Chapter 2 – Utopian City
The city I live in is perfect for someone like me. It unites people from every nation – the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom, the Air Temples, and the Water Poles. Not only that, but non-benders live here. Everyone co-exists in what I like to call the fifth nation – Utopia. Corny, maybe, especially since the 'capital' of the 'nation' is Utopian City. But not everything is perfect here in Utopian City. There are five main schools in the city – the Fire Academy (for Firebenders), the Air Temple (for Airbenders), the Water Library (for Waterbenders), the Earth Palace (obviously for Earthbenders), and the Gifted Laboratory, for non-benders. In my personal opinion, I tend to think of us more as benders of a supposed fifth element – machinery. Like all non-benders are really just Machine-Benders. For the most part, Machine-Benders are gifted with their hands. We make good technology, and while most benders refuse to use are advanced technology, several sub-groups (mainly Earthbenders) have a fondness for us. The four first schools, the ones of the elements, are not really noteworthy except for several powerful benders they have produced, among them Harotake, the greatest Waterbender in the world after the Painted Lady, and an Avatar originally Firebender named Girini. It is the fifth and last school that we need to worry about here – the school that I attend. The Gifted Laboratory. Recently, I have proven myself quite an asset to the school, quickly excelling in all of the fields offered (even though I'd much rather be studying fire). But in these recent times, there has been much resentment from many of the students and teachers towards the benders for their lack of trust and acceptance for us. This is clearly not unusual. But several distinct members of the faculty have taken several students out of their classes. And it is troubling – very troubling to me, in fact – that I have been able to overhear some of these students talking about 'the plan'. And some of the less subtle students have even outright referred to it as the Yuri plan. And while this might not seem very troubling to you, trust me, the troubling part of this has not come yet. But it will, very soon.