Wandering Firebender

Fifty Four: Picking Fights

Elio didn't expect the day to end in a fight...

Elio woke up quietly and rubbed his eyes, using his hand to sweep the hair out of his face. As the day of Sozin's Comet came closer and closer, he found himself struggling more and more to sleep well. Anxiety and dread hung heavily in the air, and its weight increased with each passing day.

Just 6 more days.

Less than a week left. Elio swallowed nervously at the thought of this. Since he'd arrived, he'd been doing everything he could to help get the men and women of the Northern Water Tribe ready for the day of the invasion. It was pretty much all he had devoted his time to.

But today, his mind was on something else that someone had said to him. He couldn't remember right now who had said it, but regardless, he'd been neglecting one very important fact: he would be fighting too, and he wasn't ready yet.

That was a very loaded thing to consider. After all, wasn't that why Elio ran away in the first place? To avoid fighting in the war? Nevertheless, he knew that this was the right thing to do. If it weren't for him, the Northern Water Tribe would've been caught completely off-guard.

Despite that, he still didn't have the stomach for conflict, not like this. He realized as much when he'd fought in that Earth Kingdom city. Wars are vicious, and battles are ugly. There was no way of telling now what he would do when the time came.

How could he know?

That was the result of all of his experiences throughout this past year: even when he didn't want to do something, and as much as he might dislike it, if it was the right thing to do, he would do it anyways. As much as he liked having that trait now, he still didn't like the situations that this mindset often put him in.

Elio got out of bed, had his breakfast, and got ready to go out. He fixed his hair and put on the water tribe parka he had been given, the one with the large black flame painted on the back of it. He knocked on the door before stepping outside.

"Ah, good morning. Are you on your way to help with another class?" The guard asked him as he stepped out. Elio looked in the direction of the training grounds and hesitated before giving his answer.

"Actually, no. I'd like to get in some of my own training today. Could you please pass that along to the master?" Elio requested. The guard nodded.

"I'll pass it down."

"Thank you...I need somewhere wide open to train in. Know any places like that?" Elio asked him.

"Other than the official training grounds?" The guard asked. Elio rolled his eyes and nodded.

"Yeah."

"Well...behind the palace that way, there's nothing but untouched ice. The conditions are a lot harsher if you go out that way, but there's nothing there for you to burn." The guard answered.

"Oh, that's perfect! Thank you!" Elio said appreciatively.

"You're welcome." The guard answered politely and even smiled a little.

Elio took his staff and a small amount of food with him, going off in the direction that the guard had pointed. Very quickly, he found himself running into the edge of the palace grounds. Once he'd stepped out, it was a steep climb up to the desolate area that the guard had been talking about.

Elio took a few moments to catch his breath once he got to the top. He sat at the top and turned around. Now he was able to get an even better view of the entire Northern Water Tribe. The ice glistened in the morning sun so beautifully. It was captivating each and every time he saw it.

Elio got to his feet and turned away, walking with his staff in hand deeper into the empty land. His surroundings now were made up of nothing except ice and snow being blown about forcefully by strong winds. He pulled his hood over his head to shield his face from the biting cold.

Once he was satisfied with how far away he was from everyone else, he set his pack down and removed his gloves. Even his staff was incredibly cold because of the weather. Elio wrapped his fingers around it and could feel the freezing metal making his skin tingle.

"Fire comes from the breath. Feel the rise and fall of your chest as you let air in and out. This is the foundation of everything you'll learn. Whether you use your fire to create or destroy, it must all come from within you."

Elio recalled Iroh's words to him. With so much experience and wisdom, Elio couldn't help but feel hopelessly ignorant. Despite the old man's confidence in him, he wasn't completely sure that he had everything he needed to make it through this.

According to Iroh, that in itself was already very dangerous. He needed to be totally sure of himself if he was going to have a shot at making it through what would undoubtedly be his greatest challenge.

Elio took in a deep breath, using his firebending to warm his body. He took his staff in both hands and began to spin it around. Fire began to fly out from either end of it, creating a moving ring of fire. Elio began to practice attacks and routines with his staff.

"Be mindful of every decision you make. One step could mean the difference between victory and defeat."

It was Master Rala who had given him the basics of fighting with a staff all those months ago. He'd told Elio the same thing: never forget the basics. With his special staff, he was able to combine these two fighting styles together in his own unique way.

Elio stepped in a circle and swung his staff outwards with one arm. He sent a strong arcing fire blast forward. He stood straight and spun the staff once in his right hand before setting it down on the ground. That was enough staff training for now.

Time to get to firebending.

"Firebending comes from within you, Elio, so you must learn to stay in control. Your breathing, your training, your feelings will all play a part. To firebend the right way, you must have balance."

Elio sighed to himself. This past year had been anything but balanced in his mind. But that was creating a mental hurdle that he needed to overcome. He recognized and acknowledged that, but finding that balance in less than a week seemed impossible.

Elio raised his fists and started shooting fireballs out of his fists. He started by pacing himself, being mindful of how rapidly he attacked and how much fire he shot out. Then, gradually, he started to push himself more and more.

He wanted to see how much better he had become.

With an open hand, he let out a widespread fan of fire out and expanded it like a wall. He opened his hand further and let fire out more forcefully, creating an intimidatingly large blast. All at once, Elio cut the fire short and shook his arm out.

That was the kind of attack that Cassian preferred. He'd always had more raw power than Elio did. Cassian never questioned his abilities; he knew his strengths and his weaknesses, and how to command a fight. That was something that Elio had a hard time emulating.

Elio balled his fists again, but then slowly opened his hands and looked down at them. His mind drifted from Cassian to Azula. She had that same attitude; according to her, she had no real weaknesses. In a head-on fight, it was hard for Elio to imagine anyone besting her.

But her strategy was different. She didn't use an open hand or a closed fist. She had a tendency to shoot fire out of two fingers. She was way more precise with her attacks. That's something that Elio also needed to practice with.

Out of curiosity, he extended out two fingers on either hand. He shot fire out of his left hand. He wasn't able to shoot out as much fire, but it went out much further than he could typically shoot. He did it again with his right hand. His eyes widened a little.

Maybe he was more prepared than he thought...

Elio continued to practice until he felt satisfied with himself. He then sat down by the edge of the ice cliff again. He took some time to relax, cool down, and eat the food he had brought along. Then he slowly descended back down to the palace grounds.

As he made his way back towards his lodge, he was surprised to see Ansel knocking at the front door. Elio approached him from the side and greeted him with a wave.

"Hey, Ansel. You looking for me?" He asked. Ansel turned to look at him.

"Elio! Where have you been all day?" Ansel asked him curiously.

"I was out training on my own. Why? Did something happen?" He asked.

"Master Hazo is very upset with you for not showing up today, Elio. Why didn't you say anything?" Ansel asked him. Elio made a face.

"I did say something! I told the guard where I was going. He said he would pass the message along." Elio explained.

"Well, evidently he did not do that," Ansel shook his head. "I suggest that you clarify the matter with Hazo in person. He's very angry, and the students aren't doing well at keeping up with him."

"Oh boy. Alright, let's go." Elio sighed.

The two of them jogged back to the training grounds. When they got there, Elio saw Master Hazo shouting at his students as he pushed them through drill after drill. He saw Cindra there among the other students being subjected to the same thing.

"How long has this been going on?" Elio asked Ansel curiously.

"Based on the condition of the previous students, I can safely assume it's been all day." He answered. Elio sighed and shook his head.

"Alright...well, let's go." Elio said, trying to motivate himself. He knew that once the master saw him, he would become the center of his aggression. The two of them stepped out onto the training grounds.

"Master Hazo!" Elio called to him. Hazo turned around. His eyes widened briefly before narrowing in on him.

"And just where have you been all day?! Or have you already forgotten about your duties?" Hazo questioned him. The other students took advantage of the master being distracted, stopping their drills and taking a momentary break.

"There's been a simple misunderstanding! I asked the guard to make sure you knew that I wouldn't be attending training today, but someone didn't relay the message." Elio explained calmly.

"Oh, so now you believe you get to choose when you want to be of use or not." Hazo said sarcastically.

"Master, it was a simple mistake." Ansel spoke up.

"Fall in line with the rest of them! I'll deal with you later for stepping away without permission." Hazo threatened. Ansel said nothing as he walked away.

"I can understand that you're upset, Master Hazo, but don't you think this is a little extreme? What sort of message are you trying to send to your students?" Elio asked.

"If you don't like my methods, firebender, then perhaps you should try showing up and doing something about it!" Hazo argued. Elio rolled his eyes and shrugged.

"Haha, maybe I would if you weren't being so difficult about this! We should be working together on this, not against each other! I'm here trying to help, you know. Or did you forget that?" Elio pointed out with an attitude.

"You think just because you put on our clothing, that makes you one of us? You are sorely mistaken," Hazo said, tugging on the sleeve of Elio's water tribe parka. When he pulled it, it was enough for Elio to turn and Hazo to catch a glimpse of the Fire Nation symbol painted on the back.

"What is this?! You demand respect when you don't take your duties seriously? And on top of that, you mock our culture with this?!" Hazo accused him.

"Hey, I'm just wearing the 'gift' that some of your students gave me! Why don't you talk to them about it? They're right over there." Elio gestured to the three students in question.

"I will speak to the chief about this tomorrow. For now, I suggest you leave and think about what you're going to say." Hazo said before turning away from him. Elio rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"You know what? You can do or say whatever you want, but that doesn't change what I'm here to do, and it doesn't change the invasion coming in less than a week! Your stubborn attitude is only making things worse for all of us!" Elio continued to argue.

"Alright, that's it!" Hazo growled and turned around, "I've had enough of this. I will not allow some child from the Fire Nation to question our culture or my methods!"

"I was away training!" Elio pointed out, his tone giving emphasis to how ridiculous he found this whole argument to be.

"Then you train with me. I will be your opponent!" Master Hazo said. Elio's eyes narrowed on him.

"Fine." He agreed.

"Elio, this is a bad idea! Don't do it!" Cindra said to him.

"All students, clear the training grounds and fall to the side! I want you to observe carefully." The master instructed.

So all of the students cleared the training grounds, walking up the steps to the palace and sitting down to observe. Elio removed his parka and gave it to Cindra, along with his staff and other personal belongings.

"Elio, you don't need to fight to prove your point." Cindra said.

"Nah, it's fine. This way I can knock some sense into him." Elio said irritably before turning around and walking onto the training grounds again. He stood across from the master, about 15 feet away.

"You should consider yourself fortunate that I would even give you the honor of a fair fight. You're not even worthy of the challenge!" Hazo spat.

"You need to shut up, man." Elio grumbled before getting into his fighting stance. He took in a deep breath, taking a moment to calm his mind so that he could focus on the fight.

This was his opportunity to show what he was really about.

Hazo made the first move, pulling water out of two fountains on either side of him. He created two large streams of water and sent them both towards Elio. Elio created a spread shot of fire to block the attack. A large majority of the water crashed against the fire, but some of it still hit Elio and made him stumble back.

Steam rose from the clash of fire and water. Hazo pulled more water out of the fountain and bent it around him. He created spikes of ice and sent them flying towards Elio. Since Elio was already stumbling back, he moved to the side and most of the spikes missed. One caught his leg, but it only tore through the fabric.

Hazo sent another stream of water towards Elio. This time, Elio sent fire out of his feet and flew over the attack, flipping into the air and sending several fireballs towards the master. Hazo created ice and skated around Elio, dodging the attacks as Elio landed on the ground.

Elio brought up both hands and created two whips of fire. He spun around in a circle, causing the fire to extend out and spread. Hazo shot more spikes at Elio, but he was caught off-guard when the fire licked at his clothes. Hazo slipped in his effort to dodge the attack. Meanwhile, one of the spikes scratched Elio's cheek.

"Ah! Are you trying to kill me?!" Elio growled.

"I could say the same to you with those attacks!" Hazo shouted back.

Elio threw two fireballs at Hazo; one with his hand then one with his foot. Hazo rolled to the side to dodge the first one. He created a wall of ice that absorbed the impact of the second fireball and broke into pieces upon impact. Hazo flinched and stepped away, but Elio was already closing in.

Hazo melted the ice wall he had created to skate on, turning it back to water. He brought it towards him and it crashed into Elio's side, knocking him down. Hazo wrapped the water around Elio, freezing him into the ground and immobilizing him.

"This fight is over." Hazo declared.

"Oh no, Elio!" Cindra exclaimed worriedly.

"I don't know how you do things over in the Fire Nation, but here in the Water Tribe, respect is given to the masters and earned by the students. You haven't done either. We have no room for insubordination. I'll be sure to relay this to the chief." Hazo said, brushing himself off.

"Good. I'm sure he'll appreciate me knocking some respect into you." Elio said with a growl. Hazo laughed at him.

"Is that what you would call this?"

"Not yet." Elio said with a slight sideways smile. He swallowed and took in another breath.

The ice around him started to melt as he used his firebending to warm his body and create fire. He forced his arm out and pulled himself free. Hazo's eyes widened, and he tried to freeze Elio again. Elio rolled forward and shot fire out of his feet, sending himself sliding back the opposite way.

Elio slid on his knees and got to his feet, pushing himself to sprint towards Hazo. Hazo tried to shoot ice spikes at Elio to stop him, but this time Elio was ready, so he was able to dodge them. He created a wall of fire in front of him and spread it out, using it to hide his approach.

Hazo used more water to stop the fire wall from hitting him. This created even more steam. Elio realized he could use this to his advantage. He started shooting fireballs with rapid punches; it wasn't the way he was trained to bend, but he needed to keep Hazo from getting into a rhythm.

Hazo found himself having to move much faster to block Elio's fireballs. The water hissed as it evaporated each time he blocked a fireball. Steam began to rise and spread, creating a cloud of fog around the training grounds.

"This is getting serious." Ansel commented to Cindra.

"Should we allow this to continue?" Cindra asked.

"I don't think we have a choice." Ansel answered honestly.

Hazo defensively brought some water to him, swirling it around and preparing to attack again. Elio followed the sounds of water and created fire sticks in each hand as he got in close. Hazo's eyes widened and he tried to hit Elio with a water whip.

Elio ducked under the water and closed the distance, slashing at his side and burning a hole in Hazo's parka. Hazo brought up a stream of water that hit Elio's left hand and extinguished the fire stick.

With his right hand, Elio spun around and elbowed Hazo in the chest. He twisted his wrist and flicked it, causing a bright shot of fire to flash in Hazo's face.

Hazo yelped and stumbled back, looking to skate away again by creating another ice wall. This time, Elio used a forceful, continuous blast of fire to block Hazo's path. Hazo turned awkwardly to avoid skating right into the fire, but he awkwardly slid on the ground before getting to his feet.

As Hazo got to his feet, Elio closed the distance again and threw several punches into his midsection. Hazo grunted and threw a kick at Elio's head. Elio blocked the kick and tried to sweep Hazo's feet with a quick low kick. Hazo stepped back to avoid it.

Hazo tried to bring more water in to attack Elio with. Elio threw a fiery uppercut that caught Hazo off guard. He reacted right away, using the water to extinguish the fire rather than hit Elio. As more water and steam burst in his face, Elio went in for the final blow.

Elio jumped forward and slammed his shoulder into Hazo's chest, knocking him down. Hazo tried to kick him as Elio tried to get on top of him. Elio took the hit in his chest and caught his foot. He threw a chi-blocking jab into Hazo's calf, immobilizing it.

Hazo yelped out in pain. Elio twisted his leg and kicked him in the thigh before letting him go. Hazo shouted in pain as he rolled over onto his stomach and tried to get up. He was unable to put any weight down on his foot, and so he fell back onto his hands and knees. Elio walked over to him.

"What is this?! What did you do to me?!" Hazo exclaimed in shock.

"It's called chi-blocking. You won't be able to walk on that foot for at least another hour." He answered.

"H-How?!" Hazo's reaction indicated his panic. He tried to bring one hand back to bend again, but Elio kicked his other hand out from under him, causing him to fall. Hazo caught himself on his forearms awkwardly, just barely avoiding hitting his face on the ice.

"Now this fight is over." Elio decided. Hazo huffed and lifted himself on his hands again.

"Fine. I'll yield. But this doesn't change anything." He said spitefully. Elio crouched down in front of him and spoke in a calmer voice.

"I understand your position, Master Hazo, and how you must be feeling. But I'm not your enemy here. I don't know much about waterbending, but I'm pretty sure that this is not going to make your students more prepared...just more afraid.

"You don't win a fight by becoming like your opponent, you win by becoming better. That doesn't necessarily mean more skilled or more ferociousness, but a better person, a better man. Mind, heart, body, and soul; you have to train all of those things.

"That's how you learn which fights are the right ones." Elio concluded. Hazo scoffed, shaking his head and looking down.

"What is that, some kind of Fire Nation proverb?" He asked. Elio shook his head and chuckled a little.

"No, but someone from the Fire Nation taught me that, someone who was kind enough to give me a second chance to do the right thing." Elio answered before standing up and offering his hand to Hazo.

Hazo sighed and nodded, taking Elio's hand. Elio helped him to his feet. As the steam and fog started to clear, the waterbending students saw that Elio was helping the master to walk towards the steps. Their eyes widened. Based on what they were seeing, it looked like Elio had won the fight.

"He's gotten stronger." Cindra realized.

"What's going on here?! What happened?!" The chief, who must've just recently arrived, questioned Elio and Hazo from where he stood at the top of the steps. Two guards stood on either side of him. Elio and Hazo looked up and sighed.

"Ah, I guess I have to relay all of this to the chief after all." Hazo chuckled ironically.

"Yeah. Well, let me help you out." Elio offered.

"Thanks..." Hazo said. Elio helped Hazo up the stairs and assisted him in following the chief back to the palace.

Elio didn't expect the day to end in a fight, but at least he could rest easy knowing that there wouldn't be another one waiting for him tomorrow...