Daddy
Dearest
Title: A
Lesson Learned
Author: Dungeon Writer
Word Count:
326
Warning: Child abuse
Challenge: 25
"These
soldiers love our country. How can you betray them like this?"
Prince Zuko shouted, disrupting the war chamber. Why was that boy
even in there?
Ozai sighed. His son was weak. He needed some
steel down his spine if he would ever become a Fire-Lord worthy of
his name. He had been too soft on the boy. Of course, that could be
easily remedied. "Conduct Prince Zuko to my private chambers," he
commanded. A lesson must be learnt.
CRACK!
Ozai
watched his son writhe in pain under the lash. He did not like seeing
Zuko in pain but he knew it was needed. It was essential for
growth.
CRACK!
Zuko whimpered in pain as the whip eat into his
back. Had he not been chained to the posts, the boy would have
collapsed. How many strokes had that been? Ozai had lost count after
the sixth. Nearly enough…but not yet.
CRACK!
"That will
do it. Bring him to me," Ozai said, holding up a hand. He watched
as his agony-soaked son was untied and dragged towards him.
Zuko
was deposited on his knees before Ozai's chair. The boy was shaking
with pain. He was broken, desperate and helpless. Just as Ozai hoped.
"Have you learned your lesson, my son? Or must I continue?" he
asked calmly.
"Y-yes… I…mean no…I mean, yes Father. I
have learned my lesson. I will never be disrespectful again," Zuko
whispered.
"I do not like punishing you, but you forced my
hand. You embarrassed me in front of the court. I am displeased. How
will you remedy that?"
"Someday, I will bring you the Avatar
to show my loyalty to you. I will move heaven and earth to make you
proud of me. I would give my life for you," the prince whispered.
Ozai smiled. It was amazing what a little taste of the whip could
do to improve a child. "I know you will, my son. I know you will."
AN-I just felt Ozai overreacted over a small incident, here is how it should have gone in my mind. Dedicated to SleepingDragon13, a fellow member of the tribes of Jacob. Am Yisrael Chai, my friend!