The Firebender

Chapter 4: The Search

Water, Earth, Fire, Air

Long ago the four nations lived together in harmony. Then everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the avatar master of all four elements could stop them but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years passed and my cousin and I discovered the new avatar. An airbender named, Steven. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe Steven can save the world.

August 4, 1245

It has been a whole day since we last saw Ruby. But no matter how bad the odds are, Steven still continues to search for her. Pearl tried countless times to talk him out of it but he is stubborn as always.

Amethyst actually agrees with him; thinking that the firebender actually has guts of steel or something. Sapphire hasn't said much but I have a feeling she agrees with Amethyst and Steven. My cousin is one of little words but I swear whenever we bring up the firebender she gets this weird look on her face; longing maybe? I don't know. I want to be there to support Steven but I can't forgive a lowlife firebender like Ruby.

Steven says she's the one who needs to train him but I myself am a bit uncertain. But I'll say this; if she does join I will make sure she knows where she stands. So if she ever tries to hurt my friends then I will have to take care of her myself.

Connie shut her journal abruptly and slid it into her sleeping bag. They were on day two of the search and by now they have asked people around town if they knew of Ruby. As luck would have it, she's a notorious bender who was banished from the Fire Nation by the firelord herself. Although no one knows why; they just said that she was to be arrested on the spot.

"She's obviously a criminal," Pearl scoffed; looking at the wanted poster. "I mean—she has to be bad if she got banned from her own nation!"

Amethyst smirked. "I don't know; she seems pretty badass to me," She looked at the skinny girl. "Besides; Ruby can't be all that bad; Sapphire seemed to become friends with her. Right girl?"

Sapphire's face darkened, she turned away from them and looked at the town below them. "Of course, she was nice when I spoke with her,"

"I'm going to look in town; we're getting nothing done by standing here complaining," Steven said suddenly. "Sapphire, Amethyst can you two come with me?" He left them no time to respond as he went jogging to the town.

Amethyst jumped up from the ground with a grin. "Welp, duty calls!" She then followed the avatar into the town with Sapphire right behind her.

"I am starving," Ruby complained; holding a hand to her aching stomach. "…need food." Her intense red eyes scooped the scenes as they searched for something delicious.

After what had happened with her and those 'travelers', she had decided to lay low for a while. The cops were already after her and they had posters everywhere; it was becoming more and more dangerous for her to roam around freely. If worse came to worse then she might even have to leave her nation in general but she didn't want to do that, no.

That would mean that her mother won.

"I will not give her the satisfaction," She huffed out; giving up on her food search and turning around to head back to her hideout. "If I leave then Jasper will get the kingdom and I refuse to let that happen; she doesn't deserve it. She couldn't even find the avatar—"

The avatar.

That's what it's always been about with her mother and sister. They figured that if he or she was out of the way then it would pave the way for victories. And by victories they meant taking over the world and turning every nation into a firebender controlled zone.

That was part of the reason why she was banished.

"Ruby," A voice jolted her out of her daydream as she entered the run down house. "You know it isn't safe for you to be outside; everyone and their mother has a dollar sign on your head. What were you even doing out there?"

Ruby sat down on the floor by the low table and rested her face in her palm. "Relax Sadie; I was just looking for something to eat…not like you cook anything around here," She muttered to herself.

"Watch it, you're lucky that I'm even harboring a fugitive," The thick blonde finished washing dishes to sit across from the firebender on the wood floor. "This is really dangerous and I think my boyfriend Lars is getting suspicious." She chewed her bottom lip nervously.

The shorter girl stood abruptly. "Well you don't have to worry about that cuz' I'm leaving,"

"Wh-what? I was just kidding—"

Ruby turned around and walked to the door, only to pause. "I know you were…but I really need to move on to the next town; it's getting too crowded for me. But thanks for letting me stay here this week, you're a good friend,"

"…where will you go?"

Ruby shrugged with a sly grin. "First I'm going to find some food and then I'm going to find a way to get my kingdom back; then when I'm royalty again I'll make sure to get you the biggest house in this stupid nation, I promise!"

The short girl then ran out of the door less frame without another word. Sadie sat with her mouth a gape and then dropped her head, a smile gracing her lips.

"…impulsive idiot,"

Amethyst collapsed on the floor after an hour of searching one of the busiest areas in the firenation. "I am so tired; can we please take a break?"

Steven helped the earthbender to her feet; wrapping her arm around his neck for support. "I guess we have been looking for a long time and I am pretty hungry…Sapphire, can you get us some food while I try to keep Amethyst from passing out?" His eyes were pleading.

"Of course,"

The avatar smiled gratefully at the response. Sapphire then made her way to the food carts that were quite a distance away from the others. Her light baby blue eyes scanned the appetizing cuisine. They ranged from fruits to vegetables to meats and then back again.

She knew better than to get vegetables for the earthbender would throw a fit. So she settled with a few apples and purchased two turkey legs; getting a chicken leg for herself (she wasn't too keen on meat).

Sapphire was stuffing her shopping bag with her recent buys when she heard a familiar voice; whining in the distance.

"Come on, can't you just help me out this one time? I'm starving!" The waterbender carefully followed the voice.

She turned a corner to come in view of the same person they were tracking. The shorter girl seemed to be hastling the food teller and Sapphire could tell she was about to lose her temper; or what little she had.

Ruby growled, literally feeling her body heat up. "Look old man just give me some food and I'll leave!"

"I am not old! And I'm sorry little girl but you have to pay—" The middle aged man was interrupted when Ruby laughed maniacally.

"Child—did you just call me a child!" She clenched her right fist and glared up at him fiercely. "I am seventeen you idiot!"

The man gasped; placing his glasses on to squint down at her. "Really?"

Sapphire quickly jumped out of her hiding spot when she swore she saw steam coming for Ruby's ears. She wrapped an arm around a broad shoulder and held her back; her cold temperature mixing with the other girl's heated one nicely.

"Sorry about her sir; she just gets cranky when she doesn't eat but I have food for her," Sapphire smiled apologetically. "Come on let's go,"

Ruby struggled to get loose; threatening the store clerk with cures and hand gestures as she was dragged away.

"Hey I could have—" The hotheaded girl shut her mouth abruptly. "It's you!" She pointed an accusing finger to Sapphire.

The waterbender nodded shyly. "…yes it is, sorry for the abruptness but it really isn't a good idea for y—"

"Why are you talking to me?" Ruby asked, starring at her nonplussed. "I mean—I'm a bad guy; my posters are all over this town! Why aren't you avoiding me like everyone else…" Her voice lowered to a hushed whisper towards the end.

"I don't see you like that," Sapphire confessed with a soft blush on her face; she dared to make contact with violent red eyes. "You defeated Buck last night and that's enough to make me have some kind of faith in you,"

Ruby sullenly looked away as they began walking aimlessly. "Your friends didn't seem to see it that way."

"Pearl just—look don't worry about her, okay? I think you're a good person; doesn't that count for something?" Sapphire's voice was soft as she shyly teased a loose string on her dress.

The smile arrived slowly but it made it on Ruby's face as the words sunk in. "Yeah," Ruby chuckled to herself. "And I guess that means I owe you since you saved me from those guards,"

"I suppose it does," Sapphire grinned. "But I have a favor to ask of you; if that's okay," She hesitated.

Ruby glanced at her with a sideways grin. "I am forever in your debt—ask away Sapphire,"

The usually composed waterbender tugged on her dress nervously. "Well—you're a pretty good firebender," She started.

"Yeah…and I bet you're an even better waterbender," Ruby chanced; looking at the slightly taller girl, hoping that she hadn't overstepped her boundaries.

But she needed to know.

Sapphire didn't seem affected as she bit her lower lip. "I guess we made it pretty obvious didn't we?"

"Oh yeah; at first I believed you, about living in the colonies, but then I found your betrothal necklace…Congratulations," She added quickly.

Sapphire giggled, tracing the indents on the necklace around her neck. "Thank you but I'm not married; this belonged to my mother before she passed,"

"I see,"

The waterbender looked up intrigued. "Whenever I tell people that they always apologize; it gets me kind of mad to be honest,"

Ruby swallowed. "I can relate; my father died when I was young, so," She shrugged lamely. "Didn't you have to ask me something?"

Sapphire took the hint and carried on from the subject. "I need you to train Steven and teach him how to firebend,"

Ruby laughed loudly. "What? I'm not a teacher; I just do the element," She softened when she saw Sapphire's disappointed face. "Look, I just don't have the patience to teach that kid, alright? So go find somebody else—"

"But there isn't anybody else!"

The duo looked up to see Steven and Amethyst a few feet away from them and getting closer; Steven had a look of determination on his chubby face.

"I can't tell you how…but I just know that you're the one who needs to teach me," He dropped to one knee respectfully. "Please, will you teach me?" He buried his face low so only his curly fro was visible.

Ruby felt overwhelmed by the attention and started fidgeting. "Look I'm not a good person, kid. I'm wanted in my own nation, I steal to get what I want and I—"

"Saved us from Buck," Steven countered. "You didn't have to but you did."

"What?" Ruby frowned. "First, I didn't save you, you guys left me behind to fend for my own without knowing I could bend! That isn't very Avatar of you," She crossed her arms around her chest.

Steven faltered, but only slightly. "How did you know?"

The firebender shrugged. "I just put it all together; flying Lion, which is an old folklore to the Air Nomads, and all these other benders by your side. Sapphire was obvious, so were you," Ruby nodded her head at Amethyst. "Earthbender right?"

"Yeah," The earth descendant said in surprise.

Steven gasped. "How could you tell that Amethyst is an earthbender?"

Ruby waved her hand lazily. "It's an aura thing; my friend Lapis taught me how to use my so called 'spiritual eyes' that allow me to see the aura around a person. If your aura is green then you're an earthbender, if it's blue a waterbender and so on,"

"You have to teach me how to do that, please!" Steven bowed even lower. "If you train me then we'll owe you one favor, I promise!"

Ruby scoffed. "I don't need any favors; I can do it myself!"

She could rule her nation and she'd earn it; by herself.

"Aww, come on—" Steven pouted.

Sapphire placed her hand atop his puffy hair; causing him to glance at her. "Look Steven, if Ruby doesn't want to train you then we have to respect it. I'm not saying no, I'm just saying that maybe she needs a little more time to think," She looked at the stunned firebender. "Is that okay?"

"…whatever, I'm still not going to change my mind," Ruby huffed, looking away.

Sapphire bit the inside of her cheek. "Well you know where to find us if you do but please hurry, if you don't decide in five hours we'll be gone and off looking for someone else," She pulled the avatar to his feet. "Let's go Steven,"

He sighed, waving at the bender even as he was dragged away. "Bye Ruby; I hope you decide to join us!"

Ruby waved back lazily just as her stomach grumbled. She placed her right hand on her toned abdomen in hopes of muffling the embarrassing noise.

"Oh yeah," Sapphire said, looking up upon hearing the noise.

Ruby watched as the waterbender pulled out a turkey leg from her shopping bag, handing it to her. "Don't go hassling these innocent people for their food," Sapphire added teasingly.

Ruby nodded dumbly; Sapphire smiled softly before catching up with her friends.

The short tempered girl looked down at the meat in her hands; what was this strange feeling?

"Steven, what are you doing?" Connie asked, slightly uncomfortable as she watched him do whatever it was he was doing.

He was spinning around on his tippy toe; fists clenched and arms stretched out far. "I'm trying that move that Ruby did when she defeated Buck," Steven confessed when another failed attempt occurred. "It was so cool! She was able to control all the fire and made it into some cool tornado,"

"I'm guessing she said no then; to training you I mean," Connie brought up; secretly happy that the bender wasn't joining them. "We're better off without her Steven,"

The avatar placed his lips in a straight line and purposely ignored her. Steven took a deep breath and began spinning again; only to land flat on his back.

He let out a frustrated scream. His arms wailed around to emphasize his anger.

"That's not how you do it," A voice said from behind them; Connie tensed.

Steven shot up and the grin on his face was wide and honest. "Ruby!"

"Steven, what is going on? Sapphire and I heard—" Pearl began but stopped abruptly when she saw Ruby approaching; she folded her arms and growled. "What is she doing here?"

Sapphire felt a small twitch of a smile on her lips as she observed the unique scene. Ruby had helped the child to his feet and corrected his stance. She whispered something that only he could hear; apparently it was helpful because no later Steven was spinning again. There were no flames but he looked graceful and in control as he landed on his feet and not on his back.

"I want to train you, kid." Ruby confessed; looking down at the eager child. "But Jasper, my older sister, is after you…"

"This is crazy! She just openly confessed to being related to the one person who wants us dead!" Pearl argued. "What if she's some kind of spy?"

"She's not," Sapphire said sharply when Ruby remained silent. "If she was then she wouldn't have defeated Buck,"

Pearl glared at the waterbender. "That doesn't mean anything—"

"Why were you banished?" Steven spoke over the argument; causing everyone to go quiet. "From your kingdom I mean,"

Ruby sighed. "I didn't agree with what my mother was doing and I guess I disappointed her because the next day she wanted me gone."

"Why didn't you agree then," The child asked.

"I had friends who weren't firebenders, so when she talked about war I got upset. I was so furious that I actually tried to attack her; I obviously lost," Ruby clenched her fist. "If I wasn't her daughter then I'm sure she would have killed me; but since I'm alive I think she wants me for something else…I'm not sure, but I'm sure that if I follow you then I will be able to help you defeat her,"

Ruby grinned. "Then I'll be ruler of my kingdom just like my father requested; I'll make sure that every bender lives together in peace,"

Sapphire and Amethyst smiled softly.

Pearl scoffed. "This is just a scheme for her to become ruler; I bet she's telling nothing but lies!"

Steven held out his hand; ignoring his mentors shouts of dissatisfaction. "Welcome to the team, master Ruby," He quickly added before bowing respectfully.

"Come on kid," Ruby flushed. "There is no need for that, I'm no master,"

Sapphire stood beside the new member and grinned. "He does this to everyone, Ruby," Her soft blue eyes gleefully took in Ruby's red stained cheeks.

"Yeah, you get used to it," Amethyst said with a shrug as she joined the jubilee.

Steven rose with a soft smile. "Now that you're on our team we should start moving out; Pearl thinks it's dangerous to train here and I agree."

Ruby glanced at the skinny girl who was glaring daggers at her from afar; she shuddered. "I-I guess she's right." She composed herself and folded her strong arms over her chest. "So where we going, squirt?"

Steven grinned. "We're going to the Northern Air Temple!"

I feel like this chapter was weak and its been a while since I updated but you all seem to like this story so I want to work on it. I have a lot of good ideas and please bare with me; reviews are great and I'll have 'Anything but Love' updated on Monday.

See you guys later.