Chapter 1
The Hospital
(One day earlier)
Can they really help me? He thought as he looked out over the water. He certainly hoped so. He didn't know were else to go and he was getting desperate.
The young man was standing on the bow of a boat heading toward a small island. He was surrounded by a small assortment of other passengers. Some, like himself, seemed lost in thought, most likely going to the Island for help, like himself. While other's seemed in more high spirits, laughing and smiling as they talked amongst themselves. He suspected these people were on the boat going to visit family members and friends who'd been admitted to the hospital on the small island they were nearing.
From what he understood, it had been a prison until recently. Converted by order of the new Fire lord after the recent war. A war he knew nothing about.
He was distracted from his thought's as he noticed two girls on the boat looking over at him. He tried to ignore it, feeling slightly embarrassed at the attention. While he was never exactly the center of attention, he was attractive enough that he did draw his fair share.
He was tall for his age (which he guessed to be around 15 or 16, he couldn't be completely sure) and stood just about 6 feet tall. He was slender but muscular. His short brown unkempt hair hung down just above his blue-green eyes. He had a handsome face, more rugged than delicate, which in itself seemed a bit unusual for someone his age. His clothes were nothing special, just a plain green shirt and brown pants which he'd picked up while wandering around the Earth Kingdom for the last month.
He smiled to himself and let out a small laugh as a thought crossed his mind. I wonder how interested they'd be in me if they knew I was heading to the mental hospital as a patient?
Giving a slight sideways glance at the girls, who giggled and went back to talking amongst themselves, another thought entered his head. I wonder if I have a girlfriend out there somewhere?
It would seem an unusual thought, but then again, he had a rather unusual problem.
His memories went back only 1 month. The first thing he could recall was waking up in what would appear to be the remains of a forest fire. He had no memory of what had happened, how he'd gotten there, or even who he was. His clothes had been burned off his body and all the hair burned off his head. Yet, not only was he alive, but completely uninjured (unless he could consider his hair a casualty) , not a single burn anywhere on his body.
That wasn't the strangest part. Over the next few days, after waking up in that condition, he'd come to discover a few other strange conditions. Foremost, fire couldn't hurt him. And while it seemed to have saved his life, it also served to bring up several questions he couldn't answer.
He'd spent the next few weeks wandering about the Earth Kingdom, wondering if he had a home, a family, friends... anyone? Unfortunately, over the next few weeks, he found he was a stranger to every village he'd wandered through and every person he met. Along the way, he'd also picked up a name, "Yu", and since he'd yet to think of anything better, had decided to keep it.
His plight received little attention from the townsfolk and villagers whose concerns were focused on mourning their own loses and restoring their communities after the recent end of a war that had lasted one hundred years. An idea Yu still had trouble wrapping his mind around.
Roughly one week ago, he was told about a new hospital in the fire nation that specialized in mental distress. So, with no other ideas, Yu made his way here. On the deck of a boat nearing the dock of a Fire Nation mental hospital.
The boat docked, and Yu exited. A sign greeted him as he walked up the path to the small island's only building.
Air Nomad Memorial Hospital.
Despite the sign advertising to the contrary, Yu thought it still looked a little too much like a prison for his taste. Not surprising though, given how recently it had been converted.
As he walked through the front gates and into the courtyard he received a pleasant surprise. While the exterior still very much resembled a prison, the courtyard was far more inviting. This resembled the grounds of a nobles mansion. Quite different from the prison yard yu had half expected to walk into.
There was an elaborate half circle fountain that looked as if it had grown out of the wall at the back of the courtyard (Yu suspected earthbenders had something to do with it). Surrounding the fountain were ornate rock benches. He turned around in the courtyard. Behind him, he could see where the large prison gates had been removed, leaving the courtyard open to the outside. A small contingent of lightly armed guards stood by the gate, and a few more in the courtyard. That seemed a little odd for a hospital, but a war had just ended, so security was probably higher than usual.
As he was contemplating this, he was approached by one of the guards and asked if he needed help. After briefly explaining why he'd come, he was guided to the administrative office on the courtyards southern side. He walked in and saw a large bald man with a beard standing behind a desk talking to some guards. The guards left and headed down on of the inner hallways. The man took notice of Yu and spoke up.
"Can I help you sir"
"Well, that's what I'm here to find out" He responded
The large man motioned to a seat in front of his desk, Yu shook his hand and sat down.
The man's name was Rikus, the administrator of the facility. He stood nearly a foot taller than Yu (who was by no means short himself), had two scars running down his left cheek, a barrel chest and large gut. But despite his appearance, Yu found his attitude very gentle and calm. Yu couldn't explain why, but he felt a genuine compassion from Rikus, and or the first time since he'd woken up in that smoldering forest, Yu felt a twinge of hope.
He explained only what he felt was necessary. Bringing up the fact that he was fireproof would most likely earn him a slightly more permanent stay then he wished. So he left that part, as well as the omission of a few other unsettling abilities, out.
After listening for a bit, Rikus informed Yu that in two days, healers from the northern Water Tribe would be arriving at the hospital. If Yu's memory loss was caused by a physical injury, Rikus assured Yu that they could heal him. Well... probably.
There was a moment of hesitation before Yu agreed. He looked out at the courtyard, scanning the other patients. He took in a deep breath, as a look of concern momentarily appeared on his face. It was something Rikus had come to expect from self committed patients. That moment of doubt before going through with it was something they all seemed to go through. Though, Rikus noted, this particular patient seemed to be especially hesitant, almost worried.
Yu turned back to face Rikus. He looked back down at the desk, the paperwork Rikus had given him sitting in front of him. After another long pause, he looked back up at Rikus and asked a question.
"You're sure they'll be here in two days?" Yu asked
"Positive" Rikus responded with a smile to reassure Yu.
"Two days..." Yu said to himself with a glance back out to the courtyard. "Alright, I guess that'd be safe"
Safe? Rikus thought to himself.
"I assure you Mr. uh... Yu. You'll be safe here"
"Oh sorry" Yu responded. "Just kinda talking to myself there."
Rikus found Yu's response a little odd. But after running this place for the last month, he'd become accustomed to odd behavior and didn't think anything more of it.
Sensing the conversation was over, Rikus called over a nurse who proceeded to ask him another series of questions.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Since the new Firelord had given instructions not to turn away anyone that needed help, Yu was given a room free of charge. Lucky, since he had very little money. He was also handed a some rather unflattering hospital clothes. The nurse explained to him that, as a self administered patient, he was free to come and go as he wished.
He was led to his room by one of the guards, a firebender. Not that there was anything different about his uniform to indicate as such, and he'd done no actual firebending. Yu just... sensed it.
It was another odd ability Yu had discovered over the last few weeks. He didn't know why or how, but he could sense the presence of benders. For some, firebenders especially stood out. Even to the point that he could "feel" how strong their ability was. Something that didn't happen with other benders (not with earthbenders at least, he'd yet to meet any other kind).
Just another question he couldn't answer.
If I can just get my memory back, or even part of it... anything at all! Yu was thinking as the guard came to a stop. Lost in thought as he was, Yu almost walked right into him.
"This is your room" The guard motioned to the door. Yu looked at the door, then thanked him. The guard didn't reply, and just walked hurriedly back down the hall.
"Hmm, friendly" Yu remarked only to himself as he opened the door and entered his room.
It was late and Yu was tired. Most of the afternoon had been spent talking to the nurse . Which seemed kind of pointless really. He'd come here because he couldn't remember anything. So most of the interview was spent trying to come up with creative ways of saying "I don't know".
Yu sat down on the edge of the bed, laid back, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He woke up early and made his way down to the administrative office. Pulling on his green hospital gown as he did. When he entered the office, he saw Rikus behind the desk, just as he was when he had met him yesterday. Rikus informed Yu that the Healer, an old waterbender from the Northern Water Tribe named Yugoda and a few of her pupils, would be arriving first thing tomorrow morning. Yu thanked him, and walked out into the courtyard.
The earlier the better Yu thought.
Yu figured he'd just use the day to relax. He went and sat on one of the benches near the left side of large fountain at the back of the courtyard. As he did, something immediately caught his attention. It wasn't something in the courtyard, but beyond it. He felt a presence behind him, on the other side of the wall. A similar sensation to what he felt from the guard the night before, but this was far stronger.
He looked back at the wall, his eyes fixed on a spot next to the fountain. His face contorted into a puzzled expression, surprised by what he "felt". Somewhere, just on the other side of that wall, was the strongest firebender Yu had ever sensed. Not that his experience with firebenders was extensive by any means, but he'd never felt anything nearly this strong before.
He could tell that there were other firebenders grouped around the stronger one. For a moment he wondered why they were gathered in such an intense concentration like that.
There were twelve in total. The strong source was close to him, only a few meters, just on the other side of the wall. The other eleven, from what he could tell, seemed to be spread out in rough semi-circle around the stronger source.
It took him a moment to realize that the other firebenders must be guards keeping watch on the stronger one. It was just an assumption, but it made sense. If you had a patient you feared might hurt themselves or other patients, you probably wouldn't just group them all together. You'd keep them separated, guarded by people who would be able to deal with them or anything they could do. That's why the other firebenders had a parameter formed around this one.
Must be pretty dangerous, he thought. Sure wouldn't want to meet him.
Not that I really have anything to fear from firebenders, but still... He thought. Yu was already dreaming up an image of a large, heavily muscled man with a face full of insanity, burning down villages while laughing maniacally. That's just not the kind of person he wanted to meet.
Yu looked away from the wall. trying to ignore the benders but couldn't. He got up to move across the courtyard so he could better concentrate on his own situation... and that's when it happened.
As soon as he stood, a burning sensation began to spread across his body, as if smoldering embers were pressing against his skin. He collapsed to his knees, groaning in pain and holding his chest. He knew what was coming next. He had to stand up. He had to get clear of everyone.
His condition hadn't gone unnoticed by the staff. A nurse and two guards started moving towards him.
"Sir, are you..." One of the guards started in, only to be cut off by Yu's pleading scream.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
At first, the staff members simply exchanged looks, thinking this patient may be having a psychotic break. They started moving toward him again. After another few steps, they came to a halt. It wasn't Yu's warning that stopped them. It was his hands, they were glowing.
At this sight, one of the guards put his hand on the nurses shoulder and started pulling her back.
His hands were the color of steel just pulled from a forge, burning white. The glow started moving up his arms and ignited his shirt. Yu yelled out again, this time at everyone in the courtyard.
"BACK OFF!" he screamed, franticly attempting to warn people away from him. "MOVE!"
Yu's entire upper body suddenly erupted in flames.
This was not the first time this had happened, but the onset of flames had been far more rapid, and more painful then the last few times. His body was still wracked with pain, but not from the fire. It was as if something were squeezing his heart, crushing the life from it. His vision, already obscured by the fire, began to blur.
Still on his knees, Yu forced himself to stand. He had to stop this somehow, the pain had never been this intense. He stumbled toward the fountain. Around him, he could hear patients and hospital staff screaming and fleeing in panic. He fell and caught the side of the fountain, then threw himself into it. The water extinguished the flames as steam erupted from the water all around him.
The fire was out, the pain receded. Yu steadied himself and took a deep breath. He'd not wanted anyone to witness this. He knew there'd be questions, none of which he could answer. This had been the fourth time his body self-ignited. The intensity of the fire had been no different, so why had the pain been substantially worse Yu wondered.
I thought I had more time Yu thought. I wouldn't of come here if I thought it was going to happen again so soon.
His thought's were cut short by another sudden surge of pain. Yu was brought back to his knees, submerging him waste deep in the steaming water of the fountain.
Then, Yu exploded.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
moments earlier...
A girl in a red hospital gown was sitting on one of the benches just to the left side of a fountain. Steel shackles enclosed her hands. Her feet attached to one another by a short length of chain that allowed her to walk normally, but prevented her from running, or from fighting. This was the only way they'd let her into the hospitals inner courtyard. Even with that precaution, she was heavily guarded while out of her room. Eleven guards hung close to her, giving her room, but staying positioned in a rough semicircle around her.
She looked up at the windowless walls of the inner courtyard, once again contemplating escape. Her golden eyes lowered and closed into menacing slits as she scanned the guards surrounding her.
If she'd wanted, she could probably take out a few of them, but handicapped as she was, it would prove futile and she knew it.
She'd planned it out several times, in several ways, but every time she ran through it in her head, she just couldn't make an escape work!
Things hadn't always been like this. Her plans used to be flawless. Her life used to be flawless. But not now. Now things were different. Her plans had failed her, her friends had turned on her. Her father abandoned her. And her brother, the person that had taken everything from her, had sent her here as a final humiliation.
She could just imagine him, her dear brother, sitting on his throne, on her throne, just laughing. He had everything she'd worked for, everything she deserved.
Including their mother's love...
She hated thinking about her mother, and it had been happening more and more frequently. And not just thinking about her either...
She pushed the thought out of her mind, distracting herself by concentrating her thoughts back on her brother. Something else she'd been doing a lot of.
Over the last month, she'd begun to focus her anger on the one person she blamed for her current situation. A month spent seething and obsessing. Everything that had gone wrong came back to that one person. This was all his fault, her brother... Zuko.
She should be on a throne right now, instead she was in chains. Zuko was responsible for that. He'd shown up at her coronation and stole her kingdom. Her friends had even betrayed her, to save him! He'd even turned on their entire nation by helping the Avatar strip their father of his power. Now, instead of seeing his betrayal for what it was and abhorring his treachery, the Fire Nation now praised him. While she was treated as the villain... seen as a monster.
Just like their mother had.
Azula cringed, pursed her lips and closed her eyes tightly, fighting back tears before they could form. That last thought snuck up on her.
Her concentration suddenly broke. She thought she heard shouting, muffled and barely audible. She realized that the shouting was coming from the other side of the wall. She looked up to see if her guards had noticed. No, they hadn't. The distance between them was just enough that she was the only one aware that something was happening on the other side of the wall. In the hospitals entrance courtyard.
She tilted her head up, listening more intently this time. There was another muffled yell, then possibly several. There seemed to be a full scale panic going on outside. The low murmur of dampened yells continued. Her eyes moved to the fountain, and noticed a sudden ripple move through the water, as though something large had been thrown in on the other side. The fountains, as she knew, were connected through the wall. She'd investigated it upon her arrival to see if she could use that to her advantage, but to no avail. While there were small openings allowing water to flow through from both sides, several grates made passing anything between the courtyards impossible.
Just after the ripples made their way across the fountains surface, the water started to steam. This garnered the attention of her guards. Two of them started moving in her direction., Something serious seemed to be happening on the other side. The steam rising from the fountain seemed ominous. She stood up and took a few steps back just as the fountain exploded.
She rolled behind the bench, using it to shield herself. From behind it, she could hear a sound very familiar to her, the roar of intense flames. She could feel the heat on her skin, and thought she could hear someone screaming. Smoke filled the inner courtyard, things were in chaos, something she knew how to take advantage of. Under the cover of smoke, she moved toward breach in the wall and whatever had caused it. This may be the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
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In the chaos caused by the explosion, another unusual incident went unnoticed. At the back of the prison yard, farthest away and fenced off from the fountain. Three people, an old woman wearing a red hospital gown and her two guards, all three waterbenders, had suddenly fallen unconscious at the same moment the fountain exploded.
They started coming too in only a few moments, but had no idea what had happened. One of the guards, already to his feet, moved to the old woman to make sure she was alright.
"Hama" he said gently "Hama, can you hear me?"
The old woman didn't say anything, but looked up at him and gave a curt nod. Her other guard was by her side and held her by the hand (this particular patient was only required to wear shackles during the full moon) as she helped Hama steady herself. The old woman looked at her guards, noting the concern in their eyes, though realizing it wasn't for her.
"You felt it too then" She said quietly " Just for a moment, it was like a part of myself... part of my spirit, went missing."
Both guards looked at each other, not sure what to say. Though it was clear by the look on their faces, that they'd felt the same thing.
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Azula made her way through the smoke and debris, toward the heat. It was a risk, but it was also her only way out. As she got closer to the fire, the smoke cleared, being pushed outward and away from whatever was producing it.
Standing where the fountain had been was a man... seemingly made of fire.
No, She realized, not made of fire, but covered in it. He was on his knees and everything from the waste up was burning. She noticed though, with great interest, that his body seemed undamaged. He was wrapped in fire, but his skin didn't appear to be burning.
Was he the source of the explosion she wondered? From what she saw, she had to assume he was.
The fire on his body dissipated and he collapsed on the ground. For a moment, he didn't move, though he still seemed to be breathing.
Amazingly, he had no burns on his body Even his hair, which was ablaze just a moment ago, was untouched . As far as she could tell, this person was somehow able to withstand fire.
He wasn't a firebender, at least not a normal one, of that she was sure. This was something different. Possibly something she could use.
He opened his eyes and slowly started to stand. By the look on his face, he seemed to be suffering more from shock than pain. He looked down at his hands and body. Either checking for damage or maybe to see if he was still on fire. Confusion replaced shock. After gauging his reaction, Azula had to assume that whatever had just happened was most likely unintentional. Meaning that, whoever this was, he wasn't in control his abilities.
A slight smile crossed her face. For the first time since she'd been sent here, since she'd lost everything, she felt a familiar confidence surface within her.
Azula had a plan.
