"It's really happening." Said Ren Quietly.
Volume 4 Issue 12: No Safe Haven
Continent of Anima
Kuroyuri
With Team RNJR and Qrow.
The sounds of thunder and gunfire are heard against a black screen. A wide shot of Kuroyuri shows the empty, degraded town. A billowing cloud of dust and pieces of wood rise in the distance around the top of a tree that is barely visible above the town rooftops. Jaune, Ruby, Ren and Nora all fall back by the dead cherry tree. Qrow is still unconscious and propped against it.
"Of all times to be passed out." Said Aqua.
The Nuckelavee comes into view, twitching its various body parts. It sends out a shockwave roar that causes all four teenagers to flinch. The Grimm looks at the teenagers and turns its head to look at Qrow and begins running toward him.
"Welp it's been a good run." Said Qrow.
Jaune sheaths his sword and makes a run for Qrow. The Nuckelavee lashes out with one of its arms, able to extend it at a far reach. Jaune avoids it and gets Qrow upright, but the Nuckelavee is heading right for them.
Ren uses his Semblance to hide
"Thanks Ren." Said Ruby.
Jaune and Qrow from the Grimm, which stops short and looks about in confusion. Jaune stands still, staring at the Grimm.
"Just get him to safety!" Ren ordered.
Jaune walks away with Qrow while the battle resumes. He sets Qrow down behind a building and narrows his eyes at the wounded man before turning to leave. Qrow grabs him by the hand, but falls unconscious before he can say anything. Jaune gives Qrow another look before rejoining the fight.
The Grimm is using its arms to grab hold of each of Jaune's teammates, but is continually distracted by the fire of the next one.
"It cannot lock on." Said Li.
"Guys, keep moving, go in a circle!" Jaune ordered.
The team follows this plan as the three gun users start to shoot the creature by running in circles each saving the other person while the blonde night tries to cut his back leg only to be kept backwards next to Ruby Who takes a moment to look at him As he Puts away his sword.
"What are you doing?" Ruby asked.
She smiles when she realizes that Jaune is using his upgraded Crocea Mors which combines the shield and sword together, adding to the strength to land strikes on the beast.
"Oh Very Nice." Said Jaune.
The fight continues as Ruby unfolds Thorn bush firing Electric bullets As Jaune runs up behind the creature and stabs the back behind its legs.
Getting angry the monster of the past extend its spikes and horns showing it's in raged as it begins to spasm even more letting out a loud scream forcing everyone to cover their ears, except for the green ninja tries to continue shooting after jumping on a tree only to be penned against a building.
"Lie calm down and Think!" Ordered Li.
"Ruby!" Nora cried.
Ruby nods, and she uses Crescent Rose to launch Nora in between Ren and the Nuckelavee's would-be fatal strike with its other hand. Magnhild is pinned to the building above Ren, with Nora dangling from it.
After a moment, Ren looks around to see that he is not in fact dead and is only distracted by the fact by Nora who is dangling from her hammer giving him a very good look up her skirt
"DIE BOY!" Screamed Thor.
Getting up Ren began to run for his life not wanting to die.
which she quickly takes notice.
"Stop looking!" Nora cried as she pulled her skirt to hide herself.
"Ah-ugh." Ren replied, covering his eyes.
Nora grins to herself.
"I told you those dresses wouldn't work." Said Tai.
"It's a combat Skirt!" Cried Ruby.
"YA!" Cried Weiss, Nora, and Leaf.
The Nuckelavee flings Nora around until she is knocked to the ground with her Aura depleted. Ren uses StormFlower to give himself leverage to pull the Nuckelavee hand off of him. He repeatedly goes after the creature, exhibiting reckless behavior, his eyes wild.
"Ren! Knock it off!" Jaune cried.
Ren ignores him and ends up on the ground beside Nora, separated from StormFlower and his Aura also depleted. The two partners rise together, Nora first. Ren's eyes are only on the creature, and Nora tackles him and drags him under a building.
"Well this is familiar." Said Nora.
The Nuckelavee advances, but Jaune blocks it with Handy mandy. The Nucklavee pushes him down and before he could attempt to attack the Shapeshifter it was stopped by ruby shooting him with crescent rose which he flings his arms towards the redhead. Ren attempts to rejoin the fight but Nora holds him back by the wrist, her head down.
"Nora, let go! Nora, they're going to get hurt if we don't—" Ren began until he was cut off.
" sometimes you just got to beat the stupid out of them." Said spring.
Without even looking up, Nora slaps Ren. He stops and turns to face her, and she finally lets go, putting her hands in her lap.
"No. I won't let you kill yourself like this. After everything we've been through, I won't let it end." Nora said.
" it would be foolish to let it end so easily." Said leaf.
She raises her head, but Ren sees his memory of Nora as a scared little girl before blinking and seeing her normally. Like back then, she has tears in her eyes.
"Not like this." Nora said.
Ren sighs and pulls the knife his father gave him out of his boot. He holds it in both hands. Nora places her hand on the hilt with his and closes his fingers around it. She looks at him with a fierce, determined expression.
"We can do this." Nora said.
Ren looks at her with big eyes before nodding in agreement. Together they step out from under the building. Nora picks up Magnhild and the two are promptly joined by Ruby and Jaune.
"Ren. Jaune and I can take care of its arms." Ruby stated.
"I'll take care of the horse." Nora added.
"I'll take care of the rest." Ren said.
Not wanting to risk it, Jaune took off his Watch using the hidden button on the bottom and tossed it to his friend who just grabbed it in midair, transforming into A Cat Faunus which wore a black shirt with A flower on the back of his shirt, bandages around his ankles, and black sandals. He wore tan pants with a scroll filled with weapons on his back.
His cat features appeared as a set of ears on his head.
" he looks pretty good like that." Commented Blake.
Nora heads to a rooftop activating Mjolnir. Ruby uses herself as a target until she manages to pin an arm to the ground with the tip of Crescent Rose. Ren's knife is flung and embeds itself into the body of the Grimm. Jaune is positioned to be the next target as Ren uses Jaune's shield to pin down the other arm.
"Now!" Ren cried.
Jaune stabs the Arm into the ground running a scream.
"Nora!" Ren shouted.
Nora free Falls from the roof to land a killing blow to the head of the horse. Ren retrieves his knife and walks before the trapped Grimm.
" when I created that thing I didn't expect it to be killed by for teenagers." Commented Salem.
'For my mother.' Ren thought.
Ren cuts off the left arm.
'For my father.' Ren thought.
Ren cuts off the right arm.
'For all those that you've slain.' Ren thought.
He strikes a gash into the flailing torso before he closes his eyes.
"For myself." Ren said aloud.
"He has let go." Said An.
He opens his eyes and swings with the knife, beheading the grimm. It dies in a pillar of black smoke. Ren drops the knife and breathes out a sigh of relief only to be tackled by a giggling, triumphant Nora. He hugs her back and gives a single laugh.
Ruby runs into the alley where Qrow was left during the fight. She breathes a sigh of relief that he is still alive.
"It's quiet. Good job, kiddo." Qrow said.
"Guys! I think I hear something!" Jaune cried.
In the courtyard two wood and metal airships are coming in to land; Nora points in Qrow's direction.
" looks like my luck finally turned around." Commented Qrow.
A man in a brown flight suit with an air tank on his back carries Qrow on a green stretcher with Ruby walking alongside them, her hand on Qrow's shoulder.
The two rescue ships take off, everyone on board.
"How did you find us here?" Jaune asked.
"We were on patrol and saw the smoke. Nobody's been out here for years, thought something might be wrong." the Mistral Pilot explained.
"What if we don't make it in time?" Ruby asked.
"Ruby." Jaune replied.
She looks up and sees the flourishing city before them.
"Oh thank oum." Said Ruby.
"We made it, Uncle Qrow." Ruby said.
Nora and Ren sit on the edge of the open rescue airship, their legs dangling. Nora is looking out at the city, feeling happy. Ren is watching her, begins smiling and puts his hand on hers. She gives a slight start but turns her hand over to hold his. She looks at him and gives him a smile, and he smiles back.
Nora scoots closer and rests her head on his shoulder.
The airships fly in to the city.
Kingdom of Mistral
City of Mistral
Unknown Hotel.
With Ruby.
Ruby walks into a double bed accommodation. It has barren furnishings: two beds, a large desk and a nightstand. Qrow sleeps under the blankets of one of the beds. Ruby sets the collapsed Crescent Rose on the empty bed and walks over to Qrow, putting her hand on his head.
She walks over and sits at the desk, picking up the pen and writing on the notepad.
'Hey Rex, I hope my letters have been reaching you, Kara, Laura, Yang, Mom, and Dad. Hand-written stuff's never been super reliable, but I guess it's all we've got these days. Anyway, in case you haven't been getting them, I want to say I'm sorry for leaving the way I did. I know you told me it was a reckless idea, and after everything I've been through, I can definitely say you were right. It's been hard, on all of us, and I'm not just talking about the monsters we fought out here.'
"That is definitely more than I think we were expecting." Admitted summer.
Ruby wrote in her thoughts as she wrote.
With Weiss and Blake.
An Atlesian pilot counts Lien.
"Okay, you can hide out back in the cargo hold. I'll take you as far as I can, but if we get caught, you're on your own. Understand? Also make sure whatever that thing is doesn't eat my cargo." The Atlas Pilot explained.
" Snow doesn't eat dust. She claims it's like trying to eat gravel." Said Carol.
"It's not that bad with Barf toad." Said Ken.
Weiss nods affirmatively and begins walking forward with Snow floating next to her as Ruby's narration resumes.
'Every step we made took us further and further from the things we knew. And every morning we woke up wondering, if just over the next hill would be something good or something terrible.' Ruby wrote.
"mostly terrible." Commented Logan.
Airship takes off, and the scene changes to Blake in Ghira office. She places a small chest on the desk and opens it. Inside are various objects, including a flag with the new White Fang emblem, a spiral notebook and a book.
'It's scary not knowing what's going to happen next. And the things we do know now—just how bad it can get—it almost makes it all worse.' Ruby wrote.
The Ship
With Yang and the others.
Yang is on the same ship Blake took to Menagerie with A representative from each team around the boat wearing her new outfit.
"Hmm Nice." Said Morrigan.
Her new outfit consisted of a tan jacket with orange lining and gold edging, unzipped halfway to show an orange crop top. The coat has darker brown short sleeves, a thick collar that completely encircles her neck, and two long gold-trimmed rectangular tails which are detachable. She also wears fitted black pants, and her hair has been let down again like her original outfit.
Around her hips and over the tails of her coat is a brown belt, which has two pieces of dark brown material trimmed in gold attached to it. The first covers from her left hip to the back of the belt and is folded over the belt, and the second is attached from the right hip and almost around to the other piece of material. She wears knee high brown boots with gold caps on the heel and toe, with the heel cap attaching to a gold strap across the front of her ankle, and a gold zipper on the upper half of the front of the boots. A single small buckled strap is on the upper outside of her boots, her Boots, like Ruby, they were still the same with the retractable metal spikes with both laced lethal and non-lethal poison cartridges and a purple bandanna tied around her left knee. A pair of black fingerless gloves with long brown cuffs reaching to mid-forearm complete the outfit.
" you definitely take after your dad in your fashion sense." said Raven,
She is looking at a ticket and a photograph of Team STRQ, with Bumblebee nearby.
'Yang told me once that bad things just happen. She was angry when she said it, and I didn't want to listen.' Ruby wrote.
Xiao Long-Rose-Branwen Family Home
With Taiyang and Zwei.
Taiyang Xiao Long stares at a framed photo of Team STRQ.
'But you were right, bad things do happen, all the time, every day. Which is why I'm out here, to do whatever I can, wherever I can, and hopefully do some good.' Wrote Ruby.
Zwei barks at Tai, and he smiles, looking across the room at a framed photo of Team RWBY. On the photo, "New Friends!" is written with a heart shape drawn near the writing. Along with a Second Photo with shows
Taiyang gets up just as Summer came rushing in passing him a note along with Sienna that Laura, Daphne, and Kirby all snuck out
"WHAT?!" Screamed Yang.
"Oh don't be so surprised human." Said Daphne.
going after Ruby with the Warp Star much to their horror as Summer nods, determined to go after them.
"Welp. If I wasn't dead when I got home I'll be dead when she catches me." Said Ruby.
'We've all lost something, and I've seen what loss can do to people.' Ruby wrote.
With Jaune and the others.
Jaune is in his room with a frustrated look on his face as he stares at Crocea Mors propped up against the wall.
'But if we gave up every time we lost, then we'd never be able to move forward.' Ruby wrote.
"Or be Heros." Said Ben.
Nora and Ren open the door. Jaune smiles as Ren sets his father's dagger next to Crocea Mors And Gives Jaune His Watch. Nora sits beside Jaune and leans on him, while Ren sits on the bed behind them and rests his hand on Nora's shoulder.
'We'd never have a chance to see what beautiful things the future might have waiting for us. We'd never have the strength to change; whether it's ourselves, or the world around us.' Ruby wrote.
" you sound like a huntress." Commented Summer.
Weiss, sitting on top of her suitcase in the airship's cargo hold, gazes out into the sunset and smiles as the airship flies over the Atlesian mountains with Snow in her lap. In Menagerie, Blake puts down the current White Fang flag and picks up the old white and blue flag. She lowers it and smiles at Sun Wukong, who is sitting in a chair with his arms behind his head in a relaxed position.
'And we'd never be there for other people who might one day be lost without us. This is what we were training for, Rex, to become Huntsmen and Huntresses, to be the ones to stand up and do something about all the bad in the world.' Ruby wrote.
"obviously we won in the end." Said winter.
The Captain and First Mate smile and wave goodbye as Yang drives Bumblebee away from the port with Rest of the team driving close behind her as she scouts had never noticed in the warp star just above their heads, headed toward Mistral.
Elsewhere, Oscar sits in the dining car of the train as it crosses a bridge surrounded by mountains and water. He is staring at a poster advertising Haven Academy. The poster shows two figures: a female with an axe and a male with a rifle. The poster reads: "HAVEN ACADEMY: BE A HERO".
" there are no heroes only fools." Said Salem.
" doesn't mean we can't try to help people." Argued Ken.
'Because there are plenty of people out there who are still lost and even more who will try to gain everything they can from their sorrow.' Ruby wrote.
Ilia lands on a rooftop in Menagerie in the night, as Corsac and Fennec wait for her. Ilia gets on one knee and lowers her head after they turn to face her, but there is a sign of uncertainty behind her eyes.
'Believe me when I say, I know it can feel impossible, like every single day is a struggle against some unstoppable monster we can never hope to beat.' Ruby wrote.
"Like her." Said James.
In the Land of Darkness, Cinder snaps her fingers, having defeated at least the two Beowolves disintegrating on the ground in her continued training. Mercury is leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. Emerald puts two fingers on her head, concentrating as she generates a hallucination of Ruby begging for mercy. Cinder focuses a large stream of fire on the hallucination from her right hand, glaring at it with her eye glowing. Nearby, Salem is watching, looking pleased before A flash of pink light and Circe appears in the room.
"I am not looking forward to dealing with her." Said hope.
'But we have to try, if not for us, then for the people we've already—' Ruby continued but stopped.
Ruby stops and crosses out the last few words as she alters her statement.
'Then for the people we haven't lost yet.' Ruby wrote.
" I won't lose anyone." Said Ruby.
"your Nativity is almost sickening." Said Salem.
As Ruby finishes writing, the note is shown and two tears fall on the page.
'I miss you so much. I miss Weiss, Blake, Yang, the kids, and Ben too if he ever wakes up. But I think you'd all be proud to know that I made it to Mistral. All of us did, and we even ran into Uncle Qrow along the way.' Ruby wrote.
" more like he is in trouble for not bringing you home." Said summer.
Qrow pushes himself over with one arm and grunts while propping up his head with the other hand. Ruby stops writing to check on him.
"Hey, aren't I normally the one saving you?" Qrow asked.
Ruby wipes tears from her right eye and smiles down at Qrow. The narration of Ruby's letter resumes as the corner where Qrow's Weapon and Ozpin's Cane are resting is shown.
'He's going to take us to see Professor Lionheart, the headmaster of Haven Academy. And he told us some things that you're gonna wanna hear, things I can't trust will make it to you in this letter. But maybe, if you join us, he could tell you himself. With Beacon gone they'll need Dad and Mom at Signal
"not anymore now that I'm dragging you home by your cloak." Said summer.
more than ever, and I know you need to focus on The kids before I can expect you to come out with me. But it sure would be great to get Team RWBY back together again.' Ruby wrote.
With Yang and the others.
The scene transitions to Yang riding down a path on Bumblebee with the others following behind her, before coming to a stop at a crossroads and looking at a sign post. The signpost points right for Mistral and left for Kuroyuri, and the sign for Kuroyuri has "BANDITS" spray painted across it in big, red letters.
"You are in so much trouble when I find you." Yang said.
" I don't like the sound of that." Said ruby.
'Until next time, your loving Girlfriend, Ruby Rose.' Ruby finished.
Yang smiles as she continues to ride her motorcycle going one path as the rest of the team goes the other.
"you better not be helping your mom with the Civil War." Said Qrow.
'Oh! Uh, PS. I'll be sure to give you the address of where we're staying in Mistral! I'd love to hear back from you, Mom, and Dad, and I can't wait to fill you in on whatever's going to happen next! Now that we've made it across Anima I really think things are gonna start going our way.' Ruby added.
Haven Academy
Leonardo's Office.
The scene transitions to Leonardo's office, showing a ladder against a bookshelf with a few books taken out. The previously described mahogany desk is seen along with a plaque and loose papers. On a small table lies a tea set, with gray colored teapots and cups decorated with green accents. The view changes to reveal that Arthur is sitting at the table together with Leonardo. He picks up a tea cup and puts his feet up on the table.
"Why thank you, Professor. Salem always did say you were... *takes a sip* quite hospitable."
"he does know how to make some very good tea." Said Salem.
Watts said.
Back with Ben.
With that said, the scene shifted to Ben who is finally done swearing with a creative use of words of such Profanity to surpass Ragna
"Impossible." Said Ragna.
and that will later have to be erased from both of the kids memories.
"Talk. NOW!" Ben ordered towards Death with a aura of Darkness and Blood surrounding his body as his Hair was white and spiking up and eyes were glowing blood red
"He's going Dante on us." Groaned Bayonetta.
" shut up both of you. You have no idea how shocking this is especially with what I'm thinking maybe happening they'll make me explode." Said Ben.
with rage as the Screen goes black.
Omake: A Lesson of the Four Nations
Naruto Universe
With Ben and Kitty.
Sitting in the living room early in the morning, Kitty sat on the floor with a bruise on her face and several scratches
"oh I remember this day." Mumbled Kat.
all over while Ben was at the door talking to several different monkeys along with Enma, having a disappointed look on his face.
"Yes, I promise I'll talk to her and make sure this doesn't happen again." Ben said as he closed the door.
Turning around, Ben approached Kitty with a disappointed frown as she turned away, ignoring his Look.
"Alright, what happened? Many of the parents are complaining that you started a fight and even used what was it? Fire Light?" Ben asked.
" please tell me that's not heat blast." Asked been receiving silence.
"They were making fun of my ears and tail and saying how meat is terrible." Kitty replied.
"What else?" Ben asked.
"They were saying how girls are not supposed to be fighting whatsoever. They claim that there's no single girl fighter here, so I showed them how good of a fighter I am." Kitty explained.
" I say she was in the right for that. people will only respect strength." Said Salem.
"I agree it's ridiculous they don't let girls hear fight." Ben admitted.
"Then I'm right." Kitty replied.
"No, you're in trouble. I agree that it was wrong, but you can't go around fighting people just because you disagree with their culture." Ben explained.
"But it's wrong! Mommy can fight just as well as you can!" Kitty cried.
"True, but you should've ignored them and walked away." Ben explained.
"I'm not a coward!" Kitty declared.
"What is cowardice but the body's wisdom of its weakness? What is bravery but the body's wisdom of its strength? The coward and the hero march together within every man. So to call one man 'coward' and another 'brave' merely serves to indicate the possibilities of their achieving the opposite." Ben explained.
"Thank You Caine for your words of wisdom." Said Ben.
"I have no idea what that means, but I do know that they're wrong. The only culture I want is my own." Kitty replied.
"It's important to draw wisdom from many different places. If we take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. Understanding others, the other way of Life, will help you become whole." Ben explained.
"Iroh." Guessed Ben.
"Why do I have to learn other different ways of life? I like my life." Kitty asked.
"Get comfortable and I'll tell you another story about learning new ways of fighting as well as the cultures behind them and their way of thinking." Ben explained.
Flashback: The Day before his Identity was revealed in Ultimate Alien by Jimmy Jones.
" that one was stressful." Said Ben.
Sitting in his Room, Ben just got done butchering another peace talk between the Pyronites and the Piscciss Volanns which nearly resulted in War if he quickly did not negotiate a temporary cease-fire.
"Augggghhhh... Why is finding a way to bring peace between them so hard...?!" Ben complained just as Paradox appeared.
"Perhaps I can help you in more ways than one." Paradox explained.
"What do I have to do this time?" Ben asked.
"Simply don't negotiate peace and allow the ceasefire to continue for now." Paradox replied.
"He knee ren would happen." Mumbled Jaune.
"You know Azmuth won't be happy about it." Ben replied.
"I've already dealt with him. Now come, you'll be going somewhere to learn how to fight with four different styles, but as wells come to appreciate not only culture diversity, but even learn to find ways to make peace with the differences." Paradox explained.
Taking Ben's Hand, Paradox took Ben to a large, exquisite building with Two separate, broad stone steps lead up to a neatly paved patio in front of the tea shop; in the middle of this patio is a large, rectangular fountain with a statue in the center. The elevated position of the terrace provides a panoramic view over the city.
Wide, stone steps stand before the wooden, double front door at the center of the building. At both sides of the door is a large, round decorative window and located above the door is a black sign decorated with carefully applied golden letters to form the name of the shop. The sign is flanked by two slim, elegant golden dragons. A large copper flowerpot sporting a neatly trimmed green bush stands at each corner of the shop.
The building sports eighteen windows, nine on each side of the door, all facing the street. Each window is made of wood of a rich deep brown color, and each has yellow shutters. The windows are on hinges, allowing them to fully swing open to let in the warm air of the Earth Kingdom and to let the sweet, inviting aroma of tea spread to passersby.
"Whoa. You really did learn from him." Said Rise.
"Whoa. Where am I?" Ben asked, looking around.
"This is the Jasmine Dragon Located in Ba Sing Se. Come inside and I'll introduce you to your first teacher." Paradox explained.
Inside was the dining area that fills the majority of the available space. It is filled with aesthetic brown square and round tables with matching chairs. The tables are large enough to accommodate four people, but it is also possible to request a table for fewer.
In the middle of the shop floor lies a large, dark green, rectangular carpet edged with a yellow border and depicting two dragons. The lighting is mostly provided by natural sunlight flowing in through the windows during the day, but rectangular wood and cloth lanterns in the same yellow-green colors to match the Earth Kingdom feel are also hung from the ceiling to illuminate the shop at night. Right above the entrance is a framed piece of calligraphy displaying a proverb: "It is better to go for three days without food than one day without tea".
" A little obsessive don't you think?" Asked Ying.
"Not for me." Said Raven.
Numerous intricate scroll paintings are hung on each of the room's walls, each artistry different than the other. As finishing touches, potted plants are placed at strategic locations spread over the shop, to create a more natural, green environment. Decorative kettles and tea pots are also part of the decor.
Inside was an elderly man with a long beard and a balding head wearing green robes pouring 3 cups of tea for his guest.
This is Iroh, Ben's Shaolin Kung Fu Teacher.
"Greetings Guest, please have Some tea." Iroh greeted.
"Umm... I don't like Tea." Ben replied.
"Yang. Dump him." Said Raven completely serious.
"Not happing." Said Yang.
Slowly turning towards Ben, Iroh Glared At Ben for saying such a thing.
"You don't like Tea? That's like not liking being alive." Iroh asked.
"Sorry, what I should've said was I don't like Jasmine. It upsets my stomach." Ben clarified.
"Oh. Then, please allow me to fetch a different kind from the kitchen." Iroh replied, quickly leaving to fetch a new flavor.
Waiting until he is out of earshot, Ben leaned in close to Paradox to talk quietly.
"Paradox, why am I here? I am not a bender." Ben asked.
"You can use your alien forms to substitute the abilities, but to answer your question, you are here to learn their martial arts styles as well as learn how to appreciate the differences in cultures. Also, there's something very important you must know that no matter what happens you could not do it." Paradox explained, turning serious.
"Shame To But now that I think about it it is probably for the best." Commented Kevin.
"Okay, what is it?" Ben asked.
"You must never, ever, no matter what under any circumstances, meet with the Avatar." Paradox explained, dead serious before he left just as Iroh arrived.
"Are you ready to learn, my student?" Iroh asked.
"I am." Ben replied.
Smiling, Iroh led him to a clearing that is usually used for earth bending practices, but will suffice in this case.
"Fire is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires. During the war, my people would use it and filled with rage, anger, and hatred, but fire is so much more than that it is life." Iroh explained.
Demonstrating, Iroh blasted a stream of fire from his fist towards a boulder as a demonstration of his humble power.
"While I do not understand how your abilities work, I do know that they should be kept a secret, so you do not have to worry about me." Iroh said.
"Thank you. But before I start practicing with that, can you please start showing me the stances?" Ben asked.
"Of course. These techniques emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks. The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets. You, the student, learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the sets." Iroh explained.
" it was long and hard and filled with a lot of fire but certainly better than my next one." Commented Ben.
1 year later.
It took Ben an entire year to fully master the technique as well as learn the entire culture of the Fire Nation before the war as well as what evolved into now.
Right now, Ben was on his way to Omashu flying there as Big Chill, making quick tiime especially since he was invisible and no one noticed him until he came to the hill outside of the kingdom where he saw Paradox was waiting for him.
"I'm pleased to see that you've mastered the style so quickly." Paradox commented.
"Yeah, me too." Ben replied.
"Anyway, be ready, Benjamin, because your next teacher will keep you on your toes." Paradox replied before leaving.
" i'm surprised I still have my toes." Complaint ben.
Confused, Ben was about to head into the City when he was cut off by a really buff and really old man appeared popping out of the ground with a mad cackle.
"Hello Ben, I'm pleased to be able to teach you." Bumi greeted.
"Uhhh... you're not going to make me do three different tests, are you? Because no offense, I just want to learn and go home." Ben asked.
"Oh no, nothing like that. I'm just going to teach you how to think like a mad genius, so..." Bumi explained, pausing to lift a large bolder.
"DODGE!" Bumi cried, cackling.
" that old man is way too strong!" Said Yang.
1 year later.
1 year after learning over dozens of different fighting techniques of the Earth Kingdom, Ben was happy to say he was no longer going to be training with this mad king as while wise and experienced, Bumi is just far too unpredictable for his taste.
"You've done well, Ben. You've mastered everything I've taught you." Bumi said.
"It wasn't easy, but it was certainly fun. Anyway, I'll be sure to give this rock candy to my mom." Ben replied before flying away to the foggy swamp.
" she loves that stuff but she hates how it ruins her teeth." Said Gwen.
Later at the swamp.
Landing at the foot of the giant tree in the middle of a swamp as Wildvine, the Watch Shapeshifter looked around waiting for his next teacher when he felt something appear out of the swamp water looking like some kind of plant monster.
"So, you're the person that Doc told me about. Got to say, I'm impressed with this." the Plant Monster said, opening itself up to reveal it was just a normal man named Huu.
"I guess so, but I don't have a form that can control water like you." Wildvine explained.
"You don't have to. I can show you ways to connect to the roots of the world as well as understand its history. Just try to connect to the roots." Huu replied.
Nodding his head, Wildvine did as he was tall as he started to meditate, leading the Florauna to take over as to better connect to the tree ceiling's every route drinking water, creating air, holding its creatures in its branches, becoming one with nature.
"So you learned how to connect with nature on a literal sense and how he fights by turning defense into attack." Said Virvid.
Whoa. This tree has seen much." Wildvine commented.
"That's just the start. Come, let me show you the forms for water bending, then we can get to the plant bending." Huu explained.
Flashback Ends.
"Through each of my teachers, I managed to learn not only a new way of fighting, but also a new form of culture that seems so different from everything I know and grew to appreciate, but also quite similar at the same time. Both the Fire nation and the Earth Kingdom want to complete their goals and do whatever it takes while the water tribes just simply like to go with the flow even if they like to remain isolated." Ben explained.
"But what about Air?" Kitty asked.
"Ya. Seems like a pretty big oversight." Commented Hyde.
"I couldn't learn air because the only air for my half is Terraspin and it would mean I'd more than likely run into the Avatar even if I went into the future before Korra went to learn. However, now that I think about I, Paradox is also probably trying to protect me from coming across a light spirit." Ben explained.
" that's exactly why. Even if light ordered them not to attack you somewhere disobey and continue anyway because of the fact of free will." Explained Paradox.
"I still don't get it. The Fire Nation were the bad guys, so does that make their culture evil?" Kitty asked.
"No. I do not like their warring attitude, I truly don't. However, to them, it was the only culture that mattered just as the only culture that seems to matter to you just the one where you can eat meat and fight like your mom." Ben explained.
" what did you expect? I was five at the time." Said Ken.
"I still say my culture's good and theirs is bad." Kitty replied stubbornly.
"You may think that, but they're also thinking the same thing. However, if you just stop to take a second look, you may find that some things are not so different after all." Ben replied as the screen went black.
" say what you will about the monkeys and they're pretty sexist views but they are really great at fighting with their weapons." Said Kat.
