𝐭𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 ➤ 𝐳𝐮𝐤𝐨

ᴄʜᴀᴩᴛᴇʀ ɪ

SOMEWHERE ━ THREE YEARS PRIOR ▰

Seraphina was tired as her head had blood running down the side. Her lip had a cut and her cheek has a bruise forming. The last thing she remembered was being with Zuko and the others.

Feeling drowsy but she didn't want to go to sleep. She couldn't. They gave her no end to the nightmares that would come. Hoping that Zuko and the crew had made it out while they could.

FLASHBACK ▰

"Zuko." She lightly tugged on his sleeve. Even though they were still close friends he wasn't as open as he had once been with her. Often distancing himself from her.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I'm going to go that way for a bit. I'll be right back."

"You don't have to keep telling me, you know."

"Just letting you know." Seraphina huffed. Punching his arm a bit in a playful manner.

"What was that for?"

"To cheer you up." Seraphina replied. Reaching over as she lifted the edges of his lips into a smile while his eyes looked unamused. Laughing a bit before running off to do her own thing.

Zuko watched her before turning away to do his own thing again. Rubbing his cheeks where she had grabbed them.

Seraphina was quite happy with herself as she would do it again if she had the chance. "Zuko! Look what I found!" She beamed.

"I don't have time to play games with you Seraphina."

Seraphina huffed slightly. "Alright, alright. I'm leaving." She spoke. Heading elsewhere as she found a field. She wanted to do things she couldn't do in his home. Picking up some small flowers and taking a seat. Making a few flower crowns like her mother used to make before.

She had taken a while to get them done as she noticed it had gotten dark. Glancing around before picking them up as she tried to make her way back to the boat. She didn't make it far since she was hit behind the head.

Dropping her flower crowns for the crew before holding the back of her head in pain. Feeling a bit of wetness to it as she tried to focus on the sudden attack. Turning around to come face to face with the silhouette of a man smirking.

Noticing that he wasn't alone as he had three more guys behind him. "Make a move or a scream and your little prince gets it."

"Please.. don't hurt him.." Seraphina whispered as she was grabbed harshly by the arms. Being passed to another guy.

"Tie her up. We've got the girl we needed. Now we just-."

"She wouldn't!" Zuko yelled.

Seraphina removed her black ribbon from around her waist as she used a bit of her air bending and sent it towards where it would be visible to him.

Feeling her mouth being covered as she was about to call out to him. Her attempt was muffled as she felt the rope tighten against her wrists and legs. Watching as Zuko found the black ribbon sash.

Zuko picked up the fabric as he knew then that she wouldn't have left on her own. "Search the place!" Zuko ordered.

Seraphina muffled her words as the hand was replaced with a rag of sorts. Being picked up before they fled out of sight. Coming close to being caught but not as slow. Rushing to their own ship and heading where they needed to be.

"Knock her out." The man spoke to the other.

END OF FLASHBACK ▰

That was the last thing she remembered as she was locked in a metal cage. Her arms tied above her head as her head hung low. She didn't have enough energy to do much. Her feet chained the bars of the cage.

Hearing one of the men walk in she become alert immediately. Glancing up as the man raised his hands.

"Relax kid." He spoke.

"Why am I still here?" She asked with a slightly raspy voice.

The man noticed as he brought a cup of water to her and let her drink. "My boss has discovered that you are able to bend more than one element."

Seraphina finished the water before shaking her head. "I can't." She lied.

"You're quite valuable. Just admit it and you can join us."

"My loyalty lies with Prince Zuko. He will come find me."

"Your savior has abandoned you. Word has it that he has now left the area and is continuing on his little trip."

"He's.."

"He's gone."

"No. He's not. You're just trying to get in my head. I'm not falling for it."

"You're quite a naive little girl." A second man spoke up. Climbing into the cage as he walked over and kicked the cup away from her. "I think someone should change that, don't you agree?"

"Leave her be." The first man spoke and got up. "Come on."

"No. You might be a little scared to hurt the kid but we aren't. She's our prisoner not someone we come in here to play tea with. We are under direct orders."

"Who sent you?" Seraphina asked. She was scared about what they could do and didn't know how much longer she'd have to endure it.

"It was no one." The first man spoke.

"Oh, it was someone. You may know him." The second intervened. Kicking the first guy out of the cage.

Being in the middle of the woods was ideal for them as no one could hear the screams she would at times let out.

After a year had passed and she knew no one was coming for her she had enough. Ignoring her drowsy state before tugging on the rope.

"Don't move." A voice whispered.

Seraphina stayed still as the man cut her rope off her wrists and feet. Letting her free.

"Go. Before they realize you are free."

"B-but..."

"Go." The man sternly ordered in a hushed tone.

Seraphina turned before jumping down from the cage to the grass as she was careful not to make any sound before walking quietly. She didn't want to be careless in case they had set traps up for her.

Taking another step forward as she had been right. Being caught by a net trap as she stayed on the tree and noticed that the men had awakened. She wouldn't go back. Not again. Feeling them lower her to the floor as she immediately sent them back with her air bending. She wasn't very good as it didn't do much. Raising her hand as she set their small campsite on fire. Watching them panic before turning and running further away.

She didn't stop to take a break or to look back. She kept her eyes forward and made her way to her new freedom. She spent the next two years roaming and training herself as she didn't want to end up like that again. Deep down she wanted to find Zuko but another was left torn that he had abandoned her.

The torment she had endured for that year messed with her mind and what she once knew. Running until her legs couldn't take her anymore. That was what she knew. Run, hide, repeat. Always being on guard and some of the time keeping an eye out for her Prince. Her loyalty was still there deep down. She would remind herself that he had made them look for her when he found her ribbon sash. Awaiting the day they could meet again.