Avatar: Once Upon a Song
Summary: Life in Republic City isn't always a fairytale, especially for brothers Mako and Bolin. Orphaned at a young age, Mako does all he can to help keep him and his younger brother out of trouble and into a better life, but his world takes a huge turn when he meets, and falls head-over-heels for the exotically beautiful Avatar Korra; a spunky and free-spirited young woman who shares Mako's strong passion for music but lacks the freedom to make her own decisions. However their fairytale romance is cut short when a very jealous Councilmen Tarlokk accuses Mako and Bolin of harming the Avatar and has them arrested. The boys managed to escape and by chance they meet the idealistic young heiress Asami Sato, who becomes Mako's personal 'Fairy-godmother" and helps him to get into the Pro Bending competition in order to win back Korra's affection, but trying to get closer to the hot-headed Avatar will not be an easy task, especially if the wicked Tarlokk has anything to say about it. Through the obstacles that they face, these young dreamers soon learn that Fairytales really are possible once you learn to listen and follow the song within you're heart.
Chapter 1: A Fairytale Beginning
Once upon a time in a far far away land, well it was more of a world than a land, a world filled with wondrous and strange creatures and where the people were just as extraordinary. These people were called Benders; and they had the ability to control the respective element of their nation; the water tribes of the south and north, the earth kingdom, the fire nation, and the air temples of the nomads. But only one person could bend all four of the elements. That person was known as the Avatar. A human who had been reincarnated over and over again into the next nation of the cycle; air, water, earth and fire. However, one Avatar in particular stood out from the rest. His name was Aang. A young airbender who, alongside his friends, fought to end a century old war started by the wicked FireLord. With his new friend; the Fire Nation Prince Zuko, Aang defeated the Fire Lord and once again brought peace and balance into the world.
But this is only a small part of our story. For this one takes place 75 years after Aang's lifetime in a vast and magical place called…Republic City!
Both Aang and Zuko worked together to build this place were all benders and non-benders of every nation could thrive in peace and harmony. It's a place were anything is possible, where dreams are made and were you don't find adventure…but the adventure finds you.
Now keep in mind that this IS a fairytale; with romance, courageous heroes, wicked villains, even a Cinderella, complete with fairy godmother of course.
However, this story is also very VERY different than what you're use to.
Especially the Cinderella….
It was a bright sunny morning, the streets were filled with people leaving home to get to their jobs and the roads were filled with the loud honking of Satomibiles. Among the crowd of people was young man around eighteen-years-old with a dark jacket over a white high collar shirt, black pants with matching boots and a long red scarf around his neck. He had messy black hair, pale skin and orange eyes, a classic looking firebender; his name was Mako.
"Come on Bolin were already late as it is!" he turned his head to a young man running behind him, the boy was around sixteen-years-old with the same black hair and white skin as his brother, only instead of yellows eyes his were a deep green. He was slightly shorter than his brother. Unlike Mako this boy was wearing a grey/green high collar shirt with grey pants and black boots; his name was Bolin, Mako's younger brother. Unlike his brother Bolin was an earthbender.
"I'm coming, I'm coming! It's not my fault you slept in!" he said "Well, you could have woken me up!" said Mako with mush annoyance in his voice, Bolin simply rolled his eyes "I was a sleep!" the two boys saw the buss and made a run for it. However, a young girl with raven black hair was ridding her moped and once she saw the two boys run in front of her she quickly hit the breaks. The boys screamed when they saw the girl about to hit them…but luckily the moped stopped just in time. The three of them let out a sight of relief, "That was too close" said the girl, she was wearing a helmet and googles. Bolin nodded "I'll say. Thanks for sparring our lives" the girl nodded "No problem. And a word of advice; look both ways next time!" Mako gave her a thumbs up "We'll keep that in mind. See ya!" with that the boys ran toward the buss. The girl let out a loud sigh as she started her moped "Why do fridays always make people crazier than usual?" she asked herself.
The two brothers finally reached reached their destination; The Emerald Dragon Palace! It was a very nice yet cheep restaurant were Bolin and Mako worked. Once they entered the building, completely out of breath from running, an old grumpy looking man wearing a waiter's uniform walked up to the boys "YOU TWO! About time you got here, I don't pay you to be late" Bolin smiled at their boss "Hey, we're hear aren't we?" Mako immediately elbowed his brother to shut him up. The older man let out a sigh and lowered his shoulders "Just get to work we've got customers" he said and went back to the kitchen. The boys changed into their waiter uniforms and started working.
It was around lunch time and the entire place was packed. Mako had just finished cleaning a table when he heard giggling coming from behind him; he saw two very pretty girls giggling and winking at him. Mako felt his face turn red and quickly took the tray of empty glasses and walked away. Bolin, who was making juice for some customers, saw the entire scene and gave his brother one of his famous grins "Looks like you've got some admires there bro" Mako simply scoffed and rolled his eyes "Yeah, well they can flirt and bat their eyelashes all they want" he said. Bolin rolled his eyes "What up with all the hate?" he asked
"I'm just not into girls who through themselves just to get a guys attention Bolin." said Mako "Besides they don't really like me. They just think they do but the minute they find out I'm just some underpaid street-rat who lives in a beaten old apartment they'll be gone in less than five minutes. It's happened before"
Bolin poured the juice into three cups and placed them on a tray "Well then we're both most likely gonna die alone" he said as he walked towards the table where he placed the tray of drinks "We meet girls like that almost everyday, finding one that doesn't follow the same pattern as all the rest is like finding a rose in a garden of lilies, it's impossible" Mako let out a sigh "Your probably right but, even if I ever did meet a girl who wasn't like the rest she'd have to be…smart and fun, confident, likes music" Bolin rolled his eyes "Wow, you're got some high standers bro" he said with sarcasm and Mako let out a deep sigh
"Just once I'd like to meet someone…I don't know…different" Bolin looked at his brother with a curious gleam in his eyes "Wait, are you saying you actually…dream of romance?" this statement caught Mako off guard that he tripped and almost dropped the tray of empty glassed he was holding "What? No, of course not. Why would I waste my time dreaming about something like that? Besides, I highly doubt there is a girl out there for me."
"HIYAH! TAKE THAT!" a huge blast of fire just burned yet another wooden dummy. The firebender was wearing a full body armor and a helmet that covered the face. A thirty-year-old man wearing traditional Air nomad clothing and traditional airbending tattoos clapped "Well done Avatar, well done" he said and the person in the armor bowed in respect "Thank you, Master Tenzin" said the young person, the voice sounded husky within the helmet. Another group of people clapped as well; they were all watching the new young Avatar demonstrate it's bending. A couple of weeks ago, the Avatar had recently move to Republic City to complete it's training. The council arranged an exclusive interview to demonstrate just how strong the Avatar really was. Reporters and photographers came to take pictures and ask questions. The Avatar removed the helmet to reveal her face to the public.
That's right, the new Avatar was a girl. What? You didn't think all Avatars were guys did you? What century are you living in people?
She was a tall and fit young water tribe woman with soft shoulder leigh dark brown hair styled into a worlftail (ponytail) and two strands of hair framing both sides of her face tied by two deep blue bands. She had soft tan skin and the most beautiful electric blue eyes anyone had ever seen and she had the cutest smile. Not only was Avatar Korra known as one of the toughest Avatars yet, she was also known as the most stunning, at least to the boys; she had a fit muscular build but still had a very nice figure. Korra smiled proudly at her airbending teacher
"How was that guys?" she asked and a man in his mid twenties walked up to Korra with a smile of his own
"You were quite remarkable, but then again, you always are" the man was of water tribe, tan skin, blue eyes, brown hair, braids, the works. His name was Tarlokk a member of the city council, as was Tenzin.
"What do you think Chief Bei Fong?" Tarlokk looked at an elderly woman wearing a full grey colored body armor wearing a serious expression and deep green eyes. She raised an eyebrow as Korra anxiously waited for her answer. The Chief then smiled "Not bad kid, not bad at all"
Korra also smiled and jumped happily "Alright, yes!"a brief silence surrounded the room "I mean…thank you all for believing in me" Tenzin turned to face the reporters "As you can all see Korra is a very skilled and intelligent young Avatar and this demonstration is proof of that"
"But what about her airbending?" asked a reporter.
Tenzin took a deep breath "Yes, well she is still in training but is improving more and more each day"
"Then why didn't she just airbend?" asked another reporter.
Korra tensed and lowered her shoulders in embarrassment, she was so hopping nobody would ask that question. "As you all know the element that is most opposite to the Avatar's personality if often the most difficult to master. Korra has only been here for a few weeks, she's still learning but due to her recent progress I am confident she will become a full airbender in no time. No further questions"
"Thanks for having my back Tenzin" said Korra, she was now wearing a clear blue tank top with dark blue baggy pants and a fur pelt wrapped around her waist and brown boots. She was wearing two deep blue arm warmers and an arm band with blue patterns. She was holding her gym bag. Tenzin was waiting for her outside the building near the plate of stairs "Thank nothing of it Korra, I meant every word too" Korra smiled.
"Korra, my dear" Tarlokk called out "I almost forgot to remind you about the council meeting tomorrow and about you attending the Pro Bending Competition next week" Korra sighted "Another meeting, haven't I been to enough this week?" the young Avatar complained "Korra, we've had this conversation before" said Tenzin. Korra let out another heavy sigh and looked at Tarlokk "I'll be there" she said. Tarlokk smiled and took Korra's hand "I look forward to seeing you there" he then gently kissed the palm of Korra's hand and returned inside. Korra made sure he was completely gone before washing off his saliva from her hand.
"I still don't get why I have to go to another boring council meeting, you mostly do all the talking anyway, all I do is sit and listen" Korra had been complaining ever since they left the training hall. She and Tenzin were flying home to air temple island on his flying bison Oggie
"Except for that one time when you fell a sleep and drooled on the table" said Tenzin
"Hey, that was ONE time!" Korra said defensively
"Korra, you know being the Avatar is a great responsibility and I believe you attending these meetings will be good learning experiences for you when you're officially a mender. Besides you were the one who wanted to come to Republic City in the first place." said Tenzin
Korra removed a strand of hair from her face "I know, I know, but so far I don't feel like I've done anything to really help the city or it's people, you know things the Avatar really should be doing. All I ever do is train and go to boring meetings and to boring parties and do boring things."
Tenzin turned to look at Korra "You do help people, remember the first time you came here, you saved that young boy from a burning building? Or when those street benders were tormenting an innocent shop keeper? Even though you did kind of make a huge mess"
Korra chuckled at the memory "Yeah, I know but I only helped when someone tolled me. Plus most of the time once I get there Lin and the police did almost half the work. Maybe if I did like a daily patrol of the city then I would be more aware of things and I can help more" she said with mush enthusiasm. Tenzin frowned "You know the rules Korra, when there's isn't any trouble you remain on the island to focus on you're training. You may have mastered three of the elements but you have yet to master airbending. You are not a full Avatar yet and you still need practice with your spiritual lessons. Not to mention your impulsive behavior. You can't get ahead of yourself."
Korra let out a groan and placed her face in her palms in disappointment "I'm not a little kid Tenzin, I'm seventeen I can take care of myself and I can so take care of any real problem, you know that. Why are you treating me this way? I though the Avatar was suppose to help the world not let other people do it for her and be guarded by White Lotus sentients all the time" Tenzin sighted "I'm sorry Korra, but as your airbending master and guardian it is my responsibility to keep you safe and to prepare you for the world ahead. I'm sorry but you're just no fully ready yet. You need more time"
"How mush more time? The world can't wait for it's Avatar forever"
"I'm sorry Korra, but that's just the way it is" Korra sighted and looked at the city below her, she had hoped that coming to the city would help her improve and she would do more as an Avatar but the city hardly had mush troubles, unless you count bending gangs and thieves with chi-bloking abilities and nasty swords, but Lin and the police always had everything under control there were times in which Korra wondered if she was even needed. A part of her knew that no matter how perfect it may seem sometimes, the world will always need it's Avatar no matter what, however that didn't seem to be the case at the moment.
"Bolin! Hurry up with those noodles!" Toza yelled as Bolin came out of the kitchen holding three trays of said noodles "Already on it sir!" he said. Mako was wiping the counter when he heard the door open. Toza was the first to notice the customer "Oh, Councilmen Tarlokk. What a surprise" he said politely to the waterbender. Mako rolled his eyes "What's so surprising about it, he comes here all the time" he whispered to himself. It's true, Tarlokk did come to the Emerald Dragon a lot, but he hardly ate the food or spoke with anybody there, he mostly went for the cool drinks. Mako didn't like the man. Ever since he accidentally spilled his last drink on his brand new shirt the councilman had it out for the young firebender. Bolin saw Tarlokk walk to the counter as he gave the second tray of noodles to the costumers, he didn't like the man either but he mostly tried to avoid him unlike Mako, who practically stared daggers at the man.
"I'll have a papaya juice to go please" said Tarlokk in a calm and relaxed tone. Toza nodded "Coming right up sir. Mako, get to it!" he said before he walked to the kitchen to get another order for a another costumer. Tarlokk smirked at the young waiter "You heard him. Get to it" Mako silently groaned "Coming right up" he said. Tarlokk smiled wickedly as he watched the boy slice the fruit and place it in the blender. Tarlokk began to discreetly move his hand underneath the counter. Just as Mako turned on the blender the liquid inside burst, spreading papaya juice all over Mako and the counter. The entire restaurant burst into laughter at the poor wet boy with bits of fruit on his face and cloths. Bolin was the only one who didn't laugh.
Mako wiped his face while Tarlokk chuckled "Well, I guess you're just a natural at being a disaster" he said. Mako narrowed his eyes as he walked towards him "How do I know it wasn't you're doing?" he asked in a hushed and intimidating tome. Tarlokk remained unfazed "If so, what are you going to do about it?" Mako kept his gaze lock on Tarlokk's arrogant smiling face. After a few second Mako lowered his gaze, grabbed a paper towel and started to clean up the mess. Tarlokk scoffed "That's what I thought. I think I'll get my drink elsewhere" he said before leaving. Then Toza walked out of the kitchen with a tray of food. He saw Mako wet and cleaning the sticky counter "What happened? Where's Tarlokk?" Mako sighted "I was making his drink, something happened with the blender and then he left" he said. Toza shrouded "Ah, it doesn't matter. He only buys one lousy drink all the time anyways. Besides I don't like him all that mush. Now clean this up!" he said before leaving. Bolin came and began helping his brother "You okay?" he asked. Mako grunted "We came in late, almost got run over by some chick on a moped and now one of Republic City's leaders just humiliated me in front of everyone here….I'm just fine. At least things can't get any worse" Bolin scratch the back of his neck "Yeah, well here's the thing; apparently the place needs some new tables, some of them are a bit wobbly, so Toza's have to deduct like six buck from our pay this month. Probably should have mentioned that a few hours ago." with that Mako slumped down on the floor "Me and my big mouth" he said.