Note: I do not in anyway have any rights or authority over the Avatar series, affiliates, or Viacom. This is strictly a non-profit story. This contains strong language (even if censored), strong violent, and suggestive themes.

ACT IV
SETTING: Seven days after the meeting with the Fire Lord Azulon, Zakku is summoned to appear in the arena of the Fire Nation palace. There soldiers stand at attention, their swords at their sides and picks out forward as they surrounded the main area. At the far end of the arena, Zakku stands, his hair down, roughly cut by probably a knife, and the hair arranged in pushed back spikes. There is a single sword on Zakku's back. It is a mid-sized katana. At his side is a knife. He is wearing no armor and only black clothing. Three cages were put down at the other end of the arena. It is mid day and the sun illuminated the arena. A single soldier stood in the center of the arena.
CAPTAIN OF ROYAL GUARD - Zakku Fenir, you are permitted to carry with you any manner of weapon you choice. The trial is simple, you will fight to survive and prove your loyalty to the Fire Lord himself. Use any weapon you can, sword, Firebending, anything to be victorious. If you attempt to run, the Royal Guard will kill you. You attempt to kill anything other then your opponent, you will be slain on the spot. You understand what I have told you?
ZAKKU (Nods)- Of course! (Draws sword) Bring out the first.
(The Royal Guard nods as he raised his hand signaling to the men at the other end to open the cage doors. They nod as the open the cage doors. Zakku stands his ground as he leans forward slightly to try and get a better look at what ever was inside the cages. Golden eyes shine brightly in the dark cage. A paw comes into the sunlight as the creatures come forward. The beast takes another step so that its entire body is seen. Its wolf-like shape is seen, yet its face bares a distinct cat, almost lion look to it. The fur is a midnight black as it shakes its head, showing a mane long and thick. Zakku narrows his eyes as he keeps his sword forward. The three beasts walk forward, one in the center and the other two at its flanks. They move to surround Zakku. The soldier-like teen pulls out his hidden knife holding it so if his fist is straight out in front, the blade was pointing down to the ground. He gritted his teeth slightly as the creatures moved forward, with demonic eyes. Suddenly animal charged forward, its curved fangs open wide as it tried to bit at Zakku. Quickly, Zakku struck at the creature as it leapt at him with his knife. The teeth struck the blade trapping it in its jaws. Zakku felt the beast strength and was surprised to find it stronger then he expected. He glanced to the side seeing that the creatures seemed to be using some sort of divide and conquer technique. As the leader attacked from the front, forcing Zakku to fight it, the other two were now at his rear. The beast to his left charged forward, teeth bared in a wide, malevolence grin. Zakku struck with his sword, moving it weakly do to the angle. It managed to make the beast stop charging however it exposed his back to the beast on his right.)
ZAKKU (Wide eyed)- Shit!
(Instantly it leapt on him, knocking him forward as the claws dug into his flesh. His knife was free and quickly Zakku rolled trying to get the beast off his back so that he could fight. The beast's body hit the floor as Zakku rolled on top of it, his hand clinched around his knife, which pierced into the flesh of the wolf-like beast. It roared like a lion as the knife entered into its lower gut. Zakku rolled again as the other beast charged in trying to kill Zakku while he was on the ground. They landed on top of the animal, which Zakku had stabbed, clawing and biting at Zakku as he struggled to move. One of the wolf-like-lions bits at his shoulder and pierced into the flesh of his shoulder. Zakku yelled out as he pulled out the knife from the lower gut of the first animal that attacked him and into the throat of the one biting into his shoulder. It screeched out in pain before going to the ground, its teeth still stuck in Zakku's shoulder. After a moment, the 13 year old kicked upward, knocking the other animal he had stabbed off of him. Then, he pushed the last beast off of him, showing a deep wound in his shoulder. Zakku glanced around as he looked to his right, seeing the leading animal standing before him. The golden eyes of the beast were fixed on Zakku. It growled fiercely as it looked at him. Zakku was breathing hard as he bleeds freely from his wounds.)
ZAKKU (Mocking)- What's the matter? Come-on, you didn't hesitate before. Why don't you come?
(The beast growls loudly as if insulted by Zakku's way of speaking to it. It took a step forward, then back, forward, then back, as if it was uncertain. Zakku pointed the sword he had forward, and took a step forward, slowly, and menacing. The wolf creature started to back off, growling angrily as it moved back. Zakku stopped after a moment, and went to a knee breathing hard, and loud. The beast stared at Zakku as if confused by what he was doing. Zakku lowered his head as he put his knife hand to his chest as if showing that he was in pain or wounded badly. The creature to a step forward, hesitated for a moment and then again. Zakku made a grunting sound in pain as he lowered his sword so that it was touching the ground. While his head wasn't facing up, but down to the ground, he smirked in a forebode way. Suddenly the beast dashed forward as it tried to take advantage of Zakku's 'weaknesses'. It seemed to roar with a strong fierceness that would be enough to scare any fully-grown soldier. Its teeth were wide open, as its golden colored eyes were fixed on Zakku. Zakku suddenly lifted his head and his sword. The teeth locked onto the steel as it scratched at Zakku with its razor sharp claws. Zakku grinned slightly as he laughed.)
ZAKKU - Nice try, kitty…(Starts to lift the animal off the ground.)…But, seems you bit off a little more then you could chew. (Zakku puts his strength forward making the blade move forward as well; into the jaw of the beast nearly cutting straight threw the mouth. It falls to the ground, limp and dead. Zakku breaths hard as the pain in his bleeding limbs are aching. His expression changes from the battle-look he had to one that looked slightly regretful. He placed his hand on the pelt of the dead creature.) I wish it hadn't come to this…but now you are at peace…and may you no longer feel the pain of fighting, or the pain of loss…
(Zakku stands up, his hand on the wound at his shoulder, and sheathes the sword and knife. He is breathing hard and looks slightly paler. Three Royal Guards stand up on to the arena floor. They are in full armor, their eyes only appearing as little slits in the blackness of their armor. Their swords were up, and they had a stance that showed that they were not going to back down.)
ZAKKU (Sighs; To self)- You have got to be kidding me…(The Royal Guard soldier rise their blades.) …I guess not… (Two of the soldiers charge forward. Zakku grinned as he dashed forward as well, his fists out rather then a weapon.)
(The first soldier struck with his sword at Zakku's head. Instantly, Zakku rolled under the sword attack and turned as he rolled to face the two Royal Guards. He realized his mistake and rolled to the left side as flames came from behind, from the Royal Guard there. When Zakku rolled, he glanced around noticing that the three guards now surrounded him. The three Royal Guards started to bend flames at Zakku. Zakku ducked low spinning slightly on one foot, using his own Firebending to gather the flames around him. It appeared to be a burning ring around him as he moved around quickly, bending the flames. He stopped, turning his hand and pushing forward, sending the flames at the enemy. Instantly they ducked down to try and dodge, however, failed to realize Zakku had been using the flames as a distraction. The moment the red light disappeared, Zakku had already charged forward to the first soldier that had attacked him. Before the soldier could even react Zakku had already hit him in the face with his fist. There was a crack, as the faceplate of the soldier broke taking the soldier down. The other two were surprised to see Zakku take down a fully-grown soldier. Zakku turned grinning slightly as he ran at the other two soldiers. They raised their swords high as the rushed at Zakku as well.)
KANANI (Watches the fight)- Talented kid…
UINGU - I'm not impressed… The beast he fought, what was it?
(There is a loud yell as Zakku punches another soldier in the chest, taking him down.)
KANANI - A Fenrir…A relative to the Wolflion.
UINGU - A Fenrir.
KANANI - Aye… Tell me something, Uingu.
UINGU - What?
KANANI - Why this kid? (Kanani takes a side step as one of the Royal Guards come flying to the ground where he was standing)
UINGU - Why any of the kids we choice? He has potential. He is already powerful, despite his lack of discipline. Imagine him after you train him…
KANANI - You want him to bypass the lower stage?
UINGU - That's right. (Uingu ducks as the last standing Royal Guard is thrown at him, making the soldier hit the noble who didn't move fast enough.)
(Zakku smiled as he watched the nobles' fall. After a moment he cracked his knuckles.)
ZAKKU (Bows)- Sorry lordships…
(Zakku is still smiling as he turns seeing the Fire Lord. Instantly he drops to his knees, his head low as he bows. It becomes silent. Zakku feels two people take his arms, forcing him up. They instantly take his sword, and his knives. They then restrain him from moving. Zakku didn't try to resist as the Fire Lord stood in front of him.)
FIRE LORD AZULON - You have shown your skills. There is only one thing that you must do. (The Royal Guards keep Zakku restrained. The Fire Lord hands Zakku a rusted blade. Zakku grabs the blade and the guards grab his wrist to make sure he doesn't do anything to harm the fire lord.) Sacrifice…
ZAKKU (Questioningly)- What shall I sacrifice, noble Fire Lord.
FIRE LORD AZULON - Spill the blood of your traitorous origins, and empress the forgiveness of the Fire Nation.
(Zakku nods as the guards release him. Zakku holds the knife in front of him.)
FIRE LORD AZULON - Do not hesitate, show your devotion, your faith to the empire. Spill blood for each sin of your family, do not scream, and do not stop until you have proven yourself.
(Zakku lifted the knife, his bright amber eyes staring at the blade. He had no expression on his face, until he began to cut into his arm. It stung, and badly at that. The jagged edges of the knife seemed to get caught on his flesh, making it jump slightly as it cut in further. Zakku didn't scream, or yell, but his face showed his discomfort.)
KANANI (Whisper)- Uingu…why do you want Zakku to bypass the lower stage?
UINGU (Whisper)- Because of the war against the Coalition. This boy has the ability to do anything and everything, if trained properly.
KANANI (Whisper)- We have never bypassed a rank before…how do you know if Zakku will be able to handle this?
UINGU (Whisper)- I don't know…If he goes mad, all the better, I say. (Uingu turns to leave) I expect you to recruit him, immediately after this. (Uingu leaves)
KANANI (Turns to watch Zakku; To self; Praying)- I am sorry, kid…I would rather not bring you into the life that you are going to have…Please, allow this one sin that I shall commit to be forgiven…I pray to you, let this boy be the one to redeem the sins of us…Allow him to bring to us what we have lost. Don't allow him to fall into darkness.