This is my little gift for the wonderful PurplePlatypusBear21.
Happy Birthday! *Big Hug*
Have a great day my friend. I hope you'll enjoy this little piece of humor. A big Thank You to Seyary-Minamoto for proof-reading!
True Champion
Meelo was sitting at one of the pavilions of the Temple Island and his eyes were scanning the silhouette of Republic City. It was early afternoon and the city was glittering and shining in the sun like a gemstone. He was doing little sketches of the sight to kill some time but his main focus wasn't on his drawing. His eyes were scanning the ships and ferries which were to be found in the bay.
The child was waiting for a certain ferry to return to the island.
Bolin and Korra had left the island this morning for an important event.
A contest for true champions.
They had trained for weeks to be ready for this day and Meelo had observed and supervised their training and what he had seen had given him hope. They might have a chance to face the…
The sharp eye of the child caught a little ship heading towards the island in the distance. Meelo placed his block and the pencil on the ground to rush out of the pavilion. He used his bending to reach the rooftop of it with one quick jump. The boy could feel the excitement bubbling up. This was definitely a ferry returning to the island. The Airbender jumped back down to pack up his stuff. He'd wait at the pier. He needed to know how things had turned out for them.
The ship had docked and Meelo was jumping from one leg to another in excitement. The crew started to land the cargo and supplies for the island and the first passengers had already left the ferry but so far there was no sign of Korra or Bolin.
Maybe they hadn't taken this ferry?
Maybe they had stayed in the city for celebration?
Maybe they wouldn't want to return in shame…?
Meelo was about to return to the temple when he spotted a known figure approaching on the ramp. It was Bolin with a most serious face. The man stopped at the beginning of the ramp and cleared this throat.
"Ladies and gentlemen, fans and friends. It is a great honor and a true pleasure to me to welcome back the new Champion and true ramen bender, master of all four spicy sauces, gracious Queen of the ramen noodle and worthy owner of the battle name 'The Spirit Portal', ladies and gentlemen please can I have a roaring applause for the winner of this year's Republic City's Ramen Eating Contest Avatar 'The Spirit Portal' Korra!"
Bolin made an exaggerated deep bow as he walked a step aside to clear the space in front of the ramp for Korra who approached on deck with a the most triumphant grin Meelo had ever seen on her face. The Avatar folded her hands and raise them as winner hands to shake them beside her head while she was basking in her triumph. Meanwhile Bolin was whistling and cheering like a mad man. Meelo had to suppress a loud laughter since some workers started to stare in open confusion at the scenery. Korra stopped celebrating and moved her hands like she wanted to calm a cheering crowd while her smug smile grew wider.
"Thank you, Thank you. I want to thank all of my fans and Republic City of course for this wonderful welcome. I couldn't have done it without all of your support. But also please let me hear a cheerful welcome for the only real competitor within the field today, the only true mountain to climb, crown prince of ramen noodles and close behind second place of Republic City's Ramen Eating Contest Nuktuk 'The Groundless Canyon' Bolin."
Bolin was smiling happy towards the workers and the few people at the pier while waving his hand. Finally Korra and Bolin looked at each other. They remained quiet for a second until both started to laugh out loud while hugging each other. They walked down the ramp side by side while Bolin had his arm around Korra's middle and Korra's arm resting on Bolin's shoulder to support each other on their way down because they were laughing so hard. Both stopped in front of Meelo grinning from ear to ear. The boy gave them a most serious face.
"So… my training has paid off."
Korra hugged the Airbender with a smile.
"More than that. Bolin has surpassed the old all-time record by one bowl and I pulverized it."
A proud smile found its way to Meelo's face and Bolin also gave the boy a big hug.
"You'd have been so proud of your best students. Too bad that you're grounded and so you weren't there."
Meelo felt a tear coming to his eyes and he wiped his face with the sleeve of his robe.
"Tell me everything."
Korra chuckled a bit as the group started to leave the pier.
"It's hard to describe but what can be better than a photo of the great triumph."
Korra grabbed in her backpack and took out the trophy, a golden-looking sculpture of a bowl filled with ramen noodles and a picture to hand it to Meelo. The boy smiled warmly as he studied the photo. It showed Bolin and Korra on stage hugging each other in pure joy behind the table and their piles of emptied bowls. It was taken while both had obviously done some sort of jumping victory dance on stage because Korra's hair was flying wild around her head. Their faces were still smeared with rests of sauces and noodles and both were obviously screaming out their joy while the moderator was approaching the captured scenery from the side with the trophy in his hands.
The Avatar smiled smugly at the boy as he handed her back the picture.
"That's why we're late. This one will probably be in the newspapers tomorrow but I couldn't wait and so I asked the photographer if Bolin and I could have print of it and he agreed instantly."
Korra placed the photo and the trophy back in her backpack.
"Asami is always complaining that I should add some decoration to our new apartment, so I'll frame this one for our living room."
Bolin and Korra chuckled again but soon both stopped and they frowned at Meelo. The boy had fallen quiet and seemed to be lost I his thoughts. The Earthbender was about to speak up as Meelo's serious voice cut the silence.
"So you two really surpassed granduncle Sokka's old ramen noodle record?"
Korra tended her head aside while frowning deeper.
"Yes. Bolin ate 23 bowls in five minutes and I emptied 26 bowls."
Bolin had to grin at Korra's report and laid his arm around her shoulder to give her a supportive squeeze.
"We wiped the floor with the other contenders. The third place only managed 17 bowls."
Meelo nodded quietly.
"In that case, you might be ready to face a real challenge. Ready to face my true enemy and to avenge your master and purge the shame I've once brought on myself many years ago."
The voice of the boy had darkened like his face as he looked at the dumbfounded faces of Korra and Bolin.
"Follow me."
Meelo walked on in silence and leaded them back to the pavilion where he had waited for the ferry. He clasped his hands behind his back as they reached it and his gaze was resting on Republic City again as he spoke up again.
"I have brought shame on me many years ago. It was a dreadful Sunday afternoon and the beauty of the day had hidden the dark clouds which were about to rise for me. I was careless and so full of myself and so my arrogance led me to my greatest failure. I underestimated the true power of my opponent."
The boy took a dramatic break and made a deep breath. He let seep out the air in a sad sigh and turned back to Bolin and Korra who were staring at the boy with questioning looks.
"I was four and Jinora nine and mom had baked cupcakes and Jinora and I were fighting for the last one and Ikki suggested to settle the fight with a cookie eating contest about who could eat more cookies but Jinora only agreed to do so if we'd battle for the right of who of us would always and forever be allowed to take the last cupcake from then on and I got careless and agreed and I lost the contest against her and now she can always have the last cupcake."
The dramatic silence hung heavy between them for a moment. Bolin and Korra shared a baffled look between each other. Their lower lips started to quiver and they tried to bite on them to stop it but failed poorly… and then both almost collapsed laughing. Korra was holding her belly while gasping for air and Bolin leaned himself at a wooden pillar of the pavilion to keep himself from toppling. Meelo placed his fists on his hips in anger.
"Hey, that's not funny! I lost the right to have the last cupcake! Forever!"
Korra was already wheezing and had to sit down on the ground. It took her some moments to calm down a bit and to wipe away a tear or two.
"Many years…? Meelo first of all I think we both might have a different idea of what 'many years' would mean and of course she was able to beat you. Jinora was nine you were four, no wonder she was able to beat you. Redo the challenge now and win back your right."
Meelo crossed his arms in anger in front of his chest and sulked at the avatar for a moment but finally his face fell and he blushed a bit.
"I can't. Haven't you listened. The bet was to settle this question once and for all. I cannot challenge her anymore to win it back… but you could."
Korra's and Bolin's laughter faded. They were still smiling and finally Korra got up to hug the boy while turning to Bolin.
"What do you think Bolin? Could we deny the humble wish of our master to win back the right of the last cupcake?"
Bolin bit his lip at the sudden hopeful glow of the boy's eyes. He walked over to Korra and Meelo to join the hug.
"Of course not."
Meelo beamed in joy and tightened his squeezing grip around both. He was enjoying the moment until Bolin's concerned hum made the Avatar and the Airbender face his frown.
"But there is one problem: Why would Jinora risk losing this privilege against us?"
Now it was Meelo who started to chuckle dangerously.
"Well, she has to. She has promised it."
"You're joking Meelo? No way!"
Jinora was meditating on a rock at a cliff of the island and had only opened one eye for a brief moment to acknowledge her brother. She was in lotus position and had pressed her fists together before her belly. Her answer has sounded slightly annoyed but now she continued her breathing exercises and ignored the upset huff from her brother.
"You can't! You've promised that I'm allowed to find someone else to win the last-cupcake-right back from you."
He pointed angrily at Korra and Bolin who were standing some steps behind to observe the siblings arguing. Jinora remained uninterested.
"Meelo I was nine. N-I-N-E. This was six years ago. It was stupid, it was gross and absolutely childish. So forget it."
Meelo's face started to take a red color.
"Forget it? FORGET IT? May I remind you that you are still the one who takes the last cupcake with that smug smile on your face? So you want to tell me that I could have taken it as well since years ago?"
Meelo's voice was pitching higher in rage but Jinora's face remained emotionless and her eyes were still closed as she raised her finger to disagree her brother.
"No. You still don't own the right for the last cupcake but only because it's a vital lesson I'm still teaching you with it."
Meelo's face took a deep crimson color.
"Are you kidding me? Vital lesson? What kind of lesson? That there is no topping or frosting you wouldn't eat?"
Jinora sighed and finally opened her eyes and a dangerous smirk came to her lips.
"A good one but no. The lesson I still teach you is never to pick a fight you cannot win or in other words never to take a bite you couldn't swallow."
Meelo's jaw dropped but the boy was trembling in boiling anger still Jinora took no further notice of him as she repositioned herself to resume her meditation.
"Hippo-cow dung! You only want to keep the right to have the last cupcake for yourself and you're aware you'd lose it against Korra or Bolin that's all! You're a cheater and you're breaking a promise, that's the lesson you're teaching me right now!"
Meelo huffed in anger and turned away from his sister while crossing his arms over his chest. Moments passed in silence and finally Jinora released a tired sigh.
"I guess you're right."
Her brother turned back to her with a surprised face. Jinora was pinching the bridge of her nose for a moment and shook her head.
"Like you, I should also deal with my childish decision or otherwise I'd make a hypocrite out of myself."
A beaming smile found its way to the boy's face and he was about to make a jump in joy as Jinora's piercing eyes found his.
"But last time both sides had the chance to win or to lose something. So what do you offer to me in case I'd win?"
Meelo's smile faded but not because of Jinora's question but because of the amused chuckle from Korra. His sister's head turned instantly towards the Avatar. She scanned the woman from head to toe and smiled dangerously sweet.
"Since your champion seemed to be so sure about the challenge's outcome, what about a lifetime all-I-can-eat-ice cream? I'll eat and you, Bolin and Korra would cover the bills?"
Korra gasped in surprise at this demand but Meelo was faster. He dashed over to Jinora's meditation place and created a ball of air to sit on so he could face his sister from eye to eye.
"No way. One year ice cream all-you-can-eat and not a day more."
Jinora's eyes narrowed and she leaned closer to Meelo.
"Okay one year ice cream all I can eat but then I want to have Korra's trophy on top."
Korra was about to protest but the boy raised a finger to keep her quiet. His smile got vile.
"Fine. Ice cream all-I-can-eat for one year and Korra's trophy, but then it has to be ramen noodles. The one who'd eat more bowls in five minutes."
Jinora was about to grab at Meelo's hand but her brother avoided her grip and shook his head.
"But… since we're talking about Korra's trophy you have to give it back to her after the year as well."
Jinora closed her eyes for a moment and mulled over the offer in her mind. She turned her head towards Korra and Bolin who had observed the siblings with growing concerns.
"Only if I can keep the Nuktuk's polar bear dog teeth chain from Bolin for a year too."
Korra, Bolin and Meelo were sharing brief looks with each other. Finally the Avatar sighed at the begging face of the boy. She walked over to Jinora and offered her hand.
"Fine. To me we'd have a deal. Bolin?"
The man scratched the back of his head.
"But I like the chain. It's one of my favorite props I was allowed to keep after the final mover was finished."
His look found the puppy eyes of Meelo and Korra couldn't suppress a chuckle as she could see the heart of the man melting. Finally Bolin released a groan and walked over to Korra, Meelo and Jinora and placed his hand on top of Korra's.
"Alright, I'm in."
Meelo beamed at the Avatar and the Earthbender and placed his hand on top before his eyes locked with the ones of his sister.
"Then do we have a deal? Ramen noodle eating contest who can eat more bowls in five minutes tomorrow afternoon in the canteen of the temple?"
Jinora's eyes narrowed.
"Same day next week not tomorrow."
Meelo groaned in frustration.
"Fine next week but only because I'm tired of this negotiation. I know you only want to enjoy your privilege a last time this weekend."
Jinora suddenly smirked as she placed her hand on top of the others to seal the deal.
"If you say so."
Korra still frowned at Jinora while Meelo and Bolin were leaving the hill. Jinora had returned to her meditation but the Avatar noticed the faint smile which was still playing around the teenager's lips.
The week flew by in no time. Korra had been suspicious and had done some observations but Jinora seemed to behave as ever. The Avatar couldn't forget the little smile around Jinora's lips as they finally had set the terms for the challenge and this image was still present as the woman made her way towards the canteen of the Air Temple. Korra's jaw dropped as she walked in.
The Airbenders had rearranged the tables so there was one big table set up for the challenge while the others were placed at the walls so that there was plenty of space for spectators. Jinora was already sitting at the challenge table with closed eyes while Pema was setting up the first round of bowls with noodles and an extra bowl of soup. Bolin was also there standing behind his chair and stretching himself with a concentrated face. The Avatar spotted Tenzin and Kya chatting with some other airbenders, but the monk excused himself and walked over to Korra. His face was serious and the woman sighed a bit before he reached her.
"Hello Tenzin. No, don't say it, I know: it's childish, it's gross and it's absolutely nothing an Avatar should do and I shouldn't have agreed to help Meelo in this case but I have to remind you that Jinora is also taking part in it."
Tenzin sighed and shook his head a bit.
"Since you already know all these things, why did you agree to it. You just could have said no."
Korra was about to answer when Kya joined them with a chuckle.
"Oh, don't pretend to be the voice of reason here Tenzin."
The man jerked a bit and looked angrily at his sister who was giving Korra a warm hug. The waterbenders smirked as she released the Avatar out of her arms.
"The truth is he's so proud that you've beaten uncle Sokka's old record."
Tenzin glared at his sister and crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"No, I'm not. It might be some sort of remarkable achievement in some people's eyes but…"
Kya laughed out loud and gave her brother a nudge.
"But the truth is that you're one of them and that you wouldn't want to miss this challenge since you're hoping to see Korra beating this record again."
Tenzin remained quiet but he was blushing madly and Korra couldn't suppress a laughter. She got distracted by Meelo who dragged her away from his dad and his aunt towards the table. The boy looked nervous.
"I hope you're ready?"
Korra nodded with a determent smile.
"I am."
Meelo's look wandered to Jinora who was still meditating on her seat.
"Don't go easy on her."
Korra stopped and bowed down to Meelo to place a hand on his shoulder.
"I won't."
The boy hugged Korra and walked back to his siblings to get his seat for watching the contest. Korra felt slightly nervous as she noticed the spectators taking their seats. She hadn't been this nervous at the official contest, but something felt different today. Maybe it was all the known faces around her. She turned her head towards Bolin who grinned enthusiastically. No, it wasn't the fact that the spectating crowd would be different today. Her eyes rested on the calm meditating Jinora.
It was her.
The teenager was disturbingly calm. Maybe she should have asked Meelo about further detail of his lost challenge, but right now it was too late. All she could do was to focus on herself and on facing the warm noodles in front of her. Pema had cooked them herself and she had added a bowl filled up with warm chicken soup beside to wet the noodles if necessary. Jinora's mother had a knowing smile around her lips as she passed Korra then Bolin, who was sitting on her right side, to stop at her daughter who was sitting beside Bolin.
"Alright. Friends and family today we'll see Meelo's champions trying to claim the right of the last cupcake from my daughter Jinora. The task is to eat as many bowls of ramen noodles as possible within five minutes. Are the contenders ready?"
Bolin gave a thumbs up to signal he was ready and Korra gave a determined nod. Jinora took one last deep breath until she opened her eyes. She gave Bolin and Korra a last look before she turned to Pema… and smirked.
Her mother had to bite her lip and she turned to Korra and Bolin.
"Well, in that case… Ready. Set. Go!"
Korra's and Bolin's hands darted for their chopsticks and both grabbed the first bowl. They could hear the cheering from the Airbenders as both stuffed in the noodles with rapid speed after adding a little soup to them. Korra had downed the first one in five seconds and grabbed at the second bowl instantly. The second one followed straight ahead in no time and her confidence came back while grabbing the third. Both Korra and Bolin only chewed once in a while when necessary and the soup was instantly smearing their faces.
The Avatar felt good.
Even better than a week before.
Bolin beside her seemed to struggle more. Korra had emptied nine bowls by the first two minutes and he was only at seven. It was then when she made a mistake. She dared to check up on Jinora and nearly choked at her tenth bowl.
The teenager was finishing her tenth as well and already grabbed at the eleventh one. The Airbender was supporting her eating with her bending almost inhaling the noodles. It was a remarkable technique and the speed was dazzling. Korra's eyes found Meelo's and the boy's jaw had dropped almost down to his knees as he stared at his sister. Ikki and Rohan were beaming in excitement and pride cheering for Jinora. Also Tenzin wasn't on his seat anymore much to Kya's amusement. Pema's voice ripped Korra out of her stasis.
"Street rules Korra. Bending is allowed."
It was the signal for Korra to catch up. She used her waterbending to pour in soup into the noodle bowls and to speed up her eating in combination with her airbending. And so the clock was ticking relentlessly between the smacking and slurping and the cheering crowd.
Korra didn't waste her time to count the bowls anymore, only focusing on stuffing down bowl after bowl. She was in a tunnel. She wouldn't lose here. Not here, not now. She didn't care for the soup and some noodles sullying her outfit and smearing her face. She didn't care for the stains on the former bright white tablecloth. The Avatar was fighting. Fighting hard. And she knew one mistake would cost her the victory since the noise of Tenzin cheering for his daughter told her that Jinora wasn't losing speed. Suddenly a loud gong announced the end of the contest and all contenders placed bowls and chopsticks down. Bolin was panting heavily and also Korra struggled with her last mouthful. She dared to take a look aside and her blue eyes widened instantly.
Jinora was a smeared mess of soup stains and her hair was slightly out of place as well. The teenager had raised one fist in the air and was screaming a loud "Whooh!" towards her siblings. Korra couldn't suppress a laughter and nearly spit out the very rest of noodles in her mouth as Jinora proudly rubbed her belly while gifting a baffled Meelo a triumphant grin. Her brother was staring in absolute disbelief at his sister. Meanwhile Pema was checking the bowls and finally Jinora's mother raised an arm.
"What a finish. And here are the final results. Bolin… 25 bowls!"
The man managed a smeared smile but placed his hand before his mouth to suppress a loud burp. Pema walked to Korra and raised an eyebrow while counting the emptied bowl.
"Wow Korra 29 bowls! That's a new record!"
Korra smiled and the joy and astonishment in Tenzin's eyes was definitely worth the events of this day but she was also nervous since Pema's grin remained.
"But even more remarkable is… that we have a tie here. Jinora 29 bowls! Who would have guessed?"
Due to her face Korra was sure Pema had expected this. Jinora was basking in the applause and the Avatar walked over to the airbender.
"I see you're full of surprises Jinora. Seems like it was you who has inherited Sokka's unique talent. I should have known since you've been so confident."
The teenager smirked mischievous which elicited a chuckle from the Avatar.
"But since it's a tie now what will we do about the right for the last cupcake? Bonus round?"
This time Jinora had to laugh out loud but she raised her hands to deny this challenge.
"No way. I prefer not to be rushed at eating. I just wanted to get Meelo off my back and I suspected he didn't tell you that our old contest had filled the whole afternoon and that I ate six full boxes and unlike him a normal supper afterwards. It might have been a warning."
Korra's jaw dropped for a second but then she gave the airbender a little nudge.
"So, you're more a constant eater than a fast one."
Jinora chuckled.
"I can do both, I just don't like eating fast. Meelo didn't know… until now."
She waved to her brother who was still sitting in shock on his seat.
"And for the right: since it was a tie what do you think about sharing? The right will circle between me and my siblings now. Oh, and keep your trophy. I can always decide to participate at the official contest if I want to get it. I just wanted to add some pressure on you"
The Avatar laughed out loud at Jinora's toothy grin. Korra gave the airbender a careful hug to avoid too much pressure on their stomachs.
"Sounds great to me."
Another idea hit Korra's mind during the hug; she's sure she'd regret it but it sounded fair.
"And I'll invite you for one all-you-can-eat ice cream dinner."
Jinora beamed at the Avatar as she released her out of her arms.
"Korra, that's awesome! Deal! But not today okay? I really could use a dessert right now, but I want to make it worth that I get invited."
Jinora smiled sweetly at a baffled Korra as she left the table to receive more congratulations. The Avatar sighed and shook her head while she checked up on Bolin who was starting to be a little pale around his nose. The man had obviously passed his limits, unlike Jinora. Korra was sure she'd definitely regret this invitation.