Chapter Text
Caishi was a small village many would overlook. It wasn’t featured on maps, and it didn’t hold any special significance. The only thing it had to offer were the stones in the quarries, which were useful for trade and building. The village’s strongest earthbenders would head out to the mountains at dawn and return for dinner, loaded with new boulders from the day’s excavation. The remaining villagers would focus on smaller tasks, centered on helping the community thrive. They watched the young ones play, cleaned the streets, and hunted the fox antelope that lived in the nearby forest. With an unchanging population of thirty two, the villagers had a strong sense of togetherness, an attitude that remained unflinching despite the perilous times.
With this togetherness also came an overwhelming protectiveness, which is what caused the young non benders of the tribe to point spears in the face of the newcomer. This stranger was very odd. He was young in appearance, no older than sixteen, but he was also exceptionally tall. He had pale skin and brown hair that seemed a few shades too light to be natural. Most peculiar, though, were his eyes. They were large and wide like dinner plates, with blown out irises. There was also the unfamiliar outfit, so unusual the villagers couldn’t even describe it. If they had to gamble, it was a coat of sorts, paired with pants in a similar sandy color, but they had never seen a design like this. This boy hadn’t done anything wrong, per say, except wandering in from the edge of the forest. Naturally, the villagers were alarmed and reacted defensively.
“Speak, newcomer,” barked Da Dan, the frontrunner of the confrontation. “What brings you here?”
The stranger blinked a few times, as if he was having trouble processing the words. His eyes shifted around, nervous. “Kosei,” he said after a minute of silence.
“What?”
“My name is Kosei Tsuburaba,” the stranger repeated, voice raised in startlement. “My companions and I got lost, and I was sent to find a town or people.”
This statement caused Da Dan to lower his weapon ever so slightly. He looked up at Kosei, still suspicious but less hostile. “Is that so?”
Kosei nodded, wringing his hands. “Then where is your destination?” Kosei jumped slightly at this inquiry, looking around again. He stuttered, mumbling softly. “Speak up!”
“I don’t know,” Kosei whimpered, and Da Dan regretted his harsh tone. The stranger now seemed to be close to tears and was clearly panicking. “We’ve been lost for a while now, and-” He broke off. “Please, just let us stay for a bit. We can work and help out. Please.”
Da Dan relinquished his authority, glancing behind him for feedback. He made eye contact with Cong Sheng, the oldest woman in the village. As one of the de facto leaders, she was seen as a pillar for the village. “Allow us some time to discuss, Kosei,” she croaked out after a minute of pondering. “Adults, gather in the main hut. De He, watch over this young man and the children.” A woman in her early thirties stepped forward, nodding in agreement with her assignment. The rest of the adults broke off, heading back into the village.
“Forgive me for being a watchdog,” De He said bluntly, reaching down and scooping up a toddler. “Our village runs on a council based system, with all adults serving as spokespeople. During meetings, one adult is required to attend to the children.”
Kosei nodded absentmindedly. He settled down on the ground, as if trying to look unthreatening. “Got it.”
One of the six year olds, Shi Lu, waddled over to Kosei in curiosity. De He’s natural protectiveness flared up, and she tried to reach out to stop his approach. However, to her shock, Kosei gave the child a cheeky smile, waving.
“Your eyes are big!” Shi Lu exclaimed, grinning.
“That they are,” Kosei agreed, grinning back.
“I like them!” Shi Lu decided. “I wish my eyes were as pretty as yours.”
“Hmm,” Kosei hummed thoughtfully. “I think you’re eyes are even prettier.” Shi Lu’s face lit up. “Yeah, mine are just brown and boring. But you have bright green eyes.”
De He settled down in the dirt next to them, entranced by the conversation. “Do you know what an emerald is?” Kosei asked. Shi Lu shook his head.
“It’s a gemstone - a very pretty, shiny rock - and it’s green. Just like your eyes.”
“Ayi, he said my eyes look like shiny rocks!” Shi Lu turned to “Auntie De He,” bouncing with joy.
“You seem to be skilled at dealing with children,” De He noted, looking at Kosei with intrigue.
“I have a little brother back home,” the boy smiled with nostalgia on his lips. “We’re pretty close.”
“Where are you from?” Shi Lu asked, eager to hear more. Some of the other children formed a circle around them, giddy.
“It’s a place known as Kagawa,” Kosei replied, beaming. “I don’t think you guys have ever heard of it.” The children pouted, not liking that they weren’t informed. Kosei seemed to notice this, and feigned deep thought. “How about this? Tell me something you know. I bet you all know plenty.”
“He really is good at dealing with kids,” De He pondered to herself. “It wasn’t a fluke. Children like being told they’re smart. If he could fake shock well enough, it would make them pretty happy.”
“Oh, I know,” a ten year old by the name of Ci Chuan jumped up, bouncing excitedly. “We live in Caishi village, which is part of the Earth Kingdom.”
Kosei nodded along. “The Earth Kingdom, you say? Are there other kingdoms?”
“Yeah,” Shi Lu jumped in. “But they aren’t called kingdoms.”
Ci Chuan stepped forward, unhappy that she was interrupted. “There’s the Water Tribe, the Air Nomads, and the evil Fire Nation.”
De He expected Kosei to give a false gasp of shock at the use of the word “evil” in order to make the game more dramatic, but she didn’t understand the look of genuine confusion on his face. “Evil?” He asked, voice low and less animated than before.
“Yeah,” Shi Lu, with a look of exaggerated disgust, pouted. “They are mean and hurt people.”
“A hundred years ago, they completely wiped out the Air Nomads,” a sulky twelve year old said from the back.
“He Ping!” De He scolded. “We don’t speak like that in front of children. Besides, we must have faith in the Avatar.”
“The Avatar? What’s that?” Kosei asked, his voice once again exaggerated, as if trying to detract from the glum mood.
“The Avatar is someone who can control all four elements,” Shi Lu was quickly wrapped back in, standing up and taking up a feeble fighting stance. “Like this!” With the use of amateur earthbending, Shi Lu forced a nearby pebble to tremor. “But also with water, wind, and fire!”
“Awesome!” Kosei exclaimed. “And everyone else can control one of the elements?”
“Pretty much,” Ci Chuan nodded. “But there are some with no powers. They’re called non benders. Like me.” Kosei nodded again, thoughtful. “But the Avatar can use all four. And it’s his job to protect the peace. I bet he’ll kick Fire Nation butt soon!”
“That’s the spirit!” Kosei cheered.
“Are you a bender?” Shi Lu asked, desperate to get some attention back.
Kosei froze at this. De He narrowed her eyes. This wasn’t a false move, like his others. It was similar to his reaction to the slandering of the Fire Nation. He was unsure of how to act.
“Well, I’ll let you in on a secret,” he said finally. He leaned in closer, while taking in a deep breath through his mouth. The children gathered closer still, eagerly waiting. Kosei formed a small “o” with his lips, and blew out a low whistle. A wisp of air came out, taking the form of a sphere. When Kosei closed his mouth, the orb dropped into his open palms. It was transparent and shiny.
“You’re an airbender,” De He breathed out in shock, unwilling to believe her eyes.
“Yeah, I guess it’s not very common now,” Kosei rubbed the back of his neck.
“Not very common?” He Ping broke from his stoic persona. “Try ‘extinct.’ There’s a reason we call the Avatar ‘the Last Airbender.’”
Once again, Kosei seemed to be at a genuine loss for words, his disposition now reflecting his presence with the adults. He was spared further questions by the arrival of Cong Shen and the other adults. The children ran back to their parents as Cong Shen turned to face the intruder. “Kosei, we have deemed your case acceptable, and are willing to give you and your companions a place to stay. In return, you will help us around the village. As long as you are of use, you may stay.”
Pleased, Kosei got to his feet and bowed. “In that case, may I go get my friends? They’re just within the forest.”
The adults looked at each other once more, then to Cong Shen for a final word. “Make it quick,” she complied. With the affirmation, Kosei rushed off.
“Wouldn’t it be better to send someone after him?” Da Dan inquired, shifting on his feet. “De He, what was he like with just the two of you and the kids?”
“He was nice enough,” De He muttered softly. “But I can’t deny that he is peculiar. He seems to have gaps in history, such as the Air Nomads being wiped out and the crimes of the Fire Nation.”
“Amnesia?” Da Dan asked, voice laced with skepticism.
“Maybe,” De He responded. “But that’s not even the strangest. He is an airbender. I saw it myself.” Da Dan and Cong Shen exchanged glances.
“Until he or his comrades prove themselves to be malevolent, we will regard them with open courtesy,” Cong Shen decided. “However, if they decide to engage in force, our earthbenders will subdue them and deliver them to the army.” An array of assertive nods resonated in the council.
Kosei came stumbling out of the woods after five minutes. He was alone. “I just wanted to give a warning really quick,” he prefaced, putting his hands up defensively. “We might all look a bit strange to you.” As if for emphasis, he pointed to his eyes. “Just stuff like that, eyes, hair, clothes. But, please, we’re not going to hurt you.”
“We understand,” Cong Shen nodded. Kosei’s features lit up with a brief smile. He turned around, beckoning to the trees.
The most bizarre group of teens the village ever laid eyes on appeared. The tallest member of the group was a boy with two toned hair, split down the middle of his face. His most prominent feature was a burn mark over his left eye. The only female of the group was also the shortest. She didn’t have hair, but rather vines sprouting from her head. There were two boys with hair colored like straw, unlike anything witnessed before. The taller one had red eyes and a mean look to his face, while the shorter one also bore a dark streak in his locks. A boy with red hair that seemed to stand on its own. A gray haired boy with eyelashes that protruded from his face like the wings of a moth. And, lastly, a boy with hair the color of bone, who bore a cloth around his mouth, carrying an odd helmet under his arm. This oddity didn’t even take into account their entourage of outfits.
After a brief and awkward silence, the tallest boy stepped forward, looking bored and tired. “We should get the formalities out of the way. I’m Shoto Todoroki. Thank you for having us.”
“My name is Ibara Shiozaki. Your hospitality is a grace.”
“...”
“You gonna introduce yourself?”
“...”
“Fine. The grump’s Katsuki Bakugo. I’m Denki Kaminari.”
“I’m Ejiro Kirishima. Nice to meet ya!”
“I’m Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! But you could probably just call me Tetsu.”
“Juzo. Juzo Honenuki.”
“It is a pleasure to have you,” Cong Shen gave a slight bow. “Welcome to Caishi.”
With that, the protective Caishi village accepted eight more into its arms, extending to them the same care and protection it did to everyone.