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PROLOGUE Genesis
3 years before, 'The boy in the Iceberg"

SETTING: Coastal region of the Fire Nation. It is raining, as the sounds of explosions and fighting can be heard echoing in the distance. The rain is hard as the wind picks up slightly moving the angry dark clouds all around. A ball of fire explodes on the cliffs overlooking a city in the distance. With a loud huff sound, a teen aged soldier falls to the edge of the cliff, his sword in hand, barely able to stand as what looks like a tank and 4 soldiers loom closer. Blood is dripping form the teenaged soldier's eyebrow as well as various other parts of his body. He is breathing hard as his entire body feels heavy. Slowly his eyes begin to lose focus from the blood loss he has gone through. The teenage man looks up seeing dark shrouded figures. His eyes focus then blur again as he starts to feel disoriented. He glances down seeing a knife like object sticking out of his lower side. Slowly, he falls to his knees with no strength left. He looks up slightly, as blood runs down his face, his bright amber eyes shinning slightly. One of the soldiers takes a step forward. His black hair is in a warrior-knot as he carries a slightly curved sword that bares the crest of Tenma.
UINGU - It's over… surrender, boy, you have no other purpose in life. (Two wings seem to be coming from all the soldier's backs, except for one.)
ZAKKU (Breathing hard)- … Pur…pose… I already have a purpose (Uingu turns his head slightly, as if confused)…I'm never going back…you'll… you'll have to kill me… (Another soldier starts to walk forward, knife-like objects in his hand.)
XIZZEN - We are monsters, Fenrir, we have no purpose…come back to the organization and we shall bring the end to those foolish mortals.
UINGU - You have no where to run…(Kicks Zakku in the chest, knocking him to the ground. Zakku attempts to crawl away)… Pathetic…where are you going to run to? You have nowhere to hide…no place that will take you in… What is all this running going to accomplish?
(Zakku starts to try and crawl away as Uingu gives him a sharp kick to the side, making him roll away from Uingu. Slowly he looked up seeing the sun cut threw the clouds. Zakku's eyes can barely focus as he crawls towards the light. Then, in the rays of light, he can see two figures staring at him. His eyes focus slightly as he sees their faces.)
ZAKKU (Eyes open wide)- Mother…. Father?
(Zakku reaches out, however, he is blinded by sunlight, as everything seems to become bright.)
10-11 years prior
SETTING: By the same region as the scene pervious. However, the city is much more olden looking, with homes built from wood rather then cold steel. The town has a more ancient feel with mainly its landscape being generally without the technology of most Fire Nation port cities. It is early morning as rain gently falls over the entire city, while in the distance towards the sea, the sun can be seen on the horizon. The main part of the village is close together with homes being built in tight clusters surrounding a central plaza. One house is farther away, hidden away from most sight by trees that grow around it. The trees are mildly tall, with pink-colored blossoms blooming on the tree limbs. The house has an olden Fire Nation build to it, generally being made of dark brown wood with sliding doors rather then opening doors. In the center of the house is a garden/ small courtyard that has an oddly shaped tree with an almost bluish-gray tent and has white buds growing on the branches. The tree is called a Sor Trgait Tree. In the courtyard, a woman dressed in Fire Nation robes is sitting on the edge of the walkway around the courtyard area, trying to keep out of the rain. A young boy (5-6) is running around in the rain, climbing around. The boy is also wearing traditional Fire Nation robes and has a medallion around his neck that is made of silver and has an onyx in the middle of it with the family symbol of the Fenir's. The child looks up to the sky, watching the clouds float by.
CHILD - Mom…why does it rain?
TIRA (Smiles)- Why, to keep you cool, of course!
CHILD (Mutters)- It seems sad…
TIRA - Hum?
CHILD - The sky…I' seems sad…lik' i's crying.
TIRA (Looks at the sky)- It kind of does…doesn't it….
CHILD - Ya! Mom…Waz' it lik'?
TIRA (Looks questioningly)- What's what like, my little, Zakky?
ZAKKU (Laughs)- On the horizon?
TIRA - You mean across the sea?
ZAKKU - Ya…the big…big blue sea…
(Zakku walks out of the rain to his mother. Zakku is wet making Tira start to wipe his face with a cloth to try and dry him.)
TIRA - Well the other nations of course.
ZAKKU - What is it like at the other nations?
TIRA (Pauses for a moment)- The other nations…they are hurting.
ZAKKU - Hurting? How they hurting?
TIRA - Some bad people started a fight…and well, we have been hurting people.
ZAKKU - Why? Why did we start fighting with the other nations?
TIRA (Sighs)- Because some of our former leader, Sozin, thirsted for power…and he hurt a lot of people.
ZAKKU - Sozin…I was walkin' by the aca…dme… they say he was a 'ero…
TIRA -They believe now, that a hero is just a person who has conquered…No…A hero is a person who is welling to do the right thing.
ZAKKU - 'cause people should do the right thing, no matter what, right…
TIRA (Smiles; Nods)- That's right.
ZAKKU - 'Dats what dad says… Where is dad?
TIRA (Quiet for a moment)- He woke up early to go help some people.
ZAKKU - Who?
TIRA - People who are not as fortunate as us. (Smiles; looks at Zakku) Never forget that you are a fortunate person.
(Tira hugs Zakku, holding him close. Zakku smiles as he laughs slightly looking behind Tira towards the door, while Tira was facing towards the tree. Tears were in her eyes as she held Zakku close. She glanced up seeing a figure walk in from the back. It's Zerru)
TIRA (Surprise)- Zerru!?
ZAKKU (Lets go of Tira)- Daddy?
ZERRU (Breathing hard)- Tira, Zak…
(He seems distracted. Tira stands up and walks over to Zerru. Zakku looks at Tira and Zerru's faces. He knows something is wrong but he can't understand what. Zerru has a grim, serious expression on his face.)
ZERRU - It was a trick…
TIRA - What do you mean?
ZERRU - I watched from a far…The 'refugees' were really Fire Nation soldiers in discuses. I could tell…
TIRA - How could you tell?
ZERRU - I recognized on of the men near by…General Uingu Tenma, Commander Xizzen…
TIRA - Uingu…
ZERRU (Nods)- Yes…He brought his soldiers as well…
TIRA - There is only one reason he is here…
ZERRU (Closes eyes; Nods; Glances to Zakku; Back to Tira)- Yes…I know. And we must stop him.
TIRA (Looks away)- We could run…somewhere…where he will not find us.
ZERRU (Shakes head)- No…There is no where we can run…The Earth Kingdom is soon going to fall to General Iroh. The Water Tribes? The Southern Water Tribe is next to non-existent. And the Northern Water Tribe would more likely turn us over to the first Fire Nation ship that came nearby…We have no where we can run…nowhere where he can't find us.
ZAKKU - Mom?...Dad?
TIRA - If they find him…what will they do?
ZERRU (Stares at Zakku)- I don't know…But All I know, is that it would be unpleasant.
TIRA (Looks at Zerru)- We have to protect him…
(There was a loud banging at the front of the house. Tira jumps slightly as Zerru fingers his sword at his side. Zakku turns looking at the door.)
Fire Nation Solder 1 - By the order of the Fire Lord, open this door!
(Tira turned placing her hand on Zakku's right shoulder directing him to come with her. Zerru follows as he places his hand on Zakku's left. They both lead Zakku into the courtyard, the rain coming down harder.)
FIRE NATION SOLDIER 2 - Open this door NOW!
FIRE NATION SOLDIER 1 - Now, or we burn down this house!
(Tira and Zerru hide Zakku in the bushes. Zakku looks up at his parents.)
ZERRU - Zakku…We are going away…You need to be strong… (Zerru looks away as if he wants to say something more)
TIRA - Remember us…Won't you?
ZAKKU - Wha…Mom….Dad…What are you talkin' 'bout? Where are you goin'?
TIRA - We have to go away…
ZAKKU - Where are you goin'? Why can't I come to?
ZERRU - Because…where we are going…you can't come… You have to stay here…stay here, and hide from the bad men that are coming… can you do that?
(Zakku stares at Zerru and Tira and is about to answer as a loud banging is at the door again.)
FIRE NATION SOLDIER 3 - Open this door, Zerru! Open it now!
ZERRU - Xizzen…
(Zerru moves away from Zakku and Tira. Tira turns to look as Zakku as she places her hands on both his shoulders. Zakku's golden eyes stare at Tira.)
TIRA - Remember, Zak, that we love you, that we care about you, no matter what… Hold on to this (Tira takes off a medallion that has Fenir's symbol engraved into the surface of a black onyx surrounded by shimmering silver, holding it in place.) It is the symbol of our family….let it help you remember our love for you…and never forget what is in there… (Tira places her hand on Zakku's chest where his heart should be.) Stay here…and hold on to what matters to you…and never listen to what others may say that is hurtful… all that matters is what you want to do with your life…You are never alone, all you need to do is look…
(Tira stands walking to her husband)
FIRE NATION SOLDIER 1 - We will break this door down if you do not open it now!
XIZZEN - I'd do as they say, Zerru!
(Zakku stays in the bushes as his mother and father told him. He watches as his parent walk away. The door suddenly flings open as light comes pouring into Zakku's eyes. He reaches out, but everything is then engulfed by light. Slowly everything becomes blurry as the sounds of birds can be heard as well as laughter. The sunlight is blinding as the sounds of summer can be heard. Slowly everything starts to become more clear as to figures are by the door. Slowly Zakku (Late 13, 14 in four months) opens his eyes fully, shaking his head slightly as his eyes open fully from sleep. He sets up noticing the figures by the door. He instantly recognizes them as Omzal and Zenti.)
ZAKKU - Omzal…Zenti…
ZENTI - Zakku….You were crying out in your sleep again…you ok?
ZAKKU (Smiles weakly)- Ya… I'm fine.
OMZAL - You're lying…was it that dream again.
(Zakku say nothing as he looks out side. He watches quietly as people his own age walk down the street to the academy. Zakku looked down slightly.)
ZENTI (Follows Zakku's gaze)- You want to go and join them…don't you…
ZAKKU (Closes eyes)- I know I can't.
OMZAL - That doesn't mean that you don't long to be like them.
(Zakku looks away for a moment, smiling at his adopted family.)
ZAKKU - It doesn't really bother me
(Zenti is quiet as he stares at Zakku, his expression showing that he didn't believe Zakku. Omzal see the hidden signal.)
OMZAL - I see…I'll be making some rice… (Aside to Zenti; teasingly)…Don't shake him to much.
(Omzal leaves as Zenti nodded, walking towards the window opening it fully so that the sunlight becomes blinding. Zakku closes his eyes as he groans slightly, moving his face out of the sunlight.)
ZAKKU - Zenti…It's to early for this…
ZENTI - Early?! It's almost noon.
(Zakku groans again as he tries to bury his face into a pillow.)
ZENTI - Come on, Zak, I know that you were only saying that it doesn't bother you, just to make sure we don't worry about you.
(Zakku slowly gets up, yawning. He looks at Zenti, and smirks slightly as he laughs.)
ZAKKU (Closes eyes)- Looks like you caught me…Seems you know what exactly my problem is…
ZENTI - Don't think that I don't know what you have been doing… You watched your parents get taken right in front of you…that would be extremely traumatizing for anyone.
ZAKKU (Pauses; Grim expression)- …What are you getting at?
ZENTI (Sits down next to Zakku)- You don't really remember last night do you…
(Zakku says nothing as he looks away, realizing what Zenti is talking about)
ZENTI - Zak…Your 14…You can't throw your life away. You came here drunk.
ZAKKU - I know…I should know better.
ZENTI - Zak… We care about you, you know that, right?
ZAKKU (Looks down; voice heavy)- Ya… I know.
ZENTI - Are you sure, that you want to join the army? You are far too young. You have been having these dreams everyday.
ZAKKU - I have to, Zenti…I have to regain whatever honor is left in the name of Fenir…If I don't then I will have nothing to live for. No one will want the son of a traitorous family…The only place that I have is the Army…
ZENTI - I understand, that you want to prove yourself in the eyes of everyone…But is joining the Army the way to accomplish that?
ZAKKU - They are the only ones who will accept me… I have no other place to go.
ZENTI - Zak…I guess there is no way to convince you…is there…
ZAKKU (Jokingly)- Maybe, if I can have a cake…I wouldn't go…
ZENTI (Laughs)- I'm not going to get you fattening, sugar-filled-sweets… It will make you fat, and lazy.
ZAKKU (Laughs)- I'm already lazy!
(Zenti stares at Zakku for a long moment as he places his hand on Zakku's shoulder.)
ZENTI - You might be a complete idiot sometimes, but we care about you.
ZAKKU (Smiles)- Ya…
ZENTI - Come…Omzal has a surprise for you.
ZAKKU - Humm... I don't think it's my birthday…
ZENTI - You're going to be trying to get your sentence of banishment lifted from the capital…The Fire Lord and high nobility will undoubtedly be wanting to test you to prove yourself to them.
ZAKKU - So…why is Omzal giving me a surprise?
ZENTI - Because, it could be your last.
ZAKKU - Sure…my last meal before the next…you know…they call that dinner