Note when reading this i would recommend listening to Daughter of the Moon by Adriana Figueroa (you can find her on you tube) and it is a brilliant song btw 3
Chapter 13
Told as Charlie
"You really don't remember? Not a thing?" Yue asked. We stood, leaning against a balcony, looking out from the palace over the tribe. I didn't answer. She tilted her head and smiled a little. "It's okay. I mean, I understand… I just...I never thought I'd see you again. And we were so close. I only wish I could give you the memories that I have. To share with you the bond we had," she said. I turned to her, eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm so sorry Yue. It breaks my heart that I can't remember," I said. I meant it. I...wanted to remember the memories that she treasured. Maybe, whoever I was before, treasured them too. But I did not like the idea of being anybody's servant. Sister or not. I had spent as much time as I could with Yue; whatever time I could snatch from Sokka, who seemed to only ever want to spend time with my sister.
Not that it bothered me. Or anything.
Yue had tried to remind me; told me of the many nights we'd spent staring up at the moon through glass windows, recounting the stories that Arnook had told to her when I was busy cleaning up elsewhere. She told me of the days that we spent wandering together, pretending to be the spirits of the moon; the spirits of the sea. Together always, no matter the class, no matter who was who was She told me, that she had never a clue that we were sisters, but in her heart, felt as though it was so. She cherished the time we'd had. And had spent many days wondering if I'd found my birth mother; I had set out, run away from the life of a servant girl to develope my bending skills, and to hopefully find my mother. She told me she hoped day in and out that I'd found her. That I was happier than she was. I stood silently, leaning on the balcony, wondering. About the life that I no longer had. It sounded like I'd been very brave. Leaving everything behind, my beloved sister, to find a mother I never knew.
The mother that Arnook had banned. But why, then. Why did he keep me. Maternal love or whatever? But then why raise me as a servant? Why treat me like the lesser child. Yue cleared her throat.
"I hope you never assume that I knew. I treated you as my most beloved sister...I had no idea that you really were. If I'd known, you would never have been treated…" she stopped, and I pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you Yue. I believe you, of course I believe you. I just wish...that I could recover what's been scattered. Wish that I could retrieve my memories[1] …" I pulled away and she nodded, knowingly. We stood quietly.
"So. How long have you known Sokka?" She asked. I grinned at her.
"Ohhh why does it concern you?" I teased. She folded her arms.
"I'm just curious! He's just...an interesting person, is all. I wondered where you managed to snag him. Or vise versa," she said. I laughed.
"He is an interesting person. He likes you a lot," I added, winking at her. Even though I was upset; a strange burning in my throat, a sharpness to my eyes. Why. I don't even care. Half of me only wanted to see her happy. Half of me wanted to make sure that no matter what, she was safe, and taken care of and...I smiled at her.
"Yue, I will do as much as in my power to keep you safe. As long as I'm around, nobody will hurt you," I said. She stared at me, frowning. "What?"
"Sorry...no, that means the world to me, and I am so grateful to hear you say that...but those were the exact words you used to tell me when we were little." I frowned. Oh. Strange. I wasn't sure why; maybe it was the sudden smack in the face that screamed "DUDE YOU'RE A BIG SISTER" or maybe how fragile she seemed to me, or what...but I had the unshakable feeling that I needed to protect her. The moment was shattered when Sokka came sprinting up the steps waving, and grinning. We waved back.
"Hey, Sokka," I said. He pulled to a stop, and put his hands on his knees, and panted.
"Hey...Princess Yue...Hey Char," he said. He straightened out and gestured to my sister.
"Mind if...I...if I uh, steal her for a bit?" He asked awkwardly. I shook my head.
"Oh, no, go ahead!" I said, smiling. Yue put her hand on my shoulder, then left with Sokka, to leave me with my thoughts. I stared out at the ocean. The vast thing. What if the ocean was just a giant creature; like a jelly fish or something? with super thin skin. How I could respect a being like that. I shook my head.
"Okay Charlie, you're insane," I said, and I moved away from the balcony. I walked through the tribe, hoping that Arnook wouldn't show his I-pick-favorites face. I wandered aimlessly, making my way back to the main floor of the palace.
then everything changed when the fire nation attacked. (okay sorry that one was bad. xD)
"Why have they stopped attacking?!" I demanded, as we stared out at the firenation ships.
"It's almost night. They fear the power of the waterbenders at night," Yue said. After Katara, Cam, Oj, Yue and I rounded up Aang, we took to one of the balconies, and looked up at the moon, as the firenation waited, just outside the boarders.
"They say that the moon was the first waterbender. Our ancestors watched how they pushed and pulled the tide, and learned to do it themselves," Yue said.
"I always noticed my bending is stronger at night," Katara remarked.
"The spirits! Maybe I can find them and get their advice, figure out how to
do...something!" Aang exclaimed. i folded my arms.
"And how do you plan on finding such spirits?" I asked.
"I have an idea, follow me!" Yue said, and she turned, in a flurry of skirts, and vanished down the hall. I shrugged at my friends. Katara folded her arms.
"Guys we need to get Aang to the spirit world! Come with us!" Katara encouraged, and i followed her and Yue to the Oasis.
Where Tui and La circled one another in an eternal dance. I didn't know it then, but those two spirits would soon become the most important part of my life.
"This place," I breathed softly as we walked in, our sense of urgency diminished. Aang crashed into the grass, and i tumbled down after him, admiring the beauty. Cam asked about the ice, and after a bit, Aang began to meditate.
"We were here before," I said outloud.
"Hm?" Oj looked over at me.
"When Yue...when she was a baby…" I sat up. Yes. Yes! I remembered this place! I remember father bringing her here...coming along...tears sprang into my eyes. Yes. This holy gate between the worlds. I knew it. I sat up, and turned to face Yue, eyes wide, about to speak. i saw the spark of excitement in her eyes; she saw the recognition.
"Come on guys be quiet! It's hard to concentrate when I can hear every word you're saying!" Aang snapped. I glanced at Oj, and fell into silence.
"Well aren't you a big girl now. Give me the avatar, and I won't hurt you." I spun to see Zuko, prepared to blast the entire place to bits, and I looked to Cameron who narrowed her eyes, set in a fighting stance. I rolled back, and jumped to my feet, sprinting to Yue, and standing out before her, Oj on my other side.
"Whatever happens I swear nothing will hurt you Yue," I said. She had her hands to her mouth, eyes wide as we watched Zuko and Cameron fight. Oj stepped forward but I pulled her back.
"We can't let her face him on her own he's a trained firebender!" Oj snapped.
"Yeah, but this is personal for her. Getting involved would piss her off. Besides; we can't let anything happen to the princess," I said. I grabbed Oj and stared at her.
"We have to go get help," I said. We turned, and ushered Yue toward the exit, but I stopped, and looked back. There was a flash in my head; a bag; a general; Cameron; screaming; loss; Sokka?! My vision went black yand I nearly fell over but regained my stance.
"Charlie!" Yue called. I waved her off, and ran towards Katara, who was sprawled out on the ground. I turned, and glared at Zuko. Cameron blasted fire at him, and in a feeble attempt to aid her, I began to bend, and pulling a great strand of water from the water around us, I swiftly slid, turning my hands, and with a cry launched the solid ice rod at Zuko. It slashed his arm, and sent him stumbling, and Cameron tackled him to the ground. As they fought, I grabbed Aang, and pulled him back. I turned to Oj.
"Get Yue out of here!" I demanded. Before they could respond a heavy weight crashed into me, and sent me sprawling.
"Get off!" I demanded, and kneed Zuko in the stomach.
"You! You're the brat that Cameron lugs around with her aren't you?! Who do you think you are?!" He demanded, and I lashed out at him again, but he had me pinned. There was a heat in his hands which firmly held my wrists to the ground, and with a sudden burst of fear, I thought he might try and burn me. With a cry, I clencehd my fists, and two great walls of water rose on either side of us, and smashed into us. THe power smashed Zuko aside, and we tumbled, all air crushed out of my lungs as the shock of the water barreled into us. I swiftly bended the water into ice, sacraficing myself in the process, and in a moment, we were both frozen; I in a half upside down tumble, and Zuko curled into a tight ball. He opened his eyes and glanced around, and then glared at me. The ice around him melted, and he slid out to the side, and I saw Cameron, collapsed by the waterfall. She lay, sprawled on her back, and I melted the wter around me. In a great wave, it crashed into the ground, and I stumbled toward him.
"You bastard! How DARE you hurt my friends!" I barked. I swung a punch at him, but was dizzy; the sudden loss of air, and the force it had taken to bend so powerfully had already left me exhauseted. I fell to my knees, and saw Zuko grab Aang's collar. I reached out.
"Aang! Zuko stop!" And my vision went black.
"You rise with the moon. I rise with the sun," I vaguely heard him say.
When I awoke, I had a great fright, and attacked Oj, freezing her in a solid block of ice. After I released her, Yue, Sokka, and Katara decided to go after Zuko and Aang. Oj and I decided to stay with Cam, in case she came to. We sat, in silence. I got a shiver.
"Things have really changed," I muttered. Oj nodded.
"Yeah."
"And people are going to die," I said. She stared at me, eyes wide.
"Charlie why would you ever say that?" She asked. I sighed.
"That's what the firenation is best at right?" I held Cam's head in my lap, and attempted to heal her, though she wasn't coming to.
"Not always. Look at Cam!"
"She's not easy to control," I joked.
"But she's been there for us; she's used her bending to do things that some of the other firebenders would never even think about. She's used it as a weapon; but not as an obliterator. As a way to protect her friends, and guard what she values most. Not everything is so bad."
"Ah, maybe not, but things certainly just got a whole lot worse. At least for you two." I turned, and hit the ground as a blast of fire shot over my head, and I hit the ground, laying low as Zhao stepped forward, grinning wickedly. Oj jumped in front of Cam and I, and in a great gust of wind, blew Zhao back on his butt in a great blast of wind. I grabbed Cameron, and began to drag her away, toward the exit.
"You think I'm intimidated by a little wind? I'm here to change everything; some should-be-dead-airbedner isn't getting in my way!" He growled, and a great wall of flame errupted toward Oj.
"Olivia!"I shouted but she leapt up, maybe 30 feet into the air, and did a quick flip, landing off to the side. Zhao attacked her with all his might; spinning and blasting flames after her, over and over, and I jumped to my feet, leaving Cam by the oasis. I darted toward Zhao, in a mindless desire to get him to leave Oj alone; just for a second, long enough for her to get her bearings. She was up agaainst the wall, high in the air, jumping from burst to burst of air, and flicking little tornadoes at him when she could, but it didn't seem to phase him. With a warrior like battle cry, I smashed into him, and he lurched forward, the stream of flames coming to a stop. It didnt phase much, but it was enough to get him to leave Oj alone, and she leapt away from the wall, did a cartwheel, and lowered herself to the ground by Cameron. She took up a defensive stance there. I wrapped my legs around Zhao's waist, and tightened my arms around his neck. I yanked back, and he tottered backwards, and for a moment I thought he'd fall over and crush me. I tightened my grip, begging the spirits to CHOKE THE LIFE OUT OF THAT BASTARD.
"You defend them then! Such valliance! But it will go in vain!" He choked out, and there was a great scorching on my arms, and howling in pain, I released Zhao. He'd used his firebending to heat up the metal armor, and burn me. I crashed back onto the ground, and curled up tightly, tears springing into my eyes.
"Of course! Who the hell do you think...I am?! They're my friends...I'll do whatever it takes to protect them!" I bakred. Zhao had turned away, but frowned, looking back at me.
"How could you be friends with the spirits?" He asked. It hit me then. The koi fish! I struggled to my feet, my burning skin enraged. I lifted my arms, and weakly, bended a few weak waves which splashed at his feet. He laughed, and crouched by the pool. Oj prepared to attack him from the other side, when in a flash, he'd taken the koi fish, and ensnared it in the bag. A cold flash of horror ran through me as the world went red around us.
"You bastard!" I screamed, and mustering more power, I lashed sharp, stake shaped icecicles at the general. "Put! That! Back!" I shouted. He easily melted through them and shook his head.
"My goodness, you are pathetic. Your talents as a waterbender are pathetic. Your efforts remind me of my pathetic, lowlife off spring who dares announce herself as my daughter. Today...I am a legend. Today, I rewrite history-" he stopped when Cameron snapped to her senses.
"Hey dad!" She shouted, and Zhao half turned when Momo sprang on his head. There was a flurry of movement as I launched at the general, eyes set for that bag. Goddammit put that symbolic spirit koi back in the sacred oasis you dumbass bastard! I noticed a man standing just to the side for the first time, and he too moved forward, and we all were shouting and screaming, and Cameron stumbled around and attemtped to attack Zhao.
"Whatever you do that spirit, I will unleash on you tenfold; LET IT GO!" The man shouted. There was silence for a moment, and then stillness. Zhao bent down, and released the spirit back into the water. As he did, my bending surged, and with a cry, I drew a great sheet of water, and prepared to slice that bastard, when he sent a blast of fire which destroyed the fish in seconds. It drifted to the surface, dead, and I crashed on the ground at his feet, and for a moment went numb as the whole world went dark around us. He kicked me square in the jaw, and I rolled to the side in absolute pain. The man I'd seen before knelt down and helped me up, and in raw rage I raised my hands to my side, and attempted to summon the greatest, wildest wave of water; DROWN THE BASTARD HE DESTROYED THE MOON! But the water meakly rose to my hands, and then collapsed and I felt sheer terror.
"My bending?!" I began, and Cameron launcehd at Zhao in furry. The hooded man that had been yelling joined her, and together they attacked him. A line of Firebenders attempted to halt her process but she leapt after the general. Oj bended up and over the line of guards.
"Cameron!" She shouted, and the two vanished. I heard the sound of feet, and fell to my knees as Aang and Katara and Sokka approached. They easily took out the line of soldiers, and Yue knelt next to me as they fought.
"Are you okay Charlie?" She asked.
"He killed the moon...in front of me...he was right there and I was too Goddamned weak to stop him!" Tears dripped down my face, and Yue pulled me into a hug. The hooded man helped the avatar and company take out the men, and then silence fell over us. We all stood around the oasis, and I had my hands covering my mouth. I reached down, and held the limp fish in my hands. How oddly warm it felt, and certainly dead. I drew it out of the water, and knelt, holding it in my hands. The poor thing…
"There's no hope now," Yue muttered, and she turned into Sokka, who held her closely. "It's over." Aang's tattoos went stark white, his eyes glowed.
"No. It's not over," he said, and he walked into the oasis. He put off a faint glow, and I saw the water spirit's eyes and mark being to glow aw well. A breeze began to whip past us, and we stared, as Aang stood, in serenity, with the sea spirit, the pool glowing, and then Aang plunged into its deapths. The oasis was flooded in the brightest, most fantastic blue light, and the water rose in great waves, and whipped about, and pulsed as it rose into the shape of a giant monster.
"Aang!" Katara shouted after him, as he vanished from sight, and left the oasis, going to storm the rest of the tribe. We sat in silence, in absolute awe, until he was gone. The pulsing glow was gone, and I set Tui back in the water.
"It's too late," Katara said, "it's dead." The plump, hooded man kneeled next to me, and put a hand on my shoulder. He was firenation; that was obvious. He had been with Zuko...what was his name? He was an enemy, obviously. But he was kind. He was against Zhao, and that was good. He sat straight suddenly, and pointed to Yue.
"You have been touched by the moon spirit; some of its life is in you!" He said.
"Yes. You're right. It gave me life. Maybe I can give it back." She stood, and I jumped to my feet, blocking her way. Sokka grabbed her arm, holding her back.
"No! Yue you don't have to do that!" Sokka and I said nearly in unison.
"It's my duty," Yue said. Sokka went to say something, but I grabbed her shoulders.
"I will never let harm fall upon you! It's my job...it's my purpose! I let you down by vanishing and I can't ever let anything bad happen to you!" My throat felt like it was closing; my eyes stung. Never. Never would I ever let her down again. It was my duty as her sister; my job to protect her. Guilt swelled in my chest, that I had let her down before. And an overwhelming sense of duty stormed my mind, and I narrowed my eyes. Nothing would stop me from protecting her. She smiled warmly; sadly, and took her hand from Sokka, and wrapped me in a hug.
"You have already done that; you protected me when we were children, gave me the greatest sister, the greatest friend that I could ever have asked for. You owe me nothing, Charlie. All I can ask you now, is to go on, and live your life, for the both of us. Look after Sokka...that one's interesting. Don't ever let your fire burn out, because it's now lit for both of us," she said. I tightened my grasp on her. No. Never. I would never EVER let her go. It was my job! I loved her; my sister. I felt like I couldn't breath for a second, and tears again slithered down my face. No. I was not going to lose her. She represented my life; who I was in this universe before I fell into this madness. A symbol of beauty, a gracious princess, selfless...everything that I could never be. She was my other half; she had too much to teach me, to teach us all. This wasn't right. No.
"Yue no!" I barked. I ripped myself from her, and turned to Iroh who had pulled the moon spirit back out of the pond.
"No! There is no way that I will ever let her go! How dare you even suggest that she give her life up! You don't know her! What she offers!" I shouted at Iroh, and my vision grew blurry as tears poured down my face.
"Charlie…" Katara reached for me, but I slapped her hand away, and pointed at Iroh.
"How dare you try and take her from me! From these people, from them!" I said them, but pointed at Sokka, who stared, wide eyed, and terrified for Yue. Iroh was not shaken; did not say anything. I clenched my fists and resisted tackling him as I'd attacked Zhao. That bastard. That fucking cruel monster. How dare he! If he hadn't killed the moon Yue would NEVER have to be in this situation.
And it was my fault. I let him get away with it. My fault Yue was going to die. I squeezed my eyes shut, then stepped forward, grabbing Iroh's collar.
"Me! Please, I beg you let me go instead! Let Yue live I beg you! Let her stay, let her live her life! It's not fair, it isn;t her fault it's mine!" I barked. Yue's gentle hand rested on my shoulder, and weakly, I let go of Iroh, and let Yue turn me around. I hung my head, and she put a finger on my chin, and lifted it up to look at her. She smiled meakly.
"Chin up, sister. It's my duty; my borrowed life. I owe the moon spirit; you do not. Please; for me...continue to live? For us both?" She asked. I clamped my teeth on my lip hard enough to make it bleed. All the lost opportunities...the lost kinsmanship...everything. And I knew it was pointless. I stepped out of her way, and felt my heart leap, and crash through the ground as she rested her hands on the moon's body. She gave a quiet gasp, and tumbled to the side.
"NO!" Sokka caught her, and I dropped my face into my hands. Dead. Dead. Again. I let her die.
"She's gone," he muttered, as I kneeled by the two of them. He nuzzled her face, and I took her hand in mine, and held it tightly.
"Goodbye…" I said quietly, "and I really am sorry that I let you down...again…" I said. I felt her hand vanish from mine, and Sokka and I sat back as her body vanished, and the moon spirit's body glowed brilliant white, and it flopped weakly. Iroh dropped it back in the oasis pond, and the whole thing illuminated white. We watched as a form rose out of it...I felt my heart leap; Yue?! Was she still alive? Was there a chance...but no. She was far too pale; transparent. She was beautiful though. The most beautiful being I'd ever seen. Her dress drifted gently around her, and she turned her eyes to us. She floated forward, and put her hand on my cheek; and smiled. She turned to Sokka.
"Goodbye Sokka. I will always be with you," she said, and taking his face in her hands, she kissed him. In a moment, she was gone, and light returned to the sky. The moon glowed, pale and distant, as it had always done. I stared up at it, and then bowed my head. In a fit of rage, I clenched my fists, and screamed, as loud as I could. Water exploded around us, and rocketed into the air, as I cried, and screamed and cried.
"The spirits gave me a vision, when Yue was born. I saw...a beautiful, brave young woman become the moon spirit. I knew this day would come," Arnook said to me. We stood side by side, staring out over the destroyed tribe. I looked to him.
"You must be proud," I said warmly; sadly.
"So proud...and sad," he said softly. I thought for a moment, then stepped in front of Arnook, and brought him into a tight hug.
"Don't be sad, father," I said, "because Yue was so strong in the last moments. She was so strong and brave and beautiful. I will do my best to live a good life; for both of us. I'll do my best to be a good legacy," I said. He said nothing, and then he hugged me too. And again I cried.
I had lost my sister's love, and yet, maybe, Arnook could get past my cursed halfblood...and maybe find it in his broken heart to maybe be proud of me too.