The DragonBorn

Chapter 21

It had been several days since leaving the village, but there were hardly any words spoken between the two of them. Zeraphina would constantly think about the family there in the village, and Zuko would only think about what the villagers had said to them.

As they sat in a small secluded area near the mountains, eating the food that Sela had given them before leaving, Zeraphina looked over at Zuko who frowned as he ate.

"You still thinking about what the villagers said to you?" She asked.

Zuko didn't say a thing. Zeraphina sighed and sat closer to him, "You shouldn't let it all get to you. You know who you are and that's all you need."

"But what they said is true. I'm a banished prince thrown away by his father. I've lost everything."

She leaned closer to Zuko and put her head on his shoulder, Zuko's face blushing slightly as he looked down at her peaceful face as she smiled.

"Don't worry about it so much. You know what your future is." Zeraphina held out her hand and created a flame with an image of Zuko, with his Fire Nation crown in the top knot on his head. He was standing tall and proud, smiling at his Nation who cheered at his crowning.

"This is the future you are destined to have, My Prince. We may be firebenders, but fire is necessary for life. When things burn away, new things can grow and live. When things are cold and lost in the dark, fire gives them heat and light their way. People have only been seeing the dark and painful parts of fire, when they should be seeing the brighter side of them. And that includes you as well. By the end of this war, you will be crowned Fire Lord. I promise you that."

Zuko couldn't help but feel a little bit of hope from what his friend said. She always said that her fire told the truth and her dreams were glimpses into the future. He didn't know what came over him.

He wrapped his arms around Zeraphina and pulled her close, hugging her tightly. Zeraphina was surprised, as Zuko hardly show any kind of affection, but she was happy to feel him hugging her again. It was almost like she was back to being a child with Zuko, smiling and laughing together in the night.

However, the quiet moment ended when the two heard a loud sound echoing through the air. It sounded heavy and rough, as if it was digging through the ground itself.

"What was that?" Zuko asked as he let go Zeraphina and shot up to his feet.

"I don't know, but that doesn't sound good. We should check it out, My Prince." Zeraphina said, and within seconds, they packed their stuff, mounted their ostrich horse and headed off to see what was happening.

~~~~

They kept riding until they caught up with a large machine that had stopped for the time being.

"What in the spirits is that?" Zeraphina wondered aloud.

Her question was answered when the machine opened, lowering a ramp and releasing three people riding on the backs of large lizards.

They were all teenage girls. One girl was wearing all pink and had long hair tied into a high braid. She was very thin but seemed to be very flexible with how curvy she was.

Another one of the girls was more gloomy looking, her long black hair was perfectly tied into twin buns and straight bangs. Her face was holding a very bored expression, like she would rather be anywhere but there.

And the third, was a face that was all too familiar.

"Princess Azula." Zeraphina said.

"And it looks like she has Ty Lee and Mai with her, too." Zuko added.