Chapter 4: Moving Forward
Legend
Italics shows character thoughts
Word shows Date, time, and location
-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing
NOTE: A review made me realize that I had not given enough thought to the names of two of my three OC's. I have changed their names to reflect a more asian background. Kane is now Sheng, which means Truimph, Tia is now Hye, which means Graceful. Toran's name stays the same, as I thought of it from the word 'Torrent', which is a good meaning for his person. I have the names changed in the story, so this is more for those that have already read this. Give me a thought on the new names.
Enjoy, and Please Review!
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Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 5
After the training session with Master Pakku Toran became painfully aware that he, and Water, could not accomplish the task set to them from the Water Tribes, who seemed content to simply hide behind their walls and play a defensive war. If they wanted to restore the two poles to their former glory than Toran would have to somehow bring down the Fire Nation. The question was; how? How does one go about bring down an Empire?
Water advised that a trip to the Earth Kingdom would be beneficial. A trip their might reveal some anti-fire nation resistance, and such groups Toran could possibly help as they tried to overthrow the Fire Government. A long shot, but at this point in the war everything was a long shot.
To think that things would have become so bad…if I were not sealed I would have prevented the Fire Nation's spread, as would Wind and Earth. We could have stopped this.
There isn't any point in dwelling on what could have been. The Avatar failed and there isn't anything else too it, we'll have to make due.
From the North Pole Toran entered the northern reaches of the Earth Kingdom and was heading south towards Ba Sing Se to see if any resistance had formed there, or gathered around the King if Ba Sing Se still stood, there were rumors of its fall. If Ba Sing Se turned out to be useless then Toran would head to Omashu, where he had heard of resistance building. The water bender was moving through a thick forest, a small distance from Ba Sing Se, a days trip or so.
As he moved he caught sight of a shift in the foliage. Toran took a defensive stance, the dual pouches of water, one on each hip, shook slightly at the sudden movement. The foliage moved again, in the same spot to his left. Toran turned to face it, pulling out the contains of one of his pouches, pulling the bending water out in a stream.
A third movement and Toran lashed out with a water whip, caught something in its grip and pulled said object out and towards him. The human figure cried out and as it was pulled up and forward, into the air, and dropped to the earth abruptly on her backside. The human, female, laid still and apparently was badly injured. The female struggled to stand again but seemed to be making little progress and collasped. If he had known she was injured he wouldn't have struck out.
Toran ran over to her, "Hey, are you alright?" He lifted her head and saw she had auburn hair, smeared white make-up which looked to be several days old, and several cuts and burn marks on her outfit.
The girl opened her eyes slowly she seemed to register something with Toran, "So…kka." Hey eyes closed again and she passed out.
"…Sokka?" Toran looked out, no one else was with her. What was she doing all the way out here like this?
She's has been carrying those wounds without treatment for sometime now. Toran, you should attempt to heal the smaller wounds.
I never learned how to heal. That was left to the women, it was our tradition. Besides, not everyone has that ability, its rare.
Nonsense, I may not be able to teach you how to master healing but you are blessed with my Rune! Healing is not beyond you, attempt it, I will guide your hand as best I can.
Doubtful but still willing to try and help Toran put the girl's head back unto the ground softly. He placed both hands on her right arm and called half of his bending water to him. He opened his mind to Water's words and tried his best to follow her, as he believed her to be a female spirit.
Calm your mind, think of a soothing pool of water, still and serene. Use the water at your hands to connect with the wounds, swallow them, fill them, let the water become a medicine. Concentrate.
The water glowed a strange blue in his hands but he could visibly see that the wound, a small cut, was beginning to mend and mend quickly, though larger wounds would obviously take much, much, longer. Even so, it was a start and a start was all that he wanted at this point.
At least this time, I can help someone.
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Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 6
Sheng showed up at the appointed place, the southern gate leading out of Ba Sing Se. He was probably several minutes early but from the looks of a lone man waiting at the gate it didn't seem that it would be a problem to deal with.
An older teenager, whom Sheng assumed to be Prince Zuko, straightened himself when Sheng approached. The two fire benders, naturally wary of others, eyed the other for a few moments until Zuko began to move towards the gate. Sheng followed.
They passed the gate and well beyond the mighty walls of the once unconquerable city without so much as a word between them. The two young men had as much desire to talk to the other as two duelist in an Agni Kai. But Sheng needed some conversation, simply to form some kind of trust between them. But stubbornness and refusing to be the first one to crack and talk stopped him from making the first move.
So they walked until night. When it came time to set up camp the two continued on, each secretly unwilling to admit to the other that they were tired. Zuko would cast glances at Sheng, and Sheng in turn would do the same. Zuko, out of pride, continued while Sheng, to needing to keep up with Zuko, followed without rest.
The traveled for a few more hours before Sheng, bitter and unwilling to go any further finally snapped. He stopped in his tracks and threw his things to the ground, "This is far enough for tonight, we camp!" The younger fire bender began to ready his things for a much needed sleep.
Zuko didn't seem phased in the slightest but also began to ready his sleeping bag for a nights rest. The two men put themselves as far away as possible from the other and did their best to sleep.
The only problem was that neither slept. Sheng was afraid that Zuko might slip away and Zuko, ironically, was hoping to slip away. They both tried to feign sleep as best they could as they also focused on any sound that would alert the them of the others status.
This is ridiculous…I can't sleep or he'll get away and if I don't sleep then I'm tired for tomorrow.Sheng made a heavy sigh and turned his back to Zuko so he could keep his eyes open, while appearing to sleep.
Humans are such frail creatures and you are weak. Elements like me don't need sleep.
Fine, why don't YOU watch him then?
Very well then, I shall.
Tsk, like you could…..can you?
Easily. He is a human that puts out a constant body heat. I can easily keep track of him. Since we are partners in this struggle I shall take the night watch, you should rest yourself, or your body will only be weaker in the morning.
Sheng wasn't about to complain. He didn't know a whole lot about the voice in his head or the powers given to him but he did know that thus far Fire had not lied to him, ever. So he had no reason to distrust him. Sheng closed his eyes and easily fell asleep.
Zuko on the other hand was not as lucky as Sheng and while his 'partner' looked to be asleep he couldn't be sure. It's not that Zuko didn't trust Sheng, well he didn't, but more then that he didn't trust Azula and it was for that sole reason that Zuko was going to attempt to break away from Sheng.
But not tonight, and not now. He was tired and his follower had proven to be of a more durable material then Zuko had previously given him credit for. Not only that but he was worried about Sheng's abilities, Azula didn't compliment easily but his sister did think something of him, which meant he probably wasn't a lackey. No, he'd have to think of a plan…but for now he would sleep and hope that Sheng would stay awake and be too tired in the morning to continue, perhaps Zuko could leave him behind with the excuse that he was slowing him down.
But that would have to wait till morning.
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Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 6
On returning to the group Aang, along with Tia, began to discuss their next possible course of action. The group began putting out various ideas that could be used as a plan of action.
"How about Omashu? We could go see if Bumi has escaped or we could find the Earth Kingdom resistance again?" Aang asked.
Toph interjected, "I don't think we're going to be able to save the Earth Kingdom."
"I agree, I think we need to focus on stopping the Fire Nation." Tia agreed with the earth bender.
Katara flinched, "I don't think you've been around long enough to understand the situation Tia."
"Actually, I think Toph might be right." Aang nodded, " I need to find a teacher for fire bending and if stopping the Fire Nation is the only way then we will need to confront the Fire Lord directly."
"Okay, okay, we all know how to stop the Fire Nation, but the question is how to do we get to Fire Lord Ozai? We can't just waltz in, "Sokka sarcastically mentioned. The warrior pulled out his boomerang and began to draw, "We need support no matter how we look at it. The key is the period of time when the fire benders lose their power, that's the time we have to focus on. I know a lot of you won't like this idea but I think we should split up."
"What?!" Katara protested, "Split up!?"
Sokka nodded, "Right, I think we should send a group to Omashu to see Bumi, another pair to find my father, and another group should head straight into Ba Sing Se."
Katara shook her head, "Wait Sokka, I know you really want to see our father but this is ridiculous!"
"I know, and I wouldn't advise his plan if we weren't in serious trouble. At this point we have no allies, every nation but the Water Tribe has been either destroyed or conquered, we have no allies anymore. And we all know the Water Tribe doesn't have the strength to help us." Sokka began to draw lines on his map, "There are five of us, and that should work fine."
"Aang and Tia, "Sokka pointed at them, "I'm sending you to meet Bumi."
"Why Tia and Aang?" Katara asked.
"Because Aang knows Bumi and Tia is learning air bending from Aang." Sokka looked back at his map and continued before Katara could make anymore objections, "Me and Katara will try and find my father. We'll need some way to divert the Fire Nation's navy so that Appa can get us across, we don't want a repeat of when commander Zhao almost roasted us when we were going to see Avatar Roku. My father should be able to help with that."
"So that leaves me to head into Ba Sing Se?" Toph asked the obvious question.
"Right, with your families influence you can more easily get into the city and since you are an Earth Kingdom citizen it won't draw attention."
"Okay, hold on Sokka. The plan sounds great but why is Toph going into Ba Sing Se?" Aang seemed confused.
"Don't worry about that Aang, you just worry about find King Bumi. I'll explain the rest of the plan tomorrow once I've had time to go over it in my head but for now I think we should get some sleep." Sokka yawned and walked off to his sleeping bag. Half because he was tired and half because he hoped that after a nights sleep the sudden, and stressful, appearance of Tia would be smoothed over.
"Yeah, sleep sounds good." Toph made a tent of earth around the exact spot she was sitting.
Aang and Tia, having no other reason to stay awake and since Sokka seemed to be in a rush to get away from the others, they decided to head to bed as well. It was Katara who stood up and approached her brother, as her sleeping bag was nearest his.
"Sokka, why are you splitting us up?"
Sokka remained silent in his bag before muttering, "Because I don't know if we can stop the Fire Nation anymore."
Katara laid down in her own bag, next to Sokka's, "Then why are you splitting us up?"
"Because, if we split up then our chances of getting help increase and we can do it faster. Not only that but we can draw attention away from Aang, hopefully."
"But leaving him alone with Tia?"
"It can't be helped Katara, we don't have much choice in the matter. I can't go alone and Tia isn't much help unless she begins her bending lessons from Aang. It's just the way things fell out."
"I don't like it."
"Neither do I…we don't have a lot of time until the Solar Eclipse…we have to be ready."
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 6
Five of them in all. After helping the first young woman he had found Toran found four more in similar dress, and with similar wounds. It was tedious work to gather them all and then heal them, but it was work that gave Toran some practice with his healing ability.
It was getting late and Toran was exhausted from his constant work, and after finding fire wood and lighting said wood he found that his body had finally given in to fatigue and crumbled to the ground. Toran pulled his knees to his chest and stared at the fire blankly as his face bobbed up and down as he struggled to keep awake so he could watch for any changes in the status of the five women he had found.
One wakes, the first we found.
Toran turned and found that Water was correct, as it had been in most of its judgments. The first girl with a reddish brown hair color had started to stir. She first shook her head and then jerked up into a sitting position as the realization of her surroundings came crashing to her.
Toran put his hand up to signal her, "Be careful, you'll wake the others, and you're wounds probably aren't completely healed."
The women quickly took to her feet despite Toran's advice and reached for something, probably missing weapons, but found none on her person. Realizing this she took a fighters stance and poised herself a few yards away from Toran who was far too tired to react.
"Who are you?" Came her first and most obvious question.
"Toran of the Water Tribe." Came the first and most obvious answer. "And you?"
She seemed hesitant for a moment but lowered her guard after looking Toran over, "I'm Suki, a Kyoshi Warrior."
"Ah," Toran had heard of the Kyoshi Island Warriors, a band of females trained in the style of martial arts that Avatar Kyoshi had used during her time as the Avatar. "So, what is a Kyoshi Warrior doing so far from home?"
Suki sat down on the opposite side of the fire, "I could ask the very same of you."
"But I'm not the one who looked like they were run down by a couple of Rhinos." Toran shot back, but lacking any sort of venom, since it would require more strength then Toran was willing expend this late at night.
"We were attacked by the Fire Nation, three female warriors and we were defeated." Suki said finally. "But tell me, why are you here and why did you help us?"
Toran looked at the other girls and then back to Suki, "Is that odd? To help others?" Toran closed his eyes and pulled his knees closer, "Why is it so strange to want to protect people? I saw you and your friends in trouble and I helped."
"You're avoiding the other question, "Suki pointed out, "That doesn't tell me why you're here."
Toran chuckled, "No it doesn't and to be honest, I don't even know myself." The Water tribesmen laid down on his back and turned on his side, "I'm just following a voice in my head."
A moment of silence passed as Suki stared at Toran with a looked of odd familiarity. She then grunted and made some gesture with her hands that Toran couldn't see.
"Ugh….what is it with water tribe men?" Suko exclaimed irritably.
"What?"
"Nothing."
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A/N: Alright, so another chapter. And I had forgotten to mention something about my writing style. As some of you may have noticed the scenes are fairly short, in some places, and seem sporadic. This is because I'm trying to go for an episode feel, the avatar episodes changes views a lot and I am trying to create a similar feel (though obviously this isn't thirty minutes long so it might feel like things are progressing slowly).
And about the character name change, it is final unless someone puts a gun, or weapon of some kind, to my head, in which case I will apologize about any change my attacker demands of me. But I don't see that as a problem so they should be final. Thanks to AdverK for bringing my lack of good naming selection. Final names though, unless the above scenario occurred, but it shouldn't so we're good.
And Wa La, traditionally I had four OC's but I cut them down to three because it worked out better, with three I could have one interacting with a different group, Aang, Zuko/Azula, and Suki. Besides that, I found that Toph would make a much better Rune Bearer anyway, since she's pretty awesome as is.
Next chapter we have some action, well, lots of is actually(Which is why this chapter was cut a little short). Stay tuned! Read and Review!
-Arc