Hello? Anyone still there?
Hi readers! I am back! Now I know it's been a few months… Crazy right? I thought it was still summer, but now its almost the end of 2016!
Well no excuses for being gone except I've been busy with school and work. So there's that lol...
Welcome back readers! Because I present to you Book 2, Chapter 1: Visitors Part I.
To be honest, Book 2 in LOK had a lot going on with the Civil War and Unalaq, SO I had to make some minor changes here and there to accommodate the storyline with my own twist to it.
For starters, my version of Book 2 takes place a bit differently than in LOK and time wise: It is ONE WHOLE YEAR after the Amon situation.
Book 2 will have returning characters and some new ones of my own as well. I am dwelling into some of the lives of Tenzin and Lin's children more this time around. And more drama will happen later on because who doesn't love that?
I will try to incorporate more interactions with Korra. However, as much as I love Korra with all my heart, we've seen her stories through her perspective unfold in the series, so I think its best to see Mika, Sonam, Kun, Rohan, and Jinora's stories unfold too even if they don't always involve Korra sometimes. But I could be wrong since we are looking more into Jinora's connection with the spirits just like in the series and how she helped Korra with it! :D
Tenzin and Lin will also be involved heavily too later on because they are the original favorites of course! Anyway you'll just to wait to read more to see what'll happen next!
I hope you enjoy this first chapter to Book 2! Please leave any Reviews for me to see if you guys like this one and if I should continue on ;)
I own nothing.
Visitors Part I
"Got you!" exclaimed a voice.
The abrupt sound spooked the entire area as leaves rattled and birds flew off, along with a flying lemur that jumped away from the attempted grasp.
Rohan eyed up at the perched creature from down below the tree before resting his arms on top of his crunched up knees. The flying lemur was sitting on a tree branch as it looked quizzically at the young airbending master.
"Well played, my friend," commented Rohan as he pointed his index finger at the lemur.
Quiet.
The atmosphere all over dwelled into an utter peaceful tranquility, not a single sound was made other than the chirping noises coming from the birds throughout the trees. A light breeze touched the dancing meditation jingles that decorated the surrounding.
It was a perfect setting for a young airbender to meditate for everlasting hours if it was possible. However it wasn't until one particular sound was made, where the feeling of another presence seemed to have brought the airbender's attention.
"I know you're there," stated Jinora. She didn't have to interrupt her meditation session by opening her eyes; the young female airbender had already noticed the presence beforehand.
Suddenly a soft furry spirit creature came tentatively along to Jinora before settling right next to her. It was colored sky blue and looked like a cuddly bunny with long flappy ears.
"You finally found me," giggled the airbender with a smile.
The creature rubbed against the airbender as she petted the top of its head gently before returning to her meditation. It was always a common thing for her to see and touch spirits without having to enter the Spirit World since Jinora figured out that spirits were always everywhere, but not everyone had the ability to see these spirits that were nearby.
The furry creature then tugged the sleeve of Jinora's shirt, trying to get her attention again.
"I wish I could play with you, little guy. Maybe later, okay?" said the airbender.
The furry creature made a crestfallen sound until Jinora petted it again, as she assured to the spirit that she would be able to play once she was finished.
"Who are you talking to, Jinora?" asked a sudden voice.
Jinora whipped her head up to see that her older brother was standing a few feet away in front of her.
"Huh? Oh, no one! Just to myself," responded the airbender.
Rohan lightly leaped over to approach his younger sister before setting down next to her, and was picking at a leaf from a nearby bush.
"Listen, I've been thinking about what I said the other day," said the airbending master. Jinora patiently waited for her brother to explain a little better, but could visibly see how lost in thought he was about it. She looked at his hand fiddling with the leaf, but her eyes landed on a figure that stood past her older brother. It was her little spirit friend. What if her brother could sense the spirit? What if he hears it floating around?
Jinora must've been too focused on the furry creature because Rohan was calling to get her attention.
"Huh? I'm sorry, Ro. I wasn't paying attention." apologized Jinora as she paid attention to the other airbender again.
Rohan arced an eyebrow in suspicion as he wondered why his sister had been acting a bit out of it. This wasn't the first time either that Jinora has been "distracted" since Rohan has seen her talking aloud, but not seeing anyone with her. Or when Jinora was going off chasing something when there was no lemur or person she was chasing. It didn't make sense the airbender, but he didn't want to directly ask her about it just yet.
"What were you saying again?" said Jinora.
Rohan shrugged it off and then continued on with the discussion. "Well, I've decided to go back home with you."
"Really? That's great!" exclaimed Jinora with a wide smile. "I'm so happy you changed your mind. Everyone will get to see you again, and we'll be getting there just in time for the Glaciers Spirit Festival!"
Rohan looked at three lemurs that appeared on the tree branches as they chased each other for a piece of food.
The airbending master sighed before looking at the blue arrows on the back of his hands. "But I don't think I'll stay long enough to go back to Republic City," said Rohan with a small frown on his face. "I enjoy being here at the Southern Air Temple. It feels like home to me."
Jinora nodded her head in understanding to her older brother, because she can't disagree that the Southern Air Temple was one her most favorite places to stay. It was where their grandfather was born and raised, and there were still air acolytes that lived based on the traditions of the Air Nation. For the young airbenders, it always great to be in the same environment as their people once did because it gave them a sense of where they came from.
Rohan sat up from slouching and looked at the playing lemurs on the tree branches and said, "I'm also trying my best to tap into the Spirit World again."
Suddenly Jinora looked away from the other airbender, feeling guilt trickle down her insides again until the fear plummet straight through her. She was afraid of telling her brothers and father about her ability to enter to the Spirit World. After a whole year of traveling all over the world, Jinora thought the guilt would subside. But it never did. Her connection to the spirits had only strengthens during her travels and meditations. No matter how wrong it was for her to keep it secret, Jinora believed it was also the best thing to do since she didn't want her brothers to feel any resentment or something towards her.
Instead the young female airbender nodded her head again before saying, "I understand."
"Woah!" screeched a voice before dodging a ball of fire aimed for their direction. "Careful, that'll cost you!" Kun dusted off his shoulder before hearing a familiar sound again.
Soon enough it was another fast throwing flame coming towards him as a reply to his earlier comment, but the earthbender quickly reacted by rolling down on the floor and getting to his feet. His opponent was soon dodging every single piece of rock the earthbender sent to her.
Yes, the opponent was indeed a young woman.
She moved exceptionally quick but headstrong at the same time, since Kun tried his best to be lighter on his feet –a technic he's always learned from Sonam.
The two fighters continued sparring on the ship's deck, going at it back and forth for what seemed eternal as they tried to seize the other up with every hit thrown. Except, both of them were adequate and relentless fighters.
Kun kept trying to focus on his hits, but there weren't as merely getting any intimating anymore as his eyes looked right over to the firebender.
Her name was Yumi, and Kun has had trouble finding himself getting distracted by his opponent's appearance and features. It wasn't always troubling for him because Kun didn't realize it until a few weeks ago, and came to the conclusion that he found his good friend attractive.
She was a Sargent, one of the most highly proficient and adequate Sargents on the Eastern fleet. Yumi carried a sense of professionalism to her front, but somehow, Kun was able to crack through into the seriousness of the Sargent when they met a few years back when Kun first joined to the Unites Forces. They became good friends who got along by Kun's sense of foolishness that Yumi found entertaining.
For a while Yumi has been away managing the Eastern fleet, which meant Kun wouldn't see her very often. The last time they saw one another –before this– was after they first met, which was close to four years ago.
During this past year after the whole Amon situation, it had been time for Kun to return to the United Forces after his leave of absence. However, there was someone missing when the earthbender returned. His twin brother, Sonam, stayed behind in Republic City this time around, and it had to do with the fact that he was on his way on taking Tenzin's place as a world leader for the Air Nation.
Without his brother, Kun was mostly able to talk to just about anyone since he was always so friendly and open. Not to mention he was able to rekindle his friendship with Yumi after a few years from being apart.
But there was something in the earthbender that he tried pushing the thought away, and it had to do with his growing feelings for his longtime friend.
After another half hour passed by, the two fighters finally ended their sparring with exhaustion hitting them.
"I won this round," said the opponent's voice in a prideful tone.
"Hey, that's not fair," countered Kun trying to catch his breath. Then an idea popped into the earthbender's head.
As the firebender was having a moment of self-victory, Kun caught her in mere distraction long enough to attempt a surprise hit. He prepared to strike in a matter of seconds with a devilish smirk playing on his lips before his arm rose up.
Yumi was just about to look over at her defeated opponent and seemed to instinctively grasp onto what she saw, and soon enough reacted at an instant to dodge the surprise hit.
"So I see you don't take losing very lightly," commented the firebender.
Kun was only shocked that she saw it coming and deflected. However, he soon recollected himself by stepping back into his egotistic self.
"Hey, you know I was just getting warmed up," replied the earthbender with a smile.
"Unlikely," sneered the firebender turning her back to him. But Yumi slightly looks over her shoulder at the earthbender with a smirk of her own. "So are you saying this time it won't be a warm up?"
Kun didn't notice that his jaw dropped open after Yumi's comment, but he sure got off his high horse of an ego and realized he was blushing like a little schoolgirl before he cleared his throat.
"Sargent Yumi," called a voice from behind. Both benders looked over at Prince Iroh, who had just arrived on the deck. "It's time."
Kun titled his head in confusion until the firebender looked at her friend.
"Looks like Commander Naoki has arrived," she informed to the earthbender.
"Evening, Prince Iroh," greeted Commander Naoki.
It's been awhile since Kun's seen his second eldest cousin, maybe a few years give or take. After all, Naoki was in charge of the Northern fleet just outside the city of the Northern Water Tribe and has been up there since he became commander. There was hardly any time to see family for the commander, especially when it was difficult to do so with his mother Kya, father, and brother living in the South Pole. For Naoki, it hasn't been easy living away from his family, but it taught him a lot to experience many different things and become more than just a simple waterbender from the South Pole, because he found leadership within him in the past nine years of doing this.
"Evening, gentlemen," said the commander as he bowed his head out of respect to the rest of them. "And Sargent Yumi of the Fire Nation. I've heard nothing but great things about you and your fleet." Naoki addressed and bowed his head to the female Sargent.
"Thank you, commander. It is an honor to finally meet you," said Yumi.
General Haruki smiled over to his cousin and greeted, "Welcome back, commander."
Being here back at this fleet reminded Naoki of some great memories when he first joined the United Forces. His cousin Haruki practically grew up on the fleet since his father Bumi was constantly working and traveling with his son by his side. It was nice that Haruki was able to get to spend time and teach Naoki when he came on board.
"Its great to be back," replied Naoki.
"Cousin Naoki!" greeted Kun with a wide smile.
"Kun, how are you?" asked the waterbender. "Someone seems to be missing, and that someone looks just like you, but bald. Right?"
"You guessed it," said the earthbender. "Sonam's been preparing for his future position as representative of the Air Nation."
"Well I couldn't be more happy to hear that he'll soon be a world leader."
"From his letters Sonam sounds ecstatic, of course how can't he? But quite frankly, I can't wait to see how he'll rule over Rohan, Jinora, and the air acolytes. There's not a single tough bone in his body," chuckled Kun.
"You might be surprised," commented Naoki. "There may not be any other living airbenders apart from him, your two other siblings, and your father, but Sonam will be able to pass on the torch of airbending traditions."
"Have you been talking to my father recently?" teased Kun lightly.
"Oh, no. I'm certain uncle Tenzin would go far more into depth than me," chuckled Naoki. After a short-lived moment of catching up with his younger cousin, Naoki looked to everyone and appointed towards the conference room. "Well, shall we now?"
Inside the conference room, there was everyone: Haruki, Naoki, Kun, Iroh, and Yumi sitting around the circular table. The table in front of them was actually a décor of the world map as well.
"So I'd like to know about these recent reports," inquired Haruki to everyone in the room. This was an updating issue for all of them to address and come together to find the cause of this and how they can resolve this.
"There are multiple claims from various shipmen about experiences of unexplained attacks," responded Naoki. "And it is primarily happening on the Southern waters."
"Attacks?" questioned Kun disbelievingly. Yumi's eyes looked over at the earthbender and nodded her head, saying, yes that is what Haruki meant.
"It seems like they've been going on for a few months now," continued Naoki as gave as much information to everyone.
"What can we do to get to the bottom of this?" asked Yumi.
"We must investigate these reports a little further in, and keep innocent lives out of harm's way," stated Prince Iroh.
"In that case, we'll need to keep the area of where these attacks have been frequently occurring on close radar," proposed Haruki.
"The Glaciers Spirit Festival," muttered Kun.
"What was that you said, Kun?" inquired Haruki.
"If the attacks are happening near the Southern Water Tribe, then I believe it is best to also keep everyone who will be going to the Glaciers Spirit Festival safe."
"That's right," said Naoki thoughtfully. "There will be a lot of people attending the festival. Not to mention Chief Unalaq is coming down as well."
"Then it's settled," concluded Haruki. "Commander Naoki and his fleet will investigate the reports of the attacks with the locals, while Kun and I will keep a visual on the people since our family will be attending the festival with Avatar Korra."
"Right," murmured Kun softly to himself.
Yumi sensed that something was bothering the earthbender when he averted his eyes away from everyone and looked a bit crestfallen? She didn't know what came over Kun, but she knew one thing and that was to be there for her friend.
After the meeting ended, everyone went about their own way to make preparations for their next move. There was a lot to do before trips to the South Pole were to be made, and Kun all the more stepped aside to take a moment. The earthbender found himself back at the edge of the deck, leaning over the railing as he looked at the sun's bright colors as it set over the horizon on the waters.
"Hey, you all right?" asked a familiar voice from behind.
Yumi walked over and joined her friend as she too looked at the view in front of them.
"Yeah, I'm fine," replied Kun.
"Are you excited to get to see your family again?"
"I am." Kun took a deep breath as he pondered in thought for a moment. It wasn't that he was upset about going to see his family; he really did miss them a lot after a year away. However, this new issue that they were dealing with could be potentially dangerous, and Kun wanted more than anything to keep his family safe. "These sudden attacks my cousins were talking about don't seem to make any sense."
Yumi, too, was puzzled by the reports since nothing like this has ever occurred before. Except this is what they did, provide help in situations such as this one.
"There's trouble all around the world. Luckily, we are always there to keep everyone safe. This just happens to be one of those unexplained troubles," said the firebender.
"You're right," agreed Kun as he straightened up and finally made eye contact with his friend. Which was a mistake because he couldn't help look away from the yellow hue inside her brown eyes; it was rather mesmerizing for the earthbender. "I sort of wish you could join me on this trip." Kun realized what just out of his mouth and his eyes widened in fear. "I m-mean… you know join me to go to the Glaciers Spirit Festival. It's a lot of fun!" Now the earthbender knew for sure he was blushing redhot at the moment and had to turn away from the female Sargent.
"I-I imagine that it is," replied Yumi also feeling a blush of her own. "I sort of wish I could go too."
Kun looked at Yumi this time with a puzzled expression because he didn't understand why his friend couldn't. There wasn't anything stopping her from going with him. At least that's what he thought.
Yumi picked up on Kun's confused look and furthermore, had to come bring herself to explain why she couldn't go with him. "But I'm afraid I'm being transferred back to the Eastern fleet outside of Ba Sing Se."
And that when the earthbender felt a wave of sadness twist inside him because he wasn't going to get to see Yumi for however long she is needed at the Eastern fleet. It wasn't fair, he thought. But what choice did they have? Yumi was a Sargent, and had duties to fulfill. Kun didn't want to get in way of that either, even if it did mean not seeing her anymore.
"Oh, I see," replied Kun sounding crestfallen. "I had no idea-"
"I received the orders no more than a week ago," explained Yumi. "I should've told you sooner. But I just… didn't know how to." She felt the dynamic change between them when the firebender could see Kun's sudden change of mood. It tore her apart inside to have to tell him, especially when she enjoyed his company and their friendship so much. Yumi didn't know how long she would needed in the Eastern fleet, but the distance couldn't possibly end their companionship, right? She would write to Kun everyday, hoping he would do the same.
"It's okay," said Kun. The earthbender didn't want Yumi to feel sad either when he saw her mood similar to his, so he reached over to hold her hand and bring it in front of them. "I want you to know that I wish you nothing but the best of luck, Yumi. You deserve greatness as a leader, and I… couldn't be more inspired by your accomplishments." A soft smile appeared on the earthbender's face, and all Yumi could do was look into his turquoise green eyes and understood behind what Kun wanted to really say because it gave her something in return: Hope.
There was hope within the both of them to make the distance bearable for their friendship to keep ahold strongly.
Suddenly the firebender couldn't hold back from stepping closer to Kun and embracing him with a hug. The earthbender immediately reciprocated the embrace and held on for a second longer. Both benders thought just how little time they had since they were to be leaving on different ships in two days.
A clash of water splashed onto the ship from the violent waves as the storm came along the cold night. The vessel kept swaying back and forth trying to ride through each hard-hitting ocean wave.
"Is this your first watch?" asked an older shipman.
The younger shipman looked down the vicious storm then at the waters, trying his best to put up a brave façade over his fearfulness.
"Mhm," replied the young man nervously. His teeth were clattering now that he couldn't keep it together after the ship felt like it was to tip over any second.
"Well then, better keep your eye's pealed, laddie. You never know what creatures lurk in the mirky depths nowadays," said the elder man with crazy eyes.
It only heightened the younger man's fear and anxiety after hearing the old shipman chuckle in humor behind him.
But in that instant, the younger shipman was looking at the waters again and saw a flash of something moving in speed lighting.
"Uh, sir!" called the shipman shakily.
"What now?"
Then a light-beaming… tentacle out came from the waters, wrapping around the crazy old shipman and retrieving back into the water. The younger man yelled in fear from seeing the tentacle attack the old man, who too had shouted in distress before disappearing.
"Man overboard! Man overboard!"
Thoughts? Reviews? :)