Team: Water Tribe
Round: 6
Category: Drabble
Prompt: (9) Animal/Creature, Dragon
Word Count: 574

"Aang!" Zuko shouted excitedly, running down the hall at a breakneck speed. His grin spread ear to ear as he pounded on his friend's door. "You are lucky you are here right now! Come on, come quick!"

No sooner had the Airbender opened the door, Zuko grabbed his hand and took off running. The mood was light, even if it was rushed and Aang couldn't help but laugh as the grin was infectious.

"Wow, Zuko. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy." He chided his friend. The Fire Lord beamed, nodding.

"You'll see why in a second. Come on, I thought you were light on your feet!"

That prompted a full race down the hall, complete with Aang on his air scooter and Zuko parkouring. They reached their destination—Aang zooming past it for a moment while Zuko stopped- in record time. Breathless but eager, they burst through the doors. On the wall in the back of the room was a great fireplace roaring with flames. Zuko hurried over and bent down close.

"Almost time, it's cracking!"

There in the middle of the fire was a large egg. Its shell was a bronze, dignified color that sparkled and dance with the flames. Small hairline cracks were beginning to form across it. It moved slightly, back and forth, as if itching to burst open. Aang placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder in support, smiling broadly. He was about to speak when the egg gave a sudden violent shudder. Zuko gasped as a large crack formed. First, a claw broke free, kicking at the shell. Then, a wing, vibrant purple against the orange flames burst through. Another wing. Then finally the egg crumbled away to reveal its treasured prize.

"I did it… I hatched a dragon… " Zuko said in a whisper, not taking his eyes off the reptile. He had tears in his eyes, watching the dragon stretch his wings and neck. It wasn't long before the creature locked eyes with Zuko.

The connection was instantaneous and powerful. Zuko was filled with a sense of protection and love for the small dragon. He wanted it close, with him for all time. He wanted to protect it from all evil and harm. He knew in his heart he would do anything, anything, for the baby dragon. He sensed it must be hungry, that it was ready to come out of flames. He sensed that he was fragile and must be treated with kid gloves. It was amazing that he knew all this about something he had never before met or come in contact with. But he did and it made him the happiest he'd been in a long time.

He reached his hand into the fire and quickly pulled the baby out, bringing it close to his chest. His leathery skin burned but it felt good to Zuko, who stroked his long neck tenderly. He carried it over to the table where he had prepared a tray of all types of raw meat and animal blood. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Aang cringe and turn his head away from the sight of the dragon eating and drinking. When he had had his fill, he crawled up Zuko's arm and curled up against his neck.

"Okay, so I have a new nickname for you, Sifu Hotman." Aang smiled.

Zuko rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, and what's that?"

"Father of Dragons."