Post by Teᴙa253 on Mar 31, 2009 10:33:55 GMT -7
the 104th chapter of the endless series...
or the 2nd chapter of the sequel. either way, it's #104 in my books, and I'll be continuing this sequence.
fun stuff happens, a new plot unfolds, we get wind of a couple of new characters (and some Cheng/Taki innuendo ) and everyone's current age is canonized. enjoy.
CHAPTER 104: THE AVATAR MERCENARIES
“Who cares if the war’s not over,” Vigo laughed, “think of it this way, folks—it’s going to give us something to do as a band of mercenaries. With fame like ours, we can pretty much do as we please.”
By this time, everyone was much older, and the “children” of the group were Nikita and Altina, who were 17 and 19 respectively. Maric and Malak, who barely turned 15 at the end of the war, were now 32, [as was Katara], Vigo and Reyson were 33, Meili and Sanaki were 34, Sokka and Kimiko were 35, Kai XLIII was 36, Lehran was 37, Cheng and Taki were 38, and Zakura was almost 41. Regardless of their ages, they had all changed very little, especially not Zakura.
Haroku, her husband, was almost 41 as well. The gang was all grown up, and the older characters had just put a few more years on themselves. Either way, no one was any weaker than before.
The prodigy warriors had children of their own, but they were too young for combat, and were left in the care of some of their friends while they went out as mercenaries. By this point they were just too good to be defeated.
Katara though was probably the most incredible person there now. At this point in her life, the fact that she was alive was not only a miracle, but also her amounts of power. Katara literally had enough raw energy to obliterate the entire world itself, but she also had much more control over it thanks to her father. She may not have married [despite what everyone wished] but she still held close to her family.
Mulan was now 42, and she still had not married either. Azula, now 44, was still a pirate and a mercenary and so becoming part of a mercenary group was right in her ballpark. Alzar, Shinon, Aiku, and Zinjamyn were all still single as well, but were now 46, 49, 48, and 47 respectively. Katara I and Zuko, 39 at the time of the war, were now 56, Zuki was now 55, Royota was 83, Orzon was 67, Ayumi 66, Iresu was 61, Zeruda 62, Tenoko 60, Fukuda 65, Michiko 64, and Koara was 110 and still hale. Despite all of these figured being much older, they were still as powerful as they were when they were younger, and so were not deterred in the slightest.
Another interesting group of additions to the gang were the two eldest children of Cheng and Taki, as well as the child of Kai XLIII and Zihark [the latter of which was a year older than Kai]. Taki, who was pregnant during the final battle between Zakura and the old warlord, had given birth to a pair of twins—a boy and girl. The boy, who resembled his father, was named Cheng Alesha II after his father. Similarly, Taki Alesha II became the name of the little girl, who resembled her mother.
As a result, there was a young Fire Nation soldier and a young Kyoshi Warrior who were almost always seen sparring with each other.
Nikita became good friends with Altina, as well as a young waterbender who was named Kai Serenes XLIV after the Kai Serenes legacy, as this was Kai and Zihark’s child. [Clearly, numeric suffixes were very common in this day and age]
At 14, Kai Serenes XLIV was already a prodigious waterbender, and because of her Serenes nature, she was popular as well, but she was shy. Regardless, she, like Nikita Kumani, Cheng Alesha II, and Taki Alesha II, all joined Zakura’s Mercenaries.
“Again,” the four benders chuckled, turning to Zakura, “we’re at your command. How should we split up and investigate this? What are our plans? Or are we still going happy go-lucky style?”
“Three guesses,” Zakura laughed, “I’ve been winging things for over 40 years, you guys—do you really think that’s going to change?”
“Good point,” they chuckled. “So what are we winging today?”
“I was just going to say we split up and find out just what exactly is going on around the world,” Zakura shrugged, “I mean, surely The Order didn’t just vanish. I’m not Zuroc, you know.”
Of course, contrary to Zakura’s words, it wasn’t just “winged”; it was made up as they went along and needed plans. What happened was that they made an announcement that they were a group of mercenaries looking for something to do, and this was what got attention. Incidentally, the man who came to them, a high-ranking Water Tribe officer, recognized many of them right off the bat.
“Admiral Koroda,” Zakura exclaimed, eyeing the man, “how goes things?”
“Avatar Zakura,” Koroda remarked, “you’ve changed a bit since we last met. I noticed you finally stopped picking on other lovers and found one of your own, am I right?”
“Never been more correct,” Haroku remarked, stepping up as well. He offered his hand to the admiral.
“Haroku Ishiko at your service,” he replied, having taken up the avatar’s last name as his own, as he did not have one prior to their marriage. Incidentally, though the last names of Malak, Sanaki, Meili and Kimiko had technically changed, everyone still referred to them by their old last names, as those were the names they had become famous for.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Haroku,” Koroda replied, shaking his hand, “surely you were far more aware of the avatar’s personality when you met her than I was, am I correct?”
“More than ever,” Haroku laughed, hitting Zakura hard enough to make some people cry. Zakura merely chuckled.
“So,” said Zakura, stepping in, “what news do you bring, admiral? It’s been a long time since the war. Surely something new has come up?”
“Aye,” Koroda replied, “there is a Zakura tournament participant that is of particular interest—or rather, two of them.”
“Oh,” Zakura exclaimed, thinking of Joo Dee, “and what is she like?”
“How did you know it was a woman,” Koroda asked,
“I think I might know who it is,” Zakura replied,”
“Is that an Avatar thing or something,” Koroda exclaimed, “because I had never heard of Xilingshi Zoraki until she showed up in the tournaments. She’s incredibly skilled.”
“Xilingshi,” Zakura exclaimed, “in that case, I have the wrong woman in mind. Carry on, admiral.”
“Very well,” Koroda replied, “she seems controlled by a man name Zuron Ishigawa. It doesn’t seem like forced control, but rather, it seems that Xilingshi takes orders from him as if he was her father. They both look to be in their early 20s, and he’s a firebender and she’s an airbender. They surely cannot be related.”
“So what is so significant about her,” Zakura asked,
“It seems that she has been brainwashed into remembering nothing about, who she is,” Koroda replied, “she only responds to the name Xilingshi, but listens to no one save Zuron. She never talks either. It was just like she was built to fight.”
“That’s low,” Zakura replied, “where is this Zuron guy,”
“It’s not his fault,” Koroda replied, “which is what makes it weird. It’s as if he’s elected to be her guardian, because it is him that takes care of her like a sister. She likes to fight, but won’t do anything unless Zuron is there commanding her. It’s a bit weird if you ask me.”
“I’ll say,” Zakura remarked, “so I suppose you wish us to investigate this?”
“it’s got some people on edge,” Koroda replied, “she’s attacked at random times before too, usually if she loses track of where Zuron is.”
“That’s a familiar boat,” Katara II remarked, stepping forward. “But the thing that needs asked at this point is how do we identify this woman?”
“She is an airbender with her hair tied back into a spiky ponytail,” Koroda replied, “she wears baggy orange clothing similar to little Sanaki over there, (though it’s orange, not red), and she’s got braces on her arms that seem similar to yours, mistress Altina.”
“Strange,” Katara II muttered, and then turned to Zakura.
“Well, woman,” she said, chuckling, “it’s your call. Who goes, and who stays here to be bored out of their skull?”
“It’s not for me to decide,” Zakura laughed, “but either way, I’m going to the arena, and Katara; you should come too.”
All in all, Zakura wound up taking Katara II, both Kais (XLIII & XLIV), Malak, Azula, and Cheng and Taki’s children, [Haroku coming along was a given] who their parents claimed needed to get a view of something (combat) that might interest them.
“And don’t talk to strangers,” Taki I called out to them as they left, “anyone who says they “want to have a little fun” is not a friend.”
“They’re 17, Taki,” Cheng I replied once they were gone, “it’s only a matter of time before they go head over heels crazy in love with someone. I mean if they’re anything like us, then they’ll be married before they’re 18.”
“If they’re anything like us,” Taki remarked, “then I’m getting a lock for their belts.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cheng laughed,
“Follow me and I’ll show you,” Taki replied, starting to walk away.
The others were fine with just “hanging around”; because they knew that sooner or later they’d get caught in some sort of crazy antics. The Avatar Guard’s attempts to be apart had all failed miserably, and so they just accepted the fact that they would probably spend most of their time together until they all died off.
Of course, since there were former Order members in their midst, as well as neutral fellows (such as Katara II, Haroku, Karly, and Azula), they didn’t want that name, so from that time forth; they decided to call themselves The Avatar Mercenaries.
~Azula~
or the 2nd chapter of the sequel. either way, it's #104 in my books, and I'll be continuing this sequence.
fun stuff happens, a new plot unfolds, we get wind of a couple of new characters (and some Cheng/Taki innuendo ) and everyone's current age is canonized. enjoy.
CHAPTER 104: THE AVATAR MERCENARIES
“Who cares if the war’s not over,” Vigo laughed, “think of it this way, folks—it’s going to give us something to do as a band of mercenaries. With fame like ours, we can pretty much do as we please.”
By this time, everyone was much older, and the “children” of the group were Nikita and Altina, who were 17 and 19 respectively. Maric and Malak, who barely turned 15 at the end of the war, were now 32, [as was Katara], Vigo and Reyson were 33, Meili and Sanaki were 34, Sokka and Kimiko were 35, Kai XLIII was 36, Lehran was 37, Cheng and Taki were 38, and Zakura was almost 41. Regardless of their ages, they had all changed very little, especially not Zakura.
Haroku, her husband, was almost 41 as well. The gang was all grown up, and the older characters had just put a few more years on themselves. Either way, no one was any weaker than before.
The prodigy warriors had children of their own, but they were too young for combat, and were left in the care of some of their friends while they went out as mercenaries. By this point they were just too good to be defeated.
Katara though was probably the most incredible person there now. At this point in her life, the fact that she was alive was not only a miracle, but also her amounts of power. Katara literally had enough raw energy to obliterate the entire world itself, but she also had much more control over it thanks to her father. She may not have married [despite what everyone wished] but she still held close to her family.
Mulan was now 42, and she still had not married either. Azula, now 44, was still a pirate and a mercenary and so becoming part of a mercenary group was right in her ballpark. Alzar, Shinon, Aiku, and Zinjamyn were all still single as well, but were now 46, 49, 48, and 47 respectively. Katara I and Zuko, 39 at the time of the war, were now 56, Zuki was now 55, Royota was 83, Orzon was 67, Ayumi 66, Iresu was 61, Zeruda 62, Tenoko 60, Fukuda 65, Michiko 64, and Koara was 110 and still hale. Despite all of these figured being much older, they were still as powerful as they were when they were younger, and so were not deterred in the slightest.
Another interesting group of additions to the gang were the two eldest children of Cheng and Taki, as well as the child of Kai XLIII and Zihark [the latter of which was a year older than Kai]. Taki, who was pregnant during the final battle between Zakura and the old warlord, had given birth to a pair of twins—a boy and girl. The boy, who resembled his father, was named Cheng Alesha II after his father. Similarly, Taki Alesha II became the name of the little girl, who resembled her mother.
As a result, there was a young Fire Nation soldier and a young Kyoshi Warrior who were almost always seen sparring with each other.
Nikita became good friends with Altina, as well as a young waterbender who was named Kai Serenes XLIV after the Kai Serenes legacy, as this was Kai and Zihark’s child. [Clearly, numeric suffixes were very common in this day and age]
At 14, Kai Serenes XLIV was already a prodigious waterbender, and because of her Serenes nature, she was popular as well, but she was shy. Regardless, she, like Nikita Kumani, Cheng Alesha II, and Taki Alesha II, all joined Zakura’s Mercenaries.
“Again,” the four benders chuckled, turning to Zakura, “we’re at your command. How should we split up and investigate this? What are our plans? Or are we still going happy go-lucky style?”
“Three guesses,” Zakura laughed, “I’ve been winging things for over 40 years, you guys—do you really think that’s going to change?”
“Good point,” they chuckled. “So what are we winging today?”
“I was just going to say we split up and find out just what exactly is going on around the world,” Zakura shrugged, “I mean, surely The Order didn’t just vanish. I’m not Zuroc, you know.”
Of course, contrary to Zakura’s words, it wasn’t just “winged”; it was made up as they went along and needed plans. What happened was that they made an announcement that they were a group of mercenaries looking for something to do, and this was what got attention. Incidentally, the man who came to them, a high-ranking Water Tribe officer, recognized many of them right off the bat.
“Admiral Koroda,” Zakura exclaimed, eyeing the man, “how goes things?”
“Avatar Zakura,” Koroda remarked, “you’ve changed a bit since we last met. I noticed you finally stopped picking on other lovers and found one of your own, am I right?”
“Never been more correct,” Haroku remarked, stepping up as well. He offered his hand to the admiral.
“Haroku Ishiko at your service,” he replied, having taken up the avatar’s last name as his own, as he did not have one prior to their marriage. Incidentally, though the last names of Malak, Sanaki, Meili and Kimiko had technically changed, everyone still referred to them by their old last names, as those were the names they had become famous for.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Haroku,” Koroda replied, shaking his hand, “surely you were far more aware of the avatar’s personality when you met her than I was, am I correct?”
“More than ever,” Haroku laughed, hitting Zakura hard enough to make some people cry. Zakura merely chuckled.
“So,” said Zakura, stepping in, “what news do you bring, admiral? It’s been a long time since the war. Surely something new has come up?”
“Aye,” Koroda replied, “there is a Zakura tournament participant that is of particular interest—or rather, two of them.”
“Oh,” Zakura exclaimed, thinking of Joo Dee, “and what is she like?”
“How did you know it was a woman,” Koroda asked,
“I think I might know who it is,” Zakura replied,”
“Is that an Avatar thing or something,” Koroda exclaimed, “because I had never heard of Xilingshi Zoraki until she showed up in the tournaments. She’s incredibly skilled.”
“Xilingshi,” Zakura exclaimed, “in that case, I have the wrong woman in mind. Carry on, admiral.”
“Very well,” Koroda replied, “she seems controlled by a man name Zuron Ishigawa. It doesn’t seem like forced control, but rather, it seems that Xilingshi takes orders from him as if he was her father. They both look to be in their early 20s, and he’s a firebender and she’s an airbender. They surely cannot be related.”
“So what is so significant about her,” Zakura asked,
“It seems that she has been brainwashed into remembering nothing about, who she is,” Koroda replied, “she only responds to the name Xilingshi, but listens to no one save Zuron. She never talks either. It was just like she was built to fight.”
“That’s low,” Zakura replied, “where is this Zuron guy,”
“It’s not his fault,” Koroda replied, “which is what makes it weird. It’s as if he’s elected to be her guardian, because it is him that takes care of her like a sister. She likes to fight, but won’t do anything unless Zuron is there commanding her. It’s a bit weird if you ask me.”
“I’ll say,” Zakura remarked, “so I suppose you wish us to investigate this?”
“it’s got some people on edge,” Koroda replied, “she’s attacked at random times before too, usually if she loses track of where Zuron is.”
“That’s a familiar boat,” Katara II remarked, stepping forward. “But the thing that needs asked at this point is how do we identify this woman?”
“She is an airbender with her hair tied back into a spiky ponytail,” Koroda replied, “she wears baggy orange clothing similar to little Sanaki over there, (though it’s orange, not red), and she’s got braces on her arms that seem similar to yours, mistress Altina.”
“Strange,” Katara II muttered, and then turned to Zakura.
“Well, woman,” she said, chuckling, “it’s your call. Who goes, and who stays here to be bored out of their skull?”
“It’s not for me to decide,” Zakura laughed, “but either way, I’m going to the arena, and Katara; you should come too.”
All in all, Zakura wound up taking Katara II, both Kais (XLIII & XLIV), Malak, Azula, and Cheng and Taki’s children, [Haroku coming along was a given] who their parents claimed needed to get a view of something (combat) that might interest them.
“And don’t talk to strangers,” Taki I called out to them as they left, “anyone who says they “want to have a little fun” is not a friend.”
“They’re 17, Taki,” Cheng I replied once they were gone, “it’s only a matter of time before they go head over heels crazy in love with someone. I mean if they’re anything like us, then they’ll be married before they’re 18.”
“If they’re anything like us,” Taki remarked, “then I’m getting a lock for their belts.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cheng laughed,
“Follow me and I’ll show you,” Taki replied, starting to walk away.
The others were fine with just “hanging around”; because they knew that sooner or later they’d get caught in some sort of crazy antics. The Avatar Guard’s attempts to be apart had all failed miserably, and so they just accepted the fact that they would probably spend most of their time together until they all died off.
Of course, since there were former Order members in their midst, as well as neutral fellows (such as Katara II, Haroku, Karly, and Azula), they didn’t want that name, so from that time forth; they decided to call themselves The Avatar Mercenaries.
~Azula~