A V A T A R x P O K E M O N
SCROLL ONE: Spring | BA SING SE, SHUHAAN HOUSE GARDENSWith every passing day the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se began to fill with more and more warmth as the stranglehold of winter slowly released it's grasp on the renown city. This change in seasons was enough of a signal for the gardens of the Shuhaan Household to bloom with a rainbow of colours. Walking through these gardens were two older men, both dressed in the finest of clothing and enjoying the fresh aromas. One of these men stopped in his path, cutting off the words spoken by his friend, and leaned down to touch a weed that had made it's way into the pebble path they were walking along.
"Every new season is a time of change, a time of growth, a time to be reborn and yet there are some things that do not belong within this delicate cycle," he opened with words that clearly indicated there was a point he was eventually going to make, "This weed is a perfect example. Although it is a plant it should not exist in this beautiful garden. It has no place, it has no purpose, and if left alone it will eventually grow and spoil this garden's delicate beauty."
With a quiet tone of curiosity the other gentlemen opened his mouth to address the topic at hand, "My King, you are talking about the Avatar aren't you?"
"Sadly, Yes," King Shuhaan placed his hands around the weed and carefully plucked it from the earth, freeing the garden of it's future poison. "Avatar Kyoshi's health has been failing her ever since she returned home from the Fire Nation. Her journey there was to discuss the future of the next Avatar for when she eventually departs from this earth. It is a necessary process that each generation must take at some point in order to preserve their important legacy. Since her return however she has been feeling weak and has not been able to enter the Avatar state. The Waterbender healers are telling me that there is some kind of toxin circulating through her body and they are having difficulty removing it."
"What!? Are you informing me that the Fire Nation would perform such a vile act, an act that would risk the very balance?" Senator Reh was baffled at what he had just heard and the shocking conclusion that he arrived at. He knew the Avatar was previously on an important journey but the possible idea that a fellow nation would be willing to poison her was too much to comprehend. The King turned his head up towards his companion, giving him a moment to process the details.
With stern words the King addressed the Senator official, "The thought has crossed my mind, but we will speak of this matter no more. We do not want to start a war over an incident we do not fully understand. Until I address the leaders of the other nations personally to inform the gravity of the situation I will not raise unneeded concern."
Reh lips pursed together, resisting the urge to say anything more and obeying his highness' decision. With a sombre look he nodded, knowing that this was a secret entrusted to him alone. He knew that if the other nations were to find out the gravity of the sickness before the time was right, it could cause some serious tension between their already fragile relations.
"Onto lighter matters," the King was quick to change the topic, knowing that a distraction would be comforting for the disheartened man, "I would like you to deliver a message by Dugtrio to the three other nations. Inform them that the Equinox festival is coming up soon and, as per every decade, any citizen is welcome to attend. I believe it will be held at Nogii Island this year."
Senator Reh was familiar with Nogii Island, a location south of the Northern Air Temple and located on the edge of a large Lake. It was a land mass that was highly visited by many travellers due to it's centralised location, making it an optimal spot for this year's festivals. "And what if they ask about Avatar Kyoshi?"
"Tell them that she will be well enough to make an appearance."
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S U U
NOGII ISLAND, A SMALL TOWN TAVERNThe harsh sounds of dishes landing on the hard floor and unspeakable curse words were heard as Suu suddenly tripped, dropping a customer's meal everywhere. She fell, hitting the dirt before quickly glancing back to see a small raise in the ground flatten itself off. The teenagers sitting in the alcove next to where she laid laughed at her unfortunate misfortune, egging each other on with compliments of their own achievements. With a burst of energy she placed her hands on the ground and pushed her body up in order to address the delinquents.
"What the hell was that for?" Suu blurted out in anger, pounding her hands on the edge of the table.
"Huh?" One of them replied, attempting to sound as if he had the intelligence of a Slowpoke, "Are you trying to start something?"
"Like hell I am! One of you—" Before she could even finish off her sentence a Scraggy grabbed the edge of the table, throwing it's body up from the bench space next to one of the teenagers and slammed it's feet onto the wooden surface. It stomped it's way over to meet up with Suu, casually hitching its "pants" up in the process and kicking the various dishes out of the way. It now stood mere inches away from Suu and waited, waited for Suu to accidentally make eye contact so it would have a reason to beat the living snot out of her.
As furious as Suu was she made every effort she could to not peer into the eyes of the Pokemon, instead turning away and walking over to the counter where the owner of the tavern was residing. He had no words for her, afraid to speak anything in case an all out brawl started in his pub. "I'm done!" she voiced to his general direction as she laid her hands on a dish, scooping up her tips. She had had enough and only needed a short time job to earn some coinage for a few meals.
Suu walked to the front entrance just as a plate was thrown in her general direction and shattered up against the door post. The act caught her off guard as she froze there for a moment wondering if she should look back to see who it was that threw it; a pointless exercise as she could hear the Scraggy huffing away, taunting her to look in their general direction. It's not worth the trouble, she thought to herself as she stepped outside into the sunlight and made a short, song like whistle.
The gentle flapping of wings was heard as two sets of talons landed on her shoulder, repeating the same cheerful song back to her. Nixxie hopped around all over Suu, clearly happy to see her owner return from the dreary job and wondering where they were off to next. That was something Suu hadn't completely thought of yet but she knew she wanted to stay for the festival that was coming up. The thought filled her head of how she would see some amazing displays of bending, the unique and rare Pokemon that people owned, and even a possible chance to have a glimpse at Avatar Kyoshi.