Gosh! I didn't think you guys were actually gonna read this but… 7 reviews and I'd not even started the story yet! I'm so happy, to say the least. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! I got spurred up as I read your reviews and, well, the truth is that without you, this story would have been a mere idea. Thanks a kazillion!
REPLY TO YOUR REVIEWS:
Pinkgurl14: Thanks. And you got the first review! Can you do same for Chapter 2?
Jewelz2008: OMG! Your ideas are so brilliant. *gasps* You are a genius! You might see them soon, so stay tuned. And it's more like a story with a show at the end of it. You'll get the idea when you're through with Chappie One. And, sure, Aang hates being the Avatar. Thanks for the review.
KaidaYuri: Why, thank you. Your vote for the second chapter really early but it will be given serious consideration. Other votes might play a role, though. But, thanks a lot for your review. I wouldn't have done it without you!
Kimjuni2: I'm happy that you like the idea. Your review is highly appreciated, and was one of the ones that really got me writing. Knowing that there are people that want this up as soon as possible! Thanks so much.
Hmweasley: Thanks! Hope I don't let you down cuz my writings can get a little funny sometimes. I'm happy to know you'll be reading it. Thanks again!
Nikz: Your review was very instrumental in helping me get this chapter up. Thank you so much!
Melizza-XoXo-: Your review was my ignition. I'm really excited too! It's nice to see that you're actually interested in this. Thanks for the review!
In conclusion, your reviews have made me really excited! I can only focus long enough to get this words out – YOU GUYS ARE THE BOMB!!!
Okay, to do the disclaimer today, it's… KATARA! *applause* Katara, blow us away. *hands over microphone*
DISCLAIMER (Katara):
Awww, that's so sweet. Well, you'd have guessed by now, Eastar Gift doesn't A:tla or me…
Sokka: Or me
Zuko: Or any of us *snickers with Sokka*
Me: That's it! Not a word out of both of you for the rest of the Disclaimer. I trust Katara can handle it herself.
Katara: Thanks Eastar Gift. I'll do this as quickly as possible if some people (*shoots death glare at Sokka and Zuko*) will butt out. *clears throat* As I was saying, Eastar Gift doesn't own us, but he does own EGGS. Thank you. *hands over microphone and dismounts stage*
Me: And now, the moment you've all been waiting for (*trumpets and drum roll*), here comes Chapter One of BSS BA. Enjoy! *bows out of stage. Screen scrambles* Um… technical problems. *walks behind curtains* Toph, get outta there! *Toph walks out with smirk on her face*
Toph: Can't a girl get some earth bending space in her life? Sheesh!
Me: Back to the chapter…
Chapter 1
BACK TO SCHOOL
Aang sighed as he looked around his room for what was gonna be one of his last times in a couple of months. He had just finished packing his bag for school tomorrow. His room looked neat and tidy, as Gyatso said it should always be.
AANG'S POV
Everything's so strange… and new. New school, new friends, new teachers, new rooms, new everything. What's the worst that could happen? Uh… who am I kidding? I'm not gonna be able to fit in. Being the avatar sucks! I hit my bed in frustration. Why do I have to be different? Why couldn't I just be normal, like any regular kid. Instead, I get to be the avatar. Just as my classmates were getting used to the idea of the avatar studying with them, I've got to change school. Why did I have to change school, anyway?
*Flashback*
"Aang, I've got to talk to you" Gyatso said some days ago while having breakfast. I looked up from my plate. Now that's something you don't see every day.
"I've been transferred… to Ba Sing Se." He started, pausing between words to read my facial expression. I nodded to urge him on. "We'll have to move tomorrow. That means you'll have to join a school there." He stopped, then quickly added, "I'm sorry about your friends, and the sudden change in environment. It's for the best, trust me. Is that okay with you?" I guessed my face reflected the confusion and fear within me, but I eased it into a smile, fake at first, and then genuinely as it spread to my eyes. Gyatso smiled too.
Heck, I wasn't gonna miss any friends. I didn't have any to miss. I was always the avatar freak. Everyone had someone who was like him or her, except me. A change of environment was exactly what I needed.
"Aang?" Gyatso called me, breaking my train of thoughts.
"It's okay." A look of uncertainty stained his face. I assured him. "Really." His face relaxed as he said,
"Well, I'm off to work. Do help me tidy up the house. I left you a present in my room." He winked as he grabbed his coat and went out of the house. I heard his car start and drive off. Gyatso was my only true friend. He was always there for me when no one was. I don't know what I would do without him.
I set off to work cleaning the house. I had been pushing my bending abilities to the limit lately and I could do some wonderful stuff, like washing dishes without touching them using waterbending, getting all dirt off the floor, thanks to earthbending , airbending any unpleasant smell away, or getting clothes dry using firebending. I set to work starting from the kitchen.
*End of Flashback*
Why was I so tensed up now? I had been happy at first. Get over it, Aang! Just get some sleep for tomorrow. "Early to bed, early to rise!" Gyatso would say.
I plopped on my bed, adjusted my pillow and placed my head on it. It's amazing how tired you can get after packing! I yawned and slept off.
KATARA'S POV
"Sokka, you done packing?" I called at Sokka from the door of my room. His room was across the hall from mine.
"Yep! All packed." He called back from his room. "I'm just gonna get some sleep." His yawn stretched the last word 'sleep'. I heard the unmistakable sound of Sokka's snores as he slept off.
God, that guy must be sleep itself! I mean, no one sleeps that fast… Speaking about sleep, I'd better get some. I can't believe I'm going back to school tomorrow! I can't wait to meet Toph. I'm gonna make her tell me all about her holidays. And the teachers… I can't wait. A yawn tried to escape my mouth as my right hand patted my mouth to keep it down.
"Good night, dad!" I shouted loud enough for dad to hear me. He and mom were in the living room.
"Good night, hon." He replied as I closed my door. Bed! Bed!! Bed!!! I stopped to look out the window as I walked towards my bed. Such a nice night. A clear sky, punctuated at few points by bright shining stars. The moon being in crescent shape. Just like a picture from a story book. I shuffled as I moved closer to the bed. I saw my pack of fortune cookies on the bedpost. I picked it up and was about to put it in the waste bin when I noticed that a single cookie was still in the pack. I took it and broke it open, taking out the fortune and then ate it. I looked at the fortune…
You shall find the 'he' to complete the 'art' of your heart if you believe
"Yah, right" I said in sarcasm as I flung the pack into the waste bin with the fortune. But as I slept, I couldn't get the fortune off my mind.
TOPH'S POV
"Toph, darling, do you need help in there?" Mom called from behind my door.
"No mum." I replied for what seemed to be the umpteenth time.
"Are you sure?" Dad's voice, this time, came from behind the door.
"Ugh… I'm fine, Dad!" I stated, matter-of-factly.
Gosh, next thing you know, mom'll start telling me when she switches off lights so I would take care.
"I'm switching off the lights in the hallway, honey. Is that okay?" Mom again.
I rolled my eyes. "Of course!" I nearly shouted. It's unbearable living with parents who treat you like a doll. Even a doll wouldn't have to be told before the lights in the hallway were switched off. I was so glad I was going to school tomorrow. At least I'll be free with people who know I can take care of myself, like Katara. A smile broke out on my face as I thought of her. She would probably drill me on my holiday once she lays eyes on me. And Sokka… I felt my stomach stir as I thought of him. I'd missed them all so much.
I lay down in readiness to sleep, as I'd had my servants do my packing for me.
AANG'S POV
Gyatso horned impatiently as he shouted, "Aang, hurry up. You don't want to be late!"
"Coming" I answered. I heaved as I lifted my second box in my left hand, the first being in my right hand, and moved to the car. I strapped myself in with the seat belt as Gyatso drove off. Ba Sing Se Benders' Academy was a ten-minute drive from our house in Ba Sing Se.
We pulled up at the large wall that was the fence of the school. What do you expect? They're earthbenders! I thought as Gyatso pulled me into bear hug. He went on and on about how I should be careful, stay out of trouble, and take my studies seriously. I felt tears pour down both our eyes as we parted. I quickly wiped mine away as I grabbed my stuff and trudged towards the gate. Here we go.
The sight that greeted me when the gate opened was awesome, no… breathtaking! The school was large! There were so many students that it probably must have looked like a land rush. I walked into the cafeteria. I needed something to eat as I was really tired. I would go for my placement and schedule after eating. I got some tea and shortcake and sat down at an empty table towards the left side of the cafeteria. I sighed as I sat down. This was gonna be a long day. Everyone seemed to be amongst friends except me. I sighed again and took a bite out of my shortcake. I smiled, it was sweet. I was about to take a sip of my tea when I saw something which glued my eyes to itself immediately. I came to some few seconds after when I realized that instead of pouring my tea into my mouth, I was pouring it on my jeans…
That's it for Chappie 1. It's not really much, just intros and starters, but I bet you're wondering what Aang saw…
Me: *Superstar voice* And now, it's time for… EGGS. You all know what that means, don't you? Well, let's hear it.
Audience: Eastar Gift Gist Show!
Me: That's right. And today, thanks to votes from Pinkygurl14, jewelz2008, KaidaYuri, Nikz and Melizza-XoXo-, Our guest for tonight's show will be… *drum roll* AANG! *cheers*
--Aang enters from stage right—
Me: Welcome to EGGS, Aang. And how are you feeling today?
Aang: Very fine, thank you. And it's my pleasure to be on EGGS. *smiles* *girls cheer*
Me: Okay, Aang. We have 3 cards whose faces are covered displayed on the screen. Please pick one of them.
Aang: Uh… *thinking, taps chin* the one in the middle.
Me: What is under the one in the middle? *The card in the middle is revealed to bear the number 3* Three! Awesome. So Aang, you'll get three questions from me, and three from the audience. You've got to answer them truthfully.
Aang: Okay.
Me: Your first question is… Why do you dislike being the avatar so much? *audience 'ooh's*
Aang: Being the Avatar is strange. It sort of isolates me from the rest of the world seeing as no two people can be the Avatar at the same time. It's annoying to think nobody alive can understand my plight.
It also puts a huge responsibility on my shoulders. You know, having to master all four elements and all, keeping the world in harmony, being the bridge between the spirit world and humans. It can be frustrating sometimes, especially when combined with the first reason.
Finally, the Avatar state. It puts me in great pain and many times I lose control of what I do at that point. Such power uncontrolled can be really dangerous.
Me: Well answered! *applause from the audience* Second question, is there any part of being the Avatar that you love?
Aang: *thinks* The power and ability to protect those I love would probably be the thing I love most about being the Avatar. I can't really think of anything else. Oh! And the privilege of speaking with the spirits.
Me: Nice! Finally, what do you think of your school, so far?
Aang: OMG! The school is big. I hope I don't get lost. I can't really say much until after the next chapter *winks at me*.
Me: Splendid! Now I believe the audience is just dying to ask you some questions. Anybody? *all hands in the audience shoot up* Okay, Aang, make your pick. *Aang points at a tall blonde on the fourth row*
Naka: Hi, I'm Naka. I was just wondering, can I get your number? *audience 'ooh's again*
Aang: *thinks, looks up and then smiles* I'm sorry but my number is private. I could pay you a visit, though, sometime if that's okay.
Naka: Of course it's okay! *squeals as she sits*
Me: Next… *all hands shoot up again* Aang? *Aang points at a boy in body hug T-shirt*
Sue: I'm Sue. My question is, what did you see at the end of chapter one?
Aang: That's a nice question. *glances at me, reads the expression on my face, and turns back* I don't think I'm allowed to tell you that. It will be sorted out in chapter two. Thank you.
*Sue sits and all hands except Sue's shoot up for the final question*
*Aang points at a man at the back row*
Nok: I'm Nok and I wanted to know, is Gyatso your father?
Aang: Yes, but not biologically. He adopted me after my parents dropped me in a babies' home. He's been more than a father since then. I hope that answers your question.
Nok: Yes indeed. Thank you.
Me: Well, that's it for the audience questions. Are you a viewer at home who's got some questions? Put them down in review form and Aang will answer them at the beginning of chapter two, which, I promise will be more exciting and intriguing.
Now our surprise package for this chapter… Aang has offered to give everyone present his autograph! *audience cheers loudly* Please line up in an orderly manner as he will do that.
[5 minutes later]
That wraps the first episode of… *points microphone at audience*
Audience: EASTAR GIFT GIST SHOW!
Me: haha. Yes. Stay tuned for more episodes here on BSS BA. Don't forget to review… Bye. *screen is supposed to fade but doesn't* Uh… technical problems. TOPH! GET OUTTA THERE!
Toph: Hey?! *walks out from backstage*
Me: See ya! *screen fades*
Did you love it? I was a little off and in a hurry when I wrote it. But as I said, your reviews give me the encouragement I need to write each line. So, keep reviewing…
*~*~*~*~*Eastar Gift*~*~*~*~*