The Forgotten Avatar
Chapter One
Hope
Yo! Though there are thousands of them, I thought I'd try my hand at an Avatar fan fic. I'm shooting for at least twenty chapters in tribute of the old show. I pray that everything works out.
Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra are owned by Bryan Konitzko, Micheal Dante DiMartino, and Nickelodeon. I do not own any other mention properties.
You want to know the worst thing about being the Avatar these days? People believe that you are a thing of the past, a myth, a story to tell your kids to help them fall asleep. No one needs you anymore. All you can do is keep your head down so no one knows who you are and keep their pity to themselves. Maybe I'm just bitter, but there is only so much you can tolerate before you just stop telling people who you are because they'll either laugh you off or believe you and feel sorry for you, especially after a major screw up.
Even bending has become a thing of legends, no longer in practice after advancements in technology rendered them all but useless. It just faded from the public's minds along with the spirits. Being only visited by me, the spirits and Air nomads have been the only ones to show me kindness in my miserable life. The single reason I haven't ended it yet is because I will only pass on this burden to someone else and I believe that to be wrong.
So, I wonder. No purpose. No hope. No salvation. Only the unbearable silence of solitude.
At least... that's how it used to be.
...
...
...
My head jerked up as I heard a sleepy grunt and the rustling of cloth from the back of the house. I had nodded off by the fire, hoping the kid would wake up soon so I could do a proper evaluation of his wounds before sending him on his way. Standing from the table and brushing the raven hair from my eyes, fingers brushing a familiar set of scars from a wolfbat on the left, I walked towards the back room.
It was a short walk, being in the only other room in the whole house. Eyes sweeping over the young man asleep in my bed. I had found him unconcious in a nearby clearing, his torso torn apart by what looked like a platypusbear. Using the water from his canteen, I closed the wounds without much trouble. But he had a broken arm, I could only set the bones in place and the badage them to keep the them from moving. During the process of getting him in the bed, I noticed a tattoo in the shape of a dragon on his right shoulder blade that extended down his side.
Ruffling his short, spikey brown hair as he slept on, I returned to the herb filled kitchen where I had a few remedies sitting in wait for the kid to wake up. It was probaly half an hour before he did. Taking one last drag on it, I put out the cigarette and let out cloud of smoke before getting up again and bringing a tray of food and medicine over to the bed.
"Wh...what happened? Where am I?" He asked, looking around before his bright, blue eyes settled on me. His voice was sounded older than I had expected and had a slight musical tone to it.
"From the looks of it," I said, almost mechanically, "you had a nasty run in with a platypusbear. I took care of most of your wounds were I found you and brought you to my home to treat your broken bones. Here," handing him the first of the herbal teas, "this should help ease the pain."
"How long have I been out?" taking a tentative sip and cringed at the bitter taste.
"Six hours, give or take." placing the tray in his lap, tapping one of the other cups, "Once your done with that one, take this and your bones should mend quickly." Standing up and setting out to hunt for dinner.
"Who are you?" the kid asked, I could feel his eyes drilling holes in the back of my head.
Without turning, "Kise" I answered and stepped out into a canopy of pine trees, whose green needles matched my irises.
It was a short hunt, having learned the siesmic sense from the badgermoles, I easily found suitable prey to feed two people. Skinning and cutting out the edible meats outside and burying the rest a good six feet under, I came in to find the kid trying to read one of my books.
It was an old one, from Wa Shi Tong's library, cataloging Avatars far into the past. I had been using this as a guide to my previous lives and learn from there mistakes. This book held illustrations and short biographies of each person it documented, which was a huge help. But the question still stands, why was he so interested in it? I brushed the inquiry aside for now and let him read.
"You know," setting the meat down on the table, "it's easier if you light a candle." I said as I collected all the neccessary ingrediants for tonights supper.
"I couldn't find any matches or lighters." he grumbled, scrunching up his face in frustration. This caused me to do something I hadn't done in a while. Laugh.
It sounded almost forgien, having not done so in so long, "Here," a smile having worked it's way across my face and lighting the wick by placing it between a thumb and index finger, "I forgot I had none since I have no need for them."
"Then you must be a bender!" He exclaimed excitedly.
Half-smile on my face, "You're as sharp as whip kid, what's your name?" I chuckled.
"Takashi, and I'm 21 so don't call me kid." he pouted slightly
"Well that means you're still younger than me, by about four years." Ruffling his hair good naturedly before he pushed my arm away. "And I'm not just a bender, I'm the Avatar." I said, slightly proud for once in my life.
"No way!" he proclaimed.
"Yes way." before letting Raava show herself in my eyes.
"That's so awesome! All I can do is hack computers, but that's a thousand times cooler!" getting so excited he doubled up in pain from moving so much.
"Easy now, you don't want to injure yourself further do you?" I cooed, returning to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
"I always knew those stories my great-grandpa told me were true." Laying back down in the bed.
I continued to smile as I finished adding ingredients to the stew, just stirring it occasionally, and listened to Takashi tell me about how the world had changed in the last seven years. I knew about most of the things he was telling me, but I kept my mouth shut as the guy passionatly went on about computers and how they ran. He knew quite a lot, most of it went right over my head. But I didn't mind, I just liked listening to his vioce.
When the stew was done, it was my turn to answer some questions.
"So why do you live way out here in the middle of no where?" He asked before devouring his dinner.
"I like the peace it brings and it helps me connect with the spirits and come to terms with other, more personal matters. Besides, I hate the noise of the city, too much going on at one time." Cringing at the thought of the last time I was in Omashu.
"But doesn't it get lonely out here?" concern in his eyes.
"Yeah, it does." Solemn, clenching my fists in my lap as I looked at the floor. "I don't regret it though, it's given me a lot of time to think and come to terms with mistakes that have plagued me for years. You have no idea how depressing it was to have so many pity me because there really isn't a purpose for an Avatar." Finishing my bowl of food, "I'd rather not say anymore about it."
"I always knew that other's didn't believe that benders ever existed, but I always thought that the Avatar could at least recieve some sort of recognition other than what you just described." he whispered thoughtfully, as though he were coming up with some kind of plan. "But you still help people, that has to account for something."
I chuckled darkly, "I only do it so I don't tarnish the Avatar's name." Thinking of a few past lives who would have more than just angry words if I did that.
"So, why don't you try to get it out there? Remind people why you're here in the first place and bring balance where its needed like the previous Avatars?!" a manic glint in his eye.
"It's not that simple kid, people are not so easily convinced. They've already ignored my last four lives, what makes me any different?" Successfully killing the conversation. Although, having a sudden thought, ripples can eventually make waves. But it won't be a walk in the park. And there's 'that' organization of people that's still looking for me.
The sun setting outside the window's field of vision, I cleaned the remains of our dinner and had the kid get things ready for the night while I finished the last of my daily tasks. Walking a good distance from the house, I noticed a storm far off in the horizon heading in our direction, cutting today's session short. Bending the water around me, I walked into the alcove behind a waterfall for medatational purposes. Slowing my breathing and letting go, I allowed myself to cross-over into the relm of the spirits.
"What kept you?" said a warm, comforting voice that never failed to smooth out the edges of the day. Iroh had set up the usual array of tea and other assortments.
"Oh some kid had an unfortunate encounter with the wildlife and now he wants me to try helping people again." sighing tiredly. "I'm not sure if I even should, I mean, I tried before and that only lead to heartache." Drinking his famous tea, sootheing my spirit.
"It seems, that this young man believes that you'll find the world ready for your return." Hinting that there was something that I had yet to see, true to his reputation.
"I dunno, Takashi did seem optimistic that I could change things..." trying to figure out what the old man was getting at.
"Ahhh, interesting that you mention him by name. Did he do or say anything different when he found out your true identity?" intrigued and armed with new tools for this game of his.
"Well, yeah." Thinking about it more. "A rather jarring difference actually, he was really awestruck when he found out and I could tell he was honest in every word he said. The greatest suprise was that he didn't even begin to pity me like most people do, but acted as though he admired me greatly." Sighing, I drained the last of the tea, "I don't deserve it, not after the incident seven years ago and who I've become because of it."
"I hoped that after all these years, you'd be able to talk about them more freely." Reaching across the table to place consoling hands upon my shoulders as I began to tremmor at the memories from that from that distant week. This is why I liked Iroh so much, he knew exactly how to calm me down.
"Time has only slowly healed those wounds. Though closed, they still hurt me greatly." Slightly grim, I looked into his warm eyes to see only empathy there. "Although, maybe it is time for me to try again. I've felt sorry for myself for too long, it's time for the world to remember that Avatar is more than a legend." Standing to embrace the old man, "Thank you, for all your help." I whispered.
Breaking apart, "No need. I've helped enough Avatars that you could say that it's become my job." He joked, pulling out a slight chuckle from me.
"I'll be sure to vist your old tea shop if I get the chance." I promised, waving to him as I returned to my material body.
Streching for a few seconds, I hurried back home to check on the kid. By the time I arrived it had already begun to rain, but I wasn't concerned with that right now. The door was ajar and the house looked as though it had been used for target practice. I approached it cautiously, using the air to keep me silent in my foot work. As I got closer, I noticed the lock had been busted and the door clutched despertly to it's hinges. At my touch, it almost crashed to the ground as I entered the house to find it ransacked and the kid missing. Before I could turn and run back outside to start searching for him, something was pressed into my back and someone spoke as thunder cracked out side.
"Don't move." a gruff voice ordered over the distant rumbling, "If you don't want us to hurt your friend, you'll come with me. Quietly." Prodding my back with the gun barral to threaten me, typical fear tactic that bandits were know for.
"Do you even have any idea who you're messing with right now?" I growled, discreetly moving my hand to get a bending grip on the muzzle.
The bandit laughed and said in mirth, "What? Oh, now you're gonna tell me that your the Avatar or something? That's rich." Chuckling at his own joke, not knowing his cheek had just bought him a one way ticket to the void.
With a split-second of a feral grin, I clenched my hand and sufficiantly crushed the gun, making it impossible to use. "Bingo." I said in a sing-song sort of voice as I turned to see his petrified face. The entire building shook as I encased the man in rock, enprisoning him. "Now, tell me were you're buddies are or I'll pound you into the dirt." Placing a hand on the stone, "And stick to the truth, I can tell if your lying."
"Okay, okay. Just don't hurt me." I could feel his heart racing and took note of the pace in case of a lie. "They're a couple miles to the south, they'd be holding your friend in the boss's tent." His heart beat stayed the same.
"And how many will be there?" Growing impatient.
"Thirty, including me."
"Good." Now, I just have two more questions and only his boss will be able to tell me what I need to know. I turned from the frightened man and began to exchange the garments I wore for ones to conceal my identity. Hood raised and face covered by cloth, I returned my attention to my prisoner and froze the blood within his viens and buried him deep within the earth below. One down, twenty-nine to go.
You wouldn't think, for as tall and muscular as I am, that I couldn't manage steath so well. But with the air carring me from tree to tree, I made my way to the camp quickly, as silent as a wrathe. It only took me a couple minutes to close the distance and begin the hunt.
Circling the camp a few times, I got a good feel for the environment where my prey had made their bed tonight. Ten men stood as senturies while the rest remained complacent and unarmed, for they believed themselves safe. But something stood out among them, they acted far too civilized to be actual bandits even though they were dressed as such. Yet another question for the leader, whose tent lay in the center of the camp. Ravaa, I require your power.
"There is no need for you to ask." She responded gently, but nonetheless, lent me her strength.
With speed greater than my own, I struck down a watcher, a second, a third, a fifth, an eighth, and a tenth that no longer drew breath. From vantage point to vantage point I flew as more fell by my hand as I made my deadly rounds. Those who saw me screeched about bloodthirsty demons before being silenced. In a short while, the only ones that stood where the boss, Takashi, and myself.
The tent's entrance was blown open and held aloft by unseen winds, within stood the last of my quarry. He was a slight man dressed on rich clothing and his tent was filled with lavish luxeries, these people were definitely not ones who stole to make their livelyhoods.
"What manner of devil are you?!" the small man blanched beneath my gaze, his voice similar to the aristocrats of the cities.
"One who comes to reclaim what you have taken," voices of ages past mixing with my own, "and one with questions and no patience for false answers." Slowly closing the gap between us.
In fear, the gangleader grabbed a pistol to use against me only to have it torn from his grasp and find it being crushed as easily as paper in my hand. He dropped to his knees and begged, "I'll talk, I'll talk, just don't hurt me!" That was easy.
"I can not guarantee that." The man's eyes widened fearfully. "Now, tell me who sent you and why."
"They said that you'd know who they were, that this was a message telling you that they are closing in on you. Please that's all I know, I've never seen them myself. Always leaving their orders at my doorstep with instructions and the funds needed, I swear it!" He pleaded.
"Thank you for your service." His face displayed pure terror briefly before I turned his head sharply, snapping the virtabre.
I took a deep breath and let go of Ravaa's power, certain that there was no one left that could flee or sneak up and stab me in the back. Swaying slightly, I lowered my hood and mask as I began to look around for something useful. I found a large amount of cash in a box and pocketed it quickly, but nothing else caught my intrest. Takashi was near the back and appeared to be knocked out. But when I drew closer, I saw that was not the case.
The damn kid was fast asleep, probably since he was taken from the house and apparently didn't even know he was chained to a post as he dreamed on. Breaking his ties, I carefully scooped him up in my arms kept him close as I walked through gore spotted camp back home. On a paper back in the main tent, the words "Be patient, I will be coming for you soon enough." were written.
~~~~The next morning~~~~
I awoke to the sound of a low, pleased hum somewhere around my chest. Blearily, I looked down to see that kid had wrapped his lithe arms around me. Normally I would have pryed him off me, but, as I scratched a strong chin under my beard, I was far exhausted to care and just gently shook him awake. Stirring slightly, he yawned as looked up at me, pawing at his eyes like a baby polarbear dog and just as innocent
"How's your arm?" I asked, almost doting on the kid.
"Better than ever!" He answered with a tired flare.
"That's the spirits for ya, they know their remidies." Getting dressed and stuffing what little I owned into a backpack, "Feel up to traveling today?"
"Why do you ask?" Cocking an eyebrow.
"To spread the word that Avatar is back of course!" I said matter-of-factly, "I mean, it was your idea, or were you just kidding?"
"Wha...?! You mean it?!" I nodded. "Yipeeee!" he whooped, jumping up and punching the air.
After a quick breakfast, we collected a few essential supplies and set off. He had to tuck in the shirt I lent him, which hung loosely, to keep it from snagging on branches and other things along the path.
Walking backwards with a look of curiousity, Takashi asked, "Hey, since their aren't any benders around, how did master the four elements?"
Catching him as he tripped over a rock, "From the original masters, mostly." I answered. "No one knows that the air nomads and sky bison still exist, so that's were I picked up air bending. The other three were a bit harder, bagermoles aren't exactly great at talking." Thinking back, "And there's still a few dragons roaming around if you know where to look and the Moon spirit was a nice enough girl to talk to every now and again." Returning my gaze to him, "Does that answer your question?"
"Wow!" He gasped in awe, eyes sparkling with wonder.
Though there were plenty of trees and shrubbery to block it from view, I glaced over in the direction of the camp as we past it. "Hey kid," I questioned, "What do you know about Avatar Kyoshi?"
"She was an Avatar?! All our history books said that she defeated Chin the Conquerer and founded both the Dia Li and Kyoshi Island." He answered thoughtfully. "Other than that, nothing much. Why? Was she a great Avatar?"
"'Great' is a strong word." I said slowly. "Let's just say that you'd never want to cross her and never ask her for advice. Even Death himself couldn't claim her untill she allowed him."
"She sounds like a very scary woman." He shivered.
"Very." I confirmed. "Still, her skills as a bender were well respected." Trying to end on a positve note. "She just didn't find Kyoshi Island, she created it."
Takashi let out a low whistle, impressed. He was soon distracted and ran gleefully towards a group of wild flower to look at them in wonder. I chuckled to myself as he got more excited spotted dragonflys circling them. Pulling out a smoke, I only felt more confident that I made the right choice as I lit it and took the first drag. I owe this kid this much since he's given me something I haven't had in a very long time.
Hope.
...
Avatar Kise
Age: 25
Height: 6' 2"
Hair: Black, mid-length, shaggy. Soulpatch, thin eyebrows
Eye Color: Dark Green
Build: Muscular, strong jawline
Scars/Tattoos/Peircings: Thin, claw-like scars above his left eye from a wolfbat
Habits: Smokes, cracks joints, talks to himself on occasion
Likes: Nature, Peace and quite, reading, and other simple things
Dislikes: Cities, obnoxious people
Personality/History: A bit distrustful of strangers at first, can be mildly bitter and rather morbid without realizing it, helps those in need out of a sense of tribute to the Avatar legacy, a bit old fashioned, wise beyond his years, strong connections with his past lives and Raava, and his sense of humor can get pretty dark at times. Still grieves for the friends he lost to a mistake he made seven years ago. Has no qualms with killing if he needs to.
Takashi
Age: 21
Height: 5' 10"
Hair: Short, spiky, brown. Dark eyebrows
Eye Color: Bright blue
Build: Lithe, slightly femine jawline
Scars/Tattoos/Peircings: Dragon tattoo that extends from his right shoulder blade to the top of his hip.
Habits: Glomping his friends for no reason, daydreaming, writing nice things about his friends in a little notebook he carries with him at all times.
Likes: Kise, stories about past Avatars, hacking into classified files
Dislikes: Rules, deadlines, being dirty
Personality/History: Born into a weathy family, he's been sheltered most his life and has only had a few friends. He's often cheerful and the optimistic one in a group. He's always looked up to the Avatar due to the amazing stories told to him by his late great-grandfather. Though he is loyal and not easily detured, he is still very naive and doesn't know how most of the world works. Most of his loyalty belongs to Kise after having his life saved by the forworn Avatar and has developed a rather great interest in the man.
Alright, I finally got this one up. I'm gonna try to end each chapter with slightly more detailed disciptions of the characters or as they are introduced. As always, for those who have read my other titles, I ask that you leave a review and tell me what you think. I'll be on break for little while, but expect more chapters in the future. See ya!