Chapter 3: The New Enemy

Since I was done with my firebending training I grabbed my staff from the shelf three feet away and started to practice. My mind was still on the avatar so I was rewarded with bright red skin and several soon-to-be bruises. Still regardless of the pain I continued striking and blocking against pretend opponents. Naturally I won because if you lose to yourself then obviously you're a nut.

The thoughts of rebellion ran through my mind freely. It was a hard concept to grasp. Leaving everything you know and then trying to destroy or at least stop it. Plus there was no way I could do it alone. I would need help. Help from other firebenders. No, they wouldn't betray the winning side. It was stupid. Still I did need help.

Again I lost focus and my legs were now a angry red and I was sure that it would become a deep purple tomarrow. I sighed and pressed a button on my staff that turned it into a small cylinder no longer than a water skin. It was custom made from my family's personal blacksmith, Lee. He was one of the most talented blacksmiths in the entire Fire nation. The best was of course the fire lord's.

I can't continue practicing like this. I'll kill myself. I thought. Placing my staff back onto its shelf I went back to my living quaters without my tunic. Later, I'll get it later. I thought. Walking back to my quarters the thoughts of rebellion where still fresh and angry as a badger-mole in the sunlight.

Finally when I did reach the room I flopped down on my low bed and stared at the (intricately carved) ceiling. Flipping a coin. The perfect way of deciding. I can't figure it out any way. Rolling over to my side I grabbed a gold piece from my money bag. Scorching one side black I flipped it and decided that black would be stay and gold would be go.

It spun and spun in the air so fast that I couldn't tell wich side was wich. Finally with a soft cling the coin landed on the ground of my quarters. Bouncing back into the air flipping some more and then coming to a rest on with its gold side facing the ceiling.

I will go...

When I woke up my first reaction was not another day of school but then I remembered the thing I was going to do. The thing so horrible that I dare not speak it aloud for fear someone will catch me and send me to prison. Today is the day I betray the fire nation. I thought. Should I go to school? No then I would have to break out. I will leave this place and never come back.

Thankfully last night I had remembered to pack what I needed into a small bundle one could easily mistake for a knapsack. Inside was my staff, two-hundred gold pieces, food for a week, spare clothes, and several firebending scrolls with moves I hadn't already learned.

I grabbed the sack and dressed in my blend in with everybody else clothes. I would need them for the time being. Running down the stairs before a second thought could occur ran out the door and into a new life.

Concerned that my parents would see me and stop me I continued running like mad until I reached town. It was a small town that was extremely primitive. Everybody was eatng meat. It was disgusting. Personally I was a berry type person so I was appalled by the sight of so much meat. Other than that it was pleasant. Nobody bothered me except for some kid who looked at me and said, "Hotman." it wasn't much of a question but it reminded me of the times my father had told me about when everybody was friendly. That was about a hundred years ago to be exact.

"Idiot." I muttered under my breath. Only an idiot would wear their school uniform when the played hooky. Sure enough thirty seconds later he was caught and sent back to the academy.

Still I continued on my way to the edge of town towards the docks where I could sail to different island and trip went interrupted until a gang of thugs sprang out of the bushes and drew swords. Only one of them knew firebending and I could tell.

"Give us your sack!" The biggest one said stupidly. He had not received a proper education, I could tell you that much.

"No." It was a simple reply. Mr. Leader didn't understand though. He thought I meant "no thank you for the offer." when I meant "Try and see if you can."

"Boys get 'im." The big said pointing at me.

Three guys with sword rushed me and tried to open me like a bag of fireflakes. In one lightning fast motion I had my staff out and open to full length. Blocking the attacks easily (these guys had not gone to battle school either) I countered and hit sensitive pressure points on the body. Each one screamed in pain and fell.

"I'll do it myself then!" The leader went down into the most basic stance for firebending. I returned to gesture by going into my own red dragon stance. Fire-jabbing the leader thought that he had won and lowered his guard. Unforgiving I waved away the flame and brought up my hands in a dragon mouth strike. Mr. Leader didn't have a chance.

Unfazed I walked on towards the docks.