(1) Augmentum | Zuko

Chapter Four

Rana sleeps on the ground, Noivern curled up close by, Vulpix, Squirtle and Rockruff tucked under his wing to keep warm but Rana sleeps alone. She didn't bring camping stuff, she didn't really think about it when she fled so she has nothing. She twitches in her sleep, tail swishing angrily, reacting to her subconscious.

..........

Sunlight beaming in through a window illuminates Rana who stands in front of a huge mural painting on the wall in front of her. It's beautifully painted. Two human figures and a small vastaya child. Rana lets out a breath and shakes her head, clearing flickers of memories that flash through her mind. Of these people. Of them smiling and laughing with her. She blinks slightly and looks down at the book on the pedestal, open on a page about the True Elemental. A sketch showing them hovering in the air with their nine tails fanned open behind them. The Avatar stood behind them, eyes glowing. It's an impressive image. The two of them together. Something about this is familiar but she doesn't know why.

"Squirtle" She looks down at Squirtle who touches the mural softly, turning to look up at her.

"No" She argues and shakes her head. "No, that's not me" She adds, he gives her a look. "I...I was found in Capital City by Zhao..." She recites but it tastes like dirt in her mouth now. She can smell the lie she'd never noticed before. It feels dead on her tongue and in her heart. "Not here" She whispers and looks down at the book again, her fingers reaching out to touch the page. Touching it seems to do something. She's not sure what, but it sinks in. Flashes of memories from her past. Her childhood. Her tail being more than just the one. Zhao being shady and restraint on talking about how he found her and about what she is. Waving her off. Stopping her from questioning him and his honesty. She can hear the Fire Nation soldiers looking for her. Her entourage. Her guards. She pulls a face, snarling slightly at the thought of going back with them. She turns and looks at the displayed sword. It's calling to her. She moves closer, ready to fight for her freedom if need be. It's like her entire mind has flipped on the Fire Nation. Seeing things through a new lens. Seeing them for what they are. She reaches out and touches the sword hilt, her fingers wrapping around it. As the soldiers walk into the room. The markings on the sword light up and she swings it, a blast of rainbow energy flying from it, throwing the soldiers back from her. Her eyes turn determined as she backs up, her pokemon shifting closer to join her.

....

Rana jolts awake and sits upright. Back in the clearing with the Avatar and his friends. She glances across at them sleeping a short way from her, Aang having placed himself between them and her. The fire is almost out, meant to keep them warm. Rana moves her arms and produces a small fireball between her hands before she throws it out, relighting the fire. Unaware that Sokka is watching her. She shivers and wraps her arms around her legs, hugging them closer to herself to ward off the chill. She doesn't know what she's doing. She expects that her people would have talked her through it. Trained her up from a young age. Instead, Zhao hid that side of her away from her. She flops back against the ground, tears gathering in her eyes. Everything was a lie. She turns onto her side, her back facing the rest of the camp. She doesn't want these people to see her cry, it is a sign of weakness.

......

Rana takes a deep breath and she turns, bringing her arms around with her. She practising her fire moves without producing fire. She is not going to change her routine just because she's here. She needs some normality after everything that has happened. Just a sliver of herself. She closes her eyes and moves, turning again and drawing her arms another way. Almost like a dance. But one that has been practised over and over and over again. Behind her, Aang is on all fours playing with Rockruff who barks and bounces around him, Appa watching amused, Vulpix and Squirtle on his back with Katara. They are waiting on Sokka who is still fast asleep in his sleeping bag. The last one to get up and ready for the day.

"Wait 'til you see it, Katara" Aang states happily, full of excitement as he stands. "The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world"

"Aang, I know you're excited" Katara offers cautiously. "But it's been a hundred years since you've been home"

"That's why I'm so excited!" Aang points out and uses his air-bending to spin in the air.

"It's just that a lot can change in all that time," Katara tells him, trying to stop him from getting his hopes up. She's right, it has been 100 years, anything could have happened in that time and no one has even seen an air-bender for decades. It's possible that they are all gone, or hiding at least. They're not going to be hiding up at their own fortress waiting for visitors.

"I know, but I need to see it for myself" Aang counters and then looks down at Sokka. "Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple, here we come!" Aang cheers. Rana smiles a little watching him. He's so young. So young. So innocent and cheerful. Untouched by war. Untouched by everything really. And that's rare now. Everyone has been touched by the war in some way or another. Sokka stirs slightly and makes almost word like noises.

"Sleep now... temple later..." He rolls over and begins to snore again. Aang looks down at him annoyed as Rana brushes her hair over her shoulder to braid loosely. Aang looks at her and she shrugs. He turns back to Sokka. A mischievous grin spreads over his face as he gets an idea. Aang picks up a stick as Katara watches from atop Appa's back.

"Sokka! Wake up!" Aang begins to run the stick along and back down Sokka's sleeping bag. "There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!"

"Aaahhh! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!" Sokka hops around in his sleeping bag until he loses his balance and falls flat on his face. Katara laughs at him. Rana smirks and bites her lip trying not to laugh. Sokka looks very irritated.

"Great!" Aang cheers. "You're awake. Let's go." Sokka huffs and lets out an annoyed sound, then catches sight of Rana.

"Before we go anywhere" Sokka argues as he climbs out of the sleeping bag before moving towards Rana who sighs and places her hands on her hips when she notes his expression. "I saw her fire-bend" He points out. "She's with the Fire Nation" Rana raises an eyebrow at him.

"I was" She agrees, Sokka looks at her, surprised she admitted it. She looks down. "I was a soldier, I followed orders, I gave orders....But do you think I would have attacked that ship if I were still loyal to them?" She asks him and raises an eyebrow. "That I would help the Avatar escape them?" Sokka stares at her as he thinks about that. "I was raised by them, trained by them, but I am not one of them, not any more. I know where my loyalty lays, and it is with him" She nods to Aang who nods back at her with a smile. He wasn't questioning her loyalty.