Chapter 1: The Avatar Part 1
Sweat began to form on my palms. I wiped them upon my formal green dress. They just slid off. I heard a laugh beside me."Why are you so nervous?" Maruca taunted, sitting down beside me. "Everyone already knows you probably failed." I sighed.
Today was the Day of Acceptance in my village, Cakuho. A year ago to this day, every 15 year old born was to take a test. The Test of Acceptance consisted of 3 parts: Knowledge, Bravery, and Bending. There are 2 versions: 1 for the boys, 1 for the girls. And it's your parent that helps you get ready. Moms help daughters, fathers help sons. But, I was kinda left to my own devices for training since my mom had been dead since I was 10.
The door to the waiting room opened, and our Emperor (though there is only 1 empire) walks in. He first walks up to his daughter, Maruca, and hugs her.
"Good luck," I hear him whisper. He then proceeds to turn to myself and the other person born on this day.
Qor (pronounced Kor like in Korra)is tall and muscular, one of the best Earthbenders in our class. Many girls have crushes on him, possibly including me. Qor never exactly shunned me like everyone else, but he never talked to me very often. Just to give Earthbending tips.
"I hope your initiation ceremonies go well," the Emperor wished us. I was too nervous to reply, so I just nodded. Qor did the same and bowed. I followed his lead and gave a feeble bow, at which Maruca snickered at.
Before he left, I swear I saw the Emperor give me a look of curiosity mixed with sympathy. But he looked away before I could be sure.
After a good twenty minutes of setting up the candles and ties of adulthood, a short woman came in. "We are ready," she said. She motioned with her hand for us to follow.
When we walked into the Initiation Hall, I gasped in surprise. Normally when initiation ceremonies happen, only friends and family showed up. It was kind of a personal thing. But now, it seemed like the entire village had showed.
It's probably because the Emperor's daughter is getting her results, I thought bitterly but then immediately regretted it. I had nothing to be jealous of. She had everything I did. Well, except a mom and the fact she would would be Empress when she became 17 and had a guaranteed marriage at 18.
I felt a tap from Qor, and looked up to find our scores on a banner. Here's what it they were:
Maruca
Knowledge: 1288/1300
Bravery: 400/400
Bending: 55/60
Qor
Knowledge: 1234/1300
Bravery: 396/400
Bending: 60/60
Luna
Knowledge: 1300/1300
Bravery: 395/400
Bending: 50/60
On the inside, I had a little mini celebration. I had done well! I had studied for 5 nights straight trying to remember all those dates and everything. I had actually done pretty well. There were a few things that scared me when they tested, but there's nothing you can really do except keep calm. With bending, I expected to get lower. My rocks were always too small, my stances too small, and my face expressionless. My brother called me the pebble. Too small and dull.
I leaned to look at Maruca's face, and saw she was not happy. And I knew why. How could a girl who was shunned for having no mother, no training, no chance, score higher than her? Maybe, I thought, being independent isn't so bad.
I looked into the audience for my brother and father, and found them in the middle of the 2nd row. I waved and they held up a thumbs up.
Somebody tapped a microphone, and the audience quieted down. I looked at the podium to find the Emperor beginning his speech.
"Today, we welcome 3 new members into our society. Remember, you must have at least a 1200 for Knowledge, a 350 for Bravery, and a 35 for bending in order to pass. And I am happy to say, they all passed brilliantly!" The audience cheered.
"Now," the Emperor continued, "we will present the ties in the order of time. Born at 11:48 am, Maruca will give her speech, and accept her tie. Then Qor, born at 4:57 pm, and last but certainly not least, Luna, born at 9:20 pm. Now, if Maruca will-"
"Stop!" The voice came from the back if the hall. Everyone turned to see 3 men in blue and white robes with a while Lotus Flower in the center. I recognized the symbol immediately.
"The Members of the White Lotus," I muttered under my breath. These men were highly respected by benders, non benders, and The Avatar. On Avatar Korra's deathbed, she'd asked them to be on the lookout for the next Avatar. Nearly 20 years ago. But, if they were here now, that meant they'd found out the identity of the new Avatar.
The audience had begun talking again in angry, fearful tones. Words like 'Avatar' and 'White Lotus' were said a lot. "SILENCE!" The Emperor yelled into the microphone. Everyone quieted down. "Please," he said, waving the Members up into the stage. Once they were all there, he stepped off the podium, and let the tallest of the 3 step up.
"We know the identity of the new Avatar. We believe she is here now." The audience gasped, but didn't start talking. "Of these 3-" he gestured to us "- one will be escorted to a safe house to reveal further instructions. But please, everybody rise. Let us bow in the Presence of The Avatar. All hail-" in the short little pause he gave, Maruca got up and began to step forward "- Avatar Luna."
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Avatar: The Earthbending Revolution
Fanfiction(Strays from what's cannon) Avatar Korra has been dead for almost 20 years, and people are starting to doubt there will be another avatar. Ever since Raava was ripped out of her, and her connection with the past avatars was lost, Korra always had a...
