Okay, this will be a daunting task, mainly because I haven't watched Legend of Korra whatsoever, but hopefully I can make this work! :O
But yeah, this little crossover/fusion idea came to me when I thought, 'what would happen if an entity like Pennywise came into the Avatar world?'. Thus, this was born! Just to let you all know, my pairing preferences are here cause I feel like that these pairings were going to be endgame until Bryke screwed all of that up. DX
Anyways, I'll try to keep Pennywise's(or as it's called It) as close to 'its'(oh, ha ha) novel/TV/movie counterpart as possible. So its still gonna be the same evil, demented, horrible character that it is. ;)
Also, I'm going to put this story in the crossover section in the next chapter. But for now, this focuses on the Gaang here, so it's kind of an ATLA story at this point. XP
Now onto the disclaimer!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own ATLA, or Stephen King's IT Pennywise. ATLA is owned by Nick, while IT is owned by...well, Stephen King. This is a fan made story that I'm not making money off of. This is just for creativity and fun. ;)
The vastness of the Universe is sometimes magical. We ask ourselves, "What is out there?", "Why is it out there?", and "What is its purpose?".
While some ponder, some learn. They learn the mysteries of the Universe, knowing its secrets. New discoveries are found whenever the chance presents itself. But no matter how much they've learned about this plane, it comes down to this: it always changes. Such are the wonders of the Universe.
Trillions, perhaps more, Stars are held into place. Billions, perhaps more, Galaxies are held into place. And the Universe, itself, is held in its place.
Which begs the question; what is outside the Universe?
Some call it the Outer Realm. Some call it the Vastness. But in reality, they are called Verses. Each Verse is outside the other Verse, continuing to expand even further. The highest of these Verses is the Omniverse, where everything in existence is held all into the other Verses.
But even then, what is outside the Omniverse?
The answer to that would be the Macroverse; an unknown Verse full of vast space.
But what resides in that vastness of space?
We, as mortals, do not know the answer, as we are still learning about the Universe we live in ourselves. Only the Higher Beings and the Great One know of the Cosmos.
However, there are some things in the Cosmos, even in the Macroverse, that should never be known...
-CLOWN-
-In a grand hotel in Republic City-
"Suki, could you tie this up for me, please?" A twenty-two-year-old Katara asked her twenty-three-year-old warrior gal pal and her sister-in-law, showing her bare back as she held the front of her aqua blue strapless bodice dress to her moderate chest. The outfit flowed down as it reached to the floor, her hair stylized into braids and curls, where a see-through veil was planted on top of her head. As of now, she is preparing for the most important day of her life; her wedding day.
"Sure thing, Kat!" Suki got up from her chair with a smile. She went over to her waterbending friend and grabbed the back laces of her wedding dress, tying them into knots.
"Thanks," Katara said once Suki tied the last one. She sighed, "My goodness, this is actually happening..."
"I know! Aren't you excited?" Suki asked her in glee.
"Yeah, of course I am! I'm just...nervous and dumbstruck right now." Katara answered honestly.
"Huh? Okay, nervous I can understand, but what do you mean by dumbstruck?" Suki asked in slight confusion.
"Well, I'm dumbstruck because...I'm getting married. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was fourteen and fighting in a war...and now I'm getting married." Katara explained to her.
Suki chuckled, "Hey, time flies. Especially when you're rebuilding the world back to its feet."
Katara turned her head to Suki with a smile. "Yeah...still, I never thought I'd be at this point in my life. And with Aang nonetheless."
"Well, I can get why you would be in shock. I mean, he is the Avatar after all, and you are marrying him. He's a pretty intimidating figure right now." Suki commented.
"Twinkles 'intimidating'? Please, Momo was more intimidating than him." said a familiar female's voice. The two women looked at the door, as the twenty-year-old Greatest Earthbender in the World, Toph, entered the room.
"Toph!" Katara exclaimed in happiness. Lifting the front of her skirt so she can run easily, she made her way quickly to her earthbender friend and maid-of-honor. She gave Toph a big hug, wrapping her arms around her small frame. "Oh thank goodness! I thought you wouldn't make it!"
Toph chuckled, patting her on the back. "What? And miss you and Twinkle Toes' wedding? I may be Chief of RC, but that doesn't mean I can't take a day off to, well, 'sense' my two friends getting hitched."
Katara let go of Toph and stared at her, eyes softened in gratitude. "Thank you for being here, Toph."
"Hey, I am the maid-of-honor; I'm just doing my part," Toph smirked.
Suki eyed Toph's attire, "Um, Toph, your dress needs adjusting. The chest area almost looks like it's about to burst."
Toph scoffed. "You think I don't know that? I've been trying to adjust this stupid thing for what feels like hours!"
The Leader of the Kyoshi Warriors giggled, "Wow, if I don't know any better, I think you were trying to get some action there, Toph."
"Pfft! Please, what do you take me for, a desperate old leopard-cougar? I just can't get this dumb dress to cooperate!" Toph explained as she grabbed the chest hem of her strapless green dress, shifting it to make her ample bosoms go in.
"Toph! That's not how you adjust a dress!" Katara said in disapproval.
"Obviously." Toph rolled her sightless eyes for effect. "But you got to admit, I did good with at least putting it on."
"You put the dress on by yourself?" Suki asked in slight surprise.
"Yeah. I'm capable of putting on frilly dresses by myself." Toph answered with a shrug. "It's basically the reason why I'm a little late."
"Toph, my wedding doesn't start in an hour."
"Really? Huh. Thanks for telling me that, Sugar Queen. I feel a little better." Toph smirked.
Katara rolled her eyes with a smile. "Here Toph, I'll help you with your dress."
"Sure you not trying to cop a feel?" the petite earthbender jested.
"Toph!"
Suki laughed. "I have to say, who would've thought our little Toph would grow so much over the years?"
"Hey, don't sell yourselves short. From the vibrations I sensed, you girls got it going on. I mean, come on, Sugar Queen, even if you don't have a chest, you still got a posterior."
"You have one as well too, Toph," Katara smirked.
"Damn straight! Just don't call me fat." Toph warns.
"Hey, I know I got it going on. Sokka keeps telling me that every day." Suki said with a smirk as well. "He even tells me that I still look good in my Kyoshi Warrior getup when we roleplay."
"Whoa! Too much information there, Fan Girl." Toph cringed.
"Uh, yeah Suki, as your sister-in-law, I don't want need to know about yours and my brother's sexcapades," Katara said with a grimace.
"Hey, just saying we're pretty active," Suki commented proudly.
"Ah! Lalala! Not hearing you!" Toph said with her fingers in her ears.
"Okay, let's just drop this and get back to fixing your dress, Toph," Katara said as she helped adjust the chests hem.
As soon as she was almost done with it, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Katara asked through the door.
"It's Zuko," Toph answered for her.
"Zuko?" Katara straightened up.
"Um...yes. What Toph said." came Zuko's sheepish voice on the other side of the door.
Suki went over to the door and opened it to reveal the twenty-four-year-old Fire Lord himself, Zuko, as he dressed in what almost looked like his red Fire Lord garb, except it looks a little less formal. His attire still carried an air of sophistication to it though.
"Um...hi," Zuko says awkwardly.
"Hi, Zuko!" Suki said with a smile.
As soon as he entered the room, he blinked, seeing that Toph was messing with the chest hem of her dress.
"Toph! We have a male in the room!" Katara scolded her.
"Pfft! I bet this is the best action he's seen ever since Mai dumped him." Toph mumbled.
Zuko blushed and cleared his throat.
Katara sighed exasperatedly, turning to Zuko with an apologetic smile. "Hey, Zuko."
"Hey, Katara." Zuko smiled softly. He turned to Suki, "I actually came by to tell you, Suki, that your husband is about to raid the food from the wedding reception. He's 'secretly' stuffing food into his, as he likes to call it, 'man purse'."
"What!? He just ate something before we got here!" Suki said in disbelief.
"And you believe he would be content with that? Snoozles is like a bottomless pit when it comes to food." Toph quipped.
"Ugh! That man. Thanks Zuko." Suki then dashed out of the room.
The three of them stood there for a moment in the room, until Zuko said, "So, um, how's everything going so far?"
Katara gave him a kind smile. "Oh, you know, just trying to get myself fitted into my wedding dress. How's being the best man?"
Before Zuko could answer, Toph piped up, "You know, I better go help out Fan Girl. There's a chance that Snoozles may hide the food and lie about it, and well, I am a lie detector, so...see ya." Toph said as she made her way out of the room, closing the door.
Katara pouted. "I haven't even fixed her top yet."
Zuko chuckled. Glancing at the waterbender, he said, "To answer your question, it has its perks."
"Oh? Like what?"
"Well, for one, no paperwork."
Katara giggled at the joke. As she stood in front of Zuko, she took an audible deep breath.
Zuko frowned in concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I just...this is actually happening. Me getting...married." Katara said, almost as if she is processing this information.
Zuko's frown turned poignant. "Is...everything okay?"
"Oh, yeah, I just...I guess everything is hitting me at this moment." Katara stated, looking at the floor in thought.
Zuko stared at the dark-skinned waterbending beauty, his eyes showing a sense of understanding, and yet...something else. Something that he wished he could, or could've, said back then...but didn't.
Katara looked up at Zuko, her beautiful blue orbs filled with such maturity and hope. The kind of hope that made Zuko kept going through his trials, to try to fix a world torn by a hundred-year-old war, to try to bring harmony back to the Four Nations with the assistance of the Avatar. It was the kind of hope that made him fill at ease.
"So...how's Azula?" Katara asked, snapping Zuko out of his thoughts.
"Uh...she's...kind of the same," Zuko answered glumly as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Katara frowned at that. "Oh...well, 'kind of' is a start, isn't it?"
Zuko looked at her with a slight smile. "Yeah...she asked about Mother in a more sincere way. That was almost a point to the right direction."
Katara nodded with a smile. "That's good to know."
"Yeah...ever since...father committed suicide...she's getting more and more restless." Zuko looked crestfallen when saying that.
Katara went up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Zuko, it's not your fault. He wasn't stable."
"I couldn't send him to a psychiatric ward. Azula was there, and...I couldn't risk it. I couldn't risk them plotting my demise." Zuko said, his eyes dull as he looked down.
Katara winced. "Zuko...you still have your mother and uncle. And you have us...that's all the family you need. Don't beat yourself up for it. You...you give us hope, Zuko."
Zuko looked up at the waterbender in surprise.
"You may have had a rough start...but you overcame your trials and know what was right. You weren't like your father...you have the power to change things for the better, and it showed. Everyone is slowly coming back into harmony...thanks to you and Aang."
The Fire Lord looked at Katara, eyes filling up with such warm gratitude as he smiled sincerely at her words. "You always know what to say, Katara."
Katara smiled back at him.
"You know...you all give me hope as well. Especially you, Katara," Zuko added.
Katara blinked and blushed lightly at what he said. "R-Really?"
Zuko nodded. "Yes, you do. You are the most hopeful person I've ever met, and I couldn't ask for a better friend than that. And...I just want to thank you for helping me out through all the times that I had, let it be family related, making decisions, and for just...being there. Thank you, Katara."
Releasing her hand on his shoulder, Katara felt shy all of a sudden. Looking to her left, her face felt warmer from all the praise. "Th-Thank you, Zuko."
Zuko gave out with what looked like a sad smile, "Aang is really lucky to have you."
Katara turned back to Zuko, a little stunned.
Zuko's smile dropped, feeling like he said too much. He cleared his throat. "Uh, speaking of Aang, I better get back to seeing how he's holding up."
"Uh, yeah," Katara said as she shook her head slightly. She then chuckled. "Wow Zuko, you really are one smooth talker."
Eyes widened, Zuko blushed as well, feeling a little flustered. "Um...I'm just...being a good friend."
Katara looked at him with an appreciative smile. "Well, thank you for being a great friend, Zuko."
Zuko softly smiled back at her. They stood there for a couple of seconds, until he said, "Well...I hope you have a wonderful wedding, Katara. I'm...really happy for you."
Katara nodded with a look of pure warmth, "Thank you, Zuko..."
Zuko nodded as he gave her one last smile before leaving the room.
A twenty-year-old Aang looked at himself in the mirror, wearing a traditional orange Air Nomad's robe used for weddings. He took a deep breath...
"Creampuff, Aang?"
"What?" Aang turned to a twenty-three-year-old Sokka sitting on one of the chairs, enjoying a tasty treat he got from the wedding reception. The Avatar sees the sweet confection in the warrior's hand being given to him. "Oh...no thanks, Sokka."
Sokka shrugged. "Suit yourself." he popped it in his mouth.
"Did you seriously just stuff all the food you can carry in that purse?" Aang asked.
"Man purse, my future brother-in-law." Sokka corrected him.
"That still doesn't sound manly in the slightest."
The Water Tribe warrior scowled exaggeratedly. "Anyways, yes, I did. But not a lot! I just want to try out all these delicious confections before you and my sis get hitched. I'm hiding here so Suki won't find me with the evidence."
Aang raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you eat anything?"
"Of course I did, but it was all vegetables! Man, Suki is trying really hard to hook me onto that vegetable diet, but it's just not filling enough!"
The Avatar blinked. "Hey, I get full on vegetables."
"Yeah, but that's because you're you, Twinkle Toes." said a familiar new voice in the room that's feminine. The two men looked at the door, which it was Toph who entered.
Aang smiled in glee, "Toph, you-" then he realized that Toph's top is showing a little bit of cleavage, making him blush a bit. "...you made it."
Toph raised an eyebrow at Aang's hesitated tone until she realized why. She was about to say something about it - or more like tease him about it when Sokka beat her to it. "Wow. They look bigger without the armor."
"Shut it, Snoozles," Toph warns.
Sokka raised his hands up in defense. Aang looked away from Toph and said to his friend, "G-Glad you made it, Toph."
Toph chuckled. "Why so flustered about it, Twinkles? You're getting married soon, you'll be seeing lady parts sooner or later."
"T-Toph!" Aang exclaimed in shock.
Toph rolled her unseeing eyes. "Sheesh, Twinkle Toes, you are a monk. Oh, and by the way, Meat Head, your wife is looking for you. She knows that you've been taking food from the reception."
"Say what!? How?" Sokka said in a panic.
"Zuko." Toph simply said.
"Really!? Augh! Zuko! That jerk-bender! Just cause he's the best man, doesn't mean he can gopher-rat on me!" Sokka pouted.
Aang frowned. "Um...I want to say sorry again for not letting you be the 'best man' by the way, Sokka."
"Look, Aang, don't worry about it. I'm not sore about that anymore. Although, now I need to get back at that two-timing Hot-Head!" Sokka stood up from his chair, his man purse slung over his shoulder. "In the meantime, as much as it pains me to do this, but I got to dispose of the evidence! See ya at the wedding, Aang! And maybe Katara can fix that top part for you, Toph!" He ran out of the room, closing the door on his way out.
Thus, leaves the Avatar and Greatest Earthbender in the World all alone.
"Where is he even gonna dump it all?" Aang asked honestly.
"Who knows?" Toph said with a shrug. "The men's bathroom, probably."
Aang chuckled. "I can actually imagine him doing that."
Toph smirked and chortled. "Yeah, me too. In fact..." she stomped her foot. "...Yep, he is."
Aang full on laughed, while Toph snickered. Easing his laughter by holding onto his stomach, it faded away as he fully looked at Toph. She looked beautiful, as her strapless outfit kind of hugged her form really well, showing her toned arms, and showcasing her-
"You know, staring is kind of rude, Twinkles."
Eyes widened and face blushing, Aang quickly said, "S-Sorry Toph! I-It's just...well..."
Toph snorted in amusement. "Hey, I know. I'm a looker now. The boys at the office always give me compliments just to suck up to me. Just remember that this is your wedding with Katara, Aang, so don't get any ideas."
Aang chuckled, feeling at ease. "Of course! And don't worry, I wouldn't do that to Katara. I love her too much to do something like that."
Toph's overconfident posture changed a bit. "Good..."
Aang scratched his right cheek meekly, "Although, I am with Sokka on the top part. You need to let Katara help you out with that. You wouldn't want a, um...wardrobe malfunction happening anytime soon."
The petite earthbender laughed good at that. "Wardrobe malfunction? Wow, Twinkles, you made that up by yourself on the spot?"
"Surprisingly, yes I did," Aang said with a proud grin.
Toph chuckled. "Well, I guess my humor is finally rubbing off on ya, Twinkles! And actually, yeah, I don't want the headlines to read 'Chief of Republic City Flashes Everyone at the Avatar's Wedding". That wouldn't go too well for my image and the city."
Aang laughed softly. "Well, it's still good to see that you're here, Toph. I'm glad you're part of this."
"Yeah...I am too." Toph turned around and made her way to the door until she stopped. "Will you be able to handle it?"
Aang blinked. "Handle what?"
"Marriage. It's like a big step to some people, isn't it?"
Aang stood there, lowering his head in thought as he contemplates her words. "Yeah, it is..." he pondered about it some more. "...I think I can handle it. I mean, I handled a war, I sure as heck could handle something like marriage."
"Don't get too overconfident there, Twinkles. From what I witnessed in Gaoling when I was younger, my parents were very committed to each other. You have to be there for Katara at all times whenever she needs it."
Aang's face and tone grew serious. "Don't worry, Toph, I will. I'll be by her side no matter what."
Toph stood there for a moment, until she said, "Okay then." she turned around to Aang, letting her sightless vision land on Aang with a slight smile. "In that case, I hope you two have a good marriage."
Aang smiled at his good friend and earthbending sifu. "Thank you, Toph. That means a lot."
"No problem," Toph smirked, turning around to walk towards the door. "I'll see you at the wedding, Twinkles."
"You too, Toph," Aang said, his smile warm. "And...you look really beautiful today."
Toph stopped for just a moment. "Thank you, Aang," she said in a quick but sincere way. She opened the door and left the room.
Toph closed the door behind her, her face giving out a hue of red. Frowning, she took a deep breath.
"...Damn," she whispered.
"Toph?"
The woman recognized the footsteps and the voice. It was Zuko.
"Oh, hey Sparky," Toph said in her usual tone.
"Hey...what were you doing in the groom's room?" Zuko asked curiously.
Toph raised an eyebrow as she walked away from the door to Aang's changing room over to Zuko. "Well, I sensed Sokka in there to tell him you gopher-ratted him out, which he's mad at you, by the way, and talked to Aang a little bit. The question I should ask you now, is what were you still doing in the bride's room?"
Zuko blushed. "I was just...making sure she was faring well with all this...wedding stuff, you know?"
"Hmm." Toph nodded. "Yeah. Been kind of telling Twinkles about marriage and whatnot...how it's more of a commitment than being with the one you...love. I mean, I wouldn't know, I'm not married...but I would think that's how it would go."
Zuko hummed and nodded in agreement.
They both stood there for a moment, letting this comfortable, yet unwanted silence washes over them.
"...We're two peas in a pod, aren't we?" Toph said a little forlornly.
"Huh?" Zuko asked in confusion.
The earthbender chuckled soberly. "I'll let you figure that out. In the meantime, I got to let Katara fix this dress of mine. See ya at the wedding, Zuko." And with that, she walked her way back to the bride's changing room.
Zuko watched her go, wondering what she meant by that earlier statement she said. His eyes widened when he realized the context of that sentence. Before he could call out to Toph, she was already around the corner. The Fire Lord stood there with a sad frown on his face.
"...Yeah. Two peas in a pod." Zuko said solemnly.
"Zuko?" said older man's voice.
Zuko turned around to see that it was his Iroh, his Uncle.
"Hey Uncle," Zuko said with a somber smile.
"Hello, my Nephew. I just came by to tell you that your mother has arrived." Iroh informed, his face showing concern when he saw his nephew's frown.
"Oh, that's wonderful..." Zuko said a little melancholy.
"Are you okay, Zuko?" Iroh asked.
Zuko stayed silent until he sighed. "I'm fine, Uncle..."
Not believing his statement, Iroh went up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder and whispered. "Zuko...I can tell them that you're not feeling well if you want me to."
"No Uncle, I'm not a coward...I can get through this." Zuko said deliberately.
Iroh frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah...I mean, I am the best man." Zuko clarified.
Iroh hummed in partial agreement. He patted his shoulder and said, "Zuko, this may be a difficult time for you...but I believe Fate always works out well with these type of things. Fate is a good companion to Love, and Love is always pure. So do not feel like you've missed that chance. There will always be a door of opportunity somewhere down that line. Right now may not be the best time, but maybe in the future, in this lifetime, you'll find it...just always be hopeful, Zuko, and count your blessings."
Zuko looked at his Uncle with sad eyes but gave him another somber smile. "I will, Uncle."
The retired General nodded with a solemn smile of his own, letting go of Zuko's shoulder. "You will find happiness someday, Zuko. Whether it is from someone else, or if it really is from her, you will find it. Just do not lose hope, my dear Nephew."
Zuko's smile turned heartfelt. "I won't, Uncle. Thank you."
Iroh nodded, smiling at his surrogate son with compassion. "You are most welcome, Zuko."
Taking a deep breath through his nose, Zuko said, "I'm going to go outside to get some air."
"Do as you must, Nephew," Iroh said, watching the young Fire Lord go down the hall.
Zuko arrived out in the large hotel courtyard where the wedding ceremony is being held. Everything looked glamorous, to the decorations, to the altar, to the structures, and to the planted courtyard trees surrounding the event.
He took a deep breath and looked up at the night sky. Katara wanted to let the wedding take place at night, which was very poetic, he realized. Katara does rise with the moon...and she does look beautiful when the moon hits her form...
Zuko grunted in frustration, shaking his head as he continued to look up at the night sky.
It was then, in an instant, he saw a shooting star, speeding through the starry night.
Processing what he just saw, he kept looking up at the sky. He sighed and walked back inside the hotel...
"Whew! I had to take that leak!" said a male drunken vagrant as he finished relieving himself at the sewer stream.
As he staggered away from the sewer tunnel entrance that was a little ways away from Republic City, he mumbled to himself. "Whoa, I drank too much. Heh, nice of the feller to give me that free booze at the bar though!"
He sat on the concrete ground and lets himself rest against the wall. Staring up at the night sky, he said to himself. "It sure is pretty out tonight...a good full moon..."
As he relaxed, he began to drift off to sleep, soon giving out snores...
...It was then something bright shined past through his closed eyelids.
"Huh?" the homeless man gradually opened his eyes. From where he was sleeping, he looked to his left...
He sat up quickly, his eyes now became even more open.
"What...?"
The light in question looked bright white, and it traveled through the sewer tunnel entrance. The light itself looked...shapeless, yet it was trying to form a shape. The thing was morphing as it floated – floated – into the sewer tunnel. It went in, illuminating the tunnel as it made its way through...
Then...the light faded away into the tunnel.
The vagrant, a little bit in shock, got up with a falter in his posture and looked ahead toward the dark tunnel.
"Whoa...what was that?" he asked to no one. Perhaps he drank harder than he thought. However, it was then he heard something alarming...
The man froze at the sound.
"Huh?"
...There were pained grunts coming from the tunnel; grunts that almost sounded...primal.
He stood there, unsure of what he should do. "What kind of animal makes that sound?" he said to himself quietly.
Should he inform the authorities? Should he get someone who knows about animals? Should he even investigate?
He made steady and slow steps to the entrance of the tunnel, the foreign noises still emitting out of it.
Then, everything became quiet...
The suddenly sober man, now on high alert, stopped in front of the entrance.
It was still quiet...which made the man feel even more uneasy.
"H-Hello?" he stuttered, feeling almost a little afraid.
That was all it took.
With a dark growl and a roar, something grabbed the man and violently pulled him into the sewer tunnel. The man didn't have time to scream. He was pulled, flown into the darkness, his fate sealed as a loud crunch echoed throughout the tunnel.
The only sound that's being made, were small, yet loud wet crunches, as whatever grabbed the vagrant was gorging itself.
And then, after a minute of the disgusting sounds...it was silent.
Okay! I hope this all catches your interest! Tell me how it is! I really hope it sounds good! :)
But yeah, that's chapter one! Chapter two will be...whenever. Lol! Sorry, I'm not good at keeping promises when it comes to writing my stories. XP
Anywho, thank you all for reading! See you all around, and keep on rocking everybody! :D