Kuzon shot up from his bed. He looked outside and the sun was just starting to rise.

"I guess this is an effect of firebending."

He felt depressed since he realized Aang was probably dead by now. What was the point in getting out of bed? Kuzon then remembered what Kiza asked him before.

"That's right, I've got to go watch the comet with Kiza."

He looked outside again and saw a the sky was tinged with orange.

"It must be close."

Kuzon got dressed and got ready to go to school. He didn't know if the Royal Fire Academy had anything planned for the comet's coming. Kuzon decided to walk to school today. The academy wasn't that far from his house anyway.

When he got to the school, Kiza immediately found him. She grabbed his hand and brought him to their homeroom. Shortly after they said their pledge to the Fire Nation, the students were led to the school's arena.

This was the area where firebending students were taught. All the students of the Fire Academy were there to see the comet. The sky had been red since dawn. All of the teachers stood around, monitoring the students.

Kuzon stood next to Kiza, who had a wide smile on her face.

"Kuzon aren't you excited?"

"Yeah", he said boredly.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Look!", someone yelled.

All heads turned up and saw the comet speeding across the sky. Kuzon could feel something burning in his veins. He felt the urge to firebend, but he got the feeling he'd get in trouble doing it here. The headmaster made the students recite the oath to the Fire Lord.

It was then that Kuzon realized what those words meant. All his life, the Fire Lord was a symbol of good, justice, and peace. But listening to the pledge sound almost like submission. As if the Fire Lord was an absolute superior, who only looked to better himself, not his country.

--2 Months Later--

Kuzon was outside of his house, going through firebending motions, but he was told not to create actual fire. During the comet a few months ago, he accidentally burned his mother's fire lillies. So now he had restrictions.

Though the Fire Lord never gave an official announcement, it was obvious that he had the Air Nomads destroyed. Soon after, the Fire Lord started commissioning colonies in the Earth Kingdom. Kuzon was outraged.

He lost all respect for the Fire Lord and even hated him. Yet, no one in the Fire Nation opposed him. At least, not anymore. There was one big protest for his actions. All of them were arrested. Some say they were executed, others say they were sent to the Boiling Rock.

Kuzon hadn't heard from Aang, so he expected the worst. He also hadn't heard from Bumi or Kayeni, Aang's friends from the other nations. There was also some tension around the home, as soon Kozu was probably going to join the Fire Nation military.

"There's no way I'm fighting for Sozin now", Kuzon said to himself.

"Kuzon! You've got a letter!", Kozu called from inside.

He rushed in and saw his brother holding a piece of paper.

"Hey! You read it!"

"No, it just opened in my hands."

"You jerk!"

"What did you say?", Kozu said, putting Kuzon in a headlock.

"Boys, behave yourselves!", their mother called.

"Yes Mother", the brothers said in unison.

Kuzon squeezed out of Kozu's hold and started reading his letter. It was from Bumi.

Dear Kuzon,

I have not heard from Aang in a while. News has travelled of the Fire Lord's actions.

But I don't hold any grudge against you or your people. Although leaves don't fall far from the tree, wind can blow them miles away.

My current king is starting to loose favor for not speaking against Fire Lord Sozin, so there might be a revolution.

Have you heard from Kayeni? It seems she discovered she is a waterbender!

I hope things are good on your end.

Wishing you a steady future,

Bumi

"Why would I care about Kayeni? She's so uptight."

Bumi mentioned a revolution. He hoped there wouldn't be a war. Kuzon thought for a moment. Sozin destroyed the nomads. Why would he stop there? If he wanted to, he could annihilate the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes.

"No, I can't let that happen!"