This Chapter is dedicated to all who were kind enough to review (: Thank you for the words I needed to hear, & Teagan, I accept your request. Of course you already know this if you checked your inbox. (:
Anyway, here's chapter two!
Disclaimer: I (sadly) don't own anything, except Razzi, Mirra, Teagan, Precious, Zunie, Zephyr & Alida . ( Yeah I know. It's a lot, but you'll see in time who they are. (: )
If you have any suggestions feel free to PM me. Rated M for Swearing, some violence, sexual humor and situations. (;
* Italics = Flashbacks. (:
The nights were long when Mirra was training Ty Lee and I. We were overwhelmed with all the workouts and meditating. The meditating however, I was used to. In order to master airbending you had to meditate for long periods of time.
As the days progressed, so did our skills. I had better balance, sharper reflexes, and better senses. Ty Lee was having trouble though, she couldn't seem to get the hang of the motions, her balance was only so-so and her reflexes weren't what they could be. But she was getting better, and I was proud of her.
Mirra walked into the trailer Ty Lee and I shared, "Okay girls, time for your next lesson."
We groaned in unison. I was so sore from all the training and my act in the circus. The Ring leader, Keahi, was impressed with my ability to perform the stunts Ty Lee could, even if she was only just starting out. My airbending assisted me in that feat, let me tell you. I had to mask my talent entirely though, only using it in dire emergencies; when I felt like I was going to fall.
He came up to me after my audition and smiled. "Well Razzi I am more than willing to let you become part of our show, on one condition."
"What would that be sir?" I asked timidly.
"You must be able to sing."
I furrowed my eyebrows, "Sing? I don't want to sing, I want to be an acrobat like Ty Lee."
"I need a singer in my show, and no one can carry a tune that is currently employed. If you want to become a part of this act, you have to sing."
I looked at my feet, I didn't want to sing, but if I didn't I would be living on the streets. I made up my mind.
"Alright, what do you want to hear?"
He smiled. "Well what do you know?"
"Well I know a few songs.."
"Whenever your ready."
I swallowed the lump in my throat and sang.
Apparently I was "good enough and time would strengthen my voice"
Whatever, at that point I was just happy to have a roof over my head. Time would only tell if what he said was true.
Later that day, Mirra took us to an abandoned field near the camp. She motioned for us to crouch down next to her.
"In order to take down your enemy as quickly and efficiently as possible, you need surprise on your side."
She pointed to a flock of Dragon Hawks. "You must catch one Dragon Hawk and bring it to me."
"You want us to catch a Dragon Hawk! Do you know how hard those are to catch?" I whispered incredulously.
"Yeah they're almost impossible to catch!" Ty Lee agreed.
Mirra shook her head. "Nothing is impossible. You just have to be quick and silent." She crouched forward and silently stalked the flock. and in a flash, her arm reached out and grabbed a close and unsuspecting Dragon Hawk, and just as silently crept back to us.
We stared incredulously at her.
"How did you do that!" I exclaimed.
"SHHHHH!" Mirra scolded.
I looked down in embarrassment whispering, "Sorry."
Ty Lee was petting the Dragon Hawk, even when it tried to bite her fingers. I rolled my eyes, she would try to befriend the bird.
"Okay Razzi, I want you to crouch down as low as you can, like this." She was positioned on the balls of her feet, her body close to the ground, elbows bent and fingers spread widely across the dirt. I mimicked her actions and she nodded a silent approval. "Now be as silent as you can, move slowly and keep eye contact on your prey. Do not try to grab a bird in the center of the flock. Aim for a straggler, preferably an hatchling or one that's injured."
I acknowledged her advice and silently crept forward. I singled out an injured male, he was farther from the group and he didn't look like he could fly. I kept below the tall grass and slowly inched my way towards him, watching his movements. He was close now, about three feet from me and as I reached out to grab him, my foot snapped a twig and the bird looked directly at me.
I prayed it couldn't see me, and it was just looking in the direction that the sound came from, but when it let out a loud screech to warn the others, I cringed. The flock panicked and flew to the trees, hoping to elude their attacker. The Hawk I singled out limped away, and instead of chasing after it, I let it hobble away.
I don't know why I didn't just take the few steps between us and snatch it up, I just couldnt. I stood and walked back to Mirra and Ty Lee. They both looked at me funny, but I could have swore I saw a twinkle in Mirra's eyes.
When we got back to camp hours later, I was tired and sore. I tried multiple times to catch a stupid bird but I couldn't. Ty Lee was bragging on how it was so easy, it had only taken her two tries.
I tried to show her I was happy for her but the smile didn't feel genuine. I was disappointed in myself. One: i couldn't catch the Dragon Hawk, and two: I couldn't even show excitement for my friends accomplishment. I was ashamed of myself.
A year passed, then two, and Ty Lee and I were close to mastering the ancient form. Of course Ty Lee was better than me, It being her only weapon, she practiced a lot more. But I had two acts in the circus, and two forms of self defense to stay on top of. It was overwhelming and exhausting.
One winter day, out of the blue, Mirra approached me.
I was practicing my bending in the field where we always trained when I felt the wind shift, like it was surrounding someone. Turning, I looked around but saw nothing. Suspicion set in quickly as I returned to my task, but I was constantly aware of the air, feeling the things it touched and moved around.
Just when I was relaxing a bit, a figure popped in my peripheral vision. I acted as if I hadn't saw it, and when it jumped at me, I turned to block the attack.
Mirra was viciously jabbing at me, trying to render me incapable of fighting back. I countered each attack and when I saw an opening I took it. I jabbed at a few of her pressure points: the side of the neck, the gag reflex and the temple.
She went down and I watched as she panted on the ground, sweat running down her temples. I collapsed next to her and looked at her.
"What the hell was that for Mirra?" I exclaimed.
She chuckled, "I wanted to see if you could defend yourself If you didn't know you were going to be attacked. You did well by the way."
I turned my head back to look at the setting sun, wishing I could fly into it, away from everything.
"By the way Razzi, you have learned everything I know. I'm proud of you." I looked at her and smiled.
She suddenly enfolded me in a great bear hug. I was confused for a moment, Mirra wasn't the type to give hugs, but I returned it after a moments hesitation.
She put me at arms length and looked at me. Her silver eyes searched my matching ones, I was about to ask her a question when she reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring, a necklace and anklet and an arm-piece. The ring was a silver snake that coiled around my finger perfectly, ruby eyes that glinted ever so softly. The necklace, a silver Phoenix whose eyes were emeralds, a silver Koi fish anklet with an onyx stone set into the top of the fish's head. The arm piece was a silver dragon that wrapped around my arm with Sapphire eyes that seemed to look at me.
I was totally shocked. "Thank you Mirra, but why are you giving these to me?"
"Just some old family heirlooms I had lying around. I thought you might like them." she smiled.
"I love them! But I can't take your stuff..." I trailed off.
"Of course you can, but I want you to keep one thing in mind alright?"
I furrowed my eyebrows "Alright, whatever you say Mirra."
She looked me dead in the eyes "They're alive."
I deadpanned. "Alive... So you're telling me that this jewelry is alive?"
"Yes It will help you on your journey."
I was getting confused, "Journey, what journey?"
Her eyes twinkled, "You will come to a fork in the road of life soon, and you must choose your destiny."
"Mirra you're talking like you're insane! What's gotten into you?"
"My time here is almost up, and I need you to trust me."
"What are you talking about? Your time here? Are you leaving?" I asked increduously.
She chuckled sadly, "I'm afraid so my dear. Life is precious, and I want you to remember that. Okay?"
My eyes welled up with tears, "You can't leave! You have to stay here with me! I need you!"
"Do me one favor." she asked.
"Anything" I replied.
"I want you to catch me a Dragon hawk."
I was confused for a moment, but I decided to go with the flow, "Alright Mirra. I'll do it for you."
She smiled sadly as I turned and crept into the field.
The tall grass was moist with dew as I set out determined to catch a bird.
I came upon the flock and saw the same bird from two years before. He was even more scraggly and worn out, he looked miserable.
I focused on him and crouched even lower, willing myself to become one with the earth. I slinked along the edge of it's vision and snuck up from behind, grabbing him around his beak and clutching my arm around his body so he couldn't't unfurl his wings. I stood up and raced to Mirra, laughing in triumph.
When she saw me she smiled and just as quickly as it came, she collapsed. I dropped the bird and ran to her. My legs pumping fast under me. When I reached her, she was wheezing. Tears dripped down my face as I pulled her head into my lap.
"Help!" I yelled hoarsely.
"Razzi, Look at me" she whispered.
I stopped my yelling and looked down at her, tears falling on her purple tunic. She smiled up at me.
"You are a master Chi-blocker, child."
I let out a sad laugh. Of all the things to say.
"Mirra," I whispered, "You can't leave me. Ty Lee and I, we need you."
"No, you think you need me, but you don't. You are a strong girls, and I know you two will make the right decisions in life."
The tears fell faster as her breathing became more labored.
"I want you to remember that looks can be deceiving, to never under estimate your opponent and always be aware."
I sniffled and wiped my face on my sleeve.
"And most importantly, even in the cruelest of times, never forget to love."
She reached up and wiped a tear from my face, and with her last breath she spoke the words that would haunt me for many years to come.
She smiled, "We will meet again, my little raven"
Her hand dropped and her eyes closed, the smile never leaving her face.
When I went back to see if the bird was alright after dropping it, I found it laying in the field, dead.
For days I had stumbled in a complete daze. I cried myself to sleep every night, trying to escape the pain of the present, dreaming of the past.
I walked into my bedroom and went to the trunk at the foot of my bed. All my clothes, and precious possessions were kept in there. Pulling out the necessities, I shoved them into my bag. Gyatso was officially crazy. I couldn't believe he wanted me to fly all the way to Ba Sing Se, get him some bloody Lychee nuts and fly all the way back. Did he know how long that was going to take? I rolled my eyes and his demand, grabbed my staff, Bison whistle, my bag and the painting of my Father, my brother and I.
Sadness overwhelmed me as I stared at the happy faces, but I pushed it aside for later. I walked along the corridors to the stables where I kept Zephyr, my bison. She snorted when she saw me, happiness in her eyes.
"Hey Zeph, I missed you too." I said smiling and she licked my face.
"Zeph.." I groaned as I wiped the moisture from my face.
I jumped onto her saddle and set my stuff down on the black leather surface, strapping it down in case we hit some turbulence on the way. Jumping over to her neck, I sat down and adjusted the rope on her horns, making sure they were secure.
"You ready girl?"
With a grunt she walked out of the open stall door, where a lemur sat waiting.
I stretched my arm out, inviting her onto my shoulder.
"Come on Alida"
She took the invitation and clambered up my arm to my shoulder and sat down.
"Okay Zeph, Yip yip!"
With an approving groan she launched into the sky and we began our long journey.
The trip was long, a week and a half to be exact.
I was getting anxious, I wanted to be home.
But as we passed through the clouds, I could smell smoke. A lot of smoke, and I began to worry.
The clouds parted and I cried out in horror. The temple was run down, plant life had been burnt down, it was deserted and completely silent. There were divots in the stone floor, as if something heavy and sharp rolled across it. They were in straight perfect lines and they lead towards the stables.
"Hello?" I called out, "Is anyone here?"
My only answer was silence.
I jumped down off Zephyr, basket of lychee nuts in hand. I walked slowly toward the stables, cautious of my surroundings. The door was open and slightly burnt, and the threshold behind it was dark.
Using all my courage, I walked in.
"Hello?"
No answer.
"Gyatso?"
If I wasn't listening so intently, I wouldn't have heard the small cough to my right.
I turned slowly and gasped. The burnt and broken body of Gyatso sat under the soft light, streaming through a hole in the ceiling. The basket in my hand dropped, and lychee nuts spilled everywhere.
I ran up to him and fell to my knees, tears welling up in my eyes.
"Gyatso! What happened?"
"The storm came, and it changed everything. The Fire Nation" he wheezed "The Fire Nation attacked and they did this. They killed everyone."
The tears spilt over my face as I tried to reason with him.
"I can take you to the Earth Kingdom. Ba Sing Se is too far but there's a small village I passed just an hour ago."
He smiled a soft smile, his eyes warm, and placed a cold hand over my own. "My child, it is my time to leave this world, it is my destiny."
The tears flowed faster "Your destiny isn't set in stone, you can change it!" I yelled
He disagreed, "No, my destiny can not be altered, yours however can."
"The Fire Nation has stared a war, knowing the avatar was an airbender, they wiped us out in hopes of destroying him and ending the cycle. They do not know however that the avatar was not killed in the invasion."
"You mean I'm the Avatar?" I asked in complete disbelief.
"No my child, Aang. Aang is the Avatar and he ran away the night I sent you to Ba Sing Se. I think he tried to follow you when I told him where I sent you." he continued, his breathing becoming labored, "Aang is still alive, I can feel it."
"What do you want me to do?" I asked, knowing where the conversation was heading.
"I need you to find him, and help him restore balance to the world."
I furrowed my eyebrows together "How am I supposed to find him?"
"Before I do anything, you must promise me to never forget who you are, find Aang and help him on his long journey. Do not let anyone know you're an airbender, do you understand?" he asked, wheezing.
I nod once my head in acknowledgement, and before I could say anything,He lifted his hand and touched my forehead. A bright white light blinded me and the last thing I heard was Gyatso's voice.
"I will see you sooner then you think, my child"
It was then that the darkness consumed me.
A/N: This chapter took me forever! Stupid writers block :P
Thank you to all those who have commented, favorited, and story alerted. You guys are my driving force and inspiration to write.
Please, PLEASE comment and tell me what you think. I want to know if you liked it, loved it, hated it, whatever your thoughts are I want to knoww! (:
