Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:33:07 GMT -5
The first chapter in the story in my new series "The Order of the Avatar Slayer". incidentally, (sorry to disappoint) The Avatar does not appear in this chapter, nor is he/she even mentioned. And, you do not know who "The Avatar Slayer" is yet... =P
oh well, here's the story... CHAPTER 1: EVERYTHING THEY LIVED FOR
“The Order will never prevail,” the prisoner snapped at her captors as they leered at her from behind the bars, “the avatar will bring Xin Shing to his knees.”
“The avatar,” said one of the more polished guards, “lady, I’d suggest holding your tongue. It might get more people in trouble than you think.”
“Do your worst,” the girl snapped back. Even in her prisoner state, she was still a very good-looking young girl. She was a vibrant young firebender with a long black ponytail and beautiful amber eyes set upon a strong-willed face which she had inherited from her father. And yet her eyes were her mothers, as was her nose. Her clothing had once been fine—she had been from a high class family. Yet even after all the time in prison, she retained her beauty.
“That can be arranged...” said another guard, “bring them in, boys!” he paused, and turned to the prisoner, “you’re gonna regret all of this, Kimi,” he chuckled,
“You can call me Kimiko then,” Kimiko snapped back—after all, only her friends and family were able to call her “Kimi”. To hear it from this foul stranger’s mouth would fuel her fires of infuriation.
“You think so, huh?” the man taunted, “well, let’s break you first. I’m pretty sure that some events that are to follow will alter you.”
“Like I said,” Kimiko snapped, “try your worst.”
These words however, soon became Kimiko’s worst enemy. A Kyoshi warrior came in to disable her—to ensure she would be able to firebend her way to freedom.
In this day and age, there was no distinctive tribe or nation that was “good” or “evil”. Everything was a house divided—the Warriors of Kyoshi, the Water Tribes, the Dai Li, the swamp people, the airbenders, and even the ancient Sun Warriors and more.
It was after this that Kimiko was taken and chained to the wall of an arena. There she saw her family brought out. Her parents and her 22-year-old brother Yasu were stood up, and to Kimiko’s horror, she watched them get executed.
“You foul, dirty, wretched, heartless...” but she was silenced with a guard’s hand cupped over her mouth.”
“If you wish to face the might of The Order,” he said, “then you can do it the honorable Fire Nation way. You can face me in an Agni Kai.” Kimiko said nothing, but then suddenly snapped out that she accepted. She had nothing else to live for really, now that she had just witnessed her family being murdered in front of her own eyes. She actually hoped to die. The dual commenced, and it did not take long for the man, whose name was Feng, to bring Kimiko down.
“There,” she spat, “you have me defeated. Now kill me.”
Feng actually raised a fireball before he paused. He suddenly caught onto Kimiko’s ploy.
“That’s a clever gambit, Kimi,” he leered, “but that would be too nice. I think I’ll just exile you like that Fire Nation prince of old, and give you a daddy’s mark.”
The next thing Kimiko remembered was screaming in agony and clutching the area around her left eye. She had been severely burned there, and yet the fireball that seared her flesh had not been as large as the one that had scarred Zuko of old. Her eyebrow was still intact, and her eye was still able to be opened as much as her other one. However, Feng had succeeded in breaking her. For the rest of her life, Kimiko would be a very shy woman who was hesitant to say something, as if she feared that she would have to watch her family die a second time if she did.
Granted, the guards at the jail did not make Kimiko and less shy. They’d often “try” to talk to her, and now of course, she wouldn’t respond, both out of fear and hatred. However, none of them minded, particularly not Feng. In fact, he would grin.
“Its fine, Kimi,” he would say, “I knew we’d be able to break you down.”
However, one night, everything changed. One of the guards was suddenly taken ill, and his shift was taken over by what seemed to be one’s everyday Fire Nation Soldier. This man’s name was Cheng. He was a young private who had just been promoted, and he didn’t mind taking the job, for he had had good combat experience. This was also why he had been moving up so fast. As he was strolling up and down the corridor looking for things to do to bide his time, he heard sniffling from one of the cells. He peered in and saw a young girl on her knees crying. Her wrists were chained to the corners of the cell, and it looked like they kept the girl from falling on her face. Cheng actually thought she was sort of cute. His face however, was hidden behind his helmet. Later on that same evening though, he would learn to be grateful for that.
“What’s the matter,” he asked her, and his tone surprised her. She had been expecting something cruel or mocking, and yet something about this man’s voice gave her comfort.
“It’s your people,” she snapped, despite his kindness, “The Order literally destroyed my life.” Kimiko continued to tell him everything that happened, and by the end, although he could not see her face, he knew she was crying. He went in and gently lifted her face so he could look at hers. When he saw her scar, he knew that this was not the same generic story he had heard from prisoners of war all the time. Suddenly Kimiko felt her wrists drop to the ground.
“What are you doing?” she exclaimed quietly,
“I’m getting you out of here,” he said, taking her hand, “I’ve been watching from the sidelines too long what The Order has been doing. I cannot be a part of any organization this cruel.”
“So it just finally dawned upon you,” Kimiko snapped, but luckily Cheng was the patient type.
“Aye,” he said, “so let’s get you out of here quickly or they’ll have both our necks. You do realize that I don’t have to be doing this you know.”
Cheng hoisted Kimiko over his shoulders and ran. Luckily he was light on his feet, because otherwise he wouldn’t have gotten out. Somehow though, he was able to get her all the way to a small island on which his family had taken refuge. Cheng had joined the military because his family’s loyalty was being questioned by The Order. He might have been on the path to redemption, but his family was not, so they had fled. There was no one safe place in particular, as The Order was something that affected all 4 Nations.
“Cheng,” his mother exclaimed when he appeared in his family’s little cave which they used for refuge, “what are you doing back?”
“I cannot redeem myself or our family by being part of The Order,” he said, “I would rather die than side with them.”
“So,” said his father, “instead you bring home a half-naked girl?”
Luckily Kimiko was unconscious from fatigue, and that Cheng still had his helmet on. He set her down gently and removed his helmet.
“half-naked,” he exclaimed, “father, “so what if her shoulders are showing. You can’t even see any stomach.”
“Cheng,” he laughed, “I was just messing around with ya, my boy,” come, come bond with your old father.”
Cheng embraced his parents, and knew that he would have to care for them in their older age. They would normally have been fine at their age, but they had been weakened by this new life and from fear. Cheng glanced briefly at Kimiko. Her clothes were torn at the knee, she was barefoot, and her arms from the shoulder to the elbow were exposed, as well as the tips of her fingers. He noticed her palms and soles were exceptionally red, like they had been burned. Cheng’s mother noticed the scar on the side of her face, which was still dark, is it hadn’t yet formed fully into a scar.
“Goodness,” she exclaimed, “what happened to her face?”
“The Order did that to her,” Cheng replied bluntly, “and she had to witness the death of her family. I saw a girl chained to a wall forced to witness 3 other people die. They looked like her parents and an older brother or something. I left before I saw her taken down, but I can only assume this is the same person. She told me her story, and it matched what I witnessed.”
“So what do you intend to do,” Cheng’s father asked, “You can no longer show your face there.”
“Luckily,” said Cheng, “I don’t need to;” he paused, and picked up the Fire Nation helmet, “this is my reason” he smirked.
“Just be careful, whatever you do,” his mother counseled,
“Of course, mother,” he said, “I always plan these things out very carefully. In fact, as I was coming down into the corridor where this poor girl was imprisoned, I surveyed the place and knew how I could get out in case of an emergency. And then we met...”
“Well,” said Cheng’s father, “that’s all dandy, but like your mother said, do be careful. We’re a bit tired ourselves from hunger, so we’re gonna try and sleep it off if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Cheng replied,
“And be nice to the girl,” his father added, chuckling, and Cheng laughed at his father’s joke. He had been quite the humorous fellow in his younger years. Cheng just sat there waiting for Kimiko to stir.
It was dark and stormy outside, and yet Cheng had used his bending to make a fire for them inside. His mind though, was set—he was now officially against everything that he had been praised for in The Order. It reminded her of that girl beside her who had just lost her family. They both had just lost Everything They Lived For.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:33:28 GMT -5
the 2nd installment in my series "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" this is sort of like a background of what happened, and there's some Cheng/Kimiko bonding. but is Chemiko canon? I guess you'll find out eventually...
CHAPTER 2: TO JOIN THE AVATAR GUARD
It was much later that evening before Kimiko returned to consciousness. By then Cheng’s parents had gone to sleep, and now it was just her and Cheng—even his fire had gone out, and yet there was faint lights from small torches on the walls. The storm outside the cave continued to rage, as if the very forces it contained were going to crush the cave in. Kimiko opened her eyes and only saw blackness. She was facedown, and her face was planted between her arms, as if she were bracing for another blow. She panicked.
“Where am I,” she said, sounding frightened, “why can’t I see anything? I’m blind!” she paused and tried to throw fire from her hand, but the blow from the Kyoshi warrior had been a powerful one, and her chi was not yet unblocked.
“Help me someone,” and suddenly her hand was clasped by a strong yet gentle one—it was Cheng.
“You’re okay, Kimiko,” he said kindly, “you blacked out. I got you out of there without a hitch. This cave is where my parents have been hiding.”
“Why can’t I see anything? Am I blind?”
“No Kimi, it’s just dark in here. If we make too much light we might be seen from an airship or something.”
“Don’t remind me about The Order of the Avatar Slayer,”
“The Order of the what,”
“Now I understand why you seemed so new to this whole matter, Cheng”
“Wait,” said Cheng, “how did you know my name?”
“The same way you knew mine. I overheard it.”
“Oh. That’s understandable then. So, are they honestly trying to kill the avatar?”
“Of course they are,” Kimiko replied, “but the Avatar Guard (that’s the name of the group against The Order) has their ways of hiding him. In fact, only a very few people know who the avatar is and where he is. All the world knows is that he’s in the Earth Kingdom. That is also why they set up their main operation somewhere there.”
“You seem to know a lot about the matter,” Cheng commented,
“My whole family did,” Kimiko replied, “and that was part of the reason they and I were taken.”
“What was the rest of the re—oh...?” Cheng stopped, because he noticed that tears were falling down her face. He had almost forgotten that it had been not long before this that she had been forced to witness her family killed in front of her. He decided that dropping the subject was the best idea for now.
“Kimi,” said Cheng, “if you don’t mind, could you tell me what you know about The Order of the Avatar Slayer?”
“Oh,” said Kimiko, “I don’t mind at all. They are foul, wretched, heartless people who care nothing for the world save getting Xin Shing the charge of the world. It all started a few years ago when he first came. His 3 best friends were a master firebender, a master waterbender, and a master earthbender. I assume that he is a master airbender himself, as that would complement the others. However, I have no proof.
Anyways, they were able to convince people of all sorts—Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, Dai Li, swamp people, sun warriors, Kyoshi warriors, anyone really—to join them, saying that they were going to make a better world. Together they raised an army.
From there, they took over the Fire Nation first. After they slew the Fire Lord and overpowered them, the Fire Lady fled for her own safety. They would have killed her too. I think she joined the Avatar Guard.
From there, they moved to the Water Tribes and did the same thing. The wife of the chief was actually absent at the time, and after she learned what had happened at the Fire Nation, she met up with Zeruda and the two of them went into hiding.
Next they went to the Air Nomads. However, they found neither the Head Monk nor the Head Sister. They were aware of the tactics, and they decided to stay out of them. The Order kept them alive because they figured that they would have some use sooner or later.
Last was the Earth Kingdom. Similar to an old Fire Nation plot that had been used over 1200 years ago by a Fire Princess, they took it down from the inside out. They had recruited some of the Dai Li, so it did not take long before the Earth King was dethroned and slain as well.
The Earth Queen was severely wounded and was left for dead. They threw her outside the city hoping she’d just die. However, just like the Air Nomads were aware of The Order’s approach, The Fire Lady and the Water Chief (his wife that is) were trying to get there to warn them.
They were obviously late, but they found the Earth Queen outside the city and but then they knew what had happened. However, she told them that that Ba Sing Se (which was where she was of course) was where the avatar was and that they would need to single him or her out.”
“How do you know all this?” Cheng asked,
“Because my family was all big-time members of The Avatar Guard,” Kimiko replied, “and once I turned 18 they were gonna let me in as well.”
“Why did they want to wait until you were 18?” Cheng asked,
“Because,” said Kimiko, “they would be doing dangerous things. They would still inform me of what was going on, but the actual doing this was reserved for 18 and up.”
“And I presume you were imprisoned since you were 17 then?”
“I haven’t been 18 for very long; but yes. And then of course, a few days ago, my reasons for hating The Order were revived...”
“Of course; I... I understand.”
“Well, after my remarks condemned my family, I barely spoke to anyone. You though, I seem to feel okay with talking to.”
“So it was something you said that made them kill your family?”
“Aye; I said “do your worst” and they did. That phrase became my enemy.”
“I... I’m sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“well, there’s nothing really that can be done about that,” Kimiko remarked, “but once we can get out and about, you could go with me to join the avatar guard.”
“I will certainly do that. I cannot stand for the atrocities of The Order.”
“Oh, and if you have a change of clothes for me, I’d appreciate that as well. Of course, I understand if you don’t...”
“Well, I do have—well, my mother has—some things she never wears anymore… let me see what I can find.”
Cheng got up and went into one of the back rooms. His parents were still sleeping. They were aged and thin, and yet were able to take care of themselves and did not mind being where they were. Cheng found an old but brilliant red and gold kimono which he figured would fit her well. He came back out and handed it to her.
“Um,” she stammered, taking it from him “thank you.”
“Sorry there’s not really a private room,” he said apologetically, “I’ll just... I’ll just go back into my parent’s room until you are done.”
Kimiko turned away, her cheeks turning a cute shade of pink. A few minutes later, Cheng returned to see that the kimono fit Kimiko perfectly. Her ankles were just barely visible, and Cheng noticed that she still had the guards on her hands.
“I’m sorry I don’t have a pair of shoes for you,” he said,
“No matter,” Kimiko shrugged, lying down, “the fact that you liberated me from prison is enough for me at the moment.”
“Oh,” Cheng exclaimed, “well, I’m glad I could help. I mean, I hope I’ve expressed enough how much I mean it when I say I will have nothing to do with The Order...”
“I’ll take your word for it for now,” said Kimiko, “and we’ll put it to the test once we can get out of here and into where The Avatar Guard is hiding.”
“So you know where they are?” Cheng asked,
“Aye,” Kimiko replied, “and the only reason I just told you that is because either you’re a really good actor, or you really mean it. Normally I don’t talk this much, but you... you’re different. And I mean; I’ve changed since the loss of my family...”
Cheng said nothing at first, but then spoke.
“I understand things must have been rough on you, Kimi,” he said reassuringly, “and you look tired, and I could hear your cries as you were changing. It hurts for you to stand, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she confessed, “my hands and feet were burned on a semi-regular basis.” And this was the obvious explanation as to why she was lying on the ground.
“Just go to sleep, Kimi,” said Cheng kindly, “and when you wake up, hopefully the storm will be over and we can go from there.”
“Okay,” Kimiko sighed weakly, but only because of fatigue. She rolled over onto her left side, hiding the scar over her left eye. The ponytail she had once had had since been cut off as part of her exile.
Despite the burns, cuts, wounds, and other signs of pain and disgrace, Kimiko retained much of her former beauty. She rolled over again with her back to Cheng, and the scarred part of her face was up. Cheng could not help but feel sympathetic to her, and he therefore swore his allegiance to her and her cause. Her times of trouble were over, and his times of joining the right cause were about to begin. They were both looking forward to the end of the storm, for it would begin their journey as part of the elite force—To Join the Avatar Guard.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:33:51 GMT -5
the 3rd installment in my "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" series. This one switches viewpoints to that of a young airbender named Mulan. she looks a lot like Yangchen, except she's carrying around a child that's only a month or so away from birth.
CHAPTER 3: FIGHT FOR YOUR BELIEFS
Everything had turned around so quickly. Mulan was so surprised that her husband had been that shallow—or so it seemed. All because she was not going to join The Order of the Avatar Slayer; was her husband mad?
Mulan was pondering these things and trying to get to the next earth kingdom city. It was not very far, and her husband Ju Long had gone back to their village, to which she could no longer go, so she was heading for the next town. Everyone who met her said she looked like Avatar Yangchen of old. After all, Mulan was an airbender. She was still wondering where she—or he—had gone wrong.
“The world is changing,” Ju Long told her. This conversation had only happened but a few minutes prior; “what are we going to do about it,”
“What can a young earthbender and a pregnant airbender do alone,” Mulan replied, “we need to join the Avatar Guard and stop this madness”
“The Avatar Guard,” Ju Long Exclaimed, “no, sweetie, we must join forces with the Order of the Avatar Slayer. They are here to correct the wrongs of this world.”
“Honestly,” Mulan laughed, “If you’re going to play jokes on me only joke about something that’s not so dark.”
“Joke,” Ju Long exclaimed, “that’s what you think this is?” “Aye; you honestly can’t be serious about joining them.”
“How can you not be?”
“Look at their name, Ju Long; “Avatar Slayer”. The avatar protects and keeps balance in the world. Why would they want to take him or her out of it? It’s like... it just shouldn’t be done.”
“Does anyone even know who the avatar is anymore, Mulan?”
Mulan had no answer for this.
“I am sorry Ju Long,” said Mulan, “but I cannot and will not be a part of this treachery and madness.”
“Then I no longer know you.” Ju Long replied bluntly. The Order is my past, present, and future, and I will not abandon it for you.”
“Will you not even abandon it for our child?” Mulan exclaimed, looking down at her stomach. She had been pregnant almost 8 months, and so she could end up delivering the child at any time.
“Our child,” Mulan said, “not my child, OUR child.”
“By abandoning me,” he said to her, clasping her shoulders, “you have taken our child from me as well. It is no longer my concern either.”
The graceful airbender stared Ju Long in the eyes, hers piercing into his, and yet they were starting to water.
“Who are you?” she asked, “you are not the man I married a year ago.”
Ju Long said nothing. He turned around and began heading back to the village from whence they had come. Mulan turned to follow, but he drew a sword and pointed it at her chest—at her child. Mulan stepped back in shock, and said nothing. Her husband had just flat-out betrayed her. She turned around and began to make her way towards the next city, which was called Fengtai.
It was a decent sized city that was relatively new—at least in comparison to Ba Sing Se. It had only been around 1000 years or so; which means it had not been there during the 100 Year War. However, there were several smaller cities and a monorail system that originated in Ba Sing Se, but the people of Ba Sing Se had since built an expansion that led to Fengtai.
Mulan eventually made it there, (still with the thought of her husband on her mind) and was welcomed like anyone else would. Her bright orange clothing stood out amongst all the different shades of green, but occasionally Mulan would also see blue from the Water Tribe and red from the Fire Nation instead of just the usually Earth Kingdom green.
Mulan went into a local tavern and ordered herself some tea. She found herself sitting next to a really tough-looking woman with scraggly light brown hair. She was wearing a lime green hat and light jacket, a deep green skirt that nearly went to her ankles, a wide gold necklace with red gems inside it, gold earrings, and there were veins of yellow in the dark gloves she wore that looked also like gold. This woman was obviously from a rich family.
However, the gold was the only giveaway, because this woman did not dress like those elegant women that were known to be rich. The woman was barefoot, had rough, tanned skin, and wore her jacket open, revealing her stomach. She had white binding over the part of her chest she generally did not display to the public.
This woman looked like she had been carved out of stone—by someone who likely normally would carve statues of men rather than women. The woman’s stomach muscles showed clearly, and on one of them was a marking that looked like a jagged Z. Mulan watched her down several drinks and then belch loudly. Mulan moved an inch or two away from her.
“Oh,” she muttered off-handedly, “are you afraid of me or something?”
“No,” Mulan replied honestly, “but that belch hurt my ears.”
“Eh,” she shrugged, “it’ll happen. I guess it’s just me paying respects to The Order of the Avatar Slayer.”
“You do realize that there are people who support that group all around you, don’t you, lady?” said one of the men from behind her
“Aye,” the woman replied, unfazed, “and if any of you wimps wants to try me we can take it outside where I can introduce you to your two worst nightmares—my left and right fists.”
No one said anything after that, and the woman turned back to Mulan.
“Honestly, if the Order actually thinks they’re gonna be able to knock down the avatar, they’ll have to bring their leaders to find him themselves. He’s a strong one, the avatar is.”
“Do you know who she is?” Mulan asked,
“I do in fact,” the woman replied, “She’s a pretty powerful woman herself. The Order’s gonna have a hard time fighting her.”
“Wait,” Mulan exclaimed, “you just said that the avatar was a man, and now you’re saying that he’s a woman.”
“I said no such thing,” the woman laughed,
“Yes you did,” Mulan replied, taking a sip of her tea, “you said—”
“I said nothing of that such,” the woman responded, “I haven’t had enough ale for that yet. So here, buy me another one. Keep whatever is left.”
Mulan received a gold coin that was incredibly valuable. These were most often seen only used by the royal families of each nation, so Mulan assumed that she might have connections with them.
Whether it was the former Earth Queen or the new one Mulan didn’t know, but she didn’t want to take any changes. She bought the woman the drink she wanted, and received a lot of money as change.
“Are you sure you don’t want your money?” Mulan asked. Being an airbender, honesty was one of the virtues she was taught.”
‘Nah, you can keep it, Yangchen,” the woman shrugged, “if I go broke then I must have done something wrong.”
“You just called me Yangchen,” Mulan exclaimed,
“Well,” the woman replied, “I AM drunk, and you DO look quite a bit like her. But I guess I should get your name right. What is it?”
“Mulan,” Mulan replied, “and what is yours if I may ask?”
“You can call me Zak,” the woman replied, “short for something else, but according to “The Order” I’m not allowed to even say my own name.”
“Why is that,” Mulan asked,
“Because The Order is a bunch of idiots,” Zak replied, “it’s The Avatar Guard that’s gonna end up winning this war.”
“War,” Mulan exclaimed, “I didn’t know it had escalated into that,”
“Well,” Zak shrugged, “you probably wouldn’t, being an airbender and all. They’re the smart ones; staying out of all this mess.”
“Thank you, I guess,” Mulan shrugged,
“So is it a boy or a girl?” Zak asked.
Mulan could easily tell she was drunk. Of course, her unborn child was hard to hide being that close to birth,
“I don’t know,” Mulan replied, “it’s a complicated story.”
“Well,” said Zak, “I wouldn’t be telling it here. “The Order” might arrest you for it.”
Every time Zak said “The Order” she got a really sarcastic tone. The owner of the tavern must have been supporting The Order because he got up and got Zak’s attention.
“Excuse me ma’am,” he said bluntly, “but I am going to have to ask you to leave.”
Zak shrugged, and to Mulan’s surprise, she stood up. She slapped a gold coin onto the table for good measure, and strode out. She had elegance to her walk, and Mulan knew that although she was rough and crude, that she knew how to properly behave. Mulan finished her tea (she had paid for it before she received it) and went outside.
Luckily, Zak was just loitering outside the building, for Mulan had wanted to talk with her.
“Ah,” Zak exclaimed, “my little airbender friend...”
Mulan said nothing, but sat down next to her.
“Zak,” she said “I have a question,”
“Fire away,” Zak shrugged,
“What do you know about The Avatar Guard?” she asked,
“I know everything about it,” Zak replied, “I’m in it. I would have asked you if you wanted to join, but inside that tavern was not the place.”
“So right outside the walls of the same tavern IS the right place?” Mulan chuckled,
“Aye,” Zak laughed, “that be correct. Anyways, if you say yes, then we’re off to Ba Sing Se. if not, then I may have to hit you—hard.” Mulan did not feel threatened at all by this. She had wanted to join them long ago, but was only now offered the opportunity. However, Zak’s stupidity soon cost them. Right as they got up, they were surrounded.
“Get ready to fight,” Zak muttered, “Fight for Your Beliefs”
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:34:16 GMT -5
the 4th installment of "The Order of the Avatar Slayer"
this chapter sort of gives Ju Long a little sympathy, but also adds some more towards Mulan. You don't get to find out who Zak is just yet, as I will have to dedicate another chapter to what these two actually DO once they reach the city.
Oh, and the next chapter will be some water tribe characters.
CHAPTER 4: AWAITING THE ARRIVAL
Ju Long’s journey back to his village was not as pleasant as it had started out to be. He would have to go back and report to The Order members that his wife was now part of The Avatar Guard. The whole traveling scheme had just been to get her out in case she WAS part of The Avatar Guard. The city where they had lived was almost completely overrun by Order members, and so most people who supported The Avatar Guard had since moved.
“I assume that the absence of your wife indicates that she is an enemy?” one of the Order members said upon Ju Long’s return to the city. They were meeting in the house of one of the members—a woman named Zhin.
“Aye,” he replied, “just like I had deep roots here, she had deep roots in The Avatar Guard. I guess it’s nothing less to expect from an airbender.”
“Then why did you marry her?” Zhin asked,
“Because we both loved each other at one time,” Ju Long replied, “and we were so young and innocent at the time that I couldn’t tell her I was part of the Order. Similarly she told me nothing about being in The Avatar Guard.”
“So you went for the greater good then,” said a man, “you remember me, right, Ju Long?”
“Of course I do,” Ju Long replied, “you are Tu-Sung, the same man who first convinced me to join The Order.”
“I see that even a few years of being apart hasn’t made you forget.” He said, grinning, “But why did you join us?”
“Because I believe in absolute order and equality,” Ju Long replied, “there is no reason why each nation cannot be equal, and there is especially no reason for one person to be above the rest of us.”
“So you do indeed realize the dangers of the avatar?”
“Aye; and that is the reason I joined many years ago.”
However, Ju Long had a painful memory about something Mulan had told him when he had told her that.
“The world was designed to be different,” she had said, “even me and you are so different. You were raised in a big city, I was raised in a rather secluded temple, and yet here we are getting along.”
“And so she becomes our enemy,” Zhin declared, “she is supporting The Avatar Guard and the spirit of chaos.”
“Then I guess I need to make our separation official,” Ju Long muttered, “I guess I should start on that.”
The whole time though, he had been thinking about Mulan. He had gotten so terse with her, and yet she was just trying to understand him. He had pointed his sword at her so that she would not follow him, for after they parted ways he knew where he wanted to go—he was going to report to The Order, like he was doing now.
“Maybe that had been a little harsh,” he thought, “but I couldn’t have her following me.”
And yet no matter how hard he tried to justify himself, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for the way he had treated her. He wasn’t about to go and reconcile, but he had wished that he had thought of nicer ways to do what he had done.
* * * * * * * *
“I am sorry,” said the leader of the mob, “but we are not going to let you talk about our organization that way.”
“Bah,” Zak laughed, “just another one of their stupid rules. You airbenders don’t believe in order this much, do ya?” She had turned to Mulan when she said that last part.
“No, not at all,” Mulan replied gently, “in fact, it is the nature of an airbender to be agile and free—it is part of the chaos spirit within us.”
“Well,” said Zak, “that’s really good, because truth be told, there’s about to be a lot of chaos breaking out.”
Zak and Mulan stood back to back, Zak taking an earthbending stance and Mulan taking one for airbending. Zak looked down and noticed that the streets they were on were covered in sand. After all, they were near the outside of the city, and outside of it was desert, and so it was likely tracked in one way or another.
“Mulan,” Zak whispered, but suddenly the fight broke out with the mobsters trying to attack them. A few sword slashes and bending moves (from both sides) later, they broke free of their ranks and began to run. Luckily Mulan was not hurt, but Zak had received a nasty cut over her forehead. She didn’t seem to mind though.
“That sand,” Mulan exclaimed, “Zak, use your earthbending to try and bend it, and I can help you create a sandstorm.”
“Brilliant plan, kid,” Zak muttered, although Mulan believed her to be younger than she was. She stamped her foot, disrupting the sand on the road. Mulan then turned around and sent swirling winds towards the sand, and it not only obscured the mob’s view of them, but also obscured their view of the mob.
Using this to their advantage, Zak and Mulan proceeded to use a combination of earthbending and airbending to get as far away from there as they could. Eventually, they figured they were okay and so stopped. Nowadays, crazy instances of bending were so common that normal passersby no longer cared—sometimes they wouldn’t even turn.
“So,” said Mulan, “I guess this is where we part ways?”
“Eh,” Zak muttered, “I thought you were gonna join the avatar guard.”
“You meant it,” Mulan exclaimed, “I thought you were drunk.”
“I was drunk,” Zak replied, “I’m not gonna lie. And granted, I don’t think I’m completely sober quite yet, but bear with me a while longer. Anyways, the point that I’m trying to make is that even when I’m drunk I’m usually telling the truth, especially about something as important as The Avatar Guard. So if you’re coming with me to Ba Sing Se I’ll hitch you a ride.”
“I can pay for myself,” Mulan replied, preparing to get into her bag,
“Don’t bother,” Zak laughed, “I’m not paying for you. I’m getting us a free ride there, so it’s no cash out of my pocket either.”
Zak flashed some type of card to the person behind the counter and then subsequently pointed to Mulan.
“She’s with me,” she said, and the two of them were able to quickly find seats as the monorail prepared for departure.
Once they were inside, Mulan made her self as comfortable as an 8 month pregnant mother could.
“Wow,” Zak commented, “I’m surprised we didn’t get harassed by The Order or something for that. Usually they try to frame me.”
“You seem to have a pretty bad reputation here,” Mulan commented, “no offense or anything.”
“Eh,” Zak shrugged, “none taken. I do have a bad reputation here. The thing is: I can beat the juice out of anyone who tries to stop me, so no one does. The reason I ran from that last fight was because I didn’t want you hurt. I may not seem like a woman of good ethics, but I am. I’m not gonna let a bunch of potentially drunk guys and girls beat up on a pregnant woman.
“Thank you for showing concern for me,” Mulan said gently,
“Not a problem, kid,” Zak replied, “the thing is: The Order doesn’t care who you are. If you’re a friend with them, they’ll leave you alone. If not, they’ll try and take you out one way or another. The stories I could tell about the matter could fill the Wan Shi Tong Library twice at least—it’s pretty bad.”
“I just have one more question,” said Mulan,
“Go for it,” Zak shrugged, “I don’t bite.”
“How old are you,” Mulan asked, “I mean, you’ve called me ‘kid’ a couple of times, and it just makes me curious.”
“Eh,” Zak laughed, “I’m only 22. What about you?”
“25,” Mulan replied, “so I guess I AM older than you.”
“Eh,” Zak shrugged again, “it’s just a bad habit I get into, kid. Sorry if it offends you or anything.”
“I’m okay,” Mulan replied, “I’m just sort of surprised. You look much older than you are.”
“It’s a gift,” Zak said off-handedly, putting her feet up, “I still say you look a lot like Yangchen—and she looked pretty young.” Mulan just shrugged.
“I guess so,” she said, “it is not up to me to decide that—rather, the forces of nature which make us grow up.”
Zak didn’t respond. She did stretch and yawn though.
“I’m gonna get a little shut-eye,” she said, “Wake me if anything interesting happens.”
“I think I’m going to do the same if you don’t mind,” said Mulan, “I’m still a bit weary from my trip and that recent scuffle.”
“Alright,” Zak shrugged, “sounds about reasonable. I mean, it’s gotta be tiring to carry a weight like that everywhere,” she pointed at Mulan’s stomach and Mulan nodded, yawning herself.
Ironically, Zak stayed awake and Mulan fell asleep. Knowing how much the city of Fengtai had been influenced by The Order as well, she didn’t trust anyone, and wasn’t about to let anyone come near her or Mulan.
It was rare that the airbenders were seen in places like this in this day and age, and their bright orange clothing always made them stand out, and so anyone who would occasionally pass by would always take a glance at Mulan, and also Zak because of the way she was dressed and because of the way she was built. Zak didn’t care at all though.
Just like Zhin and Tu-Sung had been awaiting the arrival of Ju Long and (they had hoped) his wife, Zak and Mulan were looking forward to uniting (in Zak’s case reuniting) with the avatar guard. And though it was slightly different, they too were Awaiting the Arrival.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:35:12 GMT -5
the 5th installment of my Order of the Avatar Slayer" series. The title is pretty bad, but oh well, it gets the job done. obviously it focuses on the Water Tribes, and I will indeed say that you do get to meet two new faces (technically 3) --Koara and Lehran (and Altina) so yeah, the story.
CHAPTER 5: THE SERENITY OF WATER
Lehran raced frantically back towards his village. He and a few friends had been off in a small arena about a mile out when they had seen some of The Order’s armies heading towards their little village.
Lehran had injured his knee in one of their spars a few days previous, so he still walked with a slight limp, for it had not yet fully healed. He was a shy fellow, so when he stated to lag behind he did not call out for the others. He did not want to draw attention to himself; being shy was something that his entire family was notorious for. They had been like this for several generations.
Lehran continued running (and slightly limping) until he reached the village. He could tell that someone had been there, but the damage was minimal. However, it was eerily quiet. All Lehran could hear was the sound of the light winds blowing.
Lehran scoured the village, but could not see any signs of blood or fighting. It seemed that they had been taken captive rather than slaughtered. Lehran ran to his own hut to see if any of his family was there. Naturally, there was no one, but it was even quieter in here, for there was no wind. He heard crying, and went into one of the back rooms. In her bed, still crying, was Lehran’s 18-month-old sister Altina.
She had on little furry shoes and little water tribe coat, but her legs were bare. The only logical story Lehran could come up with for how she escaped the capture was that she had been asleep and that their parents had put their trust in Lehran to return and collect her. Luckily they were right.
The nearest village was the Northern Water Tribe Capital City. Realizing what he had to do; Lehran picked up his baby sister, dressed her in some pants, and then set her in a carrier and put her on his back. He was obviously going to take her with him, for he could not leave his own sister behind.
The Northern Capital was about 4 or 5 miles away from Lehran’s village. However, Lehran was a talented waterbender, and so he was able to slide himself along the ice by bending a sheet of it and gliding atop the other ice. After all, he wanted to fine out where The Order’s armies had suddenly gone (he naturally assumed that since he had seen so many that they had planned an invasion) and to inform some of the tribe officials as to what had happened to his village.
When he got there he found that the city was indeed under attack. However, it seemed that most of the Northern Capital was under control of The Avatar Guard, so even the members of The Order that had been living there were being beaten out. Of particular note to Lehran was a really old woman who seemed to be overpowering a division all by herself.
She was waterbending, but also seemed to be bloodbending some of the stronger people to go against their own troops. She was doing incredibly well at first, but the longer Lehran watched, the more he could notice that she was getting overwhelmed. Lehran could tell that if she was hit she would likely not get back up. She was skilled enough so far though to not take any hits, but no one could tell how long that would last.
Lehran raced down and into the battlefield, gliding along the ice and using waterbending to jostle his way through friends and foes alike, bringing up icy defenses when necessary. He eventually made it to her and fought beside her.
“Koy,” she exclaimed, “What are you doing here, child?”
“Koara,” Lehran exclaimed, recognizing the woman’s voice, “why are you still on the battlefield? You’re too old for warfare.”
“I’ll be too old when I die,” she cackled, for because of her age, her voice was old and cracked, and was easily manifesting signs of old age. At 93, she truly was an old woman, and had the right to even call Lehran, a strapping youth of 20 years a kid.
“So can I help you at all?” Lehran asked, making a dangerous sidestep and almost dislodged Altina—lucky he had strapped her in safely. Like her family, the Serenes family, she was a very heavy sleeper.
“Just be careful with that sister of yours,” she replied, using a rather nasty bloodbending technique on the enemy in front of her, “eh, these Order members really need to learn when to let down. We’re clobbering them. They are no match for the South—Northern Water Tribe”
“You’re from the Southern Water Tribe,” Lehran exclaimed, dodging a would-be fatal blow and almost losing his footing because of his hurt knee, “you never told me that in the years we’ve known each other.”
“You learn something new every day,” Koara replied, sending a wall of ice to knock out a legion of attackers, “the tribes today are a lot more unified than they were 80 years ago.”
“Really now,” said Lehran, parrying an attack with a quick ice spear, and yet he obtained a small cut on his arm, “ouch; so what was different?”
“Well,” said Koara, and suddenly seeing more people approaching, “hold on. Let’s get our selves out of this fix.”
Koara suddenly lifted up a huge ice column similar to what an earthbender would do, and then melted it into a water whip which had them both bound together.
They were able to escape just in time, as enemy waterbenders had appeared that that could have put Koara’s escape tactic into jeopardy. If they had gotten hold of them while her whip bound them, it would have clearly meant trouble. They were on part of the wall of the city, and they were out of the way.
“Anyways,” said Koara, acting as if nothing happened, “until Xin-Shing set his own Water Chief and his wife here, things were pretty dandy. I did hear that Iresu, the good former chief’s wife, survived though, and is most likely at Ba Sing Se with the Avatar Guard.”
“The Avatar Guard,” Lehran exclaimed, “I’ve only heard good things about them.”
“Well,” Koara chuckled, “there’s not much bad to say about them, except that they’re outnumbered. The avatar is kept so hidden that most people don’t even know if it’s a male avatar or a female avatar.”
“Wow,” said Lehran, “either way, you make me want to meet them even more than I already do.”
“Well,” Koara laughed, “all we need is a boat and some waterbenders. I happen to have one of each—an old boat that once belonged to my husband and a strapping young waterbender named Lehran Serenes.”
Lehran laughed. “Okay then,” he said, “Lead the way”
Koara cut through one of the residences in the walls and got back out on the other side. She led Lehran to a small boat and in front of them the oceans were clear.
“Jump in,” she said, “my husband built it, and you might remember him as a fine craftsman to the end of his days.”
“Aye,” said Lehran, “he has helped our village many a time until that day he died. He was a great man, Koara.”
“I’m glad to know that even after death that he is still loved,” said Koara, easing into the boat after Lehran. She and Lehran worked together to bend the water around them to move the boat. They were far enough away (and the boat was small enough) that they were not seen.
“So,” she asked him “do you know whether or not that little girl is a bender or not? And what’s her name if I may ask?”
“Her name’s Altina Serenes,” Lehran replied, smiling, “and aye, she is a bender. She likes to play with water when she doesn’t have any other toys. And yet, the funny thing is, is when she drops it onto her clothes, she doesn’t take it out, so I have to help her.”
“Eh,” Koara chuckled, “she’s got plenty of time to learn.” She reached out and gently stroked little Altina’s hair. She had remained asleep through all of this, and was still asleep.
“So,” said Lehran, “how far until we hit land again?” “It’ll be probably by sundown,” Koara replied, “but after about half an hour we should be out of the danger zone.”
Other than Altina waking up and Lehran and Koara getting dinner (and of course, feeing Altina as well), nothing happened on their trip. They ended up reaching a small village inn deep into the night, and luckily Altina, who had been playing with a little bit of water the whole time, was starting to grow tired again.
“Well,” said Koara, “I’m beat. I need some shut-eye.”
“That’s why we stopped at this inn,” Lehran laughed, undressing Altina into some lighter clothes. They would obviously be using them since they were no longer in the frigid North Pole.
“Eh,” said Koara, “stop trying to make me remember these things. I’m old and tired, and will forget them.” She paused, and then laughed.
Lehran chuckled too, and dressed himself for bed, lying down on the bed next to Koara’s, his baby sister Altina at his side.
“Well,” said Koara, “you’re the one who wants to join the avatar guard, so I recommend you getting some sleep.”
“Alright then” said Lehran calmly, and he shut his eyes. He was glad that he had run into Koara, and he was glad that his sister was safe. He still hoped that his family was safe, but he knew they were strong waterbenders, and wouldn’t be shaken by this.
He looked over at Komae, who was already asleep, and then back at his baby sister. It was here that he thought of just how calm the water tribes were for the most part, even their moves. He liked this about them, which was why he loved waterbending. He enjoyed The Serenity of Water.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:35:40 GMT -5
the 6th installment of my series... there is some Shizar evidence here, but that's for another time... the next two chapters will show the last two characters I wish to reveal, and then comes the other characters, and the story will finally be under way.
CHAPTER 6: WELCOME TO THE AVATAR GUARD
Lehran was roused early that next morning to find that Koara was already ready to go.
“About time you’re up,” she said, “come, we’re wasting time.”
“What are you talking about,” Lehran asked, “and why are you suddenly so cranky? I thought you were the nice old woman of the Water Tribe.”
“Heh,” Koara cackled, “you can’t take a joke, can you now, Serenes?”
“I... Lehran stammered, “I’m sorry.”
“Typical Serenes spirit,” Koara laughed, “Lehran, you’re just like the rest of your family, even that legendary avatar, Avatar Kai Serenes II.”
“Ah,” Lehran sighed, “Avatar Kai Serenes II; those were the days of perfection. Those who knew her loved her, those who didn’t still exalted her, and those who hated her also feared her.”
“Indeed,” said Koara, “and those were also the days of the legendary Fire Lady, Lady Sanaki Li Chan.”
“I heard that she had a lot of descendants,” said Lehran, as the two of them headed out the door. The sun was not even up yet.
“Aye,” said Koara, “she did. A lot of them were blind also.”
“A lot,” Lehran exclaimed,
“Well, considering the scarcity of blind people,” said Koara, “aye, there were a considerable amount of them. I also heard that one of her descendants was the world’s most powerful firebender—the avatar’s teacher; member of the Avatar Guard.”
“So,” said Lehran as the two of them purchased tickets for an early monorail train to Ba Sing Se, “if the 4 most powerful benders and the avatar are on our side, how come we’re losing the war?”
“Because The Avatar Guard knows better,” Koara replied, “what’s really happening is that they’re gathering in secret.” By now she had lowered her voice to a whisper, despite them being the only ones in their compartment. Koara continued telling Lehran about them as the train rumbled on, making its way towards Ba Sing Se.
“They are training,” she continued, “always training—even The Four Benders and the avatar. They also have a legendary weapons master who is the tactician of the group. He too trains, despite being a master in all forms of weaponry that he lays his hands upon.”
“So,” said Lehran, “do you know who the avatar is?”
“Here,” said Koara, seemingly changing the subject, “I have a little alertness training for you to do with me; come”
Lehran, not being a man who argued, did so obediently. Koara took him to the roof of the train car. It was moving rather fast.
“From here on out,” she said, “there are things like mail posts and bridges that this thing will pass by. That means we’re almost there. What I want you to do are dodge them with me.”
“This is dangerous,” Lehran exclaimed,
“And yet all four of The Four Benders did this as children on a regular basis. The airbender would usually win by cheating.”
“What about Altina?” Lehran asked,
“Altina’s a Serenes, no doubt,” Koara chuckled, “she’s a heavier sleeper than you are. Besides, you’ve strapped her in nice and tight. She’s probably really nice and snug right now dreaming of waterbending.”
“What,” said Lehran,
“she’s definitely an eager waterbender,” Koara replied, “she woke up crying last night as all babies will, and I comforted her using a little waterbending do tickle her little belly. She giggled herself to sleep. I assure you Lehran that she is happy. Now, here comes the first bridge. Get ready to jump it.”
Lehran was nervous, but he trusted the old woman.
“What about you,” he said, but Koara had already run ahead and flipped clean over it. If Lehran had not jumped a second later he and Altina would have been smashed clean off the train. Luckily he was able to use waterbending like Koara had done to propel himself over. When he landed though, he was a bit shaken. Koara just laughed,
“Wasn’t that fun,” she cackled, putting her arm around Lehran,
“Dangerous,” said Lehran, “but I must admit, it made me feel alive.”
“Good, good,” said Koara, “and now you and I are going to be dodging said obstacles until one of us drops, we make it to the station, or we get to the front car. Are you in for the challenge?
Poor Lehran was certainly awake for the day, for he could not say no, as Koara said this would help him become useful for the Avatar Guard.
“So what did that do,” he said wearily as they slipped back into their compartment before the train stopped. Little Altina had not even stirred.
“It put you in the face of something that could have killed you,” Koara replied, “you do realize that you would have most likely died if you had failed to avoid those obstacles, do you not?”
“So what makes it different from dodging other things?” Lehran asked,
“It means you are willing to stare death in the face without backing down,” Koara replied, “and to be in The Avatar Guard, you’ll need to learn how to do that. I think you’ll do fine.”
“You really do,” Lehran exclaimed,
“If you can do all of that and still carry a sleeping child,” said Koara, “then aye, you’ll be perfectly fine.”
“So,” said Lehran, “where do we go from here? I don’t think I’ve ever been properly through this city.”
“There are few who have,” said Koara, “but come, follow me. We are first going to make a stop the Bender’s Tavern. If The Avatar Guard is anywhere, it’ll be here. Alzar and Shinon are the most likely candidates for us to find here.”
They went inside the tavern. It seemed like a place that would go wild if one person was provoked, so Koara and Lehran just stood there waiting. Koara was looking around for a certain group of people. Sure enough, she found two figures—a firebender and a waterbender—sitting at the booth.
The firebender was an elegant woman who looked like she had come from a high-class family. However, she was barefoot. The waterbender beside her looked like a close friend of hers, and unlike her, he seemed sober. He, however, looked like he was from a very low class family. The expensive drink in his hand indicated that the firebender probably shared money with him.
“That’s them alright,” Koara whispered, “Alzar, Maiden of Fire, and Shinon, Lord of the Water”
Lehran stared in awe and wonder. However, Alzar’s ears perked up right as Koara has said her name. She spun around in her chair so that she was facing them. Lehran noticed that her eyes appeared glazed—like they had less color than a normal firebender’s. Nonetheless, she approached Koara, her eyes seemingly fixed on her.
“You” she said, “you said my name, didn’t you?”
“Aye,” said Koara, “and you, my fair firebending friend, need your good friend Shinon to take you home right now before you start a brawl.”
“Alzar,” said a voice, “Shinon,” apparently there were Order members here too, and they seemed drunk as well. In fact, it seemed that Alzar and Shinon were by themselves.
“Would ya like some help, Shinon,” Koara asked,
“Nah,” he said, “Alzar won’t even need me.”
“We’ll see about that, won’t we, lady?”
“Funny you should say that,” said Alzar, forming fists. She suddenly reached back behind her and pulled out an elaborate sword.
“Hey,” the bartender shouted from behind her, “no weaponry in my bar. Either put it down, lady, or step out.”
“Fine,” she said, handing it to Shinon, “hold this.
The next events were rather confusing. Alzar swung a roundhouse kick towards the nearest man, but her intercepted Alzar’s foot and held it there. Luckily the greatest firebender in the world was not about to be deterred by something that small, so the instant her foot was caught, she launched herself into the air with her other foot, hitting the man in the face. However, he kept a tight grasp on Alzar’s left foot, so when he went down so did Alzar.
To the disappointment of the men, Alzar was wearing a pair of pants underneath her robe, which had flown up when she hit the ground. However, Alzar was not on the ground long. She jumped onto her hands, sending a spinning kick towards two more offenders. As she was about to return to her feet, they were both suddenly grabbed.
“Gotcha now, little lady,” he chuckled and he yanked Alzar upward and slammed her onto the table.
“Get your filthy hands away from my feet,” she snapped, for although she was barefoot, her feet were well kept. They were actually pretty large for a woman as well.
Naturally, the man did not comply, so he was answered with flames appearing from her feet. The man recoiled, and Alzar used this as an opportunity to dash for the door. She punched, kicked, and threw lightning at anyone who got between her and the door, and told Shinon to lead the way to the Avatar Guard’s base while losing their enemies in the meantime.
“You two,” said Shinon in his cold voice, “help me make a wall of ice between those buildings,”
Shinon’s voice may have been cold, but it was more of a cold voice that didn’t speak very much; rather than a hostile one. The three of them (Alzar was a firebender) formed a huge wall of ice between two buildings, and they took off, Shinon leading them to the Avatar Guard’s base. They knew Koara would not just pick up a random stranger, and this man Lehran looked friendly enough.
Within a few minutes they were inside the headquarters of the Avatar Guard’s base. It was impossible to pass by unless a person could demonstrate a powerful enough bending move on the door. So far the only people able to open it were the avatar and The Four Benders. Upon entering, Koara turn to Lehran, who was carrying a now very excited Altina on his back,
“Lehran,” she said, “Welcome to The Avatar Guard.”
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:36:00 GMT -5
the 7th installment of my "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" series. This is where you meet Taki and Royota. right now I'll jsut say that Taki's a bit... suggestive... but again, nothing 18+. don't worry.
CHAPTER 7: THE TRAVELING COMPANIONS
Long years of military service had been kind to Royota. He was well-known anywhere he went, and any of the young new recruits for the Earth Kingdom military would always salute “The Great General Royota” every time he would come in. he was a powerful earthbender and was a hardened general who had seen many wars in his days.
However, he was now entering his later years, but his love for the military had not been shaken. He was going in to ask if he could extend his service rather than retire.
However, as he was waiting, he could not help but overhear what was going on in the next room. He overheard something about his old Marshal—the man who had been over him since he was a young private. He heard that he had been killed by an assassin. He said nothing, but continued to listen.
At first he thought that these men were mourning his loss, but after listening a little more he learned that they were some of the conspirators, and that the new Marshal was a member of The Order of the Avatar Slayer. The Order had just taken over his division. At once he changed his mind about wanting to extend his service. He planned to retire instead now. He was able to do so surprisingly without any difficulty, and he was discharged with full honors.
The relationship between these two groups—The Avatar Guard and The Order of the Avatar Slayer—was difficult to understand. The people would interact with each other peacefully often times, but sometimes brawls would occur. Certain divisions of each nation’s military belonged to The Order, while others belonged to The Avatar Guard.
While the world claimed to be united, it was clear that there were rifts. Surprisingly, it did not usually take much for a person to switch sides. Others did it because they felt threatened, or were forced. Royota was one of the lucky ones. Now that he was out of the military though, his thoughts turned to Ba Sing Se, where The Avatar Guard was re-gathering its forces in subtlety. He intended to go there, and because of his constant traveling nature which came from him being in the military, he was able to get what he needed easily enough. Luckily he had enough assets that he was able to afford decent homes in several different Earth Kingdom cities. Royota was always a modest man. He went north to one of the cities only a few miles out from Ba Sing Se.
he would have passed through it, but he saw a sign that was announcing the semifinals of an Earth Rumble tournament. The two competitors were prestigious ones that Royota had heard of from distant lands. One was called The Mountain Crusher, while the other was named The Chi Slayer. This seemed to draw Royota’s attention, and so he was able to get himself a seat in the competition, which started slightly over an hour after his arrival in the city. The crowds were roaring and going wild. These two fighters must have been prestigious champions.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer boomed, “welcome to the 14th division of the Earth Rumble CLXXII semifinals!”
He paused to hear the crowds roar louder before continuing.
“Fighting today in the first corner, we have our very own Mountain Crusher!” the crowds again went wild as a huge man stepped out.
The man was at least 7 feet tall. His arms were about as big as Royota’s legs—luckily Royota was old otherwise even he, an old earthbending legend, might have been ashamed. However, Royota observed that this man didn’t look like the type who had a strategy, but rather just overwhelmed his opponents with brute force. No one said you needed a strategy to win an Earth Rumble tournament.
Royota watched as the man grabbed an enormous slab of rock and snapped it in two like a twig. Royota was looking for a certain Earth Rumble champion, but the name of the earthbender he was looking for slipped his mind.
“In the 2nd corner,” said the announcer, “a traveler from a distant land, we bring you: The Chi Slayer!”
The Chi Slayer was almost like a joke in comparison to the other man. It was a girl—a Kyoshi warrior to be exact. They were notorious for being chi-blockers in this day and age, and she had a light-footed step, despite all her heavy gear.
She bended a huge column of earth upward and began launching jabs at it in various locations, sending dust flying. By the time it had settled, there was a statue of a beaming Kyoshi warrior—the girl herself. Royota looked at her. She appeared to be very young, and yet she was a possible champion.
He watched as the announcer declared the beginning of the match, and just as Royota had suspected, The Mountain Crusher was just recklessly smashing rocks. It seemed like a stupid tactic, but it kept The Chi Slayer on her feet. Huge rocks that were almost like mountains were flying into the stands, which of course was why the front rows were empty. The man was smashing them, not really paying attention to where The Chi Slayer was, but rather just wondering what direction she was in. they continued fighting until suddenly The Chi Slayer disappeared. Seconds later, she was behind The Mountain Crusher.
“What’s the matter,” she leered, “can’t even hit a girl?”
It seemed like a petty statement, but The Chi Slayer had intended it to be just that. It stirred up her opponent, who swung his arm at her. She effortlessly dodged it, and then struck him at a pressure point, disabling his arm. With one arm down, she was easily able do quickly block the chi flow of his other three limbs.
It seemed that he had lost. However, as he was falling, he made a powerful swipe with his massive arm towards her, knocking her clean off the arena. In fact, she hit against the opposite wall so hard that she actually bounced back. Half of the audience did not know what was going on.
The girl had used a pair of knives to stab into the walls of the arena while she got her vision straight again and then using earthbending she brought herself back up. She had not lost, for she had not ever hit the ground. Therefore, the fight continued. One slight movement from the foot of The Chi Slayer sent The Mountain Crusher off the arena. Since his chi was blocked he couldn’t earthbend himself back up, (and Royota assumed that he would have too considering he was still conscious) so he fell to his defeat.
This was the sort of person Royota wanted to talk to. Because of his status in society, he was able to go behind the scenes as The Chi Slayer was cleaning up. He knocked on the door and heard a “come in” from the other side. He went in, but was in for sort of a surprise. She was cleaning her own wounds, but was in her undergarments.
“Pardon me,” said Royota, about to step out
“What,” the woman shrugged, “surely you had a wife, right?”
“I, um, yes I did. What’s your point?”
“So surely you’ve seen a woman undressed before.”
“I have, but in this case it doesn’t make me feel proper.”
“Well, you wanted to talk to me, so here I am; take it or leave it.”
“Do you know who I am?”
“You’re the Great General Royota; who DOESN’T know you?”
“Really now; I didn’t know my fame was that widespread.”
“You learn something new every day, general,” the girl shrugged, putting the finishing touches on a wound on her shoulder,
“So,” said Royota, “what is your name?”
“My name’s Taki, “the girl replied, “I’m 21 in case you were wondering.”
“I see,” Royota replied as Taki got back into her uniform, “well, there are two reasons I came here. One of them was to see your performance”
“Oh,” said Taki casually, “and what was the other one?”
“Well, you do know what The Order of the Avatar Slayer is, correct?”
“Who doesn’t know about them,” Taki shrugged, “it’s the avatar guard I’m after. However, I gotta go to Ba Sing Se for my finals tournament.”
“Wow,” said Royota as if this just somehow magically fit in with his plans, “perhaps you can join the Avatar Guard at their headquarters after your match.”
“They have a headquarters,” Taki exclaimed, as if the concept had never occurred to her. In this day and age, many people just didn’t know about the affairs of either side, and so they would often times just join the first person who came to them, as to avoid confusion.
“Yes,” said Royota, “they do have a headquarters. And it’s the strong people like you that we could use.”
“Hold,” said Taki, “you’re just trying to use me, is it?”
“Not at all,” said Royota, “just trying to encourage you to join the side that is fighting for the better cause.”
“How do you know your side’s that side,” Taki asked,
“Look at the other side’s name,” said Royota, “Avatar Slayer—what harm has the avatar ever done to the world?”
“Good point,” Take shrugged, “I guess I’ll find out if it’s any good after I get to Ba Sing Se then, huh?”
“I suppose so,” Royota replied, “The Avatar Guard does not force anyone to join their ranks. They give them the choice and let them decide.”
“Sounds like a nice policy,” Taki shrugged, “but hey, I guess we should get going—or, I should. I need to get there by tomorrow morning.”
“Well I actually probably should have been there about by now, but I chose to stop for your tournament.”
“I guess we’ll go together then,” said Taki,
“I’m fine with it,” said Royota, “I always like someone to travel with.”
And with that, these two unlikely figures became later known as The Traveling Companions.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:36:10 GMT -5
the 8th installment of "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" series. in this chapter there is a special cameo appearance, and this is where it all comes together. so yeah.
CHAPTER 8: AN EXTRAORDINARY FIND
Royota and Taki traveled to Ba Sing Se with no further difficulty. As they were going through the city, they ran into a pair of firebenders. One looked like an everyday soldier, and the other was a young girl whose left eye was scarred.
“Oh,” Royota exclaimed after nearly knocking the girl down. He was a burly man himself, and the little scar-faced firebender girl was thin from her time in prison. They would later meet each other again, but right now they knew nothing about each other.
“My apologies,” he said, extending his hand, “my name is General Royota, by the way. What is yours if I may ask?”
This girl, being very shy, did not answer. This was the same girl who was rescued by a fire nation soldier from prison. This duo was the selfsame Cheng and Kimiko that had escaped only a few days earlier. Their trip to Ba Sing Se had not been eventful in any way like the trips the others had made, which was probably lucky for them,
“Her name’s Kimiko,” the man replied, “and my name is Cheng. Who might you be,” he stopped, pointing at the young Kyoshi warrior behind Royota.
“My name’s Taki,” she said, “you seem like a nice guy to care for that girl the way you’re doing so.”
“What do you mean?” Cheng asked,
“Never mind,” Taki chuckled, “what I meant was that she’s clearly not related to you. You must be a nice guy for taking her in like that.”
Kimiko said nothing. She was still too shy to even make a comment.
“Um, thanks,” Cheng shrugged, “well, it was nice meeting you, General Taki, and you too, Royota.” He saluted Royota and smiled nicely at Taki. Taki grinned back, and they were on their way.
Taki and Royota continued walking through the city, taking only a quick break for some lunch and tea. Right as they were finishing up, they heard a rather large commotion outside. They finished up, paid for what they had purchased, and raced out to see what the commotion was. They saw several Dai Li agents, but could not see any culprits.
They were fighting each other. There was a young Fire Nation girl who looked to be about 14 years old sitting on a crate a few yards from where the commotion was, swinging her feet idly. One of her hands was sticking out as if she was feeling towards the Dai Li, despite them being behind her. Royota noted that she was barefoot.
“Excuse me, little girl” he said, “but do you know what’s going on over there; Pardon my rudeness, if you will”
“Oh, it’s okie,” the little girl giggled, “most of the time people are rude to me for other things. Anyways, from what I heard and felt, two men were talking about killing someone, and then two Dai Li came in and arrested them. They fought back, and so the Dai Li did too. Then, Dai Li that are serving The Order came in and began fighting the Avatar Guard Dai Li, and that’s where it is right now. I’ll tell you if I feel anything else.”
“Wait,” said Taki, “what do you mean by feel?”
“Well,” said the girl, “I’m blind. I “see” with Firebending. My name is Sanaki Li Chan—I’m a descendant of the legendary Fire Lady who had the same name. She was blind too.”
“Well,” said Taki, “I suppose we should go break that up—or try. You wanna come with us, kid?”
“I’m just a little kid,” she replied, “I think I’ll just stay here, Okie?”
“Alright,” said Taki, and she and Royota raced in to intervene. Right as they were about to intervene though, a pair of benders appeared in the middle of the ring, and halted the fight immediately. One of them was a ratty-haired earthbender, whose hair was black. His arms were rough, and he looked to be rather strong. The other man who landed was an airbender, his distinct blue tattoos being a giveaway. He had brown hair, but seemed gentler than his earthbending friend.
“General Royota,” the airbender exclaimed, “wanna give us a hand here?”
The Dai Li turned around and faced Royota, Taki, and the little blind girl. Royota and Taki readied their stances, and suddenly the little firebender girl jumped in with them.
“Hey,” she said, “they didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did the Dai Li you two are attacking. There’s no need to arrest anyone.”
“What about the two conspirators,” said one of the agents,
“They got away while you were bickering,” Sanaki replied, “so why doesn’t everyone just go their own ways and act like nothing happened. You all can kill each other in the battlefield. Don’t dirty your name here in the city; otherwise you might lose respect from the people.”
The Dai Li said nothing, and the ones serving The Order went one way while the ones serving The Avatar Guard went the other way.
“Welcome back, Royota,” said the earthbender, embracing his old friend, “I see you’ve got a couple of friends tagging along. Who are they?”
“This is Taki,” said Royota, pointing to the Kyoshi warrior, “and this little girl said her name was Sanaki Li Chan.”
“Li Chan, is it,” The airbender exclaimed, “hello, little girl. Do you know who Alzar is?”
“Alzar,” Sanaki paused, “I think I’ve heard that name. She’s the firebending legend, isn’t she?”
“Aye,” he said, “that’s her. And she’s usually with that waterbender named Shinon, correct?”
“Yeah,” Sanaki replied, “I think that’s his name.
“Well Sanaki; Taki,” said the airbender, “my name is Aiku. I’m the airbender of that group, and Zinjamyn here is the earthbender.” He pointed at the earthbender when he said this.
“So what are you two doing out at a time like this?” Royota asked,
“Well,” said Zinjamyn, “we were finding our buddy Zak. Turns out she brought an airbender with her that looks like she’ll become a mother in a month or so.”
“I take it, Royota, that these girls seemed interested, no?” said Zinjamyn,
“Taki did,” Royota replied, “I just barely met this little girl.”
“Well,” said Aiku, “let her follow us. There won’t be harm in that.”
“Except she’s clearly not 18,” said Zinjamyn, “which means she’ll have to stay back when we fight.”
“Who says we’re fighting right now,” said Aiku, “just let her come anyways. We wouldn’t want a cute little kid like this to be left behind.” He picked up Sanaki and cradled her, making her giggle.
“Well,” said Taki, “I’ve got an earth rumble tourney to practice for tonight, so let’s go now to give me some time.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Zinjamyn shrugged, and a few minutes later they were in the secret headquarters of The Avatar Guard. Everyone who had been gathering there was there—Zak, Mulan, Shinon, Alzar, Cheng, Kimiko, Lehran (and Altina), Koara, and now they were joined in their numbers by Royota, Taki, Sanaki, Aiku, and Zinjamyn, the latter two of which were simply reuniting. Taki looked around and noticed Cheng.
“So,” she said, pulling him aside, “this was where you were heading too?”
“I guess so,” Cheng shrugged, “I didn’t expect you to meet me again.”
“It’s a gift,” said Taki, “and perhaps you might be able to persuade me to remain here.” She raised her eyebrows.
“Maybe,” said Cheng, smirking back, “so are you going to go to that Earth Rumble Championship tomorrow?”
“Of course,” said Taki in response “I’m one of the competitors.”
“Really now,” Cheng exclaimed, having only heard about Earth Rumble from various prisoners or earthbenders who would pay visits to the Fire Nation, “what is it like?”
“Well basically,” said Taki, “it’s just a bunch of guys chucking rocks at each other. It’s really simple actually.”
“Alright,” said Cheng, “then I guess I’ll see you out there.”
Taki smirked, and strode off. A few seconds later, Zak stepped up to Cheng. She was smirking as well.
“Looks like you know how to score the ladies,” she laughed, hitting him
“What,” Cheng exclaimed,
“Don’t tell me you didn’t notice it,” Zak said, “she was totally flirting with you. It looks like it’s time for good old Avatar Zakura to set things right in the situation.
“Hold it,” Cheng stopped, his jaw dropping slightly, “YOU’RE the avatar?”
“Um, duh,” Zak shrugged, laughing, “What were you expecting?”
“You don’t seem like the avatar,” Cheng said skeptically.
Zakura’s response was 4 swift movements, one for each element. “Avatar Zakura of the Earth Kingdom at your service,” she laughed, “Anyways, tomorrow evening you two are going out to a nice fancy place of her choosing, is that understood?”
“Um,” Cheng stammered, looking at Zakura’s fists, “alright.” Zakura laughed and walked off.
“She’s always like that,” said a calm voice, and Cheng turned to see Mulan standing in front of him.
“Just let her have her fun,” said Mulan, “she is the avatar after all.”
“Hm,” said Cheng, “I guess I should get to know some of you people better. I feel left out of the loop.”
This however, did not take as long as Cheng had thought. By that evening, everyone knew everyone else, including Sanaki Li Chan. She claimed not to be part of the group, but Royota, Koara, Lehran, Aiku, and Mulan all noted that they saw her training at various times, particularly with Alzar or Kimiko. She was also training with Taki. Her swift moves kept Taki on edge, and helped her improve her dodging skills.
“Don’t worry, Taki,” said Sanaki in her sweet little voice, “I’m sure you’ll win the championship with no effort.”
Taki smiled and ruffled Sanaki’s hair. Sanaki had long, wavy black hair—A LOT of long, wavy black hair. She giggled. They truly were all on the same side here. They were all equal; even Sanaki Li Chan the little prodigy. She had been An Extraordinary Find.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:36:32 GMT -5
Here's the 9th installment of "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" series.
there is a certain event that happens towards the end of this chapter that I had to cut for mature reasons, and length reasons. it fits between chapters 9 and 10, and if anyone wants to read it [possible mature moments, nothing pornographic or anything of course, just potentially suggestive] they can PM me. anyways, hjere's the uncut version.
CHAPTER 9: THE NEW LIFE THEY HAD
The relationships between these various benders continued to grow. There were other Avatar Guard members that would come and go, but these “new recruits” were being trained by the masters themselves. Even Avatar Zakura was training, despite her wishes.
“What makes you think I need more training, Alzar,” she asked her, as she wanted her to get more firebending experience in,
“Because no matter who you are,” said Alzar in response, “you’ll never be as good as me, you got that?”
“Sure,” Zakura shrugged, “but with little miss “right fist” I won’t need to be.” Zakura laughed and sent a punch straight into Alzar’s face; knocking her several feet back right into the stone wall, which cracked upon her impact. If she had been using all her force, Alzar’s face would have been permanently altered. Luckily she was going easy.
“She does bring up a point,” Aiku said, trying not to laugh, “no need to be able to out bend someone you can beat up.”
“GEH,” said Alzar, trying to wipe the blood from her forehead out of her eyes, “That’s NOT the point. There’s gonna be a time where
“little miss right fist” isn’t gonna be able to reach “little mister Xin Shing”, eh?”
Sanaki, who did not like to hear people be mean to each other, stood in front of Zakura with her arms crossed. Aiku turned her a little so she was facing him. It turned out that she was 17 years old, and yet still had the cuteness a little child would bring.
“Say sorry to Alzar,” she said firmly. She was not only saying this because of her ethics, but also because they had learned that she and Alzar were both descendants of the same Sanaki Li Chan of old. Zakura just laughed and flicked Sanaki’s jaw. This accidentally jerked her backwards and she cut her mouth.
It was not that Zakura was too strong (maybe that had something to do with it) but Sanaki, like her namesake, was somewhat fragile. She felt her mouth, and her right hand became stained in blood. She began to cry. Like the Sanaki of old, she was sensitive, and would often cry a lot. Mulan, who was sitting calmly a ways back, raced up to comfort her.
“You poor thing,” she said, picking her up and trying to clean the blood from her mouth; she turned to Zakura.
“You monster,” she snapped, “How dare you hit a little blind girl.”
Zakura actually looked ready to shrug and hit Mulan too, but it seemed that her old ethics of not wanting to let a pregnant woman be harmed came back at her.
“Honestly,” Zakura shrugged, “if she is gonna whine about that, just get her out of here, alright?”
“Look at her mouth,” said Shinon, stepping up, gently taking Sanaki from Mulan and telling Mulan to sit down, “she’s getting blood all over the place. You decked her hard, and you know that that will make unsuspecting people cut open their jaw.”
Zakura looked defensive.
“Gee,” she said, “why not just throw me out now? I’m SUCH a bad person for showing my old teacher and a little blind girl what THE ORDER will do to them with no further hesitation. Hmm, and I also suppose that a little bit of... ‘Killing’ will go on?”
“That’s not the point,” said a voice from behind them. It was Ryuka, and he was holding a blade. He jumped off from the tier he was on and landed by Zakura, swiping her hat. Luckily Zakura’s hair was decent-looking, and she didn’t care too much either. She simply wore that hat out of habit, so she didn’t react at first like Ryuka had hoped.
“The point, Avatar Zakura,” he said, “is that you can’t just go waltzing around hitting your own friends just because you’re stronger than them. They have done a lot for you, and so a little respect for them would be nice. And before you pull the “these newcomers haven’t done anything for me” gag, I’ll tell you right now that they already have.
By going against the group “The order of the AVATAR SLAYER” they are helping to protect you as well.”
“Protect me,” Zakura laughed, “Ha, Ryuka, that’s a good one.”
“Indeed it is,” he said, whipping out a knife and holding it to Zakura’s throat. He had moved so quickly that even Alzar had not noticed it coming. He jerked her head back and began running it back and forth in the middle of her throat. The knife had tiny serrated edges, so it was starting to penetrate the flesh on Zakura’s neck, leaving a fine stream of blood trickling down her neck. None of the others reacted because they were either somewhere else (like in the case of Taki, Lehran, Royota, and the likes) or knew what was going on.
Zinjamyn showed up, and smiled at what he saw.
“So,” he laughed, “Zakura’s finally getting “the warning,” eh?”
“Let go of me,” Zakura hissed, and yet although she could have easily decked him and gotten away, she didn’t do anything.”
“Everyone needs it, Zinj,” said Ryuka, “I think Ike handled it the best though (“Zinj” was referring to Zinjamyn of course, and “Ike” was Aiku’s nickname that Ryuka used)”
“That’s true,” Zinjamyn chuckled, and he sat down to watch. He was accompanied a few seconds later by Koara.
“Aye,” she said, nudging him, “Zakura finally got Ryuka’s warning?” “Aye, Koara,” Zinjamyn replied, “she’s gotta learn somehow.”
This was deeply wounding Zakura’s pride, but it seemed the more she waited, the more blood Ryuka was spilling of hers. It ran down, stopping against the gold necklace she had around her neck and starting to accumulate there.
“Get off me,” Zakura grunted, but she didn’t move. Her pride was getting badly wounded from this treatment.
“On two conditions,” said Ryuka, “first, apologize to the little blind girl and give her a hug; second, apologize to your firebending teacher and thank her for putting HER time into putting up with you and being willing to teach you her firebending secrets.”
Zakura almost looked hesitant, but the blade was cutting deeper into her throat, back and forth, little by little. She knew he wasn’t going to let it do any fatal damage, but to progress so slowly was torture.
“FINE,” she roared, and Ryuka let up.
“Come here, Sanaki,” she said, and embraced the child, “sorry about your jaw, alright? It was just a joke. If you feel my hand coming, jump back. It’ll make ya stronger.”
“Okie,” Sanaki replied happily, and she embraced Zakura again before skipping happily off to go and play, probably with Kimiko, a fellow firebender her age. Sanaki’s kindness was even able to out-prioritize Kimiko’s shyness.
Zakura stood up, grabbed Alzar by the hand and lifted her up. “Look” she said, “sorry about hitting you that hard. You know me though, come on, I’m probably the cockiest avatars to ever live.”
“Ooh, you got that right,” said Alzar, who still seemed slightly angry about the whole incident, “I still don’t know what drove me to the point of insanity where I actually agreed to teach you.”
“I do,” said Ryuka, “because you wanted the avatar to be able to overthrow Xin Shing—just like all the rest of us here do. Avatar Zakura is only human, Alzar. She’s going to have faults just like you and me. Nobody is perfect.”
“Fine,” Alzar said, spitting blood, “I’ll forgive you, Zakura, but don’t do it again or I might have to retaliate.
Zakura opened her mouth to say something, but Ryuka grabbed her arm. She turned to face him, and he shook his head. Zakura held her comment for the time being, and then went with Zinjamyn to practice more of her earthbending skills. It just went to show how powerful of benders The Four Benders were if even the earthbender was still teaching an already fully realized Earth Avatar.
Everyone in the group was training until around mid-day, where they would take a break for the rest of the day (unless others wanted to continue). Mulan took a nap, Sanaki and Kimiko were playing a little game with a fireball, Royota was conversing with Koara about Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe affairs, Lehran was keeping Altina entertained with some small waterbending techniques, The Four Benders were just ambling around doing as they pleased, Avatar Zakura was lazing around, stopping every now and then to take a nap, Ryuka was off in some corner of the hideout clanging on something—making weapons; and Cheng and Taki had taken Zakura’s advice and were going to go out for the evening. Zakura dropped in on Cheng as he was fixing up his hair and making sure everything was perfect.
“So,” said Zakura, “you two really DO have a crush on each other?” “Well,” Cheng stammered, “I guess to an extent we do. But it sort of started this morning after I saw her win her Earth Rumble Tournament.”
“Ah,” said Zakura, chuckling, “so THAT’S where you two were. I would have gone, but I was banned ages ago.”
“For what,” Cheng asked,
“My own reasons,” said Zakura, “you have fun with Taki. Oh, and keep in mind that I was actually joking when I suggested that.”
Nonetheless, Cheng was dressed in a fine Fire Nation suit, and Taki in a fine blue-green dress colored like her Kyoshi uniform. He took her hand and the two of them left the hideout together. They left, and Zakura developed a smug grin on her face, before stopping and asking Ryuka for some weapons training. Those who were newcomers to The Avatar Guard’s hideout soon learned and enjoyed The New Life They Had.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Nov 15, 2008 20:37:11 GMT -5
the 10th installment of my "The Order of the Avatar Slayer" series... again, there's some cut content, but it might be slightly explicit (not quite 18+, but pretty close)
anyways, here's the regular story. if you don't know where the cut content should be, then don't worry. CHAPTER 10: AN INSEPARABLE BOND
Luckily for Taki and Cheng most of the members of The Avatar Guard slept in late. However, Sanaki, Mulan, Aiku, and Lehran were awake and wandering. Unfortunately for them, so was Zakura.
“Now,” Zakura whispered to Sanaki as she saw them coming, “I’m going to hold your hand when I ask them the questions. If you feel them lying, squeeze my hand, alright?”
“Okie,” Sanaki giggled, and Sanaki put her left hand onto Zakura’s right. Upon their arrival, Zakura and Sanaki were waiting.
“So” said Zakura, “how was your date,”
“Why do you want to know—” Taki began, but Cheng lightly nudged her to silence her. That was not going to be their tactic.
“Well,” said Cheng, “it went on longer than we thought, and so we decided to stay the night somewhere as opposed to trying to walk home in the dark.”
Sanaki pulled at Zakura’s arm.
“Zakura” she said, winking at her, “something is missing.” This meant that Sanaki was able to tell that Cheng was telling the truth, just not the whole truth. Zakura smiled,
“I’m sorry about that, sweetie,” she said, trying to look cute—luckily she had made up with Sanaki and the two of them became good friends—surprisingly, overnight. Zakura then turned to Taki.
“Sounds like you two had some real nice fun...” she smirked, making the movement of one lifting up a woman’s dress. She was only making things up, but Taki took the defensive.
“Fine,” she said, “maybe we made out, alright?”
“Maybe,” said Zakura, “is that a yes or a no?”
“No,” Taki replied, and Sanaki immediately squeezed Zakura’s hand.
“I can feel you lying,” she giggled,
“Fine,” said Taki, “yes we did. Are you happy now?”
“Yeah,” Zakura shrugged, and walked off, Sanaki following, but no longer holding her hand. They could hear Zakura chanting “Cheng and Taki, sitting in a tree...”
Taki growled, but Cheng put an arm on her shoulder.
“Relax,” he said, “I mean, I guess you don’t have to if you really don’t like me, but that’s just my thoughts.”
“Fine, fine,” Taki grumbled, “but that Zakura woman... she thinks she owns the place. Her excessive arrogance gets on my nerves.”
“Maybe if you were here last night you would know how to earn her respect.” Said a voice, “She respects certain people here, for she knows that they are superior to her”
“Sanaki,” Cheng exclaimed, “is that you?”
“No,” said the voice, “it... its Kimi,”
“What are you doing here, Kimi,” Cheng asked, and he made a motion to Taki for her not to say anything—Kimiko was very shy and to have her talking was a feat.
“I heard her talking bad about Avatar Zakura,” she said, “and I... I don’t like that. I don’t like it at all.”
“Well, Kimiko,” said Taki, “sometimes even the avatar’s a jerk. No one’s perfect. Remember that.”
Kimiko said nothing, and Taki’s words had hurt her because of her shyness. She turned away and ran.
“Kimi,” said Cheng, “don’t run, come here,”
“So you’ve got something going on with her,” said Taki,
“No,” said Cheng, “but she’s my friend. I saved her from prison.”
“Fine,” said Taki, “I’m gonna get into some normal clothes; see you around, Cheng.” And with that, Taki strode off. Cheng meanwhile, followed Kimiko, but she was too shy to say anything. She found Sanaki and the two of them began playing a game. Sanaki said that Kimiko didn’t feel like talking right now, so Cheng backed away. He got back into casual attire and when he came out saw Royota, Koara, Zinjamyn, Shinon, Aiku, and Taki in the “lounge” area.
The base of The Avatar guard was enormous (and was obviously underground). It was a very large circular central area which was the “lounge”, and there were 4 different levels, with lots of different rooms. The big circular main room was about 80 feet high and about 300 feet in diameter, so it was a large place. Royota was off by himself, and so Cheng went to talk to him. He asked him how to approach Kimiko, as he had seen them talking before.
“You just need to find out what sort of things she values,” Royota replied, “she’s a sensitive little girl. The poor thing watched her family die in front of her, and then she got burned like that. I’d be scarred more than physically as well if that were me.”
“That’s it,” Cheng exclaimed,
“Pretty much,” Royota replied, “a lot of people here are really friendly if you give them a chance.”
“Alright,” said Cheng, “I’ll remember that. Thanks, General Royota.”
Everyone still called him “General Royota” because he had been that well-known. And of course, the nations were no longer divided (at last, not divided from each other) so everyone had respect for everyone else.
Cheng sat next to Taki, who was wearing a casual long-sleeved white and green dress and soft dark green shoes that just covered her feet. She got up, stretched, walked around a little, and then sat back down. She made no noise whatsoever, and since everyone else was reasonably quiet, a person was able to hear anything.
Another figure appeared, walking towards them. She was barefoot, and wearing a lavender kimono that seemed large on her. Her hair sort of went into her face—this was Alzar of course.
“Hey,” Aiku chuckled, “the princess awakens,”
“Eh,” Alzar shrugged, kicking back and putting her feet on one of the tables, “that’s Zakura, and she just went to bed. She woke me up.”
Shinon smirked, “well Alzar,” he said, “its mid-day just about. I was wondering if you were alive or not.”
“You too,” said Alzar, “wow. You three all of a sudden care about me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Alzar,” said Zinjamyn, “we’ve been together since we were young children. What makes you think that?”
“Well,” said Alzar, “it was Zakura again. She drives me INSANE! Why did “I ever volunteer to teach her firebending?”
“What did she do this time,” Aiku asked,
“She woke me up,” said Alzar, “by drenching me with her waterbending—and I’m pretty sure that it had been ice moments before.”
“You look dry to me,” said Shinon, feeling slightly guilty, as he was Zakura’s waterbending teacher;
“That’s because she used bending to extract it as well,” said Alzar, “and it’s a good thing she did, otherwise I’d be hot not wet. And then I had to fix my hair again to keep it from getting scraggly like hers feels.”
“Alzar,” said Zinjamyn, “is this something you want to talk to us alone about? I can tell you seem agitated.”
Usually among The Four Benders, they would call each other Alz, Shin, Ike, and Zinj. However, when they were serious, they used each other’s full names instead.
“Aye,” Alzar replied, swallowing, “aye, it is.”
“Then let’s go,” said Zinjamyn, and The Four Benders went into another room. Alzar sat down, looking depressed.
“So,” said Aiku, “what’s the matter,”
“Zakura as usual,” said Alzar, “but this time she made fun of me for being blind. Ooh, it made me so angry...”
“She’s just a stupid kid, Alzar,” said Shinon, “just like we were when we tried that White Jade flower. We were younger though.”
“Zakura’s the avatar,” said Alzar, “she’s not stupid, she’s just a jerk.”
Zinjamyn noticed that tears were starting to trickle down her face. It was rare that Alzar ever did that.
“Alz,” said Zinjamyn, “are you still mad about those stupid Makahola berries—the ones you thought would heal us?”
“Of course I am, Zinj,” Alzar replied, “I’m blind because of them.”
“Alz,” said Aiku, “you’re not blind at all. You’re like that Sanaki girl—you can “see” everything.”
“Ike,” Alzar snapped, “I was literally able to see everything until I did that. Do you realize what my parents were like?”
“Aye,” said Shinon, “they were shocked. They wanted to help you, but you didn’t tell them until it was too late.”
The families of these four benders were also really close friends, despite their class differences. Aiku and Shinon were from the lower class, (yet were able to survive on their own) Zinjamyn’s family was middle-class, and Alzar came from a high-class family. However, Alzar’s family was remarkably generous to the others’ families, even Zinjamyn’s. They were all pretty close-knit.
“I didn’t want them to know I had been so stupid,” said Alzar
“And so you let your eyesight diminish into nothingness, Alz,” Shinon exclaimed, “Alzar, everyone just wanted to help you.”
“I KNOW!” Alzar snapped, “I know that, Shin; and that’s why I’m only mad at myself. I was so stupid for doing that.”
“Well, Alz,” said Aiku, “there’s nothing we can do about it now. Just remember, we’ve been your best friends since we first met. Sure you were the only girl in our group, but we didn’t think of you any differently. You’re the greatest firebender in the world.”
Alzar stood up, “thanks Ike,” she said, and embraced him.
“Hey,” said Zinjamyn, “we didn’t let that tear us apart when it happened, and nothing’s about to change, Alz; just remind Zakura that you can whip her in a firebending match and you’ll be alright. We all still have a lot to teach her. Don’t worry.”
“Glad to know that you all aren’t just dumping me,” Alzar chuckled, and she embraced Zinjamyn, and then Shinon.
“Good, good,” said Shinon, “now let’s go back to the lounge. You can take a nap there, or you can get dressed for the day.”
He smiled and chuckled, admiring Alzar’s lavender kimono. As Alzar began to doze off back in the lounge (still in her lavender kimono) she heard Zakura convincing Cheng and Taki to go on another date. Ironically they accepted. Alzar chuckled, and as she fell into dreaming, she smiled knowing that she had long ago formed An Inseparable Bond.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:26:05 GMT -5
yeah, chapter 11. "The Order of the Avatar Slayer". I'm not sure if I need to elaborate further on the matter, so this will have to do. =3
CHAPTER 11: WHAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR
Alzar remained asleep for much of the day. Lehran showed up a few minutes later and asked Shinon if he could help him practice his waterbending as to increase his skills. After all, since The Avatar Guard also included the four most powerful benders in the world, training against one of them would only mean you would improve.
“I would be glad to,” said Shinon flatly, as was his traditional tone of speech, “come with me, young one, although I recommend letting your sister remain here.”
“I can’t leave Altina,” said Lehran, “I... I care about her too much.”
“Lady Koara will watch over her,” Shinon replied, “you seem to be well-acquainted with her, is that correct?”
“Aye,” Lehran replied, “I’m sorry about that. It’s just that I found her as the only one left in my village that was not captured. I don’t want anything bad to happen to her under my care.”
“I understand how that is,” said Shinon, “and that is why we are willing to training people of your type. We too are trying to end the atrocities of The Order of the Avatar Slayer.”
“Of course,” said Lehran, “so aye, I guess I should turn Altina over to Koara until I get back then?”
“Aye,” Shinon replied, “and don’t worry; any damage that I might do to you can be repaired by Koara. She’s a master of the arts.”
“Alright then,” said Lehran gently,
“Or,” said Shinon, “Since you yourself are a waterbender, perhaps you can try a technique or two of your own on yourself; After all, a waterbender’s healing abilities are just as vital as his or her combat abilities. I may not seem like the type, but I am also a master healer.”
“That’s understandable,” said Lehran, “after all, you’re the most powerful waterbender in the world.”
“Indeed,” said Shinon calmly, “but like yourself and the other benders of my group, we do not brag about it. That is an admirable trait, young Lehran. Always remember that, and be sure to raises your sister the same way. I can feel that she has the potential to become a very talented waterbender when she’s older.”
“Little Altina,” Lehran exclaimed, “I will be glad to. She already is fond of the waterbending art, even at that age.”
“Precisely,” said Shinon, “and that is why you must raise her well. I can sense an amazing waterbender in her. Perhaps she will take my title once I pass on.”
“Shinon,” said Lehran calmly, as the two of them went into one of the larger back rooms to train, “you’re talking like you’re going to die within the next week. You’re the greatest waterbender in the world. That’s not going to happen, my friend.”
Shinon smiled, “that’s the spirit, kid,” he said, “I’m glad you’re confident.”
They shut the door and immediately the place was iced over by Shinon, and Lehran was at the ready. Shinon was amazing of course, and Lehran was pretty decent as well. Shinon was not using his full strength on Lehran because overwhelming fore does not make good training. Shinon glided on the icy floors and onto the sides of the wall, shooting bursts of water at Lehran, which he would freeze and then shatter.
Lehran noticed that Shinon used his feet a lot as well, and began trying to emulate his movements. He found that moving around as swiftly as he did was easy—he threw ice in front of him, and as long as he could slide on that he could glide anywhere at his speeds. He used this to dodge Shinon’s projectiles, and resist his water whips with his own defensive maneuverings. Shinon decided to step up his game to the point where he knew that he would soon quickly overwhelm Lehran. Within a few minutes he was at Shinon’s mercy.
“I,” he exclaimed, “I’m sorry Shinon. I could not keep up.”
“Well,” said Shinon, smiling and helping him up, “considering that I was “increasing my game” until I overwhelmed you, I knew it would come eventually. You did very well, Lehran.”
“Thank you,” said Lehran, catching his breath, “can we go again?”
“Aye,” said Shinon smiling; he always loved an eager student.
Zinjamyn and Alzar were still in the main lounge. Koara was watching Altina, admiring her cute little water tribe attire she wore, which was like a smaller version of their everyday outfits.
Normally they would have not allowed a child that young into the base, but because Lehran had joined and was willing to take care of her (as in “his duty” of course) and there was no one else to take her, they had let her stay. They were not about to break up a family just for “order”.
Altina ran around in little circles in front of Koara, her little furry water tribe boots making no noise. She was chasing a little ball of water that Koara was bending to keep her entertained, and she was enjoying following it, her little hands poking out from her thick water tribe coat. She ran and fell down into sitting position, and Koara chuckled. However, Altina began crying, so Koara made her water tickle Altina’s cheeks, and Altina giggled, still trying to catch it.
“She’s a cute little child, isn’t she,” said Zinjamyn. Apart from Alzar, Koara, and Altina, he was the only one there. Cheng and Taki had gone into one of the back rooms to “rest”, Sanaki and Kimiko were playing with firebending elsewhere, and Aiku was with Mulan. Shinon was teaching Lehran of course.
“Aye,” Koara replied, “she really is. Did you know that this little child is a waterbender, even at her young age?”
“No,” Zinjamyn exclaimed, as Koara sat Altina on her lap to keep her still for a moment, “no I didn’t.”
“Well,” said Koara, “let me show you. Hold on a second.”
Koara slid little Altina’s pants off, as when she would waterbend she would spill it on her lap all the time and then she’d get cold and uncomfortable. Since she was just a little child, no one made a big deal about it. Koara sat her down and bent a tiny ball of water in front of her. Altina began to move her hands and sure enough, the water would follow. She was waterbending—the little 18-month old baby could waterbend. Of course, it was nothing useful in combat, but to see a tiny child bending water was pretty amazing.
Not surprisingly, a few seconds later Altina get excited and dropped the water on her legs. Koara collected it; picked up little Altina and put her pants back on and let her run around again.
Meanwhile, in one of the back rooms, Sanaki was managing to get past to Kimiko, and was able to talk and socialize with her. After enough getting to know who they both ere, Sanaki figured she could ask Kimiko a curious question about herself.
“Kimi,” said Sanaki, “I’ve got one more thing to ask you, Okie?”
“Alright,” Kimiko said timidly. She gazed into the eyes of this little 17-year-old girl, and the only reason she was able to look her in the eyes was because she knew that Sanaki could not look back into hers since Sanaki was blind. Sanaki was smiling innocently.
“Um,” said Sanaki, trying not to sound rude, “I hope you don’t feel offended by this, but I was just wondering—have you always been this shy? I... I hope I didn’t say that the wrong way.”
Kimiko stopped and was silent for a while. Eventually she spoke. “No,” she said, “no I wasn’t always this shy. In fact, it was only a few weeks before I came here that I became like this. I was a loudmouth before this. I would never know when to shut up.”
“What happened, Kimi” Sanaki asked, “is that how...”
She put her right hand gently up to Kimiko’s scar. The look on Sanaki’s face was of utmost sympathy.
“It was because of something I said that I got this scar,” said Kimiko quietly, “and also why I had to watch my family die in front of me. Sanaki, there are times when it’s a good thing to be blind.”
“Oh,” said Sanaki, “well, I never thought being blind was a bad thing.”
“That’s good,” said Kimi, putting her fingers gently on Sanaki’s eyelids, gently massaging her eyes. She was not sure why she was doing it, but Sanaki didn’t mind. In fact, it seemed she enjoyed it.
“I watched them come with my family,” Kimiko continued, “I didn’t even get to say goodbye. They forced me to watch them get killed. They were all big-time members of The Avatar Guard, so any excuse to kill them would suffice for The Order. I was mad. I challenged the man responsible for the idea of slaying my family to an Agni Kai. He was much older than me, and I didn’t think I would win. I was hoping he’d kill me.
Unfortunately, right before he was about to do that, he got a worse idea. He decided to burn me, and then I was exiled. I had a “criminal record”, so they had the right to do it too.”
“What did you do that gave you that record,” Sanaki asked,
“My family and I got into a rather big fight against Order members, killing several of them.” Kimiko replied “murder” was the charge, and we all knew that it was, in a way, justice.”
“That’s terrible,” said Sanaki, “but Kimi, I’m glad you’re here. Your family is probably looking down at you right now and is proud.”
Kimiko embraced Sanaki, sobbing.
“They would be,” Kimiko replied, “they always wanted me here. Come my 18th birthday they were gonna admit me at last.”
“Well,” said Sanaki, “I’m not sure why they let me in early, but I do know that this is where we belong. This is What We’re Fighting For.”
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:26:27 GMT -5
yeah, chapter 12. "The Order of the Avatar Slayer". I'm not sure if I need to elaborate further on the matter, so this will have to do. =3
CHAPTER 12: THE DUTY OF AN AVATAR
Shinon and Lehran finished their training and came back out into the main lounge area. Altina had ran around so much that she tired herself out and was asleep on the floor curled in a little ball, her thick water tribe clothing making her look like a little ball of blue fluff with a tiny girl’s head poking out. On his way past, Lehran smiled and scooped her up, taking her with him to one of the back rooms to rest.
Alzar remained asleep, Zinjamyn and Koara continued conversing, and then Zakura walked in. it seemed she had been thinking something over.
“Alzar,” she said, nudging her, but Alzar didn’t respond.
“Look, Alzar,” said Zakura, “wake up. I gotta tell you something important.” Nonetheless Alzar remained asleep. Zakura could tell by now that she was trying to ignore her.
Zakura never liked being treated like she didn’t exist, so she hoisted Alzar over her shoulder and took her into one of the back bedrooms. She was still pretending to be asleep, even when Zakura dropped her onto one of the beds. One of the best things about The Avatar Guard’s base was that it was easy to find a private chatting place, and that was why Zakura did what she did.
“Alzar, listen to me,” she said, “Would I really go through all this effort unless it was really something important?
Alzar said nothing. She did notice that her bare feet were twitching.
“ALZAR,” Zakura roared, but Alzar remained asleep.
“Fine then,” said Zakura, “I guess I need to prove we’re friends still.”
This made Alzar jump, but by that time Zakura’s fist had already connected with the underside of Alzar’s jaw, breaking it. Naturally this made her mad.
“Why do you ALWAYS feel the need to DO THAT TO ME,” she yelled,
“Because,” said Zakura, “you’re my friend, Alzar. I do that to all my friends, and I needed to tell you something important.”
“I was asleep,” Alzar fumed, but even she knew this wouldn’t work,
“Alzar,” said Zakura, “do you really think that I would go through all that trouble if I wasn’t hoping to say something important?”
Alzar grumbled. Blood began running out her mouth, and it became harder for her to speak.
“What is it you wanted to tell me,” she spat, also spitting blood. Sometime before Zakura had come back Alzar had gotten dressed into her everyday clothes, and so if there was blood on them, it would be hard to tell because of the red color.
“I wanted to apologize for last night,” said Zakura, “I shouldn’t have been that mean to you. Making fun of you for going blind was not my place.”
“And breaking my jaw was,” Alzar asked indignantly,
“Yeah,” said Zakura, “you know that it’s my friendly gesture.”
“Fri—WHAT,” Alzar exclaimed, spraying blood, “friendly!?!”
“Please tell me you’ve grown aware of my humor, Alzar,” said Zakura,
“I have,” Alzar spat, “but enough is enough. I’m not your breakable little play-toy. I’ve got feeling in my jaw just as much as you do.”
“I know,” said Zakura, “and pain makes ya stronger.”
Zakura began massaging Alzar’s jaw, which only made it hurt worse.
“Guuhh,” she said, trying to push away, “stop that.”
“Alright,” Zakura replied, taking her hand away, “see Alzar, I can be reasonable sometimes. I’m not perfect just ‘coz I’m the avatar.”
“No,” said Alzar, “no I don’t see. YOU seem to like to make fun of me for that too—no one else notices.”
“Hey,” said Zakura, “I just said, not even the avatar is perfect.”
“I’m fully aware of that,” said Alzar, “but Avatar Lahka was much better than you are. You’re a disgrace to the avatar cycle. I can’t believe I ever donated my talents to teach you. I would have much rather have taught him than someone as crude, annoying, and rough as you.”
“Hey,” said Zakura, grabbing her tightly around her jaw, “I didn’t ask to be the next incarnation. Personally, you know for a fact that I could care less. I didn’t get to have a normal life with friends like you did. I didn’t have a little clique of powerful benders. I had nothing. My parents gave me everything, but would never let me even earthbend.
They were the ones who avidly supported The Order. They don’t even know what I’m here doing.”
“Well,” said Alzar, still spitting blood, “you’d obviously be on this side, otherwise you’d be working to kill yourself.”
“Fine then,” said Zakura, “maybe I’ll just call the whole thing off—surrender to The Order; turn myself in and wait for them to scour the Fire Nation while they hunt the next avatar. I’m pretty sure little Lady Alzar wouldn’t mind being subjected to Absolute Order.”
Zakura turned and was about to storm out of the room, but Alzar stopped her. She looked like she realized that she was taking it too far.
“Zakura,” she said, blood still dripping out of her mouth, “look, I’m sorry. But just like I know your humor, you know my irritability, alright?”
“Aye, Alzar,” said Zakura, “I do. That’s part of the reason I pick on you especially. Your reactions are amusing.”
Alzar did her best to not say anything. She knew that Zakura would never talk bad about Alzar or about who she was. Even her blindness was joked about in good humor—Zakura always made sure to say so.
“Well,” said Alzar, blood from her jaw all over her clothes and lower face, “can you go a little easier on the jaw-smashing? I’ve got feeling there too, you know...”
“Eh,” Zakura shrugged, “I guess so. But yeah, Alzar, it’s just my friendly gesture. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t fix it up for ya.”
“Well either way, I’m gonna have to change my clothes.”
“Alzar, like the others, you’ve got at least 3 more of that same outfit.”
“What’s your point?”
“The point is, Alzar, is that I’m sorry, alright? I just want a little fun every now and then. I don’t know why I choose you so much.”
“Guuhh,” said Alzar, “I guess I’ll forgive you, provided you can fix me up, alright? Oh, and sorry about the remarks about Avatar Lahka. It’s just that he... you...”
Granted Alzar did not have a crush on Avatar Lahka, for he had been over 150 years old when he died.
“I don’t seem to care about who I am—what my responsibility is,” said Zakura bluntly and straightforwardly,
“Aye,” Alzar said hesitantly through the blood on her mouth, “sorry to sound rude and all but you have to admit that it’s true.”
“I know I do,” said Zakura, “I guess I just haven’t found that proof of how important it is. Until then, I’m just here to be myself. If word got out I was the avatar I’d have the Order all over me. That’s their purpose. They want to kill me; of course, they’ll need a lot of help. I was taught by the four greatest benders in the world. You, Alzar, are one of them.”
“Hold it, hold it,” said Alzar, “Did you just say that someone else was better than you at something? Hold on... I need to try and process this moment. I’m not sure I’m able to take this all in at one time.”
“Shut up,” Zakura laughed, nudging Alzar playfully “want me to heal your jaw or not?”
“Well,” said Alzar, “seeing as it feels like someone was murdered in here from all my blood on the ground, aye, that’d be nice.”
“Don’t tell anyone I said that to you then,” Zakura laughed, and Alzar’s jaw was repaired I no time flat.
“Not a word,” Alzar replied, laughing, and the two of them went back out. Alzar went to go clean herself up, and Zinjamyn caught sight of her, and then punched Zakura playfully as she passed by.
“What,” Zakura asked innocently,
“Don’t pull that with me,” Zinjamyn laughed, “I know what you did to her. What else makes someone get that much blood down their front like that? You must have gotten her good that time.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, chuckling, “and you’re next.”
Before Zinjamyn could pull his head back in time, Zakura had uppercut Zinjamyn’s jaw as well.
“Bloody mercy,” he exclaimed, chuckling, “can’t believe I missed that. You’re a real jerk, Zakura, you know that?”
“Ain’t I,” Zakura chuckled, “it’s an avatar thing I guess.”
“That’s true,” said Zinjamyn, blood now coming out of the corners of his mouth, “at least you don’t go all avatar-crazy on us,”
“Yeah,” Zakura laughed, “I might have to embarrass a couple of “resting” people though. Oh, and I’m able to brag that I’ve broken the jaws of the four greatest benders in the world.”
“Heh,” Zinjamyn laughed, ignoring the blood from his mouth, “and those four benders can boast that they can beat the avatar at their respective element. It all evens out, doesn’t it?”
Zakura laughed, “I guess so,” she replied, “here, let’s clean you up.”
Moments later, Zinjamyn’s jaw was healed as well.
“You really are a swift learner,” said Zinjamyn, “Avatar Lahka’s legacy lives on, Zakura. I bet you’ll soon be even better than he was.”
“Heh,” Zakura chuckled, “you know it. I’m Zakura. I do what I please.”
“And to whom you please, when you please,” Zinjamyn laughed, talking about how she would always smash people’s jaws.
“Don’t you forget it,” she laughed, “or you’ll be next on my list.”
“Oh no,” Zinjamyn laughed, “Whatever would I do then?”
“Heh,” Zakura laughed, “what WOULD you do?”
“Well,” said Zinj, chuckling, “I created this really awesome earthbending move, and well, I figured the avatar might want to know it...”
“Say no more,” said Zakura, grabbing Zinjamyn’s hand and taking him to one of the arenas, “you’re gonna teach it to me.”
“Glad to see you’ll still be taught,” Zinj laughed, one thing about you I always liked—you were always eager to learn it all.”
“Of course,” Zakura replied, “I have to. It’s The Duty of An Avatar.”
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:27:35 GMT -5
chapter 13; Order of the Avatar Slayer. turns out Zakura does have feelings... lol
CHAPTER 13: NIGHT IN THE SPIRIT WORLD
That evening, everyone (even Cheng and Taki) was asleep as was normal. Even Zakura wasn’t up pulling her usually nightly prank on someone. In fact, Zakura of all people was certainly not up. She was in a completely different dimension—the spirit world.
“Bloody mercy,” she exclaimed, “where am I, how did I get here, and why am I here?”
“It should be obvious, avatar Zakura,” said a voice, but Zakura could not locate its source. She looked around this way and that.
“How did you know who I was,” she barked, “show yourself!”
“Zakura,” said the voice, “you can’t honestly believe that I don’t know who you are. Look at where you are; who do you think is talking to you”
“It would help if I knew where I was, perhaps,” said Zakura indifferently,
“Alright,” said the voice, “I’ll give you a hint: you’re in the spirit world”
“So,” said Zakura, “either you’re some dead stalker, or some avatar.”
“Try the latter one, perhaps,” said the voice again, “and now you know how I know you are the avatar. You and I am the same person.”
“What are you—show yourself,” Zakura barked again
“Zakura,” said the voice, and she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, “you always were an unorthodox type. You’ve certainly gave the avatar a rather interesting name.”
“Bah,” Zakura shrugged and she turned around. In front of her was an old water tribe man whom she seemed to recognize, yet had never seen; he has long, flowing hair, wore clothing like water tribe warriors would outside of their homeland
“Avatar Lahka,” she exclaimed,
“Now you’re catching on,” avatar Lahka chuckled,
“So why did you bring me here,” Zakura asked,
“Every avatar will visit the spirit world many times in their life, depending on its length.” Lahka replied, “You are no exception, Zakura.”
“So this is just like some sort of monthly checkup then,” Zakura asked, “I’ll probably fail any ‘spirit check’ I reckon”
“Zakura,” said Lahka, “like you always say: ‘no one is perfect; not even the avatar.’ that is a true statement. Everyone is different. It’s not like you were the first person to have “faults”. Although I will say that your choice of dress and appearance is a little—it makes you stand out.”
“So, bite me over it, alright,” Zakura shrugged, “if I honestly cared I wouldn’t do the things I do.”
“Relax, Zakura, it’s not like the world is all out to get—never mind.”
“Now do you see my situation, Lahka,” said Zakura, “the world really IS out to get me. It’s not called The Order of the Avatar Slayer because it sounds cool. My own parents are top members of the said organization.”
“Ah, The Order,” said Lahka, “alas, it was just after my day. In my old age, they would have hunted me down, but they figured I was doomed to die in a few years anyways, and they were right. So instead they infested the Earth Kingdom—actually all four corners of the world—to try and find the earth kingdom baby.
Their leader, Xin Shing, actually encountered me right before I died. He told me that his group knew how to force an avatar into the avatar state, and that he planned to do it to me. Incidentally, we were not far from the Western Air Temple. I took a dive off of the canyon and away from Xin Shing, despite the fact that he could have followed me.
He knew that I was going to go to the Western Air Temple, and I knew it too. I went in through a secret entrance (a little earthbending was necessary), and by the time Xin Shing got there I had passed away. I had worked myself too hard, but my mission was complete. Thankfully he did not harm any of those poor air sisters, as that would have incurred my anger through you. He didn’t believe them when they said I was dead.”
“Get out of my way,” Xin Shing snapped, pushing them aside and examining Lahka’s body; he felt desperately for any signs of life, as if Lahka was his best friend. He screamed in rage when he saw that Lahka was dead, and he then had no further purpose at the Western Air Temple, for although he had frightened the Air Sisters there, they stubbornly refused to give him Lahka’s body.
“And that is where you came in, Zakura,” said Lahka, finishing his tale, “and now you are the next avatar.”
“I obviously knew that by now,” Zakura chuckled,
“I should hope so,” Lahka replied, also chuckling, “you literally have the finest teachers the world can provide at this time.”
“Eh, about that,” said Zakura, “one of them—the firebender, said that she hated me and would have rather taught you.”
“How old is she,” Lahka asked, “surely she can’t be that old,
“Eh,” Zakura shrugged, “29, I think. And then the earthbender’s 30, the airbender is 31, and the waterbender 32; they were a close group.”
“So they were little children in my later years,” said Lahka, “how does she know me then?”
“I don’t know,” said Zakura, “but she said some things that got me mad. She acted like I CHOSE to be the avatar and screw it all up.”
“What are you, wait: screw it all up? When did you do that?”
“Please tell me you’ve noticed my indifference towards being the avatar,” said Zakura, as if this was obvious (which it was).
“I have noticed,” Said Lahka, “but I can sympathize with you, Zakura. You may not really recognize it or maybe even care about it, but you’ve had a hard life. You are forced to remain hidden—unable to use your talents without being hunted down. You never had a proper family even. There are not many people, let alone in the avatar cycle, like that.”
“I had a family,” Zakura shrugged, “and they gave me anything I want and let me do what I pleased, as long as there was no bending involved.”
“And that was what you liked doing best, wasn’t it?”
“It was. And I was so good at it that I was banned from Earth Rumble.”
“You sure it wasn’t because you cheated, eh, Zakura?”
“Err... okay fine, I’d cheat sometimes. But either way, I had so much fun. However, when I was 16, I just straight-up left home. I used earthbending to make my escape, and have not returned since then. I soon ran into The Four Benders, who were called The Avatar Guard at the time. They had a friend of theirs—a strange pointy-eared girl with yellow eyes named Tera, who was able to tell what sort of bender a person was, regardless of how they tried to hide it. She told me I was the avatar.
From then on, those four benders never left me alone. They became close friends with me, despite my seeming indifference. They were determined to teach me, and I was eager to learn. I guess I owe them much more than I give them based on how I treat them. In fact, I’ve kind of been a rather lousy scumbag to them, especially the firebender. She probably got the worst of it, as she was my first teacher. The earthbender was there to enhance my skills, and he did so while I was learning the other elements. Still, that firebender; I... I really treated her like crud. Even now I know that I still don’t give her the respect she deserves.”
“So now do you see why you were brought here,” Lahka asked,
“So I could confess my thoughts to one of my past lives,” Zakura asked,
“If you would like me to call for Avatar Wen I would be more than happy to,” Lahka laughed,
“Err, no thanks,” said Zakura flatly; “maybe if the fire avatar before him was a girl then maybe I’d say yes, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
“The last female avatar before you was Avatar Komae of the water tribes,” said Lahka, “so the water avatar before me; what’s wrong with the men though; afraid they’ll be taller than you?”
“Hush,” said Zakura, punching Lahka’s arm. It was funny how that worked in the spirit world. Nonetheless, Lahka was right. Zakura was a shorter woman, but was built incredibly tough.
“I think what I’d be afraid of;” said Zakura “is making them look bad.”
She pulled the sleeve of her jacket up and flexed. Her arm was about as large as a youth’s leg. She chuckled.
“Either way,” said Lahka, “one of these days I’m going to be bringing you here with the intent of learning from your past lives. I’m surprised that one with such an arrogant nature could be such an eager learner.”
“hey,” said Zakura, “what’s that supposed to mean?”
Lahka merely smiled. A few moments later, Zakura found herself back in her room, lying face up staring at the ceiling. She got up and decided to stroll around the place, like she sometimes did at night. There was always someone else wandering around to talk to.
She had slept in her clothes, with the exception of her ankle guards, her hat and her jacket, and she didn’t bother taking the time to put those on. Besides, it wasn’t like she was going out in public—and she was the avatar. She could do what she pleased. The things that Avatar Lahka had told her were running through her mind. He didn’t really seem too upset about who she was. He supported her on her stance that even the avatar is only human, and that he or she was not perfect. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she had actually learned quite a bit from her Night in the Spirit World.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:28:02 GMT -5
omg are those really the last words of the chapter? SPOILER: yes they are. deal with it. Order of the Avatar Slayer. chapter 14 be this fic...
CHAPTER 14: ZAKURA'S TURNING POINT
Zakura was deep in thought, something that she seldom did. It seemed to be the dawning of what exactly the term “avatar” meant to her. She was muttering to herself, just wandering around down the halls of their lair. She didn’t figure anyone would be awake, but actually sort of hoped to find one of the older people awake. She wanted to talk to them. She normally would have just hit them to wake them up or something, but tonight she just didn’t feel up for it.
“What do they expect,” she muttered, “they can’t honestly expect me to be running all over the place saving the freaking world every opportunity that arises. I refuse to comply if that’s the case.”
Additionally, the story Lahka had told her about Xin Shing and what his group was going to try and do to the avatar also frustrated her. This war was over Avatar Lahka’s existence, and now that he had passed on, it was over her existence. So all in all, it wasn’t over Lahka’s existence, but the existence of the avatar him or herself.
“A whole war over me,” she muttered, “and yet I could have had a normal life if I had just kept my talents hidden. Why did they want to do that to me? They were earthbenders too—they were and are the Earth King and Queen. Why did they want me not to be like them? They were trying to hold me back. Surely they didn’t know I was the avatar—I didn’t either until after I left. Considering the things they said that they and Xin Shing were going to do to the avatar—and the fact that they told me...” she paused and grumbled.
“What makes me so different,” she yelled; luckily she was at an end of their hideout where few people were sleeping, and those that were sleeping here (Lehran, Altina, and Sanaki) could sleep through a hurricane. However, there was someone else awake and wandering. Zakura felt a hand on her shoulder.
“You are different because you are the avatar, Zakura,” said the voice. It was old-sounding and raspy—this was Koara.
“So what,” said Zakura, leaning on her hands, which were on the walls of the balcony overlooking the main “lounge”; The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of this hideout had circular hallways that surrounded the main lounge, and thus were balconies as well.
“You are the spirit of this world in human form,” Koara replied, “that is what. It is nothing to be ashamed of, young avatar.”
“You’d know,” Zakura spat, “ever been one?”
“Zakura,” said Koara, “I was a supporter of The Avatar Guard before you were even born. I can tell when they have a problem. Come, let us sit down. You can tell me everything, Zakura. Lahka used to come to me when he had problems.”
“Hold it,” said Zakura, “Lahka was 115 when he died, meaning that if he were still alive he’d be 138. You’re 93, so that means you were 45 years younger than he was. How does that work?”
“Age does not grant wisdom, Zakura,” said Koara, “it implies it, but guarantees nothing. In fact, the other day, that young blind girl shared with me a piece of profound wisdom. What I am saying is that it can come from anywhere. Avatar Lahka turned to me a lot because I was able to understand his problems. It wasn’t just because he was from the Water Tribe. We first met when I was 19.”
“He was 64 when he came to a 19-year-old girl for help,” Zakura exclaimed, “that’s ridiculous,”
“And yet it is what he did,” Koara replied calmly. “He acknowledged that the avatar was not perfect either. Zakura, you’re not as different from them as you think. Come, let us go over here and sit down. Tell me anything you want to. Just let it all out.”
Zakura followed Koara over and sat down in front of her so that her back was to Koara. Using waterbending, Koara began massaging Zakura’s back and shoulders, as in her old age, Koara was not as strong as she used to be, and Zakura was much more muscular then your average person.
“Let it out, Zakura,” said Koara calmly, her hands not actually coming in contact with Zakura’s skin, but rather she was letting her water do the trick. Zakura suddenly raised her fist and jammed it right into the floor, leaving a huge dent there. It might have helped that even though she was sans her hat and jacket that she still had her gloves on, and those happened to be plated at the knuckles—and this helped when she broke people’s jaws. Nonetheless, Zakura said nothing.
“Zakura,” said Koara, “I’m not going to stop nagging you until you let it out. I’m here to listen to you. There is always someone who can understand your problems. I plan to try my best.”
Zakura growled. “Fine,” she snapped, “it’s the way I’m treated; the way I’ve been treated; what I’m going to have to end up doing. So what that I’m the avatar; why does it mean so much to The Order that they get rid of me?”
“Because they want control,” Koara replied, “they don’t want to have to go knowing that there is someone out there to put them into their place.”
“So why aren’t they after Alz, Shin, Ike, and Zinj?” Zakura asked,
“Because they can overpower them,” Koara replied, “none of them have the avatar state. You are the most powerful single person in the world.”
“I just don’t see why we can’t all get along.” Zakura grumbled, “I don’t care how powerful I am. I just want to be able to do what I want. If Xin Shing just left me alone none of this would have to happen. The only reason I hate him is because he hates Me.” she paused. “When someone hates me I give them a REASON to hate Me.” she roared, punching her fist into her palm upon saying the word ‘reason’.
“You have all right to bring Xin Shing down,” said another voice from behind them. Zakura and Koara turned and saw that it was Mulan.
“What are you doing up at this hour,” Koara asked,
“Illness as usual,” Mulan replied, but then turned to Zakura, “Zakura, you must bring him down. He is mad with power. It might have been his grandfather that started The Order of the Avatar Slayer, but he is taking it to an entirely new level. It is a tactic I had heard him talk about when I met him 10 years ago, but I never expected that he would actually follow through with it.”
“Hold,” Zakura exclaimed, “you’ve met Xin Shing,”
“Aye,” Mulan replied, “I encountered him on my 16th birthday. He would frequent the Western Air Temple, for that was where Lahka passed away. It was like it haunted him. Naturally none of us Air Sisters dared try to stop him, and he never did any real harm. He did often times try to intimidate us and bring us to his side. The Air Nomads are the only race that is not really divided. There are a few such as Xin Shing himself, but for the most part they are united.”
“What exactly did he do to you,” Zakura asked,
“Nothing permanent,” Mulan replied, “but he somehow had blood on his hand, and he smeared it on the side of my face.”
“Think, my young friend,” said Xin Shing, smearing blood on the left side of Mulan’s face, “this could be the blood of your sisters if you refuse to join me.”
“You would recruit a child to your war,” Mulan exclaimed; she knew that she shouldn’t run nor say anything to offend him, as he had caught Mulan by herself. Mulan knew that Xin Shing was not about to take on a temple full of airbenders, for he was outnumbered.
“Aye,” Xin Shing replied seductively, “any young bending master would be of great worth to me.”
He put his two fingers on the arrow on Mulan’s forehead. “Then again,” he said, “you’re resemblance to avatar Yangchen in her earlier years might make me want to kill you. Stay light on your feet, young airbender. You never know when my clan will find that Earth Kingdom baby; until then, adieu.”
“He did that to you,” Zakura exclaimed,
“Aye,” Mulan replied, “but that’s not the only reason I want you to bring him down, Avatar Zakura. He is beginning to exploit children for his cause—many of them are around 14 or 15, but some are as young as 9. Anyone who is a talented bender he seduces.”
Zakura clenched her fist.
“That,” she said through gritted teeth, “is where I draw the line, Xin Shing. Children of that age should never be forced into combat, especially since I’m pretty sure you didn’t tell them what they’re fighting for. That is low. Koara, Mulan, there is only one way to immediately retaliate, and we have to do it.”
“And what way is this,” Koara asked calmly, for although this angered her, she did not express it;
“We have to recruit them as well,” Zakura replied, “anyone we can save from his grasp.”
“But then we are hypocritical,” said Koara, “for that is what you are after him about,”
“Not so,” said Zakura, “we just need to keep them AWAY from combat. I doubt there are an incredibly huge amount of powerful young benders that he will seek—any he finds will be prodigies, and will thus be dangerous. It’s time that rule about being 18 goes. They have taken it that far.” None of the others said anything, but they figured that something was with Zakura. This night was called Zakura’s Turning Point.
~Azula~
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Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:29:29 GMT -5
OMG another stylish use of the ending words? what am I on this time and where do I buy more? DISCLAIMER: please note that the Katara in this series is a firebender whose mother was a descendant of the Katara from the series (it mentions a legendary waterbender who lived over 1200 years ago.) it is not the Katara from the TV series and other than that slight reference, she in no way resembles Katara personality-wise. here's a pic of her.CHAPTER 15: KATARA'S CORRUPTIONThe only downside to Zakura’s proposition was that not even she was aware of just how quickly Xin Shing was operating on that plan. After a little prying from Zakura, she learned that Mulan had gone to the spirit world that night too. Mulan was naturally quite spiritual being an Air Nomad, but spirituality was also something she held very high in her life. She had been warned of Xin Shing’s treachery. However, she had not been warned either about how quickly it had started. A ways away in the Fire Nation, it was beginning to take effect. Xin Shing was in the Fire Nation on his way to visit Fire Lord Orzon and Fire Lady Ayumi when he saw it—a young girl of about 15. She had scraggly and absurdly curly long, dark brown hair, tanned skin, golden eyes and was clad in dark red and gold colors. “Hmm,” Xin Shing muttered, stopping, “that girl looks oddly familiar. What is it about her that seems to spark my memory?” He decided to follow her, but kept her just in his sight so she wouldn’t notice him. She rounded a corner and suddenly someone grabbed her. She wrenched herself away from her attacker, and decked him hard in the face. She had a strong arm for a young girl. Additionally, she had asset of braced gauntlets that ran from her elbows to o her hands, only exposing her fingertips. It was these that had caught Xin Shing’s attention. The girl he had met several years back had worn something similar, except hers were resistant to fire. Xin Shing noticed that the girl had gotten into a bad situation. She was cornered by firebenders, and couldn’t find an escape. “Don’t do this,” she warned; she had a rough, raspy voice that seemed like it shouldn’t belong to her. Naturally her attackers didn’t concede, and they moved in closer. One of the women shot a fireball at her, and right as she did, the girl crossed her arms, and the braces she wore either absorbed or deflected the flames. “This is my target,” Xin Shing muttered; he recognized some of the attackers as Order members, but although he wasn’t going to attack them, she was going to make sure that the girl got out of there safely. “Katara Altina II, you are mine,” he smirked, for he knew this girl’s name. She had been named after her mother, who was a waterbender. Her mother had been named after a legendary waterbender who had lived over 1200 years ago. Xin Shing figured that this girl would get out of here safely, as now he know who she was—he had been searching for her for a long time, because he knew of her power. She had more raw energy than a Fire Lord during a comet. However, her body was not built for the energy her spirit had. She lacked the necessary control to be able to use her abilities as effectively as a Fire Lord or Lady. After Katara had blocked the fireball, the others attacked. She took several hits before she struck back. She blasted them all several feet away, and the force from the sheer power and volume of her fireball has blasted her backwards into the wall she was against, leaving her slightly dazed. The others must not have known how powerful she was; for once she had unleashed some of her power on them they fled without a second thought. After they were gone, Xin Shing came up to investigate the damage. The building she had smashed backwards into was abandoned, so it was nothing important. He looked her over, and saw she was unconscious. “Excellent move, Katara,” he chuckled, hoisting her over her shoulders, “excellent move...” Katara woke up to find herself outside of the city. She was still a bit groggy and so it took a moment or two for her to come around. She felt her bare feet against the grass, but a quick glance around let her find her boots, which were beside her. She looked around. From what she saw, she was all alone. “I could have sworn I was knocked out in town,” she muttered, “is this some sort of dream,” Katara used an incredibly powerful firebending move towards the ground that was too powerful for her, and it blasted her several feet into the air. She landed painfully on her face, and this was sort of verification that this was not a dream. “Ouch,” she muttered, and shook her head. She stood up and fell backwards from shock at what she was seeing. In front of her was an enormous fiery head probably about 10 feet tall and 10 feet in the air. If Katara jumped at it she’d go off the edge of the Cliffside she was on. Katara recognized the face as that of the old Fire Lord. Katara’s father had known him well, and Katara looked at him in high regard because of this (and because he was the Fire Lord). His wife, Zeruda, was still alive and now part of the Avatar Guard Secret Service, which consisted of her, the Earth Queen, and the Water Chief’s wife. “Hello, Katara Altina II,” the fiery figure said, “do you remember me?” “Aye,” Katara replied, “you were the old Fire Lord before Orzon.” “What do you know about The Order of the Avatar Slayer,” it asked, “They were responsible for the raid that killed my father,” she said, and it seemed to make her angry thinking about this. “That was back in the day,” said the voice, “nowadays the Order will accept you for who you are—they will understand what you have been through. They are here to being balance into the world.” “Who are you,” Katara asked, “I am the one who can help you avenge your family,” the face replied, “I don’t want revenge,” Katara replied, “I want to try and forget the face of the men who attacked us.” “Surely you’re not afraid of them” it said, “after all, a girl with power like yours could take on the avatar.” “I don’t want to kill the avatar,” said Katara stubbornly, “he never did anything to me, so why would I want him dead?” The last avatar, Avatar Lahka was of course male, and Katara did not know Zakura. The avatar’s identity was kept a tight secret. “If The Order can do nothing else for you, Katara, they can at least find your family again,” this was the figure’s last attempt, and fortunately for the ones operating it, it worked. This was a scheme used by Xin Shing and Fire Lord Orzon. They were hidden in the trees, Xin Shing using airbending to magnify and alter his voice, and Orzon bending the fire into the talking head of the old Fire Lord. “You know where my family is,” Katara exclaimed, “what do I have to do to see them again; you name it, I will do it.” “Join us and put your powers on the side of The Order,” said the figure, “and then your vision here shall end.” “You have my services,” said Katara, now on her knees starting up at the figure, “just keep me and my family away from any other harm.” “That can be arranged,” said the voice, “now make haste and go to the Fire Lord’s Palace. The Fire Lord and Lady are expecting you.” “How do they know about me?” Katara asked, “Because they have seen this vision as well,” the face replied, “Alright then,” said Katara, and right as she said it the face vanished into the air, leaving Katara seemingly alone. She got her boots back on and headed back towards the city. She didn’t think that two people might have been working together on that, and she knew that one person couldn’t. She got there and passed by a group of young Fire Nation girls who looked about her age and a little older. Katara cringed at their revealing attire, hoping sincerely that they wouldn’t try to force her into something of that sort. “Why are you wearing boy’s clothes,” one of the girl’s said in a high giggly voice, and her little cronies all laughed. All of them had irritatingly high voices which bugged Katara “Because I don’t want the guys getting jealous of my battle scars,” Katara replied. Her voice was much lower than theirs, and it was a quite humorous contrast. Katara turned to them and lifted her shirt to show them her midriff. Unlike theirs, Katara’s midriff was rough and scarred from the various fights she had gotten in and her spasms during her younger years where she would hurt herself. Katara smirked at their shocked expressions and pulled her shirt down. “What’s the matter, scared,” she taunted, and made her way to the palace. Incidentally, the girls followed behind but kept their distance. “Welcome to The Order of the Avatar Slayer,” said the Fire Lord upon Katara’s entrance (granted by permission of course, and the girls who were following her stayed outside the doors), “Yeah,” said Katara, seemingly indifferent, “you’re not gonna make me dress up like those clowns out there, are you?” Orzon paused for a second, and then smiled. “You’re nice and straightforward, young lady,” he said, “I like that. You can do whatever you please here.” Orzon proceeded to give Katara a rundown of the palace. It turned out that the girls who followed her were servant girls, and they had expected her to be the same. When they found out she was officially part of the Order, they became jealous, but Katara didn’t care. “I guess I’m better than you with my low voice and my boy’s clothes,” she laughed, “let your boyfriends challenge me to an arm wrestle,” she paused and flexed. Excessive firebending had given her powerful arms and legs. “Or better yet,” she said “an Agni Kai,” She made a huge fireball on her arm, and walked off chuckling, leaving the girls speechless. However, what she didn’t know what that she was on the wrong side. This was Katara’s Corruption. ~Azula~
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