I'm back! Hope you guys enjoyed the previous one and this one. Please review the chapters, I really need to know on how I can improve.
Book 1: Wondering
Chapter 12: Two Sides
Cheryl's POV:
When we reached the spirit portal, I felt … uneasy, yet at the same time prideful. It was really an awkward feeling, but I pushed the though aside to focus on finding Korra. Pepper, Jinora's sky bison didn't really seem to like the spirit portal entrance. It roared whenever Jinora tried to coax it in. We all watched at Jinora's failed attempts. I couldn't blame the poor bison. It seemed to be as glowy and as mysterious, just like the past. Wait a minute... I've never been here. I shook my head, Korra, probably did. She is the Avatar after all.
"You okay?" Branyt's voice shook me out of my thoughts. He had a concerned face just like when we were kids and I had gotten a cut on my knee. I gave him a smile back and nodded.
"Yeah." That seemed to make him even more worried about me. I sighed, when is he ever gonna loosen up. I looked back at Jinora.
"Ok, Pepper. You can stay here with the luggage, but don't go anywhere else." She warned it. It nodded its head in return while Jinora gestured too us.
"Let's get moving guys." I took a deep breath and closed my eyes when I stepped in. When I opened it, I found somewhat different from what I imagined. The dirt was somewhat a dark color, but there were spirits everywhere just like in our world. It really was beautiful though. I looked to my right finding a twisted tree and another spirit portal quite far from where I was standing.
"Okay guys, split up and let's help Cheryl find Korra." Jinora commanded. We all nodded and took off in different directions. I on the other hand found the tree to be interesting.
"The Tree of Time." I heard myself whisper. It seemed to be luring me as if I was under some spell, and next thing I knew I was walking toward it unconsciously. The world spun behind me, and when I had just snapped out of it I realized I was already at the tree.
I looked from the tree to my original location, swinging my head back and fourth. How the heck did I get here so fast? Well, the others didn't call me back so that meant that they weren't worried about my sudden movement, so I'll just check out this place. I directed my attention to the tree.
Carefully, I placed my hand on its bark and closed my eyes. Suddenly, visions of Korra meditating appeared. I quickly let go of the tree, panting cause of the sudden images imputed in my head.
"Guys! Its the Avatar!" I hear a familiar voice call out to the other spirits. I turned around finding an yellow oval shaped spirit with 6 limbs and 2 leaves on top its head standing behind me. I sit down with my knees folded. It crawls onto my lap, its so cute. Other small spirits crowded around.
"You're the one that led me to Toph." It nods back.
"Who are you looking for this time?" It asked.
"Korra." Her face lightens up.
"Oh yeah! She said that you'll be visiting soon."
"Can you guys lead me to her?"
"Yeah, but she said you have to come alone." My face scrutinizes up. How come alone?
"Can I at least tell my friends?" She shakes her head no. I stroke my chin, it's kinda weird going alone. What if … ? Oh, never mind. I'll just meet her alone.
"So, which direction do we go?" I say while standing up and letting the spirit fly into the air.
"Ehhh...we kinda are already going there." It replies. I look around me and notice that the surroundings are whizzing by.
I really need an explanation on how things work around here. When we stop, we land there is a forest to my right with huge leaves bigger than myself. There was also a large pond. And grass covered pretty much everything else. All the spirits then went going about doing their own business again. I turn around hoping to see Korra.
"Korra?" I call out hesitatingly.
"Yes?" I turn around again and a 30-year-old Korra stares back at me.
"Korra!" I let out a big grin, and gives her a big hug. She chuckles.
"Man, you'll like Bolin at points." I let go of her and smile back.
"What do I do about the current situation?"
"Let's sit, first." She gestures to a white circular table that has cake, tea, and other sweets. I blink at the sudden arrangement. Why should I relax when the world is in danger? I hear Korra laugh.
"You know that I am part of you, right?" I feel the tips of my ears grow red. Oops.
"Its okay. I was just like you. Just relax for now." I sighed and took a seat. She slices a piece of cake for me, and places a fork on it. I stay silent.
"Cheryl, sweetie. You have got to calm down. If you are all worried, how are you suppose to think right? It's true the Red Lotus are after you, but I don't think they'll attack innocent people to get to you. They have the world's eyes on them now. But be alert for your friends. Plus, the Air Nation is in the hundreds now, so they most likely use force. But still watch your back, They can pop out of no way." I gasp at the sudden flashbacks of images of the past. 'Air Nation, gone. Protect them...Avatar's duty.'
She passes tea over to me, and her expression darkens. "You should worry more about the Earth Queen. She's making some funny business that might override the legislation. "
"How do I stop her then?"
"The method is your choice, but you'll going to need to disband her military that's for sure." She paused to think.
"Have confidence in yourself. You do have the qualities. You're loyal. You didn't want to leave your friends. You're kind, my grand-kids can you tell that everyday. You're smart, you grew suspicious when the spirits told you to come alone. And you have many other characteristics that show you're awesome. Why doubt yourself?" I blushed at the comments, and she continues on with her speech.
"But that doesn't mean you won't need help okay? You can meditate to talk to me, and you have great friends to help you. You'll be fine." She finishes her talk and waited for me to respond. How did she..? Oh, yeah. She's part of me.
"Thanks Korra. And why did you want to meet me alone? Plus, how come I was moving so fast through the spirit world?" I asked.
"Well, think about the first question on your own. Isn't there somethings that certain people can't listen on?" I think about my lack of self-confidence, and other things that Korra revealed through the conversation. True. I nod back in response.
"Oh, and the going through spirit world really quickly is just a Avatar thing. If you are thinking of a destination and you want to get that location, you'll be able to whiz there. You can also meditate into the spirit world, but you'll won't be able to use your bending if you come that way." I nodded. She got up, and gave me a warm hug.
"You're never alone. Got it?" She gave me a wink and patted me on the shoulder. I nodded once again.
"Now, get back to your friends. They are getting worried."
"You can see them?" I say surprised.
"Yeah, I'm an Avatar too you know." We laughed together and said our byes before Korra disappeared.
I was halfway whizzing through the spirit world to the tree, when I found my mouth suddenly covered from the back and my feet tied. I quickly firebended away the rope tied around my ankles, turned around,and got into a fighting position.
But instead of the Red Lotus, it was a bunch of male Earth Kingdom citizens. I furrowed my brow in confusion. Why? I was just about to ask when elements were thrown to me. Earth, Fire, Water.
I dodged most until my exhaustion got to me. There were a lot more of them then me. I grunted as flying rocks bruised and scratched me. I panted, my hands on my knees after narrowly missing a flame close to my face. Then suddenly a huge rock smashed into my back. I yelped at the surprise attack. Landing face-first into the ground. I got up quickly again, hoping I could find a way to talk to them. But with each attempt at talking I was met with a wave of water. 'Why?' Was the only question in my mind at this time.
Akina's POV:
After we split up and regrouped, I found everyone else but Cheryl.
"Where's Cheryl?" I asked worriedly. It wasn't unusual for her to not appear with us since she tends to wander off to explore.
But still, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I should be worried. I sighed, I guess its because I've always been like a mom to others. I looked back at Branyt, he on other the hand got kinda...crazy when things like this happened to Cheryl. He opened his glider.
"I'm gonna try to find her through the air." He took off without letting me reply. I looked back at Jinora who was still meditating, but this time, on Cheryl's location. I collected some water from the river, and put into my water bottle.
I could use it to heal later. I tapped my foot lightly. I felt so useless, not able to be by Cheryl's or Branyt's side. What if something happened to them? They're just kids. I shook my head, they'll be fine! But what if … Get a hold of yourself Akina! I sighed and plopped onto the ground, practicing my water-bending. There wasn't much to do. Except wait and hope for the best.
Branyt's POV:
I was gliding in the sky looking for Cheryl when I spotted a bunch of figures. I quickly speed up on my airbending hoping to get a closer look. All of them were wearing Earth Kingdom clothing, but most of them were targeting this one girl in the center who was laying down, her arms shaking from trying to keep herself up.
Her clothes were wore down, and broken. I swooped down from a different angle, and what I saw made my blood boil. The girl was Cheryl, and she was desperately trying to fight back all the adults even though she was down, but it clear that she was tired.
I circled around before performing an air swipe to knock out the adults before landing besides Cheryl. Relief spread across her face at the sight of me, but then she fell into my arms, unconscious. I looked around.
Luckily, I had knocked them out so they wasn't awake, but Cheryl needed medical attention immediately. Walking back would take forever. Suddenly the world shifted, and both Cheryl & me were back at the spirit portal.
"Akina! Jinora!" I called. Akina and Jinora shifted their attention to me. I gestured to Cheryl who was still unconscious. When Akina ran over and saw Cheryl's body, her face paled. She then quickly took out the spirit water from her pouch and began healing the wounds.
Her facial expression look so serious compared to her normal calm expression, I could tell this is the first time she saw Cheryl so battered up. I wanted to be by Cheryl's side, but then I would have prevented Akina from healing her. Jinora put an arm around me to give me reassurance.
While we watched Akina heal, Jinora turned her attention to me.
"What happened?" She asked.
"I don't know. I just found a bunch of people dressed in Earth Kingdom attire attacking her. By the time I had already, she already was beaten up. I knocked them out before reaching Cheryl. She collapsed onto me when she saw that I arrived." Jinora nods.
"Where did you see them?" She asks. I point over to a spot near the forest of leaves. She flies over there,and comes back.
"They aren't there." I stroke my chin. How did they suddenly disappear? I redirect my attention to Cheryl. We watch Akina stop healing. Her eyes are sad.
"We need to get her back to Katara, some wounds are going to take time. I've healed most of the major wounds, but she gonna need some bandages. We should quickly go back." I nod, and carefully pick up Cheryl bridal style. She stirs and her eyes open up a bit.
"Branyt?" Akina comes over and pats Cheryl's hair.
"Shh, go back to sleep everything will be alright, okay?" I could tell some tears are forming around Akina's eyes, but the light goes out of Cheryl so she doesn't notice.
We go through the portal once more, and I airbend myself onto Pepper's back. Akina climbs on through Pepper's tail, while Jinora also airbends on.
While riding back, I notice Cheryl falling in and out of conscious. I snug her against me to keep her warm while Akina continues to heal the wounds with spirit water. I hope the negotiation with the world leaders are going well because Cheryl is in no shape to help the world currently.
Sean's POV
We're flying toward the Fire Nation with Irwin flying our bison, the sky slowly darkening.
"We'll see mom and dad again right?" Lily said cheerfully.
I nod back, but something in the back of the mind is nagging me, like something is a bit too fishy. I think about how we are going to a meeting with pretty much all the world leaders. We have the Earth Queen's problem … and the Red Lotus'. Goals: Earth Queen wants revenge, so wants The United Republic of Nations. Red Lotus wants to free the world from world leaders and take down the Avatar. They are somewhat working together for unknown reasons. Wait a minute! My eyes widen. If almost all the world leaders are there... wouldn't the Red Lotus be able to take us all out?! It could be a trap.
"Irwin! We have to go back! It might be a trap! All of the world leaders are there right? Its the perfect opportunity for the Red Lotus to strike" I call out to him.
"Its too late, we're already here." He replies. I look down from the bison, we're nearly hovering over the Fire Nation palace.
"Hey, there are some funny looking people with weapons in black clothing behind the garden tree," Lily says while pointing in a certain direction. "Maybe I could play with them." I slap my forehand in frustration.
"Lily, its no time to play. And they are probably-" Wait a sec. Weapons? I quickly take a look at the spot Lily points to. Sure enough, her description is true. I squint my eyes, and see that the symbol on them is the Red Lotus.
"Intruders!" I shout to the guards and quickly send a fire blast that they dodge. Lily notices my sudden move and expertly throws tiny sharp daggers toward the people. One of it actually pins a figure down before its taken out.
I jump down, using my firebending to propel me down and cushion my landing. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lily jump out of the saddle,flip and land seconds after me.
We confront the 3 people in black suits. Irwin lands the sky bison in the garden. I hear the guards approach. They instantly recognize our royal status and take on the Red Lotus Members.
I gesture to my sis to come with me. I run to the throne room, there's gotta be more than just 3. When we get there, there are already Red Lotus Members fighting with my Dad and some guards.
"Look out behind you!" My Dad shouts to me. I turn my back finding Lily chi-blocking a Red Lotus member only inches away from my back. I use a fire whip to send 3 other flying across the room.
What a mess! For now, the throne room is quiet. Lily and me give a quick hug to my dad, and he hugs us back tightly.
"I'm so glad you two are okay." He tells us.
"Daddy? What's going on?" Lily's face is full of worry. He sighs.
"Lily, politics."
She raises a brow to indicate that she doesn't understand. We hear the door open again, and more Red Lotus in black suits appear. We all get into fighting stances.
"The Red Lotus, Lily. The Red Lotus are after us Lily." I give a simple, but direct answer to her question. Her eyes seemed to show she level of understanding. I look back to the unwanted visitors. Hopefully Cheryl had found Korra, and things are going good with them. Cause its a lot worse here I believe.
So, yes I still have a writer's block. And that means longer waiting. But I hope this chapter was enjoyable. Please review, I need to know what you guys think.