Nox got about ten feet away from the beast and stopped. He stared up at the man, who seemed to be finding it funny that he was being stood up to. Nox imagined this man usually got what he wanted without a problem once he smashed enough houses in.
Only more motivation for me to hate this guy.
"What do we have here? Seems everyone in this town isn't a coward after all." the man boomed, laughter filling the air that sounded much more like snarling.
"Not to disappoint you, but I'm actually not part of the town. I'm just a guy that thinks it's silly to rob others like this."
"It works every time, so I don't consider it silly"
"Probably because nobody's stepped up to you before."
"Would you be that person?" he asked with desire. He seemed to be daring Nox to challenge him. Nox was about ready to comply with his wishes when footsteps sounded behind him. When he turned Mio was beside him.
"Seems your girlfriend would like a word with you. Don't keep me waiting." he said in a droning, taunting voice. Nox ignored him for now, mostly because Mio was whispering rapidly into his ear..
"This isn't your fight. You can still stop now, we can manage ourselves just fine."
"You don't seem to understand that this punk needs to learn a lesson."
"He's going to hurt you, Nox! You saw what he did to the houses, what is a non-bender going to do against that?"
"Then maybe you guys would like to lend a hand and protect your town?" Nox said, raising his voice at her while motioning towards the people that lined the streets.
Mio backed up a step, and whispered almost to the point where Nox could hear her "Please..."
"No."
"Please!"
Nox didn't answer this time. He just turned around to face the man, who seemed to be focusing in on their conversation with mild amusement. They made eye contact for some time.
"Leave now." Nox said plainly to him.
"Make me." he beckoned. He produced a knife out from his robe and slashed more of the pouches, bending them up like before. He lifted it up and was ready to strike, when he realized something.
Nox was gone.
The man looked up to the sky, allowed himself to laugh to his heart's content before saying "It seems your hero has deserted you. Typical. Now about the supplies you all promised..." Before he finished, he felt a presence behind him, and spun around. Before he could turn, he was shoved off his beast, rolling down the side before falling to the ground, smacking the dirt with his back. He sputtered, the air had been knocked out of him. The water he had been bending stayed suspended for a moment, before falling and landing straight on the man, drenching him.
The crowds of people all burst into laughter, a notion the man didn't take to well. Nox himself was chuckling, sitting on the back of the beast staring down on him.
"You...you're all going to pay for this." the thief shouted from his place sitting on the ground, attempting to stand himself up. One of the other robed members was trying to help him up, but he was pushed away. Instead, the man staggered up by himself, glaring up at Nox.
If looks could kill...
"You!" he shouted with venom, pointing towards Nox with a shaky hand "Who do you think you are?"
Where was a witty comeback when he needed one? Instead, Nox slid down the beast and landed in front of him. Nox stretched his hand out and said "I think I'm Nox. Nice to meet you."
The man yelled something indecipherable and swung at Nox, aiming a punch towards his head. The man was not a good fighter, and Nox could easily see it coming and sidestep it, doing this several times before the man got the hint he wasn't going to hit him. He stood still now, hands on his knees, puffing out air.
"Mind leaving now?" Nox asked.
Then the man did something Nox hadn't really expected, he bended some of the water that had puddled on the ground and swung it at Nox's eyes. It connected, and he staggered backwards, his vision blurred and eyes red. The man took the opportunity to pull out the knife again, and leaped at Nox with a cry. He stabbed forwards. Nox raised an arm to block his face and waited for the surging pain.
He felt nothing for a long while, and he moved his arm down to look. He could barely make out the scene with his blurry vision, but after rubbing them vigorously, it cleared.
An earth wall had appeared in front of Nox, and the knife had become impaled in let out a relieved sigh. Soon, he saw Mio rushing at the man, a boulder floating in front of her. Others were doing the same, and he saw a look of horror on the six faces of the men. Grinning, he decided to help, but refrained from any more bending.
It only took the town a few minutes to run them out, rocks careening after them as they left. Without access to water, they were powerless. The beast soon got the memo they were leaving, and lumbered after them.
Nox stood watching, a bright glint in his eye.
I've finally done something good for once. I feel like I've accomplished something, like I had an impact. All they needed was that spark, and then the fire was there.
Feels good to do that, to finally help.