Part: One- The Lutdeo
Chapter: Twenty Two- Preparation
Author: Fritters-4-Psi
Disclaimer: I do not own the show Avatar: The Last Air Bender or the related characters. Nor do I profit from this fanfiction. The only things of my creation in this fanfiction are the Koertan, Kashi, Risha, the concept of the grith coin, Vioniza, Raven's Watch, and Kali. Other possible things to come in later chapters.
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The sundial read seven-thirty. There was half an hour until Zuko and Sokka's scheduled Agni Kai. Zuko readied himself far from the others. After speaking to Katara, he had gone off into the forest so he could be alone to think and prepare. This duel would be won easily. He had fought the Water Tribe peasant before. There was no contest. If this was to be easily won, Zuko wondered, why did he even bother challenging Sokka? "Because he's corrupting my cousin. That's why I need to fight him," Zuko said to himself, "And I care for Katara. I can't let that peasant say otherwise."
In the giant living room of the house, Sokka and Risha were getting ready for the Agni Kai. Katara and Aang sat at the dining table and watched. For a short time, Iroh watched too, but he soon left to find Zuko. He wasn't so much worried about his nephew, as much as he was intrigued. The old General wondered what led to this challenge. Katara had said that there had been a small fight. What had caused the two to fight?
While Sokka prepared like any Water Tribe warrior would, by putting on paints that were shades of grey, Risha went into her room. She stripped off the red long-sleeved shirt she had put on that morning. In place of the other shirt, she donned a black tank-top. The trim of the tank-top was the same odd greenish-yellow of her eyes. She traded her normal baggy, black pants for a pair of tight black pants. On her feet, she put on a pair of simple black boots. The Fauna Bender had dressed so that she could move easily with little risk of her clothes getting caught on something.
She walked back out into the main room with confidence. Sokka had already finished preparing. He wore a mask of paint and in his left hand was a whale-bone spear. Risha walked over to Sokka, taking the spear from his hand. The handle of the spear was wooden. In a Fire Duel, it would soon be of no use. Instead, she handed him a katana and a iron-handled halberd. "These weapons will be more effective than your wooden spear," Risha said solemnly.
Sokka bowed in thanks, but said nothing. Risha then walked over to one of her decorated walls. From the wall, she took another iron-handled halberd, a small dagger, and a scimitar. She attached the scimitar to her belt and put the dagger in her left boot. Aang and Katara noticed how fierce Risha looked. Previously, if they had any doubts, seeing her all ready for a fight made them realize that there had to be Fire Nation blood in her veins.
With her open hand, the Fauna Bender grasped Sokka's open hand. She bit her lower lip and Sokka wondered if she was having doubts about fighting. "Are you going to be able to do this?" he asked her quietly, "You know? Fight your own cousin?"
Risha leaned forward and kissed Sokka on the cheek. "You need my help," she whispered, "Besides, it's not like I'm going to be killing Zuko. Just trying to knock some sense into him.
Watching Risha and Sokka made Katara realize something. Earlier that morning, when her and Zuko had been walking, seeing Risha with Sokka must have been what angered Zuko, even though it had only been for a short moment. What was going on between the two? The night before they seemed to only have a general friendship. After the Agni Kai, Katara would have to find out if her friend and her brother had a more meaningful relationship.
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Wow. For the life of me, I couldn't spell 'General' in this chapter. I'd look at it and be like "That doesn't look right." But I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. Okay, I feel guilty because you've been waiting for the Agni Kai since chapter 19. This is chapter 22. But look out for a SECOND chapter later today. Or, if I can't get on the internet again, tomorrow. And chapter 23, the next one, is the Agni Kai!
Reviews
21, SovereignxXxBrunette: Here's an udate. Ane HOPEFULLY later today I'll be able to get on and post another update! And update with the Agni Kai!