Well that was heartbreaking

Wow, this was very chilling, yet so in character. Poor Zuko. I wish he would tell Iroh what happened, but that's not very likely. The royal family is so messed up.

Poor Zuko! He loves his family so much, and usually that would be a good thing, but with Ozai... Thank you for writing!

AhhI read this on A03 it's so sad but a great fic nonetheless.

I can totally see this happening given what we see of the Fire Nation royalty! I'm not 100% sold on Ozai's feelings towards Iroh about the army, except maybe a resentment that he receives such recognition?
In a similar vein I've always seen possibilities for the demonstrated schemer Ozai to ultimately be responsible for Lu Ten's death.
-ArturiusRex8

That... was slightly disturbing. Sheesh Ozai... man he SUCKS. He's just a MISERABLE excuse of a human being and ARGHH.

Omg

Oh my gosh, this was amazing. Probably should not have read it at work because it made me get teary-eyed, but wow! Very powerful stuff here. Loved this!

I love this! This would probably be canon if they had the time to put it in. And this also lines up really well with vathara's 'embers' which i adore

this version of Zuko first firebending works really well for the characters, and really doesn't make me hate Ozai any less

I love the idea, but what really makes this story great is the details. The way that even trapped in complete darkness, he wakes up at dawn, that his small flame looks friendlier than his father's and Azula's, and the connection between willpower and firebending.

It seems to me (from this story) that Zuko was caught in a negative cycle of self doubt when it came to bending. He compared himself to Azula and therefore started out thinking of himself as a failure every time he tried, this shows with his first tries when he assumes it's his own flaws that lead to him being locked in a dark tunnel. It's also worth noticing that when he finally succeeds, he's not actually thinking of firebending. Instead the locked door has become an obstacle standing in the way of a goal that he IS GOING TO REACH. That the ultimate goal is protecting someone rather than saving his own life is interesting, I think, and reflects his later personality rather well.

The event also has the makings of a rather creepy ghost story somewhere down the road. I wonder how many would believe it was based off a true story? And how would Zuko react to hearing it?

O.0 Nice horror. Wow.

Oh man this story was sooo good! It feels like it fell right out of canon. Ozai would absolutely do something so cruel. And Zuko is characterized so perfectly, the little boy who never gives up without a fight. I loved it all. Instant favorite!

I loved all the characterisations, Zuko's relationship witj both his sister and father are so interesting

You caught the most disturbing part of Zuko's relationship with Ozai. He wants so desperately to believe his father wants what's best for him. And now I'll have this creepy image of a sad little boy ghost haunting the palace, sorry that he failed the father that killed him.