince will not touch my sister unless her hand has a ring," He insisted.

The older woman narrowed her eyes, "If he wishes to touch her. He is allowed too," She stated sternly.

"Oh please, we know Prince Zuko would never do that," Another older women walked into the room, "If it was the Firelord— then it would be a different situation," She explained turning to face the two siblings. She introduced herself as Li's twin, Lo.

Katara placed a hand on her brother's arm trying to calm him down. She didn't want to be kicked out of the selection, "Sokka, we already decided," She reminded him. Her brother looked at her in disbelief.

Lo intervened and insisted that the prince wasn't that kind of person. Lo didn't take long to turn the papers around and motion Katara to sign it.

The waterbender stared at it. If she signed this then she had no choice but to be in the selection. She looked over at her brother and he was visibly upset, "I have to Sokka," She began before mouthing a few words.

I can protect myself.

And, without any hesitation she lifted the pen and signed the documents.

"Congratulation, you are now officially property of the Fire Nation,"