Hello all, Efram here :) and a Happy Halloween to all of you. To celebrate my most favorite holiday of the year, I bring you my newest creation, The Lion King: Avatar Style! I had seen The Lion King on Broadway a month ago for the third time and couldn't pass up the opportunity/challenge of avatarizing it :P Hopefully it comes out good but only time (and your reviews) will tell. So enjoy and remember to R&R!
Chapter 1: The Circle of Life
It was a warm summer morning in the great land of the Fire Nation and the birds were chirping loudly as they flew across the large vast plains and over the small villages. Suddenly the large orange sun rose slowly over the eastern horizon, signifying both the first day of summer and the start of new life.
Loud ceremonial horns blared and beacons of fire were lit throughout the whole Fire Nation. People everywhere were now waking up and preparing their outfits for the day. But instead of getting ready to do their daily chores or jobs, they dressed in their finest clothes and prepared their steeds for a journey over to the famous Imperial Pride Palace. For news had spread that the Fire Lady had given birth to a child and a large ceremony was being held to honor the new heir to the throne. From the steps of the palace, a large choir had gathered to start the days festivities with a song:
From the day we arrive on the planet
And, blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
As the choir continued to sing, people from all over the Fire Nation were arriving at the Imperial Pride city. Both rich or poor made an effort to arrive in style, arriving in wagons, by boat, by gliders and on animals. Even citizens from the Earth Kingdom, Water Tribes and Air Nomads traveled great distances over land, air and sea to attend the ceremony.
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
By mid morning, everyone had gathered in the enormous courtyard of the Pride Palace and were adverting their attention toward the large balcony, eagerly waiting to see the royal family as well as the new heir.
Soon Fire Lord Iroh emerged onto the balcony and waved to crowd below, who erupted into cheers and praised Iroh's name to the spirits. Looking up, Iroh watched as messenger hawks and air benders filled the sky with rice and confetti. However, the bird that caught his eye a rather large messenger hawk with a blue bandana tied around its neck. It flew toward the palace at great speed and landed on the banister before the Fire Lord. The hawk squawked and then bowed before Iroh who respectively bowed back. It then gestured toward the crowd where an enormous EelHound had just entered the courtyard, carrying two people on its back.
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Iroh smiled as the EelHound reached the entrance of the palace and let off its two passengers. One was Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water tribe, who jumped off and began stretching his arms and legs. He was then followed by a young boy, who jumped shakily off the EelHound and into his father's arms.
The Fire Lords personal body guards, the Kyoshi Warriors, arrived and quickly escorted the Chief and his son up to the throne room balcony.
"Iroh! Long time no see!" Hakoda said cheerfully as he approached the Fire Lord. "Must've been what? A whole two weeks?"
Iroh laughed out loud. "Hakoda my old friend, you never ceased to amuse me with your humor." The two then bowed to each other before embracing like old friends. Iroh then noticed the young boy who stood shyly behind his father.
"And who is this charming young man you have brought with you?" Iroh asked looking at the young boy beside him. "Can't be Sokka can it?"
"The very same." Hakoda said proudly looking at his son. "Sokka, you remember Fire lord Iroh right? He came to visit us last winter."
Sokka looked at Iroh curiously and then wrinkled his nose. "You're old."
Iroh laughed heartily. "It's alright. I don't expect a two year old boy to have the best memory. But it is nice to see you again lad" he said patting Sokka on the head. "So where is your lovely wife Hakoda? I thought she'd be here with you."
"She would have of course, but since Kya's so close to having the baby we decided it was best that she stay home. She does send her love and congratulates both you and Ursa on becoming parents. Speaking of which, where is the little bundle of joy?" Hakoda said looking around.
"He's inside with Ursa. We're just waiting for one more person to show up before starting the ceremony."
"Who's that?" Hakoda asked.
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
Just then a hush fell over the crowd. Iroh and Hakoda turned around and looked down into the crowd which had begun parting in two.
Walking slowly toward the palace was King Bumi, ruler of the Earth Kingdom city Omashu and the oldest living Earthbending master in the world. Everyone in the crowd recognized the old king and bowed respectively as he walked forward.
Bumi nodded to each of them and soon came upon the long set of stairs leading into the palace. The Kyoshi Warriors rushed forward to escort him but the old king held up a hand.
"No need ladies. I can manage." Bumi said backing up. He then raised a fist and stomped his foot to the ground, bending a pillar of rock up in front of him. He jumped onto the pillar which carried him up passed the stairs and up the side of the palace toward the balcony. He then stepped casually onto the balcony and stood tall before the Fire Lord.
"Fire Lord Iroh." Bumi said bowing formally.
"King Bumi." Iroh said also bowing formally.
The two men stared at each other for a moment. Then Bumi let out a loud snorting laugh. "Well don't just stand there! Come give your old friend a hug!"
Iroh laugh heartily and embraced his old Earthbender friend. "It's great to see you Bumi. It's been too long."
"That it has." Bumi nodded. "But I had a feeling you and your queen would have a child this summer. Which is why I packed my vacation suitcase!" he said holding up a large bag. "Gives me a chance to get away. After all, the weather in the Fire Nation is perfect this time of year." Bumi said letting out another snorty laugh.
"You are free to stay as long as you wish old friend." Iroh said.
"Bumi you old dog!" Hakoda greeted happily. "How ya been?"
"Ah I see we have Chief Hakoda here with us as well." Bumi said giving the Chief a friendly handshake. "I've been very well. How goes things in the icy southern region?"
"Oh they're great! The ice is coming in extra frosty this year." Hakoda joked as the men shared a laugh together.
"Good one." Bumi snorted.
"By the way, have you met my son Sokka?" Hakoda gestured behind him.
Bumi looked down toward Sokka who retreated shyly behind his father. "Ahh yes, the little chief. Don't cower there sonny, a leader shows confidence when meeting new people."
Still, Sokka hide fearfully behind his father who patted his head. "Oh he's still young. Give him some time. I predict one day he'll be as confident and as talkative as his old man."
"In that case, I think he has the right idea staying quiet."
The three men then turned to see Queen Ursa walk out onto the balcony holding a small bundle in her arms. "Am I interrupting something gentlemen?"
"Of course not my beautiful queen." Iroh said walking up to Ursa and kissing her sweetly.
"Having a nice chat I see?" Ursa said looking over to Hakoda and Bumi who waved back.
"Indeed I am." Iroh said happily.
"I hope you didn't forget why they and all these other people are here." Ursa said gesturing to the large crowd.
Iroh chuckled. "Of course not. But it is nice to catch up with old friends."
"Ursa!" Hakoda said walking over and giving Ursa a kiss on the cheek. "Just look at you! You're as radiant as ever!"
"And you're as charming as ever." Ursa said with a smile. "It's wonderful to see you again Hakoda. You too Bumi."
"A pleasure as always." Bumi said bowing to the queen.
Hakoda then looked down at the bundle in her arms. "Is that who I think it is?"
Ursa nodded and pulled back the blanket slightly, revealing a small baby boy with dark hair sleeping soundly in her arms.
"Hakoda, may I present to you my new son." Iroh said gesturing to the baby, "Zuko."
"Well I'll be." Hakoda said staring at the baby. "He's gorgeous Ursa. It's obvious which side of the family he takes after."
Ursa smiled sweetly and planted a kiss on her son's forehead. The baby moaned and turned his head as he continued to sleep.
"So how is everything Hakoda?" Ursa asked. "Has Kya had the baby yet?"
"Not yet. She's at home resting right now, but I got the little guy right here with me." Hakoda said gesturing for Sokka to walk forward. Sokka looked nervously up at Ursa and bowed. "Hi Miss Ursa."
"Oh my, is that little Sokka? He's gotten so big." she said smiling down at the young boy who smiled bashfully back at her.
"Come look Sokka," Hakoda said picking him up and holding him towards the baby. "This is Queen Ursa's newborn son, Zuko. One day you and him will be best buddies, just like Iroh and I are." he said grinning at Iroh.
Sokka looked curiously down at the small baby who woke up and yawned slightly. He then looked up at Sokka with big curious eyes and started drooling bubbles down his chin. Sokka flinched and stuck his tongue out in disgust as he turned away from the baby. "Yuck."
"Well it's about that time." Bumi said approaching the couple. "Shall we get started?"
"Of course." Iroh said taking the baby from Ursa as he followed Bumi toward the edge of the balcony. The crowd below watched them approach and an instant hush fell across the courtyard.
With the crowd watching, Iroh held his son out to Bumi who pulled a small box kit out of his suitcase. Inside the kit was a reed branch, a vial of water and a bag of sand.
"Water, from the northern glaciers." Bumi said as he uncorked the vial and poured some into his hand. "To provide insight and guidance." After anointing the baby's head, he took out a small bag of sand.
"Earth, from the eastern desserts." Bumi said pouring the sand into his hand and spreading it across his forehead. "To protect you from harm and give you strength."
He then got out the reed stick and held it toward Iroh. "Mind lending a hand?"
"Of course." Iroh then tapped his finger on the reed causing it to ignite.
"Fire, from a reed in the western islands." Bumi then raised it high above the baby. "To give you courage, and remind you of your heritage."
As the reed burned out, an ash landed on the baby's nose. Baby Zuko wrinkled his nose and sneezed out a big puff of fire toward Bumi.
"Yikes!" Bumi yelled as his beard instantly caught fire. He then dropped the reed and quickly patted it out.
"Seems like your son is quite the little spitfire." Hakoda said to Ursa who smiled while Sokka let out a small laugh.
"Sorry about that Bumi." Iroh chuckled as he handed him back the reed.
"Not a problem Iroh. Can't mask a fire bender's natural instinct." Bumi said wiping the embers out of his beard. "Now then…may I?"
Iroh nodded and handed Bumi the baby. The three then watched as Bumi carried him toward the balcony edge as the crowd below craned their necks to get a look.
"Um…is that really a good idea? Letting Bumi hold the baby near the balcony?" he asked as he nervously watched Bumi step onto the ledge.
"It's alright Hakoda. Bumi knows what he's doing." Iroh said confidently.
Standing on the ledge, Bumi looked down at the small baby "And now…I lift you toward the skies. So that the winds from all four corners may give you their energy and lift your spirits high."
He then lifted the baby toward the sky as a mighty wind blew down upon them. The crowd below erupted into cheers and applause as they beheld the Fire Nation's future ruler for the first time. People let off small fire crackers and shot barrels of confetti high into the air as the choir continued its inspirational song.
It's The Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
As Bumi held Zuko high for all to see, the winds parted the clouds to reveal the bright rays of the sun. Sunlight then shone brightly down upon the young prince and earth king as Iroh, Ursa, Hakoda and Sokka stood beside them. Below, all the on lookers bowed respectively before the royal family and friends.
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
"Behold Prince Zuko." Bumi said lowering the baby as he stared bright eyed at the crowd. "This is your kingdom…your legacy…your destiny."
xXxXx
