Phoenix Reborn

Love and empathy were weaknesses he could never abide. Power was the only pursuit, the only thing that mattered. In this endless chase he let his approval be conditional for success, his wrath abundant for failure, the slightest sign of compassion chastised with remorseless cruelty.

Disappointment would hover at the door, a dread shadow barring the only exit to my room as he watches. I hold this pen with the tightest grip, several already broken lying at my feet. I know he isn't there anymore, that the shadow isn't real. But still I feel the lash of his venomed words, the fear of his rebuke... and his malicious hand rising to scar me like you Zuko. Most of all I feared his love... the twisted love he could only have shared with one before me.

People see a monster... I became such to survive. There was no other choice... even now people reject me over the bitter past. Do you still hate me brother? Does mother even care?

This the story of my personal take on a very personal redemption arc. I felt as though Smoke and Shadow took characters in a direction that seemed out of character and forgot what was hinted in The Promise and The Search so I'm taking things into my own hands! The prologue will be my perspective in the latter aforementioned comics and then from there we will explore a new story. I hope you all enjoy!

Artist for the cover is Flamula on deviantArt, please go check out her awesome Avatar artwork!
ATLA is the © of Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, & Michael Dante DiMartino

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