Chapter 5- Last good-byes

I slid down the ladder from the watchtower and watched the fight that circled the firebenders. A squad was already running out of warriors from the fight. Choosing two other waterbenders I stepped into the ring. There was not enough time left. If this battle took too long, the growing squad that came with the prince would eat us alive.

The firebenders made their first move. The first, conjured up a fire ball after fire ball with a just a twirl of his hands and threw them at us. The three of us dodged the flames that had almost taken hold of our lives. Kir and Amos, the other two waterbenders with me stirred the snow under the three and made a tornado that engulfed all three. It was enough to freeze them dead. Humph, it was good to me. I just hope that the other firebenders did not take out another squad of warriors.

The group around us cheered, but then quieted when they heard the rhino's hoofs rumbling in the distance. Zuko and his army was just a couple of meters away. I looked around me. We stood in our tribe's colors and false hope. There were about two thousand soldiers with me and a few squads of waterbenders. Compared to the prince's army, mine seemed like a small militia of a village.

The procession of the Fire Nation's army stopped as soon as they caught site of our badly damaged wall. I was feeling pretty ashamed at how far we had fallen. I watched in silence as the prince made his way to the front. He was joined with an older firebender beside him. Steam rose from the site the rhino's stepped. There was no way that we'd win this war today. Zuko's army was too big and fighting him would just mean a slaughtered town. What would happen to Jin Won and Liu? What about my father? Everything was going wrong. Zuko steadied his rhino again and drew out his sword. The old one beside him raised his hand. This was it. Should I fight?

I opened my mouth to stop them, but someone else had beaten me to it. "Stop!" It was Xiao playing hero. The old man lowered his hand and the army exchanged confused looks. "I'll challenge the prince!" Oh my…

This was not going to be good. Xiao didn't stand a chance. This was the prince of all firebenders, did he think that he could defeat him with just his sword and boomerang?

"What is point? You rather should die along with the rest of your comrades." The old man asked this and well it made me feel weak. What was the point? - But, Xiao didn't back down.

"If I win this, will you leave this town alone?" His voice was faint. I signaled the archers to get ready. If they refused, we'll have to fight again. We'll be lucky if the arrows killed them first. The prince, to my surprise accepted. He stepped off his ride and confronted Xiao.

If I didn't cut in Xiao was going to get himself killed, I pushed my way to the front just as the fight had begun.

"Excuse me! – Yeah, it would be a great help if you moved!" I finally made my way to the front. Xiao was doing alright considering the time it took me to get to the front. That idiot though was not going to win. He was still running away from getting hit and he couldn't even touch the guy. He suddenly slipped as a fireball just missed his head. I ran toward the fight.

"Xiao you idiot, you'll kill yourself." Before the prince could attack, I forced the snow to send him flying back. "You are so lucky that I got to him before he killed you." I turned to the old man and saw that he had grey sideburns. (Even more fun for me.) I forced the thought aside and pulled Xiao up.

"Interference! Little girl, you just cause the death of your people!" Zuko stood up. He had a ponytail! I clasped my mouth before I could laugh. I felt everyone staring at me. Clearing my throat, I straightened myself.

"Riena, what are you doing?" Xiao asked as he continued lying on the ground. I shrugged. That was pretty reassuring huh?

"Uh, as leader of this town, I'm willing to trade in my life in turn for this town." I said unsure of myself with raised hands. The prince and the old man with grey sideburns gaped at me. I'm pretty sure everyone else behind me was staring at me.

"YOU? – The leader of this town?" The prince asked out loud. Clearly, he was sexist along with the men in this world. I nodded. He shook his head in denial and was going to give an order when the old man whispered in his ear.

"Are you sure uncle?" I heard the prince whisper loudly. He was angry at his uncle's suggestion. As the two fought it out I put in my mind an image of the almost bald prince with sideburns. I smiled as I waited some more.

"Wipe that smile off your face." I followed and listened some more. "My uncle seems to have found some use for you, you're coming with us." I sighed heavily. Leaving meant a couple of broken hearts.

"No, she's not going." Xiao, that buffoon, was still resisting. Didn't he see what was going to happen with my plan? I turned around and whispered to him, "I'm going. If I don't it just means the murder of you and all of the innocent inhabitants in this town. Just … let me go." Reluctantly, he bowed his head understanding. "And yeah, I forgive you."

"That's enough. Come with us." Two guards on rhinos pulled me toward the army. I turned back briefly to see Xiao now standing, watching me go. Smiling, I waved a little when I was harshly pushed to walk faster.

My eyes burned with coming tears (it was either that or the rhinos). No, not now, I'm not going to be weak. I'll find my way back home …

… someday.


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