Hidden Phoenix Burning Desire.

I never saw myself as abnormal. Sure my violent violet eyes clashed drastically with the red of the Fire Nation but was that enough to have a life as sheltered as mine was. I was always a fire bender. But once again Fire Nation- fire bender nothing unusual with that. I suppose the fact that some flames I produced were blue at times could be odd but then again what do I know. Never in my nine years of life have I met another bender. Rarely did I leave the small cottage home of two. Aya, my mother, and Ari, me. Why was this so? Who knows? Every time that I've attempted to question my mother of the matter she'd swiftly switch subjects. So that was obviously a lost cause. I would often ponder on what was wrong with me but still nothing came to me. Maybe I'd never know...

Today began like any other. Mother woke me rather early to help her finish up her sewing. My mother was a talented seamstress from what I'd seen, given that I had met three others of the trade. That was how we acquired our money. She'd go to town at least once a week and sell her clothing. I was however not so much as skilled. I merely sealed pieces of cloth together with careful bending. Bending that I had to teach myself to control since my mother did not have the ability.

" Careful Ari!" She snapped waving her hand with the newly scorched finger. Unfortunately when your playing with fire something ends up being burnt.

" My apologies mother." I muttered, head hung in shame. I didn't like to hurt her. Then again what kid in their right mind would enjoy hurting their mother. Especially when they are the only one you have.

" It's okay my child." Mother said in a softer tone seeing my woeful expression. " Just a little burn. It's not like you caught the house on fire again."

Her attempt at lifting my spirits failed. Actually it had the opposite effect causing me to remember one of my many mistakes.

" Look Ari if you don't cheer up I'm not going to be able to take you with me to town."

Excitement ignited in my heart. Was she being truthful?

" Are you serious?" I asked as calmly as I could.

She simply nodded now focused on completing a dress.

A squeal of delight escaped my lips. I was so jubilant that I hardly noticed that I had shot myself five feet into the air with the help of flames bursting from my hands. This caused my mother to glance up giving me a look of warning.

" Don't worry!" I insisted. " I got this under control!"

With that I dashed into the house to ready myself. This would be the first visit to the outside world! What do you wear? I didn't particularly have much. My mother created everything I owned. With much enthusiasm I dug through my wardrobe. It took awhile but in the end I selected a new dress mother recently made. It was sleeveless and pale red with a darker red trim crossing through it and lining the double slitted bottom. It was all tied together with a black sash across my tiny middle. I figured since this would be a new place a new outfit was in order.

Luckily by the time I finished tying my coal black hair into a plain bun my mother was ready standing outside with a cart full of clothes and a black cloak in her arms. I eyed the cloak with dread. Was she really going to do this to me?

" Mother-" I started angrily.

" Ari I'm not going to have you exposed!" She said firmly placing the cloak around me.

It was stifling in there! She didn't expect me to wear this damn thing all day did she? I'd truly look like an oddity. Cloaked on a summer day in the Fire Nation. Not a good combination.

" Please mother!"

" No arguments daughter or you can remain here!" Mother snapped. Those words silenced my complaints. I guess I would have to endure this in order to see town after all these years.

After what felt like a thousand hours of walking we arrived. It was amazing. Decorative red banners with the Fire Nation insignia swung merrily in the gentle breeze. Carts similar to my mothers littered the cobbled little streets. And what was more it was bustling with people. I knew it couldn't have been that many but it was still more than what I'd seen in my lifetime combined. It was slightly overwhelming.

" Do you like it?" Mother inquired setting up her display.

I nodded vigorously then asked, " Could I look around while you sell to people?"

I don't even know why I had asked. The answer was already predictable. A firm 'no' thats what I received. It wasn't fair. The one time I was allowed out I was given absolutely no freedom.

" Well can I at least rid myself of this terrible thing?" I pleaded indicating the thick cloak.

" No."

" But mother I think I'm going to pass out if I stay in it any longer!"

I wasn't really one for excessive complaining but this was a situation in which it was due.

" No Ari!" Mother said exasperatedly. " Now please silence yourself so I may deal with my customers."

It wasn't too boring for the first hour. My mother definitely gathered a crowd of people. I tried to entertain myself by examining them but that soon grew old. Besides I yearned for more. My yearning caused me to envision an escape plan. It was simple but had a good possibility of succeeding. All

I had to do was sit there and wait for the moment when my mother was to overcome by customers to notice my slick disappearance.

Not much waiting was needed though. Soon the crowd surrounded her making me all but invisible. I took this opportunity to shrug off the cloak and meld into the passing crowd. Sure she'd be angry with me later. That was only a natural reaction. The consequences of my adventure was worth it though.

I wandered aimlessly around the town. Visiting little carts along the way. Some offered food, clothing, beauty products, and other normal things while others offered services like massages, caricatures, leech sucking, and more strange things. There were also little entertainment sections. Wild animals, acrobats, fire walkers, and talented benders. I sat mesmerized by the benders for a good while before deciding to continue lest being found by my mother.

Finally tired from all the walking I happened upon a courtyard where parents and children watched a puppet show. I felt a pang of jealousy surveying them. Why couldn't my mother and I do normal things like that? I shook off the jealous feeling and sat at the edge of a bench curious to the starting show. Four puppets were on stage. One green, one blue, one orange, and one red. Suddenly they were joined by a fifth. A monstrous white beast.

" Oh my! Oh dear!" The blue one cried out in despair. " We are surely dead!"

" Now friend let us meditate." The orange one suggested. " The spirits will guide us to the answer."

The green puppets voice snorted.

" No givin' up! EARTH POWER!"

Suddenly realization of the puppets identities hit me. They were different benders. Once my mother told me of the four elements water, fire, earth, and air and of the one who had the ability to bend all four. The Avatar I believe he was called. But he vanished 100 years ago according to my mother.

My attention was directed back to the puppets at the sound of laughter. The earth bender had began throwing stones at the great beast. It seemed to have no effect and he was eaten.

" OHH NOOO!" The water bender cried as the beast advanced. He drowsed the3 beast with water but like the earth bender he was also devoured.

The air bender still in his meditative state didn't even notice his demise. Now only the fire bender remained. With a small flick of his minute arms the white monster was engulfed in flames. This made me think once again of the fire benders earlier. Could I one day be that good? Without a teacher it was impossible. Could I convince my mother somehow to allow me to? Doubt it.

Applause from the audience brought me back to reality. I stood up stretching. Perhaps I should seek out Mother now? I realized in the next second that that needn't to happen. Standing behind me was the most furious looking version of my mother I'd ever seen. In fact if she were a fire bender I bet steam would be visible emitting from her.

" Do you understand the worry I've just experienced?" She seethed. " I cannot believe that you disobeyed my direct orders. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is out here!"

For some reason that last sentence was my absolute breaking point.

" No mother I don't know how dangerous it is out here! I don't know anything at all actually! No thanks to you! And it isn't even dangerous I've been alone for hours and I am perfectly fine! Now I am sick and fed up with your stupid over protection! Please just stop! Stop this madness! I'm done!"

" Ari." She said softly almost as though she was pleading.

" What!" I snapped.

She pointed to something behind my back. I turned and saw in horror the damage I had caused. The puppet stage was ablaze as were several benches. Good thing everyone was gone. Or I had thought until I saw the five cloaked men approach. Who were they? And why were they cloaked? I thought I was going to be the only oddity here. My mother seized my arm and with surprising strength drug me far. It took a moment for my feet to react to the running and still I was no match to catch her speed.

" What's happening!" I called out panic stricken. " Why are we running?"

" Those men are what I warned you of! I knew I shouldn't have taken you! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry Ari!"

Why was she apologizing? If anyone it should be me! I shouldn't have lost my temper and now it was my fault that we were being hunted. But why? I was a nobody! My mother was basically a nobody! It made no sense! Were they secret police? I voiced this last question.

" No." My mother assured." They are their own society. I'm sorry!"

" Is it because I bended?"

" No Ari! Don't blame yourself! Is my fault I should have left you home! I'm sorry!"

We were near a the river now. I could hear it. The calm waters had nothing to worry about. So unlike myself.

" STOP!" One of the men bellowed.

As if some spell had been put on me I tripped over a rock falling onto the ground. I was pathetic! We'd surely get caught now and it was all due to me! I closed my eyes as tears welled up.

" NOO ARI!" I heard my mother shriek.

I was done. No I couldn't think that way! I'd at least give these creeps a fight before they took us! With that I opened my eyes and sat up. My mother stood in front of me, shielding me from what I saw was five hulking shadows. I felt my hands create flame and prepared to strike them when they grabbed mother.

" No!" I cried. " Let her go!"

" Come with us girl and we will." One sneered.

" NOO ARI!" Mother screamed. " Don't you dare!"

What to do! Before I could come to any decision mother acted. She landed a kick to her holders shin causing him to loose control. I watched in terror as it happened. The streak of flame hit her square in the chest. No words could form. Could this even be possible? No. No. No.

" Ari." She choked out. " Guess I decided for you. Run and don't look back."

Without thinking I obliged her final request. Running without taking a look back. Abandoning the only person to care for me.