Chapter 1

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Zuko POV:

Fire. It has always been the most feared element known to the bending world.
*****

"Zuko! How dare you defy me! You are not worthy of bearing the title of my son." His eyes grew a shade darker. "Meet me at the arena in an hour," he turned around. "Bring your 'honor.'" He stalked out of the room, not offering a thought to my tear stained cheeks.

My head told me to run, but my feet disobeyed me as they inched toward my expressionless father. I could feel the sweat drip down my back, anticipating what my father had in store for me.

"Stand your ground Zuko. If you are worthy of being my son, then show me." His smirk made me nervous.

"Father I..." I was cut off by the flames that whisked past my face faster than I could blink. I knew now what he wanted me to do. I bent my knees, attempting to hide their shaking from the eyes of my father. I could see by the smile that crept up his face that he knew I was a nervous wreck.

And so it began. I blocked my father's fire attacks as fast as I could.

"Father why are you doing this?" My eyes were pleading.

He continued to smile, sending lashes of flames my way. I wiped them away, draining my energy with each move of my arms. I got to the point where I couldn't keep up. I mean, he is the greatest fire-bender I know.

"Father stop! Why are you doing thi..." I was cut off by the wave of flame that was aimed straight for my face. But instead of blocking it, I let it go. I knew this is what my father wanted from the beginning. I sunk to the ground, crying out in agony at the burned flesh that exploded on the left side of my face. I couldn't see...I couldn't see...I couldn't see. The pain was intense. It felt like I had bumped heads with Hades.

"You're weak. Look at you, crying over a slight sting. You don't deserve to be in my presence." And with that, he left the arena.

All that was left of me was my shattered honor and scalding flesh.

I would never fire-bend again...
*****

The heat of the sun reminded me to much of that day. I took long strides to get to the doors of the library. Ever since I had got to this school, it seemed to be the only place I could go where I wouldn't feel tempted to blast heat from my core. My father had banished me from home and sent me to Ember Academy, a co-ed boarding school where no one cares about you unless you are a bender of some kind.

"There he is!" "Shhhh he'll hear us." "I hear he comes here all the time."

I can't go anywhere without stupid girls following me. They whisper about me, stare at me, and trace my steps. So much for my quiet place.

I opened my workbook and began working ahead on my assignments. I can never fire-bend again. Instead, I'll focus on my studies and create a new path...one where my father isn't involved. I can never face him again.

"Hi," she had long brown hair, pulled up. I tried to hide the heavy sigh that escaped my mouth.

"Hello." I offered her a straight face.

"My name's Ty Lee. It's nice to meet you." Her smile was too invasive.

"Okay." My voice was flat.

"I noticed you working in your notebook so I thought I'd ask if you wanted to work with me." She seemed annoying.

"I work alone. No distractions." I gathered my books and exited the library. I didn't mean to seem rude, it's just that it gets old having a new girl ask me to work with her every day. I knew my temper was only wearing thinner the more she babbled, so it was best that I left quickly before I snapped. Ever since that day, there's been a burning urge to just let loose and destroy everything in sight.

But I can't.

Because I can never fire-bend again.

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