THE EARTHBENDER

The Earthbender Chapter 1

THE EARTHBENDER

Sixty seven years have passed since Avatar Korra and Asami Sato walked hand in hand into the spirit world. The nations have lived in great harmony since the battle for their fate was won. Through great sacrifice and strife, the great Avatar Korra ushered in a time of peace unlike any seen for a long time. Many enjoy that peace. Ordinary citizens, benders and non-benders alike coexist, going about their lives, only having to deal with simple struggles. Korra had achieved what no bender had done before, bringing total balance to both worlds. She even brought back the air benders. Yes she had been one of the greatest Avatars of all time, a true bridge between the human world and the spirit world, just the way the first avatar had wanted it to be. But, even her time could not last forever.

Shu was very content with life. He was right in the middle of his favourite activity, fishing in his little boat. He sat with his rod hanging over and the line dangling into the water. Shu was moving up in the years. His forehead was creased and his brows were short. Most of his hair had receded and he had developed a slight belly. Still, life was good. It was quite, so serene. He looked around at the mountains that surrounded the little lake. They were rocky but had beautiful pink trees growing at the bottom. The grass around the lake was so soft, he had taken many a nap on it. Shu let out a long sigh, to him, there was nothing better than this. He felt a slight tug on the end of his fishing pole. He smiled, he had got one. He slowly but effortlessly began to reel it in. The line had been let out quite a bit, but he had the patience. Just as he had about got it he heard a rumbling behind him. The mountains were trembling and two figures slide down them on surfboards made up of rock.

"Woohooo!" both the figures yelled out, they were merely silhouettes because of the sun but they were quickly approaching the lake, leaving a trail of an avalanche behind them.

Shu sighed in discontent. He was right in their path and he knew just what would happen next.

The two figures on their boards suddenly jumped into the air and flew over the lake. The last thing Shu saw was the shadow of a board hang over him before the big splash. They landed in the water right in front of him. The jet of water toppled his boat, dumping him head first into the water. He was blinded by a rush of bubbles as he scrambled to get back to the surface. He broke the surface, boiling the water with his anger. The two figures had also emerged, two young men in their late teens. They roared with laughter and splashed water at each other playfully, taking no notice of poor Shu.

"You miscreants! How dare you disturb my peace," he yelled at them.

They stopped their playing and stared at him silently. Shu's face was red.

"So sorry mister. We didn't see you there," said one of them. He had long hair which was bunched up and stylishly bundled with a chopstick at the back.

Shu took a deep breath. "I've been putting up with your nonsense for far too long. Darn kids! I'll teach you!" using his legs to keep himself afloat, he reached for his fishing pole which had resurfaced. He began to swing it at them violently, grunting and yelling as he did.

"Let's go while we still can," said the other young man, smiling at the old man's efforts.

"My thoughts exactly," said the first. And having a good laugh, they turned and began to rapidly swim away, leaving Shu behind to angrily splash in the water while cursing them.

The two swam all the way across to the other side of the lake, where, panting they pulled themselves onto the shore.

"I almost had you," said the one with long hair, beaming confidently.