Prologue

Disclaimer: Buffy: the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon. Avatar: the Last Airbender belongs to Nickelodeon.

Title: Winds of Change: Book I of Interwoven.

Summary: For 98 years, the Lady of Summer was held captive by the Lords of the Fire Nation. Finally freed, she and her family’s destinies are intertwined with the Avatar’s destiny.

Timeline: The Prologue is set two years before Book One of “Avatar: the Last Airbender.” For Buffy the entire story is set after season seven.

Pairing(s): As of now none.

The Fire Nation/ Summer Hall

The guards wearily watched as their leader, Fire Lord Ozai violently slammed his fists against the desk, flames bursting forth from his hands and scorching the pale blonde wood.

Earlier today, they had come to relieve the other guards, only to find that their chare – the immortal and mysterious Lady of Summer had disappeared. To make matters worse most of her and Avatar Roku, her husband’s belongings were gone too.

The Lady of Summer had not always been the Fire Lord’s captive. She was first renown – Master Firebender then Avatar Roku’s wife and then his widow, she had been greatly respected throughout the Fire Nation and by its rules.

All that had changed with Fire Lord Sozin – the Lady of Summer had refused to use her immense power to help wage his war against the other three nations. Many had believe and still believe, to this day that Sozin had imprisoned her because she had refused his more intimate advances

As a result, Fire Lord Sozin had imprisoned her and had her powers suppressed; he did so, by creating Fire Sap a dangerous suppressant that came from the pollen of the Fire Nation’s most beautiful and dangerous flower – the Summer Flame.

The Fire Sap worked and put the Lady of Summer’s powers into a dormant state.

Now, 98 years later – the Lady of Summer was still caged, but under the thumb of the current Fire Lord, Ozai. Avatar Roku’s wife had been cage and delegated to being the property of all the following Fire Lords. The Lady of Summer was now nothing more than their private show piece, a piece of exotic art work that no one else could see or enjoy.
“Find the Lady of Summer and bring her back to me. Kill the ones who dared to steal what rightfully belongs to me.” Fire Lord Ozai snapped, sending a blaze of fire at the guards.

Turning from her scurrying and frightened guards, Fire Lord Ozai faced a painting the hung on the wall. It was of the Lady of Summer and Avatar Roku. Ozai made a silent promise that when the Lady of Summer was returned – he would claim her as his wife, after all the Lady of Summer belonged to him. He would give into his desires and dominate her, do what none of the other previous Fire Lords had done.

Ba Sing Se/ Scooby Manor

Faith gently picked up a chair and quietly sat it at the side of Buffy’s bed. The last original Slayer was safe and sleeping peacefully.

Fore some reason, Faith had an undeniable need to be near her sister-slayer and best friend. She needed to see that Buffy was truly alright and that she was finally safe with her family – finally home with them in Ba Sing Se.

Faith could not deny that she was worried, Buffy was still incredibly weak. The poison that the Fire Lords had given her would take awhile to run out of Buffy’s system, rendering her powerless and helpless.

Spike and herself had, had to wait for 98 years and then they had finally found a way into the Fire Nation and were able to rescue Buffy. It didn’t matter that it had been dangerous or that Spike was still high combustible – all that mattered was getting Buffy back.

The trek back to Ba Sing Se had taken six months because they had to avoid Fire Lord Ozai’s zealous and mindless agents. Plus, traveling with Buffy had not been easy, she got easily sick and tired.

Spike, Buffy and herself had finally reached Ba Sing Se four weeks ago. Upon arriving, she and Spike had welcome Willow at the impenetrable walls of the city. Earth Kingdom guards standing protectively around Willow, a renowned Master Firebender turned renowned Master Waterbender. As if, Willow needed their protection, the red head could more than efficiently protect herself.

The moment they had reached Willow, the red head had taken Buffy, who was sleeping out of Spike’s arms and cradling the silver haired Slayer in her own arms. The red headed wicca then lead them past the guards and towards their house in the upper-most levels of Ba Sing Se.

The sound of Buffy muttering in her sleep, brought Faith out of her long reverie. Leaning closer, the dark haired Slayer tried to catch what was being muttered. Finally catching Buffy’s mutters, Faith leaned back. Buffy was muttering, calling out her late husband’s name over and over again.

“Roku.”

The Fire Nation / Summer Hall

General Iroh let his fourteen-year old nephew, Zuko hurry ahead of him towards Summer Hall. They had recently returned from the royal families’ summer home, which was located deep in one of the Fire Nation’s many jungles.

On returning home, Zuko had insisted on immediately seeing the Lady of Summer, instead of visiting his father, Fire Lord Ozai. Iroh had agreed, wanting to keep Zuko away from his father and his sister, Azula; both were extremely cold and cruel.

Iroh could admit to himself – that he also wanted to keep Zuko with him, for as long as he could. He also wanted to see the Lady of Summer too. The last time that he had seen her had been before his 600 day siege of Ba Sing Se.

It delighted him to see Zuko, so happy. The young Fire Nation prince adored the Lady of Summer and she adored Zuko just as much. Though – it greatly bothered Ozai that the Lady of Summer preferred the company of his son more than she did his company. As a result, Ozai only allowed Zuko to visit her once or twice a year. It was Ozai’s way of trying to stop their mutual affection.

“Uncle Iroh!” Zuko yelled, “Something is wrong. The door is bolted and locked shut. There are scorch marks everywhere! What if the Lady of Summer is hurt; we have to help her.”

Iroh slid to a stop behind his nephew, who was frantically pulling on the door. “Come Zuko. I believe the Lady of Summer is no longer here.”

Gently, Iroh began to pull Zuko away from the house, but the young prince was straining against his uncle’s strong grip.

“Did father do something to her? The Lady of Summer promised that she would not leave me.” Zuko whispered.

Zuko finally stopped fighting against his uncle - letting himself be guided away from the scorched and oddly silent house.

Ba Sing Se / Scooby Manor

Buffy Summers sat on the balcony, which she shared with Willow. She sat on the ledge, watching as the busy people below went on with their daily business.

Four months had passed since Faith and Spike had rescued her from Fire Lord Ozai. While she was happy to be with her family, most of her family, again – she had regrets about leaving Zuko at the mercy of his cruel, cold father and sister.

She even missed Iroh, the silly-crazy, tea-loving old fool and oddly wise old man.

Buffy hoped that they were alright, especially Zuko; he really did not have anyone – there was only, so much Iroh could do for his nephew.

Tensing, Buffy turned from her depressing thoughts, carefully lowering her psychic shields, to try to see, who was hovering outside the balcony doors. It was tough to focus because while the Fire Sap was wearing off it was slow. She had trouble controlling her powers, especially shielding.

Tensing, Buffy turned from her thoughts; carefully lowering her psychic shields. The Fire Sap was wearing slowly and surely wearing off, but she still had trouble controlling her powers, especially shielding.

Steadying her breathing, Buffy let some of the power that she sensed slip past her psychic shields.

“Willow…” Buffy questioned hesitatingly.

“Correct!” Willow said, peeking around the door, smiling brightly at her best friend. “See, you’re getting your strength back. You’ve just got to practice and hone your abilities again.”

The last original Slayer motioned for Willow to come closer. “Come on and have a seat.”

The red-headed wicca, firebender turned waterbend stepped onto the balcony, joining her best friend on the ledge. A comfortable silence stretched between them - as they left each other to their own thoughts.

After a few moments, Willow finally spoke. “Am I bothering you?”

For a moment, Buffy allowed a ghost-of-a-smile to lighten her face. “No, you pulled me away from rather depressing thoughts.”

“Ah, thinking about the young Fire Prince and General Iroh again. Still making with the guilt too,” Willow said and reached out to grasp Buffy’s hands. “If Faith and Spike would have known how bad it is for him…how much you care for him; they would have taken him too.”

Squeezing Willow hands, Buffy swung her gaze back to the people below. “I know that, but it would have been stupid. Especially since Spike is still so combustible. Anyways, Ozai would have sent every soldier against him and than all their planning would have been wasted.” Buffy said.

The two best friends fell back into a comfortable silence. Just as the sun was setting Buffy turned to face Willow again and began to speak.

“I have been having the same vision for the past month. Willow, I dream of Roku, but it is only him for a moment; he changes into a young boy.” Buffy said.

Willow’s moss-green eyes widened in shock; with a shaking voice she asked; “Buffy, do you think the boy is the lost Avatar?”

“I think so. Otherwise why would Roku change into him?” Buffy said. “I’m not sure what they mean. Cause goddess forbid the Powers send me a vision that is not vague. I think we’re just supposed to wait and see what happens.”

Willow nodded in agreement, Buffy’s instinct and visions had rarely lead any of them wrong.

“All of us will just have wait. Do we tell the others?” Willow asked.

Turning away from Willow, Buffy looked into the red sun. “No…not yet at least. It might not be a good idea. I am known for my accurate visions; if this got out…” Buffy trailed off.

“This is off subject, but Spike left for Omashu. He went to tell Xander and Giles that you’re back and you’re safe,” Willow said.

The two best friends fell into a comfortable silence, the setting sun stain them red. They would wait and see what would happen. They would both know, since they were both connected to the cosmic energies of this universe – if and when the Avatar returned. They would be some of the first to know.

Omashu

Spike studied the two men standing on the other side of the foyer; he had not seen Xander Harris or Rupert Giles for 98 years. The Scooby Gang had broken off into smaller groups after they had lost contact with Buffy.

“Buffy…” Xander trailed off, it was obvious to both himself and Giles why Spike was here.

The blonde-vampire-slash-human had news about Buffy, he wouldn’t have come otherwise.

“Me and Faith, we got her back,” Spike said, continuing on before either of them could interrupt him, “Buffy’s weak and basically powerless, but she’ll be fine. She’s gaining back her strength everyday. No, neither of you can see her yet. She ain’t got that much control and considering the way things were between you three when you last spoke, I wouldn’t make contact with Buffy, until she’s got her control back.”

With that, Spike left just as quickly has he had come. He wanted to get back to Buffy, his girl. She was still the One, for him. And he didn’t like to be apart from her.