::The Last Avatar::
Gamer Edition
BOOK ONE
LEVIATHAN
1.13
AVATAR VS WUSHENG
"Congratulations Avatar, the Wusheng have informed me that you have learnt everything they have to teach you," Godo leaned back behind his desk. "At least insofar as what the Avatar should need," he added after a moment. Rue frowned slightly at the man from her seat on the other side of the desk, she wasn't entirely sure if she agreed with their assessment of her.
"Um, well, thanks I guess," she replied awkwardly. What else could she say to that? Godo nodded, seemingly either not noticing her awkwardness or not caring to. He's up to something.
"Indeed, nonetheless I hope I can look forward to your continued support in the war effort," it wasn't a question. The man fully expected her to stay in Wutai and win his war, just like he'd told her months ago. Rue didn't allow even an eyebrow to twitch, her face remaining completely passive as she regarded the man calmly.
"As the Avatar I have many responsibilities, Wutai isn't the only land in need," she told him carefully. Godo frowned at her and leaned forward, steepling his fingers as he eyed her solemnly.
"I see," the hard edge to Godo's voice set off alarm bells in Rue's head, but she kept herself calm and refused to fidget. "I hope you'll be staying for a short while at least, Yuffie will be sad to see you go," she almost rolled her eyes as the man brought out the emotional blackmail. Instead she smiled at him as warmly as she could, thinking of Yuffie so it wouldn't seem too fake.
"I certainly hope so," she agreed with a nod.
"Indeed," Godo nodded at her in return. He then lent back and pulled out some papers, no longer looking at her. If that wasn't a dismissal Rue didn't know what was, thus she left the room swiftly, needing to be away from the fool man. She wouldn't be surprised if he tried to hold her prisoner again after that conversation. It was time to leave Wutai.
Rue returned to her room, closing the sliding paper door quietly before leaning against the wooden wall and taking a deep calming breath. She had really wanted to slap Godo, but it was probably good that she hadn't. Not if she was going to get out of the place without him making a fuss anyway. Nodding to herself Rue straightened up and began pacing around her room, picking things up that she'd strewn around the room during her stay and placing them in her bag. She was careful to leave the bag exactly where it always was though, in case one of Godo's servants came in to clean. She didn't move too much, just a few essentials she would need should it come to a hasty exit rather than a planned one. She left the few bits and pieces of personal items, like Morris and Cactus Juice Sokka, out so it wouldn't be obvious she was getting the hell out of there as soon as she could.
Content for the moment Rue sat on her futon and gave Morris a hug while she considered her current options. If Godo expected her to leave it would be tonight, which meant that would be a very bad idea. If she left tomorrow, in the middle of the day, he'd be far less likely to expect it of her. After all, he had guards everywhere and she was well known among the residence now.
Pursing her lips Rue reached out and grabbed the Water Bending Scroll she'd received from Godo after her last mission. She'd figured out most of it, something that Chekhov in particular had been helpful with. Figuring that going about business as normal was probably her best move for now, until she figured out the details of her escape. Rue gave Morris one last squeeze before picking up the scroll and her other equipment for some final practice at the facilities in the compound.
For the second time that day Rue had alarm bells going off in her brain when she found the Wusheng waiting for her at the training grounds. And they were waiting, the four warriors bowed respectfully at her as she reached them, something Rue mirrored back without thought. When she opened her mouth to ask what the hell they were doing there Staniv held up a hand.
"The time for teaching is over, we would see your skill for ourselves now," the burly man told her. Rue blinked at the words, but they were the only ones she got as the four of them suddenly moved as one to attack her. Giving a startled yelp the very not ready teenager barely dodged out of Shake's way as she barrelled down on her with no warning. Ducking and dodging around the other three Rue skidded away, tossing the ancient scroll aside and setting her bow across her shoulder. Teal eyes darted across her four, rather formidable, teachers trying to figure out how to get out of this one alive. Because, really, four on one was completely unfair. Avatar or not. Rue blinked when, unexpectedly words slowly faded into existence above her teachers heads. Huh.
Congratulations!
Your use of Scan has upgraded your skill level!
Scan is now level 2!
She hadn't even thought to use the skill to see shit above peoples heads, had forgotten the skill almost completely and Rue honestly wanted to smack herself in the face with a brick for it. How much easier would things have been in past battles if she'd just used scan? Dismissing the screen Rue focused back on the people shifting into attack formation before her.
Congratulations!
Your use of Focus has upgraded your skill level!
Focus is now level 2!
Rue growled as the screen popped up just as Shake launched herself at Rue once again, dismissing the screen and dodging the tiny woman at the same time set her balance off and the teen ended up sprawled in the dirt with her usual lack of grace.
Congratulations!
Your use of Dodge has upgraded your skill level!
Dodge is now level 3!
"Okay, 'B', seriously, can't we just have the little ones go away on their own while I'm fighting or something, it's really distracting," Rue grumbled under her breath. Peeling herself off the ground Rue turned her head in time to see a fireball flying towards her at an alarming rate. Yelping again, Rue barely countered the thing with her own Ice spell while avoiding being hit by Staniv and his giant iron ball-thing he held in his hand. Glaring over at Chekhov who she knew had been behind the fireball, Rue dismissed her latest screen and prayed that was the last of them. She didn't need any more distractions. Chekhov just smirked at her in reply to Rue's glare, it was the only small warning the teenager was given before she was treated to Gorky kicking her legs out from under her. Eating the dirt again Rue growled at herself, this was absurd, if she kept this up they'd never let her hear the end of it. Focus idiot!
Rue barely managed to roll out of the way of Gorky's heel and Staniv's ball-and-chain-thing as the two of them converged on her while she was down. Breathing hard Rue attempted to get some distance from them to re-focus herself. Of course is was only then that Rue realised they were surrounding her, "fuck nuggets," was her only comment. No arrows. MP won't last forever and I'm not competent or comfortable with hand-to-hand. Fuck this shit.
Focusing on the people before her Rue noted that all of them were in the high teens in level, which meant that if she was going to beat them she had to play with her strengths. At this point there was only one real choice for her. It seemed that the Wusheng assumed that because the pond-river-thing was on the other side of the training ground, she would not be able to use that water in this fight. She could see it though, and if she could see it or knew it was there Rue could bend it. Apparently her teachers didn't know that though.
Taking a deep breath Rue tried to calm her racing heart while sliding into her starting stance, the four of them tensed and coiled up like springs, watching her carefully. In one single swift movement, Rue shifted, her arms arcing down and then forward and up, guiding the water in the pond-river-thing upwards. Then she turned, spinning, while bringing the water down and over to surround her. Rue concentrated, trying to remember what Katara had said and done while helping Aang with his own 'octopus style'. Closing her eyes, Rue raised her arms, drawing out the 'octopus arms' and then drew her arms back in, keeping her elbows low, and hands close to her centre as Katara had advised. When she opened them she was just relieved it had actually worked.
'Nicely done, Rue! Korra's right, you are a natural,' Aang commented from the peanut gallery. Rue wasn't sure if she should correct him or not. The only reason she knew the rough idea of it was because his 'Avatar Journey' was turned into a cartoon in her own world. They hadn't really broached that subject yet though and Rue wasn't sure how to.
Reflection time was over as Shake decided to test Rue's ability, launching herself forward with almost inhuman speed. Rue knew she'd never be able to hit the tiny woman with blunt force, so instead she aimed at the ground ahead of the woman, freezing it. Shake hit the ice hard, sliding a good five feet before Rue wrapped her in more water and solidifying it, holding the petite woman in place. One down.
There was no time to celebrate, however, when Chekhov was throwing more Fire spells at her and Staniv was swinging that iron ball of destruction at her at the same time. She blocked the fireballs with one arm and surrounded Staniv with water and froze him in place with the other. Two.
Rue turned to Gorky and Chekhov, both of whom appeared to be of a mind to stay out of her reach now she had taken out two of the own. By this point Rue was running out of steam, her breathing was uneven and her heart was pounding a mile a minute. She had to end this little spar now. With a furious growl Rue lunged forward, sending all the water around her at the pair, encasing them much the same way she had with Angeal and Genesis. Though it was easier this time, now she had some idea of what she was doing. Three and four.
With that done Rue exhaled loudly in relief and bent over, leaning against her own knees as she tried to catch her breath. It took her a minute for the sound of blood rushing in her ears to clear so she could hear Staniv laughing his ass off. She turned slightly to look at him, still panting from the exertion. She hadn't bent such a large amount of water for so long a time before and Rue was certainly feeling it.
"You're all arseholes and I hate you," she told them as loudly as she could before sinking to the ground and allowing herself to fall into a boneless heap. Until now she hadn't known what 'tired' really felt like, she was certain.
"Just had to make sure the lessons stuck, kid," called Shake from where Rue had partially encased her. Rue snorted and tiredly lifted her hands and then dropped them again, turning the ice surrounding the four of them back to it's liquid state.
"Whatever," she replied with a half-hearted shake of her head.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Quest Completed!
*Survive Avatar Training: Water Style*
Story quest #3
…
The first portion of your Avatar Training has been Completed!
You were given access to four different trainers who each cover a certain area of expertise.
The goal of this Quest was to become proficient enough in each portion of training that you were able to defeat your trainers.
In a spar, naturally.
...
Shake's Agility and Dexterity Training 1/1
Chekhov's Materia and Bending Training 1/1
Gorky's Combat Training 1/1
Staniv's Weapons Training 1/1
…
Damn kid!
That was pretty good, I'll give you a free pass this time.
No head injuries today.
At least not from me.
There'll be a few bits and pieces for you back in your room for this!
…
850 EXP
2000 Gil
500 AP
Long Bow+
Rue let out a breathy laugh at the sight of her Quest Completion screen. It seemed she'd earned herself a new bow and everything. She did try to get up, but the exhausted teenager just didn't have the energy right at that particular moment. She dismissed the screen tiredly, hoping in vain that it would be the only one. It wasn't.
CONGRATULATIONS!
LEVEL UP!
You are now Level 10!
…
Current Stats
Strength: 11
Dexterity: 16
Vitality: 10
Magic: 12
Intelligence: 13
Luck: 8
…
Stat Points to Spend: 5
Rue resisted the urge to groan by only a hair. It wasn't that she wasn't pleased she'd leveled up, it was the fact that 'B' wanted her to think right there and then. "Computer says, 'noooo'," she muttered quietly before going ahead and adding her stats.
New Stats
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 17
Vitality: 10
Magic: 12
Intelligence: 14
Luck: 10
…
Confirm?
"Confirm," she agreed with a sigh. She really wanted to sleep now, but she could hear the Wusheng starting to move about around her. Once the confirmation screen faded she would try to get up again.
CONGRATULATIONS!
LEVEL UP!
You are now Level 11!
…
Current Stats
Strength: 12
Dexterity: 17
Vitality: 10
Magic: 12
Intelligence: 14
Luck: 10
…
Stat Points to Spend: 5
Rue stared at the second level up screen in confusion, she didn't quite understand why she was getting another one. Surely the small amount of exp she'd gotten from that quest hadn't caused this to happen. Again. With a sigh she once again added more points to her stats.
New Stats
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 18
Vitality: 11
Magic: 13
Intelligence: 15
Luck: 10
…
Confirm?
"Confirminator," she told the damned screen and it winked out of existence. Just in time for Gorky to wander over to her, he looked amused as he looked down at her as she lay sprawled on the ground.
"Feeling a little tired, young one?" he asked with a small grin. Rue snorted at the question, like it wasn't obvious.
"No, I'm completely fine Gorky, in fact I could totally go another round, just let me solidify a bit from this puddle I seem to have turned into and I'll be good to go," the sarcasm practically dripped off of her. A snorted laugh drew Rue's attention as Shake moved closer into Rue's line of sight.
"Puddle indeed, brat, you need to work on your stamina," the older woman lectured. The amused half grin on her face belied her own amusement though.
"Yeah, thanks Shake, I'll work on that," Rue said flatly as she gingerly pulled herself into a sitting position.
"At least we know it wasn't a complete waste of time training the girl," Chekhov sniffed from where she was helping Staniv up. Rue turned to glare tiredly at the woman, Chekhov just ignored her though.
"Have some faith, woman, the young Avatar did well," Gorky warned her sharply. Staniv nodded in agreement as he walked over, still shaking with laughter.
"Damn, girl," he commented and held up what was left of his weapon of choice, "you only broke it," he grinned at her. The iron ball was cracked at the end of the chain was cracked from the force of his attack and her own deflection. Rue couldn't help her own answering grin.
"Well excuse me for having rathered that being cracked instead of my skull," she laughed. With those words Staniv lost it again, doubling over with laughter.
!*~*~*BONUS SCENE*~*~*!
"The three of you will be heading into Kisaragi's main compound by air. The plan is to-"
"We know what the plan is, Heidegger, there is no need to go over it again," Sephiroth interrupted the irritating man. No doubt he would have laughed that horrible laugh of his again, like he had the last three times he had told them the President's orders.
"Yes, well, good," Heidegger straightened his military uniform. The man was obviously uncomfortable with three teenagers being in command of Shinra Army, while he had been 'raised' to an Executive position from the place of General that Sephiroth now held. The man cleared his throat loudly and crossed his arms. "The operation will begin at 0900 hours, be ready," he told them sternly before stalking away and exiting the tent.
Genesis snorted once Heidegger was out of earshot, none of them liked the man and he'd become more insufferable once Sephiroth had been granted the title General. The silver haired teenager sent a hard look to his friend who made a face and shrugged.
"I take it we have another objective during the operation?" Angeal asked. His arms were folded as he looked down at the map on the table that lay between the three of them. His 'thinking frown' on his face.
"The regulars will kill her if they come across her, we're getting her out," Sephiroth told his friends determinedly. Genesis only scoffed as Angeal nodded in agreement. "Unharmed," he added with a look at Genesis who glared at him in response.
"I barely touched her," he complained with a huff.
"That's not what Angeal said," Genesis shifted his glare to his childhood friend and growled something that sounded suspiciously like 'traitor' under his breath. Angeal simply shook his head in response, but did not enter the argument. He knew better after the last time they'd gone through this. Genesis had blown up both his and Sephiroth's tents in retaliation. While it was raining.
"She's dangerous," he argued. Sephiroth raised an eyebrow at Genesis, this wasn't the first time his friend had tried to talk him out of helping Rue escape from Godo. He, and Angeal really, seemed to be of the opinion that she wanted to be there. Sephiroth wasn't convinced, nor was he convinced she had 'magical powers' as the two of them claimed.
"So are we," he pointed out calmly. Genesis' face twisted in frustration, before stepping around the map table to confront Sephiroth head on.
"I'm telling you, that wasn't any Materia that she used at the end of that fight, she moved the water on her own," Genesis insisted. Sephiroth sighed and shook his head at the shorter teen.
"That's your opinion," was his only answer as he moved to a chair. Honestly, all this worrying was making him feel ten years older than he really was. He'd feel better once he knew the damnable girl was safe.
!*~*~*~*~*!
AN: So hey. This chapter was hard to write, I had to start it over because the first try wasn't working for me and that almost never happens to me.
Next chapter is probably the last one in Wutai before Rue gets shipped off elsewhere, as you can probably guess by that last BONUS SCENE lol
We're on the tail end of Book One now and heading toward Book Two, HORRAY!
I'll try to get the next chapter up soon, should be fun to write so it shouldn't take too long~
Thanks for all the support everyone, I really appreciate it. This fic got over 2000 views this month alone, which is freaking amazing from my perspective. I've never written anything that has gotten such a good response before, so thank you for making this fic so awesome and fun to write!
Till next time~
RLK