AVATAR
The Young Lady Of Legends
She was a shy, self-centered and overall lazy dreamer from our world, transported to the world of Avatar where she's the stuff of some sort of legend. She also can't continue being lazy, not if a certain agitated prince gets his way. ZukoXOcc
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AUTHOR'S NOTES:
I'd like to thank all of my terrific reviewers:
Stargazer1364
EAMCP
Rock'xanne
Spastic Treehugger
SafuuruElDragonRojoX
milstead1988
SkittelsKat
You guys keep me inspired! You're absolutely brilliant! *Grins* Thank you!
Okay, so Book One: Water, is finished! Now begins Book Two: Earth!
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Weeks ago, a mysterious girl named Emma was transported from her own world, and arrived in a strange world where people can manipulate the elements – the world of the Avatar!
Knowing about the world and its war from a TV show, the mysterious young lady found herself on the ship of a banished prince, whose mission in life was to capture the Avatar so that his Father would allow him to return home with honor. The Fire Nation Prince agreed to let the girl stay on his ship, as he continued his quest to capture the Avatar.
Although the two teenagers argued at every turn, there was an undeniable bond between the two of them, even though she knew that what his Father was doing was wrong. The young lady also discovered that she had a number of abilities and powers she did not know she possessed, including the ability to manipulate water. She also happened upon a guardian sent to her by the mysterious lady Of Mercy, Kwan Yin, and named the spirited phoenix Yang Chong.
When her Prince was seemingly assassinated by pirates working for a Fire Nation Admiral, the young lady travelled on the Admiral's ship to the North Pole, where she learned of the Fire Nation's plan to attack the northern Water Tribe and render them unable to Waterbend by killing the spirit of the moon.
Shocked by this, the young lady attempted to prevent this, though she was unable to. Luckily, the Princess of the Northern Water Tribe gave up her life to become the new Moon Spirit, restoring the balance and aiding her people in winning the battle.
The young lady, however, did battle with the young Prince, in an attempt to stop him from capturing the Avatar. Considering this a betrayal to him, she decided not to look for him after the battle, and instead accepted the invitation to join the Avatar and his friends on their journey.
Leaving the North Pole, the group now travels to the Earth Kingdom, to find a master who can teach the Avatar Earthbending…
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The Dreaming
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"I know!" Aang exclaimed, like it was the most obvious thing ever. "Why don't you come with us, Emma? !"
I was startled. "Wh-what? ! Y-you mean…go with you guys on your quest…"
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Aang's P.O.V:
"That's completely…it's just…it's…"
Katara seemed to be struggling to find the right word, so her brother supplied: "Weird?"
Katara gave him a look, but Emma smiled cheerfully, and said: "Yeah, I know. It's as weird to you as this world is to me…maybe even more?"
"But, you said you knew about the story from the tee-vee…" Katara said slowly, referring to the strange thing Emma had told us about, that played pictures and sounds somehow (she said she didn't know how). "Does that mean you know what's going to happen before it does?"
Emma's smile became nervous. "Well…yes, but…if I told you, it might not happen, because you'd go after it before you should…or…something…"
Katara shrugged. "I…guess that makes sense…Aang, do you agree?" She asked me.
I jumped. I hadn't actually joined in on the conversation yet, but now I said: "Y-yeah, I guess so…it might be nice to know what's going to happen, though?" I glanced over my shoulder at Emma.
Our newest travelling companion blushed, and opened her fan to hide her red face. She did that whenever she was nervous, or embarrassed. My first impression of her, now that we'd been travelling by air for a day and getting to know one another, was that she was shy and quiet, but a really nice person if not a little bit mysterious. She was willing to tell us about her world and the strange and wondrous things in it, but not about herself or her family. And, if anyone tried to approach the subject of her being a prisoner of the Fire Nation, or being able to walk through the Spirit World, she would immediately change the subject, usually to something about the weather or Momo. Only time would tell if she would be a good friend but, for the most part, we all agreed that we liked her.
"So, ah, Aang, where are we going, anyway?" She jumped topics swiftly.
I smiled. "To the Earth Kingdom base. Then, we're going to Omashu, to see if Bumi will teach me Earthbending."
"Omashu?" Emma repeated.
"Mmhmm," Katara nodded, searching through our supplies for the map. The special amulet filled with water from the spirit pool hung around her neck, a gift from Master Pakku. Katara riffled through several Waterbending scrolls I'd received from the same source, before bringing out the world map, which Emma looked at with interest. "Bumi is actually the King of Omashu. He's a little…different," She stressed, and I grinned. Katara was so right about that! "But, basically, he's a good guy, and a powerful Earthbender."
"Yeah, he nearly flattened Aang, that one time…" Sokka spoke up.
"Thanks, Sokka…" I muttered. Then again, Emma probably already knew that…
"Anytime," Sokka grinned. "Anytime…"
"King Bumi's your old mate, isn't he?" Emma said slightly loudly, crawling across Appa's saddle carefully to the front. She still didn't like flying that much.
"Mate?" Katara repeated.
"Yeah, it means, like, friend," Emma shrugged. "It's what people from my country say…wow, that sounds so weird…" She smiled. "Anyway, I remember how they drew Bumi's eyes when he first saw you again…he couldn't believe it was you. Then, he just had to test you!" She laughed, and so did I.
"Yeah, it was pretty unbelievable." I agreed.
"Wait…so…does that mean he's…one hundred and twelve years old?" She gulped. "But he's still an Earthbending master?"
I nodded. "Uh-huh. That's why we're flying to the Earth Kingdom now. If anyone can teach me Earthbending, it's gotta be him, right?" I glanced at her.
She hid behind her fan. "Uh…yeah…sure…"
"Is it him?" Katara wanted to know.
Emma's face disappeared behind her fan. "Look, guys, don't start doubting yourselves and asking me for advice – please." She added, as if fearing she sounded impolite. "If you think it feels right, then by all means, go ahead and do it. I can promise you, it'll probably turn out okay."
"Probably?" I heard Sokka mutter, and my insides churned. What was Emma not telling us?
"Anyway," Emma said suddenly. "We need to, umm, stop…"
"Why?" Sokka wanted to know. "Do you need to use the…"
"No," She said, indignantly. "But, Yang Chong needs to eat. There's only one thing phoenixes eat when they're in the first few days of new life…"
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"That's just weird." Sokka said bluntly.
"Once again, that's life," Emma sighed. "Like it or lump it, boomerang-boy…"
"Boomerang-boy?" Sokka repeated, raising an eyebrow. "And, what do you mean, 'once again'?"
Emma just shrugged, and continued feeding Yang Chong little glowing coals from our fire. We had set up camp on a little island, and one of the first things Emma had insisted on doing was starting a fire. She'd explained to us that Yang Chong was a baby phoenix, and needed to eat hot coals for a couple of days after his rebirth, to keep him nourished and fuel the little flame within his belly. She'd seemed a little hesitant to make all of these demands but, as Katara and I had both said, it was perfectly all right. We'd needed to stop anyway. We could camp out for a night, and then set out early the next morning. That way, we'd reach the Earth Kingdom base by lunchtime.
"Hey, Aang?" Katara tapped my shoulder, speaking very softly – she wanted only me to hear this. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" She motioned to some rocks out by the beach.
I nodded, wondering what she wanted to talk to me about. My feelings for Katara had started growing – they'd started off as a slight crush, but now they were steadily growing, like the sun rising into the sky. But, I thought that this sun might never set…
"Aang," Katara turned to face me, and I thought about how pretty she looked, standing on the rocks by the sea. It was her element and, today, it was the same colour as her eyes, calm and peaceful but, also, a little troubled.
"What is it, Katara?" I wanted to know.
"How do you feel about Emma travelling with us?" She bit her lip.
I glanced to the side. "Well…it's only been a day, really, so I can't make any judgments," I said slowly. "But, she seems nice enough, even if she's shy."
Katara nodded. "I agree," She sounded thoughtful. "I think she's a little…confused, about her situation – I mean, she got transported from another world and, to top it all off, this one's been just a story to her – up until now, that is…"
I looked at her. "Do you believe her story – that she comes from a different world?"
Katara looked surprised. "Well, yeah, don't you?"
I paused. At last, I said: "I do…just…Katara, I don't know how to explain it, I just…sense something about her…nothing bad, of course, but just…like…I mean, seeing her in the Spirit World, and the pink light…I think it's something more than what we're seeing here…" I thought back to seeing Emma in the Spirit World, the way she'd been tormented almost by all of the elements, and the way she'd warned me that danger was nearby. The pink light that had surrounded her then…and, I was sure that had been her when we were at the Fire Temple…what was she?
Katara glanced at me, and then looked back towards camp. So did I. Emma had finished feeding Yang Chong, and appeared to be having a conversation with Sokka. It was very animated – Emma would throw her hands up into the air and then lower them whilst she sagged her shoulders, and Sokka would nod enthusiastically and then put his hands to his mouth as he gasped. Whatever they were talking about, it was obviously something important.
"I think she'll be alright," Katara said. Her eyes clouded over. "She was a prisoner of the Fire Nation for so long…the least we can do for her is…you know…" She shrugged.
"Let her come with us on our quest?" I grinned. "Who knows, she might be able to help us a lot!"
Katara smiled. She looked so pretty when she smiled like that! "Yes, I hope so! She's a Waterbender like I am – I knew meeting her on that day was important!" She exclaimed, referring back to the day by the river, when Emma dressed all in white had asked to train with us. She must've been able to sneak away from Zuko's ship for that time, whilst he was busy asking the pirates to capture us…
"Me too!" I agreed with her and, with that, we headed back to the camp site.
O~O~O~O
Emma's P.O.V:
"And that," I said to Sokka, sagely. "Is why Headless Mike has his own holiday…"
Sokka and Yang Chong stared at me.
Finally, Sokka glanced at Yang Chong, and then said to me: "That makes…no sense…" He shook his head in disbelief. "Is that even true?"
"Every word of it!" I exclaimed, noticing that Katara and Aang were on their way back, and deciding to wrap up the conversation. "Anyway, it's not important…"
"Yeah…" Sokka replied, but he looked thoroughly disturbed.
"What were you two talking about?" Aang wanted to know.
"Oh…not much…" I replied, and set about helping Katara with dinner.
It was…interesting…
"Wait, don't put that in yet!" Katara exclaimed, and I withdrew my hand holding the edible leaves quickly. "They're not ready yet." The Waterbender explained.
"Oh," I peered at the broth. I didn't see anything strange. "Then…when will it be ready?" I asked, gulping.
"In a moment," Katara replied. She took out a few potatoes from her supplies, and placed them on a flat rock. She handed me a knife. "Here, can you peel these and cut them? We can add them to the stew."
I looked at the potatoes, and then at the knife in my hand. I glanced at Katara, who was busy grinding up the herbs in an actual mortar. I looked back at the knife, and remembered all of the times at home Mum had berated me for my lack of cooking skills. I also remembered the time in year six, when our teacher had told us to be extremely careful of the Stanley Knives we were using to cut boxes. Needless to say, I'd run back into the classroom five minutes later, clutching a bloodied finger.
I was panicking. I don't know how to cook…or…ANYTHING? ! What should I do? !
I noticed Katara watching me, then. "Is everything okay?" She asked me.
I gulped. "Umm…I…don't cook…I mean…my parents cook…" I grew slightly frantic, then. "I mean, I know you have to cook, because of your circumstances, but I DON'T…so, can you please help me out here and teach me, please? !" I lowered my head, almost respectfully, but mostly out of embarrassment.
I felt Katara's hand on my shoulder, and I looked up. Her eyes were calm, and kind. She was smiling a little. "It's okay…everyone has different circumstances, so of course it's okay…" She put a hand on my shoulder.
I gulped. "I'm sorry…I…I don't know what to say…"
"It's okay." Katara assured me. "Now, come on. My brother gets hungry fast, and Aang's no better…"
"HEY!" The Airbender protested from across the beach.
"So we'd better get a move on, then!" Katara said loudly, but then she lowered her voice, and said: "But, we can take as long as we want."
I realized that she was telling me to take as long as I needed, and I felt a rush of gratitude towards her, as I settled in to my first cooking lesson in the Avatar World…
O~O~O~O
I was sitting by the campfire, listening to Aang, Katara and Sokka sing songs that reminded me of the songs Uncle Iroh and the others had sung.
My heart ached for my almost-Uncle, and for his nephew whom had been an important part of my life. I had to admit, I missed them, and scolded myself for not having realized that it wouldn't last forever. I tried to focus on the here and now. I was travelling with Aang, Katara and Sokka now – that was all there was to it. Besides, if I was still with them later on, I'd be seeing Zuko again anyway. He'd be teaming up with the Gaang, and I hoped that much was certain. For all I knew, my influence could've turned Zuko into a second version of Ozai. I had to remind myself that we were still following a story-line, if not vaguely…
"Emma…" Sokka waved a hand in front of my face.
I blinked, and said: "What?" Rather rudely, and then ducked my head. "I mean, yes?" I blushed. "Sorry…"
"Why do you like apologizing so much?" Aang wondered, and then shrugged. "Oh well. We were wondering something?"
"What?" I was suspicious. Yang Chong nuzzled against my hand, a reassurance.
"Well, what kind of songs do you have in your world?" Katara asked. She was sitting with her legs tucked under her, a picture of perfect serenity. "You mentioned something about that before…"
"Huh…oh, yes, I did…" I nodded vehemently. "Music is absolutely awesome where I come from…people form bands, and there are some solo singers, too. They're called rock stars, idols, music sensations, and things like that. I like most kinds of music from my world, but not all…"
"Soooo…what kinds of music do you have?" Sokka wanted to know.
I ticked off on my fingers: "Rock, pop, ballad, country, metal…"
They all exchanged confused looks.
I tried to explain. "There's a lot of different kinds – it's hard to explain…" I shrugged. "Umm…basically, it's about the instruments, as well as the theme of the song. People can sing about friendship, love, family, war, power, magic, evil, holiness…basically, everything…and it all depends on how they sing it. They can be singing about love but really mean something else entirely. We can buy these things called CD's, which – somehow – can play the songs by our favourite singers on them. My favourite band is called Disturbed…" I smiled a little, thinking about them. They had been my favourite band since I was in year twelve. It had started out as an act of defiance to Mum and Dad, and that one night listening to the first album had changed my life. I learned to love their songs, which spoke about political and humanitarian issues, as well as having a slightly darker undertone, and plenty of power. Plus, the lead singer was awesome. It was not the band you expected someone like me to love, but there you go. I also liked Michael Bolton. You did not expect to see both artists on a playlist. I was unique. "They're pretty dark…"
Katara, Aang and Sokka were staring at me and, feeling self-conscious, I hid behind my fan. "W-what?" I asked them.
"Nothing," Aang reassured me. "That's just the most you've said since we met you…you sounded so…passionate about it…" He added.
I blushed. "W-well, music does make the world go round…that and tea…" I hoped there was tea in the Earth Kingdom, otherwise I was going back to the Fire Nation…somehow…
"Don't take this the wrong way," Katara said, hesitantly. "But, well, your voice…it sounds really…like, you're a singer…"
My face was utterly red by that stage.
"Soooo…can you sing?" Sokka asked me.
"She can!" Aang piped up, darn him!
I gulped. "Umm…uh…n-not now…l-later…some other time…I'm tired! Earth Kingdom tomorrow, right? !" I stood up quickly. "I'm gonna go wash my…face, for a second, and then bed! D-don't mind me! Yang Chong!" My phoenix chirped, and jumped onto my shoulder.
I beat a hasty retreat to the beach, not missing Sokka saying to Katara and Aang: "She's…weird."
"Oh, stop it, Sokka!" Katara scolded.
O~O~O~O
"Emma…"
I opened my eyes, and saw the familiar, comforting face of Kwan Yin looking at me.
"Are you alright, my daughter?" The lady asked me, smiling sympathetically.
I nodded. "I…I THINK so…I mean…should I be with Zuko right now? I mean, is he okay? Did I make the right choice?"
Kwan Yin put her arms around me, and hugged me close. "My daughter…see for yourself…judge…"
It's been three years…
I realized, with a jolt, that I was reading Prince Zuko's thoughts. I saw him, so clearly, in front of me, the Prince I had betrayed, whom probably hated me now. It tore my heart apart, and I wanted so badly to wrap my arms around him and reassure him, even though I knew he wouldn't accept it.
I can't believe it…so much has changed…everything…I thought I could trust her, but… His face was frowning, his eyes clouded with confusion… I thought she actually CARED about me…
I only did it to protect Aang! I wanted to shout these words to him. I'm sorry, I never wanted to hurt you! I care about you, I'm worried about you! Zuko PLEASE! !
I felt tears slide down my face, and the vision shifted.
Kwan Yin had her arms around me, and I felt a deep sense of comfort in her embrace. I whispered: "I care about him, I didn't want to betray him, but Aang is…IMPORTANT…he's the only hope this world has…Zuko wouldn't be suffering half as much if I hadn't come to this world…" I voiced the worries I'd been harboring, even if it was only in a dream. "Everything would have been a lot simpler without me in it…"
"But, my child, how do you know that THIS isn't the way things were meant to be?" Kwan Yin was ever serene, and it made me feel that way too, her aura and her voice. "You only know the story told by the people in your world…but, perhaps, THIS is the way things were meant to be…"
"But…how can I know?" I asked her, plaintively. "How am I supposed to know, My Lady?"
Her voice was sympathetic. "In time, my daughter, you WILL know…for now, know this. It is your destiny to travel with Aang and his friends for now, until you reach Ba Sing Sei. Then, you will be reunited with your SOUL MATE and stay together, as you wish to be, but then you will have a brief separation." Her voice was soft, as she spoke to me in a calming tone. She was telling me this to reassure me, to try and calm my nervous tension. "All will be well...in the end…you will know…"
I took a deep breath. "So…does Zuko forgive me? Will our reunion be…" I gulped. "Good? Or bad?"
Kwan Yin didn't answer. Instead, she drew back from me, so that I could see her eyes – they were a deep amber colour and, I realised then, she also seemed to resemble Ursa in some way – the shape of her face, and the kind expression of her features. She cared about Zuko's fate, as well as my own, and I immediately trusted that what she was saying was legit.
I could only hope…only hope that things would be okay. That he'd forgive me. I wasn't sure why he meant so much to me, or why I missed him so much. I could only remember the tingle on my lips when he'd kissed me, the way my heart hammered in my chest when he was near me, the protectiveness I felt for him…
"I want to see him again…" I whispered, tears sliding down my face. "I can't wait…I MISS him…"
"I know, my child…" Kwan Yin whispered back. "For now, try to focus on what's happening…"
I awoke to somebody screaming...