Avatar: Lingering Tensions

Chapter 1: Path of Revenge

The sky is grey and a cool breeze flows through the air. There is dark yellow grass, dark yellow leaves on long yet thin dark brown trees, and several Fire Nation remnant prisoners in dark red uniforms are hurled around on chains as they work in a field outside. The yellow sun beams above as multiple Fire Nation guards on horseback with whips patrol the area.

The guards have black and red armor. They also have helmets that do not cover their faces. A middle-aged Fire Nation sergeant with a clean-shaven brown beard, tan skin, light brown eyes, and long eyes gallops forward.

The sergeant howls, "Go on then!" The sergeant pops a prisoner on his back with his whip and the man tumbles on the ground. Another prisoner with dark brown curly hair, yellow skin, a long nose, brown eyes, thin lips, and curved ears arises.

The remnant prisoner protests, "This is how you treat your countrymen?! We were only doing our duties, just as you all are now! We put the interest of our nation first and you reward us by treating us like animals!!"

Sergeant Guard: "No you fool! I see you have a selective memory so let me remind you what actually happened. Our country LOST the war! Zuko took over and changed our policy. Yet you stubborn warmongers are being treated like this because you refused to accept peace! You became terrorists who fought for a lost cause and you expect a reward? You deserve nothing more than the dirt!"

The Remnant prisoner looks at the sergeant with disdain, "Because Zuko is a joke, conspiring with our enemies. And you have chosen to just bend over and submit to those we opposed. People like me are built different. We don't give up and when times get tough we just fight harder. If you continue on this track our nation will collapse and lose all its glory!! Shame shame!! Sozin is rolling in his grave right now!!"

Sergeant Guard: "Sozin was a fool to think he could defy the Avatar and win."

Remnant Prisoner: "He did!! It worked for a time."

Sergeant Guard: "Judgement was coming to our nation and now it has come to you people! Because you were too stupid and hardheaded to get the message."

The Remnant Prisoner swishes his mouth and spits in the sergeant's face. Sergeant Guard: "Arrrraaaahhhaa!! You piece of garbage!" The sergeant rushes forward on his horse and causes his pet to stand up and kick the man in his chest. An obnoxious crack is heard as the man hits the ground. The prisoner wails, coughs, turns, and holds his chest.

Sergeant Guard: "Maybe that will teach you some manners, if not I will be more than happy to continue this beatdown." A younger Fire Nation guard looks in shock. The sergeant points at him, "Drag him to the infirmary and have him patched up." The sergeant looks back at the laboring prisoners, "And the rest of you will GET BACK TO WORK!! What are you standing around for?! Make yourselves useful or you'll receive a worse beating than him."

The prisoners continue their work and the guard strolls off. The former 31st trooper Ronin tilts his head and glares at the sergeant while is back is turned. Ronin then sighs and continues his task. Later that day Ronin sits in a cell with two remnant troopers sitting across from him in a bunk bed. The cell has a grey floor, stone walls, a dark grey ceiling, light green beds, and a dusty interior.

One prisoner across him has long wavy dark brown hair, pale skin, and grey eyes (Gendall). Another prisoner (Tokhi) has short straight black hair, copper brown skin, dark gold eyes, and a round nose. Gendall is in his early thirties while Tokhi is in his late forties. Gendall looks outside of his cell, "I get tired of this, I had so much pride when I was younger. But it seems all that ambition was, wasted. Now here I am stuck in this cell, where I will spend the rest of my life."

Tokhi: "Times are bleak, but don't despair. I've seen a lot of bad and good in my life, but I learned that a situation can easily change."

Ronin looks at his wall and says, "You think we can get out of here?"