Hello friends. Sorry about the mix-up on chp. 2! But, as you can see, I have that all taken cared of. I'm new at this, so your patience is appriciated! I want to thank Codymitchell1 for their kindness and patience, also. We had a nice PM chat! :)
(A/N:) I really want to know if people are enjoying this story. If so, please let me know. Also I really need suggestions. You know...things you would like to see happen. I make up while I'm writing... in other words, I have no idea myself what's going to happen.
Me-Well...I'll pick... *looks around room* You!
Zuko- No.
Me- Yes.
Zuko- No.
Toph- I'll do it! I'll do it!
Me- Ok...
Toph- Yes! Sam doesn't own Avatar: The Last Airbender, or anything mentioned in the story.
That's how it's done!
~o0o~
Rythem of the Soul
Chapter 3- Love, Revenge, and a Contest
~o0o~
"I don't understand it! It's not going how I planned at all!" He said as he slammed his fist into the desk.
"You can't expect everything to go your way." The boy said, as he flicked ash off the tip of his cigerette, looking disinterested.
"Jet...I didn't ask you to come here so you could talk to me like I'm some kind of infant! I need ideas...what I need is a plan..." He trailed off and started pacing the room. " ...and quit smoking in my office."
Jet took a long drag of his cigerette before throwing it down in the ash tray."Look, you need to do something about the Four Nation's band. Every kid in the tri-state area probably listens to their songs. It's always Four Nations this, and Four Nations that. Why can't you do anything worth your time, Ozai?
Ozai stroked his beard and scowled at Jet "How long have you had this idea?"
"Oh...twenty minuets."
"Why haven't you told me!"
"You've been pacing and shouting like a madman for twenty minuets."
"I can't destroy them...because one person stands in my way." Ozai explained, staring at the wall as if he could see right through it.
"Who?" Jet asked, puzzled. Ozai wasn't one to admit defeat so easily.
"Iroh." Ozai said his name as if the very word tasted vile in his mouth.
Jet leaned back in his chair. Ozai had talked a few times about his brother, but it was usually about how jolly and happy the man was. It was apparant that Ozai was jealous of his older brother.
He asked the question, despite what he knew would happen."What does the tea-loving clown have to do with anything?"
"He's my brother."
"Wow. I would have never guessed. Despite you telling me just yesterday. I'm just that stupid!" Jet spat sarcastically.
"I know. But what I mean is that Iroh is the manager. He won't let me near them, no matter how clever my excuse is." Ozai complained.
"Your excuses are never clever." Jet said.
"Would you listen! My point is...that Ozai and I worked together. I hate to admit it, but he's not stupid. He knows me better than anyone. In the past me and him worked as managers for a band, that's success got them nowhere. We both were fine with sharing the job, until payday came around. I didn't realise he was favored by our boss, and his advantages were higher pay. So, I tried working harder, then maybe i'd get some recignition. But I was dead wrong. I ended up in everyone's way and the whole buisiness collapsed. I was fired, while Iroh kept the job." Ozai confessed.
Jet was stunned. If he opened up even this far, then he must be serious.
"Well...maybe you can't do anything, but I can." Jet decided.
"What's so important that you have to do it alone?" Ozai demanded.
"I might as well invite myself in their little social circle." Jet planned sneakily.
"What are you yapping about?!"
Jet stood and smiled a cocky grin. "We'll nagociate. You get your fame, while I have some fun."
"As long as I get my fame, do as you like." Ozai said dismissively.
"Good, I'm glad you agree." Jet said.
"Whatever, your dissmissed."
Jet walked out of the room and down the hall.
"And I know exactly who I need."
~o0o~
Aang, Kuzon, and Bumi were walking down the sidewalk talking and laughing.
"...So I was like...woman, how many guys do you see walking around in skinny jeans?"
Aang and Bumi laughed.
Aang was finally able to catch his breath long enough to talk,"Wow Kuzon, you need mental help."
"No. I don't. I just need new pants." Kuzon said casually.
Bumi snort/laughed," Yeah, I'll give you that."
"Bumi...when are you going to show me? I'm dieing to know what the big deal is." Aang said.
"NO BUMI. Don't do it. You look like you just got spray-painted out of a Justin Bieber concert." Kuzon warned.
"Can it, you. I'm proud to call this my hair!" Bumi bragged.
He took the hat occupying his head, to show the most HIDEOUS hairstyle.
"Well, what'd ya think!" Bumi posed.
"I'ts...um...well...I...you see...it's...it's original?" Aang said, even though it came out sounding more like a question.
"Thank you, AANG!" Bumi shot a look at Kuzon.
Bumi's hair was cut on either sides. His hair was dyed yellow and had bits of red. It was swooped to the side, making it look lop-sided. He truly resembled a tropical bird.
"Though, you should keep the hat on." Aang added.
"Screw you both. I look fantastic. I should kiss my hair-dresser." Bumi said.
"And who would that be?" Kuzon asked.
"Me!" Bumi stated proudly.
"...OH!" Kuzon and Aang said in unison.
"See, that explains alot." Aang said.
"Sure does. I advise not making this your career, Bumi." Kuzon agreed.
"I repeat...screw you both!" Bumi exclaimed.
They finally made it to the basketball court. It was an abandoned ally turned into a neighborhood park. But what they saw suprised them. They weren't alone.
~o0o~
"Take that...and that! And some of this!"
"Dude! Watch who your spraying! I'm Sir Awesome! The bravest knight in all the land, I'm also attractive."
"Yeah right. You sleep with a night light."
"Hey! Don't disrespect Mr. Bright."
"Heck, you even named it."
"Shut up both of you. I'm trying to concentrate." Toph said. She went back to sensing vibrations from behind the bush.
Zuko and Sokka both put down their NERF guns,"Sorry."
"I'm still Sir Awesome though." Sokka stated."And a better basketball player, too."
"Oh no, you didn't just go there." Zuko dared.
"Oh yes, I think I just did." Sokka shot back with a smirk.
"SHUT UP!" Toph yelled.
"Sorry."
She looked back out to feel Yue and Katara tip-toeing toward their flag.
"HALT!" Toph demanded, pointing her NERF gun at the two girls.
The two looked at eachother, nodded, and pulled out identical ones of their own.
"Oh snap," Toph backed away while they came closer,"...GUYS, HELP!" She took off running in a random dirction.
"Suki! Get the flag!" Katara yelled, spraying Toph with water.
"Ha! Drink it up, Toph!" Yue shouted, doing the same.
"I SURRENDER! I SURRENDER! HELP SOKKA, ZUKO! HELP!" Toph pleaded, trying to point the gun at the two, but was failing.
"I got the flag!" Suki cheered.
"Ha Ha! Jokes on you now, Toph. We won this time." Katara said.
"Fine. You win. Let's play something that doesn't include water, please?" Toph said.
"But I love Surrender or Die." Yue pouted.
"We can play something that's still fun, just not wet." Katara concluded.
"We can shoot some hoops? That's fun." Sokka suggested.
"Cool with me." Toph stated.
"I'm game if you are." Katara said.
Everyone agreed and went off to put some dry clothes on.
TEN MINUETS LATER...
"Ready guys?" Zuko asked, dribbling the ball.
"Yeah, but can we walk? We haven't stretched our legs in a while." Suki asked.
"Sure. Come on children." Iroh, yes Iroh, said.
Yue draped her arm accross Katara's shoulders, "Remember when we used to play lacrosse? Back home?"
"Yeah... I remember." Katara said with a sad smile.
"I still want to know what exactly happend to you guys to make you keep it so secret." Suki said.
"Yeah...me too..."Toph said suspiciously.
"Um, wer'e...not exactly comfortable sharing that info. Hey, look! The court!" Sokka said, trying to change the subject.
It worked, because everyone started running toward it, everyone except Iroh. He didn't exactly know what happened, but he knew it involved something traumatic happening. He could tell it was hardest on Katara. He just couldn't get one of them to talk, not even Sokka. Yue was Katara's best friend, plus she lived in Canada also, so she knew what happened.
Everyone huddled in a big circle.
"Ok, we'll play 3 on 3. Zuko, Suki, and I on one team, and Yue, Kat, and Toph on the other." Sokka explained.
"Sounds good." Suki agreed.
"Ok, go on ladies. The men-" Sokka began.
"Ahem!" Suki interrupted.
"Uh...I mean the people in this team have a game to win!" Sokka finished.
"We'll see about that!" Toph said.
Iroh chuckled,"Alright, we all know the rules, right?" Everyone nodded."Good. We want a clean game, people. No hitting, cheating, or name-calling."
"You talk to us as if we're kids." Katara complained.
"You are kids. Ok, ready...THE GAME STARTS NOW!" Iroh announced.
~o0o~
They watched, for fear of interrupting the game.
Aang saw who these people were, and he couldn't believe they were actually here.
By now, only four people were playing the game. Zuko and Sokka against Toph and Suki. It was a draw, which meant whoever's team got the next shot, would be the tie-breaker.
Sokka had the ball and was making his way to the other side of the court. All of a sudden, Toph swooped in front of him and stole the ball. She then started heading in the opposite direction. Zuko saw this and had to act quickly. He tried to block her shot, but she passed it on to Suki, who was a few feet behind him. Suki caught the ball and tried to get closer to the net, but Sokka was a step ahead. He caught up with her and made an easy steal.
Toph could sense Sokka going back to the left. Either he was being stupid, or had the ball, she couldn't tell. Nonetheless she followed him, and could sense the ball's bouncing rythem. She ran faster, and just before he could shoot, she blocked his shot and ran with the ball. Zuko was coming from her right and she dodged him. Suki was at her left, so she tried to stay in close contact with her, just in case. She ran faster, and when she was close enough, she made a beautiful slam dunk that would make Michael Jordan proud.
Suki and Toph cheered while Iroh blew his whistle, signaling the game over.
"WATCH OUT!" someone yelled.
Bumi, Kuzon, and Aang both turned their heads just in time to see a girl, riding on rollerskates, crash into the wall and fall. Out of instinct, Aang ran over to see if they were alright.
Aang made it over to the girl just about the time a girl with white hair did.
"Are you alright?" Aang asked.
"Sorry 'bout that Kat, I didn't mean for that to happen." Yue apolagised.
"It's all good." Katara said lifting her head to take her helmet off.
She was sitting up when she noticed who was next to her...the same grey-eyed teenager!
"Hey...I know you...your the kid from that music store." Katara stated.
Aang rubbed his neck nervously,"Um...yeah. That's me."
"You sure your alright?" Yue checked.
"I'm fine Yue!" Katara laughed,"Just, please, don't give me such a big boost on a hill."
"Ditto." Yue agreed, helping Katara up.
"So, where'd you come from?" Katara asked Aang.
"I came with my friends over there."Aang pointed to a couple of guys drooling.
"Oh. Well, we were about to go down to the park, you and...those guys...can come along." Katara suggested.
"Sure!" Aang said eagerly.
Yue looked between the two, and knew exactly what was going on.
~o0o~
Jet knocked on the door and waited. If his plan was going to work, then he needed a partner in crime, maybe two.
"What the heck do you want?" The woman sneered.
"You know me, girl. I need a favor." Jet said.
"Hmm. I don't feel very generous today. Soooo, no. Now, make like Michael Jackson, and beat it." She slammed the door.
"Azula! Come on! We'll make a deal, and your part involves some cha-ching!" Jet yelled.
Azula opened the door again."Helping you is one thing, but making money is another. What did you have in mind?"
"That was too easy." Jet mumbled to himself.
"What was that?" Azula asked.
"Oh, nothing. So here's the plan..."
~o0o~
"Not too high!" Katara screamed.
Aang laughed,"Come on! What's the fun in going low?"
Aang slowed the swing to a stop, letting a dizzy katara get off. She made a dramatic twirl and faked a faint.
"I see the stars..." Katara mumbled on the grass.
"But it's the middle of the day." Aang stated.
"Is it? I swear I see stars."
Aang laughed and plopped down beside Katara on the grass.
They both became the best of friends in no time. It was like a part of them that wasn't there before, was there now. Katara felt as though she had known him her whole life, instead of an hour. Aang felt the exact same way. He felt he could be himself around her, his funny, innocent, playful, kid nature.
It was getting late, and everyone decided to go home.
"Well, it was nice getting to know you, Aang." Katara said, as they walked side by side to the ally.
"Likewise. Hey... I was wondering if we could...I don't know, hang out?" Aang asked.
"Sure. I'm free sunday. Is that ok?" Katara replied.
"Yeah, that's perfect! After church i'll call you." Aang decided.
"Cool."
~o0o~
Azula and Jet were in his garage. They decided that it would be best to keep their plan a secret from Ozai, until they could get everything situated.
"I'm very suprised, Jet. You actually put together a great plan." Azula complimented.
"I know. They'll never know what hit them." Jet said.
"Don't get too full of yourself, jerk. You still have loose ends to tie." Azula replied.
"I don't need reminding, thank you very much." Jet sneered.
"Why do you want her? You have that blind chick, and that other girl with the white hair." Azula asked
"She's perfect. Plus, she's single." Jet concluded.
"So?"
"She's my -ex, Azula. We dated in Canada. Then, she left me without saying anything. Don't know why. I plan to find out."
"So...your using her to shut her band down, and then interrogating her?"
"Exactly. It's the 'kill two brds with one stone' thing."
"Oh. I guess." Azula said.
~o0o~
Alright. So here we see the story unfolding. I still have no idea what I'm doing. I didn't even plan on having the villians exposed in this chapter, especially not three of them.
So, suggestions are gladly taken, and so is constructive critisism.
God bless you :)
-Sam
