Chapter 4: Kyoshi
The group had taken off from the southern air temple, and were looking for the North pole. Unsuccessfully. They had been basically wandering around for days, since no one knew how to use a map. Trunks sat at the back of the saddle, his legs crossed, as he focused inwards. Image training was one of the things his late master, Gohan, had taught him. In his head, Trunks worked through dozens of forms, conjuring up flames like he did energy, but nothing felt quite right.
"Hey katara, look at this cool trick!", Aang said, breaking Trunks' concentration. The monk held some marbles in his hand, using his bending to manipulate the air currents, he made the balls spin around rapidly in between his palms.
"That's great!", Katara said, without looking.
"You didn't even look though".
"that's great!", She said, not paying attention again.
"You shouldn't interrupt girls while they're sewing, Aang", Sokka interjected.
Katara paused, looking up with a quirk to her eye. "What does swing have to do with me being a girl?"
"You know, girls are better at sewing pants, and men are better at hunting, fighting, and that stuff."
"Actually, Sokka, it doesn't really matter. I had to learn how to sew at a young age, and don't underestimate women in combat. They can be strong." Trunks intervened.
"See Sokka, why can't you be more like Trunks".
Without warning, Appa veered left, descending toward an island. They landed by the water.
"We stopped yesterday, shouldn't we get more flying in?", Sokka protested.
"Yeah Aang, we won't get to the North Pole until spring at this rate", Katara added.
"It's OK, Appa is just tired and needs a rest", Aang countered, nudging the bison. The beast didn't respond. "Aren't you Appa", Aang tried again. Appa let out a loud, yet clearly pretend yawn.
"It's cool guys, may as well have a little fun", Trunks said.
Aang ran towards the water, pointing at a disturbance in it. "We're here for that!". Out from the water leapt a massive fish, bigger than any fish Trunks had seen. Aang's eyes lit up, in eagerness to ride the fish. Trunks' stomach growled, eager to have a meal.
Within seconds, Aang was in the water, trying to show off by holding on to the sail of the fish as it dipped in and out of the water. The air nomad earned a few cheers from Katara, making him grin with rosy cheeks. Seeing all the fun, Trunks also decided to get into the water, taking off his clothes, leaving only undergarments. The half saiyan's well trained body was open to see, his large well-defined chest and broad back were accentuated with a plethora of scars. Trunks took a running jump into the water, flipping and turning in the air before gracefully diving in.
"Now that's impressive!", Sokka remarked, slightly envious.
Katara blushed at Trunks' physique, her ears heating up. She watched the water, as Trunks reappeared from under it, his long lavender hair sticking to his face. However, her focus soon shifted to Aang, as the fish behind him began to suddenly submerge. "Aang, get out of the water!", she screamed.
"What?", he said, unable to hear her. Abruptly, the fish he was on was yanked under the surface, making Aang swallow some water. As he spat out the liquid from his mouth, he caught a glimpse of what had dragged his ride under. A huge, black, serpentine eel arched out of the water, its sharp spines glistening like blades in the sun. Aang screamed, as he raced through the water to get to shore, the eel hot on his trail. Just as the creature was about to catch up, it stopped.
"Aang, are you OK?", Katara asked. "Wait where's Trunks?". They all stared at the lake, unable to find the boy or the beast, fearing the worst.
"You don't think he was eaten, do you?", Sokka spoke. Moments went by, no one too their eyes off the water.
"We have to find him!", Aang said. As Aang was about to go back, the beast reappeared, and in its back was Trunks. He ran up the beast's scales as it began to submerge once more, shooting off from its tail, landing right next to the group.
"Damn, he ate all the fish", Trunks said casually. Before the gang could react to what just happened, they were suddenly blindsided by a group of 5. They jumped from the trees, quickly incapacitating Sokka, Katara, Aang, and Momo, leaving them hogtied. Moving to attack Trunks, they all encircled him, fans probed to strike. "What do you want?".
"Answers", The presumed leader answered. "Why are you on our island?".
"We're just stopping for a moment".
"And why should we believe that? You're coming with us!". She moved forward with her fan, aiming for a quick knockout strike at the neck, but Trunks was fast enough to duck under. He swept her legs, though she quickly recovered, and her allies were on Trunks back. One of them attempted to grab his arm, but wasn't expecting his immense strength, being quickly flung off. Trunks was in a bind, he didn't want to hurt these girls, they weren't benders, and they were only defending their island.
"Wait!", Trunks shouted. "We'll come with you."
"Trunks! What are you saying?", Sokka screamed. "You can't let these guys beat us!".
Trunks ignored him, putting his hands out in surrender as the fighters bound them together. He could break out if he wanted. The girls took them to the centre of town, tying them to a large wooden structure. An old man came out from a shack, clearly irate.
"Remove the cloths", he said. The girls moved in, removing the sashes that blocked their vision.
"Hey, where are the men that took us down?", Sokka demanded to know.
"There aren't any, we took you down", the girl said.
"Nah, no way a bunch of girls took us down"
The girl got right in Sokka's face, frowning. "The Unagi will eat well tonight!"
"What are you doing on out island? How can we be sure that you aren't spies of the fire nation?", the old man said, angrily." Kyoshi Island has remained neutral for 100 years, and we will not be dragged into this war!"
Aang perked up. "Hey did you said Kyoshi Island? I know Kyoshi!", He said. The old man clearly did not believe him.
"Kyoshi was born nearly 400 heads ago, how could you know her?"
"Well, I'm the Avatar"
This seemed to tip the man over the edge. "That's it, feed the imposter to the Unagi"
Trunks was preparing to break out and escape, it's a shame he couldn't fly at the moment. "Aang do some bending", Katara whispered.
"Oh, yeah". Aang used a gust of wind to cut his ties, and blew himself into the air, using air currents to slowly float down. "Now! Watch this!". Aang pulled out his marbles, and did his trick from earlier, though this time the crowd was much more enthusiastic.
"He is the avatar!", The old man said. "Quick untie them, feed them, show them out hospitality.", the man laughed.
Over the course of the day, word quickly spread of the Avatar being on Kyoshi Island, soon reaching the banished Prince. "The avatar is in Kyoshi?!", Zuko shouted. "Plot a course, uncle, we head their before night fall."
Uncle Iroh looked at the roasted duck fish in front of him, as Zuko began to march away. "Zuko, are you going to eat that?", he asked, timidly. Zuko marched back, snatching the plate.
"I was saving it for later!". Iroh pouted.
The gang was now sitting down in a room they had been given, an array of desserts laid in front of them. Well, there were, until Trunks wolfed down most of it. Sokka, however, was not at the table, he was sulking in a corner after having his ego wounded. "Hey, aren't you hungry?", Trunks asked.
"No", he replied. The water tribe boy got up. "I'm heading out, see you guys later".
Katara looked at Trunks, as if to say 'Follow him, please'. Trunks grabbed a few sweet buns, and followed after his friend. "Where are you going?".
"To show those girls not to mess with me."
Trunks didn't say anything. It was high time for Sokka to realise that he was being arrogant, so he'd let him learn that lesson. They both walked into the dojo.
"Hey ladies, sorry to interrupt your dance moves, I was just looking for some place to get a little work out in"
The warriors all ceased their training, as the leader, addressed Sokka. "well you've come to the right place. Oh, and sorry about yesterday, we didn't know you were friends of the avatar".
"Oh no, that's OK. I usually hold a grudge but seeing as you're all a bunch of girls, I'll let it slide."
"We hope so, big strong man like you, we wouldn't have a chance", she quipped.
"Well yeah, I was the strongest warrior in out village", Sokka said smugly"
"Then you wouldn't mind showing us some moves then would you?"
"Yikes, she called his bluff", Trunks thought.
"Well, I ugh-"
"Come on, girls, don't want to see some of his moves?". The rest of the warriors all murmured in agreement.
"OK fine, but don't say I didn't warn you"
"oh no", Trunks mentally face palmed. The next 3 minutes were essentially a comedy reel of Sokka having his masculine ego, ground into makeup powder by Suki. The girl's technique and experience clearly showed, as she blocked, parried, and redirected Sokka at every point, leaving him sprawled across the floor with his hand tied to his foot.
"Anything else to teach us?", she mocked.
"OK, Sokka, let's go", Trunks said, feeling bad. He untied Sokka, who left the room in a huff. Trunks was going to leave as well, but Suki spoke up.
"Wait a minute, we didn't finish our last bout either, since you surrendered."
"It was best at the time"
"Was it, or were you afraid of losing?", she jeered.
Trunks smirked. "Trust me, there was no chance of me losing"
"Don't just talk then, show us".
He sighed. "Ok". Before any of the girls could blink, Trunks was in Suki's face. The girl attempted to strike his shoulder with her fan, but found it locked by his vice grip. Quickly, not giving her a chance to let go, Trunks spun her arm behind her, twisting it. "Told you"
"You're good", she admitted. Spinning around to release her arm, she attempted to get Trunks off balance, using his weight against him, but when she tried to move him it was like trying to move a building. Trunks decided to finish the spar, getting behind Suki and swiping behind her knee causing her to fall, catching her before she hit the ground.
"You're not too bad yourself", Trunks smiled. He helped Suki up, and gave her a bow. "See you later".
Trunks left the building and found Sokka moping around out front, he was pretty sure the water tribe boy had learnt his lesson, so he decided to help Katara at the bazaar. He would've liked to train his new Firebending, but the islanders seemed to not like anything to do with Fire nation.
As Trunks walked into the shopping area, he passed Aang showing off to a group of girls by doing press ups. Ignoring that, he found Katara picking up various vegetables. "Hey Katara."
"Hey Trunks, sorry to ask, but do you mind carrying this basket for me?"
"Yeah sure, no problem. What's with all the stuff anyway?"
"Well, I mean, we do need to leave soon and we'll need supplies", she explained. "Plus, I think this fame is getting to Aang's head", she said, pointing to Aang and his adoring fans.
Trunks laughed awkwardly. "Yeah. Anyway, Sokka should be fine now. If I'm right, he should be training with the girls right now".
"Really? What happened?"
"They kicked his butt...again". They both had a chuckle. "Let's head back and get this stuff packed".
As Trunks and Katara walked back, Aang watched. He didn't want to admit it, but he was a little jealous. He needed to get Katara's attention, but how?
Trunks had helped Katara load all the materials into Appa's saddle, and they were now headed back to the room. "So, Trunks, you never did explain all the flying stuff", Katara said.
"Dammit, you had to ask at the one time I can't actually use my powers", Trunks thought. "Yeah, um, about that, I kind of can't use my powers anymore"
"What?! Why?"
"Remember how Aang went crazy when I fought those Firebenders, that was because if me. So, when we went to the air temple, I had my powers locked".
"So, are you powerless now? Is that why you let the Kyoshi warriors take us?", Katara asked.
"Well no, I still have my biological strength, and I also got given something else. Just don't freak out please", Trunks explained. He held out his hand, and began conjuring up a flame, but before he could Aang walked in.
"Uh hey Guys", Aang said. "I'm going down with the girls to the water"
"OK", Katara said.
"I'm going to surf the Unagi"
"Cool"
"you're not going to stop me"
"Nope"
"Fine then!", Aang shut the door, leaving in a rush.
"So, what's up with you guys?", Trunks asked.
"Nothing, Aang is just being super weird ever since we came here", Katara said.
"It's minor, he's just enjoying the attention for once. Come on, let's make sure he doesn't hurt himself"
She smiled. "Yeah, let's go"
When they arrived, they found Aang in the water, alone. "Katara!", Aang exclaimed. "I though you weren't coming?"
"We wanted to make sure you were safe", she said.
"But back then you made it seem like you didn't care"
"I'm sorry, Aang"
"Me too, I let the attention get to me, I was being a jerk"
"Well then get out the water before you get a cold, you jerk", she giggled.
"Ok", he said, as he started to swim back. He was almost at the shore when black fins popped out from behind him.
Katara gasped. "Aang, hurry up"
"What", was all he could say, before the eel had lifted him out the water. He held on to one of its whiskers, being flung about like crazy, spewing jets of water, until it finally blew him away. Aang landed a few metres off the shore, unconscious. Katara jumped in to grab him.
"Katara wait", Trunks shouted. The Unagi was gaining on them, and by the time Katara held Aang, it was already about to strike. When the Unagi lunged forward, Katara tried to use her waterbending, but it wasn't enough. Just as the eels was going to consume them, Trunks jumped forward and punched the creature as hard as he could, stunning it. Trunks fell back into the water, quickly heading back to dry land with Katara and Aang.
Spluttering out water from his lungs, Aang woke up. "Katara, you saved me.", he groggily said.
"Well, more so Trunks, we would be been fish chum if not for him", Katara stated.
Trunks shook his head to get the water out his ears. "Don't mention it. I would've killed it, if I could use my full strength", he admitted. While the Unagi swam away, it passed a large metal ship that was heading for the island. Aboard its helm was Prince Zuko, an angry scowl on his face.
"Men, raze this village to the ground, as long as you find the Avatar, I don't care", he commanded. The moment the ship struck land, the drawbridge descended, and Firebenders poured out.
Trunks could sense it. "Him again", he growled. "Guys we need to get to the village, there's trouble".
"What happened?", Aang asked.
"Firebenders". The three of them rushed to the centre of the island, however it was already burning. The Kyoshi warriors were fighting as best they could, but we're struggling against benders and Komodo-rhinos. A mounted Firebender shot at Suki, but was parried by a makeup wearing Sokka.
"Guess training is over!", Sokka quipped.
Trunks rushed in, clotheslining two soldiers, and slamming his heel into the helmet of another, shattering it. Multiple soldiers began to gang up on him, jabbing with their blades at his face. He evaded most, but was struck a few times, earning some nasty gashes before jumping out of the encirclement. Trunks looked at a broken guan dao on the floor, picking it up. "Damn, if only I didn't leave my sword in the room", he murmured. Aang came in from above, blowing away some of the soldiers, as Trunks slashed at the remainder, his vision obscured from the blood dropping from his forelock.
"Avatar!", came the screaming voice of Zuko. "You're coming with me!". He shot two balls of flame at the air nomad, who used his staff to disperse the blasts. Zuko didn't relent, following through with close quarters combat, attempting to slice at Aang with fire daggers. Aang nimbly moved out of the path of the blades, going under the prince's legs, and using a burst of air to blow him away into a building.
Aang looked around, the burning houses, terrified children, and blackened effigy of Kyoshi, filling him with guilt. He flew over to Katara, who was guiding villagers to safety. "Katara, this is all my fault".
"No it isn't Aang", she said.
"Yes, it is, they tried to protect me, and now they're being attacked.
"We have to leave then, they'll follow us".
Aang sighed. "I'll get Appa".
Trunks continued fighting with the warriors, watching them slowly get overwhelmed by the Firebenders.
"Trunks!", called Katara, from the air. "Let's go!"
He looked up at the flying bison, at his friends, before looking down at the warriors again. "No. You go, I'll protect the village."
"But Trunks-", Aang tried to intervene.
"JUST GO!". Reluctantly, the two flew off to pick up Sokka, and leave. Trunks turned, back toward the Firebenders, and saw Zuko. "Back for round two?"
"It won't be the same", Zuko said. They both took their stance, as the soldiers surrounded them. Zuko moved in with a fire sweep, which the half saiyan narrowly dodged. He leapt forward, aiming to punch Zuko in the jaw. However, as he got close enough, Zuko blasted him in the arm. Trunks fell back with his skin burnt; without his Ki he wasn't as resistant.
"Lucky shot", Trunks hissed in pain. Trunks thought that it was time to pull out his transformation, the strength boost would let him easily pummel these guys, even if he was injured. He screamed out, raising his ki to the boiling point, waiting to manifest his golden glow. His power raised and a small aura of red appeared, but abruptly it stopped; he couldn't turn into a super saiyan!
"Hmph, looks like you're not as unstoppable as we thought", Zuko smirked. "Men, end him!". The benders all struck at the same time, fire coming at Trunks from every direction. He couldn't dodge, he couldn't tank it either. In a last ditch effort, he swung his arm, waiting for the burn, but it never came. The fire was swept away, leaving Trunks unharmed, and the Firebenders shocked.
"OK Trunks, think, you can't go super saiyan, you'll need to bend. But how?", he thought. Trunks mimicked Zuko's stance, his feet wide and palms forward. He couldn't produce enough fire, so he'd have to get close. Locking on to one soldier, he moved in, striking fire into his chest, earning an agonised scream. He spun round quickly, swatting away a blast, sweeping fire at their feet, before roundhouse kicking two soldiers.
"You may be able to Firebend, but you're clearly a novice". Zuko generated two fire daggers, aiming a slash at his chest, but the strike was evaded. He noticed a burn on Trunks' arm, thinking it a weak point he jabbed at it. Trunks saw the attack coming, grabbing the fire dagger in his palm, negating it, and punching Zuko straight in the solar plexus, knocking him to the floor.
"Enough, the Avatar is getting away, follow him!", the banished Prince ordered, through ragged breaths. The remaining soldiers and Zuko all left for the ship, pursuing Aang. As soon as they were gone, Trunks fell to his knee, having taken a lot of damage. He watched the ship follow Appa, a speck falling from the bison, splashing into the water. It was Aang! He rose from the water atop the Unagi, using its water stream to put out the flames. As the water pattered on his face, Trunks got up, and took out his capsules.
*Poof*. He took out his bag of senzu beans, popping one in his mou th and swallowing. Immediately, he felt his wounds and aches disappear, and his energy returned. "OK, time for me to find a teacher."
