My Dearest Maya,

I know you probably have a lot of questions in mind. You may be wondering about who am I, where I came from, or if I ever had a family. You must be feeling lost and don't know what to do, but don't worry my darling. I will explain everything to you.

Let me start with the day that my life changed forever.

------------------------------------------------------

-Anika's Point of View- 

[From here on out is a combination of the letter content and a flashback]

It all started in a small town near the outskirts of the fire nation.

"Huo, can you fetch some more firewood? We're almost running out," my mother said to my father.

My mother, Fei, was just an ordinary citizen of the fire nation. She was a non-bender, and so was my father, Huo. Together, they had a son and two daughters.

The eldest was Cyra, my older sister. Next was me followed by my brother Kohan, who was the youngest in the family. Among us three, I was the only one who can bend fire.

I didn't know I could do so, not until I was five; where I accidentally burned my brother's chest.

It was an accident.

"KOHAN!" my mother shouted as she rushed towards my fallen brother. Beside her was my father, and afterward, came my sister—all worried.

Kohan and I had a fight; he destroyed my doll on purpose just because I didn't want to share. It was a normal petty fight between two growing siblings with an age gap of one year. 

All I meant to do was push him to the ground. I didn't mean for fire to be involved.

I stared at all of them with fear and guilt buried in my eyes. I stared at my hands and all I could think of was that; I'm a monster.

I thought I had killed my own brother and that my parents wouldn't want me anymore, so I ran away. I ran as fast as I could without even thinking, and the next thing I knew; I was inside the Forgetful Valley.

I spent the night in that forest seeking shelter underneath exposed tree roots. I cried myself to sleep wishing that my brother was fine. 

After a few hours, I was woken up by the sound of water. When I opened my eyes, it was a gigantic wolf drinking water from the lake that was in front of me. It was standing on the other side.

It stared at me before running away deep into the dark forest. Suddenly the circular lake glowed, and a majestic spirit appeared. 

"I am the mother of faces, and I am here to grant one request. My dear child, I can see great pain and agony within, what is it that you want to forget?" the spirit said. Her voice was compelling and soothing; it felt like home.

I can clearly remember crying to the kind and gentle spirit while telling her the mistake that I did. After that, this is what she said:

"A parent's love is immeasurable. No power in this world can ever make a parent hate their own child," she said. "But I made a terrible mistake!" I argued. "Nothing in this world is perfect," she answered.

"You are still too young for a change of face, and there is still a world out there for you to discover. Come meet me again someday when you need me." she continued and then disappeared into the lake.

"Anika!" 

I suddenly heard my father's voice calling out my name, followed by my mother's voice. I remember crying out to them and running towards them; bawling my eyes out.

They both told me that they had been looking everywhere for me and that they were worried that I'd lost my way in the forest. It was a good thing that I hadn't gone that far.

"Don't ever run away like that ever again!" my mother cried. "I'm sorry Mom, Dad. I'm sorry I ran away and I'm sorry that I burned Kohan," I cried back. "Your brother is fine Anika, he was hurt, but it was not fatal and deep. You don't have to worry," my father consoled as he hugged me and my mom tighter.

Both of them brought me home afterward and as soon as we reached Hira'a, I was welcomed home by my sister Cyra and my brother, who had bandages wrapped around his chest.

"I'm sorry," I cried once more as I hugged him. "I'm sorry too," he said while hugging me back. "I promise that I will never burn you or anyone else ever again," I declared. 

My brother laughed and then he asked me to play with him as if nothing happened.

I told my parents about the spirit that I saw and turns out, that particular spirit was famous in our village. My father told me that it was a miracle that I encountered her that day because she only appears once in a blue moon.

I never thought of seeing or meeting that spirit again, but one thing I know is for certain; that fateful incident with my brother changed the course of my life forever.

Everyone's days went on normally since that incident, but for me, it's a different story. Every day at sunrise I made sure to try and learn how to control the fire that was coming from me. I didn't know it was called fire bending at that time, and my parents didn't tell or even explained anything to me about it. So I had to learn it on my own.

Without a teacher, I was only able to control my fire and use it for making household chores easier. In fact, I even used it to help everyone in the village and I became famous in our town for being the only fire bender.

The days after that were more colorful, fun, and lively. And before I knew it, the days have turned into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. We were happy, and the village was happy too.

Who could have ever foreseen that our happiness wouldn't last long?

"Mom, Dad; there's someone that wishes to speak with you..." Cyra said as she stood at our house's front door. "Who could it be?" my mother asked. 

"It is I, Fire Lord Azulon," said a man in a silky red robe as he walked into our house. 

One day the Fire Lord visited our house and we never could have expected the message that it has brought to us all.

My parents hurriedly knelt to the ground with their heads bowed down at the sight of the nobleman, while I and my siblings just stared at him.

"What brings the Fire Lord into our humble home?" my father asked. "It has come to my attention that a child who can bend fire is residing in this village, and it seems like it's from this household," Fire Lord Azulon answered.

My hair stood up as soon as I heard that he had come for me. As a child, all I could think of was: 'Did I make a mistake?' or 'Should I have not even existed?'. Those thoughts played inside my head.

"Is there something wrong with having a bender in the family?" my father questioned. "Oh dear me, of course, there is not! In fact, it is with absolute joy that there is! Considering that one of you is a descendant of the Fintan Tribe," the Fire Lord answered.

"Cyra, take your brother and sister and go outside in the meantime. We would like to speak with the Fire Lord in private," my mother coldly commanded. 

At that time, all three of us were clueless about what was going on, and I was starting to worry. Did I perhaps make a mistake by using my fire prowess?

"Hey, what are you doing?" my brother asked my sister who grabbed us and ran to the side of the house. "Don't you want to hear what they will talk about?" Cyra asked. 

After being told to leave outside, my brother, my sister, and I, decided to still eavesdrop on the adults' conversation. All three of us crouched down in front of a window trying hard not to be noticed.

"I have no understanding of what you have said. What is this Fintan Tribe?" my father asked. "Why don't you ask your wife?" the Fire Lord returned the question.

Mother was staring seriously at the Fire Lord, not blinking even for a second. "How did you know of my ancestors?" my mom asked. "I have my own means and resources. Besides, there is nothing you can hide from the Fire Lord," he answered. "I also know that it is your second daughter, Anika, who's the only bender in the family, " the Fire Lord continued.

"What is it that you're implying?" my father asked. "I will be straight to the point. Considering your ancestor's great background in fire bending, it is without a doubt that she possesses the same thing. It is a waste to see such potential not be able to grow. I'll make sure that she gets the training she deserves—inside the Royal Palace," the Fire Lord said.

The Fire Lord offered to give me training and hone my skills in fire bending in exchange for leaving Hira'a and my family, to live inside the Royal Palace—which my mother most definitely disagreed on.

"I am not permitting you to take our daughter away. There is no need for her to be a trained fire bender. She will not use her skill for battle," my mother firmly said. "Think about the achievements your daughter will contribute to the fire nation's great image. She will surely bring honor to us all. Besides, I'm not taking her away for free; surely, the family will be greatly compensated," the Fire Lord said as he ordered one of his servants to place a chest of gold in front of the table.

He tried to bribe my mother into agreeing with him. But my mother firmly opposed it. She stood her ground and rejected the Fire Lord's offer. I didn't want to be separated from them as well, I don't want to leave this town ever.

"We don't need your gold. I'm sorry Fire Lord Azulon, but our decision is final. Anika will stay here in Hira'a with us. She's not going anywhere," my mother said. "I'm gonna have to respectfully ask you to leave our house," my father continued.

Defeated, Fire Lord Azulon silently left our residence. And I thought that was the end of it. But apparently, it was not.

A few weeks have passed since that conversation with the Fire Lord, and we've never heard of him since then; I've even almost forgotten about it because I was more focused and excited about the upcoming theatrical play that is held in our town annually.

"I'm going to the theatrical show with my friends!" I cheerfully waved goodbye to everyone as I hurriedly wore my sandals and ran outside of the house. "Hold on just a minute there sweetie. You're not going anywhere without my goodbye kiss," my mother said as she pulled onto my bag.

"Aww, mom! I'm gonna be late for the play!" I groaned. "No play until no kisses," she demanded. "Alright..." I sighed in agreement and gave her the sweetest kiss on the cheek. My dad joined in on our conversation and said, "What about my hug?" and then he spread out his arms. I hugged him tightly as if there was no tomorrow.

"I'll be back before sundown," I told both of them and then I went on to the town's plaza where the play is held.

"Anika! Over here!" I heard Ursa call out my name. 

That day of the theatrical play, I met with my two lovely friends, Ursa and Ikem. We all shared the same goal and dream, and that was to become theatrical actors someday and be part of the Hira'a Acting Troupe. They were my only friends in childhood.

"I can't wait to see what today's play would be about!" I cheerfully said to them. "I heard it's about a warrior who was taught to dance by the dragons!" Ikem said. "Don't spoil it Ikem!" Ursa said while slapping Ikem's back.

"All right! I bet everyone is excited to see the play! If you are, then settle down and eyes up! The play is about to begin!" the show master introduced.

Together with my friends, we enjoyed the play and spent hours getting amazed by the skills of each individual actor. We got so caught up in it that we even lost track of time.

And before I knew it, it was already past sundown.

As I was walking back to my house, I suddenly noticed people who were running and panicking. I didn't pay them any attention because I was busy thinking of what excuse I'd tell my parents on why I got home so late.

But even before I could reach our house, I was already greeted by a bright light and blazing fire.

Our house got caught on fire and everyone in our village was trying to put it out. I hurriedly ran to our neighbors to ask where my family was, and chills went down my spine when they told me that they hadn't seen anyone leave the house since the fire started.

I tried to get inside but the village folk stopped me because it was already too late. The house has been completely engulfed in the fire and it will soon collapse.

I remembered that I can fire bend, so I tried to bend the fire that was eating up our house, but no matter what I do, I can't extinguish the fire. All I know is how to create fire and control the fire I have created. I can't control a fire that's on an outbreak, let alone extinguish it.

I felt helpless and defeated and was on the verge of losing hope when suddenly the Fire Lord appeared out of nowhere. He was the one who extinguished the fire—but it was already too late.

When the fire died down, tremendous horror appeared right before my eyes. Mom, Dad, Cyra, Kohan... All of them—they're gone.

I blamed myself for that day. If only I had gone home on time, if only I knew how to fire bend like a true master; none of this would have ever happened.

"I am so sorry for your loss... You poor thing..." the Fire Lord said as he approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder. 

What happened was traumatic and it left me speechless. The only responses I could do was to nod my head for 'yes' and shake my head for 'no'. A lot of things were going on inside my head that I just couldn't even process during that time. 

How come they got caught up inside? Why did none of them notice the fire progressing? How come none of them were able to survive? So many things just don't add up.

All I ever did was watch a play and then all of a sudden I'm now an orphan without a home. What do I do? What can an eight-year-old girl supposedly do?

"Fire Lord Azulon, that child, she has nowhere to go. Those people that were caught in the fire were her only living relatives," a concerned citizen said to the Fire Lord.

"She is in such a tragic state, isn't she? But you know, the Royal palace is open for those who are in need of shelter. What do you say, Anika?" Fire Lord Azulon asked as he held his hand in front of me.

"Who do you think started the fire?" I heard a citizen ask from afar. "Maybe it's one of those earth kingdom rebels who are trying to destroy the fire nation. With this war going on, surely it has to be one of them," another one answered. I overheard their conversation

The Fire Lord offered to take me in as his adopted daughter and raise me inside the royal palace alongside his two sons. There was nothing else I could do during that time, and because I was a naive girl who sought revenge on the Earth Kingdom people, whom I thought was the culprit of my family's death, I accepted the Fire Lord's hand.

I went to live with the Royal Family and then officially became one of them in just a few days, by becoming a princess of the Fire Nation. 

There in the Royal Palace, I pursued fire bending and pushed myself to the limit, in hopes of being able to avenge my family someday. 

It was also inside the palace where I met your father Maya...

Your father was the guy that I grew up with. The arrogant and mischievous young boy who liked teasing me and playing tricks. 

The guy that I loved more than I should have...

Your father, Maya, is Fire Lord Azulon's second son; the now Fire Lord of the Fire Nation—Fire Lord Ozai.

------------------------------------------------------

-Maya's Point of View-

I can't believe it—no. I can't even process everything I've just read! My mom being orphaned at a young age, and then my father being the FIRE LORD?!

How did my life ever end up in this mess? What did I ever do to the universe to deserve such a messed up life?!

I folded the paper and then I placed it back inside the chest. I placed the chest back in the middle of our stuff pile and covered it with Sokka's bag so that none of these refugees would notice it or have a chance to open it.

I went back on top of Appa's head then I just sat there silently thinking. I could only imagine how sad and lonely my mom had felt during that time. I know exactly what it feels like to be orphaned at the age of eight... Guess it runs in the family...

But other than that, what should I say to Aang, Katara, and Sokka? How could I ever break this news to them?

For me to tell them that Aang's number one nemesis is my father, sounds like a betrayal at some point. But then again, if I lied to them about this, it is also betrayal.

UGH! It seems that whatever I do, I would still end up betraying them! What do I do? Should I tell them? Should they know? I mean—they SHOULD know! This is a big revelation right here!

But... I'm scared. I'm scared that they would think differently of me, that they would start treating me differently... I don't want to lose their trust, but I don't want to lose them either!

I can't believe I'll do this but... I think it's best that they don't know—for now that is... In time, they will.

I let out a big sigh of discomfort as I lay down. I suddenly heard Appa growl as if he were asking if I was alright. 

"I'm okay Appa, just a little tired of thinking, that's all," I said as I patted his head.

I looked up at the sky and watched the clouds pass by. I held on to my mother's necklace that I was wearing while her letter kept on repeating inside my head.

Of all people that you could've fallen in love with Mom... Why? Why the Fire Lord? Of all the many people that you could possibly meet inside the Royal Palace, why does it have to be that crazy father of that crazy prince?

Wait—

If I'm the Fire Lord's daughter, then... 

Zuko is my half-brother?!