"Come on Siku! Takret?" Naomi pleaded.

    "No Naomi. We know what's best. This girl is barely older than you. What makes you think that she's a master, or worthy to train the avatar?"

    "I know it's supposed to be her!" Naomi said, realizing that it was true as she did. Zyga was meant to teach her firebending. She could feel it. It was a sort of avatar sense. No one else would be the right teacher. Not like her.

    "We know nothing of this girl!" One escort cried out in exasperation.

    "And you are still a child yourself, not even sixteen. Your judgement on this matter is invalid." Takret said.

Still a child. My judgement invalid. That was low, and it stung.

"Maybe a demonstration then?" Zyga said.

"Yes! Just give her a chance!" Naomi said. She looked at the escorts, all seeming hesitant.

"Alright." Anana said. "Everyone deserves a chance." She nodded to Zyga, and stepped back, giving her some space. The others reluctantly followed suit. Zyga stepped up and got into position. It quickly became clear, that she was a master. Fire blasts, punches, kicks, fire whips, she even sent a few towards herself, to demonstrate defence. She paused, and the awed silence was broken by Siku.

"That was all very impressive, but is there anything else? Special abilities." Naomi bent some water from a pitcher, and was about to strike, before Zyga started talking.

"Well I'm not a combustion-bender, but I can usually do lightning." Zyga said.

"Then let's see it." Siku said smugly. Naomi held her breath as she watched Zyga. Zyga took a deep breath, then let it out, before beginning the motion. Her expression was peaceful as she moved her arms in a circular motion. Naomi watched the blue electricity appear at her fingertips. It began to leave trails in the air. She then moved one of her arms so it looked like she was trying to touch the sky. A shot of lightning emitted from her two fingers, right at the sky. She lowered her hand once the blast finished, a started retying some of her hair into a top knot. The rest she left down. Zyga faced the escorts.

"Well I think that was a flawless demonstration." Anana said. "Would anyone argue that?" One of the elder waterbenders stepped forward.

"Not on that matter Anana. But as exemplary a demonstration that was, I'm afraid the answer is still no." He said.

"But-" Naomi's protest was cut off as the elder continued speaking.

"Arrangements were made with the Fire Lord via messenger hawk while we were on the road. You will train with the imperial firebending masters once we get to the palace. These arrangements were made by the chief, Naomi, and you would do well to obey them." He turned to Zyga. "Apologies, but your services will not be needed here." He said. Zyga's expression betrayed hurt, and betrayal, but tightened into a mask. She turned away.

Naomi watched her walk towards the clearing where her dragon was. She turned furiously towards her escorts.

"How dare you?!" she screamed. "I'm supposed to trust and accept your decisions, but you can't trust or accept mine? I'm supposed to be the avatar, but you treat me like I'm a child who can't do anything herself!"

"Naomi!" The elder cut her off. "You forget you are still a child! The chief trusted us with you until you mastered the elements and returned home. He wouldn't be pleased if you were taught by that peasant! The chief-" The chief. Echoed in her mind. She had never felt the weight of her betrothal necklace more.

"The chief? The chief has no right to make these decisions for me! He and his son have no right to me! All I am to him is a pawn he can use to make allies and threaten others! I know what he told my mother." She glared at all of them, they having fallen silent at her words. "And you're all complicit. You're all no better. I'm through listening and agreeing to him, and all of you. I'm going to find someplace you'll never find me." She turned and stomped off towards the edge of the clearing where Zyga still stood, having heard everything. "Let's go." She growled, and started off, only to be caught by Siku. Others quickly joined him, holding her down. Takret stood between her and Zyga, streams of water held beside him, ready to attack.

"You'd best be leaving now." He said, his threat, though unspoken rang clear as the sun rising above them. Naomi struggled against them.

"Wait for me! I- I'll find a way!" She said, before a hand was clamped over her mouth. She saw Zyga back into the forest, and the cruel smile on Takret's face. She thrashed and struggled, as she was dragged towards the carriages. She saw Siku's grim expression above her just before she was knocked out.

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I'm really not being very good at longer chapters. I apologize.

-Phoenix