My son kneels before me, trembling, silent tears forcing their way down his face. Disgraceful—a man of the Fire Nation never cries. He never trembles.

He cries to me for mercy, for understanding, for forgiveness. Men of the Fire Nation do not want or give mercy; nor do they attempt to understand treachery. Men of the Fire Nation do not forgive.

If he had merely fought me, even if it had just been a facade, I would not have been quite so angry. But his actions are dishonorable. He is outright refusing to fight me. He is not only defying his father…he is defying his Fire Lord, and that, among any subject, is inexcusable.

I look into his golden eyes (My eyes, a tiny voice whispers inside my head), and I raise my hand, commanding flame to dance. He has disobeyed me. He will deserve his punishment.

His screams echo through the arena. The crowd falls silent.

Men of the Fire Nation know not to cross the line.

A/N: A lot of my drabbles on here will be written for the Avatar 100. I just like to publish them.

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