Afraid Of Me
February 7th, 2011, 08:12 PM
avatar-the story of miku episode 2:state of the avatar (master your element)
That night I walk back to my hut with a lot on my mind. How I firebended, being the avatar, and what would happen to me next. As I arrive at my hut, my mother and kuei are there waiting for me seemingly. Did kuei tell her what happened? He smiles at me. The room is filled with the smell of dinner. Fried salmon. My favorite. Rice is boiling in the fire pit. My mother stands up and begins walking towards me.
"Miku, I want to apologize to you for our argument earlier." she says
"Mom." I start to reply. But she cuts me off and continues.
"I can understand why you wouldn't want this for yourself. You shouldnt've been told you are the avatar until you turned 16." she says.
"Mom-" I start again. But she cuts me off and continues a second time.
"But I have faith that the moon and ocean spirits have told us of your identity for a reason. And I think you should have faith too. And-" I cut her off this time.
"Mom!" I yell. she pauses.
"I firebended today. It's true..... I really am the avatar." I say. She stares at me sternly. Then she nods. I continue speaking.
"And I don't like it. But I'm ready to take on my responsibility." I say with confidence. My mother turns and tends to the rice.
"Good then." she says. "Then you'll leave tomorrow for the earth kingdom." my mother says next. I'm shocked.
"What!?" I yell.
"Yes." she says. "we have received word from ba sing se' from an earthbending master. You are to go there and learn earthbending."
I dont know what to say.
"But...... But I havn't mastered waterbending yet." I object.
"Miku you are an excellent waterbender. I don't believe that it will take you much longer to master your element. I've packed your things already. You and kuei are to leave for ba sing se' after your lesson with master haku." My mother finishes. I'm at a loss for words.
We eat dinner and go to bed. kuei and my mother are asleep as I lay there in deep thought. I can't believe all of this is happening. Why do I have to be the avatar. Why me? I lay there staring at the ceiling. I lift my hands and stare at them. How did I firebend? I don't even know how to do that, not even a little bit. I get up, put my coat, and walk outside. I think about how I felt earlier and take a strong stance. I throw an arm out in front of me like a punch. Nothing. I throw both arms out next. Again, Nothing.
"How did I do it?" I ask. I throw multiple punches in all directions, and then a kick. Still nothing. Maybe I didn't firebend earlier.... And if I did how did I do it? I think of the warm energy I felt coursing through my body when the fire left my hands. I did firebend. But I don't know how I did it.
The next day, I wake up early. Just before the sun rises. kuei is already awake. He's sitting down stretching. I sit up and look over at him. He smiles. He likes smiling I think.
"Good morning sis." He says.
"Morning kuei." I reply.
"And how is the avatar feeling this morning?" He asks. He laughs a little. The laughter sounds a slight bit nervous. I think he's not sure how I'll react to him calling me that. I pause for a moment remembering what happened yesterday. Then I smile, tilt my head a little bit and say-
"I'll let you know when I get some tea. Deal?"
"Deal sis." kuei says and laughs again, more sure of himself. I really like tea. I don't know why. It helps me feel more focused I guess. Not many people here are big on tea, but every now and then I'll sit and have tea with master haku and a few other benders. My favorite tea is black tea with ginger. I drink it everyday. I light the fire put, boil water, and add the tea leaves and ginger. I sit down cross legged after pouring tea in a cup. I take a sip. After another few sips I find myself staring into the dark cup of tea. I'm thinking about what it's going to be like leaving the tribe for the first time. On a long journey to the earth kingdom capital at that. I hear my name.
"miku, are you okay?" It's kuei.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I question in reply.
"It's just- you look so distant. What's it like.....? Being the avatar I mean." kuei says.
"I don't feel any different. I mean I'm still me you know?" I answer. kuei looks down at me.
"We should get to the training grounds." I suggest. We both get up to head out of the hut but I grab kuei's arm to stop him. He looks back at me.
"kuei, how do you feel about leaving?" I ask him. he pauses a moment.
"Okay I guess. I mean it'll be fun traveling. And I'll have you. I was scared at first, but it'll be okay." he replies. I'm not sure how to feel about it. We leave the hut and head for the training grounds. When we arrive everyone is talking. All except master haku. master haku is a tall man with hair that reaches to his shoulders. He has two dread locks hanging from either side of his temples giving him four. He has black hair and blue eyes, tan skin like I have also. He's sitting down. meditating I believe, but he opens his eyes as me and kuei arrive. We reach the other benders, and master haku stands up and asks for quiet. everyone quiets down. master haku speaks.
"Benders of the southern water tribe." He begins. "Today's lesson will be different than usual. For those who don't know, we are in the presence of the avatar. avatar miku. Would you please come forth?" He asks. I hesitate. Then stand slowly, and walk to the front where master haku is standing. Everyone applauds as I walk. I get to the front, and stand next to master haku. He continues speaking.
"As you all know, miku is one of the great benders of our tribe. She is close to mastering her element. Very rare for being such a young age. But today, she will be leaving our tribe to go to ba sing se' to learn earthbending. So for today's lesson, I would like you all to sit and watch."
What's he talking about? Everyone sits down. I'm nervous.
"What's going on?" I ask the crowd. No one speaks. Their all staring at me. I'm staring back, looking for any sign of an answer. Suddenly I feel something behind me. It's moving. Water! I spin around and bend the water around me and back into the fountain from where it came. I take a bending stance.
"Excellent aim young avatar!" I hear. It was master haku. He waterbended at me.
"What are you doing master haku?" I ask in a demanding voice.
"Today you leave our tribe miku. But also today, you master waterbending." He says. Then he bends snow into a cylinder and shoots it at me. I dodge.
"master haku I wont fight you!" I yell.
"Then as an avatar, you will fail!" He replies while waterbending a wave of water at me again from the fountain that I split in half with my bending and the water falls on both sides of me. He then bends snow into water and shoots two whip shaped water currents at my feet that grab them and knock me down. I see he won't stop and I realize I have no choice but to fight. I quickly stand up and waterbend snow into octopus shaped arms.
"Good stance and originality avatar! Don't hold back!" yells my waterbending master. I shoot one of the arms of snow at him and it wraps around his waist. I try to pull him toward me but he waterbends the snow at his feet into ice so that he won't budge. He then bends the snow under my feet into a cylinder shaped stage that lifts me off my feet and at least 10 feet in the air.
I jump off making steps with snow to catch me and bend more snow into ice balls and two hit my master in the chest. He falls to the ground.
"Ha,ha much force miku good!" He yells next. "Now let's check your defense!" he says. master haku waterbends a bunch of snow up into the air, into ice spears and shoots them at me a bunch at a time. I run quickly and juke left to right dodging the spears and redirect one into a water whip and hit master haku in the stomach. He falls flat on his chest. Before he gets up, I waterbend water from the fountain into a giant wave and throw it at master haku. It hits him just as he gets up, and he hits the ground hard on his back.
Then he gets up and bends the snow around my feet into a whirl pool. I start spinning around fast and I'm thrown into a wall. master haku then bends snow into a wave of water and slams me back against the wall. He does this two more times. I'm out of breath, dizzy, and can't get up. I see master haku bend more water and attempt to throw another wave at me but it's redirected just as it reaches me. It's kuei. He bends the water back at master haku, who bends it into the fountain.
"Sit down kuei, stay out of it." says master haku.
"Leave her alone!" shouts kuei.
"Don't challenge me kuei." master haku says firmly.
"I said leave my sister alone!" shouts kuei. Then he waterbends snow into water and shoots a wave at master haku, who redirects it back at haku with nearly lightning speed and it slams into haku knocking him unconscious. I feel anger rush over me at the sight of this. Then I feel myself levitating. I see my body still on the ground. I'm not in my body. Then suddenly the unthinkable happens yet again. I see head lift up and my eyes are glowing with an ominous bright light. Then I slowly stand up and begin bending snow into a huge tornado. The snow turns into water and the tornado is at least 25 feet tall. I then turn the tornado horizontally and throw it towards master haku and it knocks him into a wall instantly. I then feel myself floating down and I'm back inside my body. I walk towards kuei who's sitting on the ground holding his head.
"Are you okay kuei?" I ask
"How did you do that!? A water tornado!?" kuei exclaims.
"I don't know I reply. "I just did it" I turn around and everyone has their mouths hanging open staring at me. master haku is back on his feet. He walk over to me.
"Well done miku. You have mastered waterbending." master haku tells me. He bows, and so do I. I can't believe it. I've mastered my element.
"Now your journey as the avatar begins miku. I wish you safe travels." says master haku
Later that day, I go back to my hut and tell my mom about my lesson. She's excited that I've mastered waterbending. I gather my things, say bye to my mom and head for my ship. kuei meets me there along with other members of our tribe who wish us safe travels. Before we cast off, kie' comes running over to us with a buffalo yak. It stands tall with orange fur along black stripes with white fur on its chest and horns that sit on her head.
"Hey kie'." I say. "Did you come to say bye?" I ask.
"I'm coming with you." she replies.
"What?" I ask confused.
"Yeah, my parents said it's okay. You didn't honestly think I'd let this chance to travel the world pass me by did you? Can I tag along?" she asks.
"I think it's a great idea kie' but what's with the buffalo yak?" I replied.
"It's from master haku." She tells me. "It's still technically a cub. She's only a year old. master haku said you'll need her for your journey. Something about her being your animal guide?" she tells me.
"Okay." I reply. "What's her name?" I ask.
"grya." She tells me.
"Cool name!" says kuei. He pets her.
We all climb aboard the ship and set sail, waving to our families. And for the first time since I was told that I'm the avatar, I feel optimistic. Me, kuei, and kie' on our own.
Maybe being the avatar won't be so bad.
That night I walk back to my hut with a lot on my mind. How I firebended, being the avatar, and what would happen to me next. As I arrive at my hut, my mother and kuei are there waiting for me seemingly. Did kuei tell her what happened? He smiles at me. The room is filled with the smell of dinner. Fried salmon. My favorite. Rice is boiling in the fire pit. My mother stands up and begins walking towards me.
"Miku, I want to apologize to you for our argument earlier." she says
"Mom." I start to reply. But she cuts me off and continues.
"I can understand why you wouldn't want this for yourself. You shouldnt've been told you are the avatar until you turned 16." she says.
"Mom-" I start again. But she cuts me off and continues a second time.
"But I have faith that the moon and ocean spirits have told us of your identity for a reason. And I think you should have faith too. And-" I cut her off this time.
"Mom!" I yell. she pauses.
"I firebended today. It's true..... I really am the avatar." I say. She stares at me sternly. Then she nods. I continue speaking.
"And I don't like it. But I'm ready to take on my responsibility." I say with confidence. My mother turns and tends to the rice.
"Good then." she says. "Then you'll leave tomorrow for the earth kingdom." my mother says next. I'm shocked.
"What!?" I yell.
"Yes." she says. "we have received word from ba sing se' from an earthbending master. You are to go there and learn earthbending."
I dont know what to say.
"But...... But I havn't mastered waterbending yet." I object.
"Miku you are an excellent waterbender. I don't believe that it will take you much longer to master your element. I've packed your things already. You and kuei are to leave for ba sing se' after your lesson with master haku." My mother finishes. I'm at a loss for words.
We eat dinner and go to bed. kuei and my mother are asleep as I lay there in deep thought. I can't believe all of this is happening. Why do I have to be the avatar. Why me? I lay there staring at the ceiling. I lift my hands and stare at them. How did I firebend? I don't even know how to do that, not even a little bit. I get up, put my coat, and walk outside. I think about how I felt earlier and take a strong stance. I throw an arm out in front of me like a punch. Nothing. I throw both arms out next. Again, Nothing.
"How did I do it?" I ask. I throw multiple punches in all directions, and then a kick. Still nothing. Maybe I didn't firebend earlier.... And if I did how did I do it? I think of the warm energy I felt coursing through my body when the fire left my hands. I did firebend. But I don't know how I did it.
The next day, I wake up early. Just before the sun rises. kuei is already awake. He's sitting down stretching. I sit up and look over at him. He smiles. He likes smiling I think.
"Good morning sis." He says.
"Morning kuei." I reply.
"And how is the avatar feeling this morning?" He asks. He laughs a little. The laughter sounds a slight bit nervous. I think he's not sure how I'll react to him calling me that. I pause for a moment remembering what happened yesterday. Then I smile, tilt my head a little bit and say-
"I'll let you know when I get some tea. Deal?"
"Deal sis." kuei says and laughs again, more sure of himself. I really like tea. I don't know why. It helps me feel more focused I guess. Not many people here are big on tea, but every now and then I'll sit and have tea with master haku and a few other benders. My favorite tea is black tea with ginger. I drink it everyday. I light the fire put, boil water, and add the tea leaves and ginger. I sit down cross legged after pouring tea in a cup. I take a sip. After another few sips I find myself staring into the dark cup of tea. I'm thinking about what it's going to be like leaving the tribe for the first time. On a long journey to the earth kingdom capital at that. I hear my name.
"miku, are you okay?" It's kuei.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I question in reply.
"It's just- you look so distant. What's it like.....? Being the avatar I mean." kuei says.
"I don't feel any different. I mean I'm still me you know?" I answer. kuei looks down at me.
"We should get to the training grounds." I suggest. We both get up to head out of the hut but I grab kuei's arm to stop him. He looks back at me.
"kuei, how do you feel about leaving?" I ask him. he pauses a moment.
"Okay I guess. I mean it'll be fun traveling. And I'll have you. I was scared at first, but it'll be okay." he replies. I'm not sure how to feel about it. We leave the hut and head for the training grounds. When we arrive everyone is talking. All except master haku. master haku is a tall man with hair that reaches to his shoulders. He has two dread locks hanging from either side of his temples giving him four. He has black hair and blue eyes, tan skin like I have also. He's sitting down. meditating I believe, but he opens his eyes as me and kuei arrive. We reach the other benders, and master haku stands up and asks for quiet. everyone quiets down. master haku speaks.
"Benders of the southern water tribe." He begins. "Today's lesson will be different than usual. For those who don't know, we are in the presence of the avatar. avatar miku. Would you please come forth?" He asks. I hesitate. Then stand slowly, and walk to the front where master haku is standing. Everyone applauds as I walk. I get to the front, and stand next to master haku. He continues speaking.
"As you all know, miku is one of the great benders of our tribe. She is close to mastering her element. Very rare for being such a young age. But today, she will be leaving our tribe to go to ba sing se' to learn earthbending. So for today's lesson, I would like you all to sit and watch."
What's he talking about? Everyone sits down. I'm nervous.
"What's going on?" I ask the crowd. No one speaks. Their all staring at me. I'm staring back, looking for any sign of an answer. Suddenly I feel something behind me. It's moving. Water! I spin around and bend the water around me and back into the fountain from where it came. I take a bending stance.
"Excellent aim young avatar!" I hear. It was master haku. He waterbended at me.
"What are you doing master haku?" I ask in a demanding voice.
"Today you leave our tribe miku. But also today, you master waterbending." He says. Then he bends snow into a cylinder and shoots it at me. I dodge.
"master haku I wont fight you!" I yell.
"Then as an avatar, you will fail!" He replies while waterbending a wave of water at me again from the fountain that I split in half with my bending and the water falls on both sides of me. He then bends snow into water and shoots two whip shaped water currents at my feet that grab them and knock me down. I see he won't stop and I realize I have no choice but to fight. I quickly stand up and waterbend snow into octopus shaped arms.
"Good stance and originality avatar! Don't hold back!" yells my waterbending master. I shoot one of the arms of snow at him and it wraps around his waist. I try to pull him toward me but he waterbends the snow at his feet into ice so that he won't budge. He then bends the snow under my feet into a cylinder shaped stage that lifts me off my feet and at least 10 feet in the air.
I jump off making steps with snow to catch me and bend more snow into ice balls and two hit my master in the chest. He falls to the ground.
"Ha,ha much force miku good!" He yells next. "Now let's check your defense!" he says. master haku waterbends a bunch of snow up into the air, into ice spears and shoots them at me a bunch at a time. I run quickly and juke left to right dodging the spears and redirect one into a water whip and hit master haku in the stomach. He falls flat on his chest. Before he gets up, I waterbend water from the fountain into a giant wave and throw it at master haku. It hits him just as he gets up, and he hits the ground hard on his back.
Then he gets up and bends the snow around my feet into a whirl pool. I start spinning around fast and I'm thrown into a wall. master haku then bends snow into a wave of water and slams me back against the wall. He does this two more times. I'm out of breath, dizzy, and can't get up. I see master haku bend more water and attempt to throw another wave at me but it's redirected just as it reaches me. It's kuei. He bends the water back at master haku, who bends it into the fountain.
"Sit down kuei, stay out of it." says master haku.
"Leave her alone!" shouts kuei.
"Don't challenge me kuei." master haku says firmly.
"I said leave my sister alone!" shouts kuei. Then he waterbends snow into water and shoots a wave at master haku, who redirects it back at haku with nearly lightning speed and it slams into haku knocking him unconscious. I feel anger rush over me at the sight of this. Then I feel myself levitating. I see my body still on the ground. I'm not in my body. Then suddenly the unthinkable happens yet again. I see head lift up and my eyes are glowing with an ominous bright light. Then I slowly stand up and begin bending snow into a huge tornado. The snow turns into water and the tornado is at least 25 feet tall. I then turn the tornado horizontally and throw it towards master haku and it knocks him into a wall instantly. I then feel myself floating down and I'm back inside my body. I walk towards kuei who's sitting on the ground holding his head.
"Are you okay kuei?" I ask
"How did you do that!? A water tornado!?" kuei exclaims.
"I don't know I reply. "I just did it" I turn around and everyone has their mouths hanging open staring at me. master haku is back on his feet. He walk over to me.
"Well done miku. You have mastered waterbending." master haku tells me. He bows, and so do I. I can't believe it. I've mastered my element.
"Now your journey as the avatar begins miku. I wish you safe travels." says master haku
Later that day, I go back to my hut and tell my mom about my lesson. She's excited that I've mastered waterbending. I gather my things, say bye to my mom and head for my ship. kuei meets me there along with other members of our tribe who wish us safe travels. Before we cast off, kie' comes running over to us with a buffalo yak. It stands tall with orange fur along black stripes with white fur on its chest and horns that sit on her head.
"Hey kie'." I say. "Did you come to say bye?" I ask.
"I'm coming with you." she replies.
"What?" I ask confused.
"Yeah, my parents said it's okay. You didn't honestly think I'd let this chance to travel the world pass me by did you? Can I tag along?" she asks.
"I think it's a great idea kie' but what's with the buffalo yak?" I replied.
"It's from master haku." She tells me. "It's still technically a cub. She's only a year old. master haku said you'll need her for your journey. Something about her being your animal guide?" she tells me.
"Okay." I reply. "What's her name?" I ask.
"grya." She tells me.
"Cool name!" says kuei. He pets her.
We all climb aboard the ship and set sail, waving to our families. And for the first time since I was told that I'm the avatar, I feel optimistic. Me, kuei, and kie' on our own.
Maybe being the avatar won't be so bad.