Disclaimer:

I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any of the amazing characters. The only characters I own are Hikari, Hinata, Mishal and Kalinda who are of my own imagination.

Legacy Of The Sun

Chapter One

Hinata,

I'm leaving but I'm sure you expected that. I want more from my life than what we're trained for, I don't want to feel trapped like our mother always seemed. I might be gone for a few months, years or even forever. I leave my responsibilities to you, you always wanted it more than I did. I know our people will be safe in your hands.

I'm sorry,

Hikari.

It was nearly dawn, which meant that Hinata would be reading my note. I was sure she would only throw it away but I owed some form of explanation for my leaving, she was my sister after all. We were twins, born into a civilisation away from the rest of the world but like our mother I always longed for more. When our mother passed away I decided it was time for me to leave and, leaving my note for Hinata, left in the middle of the night.

Now I stood atop a hill of fire lilies, gazing at the port town bellow. I was about to start my own journey and I couldn't stop the bubble of excitement grow at the thought. A chirp caught my attention, I turned to look at the small dark purple dragon perch on my shoulder; Mishal. I grinned as she nuzzled my face. Back home it is customary for someone of my position to raise a young dragon, guarding and nurturing them to adulthood. I tried to leave Mishal behind but she would not have it, wanting to join my midnight escapade. If I ever went back I knew I'd pay dearly for taking a dragon from the safety of our home but I couldn't say no to her.

I watched the sun break the horizon, smiling as I feel the sun's rays warm the fire in my blood. I longed to unleash the fire within me, as many firebenders do when the sun graces the sky. Since I was leaving the fire nation I doubted I would be able to fire bend much. So I take a stance, loose and flowing to guide the fire. I spin, jump and kick my way through the air, confidently creating a strong flow of flames dancing around and engulfing my body. I shoot a plume of hot fire in the air, finishing my morning routine. I may have left home but I didn't want to abandon everything I had been taught. I call Mishal who had taken to flying through the flames above me, chirping and growling happily as she mimicked my routine as well as she could. I open a sack I had brought with me but the happy noises turned angry

"Come on Mishal! I don't like it either but you can't be seen by outsiders, at least not yet." I whine back at her. She starts cooing dully in response

"It won't be for long, just until we reach the Earth Kingdom, away from the colonies." Mishal grunts as she settles into the sack reluctantly. I cover the top loosely, hushing the young dragon before setting off into the town. I needed to find a ship to cross the ocean, after that I could go wherever I wanted! I couldn't help but grin widely at the thought.

The town was small so it hard to keep a low profile with a bag that moved every few minutes and me talking into it. I moved quickly toward the dock trying to avoid too much attention where I tried to barter with a few ship captains with little success, I didn't have much money and passage to the Earth Kingdom was not cheap. I was losing hope as the morning passed by, no one was willing to take me across the ocean borders without the appropriate papers for the meagre amount I had. If I was caught in a random inspection in the sea barricade then the crew of the ship along with myself would be severely punished for smuggling. I sat at the edge of one of the docks, looking out into the ocean, I was so close to what I wanted yet so far. Mishal started making unhappy noises a while ago, I couldn't see anyone nearby so I took the cover off the sack letting her have a little freedom while I tried to come up with a plan.

It was nearing the late afternoon and I was still sat at the edge of this dock trying to figure something out, I just had to be optimistic. Someone would take me eventually, I just knew it!

"Word is you're looking for a way out to the Earth Kingdom." I jumped at the voice, scrambling to cover Mishal. I looked over my shoulder to see a gruff looking man with long grey hair accompanied by an Iguana Parrot I noticed with mild shock, not a common pet but I wasn't one to talk with a dragon in my bag.

"That's right! I just need passage to any port town, can you do it?" I ask excitedly standing up to face the man, this could be my chance!

"I happen to know a way across a very quiet part of the barricade, what's it worth to you?" The man asked raising a brow. I go into my bag pulling out a small sack of coins, Mishal moving at the disturbance. I offer the coin pouch to the man, he takes a look before looking around seemingly in thought. I falter for a second thinking he wouldn't accept as he looked off to the side.

"I think we got ourselves a deal."

I stood on the deck of the ship, enjoying the sea breeze flowing through my hair smiling widely. I was finally leaving the Fire Nation! The crew kept to themselves even though I've tried to talk. Eventually I just gave up, they seemed nice enough. Instead I took wandering the deck of the ship with Mishal still inside the sack that I refused to let go of. So far I spent most my time at the bow of the ship, watching the horizon as we sailed by. I was constantly thinking of the adventures me and Mishal would get into on our travels. Would we run into bandits? Herds of Deer Dogs? Hopping Llamas? Groups of pirates?! The possibilities seemed endless to me and according to the ship's captain, I only had two weeks left to wait!

I was starting to get bored and agitated, there was only a day or two left to go but I've had to spend the whole time on deck or in my room. The captain found me wandering the ship a few days in and made it very clear I was not to roam without supervision. I had started to notice a lot of hushed voices and whispers in my direction and It was starting to unnerve me a bit. After a few more days I decided to stay in my cabin as much as I could, away from the crew, this way allowed Mishal to roam out of the sack which she was extremely happy about. So we spent the trip playing games to pass the time and it was working but the closer to the land we got, the more restless we became.

"I guess we never truly found our sea legs did we?" I asked the young dragon, she chirped in agreement as she curled up next to me on the small bed. I started thinking about home, Were the villagers okay? Were they mad I left? I suppose that's what I get for running off on the middle of the night, endless questions. I wondered how my sister was doing. Hinata and I were twins, the only children our mother had. Since we were old enough to talk we attended lessons about our civilisation and its place in the Fire nation over the years, learning everything we would need to lead our people.

There were many hidden and unknown villages in the word, ours was a sanctuary dedicated to nurturing dragons. Ever since Sozin decided to hunt them was a way to prove themselves an incredible firebender, dragons became all but extinct. My people revel in the old ways, revering the dragons instead of killing them. Mishal was my charge, just as my sister had her own. I could hear the young dragon breathing deeply beside me, tempting me to sleep myself. I fought to keep my eyes open but I was losing the battle. The last thing I heard before drifting off was the sound of footsteps.

I opened my eyes to see that the sun had gone down. I sat up confused at the lack of weight at my side, wasn't Mishal sleeping there? I jumped to my feet and started searching the room for her. She wasn't in or under my bed, I checked the sack with no luck. I tried everywhere I could think but there was no sign of her. I rushed to the door thinking she must have gotten out but came to a sudden halt, there were voices in the corridor.

"We got the lizard below deck. Bloody thing wasn't easy to cage." I held back a gasp at the man's words, why would they do that?

"Man its a dragon not a lizard! Captain says it'll be worth a pretty penny to some Fire Nation noble." Another man, Po I think, chuckled. They were going to sell her? Why would they? That's when it dawned on me, they were pirates! How could I be so stupid! That's why the captain agreed to take me, he must have seen Mishal before agreeing to take me!

"What do we do with the girl?"

"Get rid of her, dump her in the ocean. Save her for the slave traders, I don't care just do it!" Po ordered to the first man. I start to panic, I needed to think of a way to save Mishal and myself!

I look wildly around the room trying to formulate some sort of plan. I look to the bed, I could pretend to be asleep and surprise attack. I look to the door, maybe I could hide and slip through unnoticed. I couldn't play oblivious, they know I know Mishal's missing. I quickly make my decision, darting to hide by the door. I had to get out without alerting any pirates, a fight would be too risky.

I waited as the door slowly opened and a large man stepped inside. I held my breath as he stepped further into the room, as soon as he passed me I slipped out the doorway and down the corridor as silently as I could. I could hear the pirate speak to himself confused so I didn't bother sticking around. I needed to find a way to the lower deck, this is why the captain wouldn't let me explore the ship; so I wouldn't know my way around. I looked rapidly for a way down to the lower deck with no luck, why didn't I just explore the ship anyway?! Then I wouldn't be in this problem!

I darted round the corner when I skidded to a stop, two of pirates stared at me in wide eyed confusion and I imagine I looked the same. They looked to each other , then back at me and back to each other before their expression grew dark in my direction. I backed up slightly as they stepped toward me, well no way around a scuffle now I supposed. I crouched low, ready to counter when one of the crew, a gruff burley man I think was called Roshi, revealed a scimitar. My heart dropped to my stomach , I was not equipped to deal with sharp weapons. I quickly changed my stance, shifting my weight to the balls of my feet and I did the only thing I could think of.

He swung his scimitar in an overhead sweep, I somersaulted backwards avoiding the blade which dug into the wooden panels of the ship. I jumped toward the wall and propelled myself past the burley pirate with a giggle, This was so exciting! The other crew member put his arms out to stop me so I quickly ducked under him, spinning around with a roundhouse kick to the man's back forcing him to stumble forward into his crew mate.

I turned and ran without checking on the two men, I was at a disadvantage on the wooden ship; I couldn't firebend without sinking the ship taking myself and Mishal with it! I kept running down what seemed like a maze of hallways, I could not find a way down. I skidded to another stop as I found some stairs but they went up, not down. Hearing voices down the halls I quickly made up my mind, leaping up the staircase and breaking out onto the top deck. Finding some heavy barrels I barricaded the entrance as best I could, It might hold for a while a least. Thankfully I was alone on the deck, giving me a chance to gather myself and think. The way down wasn't through those halls so it had to up be here somewhere.

I looked over the deck but that was all it was, a deck! So where was the way down? I was starting to think I should've kept looking in the halls when I spotted something, a hatch! It was hidden beneath some netting and boxes, this had to be it! I ran over scrambling to remove the debris covering it before pulling it open.

I could see stairs descending into the ship the only light source being some dimly lit candles. Taking a breath I quickly descend the stairs, reaching the bottom I no time. Before me was a wooden door, I brace myself before launching myself at the obstruction, forcing the door open. My defence position slackened as I took in the sight around me, treasures of all kinds surrounded me; books, scrolls, figures, weapons, armor. The room was filled to the brim with items, from all different nations as well! But how did they get it all? That's when in dawned on me, they stole it all, just like they were trying to steal Mishal from me.

Forgetting myself, I look around the room rummaging through some scrolls and books. Nothing of interest to me, earthbending forms, a few novels and stories and the like. I went to turn away when a scroll caught my eye, I picked it up taking a closer look finding it to be a map of the Earth Kingdom. Now this could be useful to me, I stashed it in my bag before looking around once more. I spied some gems and Earth Kingdom coins on a desk in the center of the room, not hesitating to sweep then into my sack. Finally I settled on what looked like fabric, clothes! I couldn't go around wearing my Fire Nation clothes forever, I'd need to blend in eventually. I grab the garments, quickly stuffing them into my bag. Frantically I look around yet again, hearing footsteps above, my gaze landed on a door off to the right of the desk. I spring towards it, forcing my way through. The room was dark and small with no other way out. I created a flame in my palm, illuminating the room slightly.

"Mishal!" I couldn't help but gasp out at the sight of my best friend. The pirates had chained Mishal at the neck that connected to the bottom of a small cage that was suspended from the floor. Immediately I try desperately to open the cage to no avail. I focus on my inner flame, placing my hands around the lock and hinges of the cage. Taking a breath I slowly exhale, smoke escaping my nostrils while I focused on the increasing heat in my hands as the metal beneath my fingers began to melt. I whimpered as a wave of pain from the molten metal met my skin. I pulled my blistered hands back and pulled the door of the cage with all my might snapping the weakened lock and hinges. Mishal chirped at me happily and tried to fly out, she made it outside the cage by a meter. Quickly I repeated the process on the chain, ignoring the tears of pain starting to gather in my eyes. I took a moment to gather myself, cradling my hands before turning to my reptilian companion.

"I think it's a good time to get out of here."

We raced to the top deck, all the while trying to ignore the painful pulsing in my hands. Mishal chirping round me periodically when I let out a pained noise. I slowed as we approached the deck, the hatch wad been closed. I knew I left open when I came in here, which means that they knew I was down here and waiting for me on deck. I looked at my hands, red and blistered from he heat of the molten metal that slipped through my fingertips moments ago, so going back to grab a weapon would be pointless since I couldn't use it. I tried making a flame in my hand to find myself wincing at the feel of intense energy flowing through my delicate hands. Even fire bending wasn't an option.

I took a deep breath, braced myself and burst through the hatch. The wood splintered as my feet made contact, flying off in all directions. I lowered my arms protecting my face as my feet made contact with the ships deck, settling into a defensive position. I glanced quickly around the deck seeing the Captain and members of his crew scattered around the deck, the Captains' Iguana Parrot circling above us.

"Give it up Girly, you can't run from the whole crew. Give us your beast and we'll drop you on an island somewhere. Alive." The smirk on the Captain's face didn't reassure me in the slightest that I'd be unharmed if I did what he wanted. I started to panic, looking for a way out. How was I going to get out!? The pirates started to move when I spotted something on the horizon, land and lots of it! I just needed to make it off this ship, one way or another. My hands twitched, reminding me of the pain I'd put them through. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs as much as I could. I felt the energy pulse through my body and as soon as I felt that tingling reaching my throat I released the air with the force of an airbender, firing a dragon's breath in a circle around me. Even Mishal tried to join in releasing small puffs above my head. The pirates recoiled, for the most part and backed off giving me more room. I ducked to the right, kicking a pirate in the abdomen stunning him and running past. Another pirate appeared in front of me, slashing his cutlass through the air making me stumble; barely dodging the blade. I ended up falling to my knees and I scramble to get on my feet again when I feel a blow meet my back, flinging me against the railing, cracking it.

I shook my head, trying to see straight through the pain in my ribs, when a plan formed in my mind. The pirate with the cutlass had advanced slightly and I dashed for him, he swung a vertical attack. I jump to the side and dart full speed at the brute behind him; jumping up, grabbing him by the biceps and I swung myself around him propelling myself at the first pirate. I feel myself flying through the air so quickly the armed man couldn't withstand the impact and fell into another section of the railing, breaking it completely as he fell into the ocean below. Now there was a large section of the railing hanging by the broken splintered wood that I had fallen into before.

I turned around calling for Mishal, who had been flying over head avoiding the Iguana Parrot chasing her through through the ships masts. She dove down into the open bag I was holding for her and I jumped, right off the ship grabbing for the broken railing. I yanked as hard as I could while falling and closed my eyes waiting for the cold sting of the water. The water was colder than I thought It would be, being used to the warm Fire Nation waters, and I couldn't stop the gasp from escaping me letting the cold salty sea water in. I reached for the surface as fast as I could, breaking through the waves with sputters and coughs trying to reject the water from my lungs. I bring up Mishals sack, letting the small dragon out and letting her recover herself. I focus on treading water, recovering as the pirate ship sailed away when I hear Mishal chirping behind me. I swim around, alert for another problem but I relax with a laugh when I see her, sat atop the broken railing. I push my way to the drifting wood, climbing up and collapsing with tears in my eyes.

Authors Note:

So there's the first chapter, I hope some of you readers like it. Honestly I'm not sure how I feel about how I wrote half of this chapter because I had such a long break between writing it I'm not sure if maybe it reads disconnected? If you noticed anything please let me know with a comment so I can try and rewrite it as a single sitting and fix any issues. Then again maybe I'm worried about nothing!

Thanks very much for reading, I hope you enjoyed! Feedback and comments welcome, please be constructive if it's negative so I may improve. See you in the next chapter!