Chapter 17

Disclaimer: See any former chapter!

My Creation:

Haja

Mera

Water: Bloody Moon

*Kanna or Gran Gran*

"Haja! How can this be? I thought you were dead." I seriously could not stop the waves of relief and disbelief that flooded my veins as I rushed and embraced my old friend, but the disbelief washed over me stronger as a thought began to enter my head. If Haja was alive all of this time, why wouldn't she come back until now?

"I managed to get out of the battlefield Kanna. I am sorry if I didn't come back but when I left I had gotten lost and had to survive as a rogue. Sorry if I worried you." She nuzzled me in the similar way that Nala had done with Simba and I purred as I felt it. So she just got lost finding her way home. I guess that makes sense.

"Well I am glad to have you home, my friend." I nuzzled her back and then I heard a 'Ahem' come from my granddaughter and knew she was about to be the nosy lioness that she is. SO like her father.

"Gran? Who is this lioness again?"

"Well Nala, as I said, this is my friend Haja and…" Just as I was about to explain her story, Simba stepped up. How dare he interrupt me?

"I think that is common knowledge now Miss Kana, but who exactly she is and what reason she has for being here. I was about to ask that." I was going to criticize him for interrupting me when I felt a paw on my shoulder and saw Haja look at me with a smile that said 'allow me' which I gladly did. Better if it comes from her mouth.

"Well young lion, I am Kanna's best friend and I am also one of the best waterbenders in this pride from the time of Mohatu." From the look of shock on the faces of the two adolescents, I could see that the news that Haja's age was quite a shock to them. Some of us, like me and Haja are types to grow old gracefully. On a good day I think I could I look as young as my daughter-in- law Kaya but my bones and I assume Haja's bones feel as weak as the decaying bones in the Boneyard.

"No way! You can't be that old." I swear, Simba may a be a kind young lion but there are times, like now, where he should just shut up. Especially since I saw the fur on Haja's back bristle.

"Is there something wrong with being old?" Her voice was as sweet as an angel's and yet it sounded so menacing that she could have been a hyena if I didn't know her. I heard a gulp come from Simba and the terror was even more apparent on his wide eyed face.

"No Ma'am! I meant to say, I have never heard of anyone of your age still being around, other than my grandma Uru. You must have a lot of experience." Ah! So this is how Simba gets out of trouble sometimes, he sugarcoats his words. Very effective I must say.

"Well, then thank you young lion. I do indeed have a lot of wisdom that comes with the age in these old bones." Haja is also one to sugarcoat her words but from her tone I can sense that she really wants to throttle Simba for calling her old. Impressive restraint.

"Miss Haja? Would you mind telling us more about what happened during that battle?" I eyed my old friend as Nala asked this and I had to admit, I myself am curious. What happened?

*Haja*

I must admit, I have missed the southern water pride and I have dearly missed my friend Kana. The years have been kind to her both physically and emotionally. Seeing this young lioness who is obviously her granddaughter is proof enough that her life has been filled with good things. But my mood about this has both improved and declined with the fact that young Nala seems interested in my past and this little red arrowed runt called me old. I wanted to so badly rip his head off but decided against it lest I ruin my reunion with Kanna.

"Of course young Nala. I can tell you what happened and afterwards I can teach you some things that I learned during that time." Her reaction of a wide smile and perked ears obviously means I have her hooked. Too easy.

"Really? Thank you!" I smiled at her eagerness to learn but my smile vanished when her insulting friend cleared his throat and I knew what he was going to ask.

"Can I learn some of these things too?" I figured he would want to learn some of the things I had to teach, but that would go against my plans. I want to so tell him off but if I do then Kana will get on to me. I don't want to fight my friend.

"Sorry young avatar. The skills I have to teach are those which must be taught to a dedicated water bender. One whose sole practice is to water and not the other elements. But I am amused that you would think to ask me."I swear I nearly vomited from talking nice to this air brat. But I knew it was necessary. I cannot let Kanna suspect my intentions.

"Oh I understand. Then I would at least like to know what happened. I think my uncle told me most of it." I raised my eyebrow at his statement. So young Scar actually told the story of that battle to his nephew huh? Well I guess that he had to tell him something to draw him to the Boneyard. Even if it was a dangerous story.

"Oh really? Well then young avatar. Do tell what the story is." I saw him straighten himself and clear his throat. Probably to talk in a matter of fact tone. Oh brother, royals!

"From what my uncle told me, after Great-Grandpa Mohatu passed away, and the next avatar was anyone's guess, the citizens fell out of balance and tried to take his place. Probably hundreds of species from elephants to us lions who possessed bending abilities in the four elements. The battle was ruthless and many benders lost their lives except for four, one of each element who walked away and were never seen again." I was actually impressed by how thorough the young lion was with retelling this story but scowled when I heard the detail about the four benders who walked away. Could Scar be any more careless with his words?

"Hey Miss Haja. Are you one of the four who got away from the battlefield?" See? This is what I mean. It makes it easy for youngsters to learn our identities. Well, my identity would have been easy because of Kana but we can't be too careful since the other three benders need their secrecy.

"Yes young Nala. I was and I wish that some of the memories of those days were forgotten."

"Why? What happened?" I was actually shivering as the memory slithered into my mind of what I had witnessed.

"The dark lion known as Kambili had managed to survive his battle with the young queen Uru and attempted to use a new source of power to obliterate all bending competition to claim Pride Rock one last time."

"What power source?" The young lion Simba seems afraid and I know that once he knows what was used that he will certainly come to fear his element of fire. Hmm. Maybe that would help with our plans.

"The source was a comet that gave him and all other fire benders a power like a thousand suns. It boosted their fire bending abilities to levels they could never normally achieve. It was christened Kambili's Comet and everyone fears what it will do when it returns after what happened on those fields."

"What happened, Haja?" My friend Kanna was obviously sensing that I had seen something terrible which I had.

"A massacre, Kanna." My mind then became overwhelmed as I began telling the events of that horrid day.

*Flashback*

We just conquered some of those earth benders and managed to send them into the caves, next we can take down the air benders and then finally deal with our mortal enemy, the fire benders.

"Haja!" I looked up to see young Mera, my younger sister bounding towards me with obvious news of the approaching Air benders we were about to ambush. "The Air Blitzers are heading through the pass to the left of us." I smiled at this. The Air Blitzers were the fastest Air Benders in all of the Pride Lands and were also the most difficult to beat. If we can corner them, not only will we have beaten them, but once we leave this battle we will be renowned as the best benders and I will be one step closer to being the self proclaimed Avatar.

"Good work Sis! Tell the squads to maneuver around the left pass and box them in." On my orders, my sister immediately went to her two squads and I took my two and we both made our way to the passage where we immediately bumped into the Blitzers and I was stunned who was at the head. I saw the bluish arrow on the head of the leading lion and I froze.

"Kota?" The young leader of the air benders obviously recognized me as well, only thing is he threw off his look of shock and peace and replaced it with panic and fear. Did something just happen?

"Haja! You have to get out of our here! You're in terrible danger!" His voice sounded panicked but I in all of my battle heightened awareness decided to get defensive and bared my fangs.

"Not from where I stand Kota! It seems like you are the one in danger!"

"No! You don't understand! We are ru…" But he never finished for the next moment I saw a flash of black and the moment after that, I looked upon the burning black skeletons of Kotaand his benders. What just happened?

"What on Earth? Who in Mohatu's name did this?" As I asked this question to no one in particular, I heard a laugh that was colder than the ice I could bend and then a voice I hoped I would never hear again.

"That would be me, Haja! Like my handiwork?" Kambili. Just seeing this lion was bad enough to make me freeze. How could he be here? He should be dead or too old to do anything?

"Kambili? How is this possible? How could you do this? They were fleeing! Why would you kill them?" Most of the air benders I did not really know much about, but Kota, poor Kota had just become a father from what I heard. His mate and daughter will be heartbroken, unless, I avenge his death right here. Kambili began to laugh and I snarled at the lion.

"Why? You ask. The answer is simple. They were weak and I don't need weaklings in the kingdom I will soon rule. How? That answer is also simple. Just look at the sky." I raised an eyebrow at his last statement but nonetheless I looked up and was shocked to see two flashing balls of light and that the sky had turned a blood red color. What in the?

"What have you done Kambili?"

"What have I done? Nothing. The universe has granted me the power I deserve which I will use to become King and the rightful avatar of these lands. But first I will have to get rid of you." He made a flame manifest in his paw and all of my water benders instinctively got in front of me. Basically a way of saying that if he wanted me, he had to kill them first. He can't beat them. Oh how wrong I was. "DIE!" He thrust his paw forward and out came a flame as black as the night and so cold it could freeze the sun with its burning heat. My benders created a wall of water that collided with it, only to be turned to steam and then I watched as my benders were consumed by the black flame. I watched helplessly as it inched closer and closer to me and waited for my certain death when I felt myself get pushed into a nearby cave. I turned and saw my sister, Mera with tears in her eyes that said 'Live sister' and then I watched in agony as she was swallowed up. My little sister, had given her life for me when I was supposed to be the one to do it for her.

"MERA!"

*End Flashback*

*Haja Present*

"I managed to survive by running into the caves and waiting out the rest of it until I could get to Kambili. Other than that, I learned new water bending techniques while fighting earth benders in the caves." I was struggling to hold back both saddened and angry tears as I recalled that memory. My sister's death has haunted me for years and it is never easy to talk about it. I felt a pair of arms embrace me and looked to see my friend Kanna looking at me with a sympathetic look. She knew how much I cared for Mera and neither of us needed to say anything to express how we felt.

"That is horrible Ms. Haja! I could not bear to think of what would happen if I lost my brother Tojo and the same is true with Simba and his brothers." I eyed the young lioness and quickly righted myself for my next task, teaching Nala.

"Well, if that is true Nala. Would you like to learn what you would need to know to protect him no matter what?" Once I said protect him, I saw a fire in her eyes burn and I knew I got her.

"Absolutely Ms. Haja! When can we start?" She had already got into a crouched position. Time to begin.

"Well, come along Simba. Let's give these two some space!" My friend obviously recalls the standard that when a master bender has something to teach, all non-students must leave if the master requests and I always silently request it.

"Bye Nala! Good Luck!" I repressed the urge to gag as I watched Simba nuzzle Nala and then walk off with my old friend. I turned to Nala and then as I was about to begin, she asked a question. So much like her grandmother.

"Miss Haja? What exactly will I learn? I mean, my grandpa Paku has already taught me so much, I don't know exactly what you can teach me." Ah. I see. She thinks that she knows so much she does not know what else there is to learn. How wrong she is.

"There is always something to learn Young Nala. Even your grandfather is still learning every single day. But anyway, time for the lesson. Nala, you said you went to the Boneyard, yes?" I saw her nod her head and then look to the side. Obviously it was a terrifying experience for her, especially since she was a cub. "Well, can you tell me, in terms of a water bender, what it felt like to be there?"

"Well, it was like there was so little water and I felt so weak because of it. I almost died because the water gave out underneath me." My eyes widened at that fact. So she actually tried to use her water to save herself and almost died trying. The poor girl. But now to teach her the lesson that will save her the next time she goes there.

"Yes, Nala. That is exactly how I felt in the Boneyard during the battle. Especially since Kambili was hunting me at every turn and vaporizing every water source available in that accursed place and yet I found a way to get around this." I saw her raise her eyebrows at me and chuckled. I seem to have confused her.

"How can you get around there being so little water? It seems impossible in that place."

"Nothing is impossible young one, only difficult. It took me several tries when I was trying to be stealth but I found that in fact there are three other sources of water all around us."

"Three?"

"Yes Nala. Three, and the first one is so obvious that even the best of water benders overlook it. Care to guess what it is?" I saw her scrunch her face, obviously in deep thought but then saw a quick look of realization hit her face and thought two things: One, she thinks fast like her grandmother except she does it with her lessons while Kana was quick with her comebacks and two, there is no way she could have gotten what I was talking about so quickly?

"Could it be sweat, miss Haja?" Ha! I knew it! But I must admit, that was clever of her to think of that. It is a good source to use in dry situations.

"No Nala, but sweat is a very resourceful method to use. However, what I meant was the air we breathe has water in it." Her look of confusion was obviously a sign that I had lost her so I continued. "The very air contains tiny amounts of water which we unknowingly breathe in every day of our lives. These tiny amounts though are what fill and make up the clouds. The truth is Nala, that within the air, there is a vast amount of water that is equivalent to a hurricane for you to use." Deciding it was best to demonstrate with her only showing a light understanding of my words, I swished my paw one way and manifested water out of nowhere and then thrust 7 ice spikes into a nearby acacia tree. Nala' s look of amazement obviously means that I have made my point.

"That was….amazing. So if I use that then the next time I go to the Boneyard, those hyenas are iced?" I nodded at the youth and chuckled as an image of frozen hyenas came to mind. I would love to see that. "Miss Haja, I met some water benders who could manipulate plants by bending the water in things like vines." I looked at her and chuckled. I had also met the mysterious jungle benders but what I know takes what they learned to another level.

"Yes my dear but you can take it further than that. You can drain the water out of the plants and use it for yourself." I raised my paws and immediately pulled out all the water of some surrounding snow flowers and sliced a nearby rock in half. Nala was obviously shocked but from the act or seeing the dead flowers.

"The poor flowers." That answers that question. She needs to learn that when you are a water bender, it is your own life that matters, not some little flowers.

"They're just flowers dear. Now if you can be patient then tonight I will show you an amazing technique that only can be used at night. It helped me win many battles after my friends were killed." I saw her ears perk and look away from the dead flowers. Yes, I have her hooked.

"Teach me." Oh I will. I will. And then there will be no turning back for you.

*Simba*

"It must be nice to see your old friend again huh, miss Kanna?" I looked at the smiling elder and wonder if I'll ever know what that feels like.

"It is Simba. I have thought for so long that she was dead and just now I find out she is alive. It's a miracle." I couldn't help but chuckle at what she was saying and then for some reason something started gnawing at my mind like Kula when she started teething. She has some serious chompers come to think of it.

"Didn't your friend seem a little odd when we were there?" I noticed her raised eyebrow and stern expression. Great. She thinks I am insulting her friend.

"No. How exactly was she…odd?" As she said the last word, I heard a hiss in her voice that reminded me of my mother whenever she would criticize me for cursing but Kanna's sounded more like my grandma Uru's, a lot more honed. A lioness' voice must get more like a snake's as they get older or maybe it is just the ones with cubs.

"Well, you know, she seemed very distant when she was talking to you and she had such a hungry look in her eyes when she was talking to Nala. Like she was planning to, I don't know, ripen her up for something." I know I might not seem like a smart cub with all the times I get in trouble but I know a hungry lioness well enough from watching Kula and let me tell you Haja was very hungry.

"I don't really like what you're implying Simba. Haja is…" Just as she was about to obviously defend her friend we both heard a voice.

"Gran Gran! Simba!" Tojo and from the sound of his voice, something was definitely wrong. We both rushed to the sound and gasped when we saw what we saw. Tojo and were crouched near a brown lion with a red mane, severely burned and with obvious broken bones as two of his legs were bent at odd angles. Obviously, he had been attacked by a vicious fire bender.

"What happened?"

"Simba, we were simply celebrating my success as a warrior when this guy stumbled in from the direction of the fire territory." I decided to cut him from right there because I could already guess where he came from based on the burns.

"I get that Tojo. But who attacked him, does he have a name for the fire bender who did this to him?" I saw an annoyed expression reach Tojo's face and I could tell it was because I was interrupting him and then I saw him get a serious look on his face from something I did not know. Yet.

"Simba. His name is Maono(Vision)." My eyes widened as he said that. Maono was a revered fire bender from the times of my grandfather and was said to be the second best fire bender in the Fire pride after my Dad. How could any fire bender have done this to him? "And what's more is that before he passed out, he claimed to have been attacked by a water bending lioness." My heart felt as if someone had stolen all the warmth inside when I heard those words. A water bender? It couldn't be?

"How could a water bender do this to a fire bender?" Last I had checked, those burns on Maono were black and I know those could only come from a flame.

"He said that somehow she made him put his own flaming paws on himself while they were still burning." Wait? What? How is that possible? Someone who can do that would have to be exceptionally skilled. They would have to be, I mentally gasped as I realized, a master?

"Did he give a description of the lioness? Any identifying features at all?" I know I sounded pushy but now was not the time for patience. There is a dangerous lioness on the loose and I cannot let them get away. Especially if I might know who it is.

"He said that it was an elderly lioness, about as old as Gran Gran and had a bang of white fur that was the color of the full moon." Oh no! I hoped I was wrong and I hate it that I am right.

"Haja?" I heard a growl come from Kanna and then saw her bared teeth. Uh oh.

"How dare you!" She swiped at me, claws sheathed and I ducked just in time. Even elderly lionesses are very scary, especially the non-bending ones.

"Kanna. Come on. That description fits Haja perfectly and the way she just showed up today. Explain that."

"Coincidence!" Is she serious? Her friend, who she has believed to have been dead for at least what, 12 years and she believes that it's a coincidence?

"Miss Kanna. She hates fire benders. She could have a vendetta against them after what happened to her sister."

"I refuse to believe it. Haja has never been the vengeful type."

"Lions and Lionesses can change."

"Even so, I know her and I know for a fact she wouldn't do this. Give me one shred of proof that isn't from the past and maybe I will listen." I started racking my brain for a good comeback that could explain my reasoning. I thought back to my conversation with Haja when I asked if I could learn with her: "Sorry young avatar! The skills I have to teach are those which must be taught to a dedicated water bender. One whose sole practice is to water and not the other elements. But I am amused that you would think to ask me." Wait. She called me what?

"How did she know I was the avatar?" I saw from the confused expression on both Kanna and Tojo's muzzles that I had hit the right nerve.

"What of it?" Kanna is obviously so defensive of her friend that she can't see what I am getting at. Why are lionesses so stubborn?

"Who knew you were the avatar, Simba? And who is this Haja?" Tojo obviously can think clearly about what I am saying cause he had not met Haja and thus was neutral.

"Haja is a lioness me and Nala met during our lesson with your grandmother. She said she was a warrior water bender from the time of Mohatu and when I asked if I could learn some of her tricks she called me 'Young avatar'."

"No. She couldn't be"

"Tojo don't you start with me now. Simba is just lying cause he doesn't like being left out of lessons." Excuse me?!

"I might not being left out but I will not be called a liar. How did she know I was the avatar if only close family and friends swore to keep it a secret except from my teachers?" I saw her freeze and begin to stutter, trying to find the right words but couldn't. Tojo approached me with a serious expression.

"Where is this Haja, now?"

"Oh no! She is with Nala. We have to warn her." I immediately began to run off with Tojo by my side and we both ignored the protests of both Kanna and Ni.

"Hold on Nala. We are coming." Deep in my mind, I swore to myself, if that lioness so much as tears one hair off of Nala, I will tear her to shreds. For all I know, she could be in some forest waiting desperately for a lesson from Haja.

*Nala*

Here I am standing in the middle of the Water Pride's, Snowflake Forest waiting desperately for Haja's final lesson. The snowflake forest is a beautiful part of this territory, no matter what season, wet or dry, there is always snow that falls and the white treetops look like snowflakes She said it required that the moon needed to be out for it to work and could not help sense her eagerness to teach me. It must be quite something if it needs all the power of the moon. I heard a rustle from some nearby bushes and I then saw Haja appear with a big smile on her face. OH! It is time.

"Miss Haja. Is it time?"

"Yessss Nala. It is time for your final lesson. This technique I am about to show you is the most powerful in my arsenal." To say I was excited was a mild definition, I was literally digging trenches in the ground with my claws from my willingness to learn this secret.

"What is it?"

"I developed this technique years ago during the war. I practiced it numerous times under the power of the moon. I first tested it on the rats in the caves I was hiding in," At first I was excited when I heard she created it during the war but my excitement started to dwindle as she said she used it on sweet little rats, what technique is this? "and after I mastered them, I used my new skill on my ultimate target," She turned to me with the ugliest smile I have ever seen and said, "The dark lion, Kambili!" What? She killed Kambili? Her sister's murderer?

"How-How could you do that? What about the comet?" She had said the comet made fire benders practically crazy with power so how could one water bending technique change that?

"The comet had just passed and I faced him at night. I bent his flaming paws and made him burn his insides. This is my secret Nala. The ability to bend the water inside another's body, the secret… of blood bending." My heart froze as she said that. The idea of bending water out of plants was scary enough but to actually reach in and manipulate others by simply water bending is just…

"You're a sick monster. How can you possibly be sane saying you can actually do this?"

"My dearest Nala, don't you see? I…" She was then cut off by two voices that I had hoped would find me.

"NALA!" Tojo and Simba. Thank goodness they found me.

"Simba! Tojo! Be careful. She's dangerous!" I backed away from Haja and ran to my brother and SImba who got in front of me. I did not like to be seen as the one who need protection but this time I will make an exception.

"I am disappointed in you Nala but also pleased, you managed to lure the one individual I wanted to demonstrate my blood bending on here. I thank you."

"Nala, what is she talkiiiinnnnng…." I saw Simba start to twist in odd ways and saw that Haja was moving her paw toes like there were invisible strings that connected her to Simba. So this is blood bending?

"Simba! Let him go you witch! One minute I see my brother charging Haja and the next I see Haja swing her paw and Tojo gets knocked unconscious as he hits a tree.

"Tojo!" I ran to my brother and looked him over and was relieved to see he had no injuries and was just knocked out. Thank the queens! I heard a whimper and a laugh and turned to see that Simba was being lifted off the ground by Haja. What the? "Haja, why are you doing this?"

"Why? Cause Kambili took my sister from me and now I am making his bloodline pay!" I raised my eyebrows at this. Say what now?

"But Simba isn't Kambili. You said it yourself, you killed Kambili yourself."

"But Kambili's blood lives on in this brat! Kambili always dreamed of being the Avatar and now his great-grandson from Ahadi is the Avatar. He must be punished!" I saw her clench her paws a little tighter and then I heard Simba whimper a bit more. Ok! Obviously this lady is one crazy lioness cause if she thinks I am gonna just sit here and let her torture my friend.

"Haja! Let him go!" I shot a blast of water at her which she deflected with one paw while keeping the other paw on Simba. I repeated my attack numerous times, drawing extra water from the air and trees but nothing worked. I was about to give up when I heard another voice.

"Haja! Stop this now!" I saw Gran Gran appear through the trees and saw a pained and shocked expression on her face as she saw Haja.

"Go away Kanna! I am doing this for the good of the world! Kambili's line must be extinguished!" I saw her raise her paw, this time with her claws unsheathed.

"Haja. Please don't do this. I don't want to lose you." My grandmother's voice was choked and I could see the tears falling down her face as she pleaded with her friend. I saw Kanna's face falter for a second and saw the kind lioness she was when she first appeared but then saw it harden back into insanity.

"Then you won't. Once he is dead!" She made a dragging motion with her bending paw and I saw Simba fly towards her clawed paw.

"NO!" I thrust my paws forward and then saw Haja begin looking pained. Simba fell to the ground with an oof. I started crying tears of shame. No. I am now like her. I collapsed and brought my paws to my muzzle.

"Congratulations, Nala. You are now a blood bender." I watched her get up and then run off while Gran Gran and a recovered Simba came to comfort me.

"Nala?" I felt Simba nuzzle me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. I am a monster.

"I can't believe I became like her in the end."

"Nala, you're not like her. She used her bending to torture others. You used her technique to save your friend." My Gran Gran's words fell on deaf ears cause I did not really believe that.

"But I wanted to hurt her. More than hurt her, I wanted to make her feel nothing but pain and suffering."

"Nala…" Simba's sympathetic tone merely made me cry harder and this time into his mane. Why did I blood bend?

Some would say water is the softest element we know and they would be speaking the truth. However, water is not the kindest of elements but the meanest. Water is the crushing element. Water is the element of an unknown death. Life did begin from the sea but every life ends in an equally painful way from the sea. Though we change we also push against the great waves of change. Waves that we are soon smothered by our fear of death in a dark sea. For when you enter the ocean, you enter God's courtroom. Will you sink with your sins or float from your truths?

After hearing this let me ask you one question, do you want to go swimming?