Geektastic Ramblings From A Hyperactive Imagination - Post a comment

Years ago, before the fall of Ozai, they'd sparred with each other often as they worked to ready themselves for the coming battle. At first Sokka had been barely trained, unconventional in his attacks, sometimes clumsy, sometimes brilliant. But with practice, he'd learned quickly. His clumsiness gave way to artistry, and the unconventional brilliance of his swordwork began to shine. Despite Zuko's many years of intense training with the blade, Sokka sometimes got the better of him.

Then he glanced back to see Suki wiping at some dirt on Zutara's round pink cheek. "But that's not how it was for Suki. She was born a warrior. Trained from childhood in the Kyoshi Warrior arts. But I don't remember the last time she had a chance to really work out without one of the children needing something. And now that she's expecting, it'll be that much longer before she can get herself back into fighting form again."

[...] "I married a warrior, Zuko. But I've turned her into a housewife. She used to defend a kingdom. Now she wipes my kids' noses and makes sure I've got something hot to eat when I come in from the boat."

"But it's not fair. It's not fair to you at all," he retorted, capturing her hand in a strong grip, as if to stop her from being concerned with him. "Katara uses her waterbending all the time with Aang. And Toph stopped a volcano from erupting, for goodness sake. [Note: this happens in the prequel] What do you get to do with your talents?" he asked, his voice harsh. "What about your life?"

[...] "I get to stand beside the man I love. I get to make beautiful babies with him and see them grow and discover their own talents. I get to teach the girls in our village how to be strong and courageous too, just like I learned," Suki replied.

She looked down at Sokka's worried face, and she knew her answer hadn't satisfied him. He could be so strong and so funny. He was a loving husband and a wonderful father. He worked hard to give them everything within his power to give. He was brave and sincere.

And he was scared to death that she wasn't happy with him. That he wasn't enough for her. At that moment, she loved him more than ever.

"I use my warrior's skills every day," she continued sincerely. "Every time I nurse a sick baby through the night, every time I wait for you to come home in a terrible storm, I use that strength and courage I learned as a Kyoshi Warrior," she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion. "Just like you use your warrior's heart every time you go out fishing in the middle of a winter storm, knowing you might not come back, but willing to go to battle with it for our sakes. So we can have a home and food to eat and clothes to wear."

Then Bumi spoke, his old voice crackly but strong as it echoed through the courtyard. "I have determined that the next ruler of Omashu must be one who can listen to the voice of the earth." He then abruptly rode a pillar of earth down to the courtyard to stand before the large crowd that had gathered there.

He paced back and forth before them for a moment, fixing his eye at random on different individuals until they began to squirm nervously beneath his penetrating, yet slightly deranged gaze. The he stopped abruptly.

"Jing is the energy that fuels an earthbender's attacks," Bumi declared, then shouted, "Positive!"

With a wave of his arms he shot hundreds of rocks up into the sky where they exploded into starbursts like giant earthen fireworks.

As the dust began to fall onto the crowds, he shouted, "Negative!" and the dust suddenly disbursed away from them, leaving the air clear and clean.

Then he just stood there. After a few moments of complete silence and stillness, he stated, "Neutral," in a quiet voice. Then he took a few steps forward until he stood directly before Toph and asked, "Toph Bei Fong, what is neutral jing?"

"I am not going to play games with you, Bumi," Toph retorted. "Get on with your announcement."

Bumi's eyes grew bright and a huge smile creased his wrinkled face as he stood tall before them. "Correct! Positive jing for the attack, negative jing for the retreat, and neutral jing for doing nothing!" Bumi crowed. "Correct answer!" Then in a side note he stated, "Toph Bei Fong, you are now the ruler of Omashu," and turned to walk back up the steps.

Then Zuko suddenly stepped forward and grabbed the old king's arm to stop him. "Toph can't be the ruler of Omashu," he stated firmly. "She's the Crown Princess of the Fire Nation."

Bumi turned to face the young man, a combative glint coming to his eye. He shook free of Zuko's grasp. "Positive jing for the attack," Bumi declared coldly, shaking his shaggy white head back and forth menacingly. "Wrong answer."

Then with a wave of the old king's hand, the stone floor seemed to rise up around Zuko like a wave, surging over him, pulling him beneath the surface. The crowd gasped in terror, and Toph heard a voice—it sounded like Mai's—cry out his name.

Then the floor smoothed itself back into place with the soft grinding of massive rocks, settling heavily over the spot where Zuko had stood, leaving no sign that he'd ever been there at all.