Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or any affiliated logos, characters, or fighting styles.
This one's a bit of a doozy, and it almost literally came out of nowhere. The basic plot: what if the conversation between the other monks and Giatzo never happened. What would have changed, what would have remained the same? Warnings: Massively AU, Character Death, Blood/Gore/Excessive Violence, OOCness in general, Mentioning of Yuri/Femslash. I'm not telling the pairings in summary, as that tends to make less people read these stories. Also, refrain from demanding pairings in reviews/PMs/Emails, such demands will be ignored- all pairings have been decided from the start.
Now, lets get the show on the road.
"There was a time few can remember, when the land of fire and earth lived in harmony.
My great grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin, brought ended the peace over a century ago.
At first, the war
was going in my people's favor.
Our superior
technology and our fire were securing our victory.
Or, in our
arrogance, so we thought.
Two years ago,
before the comet's second coming, the war turned against us.
The Day of the Black
Sun threw my people to the slaughter.
The moon eclipsing
our bending, our tanks, our ships, none of our weapons could work.
Rather than the Fire
Nation take over the Earth, the Earth had taken control of Fire
Most of the people I
cared about died that day.
My father, Ozai, was
the first to die, followed by my sister, Azula.
It turns out; she
did have a heart after all.
She and her lover,
Ty Lee, told Mai and I to leave the palace, dieing to buy us time.
I used to wish to
find the Avatar to destroy him.
Then, I thought, my
family's honor would be restored.
Now, however, my
reasons for finding the Avatar are different.
The balance needs to
be restored, and I fear only he can do it."
-Excerpt from the
Ballad of Lord Zuko the Great,
Prologue; lines 1 through 18.
August 14, 12th year of the War of Trials.
A young boy was sprawled upon a small, lowered bed. He was dreaming, and from the smile upon his face, it was a good one. The dream was important; it would forever change the course of history from the current path to… well, who knows?
In side of his mind, the young boy was seeing a vision. In front of him was a girl who appeared to be slightly older than him. As she walked towards him, the wind waved the few locks of her dark hair that were not held up in a bun. As he looked on her, curious as to why she was approaching him, he saw an image of a beautiful woman superimposed upon her. As the girl got closer, he noticed a great resemblance between the girl and the woman.
Before he could ask what the image was, the fading image of the older women reached out toward him. He heard a light, motherly voice begin to speak.
"Avatar," he heard the voice say, "A war is brewing in these lands. Head to the south, away from the spreading fire. You alone are the hope for the world."
"What- what are you talking about?" the boy, the Avatar, said. The girl gave him a strange look, before putting a finger to his lips.
"I didn't say anything, Aang." With those words, she embraced him. The boy blushed slightly, her pale gi- while still being modest- was more revealing than anything the girls in the temple wore. Suddenly, he felt faint, and saw his vision fading.
"Aang!" It was the mystery girl's voice. "Aang!"
---
"Aang! Wake up this instant!" This voice was much deeper and rough than the strange dream-girl. "If you don't wake up now, so help me I'll…" A blast of wind from the boy's palm narrowly missing his face silenced him quickly.
"I'm up, I'm up!" The young boy literally jumped out of his bed. He grinned at the withering old man who was his sifu, scratching the back of his head. "Gimme a minute to get ready!"
"Be quick about it, Aang. The Council of the Wind is meeting, and they need to know which Element you plan to master next." Saying that, the old man sighed as he left the boy's room; knowing Aang's penchant for tardiness, they would be late for the meeting.
"Gotcha, Sifu Giatzo!" He quickly switched his underwear, and put on his yellow britches and tunic. Choosing to neglect shaving his head for the day, he threw his orange, homespun cloak on after using his air bending to clean off his teeth, and ran out the door.
He quickly caught up to his master, who had chosen to take his time, and immediately slowed his gate to that of his sifu, as if he had been walking alongside the man the entire time. For a moment, the older man's composure shattered, leaving a completely shocked expression on Giatzo's face. Aang was never, ever, ever, on time for anything, let alone arrive early. The elderly monk then let out a small chuckle.
"At least you have chosen to be on time for things of importance, Aang," Giatzo
Aang pouted for a moment, and said "I'm not that late to everything master. I just like to arrive fashionably late." The young monk grinned, a rather broad smile that nearly consumed his entire face.
Giatzo chortled amusedly at the Avatar's words, and then shook his head. He loved the boy as a son, but he needed to learn when to be serious about things. Even with the grave responsibilities of an Avatar, the boy was irreverent, irresponsible, and a clown. Giatzo could relate, having been all of those and more at the boy's age.
"Race you there,Sifu Giatzo!" the young avatar laughed out. The boy quickly manipulated the air near his feet, into two swirling spheres, and zoomed off towards the council's meeting room, propelling himself with both his body and the wind at his control.
Giatzo raised his eyes, wondering how the boy learned to do that. It wasn't like the usual air skate, which the Airbender using it would sit on and use it to propel him or herself. Nor was it like the Wind Running technique that used a strong backwind and their bodies own force to cover distance quicker than the air skate. It seemed to combine both of the skills into a faster one.
Sighing for the second time that day, the old monk ran off after his charge through the mountaintop temple, towards the halls of the Council of Wind, muttering about the foolishness of youth as he went.
As he expected, Giatzo had found Aang crashed into the walls of the meeting place. The older monk rolled his eyes at the boy's stupidity, but put his arm out to help the boy up from where he fell.
"Thanks Sifu Giatzo!" Aang said, brushing off the dirt from the crash that had gotten on to his cloak. "Don't know what I'd do without ya."
"You would get into more trouble than you normally would," the wiser of the two responded. Giatzo straightened himself out as well, wishing to look presentable in front of the Council of Wind. "I would advise you to straighten yourself out, Aang. The council… doesn't really understand the meaning of the words 'casual' or 'fun'"
"Guess I'll have to teach 'em then." Still, Aang straightened himself up, having heard of the legendary strictness of the council from some of his friends.
"Remember, Aang, when you go in there, you must act the Avatar," warned Giatzo. "So, don't goof off, pay attention, and above all, act responsible." With that, the monk stiffened himself so as to look self important, and walked into the council. Aang, attempting to mimic his mentor, followed suit.
---
The Halls of the Council, to Aang, seemed to be an unforgiving place. The symbol of the Air Nomads hung from the many banners that decorated the room. The Avatar didn't feel comfortable in this room, but it was the closest thing to a governing body that those who followed the path of Air had.
Aang prostrated himself before the Council of Winds next to the now kneeling Giatzo. The council was made up of eight members, one for each temple, and one for each of the four groups of nomads. Their faces were shrouded in darkness, making them seem all the more stern and uncompromising.
"Rise, Avatar Aang, Monk Giatzo," said one of the Councilmen. At his words, both Aang and Giatzo rose from their knees. The one to have spoken rose from his seat, and lowered the hood of his gray cloak, revealing him to be slightly younger than Giatzo, but much more venerable. He turned towards his fellow council members.
"We trust you to make the proper choice, Councilman Quartinus," said one of the other council members. Another hood face seemed to give an apologetic look towards Aang, "We are sorry, Aang. We have other matters that need to be attended to. We hope that Quartinus's judgment will be satisfactory for all of us." With that, the other seven members of the Council of Winds vanished from the room, accompanied by a gust of wind.
Quartinus sighed. There were other matters that the council needed to attend to, but he had hoped that the Avatar's presence in their Halls would take precedence over the other duties.
"My apologies, Aang, Giatzo," began Quartinus, "I am sad to say that the council rarely stays in one place anymore, even for something as important as the presence of the Avatar."
"It is understandable," said Giatzo.
"Yah!" Aang said, a grin on his face. "I'm just a kid, after all…"
"Still, you are the Avatar, and you will need all the support you can get. But we need to stop dancing around the task at hand. We all know of the war brewing between Earth and Fire. As Avatar, you have a responsibility to bring an end to it.
"Not meaning any offence, but I doubt you are ready for such a task."
"What do you mean, Quart'" said Aang, who was promptly elbowed by Giatzo for not showing respect for the councilman, "ouch… I mean Quartinus? I've never lost a spar with any of the other monks!"
"This is because they were not trying to kill you," was Quartinus's response, "and they were less skilled with a type of fighting that you are familiar with.
"Good as you are, for you are a prodigy Airbender, they will throw their elites at you. With your lack of experience, you would surely be lost, a loss that none can afford to take.
"Now, it is custom for an Avatar to learn the elements in the order of the corresponding seasons. Since you are an Airbender of the autumn, the first element you learn should be Water.
"Now, the council would recommend you learn at the Northern Water Tribe-"
"No," said Aang. His eyes were down cast, whether it was in sorrow or deep thought was unknown to the two others in the room.
"Aang," said Giatzo, "there are many more water bending masters in the North than the south. Surely you should know what an advantage that this would-"
"Let us hear out the Avatar out, Giatzo. He may have a valid explanation." Quartinus beckoned for Aang to explain his choice.
"I'm not sure whether this'll be valid enough for ya, but last night, I had a dream. It was different than most dreams I have. It had a feeling of… I dunno how to describe it… But anyway there was this rather pretty girl…"
At that, Giatzo and Quartinus shared a look, and then looked at Aang. The skepticism on their faces was evident, the two of them prepared to silence him if it was one of those dreams.
At their looks, Aang got defensive. "No, no, no! Not like that! That's not the point! There was this, I dunno, an image of an older girl. And then there was this voice, and it was all 'Go south, Avatar, to prepare for the war!' And then the younger girl…"
"Enough, Aang," said Giatzo, looking both worried about what the dream meant, and scandalized.
"Yes, Aang," said Quartinus, "we understand the point. There is no need for you to continue on.
"It's clear that the spirits wish you to go to the southern water tribe for some reason. The conventions they used, though… No matter, they guide all of us, even the Avatar, through whatever means necessary."
After he finished, Quartinus walked towards one of the walls. He tugged at one brick, and pulled it free from the rest of the wall. He reached inside the hole that was made, and removed a scroll. He walked over to Aang, and handed him the scroll.
"Avatar, this is one of the forbidden scrolls of wind. They are only given to those who can be trusted to use it properly, and even then, only when there are times of necessary violence. I hope I am right with trusting you with this."
The young Airbender was in awe of the scroll that now rest in his hands. These scrolls were legendary, the techniques within them both powerful and deadly.
"The masters at school said that these were all destroyed-"
"They were not," stated, to Aang's surprise, Giatzo. "I myself was part of the group that hid them away when they're secrecy was deemed necessary." Giatzo glared at Quartinus. "Councilman, are you sure that it is wise to trust this scroll to the boy. Surely, there are others less… purposefully deadly than this one."
"Perhaps…" murmured Quartinus, "but for balance to be restored, sometimes purposeful violence in necessary. I would suggest you get ready for your trip, Aang. On behalf of the Council of Wind, we wish you luck in you endeavors."
Wishing to leave the presence of his superior, Giatzo took hold of Aang. "Quartinus is right Aang, it is best that you prepare for your trip." With that, he led the twelve year old away from the Hall of Winds, back to the boys Quarters.
---
"What were you talking about sifu? About the 'necessary violence'? The question Aang had just posed was something that the aging man was rather unwilling to answer. Rather than outright deny the boy answers, he chose to evade the question.
"You'll find out tomorrow, when you and Appa leave for the south." With that, the venerable monk left the boy's quarters, so as to avoid any other questions that he would rather not answer.
Aang moaned in disappointment. He had hoped to grill his sifu for some answers about the scroll. He chose to pack it away, for tomorrow, so he could read it on the way south. Maybe he would figure it out then.
The gray eyed boy delicately draped his orange cloak over his chair at his desk, and neatly folded his yellow tunic and britches for the next day. He was excited to be one of the few people who would get to see the world.
After all of his stuff was packed away, he prepared himself to go to sleep. After going through the reverse of his morning rituals, he began to perform his nightly meditation. Going through his thoughts he reflected on the significance of today's events.
He began to ask himself questions that should have come up earlier, had he been more observant. What did the council need to do so badly? Or were they just setting me up to get a scroll that they couldn't give me while all were present? Or was it both? He decided he should not pry.
Finishing his meditation, he used his air bending to literally jump into bed. As he fell asleep, one thought crossed his mind… what's so bad about hugging? He hoped to see the dream girl again tonight.
---
"…"
In Aang's dreamscape, he could see the girl again, surrounded by a forest. This time though, she was fading like the silhouette that was behind her the last time. Seeing the distress upon her face, he ran towards her. She put reached out towards him, and her voice was heard.
"Aang…"
Hearing her say his name in such a hopeless tone, he ran quicker. But with every step he took towards her, she faded more and more. He reached out to try to embrace her, but as he made contact, he fell right through her. An illusion… he thought. He was too focused on the girl to see what was behind her, and was unable to stop himself from hitting his head on a low tree branch…
As he blacked out, he heard a rough, sinister voice say something. He could barely make out what it said, but it would still haunt him for years to come.
"One more face to steal…"
---
Aang woke up in a cold sweat. Whatever joy he had about traveling to the southern water tribe had been robbed of him by his dream. Then he remembered some teachings of one of his mentors. Time was irrelevant in the spirit world. He had no idea what that meant… like most of the other philosophical mumbo jumbo they taught him. But, it gave him hope.
He quickly went through his morning rituals, once again neglecting to shave his head. Today it was noticeable, and he could feel a short stubble of hair when he touch his scalp. No matter, he was heading to a place that was cold anyways, and would use that as an excuse. He threw his orange cloak over his shoulders, grabbed his bag, and made his way towards the Sky-Bison stable.
He greeted several people on the way down the path to the stable. This would be the last time that he would see his home, the Southern Air Temple for many years to come, so he stopped to appreciate its beauty.
It was a very ornate temple, runes of blessing and protection were written across each doorframe. The gardens were wondrous, maintaining both a natural and man made beauty that few could match. There were all kinds of plants, but they never clashed, maintaining the balance that the monks so cherished. It was a good place to live, but he had to leave it for now.
"Mornin' Madam Kaya," yawned Aang in greeting to the stable mistress as he walked through the doors.
"Here for Appa, Aang?" Madam Kaya had a very matronly voice, something that Aang liked about her.
"Yeah… we're heading to the south pole for water bending instruction." Aang stretched himself out a bit more, getting rid of what kinks that his morning exercises failed to remove.
"Southern water tribe? Good choice Aang. Their style is more focused towards healing than combat," said the matronly lady. Aang simply grinned at her, putting his hands behind his head.
"Aang, it is time that you depart."
Startled by the sudden voice, Aang turned around to see councilman Quartinus and Sifu Giatzo standing side by side. Giatzo went up to him, and clasped the Avatar's shoulder, surprisingly firmly for such a frail hand.
"Before you go Aang, Quartinus and I have a few things that you may need for your new… training."With this, Giatzo, beckoned to Quartinus. In the councilman's hands was a bundle of wrapped cloth. Aang's gray eyes examined it curiously, before the councilman chose to explain what it was.
"Avatar, this is anaginata, one of the few weapons that we of the Air Nomads are known to use. The instructions for its use are incorporated in that scroll, so I expect you to learn how to use it." Having said what his wanted, Quartinus flipped his cloak's hood back up, and returned to the main temple.
Once again, Giatzo came up to the boy. He had something in his hands, what appeared to be a small box. He quickly handed it to Aang, a slip of paper sticking out of it, and bowed his head as he returned to the temple.
"Good luck, s…" was all Aang could hear Giatzo mutter as he left the wooden walls of the Sky-Bison stable. The young boy's eye's returned to the box.
"Open it once you've started off Aang," Kaya said, shaking her head.
"…"
Eye's downcast; Aang went towards Appa's pen. Once the door was opened, Aang was almost immediately greeted by a lick from the massive creature that was Appa. The Sky Bison shook its white fur, and got onto all six of its massive legs.
"Thanks buddy; you always know how to cheer me up." Aang laughed, and used his wind manipulation to dry himself off. He took one of the massive saddles from the saddle rack, and put it on the bison.
Aang steered Appa towards the Sky Port of Appa's pen after tying the reins to his horns.
"Alright buddy! Time to go to the southern water tribe! Yip yip!" The duo's little catch phrase said, the bison charged towards the open sky, and jumped. Rather than fall, like would have been suspected, especially from such an enormous creature, they continued to soar through the sky, towards the south, and the southern water tribe.
---
Appa being able to steer himself fairly well with minimal guidance, Aang had time to open the "forbidden wind scroll," examine the box, and unwrap thenaginata. He chose to open the box first, valuing the gift of the man who he felt to be his father highest of them all.
Inside of it were a jade necklace and a note. Though curious about the jewelry, and wishing to examine it, Aang chose to read the note first, hoping to gain some insight as to what the necklace was from it.
My most beloved pupil,
What I am going to tell you here must remain secret. Do NOT return to the temple after reading this, and whatever happens, keep the necklace safe.
I believe Quartinus is the only trustworthy member of the Council of Wind, with a possible exception of Secunda. If you receive a letter from either of them, trust them as much as you feel you can, but do not be blind about it.
This is a warning Aang—the Council has made a dealing with an outside force. They plan on destroying the Four Temples, and all who reside in them, within a matter of months.
DO NOT RETURN TO THE TEMPLE. This is imperative. If the council finds out that you have caught on to their plans, they will have you killed.
What they are really looking for is the necklace that I have given to you. Quartinus and I manage to find its fragments and replace them back together before the council could. This is the Necklace of Kyoshi, one of your previous incarnations.
The reason for the value of this necklace is that it is not, in fact, jade. It was crafted from the core of a meteor that Kyoshi had seen fall from the sky. Channel your chi through it, and you will be granted the gift of foresight.
But remember, son, the future is never set in stone. You still have a chance, a chance to change any thing that could go wrong. Please, son, use this well.
The Man Who Wishes He Was Truly Your Father,
Monk Giatzo, of the Southern Air Temple
Aang dropped the letter, but quickly grabbed it before it flew off. He went through it over and over again. He was glad to know that he was not just another pupil of his father figure. But his emotions conflicted with his missions.
Briefly, very briefly, Aang looked back at the Southern Air Temple. He shook his head, smiling a sad smile, and brief let his emotions through the barrier of his monk training. He would make his "Father" proud of him. But to do that, he would need to gain all of the power he could, and end the brewing war before it could begin.
Proudly clasping the gift of his father around his neck, the young avatar looked toward the scroll and the naginata in a different light now. His old home was to be destroyed soon, he could no longer simply live by their rules, and he had to take things into his own hands.
Knowing that the scroll's techniques would probably require the use of the naginata, he unwrapped it first. It was a beautiful weapon, not dissimilar to his staff. The only difference between the staff and the pole-arm was the two foot blade that replaced the upper parts of the staff. He supposed that it changed the style of fighting used, but he was no expert.
He then grabbed the scroll. He was rather amazed at the detail that it went to describe the techniques. But the effects… were rather bloody. Just picturing the three manipulations he had looked at, it took Aang all of his willpower to not get queasy. But he had to master it all, to make his father proud.
He wrapped his bags in the oil cloth that he had brought with him, and lashed them to the part of the saddle that was designed for "storage." After eating his lunch, he saw a storm coming in from the south.
"Think we can make it, through buddy?" said Aang to the massive bison. The bison made a grunt that sounded affirmative. "Alright then, let's go."
---
"I don't think this was such a good idea, buddy" yelled Aang over the roar of the storm. He was desperately clutching the reins, steering Appa through the winds. Then, a flash of lightning.
"Appa!" sobbed Aang. The lightning had hit Appa, nothing fatal, but they were going down. Crashing downwards into the ocean, Aang and Appa. I can't die, I can't die here! I have to make father proud… Blackness was overcoming the boy's vision, but he heard something as he began to lose consciousness.
"Don't worry, Aang," it was the voice of the girl from his dream "I won't let you die" And then consciousness fully slipped from his grasp…
That ends it for this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it.
Please leave a review, they are very much appreciated.
