"Uh… Magnus? You doing okay?" Korra asked, looking at me in concern. "You can stop anytime, you know; I can always use my waterbending to carry it back myself."
"… Huff… Huff…" I stared up at the Avatar, sitting on top of Naga, a giant grin on my face. "Are you kidding? I'm almost done, now let me concentrate." Without another word, I continued my task, which isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world.
Korra shook her head. "Shouldn't you at least use your energy? It would make it easier."
"Hey, if Goku could do something like this, without energy. Then so can I." Grunting in discomfort, I stopped trudging through the snow to roll my shoulders. "Though… It's taking me a little longer to adjust to this than I initially thought."
Snorting, Korra just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "What did you expect? You're wearing at least… Close to one hundred pounds of ice, along with pulling those crates behind you, in the snow…."
"Your point?" Raising an eyebrow, I stared at the Avatar, who just sighed and let it go. Chuckling, I went back to work, pulling the crates and myself through the snow. It's been a week since I discovered how to use my energy, and as exciting as it was… I wasn't nearly as strong as I should or could have been, which meant more and more training.
One of the things I decided to do is harsh weight training. It wasn't an easy thing to do since this world didn't have the DBZ weighted clothing. To make up for this, I decided to ask Korra and her father to assist me. For Korra's part, I asked if she could create ice weights around my body. Being used to my odd requests and me in general, Korra did so without questioning it. I had two ankle weights, two for my wrists and one around my torso.
Now how did Chief Tonraq help? He provided me with some wooded crates filled to the brim with old junk—broken down machine parts from snowmobiles and stuff like that. So, I tied some ropes around them and myself. Then I began to pull them around the compound and partially through the tundra. To make sure I didn't get myself killed, Korra and Naga both came with me.
At the insistence from Kya… Though Korra didn't need much convincing, she and I were friends. It also gave her an extra excuse to leave the compound, which she loved. I seriously felt bad for Korra; she hardly ever gets to leave.
Other than me, she doesn't have anyone close to her age to hang out with. If I hadn't shown up, she wouldn't have anyone until Republic City, which is far too long of a time in my book.
"Never mind, stupid monkey boy," Korra mutters good-naturedly. "I'll never understand you, Magnus."
Laughing, I shook my head, my tail swaying back and forth. "That's part of the fun, isn't it?"
"You're a dork." Korra laughs and rubs Naga's neck. "Isn't that right, girl?"
"Woof!" Barking, the polar bear dog wags her tail in agreement.
"Naga, you're a traitor! I give you tons of belly rubs, and this is the thanks I get?" I wanted to get mad, but it's impossible to remain angry at such a cute puppy. So to make up for her betrayal, Naga licked my face and rubbed up against me.
"Gah!" I almost fell over from her apology. Luckily, I caught myself, and Korra pulled her massive dog away. "Fine, I forgive you." Barking happily, Naga lifted her head and trotted ahead, looking quite proud of herself.
"Your whipped Magnus." Korra looks back and smirks at me.
"Shut up, Korra." Grumbling under my breath, I kept on marching onward, doing my best to ignore the smug Avatar.
After an hour of dragging massive weights, ice, and myself through the snow, we finally made it back to the old homestead; Korra immediately took Naga back to her section. She was going to feed the polar bear dog and give her a good rub down.
As for me? I had to drag my crates over to my area, which is a little place close to the main gate. After dropping them off, I had to go and report to Kya and Katara. While they approved my new training regime, both of them wanted to make sure I didn't seriously hurt myself. Making my way to the healing hut, I found both Katara and Mother Hen Kya waiting for me.
"Right on time, Magnus." Kya says with a smile as I walk through the door of the hut. The elderly waterbender gestures for me to remove my clothing and climb into the healing area.
Stripping down to my boxers and laying down in the water, both Kya and Katara began to examine me. Now waterbending healing feels weird but in a good way. The swirling water is warm and comforting; it's kind of like being in a hot tub.
Only one heals you, and the other doesn't…. Speaking of that… I still have no idea how waterbending healing works; I tried to get Katara to explain it to me. She said waterbenders used the water to help re-direct the energy path of chi in the body, which causes the healing. Which doesn't mean much to me… My best guess is that the water helps speeds up the body's natural recovery.
Though Katara did say there are limitations to what it can do, certain illnesses and significant damage cannot be healed.
This means I have to be careful in my training, because if I seriously injure myself… Well, it's not a pleasant thought.
"How was your afternoon stroll?" Katara asks with a smile on her face.
"Not too bad, but I wish there were a better way to train." Like a gravity room or you know… DBZ weighted clothing. Hell, I would take the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, despite the hell it is… Goku could barely be in there as a kid. I am not even at the level he was when he trained with Kami. Which means I wouldn't be able to handle it if it existed.
Kya rolls her eyes and shakes her head at me. "I'll never understand your obsession with training; you are already quite strong for your age. you are stronger than several grown men, yet when will it be enough for you?"
I… I don't know… I have no way of answering that question. I want to be strong enough to help Korra face future challenges and deal with the problems of this world. Then I want to be able to find a way back home if it's possible at all.
However, at my level strength right now and with access to my ki… I could bench press Naga with one hand. That was a fun afternoon; I freaked out Korra, though. I also learned that day never to do it again… Korra may not be a Saiyan or as strong as some of DBZ's fighters, but she hits hard!
Anyway, I digress. Do I need to keep training…? I think… I don't have a choice in the matter. My Saiyan biology won't let me stop, and I have this drive, a need to be better and stronger. It's like… I have to grow stronger, no matter what. Is this how Goku feels? Well, for him, it's a matter of choice; he wants to become stronger. Stronger than who he was, to go past all of his limits.
… I want to do the same thing… Maybe it's my monkey brain talking, but I want to become stronger for myself.
"Kya, I want to become stronger…. Plus, we are in the South Pole. So what else am I supposed to do? Make a snowman?" I said that last part with a grin, which made Kya snort and shook her head. While Katara, on the other hand, just chuckled. At least someone appreciates my sense of humor. "Now, what's the problem, doc? Will I ever play the violin again?"
"You're fine; there are no issues." Kya shakes her head at me; standing to her feet, the older woman rubs the bridge of her nose. "I swear you are worse than Bumi; when you get dried off and dressed, I need you to come into town with me. There are a few things" With that said, Kya walks out of the room, mumbling. "I swear that boy is going to make me go gray."
Snorting, I sat up and climbed out of the water, and Katara using her waterbending removed the water from my body. "Oh, thank you, Katara." Smiling in thanks, I began to get dressed, but the older woman stopped me.
"I believe you should have a change of clothes, Magnus; your old ones are getting rather ratty." The master waterbender points to the pile of clothing I had dumped on the ground.
Yeah… She's right, my cargo pants while I did my best to maintain them over the last several months… They are not in the best of shape, while my t-shirt isn't too damaged. I am sure it would need to be tossed soon enough.
The only things of mine that didn't need to be tossed out were my sneakers, my sleeveless hoodie, and my phone. Though I had the thing shut off, I didn't want to waste its power…. For personal reasons.
"You may be right, but I don't-"I stopped as Katara hands me a buddle. "-Never mind. You think of everything, don't you?"
Katara pats my hand and chuckles. "I am a grandmother, dear; it is my job. I will leave so you can get changed, oh, and you can thank Kya for the clothing."
As she left the room, I began to check over the clothing, a smile on my face. Kya can be a bit pushy and bossy, but she is a good person. She also has good fashion sense. The clothing, while made by the water tribe people, was not in their colors. The baggy cloth-like pants were black…
Hey, there is a hole for my tail. How thoughtful. There is a green slash for a belt, two red armbands, and a blue shirt with short sleeves. "I need to thank Kya." Grabbing my hoodie and slipping it on, along with the brown boots that I have been wearing since I got here. I headed outside to find Kya standing by the front gate waiting for me.
"Ready to go?" She asks with her arms crossed.
"Yep, oh, and thanks for the clothes, by the way." Tugging my new shirt for emphasis, I smiled at the waterbender.
Kya smiles and chuckles with her arms crossed. "Your old clothes were getting raggedy, come on. We have to pick something-"
"Hey, can I come too!?" Korra came running up to us both with an eager smile on her face. "Nice new duds Magnus, they suit you."
Smiling, I rubbed the back of my head. "Thanks, Korra, and sure I have no problem with it. You cool with it, Kya?"
The older waterbender shook her head. "Sorry Korra, but it's time for your firebending lesson." Kya places a hand on her hip, and with her other hand, she gestures to Korra's firebending instructor, who has a disapproving look.
"Oh, come on, Kya, he won't mind. Plus, I am almost ready to take the test. We're just waiting until after my birthday." Korra argued with a sheepish and proud look on her face. Oh right, her birthday is… Crap, it's tomorrow!
I forgot all about it! I've been so focused on training that I didn't get her anything… Granted, I don't have any money… So it would be kind of hard to get her something. Maybe I could ask Katara or Kya… Or even Chief Tonraq for some cash.
But, no, I can't do that; these people have taken me in, fed me, clothed me… I can't ask them for any money; it would be… Wrong. At least in my mind. Oh well… Maybe I can teach Korra how to sense energy; that would be a valuable skill to possess. I did promise to try and teach her a few things.
"You can go into town later. Go to your lesson." Kya waved her hand at Korra and turned around to walk out the gate.
Frowning, the dark-haired girl sighs. "Okay, bye, Magnus. I'll see you later." Turning around, the Avatar walks away to join her firebending teacher.
"That was a little harsh; I am sure it would have been fine for her to skip. At least this once." Frowning, I crossed my arms and followed after Kya.
"I know, and I'll make it up to her, but Magnus… Have you wondered why we are going into town?" The only daughter of Korra and Aang gave me a pointed look. "What could we get in town that I possibly wouldn't want Korra around to see?"
Oh... Oh! Okay, that makes sense. "You're getting her birthday present, aren't you?"
"Correction, we are getting her present." Nudging me playfully, Kya smiles and crosses her arms. "Come on, Magnus, I need your help carrying it back."
Shaking my head with a small smile, I followed after Kya, and together we headed into town. As we walked, we both made small talk. However, that stopped when we got into town. You know the Southern Water Tribe is a pretty cool place… Get it cause it's in the South Pole… Screw you, that was funny!
Ahem… I digress. I liked this place a lot. Sure it's not like my home of L.A., but there is a quiet majesty here. Something that I couldn't place my finger on; maybe it's just out here so close to nature.
Yet, they still have some modern conveniences and keep most of their traditions. The days are great here, but it's at night when this place shines. There are so many stars in the sky it is… Just awesome. I have never in my life seen so many stars; it's like… Well, millions upon millions of fireflies hanging in the sky.
… I like this place. But, huh, I should live in a place like this when I get back home… Home… Crap, now I am depressed. As beautiful as this place is, I miss my home. My city. My family. My friends… I hope I can get home one day, as messed up as my world is right now… But, it's still my home.
"Oof!"
Huh? Being pulled from my thoughts, I looked down and paled. "Oh I am so sorry Senna." The person I knocked over is Senna, Korra's mom. "I got lost in thought." Bending down, I helped the brown-haired woman stand to her feet.
Now I have to say this… I love Korra's mom; she is just a cool woman. No ice or cold puns are needed here; that is how much I like this woman. She is extremely kind and is enjoyable to hang around with.
Plus, she makes some of the best food I have ever tasted. She comes by the compound now and then to visit with Korra and check up on her. Like a good mom. She also took the fact that I am not human in stride… Most of the Southern Water Tribe knew about me and were quite okay with it… Especially the kids, the little buggers think I am the weirdest and coolest thing they have ever met.
"Oh, it's fine, Magnus." Smiling, Korra's mom gently pats my arm to let me know that she wasn't angry. "No harm done, now what are you doing out and about? Isn't Korra training, right? I thought you would be watching."
"Kya and I are coming to get Korra's birthday present… Speaking of… Where is she?" Quickly looking around, I sighed and shook my head. "Dang it, I lost her." I need to stop zoning out and getting lost in my head. It's a scary place. "Oh well, I'll find her. See you later, Senna!"
Waving at Korra's mom, I extended my senses and closed my eyes. Okay, Kya, where are you? Ah-ha! There you are. Opening my eyes, I followed Kya's energy signature; in no time at all, I found Kya in the shopping district… Granted, this is where she was coming in the first place, so… I didn't need to use my ki sensing power. Still, it's fun to feel out people's energy.
I found Kya standing outside one of the local stores, with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. "I wondered when you would get here."
"Sorry, got lost in thought, and then I ran into Senna." Rubbing the back of my head, I looked up at the store. "So… What are we picking up for Korra's seventeenth birthday?"
Smiling mischievously, Kya looks around. "Well, you know how Korra like's listening to the pro-bending?"
"Mhm." Korra is downright obsessed with the sport; when the White Lotus guards listen to it on their radio, she will sneak off to listen. I joined her a couple of times, and I got to admit the sport sounded interesting.
However… Bruce Woolley and The Camera Club were right; video killed the radio. It doesn't help that I am not a fan of sports in general, don't get me wrong, I can sit down and watch a game. But… I am not a fan of sports. If that makes any sense, I'm weird, alright? Leave me alone.
"Well, I bought Korra a radio." Kya told me, which made me grin. However, there is just one little problem with this birthday gift.
"You realize that the White Lotus guys won't like this?" It's true. The head of the White Lotus didn't like Korra listening to pro-bending; he says the sport doesn't respect the spiritual side of bending. Which sounded like something Tenzin would say… Or will say at least.
"Since when did you care about what he said? I thought he was in your opinion, and I quote 'A bloated windbag.'" Kya raises an eyebrow with a smirk on her face.
Laughing, I shake my head and cross my arms. "He is a bloated windbag, and I don't care. But I thought I was the only one that liked pissing him off."
"Well, you were wrong, now come on." Kya gestured to the store, and together we both walked inside. Kya talked with the store owner about her order while I just looked around. Huh… They have boomerangs for sale; it must be because of Sokka.
The weapon was his staple throughout his entire journey, so it makes sense they would sell copies. Weird that I haven't seen any before until now; maybe it's a festival thing…
Right… Korra's birthday is during the full moon festival; I won't be able to attend. Sure I get to spend the day with her and everyone else, but not at night. That is when the real fun begins, but I won't be participating.
Damn stupid Oozaru form, if I didn't want to see if Super Saiyan 4 was real… Or if I didn't like the idea of self-mutilation, then I would cut my damn tail off and be done with this situation.
"Magnus, would you mind?"
Oh, right, I am here doing stuff. I need to stop getting lost in my thoughts. "Sure." Walking to the counter, I picked up a large wrapped package. "Hey, what's this?" On top of the radio is a brown paper bag.
"Something else I ordered." Taking the bag, Kya holds it close and out of my view. "Don't worry about it." I am curious, but it's none of my business, so I will leave it alone.
"Okay, so where to? Back to the Compound?"
Kya shakes her head as we walk out of the store. "Are you kidding me? As curious as Korra is? She would sniff this out right away; no, we are going to keep it at my house."
"That makes sense." Korra is always curious, but you can't blame her. "Alright. High-ho, high-ho off to your home we go." Kya and I both walked out of the store and made our way to her house. Which is a modest place not far from the compound, so it didn't take us long to drop off Korra's birthday present.
Though the moment we left her house, something interesting caught my eye. Up in the sky is a rather large shadow, and it is headed straight for the compound… Wait, is that what I think it is?
"Ah, it seems my little brother is early." Kya walks up next to me with a smile. "Come on, Magnus, it's time you meet my baby brother and his family."
Once back at the compound, I got my first look at a Sky Bison, and I have to say it is… Awesome and freaky at the same time! Seriously! It's like a mixture of a bison and manatee, and it also has six legs… The biology of this creature confuses me greatly, but the geek and animal lover just wants to hug the ten-ton creature.
That, of course, had to wait because I have to meet J.K Simmons… I mean Tenzin and his family. The new generation of airbenders was quite interesting in the show, and they were no less so in real life. Jinora is polite; her sister Ikki is a chatterbox, while Meelo… He is a wild child and likes playing around.
The three airbending children are playing in the snow right now, as Tenzin and his wife are talking with Katara and an excited Korra. The moment we showed up, the kids decided to hug and talk with their favorite aunt. Though… Kya is their only aunt, but that's beside the point.
"Aunty Kya, it's so wonderful to see you again." Jinora bows her head with a smile after she pulled away from her aunt. "How have you been?"
"Oh Jinora, you have gotten so big-" Kya started to say but was interrupted by Ikki.
"Aunty Kya! Can we have a snowball fight? Can you use your waterbending to make an army of snowmen to fight us? Can you? Wouldn't it be fun?" Jumping up and down, Ikki clapped her hands together excitedly… You know that sounds fun; I wonder if Kya will do that.
But, fighting an army of snowmen in a snow ball fight? Wait… Would the snowballs be considered flesh to the snowmen? That's kind of morbid if you think about it… Feeling danger… Turning around, I found Meelo standing behind me; the young Airbender was staring at my tail. Which is still wrapped around my waist, but he kept staring at it.
"Why do you have two belts?" He asked, pointing at my tail, turning his head in confusion.
"To doubly make sure that my pants won't fall off." When I said that, Meelo just nods like that made perfect sense. Huh, I can't believe he bought that; the boy will be shocked to find out I have a tail.
"Oooh, who is this?" Ikki abandoned her aunt and decided to see who I was. "I'm Ikki, but you can call me Ikki. Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you Korra's boyfriend? Why is your hair bronze? Are you a bender? Can you bend fire? Oh, can you make a tornado of fire? Or are you an earthbender? Can you see with your feet?"
Sweet merciful Buddha! She never shuts up! Her mouth is going a million miles a minute. She kept asking question after question, never giving me a chance to answer any of them…. I am a little worried she will die from lack of oxygen… I need some duct tape or something; give this girl a chance to breathe.
Luckily, Ikki didn't die from the lack of oxygen to her brain, and I was saved from the endless questions by Jinora. Who gently nudges her sister to let her know that she should breathe. "Forgive my siblings. I'm Jinora." Bowing, the young Airbender, has a polite smile on her face. "This my sister Ikki and that is our brother Meelo."
"It's nice to meet you all; I'm Magnus." I returned her bow with a smile, and when I righted myself up, I saw Tenzin and his wife walking toward us. Okay, Magnus, let's be polite, no references to anything J.K Simmons has done… Oh god, this is torture.
The airbending master spoke to Kya briefly before coming to talk to me. "So, you are the young man that my mother has told me about. I am Tenzin."
"Yes, sir. I'm Magnus; it's nice to meet you." Now don't make or use a reference to… Anything that J.K Simmons has done, and we will be safe… This is hell, literally help… I guess you could say it's not my tempo… I can't stop myself!
It turns out Tenzin and his family are here for Korra's birthday. Which makes sense, I suppose; it's too early for her airbending training. Especially since Pema, Tenzin's wife, is not close to bursting like she was in the show. Granted, she is showing a lot but not to where she could give birth at any moment.
Speaking of Pema, she is a very serene and nice woman. Well, when she isn't dealing with her children, don't get me wrong. She loves her kids a lot, but she is slightly annoyed at some of the things they do. Like toss snow at her with airbending but despite that… She is a good mom and a cool person.
After getting the airbending family settled and taking care of their sky bison (Whose name I found out is Oogi), things in the Compound got pretty lively with the airbending children.
Despite Tenzin and Pema's best attempts, the kids ran around like their hair was on fire. Then again, you can't blame them; they are basically on vacation; they get to attend a party and play in the snow. What kid wouldn't be excited?
Speaking of the party… It's tonight, while the entire tribe went to prepare for not only a festival but the Avatar's birthday. Things in the Compound didn't stay the same because it is her birthday. Korra got the day off from her training, which meant she could spend the day however she wanted.
Korra decided to spend the day with the airbending kids; they all played together. At this point, I got to see a side of Korra I've never seen before. Korra, the big sister. She was like an older sister to Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo.
She played with the three of them, had a ton of patience for all of their antics. Okay, mostly Ikki and Meelo, Jinora is pretty chill for a ten-year-old, but she is still ten. So she has her kid moments. The five of us were outside the compound, trying to decide what to do for the day.
"So, what are we going to do?" Korra asked with her hands on her hips.
"Korra, can we go penguin sledding!? Can we? Can we? Can we? Huh? Huh? Ikki jumped up and down, begging her big 'sister.'
"Yeah, let's do it!" Meelo has a giant grin on his face.
Jinora smiles and nods her head eagerly. "I would love to do that. Gram Gram used to do that with Grandpa Aang."
"Then let's do it!" Korra pumps her fist into the air, then turns me with a smile. "What about you, Magnus? Want to go penguin sledding? Or are you going to train today? Like always."
Now that is a good question, and I had the right answer. "Let's go penguin sledding; I can put off training for today."
Korra smiles happily and nods. "Alright, let's go! Come on, everyone."
With that decided, we all went hunting for otter penguins. The only tools we'll need is a basket of fish and our wits. Korra led to where one of the local colonies lived, and it took both us to restrain both Ikki and Meelo. Otherwise, they would have run out there and scared the creatures off. Instead, despite us stopping them, the two of them whined.
"Korra, why'd you stop us? They're right there!?" Ikki pointed with a pouting face.
"Un-hand me, belt man, I must sled on a penguin!" Meelo squirmed in my grasp.
"If you rushed out there, you would scare them away." Korra hissed as she put a finger to her mouth.
"They are wild animals; after all, you have to be tricky to them." I said with a wink.
"Ohh," Meelo and Ikki nodded in understanding, while Jinora just shook her head with a smile.
"Gather round, here's the plan," Korra said as we huddled together. "Each you take a fish from the basket and toss it close by. The penguins will swarm, and then you grab one. After that… Climb to the hill, and go sledding. Now go!"
Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo nodded excitedly. Then, all three went to the basket and picked up a fish and tossed them into a group of otter penguins. As the strange chimera-like animals rushed toward the fish, the airbending trio jumped into the group and quickly grabbed an otter penguin.
"Korra! Look, I got one! I got one!" Ikki jumped up and down, giggling happily. "I'm going to name him… Cupcake!" Hugging the poor mix-matched creature, the brown-haired girl swayed back and forth.
"I have one as well!" Jinora has a large grin on her face.
Meelo was the only one that didn't seem happy; instead, he looked thoughtful. "This is the start of my army."
Wait what?
