Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar
Chapter7: Memories
Everyone8d ASC
Palace Dining Room
It was a very awkward moment. Zuko had ordered that Tyren be escorted back to the palace. Xu had been brought along as well.
When Zuko had wanted to know who Xu was Tyren had told them his name and simply called him "A friend," much to Xu's surprise.
Now all of them, except for Xu who stood in the corner, sat around Zuko's big dining room table.
Zuko sat at the head of the table, glaring at Tyren and never once taking his eyes off him. Mai, who had shown up tight lipped and furious, sat on his right; eyes flashing from her boyfriend to the shadowbender and back.
Next to Mai were Sokka and Suki. They had been inseparable since they had left the prison. Suki had her head resting on Sokka's shoulder who was stroking her hair softly, not taking his eyes of hers.
Aang was across from them. He was tapping his hand nervously against the table. His eyes kept flashing all over the room, but he pointedly never looked at Tyren. Katara was next to him. She refused to look up, instead glaring at her shoes as if they were at fault for the mess they were in.
Toph sat next to them, blind eyes staring blankly at her feet propped out in front of her. She had continued her non-caring attitude through out all of this and had the air of someone who wanted to take a nap.
Xu continued to glance nervously around in his corner. He had refused his seat, fearing if he sat down he wouldn't be getting back up.
Tyren sat at the far end of the table by himself. He kept glancing at everyone at the table, guessing their thoughts.
The blind one was putting on that she was unfazed by Tyren, but he knew that was a mask. The voices told him she was nervous and unsure around him.
The one with olive skin and blue eyes must think he was some kind of monster. She refused to look at him and her glare looked like it could kill.
The couple, Sokka and Suki those were their names, were just staring at each other. They obviously were in love and not bothered by Tyren at the moment.
The bald one with the arrows was nervous as could be. If the tapping of his hands wasn't enough it was etched into his face like stone.
The girl in the black seemed the friendliest to Tyren. She didn't seem to fear him, instead put on the air of being bored by the whole thing.
The one with the scar, the Fire Lord, was the one Tyren kept locking eyes with. He obviously didn't like Tyren and he wasn't too sure of him either.
Xu was also someone Tyren kept looking at with some amusement. He seemed flustered by being in the presence of this Fire Lord and he also eyeballed the kid with the arrows like he was someone important.
He probably isn't too sure of me either Tyren thought and couldn't repress a small grin.
"Some thing funny?" snapped the Fire Lord.
Tyren's eyes flashed at him. "Just a funny thought." The Fire Lord resumed his frown and glare position. Everyone continued with the silence.
"This is weird," muttered Sokka.
"You're telling me," whispered Tyren. "I'm having trouble seeing the guy."
"What?" said Aang interested.
"Yeah, he keeps sliding out of focus, like he's made of sand," replied Toph.
Aang was extremely interested by this. So Toph had trouble seeing Tyren? Aang looked at Zuko.
"You going to be able to hold off on killing this guy while we talk," he asked him.
"I don't know," muttered Zuko, closing his eyes. "I can't tell if I want to do it now and save us the trouble of finding out he'll betray us or keep him around to find out what I can about him."
"I kind of feel sorry for him," murmured Mai. Zuko looked incredulously at her but Aang saw her point. Sure he had attacked them but he didn't know who he was and he had tried to make up for it.
Finally they were interrupted by a servant holding a small plate of food.
"Thank you, you may leave," said Zuko, not taking his eyes of Tyren. The servant bowed and left.
Tyren looked at the assortment of food. He remembered the names of all of these fruits but couldn't remember were he was from? He also noticed it was all fruit, no meat.
I must not be worth it Tyren thought and grinned again.
"What's so funny?" demanded Zuko. "I'd like to know."
Tyren looked back up at him. "It was nothing. Thank you for the food." Tyren bowed his head at him. Zuko didn't reply.
Tyren began eating. It wasn't a fast hurried pace, like he was starving, it was slow and steady almost methodical.
"Now we-," began Zuko but Tyren raised a hand to cut him off. He turned to Xu.
"Won't you join me?" Tyren asked him.
Xu looked surprised. "You want me to eat with you? After what I did?"
Tyren chuckled. "I believe my fault was greater."
Xu timidly moved forward and took a seat beside Tyren. After a little prompting he took a small amount of the food for himself.
"If I may continue," growled Zuko.
"Please," smiled Tyren pleasantly.
"We've decided to hear your story. What can you tell us that will give us reason to…trust you," Zuko said the words like he didn't believe he would ever trust Tyren.
"Well I am afraid I must disappoint you. I remember simple facts, like what the stars are and what fruit is in front of me. I also remember what bending is but I don't know if I was one before….this," he paused. Everyone eyed the shadows in the room warily. "As for my past, I don't remember anything before waking up in a cave, and even the first two days after that are hard to recall.
"So you can't give us any clue to what nation you came from?" asked Zuko.
"What there's more than the Fire Nation?" asked Tyren, raising an eyebrow.
Zuko and Aang looked at each other. This was starting to seem hopeless.
"You don't remember anything about are world besides bending?" asked Aang.
Tyren stared hard at Aang who immediately felt nervous.
"I think introductions are in order," said Tyren said softly.
"Oh, right…"
"I am Fire Lord Zuko as you know," said Zuko standing up. He still kept his eyes locked with Tyren. Tyren held his gaze for a few seconds before looking at Aang again.
"I am Avatar Aang," he said.
"What's the Avatar," asked a perplexed Tyren. No one could believe that.
"Doesn't even know who the Avatar is," snorted Katara. She still was glaring at the ground.
"No I don't, and I apologize for my ignorance Katara," Tyren replied coolly. Katara immediately jumped up and bent ice picks at Tyren.
"How do you know my name?" she demanded. "I never told you!" Tyren could tell she was frightened.
"I….," Tyren could think of no reply.
"You'll have to explain that," said Zuko.
"It doesn't matter," mumbled Tyren.
"Yes it does matter," shot Zuko.
Tyren glared at him. "Fine but you'll think I'm crazy. You know I've been hearing voices in my head ever since I woke up in that cave. They're one of the reasons I lost it. It's very hard to concentrate with them in your ear all the time. It's the shadows whispering to me. They tell me things that are happening and if I listen I can understand them. They also listen to me," he finished.
"They listen to you?" asked Suki. "What do you mean?
"They brought me to that Shadow World we were in earlier. I asked them where you were and that's where they brought me," said Tyren.
Suki seemed surprised by that.
"Just forget it," muttered Tyren.
The introductions continued.
"I'm Toph," said the blind earthbender. Tyren glanced at her and his eyes lingered before he looked back down the line.
"And I know you two already," he said motioning to Sokka and Suki. They both said nothing.
"I'm Mai," said Mai and she lifted a gloved hand in greeting. Tyren returned it and turned to Xu.
"This is Xu, for those of you that don't know. He was in the Shadow World as well."
"You put him there," said Katara. It was a comment not a question.
"Yeah I was at the wrong place, wrong time," said Xu feebly.
"What happened in that prison cell," demanded Zuko. Tyren again began starring at Zuko as though it was a game to see who blinked first.
"I told you I asked the shadows were Suki was and they brought me to some strange place," said Tyren.
"You called it the Shadow World. Why?" asked Suki.
Tyren ignored the question. He didn't feel like telling all of them about the voice that had spoken over all the others.
"That's were I found Suki, Xu, and…" his voice trailed off. He remembered the strange old lady in the Shadow World. The lady that supposedly knew him
"And?" asked Zuko.
"I'd rather keep that private," said Tyren softly.
"You-," began Zuko.
"Zuko," cut in Mai. Zuko looked at her and let it drop.
"So here we are," finished Tyren. Everyone thought over this strange story. A mysterious stranger shows up out of nowhere that can control shadows and knew nothing about his past except his name? It seemed farfetched even for a group that had been through so much lately.
"Thank you for telling us what's happened," said Aang politely.
"But we will have to ask you to leave so we can decide what to do with you," cut in Zuko. Tyren glanced at Xu.
"Do you need to do anything to him? He didn't do anything," Tyren said.
Xu shook his head, "It's alright. Don't worry about it."
"He doesn't deserve to be punished." stated Tyren firmly. Zuko didn't say anything.
"He's right Zuko," said Mai.
Zuko gave in. "Alright so what should we do with you?"
"Give him a job," Tyren said before Xu could answer.
"What?" demanded Zuko.
"What you couldn't use another pair of hands in a place like this?" Give him a job," repeated Tyren.
"Alright," snapped Zuko. "Report to the servant's quarters tomorrow," he said to Xu.
"Yes, th-thank you sir," Xu gasped and rushed out of the room.
Tyren grinned and leaned back in his chair.
"Guard, escort Mr. Tyren out of here and into the parlor," ordered Zuko.
Tyren stood and allowed the guard to lead him out of the room.
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"So, what do we do?" asked Zuko.
No one knew how to answer.
"Look we either have to give this guy our trust or we lock him up for safekeeping. So I say we just vote one it," said Sokka.
"Woah when did you get all wise?" laughed Toph.
"He's right," agreed Aang. "We'll all put it to a vote."
"Suki," Aang said turning to her. "He kidnapped you. You should have first vote."
Suki closed her eyes and thought hard for a few seconds.
"He may have captured me but he also rescued me," she said finally. "He apologized and I believe he didn't mean it." She took a deep breath. "I say give him a chance."
"Sokka?" asked Aang.
"I don't know," he said, shaking his head. "He did bring Suki back but he hurt her; he hurt all of us. I don't think I'll be able to trust him yet. I vote no."
"What about you Zuko? It's your nation," Aang asked turning to the Fire Lord.
"He may have apologized but those can be faked….I would know," Zuko said stiffly. "If Roku warned you against this guy I think we should probably listen. I say no."
"Katara," said Aang softly.
Katara looked up from the floor. "When we fought him tonight I saw something that scared me. He may have been weaker and confused but…," she paused. "But he had the same look in his eye as my mother's killer," she finally said quietly. No one dared to speak. "I can't trust him. No."
"Alright," said Aang quietly. "Toph?"
Toph thought for a moment. "You know I can usually read people really well," she said softly. "But this guy's different. I can't read him well, but I feel like he can't be all bad. He's just a confused guy with a special power. I say we give him his shot."
"What about you Mai?" asked Zuko quietly.
Mai looked into his eyes. "I'm sorry Zuko but I have to disagree with you. We did attack him first; he had good reason to defend himself, and I think his apologies were sincere. Not to mention everyone you think is evil isn't always…as you should know," she said quietly. Zuko stiffened and looked away. "I say yes," she finished.
"Aang you're the Avatar. Your vote is final," said Zuko.
Aang looked nervously around the table. Either decision could be a good one or a disaster. All his friends had valid reasons and feelings. Finally he sighed, finally reaching a decision.
"The monks always taught me to go search for the good inside all people. This guy is no different from you really Zuko," Aang regretted using his friend as a example but it made sense. "We'll give him one chance."
No one cheered at the news but no one spoke out against it. Sokka, Zuko, and Katara all just shrugged and the other four looked at their feet, hoping they had made the right choice.
"Let's go tell him," said Aang.
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Tyren sat down on one of the comfortable easy chairs. He was not upset with his decision to get Xu a second chance. He deserved it and frankly he had started growing on Tyren.
He wasn't anxious either. Maybe them giving him another chance was the world's way of giving him another chance from some horrible life he couldn't remember anymore. And if they tried to lock him up…..well there's always Plan B.
He sat in silence, hoping he wouldn't have you use Plan B, when the gang walked in. The kid who called himself the Avatar, Aang, spoke to him.
"We've decided to give you a chance to prove yourself," he said.
"Thank you-," began a relieved Tyren.
"But," cut in Zuko, "you will be living in the palace and be under extreme supervision. One step out of line and you're done."
"Ahhh," smiled Tyren, "so you don't fully trust me."
"No," said Aang simply.
"Well then I thank you for your hospitality Fire Lord," said Tyren bowing. "It is appreciated," and he offered Zuko a hand.
Zuko looked at it and fought over whether to take it or not.
"C'mon," Tyren grinned.
Zuko frowned but took the hand. Lightning fast two shadows jumped out and snaked their way down Tyren's arm and up Zuko's.
"What the-," began Zuko before the shadows entered his ears and he started spasming.
His life literally flashed before his eyes. It started with his earliest memory of playing with his mother. Carrying on from there he remembered laughing with his uncle at the palace, playing with Azula, his Uncle leaving for war, his finding out that his cousin died, his mother leaving, being scarred and banished, hunting the avatar for so many years, all his accomplishments and defeats, betraying his uncle, returning home, leaving and joining the Avatar, battling Azula, becoming Fire Lord.
Every single memory he had ever had, every moment of his life played in front of him at the speed of light. Then before anyone could move the shadows jumped out of Zuko's ears and jumped into Tyren's. Tyren went rigid and began experiencing everything Zuko had.
All these memories that weren't his played out in front of him. Names, places, dates, events, things he had no idea about entered his brain followed quickly by the memory to explain it.
They both stood there, Tyren and Zuko, rigid as boards and still connected by their handshake. Then just as suddenly they broke apart and fell to the ground.
"What was that?" gasped Zuko. Mai helped her boyfriend to his feet gingerly.
"I have no idea," wheezed Tyren, holding the coach for support. "I didn't know that would happen if I touched you."
"What did you see?" demanded Zuko straitening up.
"Everything," gasped Tyren, still out of breath. "Every memory you have ever had."
"Everything?"
Tyren nodded catching his breath.
"So what do you know?" asked Zuko darkly.
"I know what a Fire Lord and an Avatar are," said Tyren simply.
"No, what do you know from me?" Zuko muttered.
"I know your mother's name is Ursa, you got that scar on your face from an Agni Kai with your father Ozai, you have another star shaped one on your chest after an Agni Kai with your sister, you love Mai…." Tyren recited like it was written in front of him.
"Ok," cut in Zuko quickly. The others actually giggled.
"You had no idea that would happen?" asked Aang.
"No, I'm still kind of learning about this too ohhhhh….," Tyren stopped and clutched his head.
"What is it," asked Toph.
"Massive head ache," gasped Tyren. "Uh…," Tyren breathed in heavily for a few seconds before letting go of his head.
"You normally get those?" asked Mai.
"Kind of," chuckled Tyren. "I wonder if I could do that again." He turned to Aang. "Could I try it on you?"
Everyone immediately stiffened.
"Why Aang?" demanded Katara.
"Well he is the Avatar," pointed out Tyren, "he would defiantly bring me up to speed."
Aang didn't seem convinced.
"C'mon I won't suck your brain out," laughed Tyren. No one returned his laugh. Aang looked into Tyren's eyes and he didn't see anything dangerous.
"Alright," said Aang.
"Aang what are you doing?" demanded Katara furiously.
"Look Katara I have to back up my decision to trust this guy. It'll be aright," Aang smiled.
Tyren reached out a shaking hand slowly towards Aang. He lightly touched him on his arrow and shadows jumped into Aang like they had with Zuko.
Aang saw his own life began flashing before his eyes. All his days at the temple, every moment with monk Gyatso, finding out he was the Avatar, learning the monks were trying to send him away, running away, Katara rescuing him, and all their adventures around the world.
But when it got to that moment below Be Sing Se, before Azula struck him with lightning, is when the strange stuff began. Lightning seemed to radiate off of Aang. Everyone in the room took an extra step back, afraid of getting electrocuted. The visions continued in Aang's head. He saw remembered waking up, of all the adventures in the Fire Nation, and the defeat of Fire Lord Ozai.
Lightning still shooting off Aang, the shadows jumped out of Aang and into Tyren. It was the same strange sensation as it was last time. He saw every moment the life that was not his; thing like fun in the air temples to adventures in the earth kingdom.
But there was a certain memory that stuck out. In this memory everything stopped. Tyren realized he was in a large underground cavern, surrounded by soldiers he knew to be Dai Li and Zuko at the head of the pack. Off to the right was Katara also surrounded by Dai Li and ready for a fight. Tyren was elevated off the ground and had a feeling of hopelessness.
This thought was interrupted by lightning blasting through him. Unbelievable pain and agony shot through Tyren as memories and the real world flashed in front of him, blending together.
In the real world the lightning that had been building up in Aang slid off of him and strait into Tyren. He was lit up like a firework and began screaming horribly.
But it didn't end. Tyren still experienced every memory after that. The memories of sneaking their way through the Fire Nation, the Siege, and defeating Ozai all playing out in front of him while this incredible pain shot through his body.
With an enormous explosion Aang and Tyren were blown apart. Aang was caught by Katara but Tyren went flying over the chairs and hit the ground hard.
"Aang!" yelled Katara checking over her boyfriend. "Aang are you alright?"
"I'm alright Katara, I'm alright," Aang said shakily. He managed to stand up.
Tyren was not so lucky. He staggered to his feet, smoking. He held his chest and was breathing heavily again. When he removed his hand everyone jumped back. Tyren had a large, blood stained hole in his chest leading all the way through to his back. Aang knew this must be what his looked like exactly.
But before anyone could say anything the wound shrunk and disappeared.
"Seems I get to feel more than just your memories I get your emotions and pain," gasped Tyren. "Probably where the headaches come from." And sure enough Tyren clutched his head in pain.
"So why didn't you get a face scar?" asked Zuko, perplexed.
"Good question. I can feel that pain if I go to that memory but it didn't do near what that did," said Tyren. He shook his head still taking deep breaths.
"I think I better go to bed," said Tyren striating up, "before I do something else."
With that he turned to leave the room. He stopped at the doorway though and looked back at Aang.
"And that day in Be Sing Se…you didn't fail. No one thinks you failed," and with that Tyren left.
Aang watched the door he had walked out feeling quite confused.
Life with Tyren had officially begun.
This was another one of those slower chapters. But hey you got to see some of Tyren's crazy powers. You also got a feel on how everybody feels about him. Keep up the reviews and ideas. Thanks for you people that did review.
