𝓐𝓬𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓒𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓷 {𝓐𝓣𝓛𝓐}

Part 1: Prologue

Within a quiet little village, in the eastmost part of the fire nation, with a single torch illuminating a small hut, a new mother came to be. Her eyes filled with love and adoration as she lay next to her newborn.

'You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you'

Her voice lulled the child to sleep as her hand rubbed small circles on the baby's belly.

'Please don't take

My sunshine away'

Once Fire Lord Azulon assented to the throne, he passed down a "Nation's Calling."

The Fire Nation child soldier program.

Children from unsavoury backgrounds or children from the slums were forcibly taken by the 'collectors.' To be trained in the art of combat and strategy.

For the greater good of the nation, those of the middle class and higher are more than accepting of the small sacrifice their people must make.

Your breath came out ragged as you dodged another punch to the face. The sudden movement makes you lose your balance as it provides an opportunity for your instructor to strike.

His foot landed hard on your stomach, you could taste your evening rations in your mouth.

Wheezing for air, you roll to the side. For every five of your strikes only two lands. And for every two, one of your instructor's attacks lands a hit.

"Not bad, but you need to be faster than that to get your next badge, trainee number 076." His grip on your arm is as tight as a vice. Pulling you off of the training ground for the next group to start their training. "For your age group, you're not half bad."

His praise meant nothing to you.

Throughout your years within the camp, it has been drilled into your and your peers' heads that you along with the instructors are nothing but tools. A tool that must be sharpened and refined, only to be replaced and thrown away once they outlived their use.

You yourself have gone through a couple of instructors this past six years.

The earliest memory you have is being branded by your identification number. Trainee Number 076 from the first battalion second training company fourth squad. That is what you are, nothing more and nothing less. A child soldier groomed to serve the royal family. You are to serve and protect the great Fire Nation and those who rule it.

Failure is not an option.

"076," your attention was brought back up to the older male, "I want you to focus more on your footwork. You can stay calm under pressure, that's good, but your reaction is a bit off." He explained.

The room he brought you to looked like an empty basement. Metal flooring, no windows, and nothing flammable in sight. "But don't worry, we'll work on it now."

Before you could ask him anything, he shot a fireball at you. You felt the heat graze your cheek.

The blast illuminated the room just a bit before it went dark once more. The smell of burning hair lingered as he got into an offensive stance. His eyes glistened with something that made your skin crawl.