Under the Cherry Blossom ↠ Zuko x OC ✔️

01 | The Banished Prince

Arlington awakes on a floating glacier, with Peanut by her side. She carefully stands up; her foot slipping on the ice. Arlington scans her surroundings. A vast ocean to her left, frozen tundra far to her right, and in the middle, a stream of icebergs.

Arlington plans to jump onto different icebergs, heading inland. "C'mon Peanut. Be sure to follow me." She instructs.

Arlington finds the nearest iceberg. She sprints and leaps onto the floating ice. On contact, she skids across the surface; her feet falling in the freezing water. She heaves herself onto the ice. Arlington starts panting, trying to catch her breath. 'It's so cold.' She shivers. With all the strength she can muster, Arlington crawls on the ice towards Peanut. "It's okay, Peanut. Jump." Arlington outstretches her arms, to catch Peanut.

Peanut jumps, but his hind legs slip on the ice, causing him to fall short of the iceberg. Arlington catches Peanut under his from legs and hauls him onto the ice.

With shaky hands, Arlington searches her backpack for a jacket. She finds her black, fleece hoodie and pulls it over her head. She zips her backpack and slings it over her shoulder.

Arlington looks inland. The sun has started to set. Orange, pink, and yellow paint the sky. She sighs, 'I have a long way to go.'

Arlington jumps to the next iceberg, this time scraping her pant leg on the jagged ice, causing it to tear. Blood trickles out of the scrape on her leg. She crawls to Peanut and outstretches her arms once again.

Peanut and Arlington continue jumping iceberg to iceberg well into the night. They're about half way until they reach land.

Arlington stands up, struggling. She hops to the next floating sheet of ice. When she makes contact, the iceberg wobbles, causing her to hit her head on the ice. On the ice, Arlington lies, trying to keep herself from losing consciousness. The action is futile. Her world quickly fades to black.

↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠ ↠

The soft rocking of a ship wakes Arlington. Her golden green eyes slowly open. She rolls over onto her back and analyzes her new surroundings.

Red banners hang from the metal walls, a small desk with an unlit candle sits under a porthole in the middle of the wall opposite of the door. Her bed is on the right of the door and has soft crimson sheets. Above her bed, a banner with a fire symbol hangs. Opposite of the bed, a small wardrobe stands. One of the doors is slightly open and in it, Arlington sees red clothing. In the center of the room, there is a large red rectangular rug. 'What's up with all this red?'

The door squeaks open. Arlington snaps her head in the direction of the door. An old man with a round belly walks in. He is carrying a tea pot and cups.

"Would you like some jasmine tea?" He asks. Arlington nods. The old man pours her a cup and hands it to her.
"What is your name?" He asks.
"Arlington." She quietly says.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Arlington. I'm General Iroh, but you can call me Iroh." He says with a smile.

"Where are you from, Arlington?" Arlington ponders the simple question. If she tells him the truth, he'll think she's crazy.
"Umm." She looks down. Silence falls over the room.

"You're not from here, are you?" Iroh asks.
Arlington's eyes widen in shock. "H-how do you know that?"
"I could tell by your name. I have never heard of anyone with that name. I have heard some stories of people traveling across worlds."  Iroh explains. "Why did you come through?"

"I want to find my mother. I've come to the conclusion that she's here. In this world." She says.
"I see. You are welcomed to stay here. My nephew is also looking for someone."
"Thank you Iroh. If you don't mind, could you tell me more about this world?"
Iroh nods.