"When will you be home? Do you want me to keep you dinner?" Pema asked her youngest daughter and second eldest child.
"Nah, I'll pick something up. I'll get the boat for 6 tomorrow so I'll be back at around quarter past. See you then. Love ya." Ikki made a kiss noise with her lips and placed the phone down. She turned around to see her sister who was going over her notes for her council meeting.
"What did mother say? Jinora asked looking up.
"Nothin'. I'm going out. See you later." Ikki picked up her bag and slung it over her neck, it was handed down by her granduncle who bought it in the Earth Kingdom. She liked it as it smelt strongly of him and also, it was quite big.
"Be careful." Her sister called out to her. Be careful, that was a phrase that Ikki had heard many of times and usually only from her father. But ever since her sister received her air bending tattoos and was defined as a "Master Airbender" she had been hearing this from her as well. Well, I'll be one soon too, Ikki reassured herself.
It was 8 o'clock and Republic City was supposed to be in darkness. However street lamps, shop's lights and the reflection off the water and the glow of full moon made the city shine. Ikki stared up at the sky cringing. The full moon would either favour or fail her tonight. Please be kind to me Yui, she sent her thoughts towards the beautiful moon.
Cars, motorcycles and the cities tram all went past her. Ikki preferred to walk however, to feel the air in her face knowing she was in control. Besides walking she used her air glider (not as often as her brother Meelo) or flew her air bison, Choji. She had developed an uneasiness around vehicles 12 years ago when she and her family were kidnapped by the notorious, Equalist Amon.
When she neared the arena she could hear tell it was a full house by the noise. Crowds cheered the team's name; Armadillo Wolves and Earth Kings. "Hey Dru." Ikki waved making her way up to her team's room. Dru waved sweeping up the gravel off a broken rock. Ikki opened the door to see three young men, no older than herself (19) wearing bright blue sport's gear complete with a helmet, the Pro Bending gear.
"Hey guys! Ready to win tonight?" She smiled fake punching a dark haired man. He did not return her smile; instead he turned his back to her. "What's wrong?" She looked at another man with icy blonde hair.
"There's no way we're gonna win." He sighed looking glumly at the stage surrounded by crowds of cheering fans.
"Well...not with that attitude..." She remarked.
"No. It's the Earth Kings. They've just recruited Chaki, the champion of Earth Rock Rumble VI. Ikki stared at him. That guy was good. But luckily a full moon would help.
"Don't worry about it Shino." Ikki said smacking the blonde haired man hard on the back, "We can and we will win this thing! Now get out there and kick some ASS!" She ushered them out, "Good luck Nato! Good luck Sai! Good luck Shino!" She cheered for each of them as they walked out, already defeated.
Ikki sighed resting her arms on the railing. Her heart yearned to play in a pro-bending match. The referee wouldn't allow her to play when she had tried to copy the Avatar and sneak on. Her father was furious at her just as he was with Avatar Korra. Even though she can't play, she manages the Armadillo Wolves and hopes that they will snatch the trophy this year.
They took their positions on the stage. Opposite them were the Earth Kings wearing their green and gold uniforms. In the middle of them was the team leader, Chaki. He was three years older than Ikki but a head shorter. His square head rested on his thick neck and behind his helmet screen, his oxblood eyes stared straight into Ikki's blue ones.
"READY?" Please, please win, Ikki thought, "STEADY?" Let the full moon favour us, "FIGHT!" A collision of earth to earth. A splash of water to water. An explosion of fire to fire. Both teams wasted no time attacking each other.
Shino was precise with his water blasts. Sai was quick with his plates of earth to knock out his opponent. Nato was powerful with his fireballs. But however good the Armadillo Wolves were, there just seemed to be that extra bit in the Earth Kings. Chaki's moves were different from Sai's pro-bending. There seemed to be more of an effort put in, but if payed off.
Two earth plates whizzed through the air and smashed into Nato's unsuspecting abdomen. He fell backwards letting the other team advance. Shino used a water whip on Chaki before he got to Nato a second time. Sai seized this opportunity and knocked Chaki's leg with a powerful rock smash.
"WHOA! There goes the Champion Chaki back a space allowing the Armadillo Wolves to advance! Firebender Nato takes one to the shoulder, now the leg, now the chest! OH!" Nato flew backwards tumbling off the stage into the cold, loser water. Letting his guard slip Shino looked back to check that he was still in the game. A strong water jet pushed him off the stage to join his teammate.
Ikki cringed hoping that Sai could pull a "Korra" (she was the last person, standing and took out all three). It seemed every time Chaki got hit, his attacks would be more aggressive and stronger as if fuelled by rage.
Sweat gathered along the rim of Sai's helmet as he dodged water pulses, fire blasts and earth plates. He had no time to attack- defence was his only option until they became tired.
"Sai is weaving and ducking! Dodging and dipping! I don't know about you but I think he's gonna pull a "Korra"!" The commentator spoke too soon as Sai got blasted with water in his left foot, losing his balance. Then with one earth plate he too was sent rolling off the stage into the water.
The next round was exactly the same. The Armadillo Wolves were soaked with water and filled with disappointment. The crowd cheered as the Earth Kings took their victory and Sai took the elevator up to his team.
"Good try Sai."Nato smiled patting him on the back. He was still panting and Ikki wasn't sure if he was soaked with water of sweat.
"Don't worry 'bout it! It was only the first match of the season! You did great! Now hit the showers and I'm buying drinks!" The three men glumly left; only glad they could drown their sorrows later. Ikki took out her wallet to see how much she could buy for them. Not bad, but she needed to get money.
"The Famous Ikki." A smooth voice said behind her. She turned around and looked down. There, standing by the door was Chaki. His bald head reflected the room's dim light. Standing in a "cool" way, he rested his helmet on his hip.
"The Champion Chaki." Ikki remarked putting her wallet back into her vintage bag.
"Counting how many drinks you can buy?" She walked over to the door hoping to leave but his tan; muscular packed arm blocked the way. "I could buy you a drink, or two." He smiled at her. Ikki looked down at him, her fringe falling into her dagger eyes.
"No thanks. I'm going with the team. And only the team." She said clenching her jaw. There was no way she could try to move his thick arm so with a swift movement of air she was free. As she walked down the hall Chaki watched her smiling slyly.