Chapter 7: Dreaming of Memories
Legend
Italics shows character
Legend
Italics shows character thoughts
Word shows Date, time, and location
-Word- Shows Noises, or actions such as sighing
Enjoy, and Please Review!
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day ??
The world had been divided into four, or so they wished it to be. But mankind was the kind of species that simply didn't like to be controlled and it was for that reason that there would always be those that stood as outcasts. Vagabonds, bandits, thieves, and revolutionaries.
Of course they wouldn't trust him and the others, they were…unnatural. The first, and most powerful, of their kind. Everyone one of them had once been a trusted follower, a trusted citizen, a trusted comrade. But fear could make the mightiest of men falter.
All of his soldiers had gone to the other side. But to blame them would be selfish, for they had more than enough reason to change sides. The greatest fear of an soldier was not death, rather, it was to become obsolete and have someone younger, stronger, and more capable take his place.
He looked over his shoulder and saw his disciples, the first to be blessed with the Earth's Power by the Rune he himself carried. Of course they would fear them! They feared that their livelihood was at stake, that the new generation of bending warriors would take over their lives.
Looking at them all, one hundred loyal earth benders….but against five thousand? He looked away, pushing away the faces, they were all so young and only those born of the same generation as the Rune Bearer and beyond could be given the blessing to bend…it was the only chafing rule put on each Bearer.
"Lord Yi Rong, what are your orders sir?"
Yes, Lord, that was his title, Lord Yi Rong Tong, the first Earth King. He looked down at himself, a King! And at the age of twenty-nine, oh how young he seemed even to himself at this moment! They wanted his command, but what command could he give? The order to slaughter his own people?
Yi Rong closed his eyes and let the presence of Earth flow through him. He felt the wind brushing against the grass and the ground, lifting dust into the air. He could feel the rocks beneath his bare feet, the trees whose roots pierced the ground to draw life from the Earth's ever bountiful supply of life. Earth was a life giver, a defender of precious things, providing shelter against the rain, allowing food to grow to feed its people.
A Shield most grand!
"Tell everyone to pull back to the center of the village. I will deal with them myself."
A gaping gasp came up from the dozens of followers as they stared at the back of their leader, garbed in the traditional robes of an Earth King, the robes that would be carried on for generations. The eldest bender opened his mouth to protest but was cut off by raised fist. Their King, with his back to them, would hear no argument.
They had no choice but to obey.
He looked forward, towards their banners and their flags. They would be on him soon, five thousand strong, and attempt to take away this new power. He could hear their battle shouts, their clatter of shields and swords, the cry of metal, it the noise of war. But Yi Rong would not allow it, he had worked so hard, they had worked so hard, to build this Kingdom! Small as it was, with only a few villages, it could one day be a great power.
But it would need a shield, something to protect it should the Earth Rune fail them. Something to protect them against the other runes, the other nations. A shield to protect against all that opposed this great fledging nation of Earth's chosen!
He began to glow…
He spread his feet out wide, digging his feet into the ground. His hands were thrust down, palms towards the ground with the fingers outstretched and pointed towards the other hand. His knees were bent, his shoulders straight, and his face always staring forward.
He turned his hands and cut the air with his palms…and the future of the Earth Kingdom was forever changed.
An earthquake shook the ground, the likes of which this world would never see again. The earth cracked in front of the Earth King, spread, and stretched to the left and right, both curving widely. The Earth Bearer's entire body shook, his muscles tensed, and his eyes glowed unflinchingly, never blinking.
The villagers and earth bending disciples watched in utter horror as they watched what appeared to be a demon rising from the core of the earth. The cracking earth met again, making a complete circle, but the show was not yet done. The Earth King cut the air with his palms again, returning his hands to their original position.
As the invading army came into view and began their charge forward another crack in the earth, several yards behind the Earth King, began to snake its way, in the same circle formation its brother had made moments ago.
Again the circle was met, and an outline was made. The army came forward and the Rune Bearer of Earth turned his palms up and thrust them into the sky…and he rose, up on a wall of rock. The wall rose, higher, higher, and higher still, the area between the two newly created lines climbed into the sky.
Slowly the tremor stopped, the stone slowed in its rise, and those on both sides of the wall watched awe at its…power. It was not fancy, not majestic, it was raised earth, pure and simple. Yet it stood, meters thick and hundreds of feet high.
Coming out of the trance the Earth King walked to the edge of the wall and looked down at the army that now stood dumbfounded before the sheer rock before them. Using a smaller show of bending the Earth King lowered himself to the ground and faced the invaders.
"I know why you are here, and you have every reason to want to go back to the ways of old. Yet," Yi Rong inhaled and continued in a voice fitting of a King, "I am still its King, still obligated to protect those people who serve under me. And this, " He pointed to the rock behind him, "shall forever stand as a testament. Let it be none, here, today! That as long as this wall stands….Ba Sing Se, no, the Earth Kingdom, shall never fall!"
------
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 8
"Toph, Toph!"
Uh…five more minutes.
"TOPH!"
Jerking to an upright sitting position the earth bender came back to reality. The first thing she noticed was the presence of two people around her, one kneeling at her side, the other laying down a small distance away. The second thing she noticed was the area around them…ravaged was putting it lightly.
"Toph, it's me Suki. I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Suki?" Toph muttered, still feeling detached from reality.
"Yeah, me and Toran over there found you. Toph you were wounded terribly and for the past few hours you were having some kind of dream, though it didn't appear too violent I got concerned so I woke you."
"Toran?"
Suki looked over her shoulder to the sleeping water bender, "Yes, he found me to the north west, it's a long story. He's the one that healed your wounds…or he tried, I don't think you're going to be moving like normal for a while. He's sleeping now, I don't think he was skilled in healing and I think all the effort he put into healing you really drained him."
Toph nodded and laid herself back down. Suki said she was going to get some more fire wood and water, and sprinted off to do so moments later. Comfortably on her back the Earth Bearer closed her eyes and reached into herself to find the Earth.
I am sorry Toph, I must sleep.
What happened?
Later, child. We survived a battle against the rages of Fire…we both need rest.
…Did we lose?
…Yes, Toph, we did. But…so did they. It is a long story, sleep now, we shall need our strength…
And so, she slept.
----------
Location: Fire Nation - Day ??
A glorious day, a magnificent anniversary. Today was the one year anniversary of the crowning of the first Fire Lord, Fire Lord Li Sun. At the capital city the festivities were in full swing, food, parades, music, all to the foundation of the Fire Nation.
The reigning Fire Lord Sun stood with crossed arms and knowing approval. Though his reign was firm, it was also full of the honor that the Fire Nation would be renowned for in years to come. He stood in an open clearing of land that would be the site of construction for the Royal Palace.
It was night, and the stars twinkled brilliantly in the night sky, the majesty of other suns lighting the sky in the absence of the closer Sun Spirit as it warmed the other side of the world. As the Fire Lord he did not permit himself to partake in the occasion. No, he knew that he had to keep a level of isolation between him and the common people. For he wanted all Fire Lord's to put duty and honor above all else, and damn those that would tarnish the name of the Fire Nation!
Still, a remarkable night it was, with a rather large star in view this day. Li looked at the large star and in the pit of his stomach, where spiritually the Rune of Fire resided, he learned that it was no star.
A comet.
Somehow, those around him seemed to notice his intense gaze. The comet was now the size of a rather massive boulder, or so it appeared from that distance. But it was growing, and growing fast. Everyone looked to their Fire Lord for direction. Of course they would, it was only natural.
"My Lord, that star…"
"It would appear to be a comet coming at just this location."
The soldier seemed to flinch at the thought of a massive comet destroying their growing capital. "We must evacuate my Lord!"
"Evacuate? Retreat? Nonsense, we are children of Fire! We meet power with power, honor with honor, and dishonor with righteous justice!"
"But, my!"
"Silence!" Li roared. "All of you stand back, and witness. We are the Fire Nation, we never retreat, never falter. We are as strong as rages Fires, and Fire consumes all!" Li Sun balled his hands into fists and took a forward stance before drawing into the Rune in his body, entering the Runic Trance.
Behind the Fire Lord the ground began to crackle and bubble up, as if being shoved up by some unstable force. Up, up, into the sky the ground continued to rise, a massive area of ground pushed up. In the sides of this rock cracks released molten lava, and it trailed down for only a second before being pushed back into the volcano by some unseen force.
But all knew what force commanded the lava….the Rune of Fire.
Changing his position to a horse stance, for better stability, the Fire Lord unleashed a mighty roar, erupting the Volcano at the same time. The massive stream of lava rocketed into the air and began to gather into an orb shape in the air.
All those around watched in utter horror at the sight before them. Never before had such strength been seen in this world. A volcano brought up and then used like this, no one thought it possible even for the mighty Rune of Fire!
"THIS IS THE WILL OF FIRE!! THIS IS HOW WE SHALL LIVE OUR LIVES! NO FEAR, NO WEAKNESS, ONLY HONOR AND COURAGE!"
Li Sun jumped forward with a spin, the lava spinning with him, he landed on one foot spinning still, and planting his other foot and reached back and up over his head with his hands. And as if he were carrying a massive boulder the Fire Lord slung his hands forward over his head, launching the compacted lava into the atmosphere to meet the great comet.
What occurred was nothing else than a great show of lights. The lava melted all of the rock almost instantly, save one piece which was thrown off course by the sheer magnitude of Rune power put into the liquid ball. The lava ball and the melted rock fell into the ocean, hardened, and would, eventually, become an island, an island that would one day hold a Temple as a reminder of this day.
The very same temple that Avatar Aang would visit to seek a vision from Avatar Roku.
--------
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 8
"Uh…"
You wake, though you shall not move well for a time.
Fire?
Aye, we suffered a many great blow from Earth. Don't feel ashamed for we fought a mighty battle.
Dream…man…Li.
Ah. Just as the Avatar remembers all the memories, skills, and powers of its previous forms when entering his Avatar State, so do you remember past bearers when you enter the Runic Trance.
Sheng wanted to continue but his strength was near zero and, more interestingly, something had caught his eye. A glint, nothing more. It was probably a wet rock reflecting some light but somehow he felt compelled to move towards it. So he crawled.
He crawled along the ground, completely devoid of the fact that another body lay sleeping. The wind had picked up and, though it was little more than a breeze, it seemed to chill him to the bones. He crawled and pulled the rock towards him, oval in shape, towards his stomach.
It's warm.
Wrapping his body around the large football , almost twice its size, object. Against the wind the heat resonating from the rock helped to bring him some relief…and there was still that feeling of need, that desire to have this strange thing near him. Sheng slept.
Ho ho….interesting.
---------
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 8
It had been an hour since Suki woke him to begin his shift of looking after Toph. They had been tending to her wounds all day long and soon night would be on them. Toran, having exhausted himself from healing Toph's wounds to the best of his novice healing ability, had slept much of the day away. So he was rightfully awarded the night shift.
So he sat, as the sun was falling on the eight day since…Water came into his life. It had been, for some reason, very quiet over the past few days. It was to be expected though, it was Water! The element that taught one to flow with the stream, to go with the events instead of fighting against them. It seemed to only speak when something of importance was needed.
Still, he felt like having a chat with his Runic Spirit and delved into himself to have a little one-on-one.
Water?
Yes, Child?
Any insight into this situation?
As I said before, Fire and Earth. A duel between rune bearers. Fire has retreated, but Earth…
….You mean…the girl?
Yes, the Rune Bearer of the Earth. I wouldn't fear her, I do not sense any aggression from the Earth Rune, and besides, she is in not state to challenge us.
Toran looked over at the sleeping blind girl called Toph, as Suki had said to be her name. She was just a kid! She couldn't be any older than just twelve or thirteen years of age, but she was a Rune Bearer? What kind of people did the Runes choose? Were their qualifications? Standards?
Haha. We are very insightful spirits, Toran, we can simply look into an individual and see potential, or lack thereof. You will see it too, one day, and when that day comes you will help to rebuild the Southern Water Tribe and further strengthen the Northern Tribe.
Toran sighed, still feeling vastly overwhelmed with the task to somehow hinder the Fire Nation. And with all the Fire Nation presence around he wondered if Ba Sing Se itself was under siege….or worse. Looking up to the sky above, the lowering sun and the rising moon, he laughed at the irony.
Even the Sun and Moon via for control of the sky… but only one can rule at a time.
Yes…and when the two collide, one loses everything.
What?
Water didn't answer.
----------
Location: Earth Kingdom - Day 9
SPLASH!!!
"AAHH!"
Sheng's entire body began to shiver as the water that had been dumped on him began to find its way through his clothing and to his skin. Looking up Sheng found a very agitated Prince Zuko staring down at him, with another bucket of water in hand should it be needed.
"Explanations are in order." Zuko stated.
"For what?"
Zuko stared at Sheng incredulously. Oh that, Sheng thought. Sitting himself up he looked down at his wet clothes and brushes aside several pieces of what looked to be…egg shells? Sheng looked up at Zuko merely moved to dump the other bucket on him.
Sheng braced for the splash. Instead he felt a weight land on his head, something craw at his forehead, and something that gave a roar-like yawn.
Eyebrow twitching Zuko suddenly slung the bucket unto Sheng before leaping away and into a fighting stance. The water flushed the thing off Sheng's head and into his lap.
What…the?
Ho,ho. Interesting, indeed.
Scales, tail, wings, horns, and claws. Sheng found his own eyebrows twitching as the tiny reptile looked up at Sheng with big blue eyes, yawn, and begin to claw at Sheng's stomach before curling up in his lap with the intent to sleep.
"..What…"Zuko started.
Sheng looked dumbfounded at Zuko, completely confused and not having the slightest idea of what slept in his lap. He turned to Fire for an answer the all knowing spirit chuckled and gave the answer the same time as Zuko did.
Dragon.
"DRAGON!"
Sheng looked down at the sleeping creature as it open its eyes and looked up at him, like a newborn puppy would to its new owner. It even wagged its tail a little. The shock of it all allowed Sheng to utter one word.
"….EH?!"
0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
A/N: Hey, everyone! Sorry for the wait, but I had a lot of trouble with this chapter. I'm really happy with the way things turned out in the 'dream' sequences but they were hard to do. I had about three versions for each and I chose this because it was interesting but not so tedious with detail that it might bore some. The last two scenes I don't much like, but I think it's because its not as cool as the previous scenes, haha. Though I have to say, I'm stoked about Sheng's new companion. You'll get more about that little critter soon!
But, this chapter got me thinking that I might, MIGHT, after this story is done, do a prequel to this story. Cause the Avatar universe is very blank and fairly easy to write about and I thought it might actually be really, really, cool to write about the first bearers and all the events that lead up to the creation of the Avatar. Any opinions on that idea?
Anyway, this chapter isn't as intense as the last one, but it is to be expected. Every build up of tension must have a release. The next chapter will cover what the rest of the characters have been doing while Zuko,Sheng, Suki, Toph, and Toran were resting up (A whole day passed in this chapter).
At this point in the story I'm really hoping for reviews on the story, so I can get some opinions! So send them in and I hope you continue to read and enjoy!
-Arc
PS: Here is the meanings behind the names I chose for the first Heroes (Minus their family names).
Yi(Resolute)Rong(Glorious)Tong
Li(Strength)Sun