Garo Flames of Gold
ESKK: Hey new chapter for this fic. What you guys thought I ditched it. Well shame on you for thinking that. Anyway please enjoy this chapter.
(Red screen background)
'Water'
An old man standing in front of his nation symbol, use his water bending to show his element
'Earth'
A guy standing in front of his nation symbol as he kick down to the ground as a bolder shot up before the guy kick it away as he show his element
'Fire'
A Female figure stood in front of her nation symbol shot flames out before jumping into the air and slamming down and send a stream of fire out as she show her element.
'Air'
Aang came out and stood in front of his nation symbol as he Airbend at the screen showing off his element.
'And the Makai Order'
Three lone figures stood there as 2 of them standing back to back as one of them was Zorin as the other remain in the shadow, as the 3rd a female within robes hold a brush in her hands; As these 3 stood in front of the symbol of the Makai order.
Zorin and the other knight raise their sword and summon forth their armor of gold and silver, Garo and Zanga.
'Long ago, the 4 nation live together in harmony, With the Order watch over us protecting us from the shadow from the horrors of the world, then everything change when the fire nation attacked.'
Screen cut to the fire nation running on the beach of the Earth kingdom and send forth their flames.
"Only the Avatar, master of all four elements could stop them, but when the world needed him the most, He vanishes.'
With an old man on top of a towering rock bending all four element to his will as he bend Earth, Water, Fire, and then Wind before he vanish from the rock he stood on.
'The Makai order could not intervene to stop the fire nation, but only to keep balance so the world doesn't fall into chaos.'
Shadow of people stood to the side as they watch the world fell into war with the look of regret on their faces.
'100 years has pass, when a stranger named Zorin came to our home land and saved us from the evil spirit that been living among us, as he carry a legacy that been told among legends the Golden Knight Garo, the knight of Hope has come forth.'
'Together with him, my brother, and I found the new Avatar and Air bender named Aang and although his air bending skills is great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone, but with Zorin guidance and protection, I believe these two can save the world.'
*insert Garo Yami wo Terasu Mono OST- Theme of Garo
-Story start-
Walking through a snowy grass lands, as the group came upon a fortress city on a small mountain as Aang came to announce, "The Earth kingdom city of Omashu."
Taking a moment as Zorin said, "I remember this place, the city is always guarded heavily after the last few years."
"How do you know this place?" Sokka asked as Zorin said, "Horror hunt few times here, as well a watchdog that is located within the area around Omashu."
"Watchdog who or what is that?" Katara asked as Sokka then spoke.
"Sounds like some new animal." Sokka said before Zaruba spoke.
"A Watchdog is an advisor, usually a very powerful Makai Priest who is able to halt their own aging with their own magic and the help of a spirit, though they are powerful to do that they are more of advisors and when they reach retirement they pass down there power to the next worthy Makai Priest." Zaruba explained as Zorin nodded.
"Yeah but I think coming here is a bad idea with how defended it is and with Aang being the Avatar we can't exactly just waltz right in." Zorin said as Sokka looked.
"Then how did you get in all those times?" Sokka asked as Zorin looked.
"Well first time I told them I am on a pilgrimage of a nomadic life which worked but I couldn't rely on it all the time so I had to come up with a different surname and different reason for coming here." Zorin said as Aang looked.
"Well I used to always come here to visit my friend Bumi." Aang said as Zorin looked.
"Wait Aang if what Zorin said it true it could be dangerous if people find out you're the Avatar." Katara said as Aang looked but Sokka spoke.
"You need a disguise." Sokka said as Aang looked.
"So what am I supposed to do, grow a mustache?" Aang asked as Zorin looked at Appa and saw Sokka and Katara looked and all three could agree, they had an idea.
(Later)
Aang now had a head of white hair and a large mustache of white as he looked like an old man which made some sense since technically he was over a 112 years old. "Ugh this is so itchy. How do you live in this stuff?" Aang asked Appa as Appa merely blew air at him.
"Great now you look just like my grandfather." Sokka said as Katara smiled and looked to Sokka.
"Well technically Aang is 112 years old." Katara said before a bell was heard.
Zorin looked as he saw a childlike creature there as did the trio. "Hello there little one did you see any of that?" Katara asked hoping he wouldn't run back to Omashu and tell the whole city the Avatar was coming. But the boy was silent before walking over to Zorin who looked to the child. The child size creature then handed Zorin a red scroll before Zorin took it.
"What is that a messenger, kind of young." Sokka said as he and Katara looked at each other as the bell was heard which caused Aang to go wide eyed as he yelp.
Sokka and Katara also looked and to their shock the child was gone as Zorin didn't seem bothered. "What? Where did he go?" Sokka asked as Zorin looked.
"That was a messenger from the order his kind always seems to do that." Zorin said as he took out his Madou Lighter and lit it as he burnt the scroll. Katara and Sokka were about to stop him but as the scroll turned to ash, the ashes moved around to form a message that they could not understand.
"A Horror has appeared in Omashu this Horror devours the greed of the cities hidden darkness assist the Makai Priest of the area in locating it, meet with the Watchdog for more details." Zorin read as Zaruba looked.
"Pretty straight forward for this districts Watchdog must be important." Zaruba said as Zorin nodded.
"Sorry guys I can't hang out with you in the city this time, perhaps another time." Zorin said as Aang nodded before spinning his staff and standing like an old man.
"Now let's get skipping young wiper snappers, the big city awaits." Aang said in an old man voice as Zorin looked.
"I'll head on ahead and when we're both done with what we came to Omashu to do we'll meet back up at Appa." Zorin said as he walked off.
"As long as he keeps the Dark Spirit stuff away from us we should be good." Sokka said as Katara silently agreed.
(Scene Break Zorin)
Zorin walked to the gate as he was ahead of an old man with cabbages in a cart as Zorin could tell some of them were rotten as he arrived at the gate. But as he arrived at the gate, an Earth Bender Guard bended a large boulder above Zorin's head as Zorin looked. "State your business here." The guard said as Zorin looked.
"I'm on a nomadic pilgrimage but recently I received a letter to meet a friend of mine who lives here, said it was important." Zorin said as he was calm about this even though he has a boulder hovering over his head.
"Do you have proof of this?" The Earth Bender asked only for a girl to speak up.
"He's telling the truth." She said as she walked up to them through the opened Gate. "I sent him the letter his sister who he left in my care is very ill she might not last the night." The woman lied as Zorin could tell she was a Makai Priestess. The woman was dressed in a Priestess uniform as her black hair was pulled into a long tail with her green eyes and other Earth Kingdom features being dominate on her.
"Yes so if you would let me in I want to be with my sister in her dying moments." Zorin helped the lie as the guard nodded.
"Very well." The guard said before they let him go with the girl to Omashu as the two entered the city.
As the two entered Zorin looked to her before thanking the young Earth Kingdom woman. "Thank you for the assist." Zorin said as the woman looked.
"They told me the Golden Knight would be arriving to assist with a Horror hunt, though the Watchdog failed to inform me that the Golden Knight of this generation is a Fire Nation." She said as Zorin sighed.
"If you have beef with me because of what my country does then get in line because I had to deal with that a lot in the Makai Order." Zorin said as they walked.
"Very well then we must get to the Watchdog though she has the information on the target." She said as Zorin looked.
"By the way I never caught your name ma'am." Zorin said as the woman looked.
"Miko is my name." She said as Zorin nodded.
"Ok then my name is Zorin nice to meet you." Zorin said s Miko nodded.
"Now then let us hurry we need to meet with the Watchdog." Miko said as they walked to Omashu's Watchdog sight.
Walking through the city passing many places and people, soon came to a dirty alleyway and lead to the very back wall of Omashu itself.
Upon arriving, Miko held out her Madou brush and open the entrance to the watchdogs.
The two walk in together as the doorway close behind as it seem it was never there at all.
(Watchdogs)
Zorin and Miko came to the area of the watchdog, and on the side was the wolf statue with his mouth wide open, as Zorin walked over to it before pull out his sword, and stab in it into it the statues glow for a moment before it blow out smoke, Zorin removed it, and in the mouth piece was a seal dagger.
Picking it up and walk over to the watchdog, as in front of him was a little girl looking about 10 years old as Garo bow to her and said, "Madam Watchdog Hana."
"Golden knight Garo, it is nice to see you once more," Hana said to him as Zorin nodded, as he presented her with the seal dagger as she took it and said, "This will return to the Makai, but now I have an assignment for you Golden Knight."
Zorin nodded and said, "What do you wish me to do?"
Hana reach over to a bowl of fruit and pull out an apple and said, "A horror has come and hiding itself within of inn and tea shops of Omashu. Find it and cut it down quickly as possible, young Miko here will assist you if need be."
Zorin understood and said, "I will find it, and cut down its Inga lady watch."
"The go forth and do so, I'll be waiting for your return," Hana said to him as Zorin bow once more before turning around and headed out as Miko stay for a moment and wanted to say something to the watchdog.
"Why must you summon a fire nation here lady watchdog, I could have deal with this horror myself without trouble, with him here, he sure to bring unwanted attention from the earth kingdom." Miko asked
Lady watchdog Hana had an upset look on her face disappointed at Miko words as, "Don't look down upon him young Miko. He tries hard to keep his honor as Garo very much, as his blood maybe of Fire nation but he is a Makai Knight as such he is one who protects, and don't forget it."
Miko flinch at the watchdog glare and she gave a bow to her and said, "Forgive me lady watchdog… I was out of line."
"I understand there are some lingering emotions with the Fire Nation." Hana said as Miko grabbed her shoulder out of reflex remembering what happened all those years ago. "Now go catch up to him this is your assignment as well." Hana said as Miko nodded and went to catch up to Zorin.
(With Zorin)
Zorin was walking through the streets of Omashu in the early afternoon heading to the tourist district as when he walked he heard screaming and looked up and saw Aang with Sokka and Katara in some stone box as they slid on a roof and continued on another one as Zorin was wide eyed.
"What, what just happened?" Zorin asked wondering what shenanigans Aang had gotten himself into now.
"I think it's better not to ask." Zaruba said as both hoped Aang weren't getting into too much trouble.
"Alright." Zorin said before continuing his trek to his destination.
As Zorin walked through the streets he took notice to the sights as no doubt people were wary of him but he also took notice to some familiar faces that waved at him from his previous visits. Zorin soon arrived at his destination as he looked around for any trouble. So far it was quiet which was; a start but he knew the quiet always came before the storm. He saw it was still day time so he needed to first find the Horrors last known feeding spot and from there he can trace the Horrors Inga with Zaruba.
Zorin pointed Zaruba forward as Zaruba spoke. "This isn't the time to choose a path." Zaruba joked as Zorin looked.
"I'm looking for the Horrors last known feeding spot." Zorin said as Zaruba looked.
"Well we'll need higher ground for this district first before we begin the hunt." Zaruba said as Zorin nodded before he began to find a vantage point over this district.
(Later)
Zorin stood atop a ledge that over looked the district as he pointed with Zaruba looking for a trail. That was when Miko appeared as she looked to Zorin.
"Anything?" She asked sounding harsher then it was meant to be.
"Not yet but Zaruba can trace Inga five ways in a maze, the Horror won't escape." Zorin said as Miko looked.
"Why did Garo pick you, after what the Fire Nation is doing I think it and the order would have picked someone else to be Garo." Miko said as she looked to Zorin.
"I sensed you have something against me." Zorin said as Miko glared.
"It's none of your business, let's just find this Horror and seal it." Miko said before Zaruba spoke.
"I found its last known feeding spot, I will guide you." Zaruba said before Zorin nodded and jumped down and landed on a small building before jumping to the streets with Miko close behind.
(Meanwhile in a park area)
A young man smiled as he sat on a bench dressed in merchant cloths as he waited for the sun to set. "Soon very soon." The man said as he watched the sun set in anticipation for night time.
As people pass by, soon he spotted a new victim to play with, a girl in Noble person dress came around in front of his as he lick his lips and said, "She looks tasty."
(Later)
AS the Noble girl came to her home area and it was night time already as she was about to head through the gates, she stop to the surprise site to see a big blue fish right in front of her blocking her from getting to the gate, as it was flapping around.
The lady step back a few times before she ran into someone, freak out as she 'Eep!' as she turn and see the young man dressing in merchant as he said, "Surprise?!"
The lady back away from the guy as he held up the same bleu fish that was laying in front of the gate ash the lady turn to see the fish was gone as well.
The man held the fish above him as he drop it, his lower jaw caught it and ate the fish to show he wasn't human. The Lady looked a bit sick by seeing that as the guy keep chewing it before swallowing, burping soon after.
The lady seem disgusted by that, as the noble lady was about to tell the man to go away, his eyes pop out looking like the fish eyes itself, as the lady scream out and she ran someone.
The guy smiles as he soon follow the lady around play with her a bit more.
Running to an open area hoping someone would help her as she yells out, "Help someone, an evil spirit is here."
No one was around as it was after dark and people went home, looking around for anyone, until she turn back to see the man wasn't there, turning back and he was in front of her, as he said, "Surprise?!"
The lady tried to turn but her sandals strap broke and she slip and fell down banging her knee, yell in pain before crawling away from the man as he laugh and clap his hand and said, "You are surprise, you're surprise! Haha." Stopping for a moment as now he had his sense of fun, now he was about to eat her as he said, "Enough of that. Time to eat."
AS the lady stop and look back at the man, as he open his mouth in an inhuman way, the lady scream before she was about to get eaten, until-
*Wham!
Kicked away from the lady and stood in front of her, within his white duster and his sword in hand, Zorin had come just in time.
AS the lady look at Zorin as he said to her, "Run." The lady nodded didn't want to be told twice as she got up picking up her broken sandal and ran out of there
"Why'd you get in the way?" The man said before Zorin drew his Madou Lighter and lit it with a green flame causing the man's eyes to respond identifying him as a Horror. The man quickly kicked Zorin away but Zorin dodged ad spun before sending a green flame at the man knocking him back. Luckily it was late at night so they were good for now sense his green flames didn't catch anything on fire.
"My you're such a clownish Horror it's really surprising." Zorin said as he smirked at the Horror edging it on. The Horror growled before grabbing a cabbage from a cart and throwing it at Zorin who deflected it see it was old. The Horror had used it as a distraction to run for it as Zorin gave chase and kicked the Horror in the face keeping it from escaping as it fell down. The Horror jumped back up and attacked only for Zorin to dodge and hit it in the face.
With a few swift and well placed punches and kicks accompanied by Fire Bending kata's Zorin sent the Horror away as he then took a battle stance. The two exchanged punches and kicks as Zorin ducked and dodged the attacks with ease as he was over powering this Horror with ease. Zorin then did a pedal kick at the Horror with some green flames mixed in as the result was the Horror fell on its stomach.
The Horror roared as it crawled at Zorin at a good speed but the Horror was then hit by a Makai Bolt as Miko jumped in with her brush drawn and ready as every time she moved it, it would jingle. The Horror growled as it got up as when it did Zorin had took out the Garoken as he had it at the ready as it was still in its sheath.
The Horror charged but Zorin pushed the sword up before drawing the blade as the sheath was still in the air before slashing at the Horror sending it tumbling back before returning the sword to the sheath with said sheath still in the air. Miko joined in on the fight though she was trying to get more hits in then Zorin as Zorin punched and kicked the Horror as every hit was met with a liquid that had the same texture as water as the Horror was getting a royal beat down.
Zorin then kicked the Horror sending it flying back as the Horror was hurt and looked for an escape route. "Damn Makai Knight." The Horror growled as its main enemy was the knight.
"He's no ordinary Makai Knight." Zaruba said as the Horror looked.
"Eh?" He asked confused as he look.
"He is the Golden Knight, Garo." Zaruba said as the Horror was shocked.
"Eh?! Ga-Garo?!" The Horror called now scared hearing of the Golden Knight and saw he had bitten off more than he could chew.
"Surprised?" Zorin asked using the Horror's own catchphrase against it which served to turn the Horrors fear into Anger.
"Bastard…. now I'm MAD!" The man said as he started to change into a horror being surrounded to look like shell fish before bursting out from it reveling his true form looking like a form of a blue fish and crap.
Zorin raise Zaruba up as Miko stood by waiting for the name of said horror, as Zaruba said, "Demon beast Azdo. Brother to Azdab. That's him their ability are similar to say to water base and range attacks with its flying clams."
Azdo charged as Miko came in front of it and fired Makai bolts at it, but the attacks hardly faze him as he keep going as the attacks hit him and smack her away, Zorin did like that, and not to waste any time as he raise his sword in the air and cut an energy circle to summon forth Garo.
Standing in place in a gold light shine down as the armor don onto Zorin, the horror attack but was block by the sheath Garoken and forced back.
The horror landed on its feet and look to where his opponent stood and in his place Garo stood there.
Miko from the ground saw Garo for the first time in her life, as she may have seen many knights before, but Garo is whole different story, to the feel the light of Garo, as it seem it still hasn't calm her nerves about the bearer of Garo being a Fire nation, by the look in her eyes says it.
The horror roars out as he sends forth his flying clams to strike Garo, but once they touch the armor, they burst upon impacted as they seem to hardly faze Garo in the slights.
Garo walk to the horror, with every step he took flames burst from his feet, even when his hand twitch a bit flames came from forth.
The horror send forth more clams at Garo but he smack them away with his arm as they all burst into flames, but the horror keep sending them at Garo as he keep swatting them away and all of them just ended up in flames.
AS the horror was getting afraid, he looked around for a moment before he saw Miko still down on the ground, as he saw his target and send forth a wave of clams at her.
Miko eyes widen to the incoming of the clams, with no time to react, she just close her eyes and waited for the end, until something came in front of her and block the attack.
AS she open her eyes, to her surprise standing there was Garo, and he protected her as he summon forth a wall of green flames in front of them both. "That was a dirty trick but it's expected of a Horror." Zaruba said as Garo took a battle stance and grinded the blade of the Garoken on his arm causing sparks to come out. Garo growled before charging at the Horror with great speed. Garo the slashed at the Horror's waist causing it to yelp in pain before noticing the wound and saw it was too deep meaning the Horror was doomed.
Garo then turned around and slashed the Horror in two as it then vanished into black smoke before being sealed into the Garoken. Garo then breathed out as he gently moved the Garoken to his side before disengaging his armor as Zorin then sheathed the Garoken. "Are you ok?" Zorin asked looking to Miko.
"I-I'm fine." Miko said as she was surprised Zorin would protect her. She still didn't exactly trust him but she could at the very least give him the benefit of the doubt.
"Ok that's good now let's take this Horror to the Watchdog." Zorin said as Miko nodded knowing this Horror hunt went without a hitch.
(Later at the Watchdog Site)
Zorin stabbed the Garoken once more into the Wolf Statue as the Seal Dagger was produced and Miko gave it to the Watchdog. "Good job, Golden Knight, and young priestess." Hana said as Zorin nodded.
"Thank you Lady Watchdog." Zorin said respectfully as Miko nodded.
"Now then we thank you for your assistance in this hunt." Hana said as Zorin nodded.
"It was my duty." Zorin said as Hana nodded.
"Now then there are no other Gates if we require assistance and you are in the area I will be sure to call upon you again." Hana said as Zorin nodded.
"Very well Madame Watchdog." Zorin said as he then bowed and left so he can meet up with the others on Appa. Hopefully they didn't get into too much trouble without him to bail them out.
(Near the main gate)
Zorin was walking to the main gate, hoping to meet up with Aang and the others to head out soon, but then he was stopped as a hand touch his shoulder and turn around to see two guarding standing behind him as one of them said to him, "Hold right there."
Zorin wonder what is going on as he was sure to act normal, not show any fire bending, or show he was sneaking out as he was walking up the gate as normal as Zorin had to asked, "Is there a problem?"
Soon enough one of the guard pull out a paper with something on it as he open it and show draw image of Aang with Momo on his shoulder, Sokka, and Katara as the guard asked, "Do you perhaps know these 3 and the pet?"
Zorin saw it and groin as he did not like where this was going. He may have keep Makai stuff out of their business, but they can't keep theirs out of his, and soon enough the two guard took him to the palace.
(Later in the palace)
Zorin was taken to a dining room area as he saw food set out and to his surprise to see everyone their as they saw him with Aang calling him out, "Zorin over here!"
Zorin sighed as he walk over as he saw his friend and an old man sitting at the table, as he took his seat and the old man said, "Now that everyone is here, lets enjoy this feast, I order the meal to be made myself."
Zorin looked at the food and said, "Can someone tell me what happened?" Sokka was already stuffing his face and Aang was eating his salad with Katara the only one that seem to be not eating at the moment.
"It's a long story." Katara said as Zorin sighed.
"Can't I leave you guys alone for one day?" He asked as that made Katara glare at him as the Earth King was eating a chicken.
"So tell me where are, you four from?" The King asked as Zorin was about to answer but Aang beat him to it.
"We're from, Kangaroo island." Aang said as Zorin face palmed himself as he had a more real and believable place then what Aang just said.
"Kangaroo island eh? I hear that place is really hoppy." The King said as Zorin sighed in irritation. It was only made worse by Sokka as the guy laughed before noticing no one was laughing.
"What... it was pretty funny." Sokka said a Zorin sighed.
"Sokka we need to work on your sense of humor." Zorin said as he looked to Sokka.
The old man then stretched and yawned as no doubt age wear was getting to him. "Well, all these good jokes are making me tired." The King began as he got up from his seat. "Guess it's time to hit the, hey." He said as Zorin noticed something wasn't right. The King then sent a drum stick at them as the piece of Chicken came flying at Aang. Zorin was about to intervene but it was too late Aang Airbended to stop the piece of food.
People gasped as Zorin sighed as he knew this was getting bad, real bad. "There's an air bender in our presence and not just any Airbender, the Avatar." The Earth King said as Aang stopped causing the chicken to fall down.
"Now what do you have to say, Mr. Pippinpaddleopsicopolis?" The Earth king said as Zorin raise an eyebrow to that as he look to Aang and the other and said, "You guy went with that kind of a name? Its stick out as much as Sokka bad fighting moves names. (Hey!)"
"Well we did have to think of something on the spot," Aang answer Zorin sighed as the King throw a piece of food as him as he just grabs with one hand and said, "do you love throw food or something?"
"Sometimes," the king said with a huge grin on his face, as Zaruba said to Zorin, "This guy's crown is a little too crooked." "No kidding." Zorin said back in the link.
Aang stood up and tried to put the attention on him as he said, "Well you caught me, I'm the Avatar. Doing my Avatar thing. Keeping the world safe."
Aang looked under the table as Zorin face palm himself again as Aang said, "Everything checks out. No fire benders where, so good work everybody."
Aang force everyone in a huge including Zorin as Aang said, "Love each other; respect all life…."
Aang and everyone else other than Zorin backed away from the table as they try to go out the door as Aang keep talking saying, "…And don't run with spears. See you next time."
The guard block their way as Zorin sighed and said, "I would say nice try, but don't think that counts."
"Got that right, hehe (snore!)" The king said as he got a laugh out of what Zorin said.
"Did I say something funny?" Zorin asked not catching his own joke as Katara held back a laugh.
"You can't keep us here let us leave!" Katara ordered as the King looked.
"Lettuce leaf?" He asked as he held that very vegetable and ate a piece of it.
"We're in serious trouble. This guy is nuts." Sokka said as Zorin looked for an escape route but sense he had to bring his friend with him escaping may be difficult.
"Tomorrow the Avatar will face three deadly challenges. But for now the guards will show you to your chambers." The Earth King said as soon a guard looked.
"My liege do you mean the good chamber or the bad chamber?" He asked as the Earth King looked.
"The Newly refurbished chamber."
"Wait which one are we talking about?" He asked as it was evident these guys need to label there chambers.
"The one that used to be the bad chamber, until the recent refurbishing that is. Of course we have been calling it the new chamber but we really should number them. Uh... Take them to the Refurbished chamber that was once bad." He ordered as the guards took the four away as Zorin didn't struggle much knowing that he needed a plan that didn't involve Fire Bending.
(Later at the Refurbished Chamber that was once bad)
The four were pushed in as Zorin looked around and saw the four beds and smiled as at least they would each get their own bed for the night. "This is a prison cell but it's so nice." Katara said as Zorin knew something was up as he could tell the old man was hiding something.
"He did say it was newly Refurbished." Aang said as Zorin looked.
"Well nice or not we're prisoners." Sokka said as Zorin then looked to Zaruba.
"Hey Zaruba did you sense a Horror?" Zorin asked as Zaruba looked.
"Nope that guy was completely human, insane but a human." Zaruba said as Zorin looked.
"I wonder what these challenges are going to be." Aang said as Katara looked.
"Well we're not sticking around to find out. There's gotta be some way out of here." Katara said as she looked for an exit as Aang found one.
"The air vents!" Aang called as he pointed to them but there was one major problem it was way too small to fit any of them.
"Aang I hate to burst your bubble but there's no way any of us can fit in there." Zorin said as Aang smiled.
"We can't but Momo can." Aang said as Zorin put his hand to his face I annoyance.
"Let him learn the hard way Zorin." Zaruba said as Zorin wondering if traveling with them was a good idea sense most likely the entire Fire Nation was aware he was alive and a traitor.
Aang put Momo in the vent as he tried to force him in. "Come on Momo I need you to go get Appa to come get us." Aang said as Zorin sighed.
"It's no use Aang Momo is too big to fit in there." Zorin said as Katara looked.
"We might as well get some rest who knows what these three challenges are." Katara said as everyone took a bet and went to sleep.
(Later that night Zorin's dreams)
A young Zorin was fighting a training dummy that hit back as Zorin was wearing a headband around his head. As he slashed at it his fellow classmates watched with disdain as even though the young Zorin trained his hardest to earn their acceptance what they saw was the son of Fire Lord Ozai not the grandson of Golden Knight Garo. Zorin didn't rely on his bending as he jumped back and hit the dummy doing more damage to it before the instructor spoke.
"That's enough Zorin." the Instructor said as Zorin nodded and rejoined his group. "Now then as you know a Makai Knight will take one of you on as his apprentice, once that happens you won't be seeing us anymore but he's looking for more than just skill, he's looking for heart as well so keep training and perhaps one of you may be selected." The Makai Knight instructor said as everyone nodded.
(Later)
Young Zorin was pushed to the ground as some older kids sneered at him. "Well Prince Zorin aren't you going to firebend that green flame at me?" One asked as Zorin only got up wiping some blood off. "What when will you learn to stay down. Garo will never accept the son of the Fire Lord as his master so why don't you just give up!" The young apprentice called out as Zorin didn't bother looking at them. All the while Zorin was silent as the area changed around him to show shadowed people sneering at him calling him Ozai's son, Tainted Blood, even false gold as they sneered as Zorin covered his ears to drown them out before he got angry as behind them Ozai's shadow appeared as Zorin had enough.
"Shut up..." He began as he was now in his current age.
(Waking world)
"SHUT UP!" Zorin roared as he was shocked to find himself back in the chamber. He was on the bed as everyone was still asleep which was weird with how loud he yelled it should have caused them to wake up. That was when he laid back down to sleep again but the minute he did he heard stone moving on stone followed by the feet of Earth Benders as Zorin waited for them to strike and he soon heard Katara and Sokka yelp but their mouths were covered. Zorin quickly acted to try and stop them but he soon felt earth cuffs wrap around his hands restraining them as Zorin was wide eyed at this before they began dragging him, Sokka, and Katara (both of which were muffled) away.
'This nut job king is probably trying to give Aang incentive to do his trials." Zorin thought as he knew if things start going south he will act.
(Scene break)
A hour or so past sense the siblings and the Makai knight was taken away as Aang woke up to find them gone, being escorted by two guards down the hall to where the kind is at, as he walk up to the Airbender and asked, "First Avatar, what do you think of my new outfit. I want your honest opinion."
Aang looked at the outfit and didn't know what to make of it as after that moment, someone cough and the king said, "I'm waiting."
"I guess its fine," Aang said as he scratch his head a bit as the king smile and said, "Excellent, you pass the first test."
"Really?"
"Well… not one of the deadly test. The real challenge are much more challenging," The king said and soon enough Aang broke into a run with his bending speeding him along as he made a huge drag down the halls, and then Aang stop in front of the king and said, "I don't have time for your crazy games. Give me my friends back, we're leaving! "
"Oh, I thought you might refuse," The king said the wall to the side of them open up before the two showing Sokka, Katara, and Zorin being held by the guard, and Zorin in stuck in place with his feet in rock, as to the guard that was nearby him has a black eye it seems.
"So I will give your friend some special souvenirs." He said as the two guard for the water tribe siblings put a crystal like ring on them as it shrinks down on their finger showing it was stuck on them, and Zorin as the guard try to put his crystal like ring on him, as he lift his arm on and saw Zaruba was already on his hand as he said, "ahh."
"Other hand," Zorin said as he can't believe he got the one moron of the group who seems who can't get it right the first time, as the guard said, "R-right, I was about to do that."
Going over to Zorin other hand and place it on as it shrinks down on his finger as well. Zorin quickly recognized the crystal as he was wide eyed. "Creeping Crystal." Zorin said as Sokka looked while trying to get the ring off.
"That sounds bad." Sokka said as Zorin looked.
"It is, by nightfall we'll be completely in cased in the stuff." Zorin said as he tried to bite it off finding it was remarkably sweet.
"Precisely it's a terrible fate really, I can stop it but only if cooperate." The King said as the ring began to spread.
"It's already creeping!" Sokka called as Zorin found this situation oddly familiar.
"Dejavu." Zorin said as he kept biting the ring finding it help stopped the Creeping a little. It was creeping but not as fast.
"I'll do what you want." Aang said as Zorin really wished he was an Earth Bender.
(Later)
The trio were on a balcony before a waterfall that was surrounded by stalagmites as the crystal wrapped around Zorin's lower right arm while the crystal wrapped around Katara and Sokka's lower opposing arm. The earth king laughed as he looked down on Aang who was on a platform. "It seems I lost my lunchbox key and I'm hungry." The King began as Zorin saw the key in the waterfall.
"Wait lunch..." Zorin said as he knew he was in this rocky situation before or something similar. All he knew it involved the creepy crawler crystal and lunch.
"Oh there it is." The King said pointing to the key in the waterfall. "Can you fetch it for me?" He said as Zorin knew the ladder was out of the question. He already knew how to win this as an airbender now he needed to see if Aang knew.
Without another word Aang went at it as he hop between the spikes that were all around, upon reaching the area he ran into the water fall and try to run through it with his airbending giving him a slight edge but it didn't last long as the fall water over power his air bending and only reach to the ladder itself that was within the water as he grab hold with one hand and reach out the other.
"Oh, climbing the ladder. No one thought of that one before," The kind said in a sarcasm way as it seem it was thought of before but it seem other had tried and fail so.
To the point Aang could not hold his grip on the ladder any longer as his grip slip and he came falling out of the waters and down into the spikes.
Katara gasp, Sokka had a look of horror thinking he would see Aang die, and Zorin is clam for reason as he knew Aang was a flexy kid and with his airbending he could maneuver within the air itself as when Aang reach the spikes, twist his body a bit and did the splits on two spike rocks.
Everyone let out a breath of relief to see Aang safe but he still have to complete the task still, as Zorin keep watching Aang trying to reach the key he also trying to remember how he know of the creeping crystal as it was almost like the tip of his head.
Aang let out a breath, and try to rethink this whole thing, as he can't reach the key from the bottom, he look above to see the hanging spikes and started to hop in between the spikes again but up this time.
Reaching the ceiling itself, Aang look down and saw his target, the key is still hanging there waiting for him to grab it.
Aang give it a good aim as he let go and free fall down trying to be a bit creative as he keep going down but he aim himself at the water as he got thin and point his hands as an arrow with some airbending giving him a thrust at the water when he dive into the falling water.
Aang gotten further in but the water still overpower him as he fell down, roll around and then got throw out and into a standing spike, quickly grabbing hold before he fell and hand on tight.
The king going with the moment as he said, "That's right, keep diving head in. I'm sure it would work eventually." as the king seem more happy at that as it sees Aang being creative on getting the key.
Zorin still had nothing to his memories but bits to them as he remember he had this on him before but could not place it, as he went back to watching Aang keep trying, as he knew if you can go under or over the water, there is only one direction he could go as he saw Aang thinking once more.
Aang getting a good look at the key, he thought of something, as he look back at the rock spike he was holding himself too, he tighten his legs around the lower part and use his upper body strength to pull off the tip of the spike. (Surprisingly he could, but then again the area has been formed maybe by nature and could been weak to break off).
Aang jump up and landed on the small platform he made when he break the tip off, as he turns to the waterfall and aim it before throwing it, and then brought forth a wave of air and shoot it behind the spike, making it go faster than he could do as it shot through the waterfall, broke the chain carrying a bit of it with the key on it, as it flew above everyone and embedded above the king, as the key hand before him.
"There! Enjoy your lunch! I want my friends back now!" Aang demanded his friends back, as Zorin was already working on an escape plan from the creeping crystal, as he bit into it to keep it back.
"Ah, not yet. I need help with another matter. It seems I've lost my pet, Flopsie," The king said as now they were moving on to the next test of Aang's 3 part challenge. To everyone's look is like 'WTF?'
(Scene break)
Now in an open area, a small animal with long bunny like ears standing on a rock mining its own business, as Aang jump down into the area as he said, "Okay. Found him!"
"Bring him to me. Daddy wants a kiss from Flopsie!" The king said as he seems a little crazy about his pet as Aang begin to try and capture Flopsie before he sees Aang as he say, "Come here, Flopsie."
That was when a large white long eared horned creature appeared as it seemed to have large fangs. Aang looked behind him as he was scared a bit as Zorin looked. Zorin wondered why the minute Aang called for Flopsie that creature appeared. Something didn't seem to add up.
Aang jumped away from the creature as the rabbit like mouse began running away crying out as Aang was wide eyed. "Flopsie wait, Flopsie!" Aang called as he ran before the creature gave chase. The crazy king laughed as Aang chased after it.
Zorin meanwhile licked the crystal covering his body from the neck down and once again found the sweet taste. Wait... lunch, creeping crawler stone, Earth Kingdom. That's when it hit him. "Sokka Katara I know how we can buy Aang more time!" Zorin called to them as Sokka looked.
"Oh thank goodness I was getting worried." Sokka said as Zorin looked.
"What's the plan?" Katara asked as Zorin looked.
"We have to eat the crystal." Zorin said as the two water wide eyed.
"What?!" Sokka called as Zorin looked to them.
"Long story but this stuff is made of rock candy, candy is edible so we eat the candy we buy ourselves some time." Zorin said before he quickly began eating the candy.
Katara decided to trust Zorin before she began eating as well as she found it tasted sweet. Sokka sighed as he didn't have a better idea and began eating it and oddly enough it was quiet sweet.
The crazy king didn't seem to mind though as he knew that Zorin boy was a smart young man with experience of that candy.
Aang meanwhile was giving chase as he took a sharp turn and called for Flopsie as the Beast chased him as well. Flopsie jumped into a hole with Aang sliding glass down and sticking his arm in trying to find the creature before he realized something odd.
"Wait a minute." Aang said as he looked to the creature. Aang got up as he had a hunch praying to the universe, Spirits, and the Lion Turtles he was right. "Flopsie?" He said before the creature stopped and wagged its tail as if happy to meet a new friend in Aang. The creature then picked up Aang scaring the monk a bit before it locked Aang revealing itself to be the real Flopsie. "Flopsie!" Yang called happily thankful his hunch was right.
That was when the King whistled and called Flopsie over which said monster ran over to his master happily and climbed the wall before flipping at the top onto his back showing his belly. The king walks a bit to creature, and put his hand to his belly and rubs it as he said, "Oh, that's a good boy. Yes, who has a soft belly?"
Aang quickly jump up to the gang as he said, "Guys, are you okay?"
"Other than the crystals encasing my entire body, doing great, but thanks to Zorin we might buy you some time," Katara said as she bit into the crystal and eat it.
Sokka chew on his piece of rock candy and said, "I have to say, it's not that bad."
Zorin elbow his free side to break off some, and hurt it as well as that rock candy is hard close to rock, as he said, "It not over until we're free, as it will keep growing."
Aang nodded as he understood as they try to get more time on his side, Aang walk up to the king as he stop rubbing his pets belly and looked at the air bender as Aang and said, "Come on, I'm ready for my next challenge."
The king gave a crazy laugh, as this next challenge maybe his greatest yet, Zorin only hope that Aang could win, but if not, he'll be sure to trick a guard to break this crystal cocoon off of him to pull out his sword.
(Scene break)
At a battle arena area as everyone were prepare to what happens next, with Sokka looking a bit sick and said, "I don't think I can eat another bite."
Katara wish she could rub the side of her mouth as she said, "Biting into this stuff is making my jaw hurt."
"Don't worry guys, this is the final test, for Aang, if he wins this, we're all home free," Zorin said as some creeping crystal grow out from behind Sokka, making him fall over.
The king walk up to Aang as he begin to tell him of his final challenge as he said, "Your final test is a duel. And as a special treat, you may choose your opponent."
Two guy came down the halls as Aang looked off to the kings right (the king's right, not Aang's right) a tall almost thin looking guy with a strange looking spear as Aang back away to that guy and look to the left side of the king and see a big guy, with a cloth over his mouth and a huge axe in his hands.
"Point and choose," The king said as it was simple enough as Aang try to pick who to fight as Aang asked, "So ... you're saying whoever I point to, that's the person I get to fight?"
The king gave a strange smile as he saw what Aang was getting at and said, "Choose wisely!"
"Then I choose ..." Aang begin to say as he move his hand up to point at the person he wants to pick.
Zorin gave it a thought to each challenge was stranger than the last, and to the pick and choose Zorin eyes widen as he was getting the idea of who Aang was going to choose as he said, "Aang wait don't-
"You!" Aang said before Zorin finish, as who Aang choose, he pointed at the king. The King smirked as he looked at Aang. "Wrong choice." He said as his hands turned to knuckles while he took an Earthbending stance all the while his bones were cracking n a way that showed he wasn't a defenseless old man. Soon hi robes fell off showing he was in an Earth bending combat attire as he also possessed pronounced muscles that were in a six pack. He soon slammed his foot onto the ground causing Aang to be sent up by earth as he landed on the arena. The Earth King jumped up and landed on the ground as he looked down upon the shocked Aang with a smirk.
"That idiot." Zorin said as he wondered if he should have rejected the job to head to the South Pole.
"You thought I was a frail old man, but I am the most powerful Earthbender you'll ever see." The King said as Aang looked.
"Can I fight the guy with the axe instead?" Aang asked pointing at the other guy hoping to get a different opponent.
"There are no take backs in my kingdom." The King said before snapping his finger. "But you might need this." He said as the guard threw down Aang's staff to which the young Avatar caught. The king lift up and brought forth huge stones from the ground below and send them at Aang as he use his air bending to avoid them.
Zorin, right away looked at the battle strength of the king as it seem he using medium level of earth bending to start out with, and didn't even look he struggle at all with his old age, which kind of scared him.
"Typical airbender tactic: avoid and evade. I hoped the Avatar would be less predictable," the king said as he brought forth another bolder and send it faster than the last ones.
Aang yelled before jumping into the air to avoid the incoming bolder and swing his staff around in the air to hover as the King said, "Don't you have any surprises for me? Sooner or later you'll have to strike back!"
The king kick up another bolder and double kick it to the ceiling, over where Aang was hovering as the rocks fell on him, making him stop and fall down to the ground, hard.
Aang staff flew out from the dust and far away from Aang, as he lifted his head up from the rubble of rocks.
"Focus Aang! Look and aim for the chinks in his stands!" Zorin shouted to Aang.
Aang got up and nodded before he charged at the king, as he huff a bit before stepping hard back and forth, as it brought up rock pillars before Aang to stop him in his tracks, but he did a zig-zag motion to avoid them the best he could before one shot up into his guts.
"You'll have to be a little more creative than that!" The king said as he aim that last one right at Aang.
Aang came down with an air ball to slow and ride down the rock pillar before using it to charge at the king once more, as the old man aim one at Aang again, until Aang dodge it just in time as he keep going.
Road over to the wall and he use it to get a curved shot, as Aang aimed at the king and send a wave of air at him.
The king lifted up a rock wall before him to block the blast of air as he said, "Did someone leave the windows open? It feels a little drafty in here. Are you hoping I'll catch a cold?"
"Come on Aang think use your instincts." Zorin said as he watched the fight. The Crazy king then knocked down the wall before bringing up more rocks and sent them at Aang like a wave which hit him knocking him back. The King then sent a rock wave at Aang who dodged it and grabbed his staff and took a battle stance. "Come on Aang you're an Airbender I know Earth is airs opposite but you need to be fast and smart." Zorin said as he watched the fight.
""How are you going to hit me from way over there?" The King asked as Zorin knew they couldn't eat the candy forever.
Aang then charged forward at the King but the King jumped forward and made the ground at Aang path quicksand as Aang ended up sinking into it. The King then brought two boulders up as Aang tried to get out. Aang saw this and when the boulders slammed together where Aang was everyone feared the worst. But then Aang jumped out from behind the boulders and used his airbending to knock the King away. The King then Earth bended a boulder from behind Aang but the Airbender saw it coming and jumped backwards to avoid it. Aang breathed in as the Boulder then ended up flying at the King who used his Earth bending in a defensive stance and turned the Boulder into dirt.
The Earth KING then took a stance as Zorin was wide eyed as he felt the balcony shook hard as he and his allies had the same idea as they carefully got to the safe spot. The balcony then lifted up as the Earth King was showing his bending prowess.
Aang yelled before he began to run in circles creating a tornado with his airbending. Zorin saw what Aang was doing as it should work in theory if Aang can build up enough current and speed but it was a long shot. The Earth king then threw the balcony at Aang but luckily the tornado picked it up and threw it back at the King. The King with his Earth bending cut the balcony in half but from the slice Aang came out and had him where his staff was pointed at the king.
The King though smirked as Aang was confused before he felt a pebble hit him. The young Avatar looked and was wide eyed as above him was a large rock that the King had bended. The King chuckled as this was a draw before speaking. "Well done Avatar you fight with much fire in your heart." The King said before throwing the rock to the side and then leaned back falling into the dirt literally. Aang was wide eyed before looking up and seeing the King jumped up from what was left of the Balcony.
Aang then jumped up and landed on the Balcony as the King smirked. "You passed all my tests now you must answer one question." The King said as Aang was wide eyed.
"That's not fair, you said you would release my friends when I finish your tests!" Aang called to the King clearly not liking how this King was messing with him.
"Ah but what's the point of tests if you don't learn anything." The King said as Sokka was shocked.
"Oh come on!" Sokka called out as Zorin looked.
"He's not wrong though." Zorin said as he knew the King had a reason behind this.
"Answer this one question and I will set your friends free." The King said before presenting the question. "What... is my name?" The King asked as Zorin was wide eyed while Aang was confused. "By the looks of your friends I'd say you on have a few minutes." The King said before walking away.
"How am I supposed to know his name?" Aang asked as Zorin had a hunch.
"Think about the challenges, maybe it's some kind of riddle." Katara said as Sokka looked.
"I got it!" Sokka called as Zorin looked.
"This should be good." Zorin said as he would probably get a good laugh.
"He's an Earth Bender right? Rocky!" Sokka called as Zorin held back his laughter at Sokka's stupidity. "You know because of all the rocks." Sokka said trying to justify his hunch.
"We're gonna keep trying but that is a good back up." Katara said as Zorin looked.
"Ok then other than Sokka's poor guess (Sokka: hey!) Back to the challenges they all had one common factor in all of them you probably noticed at some point Aang." Zorin said as Aang looked. "You got a key from a waterfall, you saved his pet, and you had a duel each were different then what you expected but the factor was still there." Zorin said as Aang got thinking.
"Yeah they were weird but they all had me try and think outside what I would normally do." Aang said as that was when it hit him. "I know his name." Aang said as he knew the name.
(Later)
Aang stood before the King as he looked to Aang as Aang had a smile on his face. "I solved the question the same way I solved the challenges. As you said a long time ago I had to open my brain to the possibilities." Aang said with his smile never leaving his face. The King after hearing this laughed as he knew Aang had figured it out. "Bumi you're a mad genius." Aang said before running up to the now identified Bumi and hugging him.
"Aang it's good to see you, you haven't changed a bit, literally." Bumi said as he hugged Aang with the last part being true.
"Um over here." Katara called as only her face was visible.
"A little help." Sokka called as only his mouth was visible.
Bumi then Earth bended the crystal causing it to shatter as he smiled at Zorin. "The young Fire Nation Golden Knight was right to eat the Geminite bought yourselves time." Bumi said as Zorin was moving his stiff joint but was shocked.
"You knew?" Zorin asked as Bumi smiled. "How did you know?" Zorin asked keeping his surprise hidden.
"How did you think I was able to set this all up?" Bumi asked as one thought came to mind.
'The Watchdog.' Zorin thought as that was the only explanation.
"But how did you know about Geminite?" Bumi asked as Zorin looked and sighed.
"Long story short in my training years me and a few of my group members made a bet, I lost and had to wear the ring. I was lucky that we had an Earth Bender in our group or I might have been seriously injured." Zorin said as Aang smirked.
"So looks like we aren't the only ones who do dumb things from time to time." Aang said no doubt not going to let Zorin hear the end of it.
"Oh shut up baldy." Zorin said as they should be grateful for his quick thinking.
"So this crazy king is your old friend Bumi?" Katara asked as they had to catch Zorin up from his hunt.
"Hey who you calling old?" Bumi demanded but when the screen was closed up to his face it showed he was old. "Ok I'm old." Bumi admitted as Zorin looked.
"But why do all this instead of telling us the truth?" Zorin asked as he looked to Bumi.
"First of all its fun messing with people." Bumi said with a laugh. "But I do have a reason." He said before turning to Aang. "Aang you have a difficult task ahead. The world has changed in the hundred years you've been gone, it's the duty of the Avatar to restore balance to the world by defeating Fire Lord Ozai. You have much to learn, you must master the four elements and confront the fire lord and when you do, I hope you will think like a mad genius." Bumi said as Aang then bowed to Bumi who smiled. "And it looks like you're in good hands you'll need your friends and the Golden Knight to defeat the fire nation." Bumi said as Momo soon hopped torts Aang and got on his shoulders. "And you'll need Momo to." Bumi said as he liked Momo.
"Thank you for your wisdom but before we leave I have a challenge for you and Zorin." Aang said as Zorin did miss out on their day.
(Scene Break)
Zorin was on a stone cart as he was wide eyed as he was with Aang and Bumi no doubt about to pull a stunt. "How you convince me into this I'll never know." Zorin said as Aang only smiled before getting on and the three were off. Zorin was trying to hold on while Aang and Bumi laughed as they slid down.
The screen sowed Omashu as soon the trio had crashed as an old man was heard. "My cabbages!" The iconic cabbage man called.
(TBC)
ESKK: Hey I had to do this last part and though yes I know some of you were hoping to see Gaia I'm sorry but neither Gaia, Zex, Zoro, nor Zem will be appearing in this fic. Now stop asking for Bumi to be Gaia and leave a review. Like Always Ja Ne.