Dragon Days

Dragon Days is a comic that was released in "Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Lost Adventures".

Overview
While Aang and Zuko practice the firebending techniques they learned from Ran and Shaw at the Western Air Temple, Aang tells the story of the time he and his friend Kuzon went searching for a dragon high up in the mountains.

Synopsis
At the Western Air Temple, Zuko is training Aang in the firebending techniques taught to them by the dragons, Ran and Shaw. Zuko comments that he still can't believe that the two of them actually met and learned from dragons, creatures he had previously thought were extinct. Aang replies by saying that, while dragons lived in abundance one hundred years before, they were reclusive animals, making their homes high in the mountains. He then proceeds to the story of the time he and his friend Kuzon went searching for one.

His story is as follows: leaving Appa behind, the two boys began to climb a sheer cliffside, Kuzon talking excitedly about the prospect of riding a dragon. Aang skeptically voiced his doubts about finding one at all, given the dubious source of Kuzon's map and its failure to lead them to a dragon on their last three attempts. Letting go of the cliff to examine his map, Kuzon lost his footing and nearly plunged to his doom. Aang saved him, however, by reaching out with his staff for Kuzon to grab, and reminded him that firebenders can't fly.

Just then, the two heard the sound of a man yelling atop the cliff. Peering over the edge, they saw a man on a strange creature shouting aloud taunts at a large cave nearby. Hearing a loud roar, the man and his mount took off, leaping down the precipice with great agility. As Kuzon wondered aloud about what could be chasing the man, a large unidentified dragon emerged from the cave, pursuing him. While Kuzon marveled at the sight of the beast, Aang opened his glider, ready to rush to the man's aid. However, before he flew off, he noticed more commotion by the cave's entrance. Peering over once more, the boys were shocked to see a group of poachers, with spears and mounts like the other man, taking an egg from inside the dragon's lair.



They planned to sell the egg on the black market, having found its location with a map similar to Kuzon's. Aang realized that the other man had been a decoy to lead the mother away, and Kuzon asserted that they had to stop the poachers' scheme. Not wanting to confront them directly and risk hurting the egg, the two began to formulate a plan. Using Appa to roar, Kuzon to create a flame, and Aang make a whooshing sound with a blanket, they attempted, out of sight, to make the thieves think that the mother dragon had returned. Kuzon told Aang that his firebending was too weak to convince them. With the help of his airbending, Aang and Kuzon managed to create a massive fire. The poachers fled, leaving the egg unattended. Aang then flew up and untied the egg from one of the poachers' beasts, where it had been secured.

When the creature reared up on its hind legs, the egg slipped from his hands, but he recovered without much difficulty. He then noticed the source of the beast's panic: the mother dragon had returned, carrying the groaning body of the decoy poacher in her mouth. She growled at Aang who was still holding her egg. Fearing for Aang, Kuzon called out loudly and shot plumes of fire into the air to divert the beast's attention. As the dragon turned around to face Kuzon, her tail struck Aang's back, dislodging the egg from his grip. Seeing the egg fall over the edge of the cliff, Aang dove after it, catching it a moment before it hit the ground.

As Aang used airbending to slow his descent, the dragon dropped the man and stared at him quizzically. Deciding he was a friend, she licked Aang gratefully. With her egg safely returned, Kuzon asked the dragon if she would give them a ride around the mountain as a reward for their deed. When the dragon responded by flaring fire from her nostrils angrily, Aang suggested they shouldn't push their luck.

Wistfully, Aang sighs and remarks that a lot has changed since the days of his story. Unimpressed, Zuko states that the slang, at least, certainly has. Much to his annoyance, Aang responds by saying, "Whatever, sifu hotman." Zuko then angrily yells, "Stop calling me that!"