𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐍 ꩜ prince zuko

⁰¹

CHAPTER ONE

        FREEDOM IS A UNIVERSAL longing, something every human being yearns for; we all desire release from the chains of war, oppression, and destruction. People will risk everything — even their lives — for a chance to live freely. No one should be imprisoned simply for opposing a system or holding different beliefs. Once, the city of Ba Sing Se symbolized that hope; refugees who had journeyed for months, fleeing chaos and danger, found solace within its massive walls. It wasn't perfect — life in the city came with its own struggles — but it was a sanctuary compared to the wild unknown they had left behind. Ba Sing Se became a haven, a home to people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and faiths; though the city was divided by strict social classes, there was still a sense of peace. People found purpose; some ran shops while others labored in factories to support their families.

        That was until the Fire Nation took control. After that, freedom became nothing more than a distant memory.

        For the past six years, Ba Sing Se has remained under the iron grip of the Fire Nation. With the aid of the Dai Li, Fire Nation soldiers patrolled the streets of the once-great Earth Kingdom capital, their presence a constant reminder of fear and control. Citizens kept their heads down and their mouths shut; even the smallest misstep could lead to imprisonment or worse. The Fire Nation had proven itself a relentless and formidable force; after wiping out the Air Nomads and igniting the Hundred Year War, they turned their attention to the Northern Water Tribe. The conquest continued without pause; Omashu, another proud Earth Kingdom city, fell in due time. And finally, the walls of Ba Sing Se — once thought impenetrable — succumbed.

        In this world, some are born with extraordinary abilities known as bending. Waterbenders, firebenders, and earthbenders walked among ordinary people, their gifts woven into the fabric of daily life. While not everyone could bend, those who could often use their abilities to support their communities by healing, building, and more. Under Fire Nation rule, the once-celebrated art of bending was outlawed; anyone caught using their abilities — no matter the intent — was arrested without warning, often disappearing without a trace. The only form of bending allowed within the city was firebending, now regarded as superior and unquestionable. Yet no one rose to challenge it; the people were silenced by fear and accepted the iron-fisted rule of the Fire Nation and the Dai Li. 

        Across the world, underground groups began to form; they believed in a world free from tyranny, a world where the Fire Nation no longer held power over people's lives. Different in origin but united in mission, these vigilantes risked everything for the chance to ignite change. Vigilante groups had become a common presence in Ba Sing Se, operating in the shadows. Though many fought bravely, most were eventually discovered and imprisoned without mercy. The Fire Nation and the Dai Li were relentless, snuffing out rebellion wherever it sparked. But one girl stood apart; she had no banner, no allies, just a fierce determination burning in her heart. Alone, she vowed to free Ba Sing Se from the grip of the Fire Nation and end the nightmare her city had become.

        And she was not going to stop until her goal was complete.

. . .

        A young woman rolled over in bed, her eyes drifting to the window where orange, yellow, and brown leaves spiraled gently to the ground. A warm breeze slipped through the open pane, setting the sheer curtains afloat and coaxing soft melodies from a nearby wind chime. Outside, quiet voices murmured, no doubt early risers heading to work or the nearby university. With a sigh and a yawn, she pushed herself upright, the comfort of sleep still clinging to her limbs. Her back cracked as she stretched, then she groaned and collapsed back onto the thin mattress.