Prologue:
Bitter Memories
It was a bitter cold winter day when it happened…and I remember it like it was just yesterday…
I was only twelve years old whenever it happened. My father, Ozai, had just found out that he was to inherit the throne and become Fire Lord when his father died. Being mad for power and as ruthless as my father was, he decided to kill him so he could become the Fire Lord. My mother overheard his plans-my sister, Avalar, saw the murder in action. They told me and planned to tell the entire nation. When my father discovered our plans, he did his deed…and left me as the scapegoat. I will never forget the night he killed them. The blood across their faces…their screams in the frozen wind…the crimson tears that trickled down their cheeks… As I tried to save Avalar and my mother, he gave me this scar. He killed his own family-save for my uncle, Iroh, for he was out to sea at the time. As far as the nation knew, I was to blame-and even those who believed the truth that I spoke weren't brave to defy their Fire Lord. I was sentenced to death. But Uncle arrived just before I was killed and spoke for me. I was then banished.
Four years have passed since that fateful day. Uncle Iroh has taken care of me since then. He tells everyone a different story-that I got the scar in an Agni Kai against my father and whenever I refused to fight him, I was banished. But that is just a cover story for those that don't know the truth that lies behind my angry eyes and inside my broken heart.
My father told me that if I ever wanted to return, I must bring the Avatar with me. That was the only way I would ever be able to return. Then, to restore my honor and my rightful place on the throne, I must defeat him in an Agni Kai. The only reason being, he thought the Avatar was dead and no longer…he never expected me to find him. I know he will kill me the moment he has the Avatar in his custody. But I have promised to kill him first. I never meant for it to be this way, but if it must…so be it…and let it begin.