Author's notes: Greetings, my loyal League of Readers! It is a great pleasure that I can introduce you, my newest work of art, titled „The Melody of Frost and Flame." Pun entirely intended. Now, I must thank my great friend and beta-reader, Rassilon, for the inspiration for this story and the title, and the motivation for me to do this stuff. This might just be the longest fanfic I ever wrote. Of course, if I finish it, unlike I did the Mask of Fright or Rise of the No More Hero. Those two are on a looooong break, while I figure out what to do with them, which most likely includes a complete rewrite and a complete plan for the story. They were products of a dark chapter of my past, when I merely wanted to create, but had no idea what to create, so that's what I ended up with. Improvised writing that wasn't very good. Thus I apologize to anyone, who'd like to see more of those, but right now, I doubt I'll be able to write continuation to them, instead I'll work on a rebooting of both. But until then, please enjoy this story, about…well, I'm not going to spoil it to you this early on, am I? You just sit back and watch…I mean read! On with the story!
Disclaimer: The aliens came! And they told me I do not own anything from the Avatar universe, except this story idea and my own original characters that I add to the story! And they also told me they have cookies!
Water.
An almost infinitely long, deep blue stretch of water.
As far as the eye could see, only the calm, gentle waves striking the side of the ship, the even calmer parts of the sea further away from it and in some instances, since the voyage was nearing its end, some ice.
This was the view that welcomed him. The view that, however uncomfortable right now, he would have to get used to if he wanted to accomplish what he wanted in the first place. Even though he had to agree, that the ice made the place seriously out of his element. Or not even just the ice. Rather, the water. And the cold. And the usual weather. And the culture existing here.
Mako sighed slightly, as he sat on the soft seat that was provided to him, looking out into the vast sea, thinking about what he was going to do. His left arm, bandaged and tied up, still hurt slightly, he noted, as he tried moving it gently. He sure hoped that it wouldn't last long. Coming this far away from Republic City alone made it especially hard for him, but as always, he grit his teeth and managed. This was his attitude towards things all his life and it wouldn't change now.
Turning to face a more colorful scenery than just blue, he glanced at some of the other passengers. They were a diverse bunch, that's for sure. As if the great war all those years ago never even happened. There were people from all over the world, traveling to this place or that. Young and old, men and women, all traveling to somewhere and from somewhere else. Mako pondered what it would have been like in the time of the war. Well, he would not have been going to where he was right about now. Or at least not without weaponry, a battleship and a whole regiment of fire nation soldiers going along for the ride. Or rather, him going along with them.
But that time was long gone and he was glad this was the case. In these days, a time like that in the war was unimaginable. Conflict still raged here and there, but what kept the world in fear from the mighty fire army and navy was now over. This drew a small smile over the young man's face. Yes, conflicts still raged here and there and in recent times, he and his friends fought the greatest possible battles of their lives. The fact his left forearm was still in bandages and hanging on some gauze tied around his shoulder was reminiscent of that fact. And, just like everything else, thinking about it made Mako remember it. Which caused a slight shot of pain to go through his arm.
He really wished the pain could just end there, without another thought going to it. Just 'woosh' and over. Just like that. He would be rid of it and it wouldn't hold him down any longer, making any and all movement hurt and turn firebending into a string of pain-filled motions, desperate to stir up fire in the air.
Standing up, he walked across the deck of the ship, listening to the sound of waves crashing against the metallic side of the vessel, reminding him of a chained giant, pounding on the door of it's cell, wishing to be free. Though, why, he could not understand fully. This giant was free. Perhaps the chained giant wasn't the sea, but something else? Nevertheless, he shook the thought aside and decided to continue walking towards the back of the ship, admiring the view and getting familiar with his surroundings. That always set his mind at ease.
Reaching the rear of the cruiser, though, something stopped him in his tracks, slightly in shock. That…the long, black hair, fluttering slightly in the wind …that outfit, seeming both comfortable and elegant…his mind began racing at the sight he saw, eyes glued to the back of the person he spotted. Soon, however, he had to accept reality. That girl he saw wasn't Asami. With a short sigh, he turned and decided to let his path take him somewhere else, a slight frown on his face.
Leaning against the railing and staring out into the sea again, he thought about where he went wrong and how he could correct his mistakes. If he could, even. Well, there was always room for hope, but somehow, he began doubting himself more and more over the past couple of months. Especially with his arm being the way it was. At least he got out with his life, though. His face scrunched up slightly as the thought seemingly brought with it some further, slightly more intense pain stinging his palm.
Continuing his lone stroll down the deck, he made his way past a couple of children playing together, scattering out of his way as he calmly walked by, letting a tiny smile come to his lips, seeing two brothers wrestling together, until their mother or aunt called after them to stop making a fuss. To think back, he never would have thought he and Bolin would reach what they did in the end. Though he wasn't one to openly admit it, but he was proud of his little brother. And, afterall, of himself too.
But good thoughts can often disappear in an instant, giving way to bad ones. Remembering his time with Bolin also reminded him of some less pleasant moments. That sickly, pale face with that hellish frown in particular. In a minute, he felt as if the skin on his right hand was heating up, wanting to release the fire contained inside in reaction to his thoughts. Calming himself with a sigh, Mako continued, turning away from the sea. No. It's okay. He was safe now.
They all were.
Thinking back also awoke many good memories within him. Looking around, his mind kept showing him images of the past. Those vibrant, blue eyes…that cocky, confident grin…those abilities…good times. He could feel the happiness replacing the slight shock in his heart. He had to focus on the good things. Who wanted to weep and moan about things of the past anyways? Parts of his mind wanted sometimes, apparently.
That was when he noticed them.
Sitting together near the front end of the ship's passenger deck, a man and a woman sat, leaning against each other, not speaking or communicating in any way, simply holding each other's hands and watching the scenery. Mako was never one to particularly like Varrick and never got to know Zhu li that well, but somehow, seeing this vision in front of him, a small, happy smirk appeared on his face.
To be completely honest, Mako could even say he envied Varrick. To love someone so dearly and have it returned in kind. It was adorable, if he really thought about it. Something he never quite felt. Bolin always told him he'd meet a nice girl one day, but that always seemed silly to him. Like a fairy tale, to meet the love of his life and settle down, destined to live happily ever after. That wasn't really him. Not that he knew, at least.
But those two, of course, weren't Varrick and Zhu li. They wore clothes akin to Republic City citizens, so he guessed they came from there. Still, he mentally congratulated them and looked another way, seeing the ice begin to multiply in his field of vision, as the large ship drew closer and closer to the North Pole, also noticeable by the air's temperature dropping at an aggressive rate. He had to pull the coat he was wearing tighter against his body to keep the warmth inside.
Such a strange journey he was on. Traveling far away from his home and hoping that the thing he sought would be where he went. Only time would tell. But he knew, that even if this turned out bad, he could still return to Republic City and do something. He just wasn't sure exactly what. Or with who. But his friends would back him up if he needed some help, wouldn't they?
Wouldn't they?
Of course they would. But thinking about that annoyed him. Now, his brain wanted to focus on something else instead. The long voyage rather tired him out and he decided that some sleep would be the best course of action. To take at least a short nap before they got to shore at their destination. That couldn't hurt.
Walking through a larger group of people, he brushed past and bumped into some of them, eventually almost knocking over a young girl. She managed to steady herself, but seeing her made Mako stop slightly. Once again. That short, brown hair. That tanned skin. Those blue eyes, though not as ferocious, reminded him of Korra.
Swiftly apologizing and turning away, he approached his own cabin, now with hastier steps. The sting in his arm worsened slightly, as he used his left hand to open the door accidentally, wincing slightly at the pulsing feeling.
Stepping inside and closing the door behind himself, Mako pondered on his past and present. Neither of them were perfect, but considering the odds, they were far prettier than he ever thought. Then what was this feeling? This feeling, eating away at him, as if it wanted to outright consume him. Something was wrong and he could clearly see that. Maybe he just needed to rest and that would do the trick, he thought as he approached the bed, hopping on and falling asleep rather quickly.
His thoughts still wandered to the past, presenting it as far better, but sometimes far worse, than the current times. Memories of all shapes flooded his brain, as if wanting to overload it with information and emotions. It seemed, this lingering feeling didn't leave him, not even in his dreams. It followed, attaching itself onto the firebender and not letting go until he didn't solve it.
But to find the answer, he needed to look deeper into that he did not wish to. Well, he figured, might as well try and remember how this ordeal started. Might figure out something useful. And if not, well, he would look for more pleasant, if not that productive, thoughts.