Water, Earth, Fire, Air. Long Ago, the Fire Sages lived peacefully and spiritually like the Air Nomads, with one Sage being the Grand Sage (Firelord). But that all changed when Sozin rose to the throne. Now all the Nations are scrambling to counter his attacks, but there is talk of a secret weapon, something Sozin has up his sleeve.
The air was still. The sun was midway down the sky, as if trying to hide behind a single spire, stretching high into the sky. That spire sat atop a building, home to the most important and powerful being in the Fire Nation. The Grand Sage of Fire, otherwise known as…
The Firelord.
The entire nation gathered to the plaza in front of this building specifically on special occasions, and the coronation of the new Firelord was not something to be skipped lightly. To miss it could mean certain death.
A single man knelt at the top of a grand staircase, facing his nation, who was waiting anxiously below. Behind him were his palace and the most spiritual men in the fire nation; The Fire Sages. The man was light-skinned, with a sinister look upon his face. Although unintended, even his most innocent smile could strike fear into the bravest of warriors. The man's name was Prince Sozin, and though not every citizen was fond of his succession, he, nonetheless, was next in line.
A fire sage steps forward, his face showing clear dismay at being appointed the job of delivering the crown. The crown itself is in the shape of a flame dipped in gold. Just before it rests on Sozin's jet black hair, a man stands apart from the crowd, yelling curses and profanities at the prince. Sozin looks from the ground, his lips curling downward. He takes a calming breath, curbing his immediate anger, and stands, putting his hand up so the fire sage falls back into line. He stares at the man intently wearing a blank expression.
As this man continues to yell, people who share agree with him step forward, swarming around him, yelling and chanting against the soon-to-be-Firelord. Others begin to back away, not wanting to be marked with disloyalty. The mass marches forth, parting the plaza as they walk, stopping when they reach the center. In an instant, the entire group quiets, and the air becomes incredibly still. Many people look around nervously, and shift in their spots, desperately wanting to be anywhere but in this plaza.
Courageously, the leader of the rebellion steps forward. He is a young man in his late twenties, with his sideburns groomed in popular Fire Nation fashion. He yells out into the plaza, his voice echoing against the surrounding mountains. "Sozin! You cannot become Firelord!" His followers cheer in agreement and he takes another step forward, continuing, "We have heard of your secret workings! There is talk of war and strife in the making! You told your nation that you are sharing our peace with the world. How can we be sure this isn't a ploy to start a war? The Fire Sages say even the Spirit World trembles! As your nation, we cannot brush aside these rumors!" the man yells, pointing at Sozin, and then turning to his followers. They cheer and yell in agreement.
While the man riles up his group, Sozin quickly takes in his surroundings. 'This man stands tall and proud, and is not small in stature. He definitely proves a worthy opponent, and even more so, a soldier.' He glances around to the rest of his nation. Many of the other citizens are now watching intently. Some shake they're head in disappointment, while others nod in agreement. They seem split down the middle.
'Not even my first day as Firelord, and there's already a rebellion. What a fantastic nation this has grown into. I will help feed this fire to my advantage,' Sozin's thoughts please him, and he folds his arms. He smirks, letting pride fill his veins, then glances around. To his surprise, he notices his royal guards moving in to apprehend the leader, and the rebel group reacts instantly by forming a tight circle, drawing weapons made of both fire and steel. In response, the multitude grows tense and unstable. Fearing of losing control, Sozin holds up a hand, signaling to his men, and much to Sozin's delight, they respond immediately, like well-trained dogs. As they stop and retreat, the entire assembly, including the rebellion, relax in response. 'So, they are ready to die for their beliefs. I cannot let them become martyrs to my nation.'
Sozin then takes a single step forward and the entire plaza silences instantaneously. All eyes are on the Fire Nation prince, as he makes his way through the plaza. With each step, he takes large breaths, burning the air around him with intensity. Meanwhile, the man takes a fighting stance, preparing himself for the worst. Sozin stops one foot from the man, in an attempt to intimidate him, but the man holds his ground, retaining his defiance. The two stand motionless for several minutes; the crowd becoming a sea of statues, all fixated on the spectacle. In a flash of motion, Sozin extends his hand, easily breaking through the man's guard, and brushing his arms out of the way. Using his other hand, he grabs the back of the man's head, pulling him close, mere inches from his face.
The air is suddenly thick with intensity, as the crowd tries to lean forward, straining to hear what Sozin would say. Sozin's lips purse, and he lets out a slither of a voice, hardly audible to the leader himself, "What is it you plan on doing to carry out your little 'rebellion'? Will you overthrow the government? Or are you challenging me to an Agni Kai?" He pauses, waiting on the man's answer, his lips curving upward, forming a crooked smile that only the man could see. The man finally recovers from his shock, and stares at Sozin, his eyes wide with fear. Sweating and visibly shaking, the man starts to drop to his knees, but Sozin holds him firmly.
"Now, there is no reason to be scared in my presence. You are entitled to your opinion, as treasonous as it may be." A comforting tone escapes Sozin's mouth, though his eyes burn with the intent to kill. As he stands upright, Sozin suddenly realizes just how small this man actually is. He could easily hold him above the ground with one hand. Showing pure disappointment, Sozin lifts the man higher, who realizes the consequence for his treason. The surrounding assembly realizes this fact as well, and many women look away, shielding their children from what they assume to become an execution.
Sozin suddenly laughs, looking into the crowd, "Now, now, this is a lesson ALL of my citizen's will need to learn." He says loudly, gesturing to his guards. They move through the crowds, forcing the women and children to look up and watch what was about to unfold, until once again, every eye was on Sozin. The prince draws his hand back, and a swirling white flame builds within his palm, ready to spring forth and sear the man's flesh into charcoal.
"No! Noooo! Please my lord Sozin! Spare him!" a woman suddenly runs out from the crowd. She is thin and dressed in a classic Fire Nation kimono. Her long, dark hair billows out behind her as she runs toward the prince. "Please…lord Sozin. He is my husband. He does not know what he is talking about. He…he is sick in the head!" Sozin stops, and glances down to his feet, where the woman is bowing in front of him, showing utmost respect. Looking upon the woman sends vivid images through his mind, and he thinks of his own wife, and all the fond moments they have shared together thus far. His anger dissolves, and Sozin gently sets the man back down, who runs to his wife in pure gratitude, tears flowing from their eyes. The plaza erupts into cheers and applause as they embrace. Sozin smiles briefly, before noticing a flash of white light shoot from the rooftops, and into the center of the plaza.
It only takes one second.
He makes a move for the couple, but to no avail. Her scream slices through the applause, and the woman crumples to the ground, holding her husband's body in her arms. The plaza erupts into chaos. People ran everywhere, screaming. Eyes wide with surprise, Sozin briskly walks to the couple and crouches down to examine the wound. A small, single hole was burnt through the back of the man's head, killing him instantly. Sozin tears himself from the gruesome scene, and scans the rooftops, searching. In a matter of seconds, his eyes rest on a dark figure, smiling at the prince. The dark figure raises a single hand and points to his shoulder, then turns and jumps out of view. Sozin stands confused for a moment, and then notices a flicker of light at the corner of his eye. Quickly glancing at his shoulder, he realizes it was on fire, then swiftly smothers it and calls out to his men.
"There! On the roof!" He points into the distance and his guards spring to life, jumping to the rooftops, and running the direction appointed. Sozin turned his attention back to the woman, placing his hand on her shoulder. She glances up with tear-filled eyes, staring into his golden eyes for the strength to continue living. Sozin nods in return, and then briskly walks up the steps of his palace, smiling deviously. Once at the top, he takes a deep breath, spins around and raises his hands, letting the fire build within his palms, and then thrusting them upward into the sky, releasing two giant pillars of flame to light up the plaza and demand the attention of the remaining citizens. The crowd re-grouped silently, drowning both the ill-fated couple and the remaining group of followers. When he was sure peace was restored, Sozin addressed his people.
"Although tragic, this man's death will not go unnoticed." He says, pacing the top step of his palace, "I will stage an investigation on this man's death, and the attempted assassination of your prince." He states while gesturing to the man, and then to himself, "This was a deliberate attempt against our nation, and cannot go unpunished!" he finishes, throwing his fist into the air. The plaza cheered and yelled in agreement.
"Now, without further ado…" Sozin smiles, and kneels to the crowd. The Fire Sage, who had been dutifully guarding the crown, once again steps up behind the prince, and places the crown upon his head. Sozin stands from his coronation and the crowd bows in respect to their new leader. Fireworks shoot into the air and signify the end of the coronation, allowing the festivities throughout the nation to begin. The mass disperses away from the plaza and into the city, trying to regain normalcy after all that had taken place, until only the fire nation's newest widow remains, sobbing over her dead husband.
Sozin, now satisfied with his work, turns and heads into his palace, his wife joining him at his side. Moments upon entering, a dark figure steps from within the shadows; a thin, smooth blade sheathed at his side. Sozin gestures for his wife to continue onward and walks toward the man, smiling. The dark figure removes his hood, revealing a young man, looking to be in his mid-twenties. He has a large scar across his cheek, and long hair, done up perfectly in a high warrior's ponytail.
"Well done. Your work, as usual, is impeccable; Admiral." The man bowed, respectfully.
"Thank you, Uncle. I take pride in my work." He puffs out his chest in response.
"I have noticed," Sozin chuckles, briefly pausing, his mind working. A pained look suddenly stretches across his face, "but have you thought of the rest of your life? What of your wife? Is she not expectant?" he asks, sending a perturbed look across the admiral's face.
"Well, yes, my lord, but-" he begins, but Sozin raises his hand, cutting the admiral off.
"Lee, you have served me well, but I believe it's time for you to end your service. As my nephew, you need to think of your family. Although young, you still have much to learn." Sozin encourages, placing his hand on the admiral's shoulder, but the man looks at the floor out of shame.
"You're right. I will go, uncle." He pulls away, dropping his shoulders in defeat.
"Do no fret. This is a happy time!" Sozin replies, gesturing to his crown, "What will you name the boy anyway? I'll make sure he's properly taken care of by his 'great-uncle.'" He asks, smiling as he imitates the quotations with his fingers.
"His name?" Lee smiles back, "It's going to be Leon."