The sun was already high in Republic City. Birds flying over people. The population is ready for another new day. Stores to be opened. The noise of cars passing through the city streets. The Republic City Police Department Zeppelins were flying over different areas of the city making their daily rounds through the city streets.
In Republic City Park, it was possible to see merchants organizing their stands on one side, and on the other side, in the center of the park, there stood a protester, next to a large sign with the image of a masked person stamped on the right side. And above it was written 'The Equalist' in big letters. At his side, he had a partner handing out flyers.
Switching on the megaphone, the man cleared his throat and started to speak.
''Citizens of Republic City! We live in an unfair society! Where those who can bend any of the four elements, oppress those who haven't been privileged with any kind of skill! Is this what we want for our society?''
The small crowd that was there grew bigger and bigger because of the citizens who walked and stopped to give attention to what the man had to tell. And each time the man spoke, the crowd agreed with what was being told. To the point where everyone was screaming.
''We want equality!'' yelled a short, bald man. ''We want justice!'' yelled a woman of medium height.
Grinning, the man looked at the entire crowd and spoke again through his megaphone.
''It's because of this bad government! The cause of our injustice is the bad government this city has! Amon would not let that happen! He is the one who should be our leader!''
Taking a deep breath, the man looked at the many faces that were there. Clearing his throat again, he finally said. ''Join him and only then will we accomplish our freedom! Our justice! Our equality!''
With a final shout, the man, panting, heard the eruption of applauses from the crowd.
''AMON!! AMON!! AMON!!'' This was what could only be heard from the crowd.
...
A little further away, it was possible to hear the relaxing sound of the river water flowing. If you paid close attention, you could see the fish jumping out of the water, and then going back into the river.
Republic City Park is famous for hosting a lot of homeless people. So, it wasn't a surprise when they were found by the river, in bushes, or even in garbage dumps to find something. Be it clothes, food, or blankets to cover themselves on the coldest nights.
Most of them lived under the big bridge that was there. During the day, a small part of the group would go to the edge of the river, to fish with their fishing rods made of sticks and line. Others were enjoying a nice rest under the shade of the trees that were there. And in the evening they light some fires, which they put in containers to warm their cold bodies. And with the few cans of beans they could find that day, they managed to survive another day.
However, on the other side of the bridge, near
a large tree, two silhouettes, one big and one smaller, seemed to be chatting, sitting on the grass, appreciating the wind that passed between the leaves of the tree.
The father-daughter duo, Hikari and Sora, were sitting opposite each other. Hikari, rubbing Sora's head, said to her.
'' To be able to bend the earth, you need to have a good balance of strength and a good defense to be able to protect yourself against whoever hurts you.''
Running her hand through her ashy-white hair to straighten it, Sora asked her father. ''How do I do that?'' Leaning her head to the side and with curious eyes, Sora asked her father while crossing her arms. Asking her father again.
''How can I protect myself if I'm so short, Dad?''
With a big laugh, Hikari looked into his daughter's curious eyes and said. "You will not stay short forever." With a small smile, he added. "If you are strong and resilient, you will be able to protect yourself."
Remaining silent for a few minutes, Hikari spoke again. ''But first of all, you have to believe
in yourself,'' Hikari said, running his thumb along his daughter's cheek to clean the dirt that was there.
Still looking confused, Sora asked her father again. ''How do you know all this about earthbending, Dad?'' Trying to prove her point, she raised her arm, pointing to the river, and said to her father. ''You are a water bender! Not an earth bender!''
Hikari, looking at his daughter, with bright eyes and a big smile, said. "It was a few years ago. When I worked at the Pro-Bending Arena as a janitor. Whenever I walked through the corridors, I could see what the other benders were doing. That's how I managed to improve my bending."
Getting up, Hikari extended his hand to Sora. " Come on, let's take a little walk." He said, indicating with his head to the other side of the bridge. Where the benches were.
Taking the hand that was extended to her, Sora was lifted with the help of her father. Shaking off the dry leaves that stuck on their bodies, Sora and Hikari headed toward the benches.
' While she's having fun, I'll see if I can get some leftover food so we can eat today.' Hikari thought, as he looked at the food stands.
Looking at an excited Sora, who was looking at the other kids playing with a ball, he thought. ' At least enough to feed my daughter.'
--
While Hikari was walking from bench to bench for food, Sora went to the group of children asking if she could play with them. While playing with the old ball, one of the children kicked the ball with great force, causing it to land far away from where they were.
Looking at where the ball went, Sora looked at the other kids and said. "Don't worry guys! I'll bring the ball in a moment!" With that, she ran to where the ball was kicked.
Stopping running, Sora looked around for the ball. Not finding it where it was supposed to be, Sora walked away to another street in hopes of finding the lost ball.
Distracted, Sora hadn't seen where she was going, which led to her bumping into someone else.
With a low growl, Sora, startled by the impact, looked down to where she found another child.
It was a girl in a red dress and beside her, a rag doll inside a small bag.
Coming out of her surprised state, Sora said.
" Sorry for bumping into you." " I didn't see where I was going."
'She looks a little younger than me.' Thought Sora as she looked at the girl that was still on the floor.
" I didn't hurt you, did I?" she asked with a small smile.
Seeing that the girl was still on the floor, she immediately extended her hand.
" Let me help you." She said.
With their hands together, Sora lifted the girl with a tug. Just like that, she managed to get a good look at the other girl. But something caught her attention. And it wasn't her red dress embroidered with tiny roses or how pretty her hair was. No, that wasn't what caught her attention. What caught her attention were the girl's eyes. They were a mix of gold and green. It was like the golden rays of the sun passing through the green of the trees.
The two girls were silent, not knowing what to do. Silence, which was soon broken by Sora's voice.
" What's your name?" she asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
Surprised by the question, the other girl replied. " My name is Asami. And you? What's your name?"
With a big smile, Sora said. " My name is Sora!" and with a little wave, she continued. " It's nice to meet you, Asami!"
"It's nice to meet you too, Sora." Said Asami, with a little smile.
Looking at the floor, Sora saw the little bag with the doll on the floor and bent down to pick it up, handing it to Asami.
"Here's your doll." She said.
" Oh! Thank you so much." Asami said, taking the little bag from Sora's hands.
Once more in awkward silence, they stayed there looking at each other. Not knowing what to do next, Asami turned around and continued where she was going, leaving a surprised Sora behind.
Coming out of her surprised state, Sora ran to catch up with Asami, who was already a good distance away from her.
Looking to the side, Asami noticed Sora following her and said. " What do you think that you're doing?"
" I'm just accompanying you to where you're going." Replied Sora, with a big smile.
With a sigh and an eye roll, Asami said. " I know very well where I'm going. I don't need your company."
This made Sora's smile grow even wider. Looking at Asami out of the corners of her eyes, she said. " It's normal that I want to accompany my new friend."
"Friend? Am I your new friend?" Asked Asami, raising her left eyebrow.
Arriving on the other side of the street, where a large automobile was parked, the driver who was inside the car, got out and opened the door for Asami.
Still surprised by that big luxurious automobile and by the fancy driver, Sora turned to Asami, noticing that she was still staring at her. It was then that Sora realized that she still hadn't answered Asami's question.
Blinking her eyes quickly, Sora said. " We're friends." with a nervous laugh and waving her hands in front of her body, feeling shy, she quickly added. " That is if you accept me as your friend."
With a big smile, Asami said. "You're my new friend, Sora."
"SORA!!!!" Hearing her name being called, Sora looked behind her and saw her father calling her for them to go back to the bridge.
Looking at Asami, Sora said. " See you tomorrow?" She asked as she walked back.
With a nod, Asami replied, while entering the car. " In the same place?"
"Yup!" Waving, Sora said. " See you tomorrow, Asami!"
--
When they returned to the bridge, Hikari, who had the bags full of food ( given by an old lady), looked at his daughter who had a big smile on her face.
"So... Why are you so happy?"
" I just made a new friend, Dad!" Sora said happily.
Seeing his daughter all happy, Hikari smiled too. " I'm happy for you, little warrior."
"I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO LOOK FOR THE BALL!!" Sora yelled out of a sudden, scaring her father, who almost fell.