{Aang}
The laws governing our universe can be a tricky thing. You're about to see how the fragile lines connecting our world to the future would slowly break apart.
There's always an effect here, an action there, a rippling there, and a mass-movement outside the TV screen. Certain people just can't interact with each other in this situation, at least according to the White Spirit.
Unfortunately, in our case we pretty much came into contact with every single person we were supposed to avoid.
And that, my friends, is where things start to get ridiculous.
[Excerpt from AvatarOfWisDom784 profile…]
Chapter Eleven: The First Connection
Reasons for Chapter Title: Well, to be honest, there's not much here. Let's just say . . . some meetings are best left unmentioned. But for the purpose of this story, I'll have to share it with you now.
It's been a while since I've been comfortable sitting in front of a TV. My back always tenses up, I feel a slight twisting sensation in my stomach, and my hands twitch as the show starts. It used to be so bad that Zuko banned me from watching TV for a whole month, but that's jumping a little too far into the future.
Anyway, back to the present.
Oh wait, you don't remember what happened to me the last time you were all here? Seriously? I guess I shouldn't be complaining, what has it been . . . three months? Four?
Ah whatever. Last time we left off I was sitting in front of the TV (which, if you guys haven't already guessed is sort of, well, my spot. I. Always. Get. The. Front. Period. I wasn't letting anyone block my view of something as important as my future, especially with Katara missing in it) waiting patiently to find out how Zuko was going to pull this rescue mission off.
There, recap over. If you don't remember, go back and read. Sorry if that came out a little harsh, but I'm trying to capture the intensity of this moment. So, excuse my rudeness.
Now, at this point I sort of almost dismissed Korra. What did you expect? The love of my life was stuck in there, not to mention the fact that she could be bending-less? For the life of me, I've never been more scared than I ever have been staring at the screen. All I could think was, Zuko, Zuko, Zuko, please get her back, Zuko.
And that honestly sucked. I couldn't do anything but sit there! Unbelievable, the Avatar sitting and waiting to watch his own girlfriend get rescued. Again, unbelievable. I think by this point everyone else knew that I was in a bad mood because they gave me my space. Even Toph. She didn't tease me or anything, which I still have to thank her for.
Anyway, Korra captured my attention again in a very simple manner. I blinked once and Korra jumped out of bed at the same moment, battling a couple of Chi-blockers.
How in the world did those guys get in her room? I shivered and gawked at the screen, already on edge.
Korra seemed to get more panicked as my anxiety increased, she was really giving it her all. But I could tell the attack had surprised her. Soon there were enough Chi-blockers to surround her and she was forced to kneel on the floor. Then from the shadows Amon stepped forward, face masked as always, hands lowered to destroy what defined Korra's destiny, what formed her identity.
I felt myself hyperventilating the moment his hands touched her forehead. Oh no, please no. A throbbing pulse boomed from my wrists and hands and my back tensed as the area surrounding my spine flared up, like a bruise being rubbed vigorously.
"Aang!" I barely heard Sokka's shout before Toph hugged me from behind, squeezing roughly.
It surprised me so bad that I shot up, jumping three feet in the air. Toph held on the entire way, then slammed me down against the wood, keeping me pinned. I opened my eyes in time to see Korra scream, her body jolting up as sharp and fast as my jump, shaking as Naga nuzzled against her for comfort. She was lying on her bed, nudging Naga softly while explaining that she was fine.
Hell, I thought my dreams were bad.
"Aang, you need to calm down, alright?" Toph wasn't yelling but her tone still instilled authority. She hadn't let go of my arms yet, not that it would have helped if I had entered the Avatar State. I swallowed, appreciative on so many levels that Toph had that kind of bravery and fearlessness.
"I-I'm fine."
"You sure? Think you can man up for thirty minutes?"
I nodded slowly, trying to relax. "Yes."
Toph got off then sat beside me, blowing hair out of her face. I could hear Sokka muttering under his breath and I could feel Suki staring. I sat up, cracked my knuckles, took in a deep breath, then turned to face them. "Sorry about that."
Sokka stared back at me, his eyes showing some compassion. "You're that worried, huh?"
"Of course I am," I said. "Sokka, you know how much I love Katara."
He smiled lightly, the kind of smile I had seen him give to Katara often. A brotherly smile. "I know," he said before turning back to the screen.
I did the same, somewhat embarrassed at having a reaction like that. It had been strange, I could only think of how frightened Korra had looked when Amon approached her, lowering his powerful hands. Huh, never thought I would say that about Korra. I rubbed my own elbows, thinking briefly about all Korra had experienced. In some ways I was starting to see how harsh I had been towards her.
Bending was all she knew, a physical and emotional part of her. A source of accomplishment and pride. A sense of freedom. To have all that taken away . . . well, I can easily see how that would destroy anyone.
Shortly after that scene, we all got a nice view of another council meeting in which Tarrlok got the other members (besides Tenzin) to approve his plans for a task force in order to take down Amon. To be honest, besides the golden luminescent aura surrounding them in the grand court room (well, it looked like a court room to me anyway) I was more interested on what Tarrlok said about an event that had happened forty two years ago then the current Amon issue.
Basically, he made a reference to another prolific criminal, a guy known as Yakone. The moment the name was uttered I felt something press against my chest, tugging at my heartstrings. This man was someone I had successfully taken down and turned in. It's hard to describe how I felt when I realized this little tidbit, but for some reason I was more aware of who I was as the Avatar, and what I have yet to become. It's sort of silly going back on this now, but when you literally have such a detailed view into your future . . . it really changes your perspective on things.
History has repeated itself time and time again, and now with Amon rising up I knew at this moment that I would have to put my differences aside and truly accept her role as the new Avatar. I know, how dense can I be, right? Should've done that by the first episode, eh?
Well, to be honest, this wasn't an easy decision for me. I had always seen myself as a pretty tolerable person. There were many customs and motifs that I was still (and still am) learning to take into account. I've had to adjust to a world that's moved a century ahead of me, and now, after watching Korra sweat bullets as Amon expressed the revolution's invulnerability, it was time for me to start respecting Korra as her own person and cheer for her myself.
These thoughts settled in the back of my mind as I bit into my bottom lip, just as the scene changed abruptly and it showed a dark haired girl riding on a motorcycle (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that's the only way I can describe it. Unless you want to use the term Mopad, which is what the show uses. Agh, alright, alright, I'll stick to the source material).
She went down the street in a straight fast line. The light settled in her hair and I could see her dark, purple lips spread into a smile. Her suit of red and burgundy leather contrasted nicely with the golden plating on the motorcy-Ahem! Sorry . . . the leather contrasted nicely with the golden plating on the mopad and her goggle-shielded eyes filled with confidence and ease. She was attractive.
I titlted my head. Why are they focusing on her? Is she important to the story? I frowned right when the screen started blinking in and out, white static messing up the image. My eyes widened. "What's going on?!"
"Man, don't tell me the thing is broken!" Sokka ran up to the TV and started banging at the top with his fist. This made the image shake up more.
"Sokka, stop! You're making it worse." Suki pulled her boyfriend away with a frown and Sokka just grinned at her sheepishly, trying to hide his worry no doubt.
I shivered and stared again in time to see the image clear up. Zuko and Mako were now standing with confused expressions in the middle of the street, right in the way of the mopad driver. "Zuko!" I sat up again and Toph held me down by the shoulder to keep me from jumping.
"What the-how did we get here?" Mako asked, eyes wide with amazement.
"Look out!" Zuko pushed Mako out of the way, taking the hit. His body did a somersault in the air as the driver skid to a stop after hitting him with the side of the vehicle. He collasped, moaning three feet away and Mako just stared at him.
Sokka slapped his forehead. "What kind of idiot jumps in the middle of the street? Aw, Zuko . . . "
"I don't know, Sokka. They appeared out of nowhere, I don't think they were doing it on purpose." I swallowed. Seeing Zuko had appeased my worries somewhat, at least I could take comfort in the fact that he made it to Republic City safely.
Well, except for what just happened here. It really looked unatural though, Zuko wasn't there before. There had to be a subtle explanation for this, I couldn't think of what it was though.
The woman got up from her ride, lifting her goggles, mouth wide open in shock. "Are you okay? Shoot, I literally didn't see you guys there."
Mako looked at her then back to Zuko. "Ah . . . I'm not sure myself. We were at the other side of town." He rubbed his face, still trying to wrap his head around the location shift.
Zuko just looked miserable. He sat up, face pale and livid. "Spirits help me, mother of Agni . . . " He swore again, standing. "Hell."
The woman walked up to him, eyes shining with worry. "I am so sorry. Really, I didn't see you. Do you want me to call a physician?"
"No, please, just don't." Zuko stepped a few feet away from her, as if he were slightly repulsed. "Ugh, where are we?" He rubbed his chest as he said it.
"Um, well, we're by the train station." She took in a deep breath, clutching her head. "Ugh, I'm so embarrassed."
Zuko grunted, obviously trying to hide his injuries. I could tell though, he must have been hurt bad. "It's nothing, I was just interrupted from something important is all." He glared past her, staring at Mako. Mako narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists.
I gasped. "They had been fighting?" I performed a somewhat elegant facepalm. "Seriously?"
Toph shrugged. "How else is Zuko supposed to find Katara? Mako and Bolin know more about the city than us."
"Yeah, but, violence? Sheesh." I shook my head. "Besides, I thought they were untouchable. They're the main characters."
"Aang, Korra is the main character. As long as Zuko doesn't mess her up, things should be fine." Sokka nudged me in the side.
"I don't know. I'm getting the feeling that something isn't right about this." I glared at the screen carefully just as conversation started up again.
"At least let me take you both to dinner, it's the least I could do." She smiled. "My name is Asami by the way."
"Sure, that sounds fine," Mako said, beating Zuko who looked like he was going to reject the offer. "I'm Mako."
Asami's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she did a double take, looking Mako up and down. "No, no way . . . It's you!" She did this strange little hop, clapping her hands together briefly, as if in compensation of a squeal (you know, the fangirl kind. I can tell which one it would have been by her facial expression). "You play for the Fire Ferrets."
Zuko rolled his eyes, muttering something I'm not really comfortable with saying. I'm sure your imaginations can produce much worse as far as an explicit. Mako, with his slightly tainted cheeks (yep, he was blushing folks) looked pleasantly surprised. "Ah, I didn't take you for a pro-bending fan," he said modestly, though I bet there was a flirty undertone there.
Asami wiped some hair away from her face before holding a hand out towards Zuko. "Then I guess it's only fair that I show you my gratitude since you pushed him out of the way after all." She laughed before tilting her head. "You're quite the hero."
Zuko looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. His facial expression just screamed pissed (though I think it was mainly just because of the pain. He always denies that to my face, but I know better). Anyway, he was kind enough to at least shake her hand with a small grunt. She nodded once then clapped her hands, glancing back and forth between them. "So, I'll meet you both at Quan's then."
Mako now had on a sheepish expression to replace the dazed, borderline idiot borderline doofus expression (lovesick, if you're not getting my sarcasm). "Ah, Quan's? That fancy diner around the block? I'm afraid me and my . . . ergh, acquaintance aren't properly dressed." He laughed, though it sounded more like an awkward snort than anything.
I couldn't help but smirk while Zuko turned his head, smiling discreetly towards us, or the viewers I should say. I mean, come on! Zuko is royalty. He's just so above them on the totem pole, it's just . . . just . . .bah! There's irony, alright? You guys get that?
No? Ah, whatever . . .
So, anyway . . . "Don't worry, I've got that covered. All you guys have to do is show up." Asami was strapping her goggles back over her bright eyes, smiling before getting back on her mopad. "So, tomorrow at six?"
Mako nodded while Zuko just shrugged. She waved at them before driving ahead. At one moment before she disappeared from view, she turned her head, smirking slightly. However as her eyes kept switching from Mako and Zuko in the distance soon her crooked smile disappeared and only a grim frown was left behind.
I raised an eyebrow at the odd gesture. "What's up with her?" I asked.
"Pfft, I don't care." Toph said, rather nonchalantly of course. "What you should really be asking is what happened to Zuko. I bet he messed something up."
"We already discussed this, Toph," Sokka grumbled, sounding somewhat offended. "Mako equals minor character. Korra equals major character. He's good to go."
I bit into my bottom lip for the second time that evening. They were shaky assumptions, but I wanted to believe them badly. At the state I was in, I just really didn't need anymore surprises.
Luckily for me, the universe for once decided to finally cut me a break. In the next scene I was finally able to see my girlfriend for the first time since "The Revelation" episode. My body instantly relaxed as we were given a nice inside shot of Tenzin's home. It was a little bit more modern than I was used to, but I could still make out the airbending influences in the set up. Just the way the family were sitting illustrated the airbender's philosophy and style.
My breath was caught in my throat as beautiful, caramel skin filled up most of the top frame followed by a luscious orange robe fastened at the waste with long, lavender sleeves that proved to make her blue eyes stand out that much more. Her dark brown hair was tied into a bun and her lips were full and in a grim line. Fire blazed in her eyes, sharp and piercing. I couldn't look away even if I wanted to. "Katara," I muttered, voice so quiet that I think only Toph could make it out.
Sokka and Suki gasped beside me while the screen opened up, showing Katara's full body. She sat right next to Korra, and the resemblance almost scared me. They could have easily passed as sisters.
My heart blasted violently in my chest and I covered my mouth. Seeing her in one piece, okay, next to my next reincarnation . . . the relief was both exhilarating and overwhelming. I could feel the faint energy of all the past Avatars responding to my bubbling emotions, not strong enough to elicit the Avatar State, but close to the surface. My vision meshed together and the TV melted with the floor as I let the tears slide down my face. I knew it was a somewhat irrational response, but I felt like it would be easier to calm myself if I just let the water flow.
Just let it all go, push and pull out slowly. Waterbending, only on a more philosophical scale instead of physical.
Calm yourself Aang, let it all go. Just let it go.
Repeat, cycle, repeat. Cry, but not too much, and definitely don't hold it in.
Breathe in, breathe out. Cry, uncurl your clenched fists. Breathe. This technique worked for about five minutes in which I almost missed Tarrlok coming into the home, harassing Korra about the task force. This is actually where my memory gets a little fuzzy, I'm not sure if this was a hallucination or not, but I'll state three things that I know for sure happened before I nearly lost it.
One: Katara didn't say a word, not one. Her face was stuck in that half angry half grim expression. It never changed.
Two: Korra refused Tarrlok's offer. For the first time I saw genuine fear and reluctance in her eyes, not pride or arrogance. Her boastful mask was replaced with a modest attitude to hide her true feelings.
Three: I swear, just as my tattoos are as blue as the sky, on the outside of our TV I saw a faint blue outline of a person. A man, a grey eyed man with a light beard and a soft, peaceful expression. His airbender garb was modern, yet slightly more traditional than Tenzin's. He caught my frantic eyes and smiled.
And this is all I remember before my body was flung away from the TV as an explosion rocked through our living room, sending my ears ringing as someone roared beside me. All air was knocked out of my chest painfully as my back hit the wall, sending my body at the ground in an uncompromising heap. I opened my eyes warily to a towering white figure, a pale mask.
I heard the spirit scowl at me before covering my eyes with his cold hands. Instantly my body froze before I welcomed the embrace of a brutal, unnatural sleep.
{Zuko} ATTENTION! I REPEAT, YOU MUST READ THIS NOTE! YES, THIS IS A PART OF THE STORY AND THE PLOT SO IF YOU DON'T READ THIS YOU WILL BE MISSING OUT ON VITAL INFORMATION FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS STORY!
{Aang} Crap! What the monkeyfeathers are you doing? Sheesh, even I know that everyone hates caps . . .
{Zuko} What do you think? Getting their attention. A lot of people avoid these type of notes you know.
{Aang} Seriously? You mean we're addressing the viewers for nothing? Well, that's . . . that's . . . ergh!
{Zuko} Yep. I have to tell you though that this is basically 75% your fault.
{Aang} Oh right, blame the Avatar. Thank you so much, Zuko . . .
{Zuko} Yeah, yeah, let's just hurry up before people start to leave.
Hey, everyone. As Aang sarcastically mentioned earlier, it's been about four months. I'm sure you all are wondering why we decided to take such a lengthy hiatus. Trust me, it wasn't planned AT ALL.
To keep this simple, I'm going to give you all a minor plot point that should keep your interest. I think we already mentioned once that we were going to school, yes? Well, that's true, and no I'm not joking. This is part of the story.
{Aang} To start off, besides the nasty writer's block I was having towards the middle of this chapter, me and Zuko were taking entrance exams for this college. We have no idea if we passed them yet, but the tests themselves created a lot of stress and time constraints.
{Zuko} Yeah, it wasn't fun. I'll end it at that.
Anyway, when we finally got done with that, our computer basically decided to take a piss and not work for about . . . two weeks?
{Aang} Yep.
{Zuko} Right . . . okay, and here's the final thing. It's going to sound crazy, but you'll have to deal with me here for a moment.
Me and Aang still don't know how to write in English. Yeah, we still use kanji, or for those of you more technically challenged, Chinese.
So yeah, one of the main classes Aang and I will be taking will be a boatload of English. So, this sort of explains why we have . . . uh, typos and stuff. We've been using a google browser most of the time and random dictionaries. It's been quite tedious actually.
{Aang} You guys have no freakin' idea how hard this is! Do you realize how frustrating it is when you know you're saying something right, but then you write it out or type it and it looks like just . . . completely different than what you're saying?! I mean, seriously! How can anyone speak English all the time, but not write English-
{Zuko} Aang, just stop. Stop right there. They don't want to hear a rant, they're angry enough as it is.
Ahem. Anyway, much thanks goes to Xx Senshi of Ankoku xX, Twin Masks, LinkGirl101, Tonight's The Night, CreCra, and Alexandra989. Your reviews for the last chapter have helped us tremendously, thanks for the support.
And thank you everyone else for the favorites and alerts. We've actually managed to hit over 9,000 hits now. I can't tell you how much this means to both of us, seriously.
{Aang} Thank you all for your patience. It's summer, so we will do our best to update more . . . and translate better.
We hope you enjoyed reading, have a great weekend regardless.
{Zuko} Oh, and before I forget, we currently have this story under a specific pename. Don't be surprised if the pename changes soon, just saying.
{Aang} Alright, good. Now, time to edit!
{Zuko} Oh joy.
{Aang} I call the first half! Now, where is that stupid dictionary . . .