All the Worlds: A Stage (Jumpchain SI)

[x50413]

The Last Airbender (Part I)​

South Pole, 95 AG (After Airbender Genocide)

The sound of the tides filled her ears, soft and steady - a sound that had once brought her comfort with its steadiness and, later, joy from its associations now only brought painful memories to bear. With luck, this memory would not be another regret to add to the association.

She followed the footprints in the snow, each one placed with care and discretion, weaving around the partially-buried rocks and patches of ice. The snow filled them in, slowly, and by morning all traces of them would be gone... the thought hurt her in a way she couldn't describe.

As she crested the hill, she saw him. Tall, tanned, but too slim to be a hunter, carefully placing one foot in front of the other in a slow but steady pace that she could never mistake for any other. Among all the Southern Water Tribe, only her son had ever walked like that.

"Hakko!" Her voice was hoarse and at any other time she would have hated the weakness in it. He paused, but did not turn. As she scrambled down the hill towards him, she could feel the snow beneath her feet shift – and then he did turn, raising his palms into the air and stabilizing the snowbank beneath her so that she could come to face him.

"Mother. I thought none were to witness my departure?" His voice was low and empty, and it drove the dagger further into her heart.

"Damn what the Elders say. Damn them and everything they believe."

"Mother. You don't mean-"

"Don't tell me what I mean, Hakko!"

"Mother." The emptiness of his voice gave way to the tiniest hint of softness, and tension she hadn't realized he carried bled out of him. "...Thank you. For coming here."

"Don't thank me. Don't you dare. You... you stupid boy." Tears that she'd been holding finally broke free, running down her cheeks. Soon they would freeze – and perhaps they would scar. It would be a fitting mark.

His milky, blank eyes opened and she knew he saw them. Even more so when he hesitantly reached up to brush them from her face. Seizing her opportunity, she pressed his hand against her cheek so hard it almost hurt.

"Moth- ...mom. This was the right decision. I... would have done the same, in the Elders' place."

"Don't say that. You've done nothing to deserve this. What next, will they exile those who disagreed with this decision? Will they-"

"You know it isn't the same. Whether I deserve it or not is irrelevant... for the tribe, it is the right thing."

She stared at him, reaching out to touch his face, memorizing every line. Unerringly, those blank eyes held her gaze. "...My son. My beautiful, brave son. No matter where you go, never forget that I love you. To the ends of the world."

"I won't. Not ever." He took a deep breath. "...Don't forget me, mother. For the others, it's better if they do, but... please remember me," he begged her, for there was no other word to describe his tone.

It broke her heart.

"Never. You will always be my son, and I will treasure your memory until the day I die."

His eyes closed and he nodded once... and like that the moment was broken. With numb fingers she released the hand he held against her face, and he stepped back, turning to face the ocean once again. He reached out, taking a firm stance, and there was a great crack. Around him, a platform of ice split away and the tides began to carry it out to sea.

He turned his upper body, never shifting his stance. "Mother. If I do not say this, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

"I forgive you. You, and father. I love you both."

Then he pushed, and the sea pushed with him. The roar of the wave that carried him drowned out any reply she had... if any could have made it through the lump in her throat to begin with.

Thus began the exile of Hakko, son of the Southern Water Tribes.

---

Kyoshi Island, 95 AG

The first virtue taught to Kyoshi Warriors is patience, for the art of the fan is defensive in nature. An aggressive fan-warrior often finds themselves open and undefended; it is often better to wait for the enemy to expend energy on an attack and repurpose that energy for oneself. The second virtue taught to Kyoshi Warriors is insight, for if you know your enemy, you know their movements, and knowledge is the sharpest of blades.

Sulin had been an excellent student all her life, but those lessons were the ones she held the closest to her heart. It was why she had been chosen to teach the young warriors of this village. They lacked a master warrior of their own, but like all villages they needed protectors. Thus, promising young women were selected to learn, and a skilled warrior was selected from a nearby village to teach. So it had been done since Avatar Kyoshi first founded the Kyoshi Warriors.

Yet, while part of her mind considered her students, the rest of it observed the newcomer. Turning those virtues of patience and insight on he who would intrude upon neutral ground. She flit from one tree to the next, observing and collecting data.

Water tribe clothing. Thin and lithe, without much visible muscle. Eyes closed and careful steps – but sure ones. He walks as though he knows the land intimately... Even I would struggle to traverse the island with my eyes closed. The path he took would lead him to the village, and that could not be allowed. She grew still, waiting for him to pass beneath her tree, and a moment later she dropped down, fan in hand.

The moment her feet left the tree, his head snapped up and he dashed clumsily away, stumbling slightly and mismanaging his center of gravity. She struck the ground in a roll –

– and was forced to deploy her fan as a shield as water arced through the air. It struck the metal with a great ring and enough force to move her. "A waterbender? What are you doing here?" She shifted, lowering her center of gravity and preparing to charge.

"I'm not even sure where here is!" The waterbender opened his eyes for the first time and looked at her... with sightless eyes. "Or who you are, or why you're charging me!" He grit his teeth, but his stance didn't change. It was clumsy. Full of openings, and his hands shook... but he held his ground, a hand hovering over one of several waterskins.

"What are you doing here," she repeated, her voice lowering.

"I'd be happy to explain if you'd like to tell me where I am!"

"...Kyoshi Island." His face shifted at that, some of the anger bleeding from his stance.

"...Ah. I thought I'd hit the mainland..." He sighed, although he didn't move. "I suppose that explains the welcome. You're holding on to your neutrality, right?" When she didn't immediately respond, he shook his head. "I'll be happy to leave you in peace, then. I'd appreciate it if you could point the way to the mainland, but if not I'll find my way eventually."

She shifted her weight, and observed how he leaned back slightly, preparing to fight if need be. She couldn't see any aggression in his bearing, and yet...

"...I'll take you to Oyaji. He'll decide what to do with you."

"...All right." Slowly, he straightened, lowering his hands. From a waterbender, it was only somewhat reassuring, but even so she allowed herself to relax a tiny bit.

Patience, and insight.

---

"So, what brought you here like a thief in the night? We've traded with your people before, but you don't look like a trader, nor did you arrive at the docks." Oyaji's voice cracked like a whip, and Sulin had always respected him for it. She had long since learned the difficulty of leadership, and though most of her subordinates were stubborn teenage girls... she admitted that, perhaps, leading a village might be more difficult. Sulin stood slightly to his side and before him, within easy distance of both shielding her leader or subduing the waterbender if necessary.

The Water Tribesman was silent for a moment, his face drawn in a look of deep consideration. Finally, he took a deep breath. "...I was exiled. My intention was to head for the mainland and find my way to Omashu. I'd intended to bypass Kyoshi Island entirely, but... long-term navigation can be an issue for me."

"Exiled? For what, exactly?" Sulin tensed once more at the harshness of Oyaji's voice, one hand reaching for her fans.

"I learned... something I should not have, but my family loved me too much to silence me. But the knowledge could not be allowed to remain within the tribe."

"What did you learn, exile?"

"I won't say. It would be better if it died with me." The sheer certainty of his voice struck a chord in her. It was a statement of fact, and nothing more, in the same tone that one might say the sun rises or children are difficult. "If that's a problem, I'm sorry... but I won't reconsider."

Oyaji met her eyes, and she found herself nodding. In response, the leader sighed. "...I'll accept that, for now. Let's return to my other suspicions. For example... from what Sulin tells me, you're surprisingly perceptive for a blind man."

He smiled, and there was a sort of cynical warmth to it. "I cannot see, but I wouldn't say I'm blind. I'm a waterbender, and I can feel water all around us." He raised his hands even as she tensed – and her eyes flickered to the window at the sound of rustling leaves. As he weaved his hand back and forth, the leaves mimicked his motion. "I find ways to manage. Still, while it's useful for finding my way on foot, the ocean is a bit monotonous... and I can't look to the horizon like most sailors. Like I said earlier, if you point me towards the mainland I will be glad to leave."

Sulin watched as her leader peered at the waterbender, eyes narrowed in suspicion. Finally, with a sigh, he waved them away. "Fine. Sulin, take this man to the northeastern shore and be certain that he leaves."

She nodded, and moved towards him, placing a gently firm hand on his shoulder. "Come."

The man chuckled to himself and allowed himself to be led.

---

"What is your name?" Her voice broke through the silence as she led him through one of the mountain passes. It was, technically, the quickest way to the northern shores... even if the trek could be a bit frustrating. He'd taken it fairly well so far, however.

"Hakko. Formerly of the Southern Water Tribes. I take it you are Sulin?"

"Of the Kyoshi Warriors, yes. So, Hakko, what exactly do you plan to do should you make it to Omashu?"

"I'll have to find my own way. I have a few skills that should be enough to earn a living there."

"As a... blind waterbender?" She couldn't completely keep the incredulity from her voice. "In the middle of the Earth Kingdom?"

"I'll have you know I'm a skilled healer. I'm sure I can find some uses for that, so close to the front lines. If not... well, I've been told I'm a talented cook. People are always willing to pay for good food."

"Hmm. Well, I'll wish you luck." There was a pause before he spoke again.

"You seem... less hostile than the village leader. Is there some reason for that?"

She sighed. "Oyaji has many responsibilities, and they weigh upon him. I, myself, find it unlikely that the Fire Nation would send a blind waterbender to spy on a trade port."

"Well, I-"

"Haha! I got you good that time!" A child's voice rang out through the pass, startling both of them.

"No fair! You weren't supposed to use that hand anymore!"

"I didn't!"

"You totally did!"

As they reached the top of the slope and it opened up to the cliffs, Sulin nearly dropped her head in her hands.

There were many of her students, Suki included, along with several village children. None of whom were allowed to venture into the mountains alone.

It took a second for any of the children to notice them, but once they did the news spread quickly. She could see the wave of realization pass through them, as each child understood they'd been caught. After a few seconds of staring, one of the children gently pushed Suki forward.

"Um... hehe... hi, Master Sulin." She smiled widely. "Whaaaat... are you doing up here today?"

Sulin remained silent, tapping a single foot impatiently.

"Um... Sooooo, we came up here because... er... we needed to...?" Suki looked for support and found nothing useful. Finally, her shoulders slumped in a great sigh. "...Sorry, Master. We come up here to play sometimes..."

Sulin knelt slightly, putting a hand on her best student's shoulder. "Suki... Being honest is sometimes difficult. I'm proud of you for telling the truth."

"...Thank you, master. Um... are we still in trouble...?"

Sulin smiled radiantly. "Oh, yes. Immensely."

The children wilted.

---

"So... who is this, master?" Thoroughly scolded, Suki shuffled from one foot to the next, peering up at the strange man.

"This is Hakko, from the Southern Water Tribes. He's... a traveler, on his way to Omashu. I'm leading him to the northern shores."

"Leading him? Can't he just follow the road?"

Hakko smiled, with only a hint of brittleness. "I'm afraid I might have a bit of difficulty with that." He opened his eyes briefly before closing them once more, ignoring Suki's gasp of surprise.

"You're blind!"

"That I am."

"...Can we come with you to the northern shores, master? Please?"

Sulin crossed her arms. "Did we not just discuss the fact that the wild areas of the island are still too dangerous for you?"

"Wouldn't it be safer for us to stay with you?" Suki's smile appeared guileless... but she wasn't fooled.

"No. Absolutely not. For all your talent, you are not a Warrior yet. I cannot protect you and all the others if something happens."

Suki stared at her. More than that, she could feel the gaze of her other students.

"I'm not reconsidering. You aren't ready."

Somehow, her student's eyes got wider.

"The answer is still no."

They shined.

"...Fine. You and the other students can come. But no others."

She chose to ignore Suki's whispered "Yes!" for her own sake. Likewise, she ignored Hakko's chuckling.

---

A/N: So I did this. I'm going to be attempting to weave some actual narratives into these, although different jumps may or may not link together. This is a side-project, and I make no promises to the quality or frequency of the writing.

The next post will have the builds involved, for those who care about such things. On a meta level, I already have some plans for different jumps, but it's always in flux.

I also want to give a bit of a basic premise here: In most "worlds" (which may have more than one jump), the SI will be playing a role of some sort. This doesn't necessarily preclude being a Drop-In, or even imply metaknowledge, but they'll be doing... something. In general, they'll be trying to avoid overt use of abilities that they can't explain in-universe, unless their hand is forced somehow.

Of course, during occasional jumps they might throw away that restriction.

 

[x50413]

Three Free Supplement (Replaces Body Mod):

Eternal Atoms (Source: Bastard!!) - Links the body together on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. All three must be destroyed in order to cause True Death, and all three are capable of immense regeneration, even from a single "atom" of a single form. Additionally, it links all three forms "conceptually" and allows them to crosstrain. Improving a single attribute of the body will improve other physical, mental, and spiritual attributes as well, and vice versa.

Additionally, removes the need for food, water, air, and sleep. These activities can still be enjoyed.

Spoiler: Full Source Text

Your body is made entirely out of Eternal Atoms. Eternal Atoms are mimicked on three levels, the physical (body), the astral (mind), and the spiritual (soul). By having these Eternal Atoms the only way to truly kill you is to destroy you on all the levels upon which you exist, necessitating the destruction of every atom that makes up your astral, physical and spiritual self, all of which are linked and share your resistance to damage.

In addition to having the three levels that must be destroyed your body now regenerates nigh-instantaneously from damage on a level beyond space/time allowing you to seemingly regrow your entire body on all three levels from a single atom on the physical, astral, or spiritual level. Eternal Atoms make their possessor ageless, as well as removing the need for food, air, water, or sleep to survive, although they do not remove the pleasure from doing these things.

Eternal Atoms also inexorably link their bearer across all three levels of existence causing all of the levels to grow in sync, such that increasing a physical attribute (speed) by 1% would not just increase all physical attributes by 1% but all astral and spiritual attributes by 1% as well. The only way to truly kill someone with Eternal Atoms is to eradicate every single atom of the individual's body across all three levels of existence at faster than the speed of light, to prevent the regeneration from having time to kick in. Individuals with immense willpower or rage driving them have been shown to be able to boost the rate of healing of their eternal atoms as well as to resist disintegration of their Eternal Atoms for up to two minutes in order to make a final action.

Unlimited Growth (Source: Bastard!!) - Removes limits on all skills, attributes, and abilities. Anything capable of growth or practice will never reach a "maximum limit," although the speed of training is not increased by this perk.

Spoiler: Full Source Text

Your growth is truly unlimited - anything that you know can grow to the highest of heights. Like the current Seraphs you could grow from a normal angel (third choir) to a Seraph (first choir) provided you train for a few hundred thousand years. While you can grow to any heights, I hope you have training perks as it will take you millions of years to equal Lucifer or Sataniel, or trillions to even come close to God.

Sha Nagba Imuru (Source: Fate/Legends: Oasis of Fantasy) - Massively increases mental attributes. Additionally, your eyes "see the truth", providing far more information on anything you perceive. Only information hidden by magic or incredibly improbable is concealed. Your ability to calculate and plan is nearly precognitive, only disrupted by beings or abilities outside your understanding.

Spoiler: Full Source Text

A mentality as bright and all encompassing as the light of the sun. That mind of yours is omniscient or so all your fallen opponents claim after you effortlessly bested them. Your mind is divinely
advanced, utterly brilliant in intelligence, memory, adaptation and more. When you look upon the world, you see the truth of things, receiving endless seas of information from anything you can perceive. Only that knowledge that is obscured by magic or so improbable as to be only possible through the highest act of sorcery is immune to your powers of detection and deduction. Your ability to calculate information and predict outcomes is so great that you can predict with near total accuracy the path the future will take, only failing with the intervention of beings or events beyond your comprehension. And even beyond that, when you set your mind to making a plan, even the ranks of the divine will find that they can barely realise what has been set in motion, much less resist your plans. Some may even believe that any loss you actually suffer is solely because you desired it. Or perhaps because you grew too arrogant to believe you even had to think to see victory.

Builds

Spoiler: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Name: Hakko
Origin: Civilian, Water Tribe (50, 50)
Age: 18
Starting Location: Southern Water Tribe

Perks:

Bending Arts (100, 150) - Ability to perform basic waterbending.

Utilitarian Bender (DC 100, 250) - Increased precision for bending abilities. Increased aptitude for non-combat applications of bending, such as healing.

Specialization: Lifebending (400, 650) - Increased healing abilities. Ability to bend plants, or siphon water out of plants. Ability to bloodbend during a full moon. With time and practice, ability to bloodbend at any time.

Bending Genius (600, 1250) - Increased aptitude for all forms of bending. Stacks with and applies to other bending perks. Learn bending forms by observing once, improve upon them with practice.

Tradesman (Free Civ, 1250) - A lifetime of experience in cooking.

Peacekeeper (DC 150, 1400) - Ability to get to the heart of and defuse conflicts. Some conflicts cannot be outright defused, but they can be mitigated and brought to better resolution with time and effort.

Possessions:

Waterskins (free Water Tribe, 1400) - A set of waterskins containing several gallons, distributed evenly across the body. Refill every new, half, and full moon.

Clothing (Free, 1400) - Southern Water Tribe style clothing.

Original Master (200, 1600) - Close connection to the Ocean and Moon spirits. Waterbending is no longer diminished as the moon wanes. Increased ability to learn waterbending by observing the tides. Waterskins automatically refill every night.

Drawbacks:

Blind (+200, 1400) - Loss of sight. Cannot be healed, but can be mitigated by other skills or abilities.

In Exile (+200, 1200) - Exiled from home country. Begins at jump start, given a short time to leave. Reputation as an exile will spread, and most people will be reluctant to associate with a "dangerous criminal."

My Cabbages! (+200, 1000) - Attract trouble no matter where you go. Trouble tends to happen to you or involve you. For example, if a single building burns down, it will be the one you're in. Possessions not backed by CP are unlikely to survive for the full ten years.

 

[Darik29]

...

Wait, is he in exile because he figured out Blood Bending, and it was declared heretical or something?

Wow. The poor lads luck is All bad. Still, he's going to be living in Interesting Times thanks to that last perk, so that'll be hilarious. Bonus points if he crosses paths with Zuko at some point thanks to accidentally wandering off into the Colonies.

 

[x50413]

...

Wait, is he in exile because he figured out Blood Bending, and it was declared heretical or something?

Click to shrink...

That would be telling. The particulars of his exile will likely only be a couple of chapters in if things proceed as expected.

Wow. The poor lads luck is All bad. Still, he's going to be living in Interesting Times thanks to that last perk, so that'll be hilarious. Bonus points if he crosses paths with Zuko at some point thanks to accidentally wandering off into the Colonies.

Click to shrink...

The intention is to intersect with the canon characters at various points without exactly committing to a group. He can't stay anywhere for too long anyway, thanks to that drawback; I figure a hard limit of a year or two at most in a very peaceful area before things start getting Too Interesting. Less time for areas where there's more natural trouble (like, say, anywhere near the Gaang or any of the Fire Brigades).

 

[Darik29]

Huh. So, if he's going from Kyoshi to the mainland, it's likely he'll end up hitting Chin Village, which could end... Poorly.

From there, he might end up misdirected and hit Gaoling, then he'd finally manage to reach Omashu. Of course, afterwards he'd likely end up wandering over towards the colonies and into the main war zones, before finally coming to roost in Ba Sing Se. which, depending on how his luck shakes out, could end up worse than Chin Village. From there he'd make his way through Gaipan up north, following the river until he hit the Northern Air Temple and it's people.

He'd never dare to visit the Northern Water Tribe, given he accepted his banishment so easily, so from there...

He might actually end up letting the tides drag him over to the Fire Nation islands. An iceberg has a way better chance of going unnoticed by the blockade.

By that point I expect Canon will have kicked off, and things to become steadily worse until Aang finally manages to do his thing.

Will be interested in seeing where this goes!

 

[hyperspacemage]

Looks really good I'm looking forward to more. Fun times

 

[Funeral Pyre]

In general, they'll be trying to avoid overt use of abilities that they can't explain in-universe, unless their hand is forced somehow.

Click to shrink...

To be fair, there is an abundance of Jumps that have perks that make Out-of-Jump powers and abilities be overlooked or not looked at as 'abnormal' and etcetera.

If the MC is worried enough about that happening, and has any agency in choosing their own Jumps... I don't really see a reason for them not to take one if only to get a perk like one of those.

 

[Selias]

Damn, those are some pretty OP free perks. Still, looking forward to seeing where you go with this. I've been reading your quest, so I know it'll be great.

 

[Poliamida]

I'm not really into Jumpchain fics but I like your writing and this looks interesting. I have also been searching for a new Avatar fic to read so I'll give this a chance.

 

[x50413]

Damn, those are some pretty OP free perks. Still, looking forward to seeing where you go with this. I've been reading your quest, so I know it'll be great.

Click to shrink...

I talked about this a bit on the SB thread, but it was something I waffled over for a while before I finalized the story.

In the end, I decided on them for a few reasons. Eternal Atoms solves a lot of logistics problems, but also removes the need to immediately become a god of combat. The Jumper isn't risking death over a single misstep in combat or an ambush, so there's no pressure to always choose combat-oriented perks in every jump. Instead, they can do more interesting things, like taking Civilian here in ATLA. I'd have never taken Tradesman if it wasn't free, for example, but now it adds something to the character. Same for Peacekeeper.

In essence, the goal was to get defensive and support-oriented options that free up the usual "early Jumper snatching every defensive option to stave off possible death" that plagues many Jumpchains.

I'm not really into Jumpchain fics but I like your writing and this looks interesting. I have also been searching for a new Avatar fic to read so I'll give this a chance.

Click to shrink...

To be honest, I don't read that many Jumpchain fics either, although I do read CYOA-based ones fairly often.

But I think the system has potential for some interesting narratives, at least between connected settings or involving companions (which probably won't pop up in this fic for a short while).

This is a vanity project, though. I'm not expecting it to really take off, or even interest all that many people. It just won't stop bugging me until I work on it some.

 

[Felipe Melo]

I have read a few Jumpchains, and I can assure you yours leaves 90% of them in the dust, far too many of them get reduced to either a review of what the jumper did or a list of collected perks or how the jumper uses them to break each setting. Jumpchains with an actual interesting narrative like yours are so rare I don't think I need to use more then one hand to count them, which is a shame, the format has so much potential.

I am waiting for the continuation of this story with anticipation.

 

[fatdog]

Really liking this. Getting some sage-like vibes from the MC.

 

[Kinunatzs]

I hope this jumpchain won't become a review like other jumpchains and why am I getting mentor-type or sage-type feeling from the MC? would he go into that route?

 

[x50413]

I hope this jumpchain won't become a review like other jumpchains

Click to shrink...

It won't happen. I have a personal rule: If I can't write even a single interesting chapter in a Jump, I'm not taking that Jump.

and why am I getting mentor-type or sage-type feeling from the MC? would he go into that route?

Click to shrink...

Really liking this. Getting some sage-like vibes from the MC.

Click to shrink...

This is partially a result of Sha Nagba Imuru, and partially because my favorite character in ATLA is Iroh. (I'm looking forward to writing some interactions between Hakko and Iroh, to be honest.)

I do have some sage/mentor scenes in mind for this jump. I'm not sure if it'll carry forward into the next jumps or not, but you can expect a few here in ATLA.

 

[TheLurker]

This is partially a result of Sha Nagba Imuru, and partially because my favorite character in ATLA is Iroh. (I'm looking forward to writing some interactions between Hakko and Iroh, to be honest.)

Click to shrink...

I'm not gonna lie now that you've mentioned it I'm really looking forwards to it. Especially considering iroh is one of the few characters who can see the spirit world, and would probably notice that hakko's spirtual 'self' is in literal perfect harmony with his normal 'self' due to eternal atoms and sha nagba imuru. Not to mention the interactions he could have with helping Aang with the spiritual side of being the avatar, or how katara might actually remember that there used to be another waterbender in the southern tribe who left for some reason, and try to seek him out.

...also I kinda want to see Azula trying to start shit and hakko just freezing her in place with bloodbending and then walking away and ignoring her.

That'd infuriate her so damn much.

 

[Mantrazz Albert]

I'm not gonna lie now that you've mentioned it I'm really looking forwards to it. Especially considering iroh is one of the few characters who can see the spirit world, and would probably notice that hakko's spirtual 'self' is in literal perfect harmony with his normal 'self' due to eternal atoms and sha nagba imuru. Not to mention the interactions he could have with helping Aang with the spiritual side of being the avatar, or how katara might actually remember that there used to be another waterbender in the southern tribe who left for some reason, and try to seek him out.

...also I kinda want to see Azula trying to start shit and hakko just freezing her in place with bloodbending and then walking away and ignoring her.

That'd infuriate her so damn much.

Click to shrink...

It can be the start of a dysfunctional one sided love with Azula trying to capture him (like Zuko for Aang)

 

[fatdog]

Does the whole bending plants thing/lifebending act like Mokuton but without the whole growing trees from the users' body, making ninja magic illusions with it? And is the character going to eventually be able to pull a Zetsu and merge with plant life?

 

[Mantrazz Albert]

Does the whole bending plants thing/lifebending act like Mokuton but without the whole growing trees from the users' body, making ninja magic illusions with it? And is the character going to eventually be able to pull a Zetsu and merge with plant life?

Click to shrink...

No it wasn't shown that way, even an experienced earth bender can bend plants, Toph did it (but it's Toph so she might be awesome like that) Swamp bending is not like Mokuton there are similarities though.

 

[x50413]

A/N: I did not forget. Long have I slumbered. Writer's block sucks, news at 11.

---

Spoiler: Recommended Listening

"Soooo..." Suki kicked her feet against the rocks as they descended the last hill. "How do you get around so well? I mean, with your..."

"Suki." Her master's voice was as unyielding as one of her fans during spars. Instinctively, the young girl shivered. "You know better than..."

The water-tribesman just chuckled again. "I've had a lot of practice, little one."

She puffed up her cheeks. "I'm not little!" As the other children started laughing, she felt her cheeks start to warm up. "...I'm not that little..."

"We all start somewhere, little one. Besides, I don't think your master's style requires a particular stature."

"Hmm. Awfully knowledgeable for an outsider," her master commented.

"Call it an educated guess," Hakko replied with a smile.

Suki hummed as she thought, listening to the waves crash against the coast as they returned. "Soooo," she said again. "Where's your boat?"

"An observant question," he said without actually answering.

"Indeed," her master said with the tiniest sliver of approval. Suki fought down her beaming smile and tried not to show that she'd noticed, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as they came to the edge of the cliff that overlooked the sea.

"You never answered me, though," she stared up at him fiercely... before remembering that he couldn't see her expression anyway and pouting. How do I show someone that can't see that I'm being serious!?

"Heh. Let me correct that: I don't have one."

"Eh?"

"I don't have a boat, little one."

"You're going to swim all that way? Wow, you water tribespeople are really different than I imagined!"

He chuckled. Then he threw his head back in laughter before reaching out and ruffling her hair. She squawked in protest, stepping back and smoothing it down again with a glare.

He stepped forward, still smiling. "... Thank you, Suki. I needed that laughter. So, in exchange, shall I show you something interesting?" He shifted his weight, for a moment reminding her of the way her master stood moments before she demonstrated some new maneuver or exercise for them all. Then he twisted, hands swirling in a complex movement as his center of gravity sank low before springing upwards as he stretched his legs as far as they could take him.

A surging crash echoed through her ears and she stumbled away from the edge of the cliff as a great spray of seawater burst into the air, droplets plinking against her face and into her hair – then, with a crackling, froze and hung there like a platform. He stepped forward onto it, striding easily out into the center.

"Whoooaaa! You're a waterbender!" She blinked at him as he turned back to her.

"So I am, little one."

"Are you going to fight the Fire Nation?"

"Suki," her master warned again, but Hakko waved absently at her.

"That isn't my plan, but who can say? My road has already taken me places I didn't expect."

"But...!" She pointed at him, looking around at the other kids who were equally flabbergasted, voices rising into a tumultuous mess. After several seconds, Master Sulin cleared her throat in that specific way she did and everyone was quiet.

He scratched his head once. "Ah... Sulin, could you point me in the direction of the mainland?" With a small smile, her master stepped onto the ice and grasped his shoulder, rotating him until he faced the horizon.

"There. That should see you safely to the continent."

"Good, good. Ah... wait, this won't take me to Chin Village, will it?" When he received no response, he turned again. "Right. So... this should put me just a bit to the north of it, then. Thank you, Sulin."

"I wish you luck, Hakko."

The children all chorused their own 'good lucks', and he turned to smile at them. "Ah, and - Suki?"

"Yes?"

"If we meet again, why don't you show me what Sulin has taught you. I'm sure you'll have learned a great deal."

She smiled. "Hmm... only if you learn a cool waterbending trick to show me!"

"Heh. Heh heh... all right, then. It's a deal." With that, he gestured, and his platform crashed into the sea. As he settled into a rhythm, it began to float off towards the distance.

She waved before blushing, realizing that he wouldn't see even if he turned around.

---

A Harbor Town, 98 AG (Three Years Later)​

"None of these people have seen anything!" Zuko growled as he paced, fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I should have known a backwater place like this would be a waste of time. Uncle, we're leaving. We'll search somewhere else."

"Prince Zuko, the ship is still resupplying. We won't be able to leave for some time." Iroh did not miss the way his nephew's brows furrowed at the words... but he also did not miss the deep breath that hissed in and out of his nostrils as the young man suppressed his immediate reaction.

"Fine. Uncle, make sure things get done quickly. I'm going to go practice. I can't stomach another second in this miserable place."

"Of course, Prince Zuko." He watched his nephew stalk back towards the port for a long time before he turned to enter a shop.

. . .

"Ah... is this Green Snail tea? Excuse me, I'd like to buy some of this..."

The shopkeeper eyed him up and down once. "I'm afraid this poor backwater town is all out of stock. What you see there has been on display for too long, can't sell it to you."

For the shortest of moments, Iroh didn't react. Then he sighed before smiling sadly. "Yes, times have been tough lately. I understand completely. I'm terribly sorry to have bothered you."

The shopkeeper grunted as he turned to leave the store, passing by a younger man in blue robes. As he passed through the door, though, he tilted his head and listened.

"... Green Snail tea? Of course. How much did you want? . . . Here you are. Thank you for your business."

He sighed again. Prince Zuko... you still have many things to learn. But, we were all young once, and we all left home for the first time at one point or another.

He took a single step, only to turn at the sound of a cough.

"Here. For your journey." The young man in blue smiled at him with closed eyes, holding out a small satchel of strong-smelling leaves.

"That is very kind of you, stranger," Iroh answered as he accepted the gift. "Here. This much tea should be worth... hmm..." He toyed with the coins in his purse, delaying long after he'd already done the figures in his head. The stranger merely held up a hand.

"No need. Coins have the value we give them; if this tea brings you happiness on the ocean, then its worth was matched."

"Hmm." Iroh smiled. The man might not see it, but he would certainly hear it in his voice. "Well then – how about, instead, we share a pot? I have time before my nephew and I must be leaving."

The stranger, who had already turned to leave, paused. Then he smiled in return. "That... sounds lovely, actually. You'll have to lead the way, I'm afraid."

"Of course, of course."

---

"So, if you don't mind the question, what brings you here? Are you a sailor?" Iroh took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of the steeping tea as it rose from the kettle.

"That is a long story, my friend."

"The tea does need to steep, you know. I do not believe we are in any great rush."

"Hmm. True enough. I'm no sailor, though I've sailed before." The man leaned his head back in thought. "I actually came from Omashu."

Iroh's brows rose. "Really? That is quite a journey to make on foot."

"I enjoy the travelling. You see many things. Well... so to speak," he said, gesturing at his still closed eyes with a slightly morose smile.

"Did you live in the city?"

"For a time. Alas, I was unlucky – there was a flood that damaged my home. Anything else and the Earthbenders could have salvaged it, but with the water turning the ground to mud..."

"Ahhh. Yes, I understand." Iroh nodded. "It is difficult, to lose the things we have. Still, to come all this way afterward..."

The tribesman shrugged his shoulders. "I simply took it as a sign that I should move on. I enjoyed my time there, but I enjoyed the journey here as well."

"What was the city like?"

"Well..."

---

Iroh sipped at his tea. "It sounds like you have had an interesting journey, my friend."

"And what about you? You said you and your nephew were sailors?"

"I suppose in a way, we are. My nephew is searching for something, and until he finds it we will continue to wander."

Hakko took a slow drink, savoring the strong-smelling liquid with a smile. "In my experience, young men and women most often find themselves when looking for something else."

"... That is my hope for him. He is young, still, and has many things to learn, but... I see greatness in him. I want to see him reach that."

"I understand." He took another sip. "Your ship. It's the large one, isn't it? The steel one."

Iroh paused for a moment, tea held just below his lips. Hakko simply continued to smile softly in his direction as he took a drink and set his cup down. "That is my nephew's ship, yes."

Hakko nodded. "I hope that you, and your nephew, find what you are looking for." He set down his cup and stood with a bow.

Iroh peered at him as he turned to leave. His facial expressions were different than he was used to, never making eye contact for obvious reasons, but the body language... "You know," he said, noting the odd way the blind man tilted his head instead of looking in his direction. "I have often told my nephew how useful it would be to have a man aboard who knew the area. Someone who understood the ocean as we travel farther from home into less charted waters. Someone who could, perhaps, tell us about a town before we make a poor impression."

For a long time, Hakko stood there. Then, finally, he turned, smile softening into something more serious. "If you could convince your nephew, I could recommend someone."

Iroh savored the last drink of his tea before standing and packing up the set. "If your recommendation is still at the docks around, oh, when the sun sets... I think he will find a place on our ship."

---

The guards watched the new hire with some small wariness as he stood at stared at the ocean as they drifted away from port. When his head tilted to one side curiously, and his shoulders began to shake, they were concerned.

Then the echo washed over them and they sighed.

"YOU HIRED A BLIND GUIDE!?"

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[Poliamida]

So nice to see more of this story!

Well then – how about, instead, we share a pot?

Click to shrink...

Not going to lie, the first thing I thought was that Iroh was offering the stranger some weed.

"YOU HIRED A BLIND GUIDE!?"

Click to shrink...

That does sound like something he'd do.

 

[x50413]

That does sound like something he'd do.

Click to shrink...

It felt like something we could have seen in an early episode. I tried to make every line of Zuko and Iroh's something I could hear clearly in either Dante Basco or Mako's voices – time will tell how well that metric works.

 

[ichewyou]

I really enjoy the way you write SI's from a 3rd-Person perspective.

 

[Hestia&theCourt]

"YOU HIRED A BLIND GUIDE!?"

Click to shrink...

This is objectively the funniest thing I've ever seen in an Avatar fanfiction! You've said that you're trying to make sure you can hear their lines in the VA's voice, and by my reckoning you've done pretty well so far. The conversation with Iroh, the framing of the scene change, and the final hilarious line all matches tonally with the show to the extent that not only does it sound like their characters, I can practically see this as an episode.

 

[jason1stlegion]

Huh, so this isn't dead! I really liked the character/personality premise, and that seems to be borne out by this chapter.

 

[TheLurker]

I absolutely loved this, even when it was only one chapter. I'm VERY glad to see it get a revival! Your character acts in a very compelling way I don't often see from SI's