I Dream of Disney (Volume II)

Different Worlds [Prince Zuko x Reader] Part II

Part II - The Fire Nation Invasion

They came from the waters. From the turbid surface of the choppy, dark oceans; there came the hulking figures that were named as the intruders, the traitors, the slaughterers and evil ones, those who the villagers named as "the Fire Nation". Those words were spat, hissed or lowly uttered under their breaths as if they were reciting the bitter words of a curse. The pleasant stillness of the Southern Water Tribe -  punctured only by the comical shrills of the nearby otter penguins, the gentle whisper of the falling snow or the drift of a stifled laugh - was shattered. 

The noise reminded (Y/n) of the polluting, mechanical churns of cars in the city, except that the smog trailing out of the massive exhaust pipes could only belong to that of a ship, a ship built like the Titanic. A steam engine? In the twenty-first century? (Y/n) swallowed the lump forming in her throat. That panic was rising within again, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.

Katara was quick to grab onto Aang's sleeve, her pretty face contorted into mindless worry, "Come on! It's not safe here."

Sokka was quick to hurl an arm over (Y/n)'s shoulders as he lugged her through the snow wordlessly, but she made no protestations. She could feel it in the air. The feeling of foreboding, of something that was bound to happen violently. The girl could almost taste blood in the air. The foursome was towed to a glacial structure that appeared to be something of a modified igloo. Within the structure, there were blankets made from animal pelts, a few weapons scattered hither-thither, a tiny pot of forgotten stew that hissed dangerously as if it was about to boil over and, most importantly, a dozen children who were scared out of their wits.

Aang was stuttering, "I don't understand - why...?"

"Katara," Sokka spoke over the voice of the tattooed boy, "Gran gran will be expecting us."

Katara nodded absently as he released the grip that she held on the boy's hand. Her eyes were hazy as if she was holding back tears, but the set of her face was anything but sorrowful: she looked angry, but also fearful. Sokka was even more expressive than his sister: real terror was shimmering in his eyes. Not terror for himself, but terror for those he had sworn to protect. His sister still had not moved when he stepped forward and put a gentle, guiding grip on her elbow.

"Everything will be alright, Katara," Sokka's words were solemn, "I promise."

Katara's trembling lips formed a weak smile as her hands touched her brother's, "You can't make that promise," She sighed shakily, "Let's go."

As they turned to leave, that panic turned manic. Charging forwards on her feet, (Y/n) caught Katara on the shoulder. Her knees were shivering but for the first time since she had made her appearance in this bizarre place, it wasn't the cold that shook her joints. It was fear. Fury flashed on Sokka's face when they both turned. 

"Look," (Y/n)'s voice wavered, "I - I don't know what's going on here, but I can't be a part of it. I don't know about any of these benders or a fire nation," She was rambling, "but I just - I need a phone." Her voice caught as her hand kneaded in her hair, "I need to call a taxi or a helicopter or a firing squad - "

"What's 'phone'?" Katara said curiously.

"We don't have time for this!" Sokka exclaimed hotly, "We have fire nation soldiers preparing to disembark and I'm the only one who can protect us from them! I need to prepare, not talk to this crazy, strange girl in her strange clothes!"

Her face flushed, "I'm not strange! You're all bloody deluded. Wh-what person in the twenty-first century doesn't know what a cellphone is! I just want," (Y/n) swallowed back tears, "I want to go home."