Chapter 1: Agni Kai
Fire torches were lit for the coming event, each torch on one corner of a long, thin strip of platform. A sun roof lit the entire room, revealing stands along the walls and the banners of the Fire Nation hanging down from them. One by one people started shuffling in and taking their preferred seats, all were unusually quiet. These people, mainly men, wore heavy maroon and grey armor with red trimmings. Every one of them had black or dark brown hair pulled back into a bun or pony tail. These men and women were the soldiers and higher ranking officers of the Fire Nation and each and everyone of them had been anticipating this "special" event that was to take place shortly. Almost immediately, the stands were filled, every piercing pair of eyes staring at the platform
They watched as a young man walked haughtily up to the platform, turned around, and kneeled down with one knee and one fist on the floor, his head down, waiting. This boy, no older than fourteen, was the young Prince Zuko, prince of the Fire Nation. He smiled to himself not at all worried of the Agni Kai fight to come. He could easily beat the older man he was supposed to fight for he was young, fit, and stronger than the old general. Murmurings began throughout the audience, nothing that the young prince could understand, but that it must have meant that his opponent had arrived. A gong finally rang out to start the match and Prince Zuko confidently turned around and moved into his fighting stance, his short dueling cloak fluttering to the floor behind him. The confident smile vanished instantly from his face as he saw his opponent turn as well. This was not the old general standing before him but his own father, the Fire Lord Ozai.
Prince Zuko understood too late what was going on. He thought back to that morning in the war room. Prince Zuko had been allowed to sit and listen to the new plans for the war. An old general was explaining his new plans of putting the 41st division, a fleet of new soldiers, as a distraction to fight the massive army of strong Earth Benders and fearless warriors, the only nation that had not fallen to the Fire Nations hundred year war, while other fleets attacked them from the rear
"What better to use for bait than fresh meat." the general stated evilly , a sinister smile on his face. No one was going to stand up against this new plan, except one.
"You can't do that! Those people love and defend our country, how can you betray them?" Prince Zuko yelled standing up. Everyone in the war room stared at him angrily for interrupting, but the one that seemed to be the most infuriated was the man on the throne. Prince Zuko warily looked behind to see his father, flames surrounding him growing higher with his rage. He told his son that he had shown disrespect and the only way to settle it was with an Agni Kai, a fire duel.
"I am not afraid of you, I could win it easily." Prince Zuko scoffed, pointing at the general he had insulted. Prince Zuko had mistaken, however, and because he had insulted the plans and the general in the Fire Lord's war room he had also insulted and shown disrespect for his father.
Prince Zuko watched in fear now as his father began slowly walking towards him, all confidence had disappeared in a matter of seconds. There was a reason why his father was the Fire Lord, he was ruthless and very strong and Zuko would have rather fought against the whole Earth Nation than fight his father now. Prince Zuko felt his legs beginning to give way and there was only one thing he could do. He knelt back down on the platform, laying his head on the tiles, cowering in front of his father.
"Father, please, I only had the Fire Nations' best interest at heart. I am sorry I spoke out of turn." the prince cried, pleading with his father.
"You will fight for your honor." His father still came towards his cowering son. The prince looked at the blackened silhouette of his father towering over him, tears streaming down his cheeks as he once again tried to plead with his father.
"I meant you no disrespect. I am your loyal son."
"Rise and fight Prince Zuko." Zuko looked once more up at his father but all he saw was a monster rising before him. The only thing that seemed familiar to him was his father's voice, and even then Zuko wasn't sure.
"I won't fight you." he said defiantly.
"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher !" As the Fire Lord said this his right hand formed a fire ball and aimed it at his son. The scared prince closed his eyes as the flame came right at him, causing him to scream in pain as the left side of his face became engulfed in fire.
Everyone in the stands watched with malicious smiles on their faces, all but one. The prince's loving uncle, General Iroh, watched in horror as his brother aimed the fire blast at his only son. Iroh looked away as the blast left the lord's hands. Though he had not watched the events following the blast, the painful cry of his nephew made him sick and cringe as if he had seen it.
Hey everyone! This is my first Fan fic so go easy on it. The first few chapters will be up for now until I am certain that it is worth continuing, so please, reviews are great, just don't be too hard on me if things seem weird or bad. Oh yeah, that stupid disclaimer thing… I don't own avatar yadda yadda yadda, but I do own the upcoming characters in the next chapter. Anyways, I know the first chapter is boring and everyone knows what happens but I promise it will be different in the chapters to come.
