Friendly Flame

Prologue - Things We Lost

Fire crackled in the dead of night. Hot embers rose into the sky to join the millions of stars that were created in the past hundred years. A young girl with long dark hair and strange golden eyes ran through her burning home. "Mama! Papa!" She immediately hushed when she noticed the soldiers and ran away from them. "Jinghe! Where—," a hand muffled her words.

"M'lady, we must go! The others are getting them out as we speak, we must leave before you burn with your home as well!" The urgent voice of Ming her trusted handmaid whispered in her ear. "Come, we shall go to the rendezvous spot and wait for the others,"

A loud crash and male voices sounded nearby. Ming gently pushed her towards the door she emerged from. "You must go now! Follow that hall to the end where a mongoose lizard waits. Take the lizard and keep going east for two miles. Everyone will follow after you"

"What about you? What are you going to do? I thought you were coming with me!"

"Plans change. I'll hold them off. Don't give me that look, i will be fine. Don't worry. Now GO! Remember, we'll always be with you, support you, and love you." Ming shoved Wren behind her into the servant's hall and sealed the door.

She lit a small flame in her palm and started down the hall. "Okay, Wren. You'll be okay. Everyone will be okay."

Three days. She's been here for three days and no one showed up. Jinghe and the servants never appeared. Ming never came. She was tired of sitting and waiting. Sitting and worrying. Sitting and doing nothing.

She huffed and stood. She stripped off the outer flowing layer of her outfit and tossed it to the side. She rummaged through the storage provisions of the bunker, pulled out a dark cloak, and donned it. She rearranged her hair into a simple twisted braid and flipped up her hood. She's going into town to see what's happening. She made sure she had no family crests on her other than her hidden necklace, and ventured out into town on her mongoose lizard.

"....Long-Huo...estate burned down...everyone died..."

"Everyone?"

"Yeah, everyone. I heard the new Lady Osco is the only survivor of the Long-Huo family because she cut all ties with them."

"Aw, even little Jinghe? He was so cute, it's a shame such raw fire nation soldier potential was wasted because his father decided not to support the fire lord."

She silently listened to the chitters and gossips of the townsfolk as she browsed the market booths for suitable food.

"What did General Long-Huo do?"

"Who knows? I heard someone say he was caught selling intel to the rebel alliances."

"I heard he and his wife were actively working against Fire Lord Ozai both on the field and behind the scenes."

She purchased a basket of fruits and vegetables. As she handed the vendor her money, the old vendor commented, "Y'know such a pretty face like yours reminds me of the late Lady Wren. She used to run and play through these streets with her sister when they were younger."

Wren smiles softly. "Thank you, ma'am, for such a kind compliment. I get that a lot, but yours is just so sincere. I appreciate it."

"Oh dearie, you're welcome. I've always enjoyed watching those sisters play. Have you heard? The funeral honoring their life despite what the rumors say will be just before sunset tomorrow on the beach. I heard a lot of people will be there to pay their respects. Even the royal family will be there!"

I've most likely condemned myself to this by actually publishing on Wattpad. Who knows, maybe I'll never finish it as I've never actually finished any of my writings. But then again, I know this story like the back of my hand because I've grown up with it and watched it all multiple times.

Also: I found the image on Google and Avatar the Last Airbender does not belong to me. All rights go to the show's creator. Although Wren and her family and her story plot belong to me.

Enjoy!
~Lorri