Fire, Fire Burning Bright

Shrouded in a thick fog was the archipelago of the Chike Isles. The water was continuously bubbling from the underwater lava vents. The jagged and rocky islands formed from the once active volcanoes which now were dormant, left this once magnificence collection of islands of life, in ruins and lifeless.

Few plants grew here and the remains of the once magnificent city of Nuriel littered the island. Now all that was left in this ghastly wasteland of dead and decaying matter was a few fragment reminders of this forgotten metropolitan past. The land was overrun with wild plants and grime. Only the cockroaches and rats could call this place an empire supreme capital any longer. Only one thing remained undamaged by the passing of time was the stone animal sentry sculptures.

There were two animal statues in each direction. They were the guardian animal spirits from the mythology of the four nations. Each facing the direction of their respectful nation. To the north was the Thunder Eagle and Rainbow –Winged Snake for the Air Nomads, to the east were the Scarlet Dragon and Little Phoenix, for the Fire Nation, to the south the Wind Whale and Silver Sea Serpent for the Water Tribes, and to the west was the Gentle Panda and Wise Wolf for the Earth Kingdom.

The city of Nuriel may have been shattered, but it was not ancient history. The city got its name from the way it was made. From the fire and lava of the largest volcano Kyra, which erupted over ten thousand years ago, and formed the islands of the Chike's Archipelago. The name "Nuriel" means "Of the Lords 's Fire." The largest island was were the stunning paradise city of Nuriel was erected and become a thriving utopia of exquisiteness and harmony. For five thousand years this place remained peaceful and safe, then the long sleeping volcanoes enraptured and destroyed the island. The legend states that evil demons spirits became green-eyed of this city and wanted it for themselves. The Animal Guardians fought to protect this land, but failed and the evil spirits then used their power to set in motion the volcanoes from their slumber to annihilate the city of Nuriel. Since then the Chike Isles have been rumored to be haunted. It was the ideal place for the Fire Nation Rebellion to secretly operate.

The landscape may have been unsympathetic, but it was not impossible to live on. There were at least 1,600 inhabitants in the Rebellion and many were just children. But everyone respected and loved each other as family and worked together in one unified group. There were three very important people in the Rebellion. They were the backbone to the entire operation.

Crimson was third most powerful. She helped train the new recruits and was one of the most knowledgeable of people in the inner workings of the Fire Nation. She was indeed the best spy. Second to her was Luke. In her mind Luke took her brother Cedric place. She went to him for support and comfort.

Luke was very important. He made all the weapons and also trained the new recruits while keeping order in encampment. If there were any tribulations he was the one to go to sort it all out. He also possessed a special inner power that was most helpful. He was using his powers right now to learn the truth of the mysterious "Blue Spirit" that had freed the Avatar from Admiral Zhao fortress. Luke thought that this person could be a worthy ally in the fight against tyranny.

Luke was in his private tent consulting the fire for information. Being the son of a gypsy maiden had given him mystical powers making him a mystic. He concentrated all his strength of mind on the flame blazing in front of him willing it to reveal him the truth. He was sitting with his knees on a black silk pillow; in front of him was a fire urn. His eyes were closed and his hands folded together as he began to chant. While he chanted his fingers made the signs of the words he used. His voice was hollow and barely above a whisper and all he said echoed off the walls.

"Earth, Fire, Water, Air, Sun, Moon, Star, I am fire and fire is life, I am the flame, flame is sight, Fire, Life, Flame, Sight. O thy sacred ember flames heed my cry and give me your power of foresight. Show me the one called the Blue Spirit!" he cried out, as the flames sparked up and danced a few minutes till the image of the "Blue Spirit" appeared dancing between the dark red and gold embers. Then his voice took up again the spiritual quality. This was the tricky part. "O Fires of Truth use thy powers to burn thy face of deception and reveal thy own true identity of this Spirit of mystery! Reveal to me the one who is the Blue Spirit! I command you to do so now!"

The flames shot up high and whipped around. Sparks shot out in all directions. The blaze grew stronger and the heat intensified. Finally the flare of light burned incredibly bright blinding Luke before it calmed down. The smoke whispered around the room and suddenly the image in the dancing flames change. The mask of the "Blue Spirit" melted away revealing the face of one of the Rebellion most hated foes, that of Prince Zuko.

Luke stared at the image for several minutes. "So Prince Zuko has been disloyal to his own people. Very interesting. I will need more details before I can make an assement, but still this piece of news is highly intriguing." Luke thought. Standing up he waved his hand and the fire went out. He had to report this the leader of the Rebellion codenamed the Red Spirit.

Glancing around his tent to make sure everything was secure he started to leave. He paused momentarily at a wooden box on a small table by the tent door. He opened it up and glanced at the contents. The box was full of small keepsakes. The only reminders he had of his parents. He picked up a small woodcarving of him with his parents, Elysia and Philo, a few months before they died. He always looked at this picture before leaving his tent to bear in mind what he was fighting for.

Exiting his tent he gazed around at the camp. Everyone was in motion do something. Some people were cooking; others were gathering supplies, while other's trained. The elderly were busy nursing the latest causalities. He saw some of the soldiers going over these weeks' plans. He smiled as he watched the children play their games while some of the mothers tried to herd them back to the school tent where the Indian maiden Halona was trying to teach them to read in an old language. It was sad to think of what their future held.

He put a hand on the hilt of his sword as he saw someone approaching him. Even in encampment you had to be ready to fight at all times. He relaxed his grip when he saw it was Crimson. She smiled at him and signaled hello. "Well I was wondering when you would emerge from your tent. Your hocus pocus scares me. I never know what element or magical spell your going to use." She told him.

"I've told you before its not hocus pocus its mysticism. You have nothing to worry about I know exactly what I'm doing. I admit I have not been fully trained in the arts, but I think I can handle it. How was your mission, did you succeed in getting us more medical supplies?" Luke inquired with one eyebrow elevated

Crimson shook her head and spat at the ground. "My troops and I were all ready to ambush the convoy when we were attacked by some of Zhao's archers. We only managed to escape by the skin of our teeth. I just came from the medical tents. Looks like one of my men might not survive." She explained to him sadly. She stamped her foot angrily. "Why does this have to happen? How could Zhao possibly know about our attack? That monster is going to pay for killing my brother. I vowed that he would die for that I never break my vows. Now tell me do you have any news?"

"Actually I do, but I don't want to repeat myself so you're welcome to join me. I'm heading for Red Spirit's tent. The information I have will surely catch his/her interest." Luke notified her.

Cocking her head to one side she gave him an affectionate grin and said thoughtfully. "Then lets get moving shall we? You know the Red Spirit is not very patient when it comes to matters of great importance!" as she ran her fingers through her short tresses.

Giving her a warm smile in return the duo began to walk towards the temple throne room where the Red Spirit resided. As they walked old memories kept bubbling to the surface. Luke kept glancing at Crimson and she did the same. They were only a few years apart her being 15 and him being 17. He finally asked her what she was pondering about "Crimson what are you thinking about right now?"

Sighing she looked into his icy blue eyes and said in a weary voice, "I've been thinking a lot about my brother, and what my life was like before I joined the Rebellion, and why am fighting to restore true honor and integrity to the real Fire Nation. As you know my Mother's family has be enslaved to the Fire Lord's family for five centuries. She's called an indentured servant, but she's really a slave! I was not going to be a slave for my whole life no way. My brother became a soldier in Admiral Zhao ranks but was murdered on the spot when he refused to obliterate a whole village. After that I could not take it anymore! In the middle of the night I took my brother's armor that had been returned to us and put it on. Then I cut my extensive locks and sold the hair for money so I could travel. Growing up in the Fire Lord's Palace I had heard rumors of a Rebellion so I set out to find out if they were true. Soon I ended up here and my first mission was to liberate a prison camp. You remember that don't you Luke?" she said with a raised eyebrow and gleam in her eyes.

Laughing half heartily that the dying copper sunlight caused his eyes to sparkle. "I remember. It was a day I shall never forget. A month prior to your little liberation I had been living in my home in the sacred Atwood Forest. My parents and I were with the rest of our gypsy band under the Tree of Everlasting Life. Father was fixing broken tools and Mother was making medicine from the trees root and gold and silver fruit for our journey the next day. I was practicing my swordsmanship trying desperately to make my blade turn into fire. I had done all of the other elements, but I had much trouble with making a flame sword."

"I remember it was twilight and it was calm and full of serenity. Then at the moment of nightfall flaming arrows and 35 fire benders appeared in our holy land. They bombarded us destroying everything that was sacrosanct to us! They burned our caravans, spooked our animals, and plundered our valuables. I just barely managed to get my memory box and some fruit and seeds before everything I knew went up in smoke. I was scared and angry. How dare these men trample the blessed land? Why did they come here? We had never harmed anyone so there was no reason for this assault. We tried fleeing into the woods. As we were running my mother tripped over an oak tree root and father stop to get her. I ran to back to them but when I was about 10 feet away fire literally rained down from the heavens and killed them. Their bodies smoked for a moment then stopped. They had been burned so badly the were just skeletons in clothes. I took their medallion halves, which were like their wedding rings, and said a quick pray and ran. But I was caught and taken to a prison camp." Luke said. His eyes filled with tears as he recalled those terrible memories.

"You know what transpired the following weeks. I used my abilities to cause so much trouble that the Fire Lord himself had come to execute me. But we both didn't know that you and your forces had infiltrated the facility. The night before my exuction you snuck inside and charbroiled those guards. You saved me and the other prisoners and we came here. You remember how we helped each other that nigh? Just talking and hold the others hand? You brought me more comfort in my life since the night my parents where killed." He said with a heavy sigh. He stood still for a moment remencing about past events long gone. He reached inside his cloak and retrieved the two medallion halves. Holding them in his hand gave him some comfort. Sighing he put them away safe from harms way.

"You would have done the same for me and all the children here. You have given us back our faith and the belief that we can put an end to this war. Don't ever forget that. We need you, now more then ever. With the coming of Sozen comet next summer time is running out for us. We need your special gifts if we are to assist the Avatar in his journey." she said as her lavender eyes gazed out at bronze and copper sun in distant. Gentle she took his hand and the walked into the temple together.

Their foots steps echoed in the ancient shrine the walked slowly passed the red candles into the throne room and bowed in respect.

The throne was on a high pedestal enveloped in a thick cloak of darkness. On the ancient stone throne sat the one only know as the Red Spirit. Dress in a skintight black body suit with red and gold armor and a red spirit mask was the Red Spirit. No one knew the true identity of the mysterious Red Spirit. They address the spirit as both male and female. The magic within the mask made the person voice unrecognizable. Politely the Red Spirit waited as its two most trust officers arrived. It was with them that the Spirit trusted its true identity with. These two would die before revealing to anyone who was the Red Spirit was.

"Hello, Luke, Crimson. I hope you two bring me good news. We really need it right now. Crimson how did the raid go? Did you get the medical supplies?" asked the Spirit in a disoriented voice. Its palms were at their mask lips.

" I'm sorry to say this o kind Spirit but our raid failed. We were ambushed but Admiral Zhao's archers. We barely made out alive. One boy was severely injured in the escape. We must pray that he makes it through the night all right. I have no idea how the found out! But they shall pay!" said Crimson aggravated with clenched fist.

"Zhao? His forces attacked you? I would have thought after the embarrassment of losing the Avatar and Princess Zara beating him in Anngka he would have drop out of the picture for a while. I would love so much to cut a piece of his stone heart out with my blade!" growled the Red Spirit as it took its crescent sharp edge blade and sliced the candle in half. Composing its self again the Spirit turned to Luke and asked him "Did you find out who exactly humiliated Zhao anyway? What did the fire say?"

"It was Great Red Spirit, Prince Zuko. But why he did it remains unanswered for now." He said calmly but like Crimson he had an uneasy look on their faces.

"PRINCE ZUKO! Now there is something that you thought you never see in this lifetime. Well does this mean he stop being evil and gone back to the side good?" asked the Spirit curiously

"We don't know Spirit. But I can assure that if Zara stays with him she will become evil. And even the Avatar love won't save her. It's very hard not to be who you were born to be. She and Zuko come form the inferno of Hell. But their mother love saved at the time. Maybe the Avatar can save them before they are full consume with hate and bitterness. I fear storm clouds are gathering." Said Crimson seriously

"We barely managed to get Aang and his friend to safety last time. I fear if Aang doubts his love and faith in Zara for even a moment we will have lost the war. And all hope for a better future will be gone. We must go now and help serve dinner. Do you wish to join us tonight Red Spirit?" asked Luke hopefully.

"Yes I would like that very much. What's tonight dinner may I ask?"

"Emperor Bass and fruit with grape juices." He said smiling

Everyone was gathered around the giant fire and had plates full of food. They were about to dig in when Luke held up a hand.

"Fellow Rebels, I know you must be hungry and tired. But we can't eat till we have said our prays. So please bow your heads and repeat with me. We are thankful for this food and drinks. We are thankful for each other. We are thankful to be alive to fight another day. Now and forever united as one we live and die together we will fight to the end. For our friends, family, hopes, dreams, and futures. In thy heaven power we pray amen. Now you may eat."

As everyone ate Luke and Crimson performed. He told stories and she danced and sung and played the harp.

After dinner was clean up everyone went to sleep but the sentries. Luke walked Crimson to her tent and said to her. "You and the Red Spirit are my best friends. I've lost one family but I swear you and I shall not lose our second family. See you in the morning, Crimson."

"Have sweet dreams Luke and I promise nothing going to happen to us. I swear. Good night, my friend."

"Good night you both. Tomorrow we track down Zuko and Zara and see what happens from there good night my friends, my family." Said the Red Spirit.

"Good night!" the chimed.

And with that the flames extinguished for the night.