Relentless Fire
Even while I was a child I recognized the power of rage. The unrelenting fury warms my blood and fuels my will to assume the power that is rightfully mine. I was always the strongest and the most cunning, growing up I broke all obstacles set in front of me while Iroh studied his obstacles and destroyed them methodically….what a waste of power. I surpassed all standards for a child my age yet Iroh always set the records. He always was the golden child; I was quickly praised then forgotten like a new piece of furniture before it becomes a vague afterthought. He was pampered and given the best of everything when it was apparent that I was the best of the both of us, I had the strongest will. He tried to be a brother and I acted in kind…..on the surface. In my blood I hated him with a passion never known before and never to be seen again. I let my anger fester inside of me; it was my life line, my power.
When I married Ursa I truly did love her, her soft eyes and cooling words were a drop of dew in the searing heat that was my soul. She allowed me a peaceful respite in a time where I needed to calm myself for the process of assuming the throne. I married high to please father, while Iroh married a lowly pathetic merchant's daughter yet he still was chosen as general before I was. Ursa could never understand that power was all there was. There was nothing else, everything and everybody else was trivial and expendable. I tried to please father in my actions, by being ruthless and powerful, yet he still favored Iroh's foolish methodical approach. Power is not methodical it is furious, it is strong, it is relentless, it is Fire Nation. From that day forward I plotted my ascension to the throne, my call to the glorious place I was always destined to hold.
It was a dark stormy night; the rain fell in sheets against the tiled palace roof. The constant white noise accentuated my anger. How DARE Zuko dishonor me like that! All my plans to ascend the throne through fathers witness of Azula's talent and my ability to harness a great power and he steps up with his weak and pathetic show of firebending. The rain was so loud I could hear it in the throne room as I sat and meditated on what my father had told me. If it would mean increased respect from my father then fine, Zuko should never have interfered with his disgraceful attempt. As I made my decision and started towards Zuko's room Ursa came around the corner to block my path, apparently she had heard the entire exchange and the fire in her eyes was…..very attractive. For the first time her anger and rage equaled mine and for the first time in years she was where I had been my entire life. Yet she was an obstacle in my way so I brushed her aside, she stood her ground and unleashed a storm of fire I had never seen before in my life. It surrounded me life a raging inferno of anger, hatred, and passion….I loved it. I retaliated with a swift kick punch combo that melted the tapestry and singed the stone in the hallway. Her arm was a fiery red as I saw her raise it in pain yet she stood her ground in blatant defiance.
"Do you want to die here tonight my love" I asked in a menacing voice that dripped with sarcasm. She knew we had no sort of love left for each other for years.
"No, I wanted to get your attention. I can help you get what you want"
I stared at her and noticed behind the defiance and anger was desperation to save her son. That was my target; exploit her weakness so I can bend her to my will. Some people may say how could I manipulate my wife? Only the strong survive, the history we read is the history of the victor's and my history will be spoken in legend.
My wife did treasonous things that night including setting in motion the demise of my father while ensuring I would assume the throne. I banished her so that she could never reveal what we had done that night.
The pitter patter of the rain drops fell against the roof of my palace and I saw her hail a passing ship and as she swam towards the boat I turn my back on her and leave the window I was watching her in. I go to the throne room and sit on the magnificent throne that would be mine in mere hours. I sit as the flames surround me and I embrace their power. The power that always should have been mine.