By Way of a Simple Candle Trick
AtLA-LoKVerse x Skip Beat
This is the result of a discord prompt for a fandom mash-up and of 'Cry' from KyokoxRen Week 2018. Enjoy!
...
155 AG. Agni Kai Triad Territory. (16, 6)
The very first time he sees her, she's sobbing, utterly inconsolable.
He's out with a Beifong Police patrol at the time, because his father had wanted him to intern with the police force. The man believed it would do him good to garner a better sense of responsibility and maturity and well, Kuon couldn't really disagree when he'd been suspended for brawling in the school corridors. The detective in charge of the patrol he's on is staking out an apartment complex for a potential drug bust, and Kuon had been commanded to check out a potential drop site, then report back.
And this is how he comes across the alley he finds her in. She's wearing rags, and is so dirty her feet look more brown than the lightly tanned color of the rest of her. She's clutching at her face, and her sobbing turns into full on wails, and Kuon realizes he's very much out of his depth.
He steps closer, keeping quiet so he doesn't startle her into fleeing, and sees a dark bruise across her cheek. A fierce anger surges through him. He shoves it down deep, and holds out a hand.
"Little one, shhh, shhh, what's the matter?" he makes his voice as soft and as comforting as he can.
She peers up at him with bright, gold eyes, from underneath a fringe of dirty, black hair, her chest heaving as she tries to speak between sobs, "My… my mom. She… Sh-She said I can't go back."
Fresh tears run down her cheeks as her face crumples, "I'm sorry mommy! I didn't mean to do it! I didn't mean it!"
Kuon winces as she starts howling anew. He gets closer, and gently touches her balled up fists. The poor thing couldn't be older than six or seven.
"I don't understand. What did your mommy not like?"
"That old guy showed me how to do the candle trick, so I did it for her. I thought she'd like it, tha-that'd she'd say good job. But she just got mad! She got so maaaad!"
She reaches out blindly and Kuon tugs her closer so she can wrap her small hands around his neck. He makes more soothing noises, but his heart drops to his stomach when she just keeps crying and saying sorry.
Footsteps echo throughout the alley behind him, and Kuon whirls, pulling up blocks of earth for defense as he tucks the little girl in closer to him. She gasps, her tears suddenly stopping as she stares at him, then at the detective that'd come across them.
Ping puts up both hands, "Hey, woah, chill out there kiddo. Me and Mo just thought they'd gotten ya. What's happenin?"
Kuon sighs, the blocks of earth unforming. The little girl stares with her mouth hanging open, as he releases his hold on the earth and stands back up. "Found this little munchkin here. We need to help her."
"Ah shit," Ping groans, and rubs the back of his neck, "Alright, alright. We can end this stakeout early tonight, that's what we were probably gonna have to do anyway. We can take her back to headquarters, see what we can find out."
Kuon lets out a small sigh of relief, and the little girl curls her fists tight into his jacket. She shivers in the cool evening air, and curls into him tighter, her wide eyes blinking up at the pair of them. Ping offers a small smile, which at least makes his wrinkled face appear a bit more friendly. This seems to go over well, and she relaxes, one fist uncurling from his jacket collar to give Ping a wave.
"And what's your name, munchkin? We can't keep callin ya that anyhow."
The girl blinks at Ping as he asks that, then says quietly, "Kyoko. I'm Kyoko. Will you take me to my mommy?"
Ping's gaze darts between the two of them, his brow furrowing as he takes in her ragged state, and Kuon's troubled face.
"Well, we're Republic City's finest. If we couldn't help ya, that wouldn't be our motto."
…
155 AG. Fuwa Family Inn and Restaurant. (16, 6)
The second time he sees her, she's much cleaner, and she's laughing. Her hair is even pulled back into a bun with a pretty butterfly clip, and she's wearing a matching skirt. An involuntary smile crosses Kuon's face when he looks over at where she's playing, in a corner of the Fuwa Restaurant where she isn't disturbing the guests. He's distracted from watching her when Ping claps him on the shoulder as they settle in to eat their dinner.
"Thought it might perk you up to see how that little munchkin was doin. What better place to celebrate our awesome arrests of those Agni Kai Triad jackasses, than at the place of the family that took her in?"
Kuon has to agree, "Yeah, you're right. I've been worried about her since that night, and this was a nice surprise."
It is awesome to have finally arrested the jackasses that had been peddling the firepoppy drugs, and seeing Kyoko way better off than when they'd first met, is icing on the cake.
"Any word of her mom though?"
Ping's cheerful countenance darkens, "Mo searched like a madwoman, but all she found in our files were some references to Saena Mogami being called in as a lawyer for some clients. Seems she was involved in some takedowns of Terra Triad perps. That's all Mo found... except for one other arrest report."
Ping swigs some of his drink and then folds his arms over the table. Kuon looks over at Kyoko, then back up at the detective, "Her mom in jail?"
"Nope," says Ping, a discomfited look crossing his face, "But seven years ago, an arrest report was filed for aggravated sexual assault. Saena Mogami was the victim."
Kuon hisses out a shocked breath, and his gaze swings back to Kyoko. She's now happily playing with a little boy, and appears to be making up a story by using shadow puppets. That information...that makes things a lot more difficult.
"We're not going to be able to find her mom, are we?" asked Kuon.
"We're trying to be optimistic, but...this is a big city. And that's just assuming that her mother stuck around. Kyoko said she couldn't ever go back, but we went back ourselves just to try to find her mother, and their place was empty. Just...barren. Either Mogami found work elsewhere, or she can hide really, really well. I just... knowing what I know about people in Mogami's situation, my instincts are telling me that Mogami flew the coop. She waited just long enough...and then she moved on."
"Spirits above," Kuon mumbles as he watches Kyoko. He pays her more attention when a sly look crosses her face. The little boy has blown out the lamps they'd been using to do their shadow puppets, and as Kuon watches, Kyoko shakes her hands, then snaps her fingers.
The lamps flare to life again, and the little boy yelps, and scrambles away from them. The diners that had watched the display laugh, and politely clap for her efforts. The boy though, scowls and stomps off. Kuon laughs with the rest, as it was an entertaining show. But, what he finds most impressive, is Kyoko's control over her firebending. That move must be the candle trick she'd mentioned. He knew a certain school in the outskirts of Republic City that taught that. It could be where she'd gotten it from.
When Ping speaks up again, his tone is carefully measured, "Hey, kiddo, don't let this get you down, alright? This kind of thing happens. The Fuwas were able to take her, and she seems happy here."
Kuon sighs, but acknowledges that Ping is most likely right, "I know...I get it. I just don't like it."
But what he does have, is an idea.
…
161 AG. Republic Bay Academy for Bending. (22, 12)
The third time he sees her, he can barely recognize her. He's visiting his father's office at the academy, and had gotten distracted by the bending practice in the courtyard, as he typically did. The Bay Academy is famous because all forms of bending are taught within its walls. Though the Airbending Acolytes could only learn the martial forms and the spiritual aspects, it's still a well-regarded path of the academy. Tenzin himself visits to tutor them and recruit acolytes to the Air Temple island upon their program completion.
On this particular day, Kuon and his father are discussing some of the newest pro-bending rules over lunch. This is really just a ruse for Kuu to harp on his favorite thing that bugs him about Kuon being a pro-bender, which is the fact that Kuon's team manager demands that he and his teammates have stage names.
"Dad, I promise you, Yashiro just wants us to be known for our pro-bending, and judged accordingly. It's not a slight to the Academy, or the Hizuri name."
Kuu grumbles some more about upstart managers, and Kuon sighs. When the windows of Kuu's office rattle as a fireblast goes by, Kuon and Kuu pause, blink at each other, then set down their chopsticks.
"Does that happen often?" Kuon asks.
His father sighs, "More than I would like. Damn that Toza for stuffing me next to the courtyard."
Kuon snickers, and gets up to look out the window. As he does so, he catches sight of a group of young teenagers sparring. One lithe individual jumps into the air and flips, a plume of fire exiting from their feet as they kick out. The earthbender that's defending has no chance, they're far too slow, and the blast knocks the poor guy clean off his feet.
Kuon winces in sympathy. The slowness of his own earthbending reaction time is what drew him to pro-bending styles in the first place. He's lost one too many fights to firebenders himself, to ever be satisfied with the slower, traditional earthbending styles.
Kuon watches in admiration as the group of firebenders coordinate quickly, and hem in the defenders. To his trained eye, it's clear that the earthbending group has too little leadership to keep up with the deftness of the firebending team. When the firebenders next attack, the earthbenders go hard on the defensive in response. He tsks in disappointment, and is startled by his father's chuckle.
"If you were part of that earthbending team, what would you do differently?"
Kuon ponders that for a second, internally cheering as the same lithe individual ducks a boulder, and sweeps their leg low. The resulting flames that flare out across the ground are precisely controlled, and powerful. He smiles a little as the opponents duck out of the way, yelping as they're singed.
"I'd use small, powerful jabs. They're wasting too much energy on big boulders and big movements. The firebenders are too quick, especially that little munchkin that has those nice, controlled kicks."
"Ah yes, that'd be that girl you recommended."
Kuon doesn't register the comment for a long moment, as he's still focused on the match in the courtyard. Said munchkin had just fallen to the ground, twisting on their back to pop back up, flames incinerating chunks of earth in a protective maneuver that Kuon is honestly surprised to see in someone so young. He's watched pro-benders pull it off in his matches before, but this is a young group, not even out of their teens.
Then the words hit him, "Wait...that munchkin, that's Kyoko? From way back?"
He stares at his father in disbelief, but Kuu only smirks, "It sure is. You've a good eye, my boy. She's never missed a day of lessons. And she often wins scholarships, so she's never had to pay full tuition. She's determined, that one. And a helluva hard worker."
Kuon stares back out at the courtyard blankly, barely realizing that the match has ended. Sure, she'd left a lasting impression, as that experience had been one of the few things he'd personally been involved with, as an intern for Beifong's Police Force. After learning what he had back then, he'd recommended her to attend the academy. But other than making sure she'd actually taken the entrance exam, he'd not thought of her since. He'd just wanted to give her a place to practice - one free of judgement where she could flourish.
"Spirits above," he mumbles, admiring.
He sees the resemblance now though, as the group passes by the window, heading down the path to the locker rooms. They're young and carefree, laughing and chatting with each other as they walk. And sure enough, there she goes, with those brilliant gold eyes, black hair pulled into a bun, with the same dainty features.
Kuu smacks his back, startling him, "What d'ya say we go spar, hm? I'll knock ya flat on your ass, just like old times!"
Kuon is thoroughly distracted from staring out the window by this challenge.
"You're on, old man!"
…
165 AG. Republic City Pro-Bending Arena. (26, 16)
The first time she sees him, it's during the Pro-Bending Championship Tournament Quarterfinals. The Fuwas had won tickets, and Kyoko had never been so excited as she'd been when they'd said she could go. They'd first offered to take Shotaro with them, but as was typical, he'd blown them off for some rally or the other.
The announcer had been spitting out the play by plays of the Golden Temple Tigerdillos versus the Bau Ling BuzzardWasps, when Kyoko had felt the people around her tense in anticipation. She's mostly ignored the announcer, trying to keep her eye on the action below, but a big dustup from the two earthbenders just then disrupts the view, and she strains to hear what's going on.
When she hears the announcer say it's going to tiebreak for the last round, she lets out a sigh of relief. The two teams had been really evenly matched, and she'd not wanted the match to end just yet. When the dustup clears, she sees the earthbenders step onto the middle platform, and Kyoko hurtles herself to the railing in front of her seat so she can get a better view.
There's something about that Tigerdillo earthbender, something so familiar… When the bell rings out, she keeps her eyes glued to him. The words of the announcer fade in and out as she watches.
"And Ren, in his trademark move, creates a shield of revolving discs, can Shan of the BuzzardWasps get past his defense?!"
Kyoko watches Ren fling out discs as he keeps on his toes, continuously pulling in more discs so the shield is able to maintain the coverage he wants. Kyoko studies his footwork and is reminded of the boxing style that had been part of her training when she was younger. The Bay Academy employed all sorts of martial artists and fighting instructors, so each pupil could figure out their best fighting style, and Kyoko is unused to seeing a boxing style being utilized by an earthbender.
Ren's opponent in fact, is hurling more discs, more frequently, trying to catch him off guard. But Ren stays calm under the pressure, twisting and turning to avoid them, and it's his fantastic footwork that's slowly gaining him the upper hand. Shan tries to trip him up by pulling up earth from the platform and shoving it at Ren, instead of throwing discs. But Ren avoids that as well, and so smoothly that it looks effortless. Kyoko has never before been so jealous of someone else's skill.
"Shan is looking more and more tired, and oh would you look at that! Shan pulls off a desperate barrage that has Ren scrambling to maintain his cover!" bellows the announcer and almost as one, the audience gasps, as they watch Ren lose disc after disc of his shield.
Quick as can be though, Ren ducks the last of Shan's barrage, and Kyoko stares in open-mouthed amazement as he narrowly pulls up and balances himself, legs spread wide in a sturdy stance. Ren pulls multiple discs from the platform from either side of himself and in one deft movement, pulls them back in tight, mimicking body armor. With a loud shout, he rapidly begins firing them towards Shan.
"Shan ducks one! Two! Three! And heeee's off the platform! Shan is knocked off, unable to escape Ren's last attack! What power! What persistence! Match to the Golden Temple Tiiiigerdiiillos! By way of one breathtaking tiebreak, the Tigerdillos advance to the semifinals!" The announcer can't seem to stop himself from listing off all their many accomplishments as the Tigerdillo team congratulate each other.
Kyoko is surrounded by a ferociously cheering crowd, children are screaming, and Kyoko finds herself chattering excitedly to the Fuwas.
"Did you see that?! Did you see that footwork?! Sifu Tenzin couldn't have done better! Oh spirits, that was fantastic! Did you see-?!"
She babbles the entire way home, awed and amazed at the skill of the pro-bender named Ren of the Golden Temple Tigerdillos. She is so utterly amazed in fact, that when there's a chance to meet the Tigerdillos after their semifinal match (that obviously, they win), she jumps on it. She waits eagerly for the others to be preoccupied by their fans when they are all outside the arena for a meet and greet, so she can speak to Ren alone.
He raises an eyebrow when he catches sight of her, the rest of his features stoic. Kyoko shoots him her best smile anyway. (This was the smile that had more than once gotten her out of trouble with her teachers). When this inspires no reaction, Kyoko's enthusiasm takes a nosedive. Ever a staunch fan of pro-bending, she muscles past it, and speaks up.
"Your footwork is some of the best I've ever seen. Your quickness?! It's so cool!"
"Thank you for the compliment," he replies, and begins to turn away.
She grabs at his jacket sleeve to stop him, "Seriously! Were you taught at the Republic Bay Academy?! You remind me so much of Sifu Kuu's style! Well, you're way quicker, but that stance, in the quarterfinals, with the knockout! That was totally something he would have done!"
He pauses, and looks back at her thoughtfully, "You have a good eye. Not even my team members caught that."
Kyoko laughs, a little embarrassed as she releases his sleeve, "Ah, I like to study a lot of styles. You transition so smoothly between them, I just found it incredibly impressive."
He shrugs, "Practice makes perfect. Pro-bending is great for it. You could always find yourself a team, if you're really so interested."
Kyoko blinks, never having thought of that, "Really? I could?! Really?!"
Ren's face grows amused, "Yes, really."
"Even the Tigerdillos?!"
"Ah…" Kyoko studies him eagerly, not realizing the apprehension on his face.
"Because I would love to be on a team with you! I'd learn so much! That'd be the best! We could-"
Ren scoffs, cutting her off, "Look, you've got great enthusiasm, you've got guts. But, please. Us Tigerdillos, we're not just playing a game here. If you want to be champions, it takes a lot of focus, a great deal of energy, and some serious commitment. Don't look to join up with us, you wouldn't suit; you're ten years too young to take this seriously."
He walks away, and Kyoko is left standing there, staring after him. She can't remember the last time someone was so dismiss-no wait. Yes she can. This was like Shotaro all over again. Shotaro had never believed that she was serious about pursuing bending. He was always so infuriatingly dismissive.
A scowl crosses Kyoko's features as her blood boils. Ten years too young? Hah.
They'd see. She'd show them. She would. Even if it took her putting her own team together, she'd be damned if she'd let jackasses like those two dictate what she could do.
Just watch me Ren. Watch me.
He'd regret ever saying those words.
…