A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Just the amount I wanted . This chapter is shorter since I don't have enough time to make it super duper long like last time. 10 Chapters already! :D
No Zutara this chapter or the next, since Katara isn't really appearing that much anyways :P.
Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar.
Captured Trust Chapter 10: The Trial Begins (Firebending Masters)
Aang was in the Air Temple where he had grown up. The monks and his old friends were all gathered there, smiling and talking. Monk Gyasto was talking to another airbender happily, playing a game of Pai Sho. Young sky bison were roaming and soaring across the sky, airbenders sitting atop their furry backs. It's just like before…. Aang thought.
"Hey guys!" he cried out excitedly, waving to get the monk's attention. Slowly, the monks turned their heads. On their faces were not the smiles from before, but sad and solemn looks. They opened their mouths as if to say "Where have you been," but no sound came out. Aang gasped. The monks were slowly dissipating into dust clouds, and the dust was gathering and swirling around his feet.
"No!" the Avatar hollered, reaching out his hand to a disappearing Gyatso! "Don't leave me again!"
Soon, the dust had obscured his vision, and Aang had to cover his eyes with his small hands. He felt the clouds go away, and gingerly lifted his hands away. Suddenly, the smirking face of Fire Lord Ozai was in front of him. Aang reflexively took an Airbending stance and shot his hands out in a airbending position, but no air came out. Ozai laughed menacingly and rose his hand to shoot flames at the young monk. Aang screamed as the flames engulfed him, burning him and racking his body with pain. He was still screaming when he opened his eyes.
In front of him stood Katara, Zuko, and the Sun Warrior Chief, who was poking him with a spear. Sun Warriors stood in a circle around them.
Katara breathed out, "We were so worried Aang…you wouldn't wake up…and you were screaming-"
"I'm fine," he gave Katara a small smile, then rubbed his tired eyes, "By the way, what time is it? I'm really sleepy."
"Dawn. We have to take the Trial of Fire, remember?" Zuko huffed.
"Oh yeah, I remember. But why does it have to be at dawn? We need a long rest, especially after that long trip on Appa, and-"
"Enough talking," the Chief silenced the three with a wave of his hand. He used his other hand to beckon another Sun Warrior forward. The Sun Warrior handed the Chief a long scroll. The Chief coughed into his fist as he opened the scroll. "The Trial of Fire begins today. I will explain the rules now."
"This trial is a test of bravery, teamwork, and skill. To pass this trial, you must go up the Sun Mountain and retrieve the Dragon's Fire from the top of the mountain. The fire will be on a pedestal, similar to the one the Golden Dragon Egg was on."
"That's easy! I'll just airbend us up there!" Aang exclaimed to Zuko and Katara.
"No," The Sun Warrior Chief said sternly. "No bending is allowed in this area. It is sacred. You must pass this test without your special abilities and depend on your teammates for help. The mountain is filled with dangerous animals and perilous cliffs. It is not easy to climb."
"Fine." Aang said quickly, a stubborn look on his face.
"So…do we start the trial now?" Katara said to the Chief, fingering her flask nervously.
"Yes, but you will not partake in the trial," he said to the waterbender. The water tribe girl dropped her jaw.
"What? Why not?" Aang exclaimed, flailing his hands, "Katara is a wonderful waterbender!"
"She is not a firebender, therefore, she is not qualified," seeing the look on Aang's face, he added, "Do not worry; she will be perfectly safe with us as we wait for you and your friend to finish."
"Let's get this over with then," Zuko cut in roughly.
The Sun Warrior Chief nodded his head and motioned for Aang and Zuko to stand on a large platform next to a big mountain. The Sun Mountain…Sure is big…Aang mused as the Sun Warriors started to perform a series of hand gestures and form fireballs in their hands. Soon, the Chief pricked his hand with his spear, and dipped his bloody finger into the fire that he had created. Then, he and the other Warriors closed their eyes as if to pray. The fire in their hands turned an eerie shade of white. Aang gaped. White fire?
The Sun Warriors then thrust out their hands and the platform Aang and Zuko were on burst into flames. The areas around them were covered in fire blazing 10 feet in the air. The only place the two benders could go through without travelling through the white flames was to the mountain. Shuddering, Aang whispered to Zuko, "Do you think you could bend the flames away? They're creeping me out." Zuko nodded.
The prince took a Firebending stance and parted his hands in efforts to bend the flames away. Nothing happened. Maybe it's just me. He thought. He opened his hand while concentrating on creating a fire in his palm. Again, nothing appeared.
"What? I can't bend?" the scarred teen cried. Aang tried to flip his staff using airbending, but landed in a belly-flop.
"I can't either…" he said in disappointment.
"I told you, you can't bend in this sacred place. Rely on your motor skills." They heard the booming voice of the Chief over the roaring fire.
"Okay, okay, but what is this fire? I've never seen white fire before!" Aang yelled.
"It is a special form of firebending passed down by the Sun Warriors. It is in our blood. This flame is even more powerful than lightning. Once lighted, no one can bend it ever again. It will keep burning until the end of time. Touching it can result in death."
"You mean we're stuck here?" Aang shuddered.
"Once you pass the test, the flames will recede." The Chief stated.
"And if we don't?" Zuko questioned.
"You'll die." Came the simple answer.
"I guess we're on our own now," Aang said nervously to the firebender next to him.
"Yeah, and you'll need this to survive then, if we don't have bending," Zuko said while handing Aang one of his swords from his back. He held his own.
"Thanks." The young monk smiled at the banished prince while fingering his new sword.
"Well, there's no turning back now." He said loudly.
Over the crackling of the fire, they heard the Chief boom.
"Let the trial….BEGIN!"
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A/N: Did you like the chapter? Want to give me a suggestion? Review then! :D See ya all next time!