Author Note: All rights and concept ideas of Avatar: The Last Airbender belong to Nickelodeon. Original Story idea belongs to me, Miki Esco. I originally posted this story on the Avatar - Fan Fiction Message Board under the usernames, Yokkio and Konil. So don't worry, I didn't steal this story. Also, this is my first time on , so I'd appreciate the reviews and critisim. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story!
I've always known I was different.
From my marks which I've learned how to hide; to my new abilities which aren't too easy to disguise.
My name is Aang.
I'm twelve years old.
And this is what I discovered.
Chapter One ~ Late for Breakfast, Again ~
I sat heavily on the edge of my rusty bed, sheets worn and poorly patched.
The bed groaned as my weight pressed down on its weakening joints and for a split second I thought of the possibility of it collapsing to the ground.
Rubbing the bridge of my nose I glanced around the long room I was in.
Morning light filtered through the single window near me, casting long shadows on the beds exactly like mine. They were lined against the wall in two rows, like soldiers preparing for war as the foot of each bed faced its partner.
At the end of each bed was a simple wooden chest which held clothing.
I lifted my head when I heard the heavy sound of footsteps echo from outside the open door at the other end of the room.
Breakfast; and I was late again. Not on accident, I wanted… no, needed to be late. No one could see me changing for the day.
Shaking my head and sighing, I quickly removed my dull brown shirt and threw it in my own wooden chest then slammed the lid shut.
I shivered as a draft hit my exposed back, but I hardly noticed.
My eyes were transfixed on my hand.
My shaking fingers barely touched the bright blue marks that went from the top of my hands and feet, up my arms and legs, up my back and continued to my neck, and ended above my eyebrows in a point.
They appeared the morning of my twelfth birthday, just a week ago.
I couldn't let anyone see my marks, I just knew something bad would happen if anyone found out.
I tugged on a long-sleeved tunic and pulled my head through, my hair catching static as I combed my fingers through the messy tangle.
The sleeves: a little too long, but enough to hide the marks on my hands and the collar just high enough to hide the mark on my neck; It was the same color as the shirt before, a little less shabby, but still cheaply made.
It came with a black belt which I tied around my skinny waist.
The outfit was much too boring, stiff, and scratchy in my opinion.
I wouldn't have worn it if I got to pick what I got to put on every day, but I didn't have a choice.
You got whatever they gave you in an orphanage.
Yea, I lived in an orphanage, ever since I could remember actually.
I, and about fifty other kids from infantry to the age sixteen, lived in the Phoenix Orphanage for Boys and Girls, located in the Southern reaches of Fire Nation territory.
All the kids were of the Fire Nation… but me.
No one ever told me I wasn't from the Fire Nation, I mean; I have jet black hair (which I wear with a simple cloth headband to hide my mark), grey eyes, and pale skin.
Three traits that would easily make me from anywhere in the Fire Nation territories… but I just knew I wasn't one of them.
"Oh, there you are Aang." A voice said in an un-kind tone that told me that whoever just found me wasn't really looking.
Pushing all thoughts from my mind, I spun on my heel, turning towards the wall with my hands thrown over my forehead, silently cursing my stupidity.
My headband stared up at me from the floor.