Chapter 8: Discoveries
"Hurry, before he finds us!"
"Wait, you're too fast!"
The soft and gentle voice of two children nearly around the age of ten rushed through the palace. Their hearts beating in synchronization, and their breath ragged with excitement and adrenaline. They kept at their quickened pace, but stopped every corner to ensure they weren't being followed. The boy closed his eye's, and after a brief silence he smiled.
"We lost him." He turned his head to look at his sister who huddled behind him.
"How can you be sure?"
"I... can't quite explain, but it's like I can hear people from the earth. It's... kind of speaking to me when people are near. In vibrations, of course."
The girl looked at his brother, her eye's brightened as did her lips while a brief twinkle came about her eye's. "That's so cool!" She smiled. "I wish I can do the things you do Tenzin."
"What do you mean?" He chuckled. "You can do cool things too, I feel as if I should be jealous!" He peaked around the corner once more before speaking. "Alright, in here." He made his way towards a door before opening it and quickly gestured her sister in. Once closing it, he turned to his sister before jumping lightly while clapping his hands. "Come on, Kya, show me the magic you've been working on."
Kya rolled her eye's. "Alright, but only if you show me yours too!" She crossed her arms, a stern look enveloped her pupils as she pouted.
Tenzin nodded vigorously as he kept his eye's looked on her sister.
She smiled, glad that she had at least something going her way as well before scanning around. She then spotted it; A source, a small cup of water that was left in this room for who knew how long. Closing her eye's, she took a small breath and began to concentrate. She extended both of her arms out and began to call upon the element. It disobeyed momentarily, but after a few more seconds it heeded the girls call and began to shakingly float over to her finger tips. As it got within range, she began to play with it slowly and gently, all while concentrating on keeping her connection from straining.
"Wow!" Tenzin smiled as he could only stare in awe. "You're so cool, Kya." He praised.
Kya inwardly smiled before she guided the liquid back in its small container, a sense of satisfaction overwhelming her thoughts at the success in showing off. Looking back at her brother, she could see his smile widen.
"Do the other one now!"
She blinked, and her once satisfactory had been replaced with both concern and doubtfulness. "I... You know I can't do it." She protested. "It's not something I'm used to, or even understand yet."
"Oh come on." Tenzin begged. "You've seen Dad do it a few times with no issues, I'm sure it shouldn't be that hard."
"That's because Dad already knows how to manipulate it to his will..." She grasped her wrist and looked away disappointed in herself. "I don't."
Tenzin rested his hand on her shoulder, a caring aroma filled his eyes. "How can you be so certain if you don't continue to try." He encouraged. "Don't let what you don't understand influence you, sister. Remember what dad always preached, as long as we have each other, nothing can stop us."
She thought of what he said deeply; Closing her eye's, she took a deep breath to calm the fear of the unknown that has been slowly consuming her courage. Reopening them, she smiled at her brother and nodded, but not without a price. "Okay, you have to do your magic too."
"Aw, come on." Tenzin whined. "No fair, it's my birthday."
"You mean our birthday" She deadpanned.
He crossed his arms and sucked on his teeth. "Fine, but only the air technique... I don't know how to do the other one so well. I was hoping Aunt Toph could teach me whenever we see her again. She's been away for quite sometime now."
Kya rolled her eye's, but nodded nonetheless. "I can live with that." She agreed. Taking a few steps back, she watched her brother embrace the element of his own discoveries.
Tenzin calmed himself just like her sister. He took small even breaths, pacing the rhythm of his breath similar, yet slower to the beating of his heart. The air that flowed in and out of his lungs, the gentleness of their breath, the smoothness of its flow, to become one with its nature was something that took years of experience and dedication. But not to him, no, somehow he was gifted in ways he couldn't quite understand. Moving his hands elegantly around him trying to mimic the way the air flowed, he did his best to let his body expand in a natural gaseous state that the air related to. It began to react to his call, and before he knew it Tenzin had the a small gust of wind flowing around him, reacting to his movements and obeying his commands. Opening his palm, the air hugged around his skin before forming it into a spiraling sphere he continued to twist with two fingers of the opposite hand.
Kya watched intently, mesmerizing every gracious movement his brother did; And that angelic ball of wind in his palm was something she's always enjoyed. Despite its swift movement, it seemed soft and alluring to her. She didn't quite understand why, but she felt drawn to it. Before she could comprehend what she was doing, she soon found herself doing the same as her twin. Summoning the element that troubled her, that discouraged and worried her unlike any other, she put herself up for the challenge once more. The element of fire that was lit on one of the torches in the room called to her, and she did her best to dance with the flame. She loved this feeling, this feeling of confidence where you could mold yourself into a complete foreign state than you were used to. It felt... warm... and comforting; It's presence was utterly different then how she remembered. It was as if she was experiencing an unknown, yet hospitable side of her she never knew of.
The flame drew closer to her, and suddenly the welcoming warmth swiftly changed to a fiery hell that felt as if the scorching sun itself burned down on her skin. Her mind grew blank for a split second, and from within her thoughts were fuzzed with visions of a man begging for help. She could see his left arm stretched as if trying to reach for something, but her vision was soon engulfed in flames as his screams were the only thing she could fathom. Snapping out of her nightmare, she screamed and lost control of her element. The fire along with Tenzin's sphere of air combined into a uncontrollable scorching ball. The heat burned Tenzin's fingers, and so out of sheer instinct he threw the sphere against the back end of the room causing a huge blackened mark to spread wall.
"Ow!" Tenzin shook his hand and blew on it.
"Tenzin." Kya rushed over and grasped her brothers hands gently. "Let me see." She viewed his palms, and was glad to see no severe burns anywhere. However, the thought of nearly burning her brother left her saddened and even more fearful at the power she held. "Tenzin, I'm... I'm so sorry." Tears began to swell. "I knew it, I just knew I shouldn't have used fire. It's too dangerous."
Tenzin hugged her sister tightly. "Hey now, it's alright." He assured. "No harm, no foul."
"Still, I could've severely burned you!" She protested. "If I did, I... I don't know if I could ever be able to forgive myself."
Releasing his sister, he kept his hands grasped on her shoulder. His smile never leaving his face as he did so. "Kya, mistakes happen. Don't beat yourself up for this. Accidents will happen, all I ask is for you to learn from it."
She seemed reluctant to agree, but seeing her nod after a few tense seconds eased his spirit from further worrying. It was then when he actually took noticed the damage the two have caused. The flame scorched the majority of the wall, leaving burnt ashes littered across the floor waiting to be collected. But something else was there, something strange and... out of place. The book shelf that held partially burned books was rather concealing, like it hid something behind its wooden frame. This intrigued Tenzin greatly, and being the curious child anyone would be at such an age, he decided to play detective.
"Kya." He gently called over. his figure now standing in front of the book shelf curiously investigating it with his pupils. Knocking on the back end of it, it sounded hollow from behind. "There's something back there, help me move this." He grasped the wood and began to pull in one direction.
"Uh." Kya scratched her nose. "I don't know if that's a good idea. What if that was there for a reason?"
Tenzin chuckled. "Only one way to find out, right?"
She sighed, still doubtful at moving the book shelf but assisted her brother either way. After a few short tugs, they managed to skid the furniture wide enough to reveal what was on the other side.
"A door?" Tenzin raised an eyebrow. He grasped the knob and jiggled it only to become disappointed when it wouldn't open. "Locked." He sighed. "Where's a key when you need one."
"It doesn't need a key." Kya stated, confusing his brother. She pointed at the knob to which Tenzin took another glance at. He hummed once noticing the knob held no keyhole to be inserted.
"Interesting." He thought as he scanned the door. Curious as to what could be keeping it locked. A small ash tray pinned high above but attached to the side of the door caught his attention. "Maybe... maybe you have to open it by lighting that on fire?" He suggested.
Kya gloomed. "Tenzin, please don't make me do that again."
He sighed and began to feel guilty for evening mentioning it. "Kya, I won't force you to do something like that, especially after what had just happened. But aren't you curious as to what could be behind here?"
She eye'd the door curiously, there was no denying that she felt slightly intrigued at the mysterious door. She didn't know why, but something told her that she should pursue this discovery. Whether it was out of curiosity or just sheer instinct, something continuously tempted her to do so. Every little thought led to one conclusion in the end.
Open the door. '
Looking back at the flame that lit the room, she gulped before calling upon it once more. This time however, she directed the fire to sit atop the tray above to which it stayed lit after making contact. All was quiet for a few short moments, but that had stopped as soon as they heard the door click. Tenzin grasped the knob again and twisted it, a smile embracing his lips as he felt it open. Kya stood behind her brother, watching over his shoulder as he slowly opened the door. The two peaked inside and glanced around.
It was another bedroom. At first they seemed to be disappointed, but something else caught their eye's that was abnormal to even them. A woman who seemed to be no older than her thirties was laid on the bed. She was properly groomed, yet she slept quite stiff. Almost like she hadn't moved for years.
Tenzing raised an eyebrow and was about to step inside, curious to get a better look at this person. "Who's tha-"
All of a sudden, a hand grasped firmly on one of their shoulders before suddenly being pulled away roughly from the door; And without another glance, it nearly slammed before their eye's ceasing any further curious observation.
"What are you two doing snooping where you shouldn't." A stern, and demanding voice spoke.
The two tensed at the sound and began to sweat nervously at being caught red handed for doing something they weren't suppose to.
"I swear, even as I am preparing the final decorations in celebration of both of your birthdays, this is where I find you two? Poking your nose where it doesn't belong?" He crossed his arms, his eye's couldn't have been any more disapproving.
Kya shrunk behind Tenzin, trying to find some kind of comfort behind his figure. Unlike her brother, Kya doesn't take too well when getting into trouble. To her, it almost felt as if she's done the world an irreversible and terrible deed; And she hated that feeling. "W-We're sorry." She squeaked as her eye's did their best to avoid the gaze of their father.
As a decade passed since the birth of the twins, Zuko has been a figure of prestige among the world. Not only as being the Fire Lord of their glorious nation, but by also being one of the founders of the United Republic while guiding the newly formed alliance between the four nations into a better and brighter future. As the decade passed, so has his maturity and his features. Now standing as a fully grown adult, he grew a beard that began to resemble that of Fire Lord Sozin. Yet despite maturing to the age he is, he still held a deep fear for the safety of his children that made him seem rather, possessive. Zuko looked at Tenzin, expecting an apology from him as well. So not hearing even a peep from the boy's lips left him confused, not that he showed it through any means of expression of course.
Despite feeling powerless against his father, the young boy took a stand for himself. "I-I'm tired of this dad!" His voice began to rise. "For as long as I could remember, you sheltered us from the world for far too long! We can't even be seen outside the palace without an overwhelming amount of guards surrounding us!"
Zuko sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Tenzin, we spoke about this. You know how dangerous the outside world can be. You two are very special children, to me the most out of anyone. I honestly do not know what I would do if harm came unto either one of you."
"That's it, Dad! Shelter us from what? You say you wish to protect us from harm, but who is out to harm us? At this point I think hardly anyone in this world knows of our existence besides you and a handful of others. You don't say much of anything besides how important we are. Yet it doesn't make any sense, because as far I could understand I'm just a kid who can manipulate the Air and Earth to my will while Kya could do the same with Water and Fire! You as well as many soldiers can use Fire as well. So what do we have that makes us so special?! What's so bad about us?!"
"There is nothing wrong with that." Zuko sighed. "It's still too early for you to learn, but these abilities you two have they're... unnatural to everyone. To have more than one element under your control is impossible, not unless you're..." He stopped himself. "Never mind."
Tenzin groaned. "See, that's exactly what I'm talking about."
"Tenzin, I understand your frustration. But this isn't about keeping you two hidden. Sometimes we do things because it's for the best."
Snarling he pointed at him angrily. "Well sometimes I wish you weren't even my Dad!"
A silence fell over them, and Kya looked at her brother in shock on his rude remark. She's never seen her brother act out as he did now. Maybe there were a few complaints and annoyance he's had with their Dad, but never to this degree.
"I..." Zuko softly spoke. "I... want to show you two something." Ignoring what Tenzin just said to him earlier, he turned and bid them to follow despite the tension in the room.
No words were spoken as they walked out of the room, the two children trailing behind their father a short distance away. They kept like this for minutes, neither of the two quite sure as to what their father had in store for them. Arriving at their fathers chambers, he pushed open the door and made his way towards the balcony. He opened those doors as well revealing the largely built platform. Tenzin and Kya never once stepped into this room, and if they ever did then they certainly couldn't recall. Following their father outside to the balcony, he stood at the edge next to the stone railing that kept him from falling off.
"Tenzin, Kya." He gently called. "I want you two to take a good look, and tell me what you see."
The two curiously stared out as far as their youthful eye's would allow them. They studied forward and below, left to right, all while observing the streets packed with the citizens of the Fire Nation who went about their day. They couldn't quite understand what their father wanted them to see, it was just... normal.
"I'm... not quite sure I understand." Kya was the one to confess.
Zuko looked at the two, smiling as his eye's rested upon their confused gazes. "Everything you see here, even passed the distant Horizon where sight is no longer possible, would one day be ruled by you two."
The twos eyes looked at their father intrigued on his words.
"One day as every other Fire Lord, my time will come; And when that time comes you two would have to pick up what I wasn't able to complete. It is a big responsibility; And this responsibility also leaves little desired time to spend with those you cherish."
Kya and Tenzin looked at each other before looking around once more getting a deeper and more thorough mesmerizing image at what laid before them. They didn't even notice their father leave the balcony to retrieve two very special artifacts.
"I'm... not sure how I feel about this." Tenzin turned to address his father, only to catch interest at what he held in his hands. "What is that?"
"This?" He looked at the two items. "This, this is what I should've given you two a long time ago. It's something that is considered your birthright."
Placing one of the items on a table beside him, he opened the jewelry box he had on his other hand and pulled out a beautiful blue necklace that had the waterbending symbol engraved into the jewel. He approached Kya, who blinked confusingly at the item. Yet she was also intrigued at its craftsmanship.
Zuko knelt to her height and tied the necklace around Kya. "Kya, my beloved daughter. This necklace was your mothers." He began. "It was so perfect and majestic when she wore it around her neck. Everytime I see it, it reminds me of how much I deeply love her." Pulling his hands away, he cupped her chin lightly with his thumb. "Now, it belongs to you." He then stood and went back to grab the other item leaving Kya to look at the necklace in wonder.
"Tenzin." Zuko sighed. Making his way towards the child, he stopped before him. "You're right... but you're also wrong." He began. "You... you, are not of my blood. After witnessing you two grow, and seeing the attributes both of you developed into. I have come to terms awhile back that our bloodline just does not comply as I'd hoped to be when I first held you two in my arms. But despite all of that, I have cared and nurtured you to the best of my ability, and have grown fond of your existence in my life as a father should. Even if I can't say I was the best father you could possibly ever have, I will say that everything I ever did was for the safety, and security of you and your sister. Because to me, you are my children; And nothing will ever make me think twice about that." He handed the long wooden staff to him. "This staff, as I'm sure you now suspect was once your fathers. Your real father. It wasn't his original, since it burned on a volcano eruption sometime over a decade ago. This was his replacement. It was shattered, but we were able to piece it back together and strengthen its sturdiness through time and patience. This was his main weapon of choice in battle, and now it will be yours."
Tenzin slowly opened his hands. Feeling the object rest on his palms sent slight shivers up and down his youthful bones. It's been so long since he's felt a connection to something, anything that could uncover his origins. Despite already being born into royalty, he felt destined for something more. Something unique and foreign that even the words of the human language isn't enough to explain the entirety of his role. But now; Now after learning of something that became so meaningful in an unbelievably short amount of time. Things finally felt as if they were shining brighter and brighter on his undiscovered role in the world.
"You... you knew my father?" He looked up at Zuko, his eye's flaring with a new found interest.
Zuko released a small huff as a smile embraced his lips. "Why yes, of course I knew him." He began to reminisce small moments he and Aang had with each other even if some of them do come off rather harsh, more than he would like to admit.
"I wish I could've known him."
"He was the best warrior this world had to offer. Being the last known air bender in our time, one would surely believe it to be a rarity to even see him. He was goofy to all, hospitable to even the unwelcome, and patient in the most stressful situations. He was surely an amazing man; But most of all despite our shortness in bonding, he was a good friend."
After getting a good look at the necklace, mesmerizing every angle and smoothness it had to offer, Kya looked up and eye'd her father curiously due to overhearing their conversation. "What happened to him?"
Zuko's smile slowly faded, and the nightmares he continued to have from time to time resurfaced in the peak of his memories. He never thought of it as deeply as he did now, but that battle that occurred was the deciding factor as to where the fate of this world would lead to. That day, despite miraculously stopping the Avatar before he was able to tap into the large source of power that made him nearly unstoppable, was the day where destiny confirmed to be on their side.
"He... He was killed." He closed his eye's. "By something that overcame his sense of clarity and rationality. I... was too much of a fool to not see the distress your father was in. And because of that, the monster that was responsible extinguished all known traces of your father; And for that I avenged him, along with your mother."
"Mom?" Kya questioned as saddened eye's overcoming her current ones. The news shouldn't have much of an impact on her since she never even got to know the woman who had given birth to her and Tenzin. Yet for some reason, she couldn't understand this inner mourning that wanted to release from within.
"Yes." Zuko sadly confirmed. "She unfortunately met the same fate. I was devastated to learn of her condition. I was there when I saw her spoke her last words before she was overwhelmed by a state of sleep that you would never expect to wake up from ever again; But not before witness your birth. Since then I took responsibility in raising you two as my very own. I fed, and nourished your bodies along with your spirit and mind' And now you two were able to grow into the young children you are today, and within the next few years as young adults"
Tenzin could only stand in silence. Within the span of a few minutes, he was able to learn a lot from his past than he'd thought he could uncover. To know that he wasn't able to be with his real parents left him curious as to what his life would've been had they not perished as Zuko explained. "You... you avenged them though, right?"
Zuko glanced at his son.
"You said, you said you avenged them." He tightly grasped the staff in his hands. "You killed the monster, didn't you?"
Zuko breathed deeply, his thoughts were silent and unsure. There was no doubt that they were able to stop Aang, but was he really the culprit in it all? Or was he just a victim in this whole mess? A victim he refused to assist when presented the opportunity. "I... I'd like to think so." He admitted.
That answer was doubting, and an unreliable answer; But mostly it was purely unacceptable to Tenzin. His now discovered Step Father's answer left him all but satisfied, and the vagueness of his answer left him to believe his fathers killer was still out there. Taking another look out past the Horizon, he vowed to uncover the mysteries and untold answers Zuko wouldn't answer. The staff lightly tapped on the ground next to him as he set it down gently, all while observing what could be the future of his life. However, despite having such a thought to reflect down the road upon, he couldn't help but wonder just who that sleeping woman was before Zuko pulled them away. Maybe he'd try going there again when things cool off and see if there was more to her than what currently meets the eye.
Many, many moons have passed since that talk and Tenzin now stood on the very same spot nearly seven years later in the same pose he was in since he was ten. His arms were crossed, and the staff that once belonged to his father rested against the railing idle to even the wind that blew against it. As the years came and went, Tenzin became and excellent Earth Bender with the assistance of his Master, Toph Beifong. Without her assistance, he would've never understood the nature of the Earth as he did now. Toph taught him so much about Earth Bending; Such as how to be hard headed and direct, that was expected of him. But also as a warrior that was built to overwhelm and knew no force strong enough that would be able to break his shell. That and also being pummeled to the ground by a Master Bender almost daily is what helped him. After learning how to Earth Bend, Toph decided that he'd be the first person to teach her newly discovered technique of metal bending; and let just say that wasn't so fun either. Yes, Tenzin is now considered to be an Earth Bending Master; And is now also one that has rivaled his own master in the element the closest of all earth benders. He would've been likely to surpass her if not for her insanely sturdy connection to the vibrations of the earth she picked up due to her blindness. That one disability that people would think of as a disadvantage was what made her so unsurpassable.
One thing Tenzin couldn't quite get down was how to properly Air Bend. Back when he was younger, Air Bending was more of his strength as opposed to Earth Bending due to the fact that Air Bending felt more natural to him at the time. However, unlike Earth Bending, there was no known Air Bending Master that could teach him how to properly manifest the particular element to its full potential; And thus throughout the time, Air Bending became his lesser of the two elements. All he was able to do was perform basic Air Bending attributes such as soaring through the sky on his glider or even putting on an Air Show for the sole purpose of entertainment.
A distant fleet of Fire Nation ships caught his eye's; The first thing he was able to make out of them was the rising black steam that flowed out their chimneys which continuously burned fuel into the atmosphere. A small frown enveloped on his lips realizing that his Step Father had returned from one of his global voyages to ensure order and prosperity for all was still thriving. He loved his Step Father, however as he grew he became less trusting of the man who raised him. Unlike his sister who continuously sought her fathers praise in her training among her elements, he held no desire to please him in any way. Fire Lord Zuko to him was, dirty. Not in ways that would consider him a heartless, conquering, and merciless individuals like previous generations of his family; But rather in a way that he never spoke in honesty when questioned of the past. Thankfully, years of preparing and learning their abilities seemed to rub Fire Lord Zuko into granting them the right to travel outside the palace as they pleased. Not that it stopped him from sneaking out anyways.
Surprisingly, the Citizens already knew of the new Prince and Princess of the Fire Nation for quite some years now, or at least the 'adopted into royalty' Prince and Princess since all believed for the real lineage to have died off with Katara. The only thing the citizens didn't know of them was how did these royal heads looked like? The closest they were able to make of him was when he marched with fellow Fire Nation soldiers while under the cover of armor bearing the Nation's symbol. His face was covered at the time, the only thing making him known as the Fire Nation's Prince was the insignia of a Prince stitched to his armor.
His ears picked up his sister's footsteps standing at the bottom of the palace. She waited at the front, and patted her feet impatiently. Tenzin smiled before grabbing a hold of the staff. He opened it's wings before jumping off, allowing the flying stick to soar him around the palace a few times before landing in front of her sister.
"Where were you." Kya crossed her arms and blew a strand of hair that laid between her eye's.
Kya had grown up like her twin. However, her attributes resembled more of Katara's rather than Tenzin to their father. Her skin was a milky chocolate glow, and her hair was tied into a pony tail with the Fire Princess crown standing gracefully above all else. She wore traditional, yet combat worthy garments that held similarities to the Fire Nation. The only thing standing out of place was the necklace that she continuously worn throughout the years.
"Enjoying the view." He replied.
Kya rolled her eye's. "Tenzin, you know dad doesn't want us in his chambers uninvited."
"I wasn't in his chambers, besides how would he know? He's been gone for almost 6 months on one of his stupid voyages."
"It doesn't matter if he knows or not, it matters about the respect." She glared. "Also, what do you expect someone of dad's status to even do? He's practically one of the most important individuals of the world. He's always going to be busy."
"Yeah." He sighed, still annoyed. "I guess." The conflict in his tone was hearable
Her glare turned into a soft gaze at the recognition of his tone. "Tenzin..." She spoke almost all too knowingly. "I know how you feel, but you have to understand that there is a time where you just have to let it go."
He averted his gaze from even looking at any part of her all while staying silent the entire time. Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe he's been on this hunt for far too long that he just hadn't admit that every trail at this point leads to nowhere. Just maybe...
*Bonk*
"Ow!" Tenzin rubbed his head. "Who did that?!" He looked around before looking at the ground to see a small pebble lay at his feet.
"Gol-ly, you two make me want to puke with all this negativity."
Turning to look at the sound, his eye's locked onto a good friend. "Toph!" He smiled!
"Ah, that's Master to you." She raised a finger, a smirk spreading across her face.
"Yeah, yeah." He shrugged. "What are you doing here? I thought you said you were gonna be gone for a year or so before coming back to visit?"
Toph shrugged. "I got bored, besides." She grabbed onto Tenzin's cheeks once locating them with sound and touch. "You know you missed me, Twinkles." She squeezed and tugged.
"Ow! Yeah, yeah. Whatever" He rubbed his cheek and rolled his eye's. "So what really brings you back?"
"I just had to speak with Zuko about something in regards to the United Republic. Besides, I heard he was coming back today around this time" She crossed her arms.
"Well, looks like I've arrived just on cue." Fire Lord Zuko made his way towards the three as two squads of eight soldiers stood in a straight line ready to protect the Fire Lord from any threat that may be hidden. "What seems to be the issue."
Toph glanced at Kya and Tenzin before looking back at Zuko. "I think we need to speak a little more privately."
Zuko was confused, but agreed nonetheless as he brought Toph inside the palace towards a more secluded area away from all prying ears, including that of Tenzin and Kya who stood elsewhere away from them all. The twins looked at each other in curious thought. Shrugging their shoulders, they went about their tasks on controlling the disembarking of supplies and soldiers that have returned along with the fleet during their six month voyage at sea.
"Are you certain of this?" Zuko paced around the room in thought.
"Yes, I'm sure." Toph confirmed. "Kyoshi Island hasn't been responsive to the rest of the Earth Kingdom for quite some time now, and I'm not to certain as of why."
"Well, the inhabitant of the Island are independent enough as it is. I don't see how a little bit of muteness from them could stir any concern."
"That's what I thought." Toph agreed. "But what concerned me even more was that I hadn't even made contact with Suki either. She went quiet like the rest; And to make things more odd is that Kyoshi Island ceased all trade with the rest of the world. Not as a refusal to negotiate, but of absence where no one was able to even make contact."
Zuko hummed. "That is quite odd, have you tried having Sokka reach out to them. Knowing that he and Suki are now wedded to one another, it'd be make more sense that Suki would respond if it came from her husband."
"I was also thinking of that, so I sent a messenger a few days back requesting if he could be able to meet us here to discuss this. He'd surely come at the mention of his wife. So, think of it as a reunion of some sorts. He should be here in a couple hours if my messenger reached him in the time I predicted."
"Good, as we wait we shou-"
"My Lord." A soldier entered uninvitingly. "I apologize for interrupting, but we received a letter from Kyoshi Island marked with an urgent delivery." He held the paper out.
"Talk about good timing." Toph sighed.
Extending his hand, he took the paper and bid the guard to make his leave before opening it. As he read through, a lump caught in his throat after reading the first few sentences. It was a plea, a cry for help. An attack from an unknown enemy that wanted nothing but bloodshed. "This... can't be happening. After nearly two decades of peace and prosperity between our nations, who would dare try to create another conflict in this world?"
Sokka... Sokka would not sit too well with this news.
"Zuko?" Toph pressed. "What's wrong?
Quietly rolling the letter up, he stared at Toph in disbelief. "Kyoshi Island... is being invaded."
Solstice.
The time was reaching noon, and the season was in the midst of summer in this portion of the world. And during this time, solstice grew ever nearer. Aang sat crossed legged in front of a golden door that wouldn't budge no matter the force. Their was a shining red light near the top that laid inches away from the Gemstone, and Aang patiently sat dormant awaiting for the familiar sound of the door unlocking,
In the midst of the ruins of the Sun Warriors believed to be extinct civilization laid the ever so hostile aura of the Avatar. His presence wasn't known to the Sun Warriors of the village yet, and he intended to keep it that way for just awhile longer. His failure into driving Kyoshi out from hiding left his pride slightly damaged. He was sure she'd come if he caused bloodshed directly to her people, but it seemed like Kyoshi was harder to crack unlike the other Avatar's. He'd only need a few of them left, Kyoshi being one of them obviously; The last remaining would be Avatar Yangchen, and Avatar Roku, both of who he had trouble in locating.
Opening his eye's, his sight rested upon the red gem that laid just in the center above the door; The red beaming light was now shining upon it. Solstice had finally come. Standing to the satisfying sounds of the door opening, Aang entered the secluded chambers to see the sacred Sun Stone hadn't been rested back into the ground, rendering it useless to perform the Dragon Dance. Approaching the Stone once more, Aang studied its engravings. The life and energy radiating off such a relic was so baffling to him that even after witnessing it a second time it was still hard to believe it existed. He reached his arm out to grab it, but stopped as he remembered the trap it would set off.
"What are you doing here?!" A voice demanded from behind him.
Aang looked back and was greeted by the Sun Warriors Chief he met long ago as a child. Playing along as his old, cheerful self he smiled at the man.
The Sun Chief narrowed his eye's seeming to remember some familiarity in his face. Not a moment later he then smiled in return. "Ah, well if it isn't the Avatar. I trust that you kept our civilization in secret along with that other Fire Bender."
Aang nodded. "Your people are safe; And might I say you've gotten quite old."
"I guess that happens to a man." He chuckled. "As you already know, we don't keep in contact with the outside world and we intend to keep it that way."
"I'm sure you have, has anything happened since?"
"Well." The man scratched his chin. "Your friend who once accompanied you back all those years ago visited us again a few years after your first arrival. He offered us a place in this so called, United Republic that he and various leaders across the world has formed to promote eternal peace. He promised my people sanctuary and prosperity, however I declined his offer. Our civilization doesn't thrive off of prosperity nor progress, we keep to our traditions and remember our ancestry. That is what keeps us alive and protected." He bid Aang to follow him out. "So what brings you back, my friend."
Unbeknownst to the Chief, Aangs eye's darkened lightly. There was more to him returning here then just a long overdue reunion filled with false kindness. No, he was after something; Something that would assist him in his agenda of world domination.
"I apologize if this may be sudden, but I do request an audience with Masters Ran and Shaw."
"I see." He nodded. "Very well, I would only figure that may have been the case if you returned like he did."
"He?" Aang raised an eyebrow. "You mean, Zuko?"
"Yes, the Fire Lord." He confirmed. "He also requested an audience once more with the Fire Masters, but he wasn't alone. He brought with him a young child no older than thirteen. He was teaching her how to Fire Bend, and unlike Zuko who couldn't even summon upon the flame at the time of his first arrival, this girl couldn't seem to properly control hers."
"Interesting." Aang stored that thought for later. "I trust that she managed to control her ability to Fire Bend after having a lesson with the Fire Masters."
The Sun Chief laughed. "Well, yes... and no." They continued to walk as he elaborated. "You see, this girl is indeed special when it comes to harnessing and using the power of the sun. Maybe a little too special. She's like a large pool of energy that seemed to hold no end. She was able to control her fire, to an extent; But when provoked she is practically the sun herself." He lifted the fabric that covered his shoulder to show the large scar imprinted on his body. "She gave that to me after I tested her power. I laid some harsh words which I found myself regretting. That spar was the last time we've encountered."
"She must be ferocious." He concluded.
"Oh yes, she certainly is." Stopping at the ritual site, the gathering of the Sun Warriors were called upon once they noticed the Chief was escorting the Avatar to the Masters. "We are here." He gestured up the steps. "The Masters have already met you, it is most certain they would meet with you again for wisdom."
Aang looked at the Chief and nodded before proceeding to walk up the steps. The robes that concealed his body still loosely concealing his form. Nearly halfway up the steps, he heard the chanting from below began to take place signalling the ritual had already begun. Once he reached the top. the familiar sound of a horn blowing echoed across the land. Crashes were heard from within the caves, and within a few seconds a blue and red dragon made their appearance and flew around Aang in circles. The wind picked up around him due to the powerful gusts their wings created. Aang glared at the two beasts. Removing his robes entirely, he allowed his half flesh half metal body to expose itself in preparations. He extended his legs in a wider stance and calmed his breathing.
The reason why he requested an audience to speak with two ancient beasts of this world that held wisdom beyond any normal creature, was not to seek unattainable knowledge or understanding. No, that was the least of his worries now. There was nothing to gain through understanding. Nothing to gain through the lessons of life that the sun had manipulated these fools of a tribe to practice. There was nothing here worth gaining... nothing but power.
His eye's glowed in a darker shade of white, and an obsidian glow outlined his pupils and markings on his forehead and left hand. Raising his arms up to his chest, he snapped them to the side releasing a powerful gust of wind that began to slowly halt the dragons from freely flying around him. They felt restrained, and imprisoned. At this point the two dragons looked over at Aang confused as this had never happened to them before. The sky around them swirled between a mixture of light and dark before slowly succumbing into the darker side. Thunder and Lighting crackled in their surroundings, and his outstretched hands twisted to where his palms faced upwards, and from there his palms began to slowly close into ball of fists as he retracted his arms slowly and shakingly to his body as if fighting against something an opposing force. The dragons felt themselves slowly being pulled by an incredible amount of air as they were left confused as to what was happening. Time stopped for a split second, and within that time Aang reversed his pull by pushing the two Dragons away from him with such force that they smashed into the pillar like rocks that they resided in.
All chanting from the Sun Warriors stopped as they looked on in disbelief.
"Th-The Masters!" One of the Warriors muttered. "They're being attacked!"
The Sun Warrior Chief felt guilt and rage for what happened, Bringing the Avatar here only to witness him attack the Masters left a stinging betrayal in his heart. He just couldn't believe this what happening. "Well, what are you all standing around for!" He screamed. "Protect the Masters!"
The Tribe roared in agreement as they charged up the steps intending on capturing or even killing the Avatar if necessary. Ran and Shaw shook off the rubble that fell upon their heads when they fell to the ground from the blast. They took the air again and snarled at the Avatar that dared attack them. The two breathed in and let out a mighty roar that shook the grounds beneath them for miles upon miles while the sound itself echoed passed the horizon from where they flew. Shortly after their roar, a large gust of fire flew from their mouth as they attempted to burn the Avatar into nothing, not even a pile of ash. Aang met their fire with his own, one arm directing towards one Dragon. They were truly powerful creatures, and he'd surely be dead if he'd been the boy he was years ago; But years of learning new techniques and stealing others sources of unbelievable energy made him prepared for even the mighty Dragons themselves. A swift gust of air entrapped his fire that battled against the Dragons causing a force field to cut straight through. The blast scorched their faces, and they once again let out another roar; But this time in pain rather than anger.
Aang looked down to see the Sun Warriors charging towards his position. Looking at the Dragons once more, he extended his arms to each of them and grasped the air. "Down!" He screamed in fury at the two.
The two dragons groaned and stumbled across the air as they struggled to reject his manipulative commands that tried to gain control. One of them stumbled onto the stairs and crushed many of the Sun Warriors into a red puddle of glop that splattered guts and organs everywhere. Many of the Sun Warriors was taken aback by the quick massacre of dozens of members of their tribes, and some others decided to flee because of this.
Aangs glowing eye's glared into the two's dragons who still fought for their will; But this had gone on far too long. It was time to end this. "On! Your! KNEES!" His voice turned into a haunting tone that felt as if it came straight from depths of hell.
The two dragons fell into submission and skidded to the floor, the Sun Warriors that were fleeing ran faster at seeing the bodies of the Masters sliding towards them quickly; And many were met with the fate of being squashed into a bloody mess just as those who were squashed on the steps were. Ran and Shaw laid submissively below, their heads down in fear for the person that mentally conquered them.
The Sun Chief looked down below in disbelief. The Masters, the all righteous warriors and teachers of the Suns power itself now laid in submission for this man. No, this monster! Looking back up, he saw Avatar Aang still in his Avatar State slowly float down towards he and the remainder of the Sun Warriors who stayed on the stairs. Many of the warriors fell behind the Chief, believing he to be the strongest of all to take on this monster.
"What... what are you?" The Sun Chief choked out.
"What am I?" Aang narrowed his eye's lightly. His voided pupils held no signs of compassion or hospitality that the Chief once thought the Avatar should have.
"I... am vengeance."
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End of Chapter 8
Sorry this took a little longer for me to release. Kinda busy and lazy at the same time if you catch my drift, but this fanfiction has certainly been a passion of mine ever since I created it despite it's negative feed backs. But hey, I take them to heart. And if I ever do make something similar then I would do my best to make it better than what I should have done. I'm going to go back and rehash some chapters, mainly for grammatical errors or adding some things I forgot. So next time I release a new chapter previous chapters would most likely be edited if ya'll are a fan of rereading fanfictions.
I'm sure some things have mindfucked some of ya'll here, specifically about the future of the Avatar in regards to Kya and Tenzin. And no, I will not explain here. Keep reading the next chapters for explanations.
Anyways, besides all of that. You know the drill. Leave a feedback and tell me what you all think. In the world of fanfiction, criticism and praise comes unexpectedly. Ciao
~TheLivingMyth
