Being the apprentice of the Dragon of the West entails a lot more than just drinking tea and playing Pai Sho, unfortunately. Shia has lived a miserable life, restricted by her noble grandfather's draconian training and her mother's everpresent disapproval; treated like a criminal by her own flesh and blood for sins that are not hers, she has never been more than a pawn at best. Her salvation comes to her in the form of Iroh, the General of the Fire Nation, who takes her under his wing once she is sent away by her family to serve as a child soldier. Under his tutelage, she becomes a fierce warrior with a calm mind. Years later, she joins her mentor and his nephew in their quest to capture the Avatar. A quest that alters the course of Shia's life irrevocably. metanoia (n.) - the journey of changing one's mind, heart, self or way of life. An Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfiction. Please note that the only character that belongs to me in this story is Shia, my OC. Slowburn Zuko x OC, for those of you who like romance. Credit: The art on the cover belongs to and was made by @Unodu on DeviantArt.