1 Prologue Pt.1

Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. My Grandfather, Admiral Jeong Jeong was one of the Fire Nation's greatest generals. My mother died giving birth to me. She was a waterbending prisoner that taught my father of her people. My father was one of the Fire Nation's last true scholars. My grandfather told me of my father's unusual interest in the other cultures of the world. Their relationship was hidden from the world and I was raised in the Capital City of the Fire Nation by the Fire Nation.

I had a good life. Though my father disappeared when I was just a babe. I started off in a seminary school like my father. I learned from the fire sages for two years until my grandfather learned of my talent. From there, he trained me for another four and a half years until he was sent on another tour for the Army. I was originally supposed to leave with him, but the Fire Lord, Azulon, had other plans. I began to learn directly from him and lived in the royal palace, that is until a series of unfortunate events took root in my life.

94 AG

"Good Kai! I can see the blood of your grandfather runs thick in your Veins!" A regal-looking elder man spoke from his great chair, overlooking the training square.

Kai put his left fist to his palm and gave a deep bow before replying, "Thank you, Fire Lord Azulon. Without your guidance I wouldn't be much of a firebender."

Azulon chuckled. " A genius of the century. Much like my son, Iroh. When the General conquers Ba Sing Se. I will send you to finish your training with the man that slew the last dragon. Until then, let me see the complete set."

Kai bowed again then took a fighting stance to begin his firebending forms. Like a young dragon, his fire shot forth and dance with all the colors of the sun's crown. Big, wild, ferocious, and intense. The Fire Lord watched and took great pride in Kai.

"Watch him closely, Azula. Like yours, his fire is special. But unlike many firebenders, like your Uncle, Kai's fire is created with the blessings of the sun spirit. Like at the beauty in his flames."

"Why do you admire such a person of low birth, Grandfather?" Azula asked.

"Hmm, that boy of low birth, is the grandson of one of my greatest generals, A general that even rivals your Uncle. He is also a prodigy like you, a fitting husband, he will be."

Azula's eyes widened with shock and looked between her grandfather and Kai. The brown-skinned boy with long black hair and deep ocean blue eyes wielded rainbow-colored fire that mesmerized her and made her gut turn in knots.

"Tsk… He isn't worthy of being my husband. I will tell my father of this slight, old man." Azula turned her head away from her grandfather.

Azulon chuckled and elbowed his granddaughter. "It is already done. I have talked to your father and he saw it fitting for two of the Fire Nation' s greatest youths to be betrothed. After all, it is up to you to keep our lineage strong." Said Azulon, "Kai! That is enough! Until my son returns, you will train with Princess Azula."

Azulon rose from his seat and snickered as she left the training grounds. Kai bowed to the fire lord. He then turned to face the young and beautiful fire princess. She was 12 years old and Kai was 14. The two usually butted heads when they weren't blushing at each other. Some days the young princess would hate Kai and other days the two would be best friends.From that day on Kai and Azula trained together and the Fire Nation looked at the two prodigies and saw greatness in the Fire Nation's future. A month later, Fire Lord Azulon announced their betrothal to the world. And Kai became the future prince consort, a volatile title that sent tongues wagging. But it would be years before the two married if they ever received the chance.

In 95 AG, General Iroh failed to take the city of Ba Sing Se in the Earth Kingdom, he returned in failure. His only son had perished and the man was broken. Disappointed, Azulon had decided to send Kai back to the fire sages to finish his training, as a war zone was too risky for the future Prince, but Azulon was met with extreme resistance from his grandaughter, a display that pleased him but caused a disgruntled grown from his second son, Azula's father, Ozai.

The Prince saw his daughter's change as a sign of weakness and corruption of his true chosen heir.

This is when things became dangerous. Azulon, like Iroh, was mourning the death of his grandson. Ozai took this opportunity to worm his way into the seat of the crown prince, usurping his older brother. But Azulon saw this as an opportunity to cull the bloodline of weakness.

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Within the halls of the throne room. Ozai, his wife, Azula, and her brother Zuko, kneeled before Fire Lord Azulon. Azulon sat high on his throne surrounded by orange flames.

Would you show grandfather the new moves you demonstrated to me." Ozai addressed Azula.

Azula smiled and happily rose to her feet and stepped forward. In the far corner of the throne room, Kai watched as Azula flawlessly executed her martial stances and wielded her fire with precision. Azulon and Ozai watched with indifferent faces but took great pride in Azula. Especially, since Azula's fire was transforming. Azula's fire was now a mix of cold blue and blazing orange.

Azula finally ended her dance with a flying kick that produces a more than adequate fireball.

"She's a prodigy." Said Ozai, "Just like her grandfather for whom she's named."

Azula found her seat and whispered to her brother. Kai smirked as he shook his head. He never tired of Azula's sinister ways. Most of the time she was just having fun. But her brother and mother were too sensitive and her father saw it as a sign of his family's inherent supremacy. But the truth was, Azula just wanted a little pazazz in her life.

But like usual, her brother Zuko could never read the room. In a gust of impatiens, Zuko stood up and took center stage as he addressed everyone.

"I would like to demonstrate what I've been learning!" he said.

Zuko took his initial stance and gently moved through the motions. Kai could see an attribute of fire that was a constant enigma to him. An attribute that Kai so desperately craved to understand. He even felt a bit envious that Zuko naturally exuded this attribute in his fire.

But that envy quickly faded once he saw Zuko feeble form and clumsy movement. His fire was like wisps and they were lukewarm to the touch. And though Zuko did not fall, he stumbled a few times. Ozai, Azula, and Kai could feel Azulon's temper changing in the flames that surrounded. Ozai even began to feel shame in his son, while Azula fought to hold back her laughter.

Azulon was now leaning forward on his throne. Though, Zuko's performance was shameful. Like Kai, Azulon sensed the forgotten attribute of firebending in Zuko. An attribute that Azulon had only glimpsed in his dreams and during instantaneous moments when he watched Kai train.

But sadly, Zuko had once again disappointed him.

"Pince Ozai, Why are you wasting my time with this pomp? He is 15 years old! Almost of age to lead his own men! And this is what he has to offer!? His failure, is your fault! Just tell me what you want. Everyone else, go." Azulon ordered.

Kai rose from his seat and stepped out of the shadows. As he walked to Azula, Zuko frowned and gritted his teeth at Kai. Zuko's mother, Ursa, smiled at Kai. She liked the way her daughter changed when he was around. Though, Ozai grew more annoyed with his presence.

Kai held out his arm and Azula happily took it as the two of them left followed Zuko and Ursa out of the throne room. However, when Kai and Azula reached the door. Azula pulled him behind the long Fire Nation tapestry the decorated the walls of the throne room. Azula gifted him a nice kiss and gestured towards her father and the grandfather. Azula then touched her ear, quietly telling Kai to listen.

"Father, you must have realized, As I have. That with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege of Ba Sing Se. And who knows when he will return home? But I am here, Father. And my children are alive." Said Ozai.

"Say what it is that you want," Azulon replied.

Kai and Azula were now watching through the curtains and Kai noticed a familiar gleam in Azulon's eyes.

"He's gauding him…" Kai whispered to Azula.

"Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant here to serve you and our nation. Use me." Said Ozai as he bowed before his father.

"There it is," whispered Kai to Azula.

Azulon rose from his seat in faux anger that Kai and Ozai obviously noticed.

"You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My firstborn? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh had suffered enough. But you? Your punishment has scarcely begun!" he shouted and the crackling of the fire intensified before exploded in a bright flash.

Azula giggle. "This is our chance, Kai. My father will put us on the throne. My grandfather is too old for these games." she said.

"That can never happen before we marry…" Said Kai

Azula snapped her head around with narrowed eyes. "Why not?" She asked.

"Because your father does not like me and your brother sees me as a threat. I fear that if your grandfather is dethroned, our love won't stand a chance against the decree of the Fire Lord or the Crown Prince."

"Nonsense. My father wouldn't do that. And Zuko wouldn't dare! Stop worrying." Said Azula.

Kai sighed and shook his head. Azula was too trusting of her father and underestimated the schemes of her grandfather.

"If you want to wear your brother's shoes than you wear them properly!" Azulon barked.

Ozai flinched. "What do you mean, Father?"

"Iroh has lost his only son, so it is only fitting that you offer yours as payment for your ambitions," Azulon explained.

"Yes, Father!" Ozai replied with a bow and backed away.

That night was a by-product of Iroh's tragedy and the precursor to another. It was the epitome of the ripple effect. Kai warned Azula to keep her mouth shut, but since he loved her for her wild nature, he figured that Azula wouldn't be able to keep the secret from her mother. No matter how much she tried to hide it, Azula loved her brother and his death wasn't an option, even if it meant sacrificing a life with Kai.

Azula eventually told her mother what her father planned to do. Ursa was in raged but in turn plotted with Ozai to save her son and put her husband on the throne.

By the end of the year, Fire Lord Azulon had passed away and Ozai had taken the throne. Soon after that, Admiral Jeong Jeong deserted the Fire Nation army and Ozai quickly dissolved the engagement between Azula and Kai. Prodigy or not, Kai was cast down to the lowest parts of the capital city, punished for his grandfather's mistakes. But it was also an excuse to keep Kai far away from Azula.

But that didn't keep Azula away. In 96 AG. The Fire Lord discovered this and banished Kai from the Fire Nation. And with Kai's banishment the weakness in his daughter was culled and her flames turned blue, burning hotter than the flames produced by average firebenders.

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In 97 AG. Kai had a near-death experience at the hands of an earthbending unit. For just a moment. He walked through the spirit world.

"Little Dragon. It seems you couldn't stay away for long." Said Azulon.

"Fire Lord Azulon… But your dead.."

The Fire Lord chuckled. "So are you boy. Well, not for long. Now, is not your time. I am here to guide you back to the physical world."Azulon began walking and Kai followed.

"Fire Lord… I've missed you. After you passed, my grandfather deserted and I lost all standing in the Fire Nation. My betrothal to Azula was dissolved and I was banished from my home."

"I know. I have seen it all, boy. And you have disappointed me. You have taken your defeat lying down. You were a dragon once, you must become a dragon again and use your flames to purge the Fire Nation. In death I have learned much. And I believe the world needs peace."

Kai looked at his old master with great shock. "The world will never know peace. Your son will make sure of it. And he will see that Azula and Zuko follow in his footsteps. As he and his brother have followed in yours, and you your father's."

"And you will make sure that they fail. When my son killed me, I realized that the elitism that my father brought to the Fire Nation was poisoning us. That poison must now be burnt away. Anger, rage, and destruction is not the only way of the flame. You must show them."

"And how can I do that?" Kai asked.

"I have spoken to Avatar Roku. He says that you will be needed in the years to come. No one knows of when the new avatar will return, not even him. But when he does, you must be ready. But for now, you must journey back to the Fire Nation and learn the ways of the dragons."

"The last dragon perished at the hands of your son, my lord."

"Hehe. Go to the ancient city of the sun and become the dragon you are meant to be. And if you love my granddaughter. This is the way that you save her. Now go and await the Avatars call…"

Azulon vanished and Kai returned to his body on the floor of a rocky valley. Rising to his feet. Kai limped to his destiny.