Prologue

Zuko padded down the garden trail, eyes scanning back and forth for his sister. She had bested him dozens of time today in their little game of hide and seek, and he was determined to catch her quickly. So distracted was he, that Azula easily crept behind him, making almost no noise.

"Rah!" she said, sending a small spark of flame directly into his shoulder. He screamed, toppling forward.

She laughed at him. "You sounded just like a turtle-duck!" He leapt up, face flaming. "I'll get you for that," he muttered. He leapt at her, fingers sparking. She yelped, and tried to roll away, but he was too fast. His flame hit her shoulder, his anger superheating the flame far past what he had intended.

Her clothing lit, and she screamed deafeningly. Zuko looked on in horror. Her entire shoulder had been left various shades of red and black.

Ozai was the first to arrive. He knelt beside the weeping Azula, and inspected the shoulder only briefly. He turned away a second later to glare at Zuko.

"You insolent fool," he snarled. He stood, towering over the cowering Zuko. "She was going to be the most feared bender in the entire world." Zuko shrank back, eyes still fixed unbelievingly at Azula's shoulder.

"I-I'm s-sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean… I was just…"

An evil smile crept onto Ozai's face. "A pathetic excuse." He raised his arm.

Zuko's screams could be heard throughout the entire palace. Azula, still lying on the ground, smiled.