Tera253
Gran Gran
In Soviet Russia, post writes you
Posts: 588
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Post by Tera253 on Dec 22, 2008 2:30:01 GMT -5
the 16th installment of my series... more and more characters! augh! overpowered teenaged benders? who do I think I am? Mike and Bryan!?! or are these kids just good actors?
CHAPTER 16: TRIP TO THE FIRE NATION
“So how many insanely powerful benders do you expect to find that are under the age of 18, eh, Zak?” Koara asked, chuckling. She, Zakura, Aiku, and Taki had gone out and about,
“Even one will make the difference,” Zakura replied, “I’m actually going to stop by with the Secret Service and take a little trip to the Fire Nation. Fire is power; if there’s anyone with crazy abilities, the Fire Nation is our best bet. Are you three in for coming?”
“So that means I’m not gonna see Cheng-Cheng for that long,” said Taki,
“Aye,” said Zakura, rolling her eyes and waggling her fingers “‘Cheng-Cheng’ will still be here for you when we return.”
“Geez, Zak,” said Taki, “I’m not THAT attached to him. Take a joke. Go back to being the “I-don’t-give-a-crap-about-anything” Zak you used to be. You were much more entertaining, even when you barged in on me.”
“I wish I could, Taki,” said Zak, “but manipulating children is serious business to me. Children are precious. Don’t ever forget that.”
“What do you mean,” Aiku asked, “is this a part of little Zak-Zak we Four Benders haven’t seen yet?”
Zakura answered him with an uppercut to the jaw.
“Never call me “Zak-Zak” again—ever.” She growled.
“Zak, look,” said Aiku, taking her aside, and since Zak knew she was about to be chastised, she fixed his jaw.
“What is it, Ike,” she snapped,
“You seriously need to calm down. You act like this is something completely foreign to you—like someone slapped you in the face with this. You have been aware of Xin Shing’s warnings for years. What gives this time; why are you so upset?”
“None of you seem to realize just how much children mean to me,” she said darkly, “to hear of them being used like tools... that’s not going to sit well with me, alright?”
“Alright, Zak,” said Taki, “we get it. Now seriously, just calm down, alright? Don’t take your anger out on us. We’re on your side. We’re here to help you; to keep you out of The Order’s clutches.”
Zakura grumbled. “The Order,” she muttered, “the order,”
“Zakura,” said Koara, “there is another thing I love about you—when you’re frustrated about something deep, you always have a subtle way of showing it. Tell us what’s wrong. If even someone as rebellious as Taki is avidly supporting you, you can tell the rest of us.”
“I’d hit you for that remark,” said Taki, “but I’d probably break your arm.”
“That’s true,” Koara laughed, “come back 70 years ago and say that and I’d have you down in a second.”
“So,” said Taki, changing the subject again, “Zakura, you can tell us what’s the matter. Koara’s right. If someone as rebellious as me is willing to listen, then we have your back.”
Zakura grumbled. “Fine,” she said, “it was a visit I had to the spirit world last night, okay?”
“Zak,” Aiku warned, “we’re not in private. You can’t be saying things like that too loud. If your identity gets out right now we’re all screwed.”
“Anyways,” said Zakura, taking no notice, “if the order gets me where they want me, they’ll end the avatar cycle forever. They have something that can force me into the avatar state. They can kill me—end it forever. I don’t care if I die—it just means they’ll spend another 23 years trying to find the Fire Nation baby. If they get me while I’m going all-avatar on them though it’s done; the avatar cycle ends, and I’ll have to be known as the one who messed it all up.”
“Look, Zak,” said Taki, “we’re here for you. You want to take us to the Fire Nation, we’re following you. It is not our job to question your objectives, but to go along with them. It’s not Ryuka that leads this operation; it’s you.”
“You three would really go on a wild ostrich-horse chase just because I think there are a couple of fire nation kids getting manipulated by Xin Shing; you seriously would?”
“Aye,” Koara replied, “I’m pretty sure anyone, even Mulan or Kimiko, would agree to go with you if you asked them. We’re the elite band chosen by you, the avatar herself, Zakura. We follow you to the end of this war or the end of our lives.”
Zakura smiled.
“And the avatar thanks you for that. All she ever wanted was to be like everyone else. She doesn’t want this war anymore than the next person. I just want to be able to do what I want when I want.”
“There’s an easy answer, Zak-Zak,” Aiku laughed, “just kick Xin Shing’s sorry soul into 4 months ago; problem solved.”
Zakura raised her fist and glared at Aiku. Zakura was a head and a half shorter than him. She was a couple of inches shorter than Koara as well. Aiku was also taller than average.
“You’ll get off the hook this time, Ike,” she said, hitting his arm, “be thankful you’re taller than me.”
“That’s not too hard of a feat,” Koara laughed, “that little Kimiko girl is almost taller than you, and she’s tiny.”
“Shut up, grandma, or I’ll break you in half right now” Zakura laughed, and Koara laughed back.
“There’s the Zak we know and love,” Taki chuckled, “so where’s the joke about what me and Cheng did last night?”
“You and Cheng did something last night,” Zakura exclaimed,
“Now that you mention it, no we didn’t.” Taki replied,
“When’s the baby due,” Zakura asked, laughing, and Taki blushed,
“No, we didn’t do THAT,” she exclaimed, laughing, “and I’m glad you’re back to normal, Zakura.”
“Me too,” Zakura chuckled, “so tell me, when IS that baby due?”
“I’m not pregnant,” Taki exclaimed, “me and Cheng didn’t do that!”
“Uh-huh,” Zakura muttered, “anyways, I’m off to the Fire Nation. You all coming with me now,”
“Of course,” Koara replied, “let’s go.”
Because of Zakura’s relationship to the Royal Family, they did not question who her and her friends were. She did tip them with a little extra gold. After all, Zakura had been making regular visits to the palace, disguised as one of her sisters. Zakura might have been rough and scraggly, but she could dress up real nice and fancy and make it look good when she wanted to. She was the 2nd child out of 4.
Her older brother had been killed in a war against the Avatar Guard, and since he had lorded over her claiming to know she was the avatar and constantly threatening to rat her out, Zakura did not really miss him. As a result, her younger sister was next in line to the throne, since Zakura had run away. Nonetheless, Zakura was truly and rightfully an Earth kingdom princess. It was not that she was a “rebellious princess” but rather, a “rebellious child”. Zakura did not mind being a princess, and used it to her advantage whenever possible by showing her royal seal. She was surprised at how unaware people were. When people DID find out, she usually just hit them and moved on. Nonetheless, they were able to get on board a ship towards the Fire Nation. They passed by the Northern Water Tribe along the way, where they picked up some Water Tribe people and others were dropped off.
“Why did you take this boat,” Taki asked, watching the people get on or off, and Zakura smirked,
“No reason actually,” she replied, “but... oh, maybe there WAS a reason.” She pointed where a set of twin waterbenders had climbed on. They looked about 13 or 14 at the oldest. They paid their fare with small money, meaning that they probably raised that money themselves.
“Perhaps its fate,” Zakura shrugged, and decided to wait until they were comfortable before talking to them. It was nightfall by the time they had reached the Northern Water Tribe, and so their course was now set for the Fire Nation. Aiku, Zakura, Taki, and Koara decided to wait until the next morning before Zakura was going to talk to those children.
The next morning they learned that they had traveled pretty far during the night, and that it was starting to get warmer. Zakura was looking for the two waterbenders, but instead, they ran into her. The boy had been chasing the girl for fun, and she had hit headlong into Zakura and fell flat on her back. During that split-second, Zakura noticed that the girl was only about a head shorter than her.
“Dang, I’m short,” she muttered, and then took the girl’s hand and helped her back onto her feet. The boy had stopped a few feet behind.
“Don’t hurt her,” he said, and Zakura smiled, still holding the girl’s hand.
“I would never do that,” she said, and embraced the girl before letting er go. She looked slightly frightened, but Zakura was not about to let them off that quickly.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” she said, “I’m just another Earth Kingdom woman. I’m not part of The Order of the Avatar Slayer.”
This got the attention of the children. They suddenly embraced her. “Thank you,” said the little girl, “They are monstrous.”
“Anytime,” said Zakura, “if you two promise not to tell anyone, I’ll tell you an awesome secret. First, I need to know your ages and names.”
“My name is Maric,” said the boy, “and this is my younger sister Malak. We’re both 14 years old.”
“Alright,” said Zakura, noticing the innocent looks on their faces. Either these children were really good actors or were sincere. Zakura decided to trust them. She keened close to them and whispered, “You know the avatar; well, I’m that avatar they’re trying to slay.”
The children remains speechless, but looked like they were going to idolize Zakura forever. This only helped Zakura’s pride, but on a more positive note, it had gained them some new little friends on their Trip to the Fire Nation.
~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 2:30:45 GMT -5
#17. it goes slightly off-topic, but I needed something to pass time on the otherwise boring ship ride. pirates, maybe?
still... I bloody love Koara... the world needs more crazy people of her type.
CHAPTER 17: THE TALES OF KOARA
The trip to the Fire Nation was a long one, but Taki, Aiku, Zakura, and Koara had various ways of passing the time. They ended up bonding closely to Maric and Malak, and these two especially liked Koara, because she would waterbend with them. They were prodigious little children, so it seemed that Zakura had hit the jackpot in finding them.
“So what brings two little children such as your selves to the Fire Nation,” Zakura asked,
“We’re not that young,” Maric exclaimed, “we’re 14.”
“Yeah,” said Zakura, “and that Kyoshi warrior is 21, I’m 23, that airbender is 31, and the waterbender is 93; what’s your point?”
Maric stammered, and then sat down next to his sister who was curled up asleep. They were both dark-skinned and had dark hair and blue water tribe eyes. Maric was dressed in a blue sleeveless shirt, baggy pants and had banded gloves, boots and belt. Malak was clad in a split dress, dark blue pants, grey shoes and a long-sleeved undershirt. She had guards on her wrists, but unlike Maric’s, her entire hands were visible. Their hairstyles were very traditional for Water Tribe people—Maric had the warrior’s wolf-tail, but the rest of his hair was longer and hang sideways on either side; and Malak had her hair connected in two loops that started at a pair of beads on her forehead that ran back and connected to a clump of hair she had done in back. The rest of her hair was just hanging loose.
“Fine,” said Maric, “so why did you find us so interesting,”
“It’s a long story,” Zakura whispered, “let’s just say for now that the avatar likes children.”
“Alright,” said Maric, “I can settle with that for now; just make sure that I and my sister don’t get separated.”
“That’s always good that you two are inseparable,” said Zakura, “I like that attitude; you’ve got genuine water tribe spirit.”
“What would you know, earth girl,” Koara laughed, “nonetheless, kid, she’s right. That’s the water tribe spirit I was born and raised with. Some of the crazy things I did gave waterbenders a popular name.”
“Oh,” said Taki, idly twirling one of her brass Kyoshi fans, “are we about to step into some wild life-threatening adventure of Koara again?”
“Precisely,” Koara cackled, “people nowadays are much tougher than they used to be—or maybe I’ve just been crazy that long.”
“I’d believe that latter in a heartbeat,” Aiku laughed, “but what sort of story are you going to tell us this time, Koara”
“You were a crazy kid too,” Maric exclaimed, idly running his fingers through his sleeping sister’s hair,
“Crazy in more ways than one,” Koara cackled again, “I was able to outperform all the boys in the Northern Water Tribe capital. Well actually, I was just more risk-taking. Most of my stunts were pointless things that I did just because I could; nonetheless, it earned me a reputation among the waterbenders.”
“One you still have, I might note,” said Taki, chuckling, “Lehran told me about your stunt on the monorail.”
“Anyways,” said Koara, “any of you want to hear the story of perhaps my fondest memory that does not include my husband?”
“Sure,” Zakura shrugged, “some way to kill some time”
“I don’t recommend you trying this,” Koara warned them all, “as although I survived, it must have been out of fate and pure dumb luck. Nonetheless, I do believe I did it more than once. Those boys of old used to love hanging out with me, because they knew I would do any stunt they asked me to, and they were right.”
Koara and the group of “daredevil” boys were at the top of a huge iceberg which had about a 50-foot drop on one side. There was a cold but light breeze, and it was the middle of winter (and they were at the North Pole). It was not enough to freeze their faces, but they were pretty well wrapped up. There were a total of four boys and Koara was the only girl brave enough to be in this group.
“So,” said Koara, who was about 15 at the time, “what are we going to do up here? Surely we’re not gonna freeze our clothes to our body by jumping in the water, are we?”
“Though that’s a good idea, I doubt it,” said one of the boys, “as it’d freeze and then we couldn’t walk unless someone was there to break the ice off and make us flexible again.”
“So, what are we doing” said Koara, pulling her hood off and revealing the rest of her head; she had long, flowing brown hair that many men considered beautiful. She never did it up with the exception of the twin loops of hair that almost all water tribe women had.
“Alright, Koara,” said another boy, “we have decided that you’re going to go first for this one,”
“Just cut to the chase, thanks,” said Koara, “I want some action.”
“Alright,” said the oldest boy, who seemed to be the leader. He was about 17, and the other three were either 16 or 17, so Koara was also the youngest by at least a year. “For starters, you can undress as if you were going to take a dip in that water.”
“You can’t seriously believe that I’m gonna call that intense, do you?” said Koara, “unless there’s something else you want me to do as well”
“Of course there is,” they laughed, “we’re not making you strip just because you’re a girl in front of a bunch of guys.”
“I knew that,” said Koara, removing her parka and undoing her pants, “standing in my under-stuffs isn’t life-threatening, just embarrassing for ugly people. The only reason I’m eager to comply is because I know that I have the change of freezing and dying.” Koara took her thick pants off and began undoing her shirt. Just for the fun of it, one of the boys wolf-whistled. After all, at age 15, Koara was quite attractive. Everyone laughed about this, including Koara.
“What we’re going to have you do,” said one of the boys as Koara’s thick shirt also came off, leaving her in her under-stuffs and her boots. Her top was about as revealing as some Fire Nation everyday attire, and her shorts ended about 6 inches above her knee. “Is you’re going to jump off that ledge into the water. Are you up for it?”
“Of course,” said Koara, stepping out of her boots. Her bare feet were now against the ice. She was shivering slightly, but that was to be expected from a girl wearing such little clothing in such hostile conditions; despite her shivering, she was grinning.
“You boys are gonna get outdone by a girl,” she said, “be watching.” The boys stood by the edge of the iceberg and Koara canon-balled off the edge. About ¾ of the way down, she turned it into the belly flop and hit the water with a smack. She remained lying facedown on the water for a second before going under. A split-second later, she shot back up in a column of water. Her eyes her enormous and she was absolutely rigid. However, she was also grinning.
“You b-boys didn’t t-think I-I would d-do that n-now, d-did y-ya?” she said, shivering intensely. She was starting to turn blue.
“Nice belly flop,” said one of the boys, hitting Koara’s belly. However, by this time she was almost numb and beyond feeling. She was dressed again in 15 seconds flat, and was starting to cough. She was barely able to get her gloves back on, and then she fell backwards into sitting position.
“Koara,” they exclaimed, and the largest boy picked her up and they all began racing back to the city. They were also using it as an excuse to get out of having to do what Koara did.
“Hey,” she said weakly, “you wimps didn’t even do it,”
“We’re getting you back to the city,” they told her, “you’re going to freeze to death if we don’t”
Despite her protests of them not doing what she had done, they got her back and were able to get her back to the chi healers, who were able to revive her. Koara woke up in a very warm room dressed in her lighter clothes. The only parts of her body what were exposed were her head and her hands, and she twitched her fingers.
“Hey,” she exclaimed, “I can feel my hands again.”
“Be thankful,” said one of the healers, holding her hands, she had warmth to her that she was putting through Koara’s hands “a few more minutes out there and you would have started to freeze.”
“Where’s those boys who brought me here,” Koara asked, sitting up. Now that she wasn’t about to freeze to death she was alright.
“They saved your life,” said the healer, “and they’ve been waiting for you to come around again since they brought you here.”
A moment later they were in front of her.
“Koara,” the leader exclaimed, “you’re alive, thank the spirits;” he actually had the nerve to kiss her hand. Koara shrugged. “Tomorrow you all are gonna do what I did,” said Koara,
“No,” they replied, “you could have died—we don’t want to do anything that will kill us—just get close to that.”
“You pansies,” Koara replied bluntly, “thanks for saving my life. You’re probably gonna have to do it again. I’m going to do it again.”
None of them responded. They knew that they had just been outdone by a girl, and they had no choice but to admit it.
“That’s my favorite story,” said the modern Koara to the rest of her gang, “I’ve got plenty more to pass the time.”
Needless to say, they all got a kick out of Koara’s tale, and so she told them more of the crazy things she had done. In fact, almost the entire rest of the trip was spent listening to The Tales of Koara.
~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 2:32:13 GMT -5
and now the 18th installment and the first epic battle. Owing to word count and graphic reasons, most of the battle is cut out, so if you want to see the Taki ownage (well, also the Aiku/Zakura/Koara ownage) and more graphic violence just give me a PM and I'll get it to you. anyways, here we goez.
CHAPTER 18: THE FURY OF ZAKURA
The trip continued in peace. However, one time when Maric and Malak were playing, one of them noticed that a large ship was far off in the distance. They came to Zakura asking about it, and this got the attention of Aiku, Taki, Koara, and Zakura together.
Aiku decided to investigate from a safe distance, so out came his glider and he took to the skies. He was high enough that he was able to be concealed. When he was gliding directly over the ship he got a full view of everything about it.
It was a war ship, and it was loaded with Water Tribe warriors, both male and female, and also a large number of Kyoshi Warriors. Out of the fighting people in the world, the Kyoshi Warriors were often dubbed as the most violent, so Aiku knew they were “in for some fun”.
“Huh boy,” he said, coming back with the news.
“Maric, Malak,” said Zakura, “you two hide below deck. If that ship is gaining on us as fast as we think it is, you two will be done in.”
“Hey,” said Malak, “you’ve seen us fight. You called us waterbending prodigies yourself. Why do we hide now?”
“Because,” said Zakura, “the Order is going to take you, not kill you. They will force you to fight against the people you know and love. Trust me on this one, kid; I’m doing this for you two.”
“Come on, Malak,” said Maric, taking his sister’s hand and going below deck, “she’s right. We should go.”
As they left, Taki was having a word with the captain about it.”
“We have no proper warriors on this ship,” he told her, “what would you have us do,”
“There is only one thing TO do,” Taki replied, “we’re going to fight. My little group of buddies you saw me board your ship with will take are of them. No amount of Order Members is any match for us.”
“How many did you say there were,” the captain asked,
“We didn’t count,” Taki replied, “but don’t try to flee from them or they’ll attack the ship. We want to get through this with as few casualties on our part as possible. I know how to kill Kyoshi Warriors easily enough, and I’m pretty sure our water tribe friend can take care of most of the waterbenders; and of course, we’ve got an earth rumble champion, a notorious bloodbender, the world’s most powerful airbender, and of course that earthbender woman who looks strong enough to break a man’s arms.”
“I wish we could help,” said the captain, “but I myself m no bender, and I doubt very many of these refugees are in fighting condition.”
“Don’t mind it,” Taki replied, whipping out her Kyoshi fans; hers seemed to have sharp edges like a blade, “just try not to let them take anyone, particularly any talented children on board.”
Without another word, Taki went back out onto the deck. The ship was rapidly gaining on them. Aiku, Zakura, Koara, and Taki stood there waiting for them. By the time they were within range and about to board, it looked like only Koara, Zakura, Taki, and Aiku were on board their ship. The Water Tribe warriors were chanting and the Kyoshi Warriors yelling. Some of them were throwing fire or water into the air as well as earth. Nowadays, benders of any type became Kyoshi warriors—they were a very diverse, powerful, and dangerous group.
“Prepare to be boarded,” shouted a Kyoshi warrior whose headdress was different from the others—she appeared to be the leader. These girls were in their late teens and early 20s for the most part. The water tribe warriors were in their 30s or 40s, with a few in their 20s. They were both male and female.
“Alright then,” said Koara calmly, “prepare to meet death in some unpleasant ways then.”
Aiku darted in front and as their plank hit Zakura’s ship, Aiku stood at the opposite end with his glider out in the form of a staff. He was parrying their moves and not letting them on.
“Can I go on a Kyoshi massacre,” Taki asked Zakura eagerly, “please?”
“Not yet,” said Zakura, “let’s see how long Aiku can hold them off,”
Aiku was doing well, but then the Water Tribe warriors began using waterbending towards him. This was where Koara jumped on. She flung herself across and onto the other boat.
“Koara, you incessant maniac,” Zakura grumbled, “You’re 93. You’re going to kill yourself.”
She sighed and chuckled, “go for it, Taki,” she said, and she blasted herself onto the other ship as well. Aiku jumped off the plank, leaving Taki by herself on the first ship. Everyone else was hidden. The Kyoshi warriors began bustling through to get to Taki, where she was waiting, with a nasty and slightly bloodthirsty grin on her face. While many of her enemies were using bending or were wielding blade, Taki simply whipped out her brass Kyoshi fans and was prepared the use them in ways unheard of to some people.
Many of these Kyoshi warriors were very skilled and talented. However, Taki had been one of the few who had actually gone to Kyoshi Island and learned the ultimate techniques from one of the old masters, who were part of the Meisha family.
That family got their reputation from a cute and talented woman who was as clueless and innocent as a 3-year-old, but would learn any technique that anyone taught her. She knew it all. Her happy go-lucky attitude and ultimately positive outlook on life had made her famous for being the longest-lived person in history at the staggering age of 253 years, ousting the legendary Avatar Kyoshi by 23 years.
Taki ended up wiping clean an entire row of them with several fell strikes from her fans. Hers were razor sharp, and even touching them with your finger would make you bleed. She was strong enough that she was able to slice clean through their chest armor. The first rank fell but the second rank just started crawling over them. These Kyoshi warriors were like fire ants. Many of them were just trying to get past Taki and try to find people to capture. They sometimes tried to block Taki’s chi, but Taki was much too quick for them.
Koara meanwhile was holding off the waterbenders very well. Many of them were also simply trying to get past them, but of course, this also meant that they were going to have to get past Aiku and Taki. Many of them did, however. They were not trying to do damage, but rather find prisoners to capture.
Down below deck, Malak was restless.
“Don’t move, Malak,” Maric warned, “I don’t think that’s the avatar.”
“I’m tired of waiting here,” she said, “I’m a decent waterbender, and you are too, Maric. We can help them.”
“She said to stay put,” said Maric, but Malak had already jumped down and was running off.
“Malak,” Maric shouted, but then heard footsteps, so he stayed put. He took Zakura’s word for it that they wouldn’t kill his sister, so if she got captured, he wanted to be the one to save her. Zakura was right, but this was a double-edged sword. Malak was captured immediately, but was not killed, or even hurt. She was just thrashing and trying to escape. The Kyoshi warriors bound her hands behind her back and bound her legs and tied her mouth. Whatever they used she was biting down on, still yelling. Maric didn’t move, though he felt that he should have.
Koara was overpowering the Water Tribe Warriors, but the ones that had gotten past were returning with the prisoners. Now, instead of trying to kill Zakura, Koara, and Aiku, they were simply trying to get them off the boat. However, Zakura had a bone to pick with several of them, and was not about to stop until she was satisfied.
“Face it, lady,” the lead Kyoshi warrior leered at Zakura, handing Malak off to a burly Water tribe man who disappeared below the deck of their ship with her, “there’s too many of us. You can’t win with earth alone.”
“Funny you should say that,” said Zakura, smirking, “I guess I should back myself up with more earth.” She kicked up a rock; “or perhaps some water... or air, or fire, or all four”
As she named each element she used a move.
“You should have thought twice before you chose to challenge the avatar, little Kyoshi girl,” she said, grinning. She lifted her hat back up and opened her eyes. They were glowing blue.
“Ah,” she said seductively enough to bring Taki to shame, “so you let anger control it? That’s too bad. Xin Shing was expecting more of the avatar when he met her.”
“Using the full power of the avatar state would kill the prisoners too,” Zakura replied, “so what I think I’ll do is just give you a demonstration of my number-reducing abilities.”
Zakura twirled around and used fire and water to obliterate a majority of the water tribe warriors and many of the Kyoshi warriors as well. The rest began trying to attack her, but to no avail. Aiku and Koara had joined Taki and were ridding the ship of the enemies. After seeing Zakura’s outburst, many of them surrendered. They turned over what seemed like all the prisoners, and Zakura let them go because they surrendered and promised not to attack Zakura’s group again.
Both ships took off towards the Fire Nation, and the enemy ship was heading there faster than they were, which also explained why they caught up to them in the first place.
“Zakura,” said Maric a while later, coming up, “did you get my sister,” Zakura stopped. Her eyes flickered again.
“No wonder they were in such a hurry,” she growled, “Aiku,” she said, “you and I have some business to settle on that other ship.”
Aiku nodded. The enemy had just incurred The Fury of Zakura.
~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 2:33:13 GMT -5
Chapter 19 of The Order of the Avatar Slayer. not quite as violent as the last chapter, but still not half bad. All is fair when you're trying to kill a group of people who are part of the organization that has the world out to kill you. =3
CHAPTER 19: WE HAVE ACQUIRED OUR PRIZE “Actually,” said Zakura, “you stay here, just let me at your glider for a second. This shouldn’t be long.”
“You’re going to kill them all, aren’t you?” Aiku asked,
“I told them surrender ALL the prisoners,” Zakura replied, “and I still had a bone to pick with that Kyoshi leader. Judging from the way they treated their captives it looked as if they were going to kill them all. Besides, do you really think they were just going on a pleasure cruise?” Maric gulped and looked at Zakura and Aiku.
“They were after me and my sister,” he said, and then he explained Xin Shing’s tactic of exploiting prodigious benders.
“Please don’t let them take my sister,” he said,
“Don’t worry,” said Zakura, twirling Aiku’s staff and flipping it into glider form; she lifted her hat so they could see her eyes. They were glowing; “this is going to be a mercy-kill.”
A quick airbending move later, Zakura had taken to the skies, spiraling towards the other ship with style.
The ship was far enough away by this time that the others could not really see what was going on. Zakura landed on the back wall of the ship, clinging to it and looking over at the deck. There was a circle of water tribe warriors, male and female, along with some Kyoshi warriors, who seemed to be using waterbending moves on a target in the center of their circle. Zakura crawled up the side of the ship and walked directly behind the Kyoshi warrior who she recognized as the leader. She was by this time able to see what was going on.
Zakura recognized the young waterbender they were pushing around as Malak. Her hands were again tied and she still has something tied around her head in her mouth. They were laughing as they pushed her around. Luckily for her, she had good footing and fast reflexes, so no matter how much they pushed her, she seemed able to stay on her feet. Considering how many thuggish looking men there were in the crowd, Zakura was sort of surprised that Malak still had all her clothes on.
“Dance, girl, dance,” the leader taunted, and since Zakura was watching right behind her, she grinned. Suddenly, one of the people across from Zakura saw her, and developed a horrified expression. Zakura was actually a head shorter than the leader (Zakura used earthbending to peer over her shoulder, but far enough away that she didn’t notice)
“THE AVATAR IS RIGHT BEHIND YOU,” he yelled, and a bunch of people turned. Zakura jumped back, her eyes still glowing, and a nasty grin on her face. She crossed her arms.
“Play time’s over,” she smirked, “and that waterbender is mine.”
She sent a wave of ice spikes at the Kyoshi leader, but she deflected them with her brass fans. Naturally though, she stood no chance against a fully realized avatar in the avatar state. Zakura jerked her head backward, spun around and took off straight up. From where she was in the sky, she answered them with a shower of fireballs which had most of her job done within seconds. She returned to the deck of the burning ship to find the leader of the Kyoshi warriors with Malak in her arms. Malak seemed to be rather beaten judging from her condition.
“You still want to play, avatar,” she leered, “or are you really expecting me to think that this little waterbender is going with you?”
She kicked Malak in the gut, but again Malak’s good footing kept her on her feet. This annoyed her, so she kicked her again. However, she did not fall down. Tears were falling down Malak’s face.
“Stop keeping your balance,” she barked, and a swift kick to the face sent the girl sprawling onto her face, where she didn’t move. This set Zakura off. She suddenly darted forward trapping her enemy in rock and fire. Using Aiku’s staff, she began making consistently hitting her using the staff more like a sword.
“Never... ever... treat... a child... like that... again...” she growled, and then froze the Kyoshi leader to the spot. Using Aiku’s staff and the pointed part that came from it, she impaled her right through her throat, where she naturally stopped moving. Form there went to check Malak’s health. She was barely breathing. It looked like getting pushed around had done some internal damage to her lungs. Zakura hoisted her over her shoulder and made her way back to their ship as their enemy’s ship sunk to the depths. She landed gently, and said nothing to any of her friends. He simply took Malak below deck without a word.
“Is she alright,” Taki asked,
Perhaps,” said Koara, “that girl’s not dead though. I know what just about any near-death sign looks like, especially from a waterbender. She was badly injured though—very badly injured.
“So no survivors, I take it,” Aiku muttered, glancing at the smoking wreckage that they were slowly approaching,
“Obviously not,” Taki shrugged, “either way, you’ve gotta sort of limit your sympathy, Aiku. They were either gonna fight us here or on the battlefield, so they had condemned themselves already.”
They suddenly heard a huge banging noise, and a few seconds later, Zakura came up, fuming.
“That’s the praise I get for bringing that kid’s sister back,” she growled, “that ungrateful little whelp...” she punched her palm and looked over the deck at the ocean.
“They were just children,” said Aiku, “he was probably just scared because of the condition his sister is in. she got pretty beaten up.”
Zakura said nothing.
“Calm down, Zakura,” said Taki, as trying to keep Zakura’s name a secret had sort of been defeated after the attack, as anyone could have recognized the avatar state even without seeing it. The people on the ship surprisingly all seemed to be either neutral or against The Order, and so she got a generally positive reception.
Zakura just grumbled and still said nothing.
“The Order says anything bad about me to them they’ll side with them in an instant” she said after a while of silence, “or at least the boy will.” “So in other words, the boy’s gonna join the Order,” said Taki,
“Don’t remind me,” said Zakura, “I’m not in the mood.”
“Time will tell,” said Koara, “everyone used to tell me I was insane and was gonna wind up in an asylum within a year of my 18th birthday. Granted, they were right, but because I was perfectly sane and fully aware of what I was doing, I usually only spent a day or two there. People these days will believe anything.”
“Calm down Zakura,” said Aiku, gently putting a hand on her shoulder, “you have friends who love you. We’re not going to let anything happen to you as long as we still draw breath.”
“Love,” Zakura muttered, “that’s a powerful word—a word I never heard in my younger years; a word that I longed so desperately to learn the true meaning of in my early days—a word I know that my family never has and never will use towards me.”
None of the others said anything. For the rest of the trip (by now they were almost there) everything was normal. There was a brief stop at the area where the Western Air Temple was, where a few airbenders and a Fire Nation woman boarded. In this day and age, benders of all sorts were everywhere. Though she spent most her days in the Northern Water Tribe, Koara was actually born in the Southern Water Tribe. The story behind that was a long one, but Koara was not afraid to tell about it when someone asked.
They reached the Fire Nation with no further difficulty. Maric carried his sister off the ship, and everyone went their own separate ways. Zakura watched as Maric ran into a Fire Nation boy, surrounded by a few Fire Nation girls and an older cloaked woman.
“What’s the matter, kid,” said the boy, who looked about 16; Maric explained his situation and what had happened to his younger twin sister. However, he also blamed the avatar. Luckily by this time Zakura was out of sight. The woman took Malak’s unconscious form from Maric’s shoulders and felt her hand.
“She’ll be fine,” the woman said, “you go do your thing and I’ll make sure she’s as good as new by tomorrow. She’s pretty badly injured.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“Because where are you going to go otherwise,” said the boy, “we’re willing to do it for free.”
Maric grumbled and then decided it was for the best.
“Please do whatever it takes not to hurt her,” he said, “I’ll be back.”
“Gladly,” the boy smirked as Maric left, “excellent ploy, Zeruda.”
Zakura, who had been walking back around the alleyway, heard that name and stopped. She raced over to the woman, the boy, and the girls.
“Zeruda, you say,” she exclaimed,
“Ah,” she chuckled, and pulled her hood off, revealing her elegant face; this was the former Fire Lady, whose husband was slain by the Order when Xin Shing took over. She, along with Tenoko, the former water chief’s wife, and Iresu, the former Earth Queen, were part of a powerful and secret trio known as The Avatar Guard Secret Service, or the Secret Service for short.
“It’s a clever gambit, Avatar,” Zeruda chuckled, “that boy is bound to join The Order; but if he there’s no way he’ll see his sister again.”
“You’d sacrifice his sister,” Zakura exclaimed,
“Not even,” Zeruda replied, “I can tell she’s a gifted waterbender. She has excellent balance too.” She began massaging Malak’s right hand.
“This one is ours,” she said, “This time We Have Acquired Our Prize”
~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 2:33:54 GMT -5
ooh! chapter 20! and the funny thing is, is that I'm nowhere near the halfway point. this is one heck of a long fanfic. =3
CHAPTER 20: TOMORROW WE FLY “So what are we going to do while Aiku and Zakura are gone,” Zinjamyn said to the others, ruffling a passing Kimiko’s hair. This made her scared and she turned around and scampered off.
“Poor kid,” he remarked, “she’s so timid.”
“The last time she spoke out against anyone,” said Cheng, “she was forced to watch her family killed in front of her. I wouldn’t blame her.”
“I wasn’t getting after her,” Zinjamyn shrugged, “I was just saying that I feel sorry for her; and to see that huge scar on her face...”
“It destroyed me,” she said, and it looked like she was crying. “I hate every new day I remain alive, and yet I lack the will to end my own life.”
Zinjamyn paused for a moment, “well, Kimi,” he said, “I heard that in your younger years you were eagerly awaiting your 18th birthday. Your parents were proud of your eagerness to join them.”
At once though, he paused, closed his eyes, and smacked his forehead, realizing what he had just said, and the painful memories he had probably just helped poor Kimiko bring up.
He was right. Kimiko started to cry—to just weep. She curled up in a ball on the ground and just wailed and whimpered. Little Altina appeared, walking into the room, still looking like a little ball of blue fluff with her little parka on. When she saw Kimiko crying, she put her tiny little hand on Kimiko’s head and began rubbing it caringly like a little 2-year-old child would.
Kimiko actually looked up, and upon seeing Altina, she stood on her knees and scooped the child up, squeezing her tightly. Her little head, hands and feet were all that poking out from that little blue ball of fluff, and Kimiko found said ball of fluff fun to cuddle. She stopped crying and just continued fondling the child.
Naturally, Lehran came in a few moments later looking for her. He stopped in front of Kimiko, gently lifting her face so that she was looking into his eyes. He smiled lovingly at her.
“You like my little sister, don’t you,” he asked her,
“Aye” said Kimiko, “very much so. I want to keep her. She makes me happy; she giggles when you squeeze her, and she’s so fun to squeeze.”
Kimiko squeezed Altina again and she giggled playfully. Kimiko actually gave a weak smile.
“I can’t let you keep her obviously,” said Lehran, “but you can play with her whenever you want.”
“So Zinjamyn,” said Cheng, “what were you saying about the whole “while-we’re-waiting” deal? That actually sounded interesting.”
“What we do,” said Zinjamyn, is we go south—far south—the Southern Water Tribe. We’re going to lure them into attacking us there, and thus lure them away from the Fire Nation. They are on the southeastern bounds of the Earth Kingdom at the moment, so what would have to be done is that we’d have to get them to come south.
From what Ryuka said, we would just need to know where the Tribe has positioned their warriors, and if we can pick up a few Kyoshi Warriors along the way. Those girls are dead valuable, and are merciless fighters; always a good choice to have with you.”
“Where do they run off to these days,” Cheng asked, thinking about Taki at the moment (nothing new) as usual;
“Perhaps the city of Gaoling,” said Mulan, “for surely The Order will not cross the desert when they can stick to the edge of the mountains. It’s closer to the Southern Water Tribe anyways.”
“But that would mean we would have to cross the Si Wong Desert.” Said Zinjamyn, “and even today that means trouble.”
Mulan actually chuckled.
“Zinjamyn,” she said, “you’re talking to an airbender. I would not have suggested it if I didn’t know what I was thinking. The Northern Air Temple is at our doorstep. We all know the airbenders are for the most part all against the Order, and so if we made a stop there, I’m pretty sure they’d let us borrow a flying bison. It’s how we airbenders usually travel to one of the other three temples—unless they’re like me and are in a different part of the world.”
“That sounds like a simple concept, Mulan” Zinjamyn shrugged, “but I’ll let you do the talking. You’re more likely to convince them than a scraggly guy like me.”
Mulan chuckled, “so who are you going to take to Gaoling,” she asked
“Anyone willing to come,” Zinjamyn replied, “I think Sanaki, Alzar, Shinon, and Royota can hold this place down if the rest of us are willing to go”
“So that means Sanaki’s not coming,” Kimiko asked,
“I’m sorry, Kimi,” she said, “but I’m blind, and it’s cold down in the Southern Water Tribe. I can’t feel anything in the cold.”
“It’s...” Kimiko stammered, holding back tears, “its fine.”
“So are you coming, Kimiko,” said Mulan, gently placing a hand on Kimiko’s shoulder. Mulan was barefoot, and the sleeve of her robe slipped down to her elbow. Kimiko turned around, looking into the eyes of the loving young mother-to-be. She ran her fingers down Mulan’s left arm, following the arrow tattoos she had. Mulan stared back with a gentle face—gaining Kimiko’s trust was a feat.
“I will,” she said resolutely, “for my family, for me, for the avatar.”
Mulan smiled and gently put her arm around Kimiko. She was bound to be giving birth to her child at any time, and yet here she was, willing to go out and fight.
“Tell you what, Kimi,” said Lehran, stepping forward, with an excited little Altina in his arms, “I’m going too. The Water Tribes, be it north or south, are a place I can call home. Zinjamyn, I’m in.”
“Dandy,” said Zinjamyn, “and I assume you’ll come too, Cheng? That would be all of us but the ones I said would stay here to hold the fort.”
There was a chuckling from above them. They looked up to see Alzar and Shinon and the 2nd tier above them.
“So that’s all we’re good for, eh, Zinj?” Shinon chuckled, jumping down, “I thought that Ryuka’s warning had taught you better.” Zinjamyn laughed, “Well,” he said, “Someone’s gotta be in the Earth Kingdom. Ba Sing Se is huge; take a break, have a look around.” “Very funny,” said Alzar, flipping herself over the tier and landing on her bare feet without a sound, “and yet you have a point. So be it.” Later towards sunset, Zinjamyn, Cheng, Kimiko, Mulan, Lehran, and Altina arrived at the Northern Air Temple, where they were welcomed by the Air Nomads, who recognized Zinjamyn.
“So Zinjamyn,” said one of the head monks after everyone got settled. Cheng, Kimiko, and Altina were asleep; Lehran was up and about, and Mulan had actually gone into labor as they left Ba Sing Se. They were all glad (especially her) that she would most likely be giving birth in the sanctuary of the air temples, as it could have been problematic for Mulan anywhere else.
“Eh,” said Zinjamyn, indicating he was listening,
“What brings the world’s greatest earthbender to the Northern Air Temple at this time of the evening?”
“For one thing, a place to stay,” Zinjamyn replied, “and for another, that airbender who is with us is bound to give birth within the next few hours. We figured that the airbenders were the most hospitable, especially with one of their own kind.”
Although back in the older times the Northern and Southern Air Temples were exclusively male; and the Western and Eastern Air Temples were exclusively female, nowadays that was more relative, considering that 1200 years ago the air nomads had nearly faced extinction. There were males in the previously all-female temples and vice-versa, but they were outnumbered. Of course, since the air nomads were virtually all united, this made no difference.
“Also though,” said Zinjamyn, “we were going to ask if we could take a flying bison to cross the Si Wong Desert.”
“Well,” the monk chuckled, “you’re not part of The Order, are you?”
“Please, Ling,” Zinjamyn laughed, using the monk’s name, “would I have taught Avatar Zakura all she knows about earthbending if I was part of The Order?”
Ling chuckled, “very true,” he said, “you would not.”
For the most part, the airbenders were well-informed by this point about who the avatar was. However, not very many outsiders knew that the airbenders knew, and so the secret was generally well-kept.
“And since I know you’re not part of The Order,” he said, placing his hand on Zinjamyn’s shoulder, “we will grant your request tomorrow whenever you and your group are ready to leave.”
Zinjamyn smiled. “Thank you, Ling,” he said, and Ling returned it. A few moments later, they heard what sounded like an infant’s cry. A Kyoshi Warrior who appeared more as a messenger rather than a nurse (this was the case) appeared, turning to Zinjamyn.
“Master Zinjamyn,” she said, “the airbender has given birth.”
“I see,” said Zinjamyn, “I’m glad it happened here. Tell her that I’ll be right in to talk with her.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” said Ling, “if she’s your friend, you should talk to her; especially with what recently happened with her and her husband. That must be terrible—poor woman...”
“If you insist,” said Zinjamyn, going back into one of the back rooms where Mulan, her child, and several Air Sisters were. Mulan’s child was a baby girl, and Mulan herself looked more relaxed then he had ever seen her. She smiled up at him, and yawned. Her baby was wrapped up in a neat little bundle in her arms.
“This is it, Zinjamyn,” she said, “Tomorrow We Fly”.
~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 2:34:40 GMT -5
and now we return to the poor little fire girl who was seducted by The Order... more proof that they're evil. poor Katara...
there's a mature version of this fight, which is extended and more graphic if anyone is interested.
CHAPTER 21: THE FIRE LORD AND LADY Katara’s life as part of The Order didn’t differ much from her old life except that she had a place to live. The Fire Lord was going to tell her when she was needed. In the meantime, she was ordered to demonstrate her full prowess. This made her frightened.
“Every time I do that though I hurt myself—a lot,” she said,
“You will not have to use your full prowess in combat,” said the Fire Lord, “just enough to get the job done.”
“Then what’s the point,” Katara asked bluntly,
“This is to see what rank of bender we can pit you up against,” Orzon replied, “you might be able to match up to Xin Shing himself with a little bit of training here and there.”
Orzon took Katara to an outdoor arena. It was deserted at the moment, but Katara noticed that it probably held thousands during and Agni Kai.
“Remove your shirt and your shoes,” he said, and The Fire Lord himself actually did the same. Katara did as she was told.
“Let us see how your powers fare against mine,” he said, “at your ready,”
Katara took a stance, and Orzon launched enormous volumes of fire at her. Katara crossed her arms in front of her face and was knocked back, but kept her bare feet planted and thus didn’t fall down. She seemed to be gaining energy, which she vented through her arms back towards him. Orzon was able to absorb it and reflect it as well, and the two of them were roughly equal in power.
Orzon didn’t mind this girl being more powerful than him, for she was but a tool in the grand scheme of things, and neither he nor anyone in The Order really cared what happened to a 15-year-old girl. However, her power made her a valuable tool, and thus she was watched over for the time being—until she became weak.
“You are as powerful as the Fire Lord himself, young girl.” He exclaimed, “What did you say your name was,”’
“Katara,” Katara replied, “Katara Altina II; named after my mother.”
“Katara Altina II,” said a voice, and Katara turned. It was Fire Lady Ayumi, and she looked ready to kill someone in an Agni Kai as well.
“The lady of the braced hands,” she exclaimed, lifting one of Katara’s arms up. The braces on Katara’s arms that covered everything from her elbows to her fingertips were almost always seen on her.
“Take them off, girl,” she snapped; she had haughtiness to her voice that Katara hated, “your pants too. You have more power than meets the eye”
Katara’s undergarments went just about down to her knees, and since she wasn’t in the mood to argue too, too much, she did. However, the issue with her arm braces as a different story.
“No,” Katara replied, “they don’t block power, they help me contain it. Without them I lose control.”
“Stop your babbling,” she snapped, and began undoing the brace on Katara’s left arm, “You and I are going to face off, right here, right now. If you’re as powerful as Orzon says you are, you will have no trouble beating me.”
“Don’t make me do this,” Katara sighed, but Ayumi wasn’t listening. She took the brace off of Katara’s other hand and tossed the aside with Katara’s other clothes. Already poor Katara could feel the energy building up in her arms.
“Shut up,” she barked, and landed her foot into Katara’s exposed stomach, making her stagger backwards a few steps. Katara was glad that Ayumi’s shoes weren’t like the heavy boots that Orzon wore. Ayumi was a harsh woman who seemed to contrast her husband. She was not sure about what Orzon said, but he seemed more merciful than Ayumi. The Fire Lady shot several powerful fireballs at Katara, acting like linked moves, and thus they all hit her and sent her sprawling. She didn’t want to attack, lest she incurred the fury of Orzon for attacking his wife. However, she would later learn a different truth.
Ayumi continued to attack Katara, who was doing nothing to resist at this point. Her anger was fueling, and her pleas were ignored.
“Leave me alone,” she said, you saw what I can do, and I don’t want to hurt the Fire Lady.”
“Silence,” she snapped, and blasted Katara off her feet with a lightning bolt, sending her slamming into the back wall. Katara fell to her knees and then stood up slowly.
“Agni Kai,” was her only words after that, and from here their fight commenced. Katara took a step back and then pointed her arms forward with sheer force. A huge wave of fire emitted from them, and blasted Ayumi upwards and into the stands. When she stopped, Ayumi was lying motionless in the stands. However, she somehow recovered and began jumping back down. While she did, she called for backup. Katara was surrounded by the Royal Guard, and a band of Kyoshi Warriors, all of which were trying to either disable her or capture her.
Katara, not comfortable with what she was wearing while surrounded by a bunch of guards, blasted her way through towards where her clothes were, and was able to grab her arm braces and her pants, and was now ready to let loose on anyone who came at her.
Such a thing did not take long to happen. They were powerful firebenders, but Katara was more powerful than Orzon and Zeruda combined. However, she lacked control, and this was her bane. Additionally, though her spirit was capable of outstanding power, her body was not designed for a spirit that powerful. Katara began scampering about, trying everything to avoid getting surrounded and attacking as little as possible. She didn’t mind taking a few hits. Considering how scarred her entire body was, a few more cuts and burns meant nothing to her.
Within a few minutes there was fire everywhere, and the floor of the arena was in flames. It was not going to burn down, but the fact that there were flames everywhere made it dangerous. Katara ended up getting cornered, surrounded by flames. This was where her final card came into play. She was standing with her legs far apart, and was smirking. One arm was down at her side, the other was in front of her face, two fingers pointing upwards.
“Say goodbye, ladies,” she smirked, and her fingers began to crackle. Suddenly she sent a full-fledged lightning burst out that literally had enough force that it blasted clean through the bodies of anyone she pointed them at. She killed or injured all but the Fire Lady herself. It was here that Katara seized her by the throat and actually lifted her off the ground. Because of all the firebending she did during her spare time, Katara got lots of exercise, and was thus rather strong for her age as well.
“You willing to let up yet, woman,” she snapped, “’coz to be honest, I think your husband is a lot smarter than you. Grow up, leave a teenaged girl alone, and go back to your business.”
She dropped her, and began to walk back towards where she had discarded her shirt and boots earlier. It was here that Ayumi decided to launch a sucker punch and tried to hit Katara in the back with a lightning bolt. However, Katara spun around and redirected it at a Royal Guard who had decided to try and attack her. The results of this were rather gruesome, and Katara actually turned away. It was here that she felt an old hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Fire Lord Orzon. He was smiling.
“Spectacular,” he said, “you could take on the Avatar Guard’s Kyoshi Squadron almost single-handedly.”
“Thanks, I guess,” said Katara, pulling her shirt on, “can I go get some rest now?”
“No,” said Orzon bluntly but not cruelly, “now you can challenge me.”
“But,” Katara stammered, putting her boots back on, “I’m exhausted. I can barely stand up properly anymore.”
“Is the Avatar Guard going to care how tired you are,” said Orzon, Katara sighed, “I guess not,” she said longingly, “but considering that your wife just came out of nowhere and tried to kill me...”
“Again,” said Orzon, “another tactic that the enemy will use. Now stand up and get ready to fight me. This will not be to the death.”
Katara sighed again, and then stood up. They sparred for a while, and Katara ended up overtaking him.
“Very good,” said Orzon, but then he paused. “Behind you,” he yelled,
Katara spun around and found herself face to face with a Royal Guard, who punched her in the stomach, knocking her down. He was a skilled firebender, but Katara was able to overpower him to the point where he surrendered. By this time Orzon had rested up a bit. Katara on the other hand, was exhausted and brilliant red.
“Please,” she gasped, “can I rest now?”
“One more match,” he said, “I still have more energy.”
Katara continued to beat him, and every time she did a guard came out of nowhere. Orzon was working poor Katara far past her limit. Eventually though, he let her go, where she limped and staggered back to her room. She passed the giggling servant girls, and was so tired she didn’t even come up with anything to rebuke them with. She threw herself onto her bed fully dressed and was down and out within seconds.
Katara didn’t realize it, but they were truly using her. They cared for nothing about her, save her power. It was things like this that made poor Katara want to reconsider joining The Fire Lord and Lady.
~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 31, 2008 15:02:48 GMT -5
don't ask what's with all the blind characters. there's an explanation for most of them later on. anyways, chapter 22.
CHAPTER 22: PRAY FOR THE BEST “It’s too quiet around here,” Alzar complained, “I miss Cheng and Taki.”
“It really isn’t quite the same with almost everyone gone,” said Shinon in reply, “it even makes me wish Zakura was here.”
Shinon mostly did this to see what Alzar’s reaction would be. To his surprise, Alzar actually nodded.
“Truth is told,” She said, “she really does keep things exciting. I... I guess I even miss her (though I can’t believe I’m saying that)”
“Alz,” Shinon laughed, why is there that rift between you and Zakura anyways? I never understood the relationship between the two of you.”
“It’s not very complicated, Shin,” Alzar replied, “She likes to harass me.”
“She likes to harass anyone, Alz,” Shinon laughed, “what’s the REAL reason you and her have the rift?”
“Rift,” Alzar exclaimed, taking on a humorous Zakura-like tone, “what rift; little Alzie here and I don’t have a rift.”
“Alzie,” Shinon exclaimed, actually laughing, “when has Zakura called you that?”
Her answer was a burst of flames, which Shinon barely dodged, and his immediate retaliation was a waterbending moved that flipped Alzar over.
“Bending battle, bending battle,” said a little voice from behind them. Shinon glanced behind him to see Sanaki sitting cross legged on the ground, smiling. Her bangs covered her eyes, which, unlike Alzar’s, had never functioned. However, Sanaki did not need eyesight to know how vivid a bending battle between the world’s greatest firebender and the world’s greatest waterbender. She did know though, to keep her distance, so she moved back.
Within seconds, fire and water of all sorts of intricate and powerful designs were everywhere. To watch these two benders fight was truly awe-inspiring. They were incredible. There may have been people who were more powerful than them or more intricate than them, or perhaps even some who had more control than them, but the reason they were declared the “best” was because, if there was a way to “add” control, intricacy and power together, their “scores” would be the highest.
Sanaki was soon joined by Royota, and shortly after, even Ryuka appeared. He simply crossed his arms and smirked. He ruffled Sanaki’s hair and Sanaki giggled. Alzar and Shinon continued, locked in combat for a while until they both suddenly stopped.
“Why are we even fighting,” Alzar asked, laughing,
“You ask me, Alz,” Shinon replied, also laughing, but keeping his guard up in case Alzar pulled a fast one, “I just asked about a certain name and you kind of went nuts on me.”
Alzar laughed and then sat back down in one of the soft chairs, getting comfortable. She was lying sideways, gently kicking her bare feet, her arms hanging down, nearly touching the floor.
“That’s the Avatar Guard for you, Shin,” she said, laughing,
“Isn’t it now,” said Royota, also laughing, “I served under Avatar Lahka of the Water Tribes as well. There have been amusing people coming and going from this place. Iresu, Zeruda and Tenoko were some of the younger ones back in my day; and them and their husbands were quite talented. I certainly do miss them.”
“Well,” said Ryuka, “after The Order took over the way they did, the survivors became The Avatar Guard Secret Service. It’s amazing that they still haven’t been discovered. They’re the best of their kind.”
“Aye,” Royota replied, “I heard that Iresu was still in the earth kingdom; in this city to be exact,”
“She is,” Ryuka replied, “why don’t some of you pay a visit to her? Let the little blind girl get some fresh air.”
Alzar suddenly grabbed Ryuka’s arm, but Ryuka flung her off and backwards into Shinon’s arms.
“Calm down, Alzar,” he said, “I was talking about Sanaki.”
“And so instead of making fun of the girl who was an idiot and brought it on herself you make fun of the one born like that,” Alzar exclaimed, “Ryuka, I thought you were an honorable man.”
Ryuka’s dark eyes actually widened a little. Incidentally, once Sanaki learned that he was talking about her, she got angry as well.
“Whoa now,” said Ryuka, grabbing Sanaki by the scruff of her neck, “calm down, kid. If I knew it offended you so much...”
“I’m 17,” Sanaki bickered, “why do you all feel the need to treat me like a helpless baby? I was fending for myself perfectly well before I joined you. Why do you feel the need to treat me like I’m different? Just... just stop it. I’m no different than any of you. Just because I’m blind doesn’t mean that I’m not a capable fighter, okay? Just... please; don’t...”
“Perhaps you should get out more often, Ryuka,” Royota chuckled, “Alzar and Sanaki have both mentioned that their eyes are a sensitive subject for them,” Royota replied, “I would have a little respect for them if I were you.”
“You know what,” said Ryuka, “if you all are going to make such a big freaking deal about it then count me in. I’m going into town to get away from you all.”
“In that case,” said Alzar, laughing, “our plan worked.”
Alzar, Shinon, Royota, Sanaki, and Ryuka next found themselves wandering through the streets of Ba Sing Se. They navigated into the middle ring of the city. Their base was located near the Northwestern outer wall of the city, sort of away from most of the other city. Of course, by this time the city was so huge that much of what was in the walls was city by now. In the middle ring they ran into a pair of people that Royota seemed to recognize—a rugged man who looked to be in his late 30s, with dark skin, and long black hair in a ponytail. The person next to him was a young woman of about 17 with long, wavy brown hair and tanned skin as well. She was barefoot and was holding the man’s arm. She was about to the man’s shoulder.
“Cho Ling,” he said, “it’s good to meet you again. I didn’t expect to find you here. Your wife Zuki seemed fonder of the rural area.”
“She’s more of that type, indeed,” the man, named Cho Ling replied, “but alas, our city was recently taken over by The Order of the Avatar Slayer, and therefore we moved. It wasn’t easy moving such a large family, but hey, Zuki is an amazing woman.”
“I bet,” Royota chuckled, “how many children do you two have now?”
“8 and another on the way,” Cho Long replied proudly, “this one here is our eldest, Meili. She had her 17th birthday last week.”
“So, where is that fine woman, anyways, said Royota, playfully pinching Meili’s cheek. She jerked backwards. Royota noticed that her greenish-grey eyes never once faced him. Cho Ling’s face dropped when Royota asked about his wife.
“She was kidnapped,” he replied sadly, “yesterday. And I worry for her. You know how she is... she’s so innocent. The Order could get her to do anything. Please, do you think you could help me rescue her?”
“Fear not, Cho Ling,” said Royota firmly, “you have a family to watch out for. Let The Avatar Guard take care of this.”
However, this was not the right thing to say, as they were soon surrounded by members of The Order, including Dai Li agents.
“That’s conspiracy here in the city limits of Ba Sing Se,” said one of the officers, “and I’m afraid we have the right to arrest you all. However, we’ll be lenient and just take the blind girl.”
“What,” said Sanaki, “I said nothing?”
“Not you, girl;” said the officer, “that earthbender.”
However, that was their last word, as “that earthbender” jumped out and made an expanding wall of earth around the group which expelled the Dai Li from their presence.
“Let’s get, and let’s do it fast,” she said; she had a voice that sounded like it wasn’t used often. “Not sure how long they’ll stay out”
They were able to escape for the time being, and Cho Ling smiled. “What do you think about her joining our group,” said Royota to the others, including Cho Ling,
“I’m for it,” said Cho Ling, “she’s almost all grown up now and could use the experience. Besides, it’s her mother that you all volunteered to go and save for us.”
“I like another blind person,” said Sanaki, giggling, “I agree.”
“You do realize she might get killed, do you not,” said Alzar,
“Aye” Cho Ling replied, “but she wanted to meet the world’s greatest benders and fight beside them. I want her to be happy.”
“I’m okay with it,” said Alzar, “I was just making sure you knew.”
“I do,” said Cho Ling, “which is why I pray for the best. Please take care of her, alright?”
“Dad,” said Meili, “I’ll be fine. I’m coming back with mom.”
Cho Ling embraced Meili one last time before letting her go with The Avatar Guard. He headed back towards his home, where his 2nd eldest, aged 15, was watching the family for a brief moment while these two were out. Meili was the only blind one of course, so her younger sister was able to watch the rest of the family with ease.
With the help of some of Zakura’s money (a resource that was accessible to anyone who knew where Zakura kept it in their base) the 6 of them boarded the monorail, which would take them to the central part of the middle ring. During said trip, Alzar and Sanaki fell asleep, Alzar onto Shinon and Sanaki onto Royota. Royota took not notice and was conversing with Ryuka, and Meili was idly playing with the bracelets and anklets on her wrists and ankles, also curling the toes of her bare feet. She wasn’t able to sleep, and being blind made it difficult for her to entertain herself. She was also thinking of her father’s words—Pray For the Best
~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 31, 2008 15:03:52 GMT -5
the 23rd installment in the series. It's back to Zinjamyn's gang, 'coz if anyone has noticed, there's 3 groups, one being Zakura's, another being Zinjamyn's, and the other being Royota's.
CHAPTER 23: WE'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU
After all was secured away the next day, Zinjamyn, Mulan, Cheng, Kimiko, Lehran, (and Altina) were packed and ready to leave.
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay here a while,” Zinjamyn asked Mulan, “I mean, taking a baby like that into the battlegrounds...”
“Is harder than taking the baby when she was unborn,” asked Mulan, smiling, “I have doubts. And if master Lehran here and carry his sister, I believe I am capable of doing the same.”
“If you insist,” said Zinjamyn in response, “I just asked for your safety, you do know that, correct?”
“Aye,” Mulan replied, “and I respect the fact that you care for me. Nonetheless, I still plan to go. The Order will make no difference as to who I am or where I am. I’m pretty sure my husband Ju Long as put me on their blacklist by now.”
“Mulan,” laughed Cheng, “you’re an airbender. The Airbenders have been blacklisted by The Order for a long time now.”
“Thank you for the obvious, Cheng,” said Zinjamyn, laughing, “so are we going to leave this place, or not?”
“You’re welcome to stay as long as you’d like,” said Ling, chuckling,
“And were it not for this war, we certainly would, master Ling,” Zinjamyn replied, “but alas, it happens to the best of us.”
“It is understandable,” Ling replied,” and do remember: just because we Air Nomads are not actively taking part in the war its self does not mean that we cannot be used as a resource against The Order of the Avatar Slayer. We will support the avatar as long as she lives.”
“And she will be glad to know it,” said Mulan, “and therefore we bid you farewell, and I promise to take care of this majestic animal.”
The sky bison did its flying job swiftly yet smoothly. They made a brief stop at the edge of the desert, near a sand-bender village. There seemed to be members of The Order here, but it appeared that they were out numbered by members of The Avatar Guard here, so all they could really do was grumble.
They restocked their supplies, fed and watered the sky bison, and soon were crossing the desert.
“Wow,” said Cheng, his arms crossed over the edge of the enormous saddle used to carry people on these animals, “this is a whole lot of nothing out here.”
“Fancy you should say that,” said Zinjamyn, chuckling, “for according to my last experience in the Si Wong Desert, the other three benders and I were ambushed by Order sand-benders. Our business was and is our own, but the fact remains we could get shot at even from up here.”
“Shot,” Lehran exclaimed, trying to amuse a bored Altina; the little girl was bored out of her mind, for there was not even any extra water for her to play with. Mulan’s child was fast asleep in her mother’s arms, and said mother was in the corner across from Cheng facing Zinjamyn’s back (for Zinjamyn was flying the bison)
“Aye, shot,” said Zinjamyn, “all that they do is condense the sand into a ball and throw it; it’s a very simple yet effective process.”
“So what are we going to do if we DO get shot at,” Lehran asked,
“We’ll do what anyone else would when flying across the desert on a flying bison” Zinjamyn replied, chuckling, “land and fight back.”
“Really now,” said Cheng, most likely just saying it to give himself something to do,”
“Aye, Cheng,” said Zinjamyn, who was losing patience, “now if you’ll excuse me, I have a desert to fly a group of people over.”
“Alright then,” said Cheng, “then so be it.”
Incidentally, Cheng’s words came to pass. They eventually hit a place where there were Order members below them shooting blasts of sand up at them. Calmly, Zinjamyn landed the air bison a considerable distance away. Zinjamyn and Mulan were the ones to jump out first, and Zinjamyn told Cheng and Lehran to watch their ride and Lehran to watch Altina, as well as Mulan’s baby girl. However, Cheng went along with them, and Kimiko stayed behind instead.
Being the world’s greatest earthbender, Zinjamyn was able to compress the sand into solid ground, which he yanked up to use as a wall. He was pushing this wall forward with Mulan and Cheng behind him, and they were using it as a shield. Once they were in range of the sand-benders, all of whom had been trying to break the wall (they had done a decent job in the little time they had had), Zinjamyn stopped, punched the wall at just the right place and send fragments of it flying. There were a total of 18 sandbenders against the three of them.
“If I were you,” said Zinjamyn, crossing his arms, I would abandon the attempts to fight us. We had no intention of harming you; we were not intruding on your lands or doing any damages whatsoever.”
“You might not have noticed,” Said what must have been the leader of the tribe, “but there’s a war going on against the Avatar Guard and the Order of the Avatar Slayer. And you, master earthbender, are recognizable anywhere.”
“If you really feel like you must challenge us,” said Zinjamyn, “then we shall fight you. Prepare for the worst.”
Mulan jumped ahead, her arms spread out and created a swirling vortex around the sandbenders. However, they were able to use the sand to their advantage. Since Mulan had made it around them as opposed to actually hitting them, all they had to do was expel the sand, and they did so—all towards Mulan.
Mulan used a powerful airbending shield to divert most of them away from her, and with Zinjamyn’s help, more sand was thrown into the mix, blocking the two groups from seeing each other. Suddenly, huge clumps of sand began shooting from the vortex; it seemed that the sandbenders were blindly testing their luck. They were actually able to leave a mark, and this was where Cheng and Zinjamyn decided they needed to get out of there. They were not sure what had hit her, but Mulan was bleeding across her chest, and seemed to be staggering when she got up.
“Let’s get,” said Cheng, hoisting Mulan over his shoulder, “if they can’t see us we might be able to get out of here.”
“We need Mulan to keep airbending that sand around that cyclone if we want to escape unseen,” said Zinjamyn, “and she doesn’t seem in any condition to do that for us,”
“No,” said a weak voice that was clearly Mulan’s, “just let me focus for a second. I’m not going to let you all down because of my own personal faults. Let me down once we get back to the others.”
Once they were back with the others, Zinjamyn took no time in getting them off the ground.
“Yip, yip,” he snapped, and the bison took to the skies. Mulan leaned over the edge, concentrating. She felt disoriented from the damage she had just taken, but was able to focus long enough to keep the spherical cyclone over the sandbenders for the time being. They made it away from that area safely. Other than Mulan being worn out and bleeding in some places, the rest of their party was fine. Since the only comfort Mulan wanted was to hold her baby girl again, the rest of the group figured that they were all alright, and probably were.
Lehran was gently massaging Mulan’s back and shoulders, using waterbending to try and heal her wounds. Being a Serenes, which were a family of naturally gifted waterbenders and healers, he was able to help Mulan out a considerable amount.
Once Mulan stopped feeding the cyclone, it was not long before it died down. The sandbenders made a guess as to where they were going. They were heading approximately south-southwest from Ba Sing Se, which mean they were headed for Gaoling (which, in fact, they were), and therefore they had plans to meet them there.
Using their chain of sand-bender villages they had “taken over”, they were able to swiftly pass the message on that part of The Avatar Guard was heading for Gaoling. What their intentions there were, were not known by The Order, but they knew that they would possibly be able to ambush them.
The rest of the trip to Gaoling was nothing out of the ordinary. Upon arrival they noticed that there were a lot of Southern Water Tribe Warriors, both male and female, there. Most of the Southern Waterbenders were on the side of The Avatar Guard, but there was no sure ways to tell which ones were Order members and which ones weren’t—or so they thought.
As they were going through the city, Mulan and Cheng, mostly Mulan, was attracting attention because of her bright orange clothing. There were a few fire nation people here, but an air nomad was rare just about anywhere. Mulan noticed a method of how to distinguish which Water Tribe people were Order members and which ones were not (the earth kingdom citizenry here were not fighters, so they were not looking out for them).
“It’s simple,” she said, “watch for the ones that give you an angry glare, Zinjamyn; that’s how you can tell they’re part of The Order.”
She was right. About 1 in every 5 people gave Zinjamyn a nasty look. Afterwards, he decided to try his luck and talk to one of them.
“Zinjamyn is it,” he said, and Zinjamyn nodded.
“Aye,” he said, “the woman with the infant child is Mulan, this kid’s Lehran, the kid on his back’s named Altina, and this is Cheng.”
“Ah,” the man exclaimed, “Zinjamyn... We’ve Been Expecting You.”
~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 31, 2008 15:05:40 GMT -5
chapter 24, w00t! this chapter deals with Malak's fate, and I believe the next chapter will switch to her brother's...
CHAPTER 24: SOMEWHERE YOU CAN'T FOLLOW
Malak came to her senses in a dark room. She was lying on her back in a spread-eagled position. At first she thought she was still in the hands of The Order, but she realized that she was still fully dressed, and so a wave of relief came upon her. She glanced around, but couldn’t see or hear anything distinct. She wasn’t going blind; it’s just that in this dark room there was nothing to see but the dim light.
There was water dripping from somewhere, but Malak couldn’t tell where. She tried to move her arms and legs, but couldn’t. She jerked at them, and felt that she was bound at the wrists and ankles to the table. She began to panic, obvious signs of worry in the grunts she made. She struggled in vain to try and get free. Suddenly, a cloaked figure appeared beside her, and beside this figure was a teenaged boy.
“What do you want with me,” Malak asked, not trying to hide the fact that she was frightened. “I don’t want to hurt anyone, just let me go, please?” she curled her fingers, but not only was there no water in the vicinity to bend, but there was nothing she could do about her bonds. The cloaked figure gently put her hands around Malak’s right hand. Malak knew it was a woman because once the woman had stepped into the light Malak noticed her face.
“I have no intention of letting you go, Malak,” the woman said gently
“w-why,” Malak stammered, her fear growing, “what are you going to do with me? What happened to my brother? Where am I? Who are you?”
She was panicking again and jerking at her bonds. Her clothing was padded, and covered everything but her head and her hands, so her wrists and ankles were not hurting from her jerking.
“Calm down, girl,” said the woman again, “if it makes you feel better, I am former Fire Lady Zeruda of The Avatar Guard Secret Service. We are in the western lair of The Avatar Guard Secret Service. If you know how to find it then chances are we will in fact kill you.”
“I don’t know how to find it,” Malak pleaded, “I just want to go home. What do you want with me?”
“We want your allegiance,” Zeruda replied, “for your brother has gone astray. Did you know that he actually believes it was Avatar Zakura that did this damage to you?”
She put her hand on Malak’s stomach and pressed and Malak cringed and yelled in pain. She had suffered considerable internal damage from being kicked around. There was also a cut on her forehead from where the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors had kicked her in the head, but that was only bleeding slightly, and not enough to get everywhere. For the most part, Malak was cleaned up by this time.
“He,” Malak exclaimed, “he thought Zakura did this?”
“Aye,” Zeruda replied, “he thought that Avatar Zakura, the woman who saved your life, was the one who attacked you.”
“She saved my life,” Malak exclaimed, “really?”
“Assuming her story is true; then aye,” Zeruda replied, “tells me what you remember before you blacked out.”
Zeruda was tactful. She had only tied the teen-aged girl up to make her more scared, and thus more inclined to give her the information she was after. She had no intention of harming Malak.
“I was getting kicked around by a bunch of warriors who seemed to find hurting me as really entertaining. Then that horrible Kyoshi woman kept kicking me just because I didn’t want to fall down.
“Do you know why The Order wanted you,” Zeruda asked,
“No,” Malak replied, “I really don’t.”
“They want powerful benders in their younger years because by logic, if they are that powerful at that early of an age, they can become incredible fighters when they finish growing up. You’re a prodigy, Malak, and yet there is still plenty to learn. The Four Benders were incredible prodigies, having mastered their respective elements at the age of 10.”
“10,” Malak exclaimed, “that’s... that’s incredible.”
“Aye,” Zeruda replied, “it was during my reign. But just because they had become ‘masters’ at their trade did not mean they stopped. They continued their vigorous training and still do to this day. In other words, Malak, what I am saying is, although you are a master, there will always be something for you to learn. You and your brother have great potential, which is why we also had our eyes on you.”
“So,” said Malak, slightly frustrated by this, “I’m just a tool in your big operation? Is that what it is?”
“Not at all,” Zeruda replied, “we only ‘require’ our allies to fight when they are in the condition to, when they desire to, or when they are the proper age to do so. It’s actually much more complicated than that, but to make a long story short, if you joined us, you would be sheltered—protected from becoming a tool of The Order. Your young age would exempt you from going to war if you so desired it. The Order, however, thinks differently. We are trying to protect those like you.”
“So why did you tie me up like this,” said Malak, again trying to break her bonds, and once again, failing to do so;
“I have my reasons,” Zeruda replied, not about to say ‘because it’s more likely to make you give me the information I want’; “but do not worry. If I do somehow harm you, I’m sure this boy here will be glad to save you.”
“Are you trying to “hook me up” with him?” Malak asked skeptically, “Not at all,” the boy replied, “what Fire Lady Zeruda means is that she has no intention of harming you.”
“So, why am I still tied down,” Malak asked,
“Because” Zeruda replied, “we don’t want you panicking.”
Malak sighed. “Just let me go, please? I’m not going to go run off and join The Order.”
“Not a chance,” said Zeruda, chuckling, “but it’s not you we worry about, but rather, your brother. How united exactly are you two?”
“Where one of us goes, the other follows,” Malak replied, “I usually follow him though, because he usually looks out for me.”
“Your brother is joining The Order,” said Zeruda, “we heard it from his own mouth. Will you follow him?”
“He never said that,” said Malak, sounding worried, “did he?”
“Technically,” said Zeruda’s “he actually didn’t, but his grudge against the avatar does not make him look like he’s going to join The Avatar Guard, and usually when you learn just who these two sides are, you can’t really remain neutral.”
Malak said nothing. She seemed deep in thought, and yet also looked scared. She was clearly worried about Maric.
“My older twin brother,” she said, her eyes watering, “turning against the woman who saved me? H-how could he?”
“It is not for me to know,” Zeruda replied, “but now I understand your objectives. Would you like me to release you?”
“I... I want to stay here,” she said, but her meaning was misinterpreted.
“Alright then, Zeruda shrugged, “we’ll be back in a while to show you your room. You don’t have to stay like that, you know.”
Malak opened her mouth to say that she meant that aye, she did want to be untied, but no, she did not want to leave the base; however, she seemed to be able to think more clearly when she could do nothing else, and so was busy pondering what Zeruda and that boy had told her, and about Maric, and she wondered where he was.
“Maric,” she whispered, “why won’t you believe me when I say that the avatar is good? Don’t leave me like this.”
Unfortunately, she knew her brother too well, and knew that he was relentlessly stubborn. What would he say though when she told him that this was the one place where she could not and would not follow?
Malak continued lying there, and eventually, she got tired. Zeruda returned a while later and untied her. However, she seemed too weak to move. Zeruda checked to see if she was dying, and she wasn’t. She nudged Malak slightly until she stirred.
“You alright, kid?” she asked,
“Aye,” Malak replied, “I’m just tired is all. Can you show me my room?”
“Aye,” Zeruda replied, hoisting Malak so her head was on Zeruda’s shoulder; Malak yawned, “you’re clearly really tired. Get some sleep.”
Malak didn’t need to argue, or even say that she agreed. The fact that she didn’t move after Zeruda put her on the bed meant she was down and out. She didn’t even cover herself up, and she was still fully dressed.
Zeruda looked down at her and smiled. She moved some of Malak’s bushy hair aside and placed two fingers on her neck, feeling Malak’s chi flow.
“You’re a prodigy, no doubt,” she muttered to herself, “and it’s a pity your brother is against you now.”
She strode away, still retaining the graceful stride she had had during her reign as Fire Lady, before Xin Shing and his invasion had cut it short. The Secret Service Western Base (their current location) was a huge basement of a beach house in a secluded part of the island they were on, and this of course, was where they were. Malak and Maric were separated by a few miles.
“Sometimes, Malak” Zeruda muttered to herself, smirking, “There are going to be times where he’ll go Somewhere You Can’t Follow.”
~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 31, 2008 15:07:57 GMT -5
chapter 25... this is where things start to take off... the lead-up to the first large-scale battle.
CHAPTER 25: SHE WON'T BE ALONE
“So,” said Taki, “now that we’re here, what exactly are our plans?”
“We head a few miles east to the City of the Red Maiden,” Zakura replied, “it’s the Avatar Guard’s equivalent to the Fire Nation capital.” The only thing Zakura did to “disguise herself” was she actually did her jacket (ironically, like it should be) up to cover her stomach, mainly the jagged tattoo that she had there. She also removed her hat and set it on her upper back, as that was what a person did with a hat of that type. Both of these differences (mostly the first one) were rare for her.
“What about that girl,” Taki asked,
“Zeruda’s taken care of her,” Zakura replied, “I’d trust Zeruda with anything. In fact, these are her armies we’re going to go see.”
“Zeruda has an army,” Taki exclaimed; it was her asking most of the questions because out of this group, she was the only newcomer to The Avatar Guard. Koara was a long-time veteran who was a member during Avatar Lahka’s life, and Aiku was one of Zakura’s personal teachers, so they knew most of it anyways.
“Of course, Aiku replied, saving Zakura the trouble of coming up with some dumb witty remark, “well, it’s not technically Zeruda’s armies, but rather, The Avatar Guard and/or The Secret Service.
The four of them slipped through the city, not trying to remain hidden, but not making a glorious entrance either. They went into the eastern outskirts of the city (since west of the city was the port where they had landed) where Zakura ran into an old friend.
“What brings you here, Zak,” he asked, for even many of the loyal members of The Avatar Guard did not know that Zakura was the avatar, but rather though that she was one of the avatar’s personal bodyguards. Other than the personal members of her group, (Cheng got in because of Kimiko’s connection, Taki got in because of Royota, and Lehran (and Altina) got in because of Koara) pretty much the only other people who knew that Zakura was the avatar were those she killed.
“Just a few things I wanted to check on, lieutenant” Zakura replied, “mainly the condition of the Western armies, particularly the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions. You follow?”
“And the 21st division,” Aiku added, inquiring about a power Avatar Guard division which was comprised entirely of Kyoshi Warriors. It was one of the smallest divisions, but one of the best.
“Ah,” the lieutenant replied, “Admiral Koroda is the man you want, Zak; he’s in the War Room at the moment; they were having a meeting of sorts. I’m sure though that someone like you could get in with no trouble though. They were talking about managing divisions this week.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, “thank you.” she turned to the others, namely Taki and Koara, “you two follow Aiku. I’ll return here by nightfall.”
“So what about Division 21” Aiku asked,
“They’re on Roku’s Island,” he said, referring to the island where long, long ago, a Fire Nation Avatar named Roku had lived and died. It had since been rebuilt and was a small peaceful community that also trained Kyoshi Warriors and a rare group of people known as Zuroc Sensei. Avatar Zuroc was a firebender avatar who had grown up in the Fire Nation. She was the distant descendant of a legendary high-ranking Fire Nation woman by the name of Mai, who was famous for her ninja skills.
“You know how to get to Roku’s Island from here, right?” the lieutenant asked, “I’d take you there, but I actually need to report for duty. I’m gonna end up being on time instead of early. I’ll see you around.”
And with that, he was off. Aiku’s nod had told the young man that he did in fact know how to get there, and so not much later, they were on a small boat towards the Island. Koara actually happened to know the man who ran the ferry. He was an aged man who looked like he could die at any given moment, but he had been good friends with Koara’s husband. He was a fire nation man, and ferrying people to and from Roku’s Island was his career in his final years.
“Your husband was a good man, Koara,” he told her as he continued onward towards Roku’s Island. Some people actually called it Zuroc’s Island, because Avatar Zuroc had also settled down there, but that was about 700 years ago.
“I know he was,” Koara chuckled, “you and him were the best of friends. That was back in the day before this whole Order mess came up.”
“Aye,” he replied, “I bet Cameni would like to know that you’re doing well though, eh, Koara?”
“Aye,” Koara replied, “I’m with my good friends here, Aiku, and a new friend named Taki.” She introduced the two of them respectively.
“Well,” said the old man, “we’re almost there, so hold tight.”
* * * * * * * *
Finding the War Room was no easy feat unless one knew where it was, but fortunately for Zakura, she knew exactly where it was. Upon her entrance, she was recognized (as “Zak” of course) there were people wandering about, Kyoshi Warriors, and even a few of the dark red-clad Zuroc Sensei. Their main objective was not to be seen when on a mission, and so seeing one outside was a rarity.
Zakura made it to the huge doors that led to the actual War Room and right as she set her hand on the door two Zuroc Sensei appeared out of nowhere and had already shot chains from wherever that had locked Zakura’s arm down. They had adapted the idea from the Dai Li long ago.
“Whoa,” said Zakura, “what’s the big idea?”
“You are not allowed to enter The War Room at this time,” one of them replied. His voice was low, and Zakura figured that unlike the Kyoshi Warriors, Zuroc Sensei could be of either gender (though the only ones she had seen [on the rare occasion anyone HAS seen them] were female)
“Admiral Koroda and the leaders are having a war discussion about the armies of The Avatar Guard.”
“Well tell them,” said Zakura, closing her eyes, “that the avatar is here to discuss them with him.” She opened her eyes, and entered the avatar state just for bragging rights, and to show these two Zuroc Sensei that she was going in regardless. Using her power, she broke the chains around her arm and calmly opened the doors, watching the two Zuroc Sensei disappear back into the shadows. She knew that those two would not tell anyone, as part of the Zuroc code of honor, they revealed nothing to anyone, friend or foe.
“Ah, Princess Zakura Ishiko,” said the man in charge of the operation, who was obviously Koroda, “what brings you to our war council?” He was using Zakura’s last name, and the social status by which she should be rightfully known as.
“The war itself,” Zakura replied, “what were your current plans?”
“Well,” Koroda replied, smiling, “we had actually begun our discussion with tactics in the Water Tribes. Is that your concern?”
“Well,” said Zakura, “In a way everything is, but I caught your dual-meaning. My main concern is actually The City of the Red Maiden pitting itself against the Fire Nation Capital. I came to inquire about the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions.”
“They are idle at the moment, Lady Ishiko,” said one of the commanders, apparently in charge of one or more of said units;
“Excellent,” Zakura replied, “we’ll use them and some of our Fire Nation naval force. Granted, they will likely utilize the gates of Azulon, so what would be our strategy there, general?”
Koroda laughed, “Two words:” he said, “Water Tribes. But do you really think that that group alone will be enough to challenge the capital?”
“Not at all,” Zakura replied, “I’ve got Aiku and some friends of mine out to recruit Division 21.”
“Ah,” Koroda replied, “so basically we’re going to massacre the capital then? Or is there a catch?”
“There is a catch sir,” said one of the other generals “has anyone else heard about the girl Katara Altina II?”
“The name seems to ring a bell,” said Koroda, “but I can’t connect a face to the name just yet...”
“The lady of the braced hands,” the general replied, “we are not sure of her current position anymore, but it doesn’t appear that she’s joined us”
“Hmm,” Zakura muttered, “if there’s no reports of her on our side, do you really think that The Order has let her go unnoticed? Gentlemen, we might be in for a real challenge. If the tales I hear about that young girl are true, then she could be a one-woman army. We need our best warriors for this, particularly any immune to fire.”
“I can see why you wanted the divisions you did then,” said Koroda, “I will be sure to inform them of this. Is there confirmation of this?”
“I’m the avatar,” said Zakura, chuckling, “you’ll believe me or I’ll hit you.”
This caused the others to laugh as well.
“Still,” said Koroda, “I have uneasy feelings about that young woman. I knew that I had heard of her. She is indeed very dangerous.”
“That was part of the reason I came here,” Zakura replied, “I’ve seen her before... part of a vision—illusion—something like that. But aye, the only thing we can really do is warn the armies of her. I personally think that she could be the most dangerous single enemy we’ve faced.”
“Agreed,” Koroda replied, “and remember, She Won’t Be Alone.”
~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 31, 2008 15:08:20 GMT -5
I love the title, because it implies a dual-meaning, the 2nd meaning being a reference to Super Smash Bros, the best game series ever.
There is some fast-paced Meili ownage in this chapter, and some of the graphic violence leaked through into this version, but most of it was cut for various reasons. naturally, I'm willing to PM the uncut version to anyone who wants it.
CHAPTER 26: THE SMASH MASTER
“So Royota” said Ryuka, “where exactly do we plan on looking for Zuki,”
Zuki was the name of the woman they were looking for, and was also Cho Ling’s wife and Meili’s mother. However, Ryuka was in for a slight surprise, as it was Meili who answered him, not Royota.
“There’s a place here in the middle ring notorious for crime” Meili replied, “stealing, slave trade, illegal bending tournaments, murder, you name it.”
“That sounds like the sort of thing you’d find in the lower ring,” Shinon commented, “you mean to say people get away with it up here?”
“Aye,” Meili replied, “I thought you of all people would know about the way The Order runs things.”
“If anything, girl,” said Ryuka, “they wouldn’t; being the most opposed to such a group. What exactly do you, a young child, know about The Order of the Avatar Slayer?”
“I know all sorts of things,” Meili replied bluntly, “for now, I know that you, my non-bending friend, need to stop thinking that just because I’m blind and partially deaf doesn’t mean that I’m stupid. Once I meet a person, I never forget them. Each person’s movements, both internal and external, are unique.
The sooner people realize that just because I’m blind doesn’t mean I’m stupid, and acknowledge that I “see” far more than they ever will, the happier they’ll become. Right now in fact, we are crossing over top of part of the underground city where said actions take place. It’s kind of hard for me to ‘see’ exactly what’s going on because of how fast we’re moving, but take my word for it, or don’t.”
Upon their arrival, they stepped out, Meili in the lead.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” said Meili, “we are now officially on top of one of the entrances to The Underground.” She bent down and put one of her hands on the ground as well.
“Aye, nothing has changed,” she said, “the slave trade seems to be the prize still. We’re going down there.”
“We did make a promise,” said Royota, and using earthbending, he lowered the ground they were standing on and covered their tracks with additional earthbending.
The Underground, as it was called, was a vast expanse of city underground, which seemed to be a haven for crime. Though the entrance they used was on the border of the middle ring, it seemed that most of it was underneath the lower ring, as would be expected.
It was unlikely that anyone actually lived down here, but there was always something going on: someone getting hurt or killed, something (or someone) being sold illegally, and all sorts of things along those lines. It was surprisingly a rather secretive place though, and as a result one could get away with a lot down here. Meili had actually separated herself from the group, and had returned later with a sack of gold.
“Where did you get that?” Sanaki asked; for other than Alzar, who was accustomed to money, only Sanaki could sense that she had obtained it, for she had hidden it.
“Stole it,” Meili replied straightforwardly and bluntly, “duh”
“You seem to be awfully familiar with this place, child,” said Ryuka darkly, “do you come here regularly,”
“Aye,” Meili replied, “and this time I’m gonna come fight for my mom’s release. That’s half the reason I led you all here.”
“And she was a smart young lady for doing so, Ryuka,” said a gentle voice from behind them. A hand appeared on Ryuka’s shoulder, and he, Royota, and Shinon (all those who could see) turned. It was another cloaked woman, whose cloak was reminiscent of Zeruda’s only green. This was the giveaway as to who this was.
“Queen Iresu,” Royota exclaimed, bowing slightly to follow tradition, though technically she was no longer queen of the Earth Kingdom, “why are you of all people down here?”
“Why not,” Iresu replied, “I’m one of the people who helps keep some of this place in check, and, it’s almost as secretive as the Secret Service Base in this part of the world.”
The Avatar Guard Secret Service had 5 “bases”, one in the north, one in the south, one in the east, west and one in the middle since the others were so far apart.
The northern and southern bases were located in the respective water tribes, the central base was hidden in the earth kingdom, the western one was in the fire nation, and the eastern one was in the eastern air temple, which made one in each nation. The Order had bases like this as well, but just like they did not know where the Secret Service had theirs, the Avatar Guard did not know where The Order’s bases were.
“So what is your current objective,” Royota asked, telling them theirs,
“It’s virtually the same as yours,” Iresu replied, “I fight there and win people out of that hole. It’s a very simple concept, and it’s easy to win your money (or money’s worth) back because so many people come in and die. Are any of you going to play?”
“Hmm,” Shinon chuckled, “I think ‘play’ is a bit strong of a word, eh?” Alzar chuckled, “we all know you don’t want to, Shin” she said, “Personally though, I think this little blind kid and I could take a few out together, eh, Sanaki?”
Sanaki hugged Alzar. They were both in fact related, though how exactly was unsure. Nonetheless, the fact that they were both descendants of the legendary Fire Lady of old remained. Incidentally, though Alzar was an irritable woman who would have probably thrown anyone else off that she didn’t know too well, this time, she put her arms around Sanaki and smiled.
“Any other takers,” Iresu asked, “or do we sign up now?”
Royota chuckled, “lead the way, Iresu,” he said, and 10 minutes later, he, Shinon, and Ryuka were in the stands, watching the conclusion of the 172nd battle of the day take place, which involved a Zuroc Sensei driving a knife through a female waterbender’s throat.
Meili had paid with some of the money he stole, and Iresu had paid Alzar and Sanaki’s ways as well as her own. There were 2-on-2 fights here as well, hence the reason Alzar and Sanaki signed up. There was no official starting or ending to this game—as long as there were fighters and spectators (of which there almost always was) it would go on.
Shinon, Royota, and Ryuka watched and waited for one of their friends to appear, and it was not long before they did.
“And now,” said the announcer, “for round 176, ’The Dark Avenger’ will be facing ‘The Smash Master’ in a battle of stealth and earth”
“The Dark Avenger” was the Zuroc Sensei who had killed the waterbender in round 172, and “The Smash Master” was Meili, for she was the one to (literally) smash out of the stone wall and fly onto the field. Killing your opponent was not necessary, but the crowds sort of encouraged it, and it reduced your opposition.
The fight began at once, and Meili’s first tactic was to bring a wall of earth that completely enclosed her. The only people this technique did not work on were earthbenders, who would use it to try and crush her. However, she actually had ways to prevent them from doing so; but since her enemy this time did not appear to be an earthbender, and so Meili remained in her box. In here, she sensed who her opponent was and how they moved. Aggressive fighters would try to break her wall, and defensive ones would be watching for movement.
This fellow seemed to be making erratic movements that lowered Meili’s predictability. Considering though that he was a Zuroc Sensei, predictability was not something to expect. After about a total of a minute inside her earthen box, she smashed it apart, sending pieces towards her opponent. He dodged them with little effort, and the two of them continued fighting, Meili’s detection skills holding out, but not as good as they could be. Meili’s skills held out, but there was one time where before Meili could detect what happened next, there suddenly were three staggering gashes across her chest.
Meili fell to her knees. This was where her game began. She fell on her face and actually dug her right hand into one of the gashes on her chest to make it bleed more. She thought her enemy would end there, but to her dismay, she suddenly felt 2 sharp objects hit her in the back. The Dark Avenger flew over her swiping them up and Meili knew he was closing in for the kill. However, she had one last tactic.
She raised her hands as if she was surrendering. She actually by now figured that he would have some unorthodox method of killing her, and was right. Right as she did, a knife came flying at her throat. However, because of the metal—a purified, refined form of earth—in the knife, Meili detected it and using a quickly-made rock fist actually smashed her fist into it, deflecting it. The trajectory of the knife and the miscalculate movement of the Zuroc Sensei actually caused it to nearly sever his head off. His head was only hanging by a small amount of flesh, and he was clearly dead.
“And the winner of our 176th match is The Smash Master!”
Meili limped off of the battlefield. She took a spot in the stands where her bare feet could clearly ‘feel’ what was going on, despite her soles being covered in blood from stepping in it. Though she was away from Shinon, Royota, and Ryuka, she was still planning on joining them after this was all over. For now though, she was just glad that she was still alive and still able to retain her title of The Smash Master.
~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 31, 2008 15:12:29 GMT -5
the title that Alzar and Sanaki take in their fight, and the title of the 27th installment of my series. luckily for Meili, she is able to get Zuki safely home, and then it goes back to the awesome fight.
extended, explicit version coming soon. CHAPTER 27: THE BLIND DRAGONS
Meili was able to feel (her way of watching) the next 3 matches. At the beginning of the 4th match from hers (thus making it the 180th match) she was actually beckoned by the man running the game to come and claim her prize from an array of many. Among these “prizes” were actual people, and among these people was Zuki, Meili’s mother. Naturally, Meili did not think twice before choosing her mother, where she stepped forward and Meili took her hand. Zuki, who was a very forgetful and often times clueless woman, thankfully did not recognize Meili, for her condition would have made her mother sick with worrying.
“Zuki,” said Meili once they were out of the public, “do you know where to find Cho Ling from here?”
Zuki stopped and looked slightly clueless,
“No,” she responded, “Zuki doesn’t know how”
Meili earthbended the two of them back up to the surface, which was in a deserted alleyway. Meili knew what places it was generally safe to surface at without getting caught by law enforcement and that was how she was able to manage.
“Does Zuki know how to get home from here?”
Zuki looked around.
“Aye,” Zuki replied, “Zuki knows how to get to Zuki’s house from here. Thank you so much for freeing me.”
“No problem,” Meili replied, shrugging and hoping Zuki wouldn’t recognize her yet, “now run along, Zuki, and don’t talk to strangers.”
Zuki might have been Meili’s mother, (and was 38 years old) but she was as innocent as little Altina Serenes. Granted, she knew how life was and how it worked and such, but she was gullible—she would believe anything a person told her. Nonetheless, Zuki was actually able to run home safely. She was still wearing the same beautiful, long-sleeved blue-green dress she always wore, the little green shoes on her feet making no noise against the streets, and her ankle-length dress billowing as she glided surprisingly gracefully away.
Zuki was, in reality, not only a very strong and powerful woman, but also was a powerful earthbender, and was very flexible, and incredibly beautiful. The feature about her that made her stand out was a huge red scar on the left side of her face, and yet for the most part, everyone considered her beautiful, as the scar had ended up turning various shades of brilliant red. It was because of her innocence, gullibility, beauty, and raw skill that she was often targeted, and that was why her family, namely her husband and eldest daughter (Meili).
Once Meili felt that Zuki was close enough to home (and out of her feeling range) she disappeared below the ground again. She was just in time to see (or rather, feel) the 182nd match commence. This one was a two-on-two match.
“For our 182nd match,” the announcer boomed, we have a metalbender-waterbender team called ‘The Cold Steel’ on one side, and a team of firebenders known as “The Blind Dragons” on the other.”
“The Cold Steel” was a burly waterbender and a thinner earthbender who was clad in metal armor. Alzar and Sanaki, who were “The Blind Dragons”, learned that the earthbender was also a metalbender, as he would bend the armor into all sorts of intricate weapons. The waterbender was swift and he seemed fonder of ice rather than water.
Once the fight began, things became hectic and fast-paced immediately. Huge bolts of ice came shooting towards the firebenders, and they immediately retaliated with blasts of fire. Alzar and Sanaki both noticed that their opponents seemed to be their own individual people, rather than fighting and using their teammate’s moves to their advantage, like Alzar and Sanaki did.
In the meantime, the metalbender seemed to be effectively endangering the two of them, using his huge metal weaponry to keep the two of them apart. They could not decide if they wanted to target the metalbender first or the waterbender, as the waterbender was shooting saves of ice at the ground and making the overall temperature of the area around them lower, which made it harder for both Alzar and Sanaki to “see”, as both women were blind (one by “her own stupid mistake”, the other born that way). Nonetheless, their opponents kept themselves warm, and so Alzar and Sanaki were able to pinpoint them.
It seemed that initially they were trying to eliminate Sanaki first, but Alzar would notice, get in their way, take a hit or two for Sanaki, and they’d divert to her, giving Sanaki an opening for an attack on them. Occasionally Alzar and Sanaki would switch roles, Sanaki taking the hit for Alzar, and Alzar attacking the others, so all in all, all four players were cut and bruised within a few minutes. By now there was ice all over the floor, but since both women were also barefoot, that was easy enough to detect without their heat-senses on full function.
The four of them continued fighting, the members of “The Cold Steel” mostly on the offensive, and Alzar and Sanaki mostly on the defensive. However, they also had speed on their side, so they were able to link together some rather powerful fire and lightning-based moves. Alzar would stall for a moment while Sanaki got her energy together and made a fireball; she’d kick it towards Alzar, who would proceed to jump kick it, while adding flames to it from her foot. This was especially overwhelming to the metalbender, as the heat from his armor was starting to get at him. The waterbender, noticing this, started taking the offensive with icy blows towards Alzar and Sanaki’s hands and feet that left it difficult for them to attack. However, their hands were still for the most part usable, and they still had one more trick.
“There’s a reason they call us “The Blind Dragons” they both said simultaneously, and suddenly, two huge streams of fire spewed from the mouths of Alzar and Sanaki, both aimed at the icy attacks. The heat was intense enough that the temperature became high enough as to no longer permit ice. However, these two, like The Blind Dragons, were not finished.
The metalbender created a sword, and the waterbender was using one hand to attack the firebenders, and his other hand was shooting projectiles at his partner’s sword while he swung it, thus launching them at the girls as well.
Surprisingly, though simple this concept sounded, it was battering Alzar and Sanaki, and they were starting to lose their focus because of damage to their hands and feet. However, the more they got hit, the more their fury was building—they were not about to lose, and they figured that since these two were not going to show mercy, that they would show nine.
Alzar suddenly pointed two of her fingers towards the waterbender, and shot a huge blast of lightning at him. The metalbender, knowing that his armor would reflect lightning, dove in the way, and it glanced off of his large chest-plate and went towards Sanaki.
Apparently they did not think Sanaki was a prodigy, for they did not expect her to be able to redirect the lightning back at the waterbender and destroy him—something that she actually did. The crowds actually gasped in surprise.
“And the little girl pulls off an AMAZING stunt that I didn’t think she had in her. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, that little 17-year-old girl just redirected tat enormous lightning blast.”
The metalbender, realizing that his teammate was down and out, was now fighting desperately, losing all previous sense of planning his moves out. Alzar and Sanaki started circling him, cornering him, and the fact that they both had mischievous smirks on their bloody, half-concealed faces (being concealed by the distinct long bangs that ran into their face that all descendants of the legendary Fire Lady were famous for) could only mean one thing—he was doomed.
And indeed he was. Within seconds a barrage of fireballs from both women had bombarded the man, bringing him to his knees in defeat, and death.
The crowds, who always enjoyed a killing, were going wild. Alzar and Sanaki both couldn’t focus too well because of the damage on their hands and feet, but they were in a better condition than Meili. Sanaki pointed her out to Alzar, and took her hand, guiding her to where they could sit by their new earthbending friend, who looked much worse than they did. When she detected their presence, she turned to them and smirked. She was clearly just as pleased as they were.
“Nicely played,” she remarked, “that was an interesting team.”
“Your performance wasn’t too shabby either, Meili,” Sanaki replied, “and I’m glad to hear that your mother is Okie now.”
“Aye,” said Meili, “but hey, at least you two aren’t just a big bleeding mass like I am right now.”
“Are you okie,” Sanaki asked, “It feels like you should be dying,”
“Eh,” Meili shrugged, “I’m a Meisha; I come from a real tough family.”
“Ah,” said Alzar, “our family is a bit different, having different strengths and weaknesses as you know of course.”
“Indeed,” Meili replied, “and there’s nothing wrong with it. You two seem to make blind people look better than the rest of normal people.
“You don’t give us a bad name either, girl,” said Alzar,
“Oh, oh,” said Sanaki, “Iresu is about to fight,”
They all turned, Sanaki and Alzar’s hands open to feel the heat of the upcoming match, and Meili’s feet firmly on the ground, ready to feel each and every action. They were all excited right now, and both Alzar and Sanaki were even happier, having been able to band together and score a glorious win as The Blind Dragons.
~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 31, 2008 15:12:52 GMT -5
haha, chapter 28... stupid computer.
but yeah, back to Zinjamyn and Kimiko's gang. also you meet the slightly crazy drunken Water Chief, and hear of another mysterious face. fun times, fun times...
CHAPTER 28: NOW WE JUST WAIT The water tribe man led Zinjamyn, Cheng, Lehran, (and Altina) Mulan, and Kimiko through the city until they stopped at what seemed to be an old Earth Rumble Stadium. Gaoling was the city where Earth Rumble originated, and it had obviously grown and expanded, with the Fire Nation and Water Tribes adopting a similar type of game as well.
In the city of Gaoling though, there were countless stadiums, and so to find one that was no longer in use was no surprise. Upon their arrival, they learned that there were several other water tribe warriors here, male and female. At the center of this group was a water tribe woman dressed like a Tribe Chief with a bottle of something in her hand.
“Tenoko,” Zinjamyn exclaimed, “what brings you to the Earth Kingdom?”
The woman turned to face Zinjamyn. This was Chief Tenoko, the wife of the original Water Chief who reigned before Xin Shing’s group had taken over. She was a feisty and witty woman who sort of seemed to be in her own little world at times. Nonetheless, she was someone to take seriously, for she always had something interesting to say.
“Well actually,” she said, “I was just addressing the commanders of the 3 divisions left in Gaoling telling them what to do. The Order armies heading for the Fire Nation will hopefully be diverted by the Southern Water Tribe’s seeming lack of organization. Once we get to the main city though they’ll get whacked easily enough. The rest of my business in Gaoling was my own. What about you?”
“We were here for that same reason,” Zinjamyn replied, “and we also came to enquire about the Serenes Waterbenders.”
“The village of Serenes got whacked, did it?” Tenoko asked; she had a certain sense of slang that sometimes made her hard to understand, but Zinjamyn was one of the people who knew it well enough that he never had a problem trying to decode her language.
“No,” Lehran replied shyly, “they were captured in the Northern Water Tribe. Do you know anything about what happened to them?”
“And who is this,” said Tenoko, turning to Lehran, who started to shy away with Tenoko staring right at him and Altina on his back. However, Tenoko seemed to know exactly who he was.
“You’re a Serenes,” she said, “they never look directly into people’s eyes.”
Lehran said nothing, but looked down at the ground.
“m-my name’s Lehran,” Lehran replied nervously, trying not to turn and run, “this is my younger sister Altina.”
“Aye, you’re a Serenes alright,” Tenoko replied, “so other than them not getting whacked what else do you know about ‘em?”
“They were taken by The Order’s most recent invasion of the Northern Water Tribe,” Lehran stuttered, “and I heard they were being taken south as well. I am not sure where exactly, but I assume somewhere far.”
“Well boy,” said Tenoko, “if I didn’t know The Order, I’d be baffled, and since you can go just about anywhere in the Northern Water Tribe and you’ll be going south, that would just heighten the issue a whole load. However, knowing The Order, they’d probably want us to think they’re in some sort of desert prison.”
“So you suppose that they are in the Si Wong Desert,” said Cheng, “Not in the slightest,” Tenoko replied, “that’s what they want us to think. They know that the Serenes Village is full of gifted waterbenders, and so I assume that instead of killing them that they will try to convince them to join their side. I think though, that instead of putting them in a dry place, perhaps they chose one such as the Southern Water Tribe.”
“The Southern Water Tribe,” Lehran exclaimed, “why there,”
“Because it’s water,” Tenoko replied, taking a huge drink, “they want us to think “why would they take a group of waterbenders to a water tribe?” and it’s actually pretty smart. Nonetheless, if we sidestep all of that jazz we can logically deduct that they have taken them to The Southern Water Tribe, which means we can kill two buzzard-wasps with one rock this time around. We’ll get your family back out alive, kid, and we’ll whack those Order boozers out of The Southern Water Tribe.”
Zinjamyn and Mulan both chuckled. Mulan may have not been an official member of The Avatar Guard until just recently, but she knew Tenoko, Iresu, and Zeruda, for she had met the three of them before.
“Tenoko,” said Zinjamyn, “one thing certainly hasn’t changed about you: you’re still the same old crazy drunken Water Tribe Chief that we all knew and loved.”
“What do you mean ‘knew and loved’, eh Zinjamyn?” Tenoko exclaimed, “you mean to say that you people don’t love little Tenoko no more?”
Even Cheng started chuckling by now, and Altina was giggling.
“My mistake,” Zinjamyn laughed, “you’re still the same old crazy drunken Water Tribe Chief that we all know and love.”
“That’s better,” said Tenoko, “it makes me feel loved.”
“I’d reckon that someone as popular as the former Water Chief will always be loved, Tenoko,” said Cheng, though it almost seemed out of place for him to say it. However, though he set himself up to be made fun of a lot, Tenoko actually smiled at Cheng.
“Boy,” she said, “I’ve never heard truer words.”
Everyone laughed except Kimiko, who was too shy.
“You were a fine Water Chief, Tenoko,” said Lehran kindly, “and you will be remembered as such, like you are among the Serenes Family.”
“Ah,” she said, “so your family respected me too; I always thought they were their own little colony.”
“Not at all,” said Lehran, though he still seemed nervous; “we respected you and your husband as the Chiefs of the Water Tribe like any other loyal Water Tribe person would.”
“My apologies then,” said Tenoko, “for it was a misunderstanding.”
“it is nothing big,” Lehran replied, “I was just reassuring you that the Serenes Village was and is just as loyal to the Tribe Chief—or, now, The Avatar Guard, as the rest of your supporters.”
“Aye, you’re a true Serenes, alright,” said Tenoko, “they have a certain style of speech—a certain selfless attitude. They were always a group I admired, and yet I didn’t feel like I should question whether or not they supported me, since they were such a peaceful settlement.”
“Well,” said Cheng, “now that that has been clarified, what are your plans, Chief Tenoko?”
One might think that interrupting a Tribe Chief would bother them, but Tenoko seemed not to notice.
“Ah, right,” she said, “plans, plans, what to do; ah, now I remember: this 39th division is going to the Southern Water Tribe, and you all are gonna hitch a ride with them if you want to. The 34th and 40th divisions will remain here with the 36th, 37th, and 33rd divisions from the Earth Kingdom. Their purpose is basically to give The Order Divisions that we’re a bit disoriented as to our placements. They know we’re trying to bait them with the strike to the Southern Water Tribe, which is why we stationed Southern Water Tribe Warriors in places where The Order is powerful and its numbers high.”
“Have they overrun Gaoling,” Zinjamyn asked,
“Not even close,” said Tenoko, “but with a city this size there’s a lot of them here. There’s also a lot in the Fire Nation Capital, so we even went to the extent to position some Southern Water Tribe Warriors there. Many of the fighters in this war are not gonna be Water Tribe Warriors, but I think rather Earth Kingdom Military and Fire Nation Soldiers. Zeruda loaned me several of her troops.”
“Wait,” said Cheng, “if you all control different parts of The Avatar Guard’s Army, how are you united?”
“Simple,” said Tenoko, “dividing the troops up by nation was the easiest option. They’re easier to keep track of that way.”
“So,” said Zinjamyn, “what do you know about Division 35?” Tenoko’s eyebrows went up, and she suddenly gave off a huge smirk.
“Now you’re speaking my language,” she said, hitting Zinjamyn on the shoulder, “you want to take the Kyoshi Warriors of Division 35 as well”
Like Division 21, Division 35 was one of few that were comprised entirely of Kyoshi Warriors, and was therefore very valuable. Out of the many divisions of the military that either group had, there were about a total of 10-15 divisions comprised entirely of Kyoshi Warriors, and supposedly also 1 or 2 of Zuroc Sensei.
“So I take it you’ve planned ahead,” said Zinjamyn, smirking,
“Aye,” Tenoko replied, “they’re hidden in the shadows of the Water Tribe city of Toku. You can’t hit the central part of the Water Tribe without passing by Toku. We’ll strike them on the way. The entire populace of Division 35 is willing to sacrifice their lives if necessary.”
“So are we going to follow them from here,” Zinjamyn asked,
“Of course we are.” Tenoko replied, “And so we shall.”
The next thing they knew, they were on a ship with the 39th Division en route to the Southern Water Tribe. Unlike Taki’s boat trip, Cheng’s boat trip was peaceful and for the most part uneventful, which, ironically, was a good thing. They were able to leave Gaoling without a hitch.
Their only worry was a 16-year-old earthbending master named Vigo, who had stopped to talk to them. He was nice, but seemed naïve and Zinjamyn dubbed him as a boy who might join The Order. He said he was against The Order, but seemed like he could be easily swayed. Nonetheless there was no way of proving or disproving his loyalty. Despite what it would seem like, it was not very long before they hit shore and were welcomed with gratitude to the Southern Water Tribe.
“Here we go,” said Tenoko, “they’ll likely be here in a day or two, so until then we prepare. We’ve done all we can, Now We Just Wait.”
~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 31, 2008 15:13:34 GMT -5
Chapter 29... hey, I tried... xP anyways, more about Meili, and she tells a little story...
CHAPTER 29: AWAITING THEIR NEXT OBJECTIVE Incidentally, Iresu’s battle was quick, for the woman she was pitted against was no match for the mighty former Earth Queen. Incidentally, Iresu seemed more of a pacifist, for she was much less violent, and the woman she fought surrendered, so Iresu spared her life. Had Iresu been a member of The Order, there would be a much higher chance that that woman’s life would not have been spared.
By the time that round (round 189) was over, Meili seemed about to lose consciousness. It was easy to deduct that she was severely injured, and so with haste, Royota, Shinon, Iresu and Ryuka took her and headed back to the base, Alzar and Sanaki following, their normal incredible speed hindered by the injuries.
For Shinon, healing most of Meili’s major wounds were a relatively simple task, but some of them just needed Meili to rest, and others were in places on Meili that no one touched.
“You need rest, Meili,” Royota counseled, but Meili was a stubborn young woman, and she didn’t want rest, despite how much she needed it.
“See,” she snapped, standing up, also slightly nervous for being in The Avatar Guard’s actual headquarters, “I’m fine.”
However, her falling down moments after saying that led Royota to catch her lie.
“Just lie down,” he said gently, “if you need anything just ask me.”
“I don’t want to,” Meili grumbled, “why am I like this?”
“You were badly injured,” said Alzar, “you passed out right as we got you in here. We’re still trying to recover ourselves as well.”
Meili sighed. “Fine” she said, “I’ll wait it out, but right now I want to talk about something—anything.”
“Why not the story of how your parents met,” said Shinon, “that mother of yours looked... well, she looks innocent. How did she find a man that actually loved her rather than wanted to use her?”
“It’s an amusing story,” Meili replied bluntly, “the way it was told to me—a pointy-eared girl named Tera told me it, since my mom is still clueless about it; heh, heh...”
“So what was it like,” Sanaki asked, “what was this story that you were told concerning how your parents met?”
“well, they literally sort of ran into each other,” Meili replied; “Zuki was just earthbending and doing whatever she does in her own little world; that’s one thing I always loved about my mother—she was always in her own little world except when family was concerned.
Anyways, the way they met was apparently Zuki wandered too close to where Cho Ling, my father, was, and he used earthbending towards her out of habitual self-defense. My mom blocked it, and was surprised at what she had done. My dad actually lunged towards her, still unable to tell friend from foe.
I’m pretty sure that the impact with the ground would have hurt most people, but not Zuki Meisha. When she hit the ground she just started laughing. Her laugh was not and is not an evil one; it’s just so sweet. Anyone who hears it will always smile—it has yet to be disproved.”
Meili was sitting up by now. This seemed to be an emotional story for her just because of how sweet and touching it was. Her eyes were starting to water already, but she was hiding it well.
“So they met,” Meili continued, “and my dad started to get through to my mom, who still seemed sort of clueless. She had had people talk to her before trying to gain her interest, but she always just seemed to shake them off—she was always in her own little world. Cho Ling on the other hand, somehow broke through into Zuki’s mind. He cared for her in a unique way that she had not seen up to this point in her life.
She could feel that this man was not after her for her beauty or her obedience—she felt something different: care; like this man was always going to be there for her no matter what; like any time she had a problem she could come to him; like whenever she was in danger, he... he would be there to... to protect her.”
This must have been an emotional story for Meili, for she rapidly changed when she told it. This story touched her in an unusual way; perhaps it was because she was their eldest child.
“So,” said Royota, “he was the perfect man for her then?”
“Aye,” Meili replied, “he never did anything she was uncomfortable with. His most important objective was to make sure she was happy. The fact that she was interested in him was something new for her. The feelings he gave her were new emotions for her. She loved it. Most importantly though, he said the two fateful words that Zuki had been told many times in the form of persuasion: “I love you”.
And yet, Zuki seemed to know this man’s sincerity. She could tell that he was being completely serious, and her response was something new; she said “I love you too” and she meant it. There was no giggling laugh in her voice that she usually had when she said it (‘coz technically, Zuki loves everyone), there was serious affection.
Naturally, it was not long before they were married, and that’s where my development came in. there is a reason I’m blind and partially deaf. My mother and father were attacked by The Order. Zuki took some serious damage where I was, and apparently it damaged my system. I never understood why it was classified that way, as I’ve never really had trouble; well, I’ve had trouble hearing sometimes, but being blind never was a problem for the most part.”
“So that’s your story,” said Alzar, and Meili nodded; Alzar feeling it.
“Aye,” said Alzar, “then I can understand why you are not bitter about it like I am about my own,”
“Alzar,” said Sanaki inquisitively, “why are you bitter about that?”
“Aye” Meili added, “if you’re a blind bender there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Is there a back story for you as well?”
Shinon and Royota looked over at Alzar, who had bowed her head (Ryuka was back to his usual business and Iresu was likely somewhere around the base, as she had followed them, having freed a person from The Underground as her prize), her eyes closed.
“Aye,” she said, “there is. Perhaps one day I shall tell it in greater detail. For now though, I will say that although as a descendant of Sanaki Li Chan being born blind would not be a rare occurrence, I was not born blind. It was a stupid movement that involved myself and my friends, and the end result was me gradually losing my eyesight until all I can see now is blackness. I can no longer see the faces of those whom I had loved; nor can I even see myself.”
“Sanaki,” asked Meili curiously, turning to her (though it made no difference, since both young ladies were blind as well) “your last name isn’t Li Chan by chance is it?”
“No,” Sanaki replied, “my last name is Foxx.”
“Ah,” said Meili, “so the Sanaki Li Chan that Alzar speaks of is not you”
“Nope,” Sanaki replied, “she was my ancestor as well though.”
“Alright then,” said Meili, “just wondering.”
Alzar meanwhile seemed very bitter. The fact that she had made herself blind still aggravated her very much. Meili had turned over, expecting to get some sleep, and Sanaki had gone into one of the arenas to train some to pass some time.
“Alzar,” said Royota, putting his hand on her shoulder and guiding her into another empty room, “it’s what we’re here for. What’s the matter?”
Shinon, who usually helped assure Alzar, decided to let the “wise old man” help her this time, as he figured he’d help train with Sanaki so she could get better against waterbenders, which was her weakness.
Alzar made sure the door was closed before she sat down on the bed that happened to be in the room as well. She sighed longingly.
“It’s so different though,” she said, her eyes closed; she looked like she might cry, and for Alzar, this was rare.
“how is it different,” said Royota, sitting next to her, his aged hand gently sifting through her soft black hair until it reached and started rubbing the back of her neck;
“I had the eyes of an eagle-fox,” Alzar replied, “I could literally see anything. One stupid mistake on my part ruined everything. I hate being blind, Royota, I honestly hate it.”
“Alzar,” said Royota, still gently rubbing Alzar’s neck, “it’s not like you go bumbling around into everything. Your heat-sense is just as keen as my eyes, and probably yours as well.”
“But heat-senses don’t show what people’s expressions are,” said Alzar, “it doesn’t show the bright colors of things; it doesn’t show me what my friends and I look like now that we’re all grown up. It makes me so mad, Royota; to know that it was my fault. I used to know about those things, and it was my own stupid choice that took them away.”
Alzar actually had tears running down her face by now.
“I’m sorry Alzar,” said Royota, “the only thing I can do at this point is give you comfort. Remember, even if you were rendered completely blind, you’re still the greatest firebender in the world. You also still have friends in many places that love and care for you.”
Alzar embraced him, though she was still sniffling.
It only took 2½ days for Meili to recover; and with her back in action, the whole place seemed happier. Alzar’s spirits wee rising too, but the fact that she was blind still seemed to bother her. At this point though, Royota, Shinon, Sanaki, Meili, Alzar, Iresu and Ryuka were simply Awaiting Their Next Objective.
~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 31, 2008 15:14:02 GMT -5
I've hit chapter 30 and there's still so much more to do... ending, I can see you, but don't know when you're destined to come...
oh wellz. until then, chapters, chapters, and more chapters.
CHAPTER 30: YOU'RE A PART OF IT “Sightings of the Avatar have been reported near the Northern Water Tribe Port, and the Western Air temple Port as well” said Zhin to Tu-Sung, Ju Long, and a few other important Order members, “and as such, they have also been reported in the Fire Nation. They have not been seen back in the Earth Kingdom, so we can assume that the Fire Nation was their final stop. There is a powerful Kyoshi warrior, an old waterbender and the avatar’s airbending teacher accompanying them.”
“So,” said one of the members, “I presume that you are telling us this because you want us to do something about it?”
“Aye and no,” Zhin replied, “Tu-Sung came up with the concept of this scheme: if the avatar is out of her base, that means that it is less defended, and our proposition to attack Ba Sing Se will go under way.”
“Attack Ba Sing Se,” Ju Long exclaimed, “that’s insane. We’d never pull it off; the city is much too huge for anything of that caliber.”
“We don’t need to overthrow the entire city, Ju Long” said Tu-Sung, “that would indeed be ridiculous. We just need to take over the parts that have less Avatar Guard members. If we limit the Avatar’s list of allies, we will eventually be able to corner him.”
“excuse me, Tu-Sung,” said one of the other members, (and because they were all important members of The Order of the Avatar Slayer, talking to a man of Tu-Sung’s rank was not out of this man’s league) “but the reports we received of the avatar’s sighting at the Northern Water Tribe and the Western Air Temple indicated that the avatar is female.”
“Ah,” said Zhin, who also did not know of the situation, “so now we are pitting ourselves against a woman after so many years of the avatar being male. This could simplify our situation.”
Zhin may have been a woman, but even she knew that men were naturally stronger than women—usually.
“Why does this simplify our situation,” the same man asked,
“Because,” she said, “although bending prowess is great, if nothing else, physical strength will win, and even I acknowledge that men are generally tougher than women.”
“Then you’re looking at a case that is outside of the usual scenario,” the man replied, “this woman is the stocky type; very tough. If she were taller she’d be like a mountain. Her arms are huge.”
“So the avatar is more muscular than predicted, eh,” said Tu-Sung, chuckling at the idea of a short and strong woman like Zakura being the next avatar, “it just means that the spirit of chaos wishes to grant us a challenge this time. We shall overcome it.”
“So what of the reports of Katara Altina II” said Ju Long, “for if what Fire Lord Orzon says is true, then we may have just gained a very valuable asset.
“She is powerful beyond belief,” Zhin replied, “She is called The Lady of the Braced Arms for a reason—she wears them because they help her have slightly better control. Without proper control her power would consume her. Her power is devastating.”
“Unfortunately,” said Tu-Sung, “also from those same reports from Fire Lord Orzon we received information regarding her stance. She seems to only care about finding her mother and brother. Do we know of who they are or where they are located?”
“If she is Katara Altina II,” said Ju Long, “we can naturally assume that her mother is Katara Altina I. as for her brother, I know not.”
“He is a young man around 18 or so by the name of Sokka” one of the other members replied. Sokka, Katara’s older brother, was incidentally named after the older brother of the legendary waterbender of old. He had been an icon for warriors, particularly those who could not bend. “Before I left the Navy, he was a new recruit on my ship. He is a firm supporter of The Avatar Guard,”
“Then perhaps we have grounds to capture him and hold him against his sister,” said Zhin, “or perhaps we need to strengthen her loyalty with us through means similar to the Dai Li of old.”
“Whatever we do,” said Tu-Sung, “we must inform Fire Lord Orzon and Fire Lady Ayumi to keep them far apart. If by chance the ship that Sokka Altina comes to the Fire Nation, Katara Altina must be moved.”
(Altina of course being Sokka’s last name as well as Katara’s; and actually a rather common name, first or last)
“So be it,” said Tu-Sung, “for now though we must make plans to take control of more of Ba Sing Se. the Dai Li that serve that area are mostly our men, and they will pretty much advise the inhabitants to evacuate, join The Order, or fight to the death.”
“They must give them a chance though,” said Zhin, “for some Earth Kingdom Citizens question even the rule of Zhang and Zao Lin. So far they haven’t seen much of a difference, but The Avatar Guard has powerful political figures as well. The warriors will be the ones to convince the citizens to join The Order; and the Dai Li will try to evacuate people or tell them to fight for their lives.”
“This is an ingenious operation,” said Tu-Sung, “anything unexplainable will obviously be covered up. With most of the avatar’s gang outside of their hideout, we could claim much of that area as our own.”
“So are there any issues that are of concern,” Ju Long asked,
“Aye,” said Zhin, “there’s a woman; a clueless ditz by the name of Zuki Meisha. She’s seen much of our treachery, but getting her to remember any of it—or anything in general—is a miracle.
The fact that she knows it somewhere in that simple happy go-lucky mind of hers though makes her a treat, as there is always a way to get through to someone, even the dumbest idiot. The last reports of her location were that she was seen captured and offered up as a slave at The Underground. The problem is, is that some “good” people go down there to free people of that type. Zuki Meisha’s beauty gets her a lot of attention, and that stupid woman isn’t even aware of it.”
“If she is captured,” said Tu-Sung, “then we have no reason to worry about her divulging information, correct?”
“Aye,” said Zhin, “with one exception: I know the Meisha family too well. Their eldest daughter goes down there a lot. If I had a way to prove this I could order her arrest, but unfortunately, I lack such details. Anyways, she goes down there a lot. There is a good chance that if she found her mother down there that she would go to whatever lengths it took to get her back.”
“But are there any reports that she succeeded?”
“At the moment, no, there are none”
“Then why are we worrying over something that has not occurred?”
“Because we are not sure if it has happened or not, and if it has indeed happened, then we could possibly get our whole scheme unraveled to The Avatar Guard before we pulled it off.”
“If we keep putting this attack off the avatar will have made other plans by then, Zhin; she’s just as intelligent as us it seems.”
“Did I ever say we were going to put it off, Tu-Sung? No I didn’t; I merely stated that Zuki Meisha is a possible threat to us. We are going to go through with this operation and hope for the best. With the careful and intricate planning we’ve done, we should do some decent damage to The Avatar Guard to say the least.”
“Ah,” said Tu-Sung, “my mistake then, Zhin”
“It is unnecessary to apologize to me for it, Tu-Sung,” said Zhin seductively, “it is good to consider the possibilities as to what might go wrong, for that way we will know of a possible alternative option should the scenario arrive.”
“So how much of Ba Sing Se do you intend to capture with this little stunt of yours, eh, Zhin,” one of the other members asked,
“Not a huge amount at first,” Zhin replied, “but we intend to pick off some of the remote areas, and gather more soldiers from Fengtai as well.”
“Fengtai,” Ju Long muttered, “my wife passed through that city before going off to join The Avatar Guard”
He paused for a moment. “Or rather,” he continued, “my ex-wife; she has my child; she once meant everything to me. She was once everything I lived for. To know that she betrayed me...”
“...is part of the reason we’re also here,” Said Zhin, “It was the avatar’s existence that caused this war.”
While this statement was true, Zhin was using it in an incorrect context used to the advantage of The Order of the Avatar Slayer. The avatar’s existence was what had caused The Order of the Avatar Slayer to form out of hatred for the avatar and fear of his or her corruption. The avatar to this day has not done such harm.
Nonetheless, the fact that The Order of the Avatar Slayer had formed because of the avatar’s existence, and then from there started a war against the world, which in turn formed their enemies (and the “good side”) the Avatar guard, it was in essence, the avatar’s existence that caused this great, long-lasting war.
“I see,” said Ju Long, “so these actions are necessary then,
“Aye” Tu-Sung replied, “and that is why we are carrying them out.”
“So the attack is going through then,” asked Ju Long curiously,
“Of course,” said Zhin sweetly yet seductively, “and You’re A Part of It.”
~Azula~
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