(1) Augmentum | Zuko

Chapter Two

The Avatar, Aang as he managed to rush out to Rana as they were making their way back towards the deck bolts out onto the bridge's observation deck followed by Rana who reaches up and pulls a sword the holster on her back, just in case she needs it. Aang hurries forward as Rana slows slightly.

"Go," She tells Aang who gives her a look back.

"What about you?" He asks.

"Don't worry about me" She argues and whistles sharply, from above, Noivern's wings flap through the clouds as he turns and heads towards them. Aang nods and opens his glider, throws it into the air and jumps after it. He catches it, a happy expression on his face. Unfortunately, behind them, a Fire Nation soldier, a fire-bender, a prince even, Zuko has followed after them in pursuit of the Avatar. Rana turns and swings her sword around. Bright rainbow light bursts from it and hits Zuko in the chest, throwing him back. Aang looks back, alarmed to see her fighting against Zuko. Rana doges each shot of fire Zuko sends at her, spinning and twisting out of the way, only to give as good with her sword. He is quick on his feet too. Swiftly dodging her swings. He throws another blast of fire at her, she's too close to him to dodge him. She stumbles back with the hit, she lifts her head to look at him. Zuko lets out a breath as he stares back at her. He gets his first clear look at her. And is surprised to find a Vastaya standing before him. Her ears flicker, twisting to listen to something behind her. Aang has returned to help her. He stands behind her, ready to fight. She lets out an annoyed breath. But there is something else in the air too. She frowns, her ears flickering to lean upwards towards the sky. Aang turns over his left shoulder to see Appa up in the sky gaining on Zuko's ship.

"What is that?" Zuko asks.

"Appa" Aang comments, almost answering him, Rana gives a quick glance at the rapidly approaching sky bison before letting out a breath.

"I said go" Rana throws out her hand, a blast of air throwing Aang and his kite into the air. He lets out a surprised cry but allows it to happen. Rana spins the sword in her hand, placing herself between Zuko and the Avatar's escape. "Noi, boomblast!" She shouts. Noivern flies down at high speed, lining up with the ship before he lets loose a sonic blastwave, throwing Zuko and his men back away from Rana, who then uses the sword to block a fire blast from Zuko as he swiftly gets back to his feet. Rana's tail flicks behind her in her annoyance, her ears curling back against her head. She hisses a little, baring her teeth at him as she shifts her stance. Ready for a real fight. Zuko glares at her and she lifts her lip into a smirk before she sends a ball of fire towards him. He dodges it and then looks at her surprised.

"You're a fire-bender" He whispers and then his expression hardens. "Traitor" He snaps.

"Yep" She agrees. "Gladly" She agrees and then dodges a fireball he sends her way but it almost catches Aang above her instead, throwing him off balance and knocks him into the water.

"Aang! No!" A voice from Appa yells in panic. Rana sheaths her sword and runs for the edge of the ship, ready to throw herself into the water after him. Zuko is right behind her, he grabs the back of her dress and pulls her back, stopping her from diving. She throws an elbow back into his chest and spins out of his grasp, dropping down to swing her leg out behind her, tripping him over. She holds out her sword towards him, the tip touching his chin. The two of them staring at one another before she pulls the sword back, sliding it away again before she moves to the edge of the ship. But just before she can jump, Aang breaks the surface in front of the ship, towering high over the bridge atop a swirling maelstrom of water. Rana steps back from the edge to stare up at him. Aang lands on the deck, his eyes still aglow, and bends the water from the column around him in a circle. He releases it and it expands outward in a shockwave that blasts Zuko and his men overboard but spares Rana who drops to her knees in a bow. She never thought anyone would see an Avatar again, even knowing what she is supposed to be, but that power was impressive, for a young Avatar at that. Aang moves towards Rana who keeps her head down.

"True Elemental" He offers, she lets out a breath and leans up to look at him. The bright light in his eyes fading. He smiles at her before he collapses to his knees in exhaustion. Rana stops him from face planting the deck, shifting to hold him sort of upright. Noivern landing on the ship behind her. "Guess this is why I need your help" Aang mumbles tiredly, she hums and nods before she stands, helping Aang up to his feet. Noivern moves closer to join them, helping Rana get Aang onto his back before she climbs up, careful of Vixen and Squirtle who investigate Aang as Noivern flies upwards to greet Appa and Aang's companions. They did sound really worried about him. Rana touches Noivern's neck and nods, pulling him into a hover over the bison. She picks up Aang and then drops down, landing on Appa's back before she gently lays Aang down beside his companions who rush in to check on him.

"He's just tired" Rana offers.

"And who are you?" Sokka asks her, a bite to his tone, his eyes shifting to her ears and tail. "What are you?" Rana gives him a glare, her tail flicking behind her.

"She's my friend" Aang argues weakly, holding onto Rana's wrist.

"We can talk about this when we get out of here" Rana scolds, prying Aang's fingers from her. "Find a place to camp for the night" She turns and jumps back up onto Noivern. Sokka and Katara share a look before she shrugs, Aang said Rana's his friend, so she's their friend. Sokka lets out a breath and moves to Appa's reins. She is right about them needing to get out of here whilst they can.