Well, folks, here's chapter 2. And just a reminder, the book belongs to J.R.R Tolkien, while the extended trilogy belongs to Peter Jackson. So please don't sue!
"Ahrrmm…The 22nd day of September in the year 1400, by Shireville-reckoning; Appa's Sanctum, Western Suburbs, Shireville, Toon-Earth…The Third Age of this world…" an older voice spoke aloud.
Within a small, but luxurious home, conceived in many homily items, designed in the style of a traditional Air Nomad Temple, an old man with a large moustache and yellow and orange robes was in his study.
He sat at his desk; where he was writing into a large book with a quill and ink while smoking a pipe in his hand.
"There And Back Again: An Airbender's Tale by Monk Gyatso", the old monk read aloud the title of his novel; one that was going to hold all of his adventures over the previous decades.
He turned over the page and leant back.
"Now, where to begin?" He pondered. "Ah, yes!"
As inspiration struck, he put down his pipe and dipped his quill in a jar of ink and began to write.
"Concerning Shireville," he wrote in the olden writing style; which was inscribed with the basic lettering but with a more graceful way of presentation.
"The various peoples and races of Shireville have been living and farming in this region for many hundreds of years. Quite content to ignore and be ignored by the world beyond our borders. Toon-Earth being, after all, full of strange creatures beyond count. The various humans, benders, metahumans, fairy tale/magical creatures, talking animals, and nearly every other type of Toon that lives here, they must seem of little importance, being neither renowned as great warriors, nor counted among the very wise…"
Gyatso chuckled at that last part.
Outside of Gyatso's estate, named Appa's Sanctum; could be seen a vast acreage of fields and trees; overlooking Shireville itself. The city of Shireville was founded many centuries ago, settled by refugees of many different Toon races and cultures, drawn here by the rich soil and gentle climate. This caused a quite a bit of tension at first, as all of the refugees wanted to settle here. But it was the Air Nomads who convinced them that this bountiful land should be shared by everyone, thus creating the most peaceful community on Toon-Earth. It was also the most environmentally friendly city on Toon-Earth as well, as most of the buildings had be designed to be energy efficient, the streets lined with recycling bins and there were plenty of solar panels and wind farms to provide energy. The city was spacious enough to resemble a small town then an overcrowded metropolis, as there were lots of parks, and plenty of farms and woodland areas, giving the city an open feeling. Several small rivers snaked there way through the city as well. Throughout the city there were many people of various races, relaxing in their own homes, working in the fields and playing around. A man named Kronk (The Emperor's New Groove) was backing cookies, while a rabbit named Rabbit (Winnie the Pooh) was sweeping his front porch. Not far from Rabbit, a young boy named Taran (The Black Cauldron) was feeding his pet pig Hen Wen. Elsewhere a humanoid crocodile named Leatherhead (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) was discussing music and literature with a mutant named Beast (X-Men).
Before Gyatso could continue writing there was a loud knock at the door; shaking him out of his concentration.
"Aang! Someone at the door!" he yelled out. And with that he resumed writing and going deeper into his home's culture.
"In fact, it has been remarked by some that the people of Shireville only real passion is for food…"
Outside; a man named Homer (The Simpsons) presented a beautiful bunch of flowers to his wife Marge (The Simpsons) who was flattered and leaned forward to kiss him. But then a baker passed through with hand full of donuts; Homer immediately forgot about Marge and snatched one and began to stuff himself.
"A rather unfair observation! As we have also developed a keen interest in the brewing of ales and the smoking of pipe weed," Gyatso continued.
At a well known tavern near the river; Moe's, a man named Barney Gumble (The Simpsons) was drinking an entire beer keg at a time.
"There's nothing like the taste of Duff Beer to give you that sense of self-esteem…Buuurrp!" he woozily said before belching loudly.
Also on the pavements of their own homes; two old men, Professor Farnsworth (Futurama) and Abe Simspson (The Simpsons)were smoking two long pipes with streams of smoke shooting out of the ends. Not far from them, were two other old men named Maurice (Disney's Beauty and the Beast) and Phil (Hey Arnold!), who were playing chess. Two small children, Manny Rivera and Frida Suarez (El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera) ran past them, laughing with mischievous glee.
"But where our hearts truly lie is in peace and quiet, and good tilled earth; for all people in Shirville share a love of things that grow."
Outside his own home; there was a green boy in a purple jumpsuit who was gardening. His name was Beast Boy, and he was a type of metahuman known as a Changeling, with the ability to transform into any animal. His eyes were staring down the entire display of potted plants he was attending to; he sniffed in their lovely scent and smiled at his handy work.
"And yes, no doubt, to others our ways seem quite quaint; but today, of all days, it is brought home to me, it is not a bad thing to celebrate a simple life!"
Outside, deep into one of the finest fields near Gyatso's home; many Toons put all their effort into setting up a huge sign flourished with decoration with a banner that read: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GYATSO!
Suddenly at the door came more knocking; louder and harder this time, again knocking Gyatso out of his train of thought.
"Aang!" The door!" he yelled out. No reply and he was responded only by more knocking.
"Oh, Leechi Nuts. Where is that boy? Aang!"
Far away; under the shade of a single tree in the shallow wood not to far from the crossing sat a twelve year old boy against the trunk with a book in his hands. He wore orange and yellow robes, befitting of an Air Nomad, with a blue arrow tattoo on his head. Lying next to him was a wooden staff.
Suddenly, his keen ears picked up the sound of singing, coming from the crossing; instantly recognizing the voice he sprang up with a smile on his face. He grabbed his staff and ran to the edge of small hill; there he saw a hooded figure, clothed in a black robe with a long scythe in his wagon, along with numerous fireworks.
"The road goes ever on and on, down from the door where it began, now far ahead the road has gone and I must follow if I can…" the robed figure hummed as he lashed at the reigns of the two horses that were towing his wagon along.
"You're late," Aang remarked sarcastically, crossing his arms. The stranger stopped the cart and looked up at the young airbender. It turned out to be a human skeleton instead of a person. It was Grim; the world famous wizard.
"A wizard is never late, Master Aang," Grim said sternly in his deep, Jamaican accent. "Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to!" Then there was then an awkward silence between them.
The meatless wizard was trying to keep a stern expression on his face, but he suddenly began to twitch and chuckle. Aang felt the muscles in his cheeks rise and laughter spring up in his throat; soon after a few seconds both exploded into laughter.
"It's wonderful to see you Grim!" Aang cried as he jumped onto the cart and embraced the wizard.
"You didn't' think I would miss your uncle's birthday did you?" Grim said with a smile; he then lashed the reigns again and both were off.
"So, how is the old rascal?" Grim asked as they passed through the main square of Shireville. "I hear it's going to be a party of special magnificence!"
"You know Gyatso; he's got the whole place in an uproar," Aang answered as they passed over the stone bridge leading towards Appa's Sanctum.
"Well, that should please him," Grim chuckled.
"Half the town has been invited; and the rest are turning up anyway."
As they continued to talk; Gyatso took up to his book once again and began to narrate; ending on the culture and society.
"And so, life in Shireville goes on, very much as it has this past Age…full of its own comings and goings, with change coming slowly, if it comes at all. For things are made to endure in Shireville, passing from one generation to the next. There's always been a branch of this family living here, in Appa's Sanctum…and there always will be." Gyatso finished the end of the opening chapter and sighed.
"To tell you the truth, Gyatso's been a bit odd lately; I mean, more than usual," Aang said his voice changed to a more serious tone. Grim looked on curiously.
"He's taken to locking himself in his study. He spends hours and hours poring over old maps when he thinks I'm not looking," Aang recalled.
As Aang was talking, Gyatso began rummaging around the room and sorting through the maps, trying to find specific ones and dusting off the old ones. He then reaches into his pocket looking for something; he then freezes on the sot when he finds nothing; a worried expression came onto his face as he tried searching all his pockets, he finds nothing.
"Where's it gone?" the old monk said in panic; he began to look around the room in a mad rush but finds nothing, he started to hyperventilate until he reached into his shirt pocket and felt something; a wave of calmness came over him; he took out the item and kept it tightly held in his palm.
"He's up to something…" Aang said in suspicion; he turned to Grim who just kept quiet and went back just looking at the road
"All right then keep your secrets; but I know you have something to do with it," Aang said with a smile.
"Good gracious me!" Grim said in mock offence
"Before you came along; our family was very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected," Aang said putting the blame on the wizard.
"Listen, mon, if you're referring to that incident with the dragon; I was barely involved! All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door!" Grim said in his defence.
"Whatever you did, you've been officially labelled a 'disturber of the peace'," Aang informed him.
"Oh, really?" Grim blinked before looking ahead; as he came passed a house; an old fisherman (Avatar: the Last Airbender) gave him an evil look; immediately making the wizard turn his attention back onto the road.
As they passed around the bend; several children came running out; all looking extremely excited. They all still remembered the wizard's visit to Shireville last year, and they loved his 'magic tricks' and fireworks display.
"Grim! Grim! It's Grim!" the children called out with joy. "Fireworks, Grim, fireworks!"
Grim just simply ignored them. Aang eyed the wizard pleadingly.
"Awwwwwwww…" the children all moaned as the cart passed them by. Suddenly a few of the small fireworks ignited and exploded into firebirds that swarmed around the children.
"Yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh!" the children cheered as they jumped around in happiness; trying to snag the flying embers. Grim shared a smile with Aang and chuckled happily.
Out of the house came a grumpy looking woman (the Fisherman's wife from Avatar: the Last Airbender) came out scowling as Grim rode off into the distance and looked at her husband who was chuckling at the display. But when he noticed her glare he gulped and went back to an evil look.
"Grim, I'm glad you're back," Aang said with a big smile on his face as he jumped off the cart and opened his staff, turning it into a glider. Using his airbending powers, he flew into the air. He waved goodbye to Grim as he flew off.
"So am I, kiddo!" Grim called out with a wave. "So am I…" Grim sighed happily as he continued to ride; he might have been a wanderer by nature and profession, but he considered Shireville as closest place that he had for a home. After a few more minutes he arrived at his destination and halted the cart to a stop; as Grim came to the front gate he saw a small sign that read: No admittance except for party business.
He treaded up the path until he came to the small door and knocked on it with his scythe.
"No thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-wishers or distant relations!" Gyatso's angry voice came form the other side.
"And what about very old friends?" Grim asked with a large grin on his face.
The door opened instantly at the sound of Grim's voice; Gyatso walked out onto the path looking at the wizard in disbelief.
"Grim?" he said in amazement.
"You were expecting the Easter Bunny?" Grim asked with a chuckle.
"My dear Grim!" Gyatso said joyously as he raced out the door; Grim then embraced him in hug.
"Good to see you! One hundred and eleven years old! Who would believe it?" Grim said; he then backed off to get a good view of his old friend's face.
"You haven't aged a day…" the talking skeleton said in astonishment.
Both then began to laugh as Gyatso led the way back into his home. He then motioned for Grim to follow him
"Come on! Come in!" he shouted out; still laughing. "Welcome, welcome! Coffee? Or maybe something a little stronger? I've got a few bottles of the Old Wynyard left. 1296…very good year. Almost as old as I am! Hahaha!" Gyatso laughed as he took Grim's scythe.
"It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, eh?" Gyatso asked as he disappeared out of sight to get refreshments.
"Just coffee, thank you!" Grim replied; he turned to go into the living room and smacked his head of the wooden beam, he dizzily fell back before ducking under; noticing Gyatso's collection of maps. One map, in particular, caught his attention. It was the same one that Grim showed a much younger Gyatso nearly a century ago; when he recruited the young airbender to help a certain band of robots reclaim their ancient mountain kingdom. Grim smiled fondly at that memorable adventure.
"I was expecting you sometime last week! Not that it matters, you come and go as you please. Always have done and always will. You caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid." Gyatso called from the kitchen. "We've only got dumplings and a bit of moon peach…oh, there's some cheese here-oh no, that won't do. Err; we got apples and a fruit pie...not much for after, I'm afraid. Oh, no -we're all right! I've found some Egg Custard Tart. I could make you some tofu if you like-oh." Gyatso came back into the living room, no one in sight. "Grim?"
"Just coffee, thank you," Grim repeated as he suddenly appeared in the kitchen behind Gyatso.
"Oh, right," Gyatso scratched the back of his neck, chuckling. He put some of the Egg Custard Tart in his mouth. "You don't mind if I eat, do you?"
"Not at all, mon." Grim said good-naturally.
Suddenly there was a loud knocking at the door followed by a shouting voice.
"Open up, Gyatso!" a female voice yelled, "I know you're in there!" The old airbender immediately ducked down and hid below the window.
"I'm not at home!" he motioned to Grim; trying to keep out of sight.
"It's Vicky!" He said as he peaked out the window (A/N: As in Vicky from Fairly Odd-Parents).
"As in, 'Icky Vicky'?" Grim asked fearfully. Gyatso only nodded.
"Aaaahgh! Don't let her find me!" Grim yelped as he dived under the table in fear. "She'll take me lunch money!"
"I'll be back to find you later, old man," Vicky growled from outside. "And tell Aang tomorrow it's time for his weekly wedgie!"
"She's after the house. She's never forgiven me for living this long!" Gyatso explained as he came back into the kitchen. "And if it wasn't for the fact that she knows she'd be the primary suspect, I'd be living in fear for my life!"
Silently, Grim got back to his seat (when he was certain that Vicky was gone).
"I've got to get away from all these confounded relatives hanging on the bell, never giving me a moment's peace; waiting for me to die!" Gyatso said in frustration. "I want to see mountains again. Mountains, Grim! And then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my book. Oh, coffee!" Gyatso hurried over and picked up the black steam kettle.
"So, you mean to go through with your plan, then?" Grim asked he let Gyatso pour the rich brown java into his cup.
"Yes, yes. It's all in hand. All the arrangements are made." Gyatso said as he poured the coffee into his own cup.
"Aang suspects something," Grim informed with a sly grin.
"Of course he does! He's from my side of the family after all. And he's not some blockhead like that Billy kid from Endsville!" Gyatso said.
"You will tell him won't you?" Grim asked as he drank his coffee.
"Yes, yes," Gyatso said quickly
"He's very fond of you…" Grim said truthfully. Gyatso then stopped pouring his coffee, a sad expression on his face.
"I know…he'd probably come with me if I asked him. But I think, in his heart, Aang's still in love with Shireville: the woods, the fields, the video arcades, the mall, the little rivers…" Gyatso said as he began pacing around the room. He then stopped to look out the window. "I'm old, Grim. I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart."
Grim's line of sight was drawn to Gyatso's hand; firmly tucked in his pocket and clutching something tightly.
"I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread…" Gyatso explained. "I need a holiday; a very long holiday. And I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to…"
Later; evening had fallen on Shireville; the dark veil of night stared down outside Appa's Sanctum, where Gyatso and Grim sat outside on chairs; a pipe in each of their hands.
"Old Momo; the finest pipe-leaf in Southern Suburbs." Gyatso said taking a big puff and blowing out a smoke ring.
Grim chuckled and then puffed out his cheeks (if he had any) and breathed out; the smoke forming into a majestic ship that travelled right through the ring.
"Grim, my old friend," Gyatso said with a large smile on his face, "this will be a night to remember…"
Well, that's chapter two! Please read and review!