Disclaimer: I don't own any names referenced in the story from ATLA or LOK.
Hello! This is my first story here and I would love feedback and criticism to improve it. This story follows the canon of ATLA and LOK S1, it does not consider LOK s2 – s4.
Legend of the Last Avatar: Hundreds of years since anyone could bend the elements and 400 years since the last Avatar was found. The world has lost its connection to the spiritual, now bound to the material. Creating new forms of "bending" with the technology they possess, Nano, Gravity, Energy and Psionic. A new threat begins to grow throughout the world and the four Nations once again search for the Avatar... If they even still exist.
Book 31: Gravity
...
Among the crowd of classmates that sat and watched on the metal floor,
the only one that cheered for his endeavor at completing tradition was his beloved.
Sudhir, stood on the stage awaiting his Sifu to begin the examination.
Bleachers, crowd-filled in all ornament green and silver.
Their discussions had died down as the lights were dimmed and the stage filled with the lime atmosphere.
The silence was starting to get to him but her voice kept the creeping feeling away.
"You can do it Sudhir, wooo!" she screamed, causing nearby classmates to roll over and curve into a ball. Her dark hair began to completely mess with her vision. Shrugging it to the side, she rushed forward to the railings, almost falling over the edge. A boy, who looked similar, dragged her back to the seats.
"Can you stop that, Mei?" the boy whispered aggressively at her. "He has already a lot of pressure as it is, he doesn't need you embarrassing him right now." The boy sighed and looked on to the exams below him, a face of mild annoyance replaced with immediate concern and worry. Mei simply frowned at him, crossed her arms and sat back into her seat.
"Am I not allowed to show support to my boyfriend, Taku?" She smiled while raising an eyebrow, knowing it would get him to wince.
"Boyfriend or not, he needs his mind to be clear and focus on the test. He can't afford to fail it again, not this time."
Sudhir was ready this time, at least that's what everyone told him. In his mind, he knew that he prepared for this every single day since last time. Yet there was a doubtful feeling in his chest that sunk into him whenever he exhaled. Tomorrow was the trip to the Sanctuary of Avatars, he would not miss it for the world. To go he would have to pass the Trial of Joku and officially become a Gravity Bender. Thoughts clouded his mind for a moment before he realized that Lady Yogini was staring straight at him. Shrugging off the nervous feeling, he stood up straight and placed his open right hand on his chest.
"I am ready Sifu Yogini!" he exclaimed, fearlessly. Although his hand faltered for a moment, he held it steady and kept his head raised.
"Very well Sudhir. Now, I understand you've done this twice before already but I will declare your objective clearly for you. There's no harm in a reminder". She handed Sudhir the equipment for his examination, two Gravity Control (GC) bands that cover the entire length of his arm, then began to explain.
"There are three stages to your examination: Gather, Control and Release".
"Gather requires you to concentrate your energy on an object and then reduce its gravity until it begins to float. The object you will be using your ability on is this metal box." She gestures, to a large metal box slightly smaller than Sudhir. Although it looked like a manageable size, the box weighed about 60 kilograms, almost as much as he did.
"Now, focus on this metal box. Reduce its gravity until it is too light to keep the pressure plate down. Do not put too much strain on yourself or you will not be able to continue the examination. The more you increase or decrease the gravity of an object or area, the more quickly you become physically exhausted."
With the words of his teacher fresh on his mind, Sudhir took his stance and began to focus. Breathing. In and out... In and out... Feeling the pores on his skin fill with energy with every exhale and his mind clearing of all thoughts that may distract him. His eyes solely on the objective at hand. Invisible energies pooled at his fingertips as he slowly raised his arms, open-palmed and close to the center of his chest. The metal box slowly, almost elegantly, rose from the pressure plate. Beads of sweat dripped, his arms becoming unsteady. It took all the effort in the world to remain consistent. Not too much to tire quickly, and not too little to accidentally let the box start sinking. Slowly, moving his hands away from his chest, he placed one final effort to reduce the gravity of the object just enough to relieve pressure on the plate. Eventually, to his relief, heard Sifu Yogini raise her voice.
"Alright that's enough, well done Sudhir." Without a moment's hesitation he dropped the box with a thud. With a sigh of relief, he prepared with some stretches to limber up for the next task.
"One down, two to go, let's go!" Mei screamed once again to the dismay of her classmates, especially her brother. "Mihei Zenfong you stop screaming this instant or I swear I will throw you off the railings!" Taku yelled back and grabbed her. The two of them grappled, locked into a battle of epic proportions. There was a moment of quiet before the victor was visible. Taku claimed victory at the rejoice of his classmates. "Sometimes, I forget we're related" Taku sighed as he began dragging Mei to the seats, as she was kicking and cheering.
Clearing her throat, Lady Yogini began to speak once more.
"Control involves controlling your energy and applying different levels of gravity at once on an object to tear it. The tougher the object; the more skill required. Living things are the most difficult ones to tear, sometimes even impossible depending on their will." She placed a plain wooden board in front of Sudhir on two podiums and simply nodded. Sudhir placed himself once again in his stance and takes deep breaths. Both hands open, arms close to his chest, he moved an arm forward and swiftly closed his hand. Immediately one end of the board is raised slightly, almost weightless. Another arm extends, hand closed just as quickly, the other end of the board also begins to float. As if breaking free from shackles, Sudhir struggled to tear his arms apart from one another. His effort bearing fruit with the board creaking, cracking and bending until finally,
Snap.
The board tore with multiple fractures and splinters at its breaking point. With one final pull he split the board in half and immediately returned gravity to the pieces. He couldn't help but give a little smirk at his accomplishment. The last few times he had failed at his Control, unable to place enough force on one end or the other to tear the board asunder. However, this time he finally did it and now it was the final task at hand, a task that he had confidence would pass. Release.
Lady Yogini smiled and nodded. "Well done Sudhir, the final test awaits. It seems your determination and long study is paying dividends."
"All of my friends have passed a bending style, it's time for me to do the same" Sudhir confidently said.
The smile faded and a more stern look replaced it."Most people learn a bending style at age eighteen or even more, Sudhir. Making your friends the benchmark will only put unnecessary pressure on yourself, you are only fifteen."
"I am ready for the third test Sifu Yogini. You don't have to worry about me." She frowned at his change of topic, but nevertheless moved on.
"Release is the final stage of your examination. Releasing energy into an object and increasing its gravity, thus making it heavier. Usually applied to immobilize or compress certain objects. " In the middle of her explanation a metal platform is slowly lowered until it is only 15 feet off the ground. "Your objective is to increase the gravity of this platform -"
"- and sink it low enough to stand on. Then take it up to the top floor, right?" He interjected.
"... Yes Sudhir. Once you complete it, you will be lifted by the platform to the top floor where you will be officially rewarded the title Gravity Bender"
"Alright, let's do this". Sudhir stepped forward, close enough to the platform to begin his test.
He began to repeat the calming technique taught to him every day by his friends and teacher. Taking breaths in and out, in and out, clearing thoughts from affecting his firm stance, his mind only on the task at hand. The limelight glowed, awaiting his accomplishment or his failure. His mind trembled. Confidence was overtaken by fear but he made efforts to maintain the unyielding stance. Thoughts no longer clouded but erupted in short bursts. Their presence suffocating and relentless, causing breath to be ripped from his lungs and focus to be shattered. He began to visibly shiver. His eyes hazed and stance began to falter. With one last effort he broke a rule he was always told; do not cloud your mind or it will strain your body too.
A loud roar echoed through the stage. The war cry could be heard from above. He had decided to accept these thoughts instead of clearing them. Faces of concern were clearly visible on Taku and Mei at that moment. Sifu Yogini would not let this go on any further.
"Alright, if it's too much, Sudhir, please take your time. You can always try again in the future."
"I'm fine Sifu! I can do this! I just needed to let out some steam!". His breath unsteady but stance unmovable, he began to perform. Palms raised and extended, both collided into fists like shattering rocks. His right arm began to lower slowly, like pulling down a rope hanged from the ceiling. Left arm, firm at first, also pulled back until it was bound to his waist. His muscles strained as the platform begun to function, breathing increasingly becoming rapid, eyes darted all over the stage and unto the objective. His legs, as though weighted by a thousand kilograms of gold began to tear him apart in pain. Tension in his arms and shoulders threatened to break him with every exhale. The platform only halfway through its descent already no longer appeared to move.
"He's exhausted himself." Mei quickly remarked. "He is using too much of his strength early. Taku? What do you think? Will he -" She felt an arm grasp her shoulder. It was quivering. Not from anger, but from sadness.
"At this rate he'll drop unconscious before he can complete it. Brute force has never worked, it will tire him too quickly." Taku muttered with a sigh. He turned around to face the exit and began to leave the stage. "I'll head home first, look after him when the exam ends. He'll need you. But don't take too long, our parents will worry." With those final words ringing fresh in Mei's mind, Taku left.
"He'll prove you wrong, you know!" Mei interjected before he faded from vision. "I'll take him home once we finish celebrating." Hearing Mei's enthusiasm, he only responded with a faint smile.
"I hope you're right". Head lowered, he continued to leave, with only frustration and sadness in his thoughts.
It was apparent that Sudhir's body could not take any more punishment. He had already used up his strength, reserves, and everything else that was left. His eyes were hollow and stance was falling apart, yet Lady Yogini did not say a word. She understood what this meant to Sudhir. Any other student would've been stopped after losing focus and exerting too much force. She did not stop him because this was all he wanted to become, to help those who could not help themselves outside the walls of Ba Sing Sae. However, even she understood that he would not stand long. Exhausted and in severe pain, yet standing, holding the Lion-Tiger stance to the best of his abilities. He began to move his extended arms back towards the center of his chest. The shaking of his arms was increasingly rapid until, eventually, the platform began to rise again. His body had given all it could, exerting everything too quickly and the platform ascending was an indication of that. His dream, rising further and further away from him. He no longer had the strength to yell or even speak. He simply let go of his stance, arms falling to his sides, and dropped to his knees. Sudhir's vision was blurry. His entire body throbbed in pain. His breathing heavy and irregular. He would be fine in a few hours rest with no lasting effects on his body. Mentally, was a different story, however. As Lady Yogini called the exam over, Mei rushed down the steps straight to Sudhir. Helping him up and being a shoulder for him to lean on as he recovered from the ordeal. He felt entirely faint and did not fight back the feeling of weariness, simply following Mei's movements with whatever awareness he had left.
The following moments were a blur or discussions and a feeling of shame. When he had awakened, Sudhir was laying on the lap of Mei inside the Zenfong residence. A modest home with a subtle strawberry color, complemented by its jade ornaments and walls. Placed in the fifth section of Ba Sing Sae and built to last generations. Although the Zenfong could have easily built a large extravagant mansion with wealth from their past and present, they decide instead to live humbly, creating a home that both Mei and Taku could live within and still feel normal. It would've been easy to simply give them everything they wanted, but their parents always made sure that they had to work for their goals and wishes.
"Fainted again huh?" Sudhir gazed up at Mei, then looking back to his hands. " Looks like I won't be making it to the trip right?"
"Sudhir, you did great." Mei told him, moving his hair to the sides. " As Sifu said, most people don't even pass the test until they are 18 or older. Some don't even pass at all!"
Mei looked down and saw his gaze downwards. "I mean, you're not gonna be one of those that don't pass of course! You got so close this year it's only a matter of time."
"You and Taku passed so easily. Taku at age 12, and you at age 15. How do you do it, I can never understand".
"Lots, and lots of deep breathing," Mei said jokingly. "And some fresh mints".
"That's not it. It requires a clear mind to get through the first 3 steps. Are you guys just that concentrated?"
"Well maybe it's because we're both airheads, the answer doesn't always have to be so complicated you know?"
Sudhir began to get up and looked out the window behind them.
"It doesn't matter now anyway, hopefully I'll be a Gravity Bender in the next five years before the trip comes back". Sudhir let out a sigh, it wasn't the end of the world and he knew it. He had plenty of time to keep trying and the trip would always come back anyway. The painful feeling in his chest didn't think this way, unfortunately, and Mei could clearly see through his cheerful facade. She pulled Sudhir closer until they were next to each other and handed him a card.
"Listen. It doesn't matter much to me, going to this place anyway. It was Taku's idea to drag me along. So maybe... You could take my pass instead. I wouldn't lose anything and I don't really have anything to gain from going. Also, you would kinda have to owe me so -". Before Mei could finish rambling Sudhir hugged her tightly.
"You know you might get in trouble for this right? Especially with Sifu."
"Eh, what does she really do. She's as soft as a Cat-Rabbit." Mei shrugged with confidence. "I'll talk Taku into going along with it, even just for ten minutes."
"I love you so much, you know that?" He could not contain his excitement, nor his appreciation for what Mei was doing. She would probably be put into disciplinary if they were caught, but she didn't care anyway. It probably wouldn't affect her too much.
"Speaking of love, actually" Mei interrupted, pulling Sudhir back before his butt could leave the seat. " When am I suppose to tell my parents that we're a thing now?"
"When I'm ready to present myself as someone who could match your prestige, alright? It's just... embarrassing to be introduced as the guy in a relationship with a prodigy, but has no special traits himself. At least being a Gravity Bender would make it an easier pig to swallow"
"I am 1000% sure they don't care Sudhir."
"Well, I do. I feel bad just walking up to them and saying 'Hey I'm dating your daughter but I'm pretty useless, hopefully you can accept me anyway' ".
Mei let out a sigh, both of understanding and disappointment. "Alright then, but we're not done talking about it, alright? Get home and get ready for your 'Avatar' trip. I'll be here tomorrow to see you off".
Sudhir did not need another word from Mei and ran back to his home as fast as he could. With new filled hope and energy he prepared for his visit to the Sanctuary of Avatars.
Thanks for reading Chapter 1.1, please let me know if you have some feedback and some criticism as I would love to read about it!