Avatar: Nexus
Chapter 1: The Nexus
Preview: Aang, Katara, and Sokka head to the next city after leaving the swamp. In the spirit world, Avatar Roku senses a strange alignment in the elements, departing from the Avatar's individual realm to seek out the source of the abnormality, and makes a discovery of the other world kind...
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar:The Last Airbender, nor do I own a Dragon which frankly, friggin' bites. I own my OCs and I own the Nexus idea, or at least I hope I do, and would kindly request that permission be asked before another author uses it. If someone already came up with the Nexus idea before me, *shrugs* oh well, great minds think alike.
Wan Shi Tong's library, a vast warehouse of knowledge spanning centuries and centuries of history and learning…Inventions and blueprints rested on the shelves amongst scrolls of bending forms and techniques as well as recipes and story books. In one of the far corners of this gigantic library, is a strange yet magnificent sight to behold. Four large statues stand around a single tile in a ring; a large badgermole, a large moon, a large dragon holding a sun in its mouth, and a large sky bison. Wan Shi Tong made sure that no one ever found the ring of statues or the tomes which speak of the strange formation. The four elements together create a perfect balance, a nexus from which all life came from and where worlds can sometimes connect.
One day, the spirits of the elements awakened suddenly, and each one began to softly glow. The awakening of the Avatar had caused the ancient statues to awaken from the sudden burst in spiritual energy that had earlier reached them. As one being, the ancient statues began to pool their respective elemental essence into the small tile to form the nexus. In the spirit world, Avatar Roku felt an unusual alignment of the elements along with Wan Shi Tong and the two quickly headed to the four statues. Avatar Roku arrived to the spiritual side of Wan Shin Tong's library as did the knowledge spirit, both surprised to see the badger mole statue hum in resonance first followed by the sky bison, the dragon, and then the moon. A small bubble rose up from the tile in the center, slowly taking the shape of a young man who remained still as the nexus grew. Soon, the nexus was complete and with a great tremor the young man fell out of the ring onto the tile floor. He struggled to his feet unaware of the four statues as they became silent once, and the small burst of light lingering from the badgermole statue and his own chi lighting up in response. Roku took note of the badgermole's lingering glow while Wan Shi Tong stared in shock at the human and then shock turned into rage at the human's presence in his library. The great avian spirit of knowledge moved to strike the human down, forgetting the importance of the statues and the large amount of spiritual energy residing within the statues….
***********
Wan Shi Tong's Library, Room of the Nexus Archives
A young boy awoke to sounds of a loud screech that seemed to echo out all around him. He winced at the pain and slowly opened his eyes in order to locate the source. The boy blinked a few times as his vision cleared up within a few minutes, only to be quickly filled with a strange man in red robes with long white hair down to his neck. In front of the man was a large black owl trying to reach out past the man to get to the boy. But the owl was warded off by a strong blast of fire from the man's fist, forcing the owl to back off.
"Curse you Roku, the human does not belong in my library along with all of your people!" the owl roared at the man while the boy's eyes widened in response.
"They are not my people, but Ozai's people and Sozin's people," replied the man calmly. "And this child is not from any of the four nations."
"Lies, how do you explain his presence and yours as well?" the owl asked as Roku pointed to the four statues.
"Have you forgotten where we are in your library Wan Shi Tong? The locks you have put on this room to prevent anyone from entering them?" Roku countered and raised his hand towards the boy. "Gaze upon the boy and tell me if any part of his person is spoken of in your knowledge."
Wan Shi Tong's neck slowly retracted and his features became more owl-like. The boy stared dumbly as the large owl peered over at him taking in his appearance and clothes. He wore a dark green shirt with the letters M, A, S, H on the front over a strange symbol. Instead of red pants, he wore dark blue pants that seemed to be too well stitched for human hands. Even his shoes were unlike anything the owl spirit had seen with string inside and smelling of leather. Wan Shi Tong moved to the boy's dark hair and light amber brown eyes causing Wan Shi Tong's eyes to narrow at the boy. Roku watched as Wan Shi Tong turned to him with the owl equivalent of a smirk on his face.
"A clever trick putting a Firebender into my library wearing strange attire, but I am not fooled by simple tricks Avatar Roku. I will dispose of this Firebender without haste," Wan Shi Tong stated and turned to find the boy up on his feet in a strange stance he did not recognize.
"What do you mean Firebender? I'm no pyromaniac!" The boy shouted while looking from Roku to Wan Shi Tong.
"Explain yourself human, how did you break into my library?" Wan Shi Tong angrily ordered the boy.
"How do I know you won't try to attack while I'm talking?" The boy countered causing Wan Shi Tong's feathers to bristle out.
Before either one could continue, Roku moved between the two and threw his hands out at them. Two streams of fire flew from his fists onto the floor scorching the stone yet serving its purpose as the boy and Wan Shi Tong moved away from the fire. Satisfied, Roku straightened back up as the boy took a few more steps back away from both spirits. His eyes darted from one to the other and he turned to Roku when the Fire Nation Avatar began to walk towards him.
Roku stopped walking and let out a sigh. "Do not worry child, I mean you no harm," he said but the boy shook his head. "We both have many questions, perhaps we may also have the answers too," he added and the boy slowly nodded. "Let us listen to the boy and I believe you too have questions to ask of this child, Wan Shi Tong."
"Kite Ravine," the boy quietly told them. "That's my name, Kite Ravine."
"I am Avatar Roku of the old Fire Nation," Roku said while Wan Shi Tong eyed Kite uneasily. "Excuse him please, he no longer allows humans in his library anymore."
Kite raised an eyebrow at Wan Shi Tong who stared back at him. "Why is that?" he innocently asked.
"One of his people came to my library seeking knowledge, only so he could gain an advantage over the other nations, and once they were finished, they burned all knowledge pertaining to the Fire Nation!" Wan Shi Tong shouted back with anger in his voice. "My patience wears thin with you Kite, leave now or I will strike you down where you stand…"
"Look, I would never burn your books or any other book, this whoever did is an idiot to do that!" Kite stated fiercely much to Wan Shi Tong's surprise. "No offense to you sir,"
"None taken young Kite, now if you could, please tell us all that you can remember about how you got here." Roku suggested and Kite nodded then sat down.
**********
Kite waited patiently on the floor underneath the only entrance and exit to Wan Shi Tong's library. He had left the room minutes before once he had finished answering and asking questions. Roku and Wan Shi Tong left with him but departed not a moment afterwards to ponder on the knowledge that Kite gave them. Kite was also doing the same thing though he was not alone, one of Wan Shi Tong's knowledge seekers, a small fox kit in his lap that had taken up residence in his lap. He was grateful for the kit's company as he looked up at the small patch of moonlight shining down at him.
The two sat there for almost ten minutes before the kit woke up from her nap with a soft yawn. Kite sat motionless except for the slow rise and fall of his chest, the young boy having fallen asleep in his pondering. The kitsune put her front paws on his chest and licked Kite's cheek causing him to slowly open his eyes. He looked down at the little vixen in his lap before smiling at her.
"Guess this isn't a dream huh?" Kite asked the vixen.
She gave him a slight nod and softly whined. Kite chuckled at the kitsune while he began to stroke the little fox's fur. They're probably looking for a way to send me back to my world, he thought to himself. My world, guess that has a new meaning to me now…
The pair was broken from their individual thoughts by the sound of feathers ruffling in the library. Kite slowly stood up while the vixen jumped up onto his shoulder and the two bowed their heads to Wan Shi Tong and Roku. Roku returned the gesture as Wan Shi Tong eyed the vixen that immediately hid behind Kite's head.
"I am sorry to inform you Kite Ravine-," Roku started to say.
"Please sir, just give me the truth," Kite politely requested and Wan Shi Tong sighed.
"The ring of statues has returned to sleep, I suspect that they have brought you here for a purpose young child and I can see now why they chose you," Wan Shi Tong told him as Kite lowered his head. "You possess a strong spirit and a strong mind. It does not hurt that you have a respect for knowledge either which I find refreshing for once in many years,"
Kite's head went up as Roku nodded to the young boy. "I have a request of you Kite about the Avatar and his friends," he said as Kite listened intently. "They are currently looking for an Earthbending teacher, one who has mastered the principles of neutral jing," he paused to make sure Kite was keeping up. "While he is on the right path, I fear that Ozai's daughter will go after them, and with knowledge that they should not have," He watched Kite take in the information then continued. "Kite, would you be willing to help the Avatar in his journey?"
"I'm not a bender and all I have is my boxing and kickboxing," Kite replied to Roku.
"Your martial arts make you a close-range fighter and you have a cunning mind in addition to your strength," Wan Shi Tong stated causing Kite to stare at him in surprise at the compliment.
"Aang's future Earthbending teacher may be able to teach you how to control your untapped potential as well," Roku added, much to Kite's confusion.
"My untapped potential, what do you mean?" Kite asked only for Roku to smile.
Roku slowly faded away leaving Kite to scratch his head while Wan Shi Tong sighed. "Spirits such as Roku's can only stay in places such as my library for a short time," he explained. "The offer still remains young child and I expect you have come to a decision," he stated and Kite gave him a strong nod. "Very well, I will have Rei guide you to where the Avatar should be," he extended a wing out and two scrolls dropped from his wing. "One is a map of the Earth Kingdom, the other is a blank scroll for you to keep," he said as a fox walked up carrying a small bag in its mouth. "There is enough money here for you and a cloak for you to wear. If you should ever come here again, I will permit you to browse through my collection, in exchange for your some knowledge from your world," he finished saying and Kite bowed to him.
"Thank you I will write what cannot be abused," Kite said shakily as he extended out his hand.
"…Very well, we are at an agreement." Wan Shi Tong replied and he shook Kite's hand with one of his feathers.
"…I have two questions before I leave though, who is Rei and how do I get out of here?" Kite asked and the small vixen licked his cheek. "Okay, forget the first question."
Wan Shi Tong nodded and Kite picked up the bag while Rei jumped off his shoulder, picked up the scrolls in her mouth, and then jumped back up onto his shoulder. With a nod, he swept his wing over Kite and Rei, enveloping them in his feathers before they vanished out of sight. The large owl spirit let out a sigh while the remaining fox nodded and left Wan Shi Tong to his thoughts.
*************
Southern Earth Kingdom
Kite woke up to find Rei licking his face, the small gray vixen's ears perking up as he got up into a sitting position. I guess that's how I get out, he told himself. Rei disappeared for a moment and returned with the map scroll in her mouth.
"Thanks Rei, now let's see where I'm headed to next," Kite said as he rolled out the scroll. "I think the Avatar might have moved, any ideas where to head to?"
Rei nodded and placed her paw on top of a small city. She then looked around as Kite picked up the map. I guess she already knows what I'm thinking about, I can't read any of this, and Kite scanned the map and smiled a little as he noted a small tag placed on a spot on the map. He then looked up to see Rei writing in the dirt with a stick in her mouth, finishing up only for Kite to frown.
"Sorry Rei, I can't read it but I appreciate your effort," Kite scratched the vixen's ear to emphasize his words.
He quickly donned the simple cloak and left the money in the bag along with the scrolls, tying the bag to his waist. Rei took up her position on his shoulders while wrapping her tail around his neck. Kite chuckled at the little fox before the two looked around and found a small cave for them to sleep in.
The two quickly settled in with Rei once again resting in Kite's lap while he leaned up against the cave wall. Kite went to sleep first as the exhaustion finally took its toll and Rei looked up at him for a moment before joining him. His dreams were filled with the words of the two spirits, and questions about the Avatar and the mysterious Earthbender he would eventually meet.
**************
Southern Earth Kingdom, Morning
Rei and Kite woke up early with the little knowledge seeker taking up her official seat on his shoulder. He pulled the map out of the bag and looked to Rei. The small knowledge seeker looked at the map for a moment as Kite walked out of the cave. She looked around a few times before pointing with her snout straight towards some mountain caves.
"Okay, let's get a move on then," Kite happily stated as he put the scroll away.
Before he could start walking, a pair of sandy brown foxes came running towards them. Rei greet the two with a nod and the two foxes returned the nod while Kite accepted the scroll from them. The fox pair stepped forward and the male, much to Kite's surprise, began to speak while Rei jumped off his shoulder.
"Our master has sent the two of us to teach you the language Kite, and to guide you through the mountain pass," The male informed as the female began to speak.
"We must return quickly to gather more scrolls, let us be on our way now," the vixen stated as Rei took up position between the two.
"…Um, okay…Lead the way then," Kite said, unaware of the Avatar and his group heading towards a coastal city just across from his own destination…
Preview: Kite Ravine and Rei arrive in the city of Gaoling where the fox twins depart, and Kite buys himself new clothes. The Avatar and his group arrive at the outskirts of Gaoling while Rei meets them, then leaves and informs Kite of the Avatar's presence. Meanwhile, Kite discovers an Earthbending Tournament in Gaoling and of an interesting champion…
R and R please, and if Wan Shi Tong seems OC, I will address it in the next chapter