[IC] Avatar: Fight For Hope

[Undying Curiosity]

Avatar: Fight for Hope

As of late, the world has been thrown into chaos at the arrival of an extremist group. This deadly group of people travel around the world behind the scenes, going to every nation and capturing their leaders. As much as their reasons behind the things they do, this group is a mysterious organization bent on throwing the world out of balance. Nations across the world try to ignore the impending threat of loosing their world leader, the only measure they take on preventing such a thing is hiding their leaders in a disclosed location. But what else can they do? How can you fight an enemy you can't see? When will the terror that emanates from such a terrifying organization cease? The late Avatar Korra had once tried to put an end to their reign, but her efforts were in vain. She passed away during an attack on the extremists, only for them to spring up again months later. with the Avatar gone the world is defenseless against such a group, and the only people who can stop them is the people. The armies of the nations wont make a move unless they have complete certainty that their efforts will pay off. So here we are, in a world of terror and fear. A world alone without the avatar to bring balance, a world in which the people must rise up and become part of something bigger than themselves. Something that will restore the world to it's former state of peace. The people of the world must come together and act as a countermeasure for these extremists. Banded together on this day start a journey that may save this world.

Today is the start of a group of people that have decided to take matters into their own hands. This group of people will travel the world in search of others who share their dream of peace, in search of others who are willing to put their life on the line in order to take down the Extremists. So far, there hasn't been much progress, but in time that will change.

~ ~ ~ ~

-Suoh-
-Republic City-

Beams of light shine through the window of a small apartment in the downtown area of republic city. In this apartment there lies a bundle of blankets that shield a young man from the morning light. The light reflecting off every shiny surface the room holds, making the room brighter and harder for the young man to continue to sleep. From underneath the bundle of blankets a shell of a person rises to a sitting position, the light of the morning exposing every inch of the mans tired face. The young man's name is Suoh, a water bender who is temporarily renting an apartment in republic city. Suoh wasn't that fond of the apartment, in fact, he wasn't that fond of settling down anywhere, but in times like these people need to make sacrifices, regardless of their feeling towards them. Such a sacrifice was made when Suoh and his parents got word of the Extremists resurfacing from their 6 month absence. Suoh stood up, his bones aching with every movement, and walked over to the small window that let in all the light. He stood their starring out the window as he reminisced 6 months ago, trying to remember what he was doing and where he was when he found out about Avatar Korra's death. His memory didn't serve him that well in the morning, ultimately giving up on trying to remember.

Suoh let out a deep sigh when he looked out the window, he knew he'd eventually have to get on with the day. He couldn't just sit at home the entire time, he needed to do something. "Maybe I'll train today... My water bending skills have been slacking lately..." Suoh said to himself. He started to move around the apartment, putting on his clothes for the day, eating a small breakfast he whipped up, and eventually making his way outside onto the streets. Republic city was bustling today, for reasons that escaped Suoh. He looked at the heavy foot traffic that was going on, he figured it was just going to be one of those days. Republic city has always been one of Suoh's least favorite areas, there was just too many people here. With the looming threat of the Extremists, not only were the people here always on the go, but there was this eerie feeling that was shadowing the city. Suoh let out another deep sigh and started on with his day. He decided he would train today, but he would need to fully wake up first. To do that, however, he needs to eat. He had already had something to eat but it just wasn't satisfying, he needed a real meal, a meal you could only get at a restaurant.

[Cubix]

With slender and skilled fingers strumming upon the sturdy strings, a deep and slow hymn sounded from the wooden zither in the hands of a young air nomad whose eyes closed in pure focus. His head swayed a little to the staccato before he ascended the crescendo and finale, earning a jolly hum of appreciation from the teahouse's patrons. The Red Bean stood near the intersection of a busy road in Republic City, and amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the middle-class families often come to enjoy a pot of tea and fried rice at a cheap price. Of course, they offered more than these two, but within the menu, these were the cheapest. The teahouse was not at all big: it was just a one-story building, roughly the size of three cars with open windows and a wide double-door that is always left open.

"Chen!" a voice called out from the kitchen, prompting the air nomad to turn his head in its direction. "Come here for a second, dear!"

Kunchen smiled before putting away his zither, hoisting it on his shoulder before he sauntered off towards the kitchen. Lian Zhi, an elderly woman whose greying hair dangled in front of her face, greeted the lad with a warm hug. "What do you need, grandmother?" Kunchen tilted his head in inquiry, addressing this stranger-and-a-day as if they were family.

"Ah, well, I really appreciate your music," Lian Zhi praised the young monk. "A lot of customers were drawn here because of it. But..." she paused, unsure on how to say her request. At the sudden lapse, Kunchen bowed a bit to the old woman as if urging her to tell him. "Well, we lack kitchen staff, you see. With this number of patrons, we lack power in the kitchen."

The monk placed a gentle hand on the woman's left shoulder as he assured her of his assistance. "I decided to help your place today, grandmother. Command, and I obey." Kunchen grinned before trotting off to the kitchen where he washed his hands before going over to the staff, asking a few details on where the ingredients are and what are the popular dishes. A few minutes passed before the monk got a hold of the protocols as he dashed off to one of the stoves, placing a pan over it before heating a cup of olive oil. "Tuna Pasta for four?" Kunchen mumbled before taking a look at the boiling water inside a large pot. "Well, let's finish this."

With the pasta softened after ten minutes, Kunchen sautéed garlic, tuna, and some liquid seasonings, creating a sauce which he poured over the pasta, coating and mixing it after. Finally, the pasta was done. Kunchen hopped to the counter, ringing the bell which signaled for the waiter to serve the dishes. However, when he saw Lian Zhi taking the plates before hobbling towards the customers, Kunchen immediately took over the task of serving the food. It's always been like this for the past month. Kunchen randomly selects an establishment and helps out wherever he can, and takes food and some other supplies as payment, never money (unless the owner shoves it up his face).

As he finished the first batch of orders, Kunchen stood at the door of the establishment, letting out a deep sigh which broke his weary smile for a brief second. Crimson and cerulean eyes gazed onward at the busy street, but it wasn't to the extravagant cars and luxurious robes that people possessed that Kunchen paused. No, it was the sight of a child being held together by dad and mom that Kunchen became thoroughly enthralled with memories of a family he never had. And, yet, here he was, searching for them, or whatever remained of them. "All life is sacred," he mumbled the famous air nomad mantra before leaning on the doorway and continuing to serenade the customers with a melody stemming from a heart that was never loved like a child should have been.

[Acromantula]

It was cold. It was almost painfully cold, this early in the morning as Akela-Vis stood knee-deep in the river passing through the forest, letting the water current pass around her almost fully clad legs. Standing there with the occasional slimy brush of a fish or water vegetation against her bare feet, Akela-Vis stared up at the trees. Sunlight cut in through them and bounced along the leaves, down onto her face, warming her just slightly while she waited for her partner to appear. She wasn't at all disappointed when after she'd washed her face, she heard familiar chirping close-by. Lifting her head she found the monkey sitting a few feet away from her on a slab of pale grey stone, hands clasped around something that looked like bread. Probably stolen from her very own kitchen too, Avi thought as she waded out of the river, water briefly touching the middle of her thighs before subsiding when she got out of the opposite side of the river. Oru hopped onto the girl's hip and clambered his way to the shoulder, perching there as he finished the rest of his meal. For Akela-Vis however, the hunt was only beginning.

An hour later she sat, warm and dry, in a nest of branches, bathed in sunlight and biting into fruit, watching birds flit about. Her father and mother probably had gone off to the market by now because while they kept her here, they did still work themselves. The path back to their home was dangerous and winding but they knew it well and it allowed Akela-Vis and her family to live there safely without being found out about. Even so, the girl was growing increasingly curious and wanted to see the outside world for herself. Exploring the vast forest and developing her bending, learning about plants and animals and medicine was fun, but it lost some of its spark. Akela-Vis wanted to meet people and talk to them. Telling her parents things didn't have much to it anymore. They seemed preoccupied with getting things for Akela-Vis to read. Buying her books and materials that would help her mind grow. They weren't interested in the newest type of flower she'd discovered while on one of her journeys.

"Where are you going?" Roseen looked tired and afraid as she watched her only daughter pack a bag of essentials. Jorman stood with his arms crossed over his chest, half-glaring at the girl when she slipped a jade amulet around her neck that the man had given her when she was born. "I am leaving to go see the outside world, Mother. I wish to learn about people. I am tired of living here. While I love you both, I cannot stay here forever. Please understand," Akela-Vis said, her tone soft but not overly so, demonstrating that she was serious about leaving and nothing would get in her way. Not even her parents. Jorman's brows furrowed tightly before he exhaled heavily, his wife looping her fingers around his bicep. "Fine then. Go. But know that we will be awaiting your return, little one." Roseen wiped her eyes. " Oh I knew this day would come. I just knew it. Please be careful, Avi. Please," she said with tears in her eyes. Akela-Vis on the other hand, didn't so much as get a watery eye. A slight tightening in the chest, perhaps. "I will not disappoint you," she said, squaring her shoulders and letting Oru make himself comfortable on her shoulder. With that, a hug or two and a blessing, Avi was off to the city.

So many people. Avi had never seen this many people. Often, she'd run her fingers over pictures of them in her books but this was so different. Here all she could do was stare, blatantly ignoring the stares she was getting. She probably looked incredibly strange, with the way she was dressed. Her pale hair contrasted with her tanned skin and light eyes, pale beige trousers cut off by bandage-like tape that wrapped her calves. The girl wore an equally beige shirt, the tape-like fabric wrapped around her forearms. Aside from where they were wrapped, the clothes were very light and billowed out slightly when a breeze passed. Like this, Akela-Vis wandered the streets, without a clear idea of where she was going. For now, she'd just absorb knowledge and sites. Strange but not unpleasant smells, animated chatter and things she'd never seen before all threatened to overwhelm her but she kept herself stable. She was surprised when a creature on four legs and with pointed ears popped out in front of her. It mewled and Akela-Vis found intriguing, following it into a dark alley. Further and further she followed it, not aware of any possible dangers. It was only when she heard snickers and felt something hard clip her shoulder that she looked up. The creature was gone but there were four men staring down at her. "Whatcha doin' 'ere girly?" Akela-Vis straigtened herself and looked up at them without batting an eye. Why did they care about what she was doing? "Why do you care? It is not any of your business regardless. I do not know you," she said evenly. The man's expression darkened. "This 'ne's got a smart mouth on 'eh, eh? You know who we are, girly?" Akela-Vis paused momentarily to think, looking over the men. "Four not very attractive nor masculine men wasting their time talking to me. Do you not have something else to do? Surely there must be," Akela-Vis said, moving forward into a slightly open space, the men moving a step or two back while the one's anger spiked. He grabbed the collar of her shirt and yanked her up until she felt the tips of her toes just barely touch the ground. "I'm gon' beat ya to a bloody pulp and no 'ne gon' save ya," he grinned smugly, reeling his meaty fist back to strike her. He didn't have time to however before Avi's hands twisted, hardened earth pulling from the ground before her and slamming into the man's stomach with crushing force. Gasping, he dropped the girl, watching in rage as she dusted herself off and got into a fighter's stance. "What're ya waitin' fo'?! Get 'er!" He screamed as soon as he found his voice. Avi stood and Avi fought.

Looking down at bloodied and bruised men, she dusted herself off again, gently stroking a fingertip along the monkey's head. The creature chirped and nibbled the rough flesh, curiously looking down at the remains of the battle. They were conscious but in no shape to fight. Akela-Vis avoided pulling any particularly hard punches or aiming for pressure points. "Goodbye," she said before stepping over them and moving on.