Sorry about the painfully long wait folks. Real life issues getting in the way as usual. But thankfully I've had the time to write 2 kickass chapters I hope you all like.
I should point out now though that I made a slight change with Sokka's age, making him alot older than Katara in order to fit in with my ideas for the story as well as make it more chronologically accurate. To anyone who has a problem with that, I apologize but sacrifices must be made.
Anyways, I've kept you all long enough so enjoy my new chapters. I don't own Avatar or Beauty and the Beast.
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Chapter 3: No Matter What
Large amount of smoke billowed from the cellar windows as Katara raced toward her house. Throwing open the basement doors, she barely managed to see past the thick fog before spotting a figure trying to free himself from under a large pile of objects.
"Dad?" Katara called out as she fanned away the smoke "Dad you there?"
The figure shouted something incoherently before finally freeing himself from the pile, nearly losing his pants in the process. He then coughed a bit before hastily wiping away the soot that covered his face.
"Ugh...now how the heck did that happen!?" Hakoda shouted as he stood up and looked at a large smoking metal machine. Feeling something hot on his shoulder, he realized his shirt was on fire and quickly beat it out.
"Are you alright dad?" Katara asked after finally getting down the stairs.
"The darn thing blew up again!" Hakoda said looking angrily at the machine before giving it a hard kick "Ow!" He yelled holding his foot in pain. "Ugh! I'm about ready to give up on this hunk of junk!"
"Oh you always say that." Katara said with a smirk.
"Well I mean it this time." Hakoda said pointing at his invention "I'll never get this boneheaded contraption to work!"
"Yes you will. And you'll win first prize at the fair tomorrow." Katara said putting a hand on his shoulder. Hakoda crossed his arms and pouted before Katara coyly added "And...be a world famous inventor"
Thinking the idea over, Hakoda perked up "You really believe that?"
"You know I do." Katara said giving her dad's shoulder a squeeze "And I always have."
"Well in that case, what are we waiting for? We better get cracking cause this thing won't fix itself!" Hakoda said enthusiastically grabbing his tools. Opening up a compartment, he fanned away the smoke and started tinkering with the gears. "Hey Katara could you grab the bow headed clincher?"
"Which one's that?"
"The one with the drill, wrench and salad fork attached to it. I think it fell in the pile back there."
Heading to the overturned pile, Katara had to move around a lot of stuff before finally spotting the tool stuck between two boxes. With much effort, she pulled it out but caused the top box to fall onto its side, dumping out various nuts and bolts and an odd wooden stick. Picking it up the stick, Katara wiped the grime off it and realized it was a boomerang.
"Everything alright Katara?" Hakoda asked as he walked behind up her "Did you find the-" Hakoda stopped upon seeing the boomerang. Seeing the look on his face, Katara quickly put it back in the box.
"Yes I did. Here's it is," she said holding it out for him. A sudden sadness appeared in Hakoda's eyes and he silently took the tool and went back to work. Katara frowned and glanced back at the small boomerang which had a faded 'S' written on its side.
"Dad...are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine Katara." Hakoda said forcing a smile "It's just...a lot of painful memories..."
"How long's it been since he left?" she asked.
Hakoda thought briefly "Must be over ten years now. Or maybe twelve..."
"Do you think he'll ever come back?" Katara asked as she sat next to him.
Hakoda let out a heavy sigh, "To be honest, I don't know. I had hoped he'd be back already."
"I wish I could remember him better. That way if I travel and we run into each other, I'd know it's him and could bring him home again."
Hakoda smiled at his daughter's optimism even though deep down he knew it would never happen. "Well we can always hope." He said clapping her on the shoulder. "Now c'mon and help me get this piece of junk working."
Putting on his work goggles, Hakoda knelt back down and started adjusting all the bolts underneath while Katara stood overhead with his tool belt. "So, how was it in town today? Do anything special?"
"Well, I got a new book."
"Ahh. You sure do love those books. Just as much as your mother did. Good thing I built a large enough shelf."
"Well I can't help it. I love how just one page can take me away to far off places where there's adventure, mystery, romance...happy endings..." Suddenly Katara thought back to all the things Jet said earlier and how the townspeople reacted whenever she walked into the village. "Hey dad..."
"Yes Katara?"
"If I ask you a question, will you answer me honestly?"
"Don't I always?" Hakoda asked.
"Dad...do you think I'm...odd?"
"What? Mydaughter odd?" Hakoda said looking up at her with his gigantic magnified goggles. "Now where did you get an idea like that?"
"Oh I don't know..." Katara said smirking a little. "It's just that, I'm not sure I fit in here. There's no one I can really talk to."
"Well...what about that Jet fellow? He's a handsome and popular guy."
"Oh he's handsome alright...as much as he is rude and conceited." Katara said disdainfully. "He's not the guy for me dad...none of them are. In fact the whole town...well, when it comes to me all they do is talk."
"Hey, they talk about me too." Hakoda said sitting back up
No, we're not odd, it's true
No family could be saner
Except one uncle who...well, maybe let that pass
In all you say or do
You couldn't make it plainer
You are your mother's daughter, therefore you are class
Katara sighed. "So I should just accept that I'm simply not like them?"Hakoda scoffed and stood up, grabbing a cloth to wipe away the grease on his hands.
They are the common herd
And you should take my word
You are unique: crème de la crème
"I don't know dad. What's so great about being different if it leaves you feeling alone?"
Seeing she wasn't convinced, Hakoda grabbed a nearby bucket of water and sat next to her. "Now cheer up. I happen to know it's not so bad being different. In fact, it's make you better." He said holding up the bucket.
"Oh dad..." Katara said sadly. Seeing the insistent look on his face, Katara put her hand over the surface and began bending the water around till it started forming shapes and floated in mid air.
"See? I'll bet half the townspeople would jump at the chance to be able to bend like you. And that's only a small part of what makes you special." He said putting down the bucket. "As for being alone, you won't have to worry about that. Cause your old dad will always be right there to be different with you."
No matter what you do
I'm on your side
And if my point of view
Is somewhat misty-eyed
There's nothing clearer in my life
Than what I wish and feel for you
And that's a lot...
No matter what
Smiling, Katara held her dads hand and gave it a light squeeze.
No matter what they say
You make me proud
I love the funny way
You stand out from the crowd
Holding up his belt of bizarre tools, Hakoda smirked as he handed her a combination hammer/screwdriver/potato peeler.
It's my intention my invention
Shows the world out there one day
Just what we've got...
No matter what
"Now some may say all fathers just 'exaggerate,'"Hakoda said dramatically waving his arms.
"That every daughter's great?"Katara asked poking him with the tool.
"Hey! You are!"Hakoda said tickling her a bit. Katara giggled and playfully tickled him back.
And every daughter tends to say her father's tops
She pulls out all the stops
To praise him
And quite rightly!
Seeing she was happier, Hakoda put an arm around Katara as they both stared at their reflections from the metal machine.
No matter what the pain
We've come this far
I pray that you remain
Exactly as you are
This really is a case of father knowing best
"And daughter too."Katara said giving him a hug.
"You're never strange" Hakoda said patting her head.
"Don't ever change"Katara said looking up at him.
You've all I've got
No matter what.
"Thanks dad." Katara said kissing his cheek.
"Anytime Katara." Hakoda said standing back up. "Now, what say we hurry up and finish this thing?"
"Let's." Katara said taking out the hammer part of the tool.
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It took thirty long minutes but finally Hakoda and Katara finished the repairs and managed to shovel enough coal in the machine to get it working again. "Okay I think that's done it. Now for a test-drive. You got the logs Katara?"
"Right here!" Katara said setting a wooden log underneath a large ax attached to the machine.
"Just think if this invention works, it could be the beginning of a new life for us."
"That would be wonderful!" Katara said excitedly. "But just to be safe, I'm gonna stand back here during the test drive." She said retreating to the stairs.
"Good plan." Hakoda agreed putting a pot on his head. "Alright here we go." Pulling down a lever, the machine started whistling and blowing steam. Hakoda jumped back and covered his ears as all the gears started turning and spinning around causing the entire machine to quiver and shake. However instead of exploding, the steam powered ax began to hack down on the log, neatly splitting it in two.
"It works!" Katara exclaimed.
"It does?" Hakoda asked looking at the neatly chopped logs in surprise. "IT DOES!"
"You did it dad!" Katara said running to hug Hakoda. "You really did it!"
"We did it Katara!" Hakoda said spinning her around joyfully "And now I'm about to do the rest. Go and hitch up Appa. Me and this metal beauty are off to the fair!"
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It was mid afternoon by the time Hakoda finally finished tying his invention down to the back cart. Katara had already done her job by hitching the wagon to the saddle of their flying bison Appa, who was happily munching on a pile of hay.
"Well that's all of it." Hakoda said wiping his brow. "Got my invention, my tools, my bags and a map to guide the way. It's a shame Appa cant just fly all this stuff to the fair. It would definitely cut my trip in half."
"You know Appa can't carry that heavy machine." Katara said petting the bison's head. "Looks like you're just gonna hafta travel like all the other people without flying bison's."
"Oh darn." Hakoda said sarcastically pouting.
Chuckling, Katara reached up and gave her father a hug. "Best of luck to you dad. I know your going to win first prize! I just know it!"
"Thanks Katara." Hakoda said hugging her back. "Well, I should probably be on my way. Maybe we can make it there before the moon rises. You all set there Appa?" he asked the bison who growled in response.
"Wait! I almost forgot!" Running back inside, Katara quickly re-emerged carrying a blue scarf with the water tribe symbol on it. "I made you this scarf for good luck."
"Oh thank you Katara! It's beautiful." Hakoda said holding it up and admiring it. "Now I know I'm gonna win. And when I do, we'll get out of this little town and go to all those places you've read about in your books."
"That sounds wonderful" Katara said happily.
Leaning over, Hakoda let Katara wrap the scarf around his neck before tenderly kissing her forehead. He then fastened up his cloak, jumped onto Appa's large saddle and gave the reigns a snap. "Well I'm off now. Let's go Appa. Yip, yip!" Letting out a roar, Appa beat his tail against the ground and began pulling the wagon down the road toward the valley.
"Goodbye dad!" Katara waved. "Good luck!"
"Goodbye Katara!" Hakoda waved back. "And take care while I'm gone!"
"I will!" Katara yelled as the wagon disappeared over a hill. "And please be careful!"
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