A/N: I don't own any of the Characters or anything having to do with Avatar The Last Airbender. In addition to that, any references or allusions made in this story I also do not own. Some of the things i do claim ownership of however is the plot, any original characters, and any of my ideas .
"Ha!"
"Clack!"
"Huugh!"
"Ku-klak!"
My feet scuffle one step after another. I habitually hold my stance, by now martial arts were second nature to me. My hands slowly lower to another stance, the point of the wooden katana drifting mere hairs above the grass. My abdomen swells and flexes. Breathing in through my nose, I feel ki begin to fill me. Striking out at my dad, mouth open, and sword flowing through a beautiful, predestined arc. My father raised his wooden sword to his shoulder. Purpleheart wood slammed into purleheart wood, ki crashed against ki. The wood crackled, sputtering pale embers that glitter under a plasma glow. Astonished, both of us leap back. From opposite sides of a now scorched patch of dirt, each of us points our practice swords at the other's throat.
"Vernon! How long are you guys gonna practice? It's getting dark!" my mom stood at the back door.
"Just a sec honey!" My dad turned back to me. "Well seems like you're able to use ki proficiently."
" I…" I stop to sharply take in a breath. "told you…. I could…" My eyebrows furrowed in a childish glare.
"Yeah, but you're slower than Christmas." He patted me on the head. "Just remember to breathe more, Okay."
My breath was coming out in choppy rasps, yet I managed to get out a " yes sir" before we bowed out and prayed our closing prayer. I looked up and my dad was smiling at me.
" Son I know in 3 months you're going off to college. I want you to know that we love you and whatever happens we will always love you. You can come back to us if you need help and don't be afraid to ask for help in these coming seasons." His eyes began to tear up behind his glasses. " I'm so proud of you son." I took my hands off my knees and hugged him. Patting his back, I kindly reassured him, " I'll be here in the morning. I'm not off to college yet." I sighed after feeling him loosen his embrace. My father and I are close; we are similar to close friends and yet still retain the bonds of father and son. He turned and made through the yard toward the kitchen yelling something about what's for dinner.
With my feet planted in the ground my mind began to wander, " Was I really going to college? Wow, I guess I'm really becoming a man, yet I'm only seventeen." Shifting breezes washed over my face, then they whipped across my head in a cyclonic fashion. The breeze slowly got stronger until there were loud rumblings that shook me like a hi-powered subwoofer. The sound repeated itself like a slow beating drum. I could barely stand from whatever was causing the overhead bursts of wind. I finally managed to look up. Flapping wings nearly pummeled me, while the wind muffled my hearing. Next thing I knew a bloodcurdling roar ripped in the air just a few feet above me. It knocked flat onto the ground. My body shook in the midst of the aura of the unknown presence hovering above me. I curled into a half bowed half fetal position. I couldn't stop myself; part of me stood defiantly, while the rest prostrated face down onto the ground like the surrounding grass. The reptilian monster cried again. I held onto my head with both hands as if to squeeze that screeching roar back out of my skull. The sound only intensified. My roar-ravaged senses finally came clear. Producing a warm, gentle breeze, a dragon's wings flapped around me. Out of my peripheral I could see black claws covered in a scaly, crimson armor. I could sense its snout inches from my back. Soft balmy breath inquisitively pushed against the back of my gi. I clamped my eyes shut. No sooner than the darkness had flooded my sight had a second being made himself known. I could feel his ki atop the behemoth of scale and flame, and a red light bored through my now squinted eyes and went straight into my brain. The red, mythological beast just towered over me, and I could now feel my paralyzing fear start to wane as capacity of thought returned to me. Suddenly, the glowing apparition shoved a glimpse of his image into my head. In an open vision I beheld an old man standing on top of the dragon's shoulder blades. A maroon Pao coat streamlined with crimson adorned his built frame. He sported a long beard, had matching, white, long hair, and a face that was hard and wise, yet kind and compassionate.
I began trying to size him up and calculate my chances of survival. Hidden behind the overpowering lights replacing his eyes, a voice whispered to me. Barely audible, it spoke deep into my spirit. " A sage…"
Straining I lifted my head, " What are you talking about?" A whisper just outside of hearing, the voice repeated itself once more. " Roku? Is that your name?" I repeated what he said trying to hear and understand him. But no answer came; he did not speak up. I gathered myself and sharply drew in a breath. Redirected at me, the torrent intensified. His eyes glared like the midday sun. Barely getting into a wide-footed stance, I crossed my arms trying to block the wide cataclysm that plowed around me. "What do you want with me?" The smell of ash flooded my nostrils; the roar of flames filled my ears. My mouth is now caked with a new taste of fiery destruction.
" Careful Fang, don't kill him. " He returned his gaze back to me. " Boy, I believe you know who I am. I am the avatar. And I need your help." From atop his mount he bent over, stretching his thick, leathery hand. " You must come with me."
" Sorry Sean Connery. But I got a life to pursue!" I turned and ran. The grass underneath my feet fluttered as I spun through the air. My world spiraled as the earth collided with my face and rolled past my eyes. While I flew like ragdoll I caught a glimpse of a torched crater. A pillar of smoke and flame climbing into the sky. Using my momentum, I fell into a backdrop roll and tumbled a few times. Gagged, I coughed up smoke and ash, " What are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?" In shock, my eyes widened so much they resembled hemispheres.I wanted to scream but the adrenaline in my veins stopped me. I turned. Narrowly dodging the dragon's claw, I bolted towards the house like a child running for safety. Advancing quakes told me the dragon was only a few steps behind; I could feel the thick balmy breath against my neck once again. The reptile came up on me and In the next instant, flattened me on the ground with a "peck" of its snout.
That foreign red light invaded me again; fogging up my senses like a haze. "What fang? Is that your dragon's name? Roku? Was that your name? Why are you doing this?" Just silence. I screamed. Spilling my pent up ki across the floor. Forming a dome. I could see myself reaching out with white flames. Protecting itself. The dragon fled into the air, writhing and turning. I didn't wait a moment longer. Sprinting, I reached the door of my house. I risked a look back. Nobody was there. The door at my back and the wrecked garden in front of me, the now serene garden just seemed to stare back at me, declaring that I had gone insane. I turned around and went inside taking note of my shaking hands. I only shake for two reasons: excitement or anxiety.
Something big was coming…
A/N:My first Avatar fanfic. Please R&R.
I'm sorry if Roku seemed out of character. I realize that he isn't someone who goes around cappin' people.
I'm reading/editing the second chap as we speak. It will be up soon so please be patient
