Book 4 Air

Chapter 7 Elements Collide

"The rules of this contest are simple. Fight 'til the last one standing, wins!" The man shouted as he raised a small gong.

Aang's eyes widen, "L-last one standing! They don't mean 'til death right? Right!?" asked the airbender frantically.

Suki chuckled, "Of course not…Just until they can't fight anymore…" Suki said as she continued to watch.

The drums beat grew louder, faster. Rhythmically pounding as the crowd cheered louder with pleading enthusiasm.

"The first battle will be warrior Sokka against earthbender Tu!" the man called out as he rang a small gong. The resonant sound echoed as the crowd slowly grew silent.

Sokka stepped in the centering circle. Unsheathing his meteoric black sword, he gripped the hilt tightly. Tu smirked as he leaned over and took a huge object out of an opened casket. The crowd gasped in shock and awe. It was a giant ax; the long handle was made of an odd darken wood embedded with jade half way, then a smooth golden finish for gripping on the bottom. The flat metal head of the ax was sharp at the edges and glistened against the surround torches.

Sokka gulped.

Tu smirked; "Prepare yourself little man…" mocked the Earth Kingdom teen as he arched his weapon over his shoulder.

Sokka growled in anger, 'I'll show you little…' thought Sokka as he gripped tighter on his sword.

The stumpy announcer raised the small red flag, and then signaled the opponents to begin.

"Fight!" shouted the man as he moved away from the two.

Sokka lifted his sword and yelled out, "Aaah! Take this!"

The clash of metal hitting metal rang loudly as both fighters stared at each other with determination in their eyes.

Pulling back, Sokka swung his sword as Tu lifted his ax. Realizing he was too slow Sokka backed out away from Tu's strike. The giant ax chopped into the platform missing the water tribe boy in mere inches. Wood chipped and pieces flew everywhere along with small clouds of dust.

"Heh, running away are you? What you scared? Little pig-chicken!" Tu said with a flat laugh as he continued to ridicule the water warrior.

"Ah! Me? A pig-chicken? You're one to talk…You're as stubborn as a Boar' pine!" mocked Sokka.

"What did you say?" Tu yelled out.

"Oh no…no what was I thinking…You're not like a Boar'pine…unlike your mom!" Sokka sarcastically said.

Growling with rage Tu gripped the handle of his weapon and charged at the water tribe boy. Sokka raised his sword blocking Tu's attack.

"You take that back!" Tu cried out.

"Or what? Go crying home like a little cow-pig back to your mama? You mama's boy." Sokka said in a childish matter.

Tu growled as he pulled back to strike again. Aiming the ax to Sokka's head, Sokka grinned a wide silly smile.

"AAAHHH!" Tu screamed out as the ax swung downward.

In the last second Sokka inched to the side swirling around behind Tu. Unable react or to shift his body due to the sheer weight and size of his ax. Tu went down with his weapon.

Hitting the ground hard, Tu released his weapon slightly as the handle rested at his shoulder. Landing against the solid wooden floor. He groaned, and then slowly opening his eyes, the top of his ax felt off hitting him square in the head. Knocking him out cold.

"Sokka wins the first round!" the stumpy man announced to the crowd.

Everyone were stunned, expect Katara, Suki, Toph and Aang. Soon after the shock wore off and the realization kicked in. The crowd both exchanged multiple conversations of both amazement and disappointment.

"Aw man I lost my bet!" exclaimed someone in the crowd.

"How did he do that?" someone said out loud.

"Heheh…I knew he would win…So please can I please bet on him!?" begged Toph.

"No!" Katara, Aang and Suki said at once.

"Aw, you guys are no fun…" whined Toph.


In a short distant up on the side of a balcony Fire Lord Zuko along with two generals watched the performance from a far.

"Amazing…That boy sure was lucky, wasn't he Sire…?" General Ryuan said in astonishment.

"Luck had nothing to do with it…He's a skilled fighter and knows what he's doing." Zuko said calmly as he sipped some tea.

"I see Sire… After the performance, would you care to acknowledge and congrats the winner, Milord?" asked the second general named Lee.

"Yes, and after I will have my friends attend the ceremony…" Zuko said as he pulled his cup away.

"You mean the Maiden-Match Ceremony, Fire Lord Zuko?" asked General Ryuan.

Zuko placed the cup down, his eyes narrowed. "Yes…"


The gong rang again as the curtain rose up.

"Next competitor, Aeron!" shouted the man.

The mysterious fighter stepped onto the stage, gracefully making his way to the center ring. Turning his body to the right, a servant handed him his weapon of choice. Unclothing the long object, grasped in his hand is a double sided halberd with a red sash tied at the base of the wood and metal. On the top of the detailed shape of the metal were two dragon heads facing each other.

Sokka smirked, 'I can take him on…' Sokka thought as he gripped his sword.

The stumpy man raised the red flag up high then swung it down, calling out. "Fight!"

This time the drummers unleashed a heavy rhythmic beat, causing the crowd high on their toes and feeling anxious.

Keeping his stance steady. Sokka waited for the right moment to strike. Then suddenly the opponent vanished. Widening his eyes, he looked around then in a single flash the mysterious fighter was in front of Sokka. Startled Sokka swung his sword to block any attacks as he staggered back.

Shutting his eyes as he pulled away the sound of metal clashed and his eyes shot opened. The fighter's eyes stared at him, he was so close. Sokka could even tell what eye color he had. Pure gold, almost soft like honey. Blinking for a moment Sokka finally acted on instinct.

Gritting his teeth, Sokka pushed forward throwing the fighter off balance.

Lightly panting Sokka thought deeply, 'this guy means business, I can't use my other tactic on him…I'll have to think of something along the way…'

The mysterious fighter lifted his weapon up and then charged at Sokka. Sokka focused, trying to see any weakness.

Zipping pass the attacks and dodging any final blows, Sokka then tumbled across the floor then quickly turned.

Then it hit him, "His weapon! It's mainly made of wood! I can cut it!' Sokka thought as he gripped his sword.

'I just have to get closer…' Sokka thought as he got up and ran towards the fighter.

Gliding his sword sideways, swinging full force. He heard the sound of wood breaking and the tinkle of metal hitting the floor. Loosing his balance Sokka falls on his shoulder. Turning his head he chuckled. "Too bad…You can't fight without yourhalberd." Sokka said with confidence.

The fighter stood firm, his lips curved into a light smile. Grabbing from one end of the wooden stick to the other he then twisted it, revealing a hidden blade within the secret sheath.

"What!" exclaimed Sokka.

The mysterious fighter smirked wryly and then extended the two foot blade out. Slowly forming into an aggressive stance Aeron charged at Sokka.

Sokka quickly got up and then prepared for the attack. Slicing against each other's blade it was now the fight between strength. Pushing forth and back, growling and grinding. Sokka stared intently at his opponent, fire burned in his eyes of pure desire to win.

The fighter hesitated. Sokka taking his as his only chance.

He punched the fighter's stomach, and then hit his hold of the blade. Pushing the opponent down. The fighter gasped and fell to the ground. Cringing at the pain, the fighter tried to stand up, but then fell to his knees.

The crowd booed and cheered all at the same time. Katara, Aang, Suki and Toph cheered wildly for their friend.

Sokka stood up and saw everyone cheering. He felt proud that he won, it felt good.

As the servants picked up the fallen opponent, a new surprise came into play. As the mysterious fighter revealed his face.

Removing the mask, long flowing black hair reached down to the shoulders, and the face was very feminine. Maybe too feminine…

"You are a true warrior Sokka…I was honored to test your abilities and strength…" spoke the fighter, the voice was soft and elegant.

"Wha…Ahh…" Sokka couldn't speak; his jaw gaped opened as his fingers twitched.

"Wow, Aeron is a woman!!" exclaimed Aang.

"A woman? Haha, I didn't think Sokka had the guts!" Toph said with a loud laugh.

The woman chuckled lightly as she walked up to Sokka, "You know, in a fight such as this I would never reveal my face…not to anyone…but with you I made an acceptation…" Whispered Aeron as she leaned in and kissed Sokka deeply.

The crowd whistled and "Oooohhh…" at the scene.

While Katara tried to calm Suki down, and Aang and Toph laughed their butts off.

"Grrr…So-kka!" growled Suki as her face became red with anger and her hands clenched into fists.

"It's alright…settle down…" Katara tried to reassure.

Sokka blinked then pulled away from the girl as he blushed deeply.

Then his arm was yanked up quickly as he cried out, "The winner! Sokka Tao of the Southern Water Tribe!" the stumpy man said as he raised Sokka's arm up high.

"Heheh…Heh…" Sokka grew nervous as he twitched knowing later victory won't be so sweet…


Who saw that coming uh? Haha…Next Chapter coming soon. Please review!!