Not as popular as i thought it would be on tumblr
here ya go guys
but the rest of the chapters are still here at avatarstuck (dot) tumblr (dot) com
Karkat quietly opened the door to his home in hopes that his father had not come back from work yet and that he would be able to sneak up to his room.
"Karkat did you bring home any fish today?" crap the old man was home and he had forgotten to go fishing. He had done nothing but go to class and practice water bending all day, aside from learning he was the Avatar of course.
"Karkat?" his father called once more.
The boy quietly walked to the kitchen entrance and stood there. Suddenly the floor looked very interesting at that moment and he kept his gaze downwards. His left hand held onto his right arm.
"H-Hey dad. Sorry I didn't get any fish."
"Boy I reminded you before you went to class this morning. We won't have any lunch for tomorrow now," the older water tribe warrior looked through their half empty fridge.
"Sorry . . ." Karkat glanced up once as his father sighed and scratched the back of his head, "Hey Dad, can we go fishing together tomorrow then? I don't have any class since it's Saturday and all."
"Us together? You haven't wanted to go fishing with me since you were ten," the man looked up at his boy oddly who had returned his gaze back to the floor.
"So what? If you don't want to go then fine just fucking say so. I'm not hungry so I'll skip dinner. I have some homework to do. I'll go fishing after breakfast. You're probably busy with work or whatever so good night I guess," Karkat quickly escaped to his room as his father watched his retreating figure with an odd look.
Once in his room, Karkat flopped onto his bed with a big sigh. He had no idea how to tell his dad. He couldn't just go up to the man and say 'Hey dad, I'm leaving day after tomorrow for who knows how fucking long. Yup it's cause I'm the Avatar so see ya'. After ruffling his hair in frustration, he turned over and glared at his hands that he held before him. With his palms faced up he continued to glare at them and felt anger rushing through his body.
Why the hell is it me? Someone up there is probably laughing their fucking ass off from tormenting me. I barely even want to know water bending so how am I going to learn the rest?
A small flame ignited at the tip of his right index finger and he sat up. His eyes narrowed some more as some more small flames lit up at each of his fingertips. It just came so easily. It really was a wonder how he was born a water bender instead of a fire bender.
"Karkat you really should eat something," his father suddenly walked in unannounced with a plate of food. The man's eyes widened when he saw the fire.
Karkat quickly waved his hand about in an attempt to put out the flames but the sudden aerial movement caused the flames to spread and catch onto his sheets. Karkat jumped off his bed in surprise and quickly dumped the bowl of water that was on his desk onto his bed ((used for late night water bending when he was bored or as a distraction from homework)). The flames didn't have time to spread so they went out with a tiny sizzle, leaving a small black dot on his blanket.
"What the fuck was that?" Karkat's father stared at the burnt spot completely dumbfounded.
The new Avatar groaned and sat on the side of his bed with his elbows on his knees. He let his face fall into his hands and he went silent. His father put the plate of food on his desk and sat beside the boy.
"I didn't think they were right . . . " the man stated after a period of silence.
"You knew?" Karkat turned his head and peeked at the water tribe warrior from his hands.
"I guess I sort of did?" the man scratched the back of his head, "The day you threw that fucking temper tantrum when you were little and that ice block flew up, that's when they told me and your mother. I didn't believe them one bit but your mother did. She said you were destined for great things and stuff."
Karkat let his forearms hang loose as he looked down, "Did she really?"
"Yeah. I didn't say anything against her. I just let her believe what she wanted. Didn't actually think that she and the others would be right though."
"Gee thanks Dad you're so encouraging," Karkat couldn't help but chuckle.
". . . So what's going to happen now?"
". . . I leave for the Fire Nation the day after tomorrow. They said something about learning the basics of all the elements before mastering them because it suited my personality or learning habits better or some other bullshit like that. They probably just want to kick me out of here as soon as possible."
"Probably."
"Again, real fucking encouraging Dad," Karkat rolled his eyes and let out a surprise yelp when his father put him in a headlock.
"Is that any way to speak to your father you little brat?" his father raised an amused brow as he began to grind his knuckles on the boy's head.
"Ow fuck! I give I give! Mercy! Uncle! Agh Dad fuck ow!" the boy cried as he flailed about and failed at trying to get out of his father's strong hold.
Karkat was freed a few seconds later and he skittered to the end of his bed. His hands holding his poor head and his legs pulled up in front of him as a defensive measure against his father. The man just chuckled before reaching over. Karkat flinched but relaxed a bit when the man just decided to pat his head.
"We'll go fishing right after breakfast and go visit your mother after lunch," Karkat's father got up and stretched before heading to the door, "Eat your dinner and try to do most of your homework before you leave so you let your teacher know you're not a total fucking idiot."
"Shut up I do what I want old man!" Karkat threw his pillow at his father and the man easily caught it before pelting it back at the boy.
"Quit crying and do your work," the man left with a chuckle.
Karkat glared at the sheets piled on his desk over the pillow in his arms. Like hell he would do his homework when he wasn't even going to attend classes any more. But then again he could show up his teacher if he did do them or maybe even get a little ahead . . . HAH fat chance. The smell of his father's delicious cooking caught his attention and he slowly seated himself at his desk. He looked between his meal and his homework for a bit before digging in and grabbing one of the sheets.
Might as well do a little . . .
"Come on boy get up, time to go!"
Karkat peeked at his digital clock and groaned, "Too early . . ."
He turned his head to face away from the light as his father opened the windows letting in the bright sun beams reflecting off the snow. Karkat was one who loved to bundle his sheets together around himself for comfort and warmth so when his father pulled on his sheets hard, he fell out of his bed after flipping.
"Ow fuck Dad what the hell!"
"You're the one who wanted to go fishing with your old man so let's go. We'll eat on the way there."
Karkat groggily pushed himself off the floor and yawned, "Right give me a minute."
The man noticed the lack of profanities in the reply and watched as Karkat stood up, "I'll be outside."
He walked past Karkat and ruffled his bed head before heading out. The boy just mumbled before heading to the washroom.
Karkat and his father didn't have to fish for their food but his father preferred to work for your own food rather than just buy it at the market like everyone else. He was more traditional in that sense, plus it saved them quite a bit of money. If it was a good fishing day and they caught extra then they would sell it to the market instead. Karkat actually quite enjoyed it. It was peaceful for him and let him think on his own without anyone breathing down his back or judging him. In a few minutes he met his father outside in his winter gear and followed him to their usual fishing spot. It was a nice secluded area and sort of dangerous to walk to but it was worth it. It was alright for Karkat to go through because if anything happened he could always bend his way out of the problem while his father was a tough warrior who could travel through any harsh northern water tribe terrain.
The two walked silently together with their bags and fishing gear on their backs and ate the blubbered seal jerky that they packed along. The terrain was easy at first but soon it turned into steep icy slopes. Karkat slipped once and his father laughed at him until he stepped onto an area of thin ice and almost fell through if Karkat hadn't frozen the water before the man could fall into it. The man found it odd when the boy didn't make a snarky remark about his father's screw up and just continued to their private fishing spot.
When they arrived, Karkat bended a wall of ice away which hid the boat that he always used. He silently pushed it into the water and got in. The boy looked at his father expectantly and waited. His father gave him an odd look before joining him in the boat before Karkat pushed them out towards the middle of the water. The silence began to irritate the man as Karkat silent got his fishing stuff ready.
"Something on your mind boy? You haven't sworn at anything since I knocked you out of bed," his father commented as he also got his fishing gear ready.
"Nothing really . . ."
"Why so quiet?"
"Nothing to say I guess."
Karkat let out his line and sat back. His body was relaxed and he looked content. His father rarely saw him like this. They sat in the boat back to back and waited silently. It was actually quite comfortable. There was no need for words. It was just nice being in each other's company and not yelling their heads off at each other like they usually did. An hour passed and Karkat finally got a bite. With quick maneuvers he was able to pull the fish out and flop it into their basket in one fell swoop.
"Huh you're actually pretty good at this," his father complimented.
"Well yeah, you passed the chore onto me so of course I would be good at it or we wouldn't be eating," Karkat scoffed and set his line again.
"Oh hey look a school of small fish is coming, get the net," his father warned.
"Really?" Karkat put his line down but didn't bother to get the big net. His father was surprised when Karkat suddenly stood up and took a stance. The boy concentrated on the water and carefully watched as the group of fish came towards their boat. He stayed silent and watched as his son swooped up a large bunch with his water bending, waved the group around him before shooting them straight into the basket and pulling the water out from the holes in the sides and putting the water back into the lake without splashing anyone.
His father blinked at the now full basket, "Amazing. You've gotten much better at water bending. You didn't even splash me or flood the boat."
Karkat rolled his eyes before sitting back down, "It's been six years since we last went fishing together. I've been practicing ever since because some fucking nosy girls won't leave me alone about it. It's not that great. It's just some simple movements no big deal."
"Haha come on boy I'm complimenting you. No need to be suspicious about it. Honestly though you have improved greatly. Last time you almost sunk our boat and flipped it from panic."
"Things change in 6 years," Karkat looked away, slightly embarrassed.
"A lot apparently," his father smiled and looked at his son. He had grown up into a sturdy and powerful boy yet he never took the time to see it until he was about to leave.
"Stop that," Karkat narrowed his eyes at him.
"Stop what?" the man raised a curious brow.
"It's weird when you smile like that geez it's all like old man creepy."
"What a father can't smile when he's proud of his son?"
". . . You're proud of me?"
"Is that weird?"
"A little . . . You never really said that before and you're usually always complaining when I get into trouble and stuff."
"Huh well I guess there are times when you are a little annoying fuck but well you're still my son and I guess finally looking at you now I see you're not so much of a fucking brat as I thought you were."
"And you're still my crabby asshole of a stubborn dad."
"Hey what did I say about speaking to your elders this way," Karkat's father made an attempt at another playful grab but Karkat jumped out of the boat and stood on a block of ice he quickly made for himself.
"Come and get my you old crab," Karkat childishly stuck his tongue out at him.
"Challenging a veteran warrior will be your down fall boy!" the man stood up and prepared to jump but stopped with wide eyes, "Karkat watch out behind you!"
Karkat frowned and turned around to find a gigantic sea squid with its arms up and above the water, "What the hell these things don't grow to be this big!"
The creature swung its arm down towards Karkat and he jumped back into the boat once the arm smashed through the ice block. The boat shook with the waves it created and almost toppled over.
"Why is it attacking us? We've been fishing here for all my life right? How come I've never seen this thing before!" Karkat cried as he pushed the waves so that their boat could get away from the large creature.
"I don't know but we should catch it!" the man exclaimed in excitement as he got a harpoon ready.
"Dad that thing is fucking huge! Don't tell me you think throwing a measly stick at it will actually do anything let alone pierce it!"
"You underestimate your old man," he stood up and got ready to throw.
"Dad don't be stupid!"
"Just keep the boat steady!"
"Dad don't do it!"
"Where's your adventurer's spirit?"
"Underneath my 'I want to fucking live' spirit!"
The giant squid brought its arm down once more, this time aiming at their boat. Karkat's father took the chance to throw the harpoon, it went straight through the arm but it still came hurtling towards their boat. The next thing the older water tribe man saw was a large mass of water engulfing the giant creature and its movements froze right before it hit them. The water all around them froze and a thick layer of ice soon stopped the squid completely and left it like a statue. The man turned around to find Karkat missing. He heard a groan at the end of the boat and when he peeked over the side he saw Karkat lying on the ice with a heavy breath.
"Fuck that almost gave me a heart attack!" Karkat yelled in his father's face when he sat up, "You are crazy!"
The man just laughed in his face, "You really are the Avatar."
"How does freezing a giant fucking monster animal make you confirm I'm the Avatar? Rose or Feferi heck even Eridan could have done the same thing, probably even better."
A cracking sound brought the attention of the males back to the giant squid. The strong creature was trying to fight its way out and it's enclosure began to crack.
"Hey think you can haul that thing over to the mar-"
"WE ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT FUCKING THING WITH US!" Karkat cried before grabbing his gear and stuffing it in his bag. He jumped back into the boat and unfroze it from the block connected to the squid before clearing a path for them to get back.
"Come now Karkat, don't you know how much we could get for that giant fucker?"
"Ugh now I know why I stopped fishing with you. The day never ends."
"Karkat I demand you turn this fucking boat around and get that squid right now."
"NO!" more cracking alerted Karkat of the soon to be free squid, "You can go get it by yourself after I leave. But don't go alone because I know you're going to get yourself killed if you do you moronic unaware old man."
"Hah if you're worried then it's gone to waste boy. The one you should be worrying about is yourself. How you'll ever learn all those elements is a wonder."
"Yeah you're not the only one who thinks that okay . . ." Karkat looked back to see the squid gone. Hopefully it had retreated and gone back to the deep ocean so that his father wouldn't end up almost dying from trying to capture it.
"We have a lot of extra fish to sell in the market today," Karkat examined the basket when he took it out of the boat.
"I bet that squid would have set me for the next few years."
Karkat glared at his father before pushing the boat into an ice cave. He didn't close it this time so his father could take it while he was gone. Karkat ignored the pesters of his father wanting to go back and getting the squid as they walked back. Karkat threatened to freeze his father right on the spot if he continued and then ran away when the man began to chase him when he actually tried to do it. His father easily got out of the frozen foot trap by smashing it with his club that Karkat didn't even realize he brought with him and the chase began. It broke out into a snow ball chase fight soon after and they continued like that all the way to the market.
Both were keeled over laughing and trying to regain their breath. The passerby looked at them oddly and walked faster when they were near them.
"You look like you're enjoying your last day here," a familiar knowing voice stated.
Karkat looked up to see Rose smiling at him. Standing behind her and holding on to her robe were a bunch of kids that looked a little afraid of him.
"What's with the kids?" Karkat asked once he recomposed himself and stood straight.
"That is no way to greet a lady," Karkat's father elbowed him, "Good day to you Miss Rose."
"Good day to you Mr. Vantas. These children wished to spend the day with me since I am leaving tomorrow with your son. They're from my little scholars class that I teach every Saturday."
"Little scholars? What kind of kid wants to learn history shi-" Rose raised an eyebrow at his almost curse and he corrected himself, "ahem stuff from you?"
"Not all children run amuck like how you did. Some actually wish to learn about their culture and of the world."
"Right whatever, I got fish to sell."
"Wait!" one of the kids called. When Karkat turned around the little girl hid behind Rose a little more.
"What?" Karkat narrowed his eyes at the kids and they all bunched up together behind Rose.
"Miss Rose are you sure he's the Avatar?" a little boy asked.
"Haha looks like the kiddies are curious. I'll go sell the fish Karkat you can spend some time with them and we'll go visit your mother afterwards alright," Mr. Vantas ruffled his son's head before heading off to bargain for his extra fish.
"Yes he is the Avatar even if he is a grumpy little crab, but don't worry he won't bite or snap at you if I'm here," Rose comforted the children.
"If you and these kids are just going to make fun of me then I'm going to go with my Dad," Karkat turned to leave again and turned around when two kids tugged on his coat.
"I wanna see fire bending! The adults said they saw you firebend!" a boy boldly demanded.
"Unless you kids want to get caught on fire I suggest you leave me alone," Karkat pulled his coat away from them.
"Come now Karkat. If you can't do it then all you have to do is say so."
"Fu- Shut up Lalonde."
"Let's go children, you'll only waste your time with him."
"So what he's a lair then?"
"I will set you on fire little brat," Karkat took off his right glove, put it in a fist and opened it before him. A flame appeared and the two kids near him squealed. In fear or delight, he couldn't tell. They quickly scampered to the safety of Rose as the others looked on with wide curious and surprised eyes.
"Whoa it appeared out of nowhere!"
"Can you do the other hand too?"
"Show us more show us more!"
"It appears to come natural to you," Rose commented.
Karkat closed his fist, making the flame disappear, and stared at his fist, "I guess it does."
"Aw it's gone. Do it again do it again!" the kids began to crowd around him.
"Whoa back up. It's dangerous and I don't really know how to control it," Karkat put his glove back on and they all pouted or whined.
"So does that mean you'll show us when you can control it?" one kid stated and all the rest agreed.
"Oh yes please promise us!"
"That might be a really long time you know. I still have to learn all the other elements," Karkat frowned at them. From the corner of his eyes he could see Rose smiling.
"Then that means you can show us all of the bending styles! That's going to be so cool!"
"Yeah promise us! Promise you'll come back and show us all your awesome moves!"
"What, why should I promise a bunch of brats like you?" Karkat glared at Rose who appeared to be enjoying this.
"Come on Avatar Karkat!"
"Fine! God just don't call me that!" he snapped. A few of them cheered.
"Why you're the Avatar aren't you? Then that makes you Avatar Karkat," a girl innocently pointed out.
"Now all he has to do is live up to it," Eridan appeared.
"Great what brings you here oh great Ampora," Karkat drawled.
"Fef says she wants to see you oh great Avatar Kar," Eridan said dramatically making a few of the kids giggle.
"The princess calls," Karkat sighed, "Rose tell my Dad I'll meet up with him later. He knows where."
"Alright then have a nice day. Be sure you're prepared for tomorrow," Rose waved as the two boys left.
"Bye Avatar Karkat!"
"Remember you promised!"
"Yeah yeah," Karkat waved back and followed Eridan.
The two walked to the palace and instead of going in, Eridan led Karkat to the back.
"Where we going?"
"Fef says she wanted to show you somethin'," was all he said before they soon came upon Feferi standing beside I small door in the wall of ice that stood tall behind the palace.
"Yay you're here!" Feferi ran up to him and immediately grabbed Karkat's hands. She pulled him towards the door while Eridan waited outside to keep watch, "There's something I have to show you."
"What?" Karkat asked confused.
"The Spirit Oasis."