The Legend of Avani – Book One: Earth – Chapter One: Birthday
What if Amon had won? What could have happened if Avatar Korra had failed and he had succeeded in removing bending from the world? What could have happened if Amon had managed to destroy the Avatar cycle by taking away the Avatar's bending? What happened to everyone? The world?
It's simple really. Life would go on.
With the end of bending, technology progressed over the years and people began to rely on it more and more. The Satomobiles were further developed and now almost everyone has a car. Television, radio, computers, internet. Humans have come a long way. Bending is only what you read about in textbooks in history class and there's mixed views about whether it even existed. The Avatar is considered somewhat a person of myth.
That was, until, war reared its ugly head once again. A war between the northern Earth Kingdom and the South, Republic City was the centre of law and order and the southerners disagreed that they would be ruled from afar. They sought independence, wishing to be ruled where they could have a real say. Not watch as the north dictated to them. The involvement of the other nations is minimal, the United Forces so far have not been involved.
It is a bloody trench war fought on the frontier in the middle of the Earth Kingdom. The death count rises by the day. People are sick of the fighting, but until the leaders of the north and south come to an agreement it feels like the war will last forever.
People are desperate for a miracle.
Avani rolled over and glared at the sun peering through her curtains. Although she hated mornings, she liked this one. It was her birthday, today she turned nineteen.
She stretched out with a yawn and forced herself out of bed, first stop was the mirror where she examined her light brown hair and how it miraculously took on the shape of an octopusquid. She groaned and brushed it down as best she could.
Avani trotted down the stairs, catching a glimpse at the clock in the hall as she made her way to the kitchen; 8am. Avani had always found she was an early riser, even though she despised getting out of bed – especially on a weekend. Today was the exception, even though no one else was up yet, well, except for the family pet Nila, a pygmy puma, who rubbed herself against Avani's leg and yowled loudly for her breakfast.
After feeding Nila and letting her out into the garden, her mother joined her in the kitchen, still groggy from sleep, "Happy Birthday dear," She smiled, wrapping her daughter in a hug and putting the kettle on, "I'll bring down your presents when the others are up."
"Thanks mom," Avani grinned, taking a seat at the table, her mother joined her as the water boiled, "any word on if Chin can make it today?" She asked eagerly.
"Your brother promises to make it for dinner this evening."
"Awh, at least he's coming." Avani sighed, Chin was her half brother, he was a few years older than her from her mother's previous marriage. Despite that, the two were the best of friends, well, when he actually had time to visit. He worked in the Southern Water Tribe, acting as a bodyguard to one of the political powerhouses, it was a tough job and he rarely got to visit home. The Southern Water Tribe was a far cry from Republic City anyway, especially when planes refused to fly near the Earth Kingdom these days. Avani missed him dearly, he'd been gone for well over a year now.
Once the kettle had boiled, Avani's mother poured herself and Avani another cup. Avani sipped on the hot drink carefully, "I need to see Zheng later, we're gonna go spar over at the gym."
"That's fine, just make sure you're home before four, your grandparents will be here."
"Sure thing mom." Avani smiled.
It was a gorgeous day in Republic City, Avani wandered down the street to catch the tram that would drop her near Zheng's place on the eastern side of the city. She noticed there seemed to be an interesting buzz amongst the people today, maybe something had developed in the Civil War. Avani avoided watching the news or reading about it, it depressed her to hear of the goings on down south.
At the tram stop, three men on their way to work were gossiping just behind her, "They say a kid in the Northern Water Tribe froze a pond, could you believe it?"
"Don't even get me started," the other man scoffed, "Another kid over in the fire nation accidentally put his sister's hair alight."
The third man rolled his eyes at them, "That's ridiculous, I can't believe you two idiots are believing in those rumours. Probably never even happened."
Avani leaned back slightly, pretending to adjust her ponytail as she listened carefully. It sounded like they were talking about bending. But... No one had been able to bend anything for well over a century now, at least, that's what the books she read had told her.
The tram arrived and the conversation had halted for the time being, she'd probe her Chin about it later, he always seemed to know fact from fiction. She figured he should at least, being so close with politics now.
Avani arrived at Zheng's and buzzed up to his flat. Zheng lived alone with his mother, his father was off in the South fighting in the war. Even though it was her birthday, Avani had never missed a boxing session yet. Zheng was her sparring partner, surprising, considering his broad and muscular frame. He was pitched in for going pro, he had other partners, but he always kept his chances to practice with Avani. He admitted to her once that he loved how she caught him off guard, others in his weight category were slow and lumbering, Avani kept him on his toes with his speed. Avani liked to think she helped in his success.
She buzzed again, Zheng never answered on the first ring. After a moment, she heard the sound of the phone being lifted, a scuffle, Zheng cursing and then finally answering, "That you, Avani?"
"Let me in Zheng." She laughed, he hung up and buzzed her in. Upstairs, on the fourth floor of the block of flats, she met Zheng at the door who was waiting for her, he snatched her up in a hug, "Happy birthday champ! I have a gift for you."
Avani pulled a face, "I told you Zheng, you didn't need to get me anything," she knew of his money woes, a present was the last thing she wanted from him. Still, she was flattered when he presented her with a shoddily wrapped box.
"I know, you're astounded by my amazing wrapping skills." He chuckled, handing it over. Avani couldn't help but grin like a fool when she tore off the paper and placed the box on the side. She lifted open the lid and gasped – new boxing gloves! Damn, these weren't cheap either. They were the beautiful forest green ones that she had pointed out on another boxer at the gym, only those were the classic red. She had expressed interest, until she had found out the cost.
"Zheng, gosh. Thank you, but I can't accept-"
"Don't even try Avani. They're yours, mom approved, so you can't argue."
Avani gave him a long hard stare before relenting, she smiled and hugged him, "Thank you. Shall we go try these babies out?"
At the gym, Avani ducked under a blow and followed up with an uppercut that made Zheng grunt and step back. She smirked, feinted left and when he went to block feinted right and jabbed at his exposed side, "You're letting me win Zheng."
"Am not." He retorted, stepping forward to give her a run for her money as he unleashed an onslaught of punches. Avani threw up her arms to defend herself, she dipped underneath and hit again.
"Are too," She laughed, ending the fight with a punch to the head, Zheng dramatically landed back on the ropes, giving an exasperated sigh of defeat, "the gloves are great."
Zheng rubbed his ribs, "I know!" He laughed, the two dropped out of the ring. They shed their gloves and took a swig of water, Zheng gave Avani a serious look, "I nearly forgot, did I tell you the good news?"
"What?" Avani asked, leaning back against the ring and dabbing a towel along her brow.
"I got the fight."
"The fight?" Avani gasped, "are you serious?"
"Absolutely!" Zheng glowed with pride.
"Oh my goodness! Zheng why didn't you mention this before?" She launched herself at him, embracing him tightly, ignoring the sweat that glued them together for a fraction longer than they cared. Avani peeled herself off of him.
Zheng shrugged, "I guess it passed my mind." He remarked, his voice dripped with sarcasm.
"I'm so proud of you."
"I have you to thank for it Avani," Avani blinked in surprise, Zheng went on, "it was only last week, remember that creepy old guy who was in the gym watching us spar? You thought he was a peeping tom, turns out he was a talent scout. At first he wondered why I was fighting you, then realised when he saw your speed and how I dealt with it. He asked me if I wanted to join the Bronze League as the rookie of the year."
Avani was blown away, both she and Zheng knew that he would get into the leagues eventually, but it just seemed so soon! It was finally happening, her Zheng was making his way up. A tang of jealousy plucked at her, but her pride for him outshone it, "Oh Zheng. That's just, I can't believe it! When's the fight? You better get me a good ticket."
Zheng smirked, pulling out two tickets from his duffle bag, "Already have. Part two of your present Avani, one ticket for you and your brother if he can make the date. If not, I'm sure your dad would like a night out with his daughter. Can't imagine that's happened in a while."
Avani took the tickets, noting the number and row, "Holy- Zheng these are front row!"
"Only the best for my favourite sparring buddy." He nudged her playfully, she nudged him back.
"Chin should be home tonight, I'll try and see if he can make it. Thanks again Zheng!"
Back home, Avani had time to take a quick shower and present herself properly for her grandparents. She was just adjusting her hair when she heard her mother greet them at the door. As she took one final look in the mirror, she noticed something odd. She leaned in closer, trying to work it out. It took her a few moments to see it, a glint in her eye that hadn't been there before. It made her eyes look very... old. She shook her head, what a ridiculous thought. Her mother called her and Avani rushed downstairs to embrace her grandparents, pushing out the glint from her mind. Again, she didn't see them very often, they lived in the Fire Nation where the heat of their summers and their mild winters kept them youthful. They admitted not knowing what to get her this year, so gave her some money to spend as she saw fit.
Dinner was coming closer and Avani thought Chin may not be able to make it, but just as they were sitting down in the dining room for dinner the doorbell rang. "I'll get it!" Avani declared, springing out of her chair and charging for the front door, tearing it open to see the tall young man who had the distinctive dark skin of the Water Tribes, but with the bright green eyes that matched her own, "Chin! You made it!" She flung her arms around her brother, holding him as tightly as she could.
Chin laughed and returned her hug, "It's so good to see you Avani, can I come in now?"
Avani eased up with a child like grin on her face. They sat down for dinner. The conversation was more driven around the latest events in the Fire Nation and down in the Southern Water Tribe, the family swapped stories of what had been happening. Chin shared a few stories of wild goose chases he had gone on in order to keep his charge safe, Avani thought Chin's life must be mad with that constant worry over making sure that everyone was safe.
About half way through dinner, Avani found the chance to ask Chin about these new rumours flying around, "Say Chin, what d'you make of those stories of bending coming back?"
Chin shrugged, "Stupid. No one's been able to bend for over a century, why would it suddenly come back now?" It was a fair enough argument, "I mean, it's fairly easy to pretend to firebend, you just need to go to the circus and see the performers there spitting fire."
"But water and earthbending?"
"Much harder, but you can't trust these videos you see online. Ordinary people are getting better with sfx now."
The topic died there, Avani's curiosity was sated and she believed Chin. Why would bending suddenly reappear now of all times? It just didn't make any sense, she was satisfied. Bending wasn't back. They enjoyed the rest of their dinner, quite a delicious feast on Avani's mother's part. Avani blew out the candles on her birthday cake, making a wish that she thought impossible, but worth a shot.
I wish that people could bend again.