Disclaimer: I do not own the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, or its characters.
A/N: I have too many plot bunnies! This one struck when Avatar aired on Netflix. I hope you enjoy this story! Please let me know what you think.
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.
The air was filled with smoke.
Screams echoed off the walls.
Ash fell around them.
The acrid smell of burning flesh.
Shenden ducked behind a pillar, coughing, cradling her bundle to her chest. Tears trailed tracks through the soot on her face as she waved her hand around her, trying to bend clean air but there was just too much smoke.
The Sisters were fighting but they were no match.
The bundle in her arms gave a whimper and a cry. The young mother gently rocked her baby girl, not knowing what to say. Proclamations of safety were lies and she didn't want to do that to her baby.
"Shenden!"
Squinting, Shenden peered through the smoke until she spotted Sister Iio, who was beckoning her over. As Shenden ran towards the old woman, Iio swung her arms around, blasting away a Fire Nation Soldier heading towards her. Shenden reached her mentor, looking around. She was biased, but she thought Eastern Air Temple had been the most beautiful of all the Temples. Now, there were burn marks everywhere, tapestries torn, statues in ruins. . . . Across the way, she could see the rope bridges were on fire, ashes floating to the sky.
They were completely outnumbered, ambushed.
Iio grabbed Shenden by the arm, pulling the girl after her. The two of them ran through the temple, avoiding falling debris and skirting around battles. Iio turned sharply into the sanctuary, slamming the door closed and bolting it.
"You must go," the Sister said, moving towards a tapestry at the back of the room.
"I will not," Shenden said, following Iio. "I cannot just leave you all behind."
Iio turned to face the woman, a stern look on her face. She placed her hands under Shenden's arms, under the baby. "Look at this," she said, pulling back the covering on the baby's face.
Little Mio stared up at them, bright, round grey eyes a little red and watery, cheeks flushed. Iio leaned down to kiss the baby's forehead. Reaching over, she grabbed a satchel, pulling it over Shenden's head. "The Avatar is gone. We may not survive this. But you can," she said, looking up at Shenden fiercely. "You are special. You said the Spirits brought you here, that you felt their pull and you came home. Maybe it was because they knew I could save you. I do not know what the Spirits have planned for you, but I do know, this is not where you die. This is not where your line ends, and this is not the end of our Nation. It will be up to your family to revive us in the end. Protect this child. Protect our heritage. Stay careful. Stay Safe. Live."
Something banged at the door, causing both women to jump. Iio reached for the tapestry, pulling it aside to reveal a tunnel. "Go through here. When you reach the fork, take the tunnel on the right."
Another bang.
Shenden reached out, wrapping one arm around Iio. "May the Spirits keep you."
"And you," Iio responded. When Shenden drew back, Iio was also crying. "I will hold them back as long as I can."
Nodding, Shenden ran into the tunnel, looking back as the tapestry fell back in place. She kept running, conscious of her baby in her arms. Mio was being incredibly quiet, very cooperative, for which Shenden was grateful; if she had been crying, they would have found them quickly. When she reached the fork, she turned to the right, realizing it was a slide. She sat down and swung her legs over, into the tunnel. Take a breath, she pushed off, sliding down.
Mio cooed in one arm while her mother used her free one to bend the air below her feet, trying to control her descent. The two of them slid for what felt like forever before Shenden saw the light at the end of the tunnel. One more swipe of her arm, the two of them landed in the forest below the Eastern Air temple. There were no soldiers in sight here, something Iio must have taken into consideration. Looking up at the canopy of trees, she thought she could still hear fighting, explosions . . . screams.
Steeling herself, she looked down at the baby in her arms, trying to smile but there was a deep pain in her heart, an anger. She looked into the bag Iio had given her, not surprised to see it filled with scrolls. She pulled up the hood on the back of her robes to cover her tattoos, knowing that, if she wanted to stay safe, she would have to rid herself of her Air Nomad attire.
Stay careful, stay safe.
Protect our heritage.
With that thought in mind, Shenden disappeared into the wind with her child.
Opame stood on the deck of the ship, watching as the walls of the harbor came into view, the wind whipping through her black locks, blowing the fringe that normally hung to her eyebrows out of her face. It looked so . . . regal, she thought, these huge walls, the ocean drawing them closer and closer to the Fire Nation Capital, to the Dragon's den. Next to her, Ceba groaned, his knuckles turning white from gripping the ship banister. She reached over, placing her hand on top of his. "Everything's alright."
"How can you say that?" the little boy asked. "Nothing feels alright. Why did we even come here?"
Because we can't afford our home anymore. Because we have no choice. Of course, she couldn't and wouldn't say that to a nine-year-old so instead she said, "Because Izuma was kind enough to pay to get us here and get me a position in the palace. It would have been rude to turn it down."
"We barely even know her."
"Her letters have been kind."
"But it's not safe here."
"Hey, hey." Opame kneeled, turning her brother towards her, hands on his shoulder. They shared the same black hair, though his seemed to always stick up all over the place, and the same round, grey eyes. Right now, those eyes of his were filled with tears. "There's no need to be scared. Do I look scared to you?"
"Well, no, but you never do," Ceba said, frowning at her.
"The point is," Opame told him, "we will be fine. We have always been and that won't change, as long as we are safe and careful. I promised mother that I would protect you no matter what. I've got you little brother."
Ceba nodded, looking down at the ground. "I miss mom and dad."
"I know."
"I miss home. I don't want to be here."
Me neither, little brother. Opame took a breath, rubbing Ceba's arms. "Think of it this way. This is a new adventure, our first big adventure. It'll be fun!"
Ceba stuck his tongue out at her. Opame poked him in his stomach, causing him to giggle. She smiled, pulling him into her arms. "I've got you, little brother," she said again.
"I know," he whispered.
The two of them stood up straight, to watch as the walls to the Harbor opened.
Opame swung the familiar satchel over her shoulder before reaching down to grab the two bigger packs she had stuffed full with books and old memorabilia she couldn't part with and her clothing. Next to her, Ceba shifted one of his packs onto his back and gripped the other under his right arm before looking up at his sister. Opame did the same but put one of her packs under her left arm so that she could hold out her hand to her brother, who gladly took it.
Silently, the two of them left the little room they had been given on the boat, following the other members of their small party as they disembarked. It had already started to feel warm as they had reached the waters closest to the Fire Nation but here, dead center in the middle of the Capital, it was so humid. Opame could already tell she was going to miss the changing seasons of the Earth Kingdom.
As the two of them moved down the plank, she could see a woman bouncing up and down, her face flushed with excitement. Next to her, a tall man rubbed the back of his neck, also blushing but it was hard to tell if it was from embarrassment or not. The woman waved her arm in the air, giggling with glee. "Over here, over here!"
Opame and Ceba made their way over to the woman who, as soon as they were in reach, flung her arms around the two of them. "You look just like your portraits! I'm so glad you made it!"
When she let go, Opame leaned back, giving her a smile. "It's very nice to meet you, Izuma. Thank you for your kindness."
Izuma grinned, tilting her head. Opame thought the elder girl was very pretty. She was tall and curvy, her short, dark brown hair fell to her chin, framing a narrow face. Golden eyes shined in the sunlight. "You're adorable! Both of you! Oh!" Izuma stopped, placing her hand on the shoulder of the man next to her. "This is my husband, Razo."
He gave them a polite smile, reaching out to shake their hands. He had those same golden eyes.
Firebenders.
"It's nice to meet you both," Razo said. He leaned down a little to look at Ceba, who had slightly shifted behind Opame. "How are you holding up, little man?"
Ceba looked up at Razo, nodding. Opame let go of his hand to place her hand on his head. "He's recovering from a bit of sea sickness."
"Let's get you to your home then, so you can rest!" Izuma said, turning north. Razo took one of each of their packs, winking as he followed his wife. "You'll be staying in the North District. That is," she started, looking over her shoulder at the two siblings, pouting, "unless you've changed your mind about staying with us."
"Oh," Opame started, blushing. "Well, you see –"
"Don't let her get to you, Opame," Razo interrupted. He smiled at this wife. "We understand that you need your own space. Izuma just has a problem taking no for an answer."
"Hmph." Izuma crossed her arms, frowning. "I'm just saying. If you stayed with us, you wouldn't have such a long journey to the palace."
And be much closer to a place I'm dreading, Opame thought. Izuma worked for the Princess as one of her handmaidens, meaning she and Razo stayed directly inside the volcano that housed the Fire Palace with a few other servants, near the wall of the mountain. The two of them lived very comfortably, obviously but Opame didn't think she and Ceba could be comfortable there.
"I don't mind the walk," Opame assured her. "And that way, Ceba doesn't have too far to go to school."
"I suppose that makes sense. Well," Izuma said, gesturing around. "Welcome to the Fire Nation Capital! I'll give you the grand tour as we walk."
The four of them hurried through a long battlement pathway that Izuma referred to as the Royal Plaza ("We are well protected") into Harbor City. Merchants were already busy selling their wares, shouting and yelling. It was busier here than in their Colony. It was a lot to take in, Opame realized, the bright colors, the loud noises, though the people around them seemed oddly subdued. They dressed nicer here as well, she thought, even though she knew this was the poorer part of the city. Opame kept a tight grip on Ceba's hand.
"Make sure you stay out of the Industrial District," Izuma warned as they continued. "Nothing but criminals there. It's a straight shot from here to the palace, though, up the mountainside, and, if you're lucky, there's usually a carriage for the servants who live down here, though it leaves early. But the North District is this way."
It seemed to take forever but finally they reached a quaint, urban community. Thankfully, it was quieter here, with a few people out and about, most looking like they were headed to Harbor City. The houses were close together, but people waved as the four of them walked past. Izuma pointed out the way to the bath house, the washrooms where they could clean their clothes, Ceba's new school.
"And, for the grand finale," Izuma said, stopping in front of a cottage, three rows back from the entrance to the North District. "Your new home!"
She pushed open the door and stepped aside, allowing Opame and Ceba to enter. It was small, compared to their two-story home in the colony. She assumed Razo and Izuma had prepared the house for them, as there was already furniture waiting for them: a bowl for washing their utensils, a basket with dishes, another couple of containers where they could store all their food. A small table sat in the center of the room with two chairs, but there were two comfy looking cushions set up against the back wall underneath a window. There was another room where she and Ceba would sleep and their cousins had set up nice beds for them in there.
"So, what do you think?" Izuma asked as Razo brought their things inside, into their room. "There's food already set up for you and anything else you need, you can find in Harbor City. It's modest but –"
"It's perfect," Opame responded, looking down at Ceba. "What do you think?"
The boy nodded before he disappeared into the bedroom.
"We'll have to get you a new bag soon," Izuma said, looking down at Opame's satchel. "That one looks like it's seen better days."
Opame patted the bag, protectively. "I couldn't bear to get rid of it. It belonged to my Great-Grandmother. . . . I'm – I apologize for Ceba. He's just feeling a little homesick."
"That makes sense." Izuma turned in the direction of the room her husband and Ceba were in, their voices drifting back to them. She shifted uncomfortably, folding her hands behind her back. "I was so sad to hear about Ro. . . . I didn't know her very well, but I know Uzoru loved her dearly. I'm sure you miss them both."
"We do," Opame agreed, giving her cousin a small smile.
"We should let you get to unpacking," Izuma said. She moved forward to give Opame a hug. "I am really glad that you're here. Razo, let's go!" Izuma called. Her husband appeared in the doorway, Ceba behind him. Izuma gave the little boy a hug as well before looking to Opame. "You're scheduled to be at the Palace at dawn. You'll hear the bells ringing, to tell you the time. I'll meet you out front of the Palace so I can take you to Ms. Akuri! Get some rest!"
Izuma and Razo waved goodbye as they left, leaving Opame and Ceba standing in the middle of the room. Opame looked down at her little brother. "We're home," she told him, placing her hand on his head.
Ceba sighed. "If you say so."
"Stand up straight."
Opame did so, keeping her eyes forward as Ms. Akuri paced back and forth in front of her, a shrewd look on her face, her thick eyebrows furrowed. She was a stout woman, grey streaking through her chin length hair and her topknot. A mole quivered on her chin as she ground her teeth.
"Hmm." The older woman stopped in front of her. "You look a little thin . . . but Izuma told me you're a hard worker."
"I am, ma'am. I promise to –" Opame started.
"Back straight." The girl did so, trying to keep from biting her lip. Ms. Akuri looked her up and down. "Why isn't your hair in the traditional style?"
"I've found that when I keep it loose, it becomes unkempt easily and gets in the way," Opame explained, keeping her hands still at her side so she didn't mess with the massive bun on top of her head or the fringe of bangs. The other woman was still glaring at her; it was starting to make her anxious. "I figured this for the best."
"Hmph," Ms. Akuri grunted. "I'll allow it for now. Maybe you should consider a haircut."
Considered and rejected, Opame thought, careful of the look on her face.
"You're short," Ms. Akuri murmured. "How old are you?"
You're one to talk. "I'm seventeen," Opame answered.
"Hmph. If you say so. I have a few rules that you must abide by here, girl," Ms. Akuri started, placing her hands on her hips. "Listen well because I will not repeat myself. Rule one: Be on time to all your tasks. You are here to do what I say, follow orders. That could be anything from sweeping the Royal Hall to washing the linens. The Palace is big so if you don't know where you're going ask. Rule two: Under no condition should you be making any contact with the Royals. That is not your job. Rule Three: On the off chance that you do happen to run into Our Majesties, do not make eye contact but you may speak if spoken to. Have I made myself clear?"
Opame's head was spinning a bit but she nodded. "Yes ma'am."
"Good." Ms. Akuri turned, picking up a basket filled to the brim with clothing and linens. "Your first task is to wash these. Hand scrub them in the pools and hang them up to dry. The washrooms are located in the sector of the palace near the Royal Spa. Leave this room, keep down the hallway till you get to the fifth right. From there it should be easy enough to find. You'll hang everything in the courtyard, take down the clothes that are already dry and report back here."
Ms. Akuri thrust the basket into Opame's arms, nodding at her before turning to speak with some other servants who were under her charge. Afraid to actually ask any questions, Opame turned heading out the room. Once she was out and the door closed behind her, she leaned against the wall, sighing.
"She's a tough old sourpuss, isn't she?" Opame jumped, looking to her left to glare at the person next to her. Izuma grinned, that wide, easy grin of hers. "You'll get used to it."
Sighing, Opame started walking, Izuma trailing behind her. "I hope so. She suggested I cut my hair."
"Don't you dare," Izuma told her, nodding at other servants who walked past.
"Shouldn't you be with the Princess?"
Izuma shrugged. "I have a moment. She's waiting for Ladies Ty Lee and Mei to arrive for tea."
"Must be an exciting life," Opame murmured. She looked up as they passed a portrait of Fire Lord Sozin in all his glorious fury. "Tea parties and spa trips."
"Shush," Izuma giggled. "We will be better off for our hard work. How is Ceba?"
"He is fine, though he was very nervous for his first day of school today."
"He shouldn't be. From your letters, it sounds like he is scary smart. He'll show up those other kids in no time."
I think that's what he's worried about. Ceba was smart and being a smart colony kid was the best way to get teased. Opame was more worried about her little brother hiding that big brain of his, failing on purpose to keep from being notice. But, at least, he had always been more capable of adapting than she, so she probably needn't be concerned.
The two of them reached the fifth right, as Ms. Akuri had instructed, when another servant girl came running forward, holding the flaps of her tunic to keep it out of her way. "Izuma! Where have you been? The Princess is back!"
"Spirits, save me!" Izuma hissed. Leaning over, she kissed Opame on the cheek. "I'll catch you later cousin. You and Ceba need to make sure you come by for a visit on one of our free days."
"Of course," she called after Izuma as she ran. Opame took a breath before continuing to the washrooms.
The washroom was humid when she reached it, steam filling the air. She let the door slide close behind her and moved to the pool in the farthest corner, checking to make sure the coals were still lit underneath before she set her basket down. There was a washboard in the basin and a bar of soap on a small platter, all ready for her. Opame rolled up her sleeves, grabbing the first piece and getting to work, scrubbing.
We'll be better off for our hard work, Izuma had said. Opame sure hoped so, her fingers already turning red as she dunked the robe in the water. Tears burned her eyes, but she wiped them away and kept going.
I sure hope so.