Chapter 4: Abandon Your Humanity: Part 1
A small consistently moving family traveled its way along a dirt trail in the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom. Bearing the majority of their belonging was a portable cottage being pulled by two horses. Its values of trade safely storage inside the movable home ready to be bartered off the moment they reach the next sight of an established civilization. Slowly moving along its dirt path, the married couples daughter, roughly around the age of 6, skipped and ran around the cart happily as she played with the family dog.
"Dear, don't you run off now."
The child's mom spoke, both happy for her child's expressed joy, yet also concerned due to how difficult it sometimes become to keep her in their line of sight due to the distance the child and dog continuously ran back and fourth seemingly uncaring for what's around them bothered the mother. Her voiced words slithered out of her daughters tiny ears and fallen upon deaf's embrace. The child continued her fun oblivious to the world a the world around her.
"That girl ain't right at times." The husband lightly smiled.
"And where do you think she got this side from?" The Wife leaned upon her Husbands shoulder as she lovingly carresed her head into it. "Cause it sure as hell ain't from me."
'Well that makes two of us." He shot back with a giggle before moving his hand to grasp a hold of her wife's own hand while loving caressing it.
"If I didn't love you so much, I'd have slapped divorce papers on your face so fast." She giggled in return.
"Ha, I love you too honey."
The crazy and repetitive barking of the dog silenced their affection towards one another. Their attention towards the pet who growled at a certain direction into the woods, taking off into the forest only moments later. The girl, who thought that this was part of the game they were playing, had gave chase.
"Spark! Wait up!" She cried.
The sight of their chasing daughter had began to grow concerning to the parents.
"Angu! Get back here! If you chase that darn dog it's just gonna keep on running!" His words had been left unheard as the daughter continued to call for the dog that disappeared deeper into the forest. "That girl, I swear sometimes she's just..." He sighed.
"I hope she doesn't wander off too far."
"She ain't." He assured his wife. "I'm sure Angu will come running back any second now."
The woman nodded, seeming to be convinced at her husbands assurance over her daughters safety. A brief silence had fell over them - their concentration had been primarily focused onto the daughter began to sound fainter over time. They waited, and waited, and waited, Their daughters voice had remained silent for a few moments, until a loud fearful cry pierced their ears, and the silence that once was became one of absolute panic.
"A-Angu!" She cried knowing all too well of the terrified screams her daughter vocally echoed.
"Sweety!" The father stopped the cottage as he and his wife hopped off and gave chase to the sound. "Where are you?!" He called. "Answer me darling!"
The screams continued with every passing step. The more they chased, the louder and louder she became. The expressions of two terrified souls feared the worse for what could possibly happen to their child. They continued to cry for their childs name, hoping that her screams would stop and revert to a response that was other than fear. Clearing through the thickness of the forest, their eyes laid upon their daughter who faced away. The two wasted no time in throwing themselves at the child, hugging close while fearing the worse had just happened.
"My child." The mother lightly sniffed. "What's gotten into you."
"Do you have any idea what kind of fear you put your mother and I in?"
The daughter said nothing as it kept her gaze facing upwards, her eyes as wide as they would allow them as she struggled to get rid of her shaky breath. The dogs barking continued as it stood next to them, growling and roaring at what laid before it.
"Sweetheart?" Her mother followed her child's gaze up, shortly followed by her husband. What she saw made her skin crawl as her eyes grew just as wide as her own offspring.
"Wha - What is, that?" It was now the father who's voice had grown shaky and bewildered. For the very thing he stared into, was none other than a pair of lifeless eyes that remained fixated on their position. It's body had gone limp and motionless just as the pupils had too gone without life. "What the hell is that thing!"
The three of them stared, too frightened to move as they came to realize that what was laid before them was nothing but a large corpse of a majestic beast that oozed blood out of various parts of its body, particularly the limbs and the stomach region. The beach that it was next to washed its blood into the ocean, tainting it's waters and attracting predators that smelled its blood for miles across the ocean.
It wasn't until sundown where a large perimeter of earth kingdom soldiers and benders alike set up post around the deceased beast, wondering just what in gods earth this thing really was, but more importantly, where the hell it came from. Torches were lit and planted around the area to make movement much safer and easier than it would if you were to blindly move through the dark. The yellowish glow that radiated off each torch gave the atmosphere a horrific embrace as its light settled on the deceased carcass. The expert analyst among them were the only ones who were allowed to tamper with the beast, trying to find anything that could give them more insight as to its race or the cause of its death.
"Just what happened here." An Earth Kingdom soldier asked one of his friends.
"Shoot, you think I know? If you ask me, I'd say a beast much larger and scarier than this was responsible for such a gruesome kill."
"What?" Raising an eyebrow, he expressed his disbelief. "No way! Do you even see the size of this thing! It's absolutely enormous! Bigger than anything I've ever seen."
The soldier shrugged, uncaring for the outcome really. "I'm just saying. Like I could only wonder you know."
Their conversation came to an abrupt halt as the commotion of simultaneous marching gained their attention. Turning towards source, the two were surprised to see such a royal figure making his appearance here of all places.
"K-King Bumi!"
Their backs straightened, and their senses spiked as the presence of the King of Omashu gave them a crazed smile.
"I-It's a pleasant surprise you decided to drop by.
"I had to see what commotion has been creating such panic in our territories." Observing the overwhelming carcass, he studied it for a few moments admiring the damage that was caused to the beast. "And to me, it's seems like this thing bit more than it could chew!" A hysterical laugh escaped just shortly after.
The two looked at each other, unsure as to what or how they should be addressing the current King of Omashu. They wanted to laugh alongside him in good terms, but the old mans insanity had shown them that rationality wasn't his strongest points. Cut between a crossroads of joining in the laughter or remaining silent, a forced and cringing laugh had instead escaped their vocals.
The Kings laughter had ceased only moments after, causing the two to zip their mouths and remain still as statues. The complete atmosphere the King held had taken a complete 180, and now an aroma of utter concern had been its replacement.
"This is most concerning. Our travels back to Omashu should take no more than two hours on foot. If a beast as large and dangerous looking as this were to be killed, then what kind of monster is still lurking within our turf?"
Approaching the beast, his observation had increased as he tried to figure its cause of death. No scratches or bite marks were present, thus reducing the possibility of a monster around its size to be the culprit in this all. Yet despite that, the injuries it sustained was the result of no ordinary damage that a normal human-being could do. His eyes clicked - taking a stance, Bumi placed a firm foot on the ground before bringing his arms forward and up. Concentrating on its pull, he began to extract large honed boulders buried deep within the carcass. Every inch he took resonated a disturbing sound of flesh being tampered with. Its sound caused an uneasy queasiness to sprout from the guts of many. Pulling the rest of it out, blood dripped from the soaked piece of earth that was once within the beast while many could only stare in awe, and then another was pulled out relatively the same to the first. And another, and another, and another.
"As I thought..." Bumi hummed.
"My King, do you really think an Earth Bender was the cause of its death."
"No - At least, it wasn't entirely."
His nose had picked up an abnormal scent. A scent that he was able to differentiate from the rotting flesh that was currently taking place. Many who witnessed his actions had done the same, wondering just what he could be smelling. Its outcome, the unkindly sound of gagging from various of individuals who smelled the disgusting excess of the beast. Yet their was also something else... something, smokey - and ashy. Running his hands against the outer shell of the beast, his palm had come across a warming sensation. His lips parted lightly as he felt it.
"...Fire."
The Kings continued riddles hadn't helped them in dictating who exactly was responsible for this. First Earth Benders, now Fire Benders? Who's next? One could only wonder.
"Perhaps..." He frowned. "It must be-"
"My King!" A soldier rushed his way. "I apologize for the intrusion, but Fire Lord Zuko has made an unexpected appearance and is requesting an audience with you."
Bumi raised an eyebrow - taken by surprised by the Fire Lords quick and unexpected appearance, especially one that was so far from home. "I guess word really does travel fast." He thought. "Very well, please escort him to me. The rest of you, leave us."
Doing as they were told, they dispersed from hearing distance to allow the privacy he and the Fire Lord seek. He continued to observe the carcass, wondering what else he could possibly uncover before the Fire Lord greets him. Hearing a pair of footsteps approach him, he inwardly sighed once hearing them come to a halt.
"King Bumi." The familiar voice of the Fire Lord greeted his ears.
"Ah, Fire Lord Zuko." Glancing behind with a small smile, he bid for the Fire Lord to stand beside him. "What brings you out this far?"
"I suspect you might already know." He answered. Looking up at the beast, Zuko scrunched his nose lightly after catching a small whiff of the horrid smell it began to produce.
"Well if you're asking about the beast, I'm afraid I have no clue about what it might be."
"...A Lion Turtle." Zuko answered.
The elderly man perked his ears. He hadn't expected an answer from the Fire Lord at all. Because of this, he now gave him his full undivided attention, curious as to what the he could possibly know.
"It is said that these creatures once roamed the world as protectors of us Humans. A time before there was even an Avatar. I don't know much more than that, but the reason why I came to learn this is because Toph and Sokka mentioned how Aang spoke to a Lion Turtle for guidance just moments before his fight with my father."
"So this is what it's about." Bumi hummed inwardly.
Ever since the disappearance of the Avatar from the world, many have been concerned and distraught as to what could've happened to him. Some thought he died after the battle, others thought he just vanished until he was needed again, but those who actually stuck with him knew that those answers were nowhere near the truth. For they knew that this kind of behavior wasn't normal, especially for someone like Aang. To disappear for almost eight months without so much of a word? This brought discomfort and emotional strain among his closest of friends. They all wanted to know, just why? Zuko had Toph and Sokka tell him all they knew after the fight with his father, and they made mention that the Avatar had spoken of a Lion Turtle and how he helped him stop his father without killing him. With this new information, he sent search parties out for not just the Avatar, but also to see if they could find this mystical beast that was spoken of. Now, however - it seems to be too late.
"I wanted to see if I could speak to the beast for reasons regarding Aang, to find answers we all want to know... especially for my fiancee."
Bumi nodded lightly, closing his eyes as he thought about the young water bender. "How is she doing if I may ask? She should be expecting either sometime this or next month, correct?"
Zuko nodded. "Yeah, she will... I was quite surprised when she told me. I wasn't expecting for this to happen when we were so young... but I'm willing to make the commitment and be there for her... for them." He corrected. "But that's not the point." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a piece of torn clothing Aang once wore. "If you don't mind, I have a friend that could possibly be able to find him. If Aang was here at some point, she would be able to pick up his scent."
Pondering over this idea, a look of wonder and concern for his old friend had grown in the depths of the Kings heart. After disappearing for the past 100 years, another disappearance would just be unnecessary... and might he add, quite selfish. Whatever his reasons may be, the world still needed its Avatar. Now, more than ever.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" He replied. "Bring your friend over."
Zuko smiled lightly, grateful to have the old Earth Benders approval. "Thank you." Motioning for the presence of the person kept her distance, the woman approached confidently at the two. "Bumi, this is June."
"A Bounty Hunter?" Bumi raised an eyebrow. "To think you'd stoop so low as to hire a bounty hunter for this. Are you sure she's capable of such a task?"
Zuko opened his mouth to respond, but June beat him to it.
"With all due respect your highness. I'm sure there is no one more suitable than myself for this kind of job." Crossing her arms, a glare had grown as she felt insulted by his words. "I assure you, I can track that kid down faster than anyone, even if my competitor would be this entire world."
The King did not seem to be fazed by June's declaration. Instead, he held a bit of annoyance in them. He gave an impression as if he was about to release an outburst of anger while demanding respect for the elders of this world, but then his masked annoyance swiftly shifted into a smile that left him cackling. "You became quite defensive of your status." His laugh fell into a chuckle until he was able to regain his composure. His smile however, did not leave. "I know who you are, especially when you have Shirshu to help you in your travels. I'm sure you'd be able to track the Avatar's scent with no issue. That creature has one of the most powerful, if not then the most powerful smell on this world. If anyone could find him, it surely is you."
Zuko butted in before any more words could be exchanged. "Great, so now that we're all in agreement, how about we begin?"
Turning his attention to the Bounty Hunter, he was about to hand off the torn cloth of the Avatar, but then halted just as she was about to snatch it.
"As I explained as we headed over here, I want updates sent every six or so hours to the palace about your progress."
"Yeah, yeah. I know." She extended her arm to grab the cloth. "Pass it over."
Pulling his hand back lightly, he continued to bribe. "I'll double my first offer if you can get it to me half the time I earlier mentioned."
She smirked at the sound, this would be a challenge she was hoping to experience and conquer. "You can leave it to me."
Finally handing the cloth off to the Bounty Hunter, June allowed her pet, Nyla, to intake its scent. After taking a few sniffs, Nyla lowered its head near the floor, sniffing around trying to see if it could pinpoint its familiar smell. It walked around for a bit observing the various scents that it caught onto. Ignoring them all for the one it was tasked to find, it came to a stop as she picked up the similar aroma. Within the first second of its smell, she shrieked. Not in delight that it caught onto its scent, but instead it was full of fear and concern.
"Woah, what's wrong there girl." June tried to settle her partner after feeling its sudden jerk. "Easy there." She rubbed its head, soothing the fear that it just felt.
Nyla knew the Avatar's smell better than anyone, even better than the Avatar himself. But there was something else. Something added into its aroma that did not compute with its original intent. It was wrong, so very wrong that if Nyla known the Avatar's scent before the Century War ended, it probably wouldn't have recognize it. Refusing to go fourth and track this person, it backed away as it was overwhelmed with dread.
June hopped off Nyla and stood in front of the beast. Using both of her palms, she cupped its face as she spoke soothing words to it. Letting it know that it was safe, and it had nothing to worry about.
"What's wrong with your Shirshu?" Zuko asked, wondering why it was taking so long for her to take off.
"I'm not sure." She responded. "I never seen her react in this kind of method before. Usually she'd take off sprinting after the source once she pinpointed its trail, but now... I just don't know."
Bumi had narrowed his eyes at the beast. Taking in the Shirshu's form, he noticed how it cowered and tensed just moments before. "It's afraid."
"Afraid?" She scoffed in disbelief. "No, no, my Nyla could never be afraid."
"Well I hate to break it to you, but it seems that Nyla has encountered a smell that even she could consider it to be her predator." Bumi answered.
"But why would Nyla be afraid of the Avatar?" She stroked its fur caringly. "It makes no sense, not even a year ago she chased him around with no fear whatsoever. Why would she be afraid now?"
Zuko looked at Bumi, wondering what he would say in response. However, the old Earth Bender could only stand in silence for even he knew he couldn't confirm this unusual conclusion he brought up.
"I guess..." Zuko began. "I guess the only way to find out, is to question him when we do find him."
June seemed to fully calm Nyla, for now the Shirshu had once more stood as it proudly did prior. "You think you can do this for me girl?" She brought up the Avatar's torn cloth to her nose once more.
Once again smelling it's aroma, Nyla seemed to tense lightly at its stench; But hearing the soothing voice of its partner made her go through with the task this time.
"Good girl" She smiled. "I knew you had it in you." She then lifted herself back onto Nyla's back and prepared to take off. Glancing at the Fire Lord, she noticed his concerned and doubtful gaze. Her response to that was an assuring smile. "Don't worry yourself so much fire boy, we'll find him." Without so much of another word, she commanded Nyla to get a move on as it sped on the Avatar's trail.
Bumi and Zuko watched as the Bounty Hunter disappear within the trees, hoping that she would succeed in tracking down the Avatar.
"She'll find him." Bumi spoke after feeling Zuko's doubtfulness.
"I know, she will." He replied. "I'm just worried."
"For the Avatar?"
"No." Without hesitation, he closed his eyes as his worries brought his thoughts to a single person. "...I'm worried about Katara."
A week has nearly passed, and June was hot on the Avatar's trail. She knew this because Nyla was always more observant and cautious each time the scent became more and more fresh. She still wondered why Nyla acted this way towards the Avatar now of all times, perhaps it was due to that Sky Bison that it fought against. It was a powerful opponent, especially for Nyla. Maybe its scent was the reason for the hesitancy Nyla presented now and then. Bursting from the thick forest it traveled through, Nyla came to a sudden halt as the source of the smell sat just meters away from them.
"I've been expecting you."
June calmed her partner who took a step back, growiling at the man before it. "Avatar." She greeted with a smile. "I'm sure you remember that we've made acquaintance before, you should be thankful that this time I wasn't sent to hunt you down to terminate your life."
Aang blankly stared back unfazed by her threat. "That's quite disappointing." He answered. "I was looking forward to trying something a little, new, on a worthy opponent."
June didn't know why, but the way he responded sent a chill down her spine. It was like he was secretly planning to commit a malicious act and slaughter her within her own blood.
"But you aren't exactly who I had in mind of showing up, I'm quite disappointed even." Aang began once more, a frown growing upon his face.
June ignored his insults, uncaring for his words. It wasn't until now that she noticed something slightly... off, about him. Glancing at the young Avatar, he noticed the Lemur that accompanied him still stuck around, though more distant to the Avatar than usual, but where was the other one?
"Hey, so where's your big fuzzy friend?" She asked while glancing around, unaware of the Avatar's gaze darkening at the mention of Appa,
"Who stands in your way to power."
The taunting voice of Appa's murderer echoed in his head causing and overflow of great disturbance and fury to swell within him. The more that he thought of those words, a wave of absolute animosity filled with subdued power flowed down his bones and injected him with such adrenaline that it reacted like an addictive drug.
"I'd hardly expect you to venture alone without hi-"
"Enough!" He rose his voice and forcefully rose to his feet. The words he began to speak leaked with such venom from his tongue it was almost as if you could see it drip from his mouth. "Why are you here?!" He demanded. "If not to kill me, then for what?"
June was taken aback, to think that the Avatar had a temper she never knew of completely went against every assumption she's ever built revolving him. It was almost as if he held no regards or interest in the title, not one bit. Sighing, she began to explain. "Fire Lord Zuko has sent me to track you down and bring you to him once I have you in my custody." She finally answered.
Aang stood silent, thinking about the Fire Bender sent so many mixed emotions down his throat. It was like a hurricane, and he didn't know what to feel at the moment.
"Who keeps you subjected and decrepit within your boundaries."
The thought of Zuko and Katara, oh, his once sweet beautiful Katara betraying his emotions, degrading him, and leaving him to feel like a complete fool. It made his blood boil, more than ever. Despite all the pain, all the anger, all the traitorous emotions that drowned his heart in such a devious state. There was still a lingering effect of hope, that maybe - maybe he could bring by his side once more. If she was, then that means avenging the death of Appa and his unnamed mother would be that much easier. The only obstacle in their path was the falsehood of love that she held. But how could he have her love him? How can he have her open her eyes and see that it was he who she belonged to, unless...
"Only your hate will eradicate them!"
"Zuko." He hissed his name.
"Yes, Zuko" June confirmed. "Now if you'll just come with me ba-"
"Oh, I'm not going to him." His pacing had began to go back and fourth as he thought of what course of his next course of action. "No, no, you will relay a message." He looked at the sun, uncaring for the blindness it burned into his eyes. "He will come to me." He answered. "He'll have too."
Getting off Nyla, June stretched her arms. "I really didn't want to have to do this." She began. "I'm not relaying that message for you, I have a job worth cashing out on and I'm not gonna let even the Avatar stand in the way from claiming my reward."
Glancing at the Bounty Hunter, his eye's narrowed just as his smile sadistically grew. This was beginning to get interesting, now all he'd had to do was force his will and dominate hers, by any means necessary.
"We shall see."
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End of Chapter 4,
As you can already see, shits about to go down. Like always, please leave a review if you have any suggestions I can do to improve the quality of this story. Other than that, thank you for reading this chapter and stay tuned for the next one.
TheLivingMyrh
