A very long time before Katara and Sokka find Aang, in another war....
''As a prince, I must learn to help my nation.''
I repeat.
''I mustn't run from fear."
I repeat, hesitating. I'm fearful of everything.
"I am the heir to the throne, I mustn't let ANYONE change that. I will strive for power over the other kingdoms. I won't stop until the only thing left of them is a charred, burnt land. I will work to gain complete power over the flame I can manipulate."
My eyes grow wide. I still repeat. "Splendid," Azaia says.
"Do I have to do all that? I like peace. I don't like using my power to hurt others."
I have grown tired of this raging war. It's lasted over 10 years. The fire nation has been trying to expand its kingdom. We expect this to be the first of two huge wars.
Azaia stares at me. ''Are you stupid?!" she roars, "We aren't going to win this war with peace!"
"Well, maybe there wouldn't be a war if we remained peaceful!" I shoot back. I instantly regret that desicion. "Agni kai. You, me. Sundown, tonight," she snarls in my face. Maybe I am just super dumb. I should have just shut up.
Agni kais are very intense firebending battles. My father almost died from one. My servants tie my hair up and dress me for the fight. I pretend that I'm not scared. I pretend that I'm not gonna die. The battle starts. I walk to the arena.
"Prince Wan, approach the opponet." I obey. Azaia is tall, muscular and beautiful. Her black hair is pulled into a tight bun. My eyes fill with tears, I'm so horrified. We both stand in our fighting stances. She runs towards me and I run, like the coward I am. She kicks, and fire almost burns me. I send a jet of fire towards her. She yelps and falls back. Azaia sends repeating bursts of fire, and I dodge every single one.
I raise flame up, catching her leg. She howls and falls. The fire is creeping up her leg, slowly, steadily. Shes in no condition to fight. My mother screams at me to finish her off. I let flames hover above my hands and hit Azaia with it. Her breathing gradually stops. What have I done? Servants carry her away to the medical chambers. I've won. I defeated her. Why does it feel so painful? She's never been nice to me, but this is wrong. The crowd cheers like crazy, but I fall down. I start crying. I'm so embarrased! I'm a 16 year old prince, bawling because I won a battle against a girl I don't even like!
Later that night, I sink into my bed. I make a solemn promise to myself. I will never fight again.
