Author's Note: to all who love The Legend of Korra, you're about to embark into a world of pure imagination! My newest story is another crossover/parody of another one of my all-time favorite movies, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory! And if you are also one of the (hopefully) many Makorra shippers, then you've found a golden ticket! Okay, enough with the bad movie puns. While I have read the book and seen both movies, I prefer the 1971 masterpiece over anything else. That being said, I will be inserting a one or two lines from the 2005 movie simply because they were so good. Also, I will ad-lib a few lines of my own to better move the story along. AND, I will be featuring an OC in this story as well.
Now that all of the nitty gritty has been hashed out, kick back, relax, grab some candy to munch on, and enjoy! But hurry please, we have so much time and so little to read! Wait a minute! Strike that, reverse it; thank you!
In a city that had both non-benders and every kind of bender living, working, and doing every other thing together, it was easy to forget about the smaller and simpler things. Everyone was focused on more important matters, like earning enough money to support themselves, and their families. But not kids.
The children of Republic City were much like the children of all other cities. They loved having fun, playing games, and causing mischief. And when they weren't saving their money for the toys they wanted, they were blowing it on candy of all kinds. But the children of Republic City held a distinction over the children of any other city. Their city was home to one of, if not the biggest, and most successful chocolate and candy factory in the world.
Owned by a former United Republic Naval Commander, the Bumi Chocolate Factory was not the tallest structure in Republic City. But it was one of the city's most iconic landmarks, ornately constructed and located near the city's waterfront to take advantage of shipping in confectionary ingredients, and shipping out product. And what great products there were. Bumi Candies had won numerous awards over the years; everything from Best Chocolate to Best New Candy, and everything else in between. Yet for all the recognition, praise, and admiration his candies received, the owner, best known simply as Candyman Bumi, was very reclusive. In fact, he hadn't even been seen in public for years. Few people questioned if Bumi was even still alive. But the fact that the candy that came out of the factory hadn't degraded in quality, and the fact that new candies were coming out every year or so, was proof positive that the candyman was still alive and well.
One typical Friday afternoon found kids excitingly bursting out of school. While some would head off to their homes, or to the park to play, a good number ran to various candy shops around the city. One of these shops was owned by a former street bum named Gommu. He loved putting smiles on the faces of kids, despite him being the bane of existence to the parents, what with all the sweets he sold to the children. Right now, amongst a small group of shouting kids, he was trying to make sense of who wanted what.
"Alright now, what's it going to be? Let's see, a triple cream truffle for you, hard fruit candy for Otis, some rock candy for June-Marie. And listen up, kids!"
The young crowd quieted down, and Gommu happily announced, "Old man Bumi has a new one today!"
The children all got excited as cries of "Awesome" and "Oh Wow" echoed through the shop. Two or three asked, "What is it?"
Gommu opened a drawer and pulled out the new candy in question. "According to the press statement, this is called a Scrumdidilyumptious Bar!"
"Scrumdidilyumptious Bar," an older boy in front asked. "How does he come up with stuff like this?"
Gommu gave a mock indignant look and replied, "My dear boy, do you ever ask fish how they swim? Or birds how they fly?"
"No, Gommu," the boy answered.
"Of course not," Gommu said, returning to his normal, cheery self. "They do it because they were born to do it! Just like Bumi was born to become a candyman, and you all look like you were born to be Bumi Candy connoisseurs."
With a grin, Gommu continued serving his patrons, even as he started to break into a song:
"Who can take a sunrise?
Sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it in chocolate,
And a miracle or two?
The Candyman!
The Candyman can!
The Candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love,
And makes the world taste good!
Who can take a rainbow?
Wrap it in a sigh?
Soak it in the sun,
And make a strawberry lemon pie?
The Candyman!
The Candyman can!
The Candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love,
And makes the world taste good!
Old man Bumi makes,
Everything he bakes,
Satisfying and delicious!
Talk about your childhood wishes!
You can even eat the dishes!
Who can take tomorrow?
Dip it in dream?
Separate the sorrow,
And collect up all the cream?
The Candyman!
The Candyman can!
The Candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love,
And makes the world taste good!
And the world tastes good,
'cause the Candyman thinks it should!"
But not all children were so privileged. Some were less fortunate, and couldn't afford to spend their money on candy. And none of these children had it worse than a young girl watching through the windows named Keira. She was an orphan, who until recently, lived on the streets as a pickpocket. She was discovered by an elderly gym trainer and his apprentice who at first, wanted to turn her in to the police. But after begging for some sort of leniency, they took her back to the Pro-Bending Arena, where they lived and worked. They assured Keira that she could stay as long as she wanted, so long as she pitched in and did her fair share of work.
The Water Tribe girl had just gotten a job as a delivery newsy the week before, and was eager for her first paycheck. After staring at Gommu's song and dance through his shop's windows, she headed for the newspaper stand to pick all the copies she had to deliver.
Upon seeing her, the vendor greeted, "Ah! Hop along, Keira! You're a little late today!"
"Sorry Mr. Wilder," Keira apologized. "I had to finish some homework first."
"Well, an education always comes before a job," Mr. Wilder agreed as he loaded Keira's knapsack with copies of newspapers.
Keira then said uneasily, "Um, isn't today payday, Mr. Wilder?"
Her boss gently laughed and replied, "You're right, Ms. Entrepreneur!"
Mr. Wilder dug into his pocket and pulled out a cash roll. He thumbed through it quickly, yet carefully, and then handed a handful of bills to Keira. "Here you go, sweet pea! And say hello to Toza and Mako for me when you see them!"
"I will, Mr. Wilder," Keira said happily. "And thank you!"
After taking the trolley back to her neighborhood, Keira began her paper route, tossing copies of The Republic City Chronicle into produce baskets, into store fronts, and onto front doorsteps. It took her a while to finish, and even when she did, she didn't head straight home. Instead, she swung by the Bumi Chocolate Factory. She walked slowly past the main gates, which were secured with an intricate lock. She peered out toward the steam chimney as the name Bumi in big block letters lit up with the fading -light.
Suddenly, Keira jumped as a deep voice behind her started a strange rhyming rant: "Up the airy mountain, down the rushing glen. We dare not go hunting, for fear of little men."
Keira didn't say anything, but the man was standing by a cart of metal tools and knives and was wearing a hood that obscured most of his face. He then pointed at the factory and added, "You see, little girl; nobody ever goes in. And nobody ever comes out!"
At this point, the man began to walk off, towing his cart behind. Keira felt a gloomy sense of uneasiness. She had always heard happy things about Bumi and his candies, so why would this man tell her something so mysterious about the confectioner? She started to dash off for her home, and ask her guardians. But she would have to hurry before the street lights came on.
Meanwhile, at the Pro-Bending Arena, two men were shimmying up a ladder to a loft that held a modest living space. The old gym trainer, Toza, grunted to his apprentice, "Your little roommate is late tonight."
The eighteen-year-old firebender named Mako replied, "You don't think we're making her work too much, do you? I mean, she is eight years old. She should have some time to play."
"Ha! That's no excuse," Toza shot back. "If she doesn't know the meaning of a good work ethic at an early age, she'll be heading for big trouble down the road. I know my old man never let me play until all of my work was done."
"Still, I wish there could be more hours in the day, for Keira's sake," Mako lamented. "But hopefully soon, I can get a better gig, move out your hair, and get Keira into a safe and loving home."
"Mako, in all the times you've said that, I have yet to see you make any leeway," Toza kidded as he prepared the veggie stew dinner for himself and his two younger tenants.
Just then, Keira poked her head up from the ladder and joyfully greeted, "I'm home, boys!"
"Hey, there's the hard-working kid now," Toza kidded from his stove.
"How was school today, Keira," Mako asked as he and Keira hugged.
"Real good, and I don't have worry about homework since I finished it there," she replied. But then her face got a little sour as she looked toward Toza, who was still coaxing his veggie stew along. "Is that your supper, Mako?"
"Well, it's yours too, sweetie," Mako said with a sheepish laugh.
Keira gave a disgusted pout. "Ugh! I'm fed up with veggie stew! It's not enough!"
"Whoa! Where's this coming from," Toza questioned. "I thought you loved this stuff!"
"And Keira, this is all we can afford after spending the money on fitness equipment, clothes for you, and all the other incidentals," Mako claimed.
"Well then," Keira said smugly as she reached into her bag and pulled out a fresh loaf of bread. "How about this?"
Knowing all too well about her former exploits, Mako immediately became suspicious and asked, "Where did you get that, Keira?"
Toza then piped up, "What difference does it make on where she got it? The point is she got it!"
"I got my first paycheck today," Keira said proudly. "And I thought I would share the wealth, so to speak!"
Toza walked over and playfully ruffled the little girl's hair and added, "Well, good for you, kiddo! Now we'll be able to have a real banquet!"
"I suppose I should have some more faith in you," Mako said honestly. "You did well."
"Well, here's what's left over," Keira added as she held the remaining bills to Mako. "I'm sure you two will spend it more wisely than I would."
Mako took hold of Keira's hand and closed it around the money. "Don't be ridiculous, Keira! You earned every bit of that money yourself! You should be able to keep it."
"Come on, Mako," Keira pleaded. "You just said money is stretched thin with everything you guys need. Every little yuan helps."
Mako thought for a moment, and then replied, "Why don't we try this? You give half to me and Toza, and you keep half for yourself, and you get to do with it whatever you want. Sound like a deal?"
A small grin came across Keira's face and she shook hands with Mako. "Deal."
Later that night, after Toza had gone to bed, Keira was explaining to Mako what had happened outside the Bumi Chocolate Factory as she lay in bed.
"After I finished my paper route, I stopped in front of Bumi's factory. And there was this really strange man there. I think he was a tinker. He was standing behind me, looking up at the factory. Just before he left, he told me 'Nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever comes out.'"
"And he's exactly right, Keira," Mako replied. "Nobody has ever gone in or come out of that factory; at least, not since the tragic day Candyman Bumi locked it."
"Why would he lock it and never open it again," Keira asked.
"Because all the other confectioners and chocolate makers in the world were sending in spies," Mako explained. "The spies were disguised as ordinary workers, to steal Bumi's secret recipes; especially old lady Rocksworth!"
"You mean the lady who perfected rock candy," Keira interjected.
"The very same; and she was the absolute worst thief Bumi had to deal with," Mako continued. "Eventually, the thievery got so bad that Bumi finally caved. He shouted, 'If this keeps up any longer, I'll be ruined! I have no choice but to close my factory!'"
"I never heard that," Keira said with incredulous eyes.
"It was probably back when you were still in diapers," Mako kidded. "But it is true. Bumi locked the gates to his factory, and vanished without a trace. But then, suddenly, about three years later, the most amazing thing happened. The factory started working again, at maximum capacity! And more delicious candies were coming out than ever before! But the gates remained locked, so that nobody could sneak in. Not even old lady Rocksworth could swindle Bumi again!"
"But Mako, what the tinker told me doesn't make sense," Keira protested. "Even if nobody ever goes in or out, somebody must be helping Bumi run his factory."
"Oh definitely," Mako agreed. "Hundreds, if not thousands must be helping him."
"But who exactly," Keira pondered. "Who are they?"
"That is the biggest mystery of Candyman Bumi," Mako answered. "We may never know the truth."
A/N: so Bumi is our favorite reclusive candyman, and Mako is the soon-to-be hero of our story! But it will take a while to get there!