It Begins with a Dream

18 year old Re Teraria has a dream about a familiar place with unfamiliar faces. 14 year old Ugtakin Mau has an internal conflict about the gifts his father gave him.

“Water, Earth, Fire, Air. Blood, Lightning, Lava , Metal. They say that the Avatar is the only person who can master all four elements. As the Avatar slept in an iceberg for one hundred years the element of air was thought to be lost for he was the only airbender left. With the spirit world and mortal world as one, airbenders have returned and legends of dual benders have resurfaced. A new age is upon us where families consist of benders and non-benders, families with ancestors from every nation-every element. In 172AG, another legend is on the rise: Re Teraria of Republic City.”

Her eyes frantically scan the inside of her eyelids as she tries to keep up with the visions that come to mind. She runs through the darkness and finds herself on Aang Memorial Island, Republic City.  It is night but the stars are bright. She looks around the area to see a boy in the distance. He turns his back to Aang and gives a smirk as his eyes widen in rage. Red water begins to flow from cracks in the statue as the boy walks away. Teraria runs towards the boy but a cop dressed in a fire nation solider uniform came out of nowhere and bended fire at the boy. The boy raises the water surrounding the island and drowns both Teraria and the cop. As she tumbles through the rough wave she is carried to the main land and finds herself at Central Station. She tries to catch her breath but she feels so cold. She inhales and exhales fire through her nose as she squeezes the water out her hair. The cop walks past her and she follows him with her eyes. Holding lightning in his hands he glares at the statue of Zuko.

He turns to Teraria and mouths the words, “Run”. She looks up at the sky to see what she thinks to be shooting stars but she realizes that they are balls of fire blazing across a morning sky. She runs through the streets that have become an inferno.  A family runs out of their burning home but the mother cries since one of her children is still inside. Teraria bends the fire as she walks through the apartment building. A cry is heard from the third floor and she propels herself upward like a rocket. The fire acts as engines as the short concentrated burst of fire energy leads her to the girl. The building is becoming more unsteady by the second and the building is ready to cave in. Beams fall down around them and the building collapses. As the debris settles, Teraria breaks through her rock dome and hands the girl over to her mother. A scream is heard and she looks around to find the source. A teenage boy runs by flailing his arms as a mugger trails him. The mugger shoots an arrow at him but the boy earth bends to deflect the arrow and attacked back with rock shards. Teraria runs towards the police station. There, she heads to Lin Beifong’s office. “I had just sent out two men to get you” she says. Lin coughs uncontrollably. She gets up from her desk and as she does darkness returns. Teraria feels a pressure on her heart but a small light relieves the pain. From it a woman, a spirit maybe descends from the light. She smiles as a ball of fire propels towards them. Teraria closes her eyes and feels a strong burst of energy come from deep within.

                When she wakes up, she is sitting upright in her bed. Her golden brown hair rests on her beige face and shoulders. She breathes heavily as she uses her fingers to comb back her hair away from her face. Her gray eyes look around her room to see all her things lying in the wrong places. Papers slowly float down to the ground from the ceiling. She wonders if she left her window open but it is shut and locked. The curtains were blown outwards and allowed more sunlight to come into her room. “What a strange dream.” She rubs her forehead and eyes to make sure she is awake. “Why did I see Lin Beifong? Who were those boys?” Teraria gets out of her bed and washes her face in the bathroom. She takes a quick shower, put on her clothes and heads down to the police headquarters to talk to her father, Saikhan.

 

                It is another sunny and warm day in Republic City. A city created by former Avatar Aang and former Fire Lord Zuko after the end of the Hundred Years War to be the capital of The United Republic of Nations. In this city, fire benders, earth benders, water benders and non-benders live together. The only air benders that live in the city are the descendants of the great water bender, Katara and the last air bender, Aang: Tenzin and his children. Aang was the last air bender because they were wiped out by the Fire Nation one hundred and seventy-two years ago when they decided that their nation was superior to all others. He managed to escape the genocide by encasing himself in an iceberg.

Only when he awakened one hundred years later did he find out that the Air Nomads were no more and he took on the responsibility of being the Avatar to end the war. He mastered all four elements with the help of Katara, Toph Beifong and Zuko and defeated Fire Lord Ozai by taking his bending away. His son, Zuko became Fire Lord and with Aang they began The Harmony Restoration Movement. They attempted to rebuild the lines between the nations by removing fire nation citizens from the Earth Kingdom, but the Fire Nation Colonies in the Earth Kingdom had many people of mixed-descent of fire and earth. These colonies now make up The United Republic of Nations. With so many different people living in one place, many problems arose. Organized crime, rebellions, division of the people based on wealth, non-benders feeling oppressed by benders added fuel to the fire that would ignite a revolution. The city’s council consisted only of benders: one from the earth kingdom, one from fire nation, Tenzin as he is the only adult air bender and two from the water tribe since they have a northern and southern tribe. They tried to keep things under control.

                Two years ago, a revolutionary called, Amon started the Equalist Movement in which he gained many followers to carry out his plan to rid the world of benders. Councilman Tarrlok of the Northern Water Tribe wanted the police to fight back against the Equalists while Tenzin sought a peaceful solution. When Amon succeeded in taking over Republic City, the United Forces was called in to liberate the city. Lead by General Iroh, they failed due to the technological advancements Future Industries had made-Mechatanks, electrified gloves, Biplanes and Satomobiles. Future Industries was founded by Hiroshi Sato, a non-bender who joined Amon’s cause. But Amon’s revolution fell apart when Avatar Korra of the Southern Water Tribe exposed Amon as being a water bender and a blood bender- a bending art that was declare illegal since its discovery and the infamous use of it by crime lord, Yakone. The council dissolved and a president was elected to lead Republic City, a non-bender named, Raiko.

                A year ago, the event known as Harmonic Convergence occurred. The mortal world and the spirit world were connected by portals that appeared at the North and South Poles when the planets aligned. Raava, the light spirit and Vaatu the dark spirit battled over the fate of our world ten thousand years ago.

When Raava’s spirit became one with an ordinary human named, Wan, he became the first Avatar and the Avatar spirit was born. This spirit passes onto a person after the previous Avatar dies. This happens in a cycle: fire, air, water, earth. Last year, spirits drifted into the mortal world only to become dark spirits due to Vaatu’s presence. Avatar Korra and the Dark Avatar- Unalaq merged with Vaatu-battled in the waters that border Republic City and the Avatar was victorious when she remerged with Raava. She left the portals between the mortal world and spirit world open like they were ten thousand years ago, before the first Avatar, Wan closed them.

                Now in 172AG, spirits roam our world. Some are friendly and some are not so friendly. The same can be said about the mortals. Many children find them amusing and treat them like pets or imaginary friends that are actually there.  Adults don’t know how to deal with them since they follow their own authority. Despite this, Republic City is rather calm even with their presence. Adults work, children play, spirits roam, illegal activities still occur and pro-bending tournaments are still used as entertainment.  Airbenders have returned and Tenzin has made it his goal to rebuild the Air Nation and has been recruiting them to learn the air nomadic way of life.

                A mother and son enjoy a beautiful day at Republic City Park. They sit on a blue blanket with a scene of an unsettled ocean under the starry night sky with a full moon.  The boy eats seaweed and whale meat sandwich while the mother is eating fried rice and pork. She stares at the sky and then at her son who has a somber face. He eats his sandwich unconsciously as he is lost in thought.

“Ugtakin, what’s on your mind?”

“Nothing.”

“You have been staring at that bridge for ten minutes. I know something is on your mind.”

“Maybe, I’m sleeping we my eyes open.” She puts her left hand on his right shoulder.

“Is it your father?” His left hand grips the blanket in anger.

“I don’t know if or when he will come back. He won’t come back to this city. That I am certain.”

“He wouldn’t abandon us. He will come back…I know he will.”

“He abandoned us a long time ago.”

“No. My father left me with his gift and”

“And what will you do with it?”

“I…don’t know. I have to find him. I need to know if I should keep it or get rid of it.”

“What if there is nothing to find?” Ugtakin pushes his mother’s hand off his shoulder.

“How can you say that!? You don’t want him to be alive, do you?” He storms off without waiting for an answer.

                He runs over to a bridge that’s above the pond that runs through the park. He holds onto the railing trying to catch his breath and holding back the tears that well up in his eyes. He takes a deep breath in and exhaled as he jumps on the railing. He stares down at his reflection, his dark brown skin glows, dark blue hair tied back into a long braid and his intense-bright blue eyes stare back at him. Suddenly, he sees a dark spirit lurking over his head. He turns around to face it but it is no longer there.

“Hey, boy! Get down from there!” An officer calls out to him.

“As you wish.” He falls backwards into the pond only to bend it to catch his fall. The officer runs to the bridge. Ugtakin rides the wave over the bridge, soaking the officer as he flees. His mother jumps over to him as he flees and pokes his body in certain areas causing him to crash and burn. She used her ability to chiblock her son, a technique that makes a bender temporarily lose their ability to bend.

“You’re not the only one with a gift.” She carries her son over to their blanket and waits for him to regain control of his limbs.

 

                Teraria makes it to Police Headquarters. A metal statue of Toph Beifong stands above the main entrance. Toph was a blind earth bender who discovered how to bend metal using her seismic sense. She founded the Metal Bending Academy and now has an established police force of metal benders. Her daughter, Lin is now the Chief of Police and for a very short period of time Teraria’s father, Saikhan previously held the position during Amon’s revolution. 

                Teraria makes it to the front desk and asks for her father. The receptionist leaves to go get him and she waits on one of the couches. She sees officers talking as they drink tea, criminals being brought in to be put in holding cells, officers examining evidence and even convicts leaving after being proved innocent. A few minutes pass and she finally sees her father walking towards her. She smiles and waves.

“Hello, angel. Have you finally come to turn in an application?”

“Dad, I’ve told you before, I’m not joining the police force.”

“Why not? You just moved into your own place. You should try to save up as much money as you can while you’re young. The pay here is much better than working at a restaurant.”

“Dad, I did not come here for a lecture. I need to talk to Lin Beifong.”

“Lin, what’s so secretive that you have to talk to her and not me?”

“Just please, see if she can meet with me. It won’t take long.”

“You know she doesn’t like people bothering her at work unannounced.”

“But we’re like family, are we not?” She smiles and bats her eyes.

                Saikhan chuckles and nudges his head to her direction, signaling that she should follow him. He takes her back to her office and tells her to wait until he comes to get her. An hour later, a bunch of officers leave her office and Lin calls her in. She leans against her desk with her arms folded.

“You think you can just take time out my day without a prior notice?”

“Yes. Lin, father, I had a dream last night. I was in Republic City.”

“Really, how fascinating.”

“You were in it.”

“Was I now…and?”

“You were sick and in distress. And there were three other boys, one was a water bender who attacked Avatar Aang”

“But he’s been dead for nineteen years now.”Saikhan hopes she realizes.

“I know. The other boy was a firebender cop who like lightning but didn’t like Zuko too much.”

“Zuko was a great Fire Lord. I don’t know many who despise him.” Saikhan assures.

“The last boy was an earth bender who was pretty goofy for a boy being chased by a mugger.”

“Where are you going with this?” Saikhan grows impatient as Lin listens as she paces back and forth.

“Republic City was under attack by all benders. Non-benders’ homes were being destroyed. I did my best to help who I could, but…a light and woman came out of nowhere. I’ve seen her in my dreams before.  This time she came with a great ball of fire. And then, I woke up. My room looked like a tornado went through it. I felt like air burst out of my body.”

“Air, but you are an earth bender.” Lin is certain.

“I know. I don’t understand it either.” Knock, knock, knock. Someone needs Lin’s attention.

“Aria, Saikhan I need to address this. We will continue our conversation over dinner. Is your apartment alright, Aria?”

“Yes, it’s fine. See you tonight then.” They leave her office and Saikhan heads back to work. Teraria heads to a hangout spot for young adults before she heads home for the night.

 

                Night falls and many stay in their homes and those that don’t are usual up to no good; exception being pro-bending fans that flock to the arena. Ugtakin and his mother are back at home. The home is mainly water tribe style but hints of fire and earth décor. Sara is in the kitchen preparing meals for the week for she will be at work most of the week. Ugtakin sits on his bed and holds a black and white picture of his father and mother. This is the only picture he has of his father, but he still wonders if he had ever taken one with himself as a baby. Sara has already told him that his father left shortly after his birth.

“He believed he had a higher calling than fatherhood.” She explained to him. Ugtakin did find old letters that he wrote to her but those seized within two years after he left. He puts the letters and picture back into a wooden box and slides it under his bed. He blows out the candle in his lantern and pulls the covers over his head.

                Sara comes into the room and sits next to him. He allows his head to peak out of the covers. She strokes his head like she does every night for the past twelve years.

“You put too much pressure on yourself for a fourteen year old. Just, be a teenager.”

“I’ll be fifteen next year. I need to know if I should aim to be as great as dad…but in which way.”

“In your own way. You be as great as you want to be, regardless of what your father did.” She kisses him on the forehead and he wipes it on his pillow.

“Good night, Ugtakin Mau.”

She heads off to her room to get some sleep. Ugatakin remains awake and stares out his window; right next to his bed he sits up. He looks at the Pro-bending Arena and feels conflicted. He would love to see a game but it glorified the very thing his father hated. He hits his forehead against the glass and looks down at his hands. Out the corner of his eye something floats by his window. A murky purple air seeps through the cracks in his windowsill. He scoots away from the window but the purple air surrounds him. He starts to panic, jumps out his bed and runs towards his door. As he puts his hand on the handle, the purple air speaks,

“Ugtakin…Ugtakin you know who is responsible for your father’s demise, the same person who is responsible for mine. Go, destroy her, Ugtakin. Finish what your father and I couldn’t. Join with me, together we can create a perfect world.” Ugtakin lets go of the handle and faces the ball of purple energy. He is memorized by its immense power.

 

                Teraria sets her table and fluffs the floor pillows. She cooks crab puffs, dumplings, a fruit salad and moon cakes for desert. Her father, mother and Lin arrive right on time. Lin sits across from Teraria while Saikhan sits across from his wife, Razzia.

“I love what you’ve done with the place.”

“Of course you do, mom. You picked out all the furniture.”

“Oh, that’s right, I did.”

“Your mother does have good taste.”

“I don’t know why she chose you, then.” She mumbles.

“Aria, the dream you had. I had the same one last night.” Lin informs.

“Really! That’s so…weird.”

“Strange indeed. Although all the figures were blurry but you in my dream so I don’t know who these ‘three boys’ are. And of course I don’t like the fact that Republic City is under attack once again.”

“Yes, things have been so peaceful lately.”Razzia adds.

“Aria, can you fire bend? I saw you do it in the dream.” Lin asks.

“I’ve been meaning to tell others but yes, I can earth bend and fire bend. And now, I think I can air bend too.”

“I don’t understand…how you can bend all three. You can’t be the Avatar because Korra is still alive.” Saikhan is severely confused as the rest of them are too.

“Let’s go outside, I will show you.”

                They head downstairs and outside to the courtyard. There is a fountain surrounded by a cobblestone path, flowers and shrugs that line it and lanterns that light the way.

“Watch,” Aria strikes a strong stance and sends stones flying into the fountain. She draws some of the fire from the lanterns and forms a ring of fire that rests in her hands and frames her upper body. Lastly she sends out a burst of air that makes the courtyard go dark.

“That woman in my dream, she came to me before and taught me how to air bend. But it seems it only comes out in short-strong bursts.

“So, the day has finally come! I never expected it to be like this.” Saikhan is elated.

“What are you talking about, Saikhan-Dad?” Lin and Aria asks simultaneously.

“The day another duel bender would appear in our family. I must contact the Fire Lord and Tenzin at once. Get some rest sweetheart. A long journey awaits you.”

Reviews

[liddell30]

100. and seeing how i need 25 characters before i submit this....

[liddell30]

I would love to work on a project with you. You have everything iam lacking

[Jasmine S. Edwards]

What's the project?

[liddell30]

A story that im creating. But im having a hard time filling it with anything other then fight scenes. But I have a great idea and just need some help with it.

[Jasmine S. Edwards]

Ok, I see. I would love to help! Right now, I'm am nearing the end of my semester so I'm super busy until mid May. I can work with you after that :)

[liddell30]

Sounds great. good luck.

[Jasmine S. Edwards]

thank you :)