Avatar The Last Airbender: Water and Fire [ON HOLD]

Chapter 16 - The Earth King

The Earth King

Haru's Perspective

I firmly held Mi Li's hand, as I led the way through the compacted crowd. When we finally made it through to the front, where the bulletin board was located, I carefully pulled Mi Li through. Tyro wasn't far behind, and his huge stature automatically intimidated the crowd, allowing him to manoeuvre through the mob with ease. Aang and the others followed closely behind Tyro, moving in the empty space that his size created.

Our eyes all darted collectively, to the board, reading the most recent message. It was just pasted onto the board today, and it was a large green poster. Tyro read the heading aloud, "Leaders Wanted." The crowd fell eerily silent. He read the first paragraph, "The King is requesting for new leaders. He calls for all talented earth-benders to prepare for a tournament, to be held in two months time. The tournament will be held inside the royal arena. The best contenders will be interviewed by the King himself, and may be awarded a place in his forces."

He paused to think, before continuing, "The most skilled candidates of the tournament could become Generals and Admirals; the highest ranks available. But the King is also searching for one who can take his place, and lead the Earth Kingdom with integrity and honour. If one such individual should come to his attention, then the King may grant him a place in history."

I thought about it - a place in history as an Earth King. What I would do to become the King; I would do anything! This was an opportunity - a chance to change things... from what they were now. I had to enter that tournament. Tyro shook his head in disbelief, "This is madness! The King is going to leave his people to the mercy of some earth-bender, who may be a Gang Lord, for all we know," Tyro said forlornly.

Toph huffed loudly, "If I enter this competition, don't expect any Gang Lords to be King," she stated daringly. Then a thought struck me - Toph had to be one of the greatest earth-benders around. She could help me. "These matters are out of our hands. I'm sure you would win Toph, but I doubt the King will choose you, not that you wouldn't make a good leader," he said monotonously. Toph just crossed her arms in annoyance.

We made our way inside the council building to discuss with the other council members. The members had already assembled to discuss the issue. Everyone sat down, and Tyro began the discussion. "Everyone, I'm sure you've heard of the issue regarding the King and his idea of a tournament. It is a strange scheme for recruiting new leaders, but that decision is out of our hands. The main predicament is that the King seeks a new ruler to replace himself," the room was silent.

Then Aang spoke out, "But as the Avatar, I will go to Ba Sing Se, and meet with the King to discuss his plans. I will be his adviser, and I will have the definitive decision on who leads this nation. You can trust me to find you a true and worthy King," Aang spoke assertively. Most of the council members nodded approvingly, but some remained doubtful and unconvinced.

Tyro nodded to Aang, "Very well, Avatar Aang. We thank you for offering your services on this matter. When will you be ready to leave for Ba Sing Se?" Tyro asked. Aang considered for a moment, "I will leave tomorrow. I need to meet with the Earth King as soon as possible, to prevent any misfortunes that may arise surrounding the tournament," Aang declared. Tyro approved, and adjourned the council meeting.

We returned to our house, to discuss the matter further. I was eager to tell them that I wanted to compete in the tournament, but I knew that I'd have to wait. We seated ourselves in the living room, and Tyro let out a long sigh. "That King - I don't know what's going on inside his mind," he said disappointedly, as he rubbed his temples in circular motions.

Aang spoke, "We've met him before. After he discovered that there was more to life than the palace, he became obsessed with travelling the world. Of course, I found him after the war ended, and he reclaimed the throne. But I suppose he has his own plans," Aang said expressionlessly.

I decided it was my turn to speak. "Father, I want to compete," I stated seriously. He looked me in the eye. His face was an indecipherable façade. "Haru, consider what you are saying. This tournament is not a game. Some earth-benders will kill, to obtain the throne," he spoke gravely.

"I know, but that's why I will need all the help I can get, so that I can prove myself worthy and win that tournament," I refuted logically. Tyro just sighed, "You're only sixteen for heaven's sake! Don't get yourself into this mess. And even if you were to train to your best, you won't be ready in two months. There is no way that you are competing!" Tyro shouted.

I instantly felt belittled. My father wasn't seeing me for my full potential; he wasn't encouraging me to aim for greatness. "But father, you said 'good leadership involves initiative, integrity, risk and sacrifice'. I know I have the potential, just like everyone else here, to become one of greatness. I can be a King - I have you to guide me, and friends who are exceptionally skilled. I want to be a leader; a king," I argued strongly.

But Tyro just shook his head in disbelief, "No! Where is this impulsive inspiration coming from? How is it that all of a sudden, you want to be a king?" he shouted, before pausing to take a breath. At that moment, his expression changed to one of enlightenment, and his gaze turned from me... to Mi Li. "It's Mi Li, isn't it? She's given you crazy ideas; clouded your mind
with illogical fantasies," he spoke exasperatedly, before he scoffed.

I was enraged, "Mi Li has nothing to be blamed for! This is all my idea - I want to be more than what I am now. I want to be worthy of someone like Mi Li. And this is my chance to show it," I stated as calmly as I could. But the fury in my voice was impossible to conceal. Suddenly, Mi Li stood up, "What are you saying Haru? You think you're not worthy of me? Haru, you are worthy; if anything, you are the most worthy person that I know. You don't need to be anything more than what you are now!" she said in a frustrated tone.

But I only felt more aggravated, and I stood up as well. "I don't want to remain as what I am now! I don't want you to see me as your brother - we are more than that, you know it! You're so powerful and unique; I'm just the average earth-bender. I want to be more than that. I'm going to enter this competition whether any of you want me to or not!" I yelled.

Mi Li was mortified, "I'm sorry, Haru. I've encouraged you too far - I knew how you felt, but I hid my true feelings because I was afraid to hurt you. It seems that I have no choice now. Haru, you cannot be more than a brother to me," she whispered as her voice trembled from the strain, and the tears spilled out of her eyes as she dashed past me, running out the door. Suki and Katara raced to follow her.

I stood, flabbergasted. But yesterday... we kissed; she accepted me. No, this couldn't be true! She just said that to discourage me, so that I would listen to my father. But I knew Mi Li; she didn't say anything if there was no need to. She must really want me to stay, knowing that her statement would hurt me so much. But what if she really meant what she said? Mi Li wasn't one for lying. My heart ached at the prospect of it being true.

I slumped back into the couch, humiliated. Tyro and Nina moved to the kitchen, Aang and Sokka stayed in the living room to play cards, while Toph strode out to join the other girls. I was left there, ignored and disgraced. Had I really become delusional, to the point of such stupidity? I rose, and decided to explain to Mi Li that I had changed my mind. As I approached them, Katara and Suki shot me scornful glances, while Toph just sat idly by.

I ignored them, "Mi Li, I'm sorry. I was crazy for a moment. I let my feelings get the better of me, but I've decided that I won't go to the tournament," I spoke weakly. She looked into my eyes, and her delicate state, only made me hate myself more. "Haru, it doesn't make a difference anymore. I've been misleading and false. Our relationship is special, but you can't be more than a brother to me," she said with sorrow, before turning away.

My heart must have collapsed. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, and couldn't feel anything. I clumsily ambled back inside the house. In the living room, I turned to look at Aang. "Aang, I'm going to compete in that tournament. You and Toph can help me. Mi Li may not accept me anymore, but this Kingdom still needs a King, right?" I said in a rancorous tone. Aang didn't know how to respond, so he just stared at me, wide-eyed.

I turned to head upstairs. I'd prepare myself, I'd master earth-bending, and I'd become King. I'd prove my father wrong - I'd prove everyone wrong. Or at least, if I couldn't be King, I'd earn myself a high rank in the nation's forces - it would be good enough. When I've earned myself a worthy position in this society, Mi Li will see me differently, and we will be together. For now, I just had to believe in myself, and hope for a miracle.