A/N: Dun-du-du-duuuuuuunnnnnnnnn! And the new chapter is up! This is a part of my belated birthday present for my best friend. :) Happy Belated Birthdayyyy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender, and that is a thought that makes me incredibly sad. Because I would love to own Avatar.
I fell to my hands and knees, resting my forehead against the cool earth. My breathing came in large, ragged pants, and sweat flowed freely off my face. When night first came, I couldn't sleep, but now I was physically spent after four hours of continuous combat training, and the boulder I had been using as a target no longer existed.
I guess I still got it, huh, Lu?
After a long moment, my breathing regulated and I collapsed to my side, rolling onto my back. The night sky was beginning to fade into dawn as the sun began its habitual rise, greeting the new day.
"Happy birthday to you." My voice was hoarse, and barely above a whisper, but the melody of the song wasn't lost in its low volume, even with its sarcastic tone.
I'm seventeen years old today, I thought, and I only feel anger, guilt, and confusion. My stomach gave a large grumble in protest. And hunger, apparently.
I sat up, pulling my knees to my chest, and wrapped my arms around my legs. I propped my chin up on top of my knees and kept my eyes on the horizon. The twinkling stars of the night were disappearing from view as the tip of the sun peaked out over the skyline. The sound of the ocean reached me, and my ears perked back. I released an irritated sigh.
I was desperately trying to find answers, but I didn't know who to turn to. Then my thoughts landed on the Spirits.
They would know what to do; they would be able to help me…right? I guess there's no harm in asking, but how am I supposed to talk to them?
Feeling like the biggest fool in the world, I stood, though my muscles screamed in protest. My eyes swept the skies, now a soft light blue. My mouth twisted in concentration as I tried to figure out exactly what I wanted to say.
"I don't know where to go from here," I called out.
"Seven years ago, you chose me, a ten year old child to do your bidding, and I accepted. But I don't even know if the Avatar still exists! He disappeared a hundred years ago, and no one has heard or seen him since! How the hell do you expect me to find him?"
My hands clenched into fists, and I heard scattered pebbles start to vibrate against the solid ground. My heart began beating faster as my temperature began to rise to a dangerous level. I let out my anxiety through the frantic rant, a tone of accusation and rage searing my voice as I roared at the heavens.
"When he vanished, the world was plunged into war. He abandoned everyone in their time of need. Why should he be protected? If he decided to disappear on his own, he can reappear on his own just as fast, right? I mean, he's supposed to be the Avatar, the most powerful person in the world!"
I stopped, surprised. I slid my gaze to the ground, slightly ashamed by what I had just said. I had disrespected the Avatar, and the one I was chosen to protect, no less. I groaned, and my knees buckled. I gave way to the guilt, and dropped to my knees. My body leaned forward, and I caught myself with my hands. I had to fight to keep my eyelids parted, and my arms started to shake.
"I'm…sorry, and I actually mean it this time. I understand. One person can't ever hold that burden alone. Someone has to be there to support the Avatar while he supports the world. I just don't know if I can find him without your help. Please, send me a sign."
Then I succumbed to exhaustion, and sleep overtook me; it was far from dreamless, though. I saw bright colors, and faces flashed behind my eyes. I saw a young man with big blue eyes, and dark brown hair pulled back into a small ponytail. Then there was a girl with the same blue eyes and the same dark hair, although it was longer and set into a single braid with two locks separated from the rest. There was also a boy, younger than the other two, who wore a large smile and had grey eyes. He was completely bald, but on his forehead was a tattoo in the shape of an arrow. Then I saw another boy, but he was older than the other faces I had already seen. He was also extremely familiar. He had no hair on his head, save a long black ponytail, and his anger-filled eyes were gold. On the left side of his face, though, he possessed a frightening scar that covered his left eye, upper cheekbone and ear.
After the faces, I saw shacks and small wooden buildings. An image of the statue of Avatar Kyoshi flooded my vision. It looked as if someone had recently repainted it, making it seem new again. After that, all I could make out were flames. I could smell burning wood, and I felt soot in my nose. It so vivid and real, I tried to scream, but nothing left my throat. I thrashed my limbs violently to get myself to wake, and I succeeded in doing so. My eyes burst open, and I was thankful to be awake. I gulped at the air greedily, feeding oxygen to my brain so I could think about the visions that had filled my sleep.
The four faces, they're important somehow. Maybe they'll help me find the Avatar. And the shacks must mean a village…and the fire must mean something bad will happen. But the statue of Kyoshi…
I pondered my dream for a while, and then came to a conclusion. I had to go to Kyoshi Island. I looked towards the heavens once more, noting that it was about mid-day.
"Okay, Spirits, I can take a hint. Kyoshi Island it is. I just hope you were right in choosing me." I stood, facing a path that led to a local village, hopefully home to a few boats.
"By the way, would you mind telling my parents I love them? I want them to know that I haven't forgotten…I still have the necklace they gave me. Tell them I'll make sure they didn't die for nothing."
Breathe in, breathe out, I kept telling myself.
I hate boats. I hate my life. So, so much. Why am I doing this? Oh, yeah. To find the Avatar. Once I get my hands on this guy-
My thoughts were interrupted when the boat took a sharp turn towards the island. My stomach heaved, and it took everything I had not to vomit. I cupped my hands under the pendant around my neck and rubbed the smooth edges with my thumbs for comfort. It was the necklace my mother and father had given me on my tenth birthday. It was a Yin-Yang medallion, and it was painted the four colors of the nation. On one side, bright red began in the tail, and faded into white, while the opposite side started out a deep blue that slowly morphed into green. It was made out of clay, and glazed by a slow fire. It represented my family, and it represented the world. When my parents gave me the necklace, they smiled and told me that as long as I had the necklace, I had them, too. But now they're gone, and no one can bring them back, not even the Avatar.
My memories were disrupted by the sudden halt of the ship. I brought myself upright as a man called out saying we had reached our destination. I waved my thanks to the captain as I passed him, and then jumped over the edged of the boat and landed lightly on the shore, thankful to feel the earth under my feet. I took one step toward the village at the heart of the island, but I froze when I heard yelling on the other side of the rocks at the shore.
"I'm sure it'll be here any second! Ummm, what about this?"
Oh my Avatar…that voice is the single most annoying voice to ever grace my ears. My nose scrunched up in annoyance, but I climbed the rocks to see what was going on anyway.
"Where are you going? Don't leave!" The same, child-like voice yelled out again.
"Sorry, Aang. Maybe next time!" A new voice called out this time, sounding even younger than the first. I peeked my head over the tip of the rock, and then gasped. There was a boy in the water...a boy with grey eyes, no hair and a strange tattoo of an arrow on his forehead. He was one of the faces from my vision. I groaned aloud.
No, oh, no. Spirits, you have got to be kidding me! I'm happy about the vision and all, but seriously. Do I have to talk to this kid? My ears are threatening to bleed!
I swung my leg over to the other side of the rock, and slid down the face of the boulder, landing right in front of a small group of little girls. They're eyes widened at my unique entrance.
"Excuse me, but who is that kid in the water?" I pointed out to where this 'Aang' child still floated, now smiling. I glanced to where his eyes rested, and found another girl. She was older than the group in front of me, and I realized she was also from my dream.
"That's Aang. He's the Avatar," one of the girls piped up, wrenching me from my thoughts. Satisfied with their answer, they all skipped along back to the village, leaving me to gape at the child in the water.
He's the Avatar? Him? The Avatar is supposed to be ancient, this is just a kid! And he sounds so annoying! Whyyyyyyy? I cursed at Spirits inside my mind, and then mentally kicked myself for being ungrateful for their wise visions.
My eyes wandered back over to the girl that was calling out to him. She wasn't much older than Aang. He started swimming back to shore, but something else caught my eye. A large, dark figure was following close behind the Avatar.
Unexpectedly, a black and grey serpent had lifted Aang above the sea and then violently shot water at him. I searched frantically for nearby supplies or anything that would help.
So, this is why an Avatar needs a Protector. Well, it would sure help if I knew what I was doing!
Aang was now holding on for dear life to the terrible serpent, while being thrashed around. His hands slipped, and he was sent flying. He landed in the water with a stomach-turning smack, and when he floated to the surface, he wasn't conscious. The girl yelled his name and then waded into the water, but the serpent was making a fast return. I stood on the shore feeling helpless, my mind completely failing to think of a plan.
What are you doing? You're Aang's protector! Protect him already, I screamed at myself.
I slid my feet out in a wide stance, but maintained my balance. My hands became fists, and I tried to search the earth ahead of me. I felt a huge mass at the bottom of the shallow end, a few feet from where Aang was floating. When I found it, the girl had reached him, and the serpent's head flew into open air. I thrust my fists into the air, feeling the weight of the earth push against my direction. Within seconds, Aang and the girl were being pushed back by a strong force of water. The serpent dived after them, but it smashed its face into the large bulk of earth that I had heaved just below the surface.
I ran towards the village as the serpent violently sprayed more water in the spots he thought the two had gone. The initial surprise of learning the girl was a waterbender was still etched onto my face, but I knew I could leave them be for now. Aang was with a waterbender. He would be safe enough.
Upon reaching the village, I found a small group of people in panic. I rushed towards them, eager to hear any news.
"The fire nation! Here, on Kyoshi Island! This can't be good," cried out one woman. My eyes widened, and I pivoted around, sprinting towards another small building. Inside were two warriors. Upon closer examination, though, I found one of them to have blue eyes…the same blue eyes the waterbender had! The blue-eyed warrior also had a small, dark haired ponytail. He was definitely one of the boys from my vision.
Why is this guy wearing make up? And why is he wearing a dress? My nose wrinkled in confusion as questions swarmed my mind.
There are some things in this world that I will never understand, I said to myself, sighing and shaking my head lightly. A man with big grey hair, a mustache and a bushy beard ran past me towards the entrance.
"Firebenders have landed on our shores. Girls, come quickly!" He and one of the warriors left in a hurry, while the blue-eyed one hesitated.
"Hey, I'm not a…oh, whatever!" A flying-monkey-rat-thing I had never seen before bounced off his shoulder, and I shoved aside my disbelief for later. The cross dresser ran to catch up with them, and I did the same, smirking to myself at how much of an idiot this guy was. Upon stealthily reaching the entrance of the village, we were greeted by the sight of firebenders on rhinos.
"Come out, Avatar! You can't hide from me forever." There was an obvious leader. His voice was so familiar, like I had heard it in a dream. Through his helmet, I could see his gold eyes, and a dark scar that covered the left side of his face. He was also from the vision the Spirits had granted me.
Well, he doesn't look like a good guy…I mused sardonically.
The rhinos had begun searching for Aang, but they were going to meet heavy protest from me. Before I could even sink into my earthbending stance, though, the Kyoshi Warriors knocked out four men. These girls, with fans and painted faces, were taking down fire nation soldiers. I couldn't help but stand in awe. They then tackled the leader, the blue-eyed cross dresser among them. But, this firebender wasn't going down without a fight. He swung his legs around in a circular motion and bended fire in all directions, causing each warrior to go flying. He stepped over the fallen soldiers and walked to the middle of the street.
"Nice try, Avatar, but these little girls can't save you."
"Hey, over here," another voice called out to the arrogant firebender. I looked past the scarred boy's shoulder to see Aang, holding his staff out proudly, just like an Avatar should.
I almost laughed, though. This enemy was obviously a trained firebender, and Aang was just a kid. He managed to dodge every burst of fire thrown at him, though, and he then picked up two fans, and bended air with so much force, the firebender crashed into the building behind him, and disappeared into a black cloud.
Whoa…mother of Aang… I was immediately humbled by the Avatar's power. It was unlike anything I've ever seen.
Aang picked up his staff, and just like that, he was flying. My gaze wandered back to the rest of the village, and I saw the flames consume the shacks, just as in my vision. I ran towards the safe haven near the back of the town. As soon as I got there, I saw Aang land, and the waterbender was just outside the door.
"Look what I brought to this place," he said solemnly.
"It's not your fault," she reassured him.
"Yes, it is," he insisted. "These people got their town destroyed trying protect me." The guilt was clear in his voice.
"Then let's get out of here. Zuko will leave Kyoshi to follow us," she told him.
I stopped abruptly in my tracks.
Zuko did all of this? He's the one with the scar? No, it can't be…But it was. Zuko, my childhood friend, was now my enemy. He was trying to hurt the one person that I was meant to protect, and I couldn't allow him to do so. I tried to ignore the ache in my heart.
Oh, come on. What did you expect? I asked myself, fuming. He's FIRE NATION. Of course he's the enemy. And you're stupid if you believe otherwise. I paused and audibly sighed. Only one thing to do now. Follow. Hmm…tough decisions. Aang, or Zuko? Aang, or Zuko?
I looked back to where Aang and his friend were to see them climbing onto a large heap of fur with eyes and horns. My jaw dropped. I had always thought that flying bison were extinct, a long-forgotten legend, just like the air nomads. But, since Aang was an airbender, it must have been possible.
My line of sight followed the firebenders, all of them now sharing one rhino. I eyed their trail, and saw that it led to a metal army ship.
For the love of Aang, why so many boats? I knew I had to make my decision then. I had an internal debate, looking back and forth between bison and boat.
Flying bison, boat. Flying bison, boat. Flying bison…I watched Aang cried out "Yip yip!" and then the great beast heaved itself into the air. OH DEAR AVATAR, I'M GOING TO THE BOAT, I'M GOING TO THE BOAT! I almost fell flat on my face as I ran towards the Fire Nation ship like a madman.
Then it began to pour. Surprised, I looked up. Aang was on the serpent, forcing it to spray water onto the towns burning shacks. He might not have known it yet, and even though he had the most irritating voice, he was already a great Avatar.
I diverted my attention back to the firebenders, who were all now sharing one rhino. A small smirk twisted my mouth. They deserved to get soaked.
Zuko did not look happy in the slightest.
Sorry, princess, I thought wryly, turning my attention back to the water.
I groaned inwardly as I eyed their ship. I hid in a patch of trees while the benders climbed into their ship, and then I jumped on at the last second. I made my way through the boat, finding a small compartment for storage. I crawled in and tried to make myself as comfortable as the tiny space would allow me to be. I was going to be here for a while if I was to keep Zuko in line.
I sighed, and closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose.
How could you do this Zuko? Aren't you the same person I became friends with? I pictured the scarred face of the firebender that tried to hurt Aang just minutes ago. No, Zuko was different now. He had changed, and not for the better. I dropped my hand from my face and let out another long sigh.
No matter what happens, Aang, I will protect you. No matter how much it hurts me, or those I love, I will do what it takes to make sure you're safe. Even if you kill my hearing if you ever dare speak again.
I made that promise to myself as well as the Avatar. I would protect him from everyone, including Zuko. Even if he used to be my best friend, he was no longer the boy I once knew and loved.
A/N: Ahahaha I love Auna's hatred for Aang's voice. It makes me smile.
Big thanks to all who added my story to their favorites/alerts, and the three readers who wrote the reviews. Keep 'em comin'! ;)