Avatar: A New Hope

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King Tasuki stood silently at the very end of the room, making observations of each bender as they walked in one-by-one. It was a rather unimpressive group; nothing like he had expected anyway. They were all incredibly young. Young enough to be his children, even. The idea of these young adults saving Ba Sing Se and defeating an entire army dumbfounded the King, but it didn't matter. His only priority remained the same: to identify the 'Resistance' that was forming, even if it did turn out to be nothing but a group of kids.

"Attention!" he shouted, bringing the room to a deadly silence. "I imagine you're all wondering why I've gathered you here. Well, the answer is simple, but comes in two parts. First, I wanted to thank you. Because of you children...I mean, er....men and women, my city has prevailed against a devastating attack. Admittedly there were countless deaths. Also much of Ba Sing Se has been burned to ashes, but that can be fixed. If it wasn't for each and every one of you, there would be nothing left here. That is a debt I will do all in my power to repay."

The King forced a smile and made a slight bow to his audience.

"Now," he said with a firmer tone. "The second reason."

Tasuki slowly reached into the inside of his robe and revealed another copy of the flier he had shown Kota, then held it up to everyone. "A few months ago, this mysterious movement began to arise in my city. 'The Resistance', it's called. Due to its rapid popularity and spreading propaganda, benders and soldiers from all over the world have migrated to Ba Sing Se in search of it, but to no avail. Judging by today's events and the heroic actions of this group...I suspect the individuals behind this 'Resistance' are among us. So, step forward if you know anything of this. Now."

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Draco became overwhelmed with joy when he was told of everything that occurred while he was unconscious. The city of Ba Sing Se, along with King Tasuki, were safe and out of harm's way. It was a miracle. With a sigh of relief, he sat up and leaned back, just as he noticed that the Waterbender girl was cupping one of his hands with hers. Draco awkwardly looked at her with wide eyes and his face turned a dark shade of red.
"So, uh..." he said nervously, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess we won then, right?"

Suddenly the King's voice came booming from the end of the rooom. Draco listened intently to every word he had to say, feeling honored to be thanked by such a powerful, infamous man. It wasn't until Tasuki held up one of Draco's fliers that his heart dropped into his stomach and he began to sink back into his seat, not saying a word.

 

Roku stopped moving. "Listen Rolan i'm not one to talk about honor as anyone in the fire nation would say I don't have any, but throwing your life away just to gain honor isn't right. I joined the army for honor and look where it got me." Roku thought for a moment "If Adena would have killed you she wouldn't have left anything, you would just be a burning body, and a forgotten name. If you really want to bring honor to your family, fight and live. My firebending master told me everyone has a purpose in life, they just need to discover it."

Roku listen to the earth king and looked over towards the boy he met earlier. the one who talk about the camp.
"I been to many villages your Majesty, I heard rumors and nothing else are you sure this Resistance is even real?."

 

Roland listened to the words Roku said to him intently."Maybe your right Roku, maybe I have something else in this world that I'm supposed to do. Maybe I'm to defeat the Fire Lord, and save the world!He said with a really big grin/smile on his face. Then the Earth King started to speak. Praising all the people that were here that had helped save the day and all. And then he asked about the resistance and who was leading them. He didn't know anybody that was part of it, but Rolan wasn't all that fired up about joining the resistance. He raised his hand to get the Earth Kings attention."Excuse me your highness, I don't know the leader, or anybody that is a part of it for that matter, but the resistance is just a large group of people who are seeking a leader to lead them against the Fire Lord, because their rulers and leaders have done nothing about him yet. But after today, I think it's pretty clear that the Fire Nation isn't holding back anymore. And I don't know if their is anybody here from the resistance or not, but I say that we sit back and lick our wounds. Let the Resistance take care of the Fire Lord. That way, for when the time comes that the resistance do strike against the Fire Lord and Fire Nation, the armies of the Earth Kingdom, Water Tribes, and the Air Nomads will come together, and oppose the Fire Nation and distract them to what goes on behind the curtain."

 

Adena gritted her teeth. This boy didn't know her and yet he so easily assumed she was feeble and helpless. Playing cute and sweet was making her sick. She remained silent the whole way out of the city and sat down at the little spoke he made into a camp. As soon as he healed her, she was leaving. when kai called her love, she was taken by surprise. "love is an awfully strong feeling. How can you love someone you know absolutely nothing about. That's reckless child. plus you're a kid. I'm greatful, but i've got like five or six years on you. Still have some growing up to do." she noted the berries and water. He would be healing her any minute and then she could head back to the camp. Based on the direction they took, it wasn't too far away. She needed to get away from the city. Away from Ba Sing Se, and the people inside it. More specifically Roku. She couldn't see him, not again. The princess had no idea what she would do do if she saw him again.

 

Kota took in what was happening. He had hoped he was going to find this resistance-he knew he could help whatever it was somehow.

"Maybe we can't beat the Firelord," Kota said, responding to the pessimism that he had just heard, "But we can help, and that can count for something."

He looked around. He wondered which of the benders gathered here might be members of this resistance.

"Whoever has anything to do with the resistance," He said, "My name is Kota, from the Southern Water Tribe, and I want to be a part of it."

 

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Draco's eyelids gradually shut and he took a deep breath before arising from his seat and stepping forward towards the King.

"Your majesty..." he said nervously, his eyes still closed. "The Resistance doesn't exactly exist, per se. I would know...I sorta...started it."
The entire room was quiet and all eyes were on him at this point. He could feel their stares and his forehead became moist with sweat, but he knew that he had to speak now, so he opened his eyes and adjusted his posture to appear taller and more confident.

"The Air Temples where I grew up were attacked by the Fire Nation several months ago." Draco stated in an assertive tone. "Most of my friends, teachers, and family burned to death at the feet of soldiers. By a stroke of luck, however, I managed to escape on an Air Bison which led me here to the great ancient city of Ba Sing Se. I had intended to join the army here, even though the monks always advised against war, but I quickly changed my mind when I found out the Earth Kingdom doesn't even fight. They just protect themselves. Like turtles, taking defense in their little shells rather than standing up against evil. But guess what? Hiding is not gonna stop Fire Lord Ozai's reign of terror. So I started making fliers. Something that could get people's attention and make them want to retaliate. My original goal was to form a group...but that became too risky and difficult, so I ended up forming something far greater than that: An idea. An idea that people started believing, and got them thinking. And that idea was that we don't have to hide from anyone! We can fight back! Sure, I was way in over my head at the start, and I still am now, but does it matter? At least I've set a foundation! Almost all of you here have at least heard of 'The Resistance', right?! Well I think that's how great things start...with an idea!"

Draco looked around the room, panting and out of breathe, but filled with excitement. His eyes were shining, his mouth was grinning, and his hair was disheveled, revealing his blue arrow tattoo which he usually put in so much effort to conceal. The room was tense, and now that he had officially killed the illusion that The Resistance was a large group of professionals, Draco worried that all he had managed to do was cause disappointment. He couldn't help but consider that maybe opening his mouth was in fact a terrible idea.

 

Kai was surprised on what she had said. He really didn't know why he was so attached to her. He dug deep in his mind to find the answer. He replied softly, "I just saw your face and something within me clicked. I got that feeling you get when you found love without knowing anything yet. You just know there's some sort of connection there. I know you're strong willed though. You can see it within your eyes. There is a destiny that you must fulfill. Once you are healed, you will most likely abandon me here to travel that destiny alone." Kai sat next to her. He felt solid as a rock, fearing the idea of her leaving. Kai had to begin removing the ice. He bended the ice off and the bleeding had stopped. The deep wounds appeared to be scabbing slowly. "I'm going to use a technique I learned while training alone on the outskirts of my village." Kai stood up and started to move his arms in swirling motion. He was trying to bend the water in the air near her open wounds. It was much harder here then in the Southern Water Tribe. The amount of water in the air was much lower. The strain could be seen from the strain on his face. It took sometime but the wounds were protected from outside contaminants now. He became exhausted.

 

OOC: You keep using "Breathe" when you mean "Breath". "Breathe" is a verb, "To breathe". Breath is a noun, "To take a breath".

BIC:

Kota stared at the airbender who had just spoken. For a second, he felt sorry for him.

Then he stepped forward.

"You're right," He said. "A belief is all we need. Look at how many of us are here! We can make a difference, no matter how little it is. Let's start a resistance! Let's do it!"

Immediately after he said it, he realized how kiddish and naive he must have sounded. But he was sticking with it.

 

OOC: Sokka, really? Well then, my whole life is a lie now lol
Thanks though, I was convinced it was the other way around

 

Adena's eyebrows perked up. He seemed to be pretty spot on for the most part. She examined her wrists and was thoroughly surprised. They seemed to be healing decently. the marks were eyesoars, but the weren't hurting anymore. "thank you. I really appreciate it. This will help a lot." she stood and scanned the forest. "i'll go get some firewood. I'm not as useless as you think." before she even said the words, she knew that he wasn't expecting her to return. He had told her as much. Adena almost felt bad for the kid, but not enough to change her plan. She didn't change her plans for anyone.

 

Kai heard Addie say she was going to get firewood. "I'm afraid you cant do that. Your wounds will burst open if you lift anything. You need to sit back down and relax. Its going to take me at least a day to get these wounds back to complete health." He moved in her way and blocked her. He knew she would leave, but he was stubborn. He wouldn't just let her go easily. "Sit back down. I may look tired, but I can still get some firewood."

 

The princess was becoming frustrated. Taking orders wasn't something she tolerated, especially from a kid. "fine. You get it then. I'll be waiting." She sat down on the grass to assure him that she wasn't going anywhere. Anything to get rid of the boy. Adena just wanted to spend a minute alone. She could formulate a plan that way.

 

Kai noticed Addie sit down angered, but Kai decided he would mention it later. He gathered some would in a short amount of time and placed them in front of Addie. As he was trying to get the fire began asking, "Is something wrong, love? Not use to being in this situation? I saw you get a bit angry when I told you to relax." Kai couldn't help escaping the feeling she just wanted to be away from him and this place.

 

There it was again. She didn't want another person going around saying how cruel she was for not loving them. The boy was smitten and was confusin it with love. "I'm not used to relaxing. I always work. You don't get anywhere in life if you aren't working hard all the time." Watching him try to start a fire was somewhat comical. She had to supress the urge to laugh. "You need to stop calling me that. You don't love me. I can assure you of that. There's no such things as love. It's an illusion." Adena didn't want to hear the garunteed arguement he would give her. She could already see that he would say how he really did love her and that love is real. Truthfully it wasn't. He obviously had never had his heart broken. When that happens, it changes you. it changed her. The princess vowed to never be so blindsighted again. It was a lie, that she would never fall for again.

She didn't want to stay at his small camp. The was no shelter or a place to hide in case someone came by. She didn't trust falling asleep. Her body was still worn down and sleep was inevitable, but she didn't feel safe. A thousand different scenarios ran through her head. The most likely being that they discover she is gone, kai falls asleep as well, her wig slips, and someone walks by seeing her. It wasn't safe. Adena wouldn't feel safe again until she was home in the fire nation.

 

Liao stared at Draco, then asked, " So the Resistance doesn't exsist, you told me that it did," she paused taking a deep breath, then continued. "And how is an idea going to defeat the FNA, it will give them an idea that people are starting to arise, then the FNA will get tougher on the city they already conquered, and crush these ideas of hope." She was not happy with Draco's idea. She turn to the Southern Water Tribe boy, Kota and said "An ideas doesn't save people, Strenght does, and the mass people will help too," She turn to the king and gave the impression that she needed more convincing. "Your Majesty, instead of creating idea, why not make the resistance real also?" Liao stopped to think, she usually bit off more than she could chew. Thinking now she was going to be hated for her actions.

 

OOC: Don't you hate it when you write out a huge ass post and it all gets deleted accidentally?

Aria had laughed as Rolan spoke, she liked him, he was funny yet down to earth. She promised herself that she'd get to know him better later, she'd like to have him as a friend. Actually she'd like to befriend most of the people in the room. She'd began to talk to them when the Earth King had spoke, at which point she'd falled silent.

The Kyoshi Warrior remained quiet as she took in everything that was said in the following few minutes. She would much rather say something informed than waste her words on something she was not knowledgable about. She was suprised by what came out in such a short space of time. She was partially dissappointed that this Resistance was simply an idea yet at the same time...

"Do you have any idea how incredible that is?" She asked breaking her silence, "That one person single handedly created an idea that spread all over the world, even reaching my isolated little island. An idea that got the fire nation scared. One person could be that spark to make people want to fight back and bring us here today. Don't you think that's amazing, what one person can do when they set their mind to it? I mean, look at all of us here, just a small little group fought off an army. That's pretty remarkable to me at least. The resistance may have just been a single idea but don't most things start off like that and now it has grown to be far more than a little idea."

"Now, I'm pretty sure it's clear that something has to change. If we simply continue to try and defend ourselves then more and more places will get destoyed like here today. I travelled all the way here to offer my services to stop this happening. This might be rediculous but we could be that change. Everyone here has proven themselves, together we stopped an army, what if we could do more? What if we joined together? The Resistance doesn't have to be just an idea. We might not be able to end the war but we might be able to make a difference, inspire people and bring hope to the land. Think about what we did today, you never know, we might actually be able to do it." She looked around at everyone, waiting for their responces.

 

Rolan stepped forward, doing his best to keep straight, fighting through the pain."Look here, I don't mean or want to be the guy that burst the fun bubble here, but look at what were up against here people. Today was just a small wave of what truly awaits us in the Fire Nation. I am whooped ass right now, and I don't think everybody else is at 100% either. We can't simply walk into the Fire Nation and have a nice little chat with the Fire Lord. They have war machines made of steel. And last I checked, were short on earth benders that actually posses the ability to bend metal. And they have a lot more numbers than what we fought today. And I'm sure that everybody in the world is all willy nilly for fighting the Fire Nation, but they also look out for themselves. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that air, water, fire and non bender alike helped defend Ba Sing Se today, but this was just a small band of people who were fighting for there lives at the time, not for a cause. I'm sorry if I don't share all the same thoughts and optimism as the rest of all of the group here, but we need a real plan here people. Ideas are great and all, but once your idea has flourished and blossomed, what then?"Rolan said with great passion for what he spoke. Today, he stood taller than he ever has.

 

Kai continued to try and light the fire but little was happening. Barely any smoke was coming off. Addie said that love was an illusion. Kai knew about the illusion of love. His first love was a waterbender who came from the Northern Water Tribe to visit a relative that immigrated to the south. She was perfect in his eyes. When she left, all she said to him was goodbye. Not even any emotion was connected with that simple goodbye. Kai was thirteen at the time. "You're probably right. Love is basically an illusion. I learned that a while ago, but you have to believe something is there." As he said this the fire started. He ripped bushes off their roots and placed them around the two. He also splashed them with water so they would not engulf in flaems. "Just a precaution. Don't want anyone to see the fire or us. Its only a matter of time for them to realise a prisoner is missing." They were also far out enough not to hear who escaped. They would only be able to hear the alarms. Once that happened, they would have to leave. "You rest, Addie. I'll stay awake and be on guard."

 

Roku looked at Rolan and Aria. " Well I'm not completely sure about this but why not i'm in. The fire nation is tough but not invincible. The factories would be the first place to hit, stop them building machines. Then we would have to take out the main fire nations towns and cites stop them sending supplies to the army. Then we would have to take the royal city and finally the palace. It might take a while but it's possible. The sea is blocked by blockades, and they control the sky with war balloons. Are best bet would be traveling on the ground it would take longer but its the safest way. I'm sure we could find volunteers, but the fire nations has spies everywhere."