1Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or any characters, except I'm really only using one of the series' canon characters in this fic, so the disclaimer feels kinda unnecessary.
A/N: Rated T for violence and some suggestive dialogue.
The Knights of the Avatar
Chapter 1: The Air Knight
Ten years after The Hundred Years War began
The Fire Nation Capital City
Ken
The sunset painted the sky red as Ken shot flame after flame at imaginary opponents. He had to keep practicing. He had to prove them wrong.
Ken was firebending in the backyard of his father's house. Since he used the backyard for practice, it made him more frustrated than that quaint little yard ought to. It was a perfectly fine backyard. It had a stone patio where Ken had practiced all his life and the walls were high and decked in ivy so no one could watch Ken embarrass himself when he screwed up.
Aesthetically appealing backyard aside, Ken felt like he was about to cry. He wasn't choking back tears or anything like that, but his throat was so tight, Ken was afraid he might let out a sob. He cleared his throat and sniffled a bit before punching the air again to let out a burst of flame. He narrowed his eyes, shielding them from the heat spewing from his hands. Keep practicing, he told himself.
Come on, Ken, he thought to himself. You're a mediocre bender at best. The words were harsh but Ken always believed in honesty, especially with himself. He glanced once more at the paper he'd thrown on the ground. It detailed his evaluation for the Navy and it was stamped with a bright red 拒絕- Rejected.
He had been acceptable by the Navy's standard. His firebending wasn't on point, but he'd passed the aptitude test with no problem. But his skill was really the only thing he could improve.
Ken's father, Mr. Zhou, was a nobleman of the Fire Nation. He was also the nephew to Avatar Roku. Ken had never met his famous great-uncle, who had died a decade or so before Ken was born. However, Zhou shared Roku's political views. Zhou believed the war was wrong and the Fire Lord had no authority to spread his reign across foreign borders. Mr. Zhou was soft-spoken in his views, but he would defend them at the occasional dinner party.
To be fair to himself, Ken believed those things too, but he also believed that his Nation was a great one and he wanted to serve it.
The official reason for Ken's rejection was "seems unfit for combat", but he was sure that his father's reputation as a "sympathizer" had preceded him.
Ken took a deep breath and let it out. It was so hot he could feel a tender burn on his lips, but there was no flame. He lashed out in disappointment and flames streamed from his arm.
Then, only for a second, the flames illuminated a figure perched atop the wall like a cat-squirrel. Ken hadn't noticed it as the sun set.
"Who's there?" he called, illuminating the backyard with his hand.
The figure dropped from the wall like a leaf, lightly, impossibly lightly, touching down. He was dressed in yellow and orange robes, had a shaved head and carried a wooden staff.
An airbender! Ken realized, and the flame in his outstretched hand dissipated. Weren't they... extinct?
"My name is Sir Piao," said the airbender, approaching.
Ken bowed respectfully. "I'm Ken," he said.
"I know," said Sir Piao, also bowing and smiling with confidence. "I've been watching you all day. Including at the recruiting station." His cold gray eyes gleamed and Ken tried to identify that expression. "It's a real shame."
It occurred to Ken that this stranger might not be entirely friendly. The other nations- especially Air- had every reason to resent Fire Nation citizens, after all. "I don't want trouble," Ken said, standing his ground. "I only wanted to serve my country and my Fire Lord."
Sir Piao nodded. "I understand that. But I am calling you to serve someone even higher. Avatar Aang."
Ken instinctively glanced at a leather wristband on his left wrist. It was passed down to him by his father. He had received it from Avatar Roku.
"I don't understand," Ken said. "I thought the Avatar was dead."
Sir Piao chuckled. "The Fire Lord would love for you to think that, and it's easy enough to believe- Avatar Aang's not fighting in the war." He cleared his throat. "What do you know of the Knights of the Avatar?"
Ken shrugged. "Never heard of them."
"You wouldn't," said Sir Piao. "Allow me to explain. Despite what you learned in school, the Air Nation had no formal military. The Air Nomads practiced non-violence and pacifism. It was the only way for an Air Nomad to reach enlightenment. So when an Avatar comes from the Air Nation, warriors from each of the four nations are knighted and recruited to fight his battles for him. To protect the Avatar's spiritual well-being."
Ken's eyes grew wide. "What exactly are you offering?"
"A knighthood," said Sir Piao. "Avatar Aang is seeking enlightenment, secluded, in hiding from the Fire Nation. And he's tasked me with assembling the Knights." He smiled in spite of himself. "We need a Fire Knight. You need to answer the call to serve. What do you say?"
Now Ken understood that expression he'd had trouble identifying earlier- seizing an opportunity. In the end it was an easy decision. The Fire Lord was abusing his power, but Ken felt honor-bound to serve. And he was given a chance to serve the Avatar! Sir Piao offered his hand and Ken shook it.
"Welcome Sir Ken, Fire Knight of the Avatar."
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Avatar Yangchen
Three centuries earlier
Pegei the flying bison dipped down below the cliff face and the Western Air Temple came into view. The temple, carved into a canyon by Air Spirits, was completely invisible from above, but just below ground level, intricate statues of enlightened airbending nuns lined the facade of the temple, facing the gorge below. Above the gorge was wide open sky, perfect for the airbenders who resided in the temple.
I'm home, thought Avatar Yangchen. For so long, she'd travelled from nation to nation training in the bending arts. Now, after five long years, the Western Air Temple welcomed her back.
From the saddle, Yangchen could see a gathering of people standing out in the open welcoming her home. She waved excitedly.
"Avatar Yangchen, please remain in your seat!" scolded Sister Ling.
The old nun meant well, but Yangchen was sick of how overbearing she could be. She'd known the old woman her whole life and endured her presence throughout all of her training. Sister Ling was more than her airbending master, she was Yangchen's guardian. But even the respect for her old master couldn't keep Yangchen from leaning dangerously over the saddle in search of her friends.
Then, she saw them, two tall figures holding hands. "Gao! Baojia!"
The two monks raised their unoccupied hands in greeting.
Too eager to wait any longer, Yangchen jumped from the saddle and soared over to solid ground. She ran into the two men's arms and they both smothered her in a group hug.
"Gao, you got your tattoos!" she said, rubbing the taller boy's bald head.
"And you haven't, Miss Avatar!" said Gao. "Aren't you a master yet?"
Yangchen shrugged. "Being the Avatar sort of got in the way."
"We'll get you inked up soon enough," said Baojia.
Yangchen laughed. "Yeah, I'll make that my top priority. And, oh my god, I can't believe I missed the wedding!"
Yangchen was in earthbending training when the two monks got married. She'd begged and pleaded her master to let her take a few weeks to fly home and see them married, but he'd refused.
Gao and Baojia were already holding hands again. "It was a great night," said Gao. "We just couldn't help laughing at your letter. We just pictured you carrying a giant boulder on those scrawny little shoulders of yours. And something similar happened that night, as I recall."
"Twice." Baojia winked.
"Avatar Yangchen!" came the sharp, shrill call of Sister Ling. "Come here at once, child. I have some very important visitors."
Yangchen sighed. "Duty calls. We must go flying together later!"
"We'll hold you to that!" called Baojia as Yangchen ran to Sister Ling.
The sister was standing before a matching set of tall, imposing men. They were all dressed in intricate white armor, each lined with the color of a different nation.
"Avatar Yangchen," said Sister Ling, "I want you to meet your Knights."
Yangchen's face betrayed her bemusement. "My what?"
"Your Knights, girl! Your Knights!" Sister Ling spread her arms like she was presenting a new birthday gift, only her tone sounded like a punishment. Then again, it always did.
"Oh, right," said Yangchen, remembering her air temple lessons now. "Avatar Knights. Right."
"Knights of the Avatar," corrected Sister Ling. "These gentlemen are the finest benders in the world. You remember Ho, I'm sure."
The man furthest to the left of the lineup stepped forward and Yangchen realized she knew him. "Is that really you, Ho?" she asked, peeking under his helm. "You're so much... bigger in that armor!"
Ho did not smile back. "Good to see you again, Yangchen." Even during their airbending training, Ho had been a humorless kid. Yangchen ignored his curtness.
Sister Ling moved on to the next knight. "This is Sir Khan, the Water Knight. He was a skilled catamaran captain in the Water Tribe."
Sir Khan was an intimidating looking man. He had an imposing mustache and dark eyes typical of the water tribe. Truth be told, Yangchen felt a surge in her stomach and wondered vaguely what the rules were about dating her Knights. She blushed and smiled. Sir Khan did neither.
"Sir Huang, the Earth Knight, a mercenary from the southern Earth Kingdom," said Sister Ling moving on. Yangchen wondered if she had ever seen someone quite so muscly. His armor was far too tight on him and it seemed to be a feat of bending just for him to move around.
"And Sir Rozan, Fire Knight, an undefeated Agni Kai champion." The smooth-skinned, sallow-faced firebender nodded shortly.
"It is an honor to meet you all," said Yangchen, bowing respectfully.
The knights then bowed as one unit. "The honor is ours, Avatar," said Ho.
There was an awkward silence then and Sister Ling elbowed Yangchen harshly. "Oh! Uh... Thank you for your service?"
Sister Ling sighed. "That will be all, for now," she said. The Knights bowed their heads one last time and left.
Yangchen watched them leave. She was impressed with them to be sure. They certainly looked the part of a group of rough and tough warriors. She gave herself a mental pat of reassurance. The world was at peace. There was no need for her Knights to be engaged in any battle for the time being.
For today, at least, all was well.
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Ken
The sun was rising and Ken reflected on how much his life had changed since sunset the night before. Once he'd accepted Sir Piao's offer, he'd packed his bag, left a note for his father, stolen his father's dragon-moose, Shan, and the three of them snuck out of the Fire Nation capital.
Sir Piao had led him to a boat hidden on the island's northern face and they sailed under a Fire Navy flag past the blockade into Earth Kingdom waters.
As they made their way across the open ocean, Sir Piao told Ken about the other knights.
"Traditionally there are four. The Air Knight, Water Knight, Earth Knight, and Fire Knight- that's you," Sir Piao had said. "However, in this time of war, Avatar Aang felt the need to expand. We've recruited many warriors for the Knights, and not just benders. The finest swordsmen and martial artists the world has to offer. I'm the Air Knight, and there are three other airbenders who have managed to survive Sozin's genocide. The Earth Knight, Sir Xin, plus nine benders and five warriors from all corners of the Earth Kingdom. Sir Ankorr is the Water Knight. And there are three waterbenders and one warrior. That just leaves you, the Fire Knight."
Ken counted them all in his head. Twenty-five! Practically an army. They could conquer a small island if they wanted. "Avatar Aang wanted so many?"
"We're at war, we need all the men we can get," Sir Piao had said.
Ken nodded. "What's Avatar Aang like?"
Sir Piao hadn't answered right away. "He's a great, but disturbed young man. It isn't right that this, the world's darkest era, is his responsibility. There is only so much he can do. He stays hidden and gives me orders. I do everything I can to help him.
"I knew him. Before the war, I mean. We grew up together in the Southern Air Temple. He was an airbending prodigy. The greatest airbender I've ever known. And a good friend. But this war has changed him. It's changed me too, for that matter. The attacks on the Air Temples all but wiped us out. He saved my life and we escaped the firebenders and their comet-enhanced abilities. We went to the other Air Temples and found more airbenders who survived. That's when Aang decided to assemble the Knights. He made me Air Knight- traditionally the Commander of the Knights. I've been fighting ever since."
It was all Ken could do not to drink up Piao's anecdote. "You're an Air Nomad too. Don't you have your own spiritual needs?"
Sir Piao had smiled then. Ken remembered thinking that was odd. "My service to the Avatar is more important. The purpose of the Knighthood is to spare his spiritual needs, not the other way around."
Ken's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of mountains in the distance. "We're almost there," Piao said.
They steered the boat towards the mountains and Ken eventually could make out the beach. Shan, sensing the nearby earth got excited. "Calm down," Ken told him, patting him on the neck. The moose let out an annoyed huff.
The closer they got, the better Ken could see the Knights' encampment. Figures were milling about, sharpening weapons or cooking breakfast over their fires. A low stone-wall (probably made by earthbending, Ken realized) housed what looked like two dozen animals, mostly ostrich-horses. Despite Piao's comment that they needed "all the men we could get", Ken noticed several of the figures had a distinct feminine shape.
"How do I address the female Knights?" Ken asked, as the bottom of the boat began to scrape sand.
"Dame," answered Sir Piao and he dropped the anchor. "Or just by their names. Most of the Knights do. I prefer Sir Piao because it serves to remind me of my duties."
Ken understood, or at least acted like he did. He took Shan by the reigns and led him off the boat and onto the beach.
"Everyone, meet Sir Ken," said Sir Piao as they entered the camp. The Knights started congregating around them and Ken felt himself going red in the face at all the attention he was getting. He kept hearing phrases like "firebender" and "the Fire Knight" around him. "We officially represent all four nations!" said Sir Piao triumphantly.
The Knights cheered around them. Two of them stepped forward. The first had long dreadlocks hanging over his shoulders and had the dark skin typical of the water tribe. "You must be Sir Ankorr," said Ken, offering his hand. Ankorr shook it eagerly.
"And I'm Sir Xin," said the other, a slim earthbender with short cropped hair.
"Glad to meet you both," said Ken.
Xin nodded, then immediately turned to address Sir Piao.
"Commander, we're ready for the attack, as you ordered."
The words took Ken by surprise. He joined- he counted quickly- twelve hours ago? And already he was going to be in a battle? After a night of sleeplessness and seasickness? He suddenly felt a little weak in the knees.
"Pack your gear and get your mounts!" Sir Piao called. "We're heading out!" The Knights scattered, shoveling the remnants of their breakfast down their throats and dousing their fires.
"Sir Ken," said Sir Piao, and Ken snapped too attention.
"Yes, Commander?"
Sir Piao pointed south towards the beach. "One klick in that direction is the Fire Nation's Southern Harbor hidden beneath a cliff. It's a launching point for the majority of their incursions on the southern Earth Kingdom. Avatar Aang ordered us to take it out. If we succeed, we could derail attacks in the region for months to come."
Ken nodded. "Understood, Commander."
Sir Piao smiled. "Good." He pointed to a couple of men mounted on ostrich-horses holding spears. "Sir Fu and Sir Dorgon," he said. "They're in the calvary. Fall in line with them and use all the firepower you got."
"Yes, Commander," said Ken.
Sir Piao swirled his staff and its bright orange wings expanded. He took off without another word.
"Alright, Shan," Ken said as he swung up onto the saddle. "Are you ready for some action?" Come to that, Ken wasn't even sure if he was. It wasn't lost on him that he was going up against his own countrymen. But he was serving the Avatar. It was the honorable side. Surely his actions were justified. He hoped. He felt Avatar Roku's wristband tight against his skin. "Ya!" he said and Shan rode up to Fu and Dorgon and their mounts.
As he approached the two Earth Kingdom warriors, he noticed the unfriendly leers they gave him. "Hey, firebender, careful not to burn us," Fu said, pointing the butt of his spear at Ken's chest.
"I'll do my best," Ken said coldly. The two warriors didn't look convinced. Whatever, Ken thought savagely. I'll show them.
Another rider joined them- a female Water Tribe warrior. She was brandishing a menacing-looking sword. "What's your name?" Ken asked.
The woman's eyes peered up at him beneath dark bangs. "Kundra" she answered shortly.
"What sort of animal is that?" Ken asked, wondering if anyone in this knighthood would show him a little courtesy.
The woman looked at him blankly. "An elk," she said. Her tone hinted that she'd rather stab him than answer his question.
There was a flash of orange and Sir Piao landed beside them. "You're our first attack team," he instructed. "Cut straight through to the heart of the harbor. The rest of us will back you up. Sir Ken, we need your firebending. Burn those firebenders before they burn us."
"Yes, sir, Commander," Ken said. "I won't let you down." I hope, he added in thought.
"Follow Ken's lead!" said Sir Piao. "I want him up front taking those firebenders by surprise." After the choruses of "Yes, Commander"s, Sir Piao was off. Ken pretended not to notice the other Knights' resentful looks.
The four riders moved to the front of the ranks and Ken looked around. To his right, nearer the surf, there were earthbenders with their giant stone discs and waterbenders with tentacle-like water tendrils around their arms. Leading their charge was Sir Ankorr riding a buffalo-yak. Sir Xin and the remainder of the Earth Kingdom warriors were on Ken's left. Above them all, the three airbenders hovered on rotating balls of air.
Sir Piao landed on the front of the line. "You all know the drill!" he shouted above the din. "The calvary charges through their defenses and takes them by surprise. Right flank- take out the docks and the ships. Cut off their escape early. Left flank- pin them up against the cliff. Get them surrounded. Today, we fight for the Avatar!"
A roar went up among the riders and Ken joined in. He felt braver cheering with them. "Let's move out!" Sir Piao shouted.
"Ya!" Ken kicked Shan into gear and the line started moving. Ken was riding Shan hard and Fu pulled up beside him. "Ease up on him," he advised. "You don't want him exhausted before we get there."
"Right," Ken said, sheepishly, slowing Shan a bit.
They rounded a bend in the beach and then Ken could see the harbor. It was protected by a tall fence of sharpened wooden stakes. There were metal watch towers lining the exterior fence and Ken could see the metal docks and ships reaching out into the ocean.
There was movement on his right and Ken saw the three waterbenders surfing toward the docks on what looked like ice. Now was the moment.
He sprayed a jet of fire across the fence, and the whole thing lit up in an instant. The earthbenders joined in, projecting their discs at the weakened fence. A few more fireballs and the fence collapsed. As they neared, Ken heard a warning bell sounding. He nudged Shan to pick up speed. It was thirty yards away. Twenty. Ten. Five. Shan bounded over the burning remains of the fence and Ken was past the perimeter. Immediately, there were firebenders on all sides and Ken shot jets of flame in both directions. He hardly registered their cries of pain before charging past them.
More soldiers were running toward them and Ken shot fire punches at them. They fell. Racing forward, h risked glancing over his shoulder and saw Fu, Dorgon and Kundra slashing at any firebender who remained. "Eyes front!" Kundra yelled at him and Ken quickly corrected.
A group of soldiers with pikes stood before them, planting their spikes in the sand and angling them at Shan's and the other animal's hearts. Another great shot of fire and the soldiers scattered long before Shan would have made contact. More soldiers were coming and Shan was already tiring so Ken yelled out, "Hold here!"
The riders under his command pulled to a stop and readied their weapons. Ken took a glance over the structures. With a few fire blasts, the surrounding tents were ablaze and unarmed, half-naked soldiers came hurrying out. One armored firebender got too close and a startled Shan arched on his hind legs. With a yelp, Ken fell off into the sand. Thinking fast, he dodged a fireball and shot flames at the firebender's helmet. Fu, Dorgon and Kundra were holding their own against the soldier's weapons and dodging any fire blasts. Sprouting a fire whip, Ken brought down the benders around them.
Ken continued to blast the tents and then he saw the supply wagons. He leapt up and shot fireballs at them and a satisfying explosion told them he'd targeted the blasting jelly. He heard shouts of pain coming from all around.
Sir Ankorr and the benders joined their position and the Fire Nation's soldiers were falling back.
"We've got 'em on the run!" Sir Ankorr shouted. To the south, the airbenders were doing their job cutting off their retreat, herding them away from the shore and against the cliff.
"Move in on the remaining soldiers!" Sir Ankorr shouted and Ken grabbed Shan's reigns and rode toward the surviving Fire Nation troops.
Sir Xin and his earthbenders were making short work of them. Some of the earthbenders were perched on the cliff face, dropping entire landslides on the soldiers. Ken wanted to avert his eyes. He would need a stronger stomach for war. After only a few moments of fighting, the waterbenders killed the last of the soldiers and the harbor was completely defeated.
Sir Piao and the other airbenders landed beside them. "Nothing like an early morning assault to catch the Fire Nation off guard, am I right?"
The Knights all had a good laugh at that. All Ken could manage was a smile. He was officially a traitor of the Fire Nation. He fingered with Avatar Roku's wristband. He prayed to every spirit he knew that he was doing the honorable thing in serving the Avatar. He thought for a moment that maybe he hadn't killed anybody- but then he remembered that firebender he'd blasted in the head.
He returned to that spot and found the firebender. The helmet was still smoking. He knelt beside the body and removed the helm. The stink of burning hair and flesh stung his nostrils and he wanted to gag. Around him, the Knights were collecting any supplies that survived the attack. Joining in, Ken began to strip the firebender of his armor.
He donned the armor himself and honestly, the feeling of finally wearing his own Fire Navy armor made him feel so superior. The last thing he put on was the skull faceplate helmet.
"You'll want to be careful," came a voice, and Ken turned to see Sir Piao approaching. "You look like a real firebender now. Some of the Knights may mistake you for an enemy."
There was movement behind Sir Piao and a surviving soldier burst from behind a burning crate, brandishing a sword high. Thinking fast, Ken blasted him with a fireball to the chest and the soldier fell and didn't move again. Sir Piao barely had time to react.
"I am a real firebender," was Piao's only reply. He took Shan by the reigns and walked away. I need to do something about the smell of this helmet, he thought.
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A/N: First time writing fanfiction in a while- I've been focusing on my own stuff. Hope y'all didn't miss me too much (I know I wouldn't).
I had the idea for this fic a couple of years ago when I first started reading A Song of Ice and Fire and started studying knights and knighthood and how the concept sometimes implies a spiritual warfare. Medieval knights served the Christian God. ASOIAF knights served the septons and their kings. Jedi knights served the force, etc. (serving isn't exactly the right word, but whatever) and I started working on the idea to have a spiritual band of Knights serving under the Avatar.
I originally scrapped the idea because I honestly thought it was too hokey, particularly since I had it set during the 100 years war so working in airbenders and firebenders was awkward. And Avatar world aside, most Asian cultures don't really have a concept of "knighthood" so presenting this idea to the fandom seemed silly at best. But this past summer, Book 3 of Legend of Korra showed me that the idea of all four kinds of benders working together in a single unit could work and I revisited the story, adding more characters and elaborating on Ken's storyline.
tldr: This is revisiting an old idea and I hope you like it.
ps.- Piao is supposed to be that fugly kid who told Aang he couldn't play the air scooter game since it was "unfair" he was the Avatar.