Hey guys, I hope you'll enjoy this story. I just wanted to tell you that I'm french, writing and translating is a lot of work (sorry if I made any mistakes by the way ^^), so I'd like to have some reviews to know where I failed, and what you like about this story so that I can improve myself. reviews would be REALLY appreciated. Thanks, and enjoy ;)
1- A second life
The young man who walked aimlessly across the streets of London had only one idea in his mind: to kill himself.
To say that he had shit in his life was a euphemism, it was his life that had tortured him. It and all those who were part of it.
A crowd of memories came back to him, all more horrible than the others. So much so that he felt violent nausea. But having not swallowed anything for a good thirty hours, he had nothing to spit out to relieve his disgust.
Because yes, he was disgusted, disgusted by his own person.
He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, his mother came from a family of French aristocrats, his father is the CEO of a large British company. As far as he can remember, he had never had any material needs. But it was wrong, he was sorely lacking in love, landmarks, and above all, self-esteem.
He was born with titanic advantages compared to the vast majority of the world's population. Yet he felt empty. He had no purpose in his life, except to put an end to it. Too much money had already been spent trying to cure him of his depression, and too much sadness had been spread to his relatives because of his many failed attempts. He was now refusing to try to put an end to his life, he was a failure, he did not want to drag his loved ones further into his own misfortune;
He took a deep breath.
He had never been brave, he was a coward, a tug-of-war. But today he was going to act, he would pass his driving license, find a job whatever, and live his life as unbearable as it is. For the good of all.
It was then that he saw something that horrified him; there was a child of about four, alone on the road. And a huge truck was going to hit him in less than five seconds.
Took by an impulse, he ran down the road as fast as he could, and dived to push the child out of the way.
But his courage was going to cost him a lot, because now it was he who was going to be hit by the vehicle.
He had just enough time to close his eyes, waiting for death to prevail.
But it was not the hardness of the bumper he encountered. To his surprise, it was at the bottom of a lake or river that he found himself without even having dived.
He opened his eyes immediately, and found himself sucked by the mighty current of a torrent.
Horrified, the one who was ready to die a few seconds earlier, began to fight with all his strength to get out of the aquatic storm in which he was trapped. But nothing helped, the power of the current was too strong, and his body was carried away like a twig.
During a class for a moment, he thought it was life after death, but the lack of air he began to feel swept away his theory.
It was then that he saw a blinding light at the end of this aquatic tunnel in which he was immersed. It took him less than four seconds to reach it, after which the torrent spat him violently, sending him flying through the air.
Suddenly he froze, or rather he found himself frozen. Steep as a board in the middle of what appeared to be a mystical forest straight out of a cartoon.
Paralyzed in the air over a small lake, he felt his heart beating fast. Invaded by terror and misunderstanding, he found a little more serenity when he realized he could breathe again. He took a deep breath to try to calm down, but how on earth was it possible to calm down when you were in such a situation?
And that was not going to get any better, since a huge, scaly creature rushed out of the lake above which it was frozen, and stood at her heel to look at him with silver eyes.
The young man did not believe his eyes, he thought he dreamed, but the hot breath of the beast against his face made him understand that what he was living was real. Horrified, he tried with all his strength not to make a crisis of hyper ventilation. And tried to pick up his mind and think about what all this mess meant.
His gaze was immersed in that of the beast that he identified as a Leviathan, and he supposed that it was a Leviathan, but these creatures were not supposed to exist.
He then noticed how the beast was watching him, and realized that he was being evaluated
"Maybe I'm really dead. "He mused. "Maybe this ... thing has come to know if I'll go to Hell or Heaven."
He felt his terror gradually dissipate, he was faced with a creature with divine appearances who was gauging. If he could have spoken, he would have told Leviathan that it was it was worthless, and that it was better to finish it as soon as possible. He was now resigned to accept his fate.
-Human! Then sounded the creature.
The young man was taken from class. Leviathan had spoken to him! He was so surprised he took several seconds to understand that he had regained his mobility, but that he was still floating in the air.
-Yes…? He replied timidly, not knowing how to approach this unusual conversation.
-Your destiny was not to die today, the creature resumed in a severe tone, you still had many years to live, many things to experiment, a lot of happiness to distribute, and many lives to change!
He opened his eyes wide, before bursting into the saddest laugh he'd ever had.
-Are you kinding me?! He roared. I am only a concentrate of suffering! I am a shame for my family and all my friends! I'm a failure! A nobody! I would not have brought anything positive to anyone! I would have only spread suffering wherever I went!
-SILENCE!
Though blown by the power of the Leviathan order, the young man was not intimidated. He now stared at the creature with a look that was both defiant and determined. Ready to assume and suffer the consequences of his actions.
-You claim that you have no value? Leviathan said in a calmer tone. Yet you sacrificed your life to save that of a child. You have shown that you value others more than your own person. This young man is something admirable.
He did not believe his ears.
"Are you congratulating me on having no consideration for my life?
-Of course not! Roared Leviathan, twisting his eardrums as he went. Your intentions were laudable, but your way of driving yourself was STUPID! How do you think your loved ones will react ?! Your parents?! Your brothers and sisters ?! All those who loved you will suffer more than you can imagine, until the end of their days!
Devoured by guilt, the young man began to cry. He did not sound the slightest sound, however, he just let the cascade of tears run down his cheeks.
It was a moment before he found the strength to speak.
-What am I going to become? He asked between sobs. Why did you bring me here?
The features of Leviathan's face were loosened, he inspected the young man one last time, before answering:
-There is a world, a world you know. A world that needs someone like you. A world where a second life will be granted to you.
The young man's eyes widened. He was going to reply, but the creature was ahead of him.
-Save me your speech about your own weakness! She growled, guessing her thoughts. It's a new life waiting for you, a life that will make you a new person. And as I told you, this world needs this person. It needs you.
-But... I do not understand.
-You will understand in due course. Now let me introduce you to someone.
The creature pushed aside its massive form to give way to an old man strangely dressed, but the young man recognized immediately, and he was as surprised as he was horrified.
-Hello, said the old man amicably floating to him, I'm ...
- ... Avatar Roku. He finished without hiding the disbelief in his voice. It's impossible! You are only a fictional character! You can not be real!
"I know you're a confused young man," said the old man, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. But your eyes are not playing tricks on you, I'm here. Just like the spirit of the Leviathan that you have just met.
On his words he turned his head towards the creature who addressed him what the young man supposed to be a friendly smile. Then he came back to him.
-The world of the four nations that you knew as fiction being younger does indeed exist. However, this story you have discovered is not so simple. Aang, the current Avatar, needs a guide. Someone who will show him the path he will have to take to restore the balance of the World. And it was you who was chosen.
-But it does not make sense! Replied the young man before being immediately silenced by a gesture of the authoritarian hand of Roku. He lowered his head apologetically, before resuming in a calmer tone:
-Why me?
-Because, my young friend, you have precious knowledge, not only on this world, but also moral. And your personality is that of a wise big brother, and a faithful friend who helps all who need him.
He wanted to speak again, but Roku silenced him again.
-I never said you were perfect. But every person has a role to play, and yours is now to join the world of the four nations, and do your best. To guide Aang and his friends, as well as everyone you can help.
He did not believe his ears, he was going to be sent in an animated cartoon? Had he lost his mind?
"But," said Roku, stepping back a few feet, "it would be better for you to be prepared for this new life. Therefore a present will be offered to you, and a master will guide you to the kind of man you want to be, and that you MUST be.
He did not have time to question the old avatar that Leviathan spat on him a column of silver fire. Horrified, he raised his arms to protect himself. But when the flames came into contact with his skin, they did not burn it. He felt them enter his body like water in his throat, and an energy that was totally unknown to him began to emerge through each of his limbs.
When the flames dissipated, the young man took a moment to examine his body which he no longer recognized. His clothes were gone, except for his underpants, and he recognized his red-eyed dragon tattoo on his right forearm. He was surprised to discover that of a Silver Leviathan with silvery blue eyes on the left. Roku collected a little water from the lake thanks to his bending ability, and formed a square puddle so that the young man could examine his face.
To say that he was shocked would have been a euphemism, his eyes (which were not his) threatened to spring from their sockets. His pupils were a bright silver color, as were his hair. But that was not all, although he had kept his famous Irish "beret cut" (almost entirely shaved on the sides and half-long on the rest, with a wick that fell to him in front of the left eye), the features of his face had also changed! Two minutes ago he was a young man of twenty-two. And today, he looked seven less!
-What did you do to me ?! He shouted horrified at Leviathan.
- « I offered you some of my power, » the creature calmly replied. A form of fire control that will be of great use to you through the journeys that await you.
"But," Roku interrupted, "before that, you need a master who will help you with that power, but also teach you everything so that you could understand how our world works. Because your memories will not be enough.
The young man could not believe what was happening to him, he wanted to die, he should have died. But instead, a cartoon character and a fantastic creature offered him the opportunity to get another life, in another world, with the necessary means to become a mature and wise man. He did not know if he should cry with joy, or let anxiety and stress take over him again. But for a reason that escaped him, he did not feel that habitual ball in the heart that came when he was depressed.
Besides, he no longer felt any symptoms of depression. He turned to Roku who smiled at him.
-The problems that you have accumulated in your previous life will not follow you in the new one, there will be only you, this role that we entrust to you, as well as your new gift.
-Why have I rejuvenated?
Roku smiled again.
-To take the time you need to become the man you want to be, and so that you become more familiar with your future friends.
The young man took a moment to think, before finally speaking again:
-Will I remember my previous life?
He did not want to, he did not want to think of those he had made suffer, but the response of Leviathan was categorical and severe.
-All the good or bad decisions that you have taken in your old life, will be the lessons that you will need in the next.
He lowered his head, at once sad and ashamed. Roku approached him again, and put his hands on his shoulders.
- We have one last detail to settle before sending you to my world. Said the old Avatar. Choose a name.
-A name?
-Your previous life is over, your second life is your new story, the story of a man different from the one who threw himself under a truck. And this man must have a new name. Take your time, choose well, and then your adventure will begin.
The young man scratched his chin, allowed himself a few minutes to think, and finally replied with a shrug, and smiling for the first time.
-If it is in a fantasy world that you take me, it would be better if my new name is less banal than the previous one.
Roku smiled again.
-I deduce that you made your choice.
The young man nodded, before bowing respectfully to his two interlocutors.
-I thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you for this chance that you grant me.
-Do not disappoint us. Preached Leviathan before spitting a new column of silver flames in his direction. But unlike the first time, it won out like a tornado. He was carried away in all directions, before finally spreading all along against the ground of a small dusty road.
He coughed at his lungs, before raising his head to look around. But it was the stern face of an old man with whom he found himself face to face.
He held out his hand to help him up. Help he willingly accepted.
-Are you the child whose Avatar Roku spoke to me? The old man asked sternly.
"Yes," he answered calmly and respectfully, bowing for salvation. It's nice to meet you Jeong Jeong.
The deserter looked at him from head to foot, before speaking again:
-What is your name kid?
-Drake. He replied, trying to hide his excitement. Drake L. Creed.
-Is this yours?
Jeong Jeong pointed to a small red suitcase left on the floor.
It took Drake no more than a second to recognize her and rush to her.
The young man found his pipe, his favorite tobacco, his razor "cut-cabbage", the first volume of Game of Thrones in original version, his boots Ted Baker, his favorite black shirt made to measure by his grandmother, his gloves black leather, two jeans Paul Smith, the watch offered by his grandfather, some underwear spare parts, and of course his cashmere coat "Hugo Boss". Roku and Leviathan had been very generous, he looked at his possessions, smiling to the ears.
-If you have finished admiring your business, follow me! Jeong Jeong ordered him out of his trance. We have a lot of work and no time!
-Of course, Sifu.
It had been a month since Drake had joined Jeong Jeong in his camp, and he had not been idle. In addition to forcing him to practice breathing five hours a day, he learned to hunt, to find food on his own, to fight in hand-to-hand combat, to build muscle and to cultivate his new world. He slept six hours a night, and spent the remaining eighteen hours doing what his sifu told him to do. Without ever complaining or protesting.
And although he could not believe it himself, he was happy. His life had meaning, what he was learning was going to serve him, he was overflowing with a motivation he had never known, but managed to master his ardor so as not to ignite. In every sense of the term.
Jeong Jeong would not admit it today, but he was very satisfied with his student. He was disciplined, attentive, and had good control of his emotions. Which was pretty normal. Because when you've had depression for over four years, emotions were the first thing you learned to manage so you would not worry your family, or rather your previous family. Even if it would always keep a place in his heart and in his head.
Drake had not wanted to ruin his clothes from his world, he had left them neatly folded in his suitcase, after which he had obtained other clothes. More suited to the life he led.
-Stop! Jeong Jeong ordered as his disciple began a new series of push-ups. You've worked your muscles enough for today, it's time for you to start working with the fire. With YOUR fire.
Drake knew that day would come sooner or later, but that did not stop him from feeling a pinch of anxiety stinging his heart. He already had work to control the fire. He had begun with the sheet, and the exercise of making it last as long as possible to be consumed. Then Jeong Jeong gave him a flame of his own creation, and ordered him to grow and reduce as he pleased. The third exercise summarized exactly the level of control Drake had achieved. After having lighted a campfire, his master had ordered him to perform the movements he was performing, but only using the flames of the campfire. Never before had Drake used his own flames. This gift that the Leviathan had offered him was extremely powerful, and just as dangerous, he knew it. And that worried him to the point of losing much of the self-confidence he had accumulated for a month.
-Do not worry, reassured Jeong Jeong, I will not ask you to pull with all your strength. Only to familiarize yourself with this inner fire that is part of you, and that you must get to know. Only then will you be able to master it.
Drake nodded, and waited for instructions from his teacher. The latter stretched out his right arm, opened his hand, and a small orange-red flame formed in the hollow of his palm.
-You are now able to feel the chi that runs through your body. I want you to gather a small amount in the palm of your hand, and you let it spring in the form of a flame as I just did. You understood?
Drake nodded, controlled his breathing, and followed, step by step, his master's directions. And a silver flame, like that of Leviathan, rises from the hollow of his hand. But it was much bigger than Jeong Jeong's.
« Make it smaller," ordered this one. Before realizing that for the first time his disciple was not listening to him, he seemed both fascinated and hypnotized by this flame of which he was the creator.
-Drake! Scolded Jeong Jeong to take his student out of the trance in which he was immersed.
He was so taken aback that his flame evaporated in half a second, and he almost lost his balance. Once he was on his feet again, and after putting his ideas back in place, he realized his mistake. He apologized to his sifu, which did not prevent him from being reprimanded.
-The next time you do not listen to me, I will inflict you a punishment that you will remember. Did you understand me?
"Yes, Sifu," replied the young man, in a tone sincerely sorry.
But his teacher didn't car about apologies.
"Restart," he ordered dryly. And this time, try to make sure that your creation is at the right size.
Drake obeyed, and this time formed a small silver flame of a size comparable to that of his sifu. Jeong Jeong nodded to validate the success of the exercise.
"Now," he said, stepping aside to stand beside his pupil, "hit one of those targets.
On his words, he pointed to the two roughly cut wooden targets hanging from different branches of a tree. Jeong Jeong set the example by sending his own flame, which struck one of the targets, which almost immediately ignited, and fell from its branch.
-Your turn now.
Drake took a moment to look at the second target, then his gaze fell on his silver flame.
"Master," he asked respectfully, "can I fire my flame in my own way?
Jeong Jeong raised an eyebrow.
-What do you mean by that?
-Well ... I have a strange feeling that I can not do as you do. Admitted Drake before looking down at the little silver fire in his hand. I have the feeling that my flames are not mere projectiles, but rather an extension of my being, a part of me.
-What is your point?
"I do not know how to express it," replied the young man in a desolate tone, "but I feel that I must follow my instinct. With your permission of course.
Jeong Jeong inspected his disciple, then he watched the silver flame crackling. It was not a regular fire, but Avatar Roku had warned him. He had told him that the mastery of his disciple was unique and that he had to learn to fly on his own. Normally, Jeong Jeong would have punished his student. But this one had been so exemplary since the beginning of his training that he could perhaps allow him to try on his own.
"Very well," he replied with a sigh, "show me what you have in mind».
He had expected his disciple to be enthusiastic about controlling the fire on his own. But this one just thanked him politely, before focusing again on the exercise. The old master now realized that his pupil was the most serious he had ever met, nothing he did was taken lightly. Each of his decisions, each of his exercises, each of his lessons were made with the greatest application. Jeong Jeong ran a hand over his goatee, he did not know where Drake had his bending, tattoos, or the strange color of his hair and eyes. All he knew was that Avatar Roku had asked him to teach the boy firebending. And this, until destiny separate them. What Jong Jong did not want for him as late as possible would be best. He who had given up teaching a long time ago had regained his passion and having someone like Drake as a disciple was a real pleasure for him.
The master now observed the pupil's movement, the latter sliding his flame from his palm to the end of his index finger. This raised the old man's eyebrow, but he refrained from expressing his opinion until he saw what he should see.
That's where Drake surprised him. Eyes fixed on the target, the young man whirled his flame until it looked like a sphere.
Such a level of mastery was already impressive to Jeong Jeong, but his student did not stop there. To his surprise, he saw the silvery orb diminish in size until it was barely bigger than the fingertip on which it was formed. Drake, who had not left the target with his eyes, reached out and pulled. Jong Jong saw a thin silver line cross the river and hit the target in the heart.
Before resorbing to the appearance of a sphere. Sphere which, instead of disappearing naturally, returned to the heart of the young man's palm, and reinstated his hand.
Jeong Jeong had never seen that, ever. He had never seen anyone control the fire with such precision. His silver flames were an integral part of his body. He did not master them, they were part of him, and responded to his will as well as if it were one of his own members.
Drake looked at his master to listen to his judgment, but he only met his puzzled expression.
He seemed immersed in his thoughts, but did not leave his pupil with his eyes.
Until a glimmer shines in his eyes.
-I have nothing to teach you about your firebending. He confessed in a sad voice.
A feeling of panic rose in Drake's chest. He had wanted to impress his sifu, but he was now afraid that his demonstration had sounded the death knell for their lessons.
-Your inner fire and you, form one. He said more serenely. What you showed me today convinced me that you will never lose control of your flames.
It is for this reason that tomorrow, your training will be devoted entirely to the art of firefighting. And I'd rather warn you right away, I'll be tougher than ever.
Despite these harsh words, Jeong Jeong read relief in the eyes of his apprentice who hastened to greet him respectfully.
"I would not be the only one to suffer from our separation". The old man thought before starting again aloud:
-For the rest of the day, exercise yourself. Explore your gift as deeply as you can, to find out what you will really be able to do when we practice the fight tomorrow. Did you understand me?
-Yes Master.
-Perfect.
Jeong Jeong walked away, letting his student work. And already thinking of the different techniques he was going to initiate him.
Three months.
This is the time it took Jeong Jeong to consider Drake as a confirmed firebender. Yet it was harder than he had imagined. Although the young man had complete control of his flames, he had needed long hours of training and dueling to finally understand what the art of fire war really was. And while he still had a lot of progress to make to become a true master, he had become a real fighter.
- "One who will learn the rest by himself". Jeong Jeong thought sadly as he watched his student train in the night.
For his part Drake, although satisfied with his progress, knew that he was lacking something that his teacher could not teach him: experience.
He had never been involved in a real fight in his second life. And he had not won a single one in his first since the fourth class.
He thought back to what Roku and Leviathan had told him: he was supposed to guide Aang, and help as many people as possible. He had done his best to learn as much as possible about this world, but he still had a hard time believing he would have any influence on this story. Moreover, Roku mentioned the fact that this story was different from the one he knew. But until then she was following it's course. He began to doubt his usefulness. But he drove those black thoughts out of his head. He had to continue to prepare, to improve, to train. Because the day will come when ...
He suddenly heard the roar of a beast. A sound he knew: the flying bison of the Avatar.
He sighed, the day had come. And he had to be up to the task that was incumbent on him.
The natives of the area who coexisted with Jeong Jeong and Drake brought the Avatar group near their encampment.
The silver-haired boy was smoking his pipe sitting on a stump when Chey, the second deserter who had brought them here, entered Jeong Jeong's hut. Drake knew he was going to be shot.
His attention turned to the arrival group, "the heroes of his childhood," as he called them in his head. He examined them one by one, ignoring their embarrassed looks.
Aang looked even younger than he had been in the cartoon, Drake let the smoke escape from his lips. And to say that the fate of the whole World rested on the shoulders of this kid, who seemed excited to meet Jeong Jeong and to learn firebending. Drake remembered how this episode ended, and this was probably the first step in his role: Prevent Aang from burning Katara, and so that he would not be afraid to firebend anymore.
Katara, meanwhile, was much prettier than he had imagined, and he felt a sensation that he knew perfectly up to his face. But he immediately calmed his hormones. He was not there to steal the future wife of the Avatar.
He paid very little attention to Sokka, who seemed ready to jump on any native who surrounded him. He will have to learn to calm his ardor, aggressiveness does not intimidate anyone if you are clearly in a position of weakness. Which he is.
Three natives had prepared the base of a campfire, and he turned to Drake to ask him a favor.
The young man smiled and made a silver fire ball appear in his hand to the amazement of the three travelers. He blew gently on the flame, which flew like a dead leaf, before falling back on the pile of wood that caught fire on the field.
The sudden clarity allowed the group of heroes to truly see Drake, and the color of his hair and eyes did not go unnoticed.
-It's you!
Aang had jumped up, surprising everyone by the way. The natives pointed their spears in his direction, but a movement of Drake's hand dissuaded them from attacking.
-If you want to express yourself you can do it more calmly Avatar. He said sternly before pulling on his pipe.
"I'm sorry," he replied, but did not contain his excitement. But Roku told me that a silver-eyed man with silver hair ...
-Stop! Drake exclaimed in an authoritative voice.
Once the silence returned, he stood up and spoke again:
"Looks like we're going to have to discuss you and me," he said neutrally, « but privately ».
On his words, he made his way to his own hut, about ten meters from Jeong Jeong's, and motioned for Aang to follow him.
Sokka shook his head quickly to tell him that it was a very bad idea to leave him alone with a firebender. But the boy finally agrees to follow Drake. It was just as he was about to enter the hut of the young man that Chey emerged from Jeong Jeong's, expression a sheepish expression on his face.
-So? Aang asked hopefully.
But Drake stopped the man from responding with a wave of his hand.
-Later Chey. He said in a firm voice. The Avatar and I have to talk.
The deserter bowed in apology, before joining the rest of the group. Drake motioned to Aang to enter his hut, which the young master of the air did without question. Intimidated by the authority that had emerged from the voice of Jong Jong's student.
Drake showed a ball of fire in his hand to light the inside of the tent, before scattering his flames on a few candles. He invited Aang to sit down and imitate him.
"Good," he began as calmly as he could. Tell me what Avatar Roku told you from beginning to end, and without neglecting the slightest detail, please.
-Well ... During the winter solstice, I was able to meet Roku in the Fire Temple. He told me about a young bender with silver flames, silver hair and silver eyes who would guide me throughout my journey. And who would help me restore the balance of the World. He told me that this young bender would become one of my dearest friends, and that I should trust him.
Drake sighed, the old Avatar was not doing things halfway.
-Has he told you something else?
Aang seemed to hesitate, but ended up answering:
-He said you could predict the future.
This time Drake looked up in exasperation. But what made him say such a thing?
"Listen," he said in a firm voice, « and listen to the end without shouting or jumping everywhere.
This discussion concerns only the two of us and no one, I mean nobody, needs to know. Do you understand? »
Aang looked embarrassed, which dismayed his interlocutor.
-You talked about me to Sokka and Katara is that?
-Wow, you really can predict the future!
-No, it was just obvious.
-Oh ok.
- "Damn he's just a kid. "
Drake stuffed his pipe, and turned it on again before addressing the Avatar again.
-All that Roku told you is true, to one detail: I can not really predict the future. I only know that certain events will happen. Nothing more, nothing less.
Aang's eyes sparkled with joy, and Drake saw that with a very bad eye.
-How do you know? He asked excitedly.
-Because I come from another world, a world in which your story is a fiction for children.
Aang widened his eyes, Drake spoke again:
-In my world, I'm dead. Avatar Roku and the spirit of the Leviathan offered me this second life, as well as the gift of mastering the silver fire. That's why my hair and my eyes are that color, that's the mark left by Leviathan.
Aang was going to ask a question, but Drake silenced him with a wave of his hand.
-If I am here, it is because your story will be similar to the one I know, it will not have anything of a fiction. And very special events that are unknown to me can arise at any time. The simple fact that I am present is already a big upheaval.
I am here to help and guide you, but I can't do it if you do not listen to me. So I want your word that you will take into account everything I tell you.
-Yes Sifu Guide.
-Don't call me that. My name is Drake, Drake L. Creed.
"Okay Drake, nice to meet you.
On his words, the Avatar held out his hand. His interlocutor shook it, knowing full well that his task had just begun.
"Master Jeong Jeong does not want to teach you firebending," he informed him dryly.
-Hein ?! But why?
-Because you have to be disciplined and serious to learn it. And you are neither one nor the other. You are not ready to bend fire, first you must learn how to bend water and earth.
Aang looked terribly upset, but Drake did not care. He was there to guide the Avatar, and he was going to fulfill his task.
The young airbender got up, and was about to go out before the teenager held him by the wrist.
-« If he agrees », he warned him in a serious tone. « You will have to follow his instructions to the letter, or you will hurt your friends ».
He had just enough time to see the frightened gleam pass through Aang's eyes before he made his way to Jeong Jeong's hut. Drake sighed deeply, it was not going to be easy to guide this narrow-minded kid.
He left his own tent, and joined the rest of the group. He returned to sit on his stump to continue smoking quietly his pipe while awaiting the continuation of the events. When he noticed the perplexed looks of Katara and Sokka against him.
-You have something to tell me?
Sokka groaned and scowled. His sister seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally questioning him.
-What's your name?
-Drake.
-Nice to meet you, she replied sincerely, my name is Katara, and the grumpy is my brother, Sokka.
-I already know who you are.
-Really? So Aang was right: you can predict the future.
A sigh of exasperation escaped Drake's lips, this kid could not hold his tongue.
-« No," he replied categorically. I just know things that I'm not supposed to know. And before you ask me, I will not explain in more detail. It's hard enough for me to manage.
-« I'm sorry," Katara murmured, "I did not want to hurt you.
His sincerity was so clear in her voice that the young man immediately corrected himself.
- I'm not offended, I just think it best not to talk about this kind of thing.
-I understand. She said smiling. Are you a student of Jeong Jeong?
-Yes, since a little over four months now. He said leaving the smoke he inhaled licking his lips. He is an excellent teacher.
Katara then turned to Chey, who still looked sheepishly on her face. Understanding his concern, he hastened to add:
-He will agree to teach firebending to Aang despite his reluctance. But I do not think that's a good idea.
-Finally, a sensible word! Sokka exclaimed as his sister glared at him, before returning to Drake.
-Why do you say that?
-Because it's true. He may be the Avatar, but he is still a child who has spent his time playing with his airbending. You can not play with fire, it's not something to take lightly. And I'm sure he will, he's not ready.
-But you're supposed to be his guide aren't you? Katara inquired. You could help him, advise him ...
-And that's what I'm going to do. Hoping that he deigns to listen to me.
The girl got up to sit closer to him, despite the furious and anxious airs that twisted her brother's face.
-Where are your colors coming from? She asked shyly.
Drake looked straight at her, and saw what he did not want to see: Katara was attracted to him.
The young man extinguished his pipe, emptied it, and rose.
-« Let's just say that someone took pity on me. He replied as he went down to his hut. While doing his best to avoid thinking about Katara. But it was not easy, he thought she was pretty, and she thought he was handsome. Drake took a deep breath, and calmed his emotions and hormones.
Then he went to bed. Tomorrow, Aang would begin his firebending training. And he had to be in good shape to supervise all that. For such was his task, his role. Nothing could make him forget that, absolutely nothing