I'm baaaaaack! With more Avatar stuff to write! GASPETH!
This story has been in the back of my mind for almost six years. I've never done anything with it, but my muse keeps bugging me. And my muse rarely offers me anything so I feel like I should take the bones it throws. I added a lengthy narrative on the history of this story for anyone who's interested (probably no one). If you're not, feel free to skip to the actual story below (not in bold).
(Not so) Brief History:
The first time I saw Avatar, I thought it the greatest thing since gummi bears. I loved the world and characters that the creators um…created. But something happened in Episode 3 (of Book I). A certain firebender was seen shirtless. And thus, fangirl-ism set in. A character began to grow in my mind. An original character.
I hate the term original character because it brings to (my) mind Mary-Sue. I know this isn't always the case. I've read some truly fantastic stories with well-crafted OCs. I've been afraid of introducing my OC for fear that she would turn into that two headed monster known as the Mary-Sue. For many authors, our OCs are like our children. We put so much time and energy into them that we want them to be perfect. We overlook their faults and end up making them into incredibly bland characters. I hope that I have not taken too many liberties with my "child."
Another reason I decided to (finally) write this is because of the problems I have with Book 3. Mainly the pairings in Book 3. (Dodges rocks, ice daggers, and fire balls). Personally I preferred Zuko and Katara in terms of existing characters, though by no means do I hate Aang and Katara. It's more of a chemistry thing and a feeling of apathy towards the Zuko and Mai pairing (no offense to people who do like the pairing, I'm just not feeling it!) For me, it seemed like the creators just added Mai to create a love interest for Zuko. Because, really, she doesn't serve any other purpose (dodges flying daggers-sorry Mai). I wouldn't mind except she seemed like she was filling in a stereotype, like Avatar's version of the goth girl. It's not bad; it's just not my cup of tea.
Another reason I don't like the pairing because Mai is so passive, Zuko becomes the expressive one. Which, again, isn't bad; but it seems to go against his character. I don't see Zuko as being all lovey dovey.
So, you ask: how can I justify this shameless Maiko bashing given that I'm introducing an OC who I've introduced for the sole reason of creating a love interest for Zuko? Um…I really can't (hides face). I created this character as a companion for Zuko, someone who would be there with him from the beginning and understand his trials, and (hopefully) aid in his transformation. That and try my hand at portraying the diverse and complicated relationships and politics of the Avatar world. I hope I have succeeded.
A couple more things:
I: I hate it when characters are out of character. I've tried hard to keep these characters true to the original creations. If some characters seem OOC, please tell me so I can (try to) fix it!
II: The Mary-Sue issue. If Akira (my OC) seems to be turning into too much of a Mary-Sue (once again) please let me know! I want to make her into a realistic character, but like I said it's hard because OCs are like an author's babies. =)
III: Any other constructive criticism reviews are welcome. Spelling, grammar, you name it. Tell me so I can improve.
IV: Let me know if you like it! (I hardly ever leave reviews so this is so hypocritical, but I love it when I hear from my reviewers. Brings a huge smile to my face and makes me do a happy dance (which you are very lucky you cannot see; it's quite similar to Sokka's).
(GAH-this is so long! FORGIVE ME!)
Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar I wouldn't be writing fan fiction. (At least I think. I've never owned Avatar so I wouldn't know.)
Book One: Water
Chapter I
"The natural Place of Earth is at the center of the Universe.
The natural Place of Water is around the natural Place of Earth-which is why the oceans tend to surround solid earth.
Air occupies the Region above that of Water-as Air divides the earth and the oceans from the sky.
As flames rise in the sky so does Fire occupy the Region above Air.
The Four together make up the Four Elements." [1]
-Earth Kingdom Proverb
She only moved when she heard them debating about what to do with his body. Someone suggested burning it. Later, she would learn that cremating the body was the sign of highest respect from a Firebender. She didn't know it then. All she could think of was the horror of his body being destroyed.
"NO!" she ran from the ruined hovel and threw herself across his body. "Don't touch him!"
He had told her to leave with the others. Warn Ba Sing Se. Reach the city before the Fire Nation overwhelmed it. But she stayed. Because Earthbenders were nothing if not stubborn. They would root themselves in the ground and remain there until the threat was gone or they were dead. And they didn't leave people behind. Especially not family.
They killed everyone except him. Those that could fight remained in the village to help hold off the massive invasion army and give the refugees time to reach the capital. The defenses could be fortified and the people prepared. And maybe Ba Sing Se could survive her most perilous hour. The villagers stood together. But it was not enough.
Su Gang was a small village; two days hard ride from the outer wall of Ba Sing Se. The soil was rocky, but the people were as hardheaded as the earth. Most families had lived there for over seven generations. The village's greatest protection was its location. It was situated in the middle of the Bai Mountain Pass. Few people used the Pass after Full Moon Bay was built to help bring refugees into the capital in an "orderly" fashion. However, the quickest way for one to reach the capital without being detected was through the Pass. If some of the boys hadn't been out hunting, if they hadn't seen the massive army approaching from a distance, maybe they could have succeeded.
The men fought for hours, but they were not strong enough to repel a massive Fire Nation assault. One by one they fell until only he remained. He fought bravely. Fire Nation soldiers fell before him. Their assaults were repelled and they were forced to fall back and regroup. She watched her father, completely one with the Earth. It would be many years before she realized what made him so powerful. Desperation. He had nothing to lose. He knew that he was going to die and so he fought with all his strength to hold them back. To give them time to reach the capital before the Fire Nation. To give her time. He didn't know she stayed behind. He never would.
It wasn't like in the stories where the dying hero was able to gasp out some encouraging, poetic words before he died. No, he was dead. There were no comforting words to whisper to his only daughter. No last thoughts to express. She was alone.
Draped over his body, she sobbed into his chest. Part of her mind was aware that they were discussing what to do with her. She didn't care. Let them kill her too. Then they could be together. She'd see her mother again.
"No!" someone shouted. "We will not make war on an unarmed child. Do not touch her."
She looked up. It was the man who killed her father. "Why?" she sobbed, "You ki-ki-killed him! Wh-wh-why don't you kill m-m-me too?"
"We should march on, General. If we linger too long, our element of surprise is lost."
"It may already be, Captain." He looked into her eyes. Vainly she searched for some sign of the monster he must surely be. Nothing. He opened his mouth to speak but perhaps thought better of it.
Moments later the command to move out was given. More men then she could have ever imagined marched by. Later, when she finally reached Ba Sing Se, she would learn that it had been a few divisions of the massive Fire Nation invasion force. She held on to her father, daring any of them to try to take him away from her. None did.
When she was sure they all passed she finally stood up. Carefully, she arranged his body. If she didn't know better, he might be sleeping. Her breathing became short and labored but no more tears came.
Slowly she shifted into her Earthbending stance. Her right foot moved a foot away from her left as she lowered her father's body into the earth. Both arms thrust forward as she sealed his tomb with a thick layer of rock. She twisted her palms one hundred and eighty degrees and carefully raised her arms. A crude obelisk rose from the ground. She approached her handmade grave and with one finger, carefully began carving a single word into the obelisk. JIROU. It was simple, but then most Earth Kingdom burials were. It was what he would have wanted.
For a moment she stood watch over the grave. Her eyes burned and her vision blurred. She sighed and moved on to the next body.
It was almost dawn by the time she finished. At the edge of the village she dared to look back. About thirty crude gravestones were scattered around what had once been the village of Su Gang. She took a deep breath and held it. In the Earth Kingdom you stayed until there was nothing left. Then you moved on. The Invasion Force would be halfway to Ba Sing Se by now. She would have to journey the long way and approach the city from the north.
Earthbenders were the most stubborn people in the world. Maybe that was why they found it so hard to say goodbye. So she didn't, at least not at first. She looked forward. Looking back wouldn't help her reach the city any more than it would bring her father back. However, as she took her first step forward she couldn't help but whisper to herself, "Goodbye Father."
Author's Notes
[1]-This is actually part of Aristotle's thinking on the four elements. I edited it a bit and turned it into a proverb.
Anyways that was it! Once again comments and criticism are always welcome.
Also, just realized that even if I write a chapter a day it will take me two months to finish this! AHHHH! Oh well, can't promise quick updates but I will try. If anyone cares. =) And now on to watch Bonanza! =D