Chapter 10: A Student Again.

When everyone had had their turn at Alex's demonstration. Toph was admittedly the first one to be saddened that training was almost over, "I feel like we could have worked on your blocking." Toph was right, For some reason Earth Bending was the hardest discipline for Alex to learn. He had struggled with the other elements sure, but Earth was proving to be the most difficult. He didn't care however. Learning the Four Elements was like having a purpose again. It was good to have the means to defend himself. Should he ever encounter Ashara and Azula again. He got the strangest feeling that that time would come soon enough.

Like the others, he was concerned about the poor defense systems in place. But he figured it would be enough for now. Especially since he had helped with the most of it, with equipment brought from the TARDIS, Alex had placed a large defensive shield around the training ground. He also figured that Ashara would be tracking them, so he took apart the Chameleon circuit. He didn't need it anyway. He liked that Police Box too much, it was a new home for him.

"The training ground is now covered in a highly advanced perception filter." Alex explained. "It'll buy us time. Ashara will find us eventually." He'd explained that perception filter's were not always reliable, so they could be detected. It was the best defense that they had in that short amount of time. "In the meantime, we should prepare. The Esari are highly advanced hunters, they will do anything and hurt anyone who gets in there way."

When he'd finished, there was a silence that spelled out what everyone was thinking. Alex could sense the fear coming from the group. "I know this seems like an impossible task. But if we work together, we should be able to stop her."

"Why is she hunting you?" Toph asked, that question caught Alex off guard. He didn;t know how to answer this. "You seem to know a lot about her. So why is she hunting you?"

"Honestly?" Alex said and Toph responded with an eager head nod. "I don't know. I've never met her before." He paused to think on that response, He knew that Ashara had a reason for hunting him. He couldn't quite figure out how he knew this. "There it is again," he muttered angrilly to himself, "someone knowing a lot more than I do. This is becoming an annoying habit." There was an awkward pause when Alex had finished. He stared for a moment at the blank expressions on the group.

"On the other hand, I have a question." Katara said, it was a while since she had last spoken. "How is it you seem to know everything? Who exactly are you?"

"I don't know." Alex said truthfully. "I thought I did, but that was a long time ago." Wow, this took him back. It just soon occurred to him that he didn't know what sought of person he was. His past remained a mystery. That was a question he'd sought to answer. The only time he'd ever come close was when he encountered Thrawn and the Trickster, all the words he ever got were Time Lord and he didn't even know what that was. Another question to add to the pile of questions.

Katara sat next to him and did something unexpected. She took his hand. The touch startled him but it felt nice, "Don't worry," she smiled at him. "We've said it before and I'll say this again. We'll help you solve this mystery. Whoever you were in the past, it doesn't matter. This is You now." Whatever happens here now, you get to decide." Easy for her to say. Katara had lived in this strange world her whole life. She had fought in the 100 year war, trained Aang to help defeat the Fire Lord. From the looks of things her destiny was already planned.

Alex's journey was only just beginning. This new chapter in his life was startling and scary. He'd faced dangers twice as hard, yet this group of strangers before him were willing to help him even if they didn't know who he was. Being a student again was terrifying. What if he didn't master the Four Elements in time? What if he failed to stop Ashara. Suddenly he found himself holding Ahsoka's necklace, he wasn't aware that he'd taken it out of his pocket. It just gave him a small slice of comfort, it was like having her spirit nearby. Alex then pocketed it and let go off Katara's hand. He swore then, no matter what it took that he would get back home. Even if it took him his whole regeneration.

He smiled back at Katara and then hugged her. "Am I the only one confused as to what just happened?" Sokka asked when Alex let go of Katara. Slowly Alex faced him and looked slightly embarrassed. But the. His courage was regained and something else started, His feelings and personality started to come into effect. In that moment he was the person he always knew that he was. He was The Avatar. He was Alex, and he was going to save this world.

He stood up from the bench and smiled, "Who's ready to get back into business?" He asked the group as they readied themselves for more training. Stepping into the circle, Alex faced his opponent, Katara who readied herself, "Right," he said beaming to her. "This is gonna be fun." And The two resumed their training as Katara then proceeded to attack him. Alex then laughed as felt the water moving through the air. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and deflected it straight back at Katara who bent the water into shape. At last Alex felt right at home, ready for the oncoming fight,.,.