Post by Teяa253 on Jul 4, 2008 8:55:18 GMT 1
the 25th installment of my series. This is nearing the end, but there's still a little ways to go.
THE REALM OF THE AIRBENDERS
We set sail northwards towards the western air temple. My mother never really said why, but since that was one of the most intricate air temples—and former home to female air nomads, she guess that there might be a possibility of finding something—or someone—there that could be of help to me. Iroh had stayed behind to oversee the Fire Nation, similar to how Sokka was doing the same for the Earth Kingdom.
Now that Sanaki was part of our group, we learned more about the Fire Nation‘s current standing. “Things seemed pretty normal” Sanaki said, “until Iroh started eyeing me to become his successor for the Fire Nation throne.”
“So,” Ty Lee said, “say in the hypothetical situation that Zuko had survived, what made him sacrifice his right to the throne? Surely Katara could have given up her position and moved to the Fire Nation”
“According to Iroh,” said Sanaki, “she wanted to. However, there was something in the volcanic air of the Fire Nation that did not settle very well with Katara, and Zuko was aware of it. Zuko didn’t want that harming their relationship, so he offered to switch roles.”
“And Katara accepted just like that,” Toph exclaimed,
“Nah,” Sanaki chuckled, “she got all stubborn and didn’t want Zuko making that sacrifice, making up all kinds of things, like staying indoors and what-not. Zuko didn’t want her to have to live that way, so he ended up convincing them to move to the water tribe. Also, Zuko said that there were too many things about that Fire Nation that pained him physically and mentally, and he did not want to be reminded of them,”
“Ah,” my mother Kai Serenes I said, “that makes sense. I wondered why Zuko seldom came here...”
“and of course,” Sanaki continued, “in the meantime Iroh had taken charge of the Fire Nation at least until Zuko came of age, but after he did that, he went off and married Katara after a long and complex story that is not any of my business. If any of you want to find out, you’ll have to ask Katara.”
Sanaki paused for a second to poke Momo, who was on her head, and then she continued.
“So from my understanding Iroh had to find a successor” she continued, “I don’t know what made him choose me. I mean, sure we had been friends for several years previous to my coronation, but I never expected that he would do that to me... I mean, I knew I was a skilled firebender, but I never thought I was a master, especially after feeling the way he used fire. But then he offered to train me after we had tea together. I still remember the day we met. I had just finished dancing like I usually do, and then I had gone to a tea shop, sat down and ordered some tea. I sat next to this old man, and after a little talk, he learned I was Sanaki Li Chan, and I learned he was Iroh. He didn’t ever tell me he was the Fire Lord though. Iroh has always been a modest man who never really wanted power. He told me that after he set the Fire Nation on my shoulders. I originally got so frustrated at him for it, ‘coz it disrupted my daily life that I loved so much.”
“So by that logic,” I said, “basically Iroh was just looking for a powerful firebender in good standings with himself to take over for him?”
“I guess so,” Sanaki shrugged, “I mean, I never once asked or even hinted that I wanted to be Fire Lady, ‘coz in reality, I really didn’t. Like Iroh, I enjoyed the small and simple things in life.”
“So,” I said, hoping I was not sounding c0cky, “do any of you think that I’ll be able to find an airbending teacher once we land?”
“Never doubt,” said Ty Lee, “for sometimes, the things you seek are right in front of you.”
“Are you saying that you’re...?” I exclaimed, for she was right in front of me when she said that,”
“I never exactly said that,” Ty Lee replied, “I mean, it’s a figure of speech, but still, sometimes, it can be taken literally.”
She didn’t exactly answer my question, but I had never been the inquisitive type, so I let it slide.
With the exception of a few interesting conversations, our trip to the Western Air Temple was uneventful. When we landed, and got to the temple itself, Toph ended up locating a spot where she had stood over 19 years before.
“This is the exact same place,” she remarked, “this brings back memories—good ones and bad ones alike.”
“What do you mean?” I asked,
“The last time I was here,” said Toph, “Aang and Zuko were both still alive. I mean, it’s not like I was in love with them or anything—that’s what Sokka was for. It’s just... it brings back memories of the good times our gang used to have.”
“I’m sorry Toph,” said Ty Lee “is it harsh?”
“Eh,” Toph shrugged, “it’s alright. I mean, sure I miss the little guy, and Zuko too, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Besides, Aang’s successor is pretty dang skilled—and has a lot of his old traits.”
“What do you mean?” I asked; this was one of the first times I had ever had someone talk to me about one of my predecessors other than things I had learned from myself.
“Well,” Toph said, “you’re a pretty quick learner. Twinkle Toes managed to learn his opposite element really quick. He mastered all 4 elements in about a season. You’ve taken longer, but I’ll just say that you’re more skilled—I mean, you’re equal to the masters—your mom, Sanaki and I.”
“Oh,” I said, “um, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Toph shrugged, walking around, “hey, I can actually feel where I’m going again; yeah!”
“What do you mean,” Sanaki asked her,
“Also the last time I was here,” said Toph, “my feet were burned. Obviously now though things are different”
“Yeah,” Sanaki replied, “I’m glad I can feel my surroundings too. I mean, this place is incredible.”
Sanaki suddenly paused, noticing one of their group members was missing.
“Hey,” she exclaimed, “where did Ty Lee go?”
“You just noticed she was gone,” Toph laughed,
“I wasn’t asking you,” Sanaki said defensively. Momo, who had gone with us, was on Sanaki’s head once again before he leaped off.
“Just messing with ya, Sanaki,” Toph laughed, elbowing her friend; She used to call Sanaki “Wildfire” but I figured that Toph decided to have a tiny bit more respect for her now because of her position. Of course, she still treated her the same way, and neither Sanaki nor Toph ever let their rank affect their behavior towards their friends.
Ty Lee suddenly reappeared carrying a staff.
“Look what I found,” she said, and my mother and I turned around. Toph and Sanaki remained motionless. I heard Sanaki whisper something to Toph, and they both sn1ggered. Anyways, Ty Lee had found a glider. It looked a lot like the one the spirit boy from my dreams (who I learned a while ago was Aang) used, except it was slightly different-shaped. After all, Aang had come from the Southern Air Temple, and this was the Western Air Temple. Ty Lee spun the glider around and hit the ground with it, and it was a staff again by this time. Her movements sort of reminded me of Aang’s.
“You know, Ty Lee,” said Toph, “if I didn’t know better I’d say you were an airbender.”
Ty Lee laughed. “Maybe you should have asked Zuki the fortune-teller about that one,” she said, “I mean, she’s always right. She would have told you the answer.”
Sanaki chuckled. Momo jumped back onto Sanaki’s head, and almost got tangled in her hair. She had known Zuki longer than any of us except perhaps my mother. Still, Toph was also picking up on my theory about Ty Lee, but I figured if Ty Lee did not want to tell us, that was her business.
“Kai II,” she said, “I got you this.” She handed me another staff, which of course was a glider.
“And,” she continued, “I found you an airbending teacher.”
All of us suddenly stopped dead in whatever we were doing.
“You did,” Sanaki, Toph and I exclaimed simultaneously,
“I did,” Ty Lee giggled, “There’s only one problem though.”
“What is that,” I asked again,
“The only problem is, Kai II” said Ty Lee “is that your airbending teacher is right beside you.”
~Kai~
THE REALM OF THE AIRBENDERS
We set sail northwards towards the western air temple. My mother never really said why, but since that was one of the most intricate air temples—and former home to female air nomads, she guess that there might be a possibility of finding something—or someone—there that could be of help to me. Iroh had stayed behind to oversee the Fire Nation, similar to how Sokka was doing the same for the Earth Kingdom.
Now that Sanaki was part of our group, we learned more about the Fire Nation‘s current standing. “Things seemed pretty normal” Sanaki said, “until Iroh started eyeing me to become his successor for the Fire Nation throne.”
“So,” Ty Lee said, “say in the hypothetical situation that Zuko had survived, what made him sacrifice his right to the throne? Surely Katara could have given up her position and moved to the Fire Nation”
“According to Iroh,” said Sanaki, “she wanted to. However, there was something in the volcanic air of the Fire Nation that did not settle very well with Katara, and Zuko was aware of it. Zuko didn’t want that harming their relationship, so he offered to switch roles.”
“And Katara accepted just like that,” Toph exclaimed,
“Nah,” Sanaki chuckled, “she got all stubborn and didn’t want Zuko making that sacrifice, making up all kinds of things, like staying indoors and what-not. Zuko didn’t want her to have to live that way, so he ended up convincing them to move to the water tribe. Also, Zuko said that there were too many things about that Fire Nation that pained him physically and mentally, and he did not want to be reminded of them,”
“Ah,” my mother Kai Serenes I said, “that makes sense. I wondered why Zuko seldom came here...”
“and of course,” Sanaki continued, “in the meantime Iroh had taken charge of the Fire Nation at least until Zuko came of age, but after he did that, he went off and married Katara after a long and complex story that is not any of my business. If any of you want to find out, you’ll have to ask Katara.”
Sanaki paused for a second to poke Momo, who was on her head, and then she continued.
“So from my understanding Iroh had to find a successor” she continued, “I don’t know what made him choose me. I mean, sure we had been friends for several years previous to my coronation, but I never expected that he would do that to me... I mean, I knew I was a skilled firebender, but I never thought I was a master, especially after feeling the way he used fire. But then he offered to train me after we had tea together. I still remember the day we met. I had just finished dancing like I usually do, and then I had gone to a tea shop, sat down and ordered some tea. I sat next to this old man, and after a little talk, he learned I was Sanaki Li Chan, and I learned he was Iroh. He didn’t ever tell me he was the Fire Lord though. Iroh has always been a modest man who never really wanted power. He told me that after he set the Fire Nation on my shoulders. I originally got so frustrated at him for it, ‘coz it disrupted my daily life that I loved so much.”
“So by that logic,” I said, “basically Iroh was just looking for a powerful firebender in good standings with himself to take over for him?”
“I guess so,” Sanaki shrugged, “I mean, I never once asked or even hinted that I wanted to be Fire Lady, ‘coz in reality, I really didn’t. Like Iroh, I enjoyed the small and simple things in life.”
“So,” I said, hoping I was not sounding c0cky, “do any of you think that I’ll be able to find an airbending teacher once we land?”
“Never doubt,” said Ty Lee, “for sometimes, the things you seek are right in front of you.”
“Are you saying that you’re...?” I exclaimed, for she was right in front of me when she said that,”
“I never exactly said that,” Ty Lee replied, “I mean, it’s a figure of speech, but still, sometimes, it can be taken literally.”
She didn’t exactly answer my question, but I had never been the inquisitive type, so I let it slide.
With the exception of a few interesting conversations, our trip to the Western Air Temple was uneventful. When we landed, and got to the temple itself, Toph ended up locating a spot where she had stood over 19 years before.
“This is the exact same place,” she remarked, “this brings back memories—good ones and bad ones alike.”
“What do you mean?” I asked,
“The last time I was here,” said Toph, “Aang and Zuko were both still alive. I mean, it’s not like I was in love with them or anything—that’s what Sokka was for. It’s just... it brings back memories of the good times our gang used to have.”
“I’m sorry Toph,” said Ty Lee “is it harsh?”
“Eh,” Toph shrugged, “it’s alright. I mean, sure I miss the little guy, and Zuko too, but there’s nothing I can do about it. Besides, Aang’s successor is pretty dang skilled—and has a lot of his old traits.”
“What do you mean?” I asked; this was one of the first times I had ever had someone talk to me about one of my predecessors other than things I had learned from myself.
“Well,” Toph said, “you’re a pretty quick learner. Twinkle Toes managed to learn his opposite element really quick. He mastered all 4 elements in about a season. You’ve taken longer, but I’ll just say that you’re more skilled—I mean, you’re equal to the masters—your mom, Sanaki and I.”
“Oh,” I said, “um, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it,” Toph shrugged, walking around, “hey, I can actually feel where I’m going again; yeah!”
“What do you mean,” Sanaki asked her,
“Also the last time I was here,” said Toph, “my feet were burned. Obviously now though things are different”
“Yeah,” Sanaki replied, “I’m glad I can feel my surroundings too. I mean, this place is incredible.”
Sanaki suddenly paused, noticing one of their group members was missing.
“Hey,” she exclaimed, “where did Ty Lee go?”
“You just noticed she was gone,” Toph laughed,
“I wasn’t asking you,” Sanaki said defensively. Momo, who had gone with us, was on Sanaki’s head once again before he leaped off.
“Just messing with ya, Sanaki,” Toph laughed, elbowing her friend; She used to call Sanaki “Wildfire” but I figured that Toph decided to have a tiny bit more respect for her now because of her position. Of course, she still treated her the same way, and neither Sanaki nor Toph ever let their rank affect their behavior towards their friends.
Ty Lee suddenly reappeared carrying a staff.
“Look what I found,” she said, and my mother and I turned around. Toph and Sanaki remained motionless. I heard Sanaki whisper something to Toph, and they both sn1ggered. Anyways, Ty Lee had found a glider. It looked a lot like the one the spirit boy from my dreams (who I learned a while ago was Aang) used, except it was slightly different-shaped. After all, Aang had come from the Southern Air Temple, and this was the Western Air Temple. Ty Lee spun the glider around and hit the ground with it, and it was a staff again by this time. Her movements sort of reminded me of Aang’s.
“You know, Ty Lee,” said Toph, “if I didn’t know better I’d say you were an airbender.”
Ty Lee laughed. “Maybe you should have asked Zuki the fortune-teller about that one,” she said, “I mean, she’s always right. She would have told you the answer.”
Sanaki chuckled. Momo jumped back onto Sanaki’s head, and almost got tangled in her hair. She had known Zuki longer than any of us except perhaps my mother. Still, Toph was also picking up on my theory about Ty Lee, but I figured if Ty Lee did not want to tell us, that was her business.
“Kai II,” she said, “I got you this.” She handed me another staff, which of course was a glider.
“And,” she continued, “I found you an airbending teacher.”
All of us suddenly stopped dead in whatever we were doing.
“You did,” Sanaki, Toph and I exclaimed simultaneously,
“I did,” Ty Lee giggled, “There’s only one problem though.”
“What is that,” I asked again,
“The only problem is, Kai II” said Ty Lee “is that your airbending teacher is right beside you.”
~Kai~
