Post by Teяa253 on Dec 14, 2008 11:43:55 GMT 1
Zakura goes back to the spirit world! yayz!!
of course, things start out funny. I mean, who's to say that the avatar has to be boring and serious all the time?
but then we learn some heartbreaking truth about Zakura, and also the names of the avatars since Aang. (and Aang gets referenced)
so yeah, chapter 44. more of Tera's Order of the Avatar Slayer splurge.
CHAPTER 44: IT WAS ZAKURA'S WEAKNESS
Zakura woke up to find herself in a familiar setting that was not the same one she went to sleep in. she looked around and this time knew where she was.
“Alright, Lahka,” she called out, “the joke’s old.”
“Not for me it isn’t,” said a voice, and Zakura laughed.
“But it’s not about you,” Zakura protested, “it’s all about me. I’m the Ava—wait. Crap!”
Lahka laughed, wherever he was.
“But Zakura,” said Lahka’s voice, “I’m the avatar too.”
“Hence the reason I shut up,” Zakura replied, “but hey, just get your Water Tribe rear out here and enlighten me with your spiritual gibberish again. I’ll pretend to act like I understand what you’re saying.”
“You play a tough game, Avatar Zakura” said Lahka, appearing next to Zakura; “you *almost* had me that time.”
“That’s more like it,” said Zakura, “now enlighten me, old man.”
“Alright,” said Lahka, “sit down, short stuff and I shall bestow upon you my spiritual gifts of spirituality.”
Both Lahka and Zakura were straining to keep from bursting out laughing. Lahka had had a good sense of humor like Zakura did; and there wasn’t a supernatural rule or anything that said the avatar couldn’t have fun every now and then. They were and are the spirit of the world in human form, which means that even with the abilities they were granted, they were human just like the rest of the world, having their own likes and dislikes, personal matters, and such.
“Whoa now,” said Zakura, “calling me short has gone too far,”
“Calling me old has gone too far,” Lahka retorted;
“You’re 115, Lahka,” said Zakura, “that’s 92 years older than I am;”
“You’re a head and a half shorter than I am,” said Lahka, who was actually also taller than average, “you’re the shortest avatar since Avatar Aang, and he died at a young age if you recall.”
Zakura lowered her head.
“That was low,” she said, now fake sniffling, “I’m... I’m hurt.”
“Ha-ha,” said Lahka, “then it looks like I am still dominant over you.”
“Do with me what you will,” said Zakura, “but I’ll never talk; ever!”
They both cracked up from this.
“Speak to me, avatar,” said Lahka, and then he said to himself “I am speaking. What do you want?”
“I want you to slap some sense into that woman avatar;”
“But she’s the avatar too,”
“I didn’t say slap some sense into that woman; I said slap some sense into that woman avatar. She’s a woman, and she’s an avatar.”
Zakura punched Lahka’s arm.
“And yet you still never fail to make me wonder about you, Lahka,” she said, laughing, “where’s Wen, your predecessor?”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” said Lahka, and when he said this, an airbender avatar appeared next to Lahka.
“Hello, Avatar Zakura,” said Wen, who was obviously the airbender, “do you know yet why you are here?”
“So Lahka can talk to me about how short I am,”
“Well” said Lahka, smiling slightly, “if that were the case I would possibly throw a few words in about it too...”
“You know what, cue ball,” said Zakura, laughing, “I don’t have to put up with this. I’m the avatar too, you know.”
“And a very talented one at that,” said Wen, “you mastered in 7 years what took some of us up to 20 years to master. When we say that you literally have the best teachers in the world, we mean it.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, “I’ve come to recognize that finally;
“And *that*,” said Lahka, “is one of the reasons you are here: to applaud your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.”
“What is my weakness,” Zakura asked, “I mean, I’m not trying to brag (though the opportunity pretty much yells at me to do so) but I haven’t found anything that I have trouble against.”
“Your weakness, avatar Zakura,” said Lahka “is not a physical technique, attack, or anything of that sort. Your weakness is an emotion.”
“What,” Zakura exclaimed, “like arrogance; or maybe being so freaking awesome that the world can’t take it?”
“Heh,” said Lahka, “you wish;”
“Alright,” said Zakura, “so what is my weakness then;”
“Your weakness,” said Lahka “is love.”
“Love,” Zakura exclaimed, “what are you talking about,”
“it is in your reactions;” Said Lahka, “I apologize in advance for anything this might do to you, Zakura, but we are going to take a little trip back into the past, starting with Avatar Kai, who lived over 1275 years ago.”
“I’m going to have to watch a 1275-year-long play,” Zakura exclaimed,
“No,” Wen replied, “this is different. We are going to look at the childhoods of your past lives, and this will reveal your weakness.”
Suddenly in front of Zakura’s eyes was a tiny water tribe girl in the arms of a woman who looked almost exactly like Avatar Kai. This was baby Kai Serenes II and her mother (for Avatar Kai’s full name was Avatar Kai Serenes II)
“She had a mother who loved and cared for her every step of the way,” said Lahka, “and now we shall move on to Avatar Kada.”
Avatar Kada was shown to Zakura was a child of about 3 years; she was playfully throwing little rocks at some of her older siblings, who were laughing and playing with her.
“She may have been orphaned,” said Lahka, “but she had loving siblings watching her as she grew older. And now we move to Avatar Himoto.”
Avatar Himoto was shown as a girl of about 12. She was being crowned as princess of the Fire Nation, and would soon become its queen, despite her avatar status.”
“She was their heir” said Lahka somberly, watching as Zakura gazed with a straight face, “they loved her eternally; now on to Avatar Imalek.”
Imalek was shown as a baby being raised in the Eastern Air Temple by monks and sisters who were not her real family, but such were the ways of the air nomads.
“The air nomads all had pleasant childhoods, as they were and are friendly to everyone,” Said Lahka, “and now we shall move on to Avatar Koroda” (the same man who General Koroda would be named after several hundred yeas later)
Young Avatar Koroda was seen as a young child just learning how to hunt; being taught by his father. He was smiling as he harpooned a fish of some sort and held it up proudly;
“He was a fine hunter, taught lovingly by his father,” said Lahka, still looking at Zakura’s unchanged face. She seemed to be closing her eyes for longer intervals. “Now we go to Avatar Fa Su”
Fa Su was raised to be a Dai Li agent before his parents learned he was the avatar. Nonetheless, hard times and the strength of The Order of the Avatar Slayer required him to fight undercover.
“He lived a happy life as a Dai Li avatar,” said Lahka, “and reduced The Order during his later years. Here is a character that you might relate closer to, Zakura—Avatar Zuroc”
Zuroc was seen as a young girl talking to some people her age, winning them over as her friends.
“Zuroc was a very influential woman,” said Lahka, “she won her friends by persuasion, and once they sided with her, they learned that underneath that fierce woman was a gentle and kind one. She also created the Zuroc Sensei of course.
Now though, we move on to Avatar Reyson, another air nomad.” (And after Avatar Reyson, that name became a lot more common, particularly in the Fire Nation)
Reyson’s story was similar to Imalek’s, and was just as happy.
“The Air Nomads are a loving people,” said Lahka, “and so was Avatar Komae of the Water Tribes.”
Avatar Komae was seen as a little child socializing with various people.
“Avatar Komae was beloved by all,” Lahka commented, “and her successor, Avatar Harami, was similar, though The Order started to appear again during his days.”
Avatar Harami was shown as a young, hard-working boy who was raised with a poor, but loving family. By this time, Zakura’s eyes had watered slightly, but she was still sitting there, gazing forward.
“Once again,” said Lahka, “he had a loving family. Avatar Lu Xing was similar as we’ll see...”
And he was. He was from a military family, but even as a baby his father, a tough-looking general, was seen cradling him lovingly.
“Do you see the pattern, Zakura,” Lahka said, “for now we come to Wen’s childhood, which was good like all Air Nomads’ usually are.”
And it was. He was a happy boy growing up.
“And you know now, that it comes to me;” said Lahka, “and there I am with my family.”
Lahka was in front of Zakura now, but as a baby being adored by family members and tribe members alike.
“And finally,” he said sadly, noticing Zakura was gritting her teeth and shutting her eyes, “we come to the sad tale of Avatar Zakura Ishiko.”
Zakura was seen as a lonely child. Her other three siblings seemed to taunt her because of her bending prowess, which she longed to use but couldn’t in front of anyone. It then flipped a few years ahead to a 16-year-old Zakura using said earthbending to escape the palace and run away; never to be seen by her parents again up to this day...
This was the straw that broke the bison’s back for Zakura. She broke down crying—sobbing to be exact. If anyone but her past lives had seen this, she would have knocked them squarely out, but this was different. This was Zakura’s soft point—love—something she had never had until The Four Benders came into her life.
Love—It Was Zakura’s Weakness.
~Azula~
of course, things start out funny. I mean, who's to say that the avatar has to be boring and serious all the time?
but then we learn some heartbreaking truth about Zakura, and also the names of the avatars since Aang. (and Aang gets referenced)
so yeah, chapter 44. more of Tera's Order of the Avatar Slayer splurge.
CHAPTER 44: IT WAS ZAKURA'S WEAKNESS
Zakura woke up to find herself in a familiar setting that was not the same one she went to sleep in. she looked around and this time knew where she was.
“Alright, Lahka,” she called out, “the joke’s old.”
“Not for me it isn’t,” said a voice, and Zakura laughed.
“But it’s not about you,” Zakura protested, “it’s all about me. I’m the Ava—wait. Crap!”
Lahka laughed, wherever he was.
“But Zakura,” said Lahka’s voice, “I’m the avatar too.”
“Hence the reason I shut up,” Zakura replied, “but hey, just get your Water Tribe rear out here and enlighten me with your spiritual gibberish again. I’ll pretend to act like I understand what you’re saying.”
“You play a tough game, Avatar Zakura” said Lahka, appearing next to Zakura; “you *almost* had me that time.”
“That’s more like it,” said Zakura, “now enlighten me, old man.”
“Alright,” said Lahka, “sit down, short stuff and I shall bestow upon you my spiritual gifts of spirituality.”
Both Lahka and Zakura were straining to keep from bursting out laughing. Lahka had had a good sense of humor like Zakura did; and there wasn’t a supernatural rule or anything that said the avatar couldn’t have fun every now and then. They were and are the spirit of the world in human form, which means that even with the abilities they were granted, they were human just like the rest of the world, having their own likes and dislikes, personal matters, and such.
“Whoa now,” said Zakura, “calling me short has gone too far,”
“Calling me old has gone too far,” Lahka retorted;
“You’re 115, Lahka,” said Zakura, “that’s 92 years older than I am;”
“You’re a head and a half shorter than I am,” said Lahka, who was actually also taller than average, “you’re the shortest avatar since Avatar Aang, and he died at a young age if you recall.”
Zakura lowered her head.
“That was low,” she said, now fake sniffling, “I’m... I’m hurt.”
“Ha-ha,” said Lahka, “then it looks like I am still dominant over you.”
“Do with me what you will,” said Zakura, “but I’ll never talk; ever!”
They both cracked up from this.
“Speak to me, avatar,” said Lahka, and then he said to himself “I am speaking. What do you want?”
“I want you to slap some sense into that woman avatar;”
“But she’s the avatar too,”
“I didn’t say slap some sense into that woman; I said slap some sense into that woman avatar. She’s a woman, and she’s an avatar.”
Zakura punched Lahka’s arm.
“And yet you still never fail to make me wonder about you, Lahka,” she said, laughing, “where’s Wen, your predecessor?”
“Now you’re speaking my language,” said Lahka, and when he said this, an airbender avatar appeared next to Lahka.
“Hello, Avatar Zakura,” said Wen, who was obviously the airbender, “do you know yet why you are here?”
“So Lahka can talk to me about how short I am,”
“Well” said Lahka, smiling slightly, “if that were the case I would possibly throw a few words in about it too...”
“You know what, cue ball,” said Zakura, laughing, “I don’t have to put up with this. I’m the avatar too, you know.”
“And a very talented one at that,” said Wen, “you mastered in 7 years what took some of us up to 20 years to master. When we say that you literally have the best teachers in the world, we mean it.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, “I’ve come to recognize that finally;
“And *that*,” said Lahka, “is one of the reasons you are here: to applaud your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.”
“What is my weakness,” Zakura asked, “I mean, I’m not trying to brag (though the opportunity pretty much yells at me to do so) but I haven’t found anything that I have trouble against.”
“Your weakness, avatar Zakura,” said Lahka “is not a physical technique, attack, or anything of that sort. Your weakness is an emotion.”
“What,” Zakura exclaimed, “like arrogance; or maybe being so freaking awesome that the world can’t take it?”
“Heh,” said Lahka, “you wish;”
“Alright,” said Zakura, “so what is my weakness then;”
“Your weakness,” said Lahka “is love.”
“Love,” Zakura exclaimed, “what are you talking about,”
“it is in your reactions;” Said Lahka, “I apologize in advance for anything this might do to you, Zakura, but we are going to take a little trip back into the past, starting with Avatar Kai, who lived over 1275 years ago.”
“I’m going to have to watch a 1275-year-long play,” Zakura exclaimed,
“No,” Wen replied, “this is different. We are going to look at the childhoods of your past lives, and this will reveal your weakness.”
Suddenly in front of Zakura’s eyes was a tiny water tribe girl in the arms of a woman who looked almost exactly like Avatar Kai. This was baby Kai Serenes II and her mother (for Avatar Kai’s full name was Avatar Kai Serenes II)
“She had a mother who loved and cared for her every step of the way,” said Lahka, “and now we shall move on to Avatar Kada.”
Avatar Kada was shown to Zakura was a child of about 3 years; she was playfully throwing little rocks at some of her older siblings, who were laughing and playing with her.
“She may have been orphaned,” said Lahka, “but she had loving siblings watching her as she grew older. And now we move to Avatar Himoto.”
Avatar Himoto was shown as a girl of about 12. She was being crowned as princess of the Fire Nation, and would soon become its queen, despite her avatar status.”
“She was their heir” said Lahka somberly, watching as Zakura gazed with a straight face, “they loved her eternally; now on to Avatar Imalek.”
Imalek was shown as a baby being raised in the Eastern Air Temple by monks and sisters who were not her real family, but such were the ways of the air nomads.
“The air nomads all had pleasant childhoods, as they were and are friendly to everyone,” Said Lahka, “and now we shall move on to Avatar Koroda” (the same man who General Koroda would be named after several hundred yeas later)
Young Avatar Koroda was seen as a young child just learning how to hunt; being taught by his father. He was smiling as he harpooned a fish of some sort and held it up proudly;
“He was a fine hunter, taught lovingly by his father,” said Lahka, still looking at Zakura’s unchanged face. She seemed to be closing her eyes for longer intervals. “Now we go to Avatar Fa Su”
Fa Su was raised to be a Dai Li agent before his parents learned he was the avatar. Nonetheless, hard times and the strength of The Order of the Avatar Slayer required him to fight undercover.
“He lived a happy life as a Dai Li avatar,” said Lahka, “and reduced The Order during his later years. Here is a character that you might relate closer to, Zakura—Avatar Zuroc”
Zuroc was seen as a young girl talking to some people her age, winning them over as her friends.
“Zuroc was a very influential woman,” said Lahka, “she won her friends by persuasion, and once they sided with her, they learned that underneath that fierce woman was a gentle and kind one. She also created the Zuroc Sensei of course.
Now though, we move on to Avatar Reyson, another air nomad.” (And after Avatar Reyson, that name became a lot more common, particularly in the Fire Nation)
Reyson’s story was similar to Imalek’s, and was just as happy.
“The Air Nomads are a loving people,” said Lahka, “and so was Avatar Komae of the Water Tribes.”
Avatar Komae was seen as a little child socializing with various people.
“Avatar Komae was beloved by all,” Lahka commented, “and her successor, Avatar Harami, was similar, though The Order started to appear again during his days.”
Avatar Harami was shown as a young, hard-working boy who was raised with a poor, but loving family. By this time, Zakura’s eyes had watered slightly, but she was still sitting there, gazing forward.
“Once again,” said Lahka, “he had a loving family. Avatar Lu Xing was similar as we’ll see...”
And he was. He was from a military family, but even as a baby his father, a tough-looking general, was seen cradling him lovingly.
“Do you see the pattern, Zakura,” Lahka said, “for now we come to Wen’s childhood, which was good like all Air Nomads’ usually are.”
And it was. He was a happy boy growing up.
“And you know now, that it comes to me;” said Lahka, “and there I am with my family.”
Lahka was in front of Zakura now, but as a baby being adored by family members and tribe members alike.
“And finally,” he said sadly, noticing Zakura was gritting her teeth and shutting her eyes, “we come to the sad tale of Avatar Zakura Ishiko.”
Zakura was seen as a lonely child. Her other three siblings seemed to taunt her because of her bending prowess, which she longed to use but couldn’t in front of anyone. It then flipped a few years ahead to a 16-year-old Zakura using said earthbending to escape the palace and run away; never to be seen by her parents again up to this day...
This was the straw that broke the bison’s back for Zakura. She broke down crying—sobbing to be exact. If anyone but her past lives had seen this, she would have knocked them squarely out, but this was different. This was Zakura’s soft point—love—something she had never had until The Four Benders came into her life.
Love—It Was Zakura’s Weakness.
~Azula~
