Niko was being pushed by the crowd as she stood frantically looking around while sobbing. She was screaming, trying to find her family, the Rivens.
“MOM! DAD! KIRO! RORA!” she screamed, looking around.
From a distance, she noticed someone trying to get past the crazed crowd and head towards her. It was Anu, the chief of this water village and the closest friend of her father. Dhati, his own weeping daughter, was in his arms. Anu remembered the scene that had just been ingrained in his mind and glared at them both. The people of Dregawa have believed that since earth-people arrived on this planet, they would try to coexist harmoniously. However, years ago, when nuclear radiation drastically altered the Earth's ecosystem, scientists found a kind of tree known as Ninipie, which is supposedly valued at millions of dollars and has the ability to aid in treating fatal illnesses. On Dregawa, Ninipie grows naturally. They began to dig every square inch of land, if not more, when they discovered the information. Ambushing islands and forcing people from their homes.
They went island after island until they got to Niko's, storming through, burning houses to show their power. She found it hard to understand what was going on and what a 10-year-old would know about such situations. She heard people screaming as if they were on fire when she was alone, playing by the water. That is, until she looked up and recognized exactly what was going on. People and houses are ablaze; some are dead, while others are barely surviving. Then she saw her father running towards her, grabbing her by the arm, and running in the opposite direction of the fire. It appeared that the earth-people were on their scavenger quest, and her village was next in line. Her pregnant mother, her older brother, Kiro, and her youngest sister, Rora, came into view as they were waiting for them to flee as they approached.
Suddenly, a burning tree branch dropped from the sky, dividing them, and her mother's agonizing cries where the only noise audible. The next thing he knew, Anu was behind him, searching for him to help them to the ocean, where safety was certain. When Anu discovered Niko in his arms, his best buddy leaped for the flames, and Anu was powerless to stop him because Niko and his own daughter were in his arms. Thus, he acted in his best friend's best interests. Keep them safe. Aid them. Her father would never forgive Anu if she passed away while he was trying to save him, even if he did not survive. Thus, he left toward the water. They have dived into the sea, knowing that it is safer there than on shore. Anu is consoling Tul, his wife, who is crying. Niko is seeing the fire from a distance, unsure of its purpose or meaning. She has no idea about the whereabouts of her parents or the fates of her sister and brother. That day, not many families made it out alive, including the Rivens. Along with their own daughter Dhati, who is a year younger than Niko, and their youngest son Ori, who is two years younger than her, Anu and Tul have raised Niko as their own since that day. They moved to a more secure area.
As the village chief, Anu had to stand by his people and put his family's needs first while constructing a new house. With the aid of their creatures, sea serpents, they all set out to find a new home, traveling great distances till they arrived on a distant island where they would have to start over. When Niko was eleven years old, she once heard whimpers coming from the trees on the island as she was wandering. She should not have, yet she followed the sound to its source. As she got closer, she noticed what appeared to be an injured animal. The animal matched her hue in that it was completely black with vivid red eyes. She never would have spotted it lying there if it had been nighttime. It tried to hiss at her as she drew nearer; Niko tried to stop it, but she was oblivious to the danger. Because of its weight, she had to take an hour to carry it back to shore. It slipped from her grasp, hissing once more when it fell, but as soon as it opened its mouth, she noticed a glow at the back of its throat. It dawned on her that she had just saved a dragon. As soon as she got to the beach, she shouted for Anu, who was quite concerned about her. She told him what had happened, and since Tul is the village healer, Niko watched from behind while she took care of the dragon. Niko and the dragon bonded after that day. As Niko and Dhati talked and played with him, Tul and Anu observed from a distance.
“She is just like her mother.” Anu said, smiling.
“Well, her mother was from the Fire Nation. What did you expect?” Tul added, chuckling.
“You're actually right; it would've been weirder if she hadn't stumbled across one soon.” Anu replied. Tul walked towards Niko, who was playing with her pet dragon. Tul then kneeled and spoke.
“Hey girls.” Tul said, kneeling down to Niko and Dhati.
“Hi.” Both girls replied simultaneously while smiling.
“So, what are you going to name him?” Tul asked.
Niko zoned out for a moment to think it through and then laughed aloud.
“I am going to call him...” She said thinking deeply.
“Ash.” she said, happy with her choice. Tul looked at her amused and giggled a little as she walked back to her husband and told him.
“She decided to call him Ash.” she said, smiling lovingly at both Dhati and Niko.
“Oh, that's... creative.” he chuckled as Tul nudged him and laughed.
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