From the Ashes

[Piao]

He couldn't believe it. His mother nor his brother could fathom it. The nation was in shock, and left in mourning. Fliers, posters, and pamphlets all read the same thing: "The Fire Lord is dead. Long live the Fire Lord." Fire Lord Zhen, one of the most enlightened people throughout the entire nation had past away prematurely only a day ago. Things truly hadn't set in yet. Some didn't believe it, some thought he had left too soon, and some just didn't have the words to express their feelings.

Fire Lord Zhen was a beloved man. He led his nation through an unprecedented time of peace and understanding. Zhen was a just leader and rewarded those who deserved it; and those who did wrong, were justly punished. There was almost no one who could complain about the leadership of Fire Lord Zhen.

Although his nation took a significant loss, it was nothing compared the loss that his family faced. Zhen left behind his beloved wife, Lei, and his two children Prince Piao and Princess Daiyu. The royal family was aware of Zhen's increasing sickness and did everything they could do to help him, but there was ultimately nothing that could be done. And even though Piao and the rest of the family were upset with what they suspected to be inevitable, Fire Lord Zhen seemed to be content with what would eventually happen. He was ready to pass on into the next world and leave his legacy to his eldest son Piao.

With the death of the Fire Lord, a new one had to be named to take on the responsibilities just as every past Fire Lord had done before. It was time to coronate the young prince into his birthright.

A ceremony had been held. A massive number of people showed up to honor the death of their beloved Fire Lord and to welcome in his son to the throne. The Fire Sages made sure that his funeral and coronation was to be one for the ages. the late Fire Lord lay resting in a ceremonial white robe upon a granite stone slab. Around him were white lotus', olive branches, and rose petals. The royal family stand off to the left in their white robes, heads bowed in silence. Prince Piao stood silent in the center of the stage, looking upon the crowd who loved and respected his father.

Piao knew they weren't really there for him, but to witness his father's funeral. The world seemed to rotate slowly on this day. Piao had no idea the weight that was about to be put on his shoulders. Not only would he be the leader of an entire nation, but he had some extremely big shoes to fill. No one knew what kind of leader Piao would be. Not even he himself knew how good of a leader he would be. Could this really be happening?

As Piao's mind raced, the Fire Sages started the funeral. Within only a few words, tears could be seen running down a number of peoples' faces. Sniffles could be heard within the crowd. And strangely enough, Fire Lady Lei's face was emotionless. Not a tear, no red eyes, nothing. It was a mystery as to what could be going through her mind right now. People had guessed that she was just concerned for her son, who was about to take on a huge responsibility at such a young age.

"Zhen, Fire Lord to our nation for twenty-one years. You were our beloved leader who put his people's needs before his own. A voice of reason and wisdom when times proved difficult," sobs were now becoming more frequent. "You were father of Piao; Father of Daiyu. Husband of Lei. Brother of Kozon, now passed. Uncle of Su Li, now passed. We now lay you to rest." It was at this moment that Lei had one single tear run down her cheek.

"As was stated during his birth, you are now succeeded by your first son. Hail Fire Lord Piao!" Crowned the new Fire Lord, Piao looked out among the large crowd as everyone respectfully bowed down to their new Fire Lord. From this moment on, Piao's life would never be the same. He now knew what he must do; Live up to the legacy his father had left behind.